TOILET MODULE FOR A VEHICLE AND A VEHICLE INCLUDING A TOILET MODULE

Abstract

A toilet module and a vehicle including a toilet module are provided. An exemplary toilet module includes a toilet unit and a housing. The housing includes a front wall with an access opening, a first functional wall arranged opposite the front wall and supporting the toilet unit, and a second functional wall perpendicular to the front wall and extending between the front wall and the first functional wall. Further, the toilet module includes a storage shelf attached to the housing and a swivable table attached to the housing and movable to an extended configuration. The swivable table overlaps the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

Claims

1. A toilet module for a vehicle, the toilet module comprising: a toilet unit; a housing including: a front wall with an access opening; a first functional wall arranged opposite the front wall and supporting the toilet unit; and a second functional wall perpendicular to the front wall and extending between the front wall and the first functional wall; a storage shelf attached to the housing; and a swivable table attached to the housing and movable to an extended configuration, wherein the swivable table overlaps the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

2. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the swivable table is directly contacted by the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

3. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the swivable table is indirectly supported by the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

4. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the storage shelf is adjacent to the second functional wall.

5. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the storage shelf extends along the first functional wall to the second functional wall.

6. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the swivable table is attached to the first functional wall.

7. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the swivable table is attached to the first functional wall, is movable between a stowage configuration and the extended configuration, and constitutes a part of the first functional wall when in the stowage configuration.

8. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the swivable table is attached to the first functional wall, is movable between a stowage configuration and the extended configuration, and constitutes a part of the first functional wall when in the stowage configuration.

9. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the swivable table is movable between a stowage configuration and the extended configuration, and wherein the swivable table is perpendicular to the second functional wall in the stowage configuration and in the extended configuration.

10. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the toilet unit has a longitudinal extension axis which forms an angle which is greater than 0 with the second functional wall.

11. A vehicle, comprising: a vehicle cabin; and a toilet module including a housing and a toilet unit, wherein the toilet unit has a longitudinal extension axis and wherein the housing includes: a first functional wall arranged opposite the front wall and supporting the toilet unit; a second functional wall extending between the first functional wall and the front wall, wherein the second functional wall is perpendicular to the front wall; and a front wall with an access opening, wherein the housing encloses a floor surface on the underside of the housing; and wherein the toilet unit has a longitudinal extension axis which forms an angle with the second functional wall; a horizontally arranged storage shelf inside the toilet module adjacent to the second functional wall; and a swivable table attached to the housing and movable to an extended configuration, wherein the swivable table overlaps the horizontally arranged storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table is directly contacted by the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

13. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table is indirectly supported by the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

14. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the storage shelf extends along the first functional wall to the second functional wall.

15. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table is attached to the first functional wall.

16. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table is attached to the first functional wall, is movable between a stowage configuration and the extended configuration, and constitutes a part of the first functional wall when in the stowage configuration.

17. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table is attached to the first functional wall, is movable between a stowage configuration and the extended configuration, and constitutes a part of the first functional wall when in the stowage configuration.

18. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table is movable between a stowage configuration and the extended configuration, and wherein the swivable table is perpendicular to the second functional wall in the stowage configuration and in the extended configuration.

19. A toilet module for a vehicle, the toilet module comprising: a toilet unit; a housing including: a front wall with an access opening; a first functional wall arranged opposite the front wall and supporting the toilet unit; a second functional wall perpendicular to the front wall and extending between the front wall and the first functional wall; and a third functional wall parallel to the second functional wall and perpendicular to the front wall and extending between the front wall and the first functional wall; a storage shelf attached to the housing; and a swivable table extending from the second functional wall to the third functional wall and movable to an extended configuration, wherein the swivable table is supported by the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

20. The toilet module of claim 19 wherein the swivable table is directly supported by the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The various embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0055] FIGS. 1A and 1B are three-dimensional views of a toilet module with and without lateral stowage compartment.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a transparent toilet module, from the same direction as in FIG. 1.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a toilet module.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a lateral section through a toilet module.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a modified toilet module.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the toilet module from FIG. 5.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a toilet module.

[0062] FIG. 8A-8D show three-dimensional views of a toilet module with a swivable table.

[0063] FIGS. 9A and 9B show three-dimensional views of a toilet module with a stretcher flap and a bi-fold door, while FIGS. 9C and 9D show the stretcher flap in use.

[0064] FIGS. 10A and 10B each show a toilet module having an indentation and/or a protrusion.

