Aircraft installation arrangement and installation system for mounting an overhead luggage compartment
20180009530 · 2018-01-11
Inventors
Cpc classification
B64D11/003
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
An installation arrangement comprising a first carrier element configured to fasten an overhead luggage compartment thereto. The first element includes a main body comprising a tubular opening, a barrel-shaped component arranged inside the tubular opening, the component comprising a through hole extending substantially perpendicular to a component longitudinal axis, and a fastener to fasten a portion of the overhead luggage compartment to the main body of the first carrier element. A second carrier element of the arrangement is a rotary joint connectable to an installation rail, the rotary joint being movable around a longitudinal axis of the installation rail and an axis perpendicular to that longitudinal axis. The installation arrangement also comprises a rod configured to be coupled with the second carrier element and to fit inside the through hole, wherein the rod is connectable to the first carrier element when the rod is arranged inside the through hole.
Claims
1. An installation arrangement suitable for fastening a portion of an overhead luggage compartment in an aircraft, the installation arrangement comprising: a first carrier element configured to fasten the overhead luggage compartment thereto, the first carrier element including: a main body comprising a tubular opening, a first barrel-shaped component arranged inside the tubular opening of the main body, the first barrel-shaped component comprising a first through hole extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first barrel-shaped component, and fastening means for fastening a portion of the overhead luggage compartment to the main body of the first carrier element; and a second carrier element being a rotary joint connectable to an installation rail, the rotary joint being movable around a longitudinal axis of the installation rail and an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the installation rail; and a rod configured to be coupled with the second carrier element and to fit inside the first through hole, wherein the rod is connectable to the first carrier element, when the rod is arranged inside the first through hole.
2. The installation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second carrier element includes: a mounting component connectable to the installation rail and comprising a tubular opening, and a second barrel-shaped component arranged inside the tubular opening of the mounting component, the second barrel-shaped component comprising a second through hole extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second barrel-shaped component.
3. The installation arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the first through hole has a threaded surface, and the rod has, at least on a portion of an outer surface, a matching threaded surface for connecting the first carrier element variably spaced from the second carrier element.
4. The installation arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the second through hole of the second barrel-shaped component is greater in size than the rod.
5. The installation arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the rod further comprises fastening means for coupling the rod to the second barrel-shaped component pivotally movable around an axis of the rod.
6. The installation arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the second through hole has a threaded surface, and the rod has at least on an end portion a matching threaded surface for coupling the second carrier element to the rod.
7. The installation arrangement according to claim 2, further comprising at least one of: the main body including a third through hole extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular opening of the main body, the first through hole being aligned with the third through hole when the first barrel-shaped component is arranged inside the tubular opening of the main body, or the mounting component including a fourth through hole extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular opening of the mounting component, the second through hole being aligned with the fourth through hole when the second barrel-shaped component is arranged inside the tubular opening of the mounting component.
8. The installation arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the third through hole is larger than the first through hole.
9. The installation arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the fourth through hole is larger than the second through hole.
10. The installation arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the second carrier element further includes a shock absorbing component arranged in the tubular opening of the mounting component and configured to receive the second barrel-shaped component therein.
11. The installation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second carrier element includes: a holding portion connectable to the installation rail, an arcuate portion forming a void with the holding portion and having a fifth through hole sized to receive the rod including a predetermined clearance, and an arcuate disc provided in the void and coupled to the rod, wherein the arcuate disc is configured to bear on a surface of the arcuate portion facing the void.
12. The installation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rod further comprises an attachment means for attaching a cove light panel at an end of the rod opposite to the second carrier element.
13. The installation arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the attachment means includes a threaded outer surface of the rod configured to receive a sleeve nut.
14. The installation arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the attachment means includes a center bore in a longitudinal direction of the rod configured to receive a screw.
15. The installation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rod is split and comprises a first rod coupled with the second carrier element and a second rod, wherein the first rod and the second rod are connected spaced apart by a sleeve nut.
16. The installation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first carrier element includes further fastening means for fastening a portion of a further overhead luggage compartment to the main body of the first carrier element.
17. The installation arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the installation rail includes bores spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the installation rail for receiving a fastener for connecting the second carrier element to the installation rail.
18. An installation system for mounting an overhead luggage compartment in an aircraft, the installation system comprising: at least one of the installation arrangement according to claim 1; and a primary structure fastening element including: a primary structure fastening component connectable to the primary structure of the aircraft, and a bolt-shaped component configured to be coupled with the primary structure fastening component and to hold another portion of the overhead luggage compartment different than the portion of the overhead luggage compartment fastened to the first carrier element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] Preferred embodiments and examples of an installation arrangement and installation system are described in greater detail with reference to the attached schematic drawings in the following, wherein
[0040]
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
[0044]
[0045]
[0046]
[0047]
[0048]
[0049]
[0050]
[0051]
[0052]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0053]
[0054] As is illustrated in
[0055] The overall structure may further include a cove light panel 140 that is connected to the installation arrangement 110.
