JP4809344B2 - Internal security door in aircraft - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an internal security door in an aircraft.

  Since the attacks on September 11, 2001, measures have been taken to strengthen the security of aircraft cockpits. In particular, these measures include a door that separates the aircraft cockpit from the cabin. In accordance with new rules and standards, this door must form a barrier that prevents any intrusion into the cockpit, and access to the cockpit must now be restricted to pilots only.

  However, as in the past, these cockpit doors must open automatically if decompression occurs on the cabin or cockpit side.

  An object of the present invention is to increase the in-flight security and safety of an aircraft by making it more difficult for an intruder to enter the cockpit.

  Despite the presence of a security system that prevents the door from opening, for example, the door is opened to allow the pilot or copilot to pass, and the security device is not activated at this time, so the intruder enters the cockpit. The possibility of using this release to warn has been warned. Thus, one of the weaknesses of current cockpit doors is that these doors are sometimes opened during flights such as long-haul flights. The present invention is based on the original idea of preventing passengers who are prohibited from entering the cockpit from knowing when the cockpit door is open.

  In certain aircraft, the cockpit door is located at the end of the passage, which is basically a space used by pilots, usually with a toilet. Certain airlines allow passengers to use these toilets.

  The inventive idea of the present invention is to close this passage by a second door on the cabin side. The main purpose of this second door is to form a visual barrier that prevents the passenger from knowing whether the cockpit door is open or closed.

  The solution is to provide a curtain at the end of the passage located on the opposite side of the cockpit door. Clearly this solution is appropriate, but not very deterrent to attackers.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rigid door-shaped barrier that is intended for closing a passage behind a cockpit door but can be used elsewhere in an aircraft.

  When decompression occurs, the door must remain integral on either side of the door. In fact, if the door breaks into several pieces, these pieces will be a dangerous launcher for humans on board the aircraft. This door is preferably lightweight. In practice, as with all elements in the aircraft, the carry weight is limited. Ultimately, when this door is used to close the passage behind the cockpit door, it will uniformly and effectively form a door that makes it difficult for an attacker to pass through.

  To this end, the present invention proposes a reinforced door for an aircraft comprising components that form the internal structure.

  In accordance with the present invention, this internal structure is reinforced by a webbing harness network that interconnects most of the components forming the internal structure.

  This harness net first of all makes it possible to reinforce the door structure. This reinforcement makes it possible to reduce the weight of the door so that the mechanical resistance is comparable compared to the conventional door structure. In this case, in the event of breakage of the horizontal frame, this harness makes it possible to hold the broken part of the door, thus ensuring the door connection. This harness eventually becomes an additional barrier that the attacker must overcome when under attack.

  In a preferred structural form, the harness has a strap shape bonded onto the internal structure. This solution is easy to implement and makes it possible to fix the harness net to the internal structure.

  It is effective that the harness is made of high-strength composite fiber such as carbon fiber. This material has the advantage that on the one hand it has excellent mechanical characteristics and on the other hand it is lightweight.

  In order to increase the capacity of the mesh with respect to the bond between the door and the barrier formed against the attacker, a harness is placed over the internal structure to form a webbing It is preferable that they are connected to each other.

  In one structural form, the reinforced door according to the invention is a door whose internal structure comprises at least three vertical risers that are connected to each other by connecting components arranged in a horizontal direction. In this structural form, the harness is arranged along the vertical riser and the horizontal connecting component over the entire length thereof. Therefore, this harness does not enter the compartment formed by the space between the riser and the connecting part. In this case, these compartments can be equipped with “releasable” panels without the risk of the harness netting being adversely affected by the release of the panel.

  The details and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a cockpit 2 of a long-distance transport aircraft. Immediately behind this cockpit is a space used especially by crew members. This space comprises on the one hand a rest area 4 comprising, for example, a sleeping cot or bed, and on the other hand a bathroom comprising a toilet, a sink and a shower. A passage 8 is provided between the rest area 4 and the bathroom 6 for entering the cockpit 2. In the conventional design, the door 10 closes the cockpit 2 and allows entry into the cockpit 2.

  The cockpit door 10 closes the passage 8 at one end of the passage 8. In the original design, it is proposed to provide a second door 12 at the other end of the passage 8.

