Passenger power system and aircraft equipped with a passenger power system

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a passenger power system (100) for an aircraft. The passenger power system includes a passenger power channel, a passenger service unit (110) having a main body (112), and a filling panel (120). A portion (115) of the main body of the passenger service unit overlaps one end of the filling panel. Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Passenger power supply system and aircraft equipped with a passenger power supply system

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to a passenger feeding system. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a passenger feeding system having a passenger feeding channel with a passenger service unit arranged therein, the passenger service unit overlapping a filling panel also arranged in the passenger feeding channel. This disclosure further relates to an aircraft having such a passenger feeding system.

[0002] A conventional passenger supply system having a passenger supply channel (PSC) allows for the arrangement of a plurality of passenger service units (personal units providing reading lights, fresh air nozzles, oxygen masks, and the like for one or more passengers seated below a respective passenger service unit). The passenger service units (PSUs) are arranged in the passenger supply channel with a spacing in a longitudinal direction of the PSC (i.e., a distance between two adjacent PSUs) corresponding to, or at least associated with, a longitudinal spacing between two adjacent rows of seats.

[0003] The spacing (distance) between two adjacent rows of seats can be changed, for example, when the aircraft operator wants to increase or decrease the number of seats in the aircraft. In such cases, the spacing (distance) between the corresponding PSUs must also be changed. Thus, one or more filler elements are provided to close or cover the PSC in an area between the PSUs. Such filler elements are available in different sizes along the longitudinal direction of the PSC, so a combination of differently sized filler elements can be used to fill any gap in the PSC between adjacent PSUs.

[0004] However, further improvements to the passenger power supply system are still possible.

[0005] One objective of the present disclosure is therefore to provide an improved passenger power system.

[0006] This objective is achieved by the present invention as defined in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect enabling a better understanding of the present disclosure, a passenger power system for an aircraft includes a passenger power channel, a passenger service unit having a main body, in which the passenger service unit is configured to be mounted in the passenger power channel, and a filler panel configured to be mounted in the passenger power channel.

[0008] Furthermore, a portion of the main body of the passenger service unit overlaps one end of the filler panel. In other words, the main body of the passenger service unit (PSU) has a portion or section that extends in the direction of the filler panel and overlaps the filler panel. More specifically, the portion of the main body covers the filler panel on one side / surface of the filler element oriented away from the passenger feed channel (PSC), such as the side / surface facing the passengers, for example, facing downwards.

[0009] This allows for the provision of a filler panel (also referred to simply as a filler element in this disclosure) with a size / dimension in the longitudinal direction of the PSC that can leave a gap between the filler element and a section of the PSU within the PSC. Consequently, the number of differently sized filler elements can be reduced, simplifying the installation and changes of passenger power systems. For example, the number of different filler elements that need to be manufactured, stored, and supplied to the aircraft can be reduced. Since every component in an aircraft must be formally certified for use in an aircraft, the passenger power system requires a reduced number of certified components.

[0010] In one embodiment, the passenger power channel may be oriented downwards in a vertical direction and may have a lower edge. In other words, the PSC is arranged on the lower side of an interior aircraft component, such as an overhead storage compartment or a ceiling in the aircraft cabin. Thus, a PSU installed in the PSC is oriented towards the passengers seated below the PSC. The lower edge defines one side of an opening in the PSC.

[0011] Furthermore, the portion of the main body overlapping the filler panel can be arranged below the lower edge of the passenger feed channel. In other words, the PSU, more specifically the portion of the main body overlapping the filler panel, can extend further into the passenger cabin (in a downward direction) than a lower surface of the filler panel. Thus, instead of installing the PSU completely within the PSC and facilitating a flush appearance with the filler panels, the PSU protrudes slightly from the PSC. This may mean a small aesthetic change to the passenger power system, but has the advantage of covering up any irregularities or unfinished edges of adjacent filler panels.

[0012] In one embodiment, the entire lower portion of the main body of the passenger service unit can be arranged below the lower edge. Thus, the main body can present a substantially flat lower surface (below the lower edge of the PSC), which gives a suitable aesthetic appearance to the PSU.

[0013] In one embodiment, a circumference of the main body may overlap a first infill panel, a second infill panel, and the respective lower edge on both sides of the passenger service channel. In other words, along a circumference of the main body, the surrounding components are covered by the PSU, in particular the portion of its main body. Thus, any edge of the infill panels and the PSC is covered by the portion of the main body, which can improve the appearance of the passenger supply system.

[0014] In one embodiment, the portion of the main body overlapping the filler panel can be chamfered. Thus, the PSU does not resemble a brick-shaped component, but rather integrates into the overall aesthetic impression of the passenger power system. More specifically, the chamfer formed by the outer circumference of the main body faces a plane defined by the lower edge of the PSC and / or the lower surface of the filler panel.

