DE102006034862A1 - Vehicle cabin i.e. passenger aircraft, reconfiguring method, involves inserting cabin module through vehicle opening into vehicle cabin, fastening inserted module to vehicle cabin, and moving module from driven rollers to vehicle cabin - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves inserting a cabin module (12) through a vehicle opening (10) into a vehicle cabin. The inserted cabin module is fastened to the vehicle cabin. The cabin module is moved from driven rollers to the vehicle cabin. The cabin module is detached by the vehicle opening from a vehicle i.e. aircraft (2). The cabin module is formed as a complete cabin section, and is provided with a set of units selected from a group such as seats, storage shelves, linings, electrical devices, and lighting and supply lines.

Description

The The invention relates to a method and a cabin module for Reconfiguring a vehicle cabin, in particular a passenger plane. The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular on a passenger plane.

At the modern passenger air traffic is often the desire or the need to the cabin of a passenger aircraft as soon as possible from a body ("Layout") in another Reconfigure body type. For example, some are short-haul flights with consistent economy seating due to always more complete Utilization financially more rewarding than a 2- or 3-class layout, at the majority the seats not occupied. On the other hand, depending on the route, time and customer All business or first-class seats booked be. A quick reconfiguration of the aircraft cabin would therefore be of Advantage.

To the Reconfigure an existing layout to a different layout is the expansion of individual passenger seats in modern passenger aircraft one type and the installation of individual passenger seats of another Type required. The seats to be installed are in one Seat rails in the cabin floor predetermined grid used. The distances and the type of passenger seats is determined by their class assignment. In addition to the individual passenger seats become class dividers installed in the aircraft cabin, existing partitions become offset or extended to take account of the new breakdown. By the ever stronger expectant use of electronic equipment in the cabin of a passenger aircraft, the usual are arranged on the passenger seats must, for example, electrical connections with associated connections solved in the aircraft cabin or produced.

At the Installation or removal of larger first-class seats or seating arrangements often the width of the front door of the aircraft cabin is not enough off to these seats from the aircraft interior or into the aircraft interior to transport. Disassembly of each seat is required. It is the same establish only under very large Expenses possible, complete kitchens ("Galley") or toilets into the plane or remove from the aircraft cabin. The width and height of the front door of the aircraft cabin limited the size of the disposable Parts.

Of the Reconstruction of larger aircraft cabins is therefore always associated with a very large amount of effort, usually to a longer one Standstill of the aircraft on the ground leads. This results in high Cost, since the plane for the time of conversion can not carry passengers.

The The object of the invention is therefore one or more of the above To reduce or eliminate disadvantages. In particular it is an object of the invention, a vehicle, in particular a passenger plane and to provide a reconfiguration method that is a simple one and rapid reconfiguration of a cabin of a vehicle, in particular of a passenger plane.

The The object of the invention is achieved by a method for reconfiguring a vehicle cabin, in particular a passenger plane, which the steps comprises: inserting at least one cabin module through a vehicle opening in the Vehicle cabin, attaching the at least one introduced cabin module in the vehicle cabin.

One Cab module is as a section of a cabin of a vehicle, in particular to understand a passenger plane. Such a module can be outside of the plane completely be equipped with all necessary installations. As a modular It will then be a component from the outside in the plane by a this provided lockable opening introduced. The Introduce several differently equipped cabin modules in an empty Section of an aircraft cabin to a quick configuration of the relevant section, without Internals separated by a narrow door to transport and these attach separately in the aircraft. This creates a possibility on request changes to respond to the type and number of tickets sold and within the shortest possible time Time to completely redesign a cabin.

In an advantageous embodiment is the at least one cabin module on drivable rollers in the Airplane moving. As a result, cabin modules are easy to their intended Position in the fuselage to transport.

Preferably will be added at least one cabin module removed from the vehicle through a vehicle opening. The previous removal of a cabin module allows the insertion of alternative Cabin modules with a different body type.

