ARRANGEMENT WITH A PARTITIONING DEVICE IN A CABIN OF A VEHICLE AND AIRCRAFT WITH A CABIN AND SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

An arrangement in the cabin of a vehicle includes a floor, a first equipment component, a second equipment component and a partitioning device. The partitioning device is set up to provide a wall surface between the first equipment component and second equipment component largely perpendicular to the floor. The partitioning device is positionable in at least two positions along a length running between the first equipment component and second equipment component. The partitioning device is lockable in its respective position on at least one of the floor, a cabin ceiling and a cabin lining.

Claims

1. An arrangement for a cabin of a vehicle, comprising: a floor; a first equipment component; a second equipment component; and a partitioning device; wherein the partitioning device is set up to provide a wall surface between the first equipment component and the second equipment component largely perpendicular to the floor; wherein the partitioning device is positionable in at least two positions along a length running between the first equipment component and the second equipment component; and wherein partitioning device is lockable in its respective position on at least one of the floor, a cabin ceiling, and a cabin lining.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the partitioning device comprises a guiding device and a dimensionally stable partition wall guided therein.

3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein the guiding device is arranged on the cabin ceiling, and extends over the at least two positions.

4. The arrangement of claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism with at least one support foot that is bringable into contact with the floor, and is movable in a vertical direction relative to the partition wall to lift or lower the partition wall.

5. The arrangement of claim 2, further comprising a wall element that is movable at least in the horizontal direction relative to the partition wall in order to selectively alter a surface spanned by an outer contour of the partitioning device.

6. he arrangement of claim 5, wherein the wall element is lockable in at least one position.

7. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the partition wall comprises two main surfaces that are parallel to each other and define the extension of the wall element, and wherein the wall element is displaceably mounted between the main surfaces.

8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the partitioning device comprises a dimensionally flexible, flat web that is rollable or foldable around at least one direction in space, so as to clamp the wall surface.

9. The arrangement of claim 8, further comprising at least one first connecting device, which is fastenable to at least one of the floor, the cabin ceiling, or the cabin lining, and corresponds with at least one second connecting device situated on the web, wherein the at least one first connecting device and the at least one second connecting device are set up to tautly clamp the web

10. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the partitioning device comprises a curtain with a curtain rail, and wherein the curtain rail is fastenable to at least two positions of the cabin ceiling.

11. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first equipment component is a cabin monument.

12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the first equipment component and the second equipment component enclose a door area of the cabin, and wherein the partitioning device is tightly abbutable against the first equipment module in a first operating mode and positionable directly in the door area at a distance to the first equipment component and the second equipment component in a second operating mode.

13. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein the first equipment module is a galley module, and wherein the partitioning device is placeable at a distance to the galley module that allows removing or inserting cabin trolleys from or into the galley module.

14. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the second equipment component comprises at least one passenger seat.

15. An aircraft comprising: an aircraft fuselage; a cabin formed in the aircraft fuselage; and an arrangement in the cabin, the arrangement comprising: a floor; a first equipment component; a second equipment component; and a partitioning device; wherein the partitioning device is set up to provide a wall surface between the first equipment component and the second equipment component largely perpendicular to the floor; wherein the partitioning device is positionable in at least two positions along a length running between the first equipment component and the second equipment component; and wherein partitioning device is lockable in its respective position on at least one of the floor, a cabin ceiling, and a cabin lining.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Additional features, advantages and possible applications for embodiments of the present invention may be gleaned from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the figures. In addition, identical reference numbers on the figures stand for the same or similar objects.

[0039] FIG. 1a to 1c show a door area with an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention in three-dimensional views (FIG. 1a and 1b) and a top view (FIG. 1c).

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a sequence of steps for repositioning a partitioning device in six partial figures (I to VI).

[0041] FIGS. 3a to 3h show a dimensionally stable, stiff partitioning device in several two-or three-dimensional views.

[0042] FIGS. 4a to 4c show a foldable or rollable partitioning device in different extended states.

[0043] FIGS. 5a and 5b show a partitioning device that comprises a curtain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] FIG. 1a to 1c show a door area according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The depiction shows a door area in an aircraft cabin with an opening sealed by a door 2 and adjoining a floor 4, on which is positioned a passenger seat arrangement 6 pointed toward a partitioning device 8.

