Hinge arrangement for a door of an overhead luggage compartment
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023825202
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-06
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing hinge arrangements for overhead luggage compartment doors lack adjustable torque to accommodate variations in door masses due to different configurations, leading to insufficient or excessive torque exertion, requiring replacement of spring elements which is cumbersome and inefficient.
A hinge assembly with an adjustable spring element preload mechanism, allowing for continuous adjustment without changing the spring element's axis, enabling adaptation to various door dimensions and masses without disassembly.
Enables easy adaptation to different door configurations by adjusting the torque exerted on the lever arm, ensuring proper door operation without the need to replace spring elements, thus simplifying installation and maintenance.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Hinge arrangement for a door of an overhead luggage compartment
[0002] The disclosure relates to a hinge assembly for a door of an overhead luggage compartment, comprising:
[0003] - a side cover plate,
[0004] - a lever arm for supporting the door, which is pivotally connected to the side cover plate about a pivot axis and which is pivotable between a first pivot position corresponding to an open position of the door and a second pivot position corresponding to a closed position of the door,
[0005] - a spring element connected to the lever arm to assist movement of the lever arm between the second pivot position and the first pivot position.
[0006] Hinge arrangements are known for overhead luggage compartments, for example, mounted below or above the ceiling panel or as a superstructure on the side panel. However, these disadvantageously reduce the available storage space or obstruct accessories mounted on the overhead luggage compartment.
[0007] WO 2018 / 116084 A1 therefore proposes to provide the hinge arrangement in the side panel or an extension of the side panel of the overhead luggage compartment.
[0008] The hinge arrangement is intended to support the movement of the overhead luggage compartment door, for which a spring element can be provided. In particular, the hinge arrangement is intended to support the transfer of the door from the closed position upwards into the open position. After the luggage compartment housing and hinge arrangement have been installed, different doors can be fitted. The various door configurations include, for example, different door lengths, different door protection and different locking mechanisms. The door protection can, for example, comprise a decorative film on the inside of the door or a plastic extrusion profile on the lower edge of the door to prevent damage to the door caused by contact with luggage. These influence the weight and, due to their great distance from the pivot point, particularly the torque.Unfortunately, the hinge assemblies provided in the side panel do not allow for adjustment or do not have a sufficient adjustment range to take into account the variations in door mass resulting from different door configurations. This results in insufficient or excessive torque being exerted by the hinge assembly on the overhead luggage compartment door. This could only be remedied by dismantling the overhead luggage compartment and replacing the spring element, provided the hinge assembly permits this. However, this results in a high labor expenditure and a large number of parts.
[0009] The object of the invention is to alleviate or eliminate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a hinge assembly for an overhead luggage compartment that can be easily used with different doors.
[0010] This is achieved by a hinge arrangement as mentioned at the beginning, wherein an adjusting element is provided with which a preload of the spring element can be adjusted.
[0011] The adjusting element can be used to adjust the preload of the spring element. Replacing the spring element to achieve a different preload is therefore not necessary. By adjusting the preload of the spring element, the force exerted on the lever arm, and thus the torque exerted by the lever arm on the door, can be adjusted. This allows the hinge arrangement to be easily adapted to various doors with different masses.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, a peripheral cover extends in sections along the circumference of the side cover plate. The peripheral cover is preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to the side cover plate and / or extends from the side cover plate substantially perpendicular thereto. The peripheral cover prevents persons from reaching into the hinge arrangement and / or allows the hinge arrangement to be fastened to a side wall of a side element of the overhead luggage compartment. The peripheral cover preferably has a recess for the lever arm and its movement between the first and second positions. The lever arm preferably has a fastening section to which the door can be fastened. The hinge arrangement preferably has a stop element (stop element) which limits movement of the lever arm from the second pivot position to the first pivot position at the first pivot position.Thus, the stop element can prevent movement of the lever arm beyond the first pivot position. Preferably, the hinge arrangement does not have a stop element that limits movement of the lever arm beyond the second pivot position. Movement of the door of the overhead luggage compartment toward the closed position is preferably limited by the door abutting against a luggage compartment housing.
