AIRCRAFT WITH FLOOR COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE ARTICULATED MOVABLE FLOOR PART

Description

[0001] The present application relates to an aircraft floor comprising at least one articulated movable floor portion as well as to an aircraft equipped with said floor.

[0002] According to one embodiment, an aircraft comprises a fuselage, wings and a central wing box positioned in the lower part of the fuselage and connecting the wings to the fuselage. The aircraft also comprises a floor positioned above the central wing box separating the fuselage into an upper zone positioned above the floor and a lower zone positioned below the floor. The floor comprises several crosspieces oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal direction, panels attached to these crosspieces as well as rails parallel to each other, oriented in the longitudinal direction and attached to the crosspieces. When the upper zone is fitted out as a passenger cabin, certain floor panels located between the rails are removable to provide access from the upper zone to the lower zone.Since the rails of a passenger cabin are sufficiently spaced, the openings created by the removable panels between the rails are sufficient to provide good accessibility to the lower area.

[0003] When the upper area is converted into a container hold, the rails on the floor are very close together, so that the openings between the rails do not allow easy access to the lower area. Without these openings, the areas under the floor on either side of the central wing box are inaccessible or difficult to access from the areas under the floor forward and aft of the central wing box.

[0004] FR 2 960 514 A1 discloses an aircraft comprising a floor comprising at least one fixed floor part and at least one movable floor part; the aircraft comprising a supporting structure supporting the floor; the floor comprising at least one articulation connecting the movable floor part and the fixed floor part.

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art. To this end, the invention relates to an aircraft according to claim 1.

[0006] Providing a rail portion at the level of the movable floor portion makes it possible to obtain a wide movable floor portion in a transverse direction, facilitating access to the area located under the floor. The articulation 52 makes it possible to easily manipulate this movable floor portion. Thus, it is possible to access under the floor, on either side of the central wing box, to carry out operations during the assembly of the aircraft, to install equipment or for maintenance during the operation of the aircraft.

[0007] According to another feature, each pivoting link includes: at least one fishplate, connecting the first and second crosspiece portions, which has a first end pressed against the first crosspiece portion as well as a second end pressed against the second crosspiece portion, a pivot axis, coincident with the pivot axis of the joint, which passes through the first crosspiece portion and the first end of the fishplate, at least one complete connection which connects the second crosspiece portion and the second end of the fishplate.

[0008] According to another characteristic, each pivoting connection comprises two fishplates arranged on either side of the first and second crosspiece portions.

[0009] According to another characteristic, each of the first and second sleeper portions has a web, each fishplate being pressed against a face of the web of each of the first and second sleeper portions.

[0010] According to another feature, the first crosspiece portion is integral with the fixed floor part, the second crosspiece portion being integral with the movable floor part. According to another feature, each crosspiece intersecting with the longitudinal edge of the movable floor part, at which the pivot axis is positioned, comprises a cutting plane, positioned approximately at the longitudinal edge, dividing the crosspiece into first and second crosspiece portions connected by a pivoting connection.

[0011] According to another characteristic, the movable floor portion is delimited by first and second longitudinal edges parallel to the longitudinal direction as well as by first and second front and rear transverse edges perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the front transverse edge being slightly spaced and slightly offset forwards relative to a first crossmember, the rear transverse edge being slightly spaced and slightly offset rearwards relative to a second crossmember.

[0012] According to another feature, the floor comprises first and second right and left lateral edges as well as first and second movable floor parts, the first movable floor part comprising a left longitudinal edge positioned at the left lateral edge of the floor and a right longitudinal edge slightly spaced and slightly offset to the left relative to a first rail, the second movable floor part comprising a right longitudinal edge positioned at the right lateral edge of the floor and a left longitudinal edge slightly spaced and slightly offset to the right relative to a second rail.

[0013] According to another feature, the aircraft comprising a central wing box and a main landing gear compartment, the movable floor portion is positioned above the central wing box and / or the main landing gear compartment.

