Fastening system for securing paneling elements in an aircraft, especially sidewall and dado panels

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening system for attaching panel elements in an aircraft. In particular, the fastening system is suitable for attaching side wall panels and dado panels.

[0002] Aircraft use paneling elements, such as sidewall panels and dado panels, to separate the interior, for example the passenger cabin, from the surrounding structural components. The dado panels are located beneath the sidewall panels and typically form the connection between the floor and the sidewall panels. These paneling elements are attached to a supporting structure, such as the aircraft's frame.

[0003] Fasteners are used to mount the paneling elements to the supporting structure. This installation is often quite complex, as numerous paneling elements, including sidewall and dado panels, must be attached and precisely aligned to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Furthermore, the fastenings must be robust and prevent panel vibrations. Another common problem is condensation that can seep into the aircraft interior or cabin around the fastenings. Additionally, the fasteners typically contribute significantly to the overall weight, as a large number are required for panel installation.

[0004] EP 3 015 359 A1 discloses a device for fixing and electrically connecting a fairing element of an aircraft to a supporting structure. The device comprises a fixing device for releasably fixing the fairing element to the supporting structure by means of an undercut vertical slot and a sliding piece that can be inserted therein.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a fastening system for attaching fairing elements in an aircraft, which enables quick and secure attachment of the fairing elements to the supporting structure and an appealing visual appearance of the attached fairing elements.

[0006] Furthermore, the fastening system should be as lightweight as possible and offer high flexibility. Manufacturing and assembly costs should also be reduced.

[0007] In particular, the fastening system should be able to be used to attach cladding elements in the form of side wall and dado panels.

[0008] To solve this problem, the invention provides a fastening system for attaching fairing elements in an aircraft, comprising: at least one base bracket for attachment to a supporting structure; and at least one fastening element designed for attaching an upper fairing element and a lower fairing element to be arranged below it, and which can be attached to the base bracket, wherein the fastening element can be adjusted to the base bracket in a horizontal direction, and the fastening element comprises a first receptacle extending in a vertical direction for a fastening means of the upper fairing element and a further second receptacle extending in a vertical direction for a fastening means of the lower fairing element, wherein the second receptacle of the fastening element is designed such thatthat the position of the lower trim element on the fastening element is adjustable and fixable in the vertical direction independently of the position of the upper trim element, and the first receptacle of the fastening element is designed such that the position of the upper trim element on the fastening element is adjustable and variably fixable in the vertical direction, wherein the at least one fastening element comprises a first fastening element and a second fastening element, wherein the first fastening element is designed for connection with the second fastening element, which is to be arranged laterally, wherein the two fastening elements are adjustable and fixable to each other in the horizontal direction, wherein , a) the fastening elements, when attached laterally to each other, are displaceable in pairs relative to the base bracket in a horizontal direction; and / or b) the first fastening element includes at least one elongated hole extending in a horizontal direction for mutual attachment to the second fastening element; and / or c) the two fastening elements to be arranged laterally to each other are designed to be complementary to each other in order to overlap each other with a partial area when joined laterally.

[0009] Preferably the upper cladding element is designed as a side wall panel, and preferably the lower cladding element is designed as a dado panel.

[0010] The fastening element is preferably mushroom-shaped.

[0011] In particular, the fastening element has at least one upwardly open slot and at least one downwardly open slot extending in a vertical direction to allow the upper trim element to be inserted into the fastening element from above and the lower trim element from below.

[0012] Advantageously, the fastening element includes one or more additional elongated holes extending in a horizontal direction for fastening to the base bracket.

[0013] The base bracket is advantageously designed for symmetrical attachment to two opposite sides of the supporting structure.

[0014] That is, the support structure bracket can be attached to either side or the other side or side surface of the support structure without making any difference.

[0015] Preferably, the base bracket is designed together with another base bracket for paired attachment to opposite sides of the supporting structure in order to attach a pair of fasteners to the pair of base brackets.

[0016] In particular, the two base brackets have an identical shape or are identically designed.