[0013] Preferably, a rotary damper is provided which dampens rotation of the lever arm about the pivot axis. Preferably, the adjusting element is designed so that the preload of the spring element is continuously adjustable. Preferably, the adjusting element is designed to adjust the preload of the spring element without changing the kinematics of the lever arm or the door. Preferably, when adjusting the preload of the spring element with the adjusting element, the axis of the spring element is not changed, i.e. preferably, the length of the spring element is changed with the adjusting element while the position of the axis remains the same. The kinematics are in particular such that the door has a low initial opening speed. Preferably, the adjusting element is designed to adjust the preload of the spring element at a fixed pivot position.The adjusting element is preferably designed to change the position of one end of the spring element in a specified pivot position (e.g. the first or the second pivot position). The adjusting element is designed to allow an adjustment of preferably at least 10 mm, particularly preferably at least 20 mm. The adjusting element is designed to shift the position of one end of the spring element in a specified pivot position (e.g. the first or the second pivot position) within an adjustment interval of preferably at least 10 mm, particularly preferably at least 20 mm. The adjusting element is preferably connected to the spring element. The spring element is preferably supported at one end on the adjusting element or is held by it. The adjusting element is preferably carried by a counter element which is (statically) connected to the side cover plate.Preferably, the adjusting element is supported at least at one end on a counter element which is (statically) connected to the side cover plate.
[0014] The side cover plate preferably has holes, in particular elongated holes, for fastening to the side wall of a side element of the overhead luggage compartment. The lever arm preferably has holes, in particular elongated holes, for fastening the door. Elongated holes can be used, in particular, to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.
[0015] It is advantageous if the adjusting element has an adjusting unit with which the preload of the spring element can be adjusted from outside a circumference of the side cover plate and / or wherein the peripheral cover has a recess so that the adjusting unit is accessible in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side cover plate. For this purpose, the adjusting element preferably extends at least partially through the recess or the adjusting unit is arranged such that it can be actuated through the recess. In this way, when the hinge arrangement is in the assembled state, adaptation to different door masses can be carried out particularly easily. A screw head, for example, can be provided as the adjusting unit. The adjusting unit is preferably provided adjacent to a section of the circumference of the side cover plate which delimits an insertion opening of a luggage compartment housing of the overhead luggage compartment.Preferably, the adjustment unit is provided in an area which is at least partially covered by the door in the closed position of the overhead luggage compartment.
[0016] The spring element is preferably designed to support a movement of the lever arm from the second pivot position into the first pivot position (at least in one range). Alternatively or additionally, the spring element can also support a movement of the lever arm from the first pivot position into the second pivot position (at least in one range). The spring element preferably causes a torque on the lever arm that can be adjusted between 0.8 Nm and 1.9 Nm at the first pivot position (corresponding to the open position of the door) using the adjusting element. The spring element preferably holds the lever arm in the first pivot position and thus the door in the open position. The lever arm is preferably also adjustable between the first pivot position and an over-pivot position that corresponds to an over-pivot position of the door. In the over-pivot position, the door is open further than in the open position.The lever arm preferably strikes the stop element when transferred from the second pivot position to the first pivot position. The stop element is preferably pivotally mounted and is preferably pre-tensioned by a further spring element, in particular a leg spring, and is thus held in the starting position in which the lever arm strikes in the first pivot position. The spring force of the further spring element and the spring element act in opposite directions and are such that the door is held in the open position. This means that the torque exerted by the further spring element on the stop element is greater than the torque caused by the spring element and the weight of the door on the lever arm in the first pivot position.The door can be pushed further open from the open position and moved into the over-pivoting position by manually applying force, whereby the lever arm pivots the stop element from its initial position against the spring force of the additional spring. The stop element and / or another stop element preferably blocks pivoting of the lever arm beyond the over-pivoting position.
[0017] Preferably, a fine adjustment of the opening angle is possible in the open position and / or the over-pivot position. The lever arm has a width parallel to the pivot axis that is preferably less than 35 mm, particularly preferably less than 25 mm.
[0018] It is preferred if the adjusting element has an adjusting screw for adjusting the preload of the spring element. This allows the preload to be adjusted in a simple manner. The adjusting screw preferably has a screw head. The adjusting screw and / or the screw head are preferably supported on or carried by a counter-element connected to the side cover plate.
