Lavatory for a vehicle as well as a vehicle having such a lavatory

Abstract

A lavatory for a vehicle includes a housing that is accessible through an access opening, and a washing apparatus for washing feet. The washing apparatus includes a water supply device and a water removal device. The washing apparatus also includes a depression, with which the water removal device is couplable and which is positionable underneath the water supply device. The depression has a use height, which is 700 mm at a maximum.

Claims

1. An aircraft comprising: a passenger cabin; and a lavatory arranged in the passenger cabin, the lavatory comprising: a floor and an interior wall arrangement, including a table wall, defining a lavatory space and including an opening to the lavatory space; a wash table having an upper surface, wherein the table wall extends downward from the wash table to the floor; a wash basin formed in the upper surface of the wash table, wherein an internal table space is defined under the wash table and under the wash basin and is separated from the lavatory space by the table wall; wherein the table wall is formed with a lower access opening; wherein the upper surface of the wash table is formed with an upper access opening to the internal table space in communication with the lower access opening; and a washing apparatus located in the internal table space for washing feet; wherein the washing apparatus comprises a water supply device and a water removal device; and wherein the washing apparatus comprises a depression, with which the water removal device is couplable and which is positionable underneath the water supply device.

2. The aircraft of claim 1 wherein: the wash basin has an upper edge circumscribing a wash basin opening; the depression of the washing apparatus has an upper edge defining a depression opening; and the lower access opening formed in the table wall is located above the depression opening and below the wash basin opening.

3. The aircraft of claim 1 wherein the wash basin is located at a first height over the floor, wherein the washing apparatus is located at a second height over the floor lower than the first height, and wherein the wash basin is laterally distanced from the washing apparatus.

4. The aircraft of claim 1 wherein the lavatory further comprises a lower closure body having a closed configuration in which the lower closure body completely closes the lower access opening and an open configuration in which the lower closure body lies below the lower access opening.

5. The aircraft of claim 1 wherein the lavatory further comprises: a lower closure body having a closed configuration in which the lower closure body completely closes the lower access opening and an open configuration in which the lower closure body lies below the lower access opening; and an upper closure body having a closed configuration in which the upper closure body completely closes the upper access opening and an open configuration.

6. The aircraft of claim 1 wherein the lavatory further comprises: a lower closure body having a closed configuration in which the lower closure body completely closes the lower access opening and is flush with the table wall; and an upper closure body having a closed configuration in which the upper closure body completely closes the upper access opening and is flush with the upper surface of the wash table.

7. The aircraft of claim 1 wherein the wash basin is located at a first height over the floor, and wherein the lavatory further comprises: a lower closure body having a closed configuration in which the lower closure body blocks the lower access opening; and an upper closure body having a closed configuration in which the upper closure body blocks the upper access opening and an open configuration, wherein the upper closure body is rotatably connected to the table about a hinge axis, wherein a front edge of the upper closure body is located at an opened height over the floor when the upper closure body is in the open configuration, wherein the opened height is greater than the first height.

8. The aircraft of claim 1 further comprising a rear wall located under the wash table, wherein the internal table space is located between the table wall and the rear wall, and wherein the water supply device extends through the rear wall at a location above the depression.

9. A lavatory for a vehicle, the lavatory comprising: a floor and an interior wall arrangement, including a table wall, defining a lavatory space and including an opening to the lavatory space; a wash table having an upper surface, wherein the table wall extends downward from the wash table to the floor; a first wash basin formed in the upper surface of wash table, wherein an internal table space is defined under the wash table and is separated from the lavatory space by the table wall; and a second wash basin located in the internal table space laterally distanced from the first wash basin at a fixed position relative to the first wash basin.

10. The lavatory of claim 9 wherein the first wash basin is located at a first height over the floor, and wherein the second wash basin is located at a second height over the floor lower than the first height.

11. The lavatory of claim 10 wherein an upper access opening is formed in the wash table, and wherein a lower access opening is formed in the table wall in communication with the upper access opening for providing communication between the lavatory space and the internal table space to allow access to the second wash basin.

12. A lavatory for a vehicle, the lavatory comprising: a floor and an interior wall arrangement, including a table wall, defining a lavatory space and including an opening to the lavatory space; a wash table having an upper surface, wherein an upper access opening is formed in the wash table, wherein the table wall extends downward from the wash table to the floor; a first wash basin formed in the upper surface of wash table, wherein an internal table space is defined under the wash table and under the wash basin and is separated from the lavatory space by the table wall; a second wash basin located in the internal table space, wherein a lower access opening is formed in the table wall in communication with the upper access opening for providing communication between the lavatory space and the internal table space to allow access to the second wash basin; and a lower closure body having a closed configuration in which the lower closure body closes the lower access opening and an open configuration in which the lower closure body lies below the lower access opening.

13. The lavatory of claim 12 further comprising an upper closure body having a closed configuration in which the upper closure body closes the upper access opening and an open configuration.