[0017] In particular, the base bracket is designed as a Class A bracket for fixed attachment to the supporting structure. Advantageously, the fastening element is designed as a Class B bracket for detachable attachment to the Class A bracket.

[0018] Preferably, the fastening element is open on its side opposite the slot.

[0019] Preferably, the fastening system or its individual components are made of plastic, advantageously by injection molding.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1 a fastening system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is attached to a frame of an aircraft, in a schematic view obliquely from the front left; Figures 2a to d the in Figure 1 Fastening system shown in a schematic view from the front right at an angle ( Figure 2a ), as an exploded view ( Figure 2b ), as a view from an oblique angle from the rear above ( Figure 2c ) and as a schematic view of its reverse side ( Figure 2d ); Figure 3 an arrangement of several side wall panels and dado panels, which are fastened with the fastening system according to the invention, as a schematic representation from the front; Fig. 4 a view from an oblique angle above the in the Figure 1 and 2a-d the fastening system shown in its paired configuration, which is attached to the frame on both sides; and Fig. 5 A schematic top view of an aircraft cabin fitted with paneling elements.

[0021] In the figures, identical or corresponding elements are designated with the same reference numerals and are therefore not described again unless this appears expedient. The disclosures contained in the entire description are transferable analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the directly described and illustrated figure and are to be applied analogously to the new position if the position changes. Unless otherwise specified, the positional designations top, bottom, side, front, and rear refer to the installed state of the fastening system.

[0022] Based on the Figure 1 and 2a -dA fastening system 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is described below. It is shown that Figure 1 The fastening system 10 in a paired configuration is shown in a view obliquely from the front left, attached to a frame 11 of an aircraft fuselage that forms a supporting structure or part thereof. Figures 2a-d The figures show the fastening system 10 without the supporting structure 11 in different views to illustrate further details.

[0023] The fastening system 10 is used to fasten cladding elements 12, 13, 14, 15, as exemplified in Figure 3 are shown. In the example shown there, the cladding elements are designed as side wall panels 12, 13 and as dado panels 14, 15 arranged below the side wall panels 12, 13 in a cabin. Window openings 26 are located in the side wall panels 12, 13.

[0024] As in Fig. 1The fastening system 10 shown comprises at least one base bracket 16 designed for attachment to the support structure 11. In the paired configuration of the fastening system 10 shown here, two identical or symmetrically designed base brackets 16 are used to attach it to both sides of the support structure 11a.

[0025] The fastening system 10 can also be used in a single configuration, in which only a base bracket 16 is provided and attached to the support structure 11. This is advantageous at the lateral end of an arrangement of cladding elements, for example in the case of an adjacent door.

[0026] Furthermore, the fastening system comprises 10 fastening elements 17, 21, which are designed for fastening an upper cladding element 12 or 13 and a lower cladding element 14 or 15 to be arranged below it (see Figs. 1 and 3 ).

[0027] The fastening system 10 uses two fastening elements 17, 21, one of which is attached to each of the two base supports 16.

[0028] A receptacle 19a, located at the upper end of the fastening element 16, serves to fasten the upper cladding element 11, 12. A receptacle 19b, located at the lower end of the fastening element 16, serves to fasten the lower cladding element 13, 14.

[0029] The receptacles 19a, 19b each comprise a slot 20 extending longitudinally along the fastening element 17, 21, i.e., with a directional component in the vertical direction Z, on the front face 25 of the fastening element 17, 21. The two opposing slots 20 of the fastening element 17 and 21 are open towards the upper and lower ends of the fastening element 17 and 21, respectively, to accommodate a mushroom-shaped fastener of the cladding elements 12, 14 and 13, 15, respectively. The fasteners are formed on the rear faces of the cladding elements 12-15 and are not visible in the figures.

[0030] To fasten the cladding elements 12 to 15 to the fastening element 16, 17, a mushroom-shaped fastener of the upper cladding element or side wall panel 12, 13 is inserted from above into the fastening element 17, 21. Similarly, a similarly designed fastener of the lower cladding element or dado panel 14, 15 is inserted from below into the fastening element 17, 21.

