DE102020120179A1 - Self-cleaning floor structure for a cabin monument, cabin monument and aircraft provided therewith, and cleaning method - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-cleaning floor structure is proposed to reduce the usability of lavatories in aircraft and the turnaround time on the ground. The floor structure (20) is installed in a washroom (12). In a usage state, a user (18) can use the washroom (12). The floor structure (20) has a floor plate (22) formed from a plurality of rotatable floor elements (24). Furthermore, a cleaning device (42) is arranged below the base plate (22). The floor elements (24) can be rotated towards the cleaning device (42) so that the cleaning device (42) can remove dirt from the floor elements (24).

Description

The invention relates to a self-cleaning floor structure for a cabin monument, a cabin monument equipped therewith and an aircraft. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cleaning method.

On long-haul flights, cabin monuments such as lavatories are usually used intensively. Due to turbulence or other circumstances, associated contamination is usually unavoidable. Additional cleaning effort is therefore required or the cabin monuments become unusable and closed for the rest of the flight.

As a result, passengers could have one less washroom, for example. Only when cleaning has been carried out at the destination is the monument available again. In addition, due to the reduced number of accessible monuments, the pollution level of the remaining monuments can further increase.

It is the object of the invention to improve cabin monuments with regard to their usability, in particular on long-haul flights.

The object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred developments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

• - eine Bodenplatte, die aus einer Mehrzahl von bewegbaren Bodenelementen zusammengesetzt ist, wobei die Bodenelemente zwischen einer Nutzungsstellung, in der die Bodenplatte durch einen Nutzer begehbar ist, und einer Reinigungsstellung, in der die Bodenplatte gereinigt wird, bewegbar sind; und
• - eine Reinigungseinrichtung, die ausgebildet ist, die Bodenplatte in der Reinigungsstellung zumindest mechanisch zu reinigen.

The invention creates a self-cleaning floor structure for a cabin monument, preferably a lavatory, of an aircraft, the floor structure comprising:

• - a floor panel, which is composed of a plurality of movable floor elements, the floor elements being movable between a use position in which the floor panel can be walked on by a user and a cleaning position in which the floor panel is cleaned; and
• - A cleaning device which is designed to at least mechanically clean the base plate in the cleaning position.

Preferably, the floor structure includes a liquid reservoir located beneath the floor members.

It is preferred that the cleaning device is arranged in the collection container.

It is preferred that the floor elements are rotatably mounted and can be rotated between the use position and the cleaning position.

It is preferred that the floor elements have mutually opposite usage sides, whereby when a first usage side is in the usage position, a second usage side is in the cleaning position, and vice versa.

Preferably, the floor structure includes drive means connected to the floor members for driving or rotating them.

It is preferred that at least one floor element has an edge area, the edge area being arranged and designed in such a way that when moving from the use position to the cleaning position, solid dirt particles are broken up in cooperation with an adjacent floor element.

It is preferred that at least one bottom element is adjacent to a gap for the drainage of liquid, preferably into the collection container.

It is preferred that the cleaning device comprises a rotating cleaning brush which is designed to grip the floor elements in the cleaning state in order to clean them mechanically.
It is preferred that the cleaning device comprises a washing device which is designed to apply cleaning liquid, which preferably contains disinfectant, to the floor elements in the cleaning state.

It is preferred that the cleaning device comprises a drying device which is designed to apply warm air to the floor elements in the cleaning state for the purpose of drying them.

It is preferred that the cleaning device comprises a scraping device which is designed to transport liquid or solids dripping from the floor elements to an outlet.

It is preferred that the ejector has a lip to convey the liquid.

It is preferred that the washing device is integrated into the rotating cleaning brush. It is preferable that the washer is configured to eject a plurality of jets of cleaning liquid.

It is preferable that the cleaning device comprises a movable cleaning head formed along the cleaning state of the floor elements to be moved in order to clean the floor elements, the cleaning head preferably being movably arranged in the collection container.

It is preferable that the cleaning head has the rotating cleaning brush.

It is preferable that the cleaning head has the washing device.

It is preferred that the cleaning head has the drying device.

It is preferable that the cleaning head has the scraper.

The floor structure preferably includes a control device which is designed to initiate a cleaning process only when the control device has determined that no user is standing on the floor structure.

