overhead luggage compartment

Abstract

The present invention relates to an overhead luggage compartment for an aircraft, comprising: a luggage compartment shell (4) having two sides (4A), an upper part (5) and a lower part (6), the two sides, the upper part and the lower part surrounding a receiving space (7) for luggage, a door (8), and a hinge device (9) connected to the upper part (5) and the door (8) respectively, the door (8) being pivotable relative to the luggage compartment shell (4) between an open position and a closed position via the hinge device (9), the hinge device (9) including 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 part (5) and the lower mounting leg (14) being attached to the lower side of the upper part (5).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The luggage compartment shell has two sides, an upper section, and a lower section, which surround the receiving space for luggage.

[0003] Door,

[0004] A hinge mechanism is connected to the upper part and the door, respectively, wherein the door can pivot relative to the luggage compartment shell between an open position and a closed position via the hinge mechanism. Background Technology

[0005] In the prior art, overhead luggage compartments are known where passengers can store carry-on luggage during flight. In one embodiment of an overhead luggage compartment, also referred to as a "shelf compartment," a fixed luggage compartment shell is provided, which is closed by a door. Hinges are mounted on the luggage compartment shell and the door, allowing the door to pivot upwards from a closed position to an open position. Such a luggage compartment is described, for example, in US10,077,111B2. In this prior art, the hinges are attached to the inside of the luggage compartment shell and the door. However, a disadvantage is that the hinges protrude far into the receiving space for luggage. Furthermore, the pivot point of the hinges is much lower than the plane of the upper part of the luggage compartment shell. Finally, installing hinges in the prior art places a significant load on the luggage compartment shell.

[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 is preferably intended to create a top-mounted luggage compartment of the "shelf box" type, wherein the suspension of the door on the luggage compartment shell limits the receiving space available for luggage to a lesser extent, reduces the load on the upper part of the luggage compartment shell, and ultimately allows the door to pivot advantageously.

[0008] This objective is achieved by the overhead luggage compartment according to the invention and the aircraft according to the invention. Preferred embodiments are indicated in the description.

[0009] According to the present invention, the hinge device includes 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 portion and the lower mounting leg being attached to the lower side of the upper portion.

[0010] For the purposes of this disclosure, position and orientation indicators such as “top,” “bottom,” “horizontal,” and “vertical” refer to the intended installation state of the overhead baggage compartment in the fuselage of the aircraft when the aircraft is in a horizontal attitude.

[0011] Therefore, the hinge device is mounted on the upper part of the luggage compartment housing via 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 spaced apart, with the upper part of the luggage compartment housing located between the upper and lower mounting legs 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 user-facing edge of the overhead luggage compartment. Embodiments of the hinge device according to the invention offer numerous advantages. By clamping the upper part of the luggage compartment housing, a stable door suspension is provided. Therefore, the lower and upper mounting legs can be designed to be flat, so that the receiving space defined upward by the upper part in the luggage compartment housing is virtually unrestricted. Furthermore, the torque generated during door pivoting can be absorbed in a particularly advantageous manner by the mounting clip. The upper part of the luggage compartment housing can be effectively protected from weakening and damage.

[0012] To minimize restrictions on the receiving space for luggage, it is advantageous if the pivot of the hinge mechanism extends in a plane between the upper and lower sides of the upper part of the luggage compartment shell. Therefore, the pivot is located between the imaginary extensions of the upper and lower sides of the upper part of the luggage compartment shell. Consequently, the hinge mechanism is arranged to overlap with the upper part of the luggage compartment shell in the height direction. Since the pivot is located at the height of the upper part, rather than below it as in the prior art, the available receiving space for luggage can be expanded. Particularly advantageously, this also makes loading luggage easier.

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

[0014] For mounting the hinge assembly to the luggage compartment shell, it is advantageous if the upper and lower mounting legs of the hinge assembly can pivot relative to each other. During assembly, the upper and lower mounting legs can be placed in an unfolded state on the upper part, and then folded 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 installed folded state, the upper and lower mounting legs 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 shell.

