SEATING UNIT WITH A NOISE-DAMPING PLATE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat unit equipped with a noise-reducing panel. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in "business class" and "first class" type seat units in an aircraft cabin.

[0002] As is typical, such a seating unit comprises a seat combined with a side console equipped with storage compartments and a shell extending at least partially around the seat to create a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. This configuration ensures the privacy of the seated passenger.

[0003] The seat offers the passenger various comfort positions, from a seated position to a reclined position, in which the seat creates a nearly horizontal sleeping surface for the passenger to lie down. Intermediate comfort positions are also available, such as the "relax" position, in which the seat back is deeply reclined. These intermediate positions are generally achieved by tilting the backrest, which pivots around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the seat's extension axis. The passenger can then remain seated during transitions between the different positions. The seat typically consists of a backrest and a seat cushion and may include a leg rest and / or a footrest, which can be fixed or linked to the seat's movement.

[0004] Noise that could disturb passengers' rest is a significant environmental concern to consider when developing a seat unit. Therefore, there is a need to reduce the perceived noise level inside an aircraft cabin to optimize passenger acoustic comfort without reducing their living space.

[0005] Document WO2019 / 239204 describes a privacy screen for a passenger seat comprising a frame defining a perimeter of the privacy screen arranged around the seat and a sound-absorbing layer positioned inside the frame and surrounded by a textile shell to provide physical, visual and sound privacy to a passenger.

[0006] The invention aims to effectively meet this need by proposing a seating unit comprising: a seat, at least one environmental element associated with the seat, and a noise-attenuating panel fixed to one face of the environmental element, said noise-attenuating panel comprising: a cover cap, and a support plate comprising at least one sound-permeable portion with at least one through hole, said support plate being arranged so that there is an empty space between said sound-permeable portion and the face of the environmental element of the seat.

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible, through the creation of through holes in the support plate, to offer a compact sound trap integrated into the seat's environmental element. Indeed, the through holes allow sound waves to pass through the gap separating the support plate from the seat's environmental element, so that after multiple reflections within this gap, the noise intensity perceived by the passenger at the seat is greatly reduced.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the noise-attenuating panel further comprises a layer of sound-absorbing material disposed between the cover cap and the support plate.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound-absorbing material layer is made of a material chosen in particular from: a fibrous material, a non-woven material, a wadding-based material, or a foam-based material.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the noise attenuating panel is configured to exhibit a peak in sound absorption for frequencies between 20Hz and 20kHz, preferably between 600Hz and 4KHz.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the height of the empty space between the support plate and the face of the environmental element is between 1mm and 15mm and is preferably 3mm.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support plate is made of a thermoformed plastic material or is made of an injected plastic part.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support plate has at least one through hole with a diameter between 1 mm and 15 mm. If the support plate has several holes, these holes may all have the same diameter or different diameters. Similarly, the shape of these holes is not limited to circular shapes but includes all possible geometric shapes.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support plate has feet resting against the face of the seat environment element.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support plate includes removable fastening means for fixing the noise-attenuating panel to the face of the seat's environmental element.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the covering headband is made of a sound-permeable material.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the environmental element associated with the seat is chosen from: a privacy shell extending at least partially around the seat, a console, or an ottoman.

[0018] 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 ] There figure 1 is a perspective view of a seating unit according to the invention comprising noise-attenuating panels; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a noise-attenuating panel mounted on a seat environmental element; [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the various components of a noise-attenuating panel according to the present invention; [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the sound absorption phenomenon by the noise-attenuating panel according to the invention; [ Fig. 5a] [Fig. 5b ] ] Fig. 5c] [Fig. 5d ] THE figures 5a, 5b , 5c, et 5d illustrate different types of perforation distributions made in the support plate of a noise-attenuating panel according to the invention.

[0019] It should be noted that the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0020] Furthermore, in the following description, relative terms such as "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical" are understood by reference to the common meaning that a passenger sitting on a seat associated with the seat unit according to the invention would give them.