[0019] It is advantageous if the adjusting element has a nut, in particular a cylindrical nut, with which the adjusting screw engages, the spring element being connected to the nut. The nut is preferably connected to the spring element in a rotationally fixed manner, so that preferably a rotation of the adjusting screw causes a linear displacement of the nut, preferably so that the position of one end of the spring element can be adjusted or the length and thus the preload of the spring element can be adjusted. The spring element is preferably mounted in a rotationally fixed manner. If the nut is designed as a cylindrical nut, a particularly stable connection to the spring element can be achieved.
[0020] It is preferred if the spring element is designed as an eyelet at its first end facing the adjusting element, into which the nut engages. One end of the spring element preferably engages around the nut on both sides of the adjusting screw. The spring element is preferably designed with a double eyelet at its end facing the adjusting element in order to encompass the nut on both sides of the adjusting screw. The spring element is preferably designed at its end facing the adjusting element in such a way that the adjusting element exerts a force centrally on the spring axis of the spring element.
[0021] It is advantageous if the adjusting screw has a screw head. The peripheral cover preferably has a recess so that a rotary drive of the screw head is accessible in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side cover plate. The rotary drive of the screw head is preferably accessible from a direction substantially perpendicular to the side cover plate from outside a circumference of the side cover plate and / or is provided at least partially outside a circumference of the side cover plate (i.e. outside the volume which extends perpendicularly away from the side cover plate). The pretension can therefore be easily adjusted even when the hinge arrangement in the overhead luggage compartment is in the assembled state.
[0022] It is preferred if a counter-element extends along a portion of the circumference of the side cover plate substantially perpendicular to the side cover plate, wherein the screw head of the adjusting screw is supported on the counter-element. The peripheral cover preferably forms the counter-element. The counter-element or the peripheral cover can have a projection, so that the screw head is at least partially, preferably completely, countersunk in the counter-element or the peripheral cover.
[0023] It is preferred if the lever arm has a first arm element and a second arm element opposite the first arm element with respect to the pivot axis (or extending in a different direction with respect to the first arm element with respect to the pivot axis), wherein the first arm element is designed to support the door and the spring element is connected to the second arm element. The spring element thus engages the second arm element. The spring element and the door are connected to the lever arm on opposite sides with respect to the pivot axis.
[0024] It is advantageous if the spring element has a spring section and a (particularly straight) connecting section, the connecting section connecting the spring section to the lever arm. The spring section, which effects the spring force, is therefore preferably spaced from the attachment point of the spring element on the lever arm. In the spring section, the spring element usually has a larger cross-section than in the straight connecting section. Thus, by providing a connecting section, the spring element can be prevented from colliding with the pivot axis when the lever arm is pivoted. The straight connecting section is preferably formed by a wire element. Preferably, the spring section is formed with a wire element, and the connecting section is preferably an extension of this wire element. To connect the connecting section to the lever arm, the spring element preferably has an eyelet.The connecting portion is preferably substantially non-elastically deformed during the movement of the lever arm. The connecting portion preferably transmits the movement of the lever arm to the spring portion. The connecting portion can have a length of at least 15 mm, preferably at least 20 mm, in particular from 30 mm to 50 mm.
[0025] The adjusting element is preferably located in a spring axis of the spring element. In this embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the adjusting element and the spring element are arranged substantially in a line. The spring axis is parallel to the spring force caused by the spring element. The adjusting element is preferably designed to shift the position of one end of the spring element parallel to the axis of the spring element when adjusting the preload of the spring element. The adjusting element is preferably designed to adjust the preload of the spring element without changing the axis of the spring element. This has the effect that the kinematics of the lever arm are not changed when the preload is changed. The adjusting element preferably runs parallel to the straight connecting section. The straight connecting section preferably runs parallel to the spring axis of the spring section.Preferably, the spring element comprises a wire spring, and the adjusting element, in particular the wire screw, extends partially within the wire spring. Preferably, the adjusting element, the spring portion, and the force transmission point between the connecting portion and the lever arm are substantially in line.
[0026] It is preferred if the connecting portion is designed integrally with the spring portion. The spring element is preferably designed in one piece, from a (particularly eyelet-shaped) connecting element to the lever arm to a (particularly eyelet-shaped) connecting element to the adjusting element, in particular formed from a piece of wire.
