RAIL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE CABIN

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a rail system for installing objects in a vehicle cabin, a vehicle cabin, and a vehicle with at least one vehicle cabin and / or a rail system. Technical background

[0002] Rails and rail systems are often used to secure objects in the cabin of a vehicle, particularly an aircraft. For example, it is common to mount passenger seats, cabin monuments, and the like on seat rails that are arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft on or within a cabin floor and equipped with suitable mounting points. The seat rails are mounted on crossbeams of a vehicle structure and often also support floor panels. These are connected to the seat rails, for example, via edge-mounted screw connections. Because the seat rails are designed with a mounting area for fixtures consisting of a first strap, a second strap spaced apart, and a web running between them, the direction of force between a floor panel screwed to the seat rail and the structure can be quite complex and non-linear.In addition to the screw connection, sealing is required at several points to prevent moisture from penetrating.

[0003] US 2020 / 398990 A1, according to the translation available at espacenet, describes a hybrid mounting rail for mounting fixtures in a vehicle cabin. It comprises a mounting rail base, first fasteners, second fasteners designed to complement the first fasteners, and a mounting rail top. The mounting rail base has a bottom and a top. The top has a receptacle extending along one of the main directions of the mounting rail base for inserting first fasteners and, on a side facing away from the bottom, a bearing surface with at least one recess. The receptacle housing is shaped to prevent the first fasteners from sliding out towards the bearing surface. The mounting rail top has a bearing surface for resting on the substrate.The mounting surface has recesses through which the second fastening elements are guided for insertion into the first fastening elements.

[0004] US 2005 / 156095 A1, according to the translation available at espacenet, describes a seat mounting rail suitable for attaching passenger seats to a floor, such as an aircraft cabin floor, and which is divided into an upper section for attaching a seat and a lower section for attaching the rail to the floor. The upper section is preferably made of a titanium alloy. The lower section is preferably made of an aluminum alloy. The two sections are joined together by a preferably metallurgical bond formed under heat and pressure. To improve the bond strength, a metal foil compatible with the metals from which the rail sections are made is used.

[0005] DE 102019 111000 A1 describes an aircraft seat mounting assembly that, due to the use of electroactive polymers, enables the compensation of tolerances and the securing of aircraft seats in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. A fixing actuator contains the electroactive polymer and can be electrically switched between a fixed state, in which no movement of the mounting area is possible, and an unfixed state, in which movement of the mounting area in the vertical direction is possible. This allows the aircraft seats to be moved continuously along the aircraft seat mounting rail. Furthermore, the locking of the aircraft seats can be fully automatic and, if necessary, centrally controlled. Individual control of the aircraft seats and / or the seating group(s) is also conceivable. Description

[0006] It is an object of the invention to propose an improved seat rail or rail system which enables the simplest possible fastening of floor panels while simultaneously allowing for flexible design and simplified sealing.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments can be found in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] A rail system according to the invention is provided for installing objects in a vehicle cabin, comprising a base rail, an installation rail, and connecting devices for connecting the base rail and the installation rail to each other in a mutually parallel orientation, wherein the base rail has a bottom surface with a fastening section for attaching the base rail to a structural component of the vehicle, and a top surface, wherein the installation rail has an installation surface on which the objects can be placed and connected to the installation rail, and wherein the rail system is designed to position the installation surface at a predetermined distance from the top surface, such that at least one lateral gap is formed between the installation rail and the top surface of the base rail for positively locking a floor panel.

[0009] The base rail serves as the structural foundation for the rail system according to the invention. It is designed to be connected to a structural component of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle structure may have several crossbeams extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle structure. The base rail can be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis and arranged on the crossbeams or other structural components. The design of the base rail can be adapted to the design of the corresponding structural component of the vehicle. It is only necessary that the base rail has a top surface that can be connected to the installation rail.

[0010] The base rail may have mounting sections spaced from its top surface, which can be connected to the vehicle's structural component via mechanical fasteners. For example, the base rail could comprise a profile cross-section that extends at least largely continuously along its main extent. The top surface could be flat and, in the installed state, preferably aligned parallel to the cabin floor. The profile cross-section may include mounting sections extending transversely, perpendicularly, or parallel to the top surface, which then extend from the top surface in a direction away from the cabin floor or run below the cabin floor at a distance from the top surface. The structural component could include a flange that is connected to a cross member as described above and connectable to the base rail.

[0011] The base rail is preferably at least partially hollow to reduce its weight. It could be made from a sheet of metal that is bent multiple times or otherwise formed. The sheet metal could also include recesses in certain areas to further reduce weight. However, the design of the base rail should always be sufficiently strong.