  The second door 12 has two main functions. The first function is to hide the cockpit door 10 from the passenger's eyes. For this first function, this second door 12 can be located at an intermediate position in the passage 8 or at the end of the passage 8 opposite the cockpit door 10. Another function of this second door is to provide privacy to the area provided for the crew. For this second function, the second door 12 is preferably disposed at the end of the passage 8 opposite the cockpit door 10 as shown in FIG.

  For security purposes, the cockpit door 10 is locked during flight and means (access codes, badges, etc.) are provided with the intention of preventing any unauthorized person from entering the cockpit. This cockpit door 10 is also bulletproof. However, if decompression occurs in the cabin 14 of the aircraft, means will automatically activate this door to balance the pressure between the cabin 14 and the cockpit 2 and prevent excessive stress on the aircraft structure. Open.

  The second door 12 should not interfere with the operation of the cockpit door 10 when, for example, decompression occurs inside the cockpit 2.

  FIG. 2 shows a front view of a preferred form of structure for manufacturing the second door 12 shown in FIG. This door includes an internal structure called a frame 16 described later. Eight panels 18 are attached to the frame 16.

  The frame 16 has two side columns 20 and a central column 21 connected by three torsion boxes 22, namely a top torsion box, an intermediate torsion box and a bottom torsion box. With. Similarly, the frame comprises two openings, on the one hand in the top box and the middle box and on the other hand in the middle box and the bottom box. Each of these openings is also divided by lateral struts 24 and the frame is formed of eight compartments that each receive a panel 18. The eight compartments are distributed in two rows of four compartments. Each compartment receives a panel 18 shown in greater detail in FIGS.

  Hereinafter, in order to describe the second door 12, it is considered that the second door is in a closed state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, when the second door 12 is in the closed state, the front surface of this door is the surface facing the cockpit 2, and the back surface of this door is the cabin. I think that it is the surface that is directed to 14. The adjectives “inside” and “outside” are used with respect to the second door 12.

  Each panel 18 includes two plates, one front plate 26 and one rear plate 28.

  The front plate 26 is supported against the inner surface of the first edge 30 connected to the side column 20 and similarly supported against the outer surface of the second edge 32 of the central column 21. ing. The first and second edges 30 and 32 extend, for example, over the entire height of the compartment that receives the panel 18. The top and bottom edges of the front plate 26 are preferably free.

  The front plate 26 is held on the second edge 32 by a pivot latch 34. Each latch 34 is mounted on a pin 36. A spring (not shown) presses the latch 34 against the upper surface of the front plate 26 to hold the latch 34 against the second edge 32. Similar pins 36 can be used to hold the latches 34 that act on the two front plates 26 of the two adjacent compartment panels.

  The front plate 26 is held on a side portion of the side pillar 20 by a spacer 38 described later. The side column 20 includes a third edge 40 facing the first edge 30. The rear panel 28 is supported against the inner surface of the third edge 40. Spacer 38 wedges front plate 26 and rear plate 28 against first and third edges 30, 40, respectively. A wedge 39 is disposed between the rear plate 28 and the spacer 38. The shape of the wedge 39 is matched to the shape of the rear plate 28 on one side and the shape of the spacer 38 on the other side.

  Thus, the distance separating the two edges 30, 40 is the thickness of the rear plate 28 and the height of the assembly formed by the spacer 38 and the wedge 39 plus the thickness of the front plate 26. Matches. The spacer 38 shows, for example, the shape of a U-shaped metal fitting whose base is fixed to the inner surface of the front plate 26. The branch of the U-shaped bracket is supported against a wedge 39 connected to the rear plate 28.

  It has been described above how the vertical edges of the rear plate 28 are held along the side posts 20. On the side of the central column 21, the edge of the rear plate 28 is supported on the outer surface of the fourth edge 42. This edge of the rear plate 28 is held against the fourth edge 42 using a small bar 44 that snaps into the central column 21. 4 and 5 show a housing 46 used for engagement with a small bar 44 (shown in FIG. 3). 3 and 6 to 8 also show the rear plate 28 with fingers 45 that hold these plates against the edge 42.

  FIGS. 5 to 8 show the behavior of the panel 18 when decompression occurs at the front of the aircraft, for example in the cockpit 2, ie on the front side of the second door 12.

