DOUBLE DOOR MODULE FOR AIRCRAFT SEATS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a double door module for aircraft seats.

[0002] Business Class aircraft seats offer passengers a variety of comfort positions, from a "sitting" position to a "lying" position in which the seat provides a substantially horizontal sleeping surface for the passenger.

[0003] Intermediate comfort positions are also offered, such as the "relax" position in which the backrest is strongly inclined. Generally, these positions are obtained by tilting the backrest, pivoting around a horizontal axis. The passenger can then remain on the seat during transitions between the different positions. The bed generally consists of the backrest, the seat, a legrest and a footrest, the latter of which can be fixed or linked to the kinematics of the seat.

[0004] WO2015 / 155687 describes a seating unit comprising two seats arranged opposite each other. Each seat may be arranged such that it is substantially laterally aligned with the other seat. A center console positioned between the seats has a transverse dividing wall. Furthermore, the center console has two foot areas open in two directions opposite each other. Each foot area is respectively associated with a corresponding seat opposite which the opening of the foot area is located.

[0005] Such an arrangement allows direct access to a circulation aisle for all passengers. Therefore, when a passenger or flight attendant walks along a circulation aisle located laterally relative to the seat, they are likely to be in direct visual contact with a passenger seated in a seat. Such a situation creates a lack of privacy, which can cause a feeling of discomfort for the seated passenger.

[0006] Document WO 2018 / 093825 A1 describes a double-door module for aircraft seats.

[0007] The invention aims to effectively remedy this drawback by proposing a double-door module for aircraft seats, according to claim 1.

[0008] The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the use of the two doors integrated in the module, to define an enclosed interior space around each seat of the seating unit, providing a feeling of privacy to the passenger by preventing them from being in direct view of other passengers and / or flight crew walking in the traffic aisle. In addition, the invention allows the production of a compact double-door module with high operational reliability and easy handling. The locking system makes it possible to secure the use of the module by preventing it from closing during the stopping, takeoff, and landing phases of the aircraft, as well as in emergency phases. The locking system also makes it possible to keep the doors open during an evacuation: the passenger or crew can slide the door until the locking system blocks the door, even in the event of a power failure to the actuators.

[0009] According to one embodiment, said double door module further comprises a device for controlling the movement of the first door and / or the second door from one position to another.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a casing containing the control system is separate from a housing containing the first door and the second door.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the control system casing is arranged in the lower part of the double door module.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the housing containing the first door and the second door has a thickness of between 5 and 10 cm and is approximately 7.5 cm.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the electromagnetic actuator is of the type normally in the inactive position to allow locking of the door in the stored position when the electromagnetic actuator is not powered.

[0014] According to one embodiment, an elastic member for returning the electromagnetic actuator to the inactive position.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the locking and unlocking device comprises, for each door, a first electromagnetic actuator intended to be controlled by a passenger and a second electromagnetic actuator intended to be controlled by a member of the on-board staff.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a first locking housing and a second locking housing associated respectively with the first electromagnetic actuator and the second electromagnetic actuator have different geometries.

[0017] According to one embodiment, said double door module comprises a button for actuating the movement of a corresponding door.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the movement control device comprises at least one deployment actuator and a device for transmitting movement from the deployment actuator to a corresponding door.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the deployment actuator is a gas cylinder.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the motion transmission device is a belt and pulley device.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the control system includes visual system status indicators.

[0022] According to one embodiment, a control system housing incorporates a step.

[0023] The invention also relates to a seating unit characterized in that it comprises a double-door module as previously defined.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the seat unit comprises two seats arranged opposite each other, each seat being arranged such that it is substantially aligned laterally with the other seat, and a central console positioned between the seats, said double-door module being arranged along one side of the central console.