[0012] The mounting rail is designed to hold the corresponding objects in the vehicle cabin, i.e., to fix them in a designated position, absorb their weight and mass forces, and transfer them into the vehicle structure. The mounting rail and the base rail together form a single rail, with the principal directions of extension of the mounting rail and the base rail being identical.

[0013] Furthermore, the length of the mounting rail preferably corresponds to the length of the base rail. It is also conceivable that the base rail is divided into several segments and the mounting rail covers several of these segments. The mounting rail could likewise be divided into several segments arranged on a single base rail. However, both the base rail and the mounting rail could also be divided into individual segments, with the dividing points of the respective segments being aligned or offset from each other in the main direction of extension.

[0014] The installation surface can be used as a mounting surface onto which the objects can be placed flush. For mechanical fastening, the installation surface could be designed like a conventional seat rail and might have several openings arranged in a grid pattern, through which a fitting can be inserted into a cavity within the installation rail and clamped in place. Other variations are conceivable and could include bushings, threaded holes, and the like.

[0015] A special aspect of the rail system according to the invention lies in the formation of a lateral gap between the base rail and the installation rail, into which a floor panel can be inserted and positively locked in place. This eliminates the need for the complex production of through-holes on the edges of the floor panel as well as on the installation or base rail. The fastening of the floor panel is therefore particularly simple. Due to the continuous edge fastening, the force is not transmitted at a single point, but rather evenly across the entire surface. Furthermore, the force transmission is particularly short and direct.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting devices each have a bushing that can be coupled to the top of the base rail and connected to the installation rail. The bushing is preferably made of a metallic material and is cylindrical. It may further preferably have a collar that creates a positive fit with the installation rail. The bushing can establish a predetermined distance between the installation rail and the base rail. By selecting the appropriate axial length and a suitable fastening method for the bushing, a sufficiently strong connection between the two rails can be created. It is preferred to use several bushings arranged at a predetermined distance from each other along the longitudinal extent of the rails. The bushing has a cavity into which fastening elements can extend.The cavity could have an internal thread that corresponds to an external thread of a fastener.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the bushing is screwed or riveted to the base rail. The bushing could, for example, have an external thread at one end facing the base rail, which corresponds to an internal thread in the base rail. This would allow the bushing to be easily screwed into the base rail, leaving its cavity freely available to accommodate a fastener. Riveting the bushing to the base rail could be accomplished by appropriately crimping the end facing the base rail with a suitable device.

[0018] In In an advantageous embodiment, the installation rail has a bearing surface that can be placed on the top of the base rail, thus positioning the installation surface at the predetermined distance. The installation rail therefore comprises a surface facing away from the installation surface that can be placed on the top of the base rail. The bearing surface can be parallel to the installation surface. By placing the installation rail, a position of the installation surface is achieved that is determined by the dimensions of the installation rail. Compressive forces can be transferred from the installation rail to the base rail through direct contact between the bearing surface and the base rail. The installation rail can be fixed by positive locking and / or frictional locking.

[0019] In In an advantageous embodiment, the mounting rail has through-holes extending through the bearing surface for the insertion of connecting devices to fasten the mounting rail to the base rail. The fastening elements may include bolts and / or rivets. The through-holes could have a shoulder that forms a bore base for resting a collar of the fastening element or the like. The through-holes could also be designed to connect to fittings for fastening objects.

[0020] In In an advantageous embodiment, the installation rail has at least one lateral projection to form the at least one lateral gap. The projection could be located on a side of the installation rail facing the installation surface. The projection then encloses the floor panel together with the base rail.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one floor panel has at least one arrangement of first positive locking elements, which are designed and aligned complementarily with second positive locking elements and are arranged on a side of the installation rail and / or the base rail facing the respective floor panel. The first positive locking element can be a protrusion, a projection, a concave shape, a depression, a recess, or a similar shape feature. The second positive locking element is designed to be correspondingly complementary and therefore comprises a concave shape, a depression, a protrusion, a projection, or the like. Both positive locking elements engage with each other and secure the floor panel relative to the installation rail and / or the base rail, so that force transmission can occur in multiple directions.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the first positive locking element and the second positive locking element have toothing. This toothing could be arranged parallel or transverse to a main direction of extension of the installation rail or the base rail, respectively. The positioning of the two positive locking elements is therefore relatively free, and the floor panel can be placed on the installation rail or base rail in a more or less fine grid pattern and transmit a force transverse to the direction of toothing.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the first positive locking means and the second positive locking means have protrusions and / or indentations. The floor panel or the corresponding rail could therefore include a preferably rounded, dome-shaped, or cone-section-shaped protrusion that engages in complementarily shaped, preferably rounded or cone-section-shaped indentations. The rounding or cone-section shape could enable automatic positioning of the two positive locking means relative to each other.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the base rail has an omega-shaped profile cross-section. The base rail can be made from a formed sheet metal or as a joined component in which two legs of the profile cross-section extend from the top and enclose a gap between them. This results in a high area moment of inertia, giving the base rail high stability while keeping its weight low. The legs can be used for fastening to the structural component.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the base rail is made of a metallic material or a plastic. It may be advantageous to manufacture the base rail from an aluminum alloy, titanium, a carbon fiber reinforced plastic, or a similar material to ensure low weight with high stability.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, an interface between the installation rail and the at least one floor panel is sealed to be liquid-tight. A separate seal beneath the floor panel is not required.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the mounting rail has several openings for connecting the objects. These mounting openings can be formed in sockets, as described above. If the mounting rail includes through-holes, sockets could also be arranged there to accommodate appropriate connecting elements.

