Overhead luggage compartment

Abstract

The invention relates to an overhead luggage compartment for an aircraft, comprising a luggage compartment housing (4) having two side parts (4A), an upper part (5) and a lower part (6) which enclose a receiving space (7) for pieces of luggage, a door (8), a hinge device (9) which is connected to the upper part (5) and the door (8), respectively, the door (8) is pivotable relative to the luggage compartment housing (4) between an open position and a closed position by means of a hinge device (9), the hinge device (9) comprising a mounting clip (12) having an upper mounting leg (13) attached to an upper side of the upper portion (5) and a lower mounting leg (14) attached to a lower side of the upper portion (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an overhead luggage compartment for an aircraft, comprising:

[0002] A luggage compartment housing having two sides, an upper part, and a lower part, which enclose a receiving space for luggage items,

[0003] A door,

[0004] A hinge device respectively connected to the upper part and the door, wherein the door is pivotable relative to the luggage compartment housing between an open position and a closed position by means of the hinge device. Background Art

[0005] In the prior art, such overhead luggage compartments are known in which passengers can store their carry-on luggage during flight. In one embodiment of the overhead luggage compartment, which is also referred to as a "shelf box", a fixed luggage compartment housing is provided, which is closed by a door. Hinges are mounted on the luggage compartment housing and the door, allowing the door to pivot upwards from the closed position to the open position. For example, such a luggage compartment is described in US10,077,111B2. In this prior art, the hinges are attached to the inner side of the luggage compartment housing and the door. However, the disadvantage is that the hinges project far into the receiving space for luggage items. In addition, the pivot axis of the hinges is far below the plane of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing. Finally, mounting the hinges in the prior art places a large load on the luggage compartment housing.

[0006] DE102019004754A1 and WO2012 / 003964A1 further illustrate the general prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In contrast, the object of the present invention is to mitigate or eliminate at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention preferably aims to create an overhead luggage compartment of the "shelf box" type, in which the suspension of the door on the luggage compartment housing restricts to a lesser extent the receiving space available for luggage, reduces the load on the upper part of the luggage compartment housing, and ultimately enables the door to pivot advantageously.

[0008] This object is achieved by an overhead luggage compartment according to claim 1 and an aircraft according to claim 13. Preferred embodiments are indicated in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the present invention, the hinge device comprises a mounting clip having an upper mounting leg and a lower mounting leg, the upper mounting leg being attached to the upper side of the upper part and the lower mounting leg being attached to the lower side of the upper part.

[0010] For the purposes of the present disclosure, positional and orientation indications such as "top", "bottom", "horizontal", "vertical" refer to the intended installation state of the overhead luggage compartment in the aircraft fuselage when the aircraft is in a horizontal attitude.

[0011] Therefore, the hinge device is mounted on the upper part of the luggage compartment housing by means of a mounting clip. The mounting clip includes an upper mounting leg and a lower mounting leg, which are arranged substantially parallel to each other and at a certain distance from each other, and the upper part of the luggage compartment housing is located between the upper mounting leg and the lower mounting leg of the mounting clip. The upper part is preferably configured as a top plate. The mounting clip can clamp the front longitudinal edge of the upper part, i.e., the edge of the overhead luggage compartment facing the user. Embodiments of the hinge device according to the present invention offer a number of advantages. By clamping the upper part of the luggage compartment housing, a stable door suspension is provided. Therefore, the lower part and the upper mounting leg can be designed to be flat, so that the receiving space in the luggage compartment housing, which is bounded upward by the upper part, is almost unrestricted. In addition, the torque generated during the pivoting of the door can be absorbed by the mounting clip in a particularly advantageous manner. The upper part of the luggage compartment housing can be effectively protected from weakening and damage.

[0012] In order to limit the receiving space for luggage items as little as possible, it is advantageous if the pivot axis of the hinge device extends in a plane between the upper side and the lower side of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing. Therefore, the pivot axis is located between the imaginary extensions of the upper side and the lower side of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing. Thus, the hinge device is arranged in the height direction so as to overlap with the upper part of the luggage compartment housing. Since the pivot axis is not located below the upper part as in the prior art, but at the height of the upper part, the receiving space available for luggage items can be enlarged. Particularly advantageously, this also makes it easier to load luggage items.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the pivot axis of the hinge device extends in a plane that is substantially centered between the upper side and the lower side of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing. In this embodiment, the pivot axis is arranged at the height of the middle plane of the upper part, so that on the one hand, the receiving space within the luggage compartment housing remains unobstructed, and on the other hand, a favorable force transmission is achieved when the door pivots.

