Radiant heating device for aircraft

Abstract

Radiant heating device for aircraft, comprising a modular radiant heating panel (5; 11) comprising units (6; 12) each having a heating zone (7) and an electrode zone (8) incorporating at least one anode and at least one cathode and disposed in contact with the heating zone (7). Figure for abbreviation: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Radiant heating device for aircraft technical field

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to the thermal comfort of a passenger in an aircraft cabin.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a radiant heating device for aircraft. Prior art

[0003] Radiant electric heating, also known as radiant heating, diffuses heat by radiation. This results in an intense and immediate sensation of heat.

[0004] In an aircraft, the presence of radiant heating devices makes it possible to overcome the existence of cold conditions perceived by passengers, coming from the overall cabin air conditioning which is generally deliberately left on low temperatures to reduce the risk of dizziness in the aircraft cabin.

[0005] Typically, such devices, like those described for example in documents FR3126694 and FR3140616, comprise a radiant heating panel incorporating a heating layer and an electrode layer. The panel is interposed between two insulating structures to ensure passenger safety.

[0006] Radiant heating devices are usually integrated into the seats in the cabin and have a well-defined shape that depends on the seat model.

[0007] Given the diversity of existing seats, it is necessary to manufacture and use specific tooling to form each of these particular radiant heating devices.

[0008] However, these tools have a high cost. Description of the invention

[0009] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a solution to reduce the costs associated with the production of radiant heating devices for aircraft.

[0010] A radiant heating device for aircraft is therefore proposed, comprising a modular radiant heating panel comprising units each having a heating zone and an electrode zone incorporating at least one anode and at least one cathode and disposed in contact with the heating zone.

[0011] Preferably, the modular radiant heating panel consists of units each comprising a heating zone and an electrode zone incorporating at least one anode and at least one cathode and disposed in contact with the heating zone.

[0012] In one embodiment, the units of the modular radiant heating panel are identical, i.e. at least of identical shape and dimensions.

[0013] In one embodiment, the units of the modular radiant heating panel are square and / or rectangular. The square units may be of identical or different dimensions. The rectangular units may be of identical or different dimensions.

[0014] In one embodiment, the units of the modular radiant heating panel together form a square or a rectangle.

[0015] Advantageously, each unit of the modular radiant heating panel may include electrical connection means for electrically connecting the anode and cathode to an external aircraft control device.

[0016] According to one feature, all or part of the units of the modular radiant heating panel can be connected in series.

[0017] In combination or alternatively, all or part of the units of the modular radiant heating panel can be connected in parallel.

[0018] Preferably, the equivalent resistance of the modular radiant heating panel is between 10 and 40 ohms, preferably between 10 and 20 ohms.

[0019] Advantageously, the radiant heating device may include means for removable fixing of the radiant heating device on a support.

[0020] The invention also relates to an aircraft cabin seat comprising a front face having a seat, and a rear face opposite the front face and comprising a leg rest unit, the leg rest unit incorporating at least one radiant heating device as described previously.

[0021] The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one radiant heating device as described above and / or at least one seat as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The present invention will be better understood and other objects, advantages and features will become apparent from the detailed description that follows, including embodiments given by way of illustration only and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the invention and the explanation of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] illustrates the rear face of an aircraft cabin seat incorporating two radiant heating devices according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a unit of the modular radiant heating panel of a radiant heating device for aircraft according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of two units as illustrated in [Fig.2] connected in series.

[0026] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of two units as illustrated in [Fig.2] connected in parallel.

[0027] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a unit of the modular radiant heating panel of a radiant heating device for aircraft according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0028] In what follows, and unless otherwise indicated, the bounds of a range of values ​​are included in that range, in particular in the expression "between".

[0029] Furthermore, the expression "at least one" used in this description is equivalent to the expression "one or more".

[0030] It should also be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0031] Figure 1 represents the rear face of an aircraft cabin seat 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. A leg rest unit 2 is arranged in a niche 3 formed on the rear face of the seat 1.

[0032] The illustrated seat 1 advantageously comprises a front face (not visible), opposite the rear face 1a, and incorporating a seat.

[0033] By leg rest unit, we mean an ottoman-type structure allowing a passenger to raise his legs when he is in a seated position.

[0034] The passenger is advantageously seated on another seat whose front face is positioned opposite the leg rest unit 2 of the seat 1 as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0035] In the illustrated example, a radiant heating device 4 according to a first embodiment is integrated on the rear face of the seat 1, above the leg rest unit 2.

[0036] The radiant heating device 4 comprises a modular radiant heating panel 5 comprising identical units 6, each intended to produce heat.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the modular radiant heating panel 5 consists of eight identical units 6.

[0038] By identical units in the present invention we mean units which are at a minimum of identical shapes and dimensions.

[0039] Preferably, the units of the modular radiant heating panel 5 are of strictly identical configuration, i.e. similar in every respect.

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig.2], each unit 6, intended to produce heat by radiant heating, comprises for this purpose a heating or thermoactive zone 7 and an electrode zone 8.

[0041] The electrode area 8 incorporates one or more anodes and one or more cathodes, and is disposed in direct contact with the heating area 7.

[0042] In the illustrated example, the units 6 are square in shape. Such a geometry is simple to produce and easily modular to form the final shape of the modular radiant heating panel 5.

[0043] Preferably, each square-shaped unit has dimensions between 4 and 10 cm on each side.

[0044] The units that form repetitive basic elements can be easily manufactured using a single set of tools. Modulating their number and arrangement thus makes it possible to adapt the final shape of the radiant heating device 4 to the shape of its support.