The floor structure preferably includes a pressure sensor which is connected to the control device, the control device being designed to determine whether a user is located on the floor structure on the basis of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

The invention creates a cabin monument, preferably a lavatory, for an aircraft, the cabin monument having a preferred floor structure arranged as a floor.

The invention creates an aircraft comprising a preferred cabin monument.

1. a) mittels einer Steuereinrichtung: ermitteln, dass sich kein Nutzer in dem Kabinenmonument befindet;
2. b) mittels einer Antriebseinrichtung: bewegen eines Bodenelements von einer Nutzungsstellung in eine Reinigungsstellung;
3. c) mittels einer Reinigungseinrichtung: entfernen von Verschmutzungen an den Bodenelementen zumindest durch mechanische Reinigung.

The invention creates an automatic cleaning method for cleaning a floor structure for a cabin monument of an aircraft, comprising the steps:

1. a) by means of a control device: determining that there is no user in the cabin monument;
2. b) by means of a drive device: moving a floor element from a use position into a cleaning position;
3. c) by means of a cleaning device: removing dirt from the floor elements at least by mechanical cleaning.

• d) mittels eines Sammelbehälters: Sammeln von Schmutzflüssigkeit unterhalb des wenigstens einen Bodenelements.

Preferably, the purification process includes the step:

• d) by means of a collection container: collecting dirty liquid below the at least one floor element.

It is preferred that in step c) the cleaning device is moved in the collection container in order to remove the dirt.

It is preferred that in step b) the floor elements are rotated from the use position into the cleaning position.

It is preferred that the floor elements have opposite usage sides, wherein in step b) a first usage side is turned into the usage position and a second usage side is turned into the cleaning position, or vice versa.

It is preferred that one of the usage pages is cleaned by means of the cleaning device while the other of the usage pages can be used by a user.

It is preferred that in step b) at least two adjacent floor elements break up solid dirt particles when moving into the cleaning position.

It is preferred that at least one base element forms a gap for liquid to drain, preferably into the collection container, at least while the method is being carried out.

It is preferred that in step b) the cleaning device mechanically cleans the floor elements by means of a rotating cleaning brush.

It is preferred that in step b) the cleaning device washes the floor elements by means of a washing device using a cleaning liquid which preferably contains disinfectants.

It is preferred that in step b) the cleaning device dries the floor elements by means of warm air by means of a drying device.

It is preferred that in step b) the cleaning device conveys liquid or solids dripping from the floor elements to an outlet by means of a scraping device.

It is preferred that in step b) the washing device is integrated into the rotating cleaning brush and emits a plurality of jets of cleaning liquid to wash the floor elements.

It is preferred that in step b) a cleaning head of the cleaning device is moved along the floor elements in order to move around the floor elements to clean, wherein the cleaning head is preferably moved within the collection container.

It is preferable that the cleaning head, the rotating cleaning brush, the washing device, the drying device and/or the scraping device are included and moved together.

One idea is to create a lavatory for an aircraft that at least partially cleans itself or automatically. In particular, the floor of the lavatory should clean itself in flight when the lavatory is not in use. This can prevent the washroom from having to be closed during the flight due to dirt.

Advantageously, not only mechanical cleaning but also wet cleaning with various cleaning agents, including disinfectants, can be carried out. In this way, unpleasant odors can be reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, hygiene can be increased, since cleaning can take place as required and at the touch of a button.

Another idea is the use of cuboid slats. After use, the slats can simply be rotated by 180° and the next user can use it immediately after leaving the previous one. The rotation of the slats can be carried out very quickly after there is no longer any contact on them. The "dirty" side of the slats of the predecessor can already be cleaned while the successor is using it. This means that the cleaning process can be carried out more extensively and the waiting time in front of the washroom can be reduced or eliminated by cleaning.

Another advantage is that the cleaning time at the airport can be reduced. Because cleaning in the air has already taken place, the cleaning effort on the floor can be reduced, at least for the washrooms. At best, cleaning can even be omitted entirely.

In this case, the self-cleaning floor preferably has floor elements which are fastened in a rotatable manner. A collection container can be arranged below the floor elements. The floor elements can be cleaned using a rotating cleaning brush and water jets, allowing the dirty water to drip into the collection container. The washroom's automatic floor cleaning unit can also dry the floor elements from below, for example with warm air.