Farther it is preferred that the at least one cabin module as a complete cabin section is trained. A complete one Cabin section includes all Units, devices and components for the interior fittings are required in a cabin.

• – Sitze,
• – Ablagefächer,
• – Verkleidungen
• – Elektrische Geräte,
• – Beleuchtung und
• – Versorgungsleitungen.

It is advantageous that the cabin modules are equipped with one or more elements from the following group of elements:

• - Seats,
• - storage compartments,
• - Disguises
• - Electronical devices,
• - Lighting and
• - supply lines.

Thereby Is it possible, outside the aircraft modular like a desired cabin module put together and to install this quickly in the aircraft.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the cabin module has a structure that a structure of the following group corresponds to: 1-class cabin, business class cabin, economy class cabin, Kitchen, Toilet and entrance area. This can adapt to the requirements of a fast reconfigurability and exploiting all the usual design options in the aircraft cabin becomes possible.

Farther it is preferred that several cabin modules in the vehicle cabin strung together and linked together. This allows fasteners be saved inside the vehicle cabin and by juxtaposing and connecting the cabin modules together create smooth transitions, in particular on the wall panels and on the cabin floor.

It is furthermore preferred, the supply connections of the at least one introduced cabin module with corresponding connections to connect in the vehicle cabin. This allows vital lines, such as such as air lines, electrical and hydraulic lines activated and used. The same applies to data lines for supply the electronic entertainment devices of the passengers or also Water pipes for the operation of the toilets and the like.

In a particularly preferred embodiment One or more sections of the vehicle cab are reconfigurable. This increases clearly the flexibility by optional use of different cabin modules different Classes in a sufficient subarea and limited at the same time the costs.

It is also advantageous that the entire vehicle cab reconfigurable is because this allows for maximum configurability.

each Passenger deck of the vehicle has at least one in the favorable case Vehicle opening to Introduce or removing cabin modules. For vehicles with several Decks can these separated from each other without lifting devices in the vehicle cabin be configured.

Advantageous is also that the at least one cabin module from the outside by means of a liftable Platform is provided. This solution is especially useful Passenger aircraft used in freight containers and is without greater effort adaptable for use with cabin modules.

The The invention is also achieved by a cabin module for reconfiguring a Vehicle cabin, in particular a passenger plane solved, the Introduce through a vehicle opening is adapted in a vehicle cabin and that by means of fasteners can be fastened in the vehicle cabin.

advantageously, The cabin module has supply connections that are used to connect with corresponding connections are adjusted in the vehicle cabin. This allows commissioning in particular the vital lines in the cabin module.

Prefers the shape of the cabin module is adapted to the shape of the vehicle body, to make optimum use of the available space within the Vehicle.

The Bottom of the shape-adapted cabin module is preferably substantially even and the top curved, For example, as an aircraft or a railroad car usually a curved upper side Hull exhibit.

In a cheap one embodiment the cabin module is transverse relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle arranged in the vehicle cabin and extends over the entire width of the vehicle cabin. In general, a vehicle body loaded from one side of the vehicle, whereby the installation transversely arranged cabin modules within the vehicle cabin facilitates.

One Particularly preferred cabin module has at least one section with rollers for transporting the cabin module on and / or at least a section to the guided Rollers on a roller conveyor. The positioning of the cabin module can either automatically by powered rollers or with done little manual effort.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cabin module is designed as a complete cabin section. This can be a vehicle Cabin completely outside the vehicle on a modular basis without manual additional work in the vehicle cab be equipped.

The The invention is further characterized by a vehicle, in particular a passenger aircraft, with a vehicle cabin, a vehicle opening, for insertion of Cabin modules adapted to the vehicle cabs, solved, wherein introduced Cabin modules in the vehicle cabin by means of fastening elements are fastened.

One preferred vehicle has the advantages mentioned above at least one section with rollers (roller conveyor) for transport of cabin modules and / or at least one section for guiding Rolling of cabin modules.

