Opening panel for facilitating access to a seat for a person with reduced mobility or a large build

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (23) for deploying an opening panel for an aircraft seat, the device comprising: - at least one connecting rod (25) having a first end that is mounted so as to rotate on the opening panel (22) and a second end that is mounted so as to rotate on a seat structure (13) or on the fixed skirt (21); and - a roller (26) provided with a pivot connection (27) that is capable of being guided in translation along a runner (28) arranged on an upper edge of the fixed skirt (21) while allowing the opening panel (22) to rotate about an axis (X1) of the pivot connection (27); - such that a transition of the opening panel (22) from a retracted position to a deployed position is achieved through a combined movement of rotation about the axis (X1) of the pivot connection (27) and of translation along the runner (28) of the fixed skirt (21).

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: OPENING FACILITATING ACCESS TO A SEAT FOR A PERSON WITH REDUCED MOBILITY OR A LARGE BODY

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening facilitating access to a seat for a person with reduced mobility or a large build. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of aeronautics, in particular with aircraft seats without movement kinematics.

[0002] If a side panel used to provide passenger privacy is placed between the aisle and the seat, the panel blocks access to the seat for a person with reduced mobility sitting in an armchair or a person with a large build. It is therefore important to be able to retract the panel to allow the person with reduced mobility to transfer from their armchair to the aircraft seat.

[0003] Document WO2022 / 122802 discloses two embodiments of an aircraft seat privacy shell comprising a retractable side opening allowing access to the aircraft seat. These systems require the seat to be able to move from a seated position to a lying position in order to facilitate the installation of the person with reduced mobility. The fact that the seat has kinematics allowing it to move forward in relation to an axis of the seat makes it possible to limit the degree of opening of the opening. However, existing systems are not suitable for fixed seats, because even in the deployed position, access to a fixed seat remains partial.

[0004] The invention aims to effectively remedy this drawback by proposing an assembly for a vehicle cabin comprising: - at least one seat with a seat and a backrest, and - a side panel located along one side of the seat comprising a fixed skirt and an opening movable relative to the fixed skirt between a retracted position and a deployed position providing access to the seat, and - a device for deploying the opening comprising: - at least one connecting rod having a first end mounted so as to be able to rotate on the opening and a second end mounted so as to be able to rotate on a seat structure or on the fixed skirt, and - a roller provided with a pivot connection capable of being guided in translation along a slide arranged on an upper edge of the fixed skirt while allowing rotation of the opening around an axis of the pivot connection, - so that a transition of the opening from the retracted position to the deployed position is carried out by a combined movement of rotation around the axis of the pivot connection and translation along the skirt slide.

[0005] The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the kinematics of the opening combining a rotational and translational movement, to optimize the access space to a fixed seat by completely retracting the side panel relative to the seat. The invention therefore facilitates the transfer and installation of a person with reduced mobility from their wheelchair to their seat, including for fixed seat configurations. The combined movement kinematics according to the invention has the advantage of being able to be integrated into a restricted space, with ease of handling for the deployment and locking of the opening. The invention also has the advantage of hiding the electrical and mechanical components arranged under the seat thanks to the presence of the fixed skirt. The invention also makes it possible to facilitate maintenance operations on the seat unit and to limit the overall size.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the invention, said assembly comprises at least one device for locking and unlocking the opening leaf relative to the fixed skirt, said locking and unlocking device being capable of taking a locked state in which the opening leaf is immobilized relative to the fixed skirt and an unlocked state in which the opening leaf can move relative to the fixed skirt.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening comprises on its upper edge an access flap capable of concealing the locking and unlocking device of the opening.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking and unlocking device is chosen from: a set of complementary pins, a latch lock, spring clips, an electromagnetic strike.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening comprises at least one functional element integrated on an internal face facing the seat.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the functional element is an armrest.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the armrest is rotatably mounted relative to a horizontal axis parallel to a wall of the opening or relative to a horizontal axis perpendicular to a wall of the opening.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the functional element is a tablet.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening comprises a housing in which is arranged a door mounted to move in translation relative to the housing between a deployed position in which the door is located outside the housing so as to block access between the seat and a circulation corridor and a stored position in which the door is located inside the housing so as to free access between the seat and the circulation corridor.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the deployment device comprises a first connecting rod connected in rotation on the one hand to an upper edge of the opening and on the other hand to the seat structure, and a second connecting rod connected in rotation on the one hand to a lower edge of the opening and on the other hand to the fixed skirt.