[0027] It is preferred if the connecting section extends from one side of the connecting section-side end of the spring section which faces away from the pivot axis. It is preferred if the connecting section extends from that half, in particular a quarter, preferably that point, of the connecting section-side end of the spring section which faces away from the pivot axis. It is advantageous if the connecting section-side end of the spring section has a circumference in cross-section normal to the spring force direction and the connecting section extends from a region (that half, in particular that quarter) of a circumference of the spring section which faces away from the pivot axis.This results in the connecting section extending from the side of the connecting section-side end of the spring section facing away from the pivot axis, thereby better preventing a collision of the spring element with the pivot axis. The spring element preferably comprises a helical spring; in particular, the spring section is preferably designed in the shape of a helical spring. The connecting section extends from the connecting section-side end of the helical spring, in particular at a point facing away from the pivot axis.
[0028] It is preferred if the lever arm has a rotatably mounted sleeve to which the spring element is connected. For this purpose, the spring element preferably has a connecting section, in particular a curved one, which surrounds the sleeve.
[0029] It is preferred if the lever arm has a pin and the sleeve is rotatably mounted on the pin.
[0030] It is advantageous if the spring element has a tension spring.
[0031] The spring element is preferably a linear spring.
[0032] The spring element preferably comprises a (particularly oval) wire spring. The spring section is preferably designed as a linear spring, tension spring, and / or (particularly oval) wire spring. The oval wire allows for a smaller size or a larger number of coils over the same length. Furthermore, better eyelet strength and greater stability against continuous loads are achieved.
[0033] The disclosure further relates to a side element for an overhead luggage compartment, comprising a side wall and, adjacent to a portion of the periphery of the side wall, a hinge arrangement in one of the embodiments described in this disclosure. The side element is provided to laterally delimit the overhead luggage compartment. A portion of a periphery of the side element delimits the insertion opening of the overhead luggage compartment. Preferably, the adjustment element is configured to be adjusted when the hinge arrangement is connected to the side wall to form the side element.
[0034] The disclosure further relates to an overhead luggage compartment for an aircraft, comprising an overhead luggage compartment housing which defines a storage space and with an insertion opening through which the storage space can be loaded, wherein the overhead luggage compartment housing has at least one side element as described above, wherein the lever arm of the side element carries a door which is movable between the closed position, in which the storage space is closed, and the open position, in which the storage space is accessible. In the closed position, it is particularly prevented that luggage can fall out of the storage space. Preferably, the overhead luggage compartment has a second hinge arrangement, in particular a second side element with a second hinge arrangement, wherein the lever arm of the second hinge arrangement or the second hinge arrangement of the second side element also carries the door.The overhead luggage compartment can also have more than two hinge arrangements and / or more than one door. In particular, the overhead luggage compartment can have at least one hinge arrangement arranged in the region of the insertion opening. For example, the overhead luggage compartment can have two side elements, each with a hinge arrangement, and two central hinge arrangements, wherein the overhead luggage compartment has two doors, each supported by a hinge arrangement of a side element and a central hinge arrangement.
[0035] The disclosure further relates to an aircraft having at least one overhead luggage compartment in one of the embodiments described above.
[0036] In one variant, the invention also relates to a hinge arrangement for a door of an overhead luggage compartment, comprising
[0037] - a side cover plate,
[0038] - a lever arm for supporting the door, which is pivotally connected to the side cover plate about a pivot axis and which is pivotable between a first pivot position corresponding to an open position of the door and a second pivot position corresponding to a closed position of the door,
[0039] - a spring element connected to the lever arm to assist movement of the lever arm between the second pivot position and the first pivot position, wherein the spring element has a spring portion and a straight connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion connects the spring portion to the lever arm. This prevents a collision between the spring element and the pivot axis. The preferred embodiments described in this disclosure can also be provided in this variant.
[0040] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment shown in the drawings.
[0041] Fig. 1 shows schematically a preferred embodiment of the hinge arrangement.
[0042] Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of a spring element of the embodiment of Fig. 1.
[0043] Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of an adjustment element of the embodiment of Fig. 1.
[0044] Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of a lever arm of the embodiment of Fig. 1.
[0045] Fig. 5 shows an overhead luggage compartment with the hinge arrangement of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in an open position.
[0046] Fig. 6 shows the overhead luggage compartment of Fig. 5 in a swivel position.