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which: There figure 1 is a side view of an aircraft, The figure 2 is a longitudinal section of part of the aircraft fuselage visible on the figure 1 , There figure 3 is a perspective view of the crosspieces and rails of an aircraft hold floor illustrating one embodiment of the invention, The figure 4 is a perspective view of a side area of ​​the floor visible on the figure 3 , There figure 5 is a front view of a side area of ​​the floor visible on the figure 3 , There figure 6 is a perspective view of an articulation of a movable floor portion integrated into a floor of a hold of an aircraft illustrating an embodiment of the invention, and The figure 7 is a perspective view of an articulation between two portions of a cross member of a floor of a hold of an aircraft illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] As illustrated in the figure 1 , an aircraft 10 comprises a fuselage 12 which extends between a front tip 14 and a rear cone 16, as well as wings 18 arranged on either side of the fuselage 12 and connected to the latter by a central wing box 20.

[0016] For the remainder of the description, a longitudinal axis 22 of the aircraft 10 corresponds to the horizontal axis (when the aircraft 10 is on the ground) which extends from the front tip 14 to the rear cone 16 of the aircraft 10. A longitudinal direction is a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 22. A longitudinal plane is a plane comprising an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal axis 22. A median longitudinal plane PLM is a longitudinal plane, vertical and passing through the longitudinal axis 22. A transverse plane is a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22.

[0017] The terms front (F) and rear (Ar) refer to the direction of airflow outside the aircraft in flight, which is from front to rear.

[0018] As illustrated on the figures 2 et 3 , the fuselage 12 also comprises at least one front fuselage section 24 located at the front of the central wing box 20, a main landing gear compartment 26 offset rearward relative to the central wing box 20, at least one rear fuselage section 28 located at the rear of the main landing gear compartment 26 as well as a floor 30, positioned above the central wing box 20, which extends from the front fuselage section 24 to the rear fuselage section 28.

[0019] According to one application, the floor 30 separates the fuselage into an upper zone located above the floor 30 and a lower zone located below the floor 30. The upper zone located above the floor 30 forms a hold 32 in which at least one container 34 (shown in dotted lines on the figure 2 ). The floor 30 has first and second lateral edges 30.1, 30.1 attached to the fuselage 12, symmetrical with respect to the median longitudinal plane PLM.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the floor 30 comprises several crosspieces 36 parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as well as several rails 38 attached to the crosspieces 36, parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction. The floor 30 comprises panels 40 (partially visible on the figure 4 ) positioned between the rails 38 and configured to close the spaces between the rails 38. These panels 40 rest on the crosspieces 36 and / or the rails 38 and are fixed there.

[0021] The fuselage 12 comprises a supporting structure 42, such as longerons or struts for example, supporting the floor 30.

[0022] According to one configuration, the floor 30 comprises at least one fixed floor portion 44 as well as at least one movable floor portion 46 relative to the fixed floor portion 44, configured to communicate the hold 32 with the lower zone located under the floor 30. In line with the fixed floor portions 44, the crosspieces 36 of the floor 30 are fixed to the supporting structure 42 of the fuselage 12. In line with each movable floor portion 46, the crosspieces 36 of the floor 30 rest on the supporting structure 42 but are not fixed to the latter.

[0023] Each movable floor portion 46, approximately rectangular, is delimited by first and second longitudinal edges 46.1, 46.2 parallel to the longitudinal direction as well as by first and second front and rear transverse edges 46.3, 46.4 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0024] According to one arrangement, the floor 30 comprises several movable floor parts 46, 46' adjoining the first and second lateral edges 30.1, 30.2 of the floor 30; for each of the movable floor parts 46, one of its longitudinal edges 46.1, 46.2 being superimposed or merged with one of the lateral edges 30.1, 30.2 of the floor 30. The movable floor parts 46, 46' are arranged symmetrically with respect to the median longitudinal plane PLM.

[0025] The floor 30 comprises at least one movable floor portion 46 covering an area located above the central wing box 20 and / or the main landing gear compartment 26. According to one configuration, the floor 30 comprises, at each of its lateral edges 30.1, 30.2, a single movable floor portion 46, its front transverse edge 46.3 being located directly above a first transverse plane PT1 which separates the front fuselage section 24 and the central wing box 20, its rear transverse edge 46.4 being located directly above a second transverse plane PT2 which separates the rear fuselage section 28 and the main landing gear compartment 26. According to another configuration, the floor 30 comprises, at each of its lateral edges 30.1, 30.2, several movable floor portions 46, juxtaposed according to the longitudinal direction, which extend from the first transverse plane PT1 to the second transverse plane PT2.