The Invention will be described in more detail below by figures. Same reference numerals in the figures designate like elements. Show it:

1 a side view of an aircraft according to the invention;

2 a front view of an aircraft according to the invention with an opened opening;

3 a side view of an aircraft according to the invention and a cabin module according to the invention;

4 a plan view of an aircraft according to the invention with inserted cabin modules;

5 an array of juxtaposed cabin modules;

6 a cross section of an aircraft according to the invention and a cabin module;

7 a cross section of an aircraft according to the invention and a cabin module, which is removed for replacement; and

8th a schematic view of the method according to the invention.

The plane 2 out 1 has a hull 4 on, in the example of a loading gate 6 is arranged. The significantly larger loading door compared to the conventional entrance doors 6 allows the insertion and removal of cabin modules. Optionally, depending on requirements, several such loading gates 6 anywhere on the fuselage 4 to be ordered. However, it makes sense for a simple handling of cabin modules Ladetor 6 not in the wing root area 8th to arrange. Therefore, a loading gate is preferred 6 in the direction of flight in front of or behind the wing root area 8th arranged.

The front view off 2 more clearly shows the advantageous dimensions of the loading door 6 in the open state to release an opening 10 , It is preferred that the loading gate 6 extends from an area of the upper hull crest to just below the cabin floor to accommodate cabin modules with the greatest possible height. Advantageously, the hinge of the loading gate is located at the apex of the hull 4 ,

3 shows in the side detail view of a section of the fuselage 4 like a cabin module 12 through the opening 10 with the gate open 6 in the plane 2 can be introduced.

The cabin module 12 has a shape that matches the shape of the trunk 4 corresponds. The cabin module 12 exemplifies a straight bottom or bottom surface 14 on. At this floor surface 14 closes up on the sides 16 a disguise 18 which has a substantially circular segment-like curvature in aircraft with a single passenger deck. This shape is through the fuselage 4 predetermined, whose cross-section is substantially circular. It is conceivable that cabin modules 12 can also be used in aircraft having multiple passenger decks. Then it is possible that the curvature of the fairing 18 no longer circular segment-like designed, but rather elliptical or otherwise shaped.

The upper part of the fuselage between the passenger cabin and the outer skin ("crown area") for receiving vital supply lines may be firmly clad to prevent damage, and this area will not be suitable for use by cabin modules 12 ready. As a result, in such cases, the cabin modules are flattened at their top, as in FIG 3 exemplified by the dashed line 20 shown.

One in the plane 2 to be transported or the aircraft 2 to be taken cabin module 12 can by means of a platform 22 to the plane 2 be transported. Such a platform 22 For example, it could be done in a form similar to catering vehicles that fly before the aircraft 2 for removing or replacing trolleys with food and the like dock. The platform 22 For example, it is equipped with a scissor-type and hydraulically operated lifting device. For easy transport of a cabin module 12 in the horizontal direction, so from the raised platform 22 through the vehicle opening 10 in the plane 2 , is the platform 22 preferably with rollers 24 equipped, much like a roller conveyor in the cargo hold of the aircraft 2 ,

A requested cabin module 12 can therefore by means of a transport vehicle, not shown, with a platform 22 equipped with a scissor-type and hydraulically operated lifting device, transported to the aircraft and there in the aircraft 2 through the opening 10 to be rolled. Inside the plane 2 becomes a cabin module 12 For example, be moved by a roller conveyor or the like in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft to transport it to the desired location.

Similarly, cabin modules 12 taken from the aircraft by being released from their position and to the vehicle opening 10 be pushed. There, the cabin module 12 on a ready-made platform 22 be pushed, which is also arranged on a transport vehicle.

4 shows a fuselage 4 with an opening 10 and two in the fuselage 4 arranged cabin modules 12 , This is an example of a fuselage 4 , which only partially with cabin modules 12 can be equipped. Such a configurable zone 26 For example, it could extend over the front of the aircraft, where business and first-class seats can be exchanged for one another or for economy seats if required. The remaining part of the fuselage 4 stays configured in a predefined way. This makes it relatively easy to react to a different number of first class, business class or economy class passengers in the short term before the flight.