[0021] There figure 1 shows a seating unit 10 comprising a seat 12 associated with a side console 13 extending along one side of the seat 12.

[0022] In addition, a shell 14, known as the privacy shell, extends at least partially around the seat 12 to create a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. The privacy shell 14 is made, for example, of a composite material. This configuration ensures the privacy of the passenger seated in seat 12. A video screen 16 of a multimedia or IFE (Inflight Entertainment System) system can be mounted on the rear of the privacy shell 14 so that it can be used by a rear passenger.

[0023] The console 13 may include a top surface 17 forming a table on which the passenger can place items, as well as a storage compartment 18 containing one or more items such as a bookcase, a bottle holder, or a minibar. The choice of storage options is configurable according to the airline's requirements. The console 13 may also include a reading light 19 designed to direct light towards seat 12.

[0024] A cavity 21 is located beneath the upper wall. The cavity 21 is open laterally towards the seat 12. In addition, a horizontal face 22 of the console 13 serves as an armrest. For this purpose, the horizontal face 22 may locally have a curved cuff shape 23 conforming to the shape of part of the passenger's arm.

[0025] The console 13 also includes a control unit 25 for seat 12 and its ancillary components (called a "PCU" for "Passenger Control Unit"). The control unit 25 allows the passenger to select a seat position 12 as well as ancillary components, such as a video system, a heating system, an ambient lighting system, or any other ancillary component that can be integrated into seat 12.

[0026] The seat unit 10 may also conventionally include a mobile meal tray 26 between a stored position (corresponding to that shown on the figure 1 ) in which the meal tray 26 is located inside a housing provided in the console 13 and a deployed position in which the meal tray 26 is located outside the housing to allow the passenger to place a meal tray on it.

[0027] Seat 12 is advantageously equipped with a mechanism allowing it to move between a "seated" position, in which seat 12 is configured to provide a seated position for a passenger, and a "reclined" position, in which seat 12 is configured to provide a sleeping surface for the passenger, advantageously almost horizontal. Intermediate comfort positions are also offered, such as the "relax" position in which one backrest of seat 12 is significantly reclined.

[0028] To allow the passenger to lie down, the console 13 has a compartment 27 visible through the transparent figure 1 in which is arranged an ottoman 28. The ottoman 28 has a horizontal face forming a footrest on which a rear passenger can place their feet when the seat 12 is in the "reclined" position.

[0029] Seat 12 has an extension axis X1 defined by the intersection of a horizontal plane and a vertical median plane of seat 12 corresponding to a plane of symmetry of seat 12. The extension axis X1 of seat 12 may form a non-zero angle with a direction parallel to or coinciding with a central axis of the aircraft. In this case, seat 12 is oriented towards the axis. Alternatively, seat 12 may be oriented in a direction opposite to the axis X2.

[0030] Furthermore, a noise-reducing panel 30 can be attached to one side of the privacy shell 14. The noise-reducing panel 30 can be attached to a front side of the privacy shell 14 located on the seat side 12. Alternatively or in addition, the noise-reducing panel 30 can be attached to the rear side of the privacy shell 14. The noise-reducing panel 30 can also be attached to a side side of the console 13 located on the seat side 12 or to a side of the ottoman 28. Thus, the noise-reducing panel 30 can be attached to one or more elements surrounding the seat, specifically chosen from: the privacy shell 14, the console 13, or the ottoman 28.

[0031] In one particular embodiment, noise-reducing panels 30 are provided on the faces of the various environmental elements 13, 14, 18 surrounding the passenger when the seat 12 is in the reclined position. This creates a quiet space around the passenger while they sleep, thus improving their comfort. However, in other embodiments, a noise-reducing panel 30 may be placed on only one face of the environmental elements surrounding the seat 12.

