OVERHEAD CABIN INTERIOR FOR AN AIRCRAFT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an overhead cabin interior for an aircraft, comprising: an overhead luggage compartment for a piece of luggage, a ventilation device comprising a housing, an air inlet, an air duct and an air outlet, a lighting device comprising lighting elements, wherein the ventilation device and the lighting device are each arranged above the overhead luggage compartment.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to an aircraft with at least one overhead cabin configuration.

[0003] Such an overhead storage compartment is known from DE 10 2019 008 403 A1, which is installed in the passenger area of ​​an aircraft cabin above a seating area. The storage compartment has a storage compartment housing and a flap for closing the housing. Furthermore, a ventilation system is provided for supplying and distributing fresh air in the passenger area of ​​the cabin. The ventilation system has air outlets connected to air ducts. The air outlets are located above the storage compartment. Finally, a lighting device for illuminating the cabin, in particular the aisle area, is mounted above the storage compartment. The lighting device can be designed as an OLED strip, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is mounted at a distance from the air outlet in the direction of the aisle area.The storage compartment module features a translucent lighting section, which serves to ensure light enters the storage compartment through the lighting device when it is open. Furthermore, this patent application generally mentions that the lighting device can form part of the air outlet and / or define an airflow path. However, no practically implementable embodiment with which such integration could be achieved is disclosed. If, on the other hand, the air outlets and the lighting device are to be mounted one above the other, the problem arises that the installation space above the overhead storage compartment is limited. This can result in functional impairments and high installation and maintenance costs. Another problem is the heat generation of such lighting devices.

[0004] DE 10 2007 019 538 A1 discloses an air guide element for an aircraft air conditioning system. The air guide element has a perforated aperture with a plurality of struts to straighten the airflow.

[0005] US 7,527,402 B2 shows a different type of reading light and "Personal Air Outlet" unit, which is, however, fundamentally different from lighting and ventilation devices located above overhead luggage compartments.

[0006] The general state of the art is further illustrated by US 2020148367 A1, EP 2484588 A1, US 2011256821 A1 and US 2012074258 A1.

[0007] The object of the invention is to alleviate or eliminate at least some disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide an overhead cabin configuration with which the lighting and ventilation equipment can be arranged above the overhead luggage compartment in a space-saving manner. Furthermore, the thermal management is preferably to be improved and the installation effort reduced.

[0008] The problem is solved by an overhead cabin configuration with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, the overhead cabin equipment has a support at the air outlet of the ventilation device on which lighting elements are arranged.

[0010] Thus, the support structure with the lighting elements is positioned at the air outlet, allowing the air flowing from the air intake through the air duct to the air outlet to be discharged past the lighting elements into the aircraft cabin. Since the support structure overlaps the air outlet vertically, and is positioned at essentially the same height, a particularly flat design for the lighting and ventilation unit can be achieved, making optimal use of the limited installation space above the overhead baggage compartment. Furthermore, positioning the lighting elements at the level of the air outlet allows the heat emitted by the lighting elements to be effectively absorbed by the airflow. This improved heat dissipation via the airflow enables a material- and weight-saving design.Preferably, the support bracket is attached to the housing of the ventilation unit. This allows the lighting unit to be integrated into the ventilation unit in a convenient manner. Advantageously, this reduces installation and maintenance effort. It is particularly advantageous if the support bracket is mounted between two housing walls that define the air duct, especially an upper and a lower housing wall.

[0011] For the purposes of this disclosure, location and direction terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "top", and "bottom" refer to the intended installation state of the overhead luggage compartment in an aircraft cabin with the aircraft horizontally oriented. "Front" refers to the side of the overhead luggage compartment facing the user, which is preferably arranged laterally alongside an aisle in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the overhead cabin equipment, the support structure leaves a plurality, preferably a large number, of air outlet openings of the air outlet free, with more than 10, for example more than 20 air outlet openings being provided. Thus, the air can exit the air outlet through the air outlet openings essentially unimpeded. Advantageously, backflow of air can be avoided. The air passes through the air outlet openings of the support structure, which is arranged at the air outlet, and in particular, integrated into the air outlet. The lighting elements on the support structure are cooled as the air flows through the air outlet openings.