[0065] FIG. 11 shows two toilet modules arranged in a line.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows two toilet modules arranged in a line with a stowage compartment arranged between the toiles modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

[0068] FIG. 1A is a three-dimensional view of the toilet module 1 according to the various teachings of the present disclosure from the outside. The toilet module 1 comprises a housing 2 having a front wall 4, which has an access opening 6 which is sealed by a door 8. The access opening 6 only takes up part of the width of the front wall 4, and is not arranged symmetrically on the front wall 4, but offset somewhat to the left. This results in a corner region 10, which is made use of on the inside of the toilet module 1.

[0069] A second functional wall 12 is attached to the front wall 4 on the left-hand side, and has on the underside thereof a protrusion 14, which enlarges the useable space in the interior of the toilet module 1, yet as a result of a required slant 16 makes it possible in particular for backrests of passenger seats which are arranged directly adjacent to the toilet module 1 to pivot inwards on the outside of the toilet module 1.

[0070] On an upper face 18 of the toilet module 1, the second functional wall 12 comprises an opening 20 which is accessible from the inside. Conventionally, if the toilet module 1 is arranged alongside an aisle in a vehicle cabin, there will be overhead storage compartments to the left and right of the toilet module 1, which in turn are in one example, fixed to fuselage formers. The fuselage formers are at a particular predetermined distance from one another, and thus limit the installation positions of overhead storage compartments. The distance from the second functional wall 12 to the last fuselage former which can be used for fixing an overhead storage compartment can be filled with an additional storage compartment 21 which extends outwards from the opening 20 of the second functional wall 12 and is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. In this way, consumable items, such as hand towels and the like, can be stored without wasting valuable space inside the toilet module 1.

[0071] FIG. 1B shows a very similar toilet module 101 basically having the same components as the toilet module 1 of FIG. 1A, but without an opening 20 for accessing a storage compartment 21.

[0072] FIG. 2 is a transparent drawing of the arrangement of installations inside the toilet module 1. In this context, a further second functional wall 24 can be seen and supports a washstand 26 which extends from this second functional wall 24 in the region 10 of the front wall 4. The washstand 26 is accordingly located as far as possible into the corner between the front wall 4 and the second functional wall 24, which are perpendicular to one another.

[0073] A toilet unit 30 is arranged on a first functional wall 28 opposite the front wall 4, and projects from the first functional wall 28 into the inside of the toilet module 1. The toilet unit 30 is arranged as far away from the washstand 26 as possible. The toilet unit 30 is located approximately centrally on the first functional wall 28 and is pivoted somewhat to the left. A longitudinal extension axis of the toilet unit, which is made clear in the following drawing, accordingly forms a non-zero angle with the second functional wall 24, which supports the washstand 26.

[0074] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the toilet module 1, showing the construction somewhat more clearly. The toilet unit 30 has a longitudinal extension axis 32 which extends oblique to the second functional wall 24 and the second functional wall 12. The angle between the longitudinal extension axis 32 and the second functional wall 24 is in one example, in a range of from about 15 to about 45. For clarity, the angle in FIG. 3 is drawn with a parallel to the second functional wall 24. The toilet unit 30 accordingly faces away from the second functional wall 24 and towards the first functional wall 12.

[0075] Further, the washstand 26 extends entirely over the corner region 10 of the front wall 4, and further projects somewhat in front of the access opening 6. To avoid collisions and for a visually pleasing form, the washstand 26 is curved in a drop shape, that is to say the washbasin is formed in a board which curves in a drop shape. The intermediate space between the washstand 26 and the toilet unit 30 can therefore be of a virtually constant width, in such a way that a particularly comfortable sense of space is achieved.

[0076] By way of example, the first functional wall 28 is not orientated parallel to the front wall 4, but extends at a particular angle thereto. The toilet module 1 tapers or widens over the width thereof, in such a way that the toilet module 1 can be arranged in the region of a tail cone of an aircraft.

[0077] FIG. 4 shows a person 34 who is using the toilet unit 30 and who gains a very comfortable sense of space despite the reduced width of the toilet module 1. The person's knees and feet can extend into a region in the protrusion 14, in such a way that the overall width of the toilet module can be reduced, so long as it is possible to sit on the toilet unit 30 unimpeded. As a result of the configuration according to the present disclosure of the toilet module 1, a width of about 10 inches of the toilet module 1 can be saved, and this often makes it possible to accommodate a further row of passenger seats in the vehicle, for example an aircraft. The distance between rows of passenger seats is conventionally 28-32 inches.

[0078] In a region above the toilet unit, a vertical boundary wall 36 can extend as far as the first functional wall 28, where it encloses a storage space 38. The boundary wall 36 can serve as a backrest for the person 34. This configuration is to be recommended in particular when the first functional wall 28 is curved, since the person 34 cannot readily lean against a curved first functional wall 28. To enlarge the storage space 38, the toilet unit 30 may optionally be offset further into the inside of the toilet module 1.

