Overhead cabin construction for aircraft

Abstract

The invention relates to an overhead compartment arrangement (1) for an aircraft, comprising an overhead luggage compartment (3) for a piece of luggage, a ventilation device (4) having a housing (5), an air inlet (6), an air duct (7) and an air outlet (8), a lighting device (9) having a lighting element (10), the ventilation device (4) and the lighting device (9) being arranged above the overhead luggage compartment (3), a support (11) is arranged at the air outlet (8) of the ventilation device (4), and the lighting element (10) is arranged on the support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to overhead cabin equipment for an aircraft, comprising:

[0002] an overhead luggage compartment for luggage items,

[0003] a ventilation device having a housing, an air inlet, an air duct and an air outlet,

[0004] a lighting device having a lighting element, wherein the ventilation device and the lighting device are respectively arranged above the overhead luggage compartment.

[0005] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an aircraft having at least one overhead cabin equipment. Background Art

[0006] DE10 2019 008 403A1 discloses such an overhead storage compartment which is installed above the seat area in the passenger area of an aircraft cabin. The storage compartment includes a storage compartment housing and a door for closing the storage compartment housing. Furthermore, a ventilation system is provided for supplying and distributing fresh air in the passenger area of the cabin. The ventilation system includes an air outlet connected to an air duct. The air outlet is arranged above the storage compartment. Finally, a lighting device for illuminating the cabin, in particular the aisle area, is installed above the storage compartment. The lighting device can be designed as an OLED strip which, in the illustrated embodiment, is attached along the direction of the aisle area at a certain distance from the air outlet. The storage compartment module includes a translucent lighting part for ensuring that light enters through the lighting device when the storage compartment is open. Furthermore, it is generally mentioned in this patent application that the lighting device can form part of the air outlet and / or define an air flow path. However, no feasible embodiment for achieving such an integration is disclosed. On the other hand, if the air outlet and the lighting device are to be installed one above the other, problems will arise, namely that the installation space above the overhead storage compartment is limited. This may lead to loss of function and high installation and maintenance costs. Another problem is the heat generation of such a lighting device.

[0007] DE10 2007019 538A1 discloses an air guiding element for an aircraft air conditioning system. The air guiding element includes a perforated opening having a plurality of webs in order to straighten the air flow.

[0008] US7,527,402B2 shows a different type of reading lamp and "personal air outlet" device, but it is fundamentally different from the lighting device and the ventilation device above the overhead luggage compartment.

[0009] US2020148367A1, EP 2484588 A1, US2011256821 A1 and US 2012074258A1 further illustrate the general state of the art. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to mitigate or eliminate at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art. Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide an overhead compartment device by means of which lighting and ventilation devices can be arranged above the overhead luggage compartment to save space. Furthermore, preferably, the thermal management should be improved and the installation effort should be reduced.

[0011] This object is solved by an overhead compartment device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to the present invention, the overhead compartment device comprises a support at the air outlet of the ventilation device, on which a lighting element is arranged.

[0013] Thus, the support with the lighting element is arranged at the air outlet such that the air flowing from the air inlet via the air duct to the air outlet can be discharged into the aircraft cabin past the lighting element. Since the support is arranged in a vertically overlapping manner with the air outlet, in particular substantially at the same height as the air outlet, a particularly flat design of the lighting and ventilation device can be formed, so that the narrow installation space above the overhead luggage compartment can be optimally utilized. The arrangement of the lighting element at the air outlet height also has the effect that the heat emitted by the lighting element can be effectively absorbed by the air flow. Since the heat dissipation is improved by the air flow, a material- and weight-saving design can be provided. Preferably, the support is attached to the housing of the ventilation device. This allows the lighting device to be advantageously integrated into the ventilation device. Advantageously, the installation and maintenance effort can be reduced. It is particularly advantageous if the support is mounted between two housing walls defining the air duct, in particular between the upper housing wall and the lower housing wall.