[0031] In this process, a relatively wide head part of the mushroom-shaped fastening element is inserted into the receptacle 19a or 19b of the fastening element 17, 21, whereby a relatively narrow neck area of ​​the mushroom-shaped fastening element is guided in the relatively narrow slot 20 of the fastening element 17, 21, so that the head part is held behind the front 25 of the fastening element 17, 21.

[0032] In the inserted state, the mushroom-shaped fasteners can be adjusted and positioned in the respective slots 20 in the vertical direction Z. They are designed such that, after positioning, they are held in the individually set vertical position A or B. In this way, each upper cladding element 12, 13 can be flexibly and adjustably positioned and fastened to the fastener 17, 21 in the vertical direction at position A, and independently, each lower cladding element 14, 15 can be flexibly and adjustably positioned and fastened to the fastener 17, 21 in the vertical direction at position B.

[0033] The fastening element 17, 21 is designed such that the positions A of the upper trim elements or side wall panels 12, 13 and the positions B of the lower trim elements or dado panels 14, 15 can be adjusted independently of one another in the vertical direction Z for each individual trim element and fixed to the fastening element 17 or 21. The slots 20 in the fastening element 17, 21 thus allow for tolerance compensation of the interior components or trim elements in the vertical or Z direction.

[0034] The adjustability in the longitudinal direction makes it possible to create a uniform, evenly running optical line of the side wall panels and lower cladding elements or dado panels mounted in this way.

[0035] Conventional vibration dampers are attached to the side wall panels 12, 13, which allows the fastening elements 17, 21 to be designed in a smaller form.

[0036] As in the Figure 1 and 2a As shown, the second fastening element 21 is arranged laterally next to the first fastening element 17 and can be attached to it by means of screws 22. For this purpose, the second fastening element 21 is designed to be complementary or non-symmetrical to the first fastening element 17, so that the two adjacent fastening elements 17, 21 each overlap in a partial area 23, 24 through which the screws 22 extend.

[0037] The partial or overlapping area 23 of the first fastening element 17 is arranged on one side of the fastening element 17, while the overlapping area 24 of the second fastening element 21 is arranged on the other side of the fastening element 21.

[0038] In the overlap area 24 of the fastening element 21, elongated holes 22a are formed (see. Fig. 2b), through which the two screws 22 extend. This allows adjustment of the position of the fastening element 21 relative to the fastening element 17 in the X-direction or in the horizontal direction, thus enabling the final orientation of the upper and lower cladding elements attached to the fastening element 21 to be carried out in a simple manner. The elongated holes 22a also allow for compensation of different material thicknesses of the supporting structure 11 or the frame.

[0039] The fastening element 17 or 21 is each attached to a base bracket 16 by means of screws 18. The screws extend through elongated holes 18a of the fastening element 17, 21, which extend in the horizontal direction X (see figure). Figs. 2a, 2b ). In this way, the horizontal position C of the fastening element 17, 21 is adjustable in the horizontal direction X and attached to the base bracket 16 (see. Fig. 1). This allows the fastening element 17, 21 together with the upper trim element 12 or 13 attached to it and the lower trim element 14 or 15 to be moved in the X direction relative to the base bracket.

[0040] The two mutually attached fastening elements 17, 21 can be moved together and preferably also together with the attached cladding elements 12 to 15 in the X direction relative to the base bracket due to the elongated holes 18a.

[0041] The base bracket 16 is designed as an A-bracket or as a bracket or holder of class A and is fixed to the support structure 11, for example, by rivets or screws. The fastening element 17, 21 is designed as a B-bracket or as a bracket or holder of class B and is detachably attached to the base bracket or A-bracket 16, for example, by means of the screws 18.

[0042] As in Fig. 3 As shown, a fastening system 10 connects an upper cladding element 12, 13 and a lower cladding element 14, 15 to the supporting structure or frame 11 behind them by means of the fastening means arranged on the rear sides of the cladding elements 12 to 15. The positions of the rear-side fastening systems 10 are indicated in the figure by the areas 32.

