Passenger aircraft with at least one passenger seating arrangement

Abstract

Passenger aircraft (A) with at least one passenger seating arrangement (S), with: at least one first passenger seat (S1) with a first backrest (B1); at least one second passenger seat (S2) with a second backrest (B2) which faces the back of the first backrest (B1) with a rear side; and a seat support frame which has: a first backrest reinforcement strut (D1) with a floor-side end (T1), which is arranged from a floor of the passenger aircraft (A) along the first backrest (B1) at a first angle of inclination (Θ1) relative to the horizontal; and a second backrest reinforcement strut (D2) with a floor-side end (T2), which is arranged from a floor of the passenger aircraft (A) along the second backrest (B2) at a second angle of inclination (Θ2) supplementary to the first angle of inclination (Θ1) relative to the horizontal; wherein the first backrest reinforcement strut (D1) and the second backrest reinforcement strut (D2) each form equal sides of an isosceles triangle; and wherein the first backrest reinforcement strut (D1) and the second backrest reinforcement strut (D2) extend along their respective side of the isosceles triangle from a vertex (T3) of the triangle to the floor.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a passenger aircraft having at least one passenger seat arrangement.

[0002] Although the passenger seating arrangement described herein can be used in various types of vehicles, these and the underlying problems will be explained in more detail with reference to a passenger aircraft. In principle, however, the present invention can also be used in other aircraft, as well as in watercraft, rail vehicles, spacecraft, or the like that are suitable for transporting people.

[0003] Passengers in transport vehicles, such as passenger aircraft or rail vehicles, are often offered seating for the duration of their journey, which must be securely attached to the vehicle. The construction of such seating is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 778,219 A. Seating arrangements for transport vehicles are manufactured to be mechanically stable while remaining lightweight.

[0004] However, many vehicles offer only limited space for the installation and implementation of such seating. When installing seating, a balance often has to be struck between providing the greatest possible comfort for seated passengers and maximizing the capacity of the vehicle for passengers and their luggage or carry-on baggage.

[0005] Seats in passenger aircraft are usually installed with a uniform seating orientation, so that passengers sit side by side or one behind the other facing the same direction. The publications US 2008 / 0224510 A1 and WO 2015 / 083088 A1 propose solutions for an alternative arrangement of individual seats in passenger aircraft that are intended to make better use of the available installation space. In some cases, passengers are seated so that adjacent passengers face opposite directions.

[0006] The documents DE 26 01 102 A1, DE 76 25 522 U, FR 2 826 613 A1, GB 715 114 A, US 3 314 720 A, US 3 653 713 A, US 3 630 566 A, WO 2010 / 131 014 A1, US 778 219 A and DE 297 03 663 U1 describe further passenger seat arrangements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One of the objects of the invention is to find solutions for seating arrangements for traffic vehicles in which, on the one hand, the available installation space in the vehicle can be better utilized without unnecessarily impairing the comfort of the passengers.

[0008] These and other objects are achieved by a passenger aircraft having at least one passenger seat arrangement with the features of claim 1.

[0009] Accordingly, according to a first aspect of the invention, a passenger aircraft with at least one passenger seat arrangement comprises at least one first passenger seat with a first backrest, at least one second passenger seat with a second backrest, the rear side of which faces the rear side of the first backrest, and a seat support frame. The seat support frame comprises a first backrest reinforcement strut with a floor-side end, which is arranged from a floor of the traffic vehicle along the first backrest at a first angle of inclination relative to the horizontal, and a second backrest reinforcement strut with a floor-side end, which is arranged from a floor of the traffic vehicle along the second backrest at a second angle of inclination relative to the horizontal, supplementary to the first angle of inclination.The first backrest reinforcement strut and the second backrest reinforcement strut each form equal-length sides of an isosceles triangle. The first backrest reinforcement strut and the second backrest reinforcement strut extend along their respective sides of the isosceles triangle from one vertex of the triangle to the floor.

