Aircraft cabin divider

Abstract

A device for subdividing a passenger cabin (1) of an aircraft, comprising a wall element (2). The wall element (2) has a fastening element so that it can be fastened to at least one element of the passenger cabin (1) in such a way that the wall element (2), when installed within the passenger cabin (1), subdivides the passenger cabin (1) in a first region (3) and a second region (4), the wall element (2) comprising at least one impact protection system.

Description

[0001] Aircraft cabin divider

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices for dividing a passenger cabin of an aircraft according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] A contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin according to a predetermined class arrangement is already known from document EP 3 439 957 B1. This class divider comprises a panel having a rearwardly facing convex contour that closely matches a rearwardly facing contour of a seat backrest and is designed to be positioned in closely spaced relationship to the backrest to provide additional space in front of a seat positioned behind the panel.

[0004] The technical object of the present invention is to further develop or improve such a device for subdividing so that its area of ​​application is expanded.

[0005] The technical problem is solved by an object having the technical features according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0006] All features explained in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0007] The invention relates to a device for dividing a passenger cabin of an aircraft. This device comprises a wall element, wherein the wall element has a fastening element in order to be able to be fastened to at least one element of the passenger cabin in such a way that the wall element, when installed within the passenger cabin, divides the passenger cabin into a first area and a second area.

[0008] The essence of the invention is that the wall element comprises at least one impact protection system.

[0009] The element of the passenger cabin can, for example, comprise a ceiling and / or a wall and / or a floor and / or a seat of the passenger cabin. For example, the wall element can be rigid and designed as a view blocker or as an aircraft class divider. The first area can, for example, be a first class of transport and the second area can, for example, be a second class of transport. The first class of transport can be arranged in front of the second class of transport in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and thus further forward in the direction of flight in the aircraft.

[0010] The impact protection system can be designed, for example, for a person sitting in a seat in front of the device, for example in the manner of an airbag system. The wall element can divide the passenger cabin along a seat, or along a group of seats, or along a row of seats, and transversely to a longitudinal extent of the aircraft.

[0011] This advantageously creates a protective measure for a passenger in the area in front of the wall element, for example, in a seat, and protects the passenger against impact. For example, if only lap belts and not three-point belts are used in a seat, the passenger, and in particular their upper body or head, can be additionally protected.

[0012] In a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the wall element extends in a height direction and can be attached to at least one element of the passenger cabin with at least a first end of the wall element and that the wall element has the impact protection system in a region of a second end, e.g. at a second end of the wall element.

[0013] For example, the first and second ends of the wall element are spaced apart from each other vertically. When installed, the first end extends, for example, to a ceiling of the passenger cabin, and the second end extends, for example, to the area of ​​the head of a person sitting on a seat.

[0014] Advantageously, the impact protection system can be mounted at an appropriate height and aligned with each passenger. The wall element can also be attached, for example, to a ceiling and / or wall and / or floor and / or seat of the passenger cabin to ensure adequate support.

[0015] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that in an installed state of the device and / or in a triggered state of the impact protection system, at least parts of the impact protection system are formed at a height of between 0.3 m and 1.75 m, starting from a floor of the passenger cabin. The parts of the impact protection system can, for example, be formed as an airbag of the airbag system. The triggered state of the impact protection system can be understood, for example, as the state in which the airbag system has been triggered and its airbag has fully deployed.

[0016] In this way, a passenger located in the area of ​​the impact protection system can advantageously be protected from an impact, for example against a backrest of a seat located in front of him or against an existing class divider element or wall element.

[0017] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that in the installed state of the device and in the triggered state of the impact protection system, at least parts of the impact protection system are formed at a height of between 0.6 m and 1.5 m starting from a floor of the passenger cabin.

[0018] Advantageously, a passenger located in the area of ​​the impact protection system can be protected from an impact, for example explicitly against a head region of a backrest of a seat located in front of him, or a class divider element or wall element.

[0019] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that in the installed state of the device and in the triggered state of the impact protection system, at least parts of the impact protection system are formed at a height of between 0.9 m and 1.2 m starting from a floor of the passenger cabin. Advantageously, in this way, a

[0020] A passenger in the impact protection system can be even better protected from an impact against, for example, a headrest of a seat in front of him or a class divider element or wall element.

[0021] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that in the installed state of the device and in a triggered state of the impact protection system, at least parts of the impact protection system have a width of between 0.3 m and 3.5 m in horizontal extent.

[0022] For example, each seat in a row of seats can be assigned an impact protection system in front of the seat or row of seats, or a single impact protection system can be assigned to several seats, which, due to its dimensions, offers protection to several passengers at the same time.

[0023] This advantageously enables more cost-effective production and a reduction in weight, since all elements and assemblies of the impact protection system do not have to be provided for each individual seat.

[0024] In a further technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the wall element comprises an airbag module or an airbag.