[0043] The fastening element 17, 21 can be flexibly adjusted in the horizontal direction, i.e., variably, as described above. This allows the upper trim element 13 or 14, attached to the fastening element 17 or 21 respectively, to be variably positioned and fixed in the horizontal direction X together with the lower trim element 15 or 16.

[0044] With two fastening elements 17, 21 attached laterally to each other, two side wall panels 12, 13 can be attached side by side to the frame 11 using the fastening system 10, and additionally two dado panels 14, 15 can be attached side by side below the side wall elements 12, 13 to the frame 11 using the same fastening element 10.

[0045] The side wall panels 12, 13 can be independently adjusted and fixed in their vertical position A, as indicated by the double arrows A in Fig. 3 is marked. This means that the side wall panels 12, 13 can be flexibly or variably attached in the vertical direction Z.

[0046] Independently of this, the dado panels 14 and 15 can also be positioned and fixed independently in their vertical position B, as indicated by the double arrows B. This means that the dado panels 14 and 15 can also be fixed or fastened variably in the vertical direction Z.

[0047] Furthermore, the side wall panels 12, 13 and the dado panels 14, 15 are jointly adjustable in the horizontal direction X, as indicated by the double arrows C. A horizontal connection between the outer lateral areas D and E of an arrangement of two or more side wall panels 13, 14 and / or dado panels 14, 15 is not necessary. The side wall panels 13, 14 are fastened at the top with quick-release fasteners (not shown).

[0048] As seen in the rear views of the Figures 2c and 2dAs shown, the base bracket 16, which is mounted or mountable on the rear of the respective fastening element 17, 21, comprises several support arms 27, which are horizontally aligned when the fastening system 10 is mounted, and a connecting plate 28 oriented perpendicular to these arms, the front of which provides a mounting surface for the respective fastening element 17, 21 to be screwed on. Flat connecting pieces 29 are formed at the ends of the support arms 27, which provide mounting surfaces for attaching the base bracket 16 to the support structure 11. Fastening is preferably effected by means of screws.

[0049] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows a top-down oblique view of the fastening system 10, which is attached to frame 11 on both sides. A base bracket 16 is attached to each side of frame 16. The support arms 27 of each base bracket 16 extend forward from frame 11 to the fastening elements 17, 21 with their respective upper receptacles 19a and slots 20.

[0050] Insulation can be clamped between the support structure 11 and the bracket attached or screwed to it on each side, which forms the base support 16. To do this, the insulation is placed over the support structure 11, and the respective bracket is mounted on it. This means that two identical brackets, each mounted on one side 11a of the support structure 11, can secure the insulation from both sides. This eliminates the need for a cut or recess in the insulation, preventing condensation from entering the cabin interior in the area where the cladding elements are attached.

[0051] To reduce the number of components, the A-bracket can be attached or installed on both sides of the aircraft as well as on both sides of the support element 11 or frame or bulkheads.

[0052] The brackets, i.e., the base holder 16 and the fastening elements 17, 21, are manufactured by injection molding. For easier removal, for example, of the fastening element 17 or 21 from the injection molding machine, the machine is open behind the slot 20. Preferably, the base holder 16 and / or the fastening elements 17, 21 are made of plastic or aluminum.

[0053] Finally, it shows Fig. 5 an aircraft 30 in which, on both sides of its cabin 31, fairing elements 12-15 are fastened by means of a number of the fastening systems 10 according to the invention, as indicated by the double arrow L.

[0054] The invention enables, in particular, a bracket or fastening system that is adjustable and allows for the attachment of various cabin components. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to assemble and precisely align each individual fastening element at the mounting location. Instead, the individual fastening systems can be pre-assembled and attached to the support structure, for example, at just a few holes, and then easily adjusted. The cladding elements can also be mounted and aligned quickly and easily. Moreover, only a very small number of different parts are required, which can be used on both sides of the cabin and on both sides of the respective support structure.

[0055] To ensure proper alignment during component assembly, markings, notches, or small holes are integrated into the components. When these markings align, the components are optimally pre-aligned, simplifying assembly. Later, when aligning the cladding elements, this pre-alignment can be adjusted.