[0047] 1 to 4 show a preferred embodiment of a hinge arrangement 1 for a door of an overhead luggage compartment which is mounted in an aircraft cabin. Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of the hinge arrangement 1. The hinge arrangement has a mounting or side cover plate 2 which delimits the hinge arrangement in the direction of a storage space of the overhead luggage compartment. A second side cover plate opposite this first side cover plate 2 can also be provided. However, this is not necessary, in particular if the overhead luggage compartment is directly adjacent to another overhead luggage compartment.
[0048] The hinge assembly 1 has a lever arm 3 for supporting the door. The lever arm 3 is pivotally connected to the side cover plate 2 about a pivot axis 4 and is pivotable between a first pivot position, which corresponds to an open position of the door, and a second pivot position, which corresponds to a closed position of the door. The lever arm 3 is pivotable further from the open position into an over-pivot position about the pivot axis 4, which corresponds to an over-pivot position of the door. In Fig. 1, the lever arm 1 is shown in the over-pivot position. The hinge assembly has a spring element 5 which is connected to the lever arm 3 to assist movement of the lever arm 3 between the second pivot position and the first pivot position. The spring element 5 thus assists the lifting of the door from the closed position to the open position. Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the spring element 5.
[0049] The hinge arrangement has an adjusting element 6 with which a preload of the spring element 5 can be adjusted. This allows the support provided to be easily adapted to different door masses. For a heavy door, for example, the preload can be increased so that a greater torque is exerted on the lever arm and thus the door. The adjusting element 6 runs in a spring axis 22 of the spring element 5. Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the adjusting element 6.
[0050] A peripheral cover 23 extends in sections along a circumference 8 of the side cover plate 2. The peripheral cover 23 extends from the side cover plate 2 essentially perpendicular to the latter. The adjusting element 6 has an adjusting unit 7 with which the preload of the spring element 5 can be adjusted from outside the circumference 8 of the side cover plate 2 (i.e. from outside a volume extending from the side cover plate 2 perpendicular to the latter). The peripheral cover 23 has a recess so that the adjusting unit 7 is accessible in a direction essentially perpendicular to the side cover plate 2. For this purpose, in this embodiment the adjusting element 6 extends at least partially through the recess, as a result of which in this embodiment the adjusting unit 7 lies outside the circumference 8 of the side cover plate 2. This means that the preload can also be easily adjusted when the hinge arrangement 1 is in the assembled state.Preferably, the hinge assembly 1 is located on a front side of the hinge assembly in the assembled state of the overhead luggage compartment, i.e., on a side from which the overhead luggage compartment is loaded. In particular, the adjustment unit 7 adjoins a portion of the periphery 8 of the side cover plate 2, which delimits an insertion opening of the overhead luggage compartment.
[0051] The adjusting element 6 has an adjusting screw 9 for adjusting the preload of the spring element 5 . A nut 10 is provided on the adjusting screw 9 and is designed as a cylindrical nut in this embodiment. The position of the nut 10 can be shifted by turning the adjusting screw 9 . The spring element 5 is connected to the nut 10 so that the preload of the spring element 5 can be adjusted. The spring element 5 is designed at a first end 5a as an eyelet 11 into which the nut 10 engages. In particular, the first end 5a has a double eyelet shape so that the nut 11 is encompassed by the first end 5a on both sides relative to the adjusting screw 9 (cf. Figs. 2 and 3). A screw head 12 of the adjusting screw 9 is provided as the adjusting unit 7 and is at least partially outside a circumference 8 of the side cover plate 2 . The adjustment unit 7 can also be provided recessed in the side cover 23.The side cover 23 forms a counter element 13, wherein the screw head 12 of the adjusting screw 9 is supported on the counter element 13.
[0052] The lever arm 3 has a first arm element 3a and a second arm element 3b opposite the first arm element 3a with respect to the pivot axis 4. The first arm element 3a is designed to support the door, and the spring element 5 is connected to the second arm element 3b. The door and the spring element 5 are thus connected to the lever arm 3 on different sides with respect to the pivot axis 4.
[0053] The spring element 5 has a spring section 5b and a straight connecting section 5c, wherein the connecting section 5c connects the spring section 5b to the lever arm 3. The connecting section 5c is designed integrally with the spring section 5b. The connecting section-side end 14 of the spring section 5b has a circumference 16 in cross-section normal to the spring force direction 15. The connecting section 5c extends from a region of the circumference 16 of the spring section 5b that faces away from the pivot axis 4. Thus, from the end 14 of the spring section 5b that faces the lever arm 3, the connecting section 5c adjoins the spring section 5b or its circumference 16 on that side (in particular in that half or in that quarter or at that point) that faces away from the pivot axis, i.e. that faces away when the door is assembled.