[0014] For the purposes of the present disclosure, indications of position and direction, such as "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", refer to the intended installation state of the luggage rack in the aircraft cabin when the aircraft is in a horizontal attitude. "Front" refers to the user-facing side of the overhead luggage compartment, which is preferably arranged on the aisle side in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the overhead compartment device, the support leaves open a plurality, preferably a large number, of air outlet openings of the air outlet, in particular more than 10, for example more than 20, air outlet openings being provided. Thus, the air can leave the air outlet through the air outlet openings substantially unobstructed. Advantageously, air congestion can be avoided. The air passes through the air outlet openings of the support, the support being arranged on the air outlet, in particular mounted in the air outlet. When the air flows through the air outlet openings, the lighting element on the support is cooled.

[0016] Preferably, an LED (light-emitting diode), particularly preferably a WRGB-LED (white, red, green, blue - light-emitting diode), is used as the lighting element. The main advantage of LEDs is that they generate less heat than other light sources. In addition, LEDs are also more energy-efficient than other light sources. By dissipating heat through the air flow from the air outlet, the service life and operating reliability of the lighting device can be increased.

[0017] Due to the heat dissipation through the air flow at the air outlet, the support member does not have to be made of a solid material such as aluminum. In a preferred embodiment, the support member can thus comprise a lightweight material, particularly glass fiber reinforced plastic, or be made of such a lightweight material.

[0018] Preferably, the front side of the support member, i.e., the side of the support member facing away from the air inlet, is arranged to be substantially flush with the front side of the housing that defines the air outlet. The flush arrangement enables optimal space utilization. In addition, heat dissipation can be improved. Preferably, the support member is connected to the inner side of the upper housing wall of the ventilation device housing at the top and to the inner side of the lower housing wall of the ventilation device housing at the bottom.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the support member is designed as a grid structure, particularly having longitudinal and / or transverse and / or diagonal support elements. Preferably, a regular grid structure is provided. In this design, uniform lighting and ventilation of the aircraft cabin can be ensured. Depending on the design, longitudinal support elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the air outlet and / or transverse support elements extending in the vertical direction and / or diagonal support elements extending at an angle other than 0° and 90° (e.g., at an angle of substantially 45°) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the air outlet are provided, and the lighting elements are attached to the support elements. Preferably, multiple rows of lighting elements are provided, and these lighting elements are arranged in different vertical planes of the grid structure. Each row can include several, particularly a lot, for example more than 5 lighting elements, preferably more than 10 lighting elements, particularly LEDs.

[0020] The lighting elements on the support member are preferably connected to a power source through a line (particularly through a conductor path). Preferably, the line extends along the longitudinal and / or transverse and / or diagonal support elements of the grid structure.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the lighting elements are arranged at the intersections of the longitudinal and / or transverse support elements and / or diagonal support elements, particularly at the intersections of the diagonal support elements. This enables a particularly advantageous air flow. In addition, the air flow at the air outlet can be made uniform.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the air outlet of the overhead compartment device includes a longitudinal extension that is several times greater than the vertical extension, whereby the support member, in particular a grid structure, extends in the longitudinal extension direction of the air outlet. In this embodiment, the ventilation device may include a flat housing that is arranged in a horizontal position. The air outlet of the flat housing extends in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. The length of the air outlet (i.e., its horizontal extension in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft) may be, for example, at least 5 times, in particular at least 10 times, the height of the air outlet (i.e., its vertical extension). This allows for an optimal utilization of the available space above the overhead luggage compartment. Furthermore, the support member may preferably extend over substantially the entire length of the air outlet, whereby a large number of lighting elements may be arranged on the support member to ensure optimal lighting, especially in the ceiling area of the aircraft cabin.

[0023] Preferably, the housing of the ventilation device extends from the air inlet to the air outlet in a plan view. The air inlet may be designed as an air inlet nozzle having a preferably substantially cylindrical cross-section so as to be able to be connected to a ventilation system, in particular an aircraft air-conditioning system. The ventilation system may be an aircraft air-conditioning system. The air inlet nozzle may be designed as a separate component from the housing to facilitate replacement or connection to the ventilation system. In particular, the air inlet may be arranged centrally with respect to the longitudinal extension of the air outlet. By extending the housing from the air inlet to the air outlet, it is ensured that air flows out over the length of the overhead luggage compartment.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the overhead compartment device includes means for equalizing the air flow along the air outlet. This means can be used to ensure that the air flow is substantially uniform across the cross-section of the air outlet. With the aid of this means, the air can be distributed laterally. For this purpose, the means can change the flow resistance such that the air can flow out evenly through the air outlet.