[0015] In one embodiment, the passenger power supply system may further include a light source arranged on an upper surface of the main body. The upper surface is oriented vertically upwards when the PSU is installed in the PSC. Thus, the upper surface is not actually visible from the passenger cabin, as it is oriented away from a passenger area.

[0016] In one embodiment, the light source can be arranged around a circumference of the main body. Thus, the light emitted by the light source can illuminate the outer edge (circumferential edge) of the main body or at least a portion thereof. Therefore, the PSU, according to this disclosure, enables additional lighting effects and illumination of the passenger cabin.

[0017] In one embodiment, the light source can indicate a passenger call. Since the PSU is frequently associated with one or more passenger seats, the PSU's light source can be used to indicate to a cabin crew member that a passenger call has been initiated at the passenger seat(s). By way of example only, the light source can simply to be switched on in the event of a passenger call. Alternatively, the light source can change the color of the light emitted in the event of a passenger call, which also allows the light source to be used for general (effect) lighting of the passenger cabin.

[0018] In one embodiment, the passenger power supply system further comprises another passenger service unit mounted in the passenger power supply channel at a distance in a longitudinal direction from the passenger power supply channel. In other words, the other passenger service unit is associated with, or corresponds to, another passenger seat or row of seats. The distance between the two PSUs corresponds to, or depends at least on, the distance between the respective passenger seats or rows of seats.

[0019] Furthermore, the filler panel can have a length in the longitudinal direction of the passenger supply channel corresponding to the distance between the passenger service units. Thus, it is possible to provide a single filler panel, which avoids the conventional arrangement of multiple filler panels of different sizes (in particular, different lengths) and significantly improves the aesthetic impression and appearance of the passenger cabin. As just one example, when using multiple filler panels, they can move in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the PSC, so that the lateral edges of the filler panels are no longer flush (no longer aligned). This is regularly visible, as the lower edge of the PSC or associated coverings arranged next to the PSC have a continuous edge.

[0020] Due to the overlap with the portion of the main body of each of the PSUs, the filler panel can have a standard length, regardless of the arrangement of the PSUs in the PSC.

[0021] In one embodiment, the filler panel can be of a standard length corresponding to the greatest possible distance between two adjacent PSUs. Thus, only one certified single part needs to be supplied to construct any passenger power supply system in an aircraft. In the case of a reduced distance between two adjacent PSUs, the standard-length filler panel can simply be cut. The cut edge will be covered by the portion of the main body of the PSU, so the supply and installation of the cut filler panel does not require additional time.

[0022] In an embodiment variant, a longitudinal end of the filler panel can be machined after cutting the filler panel to present the length.

[0023] In one embodiment, the filler panel may be an extruded profile. By way of example only, the extruded filler panel may be made of a plastic material.

[0024] According to a second aspect which allows for a better understanding of the present disclosure, an aircraft includes at least one passenger power system of the first aspect or one or more of its variants.

[0025] In one embodiment, the aircraft may further comprise a plurality of upper storage compartments. The passenger service channel of at least one passenger power supply system is arranged at the level of a lower portion (one side) of the plurality of upper storage compartments.

[0026] According to a third aspect that allows for a better understanding of this disclosure, a method for installing a passenger power system in an aircraft comprises the following steps: • provision of a plurality of passenger service units of a passenger power supply system, according to the first aspect or one or more of its variants; • supply of a single infill panel with a standard length; • cutting the single filler panel to a length corresponding to the length of a space between two adjacent passenger service units along the passenger feed channel; • Installation of the filler panel cut into the passenger service channel; and • installation of one unit from the plurality of passenger service units at each longitudinal end of the installed infill panel, in which the portion of the main body of each passenger service unit overlaps (covers) the respective longitudinal end (or edge) of the installed infill panel.

[0027] In one embodiment variant, the supply of the single filler panel includes the manufacture of the filler panel by extrusion.

[0028] This disclosure is not limited to the aspects and variants in the form and order described. More specifically, the description of aspects and variants should not be considered a specific, limiting grouping of features. It is understood that this disclosure also covers combinations of aspects and variants. Thus, each variant or optional feature can be combined with any other aspect, variant, optional feature, or even combinations thereof.

[0029] In what follows, this disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments given by way of example and illustrated in the figures, in which:

[0030] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a conventional passenger feeding system;

[0031] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a given passenger service unit as an example;

[0032] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a passenger feed channel given as an example and showing the passenger service unit according to [Fig.2] installed within it;

[0033] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates another passenger service unit given as an example;

[0034] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates another passenger feed channel given by way of example and showing the passenger service unit according to [Fig. 4] installed within it; and

[0035] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates an aircraft comprising a passenger feeding system, and a cross-sectional view of the passenger feeding system.

[0036] In the following description, specific details are provided for the purpose of explanation and not limitation to enable a thorough understanding of this disclosure. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be applied in other implementations that depart from these specific details.