[0010] One idea underlying the present invention is to arrange passenger seats for a commercial vehicle, such as a passenger aircraft, such that passengers sit in seats arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel of the vehicle, facing each other. Two passenger seats or rows of seats are arranged so that their backrests face each other. The backrests form the guide lines for two longitudinal reinforcement struts that extend at a support angle from a floor support strut along the backrests. This creates a strut triangle as a support structure for the seats, whose load-bearing points feature an optimized, even load distribution.

[0011] In particular, the lever arm between adjacent floor support strut mounting bolts and the floor can be doubled, unlike with individual seats or rows of seats, halving the load forces acting on the bolts. This advantageously reduces mechanical loads on the passenger seats, the bolts, and the seat mounting rail on the floor of the vehicle. The improved mechanical stability allows for material savings and thus system weight reduction during implementation of the passenger seating arrangement.

[0012] The upper load-bearing point, where the two longitudinal reinforcement struts meet and are connected, offers the possibility of implementing an anchor point. At or near such an anchor point, for example, three-point safety belts for forward-facing (i.e., travel-direction-facing) seats of the passenger seating arrangement can be connected to the fuselage structure.

[0013] A further advantage of this passenger seating arrangement is the creation of storage space within the essentially prism-shaped space defined by the reinforcement struts below the seats behind their respective backrests. This advantageously eliminates the need for storage compartments above the seats, further enhancing passenger comfort by providing more headroom and eliminating the need to lift heavy luggage overhead.

[0014] The overall design of the passenger seating arrangement can be kept simple and the flexibility of the distances between individual rows of seats is maintained.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the passenger seat assembly, the passenger seat assembly may further comprise a floor support strut disposed between the floor-side ends of the first and second backrest reinforcement struts.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the passenger seat assembly, the passenger seat assembly may further comprise a first seat surface reinforcement strut disposed between the floor support strut and the underside of a seat surface of the first passenger seat, and a second seat surface reinforcement strut disposed between the floor support strut and the underside of a seat surface of the second passenger seat.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the passenger seat arrangement, the passenger seat arrangement can have at least two first passenger seats arranged side by side and at least two second passenger seats arranged side by side, the backrests of which are each arranged coplanar. In one embodiment, a first mounting cross member can be provided, which is connected perpendicular to the floor support strut to the floor-side end of the first backrest reinforcement strut. In a further embodiment, a second mounting cross member can be provided, which is connected parallel to the first mounting cross member to the floor-side end of the second backrest reinforcement strut.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the passenger seat assembly, the ends of the first and second backrest reinforcement struts opposite the floor ends can be connected at an anchor point. In one embodiment, at least one three-point belt can be provided for one of the passenger seats, which is anchored to the seat support frame at the anchor point.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the passenger seat arrangement, the free space between the first and second backrest reinforcement struts and under the seat surfaces of the first and second passenger seats can be designed as a luggage storage space.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the passenger aircraft, the passenger aircraft can have at least two passenger seat arrangements according to the invention, which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of flight of the passenger aircraft. In one embodiment, a table can be installed between the two passenger seat arrangements.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the passenger aircraft, the floor support strut of the at least one passenger seat arrangement can be firmly connected to the floor of a passenger cabin of the passenger aircraft.

[0023] The above embodiments and further developments can be combined with one another as desired, where appropriate. Further possible embodiments, further developments, and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention not explicitly mentioned above or described below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, those skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a passenger seat arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a passenger seat arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 a schematic side view with a passenger seating arrangement according to Fig. 1 and / or Fig. 2 according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective oblique view of the underside of a passenger seat arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 5 a schematically illustrated section of a passenger cabin of an aircraft in which several passenger seating arrangements according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and / or 4 are installed.

[0025] The accompanying figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will become apparent upon review of the drawings. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale relative to one another.