[0032] As can be seen on the figures 2 And 3This noise-attenuating panel 30 comprises a cover cap 31, a layer of sound-absorbing material 32, and a support plate 33. The support plate 33 has at least one sound-permeable portion 35 with at least one through hole 36. Preferably, the sound-permeable portion 35 has a plurality of through holes 36 (also called perforations 36). The support plate 33 is arranged such that there is a gap 38 between the sound-permeable portion 35 and the face 29 of the seat environment element to which the panel 30 is attached.

[0033] As explained in more detail below, a sound trap is thus formed in which the through holes 36 allow the passage of sound waves into the empty space 38 separating the support plate 33 from the face 29 of the environment element of the seat 12. After multiple reflections between the face 29 of the environment element and the layer of sound-absorbing material 32, the noise intensity perceived by the passenger at the seat 12 is greatly reduced.

[0034] More specifically, the cover 31 is made of a sound-permeable material. The material of the cover 31 is also chosen to provide an aesthetically pleasing finish. The cover 31 could, for example, be made of a textile, leather, imitation leather, Alcantara, or any other flexible material suitable for the application. The material used may have numerous perforations to facilitate sound transmission through the cover 31.

[0035] The seat cover 31 may display decorative patterns on its visible parts when the panel 30 is placed on the seat environment element 12. These decorative patterns may be customized according to the airline.

[0036] The sound-absorbing material layer 32 is arranged between the cover cap 31 and the support plate 33. The sound-absorbing material layer 32 is made of a material chosen in particular from: a fibrous material, a non-woven material, a wadding-based material, or a foam-based material or any other sound-absorbing material suitable for the application.

[0037] The support plate 33 is advantageously made of a thermoformed plastic material. The support plate 33 has a thin profile, for example, between 1 mm and 3 mm. In one example, a plate 33 made of a thermoplastic material is used. This plate is heated and then shaped using a die. Once cooled, the plate retains the shape imprinted by the die.

[0038] THE figures 2 And 3The diagrams have been shown for a flat support plate 33 to facilitate understanding of the invention, but it is clear that the support plate 33 may have a curved shape corresponding to that of the seat environment element 12. In particular, the thermoforming die may impose on the support plate 33 a curvature corresponding to that of the privacy shell 14. Such a configuration makes it possible to keep the gap between the support plate 33 and the face 29 of the privacy shell 14 substantially constant.

[0039] A machining step called "trimming" can then be performed, consisting of cutting off an edge of the part that is not needed for finishing. This machining step can be used to create the through holes 36 in the support plate 33 to obtain the sound-permeable portion 35. Alternatively, the plate used for thermoforming can be pre-drilled before the plate heating step. In all cases, the through holes 36 in the support plate 33 do not extend into the sound-absorbing material layer 32.

[0040] Alternatively, the support plate 33 is made from an injection-molded plastic part. In this case, the through holes 36 can be formed directly during the injection molding process.

[0041] The support plate 33 has feet 40 bearing against the face 29 of the environmental element 13, 14, 28 so as to create the void 38 between the sound-permeable portion 35 and the environmental element. The feet 40 may be formed by local shaping of the support plate 33. The support plate 33 thus has protruding portions forming feet 40 that are integral with the rest of the support plate 33.

[0042] To ensure the assembly of the noise-attenuating panel 30, the cover cap 31 covers the layer of sound-absorbing material 32 arranged against the support plate 33, as shown in the figure 2 The trim cap 31 is provided with a flap 41 fixed against an edge of the support plate 33. The flap 41 of the trim cap 31 is fixed to the panel 30 by gluing, by insertion into a retaining groove, or any other suitable fixing technique with or without gluing.

[0043] Furthermore, the support plate 33 includes removable fastening means 42 for fixing the noise-attenuating panel 30 to the face 29 of the environmental element 13, 14, 28 of the seat 12. The choice of fastening means 42 depends in particular on the integration constraints of the panel 30 and its positioning in the seat unit 10. In the case where the panel 30 is placed in a visible area of ​​the seat unit 10, discreet fastening means 42 that can be removed without the aid of tools are preferably used, such as snap-on devices, so-called "Velcro" fasteners (registered trademark) formed by complementary loops and hooks, magnetic fasteners, or any other fastening device suitable for the application.

