Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Modular hatrack for a passenger compartment of an aircraft
Reference to related applications
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Patent
Application
2007 030 331.0 filed June 29, 2007 and of United States Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/937,686 filed June 29, 2007, the disclosure of which
application
is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a modular hatrack for an interior of an
aircraft,
wherein the modular hatrack comprises a housing and a container. Likewise, the
present invention relates to the use of the modular hatrack in a vehicle,
including in
an aircraft.
In the state of the art, modular hatracks or overhead storage bins and
adjacent
components and systems of the aircraft, for example cables, pipes, hoses,
etc., are
usually fastened to the interior structure of the aircraft independently and
so as to be
separate from each other.
Because of the above, it is necessary to install the different components one
after the
other within the fuselage or the interior of the aircraft. This results in
long installation
times and consequently high costs in the production or the refurbishment of an
aircraft.
Furthermore, various tolerances or gaps occur, so that space problems, contact
or
even clashes or squeezing of individual components or parts can occur.
Moreover,
alignment work is necessary, which in turn can only be carried out inside the
aircraft.
Consequently, there may be a requirement for solving the above-mentioned
problems
of the state of the art.
This requirement is satisfied with the subject according to the main claim 1
of the
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present patent application.
Expedient embodiments and improvements are stated in the dependent claims.
Furthermore, the use of a modular hatrack according to claim 14 is proposed.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the modular hatrack for
a
passenger compartment of an aircraft comprises at least one container and at
least
one housing to accommodate the container, wherein at least one component from
the
group comprising a personal supply channel, an electrical line, a light strip,
an air
duct for an air conditioning system, and an air outlet for an air conditioning
system is
integrated in the housing.
The term "modular hatrack" refers to a delimited space or a compartment in
which,
for example, baggage or other objects belonging to passengers or aircrew can
be
stored.
The term "interior space of an aircraft" or "passenger compartment of an
aircraft"
refers to that part of the aircraft that comprises the passenger cabin, or
that part of the
aircraft which accommodates passengers.
The term "container" refers to a device for accommodating objects, in
particular
items of baggage.
The term "housing" refers to a component of the modular hatrack, which
component
accommodates the container. The modular hatrack is installed in, or affixed
to, the
interior of the aircraft, wherein the container can be placed in the housing
before or
after installation of the modular hatrack.
The term "accommodating the container" refers to the container comprising
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corresponding dimensions in order to correspondingly fit into the interior of
the
housing.
The term "personal supply channel", "PSC" or "PSC region", refers to those
components in or above the seat region of a passenger, which components make
possible a corresponding supply, e.g. of air, oxygen, light and/or acoustics.
The notion that at least one component such as a personal supply channel (PSC
region), an electrical line, a light strip, an air duct for an air
conditioning system, or
an air outlet for an air conditioning system is integrated in the housing
refers to the
housing preferably comprising one such component such that it provides a
hollow
space for accommodating a container, and to the component being connected to
the
housing so as to be fixed thereto. In other words, when installed within the
aircraft,
the component should not be directedly fixed to the aircraft structure but
should be
fixed to the housing of the hatrack which is then fixed to the aircraft
structure. In this
arrangement, forming of the housing can, for example, take place by means of
bonded sandwich panels.
The integration of at least one component in the housing provides an advantage
in
that as many components and systems as possible can be accommodated in the
hatrack in a simple and economical manner.
Furthermore, components which, for example, are used to supply the personal
supply
channel or the entire passenger cabin, e.g. with air-conditioned air, can be
integrated.
For example, one or several light strips, electrical lines, an air duct for an
air
conditioning system, and a corresponding air outlet can be integrated in the
modular
hatrack or in the housing. In addition, inlet pipes and corresponding
fastening
devices can be integrated. Preferably, all these components together can be
integrated
in the modular hatrack in order to, in this way, form a module that can be
installed as
a unit in an aircraft.
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In this way the modular hatrack is enlarged and is used not only as a
fastening device
for the personal supply channel, etc. but also for adjacent components such as
cables,
pipes, air outlets, hoses, PSC components, oxygen masks, light sources and
trim
components.