In 5 an exemplary arrangement of differently equipped cabin modules is shown, with the help of a complete fuselage 4 can be configured.

In the front area of the fuselage 4 For example, cabin modules could 28 be arranged with a first class layout. The number of such first-class modules is selected according to the number of passengers concerned. Following by one or more first-class modules 28 formed cabin section follows, for example, a galley ("galley") 30 , which provide equipment for cooling and heating food, parking spaces for trolleys and various storage compartments. It makes sense to have a galley as a galley module 30 to realize because in a pure economy layout more passengers are in the cabin and a larger number of meals must be provided, as in a 3-class layout. If necessary, the entire cabin can be converted into an economy layout, resulting in the need for additional galleys. In a 3-class layout, for example, a galley could be saved, so that a Galley module 30 when reconfiguring from the fuselage 4 can be removed.

Following on from the exemplified Galley module 30 are exemplary of several cabin modules 32 arranged with economy layout. The number of these economy modules 32 arise directly from the number of Economy Class passengers to be carried or carried. At predetermined intervals, depending on the number of passengers, toilet modules become 34 in the fuselage 4 arranged. By a corresponding redistribution of such toilet modules 34 Optimal availability can be achieved with shorter running paths.

6 shows an example of a typical economy class layout an arranged economy module 32 in the fuselage 4 ,

The floor 36 in the fuselage 4 has for transporting cabin modules 12 an example of a roller conveyor 38 on. On this roller conveyor is in this example the economy module 32 in the fuselage 4 through the opening 10 inserted. In the fuselage 4 is the economy module 32 by suitable fastening means on the floor or the side surfaces of the aircraft cabin 4 attached.

Example based on the economy module 32 shown are several seats 40 , Storage compartments ("has racks") 42 and a number of air ducts 44 , electrical wiring 46 and the like in the economy module 32 , The wires 44 . 46 an economy module 32 must be with corresponding connections in the fuselage 4 get connected. It is beneficial that in the fuselage 4 to be used cabin modules 12 Have quick connections, by snapping or the like into the corresponding terminals of an adjacent cabin module or a terminal surface for cabin modules 12 be connected.

In 7 is in a cross section of the fuselage 4 exemplified as an economy module 32 through an open gate 6 and the released opening 10 from the fuselage 4 on the platform 22 is pushed to get off the plane 2 to be transported away. Before removing the economy module 32 must all connections of the economy module 32 be solved and the economy module 32 to the opening 10 be pushed. Depending on the weight of the economy module 32 is a re latively simple pushing out of the economy module 32 out of the fuselage possible here. The through the pushed-out economy module 32 shared location can be through any other cabin module 12 to be filled out via the platform 22 and the roller conveyor 38 in the fuselage 4 inserted and placed there at the desired location and secured. Advantageously, the connections of the supply lines of the cabin module snap 12 already by pushing the cabin module 12 to an already existing cabin module 12 one.

• – Einführen des Kabinenmoduls in die Fahrzeugkabine 48
• – Befestigen des eingeführten Kabinenmoduls in der Fahrzeugkabine 50

in 8 schematisch dargestellt. Zusätzlich werden in einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel Versorgungsleitungen eines Kabinenmoduls mit korrespondierenden Anschlüssen in der Fahrzeugkabine verbunden 52. Beim Umkonfigurie ren eines bestehenden Kabinenlayouts werden zusätzlich vor dem Einführen neuer Kabinenmodule 12 bestehende Kabinenmodule 12 aus der Fahrzeugkabine entfernt 54.Furthermore, the process according to the invention with its two essential process steps