[0037] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a conventional passenger supply system 10 comprising a passenger supply channel (PSC) 50. The PSC 50 is shown schematically only in dashed lines and has a given channel height HC. The PSC 50 has a lower edge 51 on each side, which forms the lower limit of the channel height HC. The PSC 50 may be located at the level of a lower side / lower part of a passenger cabin component, such as an overhead storage compartment or a ceiling. Along a longitudinal direction of the PSC 50, there are several supply devices (not shown), such as fresh air ducts, power lines, oxygen supply, data lines, etc. At the lower edge 51, for example, there may be an end (an edge) of an overhead storage compartment lining or a ceiling lining (not shown).

[0038] According to the arrangement of a passenger seat or row of seats (not shown), a passenger service unit (PSU) 55 is installed in the PSC 50. [Fig. 1] illustrates two PSUs 55 in the PSC. Each PSU 55 has a length LU in the longitudinal direction of the PSC 50.

[0039] The space between the adjacent PSU 55 is closed in a conventional manner by a plurality of infill panels 61, 62, 63, 64. Each of these infill panels 61-64 has a corresponding length L1, L2, L3, L4. By way of example only, three infill panels 63, 64, 62 are provided between the two illustrated PSU 55, since the sum of the corresponding lengths L3, L4, L2 represents the length of the space between the PSU 55.

[0040] It is common for one or more filler panels 61-64, such as the filler panel 64 illustrated, to be able to move in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, so that the outer edges of the filler panels 61-64 may not be flush, which impairs the aesthetic impression of the passenger power supply system 10.

[0041] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a passenger feeding system 100 given by way of example in a bottom view and a top view, respectively (i.e., viewed upwards from a passenger area and viewed downwards from the top of a PSC opened by cutting, respectively). The passenger feeding system 100 comprises a passenger feeding channel 50 (which may be a conventional PSC 50), a passenger service unit 110 configured for mounting in the PSC 50, and a filler panel 120 also configured for mounting in the PSC 50 (adjacent filler panels 121 and 122 are referred to together as the general filler panel 120).

[0042] The passenger service unit 110 has a main body 112. A portion 115 of such a main body 112 overlaps an end 129 of the filler panel 120. More specifically, when viewed in a longitudinal direction from the PSC 50, each end portion 115 of the main body 112 overlaps a longitudinal end 129 of the respective filler panel 121, 122. As illustrated in particular in [Fig. 3], the longitudinal end 129 of the filler panel 120 can be unmachined or rough, as it is not visible from the passenger side (see [Fig. 2]). This simplifies the supply and installation of the filler panel 120.

[0043] By way of example only, the length LU of the PSU 110 may be greater than the distance between the opposite longitudinal ends 129 of the respective filler panels 121, 122. The overlap length OL may vary on either side of the PSU 110, since the length L10 of the filler panel 120 may not be a precise predefined length. This provides considerable flexibility when preparing the filler element 120.

[0044] Furthermore, the passenger feed channel 50 is oriented downwards in a vertical direction and has a lower edge 51. The portion 115 of the main body overlapping the filler panel 120 can be arranged below the lower edge 51 of the PSC 50. This allows the filler panel 120 to be supplied horizontally flush with the lower edge 51 of the PSC 50, while the PSU 110 extends further downwards. This allows for overlap (OL) with the respective infill panels 121, 122.

[0045] By way of example only, the entire lower portion of the main body 112 of the PSU 110 can be arranged below the lower edge 51. Thus, the main body 112 can be provided with a flat lower surface (see [Fig.2]), which ensures a neat appearance.

[0046] In the example of Figures 2 and 3, a circumference 114, 115 of the main body 112 overlaps a first filler panel 121, a second filler panel 122 (opposite the first filler panel 121) and the respective lower edge 51 on both sides of the passenger service channel 50. This allows a dedicated look / appearance of the PSU 110, while covering / overlapping not only the first and second filler panels 121, 122 but also the lower edge 51 as well as any adjacent or similar coverings (such as a lower covering of an upper storage compartment 150).

[0047] The overlap width OW in the transverse direction of the PSC 50 can be equal to a maximum overlap length OL in the longitudinal direction of the PSC 50. It should be understood that the overlap width OW can be chosen independently of the overlap length OL, in particular since the overlap length OL depends on the length L10 of the infill panels 120.

[0048] The circumferential overlap design of the PSU 110 further enables the personal power supply system 100 to illuminate the vicinity of the passengers. More specifically, the passenger power supply system 100 may include a light source 140 arranged on an upper surface of the main body 112 (three light-emitting elements 140 are shown in [Fig. 3] as an example). Thus, any light emitted by the light source 140 is directed upwards (in a vertical direction), such as towards the upper storage compartment 150 and / or the filler panels 120. This allows the circumference 114, 115 of the main body 112, or at least a portion thereof, to be illuminated.