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

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the screw connection between the upper and lower mounting legs of the hinge device passes through a recess in the upper part of the luggage compartment housing. This recess allows the mounting position of the mounting clip to 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 otherwise fixed cargo compartment housing, in a preferred embodiment, the hinge device includes a pivot arm attached to the inside of the door. The pivot arm is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis such that the door attached to the pivot arm can pivot from a closed position to an open position, in which the door closes the loading opening of the cargo compartment housing, and in the open position, the door exposes the loading opening of the cargo compartment housing.

[0018] To form a pivot axis for pivoting the door relative to the luggage compartment housing, it is advantageous that the hinge device includes at least one first hinge portion, particularly a first circular portion, connected to a mounting clip, and at least one second hinge portion, particularly a second circular portion, connected to a pivot arm. The second hinge portion is preferably mounted so that it is pivotable relative to the first hinge portion.

[0019] The lighting unit can be arranged on the upper side of the upper part of the baggage compartment shell, and specifically includes multiple LED lighting elements. Advantageously, the hinge mechanism hardly restricts the installation space of the lighting unit. The lighting unit is preferably designed as a slender, flat shell along the longitudinal direction of the aircraft fuselage. In addition, the lighting unit may include an integrated ventilation unit for supplying air to the aircraft cabin.

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

[0021] To facilitate the pivoting of the door from the closed position to the open position, in a preferred embodiment, the hinge device includes a spring element, particularly a torsion spring.

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

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the overhead luggage compartment is connected to the aircraft fuselage via connecting elements, preferably designed as pull rods. Particularly preferred are rear and front connecting elements on each lateral side of the overhead luggage compartment (i.e., arranged closer to the door). Preferably, at least one, preferably two, front connecting elements are adjustable in length to allow for tolerance compensation. Attached Figure Description

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

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

[0026] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 3D view of the overhead luggage compartment.

[0027] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the overhead luggage compartment in the hinge device area according to the invention, utilizing this hinge device, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The overhead luggage compartment door can pivot between the closed and open positions.

[0028] Figure 4 It shows that according to Figures 1 to 3 A cross-sectional view of the hinge device in its installed state on the upper part (top plate) of the luggage compartment shell.

[0029] Figure 5 It shows Figures 1 to 4 A schematic diagram of one of the hinge devices. Detailed Implementation

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

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

[0032] from Figures 3 to 5 As can be seen, the hinge device 9 includes a mounting clip 12 having an upper mounting leg 13 and a lower mounting leg 14. The upper mounting leg 13 is located above the upper part 5, and the lower mounting leg 14 is located below 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 inside of the door 8.

[0033] from Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be seen, to form the pivot 10, the hinge device 9 includes two fixed first hinge components 16, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the luggage compartment housing 4, which are first circular components in this case. In the illustrated embodiment, they are integrally connected to the lower mounting leg 14. A second hinge component 17 (here, a second circular component) is connected to the pivot arm 15 and mounted to be rotatable relative to the first hinge components 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the second hinge component 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 the horizontal plane centered between the upper and lower sides of the upper part 5 of the luggage compartment shell 4.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the upper mounting leg 13 and the lower mounting leg 14 of the hinge device 9 can pivot relative to each other (see Figure 14). Figure 4 (Double arrow 9A in the diagram). When the door 8 is opened or closed, the pivot arm 15 pivots in the direction of arrow 9B. During assembly, the mounting clip 12 slides onto the upper part 5 in the unfolded state and then folds to the desired position. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper mounting leg 13 and lower mounting leg 14 of the hinge device 9 are interconnected by a screw connection 18, indicated by 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 recess 19 in the upper part 5 of the luggage compartment housing 4. The recess 19 extends horizontally along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the upper part 5, allowing the mounting position of the mounting clip 12 to be changed.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the lighting and ventilation system 21 is mounted on the upper side of the upper part 5 of the baggage compartment housing 4, below the ceiling panel 20, through which light and air can be supplied to the aircraft cabin. The lighting and ventilation system includes individual lighting elements 22, specifically LEDs, which are arranged on a grid-like carrier extending along the front air outlet of the lighting and ventilation system 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 baggage compartment housing 4 and the upper longitudinal side of the door relative to its closed position.