14. The lavatory of claim 13 wherein: the lower access opening and the table wall are in a vertical plane perpendicular to the floor; and the upper access opening and the upper surface of the wash table are in a horizontal plane parallel to the floor.

15. The lavatory of claim 14 wherein the lower closure body is flush with the table wall in the closed configuration; and the upper closure body is flush with the upper surface of the wash table in the closed configuration.

16. The lavatory of claim 15 wherein: the first wash basin is located at a first height over the floor; the second wash basin is located at a second height over the floor lower than the first height; the upper closure body is rotatably connected to the wash table about a hinge axis located in the horizontal plane; a front edge of the upper closure body is located at a third height over the floor when the upper closure body is in the open configuration; and the third height is greater than the first height.

17. The lavatory of claim 16 further comprising; a rear wall located under the wash table, wherein the internal table space is located between the table wall and the rear wall; a washing apparatus located in the internal table space and including a water supply device located above the second wash basin and a water removal device located below the second wash basin, wherein the water supply device extends through the rear wall at a location above the second wash basin.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further characteristics, advantages and application options are disclosed in the following description of the exemplary embodiments in the figures. All the described and/or illustrated characteristics per se and in any combination form the subject matter presented here, even irrespective of their composition in the individual claims or their interrelationships. Furthermore, identical or similar components in the figures have the same reference characters.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a lavatory without a washing apparatus of the type disclosed herein.

(3) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a first exemplary embodiment of the washing apparatus according to the invention.

(4) FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second exemplary embodiment of a lavatory according to the invention.

(5) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third exemplary embodiment of a lavatory according to the invention.

(6) FIGS. 8a and 8b show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a lavatory according to the invention.

(7) Finally, FIG. 9 shows an aircraft having a passenger cabin created therein and at least one such lavatory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or the application and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a conventional lavatory 2 with a toilet unit 4 arranged therein, a housing wall 22, a first interior or table wall 6, and a floor surface 8. The toilet unit 4 comprises a toilet bowl 10 and a cladding 12, which connects to a rear second interior wall 14. The housing wall 22 and the table wall 6 extend from the second interior wall 14 substantially parallel to a seating direction S of the toilet unit 4.

(10) A wash table 16 is arranged above the table wall 6 and from the second interior wall 14 extends horizontally above the table wall 6 to the housing wall 22, i.e., parallel to the floor surface 8. A wash basin 18 connects thereto, which comprises a greater construction depth than the wash table 16. Underneath this a basin portion 20 of the table wall 6 extends at a slightly larger distance from the housing wall 22 than a non-basin portion 38 of the table wall 6. Between the non-basin portion 38 of the table wall 6 and the basin portion 20 of the table wall 6 a transition 24 is present, which is evenly curved. As shown, an internal table space 21 is defined under the wash table 16 and between the housing wall 22 and the table wall 6.

(11) In the table wall 6, closure flap 28 is arranged, which is arranged to be swivable around a horizontal hinge line 26. Behind this a waste bin may be present, which may be emptied through the closure flap 28. The closure flap 28 constitutes a part of the table wall 6, which contributes to a harmonic design of the complete interior cladding. At an upper end of the closure flap 28 a handle 30 is arranged, with which the closure flap 28 may be opened or pulled open, respectively, such that it is swiveled about the hinge axis 26.

(12) Two toilet paper dispensers 32 are arranged one above the other between the transition 24 and the closure flap 28. Above the closure flap 24 and inside the wash table 16 openings 34 are arranged, which lead to waste bins not shown herein.

(13) In the following figures, the integration of a washing apparatus particularly for washing the feet is illustrated.

(14) FIG. 2 exemplarily shows a lavatory 36 according to certain embodiments of the invention, which is very similar to the lavatory 2 of FIG. 1 or is based on it, respectively. The differences lie in the design of the non-basin portion 38 of the table wall and the overlying portion of the wash table 16 exemplarily in the left part in this figure. Here, the non-basin portion 38 is shown as being formed with a first or lower closure body 40, and the wash table 16 is shown as being formed with a second or upper closure body 42. The first closure body 40 is realized as a sliding panel, which is guided in the vertical direction at two distanced vertical edges 44 and 46. As shown, the two vertical edges 44 and 46 define a lower access opening 45 terminating at an interface 85, and the lower access opening 45 is closed by the lower closure body 40. The second closure body 42 is realized as a closure flap, which is swivably mounted about a hinge axis 48. The hinge axis 48 is arranged at an end of the wash table 50 that is distanced from the first wall 38. As shown, an upper access opening 88 is defined between the hinge axis 48 and the interface 85 and is closed by the upper closure body 42. Further, it may be seen that the wash basin 18 is formed in the wash table 16 with an upper edge 51 circumscribing a wash basin opening 53.