First of all, pressure sensors can be used to determine that there is no user in the washroom. Then the floor elements are turned towards the brush. The brush preferably runs along the elements with light pressure (using the water jet) and can remove dirt in the process. A squeegee can pull the dirty water and dirt particles into the drain by means of a lip on the way back. The floor can then be dried using warm air, which can escape, for example, from openings behind the brush. At the end of the process, the floor panels can be turned back again. Overall, a clean, dry and odor-free floor can be provided. Finally, the washroom is automatically unlocked and released for further use.

By connecting this system to the aircraft's waste water system, larger quantities of liquid can also be taken in and drained off without dirty water penetrating into the passenger cabin and causing further pollution there. In particular, carpet cleaning that would otherwise be necessary can thus be avoided.

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Kabinenmonuments;
• 2 ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Bodenstruktur;
• 3 Ausführungsbeispiele von Bodenelementen;
• 4 ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Reinigungsverfahrens und
• 5 eine Variante der Bodenstruktur aus 2.

Exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. It shows:

• 1 an embodiment of a cabin monument;
• 2 an embodiment of a floor structure;
• 3 exemplary embodiments of floor elements;
• 4 an embodiment of a cleaning method and
• 5 a variant of the floor structure 2 .

It will first on the 1 Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a cabin monument 10 is shown. The cabin monument 10 is designed as a washroom 12 . The washroom 12 contains standard sanitary facilities 14.

The cabin monument 10 has an access door 16 through which a user 18 ( 2 ) can enter and exit the cabin monument 10.

The cabin monument 10 also has a self-cleaning floor structure 20 . The floor structure 20 is on the bottom side (in 1 bottom) of the cabin monument 10 arranged.

It will be on 2 and 3 Reference based on which the floor structure 20 is explained in more detail.

The floor structure 20 includes a floor panel 22. The floor panel 22 is designed such that the user 18 can stand on it. The floor panel 22 has a plurality of floor elements 24 .

Each floor element 24 is rotatably mounted. In a usage position, which is exemplified in 2 is shown, the floor elements 24 form a floor 26 that can be walked on by the user. The floor elements 24 can be brought into a cleaning position if necessary.

How closer in 3 As illustrated, the floor members 24 may have a triangular or crescent-shaped cross-section. The floor elements 24 define gaps 25 between them. Furthermore, the floor elements 24 have an edge area 27 . The edge area 27 and an adjacent base element 24 can break up larger pieces of dirt when rotated into the cleaning position.

The floor structure 20 includes a drive device 28 to drive the floor elements 24 . The drive device 28 has an electric motor 30 which is connected to a transmission device 32 . The transmission device 32 can have a worm 34 . Gears 36 are preferably arranged on the base elements 24 and mesh with the worm 34 .

Furthermore, the floor structure 20 has a collection container 38 . The collection container 38 is arranged underneath the base plate 22 . The collection container 38 can hold liquids and solids. The collection container 38 can also include an outlet 40 which can be connected to a sewage system, for example.

The floor structure 20 also includes a cleaning device 42. The cleaning device 42 is designed to clean the floor elements 24 when the floor elements 24 are in the cleaning position.

The cleaning device 42 comprises a movable cleaning head 44. The cleaning head 44 is arranged between the bottom of the collection container 38 and the bottom plate 22. The cleaning head 44 is slidably mounted along the bottom of the collection container.

The cleaning device 42 includes a traction mechanism 46 which is connected to the cleaning head 44 . A toothed belt 50 is preferably used as the traction mechanism 48 .

The cleaning head 44 includes a rotating cleaning brush 52. The cleaning brush 52 is arranged on the cleaning head 44 in a pivotable manner. The cleaning brush 44 is rotatably mounted in a swivel arm 54 . The cleaning brush 44 is arranged in such a way that, if necessary, it can grasp the floor elements 24 in the cleaning position in order to clean them mechanically.

The cleaning head 44 includes a washing device 56. The washing device 56 is integrated into the cleaning brush 52. The washing device 56 can emit several jets of water from the rotating cleaning brush 52 in order to also clean the floor elements 24 wet. The washing device 56 is also designed so that cleaning agents and/or disinfectants can be used for cleaning. The washing device 56 can also have a heating device 58 by means of which the cleaning liquid can be heated.

The cleaning head 44 includes a drying device 59. The drying device 59 is designed to send a stream of warm air onto the floor elements 24 in order to dry them. The drying device 59 is preferably arranged at a distance from the cleaning brush 52 so that either simultaneous cleaning and drying or sequential cleaning and drying are possible.