[0044] Since the Velcro or magnetic fasteners are only a few millimeters thick, it is possible to eliminate the need for feet 40 in the support plate 33. Indeed, the fasteners then act as spacers to create the empty space 38 between the panel 30 and the face 29 of the environment element 13, 14, 28.

[0045] If panel 30 is located in a concealed area of ​​the seat unit 10, such as a technical area at the bottom of the seat unit 10, screws may be used to attach panel 30 to environmental elements 13, 14, or 28. Alternatively, tree clips or any other suitable fastening method may be used. This type of fastening ensures that panel 30 remains secure during certification tests in which significant decelerations are applied to the seat unit 10.

[0046] As illustrated by the figure 4 , the panel 30 constitutes a sound trap based on the Helmholtz principle of sound reflection inside the cavity 38 created between the environmental element 13, 14, 28 and the support plate 33.

[0047] Indeed, a sound wave 43 passes through the trim panel 31 and is then attenuated by the sound-absorbing layer 32. The through holes 36 allow the attenuated portion of the sound wave to pass through the gap 38 separating the support plate 33 from the face 29 of the environmental element 13, 14, 28. After multiple reflections 44 between the face 29 of the environmental element 13, 14, 28 and the face of the solid portions of the support plate 33, the intensity of the sound wave 45 exiting the noise-attenuating panel 30 is very low. The noise perceived by the passenger at seat 12 is thus greatly reduced.

[0048] Advantageously, the noise-attenuating panel 30 is configured to exhibit a peak in sound attenuation for frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, preferably between 600 Hz and 4 kHz. To obtain the desired peak attenuation, it is possible to modify the diameter of the holes 36 in the support plate 33, the height H of the gap 38 between the support plate 33 and the environmental element 13, 14, 28, and the thickness of the sound-absorbing material layer 32. The height H is measured in a direction perpendicular to the face 29 of the environmental element 13, 14, 28.

[0049] The support plate 33 has at least one perforation 36 with a largest dimension between 0.1 mm and 15 mm, in particular between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, and preferably on the order of 1 mm. "On the order of" means a possible variation of plus or minus 10% around the stated value. For a circular perforation 36, the largest dimension of the perforation corresponds to the diameter of the perforation 36. If the support plate 33 has several circular perforations 36, these circular perforations 36 may all have the same diameter or different diameters. Similarly, the shape of the perforations 36 is not limited to circular shapes but includes all possible geometric shapes, such as rectangles, squares, triangles, ovals, hexagons, or others.

[0050] A perforation rate corresponding to the ratio between the sum of the areas of the perforations 36 divided by the total area of ​​the support plate 33 is between 1 and 30% and is preferably of the order of 12%.

[0051] THE figures 5a, 5b , 5c, et 5d illustrate different types of distribution of perforations 36 made in the support plate 33.

[0052] In the implementation of the figure 5a The perforations 36 are separated by a regular spacing corresponding to the distance between two successive perforations. The perforations 36 are arranged in a plurality of horizontal rows and vertical columns. A spacing P1 is defined between two adjacent perforations 36 in the same row, and a spacing P2 between two adjacent perforations 36 in the same column. The spacings P1 and P2 may be equal or different.

[0053] In the method of implementation of figures 5b And 5cThe perforations 36 are configured according to a circular pattern 50. The arrangement of the perforations 36 within the pattern 50 can vary to adapt the panel 30 to the range of frequencies to be attenuated. For example, the intermediate perforations 36' of the embodiment of the figure 5c are closer to a central 36" perforation than the intermediate 36' perforations of the embodiment of the figure 5b The pattern 50 may include any number of circular rows of perforations 36, 36'. Alternatively, the perforations 36, 36', 36" may be arranged in a pattern 50 other than a circular pattern, in particular a triangular, rectangular, square, oval, or any other shape of pattern 50 suitable for the application.