[0015] The invention also relates to an aircraft cabin comprising at least one assembly as previously defined.

[0016] The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may be used to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

[0017] [Fig. 1a] [Fig. 1b] Figures 1a and 1b are perspective views, from two different angles, of a seat equipped with an opening according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an opening according to the invention mounted to move relative to a fixed skirt;

[0019] [Fig. 3a] [Fig. 3b] Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views illustrating a deployment of an opening according to the invention to free up the space for access to the seat;

[0020] [Fig. 4a] [Fig. 4b] [Fig. 4c] [Fig. 4d] Figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are top views illustrating the deployment of an opening according to the invention to free up the space for access to the seat;

[0021] [Fig. 5a] [Fig. 5b] Figures 5a and 5b are detailed perspective views of a device for locking and unlocking the opening according to the invention taking the form of a latch lock respectively in a locked state and in an unlocked state.

[0022] It should be noted that the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0023] Furthermore, in the remainder of the description, the relative terms of the type "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "horizontal" or "vertical" are understood by reference to the common meaning that a passenger seated on a seat of the seat unit according to the invention would give them.

[0024] Figures 1a and 1b show a seat 10 intended to be installed inside a vehicle cabin, in particular an aircraft cabin. The seat 10 comprises at least one seat 11 and at least one backrest 12 defining at least one place for a passenger. The seat 11 and the backrest 12 are fixed.

[0025] In this case, the seat 10 comprises two seats 11 extending in two opposite directions from each other relative to the backrest 12. The two seats 11 are aligned laterally relative to each other. A backrest 12 may be associated with each seat 11. Alternatively, a common backrest 12 is provided comprising a first face associated with the first seat 11 to define a first place and a second face (opposite the first face) associated with the second seat 11 to define a second place.

[0026] The seat 10 also comprises a structure 13 supporting the seats 11 and the backrests 12. For this purpose, the seat structure 13 comprises structural elements for supporting the seat or seats 11, and structural elements for supporting the backrest or backrests 12. The seat structure 13 also comprises feet 15 provided with fasteners 16 intended to ensure fixing of the seat 10 on rails of the aircraft cabin (not shown).

[0027] A side panel 19 extends along one side of the seat 10. The side panel 19 extends on the side of a circulation aisle of the aircraft cabin. The side panel 19 extends parallel to a longitudinal extension axis of the circulation aisle. The side panel 19 extends to a height equal to or greater than a height of the backrest(s) 12 so as to provide privacy to the passenger seated on the seat 10 relative to the circulation aisle of the aircraft cabin.

[0028] More specifically, the side panel 19 comprises a fixed skirt 21 and an opening 22 movable between a retracted position and a deployed position providing access to the seat 10.

[0029] The fixed skirt 21 has a height measured relative to a floor of the aircraft cabin less than or equal to a height of an upper face of the seat 11 intended to come into contact with the passenger. The skirt 21 is constituted by a wall made for example of thermoplastic or composite material of rectangular shape. The opening 22 is constituted by a wall made for example of thermoplastic or composite material of rectangular shape.

[0030] The opening 22 of the side panel 19 is movable relative to the fixed skirt 21 between a retracted position shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 4a and a deployed position shown in Figures 3b and 4d. In the retracted position, the opening 22 blocks access to the seat 10 from the circulation aisle and provides privacy to the passenger. The opening 22 is then vertically superimposed relative to an upper edge of the fixed skirt 21. In the deployed position, the opening 22 frees access to the seat 10 from the circulation aisle. The opening 22 is then mostly offset laterally relative to an upper edge of the fixed skirt 21.

[0031] As illustrated in Figure 2, a deployment device 23 of the opening 22 comprises at least one connecting rod 25 having a first end mounted so as to be able to rotate on the opening 22, in this case an upper edge of the opening 22, preferably close to the center of the upper edge of the opening 22, and a second end mounted so as to be able to rotate on the seat structure 13.

[0032] The connecting rod 25 has a shape adapted according to the configuration of the arrangement, in particular so as not to interfere with the seat structure 13 when the opening 22 is in the deployed position. The connecting rod 25 preferably comprises at least two portions forming a non-zero angle between them.

[0033] A roller 26 carried by the opening 22 and provided with a pivot connection 27 is capable of being guided in translation in a direction D along a slide 28 arranged on an upper edge of the fixed skirt 21 while allowing rotation of the opening 22 around an axis X1 of the pivot connection 27. The roller 26 is arranged at a lower front corner of the opening 22. The roller 26 is fixed in translation relative to the opening 22.