[0025] In a first embodiment, the means for equalizing the air flow along the air outlet includes a groove in a central longitudinal section of the ventilation housing that is opposite the longitudinal end sections so as to be able to discharge air evenly from the air outlet. This ensures that air is discharged not only in the central longitudinal section opposite the air inlet but also in the end longitudinal sections. The groove forms a cross-sectional taper of the flow duct. In particular, the groove includes a rounded edge to avoid interfering noise.

[0026] In a preferred design, the groove widens towards the air outlet. The shape of the groove preferably matches the upper or lower housing wall of the housing. Thus, for example, the groove may be substantially triangular in a plan view, preferably with rounded corners. In this way, the air can be evenly distributed across the cross-section of the air outlet. The uniform air flow allows heat to be removed from all lighting elements.

[0027] In a second embodiment, the device for equalizing the air flow includes at least one air guiding rib within the air duct. The air guiding rib can be used to effectively guide or change the direction of the air flow. This variant is particularly suitable for a housing design having an upper half-shell and a lower half-shell, which housing can in particular be made of foam.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the overhead luggage compartment includes: a luggage compartment housing that encloses a storage space for luggage items, and a hatch that can pivot upward from a closed position to an open position and is attached to the luggage compartment housing (which is stationary during the pivoting of the hatch). Preferably, the hatch is mounted on the luggage compartment housing by a hinge assembly having a pivot arm. The length of the pivot arm is preferably such that a gap is formed between the upper side of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing and the upper edge of the hatch (relative to the closed position of the hatch). This allows light and air from the lighting and ventilation devices to be emitted not only into the aircraft cabin in the closed position of the hatch, but also in the open position of the hatch. The gap is preferably at least as high as the air outlet.

[0029] In a second embodiment, the overhead luggage compartment includes a chute for inserting luggage items, where the chute can be lowered from a closed position to an open position relative to the housing that remains fixed during this process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The present invention will be explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0031] Figure 1A and Figure 1B Perspective and side views respectively show an overhead compartment device having an overhead luggage compartment and an integrated ventilation and lighting device according to the present invention, wherein the hatch of the overhead luggage compartment is shown in the closed position.

[0032] Figure 1C Shown according to Figure 1A and Figure 1B is the overhead compartment device, wherein the hatch is in the open position.

[0033] Figure 2 Shown is the Figure 1A and Figure 1B detailed view of the ventilation device of the overhead compartment device according to the first embodiment.

[0034] Figures 3A to 3C Shown is Figure 1A and Figure 1B a second embodiment of the ventilation device of the overhead compartment device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Figure 1A and Figure 1BShows the overhead bin equipment 1 for an aircraft, which is represented by the cross-section of the aircraft fuselage 2. The overhead bin equipment 1 includes an overhead luggage compartment 3, which has a fixed luggage compartment housing 3A and at least one (here two) door or hatch 3B, and the door or hatch can pivot upward from the closed position to the open position (see Figure 1A ). This type of luggage compartment is also called a "shelf box". Another embodiment of the overhead luggage compartment (the so-called "pivot box") includes a chute that can be lowered from the closed position to the open position relative to the housing. The present invention will be explained exemplarily based on the "shelf box" below. The luggage compartment housing 3A includes an accommodation space 3C, in which luggage items can be accommodated. In addition, the overhead bin equipment 1 includes a ventilation device 4, which has a housing 5, an air inlet 6, an air duct 7, and an air outlet 8 extending longitudinally along the aircraft cabin. In the shown design, the air inlet 6 is designed as an air inlet nozzle, and air is supplied to this air inlet nozzle in the direction of arrow 6A (see Figure 2 ). The ventilation device 4 is arranged in the upper part of the luggage compartment housing 4. Subsequently, air flows from the air inlet 6 to the air outlet 8 along the air duct 7. Finally, air is discharged into the aircraft cabin above the overhead luggage compartment 3 through the air outlet 8 in the direction of arrow 6B. According to the design, several overhead bin equipment 1 can be arranged successively along the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. In addition, the overhead bin equipment 1 includes a lighting device 9, which has a lighting element 10 for emitting light in the direction of the ceiling area of the aircraft cabin. The ventilation device 4 and the lighting device 9 are arranged above the overhead luggage compartment 3.