[0014] In order to mount the hinge device on the luggage compartment housing, it is advantageous if the upper mounting leg and the lower mounting leg of the hinge device can pivot relative to each other. During assembly, the upper mounting leg and the lower mounting leg can be placed on the upper part in the unfolded state and then in the folded state in order to position the upper mounting leg on the upper side of the upper part and the lower mounting leg on the lower side of the upper part. In the folded state of the mounting, the upper mounting leg and the lower mounting leg preferably extend substantially parallel to each other, and the distance between them substantially corresponds to the wall thickness of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing.

[0015] In order to firmly hold the mounting clip on the upper part of the luggage compartment housing, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper part and the lower mounting leg of the hinge device are connected to each other by means of a screw connection.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the screw connection between the upper mounting leg and the lower mounting leg of the hinge device passes through a groove in the upper part of the luggage compartment housing. Through this groove, the mounting position of the mounting clip can be changed in at least one direction, preferably in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the upper part, i.e., forward or backward.

[0017] In order to arrange the door so that it can pivot on the luggage compartment housing fixed in other ways, in a preferred embodiment, the hinge device includes a pivot arm attached to the inner side of the door. The pivot arm is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis so that the door attached to the pivot arm can pivot from a closed position, in which the door closes the loading opening of the luggage compartment housing, to an open position, in which the door exposes the loading opening of the luggage compartment housing.

[0018] In order to form a pivot axis for pivoting the door relative to the luggage compartment housing, advantageously, the hinge device includes at least one first hinge part, in particular a first circular part, which is connected to the mounting clip, and at least one second hinge part, in particular a second circular part, which is connected to the pivot arm. The second hinge part is preferably mounted so that it can pivot relative to the first hinge part.

[0019] The lighting device can be arranged on the upper side of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing, which particularly includes a plurality of LED lighting elements. Advantageously, the hinge device hardly restricts the mounting space of the lighting device. The lighting device is preferably designed as an elongated flat housing in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft fuselage. In addition, the lighting device can include an integrated ventilation unit for supplying air to the aircraft cabin.

[0020] In order to ensure that the aisle area is illuminated even when the door is in the open position, in a preferred embodiment, when the door is in the open position, a longitudinal gap is formed between the upper side of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing and the upper longitudinal side of the door relative to the closed position of the door. When the door is opened, the light from the lighting device located in the upper part can pass through the first longitudinal gap into the aisle area of the aircraft. In order to form the longitudinal gap, the hinge device preferably includes an elongated pivot arm through which the door pivots to the open position.

[0021] In order to assist the door in pivoting from the closed position to the open position, in a preferred embodiment, the hinge device includes a spring element, in particular a torsion spring.

[0022] In order to improve the opening kinematics, in a preferred embodiment, the hinge device includes a damping element, in particular a torsion damper, for damping the pivoting of the door from the closed position to the open position.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the overhead baggage compartment is connected to the aircraft fuselage by connecting elements, which are preferably designed as tie rods. Particularly preferably, rear connecting elements and front connecting elements (i.e., arranged closer to the door) are provided on each lateral side of the overhead baggage compartment. Preferably, at least one of the connecting elements, preferably the two front connecting elements, is of adjustable length so that tolerance compensation can be carried out. Description of the Drawings

[0024] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

[0025] Figure 1 A side view of an overhead baggage compartment for installation in an aircraft cabin according to the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 a 3D view of the overhead baggage compartment in

[0027] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 a sectional view of the overhead baggage compartment in Figure 1 and Figure 2 in the region of the hinge device according to the present invention, by means of which the door of the overhead baggage compartment in

[0028] Figure 4 Shows a sectional view of the hinge device according to Figures 1 to 3 in the mounted state on the upper part (top plate) of the baggage compartment housing.