[0013] LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), especially WRGB LEDs (White, Red, Green, Blue), are the preferred lighting elements. A major advantage of LEDs is their lower heat generation compared to other light sources. Furthermore, LEDs are more energy-efficient. Heat dissipation via the airflow from the air outlet increases the lifespan and operational reliability of the lighting system.

[0014] Due to heat dissipation via the airflow at the air outlet, the support does not need to be made of a solid material such as aluminum. In a preferred embodiment, the support can therefore be made of a lightweight material, in particular glass fiber reinforced plastic, or be manufactured from this lightweight material.

[0015] Preferably, the front of the support, i.e., the side of the support facing away from the air inlet, is arranged essentially flush with a front of the housing that defines the air outlet. This flush arrangement allows for optimal space utilization and improves heat dissipation. Preferably, the support is connected on its upper side to the inside of an upper housing wall and on its lower side to the inside of a lower housing wall of the ventilation device.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the support is designed as a lattice structure, in particular with longitudinal and / or transverse and / or diagonal support elements. A regular lattice structure is preferred. This design ensures uniform lighting and ventilation of the aircraft cabin. Depending on the embodiment, longitudinal support elements extending along the length of the air outlet and / or transverse support elements extending vertically and / or diagonal support elements extending at an angle other than 0° and 90° to the length of the air outlet, for example at an angle of substantially 45°, are provided, to which the lighting elements are attached. Preferably, several rows of lighting elements are provided, arranged in different vertical planes of the lattice structure.Each row can have several, in particular many, for example more than 5, preferably more than 10, lighting elements, especially LEDs.

[0017] The lighting elements on the support are preferably connected to a power supply via conductors, in particular via conductive tracks. Preferably, the conductors extend along longitudinal and / or transverse and / or diagonal support elements of the lattice structure.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the lighting elements are arranged at the intersections of longitudinal and / or transverse beams and / or diagonal beam elements, particularly at the intersections of diagonal beam elements. This results in a particularly favorable airflow around the elements. Furthermore, the airflow at the air outlet can be homogenized.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the air outlet of the overhead cabin equipment has a longitudinal extent several times greater than its vertical extent, with the support, in particular the grid structure, being elongated in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the air outlet. In this embodiment, the ventilation device can have a flat housing arranged in a horizontal position. The air outlet of the flat housing is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. The length of the air outlet (i.e., its horizontal extent in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft) can be, for example, at least five times, and in particular at least ten times, greater than the height of the air outlet (i.e., its vertical extent). This allows for optimal use of the available space above the overhead baggage compartment.Furthermore, the support can preferably extend substantially over the entire length of the air outlet, allowing a large number of lighting elements to be arranged on the support to ensure optimal illumination, particularly in the ceiling area of ​​the aircraft cabin.

[0020] Preferably, the housing of the ventilation device widens in plan view from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air inlet can be designed as an air inlet nozzle with a preferably substantially cylindrical cross-section to allow connection to a ventilation system, in particular an aircraft air conditioning system. The ventilation system can be an aircraft air conditioning system. The air inlet nozzle can be designed as a separate component from the housing to allow for easy replacement or simple connection to the ventilation system. The air inlet can be arranged, in particular, centrally with respect to the longitudinal extent of the air outlet. The widening design of the housing from the air inlet to the air outlet ensures that air flows out along the entire length of the overhead luggage compartment.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the overhead cabin equipment includes a device for equalizing the airflow along the air outlet. This device ensures that the airflow exits substantially uniformly across the cross-section of the air outlet. The device also allows the air to be distributed laterally. To achieve this, the device can modify the flow resistance so that the air exits uniformly through the air outlet.