(15) In the left illustration of FIG. 2 the lavatory 36 is shown in a neutral state. Here, a completely closed interior cladding is shown, which corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 1 except the position of the toilet paper dispenser 32 and the lack of the left opening 34. In the magnified illustration in the right part of FIG. 2 a washing apparatus 52 is recognizable. This exemplarily comprises a basin-like depression 54, which extends from an interior side of the non-basin portion 38 of the table wall 6 toward the housing wall 22. The depression 54 has an upper edge 55 defining a depression opening 65. At a bottom of the depression 54 a water removal device 56 in form of a drain is shown. A waste water line may be coupled with it, which is connected to a drain of the wash basin 18. At a rear end of the washing apparatus 52 a water supply device 58 in form of a water tap is shown. At a rear end of the washing apparatus 52 a water supply device 58 in form of a water tap is shown. This may be connected to a water duct, which supplies water to a water tap associated with the wash basin 18.

(16) Consequently, the washing apparatus 52 allows a user to alternatingly put his feet into the washing apparatus 52 standing in front of the toilet unit 4 and to exemplarily put them at least partially onto the depression 54 and to wash them. The interior design of the lavatory 36 is almost identical to the interior design of the lavatory 2 in FIG. 1, the comfort perception for a user on the toilet unit is absolutely not reduced.

(17) As shown in FIG. 3 a height h of the depression 54 of approximately 620 mm above the floor 8 may be accomplished with this arrangement. Partial figure I shows the use of the washing apparatus 52 by a female user 57 with a relatively low height (model: 5%). The partial figures II and III show a male user 59 having a relatively large height (model: 95%) during washing of the right foot (partial figure II) and of the left foot (partial figure III). This height is acceptable. However, provision may also be made for step-up means, exemplarily for being folded out from the basin portion 20 of the table wall 6.

(18) An alternative variant in form of a lavatory 60 is shown in FIG. 4. Here, a first interior wall 62 is provided, which carries a first closure body in form of a closure flap 64 and supports it so as to be swivable about a hinge axis 66. Thus, the closure flap 64 may be swiveled from a vertical stowage position (see left illustration) into a substantially horizontal use position. Thereby, the closure flap 64 clearly projects into the interior of the lavatory 60.

(19) A depression 68 is created at an interior side of the closure flap 64, which depression 68 replaces the depression 54 of FIG. 2. It is conceivable to provide a flexible, web-shaped sealing element at an end of the closure flap 64 facing the interior wall, which sealing element is fastened both at the end of the closure flap 64 as well as at a structurally fixed component at a side of the interior wall facing away from the interior space of the lavatory. A water removal device may connect thereto. The sealing element may compensate the variable orientation of the closure flap 64 and provide a sufficient sealing. Of course, other multi-part and non-continuous sealing elements are conceivable.

(20) In addition, a further closure flap 42 borders the wash table 50, which closure flap 42 corresponds to the closure flap 42 of FIG. 2. It is swivably mounted on the hinge axis 48.

(21) From this a washing apparatus 70 follows, which is more comfortably accessible for a user than the washing apparatus 52 of FIG. 2.

(22) In FIG. 5 the use of the washing apparatus 70 is shown in three partial figures I to III. Partial figure I again shows a female user 57 according to the 5% model, the partial figures II and III each show a male user 59 according to the 95% model. Through using a closure flap 64 a height h to the depression 68 of slightly above 50 cm may be achieved, which is particularly convenient for users with smaller height.

(23) In FIG. 6 a lavatory 72 having a washing apparatus 73 is shown, which substantially corresponds to the washing apparatus 70, but is equipped with a modified closure flap 74. This comprises a drain opening 78 as a water removal device at an end 76, which faces away from an interior wall 77 of the lavatory 72. It is positioned in a way that waste water reaches a toilet bowl 10, which in a use state is positioned underneath, and is removed there. For ensuring a splash-free use the closure flap 74 may be designed in such a manner that it comprises a particularly low height from the floor surface 8, which is still slightly lower than in the lavatory 70. The height h may exemplarily be less than 500 mm and may measure about 475 mm in the shown example.

(24) FIG. 7 also shows the lavatory 70 in three partial figures I to III, which show the use of the washing apparatus 72. Partial figure I again shows a female user 57 corresponding to the 5% model, the partial figures II and III each show a male user 59 corresponding to the 95% model.

(25) FIGS. 8a and 8b show a modified lavatory 80, which comprises a washing apparatus 82 that is integrated into a toilet unit 84. The washing apparatus 82 comprises a depression 88, which is closable through a lid 86, wherein waste water directly reaches the toilet unit 84. A water supply device may be installed at a rear end (not shown). FIG. 8a shows the washing apparatus 82 in a closed state. FIG. 8b shows the toilet unit 84, at which the washing apparatus 82 is swiveled upwardly about a horizontal swivel axis 90, such that the toilet unit 84 may be used.

(26) Finally, FIG. 9 shows an aircraft 92, which comprises a passenger cabin 94 created therein having one or multiple such lavatories.

(27) In addition, it should be pointed out that comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and a or an 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 may 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.

(28) 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.