[0026] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each show schematic side views of a passenger seat arrangement S. The passenger seat arrangements S of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 differ essentially only in the geometric shape of the isosceles triangles and their height and width ratios with regard to the height of the passenger seats. The passenger seat arrangement S has a left-hand and a right-hand passenger seat in the drawing. With regard to a possible installation position in a passenger aircraft A, for example, the passenger seat shown on the left in the drawing can be oriented against the direction of flight and the passenger seat shown on the right in the drawing can be oriented in the direction of flight, or vice versa. Without loss of generality, the passenger seat on the left in the drawing is referred to as the first passenger seat S1 and the passenger seat on the right in the drawing is referred to as the second passenger seat S2. The passenger seats S1 and S2 can each have backrests B1 and B2 and, if appropriate, armrests A1 and A2.

[0028] It is also possible for several such first and second passenger seats S1 and S2 to be arranged next to one another, with the passenger seats S1 and S2 arranged next to one another having backrests B1 and B2, respectively, which are each arranged coplanarly. A perspective representation of a floor-side three-dimensional view of such a passenger seat arrangement S with three left-side and three right-side passenger seats S1 and S2 arranged next to one another is shown by way of example in Fig. 4 shown.

[0029] The Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. The passenger seat arrangements S shown in Figure 4 can be used, for example, in a passenger aircraft A, as shown in the example in Fig. 3. A plurality of passenger seat arrangements S, each with at least one left-side passenger seat S1 and one right-side passenger seat S2, can be installed in a suitable layout in a passenger cabin of the passenger aircraft A. As an example, Fig. 5 shows a section of such a passenger cabin of the passenger aircraft A, in which, as an example, two passenger seat arrangements S, as in connection with the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and / or 4, are mounted.

[0030] The two passenger seating arrangements S can, for example, each have two left- and right-side passenger seats S1 and S2 next to each other, creating rows of two seats each. The two passenger seating arrangements S can be arranged one behind the other in the direction of flight of the passenger aircraft A, creating a free space between the passenger seating arrangements S in which, for example, a table T can be installed. The table T can, for example, be a foldable table that is connected to the outer wall of the passenger cabin via a folding hinge. The length of the table T can correspond to the width of the rows of seats, so that passengers P occupying the passenger seats S1 and S2 of the passenger seating arrangements S can use the table T to store objects such as laptops, food trays, or books.

[0031] Again mainly referring to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the passenger seat arrangements S are designed such that the second backrest(s) B2 are facing the back of the first backrest(s) B1. As a result, passengers P on the passenger seats S1 and S2 are sitting with their backs facing each other. For a cabin layout of the Fig. 5 this means that passengers P sit opposite each other on passenger seat arrangements S arranged one behind the other and facing each other, ie a passenger on a passenger seat S2 of a first passenger seat arrangement sits opposite and facing a passenger on a passenger seat S1 of a second passenger seat arrangement arranged in front of the first passenger seat arrangement.

[0032] Such "face-to-face" passenger seat arrangements allow for flexible seating arrangements for passengers and are particularly suitable for families, business partners, friends, or the like traveling together. Such people can communicate with each other much more easily in such passenger seating arrangements. On the other hand, "face-to-face" arrangements automatically create "compartments" that are separated by design by adjacent compartments in front and behind. To further separate adjacent compartments, particularly acoustically, partitions such as retractable curtains or transparent wall elements can be installed between the backrests B1 and B2 of the passenger seating arrangements S.

[0033] The passenger seating arrangements S of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 have a seat support frame, for example made of metal struts or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. In side view, the seat support frame essentially forms an isosceles triangle, consisting of a first backrest reinforcement strut D1, which is arranged along the first backrest B1 at a first angle of inclination θ1 relative to the horizontal, and a second backrest reinforcement strut D2, which is arranged along the second backrest B1 at a second angle of inclination θ2 relative to the horizontal. A floor support strut D3 can also be provided, which is arranged between the floor-side ends T1, T2 of the first and second backrest reinforcement struts D1, D2. The structural design of the floor support strut D3 necessary for the load absorption of the aircraft seat can take into account that the first and second backrest reinforcement struts D1, D2 are attached to the seat rail on the cabin floor of a passenger aircraft A.The floor support strut D3 may be omitted if the design calculations show that the seat rail on the cabin floor takes over the function of the floor support strut D3 for the crash behavior of the passenger seat arrangement S. The floor-side ends T1 and T2 form the load-bearing points for attaching the passenger seat arrangements S to the floor of a commercial vehicle, for example, to the seat rails of a passenger aircraft A.