The cleaning head 44 includes a scraping device 60. The scraping device 60 is designed to convey liquid and solids collected at the bottom of the collection container to the outlet 40 or an intermediate storage area. The pull-off device 60 includes a pull-off lip 62, which is preferably designed as a rubber lip. The peel lip 62 is in contact with the sump bottom for peeling. Preferably, the peel lip 62 is moveable between a peel position in which the peel lip 62 engages the sump bottom and a position in which the peel lip 62 is spaced from the sump bottom.

The floor structure 20 includes a control device 64 which is designed to control the cleaning process of the floor structure 20 and, if required, also the cabin monument 10 . A pressure sensor 66 can be provided on the floor structure 20, which is connected to the control device 64 for the purpose of evaluation. The control device 64 can use the pressure sensor 66 to determine whether a cleaning process is possible, for example because there is no user 18 in the cabin monument 10 or on the floor structure 20.

The following is a cleaning process based on 4 explained in more detail.

In the position of use, which in 4 As illustrated above, liquid and small debris can pass through the gaps 25 into the sump 38 and out to the outlet 40 in normal use.

When the user 18 leaves the cabin monument 10, the pressure sensor 66 is no longer actuated. In this case, the control device 64 can permit a cleaning process. The cleaning process can be initiated either by the crew, time-controlled or sensor-controlled.

First, the controller 64 causes the access door 16 to be locked to prevent accidental entry during the cleaning process. The control device 64 can be connected to the aircraft's cabin management system in order to enable a corresponding display.

As in 4 , second drawing shown from above, first the drive device 28 rotates the floor elements 24 from the use position into the cleaning position. In the process, the edge areas 27 can break up larger pieces of dirt that fall into the collection container 38 .

As in 4 , shown in the third drawing from above, when the floor elements 24 are in the cleaning position, the cleaning device 42 is actuated by the control device 64 . The cleaning brush 52 is rotated, preferably in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the cleaning head. Furthermore, the washing device 56 and--if present--the heating device 58 are actuated. The heater 58 can also be actuated beforehand to form a hot water supply. The washer 56 sends jets of water up through the cleaning brush 52 towards the floor members 24.

The cleaning head 44 is set in motion by means of the traction mechanism 46 and moves to the right in the collection container 38 essentially parallel to the floor elements 24 . In the process, the cleaning brush 52 is pressed against the floor elements 24 by means of the swivel arm 54 . The dirty water can collect in the collection tank 38 and run into the outlet 40 .

When the cleaning head 44 has arrived at the far right, the pull-off device 60 is activated when moving back. The cleaning brush 52 and the washing device 56 can be deactivated when driving backwards. The pull-off lip 62 grasps the bottom of the collection container and conveys the contents of the collection container 38 in the direction of the outlet 40.

When the cleaning head 44 has been withdrawn far enough, as in 4 , shown in the bottom drawing, the drying device 59 is activated. The cleaning brush 52 and the washer 56 are deactivated. The drying device 59 sends warm air upwards onto the floor elements 24. The cleaning head 44 moves to the right again to dry the floor elements 24.

Finally, the cleaning head 44 is returned to its starting position and the floor elements 24 are rotated back into the use position. The control device 64 also initiates the unlocking of the access door 16 and can communicate via the cabin management system that the cabin monument 10 is again available for use.

Below is on 5 Reference is made on the basis of which a variant of the floor structure 20 is explained in more detail. The variant is only described insofar as it deviates from the previous exemplary embodiments.

In this variant, the floor elements 24 are designed as rectangular parts. The edge area 27 can be rounded. The floor elements 24 have usage sides 68 lying opposite one another.

In this variant, the floor structure 20 can be operated in such a way that a first usage side 70 is arranged at the top and is entered by a first user in order to use the cabin monument 10 or the washroom 12 .

After the first user has left the cabin monument 10, the control device 64 causes the floor elements 24 to rotate by 180°, so that a second usage side 72 comes to lie on top.

The second usage page 72 can be accessed by a second user immediately after the first user.

While the second use side 72 is on top, the first use side 70 is cleaned by the cleaning device 42 as previously described.

The procedure is similar after the second user has left, so that one of the Use pages 68 is in the use position, while the other of the use pages 68 is in the cleaning position.