[0029] Figure 5 Shows Figures 1 to 4 a schematic view of one of the hinge devices. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 show a section of the aircraft cabin 1 inside the aircraft fuselage 2 of the aircraft 2. At least one overhead baggage compartment 3 is installed in the aircraft cabin 1. According to the embodiment, a plurality of overhead baggage compartments can be arranged along the aircraft cabin, particularly next to the aisle. The overhead baggage compartment 3 includes a baggage compartment housing 4, which has two side parts 4A, which are connected on the top side by an upper part 5, on the bottom side by a lower part 6, and on the rear side by a rear wall 4B, thereby defining a receiving space 7 for luggage items 24 (see Figure 3 ). At least one door 8 is provided on the front side of the overhead baggage compartment 3 facing the user, and the doors are respectively connected to the baggage compartment housing 4 by at least one hinge device 9. Two doors 8 are provided in the shown embodiment.

[0031] From Figures 3 to 5It can be seen that the hinge device 9 forms a pivot axis 10 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the overhead luggage compartment 3, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The door 8 can pivot about the pivot axis 10 between an open position where the front loading opening 11 is exposed and a closed position where the front loading opening 11 is closed. In Figure 3 two doors 8 can be seen, with one door 8 shown in the closed position and the other door 8 shown in the open position.

[0032] From Figures 3 to 5 it can be seen that the hinge device 9 includes a mounting clip 12 which has an upper mounting leg 13 and a lower mounting leg 14. The upper mounting leg 13 is located on the upper side of the upper part 5, and the lower mounting leg 14 is located on the lower side of the upper part 5. The upper mounting leg 13 and the lower mounting leg 14 may have ribbed inner surfaces to improve their grip on the upper part 5. In addition, the hinge device 9 includes a pivot arm 15, one end of which is pivotally mounted around the pivot axis 10 and the other end is attached to the inner side of the door 8.

[0033] From Figure 4 and Figure 5 it can be seen that in order to form the pivot axis 10, the hinge device 9 includes two fixed first hinge members 16 which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the luggage compartment housing 4. In this case, they are first circular members which, in the illustrated embodiment, are integrally connected to the lower mounting leg 14. A second hinge member 17 (here a second circular member) is connected to the pivot arm 15 and is mounted to be rotatable relative to the first hinge members 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the second hinge member 17 is integrally connected to the pivot arm 15. The upper mounting leg 13 is pivotally mounted relative to the lower mounting leg 14.

[0034] From Figure 4 it can be seen that the pivot axis 10 of the hinge device 9 is located in a horizontal plane which is centered between the upper side and the lower side of the upper part 5 of the luggage compartment housing 4.

[0035] As Figure 4 shown, the upper mounting leg 13 and the lower mounting leg 14 of the hinge device 9 can pivot relative to each other (see the double arrow 9A in Figure 4 ). When the door 8 is opened or closed, the pivot arm 15 pivots in the direction of the arrow 9B. During the assembly process, the mounting clip 12 is slid onto the upper part 5 in the unfolded state and then folded into the desired position. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper mounting leg 13 and the lower mounting leg 14 of the hinge device 9 are connected to each other by a screw connection 18 which is shown in dashed lines in the figure. The screw connection may include one or more screws. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw connection 18 passes through a groove 19 in the upper part 5 of the luggage compartment housing 4. The groove 19 extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the upper part 5 such that the mounting position of the mounting clip 12 can be changed.

[0036] AsFigure 2 As shown, the lighting and ventilation device 21 is mounted on the upper side of the upper part 5 of the luggage compartment housing 4, below the ceiling panel 20, and light and air can be supplied to the aircraft cabin through the ceiling panel 20. The lighting and ventilation device includes separate lighting elements 22, in particular LEDs, which are arranged on a grid-shaped carrier extending along the front air outlet of the lighting and ventilation device 21. Due to the pivot arm 15, when the door 8 is in the open position, a longitudinal gap 23 is formed between the upper side of the upper part 5 of the luggage compartment housing 4 and the upper longitudinal side of the door, as compared to its closed position.

[0037] The hinge device 9 may include a spring element (not shown), in particular a torsion spring, to assist in pivoting the door from the closed position to the open position.

[0038] Furthermore, the hinge device 9 may include a damping element (not shown), in particular a torsion damper, for damping the pivoting of the door from the closed position to the open position. The spring element and / or the damping element may be accommodated within the first hinge part 16 and / or the second hinge part 17.