[0026] According to one arrangement, at least one portion of movable floor 46 comprises a left longitudinal edge 46.1 positioned at the left lateral edge 30.1 of the floor 30, a right longitudinal edge 46.2 slightly spaced and slightly offset to the left relative to a rail 38A, a front transverse edge 46.3 slightly spaced and slightly offset forward relative to a first cross member 36A as well as a rear transverse edge 46.4 slightly spaced and slightly offset rearward relative to a second cross member 36B.

[0027] At least one portion of movable floor 46' comprises a right longitudinal edge 46.2 positioned at the right lateral edge 30.2 of the floor 30, a left longitudinal edge 46.1 slightly spaced and slightly offset to the left relative to a rail 38, a front transverse edge 46.3 slightly spaced and slightly offset forward relative to a first cross member 36A as well as a rear transverse edge 46.4 slightly spaced and slightly offset rearward relative to a second cross member 36B.

[0028] To give an order of magnitude, each part of movable floor 46 has a width (dimension taken in a transverse direction) greater than 70 cm, of the order of 1 m, and a length (dimension taken in the longitudinal direction) greater than 1 m.

[0029] According to one embodiment, each crosspiece 36 extends from the first lateral edge 30.1 to the second lateral edge 30.2. According to one configuration, each crosspiece 36 has an I-shaped section comprising a web 36.1 and two flanges 36.2, 36.3 positioned at each of the ends of the web 36.1.

[0030] Each rail 38 has a substantially constant profile over its entire length. Each rail extends from the front fuselage section 24 to the rear fuselage section 28. For example, the rail 38 may have an I-shaped, T-shaped, inverted L-shaped, C-shaped or other cross-section. Of course, the invention is not limited to these sections for the crosspieces 36 and the rails 38. Whatever the embodiment, several crosspieces 36 extend over at least one fixed floor portion 44 as well as over at least one movable floor portion 46 and comprise a first crosspiece portion 48.1 secured to a first element among the fixed portion 44 and the movable floor portion 46 as well as a second crosspiece portion 48.2 secured to a second element, among the fixed floor portion 44 and the movable floor portion 46, different from the first element. The first and second portions of sleeper 48.1, 48.2 are aligned, positioned end-to-end and separated at a cutting plane positioned approximately in line with one of the longitudinal edges 46.1, 46.2 of the movable floor part 46. Depending on the number of movable floor parts 46, certain crosspieces may comprise two or three crosspiece portions.

[0031] According to one configuration, the first crosspiece portion 48.1 is integral with the fixed floor portion 44, the second crosspiece portion 48.2 being integral with the movable floor portion 46.

[0032] The section planes of the crosspieces 36, positioned approximately in line with the same longitudinal edge 46.1, 46.2 of a part of the movable floor 46, are substantially coplanar.

[0033] According to one arrangement, when the floor 30 comprises two movable floor parts 46 positioned on either side of a fixed floor part 44, certain crosspieces 36 each comprise a first crosspiece portion 48.1 central and integral with the fixed floor part 44 as well as second and third crosspiece portions 48.2 positioned in the extension of each end of the first crosspiece portion 48.1 and integral with the movable floor parts 46.

[0034] At least one rail 38 extends over at least one fixed floor portion 44 and at least one movable floor portion 46 and comprises a first rail portion 50.1 secured to the fixed floor portion 44 and a second rail portion 50.2 secured to the movable floor portion 46, the first and second rail portions 50.1, 50.2 being aligned, positioned end-to-end and separated at a cutting plane positioned approximately in line with one of the transverse edges 46.3, 46.4 of the movable floor portion 46. According to one configuration, certain rails 38 positioned at a movable floor portion 46 each comprise a first rail portion 50.1 secured to the movable floor portion 46 and second and third rail portions 50.2, 50.3 positioned in the extension of each end of the first rail portion 50.1 and integral with the fixed floor part 44 of the floor 30.Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0035] According to one particular feature, the floor 30 comprises at least one articulation 52 connecting at least one movable floor part 46 and the fixed floor part 44. This articulation 52 has a pivot axis A52 parallel to the longitudinal direction and positioned approximately in line with the section planes of the crosspieces 36.

