Device for closing a space within an airplane
11760490 · 2023-09-19
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
B64D11/0604
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A removable closure device for a space inside an aircraft includes: a frame comprising at least one upright said frame comprising at least one fixation interface including a structural element, a curtain assembly comprising a flexible curtain and at least one guiding device or ensuring a translational guiding of the flexible curtain with respect to the upright so that the flexible curtain s able to be moved in a direction of movement parallel to a longitudinal direction of the upright between a stowed position, in which the flexible curtain s released from the space, and a deployed position, in which the flexible curtain closes the space.
Claims
1. A removable closure device for a space inside an aircraft, comprising: a frame comprising a first upright and a second upright, said frame comprising at least one fixation interface including a structural element, a curtain assembly comprising a flexible curtain, and at least one guiding device for ensuring a translational guiding of the flexible curtain with respect to the upright, so that the flexible curtain is able to be moved in a direction of movement parallel to a longitudinal direction of the uprights between a stowed position, in which the flexible curtain is released from the space, and a deployed position, in which the flexible curtain closes the space, wherein the upright defines a housing, in which the guiding device is at least partially arranged, wherein the removable closure device comprises a drum having an axis, on which the flexible curtain can be rolled up, so that the flexible curtain is able to be moved in the direction of movement between the stowed position, in which the flexible curtain is mostly rolled up on the drum, and the deployed position, in which the flexible curtain is mostly unrolled from the drum, wherein the first upright and the second upright are connected to one another by a box, in which the drum is at least partially arranged, and wherein said removable closure device further comprises at least one rotating roller capable of rolling along a wall of the first upright or the second upright when the curtain is moved from one position to another, said rotating roller having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the drum.
2. The removable closure device according to claim 1, wherein the guiding device is a belt device.
3. The removable closure device according to claim 2, wherein said belt device comprises a first pulley rotatingly connected to the frame, a second pulley rotatingly connected to the frame, and a belt cooperating with the first pulley and the second pulley.
4. The removable closure device according to claim 2, wherein a connecting device provides a connection between the belt and the curtain assembly.
5. The removable closure device according to claim 1, further comprising a deployment assistance spring for the flexible curtain.
6. The removable closure device according to the claim 5, wherein the deployment assistance spring for the curtain comprises a torsion spring having one end fixed to the frame and one end fixed to a pulley.
7. The removable closure device according to claim 1, further comprising a return spring for the curtain configured to tension the curtain when the curtain is in the deployed position.
8. The removable closure device according to claim 1, further comprising a stop, with which the rotating roller comes into contact when the curtain is in the deployed position.
9. The removable closure device according to claim 1, wherein the curtain assembly comprises a rigid transversal bar fixed to one end of the flexible curtain.
10. The removable closure device according to claim 9, wherein one end of the transversal bar is able to slide inside a groove made in the upright.
11. An assembly of airplane seats comprising: a front seat associated with a front shell and a rear seat associated with a rear shell, and a removable closure device, according to claim 1, arranged between the front seat and the rear seat.
12. The assembly of seats according to claim 11, wherein the removable closure device comprises a frame having a first upright provided with a fixation interface to ensure a fixation between the first upright and the front shell of the front seat and a second upright provided with a fixation interface to ensure a fixation between the second upright and the rear shell of the rear seat.
13. An airplane comprising an assembly of airplane seats as defined in claim 11.
Description
(1) The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description including embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, which are non-limiting examples for the understanding of the present invention and the description of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:
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(23) It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and/or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.
(24) The relative terms of the ‘horizontal’ or ‘vertical’ type are understood by reference to a removable closure device according to the invention in the position of use.
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(26) The plurality of seat units 12 are arranged in at least one row 15a preferably extending along the longitudinal axis X1 of the aircraft cabin 10. According to the example shown in
(27) According to various particular embodiments, within the row 15a, respectively the rows 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d, the seat unit 12 can be oriented such that the seat 13 is facing the front and/or rear of the aircraft. The seats 13 can form a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis X1 as indicated in more detail below.