[0049] By way of example only, the main body 112 of the PSU 110 can be designed so that it forms a small gap between the upper surface of the main body 112 and any lower surface of the upper storage compartment 150 and / or the filler panels 120. This allows light to be emitted through this gap.

[0050] Figures 4 and 5 schematically illustrate another passenger power supply system 100 given by way of example. Components and elements that are the same or have the same functionality as in the example in Figures 2 and 3 are equipped of the same reference number. In order to avoid redundancies, the explanation of such components and elements is omitted, and only the differences between the two passenger power supply systems 100 given as examples are described.

[0051] As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 4], the main body 112 has a chamfered portion 116 that overlaps the filler panel 120. Thus, in the area where it overlaps the respective filler panel 121, 122, the chamfered portion 116 approaches the lower surface of the filler panel 121, 122. This can create an appearance in which the PSU 110 is integrated into the longitudinally arranged filler panels 120. The chamfered portion 116 can have a length corresponding to the maximum overlap length OL.

[0052] In addition, a width of the PSU 110 can be equal to a width of the filler panels 120. The two widths can be chosen so as to fill the PSC 50, i.e. so as to extend between the opposite lower edges 51 of the PSC 50. This allows the installation of the passenger power supply system 100 with continuous edges of the filler panels 120 and the PSU 110, which are parallel and equidistant from any edges of adjacent or similar coverings.

[0053] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an aircraft 1 comprising at least one passenger feeding system 100. In addition, Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-section along the longitudinal direction and a view in a transverse direction of the passenger feeding system 100.

[0054] The disclosed passenger power supply system 100 allows for the provision of a single (type of) filler panel 120, thereby reducing the certification effort for such aircraft internal components and decreasing the number of parts required for the installation of cabin interior components. This simplifies the manufacturing and planning of cabin structures.

[0055] The single filler panel 120 can be provided in a standard length, which is then cut to a length L10 required in the specific aircraft 1. Thus, depending on the longitudinal distance between adjacent seats or rows of passenger seats, the distance between the PSUs 110 can be determined and the filler panels 120 can be cut to the required length L10. The cut edge 129 will be covered by the PSUs 110, so that no finishing or machining is required.

[0056] It is envisaged that the advantages of the technique presented herein will be fully understood upon reading the above description, and it will be evident that various changes can be made to the form, construction, and arrangement of the aspects given by way of example thereof without departing from the scope of disclosure or sacrificing all of its advantageous effects. Since the technique presented in this document can be modified in various ways, it must be recognized that disclosure should only be limited by the scope of the claims below.

Claims

Demands

1. Passenger feeding system (100) for an aircraft (1), comprising: a passenger feeding channel (50); a passenger service unit (110) having a main body (112), the passenger service unit (110) being configured to be mounted in the passenger feeding channel (50); and a filler panel (120) configured to be mounted in the passenger feeding channel (50), characterized in that a portion (115, 116) of the main body (112) of the passenger service unit (110) overlaps one end of the filler panel (120).

2. Passenger feeding system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the passenger feeding channel (50) is oriented downwards in a vertical direction and has a lower edge (51), and wherein the portion (115, 116) of the main body (112) overlapping the filler panel (120) is arranged below the lower edge (51) of the passenger feeding channel (50), and / or wherein the entire lower portion of the main body (112) of the passenger service unit (110) is arranged below the lower edge (51).

3. Passenger feeding system (100) according to claim 2, wherein a circumference (114, 115, 116) of the main body (112) overlaps a first filler panel (121), a second filler panel (122) and the lower edge (51) on both sides of the passenger service channel (50).

4. Passenger power supply system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portion (116) of the main body (112) overlapping the filler panel (120) is chamfered.

5. Passenger power supply system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a light source (140) arranged at an upper surface of the main body (112), particularly at a circumference (114, 115, 116) of the main body (112), in which, preferably, the light source (140) indicates a passenger call.

6. Passenger feeding system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: another passenger service unit (110) mounted in the passenger service channel (50) at a distance in a longitudinal direction from the passenger feeding channel (50), in which the filling panel (120) has a length (L10) in the longitudinal direction of the passenger feeding channel (50) corresponding to the distance between the passenger service units (110).

7. Passenger power supply system (100) according to claim 6, wherein a longitudinal end (129) of the filler panel (120) is machined after cutting the filler panel (120) to have the length (L10).

8. Passenger feeding system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the filler panel (120) is an extruded profile, preferably made of a plastic material.

9. Aircraft (1), comprising: at least one passenger feeding system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Aircraft (1) according to claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of upper storage compartments (150), in which the passenger service channel (50) of at least one passenger feeding system (100) is arranged at the level of a lower part of the plurality of upper storage compartments (150).

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