[0045] The manufacturing costs of various radiant heating devices 4 intended to be integrated into different seat models are thus reduced.

[0046] Of course, the number of units of the modular radiant heating panel 5 may be different from eight. In particular, the number of units is greater than or equal to two.

[0047] Alternatively, the modular radiant heating panel 5 may further comprise additional units, of different shapes from the basic square-shaped elements.

[0048] Advantageously, each unit 6 of the modular radiant heating panel 5 includes electrical connection means 9 for electrically connecting the anode and cathode to an external control device 13 of the aircraft.

[0049] The external control device 13 is advantageously suited to generate an electric current intended to pass through the heating zone 7 so that the latter emits radiant heat.

[0050] Preferably, the electrical connection means 9 link the units 6 of the modular radiant heating panel 5 together.

[0051] According to one feature, and with reference to [Fig.3], the units 6 of the modular radiant heating panel 5 can be connected in series.

[0052] Alternatively, and with reference to [Fig.4], the units 6 of the modular radiant heating panel 5 can be connected in parallel.

[0053] According to another variant, part of the units of the modular radiant heating panel 5 can be connected in parallel and the rest of the units 6 can be connected in series.

[0054] Such arrangements make it possible to optimize the overall value of the equivalent resistance of the modular radiant heating panel 5.

[0055] The calculation of the equivalent resistance of the modular radiant heating panel 5 is done classically by the assembly laws of electrical resistance.

[0056] By equivalent resistance, we mean the total resistance of the modular radiant heating panel 5 of the radiant heating device 4.

[0057] When connected in series, the equivalent resistance is the sum of the resistances of each unit 6 of the modular radiant heating panel 5.

[0058] When connected in parallel, the inverse of the equivalent resistance is equal to the sum of the inverses of all the resistances of the modular radiant heating panel 5.

[0059] Preferably, the equivalent resistance of the modular radiant heating panel 5 is between 10 and 40 ohms, more preferably between 10 and 20 ohms, such as 15 ohms. The value of the equivalent resistance is considered at a temperature of 25°C.

[0060] The units 6 of the modular radiant heating panel 5 can be connected to each other by cables on a connection area intended for this purpose.

[0061] According to one variant, the units 6 of the modular radiant heating panel 5 can be connected to each other by a printed circuit board serving as a mounting support for the units 6.

[0062] Advantageously, the radiant heating device 4 further comprises an electrically insulating front protective layer and / or a rear protective layer. The front and rear protective layers are respectively arranged on either side of the modular radiant heating panel 5.

[0063] The terms front and rear are considered in relation to the support on which the radiant heating device 4 is fixed. The front protective layer is positioned with respect to the outside of the assembly formed by the radiant heating device 4 and the support.

[0064] Advantageously, the radiant heating device 4 may further include a plastic shell, preferably fixed to the front protective layer.

[0065] Preferably, the radiant heating device 4 also includes fastening means for fixing the radiant heating device 4 to its support which, in the illustrated example, is the rear face of the aircraft cabin seat 1.

[0066] Preferably, the fastening means are removable, facilitating the certification of the radiant heating device 4, which can be certified independently of the support to which it is attached. Furthermore, the removable nature of the fastening facilitates its maintenance.

[0067] In another embodiment illustrated in [Fig.5], and as an alternative to the square shape, the units 12 can be, for example, rectangular in shape.

[0068] In the example illustrated in [Fig.1], the seat 1 further incorporates a radiant heating device 10 according to a second embodiment.

[0069] The radiant heating device 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the radiant heating device 4 illustrated in [Fig.1] according to the first embodiment in that it comprises a modular panel 11 incorporating rectangular units 12.

[0070] The characteristics and embodiments previously described for the first embodiment of the radiant heating device 4 are applicable to the radiant heating device 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0071] Preferably, the rectangular units 12 have dimensions between 4 and 10 cm for the short sides and between 4 and 20 cm for the long sides.

[0072] The rectangular shape is a simple shape, which can be easily manufactured.

[0073] Alternatively, the modular radiant heating panel 10 may further include additional units, of different shapes from the basic rectangular elements, for example one or more square units.

[0074] In the illustrated example, the radiant heating devices 4 and 10 are incorporated on the rear face of the aircraft cabin seat 1.

[0075] Of course, the radiant heating devices 4 and 10 can be incorporated in any other location of an aircraft seat, such as the front face or one of the side faces, or any other element of an aircraft, other than a seat.

Claims

Demands

1. Radiant aircraft heating device, comprising a modular radiant heating panel (5; 11) comprising units (6; 12) each having a heating zone (7) and an electrode zone (8) incorporating at least one anode and at least one cathode and disposed in contact with the heating zone (7).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the units (6; 12) of the modular radiant heating panel are identical.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the units (6) of the modular radiant heating panel (5) are square and / or rectangular in shape.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each unit (6:12) of the modular radiant heating panel (5;11) comprises electrical connection means (9) for electrically connecting the anode and cathode to an external control device (13) of the aircraft.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all or part of the units (6; 12) of the modular radiant heating panel (5; 11) are connected in series.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all or part of the units (6; 12) of the modular radiant heating panel (5; 11) are connected in parallel.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the equivalent resistance of the modular radiant heating panel (5; 11) is between 10 and 40 ohms, preferably between 10 and 20 ohms.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for removable fixing of the radiant heating device to a support.

9. Aircraft cabin seat comprising a front face having a seat, and a rear face (the) opposite the front face and comprising a leg rest unit (2), the leg rest unit (2) incorporating at least one radiant heating device (4; 10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Aircraft comprising at least one radiant heating device (4; 10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and / or at least one seat (1) according to claim 9.

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