Since the components are located within the hatrack or the personal supply
channel
of the housing, no or only very slight tolerances and relative movements are
experienced so that the PSC components, for example light sources, air supply
etc.,
as well as the other components integrated in the modular hatrack, can be
placed
together more closely or can be produced so as to be integrated, which results
in
savings in space and in avoiding clashes or squeezing of the PSC components.
Furthermore, structural fasteners can be saved or combined so that weight
savings
are achieved. Since many individual components are assembled outside the
aircraft,
and the housing is subsequently installed as an entity, the time required for
installation inside the aircraft is reduced, which results in cost savings.
Moreover, inside the aircraft, alignment and sealing work relating to the
components
of the housing may no longer be necessary because such work can also take
place
outside the aircraft.
Moreover, the modular hatrack according to the invention can provide the
advantage
of stable integration of the modular hatrack in the interior of the aircraft,
because the
entire housing, i.e. as a single part or component together with the
integrated
personal supply channel, can be fastened in lateral and vertical manner to an
interior
wall of the interior of the aircraft by means of the fastening devices that
will be
described below.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred
that all the
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components from the group comprising a passenger supply channel, an electrical
line, a light strip, an air duct for an air conditioning system and an air
outlet for an air
conditioning system is/are integrated in the housing.
The term "electrical line" preferably refers to a cable or some other
connection that
allows the electrical transmission of current, for example from an onboard
battery or
a current generator of the aircraft, to the personal supply channel of the
modular
hatrack.
The term "light strip" preferably refers to a device for illuminating the
interior of the
aircraft, in order to ensure better orientation of passengers in the aircraft.
The term "air duct for an air conditioning system" preferably refers to a line
or pipe
which is arranged at the housing such that the supply of fresh air through the
air
conditioning system and to the personal supply channel or to an air outlet
that
supplies the passenger cabin is ensured.
The term "air outlet for the air conditioning system" refers to an opening in
the
housing, which opening ensures the supply of fresh air by way of the personal
supply
channel.
The fact that at least one and preferably all of the components can be
integrated in
the housing may be associated with an advantage in that the prefabricated
housing
with the individual components mentioned above can be installed in a simple
and
economical manner in the interior of the aircraft. Furthermore, the advantages
already mentioned above also arise.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
for
supplying the interior of the aircraft with air-conditioned fresh air, light
and
information services for a region underneath the modular hatrack, supply
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components are integrated in the modular hatrack such that the modular hatrack
can
be preassembled as a unit.
In this way the modular hatrack arrangement can be designed such that all the
media
that are to be provided to a passenger seated underneath the modular hatrack
arrangement can be provided by components integrated in the modular hatrack
arrangement. For example, it is then possible to preassemble supply pipes,
electrical
lines etc. already outside the aircraft as a unit. Instead of installing all
the
components individually in the aircraft, as has conventionally been the case,
it is thus
possible to install the entire unit. In this way aircraft downtimes can be
significantly
shortened.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
personal supply channel comprises at least one component from the group
comprising: reading light, cabin illumination, air supply, oxygen mask,
loudspeaker,
microphone, USB connector, computer connector and trim component.
The reading light, cabin illumination, air supply, oxygen mask, loudspeaker,
microphone, USB connector, computer connector and trim component are
components of the personal service channel, which components can be arranged
in
the personal supply channel in the interior of the aircraft in direct
proximity to each
passenger. This may be associated with an advantage in that the modular
hatrack
together with the PSC components can be arranged in a simple and economical
manner near each individual passenger seat. Furthermore, the above-mentioned
advantages relating to stability of attachment of the modular hatrack in the
interior of
the aircraft result.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
housing further comprises a fastening device. The term "fastening device"
refers to a
component by means of which stable attachment of the modular hatrack to the
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interior of the aircraft is possible. Optionally, the fastening device can
comprise a
cable lead-through.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
container is pivotable on a pivoting device. In this context the term
"pivoting device"
refers to a device that holds the container in the housing and also allows
movement
or pivoting or rotating of the container in the housing on the pivoting device
or on
some other axis. It is thus possible to pivot the container in a simple and
secure
manner in the housing.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
pivoting device is arranged in the housing. The notion of the pivoting device
being
arranged in the housing refers to the container and the housing being designed
or
dimensioned such that simple and safe pivoting motion of the container in the
housing is possible.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
housing further comprises a groove to at least partially accommodate the
pivoted
container in the housing. The term "groove" refers to a region in the housing,
in
which region the container can be accommodated in the housing during pivoting.