[0054] As can be seen more clearly in Fig. 4, the lever arm 3 has a rotatably mounted sleeve 17 to which the spring element 5 is connected. The sleeve 17 is rotatably mounted on a pin 18. At its lever arm-side end 19, the spring element has a curved connection section 20 (see Fig. 2; largely concealed in Fig. 4), which surrounds the sleeve 17 on its circumference. This allows the spring element 5 to engage the lever arm 3 independently of its pivoting position.
[0055] The spring element 5 has a linear tension spring, which is a wire spring. In particular, the spring section 5b is designed as a tension wire spring. The pivot axis 4 has a rotation damper. For further rotation damping, a gear ring section 25 is provided on the side cover plate 2, with which the lever arm 3 engages via a rotation-damped gear. A stop element 21 (see Fig. 5) is provided, against which the lever arm 3 strikes in the first pivot position. The stop element 21 is mounted on a leg spring and prevents the door from being moved beyond the open position by the spring element 5, since the torque exerted by the spring element 5 is less than that exerted by the stop element 21 and the gravity of the door.However, by applying additional force, a user can move the door from the open position into an over-pivoting position, in which it is wider open than in the open position, whereby the lever arm 3 is pivoted from the first pivoting position into an over-pivoting position and the stop element 21 is pivoted against the force of the leg spring. In the over-pivoting position, the lever arm 3 strikes a further stop element 24, as shown in Fig. 1, which prevents the lever arm 3 from pivoting beyond the over-pivoting position.
[0056] 5 and 6 show an overhead luggage compartment 26 with a plurality of hinge assemblies 1 as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4. The overhead luggage compartment 26 has a shell-shaped luggage compartment housing 27 which defines a storage space and has an insertion opening 28 through which the storage space can be loaded. The luggage compartment housing 27 has at least a first side element 29. The side element 29 has a side wall 30 and the hinge assembly 1 adjacent to a portion of the periphery 31 of the side wall. In addition, the overhead luggage compartment 26 in this embodiment has two further (middle) hinge assemblies 1 adjacent to the center of the upper periphery of the insertion opening 28. The side cover plates 2 of these middle hinge assemblies 1 essentially delimit a space within which the lever arms 3 of the middle hinge assemblies 1 are pivotally mounted.In addition, the overhead luggage compartment has a second side element 29, which also has a hinge arrangement 1 (hidden in the figures) and which is opposite the first side element 29 with respect to the storage space. The lever arm 3 of the first side element 29 and the lever arm of the one middle hinge arrangement 1 carry a door 32 which is movable between the closed position in which the storage space is closed, and the open position in which the storage space is accessible. In this embodiment, the door 32 is further movable into the pivoted position, as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4. This door 32 is shown in Fig. 5 in the open position, in which the lever arms 3 each strike the stop element 21. In Fig.6, the door 32 is shown in the over-pivoted position, in which the lever arms 3 have been pivoted against the force of the leg spring on which the stop element 21 is mounted, so that they each strike the further stop element 24. The lever arm 3 of the second side element 29 and the lever arm of the other middle hinge assembly 1 equally support a door 32. The latter is shown in Fig.
[0057] 5 and Fig. 6 in the closed position. If the weight of the respective door 32 changes, the spring force acting on the respective lever arms 3 can be easily adjusted using the adjusting element 6 of the respective hinge assemblies 1.