[0034] Thus, a passage of the opening 22 from the retracted position to the deployed position is carried out by a combined movement of rotation, relative to the skirt 21, around the axis X1 of the pivot connection 27 and of translation along the slide 28 of the fixed skirt 21. The guiding of the movement of the opening 22 is carried out by the connecting rod 25.

[0035] The opening 22 comprises at least one functional element 36 integrated on an internal face facing the seat 10. The functional element may be a armrest 36. The armrest 36 can be rotatably mounted relative to a horizontal axis X2 parallel to a wall of the opening 22. The armrest 36 can be movable in rotation about the axis X2 between a stored position in which the armrest 36, in particular its bearing face, is pressed against the wall of the opening 22 (the bearing face of the armrest 36 is then substantially parallel to the wall of the opening 22) and a deployed position in which the armrest 36, in particular its bearing face, is spaced from the wall of the opening 22 so that the bearing face of the armrest 36 extends in a horizontal plane to allow part of a passenger's arm to be supported.

[0036] Alternatively, the armrest 36 may be rotatably mounted relative to a horizontal axis X3 perpendicular to a wall of the opening 22. The armrest 36 is rotatable about the axis X3 between a stored position in which the armrest 36, in particular its bearing face, is vertical and substantially perpendicular to the wall of the opening 22 and a deployed position in which the armrest 36, in particular its bearing face, extends in a horizontal plane to support part of a passenger's arm. Such a configuration makes it possible to retract the armrest 36 to avoid interference between the armrest 36 and the backrest 12 when the opening 22 is moved from one position to another.

[0037] In order to ensure the rotation of the armrest 36 around the axis X2 or X3, a hinge, in particular a friction hinge, is mounted between the armrest 36 and the wall of the opening 22.

[0038] Alternatively, the functional element is a shelf. The opening 22 may also comprise a housing 39 in which is arranged a door 40 mounted to move in translation relative to the housing 39 between a deployed position in which the door 40 is located outside the housing 39 so as to block access between the seat 10 and a circulation corridor and a stored position in which the door 40 is located inside the housing 39 so as to free access between the seat 10 and the circulation corridor.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one device 31 is provided for locking and unlocking the opening 22 relative to the fixed skirt 21. The locking and unlocking device 31 is capable of taking a state locked in which the opening 22 is immobilized relative to the fixed skirt 21 and an unlocked state in which the opening 22 can move relative to the fixed skirt 21.

[0040] The locking and unlocking device 31 may comprise a pin 33.1, in particular a ball pin, arranged on the side of the lower edge of the opening 22 intended to cooperate with a complementary ball pin 33.2 carried by the fixed skirt 21 (see figure 2).

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, as illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, the locking and unlocking device 31 may comprise a latch lock 35. In a locked state, the latch lock 35 cooperates via a jaw with a locking stud 37, as shown in Figure 5a, while in an unlocked state, the latch lock 35 is disengaged from the locking stud 37 following an opening of the jaw of the latch lock 35.

[0042] The 35 latch lock can be operated by a handle connected to a control cable or a push button.

[0043] Alternatively, the locking and unlocking device 31 may take the form of grasshoppers, or an electromagnetic latch.

[0044] Advantageously, as can be seen in Figure 2, in order to hide the locking and unlocking device 31 from the passenger, the opening 22 may comprise on its upper edge a flap 32 for access to the device 31. The flap 32 is movable between a closed position in which the flap 32 covers the device 31 so as to hide access to the device 31 and an open position in which the flap 32 is pivoted away from the device 31 so as to allow access to the device 31.

[0045] The operation of the removable side panel 19 according to the invention is described below with reference to Figures 3a and 3b, 4a to 4d. The opening 22 is initially in the retracted position so as to block access to the seat 10 from the traffic aisle, as shown in Figure 4a. The lower front corner of the opening 22 is then located near the upper front corner of the skirt 21 and the corner The lower rear corner of the opening 22 is then located near the upper rear corner of the skirt 21.

[0046] In order to facilitate access to the seat 10 for a person with reduced mobility or a large build, a crew member can lift the flap 32 to access the locking and unlocking device 31. The crew member can then actuate the locking and unlocking device 31 so as to separate the opening 22 from the skirt 21, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. The crew member can fold the armrest 36 against the opening 22 along the axis X2 or X3 in order to prevent the armrest 36 from interfering with the seat structure 13 when the opening 22 is deployed.