[0022] In a first embodiment, the device for equalizing the airflow along the air outlet features a recess in the ventilation housing in a central longitudinal section opposite the end longitudinal sections, in order to ensure a uniform exit of air from the air outlet. This ensures that air is released not only in the central longitudinal section opposite the air inlet, but also at the end longitudinal sections. The recess forms a cross-sectional narrowing of the flow channel. In particular, the recess has rounded edges to prevent disruptive noise.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the recesses widen towards the air outlet. The recess is preferably shaped to match the upper or lower housing wall. Thus, the recess can, for example, be essentially triangular in plan view, preferably with rounded corners. In this way, the air can be distributed evenly across the cross-section of the air outlet. The uniform airflow allows heat to be dissipated from all lighting elements.

[0024] In a second design variant, the device for equalizing the airflow has at least one air guide rib within the air duct. The air guide rib allows the airflow to be effectively directed or redirected. This variant is particularly suitable for housing designs with an upper and a lower half-shell, which can be made of foam.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the overhead luggage compartment comprises a compartment housing enclosing a receiving area for luggage and a flap that can be pivoted from a closed to an open position. The flap is attached to the compartment housing (which remains stationary during pivoting). Preferably, the flap is mounted to the compartment housing via a hinge arrangement with a pivot arm. The pivot arm preferably has a length such that a gap is formed between the upper surface of a top section of the compartment housing and an upper edge of the flap (relative to the closed position). This allows light and air from the lighting and ventilation system to be released into the aircraft cabin not only when the flap is closed but also when it is open. The gap is preferably at least as high as the air outlet.

[0026] In a second embodiment, the overhead luggage compartment has a chute for inserting luggage, wherein the chute can be lowered from a closed to an open position relative to a housing that remains stationary during this time.

[0027] The present invention is explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the drawings.

[0028] Fig. 1A and 1B Figure 1 shows an overhead cabin equipment according to the invention with an overhead luggage compartment and an integrated ventilation and lighting device in a perspective view or in a side view, wherein a flap of the overhead luggage compartment is shown in a closed position.

[0029] Fig. 1C shows the overhead cabin equipment according to Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B in an open position of the flap.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the ventilation system of the overhead cabin equipment of the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B according to a first embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 3A bis 3C show a second embodiment of the ventilation device of the overhead cabin equipment according to the invention. Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B .

[0032] Fig. 1A and 1B Figure 1 shows an overhead cabin configuration 1 for an aircraft, indicated by the cross-section of an aircraft fuselage 2. The overhead cabin configuration 1 includes an overhead luggage compartment 3 with a fixed luggage compartment housing 3A and at least one (here two) opening position (see Figure 2). Fig. 1A ) hinged door or flap(s) 3B. This type of overhead luggage compartment is also referred to as a "shelf bin". Another design of the overhead luggage compartment (so-called "pivot bin") has a chute that can be lowered from a closed to an open position relative to a housing. The invention is explained below by way of example using a "shelf bin". The luggage compartment housing 3A encloses a receiving space 3C in which luggage can be stored. In addition, the overhead cabin equipment 1 has a ventilation device 4 with a housing 5, an air inlet 6, an air guide duct 7 and an air outlet 8 extending longitudinally in the direction of the aircraft cabin. In the embodiment shown, the air inlet 6 is designed as an air inlet nozzle into which air is supplied in the direction of arrow 6A (see Figure 1). Fig. 2 The ventilation unit 4 is located on the upper part of the overhead baggage compartment 4. The air then flows along the air duct 7 from the air inlet 6 to the air outlet 8. Finally, the air is discharged into the aircraft cabin above the overhead baggage compartment 3 via the air outlet 8 in the direction of arrow 6B. Depending on the configuration, several overhead cabin configurations 1 can be arranged consecutively along the length of the aircraft. Furthermore, the overhead cabin configuration 1 includes a lighting unit 9 with lighting elements 10 for emitting light towards a ceiling area of ​​the aircraft cabin. The ventilation unit 4 and the lighting unit 9 are located above the overhead baggage compartment 3.