[0025] Advantageously, this makes it possible to operate the device independently and / or, in particular, to install and / or position the device flexibly, for example independently of the arrangement of the seats, which could be changed accordingly from flight to flight of the aircraft, for example, in the case of different booking distributions and thus occupancies of the passenger seats.

[0026] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the wall element comprises a gas generator.

[0027] Advantageously, this can also enable independent operation of the device and, in particular, flexible installation or placement of the device. It can also improve the device's ease of repair, for example, making repairs faster and more cost-effective.

[0028] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, the wall element comprises an electronic control element.

[0029] Such an electronic control element can, for example, be an electronic assembly module.

[0030] Advantageously, this can also enable independent operation of the device and, in particular, flexible installation or placement of the device. For example, this can improve the installation time of the device within the aircraft, as additional connection to any on-board electronics can be avoided.

[0031] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the wall element comprises an energy carrier.

[0032] The energy source can be designed, for example, as a battery or accumulator. This can advantageously also enable independent operation of the device and, in particular, flexible installation or placement of the device. For example, this can simplify options for approval or certification of the device in aircraft.

[0033] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the wall element comprises an acceleration sensor.

[0034] Advantageously, this can also enable independent operation of the device and, in particular, flexible installation or placement of the device. For example, this can enable autonomous activation of the impact protection system, in particular of any other elements of the aircraft, which can further simplify operating permits for the device.

[0035] In a technically advantageous embodiment, it is further provided that the wall element is designed as an aircraft class divider.

[0036] Advantageously, elements already required within the aircraft cabin, such as an aircraft class divider, can be used to provide impact protection. The advantages of an aircraft class divider can thus be combined with those of the device, eliminating the need for additional components or elements, which can have a beneficial effect on weight reduction.

[0037] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the fastening element is designed in such a way that the device can be releasably fastened to the aircraft by means of the fastening element.

[0038] This advantageously allows for mobility of the device, which allows flexible installation within the aircraft and which can be adapted as required.

[0039] According to a further aspect, the technical object of the invention is achieved by a unit comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims and a row of seats, wherein the row of seats has at least one seat, wherein the wall element is arranged in front of the seat in the seating direction of the seat of the row of seats, wherein in the positioned state of the wall element relative to the row of seats the impact protection is present in such a way that a passenger who uses the seat can be protected by the impact protection system.

[0040] The advantages of the device can thus be advantageously integrated into a row of seats in an aircraft.

[0041] According to a further aspect, the technical object of the invention is further achieved by an aircraft comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims or a unit according to claim 11.

[0042] The advantages of the device can thus be advantageously integrated into an aircraft and the safety of the passengers can be improved.

[0043] In a technically advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the wall element is fastened to at least one element of the passenger cabin of the aircraft, so that the wall element divides the passenger cabin into a first area and a second area, wherein the second area is located behind the first area in the direction of flight when the wall element is installed.

[0044] Furthermore, it is provided that the impact protection system is designed, for example, as a curtain airbag. Furthermore, it is provided that the impact protection system is designed to function autonomously and, for example, to operate independently of the aircraft or the aircraft seats.

[0045] This advantageously enables flexible fastening of the wall element and enables weight-reduced use.

[0046] Examples of embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0047] It shows :

[0048] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a first and a second area of ​​a passenger cabin of an aircraft; and

[0049] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a first and a second region of a passenger cabin of an aircraft.

[0050] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a passenger cabin 1 of an aircraft. The passenger cabin 1 is divided by means of an installed wall element 2 designed as an aircraft class divider 2 into a first region 3 located further forward in the direction of flight 11 and a second region 4 located further rearward in the direction of flight 11. The wall element 2 comprises, for example, an impact protection system shown in the triggered state, wherein, for example, a part of the impact protection system 5 is shown schematically as a fully deployed airbag of the type of an airbag 5 at a second end 13 of the wall element.

[0051] With at least one first end of the wall element 12, the wall element 2 is detachably installed, for example, on a ceiling (not shown) of the passenger cabin 1, wherein further supports or further fastening elements (not shown) are also conceivable, by means of which the wall element 2 can be attached to further elements of the passenger cabin 1, for example to a seat 9.

[0052] The parts of the impact protection system 5, such as the airbag 5, extend in a vertical direction 6 in the deployed state and are formed at a height starting from a floor 7, which corresponds to an upper region 9a of the backrest of a seat 9 located in front of the passenger in the direction of flight. Thus, in the event of an accident, a passenger 10 located in the second region 4 of the passenger cabin 1 can be shielded by means of the impact protection system from an impact, for example against at least sections of the seat 9 located in front of him.

[0053] What is not shown is that the wall element 2 can comprise further parts of the impact protection system, as well as fastening elements for its, for example, detachable installation on other elements, such as the ceiling, and / or wall and / or floor of the passenger cabin 1. Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the first area 3 and second area 4 of the passenger cabin 1 with a plurality of wall elements 2 in an installed state. The first area 3 and the second area 4 of the passenger cabin 1 differ in that the seats 9 are shown differently, as can be the case for example with different passenger classes.