This means that cleaning can also be carried out without any major delay.

A self-cleaning floor structure is proposed to reduce the usability of lavatories in aircraft and the turnaround time on the ground. The floor structure (20) is installed in a washroom (12). In a usage state, a user (18) can use the washroom (12). The floor structure (20) has a floor plate (22) formed from a plurality of rotatable floor elements (24). Furthermore, a cleaning device (42) is arranged below the base plate (22). The floor elements (24) can be rotated towards the cleaning device so that the cleaning device (42) can remove dirt from the floor elements (24).

Reference List

10

cabin monument

12

washroom

14

sanitary facility

16

access door

18

user

20

self-cleaning floor structure

22

bottom plate

24

floor element

25

gap

26

floor

27

edge area

28

drive device

30

electric motor

32

gear mechanism

34

slug

36

gear

38

collection container

40

outlet

42

cleaning device

44

moveable cleaning head

46

traction mechanism

48

traction means

50

timing belt

52

rotating cleaning brush

54

swivel arm

56

washing facility

58

heating device

59

drying device

60

puller

62

pull-off lip

64

control device

66

pressure sensor

68

usage page

70

first usage page

72

second usage page

Claims (14)

Self-cleaning floor structure (20) for a cabin monument (10), preferably a lavatory (12), of an aircraft, the floor structure (20) comprising: - a floor panel (22), which is composed of a plurality of movable floor elements (24), the floor elements (24) moving between a usage position in which the floor panel (22) can be walked on by a user and a cleaning position in which the bottom plate (22) is cleaned, are movable; and - A cleaning device (42) which is designed to clean the base plate (22) at least mechanically in the cleaning position. Floor structure (20) after claim 1 , characterized by a collection container (38) for liquid, which is arranged below the floor elements (24). Floor structure (20) after claim 2 , characterized in that the cleaning device (42) is arranged in the collecting container (38). Floor structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor elements (24) are rotatably mounted and can be rotated between the use position and the cleaning position. Floor structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drive device (28) which is connected to the floor elements (24) for driving or rotating them. Floor structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - at least one floor element (24) has an edge area (27), the edge area (27) being arranged and designed in such a way that when moving from the use position into the cleaning position, solid dirt particles are broken up in cooperation with an adjacent floor element (24); and/or - at least one bottom element (24) adjoins a gap (25) for the drainage of liquid, preferably into the collection container (38). Floor structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (42) has at least one of the following features: - a rotating cleaning brush (42), which is designed to grasp the floor elements (24) in the cleaning state in order to remove them to clean mechanically; and/or - a washing device (56) which is designed to apply cleaning liquid to the floor elements (24) in the cleaning state; and/or - a drying device (59) which is designed to apply hot air to the floor elements (24) in the cleaning state for the purpose of drying; and/or - a removal device (60) which is designed to convey liquid or solids which have dripped down from the base elements (24) to an outlet; and/or - a heating device (58) which is designed to heat cleaning liquid. Floor structure (20) after claim 8 , characterized in that the washing device (56) is integrated into the rotating cleaning brush (52) and/or that the washing device (56) is designed to emit a plurality of jets of cleaning liquid. Floor structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (42) comprises a movable cleaning head (44) which is designed to be moved along the floor elements (24) in the cleaning state in order to clean the floor elements (24) to clean, wherein the cleaning head (44) is preferably movably arranged in the collection container (38). soil structure claim 10 combined with claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the cleaning head (44) has the rotating cleaning brush (52), the washing device (56), the drying device (59) and/or the stripping device (60). Floor structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control device (64) which is designed to initiate a cleaning process only when the control device (64) has determined that no user (18) is on the floor structure (20) stands. Cabin monument (10), preferably a washroom (12), for an aircraft, the cabin monument (10) having a floor structure (20) arranged as a floor (26) according to one of the preceding claims. Aircraft comprising a cabin monument (10). Claim 13 . Automatic cleaning method for cleaning a floor structure (20) for a cabin monument (10) of an aircraft, comprising the steps: a) using a control device (64): determine that there is no user (18) in the cabin monument (10); b) by means of a drive device (28): moving at least one floor element (24) from a use position into a cleaning position; c) by means of a cleaning device (42): removing dirt from the floor elements (24) at least by mechanical cleaning.

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