The Aviation Double Seat features a combination of seat ventilation by means of fans and thermal regulation by seat heating. Credit: Gentherm GmbH In cooperation with its partner Gentherm, Fraunhofer has developed an air-conditioned business class seat (Aviation Double Seat). The seat features a combination of seat ventilation by means of fans and thermal regulation by seat heating. This leads to an optimal temperature control of the seat surface as well as a continuous moisture removal. The result is a permanently comfortable, dry climate on the seat surface. The Aviation Double Seat will be on display at the ILA Berlin 2018 at the joint Fraunhofer booth 229 in Hall 2 from April 25th to 29th and will soon be launched on the market.
The Aviation Double Seat was created during the EU-funded project iSPACE (Innovative Systems for Personalized Aircraft Cabin Environment). In addition to the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP in Valley, Germany, nine European partners from the aviation industry were also involved. As part of the project, the participants have developed technologies that will enhance the comfort of passengers, enabling them to adjust their personal indoor environment as well as to adapt the temperature and airflow to suit their personal needs.
In 2016, there were 3.7 billion passengers in civil aviation worldwide. According to a survey by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, increasing prosperity, attractive travel destinations, the expansion of global trade relations and liberal travel agreements have increased passenger numbers year after year. The Fraunhofer IBP is constantly researching the subject of aircraft in order to bring all of these people to their destinations in a healthy, comfortable, as well as ecological and economical manner. The indoor climate in aircraft cabins occupies an important place in the research work of the institute.
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