[0036] According to one arrangement, each movable floor part 46 is connected to the fixed floor part 44 by a joint 52.

[0037] For at least two crosspieces 36 having section planes positioned approximately in line with a longitudinal edge 46.1, 46.2, the articulation 52 comprises a pivoting connection 54, one for each of the two crosspieces 36, connecting the two crosspiece portions 48.1, 48.2 positioned on either side of the section plane.

[0038] According to one configuration, each crosspiece 36 intersecting with one of the longitudinal edges 46.1, 46.2 of the movable floor part 46 comprises a cutting plane positioned approximately at the level of the longitudinal edge 46.1, 46.2 dividing the crosspiece 36 into first and second crosspiece portions 48.1, 48.2 connected by a pivoting connection 54 which has a pivoting axis coincident with the pivoting axis A52 of the articulation 52.

[0039] According to an embodiment visible in detail on the figure 7 , each pivoting link 54 comprises: at least one fishplate 56, connecting the first and second crosspiece portions 48.1, 48.2, which has a first end 56.1 pressed against a first face of the web 36.1 of the first crosspiece portion 48.1 as well as a second end 56.2 pressed against a first face of the web 36.1 of the second crosspiece portion 48.2, a pivot axis 58, coincident with the pivot axis A52 of the articulation 52, which passes through the web 36.1 of the first crosspiece portion 48.1 and the first end 56.1 of the fishplate 56, at least one complete connection 60 which connects the web 36.1 of the second crosspiece portion 48.2 and the second end 56.2 of the fishplate 56.

[0040] The pivot axis 58 comprises a cylinder 58.1 as well as two stops 58.2 positioned at each of the ends of the cylinder 58.1, the cylinder 58.1 and the two stops 58.2 being configured so as to keep each fishplate 56 pressed against the web 36.1 of the first crosspiece portion 48.1. According to one embodiment, the pivot axis 58 is a bolt, the screw of the bolt corresponding to the cylinder and to one of the two stops, the nut of the bolt corresponding to the other stop.

[0041] In addition, the web 36.1 of the first crosspiece portion 48.1 has a through hole configured to house the cylinder 58.1 of the pivot axis 58. In parallel, the first end 56.1 of each fishplate 56 has a through hole configured to house the cylinder 58.1 of the pivot axis 58.

[0042] The complete connection 60 is obtained by gluing, bolting, crimping or any other assembly technique.

[0043] According to one embodiment, each pivoting connection 54 comprises two fishplates 56, 56' arranged on either side of the webs 36.1 of the first and second crosspiece portions 48.1, 48.2.

[0044] According to one configuration, the pivot axis 58 is provided at the level of the first portion of crosspiece 48.1 secured to the fixed floor part 44, each fishplate being connected by a complete connection 60 to the second portion of crosspiece 48.2 secured to the movable floor part 46.

[0045] According to another configuration, the pivot axis 58 is provided at the level of the second portion of crosspiece 48.2 secured to the movable floor part 46, each fishplate being connected by a complete connection 60 to the first portion of crosspiece 48.1 secured to the fixed floor part 44.

[0046] Each movable floor part 46 comprises at least one rail portion extended by at least one rail portion secured to the fixed floor part 44. Thus, each movable floor part 46 has a significant width (dimension taken in the transverse direction) which facilitates access to the area located under the floor 30. The articulation 52 makes it possible to easily manipulate the movable floor part 46 by pivoting it in order to clear an opening which allows access to the area located under the floor 30.

[0047] Providing a pivoting connection 54 for each crosspiece 36 intersecting with the pivot axis A52 makes it possible to obtain a strong connection between the movable floor part 46 and the fixed floor part 44, making it possible to withstand the weight of the containers 34 positioned on the floor 30.