[0045] On FIG. 1a, the partitioning device 8 comprises a dimensionally stable, stiff partitioning wall 9, which is situated between the door 2 and an aircraft galley 10 as a first equipment component, which is placed opposite the passenger seat arrangement 6 serving as a second equipment component within the meaning of the preceding description. In this exemplary embodiment, the partitioning device 8 is placed flush or largely flush against the aircraft galley 10, and thus provides a prescribed emergency escape route from the cabin to the outside. This position of the partitioning device 8 is provided in particular for boarding, taxiing, takeoff and landing and may correspond to the above mentioned first operating mode.

[0046] On FIG. 1b, the partitioning device 8 is shifted from the galley 10 to the passenger seat group 6, so that it is positioned in the door area in front of the door 2, and clears the way to the galley 10. Shown as an example is a trolley 12, which has been pulled out of a corresponding storage room 14 of the aircraft galley 10, or is in the process of being pushed into the storage room 14. While the distance between the aircraft galley 10 and partitioning device 8 does end up blocking the emergency escape route in front of the door 2, the latter is irrelevant during cruising flight, so that the displaceable partitioning device 8 enables the logical use of a space that remains unused while in flight, which ends up tangibly increasing the space utilization on board the aircraft. Further, location of the partitioning device 8 of FIG. 1b, which may correspond to the above mentioned second operating mode, leaves enough leg room for passengers on the directly adjacent passenger seat arrangement 6. The available distance in the door area, inter alia determined by the width of the door 2, allows to insert or remove trolleys 12 as shown.

[0047] FIG. 1c shows a top view of this exemplary embodiment, in which the movable partitioning device 8 is depicted in the two positions from FIG. 1a and 1b. As evident from this illustration, the aircraft galley 10 and passenger seat group 6 may be situated very closely against the door 2. As apparent in this view cabin trolleys 12 may easily be moved into an aisle 5 between passenger rows 6 from the galley 10 when the partitioning device 8 is in the second operating mode.

[0048] Further, the partitioning device 8 may also hold a privacy curtain 7, which extends from an edge opposite from the door 2 to the galley 10, which allows cabin personnel to temporarily rest and relax without being disturbed by passengers and without blocking any installations for passengers.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a chronological progression of several steps, which are marked with Roman numerals I to VI, and denoted with partial figures below. The partial FIG. 1 presents the partitioning device 8 spaced a maximum possible distance from the aircraft galley 10, so that the partitioning device 8 abuts flush against the passenger seat group 6. This provides the largest possible space in the door area, which translates in particular into a simplified ground service, in that the aircraft galley 10 is evacuated and/or outfitted, which in particular also involves taking out and putting in trolleys 12. In the preceding depiction, this is referred to as the third operating mode.

[0050] On partial figure II, the partitioning device 8 is half way to the aircraft galley 10, wherein the partitioning device 8 is to this end guided on two guide rails 17 arranged parallel to each other as the guiding device, for example, which are arranged flush in a cabin ceiling 18 and run in the longitudinal direction of the cabin.

[0051] On partial figure III, the partitioning device 8 is already in a position corresponding to the position on FIG. 1a. The aircraft galley 10 is here covered, and the partitioning device 8 is spaced the smallest possible distance from the aircraft galley 10. This allows the aircraft to be boarded, since the maximum space is provided in the door area in front of the aircraft door 2. An optical and functional separation of the aircraft galley 10 is achieved. In the preceding illustration, this is referred to as the first operating mode.

[0052] On the ensuing partial figure IV, the position of the partitioning device 8 is unchanged by comparison to partial figure III, which would correspond to the taxiing, takeoff and landing phases of operation.

[0053] On partial figure V, the partitioning device is moved away from the galley 10, and approaches the passenger seat group 6 until a position in front of the passenger seat group 6 visible on partial figure VI has been reached. This allows the cabin personnel to access the aircraft galley 10, remove trolleys 12 from parking places or push them into the latter, or reach other storage compartments with mechanisms that may and cannot be electrically operated. This is labeled as the second operating mode in the preceding depiction.

[0054] When using a dimensionally stable, stiff, plate-shaped element, i.e., a partition wall 9, in a partitioning device 8, a reliable locking in a desired position must be ensured. FIGS. 3a to 3h show various mechanisms of such a partitioning device 16, which enable both displacement and locking, along with covering the largest possible area with the partitioning device 8.

