MOBILE DEVICE HAVING AN INTEGRATED DISINFECTING DEVICE FOR AIRCRAFT CABINS

Abstract

A mobile device having an integrated disinfecting device for aircraft cabins, having a base having an upper side and, on a lower side, rotatably mounted wheels for moving the base on a floor; a frame fastenable to an upper side of the base; a dispenser unit which is coupled to the frame and configured to discharge on demand disinfectant in a metered manner at a front side; a supply unit coupled to the frame and configured to provide at least the disinfectant; wherein the dispenser unit is configured to be movable between a stowage state and a use state; and wherein the frame and/or the disinfecting device in the stowage state have/has a size which does not substantially exceed a size of a full-size cabin trolley.

Claims

1. A mobile device having an integrated disinfecting device for aircraft cabins, comprising: a base having an upper side and, on a lower side, rotatably mounted wheels for moving the base on a floor; a frame which is able to be fastened to an upper side of the base; a dispenser unit which is coupled to the frame and configured to discharge on demand disinfectant in a metered manner at a front side; and a supply unit which is coupled to the frame and configured to provide at least the disinfectant; wherein the dispenser unit is configured to be moved between a stowage state and a use state; wherein at least one of the frame or the overall disinfecting device in the stowage state has a size which does not substantially exceed a size of a full-size cabin trolley.

2. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser unit is disposed to be vertically movable on the frame; wherein the dispenser unit, in the stowage state, has a shortest possible spacing from the base, and in the use state lies in an elevated position to be spaced apart from the base.

3. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the wheels is coupled to a drive device.

4. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser unit has at least one recess for inserting a hand and a sensor unit for identifying the inserted hand; and wherein a discharge device which is coupled to the sensor unit is configured to spray the disinfectant into the recess.

5. The mobile device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one recess is closable.

6. The mobile device according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a protective screen which is disposed to be vertically movable on the device and which is movable to a retracted and a deployed position; wherein the protective screen in the deployed position protrudes beyond the dispenser unit.

7. The mobile device according to claim 1, furthermore having an infrared temperature measurement unit which is configured to detect an elevated body temperature of a passenger at the dispenser unit.

8. The mobile device according to claim 7, furthermore having a temperature display unit which is coupled to the infrared temperature measurement unit and is disposed on a side of the frame that lies opposite the front side.

9. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the frame, to accommodate separately stowing the frame, is releasably coupled to the base.

10. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit is configured to receive a replaceable container with the disinfectant.

11. The mobile device according to claim 4, furthermore comprising a drain on a lower side of the recess, wherein the drain is couplable to a container to receive liquid waste materials.

12. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit has at least one closable compartment to provide a storage space for gloves, masks, and absorbent cloths.

13. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the frame and the base are mutually rotatable by at least 90° about an axis which is perpendicular to an upper side of the base.

14. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the base has a pivotably mounted handlebar to guide the base.

15. An aircraft comprising: a cabin comprising: at least one storage space configured to receive a mobile device according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further features, advantages and potential applications of the present invention are derived from the description hereunder of the exemplary embodiments and from the figures. Here, all of the features described and/or depicted in the figures, alone or in any desired combination, form the subject matter of the present invention, independently of the combination of the features in the claims or the back-references thereof. Furthermore, identical reference signs in the figures represent identical or similar objects.

[0029] FIGS. 1 to 7 show the mobile device in various views;

[0030] FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of the frame and of the dispenser unit as a module which can be separated from the base;

[0031] FIG. 9 shows the measuring of the body temperature by means of an infrared measurement unit;

[0032] FIG. 10 shows replaceable containers for disinfectant;

[0033] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the discharging of disinfectant and the receiving of liquid waste (only FIG. 11);

[0034] FIG. 13 shows the storing of masks and the like;

[0035] FIG. 14 shows an aircraft having a cabin which is disposed therein and in which the mobile device can be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a mobile device 2 having an integrated disinfecting device 4 for aircraft cabins. The device 2 has a base 6 which has rotatably mounted wheels 8 and 10 which stand on a floor and permit the base 6 to be moved. The base 6 has an upper side 12 to which a frame 14 is able to be fastened.

[0037] The dispenser unit 4 is disposed on the frame 14 and can be vertically moved. In the illustration in FIG. 1, the dispenser unit 4 is in a use state and has a largest possible spacing from the base 6. To this end, the frame 14 possesses a linear guide 16 on which the dispenser unit 4 is vertically guided.

[0038] The dispenser unit 4 is configured for discharging disinfectant in a metered manner at the front side 18. To this end, the dispenser unit 4 has a housing 20 which possesses recesses 22 which lie next to one another on the front side 18. One sensor unit (not shown here) can be seen in each of these recesses 22, the sensor units detecting a hand of a user being inserted. Moreover, a discharge device, for instance a spray device (not shown) which discharges the disinfectant in a metered manner on demand is disposed in each recess. In order to avoid contamination, the two recesses 22 each are able to be closed by a flap 24. The flaps 24 should be closed, in particular, when the dispenser unit 4 is situated in a lower position and the mobile device 2 consequently assumes a stowage state.

[0039] It can be seen in FIG. 2 that for aligning the frame 14, and thus the dispenser unit 4, in an optimal manner, the frame 14 may be mounted on the base 6 so as to be rotatable about a vertical rotation axis 26. For example, the mobile device 2 in the stowage state may be situated in a trolley storage space which is disposed in an aft region of the aircraft cabin. The device 2 for use is then moved to the front, along a central aisle along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, and parked in a door region. Since the doors are disposed laterally next to the aisle, the passengers board the aircraft cabin transversely to the longitudinal axis. Once the device 2 has been parked, the frame 14 may consequently be rotated by 90° in relation to the base 6 such that each passenger directly approaches the front side 18. The passenger then inserts his/her hands 28 into the at least one recess 22 and receives a metered discharge of the disinfectant.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the mobile device 2 in the use state thereof. The recesses 22 here are still closed by the flaps 24. A vertically displaceable protective screen 32 is disposed on the rear side 30 of the dispenser unit 4. The protective screen 32 can likewise be moved to a use position which can be seen in FIG. 3. As a result, a person standing behind the device 2 can be protected in relation to an infection by droplets from a person standing in front of the front side 18.