[0056]
[0057] The installation rail 115 extends substantially in a longitudinal direction X of the aircraft, e.g., in a flight direction of the aircraft. Thus, the two arms 211 and 212 also extent in the longitudinal direction X of the aircraft and perpendicular thereto in the direction Z.
[0058] Furthermore, the installation rail 115 includes bores 230 or openings. The bores 230 are arranged in both arms 211, 212. A first bore 231 provided in arm 211 may align with a second bore 232 provided in arm 212, i.e., the bores 231, 232 have a common central axis. The bores 230 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X of the installation rail 115. The distance between two adjacent bores 230 can be predefined in dependence of a pattern of overhead luggage compartments or other aircraft interior components to be mounted to the installation rail 115.
[0059]
[0060] As illustrated in
[0061] An installation arrangement 110 of a side attachment position (between two adjacent overhead luggage compartments 120) is illustrated in
[0062] The installation arrangement 110 suitable for fastening a portion of an overhead luggage compartment 120 in an aircraft comprises a first carrier element 112 that is configured to be fastened to the overhead luggage compartment 120. Only a portion of the overhead luggage compartment 120 is illustrated in
[0063] The first carrier element 112 includes a main body 310 and a first barrel-shaped component 320. The main body 310 can comprise a tubular opening 311, while the first barrel-shaped component 320 can be arranged inside the tubular opening 311 of the main body 310. The main body 310 is illustrated in the form of a prism (cuboid). This provides for a flat surface for attaching the overhead luggage compartment 120. The tubular opening 311 is illustrated as a tubular void as can be derived from the dashed line in the side view illustrated on the right-hand side of
[0064] The first barrel-shaped component 320 can comprise a first through hole 330 extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis the first barrel-shaped component 320 and, hence, substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular opening 311 in the main body 310.
[0065] The first carrier element 112 further comprises fastening means 350 for fastening a portion of the overhead luggage compartment 120 to the main body 310 of the first carrier element 112. The fastening means 350 is illustrated as an internal fastener, such as a threaded bore. The overhead luggage compartment 120 is fastened to the main body 310 of the first carrier element 112 by an external fastening component 360, such as the illustrated bolt or screw 360. Alternatively, the illustrated bolt may be fixedly coupled to the main body 310 or otherwise be inserted into the main body 310. The overhead luggage compartment 120 can then be connected to this bolt by a nut 360.
[0066] The number of fastening means 350 and corresponding fastening components can vary. For instance, a single fastening arrangement (350, 360) may be enough for a transmission of forces (loads) without momentum. Two or more fastening arrangements (350, 360) also provide for transmission of a momentum from the overhead luggage compartment 120 to the main body 310.
[0067] The right-hand side of
[0068] The installation arrangement 110 further comprises a second carrier element 113 connectable to the installation rail 115. The second carrier element can be a rotary joint capable of providing a degree of freedom around two axes. The illustrated second carrier element 113 includes the mounting component 410 that is connectable to the installation rail 115. For example, the mounting component 410 may be sized to fit between the two arms 211, 212 of the installation rail 115. Using respective fastening elements 460 the mounting component 410 can be connected to the installation rail 115. The fastening elements 460 may be bolts or screws inserted through respective bores 230 of the installation rail 115. The bores 230 and fastening elements 460 may provide for a rotational movement of the fastening elements 460 relative to the installation rail 115. This provides a first degree of freedom for the second carrier element 113 around an axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the installation rail 115.
[0069] Furthermore, the mounting component 410 of the second carrier element 113 may comprise a tubular opening 411. The tubular opening 411 is formed and arranged similarly to tubular opening 311 in the main body 310 of the first carrier element 112. The second carrier element 113 also includes a second barrel-shaped component 420. The second barrel-shaped component 420 can be arranged inside (be inserted in) the tubular opening 411 of the mounting component 410. A movement between the second barrel-shaped component 420 and the mounting component 410 is possible, so that a second degree of freedom is provided for the second carrier element 113. Thus, the second carrier element 113 is a rotary joint.
[0070] A second through hole 430 may be provided in the second barrel-shaped component 420. The second through hole 430 extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second barrel-shaped component 420. Therefore, when the second barrel-shaped component 420 is inserted in the tubular opening 411 of the mounting component 410, the second through hole 430 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular opening 411 of the mounting component 410.
[0071] The first and second through holes 330, 340 are arranged to receive a rod 114, thereby connecting the first and second carrier elements 112, 113. For example, the first through hole 330 of the first carrier element 112 has a threaded surface and the rod 114 has a matching threaded surface on at least a portion of its outer surface. The threaded surface of the rod 114 may be provided in a center part of the rod 114 or at any other part, where the first carrier element 112 is to be attached. By a rotation of the rod 114 the engaging threads of the rod 114 and the first through hole 330 provide for a movement of the first carrier element 112 along the longitudinal axis of the rod 114.