• - Introduce the cabin module in the vehicle cabin 48
• - Attaching the introduced cabin module in the vehicle cabin 50

in 8th shown schematically. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, supply lines of a cabin module are connected to corresponding terminals in the vehicle cabin 52 , When Umkonfigurie Ren an existing cabin layout will be in addition to the introduction of new cabin modules 12 existing cabin modules 12 removed from the vehicle cab 54 ,

The The invention provides a method and a cabin module, with a rapid reconfiguration of a vehicle cabin, in particular a Passenger plane becomes. By the present invention, it is therefore possible, for example between two relatively short-term successive flights Passenger aircraft to partially or even completely reconfigure the aircraft cabin, in order to meet the dynamic requirements for provided seats in the aircraft to be able to react. An expansion of individual seats from their seat rails and the manual Transport of each seat through the front door of the aircraft is therefore no longer required. Downtime of the aircraft can be avoided and the aircraft can be optimally utilized become.

Claims (21)

Method for reconfiguring a vehicle cabin, in particular a passenger aircraft ( 2 ), with the steps: - introducing at least one cabin module ( 12 ) through a vehicle opening ( 10 ) in the vehicle cabin, - fixing the at least one inserted cabin module ( 12 ) in the vehicle cabin. Method according to Claim 1, in which the at least one cabin module ( 12 ) on drivable rollers ( 38 ) is movable in the vehicle cabin. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which additionally at least one cabin module ( 12 ) through a vehicle opening ( 10 ) from the vehicle ( 2 ) Will get removed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cabin module ( 12 ) is designed as a complete cabin section. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one cabin module ( 12 ) is fitted with one or more elements from the following group of elements: - seats - storage compartments - panels, - electrical appliances, - lighting and - supply lines. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one cabin module ( 12 ) has a structure that corresponds to a structure of the following group: - first-class cabin, - business class cabin, - economy class cabin. - Kitchen, - Toilet and - Entrance area. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which several cabin modules ( 12 ) are strung together in the vehicle cabin and connected to each other. Method according to one of the preceding claims, with the additional step: - connecting supply terminals of the at least one inserted cabin module ( 12 ) with corresponding connections in the vehicle cabin. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which one or more sections ( 26 ) of the vehicle cab are reconfigurable. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in to which the entire vehicle cabin can be reconfigured. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which each passenger deck of the vehicle ( 2 ) at least one vehicle opening ( 10 ) for inserting or removing cabin modules ( 12 ) having. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one cabin module ( 12 ) from the outside by means of a liftable platform ( 22 ) provided. Cabin module ( 12 ) for reconfiguring a vehicle cabin, in particular a passenger aircraft ( 2 ), - for insertion through a vehicle opening ( 10 ) is adapted in a vehicle cabin, - which can be fastened by means of fastening elements in the vehicle cab. Cabin module ( 12 ) according to claim 13, having supply terminals adapted for connection to corresponding terminals in the vehicle cabin. Cabin module ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims 13-14, in which the mold conforms to the shape of the vehicle body ( 4 ) is adjusted. Cabin module ( 12 ) according to claim 15, wherein the underside ( 14 ) substantially flat and the top ( 18 ) is curved. Cabin module ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims 13-16, which is relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle ( 2 ) is arranged transversely in the vehicle cabin and extends over the entire width of the vehicle cabin. Cabin module ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims 13-17, which comprises at least one section with rollers for transporting the cabin module ( 12 ) and / or at least one section for guided rolling on a roller conveyor ( 38 ) having. Cabin module ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 18, wherein the cabin module ( 12 ) is designed as a complete cabin section. Vehicle, in particular passenger plane ( 2 ), with - a vehicle cabin, - a vehicle opening ( 10 ) used to insert cabin modules ( 12 ) is adapted to the vehicle cabin and - wherein imported cabin modules ( 12 ) are fastened in the vehicle cab. Vehicle ( 2 ) according to claim 20, comprising at least one section of rollers (roller conveyor) ( 38 ) for transporting cabin modules ( 12 ) and / or at least one section for guiding rollers of cabin modules ( 12 ) having.