[0036] According to the present invention, a support member 11 extends along the air outlet 8 on the front side of the ventilation device 4 facing the aircraft cabin, and the lighting element 10 of the lighting device 9 is arranged on this support member. The hatch 3B of the overhead luggage compartment 3 is mounted on the luggage compartment housing 3A by a pivot arm 19, so that in the open position of the hatch 3B (not shown), a gap is shown between the upper side of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing 3A and the upper edge of the hatch 3B (relative to the closed position), and even when the hatch 3B is open, light can be emitted into the aircraft cabin through this gap. In the shown embodiment, a ceiling panel 20 is also provided, which is cut out in the area of the air outlet 8 to allow the emission of air and light.

[0037] A power supply unit 12 for supplying power to the lighting element 10 can also be arranged on the ventilation device 4 (see Figure 2 ). Preferably, the power supply unit 12 is arranged outside the housing 5. A line 12a extends from the power supply unit 12 to the support member 11 to supply power to the lighting element 10.

[0038] Figure 2Shows a first embodiment of the ventilation device 4, which can be manufactured, for example, by a sandwich structure. The support 11 keeps open a plurality of, in particular a large number of, air outlet openings 13 at the front of the ventilation device 4, so that air can flow out through the air outlets 8 past the lighting element 10. The support 11 is arranged on the front side remote from the air inlet 6 and is substantially flush with the front side of the housing 5 that defines the air outlets 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 11 is a grid structure 11a with crossed diagonal support elements 11b. In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting element 10 is arranged at the crossing of the diagonal support elements 11b.

[0039] To optimally utilize the space occupied by the ventilation device 4 above the overhead luggage compartment 3, the air outlets 8 have a longitudinal extension that is greater than the vertical extension. Preferably, the air outlets are substantially rectangular. The support 11 extends substantially over the entire length and height of the air outlets 8.

[0040] The housing 5 of the ventilation device 4 widens from the air inlet 6 towards the air outlets 8 to distribute the air evenly along the air outlets 8. A device 14 is provided to equalize the air flow along the air outlets 8. The device 14 can be formed by a groove 15 in the ventilation housing 5, which groove 15 widens towards the air outlets 8.

[0041] In Figure 2 the design shown, air enters the ventilation device 4 through the air inlet 6. The air is conveyed through the air duct 7 to the air outlets 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the air inlet 6 is arranged substantially centrally with respect to the longitudinal extension of the air outlets 8. The device 14 distributes the air flow entering the air duct 7 centrally from the air inlet 6 substantially evenly over the cross-section of the air duct 7. The groove 15 has the basic shape of the ventilation device 4. The groove 15 preferably widens towards the air outlets 8 in the ratio of the air outlets 8 to the air inlet 6. Advantageously, the groove 15 can already be produced during the manufacture of the housing 5 of the ventilation device 4. The edges of the groove 15 are preferably rounded to enable good air flow and to prevent disturbing sounds caused by the air flow hitting sharp edges. Furthermore, the groove 15 forms a cross-section taper, which ensures a uniform groove at the air outlets.

[0042] The air flow can leave the air outlet 8 uniformly through the air outlet openings 13 of the grid structure 11a. When air flows out of the air outlet 8, the air flows over the lighting element 10 of the lighting device 9. Since the lighting element 10 is arranged at the intersection of the diagonal support elements 11b of the grid structure 11a, air flows around the lighting element 10 from all sides (in the illustrated embodiment, it is an LED lighting, especially a WRGB-LED lighting 10a), thereby dissipating the heat of the lighting element 10. The lighting element 10 is powered by a conductor path (not shown) along the grid structure 11a. Common commercial aircraft operate on an alternating current network. In this case, the power supply unit 12 converts the supplied alternating current into direct current and feeds it through the line 12a to the conductor path (not shown) of the grid structure 11a.