[0079] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing that a toilet module 39 may additionally comprise a protrusion 40 on the second functional wall 24 from which the toilet unit 30 faces away. This gives a person in the inside of the toilet module 39 sufficient freedom of movement, in particular when the protrusion is arranged at a height which is above the toilet unit 30. At the same time, a vehicle attendant seat 42 can be arranged alongside the protrusion 40, in a region orientated towards the front wall 4, and is in the form of a folding seat, in one example. The vertical extents of the protrusion 40 and the vehicle attendant seat 42 correspond in such a way that the vehicle attendant is also not squashed when sitting down.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the toilet module 39, in which the protrusion 40 and the vehicle attendant seat 42 encompassed thereby are clearly visible. In addition, the toilet module 39 comprises a lateral storage compartment 21, as well as a protrusion 14 on the second functional wall 12 towards which the toilet unit 30 faces.

[0081] In FIG. 7 an arrangement similar to FIG. 3 as a mirror-inverted toilet module 111 is shown. The toilet unit 30 has a longitudinal axis 32 that extends oblique to the first functional wall 110, which is arranged parallelly to the front wall 4. Extending from the first functional wall 110 to the left second functional wall 24, from which the toilet unit 30 faces away, a storage shelf 112 is installed. In an edge region 114 between the first functional wall 110 and the second functional wall 24, a waste flap 116 is arranged, under which a rubbish bin is situated (not depicted in detail). By pressing the waste flap 116 downwardly, it may swivel around a hinge axis 117 into an open position and rubbish may be put into the rubbish bin. By means of a spring mechanism (not depicted in detail), the waste flap 116 returns into a neutral position, in which the waste flap 116 creates a smooth and even surface with the adjacent parts of the storage shelf 112. As the user does not necessarily need the space behind or directly adjacent to the toilet unit 30, the rubbish bin may be realized with fairly large dimensions without obstructing the user and without requiring a large installation space.

[0082] Directly behind the toilet unit 30 a swivable table 120 in a stowage position is shown. The swivable table may be swivelled around a hinge line 122 in order to move it into a use position. In the depicted stowage position the swivable table 120 constitutes a part of the first functional wall 110 visible from the inside of the toilet module.

[0083] FIG. 8A shows the toilet module 111 from FIG. 7 in a three-dimensional partial section where the swivable table is shown in more detail. The swivable table 120 is supported in a swivable manner on the first functional wall 110 and hence comprises a substantially horizontal hinge axis 122 around which the swivable table 120 may be swivelled. Therefore, it may be brought into a position directly adjacent or flushly on the first functional wall 110 (stowage position) and in a position resting on the storage shelf 112 as a support (use position).

[0084] Underneath the waste flap 116 a rubbish bin is positioned. It may be emptied by a swivable cover 119 smoothly integrated into the outer surface of a lining or a stowage compartment underneath the storage shelf 112.

[0085] Another three-dimensional partial sectional view presented in FIG. 8B shows the arrangement of the swivable table 120 from another direction. It is clear that the swivable table 120 may constitute a part of a visible part of the first functional wall 110.

[0086] FIG. 8C shows the swivable table 120 in a use position, in which the swivable table 120 is arranged horizontally. The swivable table 120 comprises a cut-out 124 for maintaining an accessibility of the waste flap 116. At an edge 125 of a receiving indentation 129, wherein the edge 125 faces away from the hinge line 122, a working light 127 is arranged. By swivelling down the swivable table 120 the working light 127 may be switched on automatically or may be coupled to a manual switch, or an actuator coupled to a control line, a bus or a network in the aircraft adapted for receiving a switch command.

[0087] FIG. 8D shows the swivable table 120 in a stowage position resting completely in the receiving indentation 129. There it may be arrested by arresting means (not shown in detail), which may comprise a ratchet mechanism, a lock, a magnetic element or any other suitable means for holding the swivable table in the stowage position.

[0088] Furthermore, a part of the first functional wall 110 comprises a filler element 126 fixed to or swivably mounted on the first functional wall 110. The filler element 126 can have two functions. It may be used for filling fills the cut-out 124 of the swivable table 120 in order to provide a smoothly as possible surface in the stowage position. The swivable table 120 and the filler element 126 thereby constitute an almost completely continuous element.