(28) It should be noted that the terms ‘front’ and ‘rear’ used in connection with the expression ‘seat unit’ locally define a relative position of the seat 13 inside the row 15a, respectively the rows 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d, and do not refer in any way to an orientation of the seat 13 inside the aircraft cabin 10. In other words, the expression ‘front seat unit’ means that the seat unit is directly positioned in front of another seat unit inside the row, while the term ‘rear seat unit’ means that the seat unit is directly positioned behind another seat unit inside of the row.
(29) According to the exemplary embodiment, the arrangement of seats 11 comprises two side groups 16a, 16b comprising seat units 12. The two side groups 16a, 16b are each formed respectively by a row 15a, 15b of seat units 12 positioned along a side wall 17 of the fuselage of the aircraft cabin 10. The arrangement of seats 11 also includes a central group 20. The central group 20 preferably comprises two rows 15c, 15d of seat units 12. In such an arrangement, the two rows 15c, 15d of seat units 12 are laterally contiguous to one another.
(30) The side groups 16a, 16b are respectively separated from the central group 20 by a aisle 21. According to the configuration in
(31) Each seat 13 has an axis of extension X2 substantially corresponding to a direction of longitudinal extension of the seat 13. In particular, the axis of extension X2 corresponds to the direction of longitudinal extension of the seat 13 in the ‘berth’ position. In the present example, the axis X2 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X1 of the aircraft cabin, that is to say that it forms an angle of less than 10 degrees with respect to the axis X1.
(32) As a variant, as shown in
(33) The optimization of the density of the aircraft cabin 10 with respect to a width of the latter is notably possible by modifying the angle of the axis of extension X2 of the seats 13 with respect to the longitudinal axis X1 of the aircraft cabin 10.
(34) According to various embodiments, the axes of extension X2 of the seats 13 can form substantially the same angle with respect to the longitudinal axis X1 of the aircraft cabin 10. In addition, the axes of extension X2 of two adjacent seats of the central group 20 can intersect the longitudinal axis X1 of the aircraft cabin 10 at substantially the same point. Alternatively, the two laterally adjacent seats 13 can be offset from each other along the longitudinal axis X1, so that the axes of extension X2 of the two laterally adjacent seats 13 intersect the longitudinal axis X1 at different points.
(35) As it is particularly illustrated in
(36) The foot rest 27 may comprise a fixed cushion, in particular arranged in a housing 29 for receiving the feet of the passenger. Preferably, the foot rest 27 is located in the extension of the seat 13 when the latter is in the ‘berth’ position.
(37) The seat unit 12 may also include a side console 32, which can in particular be used as a fixed shelf and/or to store a meal shelf.
(38) The seat unit 12 can also include a fixed shell 33 for separation. Such a fixed shell 33 therefore makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of each passenger. Advantageously, in order to fulfill such a privacy function, the fixed shell 33 extends around the backrest 24 of the seat 13 in order to create an interior space, partially closed, in which the seat 13 is arranged.
(39) When two seat units 12 are arranged behind one another, the two seat units 12 are advantageously arranged so as to define an at least partially vertical overlap between them. The vertical overlap between the two seat units 12 may consist, as shown, in positioning of the housing 29 of the foot rest 27 of the ‘rear’ seat unit 12 under the side console 32 of the 12 corresponding ‘front’ seat unit.
(40) There are also a ‘left’ seat unit 12, in which the side console 32 is arranged to the left of the seat 13, and a ‘right’ seat unit 12, in which the side console 32 is arranged to the right of the seat 13. A row 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is formed by alternating “left” seat units 12 and “right” seat units 12, so that each seat 13 of a rear seat unit 12 is located in front of a side console 32 of the front seat unit 12 comprising the housing 29 of the corresponding foot rest 27.
(41) As shown in particular in
(42) A second assembly E2 of front seat units comprises a first seat unit 12.1 and a second seat unit 12.2 located side-by-side. The seat units 12.1 and 12.2 of the assembly E2 belong to two different rows 15c, 15d. The seat units 12.1, 12.2 of the assembly E2 are laterally attached to one another while being contiguous or separated from each other by a maximum of a few centimeters.