[0028] The invention further relates to a cabin for a vehicle, comprising at least one object, in particular a seat or a cabin monument, and at least one rail system according to the preceding description for fastening the at least one object in the cabin.

[0029] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular an aircraft, comprising at least one cabin as described above and / or at least one rail system according to the preceding description. Brief description of the characters

[0030] The following section describes exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrations are schematic and not to scale. Identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements. The drawings show: Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a rail system. Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the rail system with a modified connecting device. Fig. 3 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the rail system. Fig. 4 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a rail system for a better technical understanding of the claimed invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the rail system made of Fig. 4 Fig. 6 shows a schematic top view, sectional view and detail view of the rail system. Fig. 4 and 5 Fig. 7 shows a schematic top view, sectional view and detail view of the rail system. Fig. 4 and 5 with modified mounting rail. Fig. 8 an airplane. Detailed description of implementation examples

[0031] Fig. 1 Figure 2 shows a rail system for installing objects in a vehicle cabin. The view in Fig. 1 is a sectional view perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the rail system 2 or the vehicle cabin.

[0032] In the exemplary embodiment, a base rail 4 is shown, which has a top surface 6 and a bottom surface 8. The bottom surface 8 rests, for example, on a floor support 10, which is a structural component of the vehicle intended for supporting a floor, and includes a fastening section 11. In The base rail 4 is connected to the floor support 10 via a flange or tab 12 and a connecting bolt 14. It is understood that the base rail 4 is connected to several floor supports 10, which are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, for example, along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The base rail 4 has an omega-shaped profile comprising two spaced-apart legs 16 that enclose a gap 18. On one side of each leg 16 facing away from the top surface 6, a collar 20 is arranged, running parallel to the top surface 6.

[0033] An installation rail 22 is arranged at a distance from the top surface 6 and is supported there by connecting devices 24. The installation rail 22 has, by way of example, a flat, strip-like structure whose width corresponds approximately to the width of the top surface 6 of the base rail 4. An installation surface 23 of the installation rail 22, projecting into the cabin and used for fastening, and the top surface 6 of the base rail 4 are, by way of example, aligned parallel to each other. The connecting devices 24 are designed as cylindrical bushings with a sleeve that has a circumferential collar 26 and a cavity 28. Fig. 1 The cylindrical bushing 24 is, for example, screwed to the top 6 of the base rail 4 by means of a nut 30, such that the collar 26 is positioned at a fixed distance from the top 6. The installation rail 22 is in surface contact with the collar 26. This creates a lateral gap 32 between the top 6 and the installation rail 22, which is used for the positive locking of a floor panel 34.

[0034] The connecting devices 24 could be materially bonded to the installation rail 22, so that the installation rail 22 transfers loads directly via the connecting devices 24 into the base rail 4 and thus into the vehicle structure. The thickness of the installation rail 22 is, for example, less than the thickness of the floor panels 34.

[0035] On the upper side of the floor panels 34, first positive locking elements 36 are arranged in the form of protrusions, which are complementary to second positive locking elements 38 on the underside of the installation rail 22. This improves the fastening of the floor panel 34. It is understood that the positive locking elements 36 and 38 are arranged either as point connections in a grid along the installation rail 22 or extend continuously along the installation rail 22. If they are point connections, a positive locking connection can also be achieved in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the installation rail 22.

[0036] By arranging the floor panel 34 in the lateral space 32 and by using the positive locking means 36 and 38, a particularly short and direct force transmission 40 is caused between the floor panel 34 and the structure in the form of the rail system 2 and the floor support 10.