[0039] From Figure 1 and Figure 2 it can be seen that the overhead luggage compartment 3 is connected to the aircraft fuselage by means of connecting elements 25. The overhead luggage compartment 3 with the above-described hinge device 9 is well-suited for embodiments with a particularly large capacity of the receiving space 7. In this embodiment, the overhead luggage compartment may include a rear connecting element 25A and a front connecting element 25B on each lateral side. Since the center of gravity of the overhead luggage compartment 3 including the luggage is located substantially in the middle of the four connecting elements 25, the forces are evenly distributed, enabling a particularly weight-saving design. Preferably, at least one of the connecting elements 25, preferably the two front connecting elements 25B, is adjustable in length so that tolerance compensation can be carried out.

[0040] List of reference numerals:

[0041] 1 Aircraft cabin

[0042] 2 Aircraft

[0043] 3 Overhead luggage compartment

[0044] 4 Luggage compartment housing

[0045] 4A Side part

[0046] 4B Rear wall

[0047] 5 Upper part

[0048] 6 Lower part

[0049] 7 Receiving space

[0050] 8 Door

[0051] 9 Hinge device

[0052] 10 Pivot shaft

[0053] 11 Loading opening

[0054] 12 Mounting clip

[0055] 13 Upper mounting leg

[0056] 14 Lower mounting leg

[0057] 15 Pivot arm

[0058] 16 First hinge component

[0059] 17 Second hinge component

[0060] 18 Screw connection

[0061] 19 Groove

[0062] 20 Ceiling panel

[0063] 21 Lighting and ventilation device

[0064] 22 Lighting element

[0065] 23 Longitudinal gap

[0066] 24 Luggage item

[0067] 25 Connecting element

[0068] 25A Rear connecting element

[0069] 25B Front connecting element

Claims

1. Overhead luggage compartment for an aircraft, comprising: A luggage compartment housing (4) having two side portions (4A), an upper portion (5) and a lower portion (6), the two side portions (4A), the upper portion (5) and the lower portion (6) enclosing a receiving space (7) for luggage items; A door (8); Hinge means (9) respectively connected to the upper portion (5) and the door (8), the door (8) being pivotable relative to the luggage compartment housing (4) between an open position and a closed position by means of the hinge means (9), Characterized in that: The hinge means (9) comprises a mounting clip (12) having an upper mounting leg (13) and a lower mounting leg (14), the upper mounting leg (13) being attached to the upper side of the upper portion (5), and the lower mounting leg (14) being attached to the lower side of the upper portion (5).

2. The overhead luggage compartment according to claim 1, wherein The pivot axis (10) of the hinge means (9) extends in a plane between the upper side and the lower side of the upper portion (5) of the luggage compartment housing (4).

3. The overhead luggage compartment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pivot axis (10) of the hinge means (9) extends in a plane substantially centered between the upper side and the lower side of the upper portion (5) of the luggage compartment housing (4).

4. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The upper portion (13) and the lower mounting leg (14) of the hinge means (9) are pivotable relative to each other.

5. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The upper portion (13) and the lower mounting leg (14) of the hinge means (9) are interconnected by a screw connection (18).

6. The overhead luggage compartment according to claim 5, wherein, The screw connection (19) between the upper portion (13) and the lower mounting leg (14) of the hinge means (9) passes through a groove (19) in the upper portion (5) of the luggage compartment housing (4).

7. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The hinge means (9) comprises a pivot arm (15) attached to the inner side of the door (8).

8. The overhead luggage compartment according to claim 7, wherein, The hinge means (9) comprises: at least one first hinge member (16), in particular a first circular member, connected to the mounting clip (12); and at least one second hinge member (17), in particular a second circular member, connected to the pivot arm (15).

9. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, A lighting device (21) is arranged on the upper side of the upper portion (5) of the luggage compartment housing (4).

10. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, In the open position of the door (8), a longitudinal gap (25) is formed between the upper side of the upper portion (5) of the luggage compartment housing (4) and the upper longitudinal side of the door (8) relative to the closed position of the door (8).

11. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The hinge means (9) comprises a spring element, in particular a torsion spring, for assisting in pivoting the door (8) from the closed position to the open position.

12. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The hinge means (9) comprises a damping element, in particular a torsion damper, for damping the pivoting of the door (8) from the closed position to the open position.

13. An aircraft, comprising: An aircraft fuselage having an aircraft cabin (1), The overhead luggage compartment (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, mounted in the aircraft cabin (1).

Images