(43) The seat units 12.1 and 12.2 of a given assembly E1, E2 are of the same ‘left’ or ‘right’ type.
(44) A central space 35 extends between the first assembly E1 of seat units and the second assembly E2 of seat units. This central space 35 extends along an axis X3 of the assembly E1, in particular an axis of symmetry of the assembly E1.
(45) In the embodiment in
(46) Alternatively, in the embodiment in
(47) The closure means 37 arranged along the central space 35 are suitable for closing the central space 35. Said at least partially flexible closure means 37 are movable between a stowed position, in which the closure means 37 are released from the central space 35, and an extended position, in which the closure means 37 close off the central space 35. The closure means 37 then extend along the axis X3 of the assembly E1. Consequently, the passenger in a seat 13 of the assembly E1 is separated from the immediate neighbor by the closure means 37. The passenger is thus seated in a privacy zone defined by the enclosed space thus created by the shell 33 and the closure means 37.
(48) In the embodiment in
(49) In the embodiment in
(50) The curtain 39 further comprises means 43 for holding said curtain 39 in the deployed position. As shown in
(51) In the embodiment in
(52) The winder 46 is arranged horizontally in the lower part, in particular on the floor. The winder 46 makes it possible to release a maximum of space between the central passengers, when the curtain 39 is down in the stowed position. Alternatively, the winder 46 extends above a central console 32′ separating the seat units 12.1, 12.2 from the assembly E1 (cf.
(53) The winder 46 can integrate an electric motor 47 associated with a belt system.
(54) Vertical uprights 50 provide translational guidance of the curtain 39 from top to bottom and vice versa. The connection between the uprights 50 and the curtain 39 is of the male/female type, or is a sliding connection, or is a toothed belt connection including a pinion in the case of an electric motor.
(55) A guiding bar 51 can connect the curtain 39 to the uprights 50. The guiding bar 51 extends horizontally at one end of the curtain 39. The curtain 39 can be deployed vertically along the arrow F2.
(56) In the embodiment in
(57) The winder 53 can integrate an electric motor 54 associated with a belt system.
(58) Vertical uprights 55 provide translational guidance of the curtain 39 from top to bottom and vice versa.
(59) The connection between the uprights 55 and the curtain 39 is of the male/female type, or is a sliding connection, or is a toothed belt connection including pinion in the case of an electric motor.
(60) Advantageously, the curtain 39 is housed in the stowed position in a rigid housing 57. This housing 57 extends horizontally along the axis X3 of the assembly E1. This housing 57 protrudes from the floor of the aircraft so as to form a separating wall between the passengers. This prevents interference between the feet of neighboring passengers. Unlike the embodiment in
(61) As it can be seen in
(62) In the embodiment in
(63) In the embodiment in
(64) The semi-flexible curtain 39 is formed by a plurality of blades 67 regularly spaced from one another and covered by the fabric 69, the portions of the fabric extending between two adjacent blades 67 forming the folding zones 68. Glue 70 can be placed between the blades 67 and over the entire outline of the fabric to ensure the assembly of two layers of fabric, between which the blades 67 are held. The blades 67 can be out of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material.
(65) As it can be seen in
(66) The semi-flexible curtain 39 can be configured so that the vertical blades 67 are folded over one another in the stowed position, as shown in
(67) A closure device 37′ similar to the device 37 can be installed for removably closing the passage on the side of the corridor 21, as shown in
(68) The invention can also be implemented with seats installed in other means of transport, such as for example seats for buses, trains, or boats.
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(70) The device 100 comprises a frame 101 comprising a first upright 102.1 and a second upright 102.2 connected to one another by a box 103. The uprights 102.1, 102.2 are oriented vertically, while the box 103 is arranged horizontally, so that the frame 101 generally has a U-shape.
(71) The frame 101 comprises at least one fixation interface 105.1, 105.2 including a structural element, such as a seat shell or any other structural element inside an aircraft cabin. In this case, the first upright 102.1 comprises a fixation interface 105.1 to a shell of a first seat and the second upright 102.2 comprises a fixation interface 105.2 to a shell of a second seat.