[0089] Also, by swivably supporting the filler element 126, e.g. around the hinge axis 122, it may also be used for filling the cut-out 124 in the swivable table 120 in a use position. Designing the filler element 126 as such a flap clearly reduces a potential danger for pinching or trapping a hand, fingers, an arm, etc. of a child, who rests on the swivable table when it is used as a nursing table, in the spring loaded waste flap. The filler element 126 may be designed corresponding to the waste flap 116 and should have the same thickness as the swivable table 120. The cut-out 124 may be designed such that the filler element 126 follows a swivelling motion of the table 120 into the stowage position by providing a step on an inner side of the cut-out that reduces the clearance of the cut-out 124 in a position facing away from the surface that is useable, i.e. the upper side of the swivelling table when in the use position. The filler element 126 may therefore be designed as a safety device. For use of the waste flap the filler element 126 may be opened first to allow waste to be disposed.

[0090] By arranging gaps 131 between the swivable table 120 and the receiving indentation 129 or the first functional wall 110 the working light 127 can provide an indirect lighting, wherein light rays from the working light 127 reach through the gaps 131 to the inside of the housing of the toilet module.

[0091] Further, it may provide a pleasant atmosphere by installing ambient or accent lights 133 in edge regions between the functional walls, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D. Of course, these lights may be installed in every other exemplary embodiment shown.

[0092] FIG. 9A shows a toilet module 102 with an access opening 6 that is closed by a bi-fold door 104 with a first edge 106 that is swivably supported in the front wall 4 and with a second edge 108 that is slidably supported in the front wall 4 such that it may slide towards the first edge 106. Thereby, the access opening 106 may be opened under consumption of very little installation space.

[0093] In FIG. 9B the bi-fold door 104 is opened. Thereby the second edge 108 is now located adjacent to the first edge 106 and the door 104 is folded. This allows a stretcher flap 109 to be swivelled at least partially or completely into the inside of the toilet module 102. Thereby, a large section of an upper section of the housing of the toilet module 102 is removed and a stretcher may easily be maneuvered in the vicinity of it.

[0094] Exemplarily, the toilet module 102 comprises an arrangement of cabin attendant seats 136 and 138 that are positioned in opposite longitudinal directions and attached to the toilet module 102 or somehow combined with it and arranged directly adjacent to each other. Exemplarily, the cabin attendant seat 136 may be wall mounted, while the cabin attendant seat 138 may be floor mounted adjacent to the toilet module 102. Further, a padding element 140 is installed at the wall mounted cabin attendant seat 136 in a region near a detachable head rest 137 for the protection of the cabin attendants. The padding element 140 separates the head strike path of an attendant seated on the floor mounted cabin attendant seat 138 from the attendant seated on the wall mounted cabin attendant seat 136. The head rest 137 is detachable in order to not obstruct a stretcher while the stretcher flap 109 is moved into the inside of the toilet module 102.

[0095] For the purpose of clarity, the practical use of the stretcher flap 109 is shown in two additional FIGS. 9C and 9D. The stretcher flap 109 of a toilet module 200 is moved inwardly such that a space above the wash basin 118 is non-obstructive. A head rest of a wall mounted cabin attendant seat 202 may have been detached such that the cabin attendant seat is neither obstructive. As depicted in FIG. 9D a stretcher 208 may be moved from an aisle 210 to a space 212 in which access doors (not depicted in detail) may be situated. Due to the limited maneuverability caused by the narrowness of the aisle 210 adjacent to passenger seats 206 as well as the narrowness of the space 212, e.g. due to the nearby galley 204, the stretcher flap 109 supports moving the stretcher 208 from an aisle to access doors in the space 212.

[0096] FIG. 10A shows a toilet module 44 which comprises a protrusion 48 on a second functional wall 46 towards which the toilet unit 30 faces. On an opposite second functional wall 52, there is an indentation 50, the shaping of which corresponds to the shape of the protrusion 48. In this way, a passenger seat 54 behind it can be provided with sufficient foot room.

[0097] FIG. 10B furthermore demonstrates a toilet module 132 that does not such an indentation and may easily be combined with a mirror-inverted toilet module 132 or the same toilet module 132 as shown in FIG. 12.

[0098] FIG. 11 shows an arrangement, in a line, of a toilet module 44 from FIG. 7 in a mirrored form and of a toilet module 39 from FIG. 6, although the latter does not have an external storage compartment 21. The second functional wall 46 of the left-hand toilet module 44 is positioned tight against the second functional wall 12 of the right-hand toilet module 39, resulting in a unit consisting of two toilet modules.

[0099] Finally, FIG. 12 shows an arrangement of two toilet modules 132 with a stowage compartment 134 arranged above the protrusion of the left toilet module and constituting a flat surface arranged flush on the left side of the right toilet module 132.

[0100] 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 exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.