The
size and shape of the groove is designed preferably depending on the position
of the
pivoting device, and is designed and arranged to ensure easy and unrestricted
operation of the container.
Furthermore, in the interior of the housing and on the container a down-stop,
namely
a device in the shape of a pad, can be arranged, wherein by means of this
device the
container is prevented from resting against the groove of the housing. This
prevents
unnecessary wear and tear between the housing and the container from
occurring.
The above results in stabilisation of the container after completely pivoting
the
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container out of the housing. This is associated with an advantage in that
items of
baggage or other items contained in the container of the modular hatrack can
either
not fall out of the container at all or only with difficulty, if the container
is, for
example, pivoted out of the housing by uncontrolled movement of the aircraft
or by
unintended opening by a passenger.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
container is open at the top. The term "open at the top" refers to a design
which
makes it possible for a passenger to place objects, including baggage, into
the
container without having to open the container at some other location. This
results in
an advantage in that objects can be placed into the container in a simple
manner.
Furthermore, the dimensions of the opening of the container result in the
already
mentioned advantage according to which objects cannot fall from the container,
or
can do so only with difficulty.
According to further embodiments of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
container and/or the housing comprise CFRP sandwich panels, wherein CFRP
denotes carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The production technology using CFRP
sandwich panels is associated with an advantage in that the housing can be
produced
in a simple and economical manner. Furthermore, the use of CFRP sandwich
panels
is associated with an advantage in that it results in weight savings.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
container comprises a holding strip. A holding strip is a device by means of
which it
is possible in an easy manner to move or pivot the container from or out of
the
housing. At the same time the holding strip can be shaped such that the
holding strip
is illuminated or self-illuminating, or comprises an additional component for
firm
closure. This results in an advantage in that the container can in a simple
manner be
moved from the housing and can be fastened. In flight, the holding strip is
used to
provide support for passengers or for the aircrew when there is turbulence, so
that
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they can more safely move within the aircraft.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
container is lockable in the housing. The term "lockable" denotes that by
means of a
locking action the container cannot be moved from the housing. This is
associated
with an advantage in that the container is fixed in the housing so that
unauthorised
persons have no access to the modular hatrack.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
modular hatrack and the personal supply channel are equal in length. The term
"equal
in length" denotes that the modular hatrack and the personal supply channel
have the
same length in longitudinal direction of the aircraft. This results in an
advantage in
that the space between several modular hatracks that are arranged side-by-side
can be
used more efficiently because the volume in the modular hatrack and in the
personal
supply channel can be optimally matched to each other, so that any unused free
spaces are avoided. Furthermore, if several modular hatracks are put in place,
the
personal supply channels are arranged in a more stable manner so that the
advantages
already mentioned above result.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
housing further comprises a connection for an air conditioning system. The
term "air
conditioning system" refers to a system for conveying fresh air to the
immediate
region of the passenger. The connection for an air conditioning system
preferably
extends on the side of the housing that faces the interior wall of the
aircraft.
Preferably, the connection for an air conditioning system extends in the
middle of the
housing. This results in an advantage in that the supply of air from the air
conditioning system to the entire cabin can be achieved in a simple and space-
saving
manner.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
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modular hatrack is designed to adjoin with positive fit the interior of the
aircraft. The
notion "adjoin with positive fit" means that the modular hatrack directly
adjoins the
interior wall of the interior of the aircraft. This results in optimisation of
the space
available in the interior of the aircraft.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
between
the personal supply channel and the housing an air outlet for the air
conditioning
system is arranged. In this arrangement, the air outlet is arranged in the
region
between the container and the passenger supply channel, in which the air of
the air
conditioning system is fed from the supply pipe to the cabin. The presence of
such an
air outlet results in an advantage in that tolerances among the individual
components
can be set outside the aircraft. Sealing and gap dimensioning are thus carried
out in
an agreeable work position and independently of the installation time in the
aircraft.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
at least
one layer for insulation is applied on the housing. The term "layer" refers,
for
example, to a thickness of an insulation material, for example comprising
glass wool,
silicon or some other material suitable for insulation purposes. Likewise, the
layer is
dimensioned according to the surface geometry of the housing. In this
arrangement
the layer can comprise several parts that cover the side of the housing or of
the
modular hatrack, which side faces the interior wall of the aircraft. This
results in the
advantages of optimum acoustic and/or thermal insulation.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if
the
housing of the modular hatrack comprises at least one installation opening.