[0072] The rod 114 can further include attachment means 510 for attaching a cove light panel 140. The attachment means 510 may be provided at an end of the rod 114 opposite to the end of the rod 114 where the second carrier element 113 is connected. The illustrated attachment means 510 are a threaded outer surface of the rod 114 (dashed line), onto which a sleeve nut 515 is threaded. The sleeve nut 515 includes elements (not illustrated) for coupling the cove light panel 140 thereto.
[0073] Furthermore, the main body 310 of the first carrier element 112 may include a third through hole 340 extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular opening 311. The third through hole 340 is arranged at a location of the main body 310, so that the first through hole 330 of the first barrel-shaped component 320 can be aligned with the third through hole 340, when the first barrel-shaped component 320 is arranged inside the tubular opening 311 of the main body 310. Thus, the rod 114 can extend through the first through hole 330 and the third through hole 340. The third through hole 340 of the main body 310 crosses the tubular opening 311 thereof, so that the main body has two portions provided with the third through hole 340 on both sides of the tubular opening 311.
[0074] The third through hole 340 may be larger than the first through hole 330. In particular, a dimension of the third through hole 340, such as a diameter, may be larger than a dimension (diameter) of the first through hole 330. This allows a movement of the rod 114 together with the first barrel-shaped component 320 inside the main body 310 without intervening with the main body 310.
[0075] Similarly, the mounting component 410 of the second carrier element 113 can include a fourth through hole 440 extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular opening 411 of the mounting component 410. The fourth through hole 440 is arranged at a location of the mounting component 410, so that the second through hole 430 of the second barrel-shaped component 420 can be aligned with the fourth through hole 440, when the second barrel-shaped component 420 is arranged inside the tubular opening 411 of the mounting component 410. Thus, the rod 114 can extend through the second through hole 430 and the fourth through hole 440. The fourth through hole 440 of the mounting component 410 crosses the tubular opening 411 thereof, thereby providing two parts of the mounting component 410 on both sides of the tubular opening 411 with a through hole 440.
[0076] The fourth through hole 440 in the mounting component 410 may be larger than the second through hole 430 in the second barrel-shaped component 420 of the second carrier element 113. This provides for a space for movement of the rod 114 within the mounting component 410 of the second carrier element 113 due to a movement of the second barrel-shaped component 420 in the mounting component 410.
[0077]
[0078] Alternatively, as shown in
[0079] Again with respect to
[0080]
[0081] Correspondingly, as illustrated in
[0082]
[0083] In addition,
[0084] Furthermore, the rod 114 comprises a ridged section 372 at an upper end of the rod 114. This ridged section 372 provides ridged segments on two sides of the rod 114 interrupted by two plain surface segments. This provides for inserting the rod into the second barrel-shaped component 420 (illustrated as a cap-like component) which has corresponding ridged and plain segments at an angle of about 90°. When turning the rod 114 by 90°, the ridges of the rod 114 and the second barrel-shaped component 420 become engaged and the rod 114 can be connected to the second barrel-shaped component 420 at the insertion level before turning the rod 114.
[0085]
[0086] The cove light panel 140 can then be attached to the tubular element 122 of the overhead luggage compartment 120 by a corresponding fastening means 530. Alternatively, the tubular element 122 has an open end at its bottom, so that the rod 114 can extend to the outside of the overhead luggage compartment 120 at which the cove light panel 140 can be attached as described with respect to
[0087]
[0088] The first carrier element 112 is illustrated as being mounted to the second rod 615. This variant allows installation of the second carrier element 113 in the installation rail 115 and the attachment of the first rod 610 at the second carrier element 113. The overhead luggage compartment (not shown in
[0089] It is to be understood, that the first carrier element 112 may alternatively be mounted to the first rod 610 above the sleeve nut 620. The cove light panel 140 can then be attached to the sleeve nut 620 at a later stage with the second rod 615.
[0090] In addition,
[0091]
[0092]
[0093] The second carrier element 113 also includes an arcuate disc 840 provided in the void 830. The arcuate disc 840 is coupled to the rod 114 so that the arcuate disc 840 bears any load introduced by the rod 114 on the surface of the arcuate portion 820 facing the void 830. The void 830 is also dimensioned larger than the arcuate disc 840 to provide the arcuate disc 840 with enough space for movement. Thus, the second carrier element 113 also provides a rotary joint having at least two degrees of freedom for the rod 114.
[0094] In addition, an arcuate element 850 may be provided on the installation rail 115. The arcuate element 850 can be arranged to provide a second bearing surface for the arcuate disc 840 on a side opposite to the arcuate portion 820 of the second carrier element 113. The arcuate element 850 may be of an elastic material so that the arcuate disc is less likely to be pushed towards the installation rail 115. Shock absorption is also achieved by such elastic arcuate element 850.
[0095] It is to be understood that the examples and variants of certain components and elements of the installation arrangement(s) illustrated in one of the Figures and described above can be combined with examples and variants illustrated in another Figure.
[0096] 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.