  In this case, when the second door 12 is closed, the second door is sucked toward the inside of the passage 8. The frame 16 of the second door 12 is a rigid body and is designed to withstand such pressure reduction. The second door 12 is designed such that the panel 18 loses and is sucked into the inside of the passage 8.

  In the first embodiment, the front plate 26 of each panel 18 is sucked inside the passage 8. The first edge 30 is fixed. On the other hand, the latch 34 turns. If the force applied to the latches 34 is sufficient (each latch 34 is pressurized by a spring), the latches 34 pivot and open the front plate 26 of the panel 18. The plate then pivots around the first edge 30 and pulls the spacer 38 with the plate. The plate then “rolls” over a wedge 39 that is shaped to facilitate disengagement of the spacer 38. Next, the edge of the rear plate 28 that was supported against the third edge 40 is released, and the rear plate 28 begins to pivot with respect to the fourth edge 42 (FIG. 7). The fingers 45 make it possible to control this pivoting movement by holding the edge of the rear plate 28 supported against the fourth edge 42. For example, a connector 48 such as a cable, harness or elongated member connects the front plate 26 to the rear plate 28. For example, the connector 48 is fixed to the spacer 38 on one side and is fixed to the wedge 39 on the other side.

  FIG. 8 shows the two panels 18 fully open. This figure shows a second connector 50 (for example, similar to the connector 48) that connects the rear plate 28 of each panel 18 to the central column 21. Plates 26 and 28 are held in this manner and do not become projectiles that may collide (and potentially kill) the crew.

  The eight panels 18 open simultaneously. In fact, these panels are exposed to the same vacuum and therefore behave in the same way. When the panel is fully open (FIG. 8), only the frame 16 of the second door 12 resists the later air flow associated with the decompression that occurred in the cockpit 2. The resistance of this frame 16 to the air flow is negligible and the corresponding work loss is negligible (like the stress exerted on the aircraft structure). Therefore, the above-described second door 12 can prevent the operation of the cockpit door 10 from being hindered during decompression inside the cockpit 2 at the front of the aircraft.

  From the above description and the corresponding FIGS. 3-8, it can be seen that the proposed system for opening the panel 18 is a reattachable system. In fact, even if the panels are removed from the compartment, they can be returned to position without problems. First, the rear plate 28 is returned to a predetermined position within the compartment, i.e. relative to the edges 42 and 40, and then the front plate 26 is moved relative to the edges 30 and 32 before the latch 34 is pivoted. It is sufficient to return and return the corresponding spring (not shown) to its initial state.

The spring force acting on the pivot latch 34 is determined based on the allowable load on the second door 12. The maximum decompression at the second door 12 can be estimated to be about 150 hPa. If such a vacuum exists, the panel is already open. The force applied on the second door 12 corresponds to the frame surface area multiplied by the applied pressure. In order to limit the force applied to the second door 12, this force can be considered as the maximum allowable load. _Assuming that P _deci is the value of the decompression corresponding to the opening of the panel 18, P _deci multiplied by the total surface area of the second door 12 will be less than the pre-calculated maximum force applied to the door. To. In this case, the spring acting on the pivot latch 34 is set based on the selected P _deci value, the corresponding surface area of the panel 18, and the number of pivot latches 34 per panel.

  In the above description, it can be seen that the panels are open on the side of the central column 21 and once opened, these panels are in the middle of the passage 8 due to the proposed structure. This first of all allows the panels to be regrouped so that the panels are not present on either side of the passage. However, the main reason for regrouping the panels towards the center of the passage 8 is different. When decompression occurs inside the cockpit 2, the decompression propagates to the passage 8. Due to the reduced pressure, the modules, also called monuments arranged on both sides of the passage 8, have a tendency to move towards each other, thus reducing the width of the passage 8. These monuments may then be deformed to a position that covers the vertical edge of the second door 12. Thus, if the panel 18 is opened at the side post 20, this opening may be blocked or prevented by the monument. Thus, the second door 12 may form a barrier that prevents pressure balance inside the aircraft. As mentioned above, this situation must be avoided. Due to the position of the monument in the passage 8 with respect to the second door, the latch (or other opening means) should be avoided on the vertical side post, rather it should be located towards the center of the door. right.