[0043] Figures 3A to 3C An embodiment of the ventilation device 4 is shown, which can be made, for example, in a semi-shell structure. Figure 3A The upper half-shell 17 of the housing 5 of the ventilation device 4 is shown. Figure 3B The lower half-shell 18 of the housing 5 is shown, Figure 3C is shown Figure 3A and Figure 3B a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower half-shells 17 and 18 joined together. The half-shells include air guide ribs 16 in the air channel 7, which serve as means 14 for equalizing the air flow along the air outlet 8 in the present embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, four air guide ribs 16 are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the air guide ribs 16 are each composed of an upper half 16A and a lower half 16B. When the upper half-shell 17 is connected to the lower half-shell 18, the upper part 16A is connected to the lower part 16B, especially by gluing, to obtain the air guide rib 16. In addition, a push-in connection can be formed, especially as a positioning aid, for joining the upper half 16A and the lower half 16B of the air guide rib 16. In addition, Figure 3B The line 12a leading to the power supply unit 12 (not shown here) is schematically shown. The air guide ribs 16 of the means 14 are used to equalize the air flow. With the help of the air guide ribs 16, air can be guided along the air duct 7 so that the air is discharged along the air outlet 8 substantially uniformly.

[0044] List of reference numerals:

[0045] 1 Overhead cabin equipment

[0046] 2 Aircraft fuselage

[0047] 3 Overhead luggage compartment

[0048] 3A Luggage compartment housing

[0049] 3B Door

[0050] 4 Ventilation device

[0051] 5 Housing

[0052] 6 Air inlet

[0053] 6A Arrow direction

[0054] 6B Arrow direction

[0055] 7 Air duct

[0056] 8 Air outlet

[0057] 9 Lighting device

[0058] 10 Lighting element

[0059] 10a WRGB-LED lighting

[0060] 11 Support member

[0061] 11a Grid structure

[0062] 11b Diagonal support element

[0063] 12 Power supply unit

[0064] 12a Circuit

[0065] 13 Air outlet opening

[0066] 14 Device

[0067] 15 Groove

[0068] 16 Air guide rib

[0069] 16a Upper half

[0070] 16B Lower half

[0071] 17 Upper half shell

[0072] 18 Lower half shell

[0073] 19 Pivot arm

[0074] 20 Ceiling panel

Claims

1. Overhead cabin equipment (1) for an aircraft, comprising: An overhead luggage compartment (3) for luggage items, A ventilation device (4) having a housing (5), an air inlet (6), an air duct (7) and an air outlet (8), A lighting device (9) having a lighting element (10), wherein the ventilation device (4) and the lighting device (9) are respectively arranged above the overhead luggage compartment (3), Characterized in that: A support member (11) is provided at the air outlet (8) of the ventilation device (4), and the lighting element (10) is arranged on the support member.

2. The overhead bin device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support member (11) keeps a plurality of, in particular a large number of, air outlet openings (13) of the air outlet (8) unobstructed, and air can flow out of the air outlet (8) through the air outlet openings (13) past the lighting element (10).

3. The overhead bin device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support member (11) is arranged on a side away from the air inlet (6) and is substantially flush with the front side of the housing (5) defining the air outlet (8).

4. The overhead bin device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, A grid structure (11a), in particular a grid structure (11a) having longitudinal and / or transverse and / or diagonal support elements (11b), is provided as the support member (11).

5. The overhead bin device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lighting element (10) is arranged at the intersection of the longitudinal and / or transverse and / or diagonal support elements (11b).

6. The overhead bin device (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that, The air outlet (8) includes a longitudinal extension that is several times larger than the vertical extension, and the support member (11), in particular the grid structure, extends along the longitudinal extension direction of the air outlet (8).

7. The overhead cabin equipment (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The support member (11) extends substantially over the entire longitudinal extension of the air outlet (8).

8. The overhead cabin equipment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The housing (5) of the ventilation device (4) extends from the air inlet (6) to the air outlet (8).

9. The overhead bin device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that A device (14) for equalizing the air flow along the air outlet (8) is provided.

10. The overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The device (14) for equalizing the air flow along the air outlet (8) includes a groove (15) in a central longitudinal section of the ventilation housing (5) opposite to the front and rear longitudinal sections.

11. The overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The groove (15) widens towards the air outlet (8).

12. The overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The device (14) includes at least one air guiding rib (16) in the air duct (7).

13. An aircraft having at least one overhead cabin equipment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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