[0037] In one embodiment, a sealing arrangement 42 is provided in the lateral gap 32, which seals the floor panel 34 against the rail system 2. This prevents liquids and dirt that get onto the floor panel 34 from entering the lateral gap 32. The sealing arrangement 42 could have an elongated seal with a suitable profile that corresponds to a longitudinal edge of the floor panel 34 and in which the floor panel 34 is arranged.

[0038] Fig. 2 Figure 24 shows a slight modification of the rail system 2. Here, the connecting device 24 is also designed as a bushing, which has an external thread 46 at its lower end 44 that is screwed into a correspondingly shaped internal thread 48 in the base rail 4. This eliminates the need for a separate fastening element and allows for a positive reduction in the weight of the rail system 2. The external thread 46 can be adapted so that the connecting device 24 achieves a predetermined screw-in depth, precisely positioning the collar 26.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows the exemplary embodiment from Fig. 2 In a three-dimensional representation, the omega-shaped structure of the base rail 4 is clearly visible. For clarity, the installation rail 22 is only indicated here, although its strip-like structure is recognizable. Furthermore, the fastening section 11 of the base rail 4 is not shown, but corresponds to that of the previous figures. The base rail 4 can preferably be made of sheet metal or another formed, originally planar material, for example, a fiber-reinforced plastic. Rounded edges between individual planar sections of the base rail 4 result in a harmonious, uniform force distribution. The cavity 28 of the bushings 24 is used for fastening objects; for this purpose, an internal thread could be arranged in the cavity 28 (not shown).

[0040] An embodiment illustrated for a better technical understanding of the claimed invention is shown in Fig. 4 bis 6 shown with a rail system 50 which also includes the base rail 4, but a modified installation rail 52. Fig. 4 shows the rail system 50 from a spatial perspective, in Fig. 5 as a section view and in Fig. 6 as a section view, top view, and detail view. In Fig. 4 and 6 The fastening section 11 of the base rail 4 is not shown, but corresponds to the one shown in the Fig. 1 und 2 .

[0041] In this example, the installation rail 52 is significantly thicker than in the previous figures. Its thickness exceeds that of the floor panel 34. The installation rail 52 has a bearing surface 54 that can be placed directly onto the top surface 6 of the base rail 4. An installation surface 56 projects beyond the floor panels 34 at a predetermined distance from the top surface 6 of the base rail. For fastening the installation rail 52, it has a series of through holes 58 that extend completely through the rail and each has a shoulder 60. Connecting devices 62 in the form of bolts extend through the through holes 58 and rest on the respective shoulder 60. Nuts 64 are provided to secure the bolts 62; these nuts are located on the side of the base rail 4 facing away from the respective bolt 62.Between successive through holes 58, receiving holes 66 are provided for receiving fasteners for objects that can be placed on the installation surface 56. The receiving holes 66 could have internal threads, detent surfaces, or other features suitable for forming a positive and / or force-fit connection.

[0042] A lateral projection 68 on the mounting rail 52 creates the lateral gap 32 in which the floor panel 34 can be positively locked in place. The mounting rail 52 can have such a projection 68 on both lateral sides. Preferably, the mounting rail 52 is axially symmetrical. The through holes 58 and the receiving holes 66 can be arranged in a specific grid pattern, such that the holes 58 and 66 are equidistant from each other. The grid could, for example, be an inch grid, so that the holes 58 and 66 are spaced 1 or 2 inches (2.54–5.08 cm) apart. It is also conceivable that the through holes 58, in an upper section facing the mounting surface 56, could be equipped with an internal thread or the like, analogous to the receiving holes 66, to allow objects to be attached to them.

[0043] The rail system 50 can also include a sealing arrangement 69, which can be designed similarly to the sealing arrangement 42. The sealing arrangement 69 could have projections 70 and recesses 72 that can be positively connected to one another and improve the seal between the floor panel 34 and the base rail 4 or the supporting structure. The projections 70 and recesses 72 can preferably be arranged continuously along the longitudinal extent of the installation rail 52.

[0044] Fig. 6 For better technical understanding, the figure shows a sectional view, a top view of the installation surface 56, and a detail view. The latter shows that the floor panel 34 has a first positive locking element 74 in the form of a first interlocking tooth pointing towards the installation surface 56, and the installation rail 52 has a second positive locking element 76 in the form of a second interlocking tooth pointing towards the floor panel 34. The interlocking teeth are formed parallel to the longitudinal extent of the installation rail 52.