[0025] The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view of a seating unit according to the present invention; [ Fig. 2a And 2b] are perspective views of a double-door module according to the invention comprising doors respectively in the stored position and in the deployed position; [ Fig. 3 ] is a perspective view of a double door module according to the present invention; [ Fig. 4 ] is a side view of a double door module according to the present invention; [ Fig. 5 ] is a front view of the double door module according to the invention without the control system cover; [ Fig. 6 ] is a front view of the double door module according to the invention without the control system cover; [ Fig. 7 ] is a bottom view of the double-door module according to the invention showing the locking housings of the electromagnetic actuators associated with one of the doors of said module.

[0026] It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0027] There figure 1 shows a seating unit 10 comprising two seats 11, in which the seats 11 are arranged facing each other. Advantageously, a seat 11 is capable of moving between a "seated" position, corresponding to the position used in particular during the stopping, takeoff, and landing phases of the aircraft, and a "sleeper" position, in which the seat 11 defines a substantially horizontal sleeping surface for the passenger. In particular, the "seated" position and the "sleeper" position constitute configurations of the seat 11 in two extreme positions. According to alternative embodiments, the seat 11 may also take intermediate positions, called relax positions, between these two extreme positions.

[0028] Each seat 11 may be arranged such that it is substantially laterally aligned with the other seat 11 relative to a longitudinal axis Y of the seating unit 10.

[0029] A central console 12 positioned between the seats 11 comprises a transverse dividing wall 14. The dividing wall 14 advantageously comprises a location for mounting screens, electronic devices, storage compartments.

[0030] Furthermore, the central console 12 comprises two foot areas 15 open in two opposite directions relative to each other. Each foot area is respectively associated with a corresponding seat 11 opposite which the opening of the foot area 15 is located.

[0031] A foot zone 15 is located in the extension of the corresponding seat 11 when the latter is in the reclined position. The foot zones 15 are at least partially superimposed along the longitudinal axis Y.

[0032] The foot zones 15 are each delimited by a base 16, the bases 16 being connected to each other by a common wall 17. The common wall 17 is advantageously inclined relative to the longitudinal axis Y.

[0033] In addition, the foot areas 15 also each have a flat upper wall 18 on which the passenger in the opposite seat 11 may, in particular, place objects. The upper wall 18 may thus serve as a table, work surface, dining table, cocktail table, or any other usable surface for a passenger seated in the opposite seat 11 (i.e., the seat 11 that does not have access to the opening of the foot area 15). In other words, a portion of the foot area 15 extends into the space occupied by a passenger seated in the opposite seat 11.

[0034] In order to close the passage 20 from each seat 11 to a traffic corridor of the aircraft, the seat unit 10 comprises a double door module 23 arranged along one side of the central console 12.

[0035] This module 23 comprises a first door 24.1 and a second door 24.2. Each door 24.1, 24.2 is movable in translation between a stored position in which the door 24.1, 24.2 is arranged inside a housing 25, as shown in the figure 2a , and a deployed position in which the door 24.1, 24.2 closes a corresponding passage 20, as shown in the figure 2b .

[0036] The first door 24.1 and the second door 24.2 are superimposed on each other, in particular inside the housing 25, when the doors 24.1 and 24.2 are simultaneously in the stored position. Advantageously, the two doors 24.1, 24.2 are superimposed along the majority of their surfaces in the stored position, or even over all of their surfaces. By "the majority of their surfaces", is meant a superposition of the doors 24.1, 24.2 along at least 50% of their surfaces, preferably along at least 80% of their surfaces. Furthermore, in the area where the doors 24.1, 24.2 are superimposed on each other, a straight line perpendicular to a surface of one of the doors 24.1, 24.2 intersects the other door 24.1, 24.2.

[0037] The transition from the stored position to the deployed position of the first door 24.1 is carried out in a first direction D1 opposite to a second direction D2 in which the second door 24.2 moves to transition from the stored position to a deployed position. The movements of the doors 24.1, 24.2 are independent of each other.