[0058] [Reference symbol list:]
[0059] 1 hinge arrangement
[0060] 2 side cover plates
[0061] 3 lever arm
[0062] 3a first arm element (at door)
[0063] 3b second arm element (for spring element)
[0064] 4 swivel axis
[0065] 5 spring element
[0066] 5a first end (at mother)
[0067] 5b Spring section
[0068] 5c connecting section
[0069] 6 Adjustment element
[0070] 7 Adjustment unit
[0071] 8 Circumference of the side cover plate
[0072] 9 Adjusting screw
[0073] 10 Mother
[0074] 11 Eyelet of the spring element (at nut)
[0075] 12 screw head
[0076] 13 Counter element
[0077] 14 connecting section end of the spring section
[0078] 15 Spring force direction
[0079] 16 Circumference of the connecting section end of the spring section
[0080] 17 sleeve
[0081] 18 pins
[0082] 19 Lever arm end of the spring element
[0083] 20 Eyelet of the spring element to the lever arm
[0084] 21 Stop element
[0085] 22 spring axle
[0086] 23 Perimeter coverage
[0087] 24 additional stop element
[0088] 25 sprocket section
[0089] 26 Overhead luggage compartment
[0090] 27 Luggage compartment housing
[0091] 28 Insertion opening
[0092] 29 Page Element
[0093] 30 side wall
[0094] 31 circumference of the side wall
[0095] 32 Door
Claims
Patent claims:
1. Hinge arrangement (1) for a door (32) of an overhead luggage compartment (26), comprising - a side cover plate (2) , - a lever arm (3) for supporting the door (32), which is pivotally connected to the side cover plate (2) about a pivot axis (4) and which is pivotable between a first pivot position corresponding to an open position of the door (32) and a second pivot position corresponding to a closed position of the door (32), - a spring element (5) connected to the lever arm (3) to support a movement of the lever arm (3) between the second pivot position and the first pivot position, characterized by - an adjusting element (6) with which a preload of the spring element (5) can be adjusted.
2. Hinge arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting element (6) has an adjusting unit (7) with which the preload of the spring element (5) can be adjusted from outside a circumference (8) of the side cover plate (2).
3. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting element (6) has an adjusting screw (9) for adjusting the preload of the spring element (5).
4. Hinge arrangement (1) according to claim 3, wherein the adjusting element (6) has a nut (10), in particular a cylinder nut, with which the adjusting screw (9) is in engagement, wherein the spring element (5) is connected to the nut (10).
5. Hinge arrangement (1) according to claim 4, wherein the spring element (5) is formed at a first end (5a) as an eyelet (11) into which the nut (10) engages.
6. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the spring element (5) at its first end (5a) engages around the nut (10) on both sides of the adjusting screw (9). I. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a rotary drive of a screw head (12) of the adjusting screw (9) is accessible from a direction substantially perpendicular to the side cover plate (2) from outside a circumference (8) of the side cover plate (2).
8. Hinge arrangement (1) according to claim 7, wherein a counter element (13) extends along a portion of the circumference (8) of the side cover plate (2) substantially perpendicular to the side cover plate (2), wherein the screw head (12) of the adjusting screw (9) is supported on the counter element (13).
8. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever arm (3) has a first arm element (3a) and a second arm element (3b) opposite the first arm element (3a) with respect to the pivot axis (4), wherein the first arm element (3a) is adapted to support the door (32) and the spring element (5) is connected to the second arm element (3b).
10. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring element (5) has a spring portion (5b) and a straight connecting portion (5c), wherein the connecting portion (5c) connects the spring portion (5b) to the lever arm (3). II. Hinge assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein the connecting portion (5c) is formed integrally with the spring portion (5b).
12. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the connecting section-side end (14) of the spring section (5b) has a circumference (16) in cross-section normal to the spring force direction (15) and the connecting section (5c) extends from a region of the circumference (16) of the spring section (5b) which faces away from the pivot axis (4).
13. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever arm (3) has a rotatably mounted sleeve (17) to which the spring element (5) is connected.
14. Hinge arrangement (1) according to claim 13, wherein the sleeve (17) is rotatably mounted on a pin (18).
15. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring element (5) comprises a tension spring.
16. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring element (5) comprises a linear spring.
17. Hinge arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting element (6) lies in a spring axis (22) of the spring element (5).
18. Side element (29) for an overhead luggage compartment (26), comprising a side wall (30) and, adjacent to a portion of the periphery (31) of the side wall (30), a hinge arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims.
19. Overhead luggage compartment (26) comprising a luggage compartment housing (27) which defines a storage space, with an insertion opening (28) through which the storage space can be loaded, wherein the luggage compartment housing (27) has a side element (29) according to claim 18, wherein the lever arm (3) of the side element (29) carries a door (32) which is movable between the closed position in which the storage space is closed and the open position in which the storage space is accessible.
20. An aircraft comprising an overhead luggage compartment (26) according to claim 19.