Claims

1. Aircraft comprising a floor comprising several beams (36) parallel to each other and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction, several rails (38) parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction, at least one fixed floor part (44) and at least one movable floor part (46) that is movable relative to the fixed floor part (44), having at least one longitudinal edge (46.1, 46.2) parallel to the longitudinal direction; the aircraft comprising a load-bearing structure (42) supporting the floor (30); the aircraft being such that at least two of said beams (36) each comprise a first beam portion (48.1) secured to a first element chosen from the fixed floor part (44) and the movable floor part (46) and a second beam portion (48.2) secured to a second element, chosen from the fixed floor part (44) and the movable floor part (46), different from the first element, the first and second beam portions (48.1, 48.2) being aligned, positioned end to end and separated at a cutting plane positioned approximately in line with the longitudinal edge (46.1, 46.2), such that at least one of said rails (38) comprises at least one first rail portion (50.1) secured to the movable floor part (46) and at least one second rail portion (50.2) secured to the fixed floor part (44) of the floor, extending said first rail portion (50.1), and such that the floor comprises at least one hinge (52) connecting the movable floor part (46) and the fixed floor part (44) and having a pivot axis (A52) parallel to the longitudinal direction, said hinge (52) comprising, for at least said two beams, a pivot link (54) which connects the first and second beam portions (48.1, 48.2), the beams (36) of the floor (30) resting on the load-bearing structure (42) in the region of each movable floor part (46), the beams (36) of the floor (30) being fastened to the load-bearing structure (42) in the region of each fixed floor part (44).

2. Aircraft as claimed in the preceding claim, such that each pivot link (54) comprises: - at least one joint plate (56), connecting the first and second beam portions (48.1, 48.2), which has a first end (56.1) pressed against the first beam portion (48.1) and a second end (56.2) pressed against the second beam portion (48.2), - a pivot pin (58), coincident with the pivot axis (A52) of the hinge (52), which passes through the first beam portion (48.1) and the first end (56.1) of the joint plate (56), - at least one complete link (60) which connects the second beam portion (48.2) and the second end (56.2) of the joint plate (56).

3. Aircraft as claimed in the preceding claim, such that each pivot link (54) comprises two joint plates (56, 56') arranged to either side of the first and second beam portions (48.1, 48.2).

4. Aircraft as claimed in one of claims 2 to 3, such that each of the first and second beam portions (48.1, 48.2) has a web (36.1) and in that each joint plate (56, 56') is pressed against a face of the web (36.1) of each of the first and second beam portions (48.1, 48.2).

5. Aircraft as claimed in one of the preceding claims, such that the first beam portion (48.1) is secured to the fixed floor part (44), the second beam portion (48.2) being secured to the movable floor part (46).

6. Aircraft as claimed in one of the preceding claims, such that each beam (36) intersecting with the longitudinal edge (46.1, 46.2) of the movable floor part (46) at which the pivot axis (A52) is positioned, comprises a cutting plane, positioned approximately at the longitudinal edge (46.1, 46.2), dividing the beam (36) into first and second beam portions (48.1, 48.2) connected by a pivot link (54).

7. Aircraft as claimed in one of the preceding claims, such that the movable floor part (46) is delimited by first and second longitudinal edges (46.1, 46.2) parallel to the longitudinal direction and by first and second front and rear transverse edges (46.3, 46.4) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the front transverse edge (46.3) being closely spaced apart from and offset slightly towards the front in relation to a first beam (36A), the rear transverse edge (46.4) being closely spaced apart from and offset slightly towards the rear in relation to a second beam (36B).

8. Aircraft as claimed in the preceding claim, such that the floor comprises first and second right- and left-hand lateral edges (30.1, 30.2) and first and second movable floor parts (46, 46'), the first movable floor part (46) comprising a left-hand longitudinal edge (46.1) positioned at the left-hand lateral edge (30.1) of the floor (30) and a right-hand longitudinal edge (46.2) closely spaced apart from and offset slightly towards the left in relation to a first rail (38A), the second movable floor part (46') comprising a right-hand longitudinal edge (46.2) positioned at the right-hand lateral edge (30.2) of the floor (30) and a left-hand longitudinal edge (46.1) closely spaced apart from and offset slightly towards the right in relation to a second rail.

9. Aircraft as claimed in one of the preceding claims, said aircraft comprising a central wing box (20) and a main landing gear casing (26), such that the movable floor part (46) is positioned above the central wing box (20) and / or the main landing gear casing (26).