[0033] According to the invention, a support 11 extends along the air outlet 8 on the front of the ventilation device 4 facing the aircraft cabin, and the lighting elements 10 of the lighting device 9 are arranged on this support. The flap 3B of the overhead luggage compartment 3 is mounted on the luggage compartment housing 3A via a pivot arm 19 such that, in the open position of the flap 3B (not shown), a gap is formed between the upper surface of the upper part of the luggage compartment housing 3A and the upper edge of the flap 3B (relative to the closed position), through which light can be emitted into the aircraft cabin even when the flap 3B is open. In the illustrated embodiment, a ceiling panel 20 is also provided, which is cut out in the area of ​​the air outlet 8 to allow air and light to escape.

[0034] Furthermore, a power supply unit 12 for supplying power to the lighting elements 10 can be arranged on the ventilation device 4 (see Fig. 2 Preferably, the power supply 12 is arranged on the outside of the housing 5. A line 12a runs from the power supply 12 to the support 11 to supply power to the lighting elements 10.

[0035] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the ventilation device 4, which can, for example, be manufactured using a sandwich construction. The support 11 leaves a plurality, in particular a multiplicity, of air outlet openings 13 free on the front of the ventilation device 4, so that air can flow past the lighting elements 10 and out through the air outlet 8. The support 11 is arranged essentially flush with a front face of the housing 5 that defines the air outlet 8, on the front face facing away from the air inlet 6. In the embodiment shown, the support 11 is a grid structure 11a with intersecting diagonal support elements 11b. The lighting elements 10 are arranged at the intersections of the diagonal support elements 11b in the embodiment shown.

[0036] To optimally utilize the space occupied by the ventilation device 4 above the overhead luggage compartment 3, the air outlet 8 has a greater longitudinal than vertical extent. Preferably, the air outlet is substantially rectangular. The support 11 extends substantially over the entire length and height of the air outlet 8.

[0037] The housing 5 of the ventilation device 4 widens from the air inlet 6 to the air outlet 8 to ensure a uniform distribution of air along the air outlet 8. A device 14 is provided to equalize the airflow along the air outlet 8. The device 14 can be formed by a recess 15 in the ventilation housing 5, which widens towards the air outlet 8.

[0038] At the in Fig. 2 In the illustrated embodiment, air enters the ventilation unit 4 through the air inlet 6. The air is then transported to the air outlet 8 via the air duct 7. In this embodiment, the air inlet 6 is positioned essentially centrally with respect to the longitudinal extent of the air outlet 8. The device 14 distributes the airflow entering the air duct 7 from the center of the air inlet 6 essentially uniformly across the cross-section of the air duct 7. The recess 15 has the basic shape of the ventilation unit 4. The recess 15 widens towards the air outlet 8, preferably in the ratio of air outlet 8 to air inlet 6. Advantageously, the recess 15 can be formed during the manufacturing of the housing 5 of the ventilation unit 4.The edges of the recess 15 are preferably rounded to ensure good airflow and to prevent disruptive noises caused by the airflow striking a sharp edge. Furthermore, the recess 15 forms a cross-sectional taper, which guarantees a uniform opening at the air outlet.

[0039] The airflow can exit the air outlet 8 evenly through the air outlet openings 13 of the grid structure 11a. As it exits the air outlet 8, the air flows past the lighting elements 10 of the lighting device 9. Due to the arrangement of the lighting elements 10 at the intersection points of the diagonal support elements 11b of the grid structure 11a, the lighting elements 10, in the illustrated embodiment LED spots, in particular WRGB LED spots 10a, are surrounded by airflow from all sides, thus dissipating the heat from the lighting elements 10. The lighting elements 10 are supplied with power via conductor tracks (not shown) along the grid structure 11a. Conventional commercial aircraft are operated with an alternating current (AC) power supply. In this case, the power supply unit 12 converts the supplied AC current into direct current (DC) and supplies it to the conductor tracks (not shown) of the grid structure 11a via a conductor 12a.