(72) A curtain assembly 106 comprises a flexible curtain 106.1 suitable for being rolled up on a drum 107. To this end, the drum 107 comprises an axis 107.1 rotatingly mounted relative to the frame 101. In addition, a rigid transversal bar 106.2 is attached to one end of the flexible curtain 106.1. Thus the curtain assembly 106 is formed by the curtain 106.1 as well as the transversal bar 106.2.
(73) The flexible curtain 106.1 is preferably made out of a fabric. The curtain 106.1 could also be at least partially out of alcantara or leather to increase the perceived quality of the whole. The curtain 106.1 may be at least partially out of an acoustic absorption material.
(74) The transversal bar 106.2 is preferably out of a metallic material, in particular aluminum. As a variant, the transversal bar 106.2 may be out of plastic or a composite material or any other possible rigid material.
(75) The drum 107 is arranged at least partially inside the box 103. A cover (not shown) can be fixed to the box 103 in order to hide a part of the drum 107 protruding from the box 103.
(76) As it can be seen in
(77) Advantageously, a translational guiding device 109.1, 109.2 is a belt device. A belt device 109.1, 109.2 comprises a first pulley 121 rotatingly connected to the frame 101, in this case to an upper part of a corresponding upright 102.1, 102.2, a second pulley 122 rotatingly connected to the frame, in this case to a corresponding lateral portion of the box 103, and a belt 123 cooperating with the first pulley 121 and the second pulley 122. The belt 123 may be smooth or toothed or have the form of a chain. Preferably, a tension wheel 125, visible in
(78) As shown in
(79) During a phase of use, the passenger can grip the transversal bar 106.2 to manually move the curtain 106.1 in a direction of movement D parallel to a longitudinal direction of an upright 102.1, 102.2 between a stowed position, in which the flexible curtain 106.1 is mostly rolled up on the drum 107, so as to release the space, as shown in
(80) One end of the transversal bar 106.2 is able to slide inside a groove 128.1, 128.2 made in a corresponding upright 102.1, 102.2, when moving the curtain 106.1 from one position to another.
(81) Advantageously, as can be seen in
(82) A spring for assisting the deployment 131 of the curtain 106.1 makes it possible to facilitate the deployment of the curtain 106.1, when the passenger pulls it from the stowed position to the deployed position, as shown in
(83) As it can be seen in
(84) It will be possible to use one roller 133 per upright 102.1, 102.2, that is to say two rollers 133 for the removable closure device 100, or a single roller 133 for a single upright between the two uprights 102.1 or 102.2. As a variant, it would also be possible to use more than one guiding roller 133 per upright 102.1, 102.2.
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(86) A removable closure device 100 is arranged between a front seat 136 and a rear seat 137. To this end, the first upright 102.1 is attached to the front shell 136.1 of a front seat 136 via its fixation interface 105.1, while the second upright 102.2 is fixed to the rear shell 137.1 of a rear seat 137 via its fixation interface 105.2. To this end, a fixation interface for an upright 102.1, 102.2 comprises holes for the passage of fixation members, such as screws, rivets, or studs, or other members adapted to the application, also passing through holes in the corresponding shell 136.1, 137.1.
(87) During an assembly phase, one begins by fixing an upright of the closure device 100 to one of the shells, for example the rear shell 137.1, then the other shell, for example the front hull 136.1, is attached to the other upright of the closure device 100.
(88) The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the integration of the closure device 100, to easily isolate the two rear seats 137, arranged side by side, or on the contrary to allow communication between the two rear seats 137.
(89) The invention also has the advantage of being easily integrated into the aircraft cabin and of being easily released from the passage in the event of an accident due to the flexible nature of the curtain.
(90) In the embodiment in
(91) In the embodiment in
(92) Obviously, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants which a person skilled in the art may envisage in the context of the present invention and in particular any combination of the various above-described operating modes, which may be taken separately or in combination.