  At the time of decompression in the cabin 14 of the aircraft, for example, the second door 12 can be opened. This opening will generate a load due to the centrifugal force applied by the door movement at the upper and lower fixed points of the door on the aircraft.

  As described above, the structure of the panel 18 described allows the front and rear plates to be opened one after another as soon as decompression occurs in the cockpit 2, allowing air to pass through. However, in the above-described structure, when the panel 18 is pushed from the passenger compartment 14 toward the cockpit, that is, when the panel 18 is pushed forward afterwards, the panel resists and does not separate from the frame 16.

  In fact, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that each rear plate 28 is held by a stationary element as long as the corresponding front plate 26 is in place. In this view, each rear plate 28 is supported on the one hand against a stationary fourth edge 42, and on the other hand, via a wedge 39 and a spacer 38, the stationary first edge 30. It can be seen that it is supported against. Thus, if a force is applied to the rear plate 28 from the rear to the front, this force is completely absorbed by the edges 42 and 30. The applied force does not act on the pivot latch that opens the panel 18.

For example, FIG. 9 illustrates a possible door attachment on aircraft construction. In this view, the upper beam 52 and the lower beam 54 are visible. Also shown in this figure are the pins around which the door pivots, the cabin 14 and the ceiling 58 of the passage 8. This pin, the lower tube 5 7, a cylindrical arm 5 6 capable of sliding the inner telescopically, made of two parts. It is conceivable to lock these parts by moving one locking system, such as a bayonet type system, with respect to the other.

Arm 5 6 forms a top portion of the pin 5 7 of the second door 12. The arm 5 6, to pivot inside the stationary bearing 60, attached by a corner bracket 62 on the upper beam 52.

Bottom of door pin consisting of the pipe 5 7 is mounted on self-aligning bearings. The bearing also includes a stationary support 64 on the bottom beam 54. The support 64 includes a housing with a spherical seat 66. Sphere 68 having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the spherical seat 66, it is likely to have a bottom portion 70, for example by screwing, is fixed to the lower end of the tube 5 7. In a preferred arrangement form, the lower end of the tube 5 7 has a seat spherical receiving the ball 68. When the sphere 68 is placed on the spherical seat 66 of the support 64, during installation of the support 64 on the floor of the aircraft, ie, during installation of the support 64 on the bottom beam 54, Enables automatic alignment of door pins.

The telescopic pin of the second door 12 allows for very easy assembly and disassembly of this door. For assembly, the arm 5 6 is slid inside the tube 5 7. Once the pipe 5 7 is placed on top of the sphere 68, door pin is rotated so as to be positioned facing the bearing 60. Then, the arm 5 6 is pulled out, is locked in the "out" position. Disassembly is easily performed by performing in the reverse order of the installation operation.

  FIGS. 12-14 illustrate how air can circulate through the second door 12 from the front to the rear of the aircraft. In these figures, the structure of the front plate 26 and the rear plate 28 of the panel 18 is shown in more detail.

  In order to allow air flow, the rear plate 28 is shown in a preferred embodiment in the form of a grid as shown in FIG. The holes 72 are regularly distributed over the entire surface area of the rear plate 28 (except near the edges).

  The front plate 26 includes a low pressure check valve. Thus, as suggested in FIGS. 12 and 13, two valves per panel 18 can be provided. A cutout 74 is provided in the front plate 26 for each valve. Each cutout 74 is completely covered with an elastic film 76 that is impermeable to air. A cover 78 having an outer skirt 79 and an edge 80 covers the elastic membrane 76. The cover 78 is fixed to the inner surface of the front plate 26 at its edge 80. The outer contour of the elastic membrane 76 is partially sandwiched between the edge 80 and the inner plate 26. If the elastic membrane 76 and the cover 78 are rectangular, for example, two opposite edges of the elastic membrane 76 are held by the edge 80 of the cover 78 while the other two edges of the elastic membrane 76 It is possible to make the part free. The cover 78 extends parallel to the inner plate 26 at regular intervals. In order to allow air to pass through, this cover is provided with an opening, for example in the outer skirt 79.