[0054] In the implementation of the figure 5d The design features alternating zones of perforations Z1 and zones without perforations Z2. Each zone of perforations Z1 contains a plurality of perforation patterns 50. Each perforation pattern 50 contains a plurality of perforations 36 arranged in a pattern of a particular shape, in this case, a circular shape. Alternatively, as previously mentioned, the perforation patterns 50 may have a shape other than circular, such as a rectangular, square, oval, or other shape. The perforation patterns 50 are spaced apart within a zone of perforations Z1. The spacing between two patterns 50 within the same zone of perforations Z1 is less than the spacing between two patterns 50 in two adjacent zones of perforations Z1 due to their separation by a zone without perforations Z2. This configuration allows for the targeting of specific frequencies for attenuation.

[0055] The height H of the void space 38, measured between the sound-permeable portion 35 and the environmental element 13, 14, 28, is between 1 mm and 15 mm and is preferably 3 mm. The thickness of the sound-absorbing material layer 32 may be between 1 mm and 50 mm and is preferably 6 mm.

[0056] Although the method of implementation of figures 2 à 4 While a layer of sound-absorbing material 32 is used, the presence of this layer of sound-absorbing material 32 is not essential to the implementation of the invention and can therefore be omitted. The noise-attenuating panel 30 then comprises only a cover 31 and the support plate provided with at least one sound-permeable portion 35.

[0057] In this case, sound waves penetrating through the cover 31 pass through the sound-permeable portion 35 of the support plate 33 via the through hole(s) 36. The sound waves are then attenuated due to multiple reflections within the gap 38 separating the support plate 33 from the environmental element 13, 14, 28. The presence of the sound-absorbing material layer 32 enhances the effectiveness of the device by attenuating the sound waves passing through this layer 32.

[0058] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms, and other variations that a person skilled in the art might consider within the scope of the present invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A seat unit (10) comprising: - a seat (12), - at least one environmental element (13, 14, 28) associated with the seat (12), and - a noise attenuating panel (30) fixed to a face (29) of the environmental element (13, 14, 28), said noise attenuating panel (30) comprising a covering layer (31), characterized in that said noise attenuating panel (30) further comprises a support plate (33) comprising at least one sound-permeable portion (35) provided with at least one through-hole (36), said support plate (33) being arranged such that an empty space (38) is provided between said sound-permeable portion (35) and the face (29) of the environmental element (13, 14, 28) of the seat (12).

2. The seat unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the noise attenuating panel (30) further comprises a layer of sound-absorbing material (32) arranged between the covering layer (31) and the support plate (33).

3. The seat unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the layer of sound-absorbing material (32) is made of a material chosen in particular from: a fibrous material, a non-woven material, a wadding-based material, or a foam-based material.

4. The seat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the noise attenuating panel (30) is configured so as to have a sound absorption peak for frequencies between 20Hz and 20kHz, preferably between 600Hz and 4kHz.

5. The seat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a height (H) of the empty space (38) between the support plate (33) and the face (29) of the surrounding element (13, 14, 28) is between 1mm and 15mm and is preferably of 3mm.

6. The seat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support plate (33) comprises at least one through hole (36) with a diameter between 1mm and 15mm.

7. The seat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support plate (33) comprises legs (40) bearing against the face (29) of the surrounding element (13, 14, 28) of the seat (12).

8. The seat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the support plate (33) comprises removable fixing means (42) for fixing the noise attenuating panel (30) to the face (29) of the environmental element (13, 14, 28) of the seat (12).

9. The seat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the covering layer (31) is made of a sound-permeable material.

10. The seat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the environmental element associated with the seat (12) is chosen from: a privacy shell (14) extending at least partly around the seat (12), a console (13), or an ottoman (28).