[0040] Fig. 3A bis 3C show an embodiment of the ventilation device 4, which can, for example, be manufactured in a half-shell construction. Fig 3A shows an upper half-shell 17 of the housing 5 of the ventilation device 4. Fig. 3B shows a lower half-shell 18 of the case 5 and Fig. 3C shows a sectional view of the joined half-shells 17 and 18 made of Fig 3A und Fig 3B The half-shells have air guide ribs 16 within the air duct 7, which in this embodiment function as a device 14 for smoothing the airflow along the air outlet 8. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, four air guide ribs 16 are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the air guide ribs 16 are each composed of an upper half-part 16A and a lower half-part 16B. When connecting the upper 17 with the lower half-shell 18, the upper 16A are connected to the lower half-parts 16B, in particular by bonding, to form the air guide ribs 16. Furthermore, plug connections can be designed, in particular as positioning aids for joining, on the upper 16A and the lower half-parts 16B of the air guide ribs 16. Furthermore, in Figur 3BThe line 12a to the power supply unit 12 (not shown here) is shown schematically. The air guide ribs 16 of the device 14 serve to even out the airflow. By means of the air guide ribs 16, the air can be directed along the air guide duct 7 so that the air exits essentially uniformly along the air outlet 8. Reference number list:

[0041] 1 Overhead cabin equipment 2 Aircraft fuselage 3 Overhead baggage compartment 3A Baggage compartment housing 3B Flap 4 Ventilation device 5 Housing 6 Air inlet 6A Arrow direction 6B Arrow direction 7 Air duct 8 Air outlet 9 Lighting device 10 Lighting elements 10a WRGB LED spots 11 Support 11a Grid structure 11b Diagonal support elements 12 Power supply 12a Cable 13 Air outlet openings 14 Fitting 15 Recess 16 Air guide rib 16a Upper half 16B Lower half 17 Upper half 18 Lower half 19 Swivel arm 20 Ceiling panel

Claims

1. Overhead cabin equipment (1) for an aircraft, comprising: an overhead luggage compartment (3) for a piece of luggage, a ventilation device (4) with a housing (5), an air inlet (6), an air duct (7) and an air outlet (8), a lighting device (9) with lighting elements (10), wherein the ventilation device (4) and the lighting device (9) are each arranged above the overhead luggage compartment (3), characterized in that a support (11) is provided at the air outlet (8) of the ventilation device (4), on which the lighting elements (10) are arranged.

2. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (11) leaves a plurality, in particular a multitude, of air outlet openings (13) of the air outlet (8) free, through which the air can flow out of the air outlet (8) past the lighting elements (10).

3. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the support (11) is arranged on the side facing away from the air inlet (6) essentially flush with a front side of the housing (5) delimiting the air outlet (8).

4. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a grid structure (11a), in particular with longitudinal and / or transverse and / or diagonal support elements (11b), is provided as the support (11).

5. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lighting elements (10) are arranged at crossing points of the longitudinal and / or transverse and / or diagonal support elements (11b).

6. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the air outlet (8) comprises a longitudinal extension which is several times greater than the vertical extension, the support (11), in particular the grid structure, being elongated in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the air outlet (8).

7. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the support (11) extends essentially over the entire longitudinal extension of the air outlet (8).

8. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the housing (5) of the ventilation device (4) expands from the air inlet (6) to the air outlet (8).

9. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a setup (14) for homogenizing the air flow along the air outlet (8) is provided.

10. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the setup (14) for homogenizing the air flow along the air outlet (8) comprises a recess (15) of the ventilation housing (5) in a central longitudinal section opposite a front and a rear longitudinal section.

11. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the recess (15) widens towards the air outlet (8).

12. Overhead cabin equipment (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the setup (14) comprises at least one air guiding rib (16) within the air duct (7).

13. Aircraft with at least one overhead cabin equipment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.