[0045] Fig. 7 For better technical understanding, another sectional view of the rail system 50 is shown, in which a modified version of an installation rail 78 is depicted. Instead of separately arranged through holes 58 and receiving holes 66, this rail has a profile structure similar to that of a common seat rail, for example, based on a Douglas fir rail. Here, a cavity 80 is provided, which is open to the outside through an elongated slot 82 intersected by openings 84. The openings 84 can lead, at least partially, to a through hole 58, allowing connecting devices 62 to be inserted or screwed through to fasten the installation rail 78 and connected to the base rail 4. First positive locking elements 74 and second positive locking elements 76 are provided here, enabling an improved connection between the floor panels 34 and the installation rail 78.For the sake of clarity, the fastening section 11 of the base rail 4 is also not shown in this illustration.

[0046] Finally, it shows Fig. 8 An aircraft 86 with a cabin 88 installed therein, in which a cabin floor is arranged. This floor can have a rail system 2 or 50 as described above, so that, for example, passenger seats and / or cabin monuments can be supported by it. The cabin floor has floor panels 34 which are supported by the rail system 2 or 50.

[0047] It should also be noted that "comprehensive" or "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as limitations. Reference symbol list

[0048] 2 Rail system 4 Base rail 6 Top 8 Bottom 10 Floor support 11 Mounting section 12 Tab / Flange 14 Connecting bolt 16 Leg 18 Gap 20 Collar 22 Installation rail 23 Installation surface 24 Connecting device 26 Collar 28 Cavity 30 Nut 32 Lateral gap 34 Floor panel 36 First positive locking device 38 Second positive locking device 40 Force transmission 42 Sealing arrangement 44 Lower end 46 External thread 48 Internal thread 50 Rail system 52 Installation rail 54 Bearing surface 56 Installation surface 58 Through hole 60 Recess 62 Connecting device 64 Nut 66 Receiving hole 68 Lateral projection 69 Sealing arrangement 70 Projection 72 Recess 74 first positive locking device 76 second positive locking device 78 installation rail 80 cavity 82 slot 84 opening 86 aircraft 88 cabin

Claims

1. A rail system (2) for installing objects in a cabin (88) of a vehicle (86), comprising: a base rail (4), an installation rail (22), and connecting devices (24) for connecting the base rail (4) and the installation rail (22) to one another in a mutually parallel alignment, wherein the base rail (4) comprises a bottom surface (8) with a fastening portion (11) for fastening the base rail (4) to a structural component (10) of the vehicle (86), as well as a top surface (6), wherein the installation rail (22) comprises a installation surface (23) onto which the objects can be placed and connected to the installation rail (22), wherein the rail system (2) is configured to position the installation surface (23) at a predetermined distance from the top surface (6) such that at least one lateral gap (32) is formed between the installation rail (22) and the top surface (6) of the base rail (4) is formed for the positive retention of a floor panel (34); and wherein the connecting devices (24) each comprise a bushing coupled to the top surface (6) of the base rail (4) and connected to the installation rail (22); wherein the bushings comprise a housing having a circumferential flange (26) and a cavity (28); and wherein the cavity (28) of the bushings (24) is usable for securing objects.

2. Rail system (2) according to claim 1, wherein the bushing is screwed or riveted to the base rail (4).

3. Rail system (2) according to claim 1, wherein the installation rail (22) has a contact surface that can be placed on the top surface (6) of the base rail (4) so that the installation surface (23) is positioned at the predetermined distance.

4. Rail system (2) according to claim 3, wherein the installation rail (22) comprises through holes extending through the contact surface for passing connecting devices (24) for securing the installation rail (22) to the base rail (4).

5. Rail system (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the installation rail (22) comprises at least one lateral projection for forming the at least one lateral gap (32).

6. Rail system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one floor panel (34); wherein the at least one floor panel (34) comprises at least one arrangement of first interlocking means (36) configured complementarily to and aligned with second interlocking means (38), which are arranged on a side of the installation rail (22) and / or the base rail (4) facing the respective floor panel (34).

7. Rail system (2) according to claim 6, wherein the first form-fitting means (36) and the second form-fitting means (38) comprise interlocking teeth.

8. Rail system (2) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first form-fitting means (36) and the second form-fitting means (38) have protrusions and / or recesses.

9. Rail system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base rail (4) has an omega-shaped cross-sectional profile.

10. Rail system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base rail (4) is made of a metallic material or a plastic.

11. Rail system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a sealing arrangement (42) is provided in the lateral gap (32) to seal the floor panel (34) against the rail system (2).

12. Rail system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the installation rail (22) has a plurality of openings for connecting the objects.

13. A cabin (88) for a vehicle (86), comprising at least one object, in particular a seat or a cabin fixture, and at least one rail system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims for securing the at least one object in the cabin (88).

14. Vehicle (86), in particular an aircraft (86), comprising at least one cabin (88) according to claim 14 and / or at least one rail system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.