The term
"installation opening" refers to a device for opening and closing the personal
supply
channel. This may result in an advantage in that even at some later stage,
e.g. during
maintenance work on the personal supply channel, simple access to said
personal
supply channel can take place.
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According to a further aspect of the present invention, the use of the modular
hatrack
in an aircraft or in some other vehicle is preferred.
The use of the present invention in an aircraft or in some other vehicle is
associated
with an advantage in that the greatest possible number of components and
systems of
the personal supply channel can be integrated in a simple and economical
manner in
the housing.
The modular hatrack can thus be of a larger design and together with the
personal
supply channel serves as a fastening device for adjacent components, for
example
cables, tubes, hoses, PSC components, oxygen masks, light sources and trim
components.
Since the components are located within the housing there are no, or only very
small,
tolerances and relative movements or clashes, so that the components can be
placed
more closely against each other, which results in savings in space.
Furthermore, structural fasteners can be saved or combined so that savings in
weight
result. Since many individual components can be assembled outside the aircraft
and
since the modular hatrack can be installed as an entire unit, the time used
for
installing it in the aircraft can be significantly reduced.
Furthermore, alignment and sealing work for the components of the housing in
the
aircraft are no longer required because this work can also take place outside
the
aircraft.
Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with additional design
details are
diagrammatically shown in the drawing in a simplified manner and are described
below with reference to the drawings. The following are shown:
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Fig. 1: a lateral view of the closed modular hatrack according to one
embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 2: a lateral view of the open modular hatrack according to one embodiment
of
the present invention;
Fig. 3: a three-dimensional view of the modular hatrack according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4: a lateral view of the modular hatrack after installation in the
interior of the aircraft;
Fig. 5: a three-dimensional view of the modular hatrack according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 1 shows a lateral view of the closed modular hatrack 100 according to the
invention.
In this embodiment, the modular hatrack 100 comprises a container 10 made of
CFRP sandwich panels, which container 10 is arranged in a housing 20
comprising
CFRP sandwich panels.
The container 10 is pivotable in the housing 20 on a pivoting device 60.
Moreover, the housing 20 comprises fastening devices 21, 22 and 23 that are
used for
lateral and vertical attachment to an interior wall of the interior of the
aircraft.
Fig. 1 also shows a personal supply channel 30 which is integrated in the
housing 20.
The personal supply channel 30 is used to ensure individual supply of air, to
accommodate reading lights in the passenger region, and to further accommodate
at
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least one oxygen mask, at least one loudspeaker, at least one microphone, one
or
several USB connectors and/or computer connectors, a well as trim components
(not
shown).
Furthermore, between the personal supply channel 30 and the housing 20, an air
outlet for the air conditioning system 75 is shown, which air outlet is
necessary for
providing air to the cabin.
Moreover, Fig. 1 shows a holding strip 80, by means of which the container 10
can
be pivoted downwards, on the fastening device 60, in the direction of the
floor of the
aircraft.
In order to make it possible to pivot the container 10 in the housing 20, the
housing
also comprises a groove 70 in which the container 10 moves when the container
15 10 is pivoted down in the housing 20.
Fig. 1 further shows a connection 90 for the air conditioning system, which
connection ensures a corresponding air supply and an agreeable temperature in
the
interior 40 of the aircraft or of the cabin.
Lastly, Fig. 1 shows a transparent light strip, designated 11, in the region
of which it
is, for example, possible to affix a fluorescent lamp (not shown) which helps
with
orientation in the aircraft.
Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the modular hatrack according to the
invention
in its open state.
In this arrangement essentially the same components of the modular hatrack are
shown as is the case in Fig. 1.
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In addition, the container 10 is shown, which is pivoted down from, or out of,
the
housing 20, wherein said container is open at the top. By way of the container
opening 12 it is possible for passengers or aircrew to place baggage or other
objects
in the modular hatrack in a simple manner.
Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows that the container 10 has been inserted in the
housing by
way of the groove 20. At the same time it is also not possible to open the
container
any further. This results in an advantage in that objects or items of baggage
placed in
the modular hatrack 100 will find it difficult to fall from the modular
hatrack.
Fig. 3 shows a three dimensional view of the modular hatrack according to the
invention in its closed state.
Apart from the components of the modular hatrack that have already been
described
in the context of Figures 1 and 2, the spatial geometry of the modular hatrack
is
shown.
Fig. 3 shows that the face 120 of the housing 20, which face 120 will later
point
towards the interior of the aircraft (not shown) is curved so as to adjoin
with positive
fit the interior wa1140 of the aircraft (not shown). However, there is no
direct contact
between the surface of the modular hatrack 100 and the interior 40 of the
aircraft. In
this arrangement the modular hatrack 100 is spaced apart from the interior
wal140 of
the aircraft by approximately 40 mm. As a result of the geometry of the
modular
hatrack the space available in the interior of the aircraft is used in an
optimum
manner.
Moreover, Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the fastening device 23, which is
used for
lateral attachment of the modular hatrack 100 in the interior of the aircraft
(not
shown).
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Likewise, Fig. 3 shows the spatial routing of the light strips, designated 11,
for the
placement of fluorescent lamps (not shown).
Reference character 110 shows the spatial routing of an electrical line over
the
housing 20. Connection to the aircraft system takes place on the top plate 150
of the
housing 20. Various electrical lines 110 are held in one connector so that
only one
connector is necessary in order to connect all the electrical components to
the system
on the aircraft side. In this way the time used for installation in the
aircraft can be
shortened.
Furthermore, the length of the personal supply channel is identical to that of
the
housing 20 or of the modular hatrack 100 so that the advantages already
mentioned
above result.
Connection 90 for the air conditioning system also takes place, with positive
fit, on
the surface 120 of the housing 20.
Furthermore, corresponding insulating packages 130 for insulation are affixed
to the
surface 120 of the housing 20 in order to in this way avoid any vibration and
noise
resulting from aircraft movement, and in order to ensure thermal insulation.
Reference character 140 designates an installation opening to ensure access,
should
the need arise, to covered-up components of the personal supply channel.
Fig. 4 shows a lateral view of the modular hatrack 100 installed in the
interior of an
aircraft.
Apart from the components of the modular hatrack 100, which components have
already been described in Figures 1 and 2, the interior wall 40 of the
interior of the
aircraft is shown. In this arrangement the interior wall directly adjoins the
passenger
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region. Fastening the fastening devices 21, 22 and 23 can take place by way of
fastening devices 50 affixed to the interior wa1140 of the aircraft. In this
way the
fastening devices are situated so as to be as close as possible to the
aircraft structure
so that weight-optimised transmission of forces can take place.
Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of the modular hatrack 100 according to
the
invention it its closed state.
Apart from the components of the modular hatrack 100, which components have
already been described in Figures 1 to 4, the spatial geometry of the modular
hatrack
100 is shown.
The drawing shows the detailed arrangement of the holding strip 80 along the
entire
length of the container 10 of the modular hatrack 100. Furthermore, no other
components are shown in the personal supply channe130. Consequently the
geometry of the housing 20 of the modular hatrack 100 is more clearly visible.
Also shown is the right-hand sidewall of the housing 20 of the side of the
modular
hatrack 100, which side faces the aircraft.
In addition, it should be pointed out that "comprising" does not exclude other
elements or steps, and "a" or "one" does not exclude a plural number.
Furthermore, it
should be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described
with
reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in
combination with other characteristics or steps of other exemplary embodiments
described above. Reference characters in the claims are not to be interpreted
as
limitations.
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List of reference characters
Container
5 11 Light strip
12 Container opening
Housing
21 Fastening device
10 22 Fastening device
23 Fastening device
Personal supply channel
Interior wall of the aircraft
15 50 Fastening device
60 Pivoting device
70 Groove
75 Air outlet for the air conditioning system
80 Holding strip
20 90 Air duct for the air conditioning system
100 Modular hatrack
110 Electrical line
120 Surface of the housing
25 130 Insulating packages
140 Installation opening
150 Top plate