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

[0038] Furthermore, the hinge assembly 9 may include damping elements (not shown), particularly a torsional damper, for damping the pivoting of the door from the closed position to the open position. Spring elements and / or damping elements may be housed within the first hinge component 16 and / or the second hinge component 17.

[0039] from Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the overhead luggage compartment 3 is connected to the aircraft fuselage via connecting elements 25. The overhead luggage compartment 3 with the aforementioned hinge device 9 is particularly suitable for embodiments with a particularly large 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 substantially located in the middle of the four connecting elements 25, the force is evenly distributed, thereby 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 to allow for tolerance compensation.

[0040] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0041] 1. Aircraft cabin

[0042] 2 aircraft

[0043] 3 overhead luggage compartments

[0044] 4. Luggage compartment shell

[0045] 4A side

[0046] 4B Rear Wall

[0047] 5 upper part

[0048] 6 lower part

[0049] 7 receiving space

[0050] 8 doors

[0051] 9-hinge device

[0052] 10 pivots

[0053] 11 Loading opening

[0054] 12 mounting clips

[0055] 13 legs installed

[0056] 14 Lower Leg Installation

[0057] 15 pivot arms

[0058] 16 First hinge component

[0059] 17 Second hinge component

[0060] 18 screw connection

[0061] 19 grooves

[0062] 20 ceiling panels

[0063] 21 Lighting and ventilation fixtures

[0064] 22 lighting elements

[0065] 23 Longitudinal clearance

[0066] 24 pieces of luggage

[0067] 25 connecting elements

[0068] 25A rear connecting element

[0069] 25B front connection element

Claims

1. Overhead baggage compartments for aircraft, including: The luggage compartment shell (4) has two sides (4A), an upper part (5) and a lower part (6), the two sides (4A), the upper part (5) and the lower part (6) surrounding a receiving space (7) for luggage items. Door (8); A hinge device (9) is connected to the upper part (5) and the door (8) respectively, and the door (8) is pivotable relative to the luggage compartment shell (4) between an open position and a closed position via the hinge device (9). Its features are: The hinge device (9) includes 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 part (5) and the lower mounting leg (14) being attached to the lower side of the upper part (5).

2. The overhead luggage compartment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pivot axis (10) of the hinge device (9) extends in the plane between the upper and lower sides of the upper part (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 device (9) extends in a plane substantially centered between the upper and lower sides of the upper part (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 mounting leg (13) and lower mounting leg (14) of the hinge device (9) are pivotable relative to each other.

5. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The upper mounting leg (13) and lower mounting leg (14) of the hinge device (9) are connected to each other by screw connection (18).

6. The overhead luggage compartment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The screw connection (18) between the upper mounting leg (13) and the lower mounting leg (14) of the hinge device (9) passes through a groove (19) in the upper part (5) of the luggage compartment housing (4).

7. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The hinge device (9) includes a pivot arm (15) which is attached to the inside of the door (8).

8. The overhead luggage compartment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The hinge device (9) includes: at least one first hinge component (16) connected to the mounting clip (12); and at least one second hinge component (17) connected to the pivot arm (15).

9. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, A lighting device (22) is arranged on the upper side of the upper part (5) of the luggage compartment shell (4).

10. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, In the open position of the door (8), relative to the closed position of the door (8), 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 (8).

11. The overhead luggage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The hinge device (9) includes a spring element, particularly 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 3, characterized in that, The hinge device (9) includes a damping element, particularly a torsional damper, for damping the pivoting of the door (8) from the closed position to the open position.

13. The overhead luggage compartment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The at least one first hinge component (16) is a first circular component, and the at least one second hinge component (17) is a second circular component.

14. Aircraft, including: An aircraft fuselage with an aircraft cabin (1), The overhead luggage compartment (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is installed in the aircraft cabin (1).

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