[0055] FIG. 3a shows a partitioning device 16, which comprises a dimensionally stable, stiff partition wall 19 that is displaceably mounted on guide rails 17 situated in the cabin ceiling 18. For example, the partitioning device 16 comprises a handle 20 that may be moved between a first and second position, so as to lock or release the partitioning device 16 by means of a locking mechanism not depicted in any detail. For example, the partitioning device 16 on FIG. 3a is in a lockable position, in which support feet 22 arranged on an edge of the partitioning device 16 opposite the cabin ceiling 18 are retracted. After operating the handle 20 shown on FIG. 3c, the partitioning device 16 is locked, and the support feet 22 are in an extended position, so that the partitioning device 16 becomes clamped in the cabin.

[0056] FIG. 3b shows an additional wall element 24, which may be laterally displaced relative to the partitioning device 16. In this conjunction, the lateral direction is to be regarded as a displacement parallel to the extension plane of the partitioning device 16. The wall element 24 may be selectively displaced laterally toward the outside, so as to enable a locally improved coverage of a cross sectional area 25, into which the partitioning device 16 does not protrude after displaced to a desired longitudinal position. This may be achieved by actuating the handle 20, for example parallel to the displacement of the feet 22. A lever mechanism conceived in the partitioning device 16 may be provided for this purpose.

[0057] FIG. 3d presents schematic views of the support feet 22, which may be extended out of the partitioning device 16 based on a movement of the handle 20. In an extended position, the support feet 22 contact the floor, and as they continue to be extended, press the partitioning device 16 upward from the floor, where the partitioning device 16 is pressed against the guide rails 17, establishing a clamp between the floor and guide rails 17 to maintain the position. The cabin ceiling 18 may conceivably comprise depressions at certain locations, into which the partitioning device 16 may be introduced by extending the support feet 22.

[0058] Parallel thereto, the guide rail 17 could comprise light latching steps, which the partitioning wall 19 gets into via displacement, but may there be easily detached again. In this way, haptic feedback may be obtained about having reached a predetermined position.

[0059] FIGS. 3e to 3g further present the displaceable wall element 24 in a divergent illustration. As made evident here, the partitioning device 16 comprises a depression 26 into which the displaceable wall element 24 is guided. The wall element may be moved out of the depression 26 toward the outside by actuating the handle 20, so that the extended position shown on FIG. 3g is reached from a retracted position shown on FIG. 3f. In addition to the wall element 24, rubber lips or the like may be used, thereby allowing the wall element 24 to abut flush against a provided contour in the fuselage.

[0060] Finally, FIG. 3h presents a detailed view of a guide rail 17 situated in a cabin ceiling 18, which guides a slider 29 with a mount 28 that at least partially carries the partition wall 19.

[0061] Shown in another advantageous exemplary embodiment is a partitioning device 30, which comprises a receptacle 32 that incorporates a rolled-up, flat dividing element 34. The receptacle 32 may be positioned at a desired location within the cabin, so that the dividing element 34 may be pulled out of the receptacle 32 after the latter has been locked in place. The dividing element 34 may then be secured to several locking mechanisms 36, i.e., first connecting devices 36, thereby yielding a flat partition wall. To this end, correspondingly designed second connecting devices on the web 24 are joined with the first connecting devices 36. Instead of displacing a partitioning device with a dimensionally stable configuration, various positions may thus be achieved by removing and introducing the receptacle 32.

[0062] FIGS. 5a and 5b further show a partitioning device 38 consisting of a curtain 40, a curtain rail 41 and locking mechanisms 42. The curtain 40 may here be lashed back with the locking mechanisms 42, so that the aircraft galley 10 is accessible. If a cover is desired, the curtain 40 may be released from its lashed position, and fastened to another locking mechanism 44 on a cabin lining. The cabin ceiling 18 may comprise various discrete attachment points 46 for fastening the curtain rail 41. As an alternative, the curtain rail 41 may also be fixed in guide rails 17 from the preceding illustrations, or the attachment points 46 may be secured to the guide rails 17 themselves.

[0063] In addition, let it be noted that “comprising” does not preclude any other elements or steps, and that “a” or “an” does not rule out a plurality. Let it further be noted that features described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numbers in the claims are not to be construed as a limitation.

[0064] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by the claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.