Luggage compartment actuation

1. A detection unit for integration in a luggage compartment of an airplane;

the detection unit comprising a capacitive sensor with an active layer;

wherein the capacitive sensor is adapted to detect a first event triggered by a user;

wherein the detection unit is adapted to transmit a first control signal to a control mechanism;

wherein the first control signal corresponds to the first event; and

wherein the active layer comprises carbon fibre electrically isolated from a surrounding compartment structure.

2. The detection unit of claim 1 , further comprising:

a circuit adapted for providing a voltage to the capacitive sensor and for analyzing an electric field generated by the capacitive sensor;

wherein the electric field corresponds to the event.

3. The detection unit of claim 1 ,

wherein the event is one of a pressure signal applied to a zone, an approach of a user and a contact with a user.

4. The detection unit according to claim 1 ,

wherein the active layer is embedded between glass fibre mats, in order to electrically isolate the active layer from the surrounding structure.

5. The detection unit according to claim 4 ,

wherein the active layer and the glass fibre mats are laminated by applying a high pressure and heat.

6. The detection unit according to claim 1 ,

adapted for measuring a force exerted by a user of the luggage compartment.

7. The detection unit according to claim 1 , characterized in that the detection unit is presented in the form of a film.

8. The detection unit according to claim 7 , characterized in that the film is electrically insulated from the lower exterior surface of the mobile part by a layer of insulating material and is covered by a decorative layer.

9. Control device for closing a luggage compartment, the control device comprising:

a detection unit of claim 1 ;

a control mechanism;

a mobile part, adapted to move between an open position and a closed position;

wherein the detection unit is adapted to transmit a first control signal to the control mechanism;

wherein the first control signal corresponds to the first event;

wherein the control mechanism is adapted to close the mobile part; and

wherein closing of the luggage compartment is triggered by the first control signal.

10. The control device of claim 9 ,

wherein the first event is one of a pressure signal applied to a zone, an approach of a user and a contact with a user;

wherein the mobile part comprises an opening for loading luggage and a lower outside surface;

wherein the zone corresponds to the lower outside surface of the mobile part; and

wherein the detection unit is arranged at a level corresponding to the lower outside surface of the mobile part.

11. The control device of claim 9 ,

wherein the detection unit is further adapted to detect a second event and to transmit a second control signal to the mechanism;

wherein the second control signal corresponds to the second event;

wherein the mechanism is further adapted to open the luggage compartment; and

wherein opening of the luggage compartment is triggered by the second control signal.

12. The control device according to claim 9 , characterized in that the detection unit extends longitudinally with relation to the opening of the mobile part on a length corresponding to at least half of the width of the luggage compartment and near the opening of the mobile part.

13. The control device according to claim 9 , characterized in that the detection unit covers the major part of the lower exterior surface of the mobile part.

14. A luggage compartment adapted for being arranged overhead, the luggage compartment comprising a mobile part movable between an open position and a closed position and a control mechanism for acting on said mobile part to promote its closing, characterized in that the compartment comprises a detection unit according to claim 1 adapted to act on said control mechanism.

15. Use of a detection unit of claim 1 for a control device for closing a luggage compartment in an airplane.

16. Airplane, comprising a detection unit of claim 1 .