[0056] The fastening system according to the invention significantly reduces the assembly time for attaching cladding elements. Furthermore, it achieves a weight reduction and saves costs. Reference symbol list:

[0057] 10 Fastening system 11 Supporting structure / Frame 11a Side of the supporting structure 12, 13 Cladding elements or side wall panels 14, 15 Cladding elements or dado panels 16 Base bracket 17, 21 Fastening elements 18 Screws 18a Slotted holes 19a, 19b Receptacle 20 Slot 22 Screws 22a Slotted holes 23, 24 Overlap area 25 Front of the fastening element 26 Window opening 27 Support arms 28 Connecting plate 29 Connecting pieces 30 Aircraft 31 Cabin 32 Positions of the fastening systems A, Adjustable vertical positions C, Adjustable horizontal position D, Side areas LA, Arrangement of fastening systems X, Horizontal direction Z, Vertical direction

Claims

1. Fastening system for fastening trim elements in an aircraft, comprising: at least one base holder (16) for fastening to a support structure (11); and at least one fastening element (17, 21), which is designed for fastening an upper trim element (12, 13) and a lower trim element (14, 15) to be arranged below said upper trim element, and which is able to be fastened to the base holder (16), wherein the fastening element (17, 21) is able to be fastened to the base holder (16) so as to be adjustable in the horizontal direction (X), and the fastening element (17, 21) comprises a first receptacle (19a), which extends in the vertical direction, for a fastening means of the upper trim element (12, 13), and a further second receptacle (19b), which extends in the vertical direction, for a fastening means of the lower trim element (14, 15), wherein the second receptacle (19b) of the fastening element (17, 21) is designed in such a manner that the position of the lower trim element (14, 15) is able to be fixed and adjusted in the vertical direction (Z) on the fastening element (17, 21), independently of the position of the upper trim element (12, 13), and the first receptacle (19a) of the fastening element (17, 21) is designed in such a manner that the position of the upper trim element (12, 13) is able to be fixed so as to be adjustable and variable in the vertical direction (Z) on the fastening element (17, 21), characterized in that the at least one fastening element comprises a first fastening element (17) and a second fastening element (21), wherein the first fastening element (17) is designed to connect to the second fastening element (21) that is to be arranged laterally, wherein the two fastening elements (17, 21) are able to be adjusted relative to one another and fixed to one another in the horizontal direction (X), wherein a) the fastening elements (17, 21), in the state fastened laterally to one another, are displaceable in pairs in the horizontal direction (X) relative to the base holder (16); and / or b) the first fastening element (17) comprises at least one elongate bore (22a) extending in the horizontal direction for mutual fastening to the second fastening element (21); and / or c) the two fastening elements (17, 21) to be arranged laterally on one another are designed to be mutually complementary in order to overlap in each case with a sub-region (23, 24) in the laterally joined state.

2. Fastening system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means is designed to be mushroom-shaped.

3. Fastening system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening element (17, 21) has at least one upwardly open slot (20) and at least one downwardly open slot (20), which extend in the vertical direction at least with a directional component, so as to insert the upper trim element (12, 13) from above and the lower trim element (14, 15) from below into the fastening element (17, 21).

4. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening element (17, 21) comprises one or a plurality of further elongate bores (18a), which extend in the horizontal direction (X), for fastening to the base holder (16).

5. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base holder (16) is designed for symmetrical fastening to two opposite sides of the support structure (11).

6. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base holder (16), conjointly with a further base holder (16), is designed to be fastened in pairs to opposite sides (11a) of the support structure (11) so as to fasten a pair of fastening elements (17, 21) to the pair of base holders (16).

7. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base holder (16) is designed as a class A bracket for permanent fixing to the support structure (11), and the fastening element (17, 21) is designed as a class B bracket for releasable fastening to the class A bracket.

8. Fastening system according to one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the fastening element (17, 21) is open on its side opposite the slot (20).

9. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fastening system is made by means of injection moulding.