[0038] Furthermore, as can be seen from the figures 5 And 6 , the door module 24.1, 24.2 comprises a control system 27 comprising a device 28 for locking and unlocking the first door 24.1 and / or the second door 24.2, as well as a device 29 for controlling the movement of the first door 24.1, 24.2 and / or the second door 24.1, 24.2 from one position to another.

[0039] The casing 31 containing the control system 27 is separate from the housing 25 containing the doors 24.1 and 24.2, that is to say that the casing 31 contains only all of the components of the control system 27, so that the housing 25 does not contain any component of this control system 27. This makes it possible to produce a compact module 23 which has at the level of the housing 25 a thickness E of between 5 and 10 cm and approximately 7.5 cm, as shown in the figure 4 . By "approximately" we mean a variation of plus or minus 10% around this value.

[0040] In the example shown, the casing 31 of the control system 27 is arranged in the lower part of the module 23. The casing 31 could alternatively be arranged in the upper part of the module 23.

[0041] The locking and unlocking device 28 comprises, for each door 24.1, 24.2, at least one electromagnetic actuator 33.1, 33.2 visible on the figure 6 intended to cooperate with a corresponding locking housing 34.1, 34.2 provided in the door 24.1, 24.2 and visible in figure 7 The locking housing 34.1, 34.2 is made in a thickness of a lower edge of the door.

[0042] The actuator 33.1, 33.2 is movable between an inactive position in which the actuator 33.1, 33.2 is engaged in the locking housing 34.1, 34.2 to block the door 24.1, 24.2 in translation by the action of an elastic return member 36 and an active position in which the actuator 33.1, 33.2 is released from the corresponding locking housing 34.1, 34.2 to allow movement of the door 24.1, 24.2.

[0043] Advantageously, for each door 24.1, 24.2, a first electromagnetic actuator 33.1 is provided to be controlled by a passenger and a second electromagnetic actuator 33.2 is provided to be controlled by a member of the flight crew. The locking housings 34.1, 34.2 associated respectively with the first actuator 33.1 and the second actuator 33.2 of a door are visible on the figure 7 The actuators 33.1, 33.2 and the locking housings 34.1, 34.2 are arranged to ensure locking of the corresponding door 24.1, 24.2 in the stored position.

[0044] For safety reasons, an electromagnetic actuator 33.1, 33.2 is of the normally inactive position type, that is to say it is in the inactive position when it is not carrying a current. When the actuator 33.1, 33.2 is carrying a current, it moves to its active position. An elastic return member 36, such as a spring, facilitates the return and maintenance of the actuator 33.1, 33.2 from the active position to the inactive position.

[0045] In order to allow simultaneous locking of a door by the two actuators 33.1, 33.2, the locking housings 34.1, 34.2 have different geometries, preventing the electromagnet cooperating with the second locking housing 34.2 from engaging in the first locking housing 34.1. The two housings 34.1, 34.2 and the corresponding actuator drawers 33.1, 33.2 may thus, for example, have different sizes and / or shapes.

[0046] Moreover, as can be seen on the figure 6 , the movement control device 29 comprises at least one deployment actuator 38.1, 38.2 and a device 40 for transmitting movement from the actuator 38.1, 38.2 to a corresponding door 24.1, 24.2.

[0047] Advantageously, the deployment actuator 38.1; 38.2 is a gas cylinder and the motion transmission device 40 is a belt and pulley device. Alternatively, the deployment actuator 38.1, 38.2 takes the form of an electric motor or a hydraulic cylinder. Alternatively, the motion transmission device 40 is geared.

[0048] The movement of a door 24.1, 24.2 can be controlled by a corresponding actuation button 41 arranged inside the seat module 11.

[0049] Position and / or force sensors 42 in particular are provided to transmit information allowing a control unit 43 to manage the movement of the doors 24.1, 24.2 according to a request to actuation or blocking of the door made by the passenger or the member of the on-board staff.