[0054] The passenger cabin 1 is further shown as being divided by way of example into an area 14 located to the left in the direction of flight 11, an area 16 located to the right in the direction of flight 11, and a central area 15 located centrally between the left area 14 and the right area 16. The left area 14 is separated from the central area 15 by a left aisle 17, and the right area 16 is in turn separated from the central area 15 by a right aisle 18.

[0055] For the passengers 10 located in the seats 9 of the second area 4 and shown in Figure 1, the wall elements 2 separate the first area 3 and the second area 4 from each other at least partially and at least visually in the manner of a screen.

[0056] Furthermore, Figure 2 shows that the respective wall element 2 of the left, middle or right region 14, 15, 16 can extend horizontally over a plurality of seats 9 and / or in sections over a row of seats 8. In conjunction with Figure 1, it is shown that the impact protection system can extend over a plurality of seats 9, or a separate impact protection system can be assigned to each seat 9. In the left region 14 of the passenger cabin 1, for example, the wall element 2 can be designed such that a separate impact protection system or, for example, a separate airbag 5 is provided for each of the two seats 9 located in the immediate vicinity thereto and in the second region 4. This would enable each individual passenger to be protected independently of one another.

[0057] In the central region 15 of the passenger cabin 1, for example, the wall element 2 can be designed such that a common impact protection system or, for example, a common airbag 5 is provided for all seats 9 located in close proximity to it and in the second region 4 of the passenger cabin 1 (four are shown here as an example). This can advantageously reduce manufacturing costs or redundancies in production.

[0058] It can also be provided, for example, that in the right-hand area 16 of the passenger cabin 1 the wall element 2 is designed in such a way that a common impact protection system or parts thereof 5 are present for the two seats located in the immediate vicinity thereto and in the second area 4.

[0059] The wall element 2 can thus be designed, for example, for different seat widths and / or for the widths of several seats 9. Furthermore, the wall element can, for example, comprise a single airbag 5 for each seat 9 or, for example, a common airbag 5 for several seats 9. Reference symbol:

[0060] 1 passenger cabin

[0061] 2 wall elements; aircraft class dividers

[0062] 3 first area of ​​the passenger cabin

[0063] 4 second area of ​​the passenger cabin

[0064] 5 Part of the impact protection system; airbag

[0065] 6 Altitude direction

[0066] 7 Floor

[0067] 8 row of seats

[0068] 9 seats

[0069] 9a upper part of the backrest of a seat

[0070] 10 passengers

[0071] 11 Direction of flight

[0072] 12 first end of the wall element

[0073] 13 second end of the wall element

[0074] 14 left area

[0075] 15 middle range

[0076] 16 right area

[0077] 17 left corridor

[0078] 18 right aisle

Claims

Claims:

1. Device for dividing a passenger cabin (1) of an aircraft, comprising a wall element (2), wherein the wall element (2) has a fastening element in order to be able to be fastened to at least one element of the passenger cabin (1) in such a way that the wall element (2), in an installed state within the passenger cabin (1), divides the passenger cabin (1) into a first area (3) and a second area (4), characterized in that the wall element (1) comprises at least one impact protection system.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall element (1) extends in a height direction (6) and can be attached to at least one element of the passenger cabin (1) with at least a first end of the wall element (12) and that the wall element (2) has the impact protection system at a second end of the wall element (13).

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in an installed state of the device and / or in a triggered state of the impact protection system, at least parts of the impact protection system are formed at a height between 0.3 m and 1.75 m starting from a floor (7) of the passenger cabin (1).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the installed state of the device and in the triggered state of the Impact protection system, at least parts of the impact protection system are formed at a height of between 0.6 m and 1.5 m starting from a floor (7) of the passenger cabin (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the installed state of the device and in a triggered state of the impact protection system, at least parts of the impact protection system have a horizontal width of between 0.3 m and 3.5 m. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall element (2) comprises an airbag module or an airbag. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall element (2) comprises a gas generator. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall element (2) comprises an electronic control element.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall element (2) comprises an energy carrier. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall element (2) comprises an acceleration sensor. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall element (2) is designed as an aircraft class divider (2). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening element is designed such that the device can be detachably fastened to the aircraft by means of the fastening element. Unit comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims and a row of seats (8), wherein the row of seats (8) has at least one seat (9), wherein the wall element is arranged in front of the seat (9) of the row of seats (8) as seen in the sitting direction of the seat (9), characterized in that in the positioned state of the wall element (2) relative to the row of seats (8), the impact protection is present such that a passenger (10) using the seat (9) can be protected by the impact protection system.Aircraft comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims or a unit according to claim 11. Aircraft according to the preceding claim 14, characterized in that the wall element (2) is fastened to at least one element of the passenger cabin (1) of the aircraft, so that the wall element (2) divides the passenger cabin (1) into a first area (3) and a second area (4), wherein the second area (4) is located behind the first area (3) in the direction of flight (11) when the wall element (2) is installed.

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