[0034] The isosceles triangular geometry of the seat support frame, i.e. the fact that the first and second inclination angles θ1 and θ2 are supplementary angles, results in a load-optimized support structure for the passenger seat arrangement S, which roughly halves the loads to be absorbed at the load-bearing points T1 and T2 compared to conventional seat attachments. For example, the regulations specified by the FAA demand that all aircraft seats be so-called "16g" seats. This means that the seats must withstand loads of up to 16g under predefined test conditions. The load-optimized structure of the backrest reinforcement struts D1, D2 makes it much easier to comply with the FAA's 16g requirements. As a result, the passenger seat arrangements S can be manufactured with advantageous savings in system weight.

[0035] In addition, the apex T3 of the triangular support structure, i.e. the junction of the two ends of the second backrest reinforcement struts D1, D2, is a fixed anchor point, for example for the installation of a three-point belt. Such a three-point belt may comprise a webbing (as shown in Fig. 5 (illustrated by reference symbol G as an example), which restrains passengers in forward-facing passenger seats during abrupt braking. Such a three-point belt G can be mechanically and securely anchored to the seat support frame at anchor point T3.

[0036] The free space between the first and second backrest reinforcement struts D1 and D2 and beneath the seat surfaces of the first and second passenger seats S1 and S2 can advantageously serve as luggage storage space for passengers' hand luggage. Depending on the length of the backrest reinforcement struts D1 and D2 or the choice of the inclination angles θ1 and θ2, space can be created for various standardized luggage sizes. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows two exemplary implementation variants, each of which creates space for two pieces of luggage L1 and L2 on the floor under the seat surfaces C1 and C2 of the passenger seats S1 and S2, respectively. A third piece of luggage L3 can be stacked between the backrests B1 and B2, either on top of the two pieces of luggage L1 and L2 (see Fig. 1) or placed on the floor in the middle between the two pieces of luggage L1 and L2 (see Fig. 2). Such a luggage storage space may, under certain circumstances, make it possible to dispense with storage space above the seats, such as a luggage rack or dedicated overhead compartments on passenger aircraft.

[0037] To increase the mechanical stability of the passenger seating arrangements S, seat reinforcement struts F1 and F2 can be provided. These can extend between the floor support strut D3 and the underside of the respective seat surface C1 or C2 of the first or second passenger seat S1 or S2. The seat reinforcement struts F1 and F2 can be arranged at a suitable angle to the horizontal and transfer their load to the floor at the floor-side load-bearing points T1 and T2, respectively.

[0038] In addition, first and second mounting cross members E1 and E2 can be provided, which facilitate the connection of the passenger seating arrangements S to the floor of the vehicle (see Fig.4). The mounting cross members allow for independence from the seat mounting rails mounted in the floor. The mounting cross members E1 and E2 run perpendicular to the floor support strut D3 and are connected to the floor-side load-bearing points T1 and T2 of the first and second backrest reinforcement struts D1 and D2, respectively.

[0039] The seating arrangements described can be used in all areas of the transport industry, for example for road vehicles, rail vehicles or watercraft.

[0040] In the foregoing detailed description, various features have been combined into one or more examples for clarity of illustration. It should be understood, however, that the above description is merely illustrative and not restrictive in nature. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on their skill in the art in light of the above description.

[0041] The embodiments were chosen and described to best illustrate the principles underlying the invention and their practical application. This will enable those skilled in the art to optimally modify and utilize the invention and its various embodiments for their intended purpose. In the claims and the description, the terms "including" and "having" are used as neutral terms for the corresponding term "comprising."