[0050] The control system 27 may also include at least one visual indicator 44 of the system status visible in figure 3 The visual indicator 44 may, for example, be of the luminous or mechanical type, being provided with a window and colored zones, for example, green and red zones provided on the door.

[0051] The casing 31 of the control system 27 may incorporate a step 45 to allow stewards or hostesses easy access to the baggage hold.

[0052] Furthermore, the seating units 10 allow passengers to evacuate the seat, ensuring clearance of the traffic lanes provided in the aircraft.

[0053] The invention may also be implemented with seats installed in other means of transport, such as bus, train or boat seats.

[0054] Of course, the different characteristics, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

[0055] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the framework of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different operating modes described above, which may be taken separately or in association, within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A double door module (23) for aircraft seats, comprising: - a first door (24.1) movable in translation between a stored position and a deployed position, - a second door (24.2) movable in translation between a stored position and a deployed position, - the first door (24.1) and the second door (24.2) overlapping with each other when the first door (24.1) and the second door (24.2) are in the stored position, and - a control system (27) comprising a locking and unlocking device (28) for the first door (24.1) and / or the second door (24.2), characterized in that - the locking and unlocking device (28) comprises for each door (24.1, 24.2) at least one electromagnetic actuator (33.1, 33.2) movable between an inactive position in which the electromagnetic actuator (33.1, 33.2) is engaged in a locking housing (34.1, 34.2) provided in the door (24.1, 24.2) in order to block said door (24.1, 24.2) in translation in the stored position and an active position in which the electromagnetic actuator (33.1, 33.2) is released from the locking housing (34.1, 34.2) in order to allow movement of the door (24.1, 24.2), - the locking housing (34.1, 34.2) being provided in a thickness of a lower edge of a corresponding door (24.1, 24.2).

2. The double door module according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a control device (29) for moving the first door (24.1) and / or the second door (24.2) from one position to another.

3. The double door module according to claim 2, characterized in that a casing (31) containing the control system (27) is separate from a housing (25) containing the first door (24.1) and the second door (24.2).

4. The double door module according to claim 3, characterized in that the casing (31) of the control system (27) is arranged in the lower part of the double door module (23).

5. The double door module according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the housing (25) containing the first door (24.1) and the second door (24.2) has a thickness (E) between 5 and 10cm and approximately equal to 7.5cm.

6. The double door module according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electromagnetic actuator (33.1, 33.2) is of the type normally in the inactive position in order to lock the door in the stored position when the electromagnetic actuator is not powered.

7. The double door module according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an elastic return member (36) of the electromagnetic actuator (33.1, 33.2) in the inactive position.

8. The double door module according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking and unlocking device (28) comprises for each door (24.1, 24.2) a first electromagnetic actuator (33.1), controllable by a passenger, and a second electromagnetic actuator (33.2), controllable by a member of the on-board staff.

9. The double door module according to claim 8, characterized in that a first locking housing (34.1) and a second locking housing (34.2) associated respectively with the first electromagnetic actuator (33.1) and the second electromagnetic actuator (33.2) have different geometries.

10. The double door module according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an actuation button (41) for moving a corresponding door (24.1, 24.2).

11. The double door module according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the movement control device (29) comprises at least one deployment actuator (38.1, 38.2) and a movement transmission device (40) for the deployment actuator to a corresponding door (24.1, 24.2).

12. The double door module according to claim 11, characterized in that the deployment actuator (38.1, 38.2) is a gas spring.

13. The double door module according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the movement transmission device (40) is a belt and pulley device.

14. The double door module according to any one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the control system (27) comprises visual indicators (44) for the status of the system.

15. The double door module according to any one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a casing (31) of the control system (27) incorporates a step pad (45).

16. A seat unit (10), characterized in that it comprises a double door module (23) as defined according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. The seat unit according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises two seats (11) opposite one another, each seat (11) being arranged so that it is substantially laterally aligned with the other seat (11), and a central console (12) positioned between the seats (11), said double door module (23) being arranged along one side of the central console (12).