[0041] FIG. 4, in contrast, shows the mobile device 2 in a stowage state. The dispenser unit 4 here is moved as far down as possible such that the mobile device has dimensions which correspond at most to those of a full-size trolley. The device 2 can consequently be introduced into a storage space which is provided with cabin trolleys configured so as to be of standard size.

[0042] The mobile device 2 is shown in another view in FIG. 5, seen in the direction toward the front side 18. The device 2 is situated in the stowage state. A handlebar 34, which here is disposed in the vertical parking position, is disposed on the right side on the end side of the base 6. The handlebar 34, on the upper side thereof that faces away from the base 6, has a hand grip 36 which can be gripped by a user in order for the device 2 to be relocated.

[0043] The handlebar 34 is shown in a use position in FIG. 6, whereby the frame 14 here is rotated relative to the base 6 about the rotation axis 26 and is situated in a use state.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows the device 2 in the use state as shown in FIG. 1, seen in the direction toward the front side 18. The linear guide 16 can be better seen here. Moreover to be seen is a pivot bearing 38 for rotating the frame 14 on the base 6. The linear guide 16 may have a rail 40 which is equipped with a row of engagement elements 42. The latter are implemented as recesses or depressions, a correspondingly shaped gear wheel which is situated in the dispenser unit being able, for example, to engage in the recesses or depressions. As a result, the disinfecting unit 4 can be relocated in a motorized manner along the guide rail 40. The gear wheel then engages in the engagement elements 42 and can be rotated by a drive. It is expedient here for this drive to be implemented in a self-locking manner, for example by a spindle drive or similar, such that the assumed position of the disinfecting unit 4 is automatically maintained. However, locking devices which can be used for retaining and releasing the respective vertical position of the disinfecting unit 4 are also conceivable.

[0045] It is shown in FIG. 8 that the frame 14, having the disinfecting unit 4 disposed thereon, can be released from the base 2 and disposed as a separate module 44 in a storage space 46. A user 48 could consequently move the base 2 to the storage space 46 and then accordingly remove the module 44. The base 6 may be used for other purposes in the aircraft cabin that envisages a similar module with other functions to be received.

[0046] FIG. 9 shows the device 2 having an infrared temperature measuring unit 50 on the front side 18. The body temperature of a passenger 52 can be measured in a non-contacting manner by the infrared temperature measuring unit 50. A display unit 54 which is coupled to the temperature measurement unit 50 and where a user 48 can establish whether the respective passenger 52 has an elevated body temperature is disposed on the rear side 30. The display unit 54 may output, for instance, the body temperature and an all clear or warning signal. The user 48 who reads the display unit 54 is situated behind the protective screen 32 and is protected in relation to any infection by droplets.

[0047] FIG. 10 shows replaceable containers 56 for disinfectant. The containers 56 can be inserted into the frame 14, more specifically into a supply unit 58. The containers 56 can be rapidly replaced when empty.

[0048] FIG. 11, in a highly schematic illustration, shows a container 56 in a supply unit 58 by means of a pump 62 being coupled to individual discharge devices in the form of spray devices 60 in the recesses 22. Excess disinfectant which accumulates in the recesses 22 can be guided through a drain 65 into a separate tank 64 for liquid waste. A pump 66 which conveys the liquid waste into the tank 64 may also be provided to this end.

[0049] FIG. 12 in a lateral view schematically shows the construction from FIG. 11, and, in particular, a disinfectant tank 56 and the pump 62. A sensor unit 61 which is provided for identifying an approaching hand so as to actuate the discharge device 60 is provided in the region of the discharge device 60.

[0050] FIG. 13 indicates that masks 68 can also be accommodated in a compartment 67 in the supply unit 58. In addition to these, gloves, absorbent cloths and similar items can also be included here.

[0051] FIG. 14 finally shows an aircraft 70 which has a passenger cabin 72 into which at least one mobile device 2 of this type can be introduced.

[0052] It is additionally to be pointed out that “having” does not exclude any other elements or steps, and “a” or “one” does not exclude any multiplicity. It is furthermore to be pointed out that features which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered to be limitations.

[0053] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0054] 2 Mobile device [0055] 4 Dispenser unit [0056] 6 Base [0057] 8 Wheel [0058] 10 Wheel [0059] 12 Upper side [0060] 14 Frame [0061] 16 Linear guide [0062] 18 Front side [0063] 20 Housing [0064] 22 Recess [0065] 24 Flap [0066] 26 Rotation axis [0067] 28 Hand [0068] 30 Rear side [0069] 32 Protective screen [0070] 34 Handlebar [0071] 36 Hand grip [0072] 38 Pivot bearing [0073] 40 Rail [0074] 42 Engagement element [0075] 44 Module [0076] 46 Storage space [0077] 48 User [0078] 50 Temperature measurement unit [0079] 52 Passenger [0080] 54 Temperature display unit [0081] 56 Container [0082] 58 Supply unit [0083] 60 Spray device/discharge device [0084] 61 Sensor unit [0085] 62 Pump [0086] 64 Tank for liquid waste [0087] 65 Drain [0088] 66 Pump [0089] 67 Compartment [0090] 68 Mask [0091] 70 Aircraft [0092] 72 Passenger cabin