[0047] The crew member can then move the opening 22 away from the seat 10 by moving the opening 22 by a combined movement of rotation around the axis X1 of the pivot connection 27 and translation along the slide 28 of the fixed skirt 21, as shown in Figures 3a, 4b, 4c and 4d. The axis of rotation X1 moves in translation along the slide 28.

[0048] During deployment, the angle A1 of the opening 22 relative to the skirt 21 gradually increases to a maximum and then decreases to a minimum. When the opening 22 is in the deployed position shown in Figures 3b and 4d, the opening 22 forms a small angle A1 in top view, in particular less than 20 degrees, or even zero relative to the skirt 21. In other words, in the deployed position, the opening 22 can be located in the same plane or in a plane forming a small angle A1 relative to the skirt 21.

[0049] When the opening 22 is in the deployed position, the lower front corner of the opening 22 is then located close to the upper rear corner of the skirt 21. The lower rear corner of the opening 22 is then very far from the seat. The opening 22 being offset laterally relative to the skirt 21, this facilitates access to the seat 10 from the side of the circulation aisle. It is then possible for the crew member to easily transfer a passenger with reduced mobility from his chair to the seat 10.

[0050] Once the passenger has been transferred to seat 10, the crew member can perform the reverse operations and return the opening 22 to the retracted position to provide privacy for the passenger.

[0051] Alternatively, the deployment device 23 further comprises a second connecting rod 25 linked in rotation on the one hand with a lower edge of the opening 22 and on the other hand with the fixed skirt 21.

[0052] Alternatively, the invention may be implemented with a seat 10 provided with kinematics enabling it to be movable between a "seated" position in which the seat 10 is configured to define a seated position for a passenger, and a "lying" position, in which the seat 10 is configured to define a sleeping surface for the passenger, advantageously substantially horizontal.

[0053] Of course, the various features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the various modes of operation described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Assembly for a vehicle cabin comprising: - at least one seat (10) comprising a seat (11) and a backrest (12), and - a side panel (19) located along one side of the seat (10) comprising a fixed skirt (21) and an opening (22) movable relative to the fixed skirt (21) between a retracted position and a deployed position providing access to the seat (10), characterized in that said assembly further comprises a deployment device (23) for the opening (22) comprising: - at least one connecting rod (25) having a first end mounted so as to be able to rotate on the opening (22) and a second end mounted so as to be able to rotate on a seat structure (13) or on the fixed skirt (21), - a roller (26) provided with a pivot connection (27) capable of being guided in translation along a slide (28) arranged on an upper edge of the fixed skirt (21) while allowing rotation of the opening (22) around an axis (X1) of the pivot connection (27), - so that a passage of the opening (22) from the retracted position to the deployed position is carried out by a combined movement of rotation around the axis (X1) of the pivot connection (27) and of translation along the slide (28) of the fixed skirt (21), - the opening (22) comprising at least one functional element (36) integrated on an internal face facing the seat (10), said functional element being an armrest (36) or a tablet.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one device (31) for locking and unlocking the opening leaf (22) relative to the fixed skirt (21), said locking and unlocking device (31) being capable of taking a locked state in which the opening leaf (22) is immobilized relative to the fixed skirt (21) and an unlocked state in which the opening leaf (22) can move relative to the fixed skirt (21).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening (22) comprises on its upper edge an access flap (32) capable of masking the device (31) for locking and unlocking the opening (22).

4. Assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the locking and unlocking device (31) is chosen from: a set of complementary pins (33.1, 33.2), a latch lock (35), spring clips, an electromagnetic strike.

5. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the armrest (36) is rotatably mounted relative to a horizontal axis (X2) parallel to a wall of the opening (22) or relative to a horizontal axis (X3) perpendicular to a wall of the opening.

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the opening (22) comprises a housing (39) in which is arranged a door (40) mounted movable in translation relative to the housing (39) between a deployed position in which the door (40) is located outside the housing (39) so as to block access between the seat (10) and a circulation corridor and a stored position in which the door (40) is located inside the housing (39) so as to free access between the seat (10) and the circulation corridor.

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the deployment device (23) comprises a first connecting rod (25) linked in rotation on the one hand with an upper edge of the opening (22) and on the other hand with the seat structure (13), and a second connecting rod linked in rotation on the one hand with a lower edge of the opening (22) and on the other hand with the fixed skirt (21).

8. Aircraft cabin comprising at least one assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

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