[0042] Furthermore, the use of the terms “a”, “an” and “an” is not intended to exclude a plurality of features and components described in this way. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS A plane A1 armrest A2 armrest B1 Backrest B2 backrest C1 seat cushion C2 seat cushion D1 Backrest reinforcement strut D2 Backrest reinforcement strut D3 floor support strut E1 mounting traverse E2 mounting traverse F1 seat reinforcement strut F2 seat reinforcement strut G Three-point belt L1 piece of luggage L2 piece of luggage L3 piece of luggage P Passenger S Passenger seating arrangement S1 passenger seat S2 passenger seat T Table T1 floor load bearing point T2 floor load bearing point T3 anchor point Θ1 first inclination angle Θ2 second inclination angle

Claims

[1] Passenger aircraft (A) with at least one passenger seating arrangement (S), with: at least one first passenger seat (S1) with a first backrest (B1); at least one second passenger seat (S2) with a second backrest (B2) which faces the back of the first backrest (B1) with a rear side; and a seat support frame which has: a first backrest reinforcement strut (D1) with a floor-side end (T1), which is arranged from a floor of the passenger aircraft (A) along the first backrest (B1) at a first angle of inclination (Θ1) relative to the horizontal; and a second backrest reinforcement strut (D2) with a floor-side end (T2), which is arranged from a floor of the passenger aircraft (A) along the second backrest (B2) at a second angle of inclination (Θ2) supplementary to the first angle of inclination (Θ1) relative to the horizontal; wherein the first backrest reinforcement strut (D1) and the second backrest reinforcement strut (D2) each form equal sides of an isosceles triangle; and wherein the first backrest reinforcement strut (D1) and the second backrest reinforcement strut (D2) extend along their respective side of the isosceles triangle from a vertex (T3) of the triangle to the floor. [2] Passenger aircraft (A) according to claim 1, further comprising: a floor support strut (D3) which is arranged between the floor-side ends (T1, T2) of the first and second backrest reinforcement struts (D1, D2). [3] Passenger aircraft (A) according to claim 2, further comprising: a first seat reinforcement strut (F1) arranged between the floor support strut (D3) and the underside of a seat surface of the first passenger seat (S1); and a second seat reinforcement strut (F2) which is arranged between the floor support strut (D3) and the underside of a seat surface of the second passenger seat (S2). [4] Passenger aircraft (A) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the passenger seat arrangement (S) comprises at least two first passenger seats (S1) arranged side by side and at least two second passenger seats (S2) arranged side by side, the backrests (B1, B2) of which are each arranged coplanar. [5] Passenger aircraft (A) according to claim 4, further comprising: a first mounting cross member (E1) which is connected perpendicular to the floor support strut (D3) to the floor-side end (T1) of the first backrest reinforcement strut (D1). [6] Passenger aircraft (A) according to claim 5, further comprising: a second mounting cross member (E2) which is connected parallel to the first mounting cross member (E1) to the floor-side end (T2) of the second backrest reinforcement strut (D2). [7] Passenger aircraft (A) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ends of the first and second backrest reinforcement struts (D1; D2) opposite the floor ends are connected at an anchor point (T3). [8] Passenger aircraft (A) according to claim 7, further comprising: at least one three-point belt (G) for one of the passenger seats (S1; S2), which is anchored to the seat support frame at the anchor point (T3). [9] Passenger aircraft (A) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the free space between the first and second backrest reinforcement struts (D1; D2) and under the seat surfaces of the first and second passenger seats (S1; S2) is designed as a luggage storage space. [10] Passenger aircraft (A) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least two passenger seat arrangements (S) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the two passenger seat arrangements (S) are arranged one behind the other in the direction of flight of the passenger aircraft (A). [11] Passenger aircraft (A) according to claim 10, further comprising: a table (T) which is installed in the space between the two passenger seating arrangements (S). [12] Passenger aircraft (A) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor support strut (D3) or the floor-side ends (T1, T2) of the first and second backrest reinforcement struts (D1, D2) of the at least one passenger seat arrangement (S) is fixedly connected to a seat rail arranged on the floor of a passenger cabin of the passenger aircraft (A).

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