  FIG. 13 shows the check valve in its closed state. When the air flow arrives from the outside, i.e. when it moves from the rear to the front of the aircraft, this air flow presses the elastic membrane 76 against the front plate 26 and closes the corresponding cutout 74. . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, when the air flow comes from the inside, that is, when the air flow circulates from the front part of the aircraft (passage 8) to the rear part (the cabin 14), the elastic membrane 76 is in front. It is lifted from the inner surface of the part plate 26 and pressed against the cover 78. Thus, air can pass through the cutout 74, the free edge of the elastic membrane 76 and the opening provided in the cover 78, and then through the hole 72 in the rear plate 28.

  These check valves are used in particular to allow ventilation to the area provided for the crew and carried by the passage 8. These check valves are also utilized during closing of the second door 12 to prevent over-pressurization of the passage that significantly prevents the closing of the second door 12. These valves can also be used during decompression inside the cabin 14. In this case, air can pass from the passage 8 to the cabin 14.

  It is calculated that the pressure fluctuation at the second door 12 was significantly smaller than the pressure fluctuation at the cockpit door 10 during the occurrence of decompression in the cabin 14. Furthermore, this pressure difference quickly decreases, and the second door 12 can remain closed without impeding the operation of the cockpit door 10 when decompression occurs in the cabin 14.

  For example, the elastic film 76 is made of polyurethane. A network or system can be serigraphed, for example with copper, on each elastic membrane 76 on the side of the window 74 to collect the charge from the source of static electricity while passing through the check valve. . This network or system is then electrically connected, for example, to a connector 48 that is itself electrically connected to the metal frame 16 of the second door 12 via the rear plate 28 and the connector 50.

  In the preferred embodiment, a filter for air passing through the check valve is also provided. In this case, for example, a foam filter can be placed on the cover 78 of each valve. It is also possible to provide a filter on the inner surface (not on the outer surface) of the rear plate 28 and to provide a filter that covers the holes 72 in this plate.

  10 and 11 show a complementary system that can reinforce the second door 12. This system comprises a reinforcement 82 that reinforces the structure of the frame 16. The reinforcing member 82 connects the main components of the frame in order to connect the main components of the frame more firmly to each other. The reinforcing member 82 is composed of, for example, a harness bonded onto the frame components in order to connect the frame components. This harness is preferably made of carbon fiber. This harness is disposed on the frame 16 and has a net shape. Accordingly, a connector is provided in each harness. The harness is in the form of an elongated member disposed along the struts 20 and 21, the torsion box 22 and the lateral struts 24 so as not to impede the discharge of the panel 18 when decompression occurs inside the cockpit. It is shown.

  The reinforcing material 82 is preferably made of carbon fiber. This material has several advantages. First, the mechanical strength of this material makes it possible to reinforce the structure of the frame 16 of the second door 12. A harness made of this material is relatively light and therefore does not deflect the structure of the second door 12 with weight. Carbon fiber harnesses are also very difficult to cut. Therefore, if an attack is made, if the person tries to push the second door 12 by force, the reinforcing member 82 forms a very troublesome network for the attacker. The presence of this mesh increases the time required for this attacker to pass through the second door 12. This additional time may be valuable to the crew, who can evacuate inside the safe cockpit 2 if attacked.

  The second door 12 described above in the preferred embodiment allows for the creation of a private space for the crew and prevents passengers from looking at the cockpit door. This second door 12 also isolates the private space for pilots by its double barrier structure. The free space between the two plates of each panel can achieve good sound insulation.

  The second door 12 also forms a barrier that delays entry into the cockpit for terrorists attempting to control the aircraft. The second door does not hinder the operation of the cockpit door when a decompression in the aircraft cabin or a decompression in the cockpit occurs.

  As described above, the second door 12 can be made of a lightweight structure such as a light alloy door frame or a composite panel, and thus exhibits a high allowable load in an aircraft.

  Needless to say, the door comprises means that can keep the door closed or open. The door is also advantageously provided with means for returning the door to its closed state. Therefore, the door is automatically closed as soon as it is in an intermediate state between the open state and the closed state. This means is known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains and will not be described herein. It is also possible to provide an access code that can open this door for higher security. It is also possible to provide other authentication means (badges etc.). The door can also be provided with a monitoring means by which a crew member on one side of the closed door can check the cabin.

  When the second door was equipped with an air flow valve, it was shown that the rear plate 28 of the panel 18 was perforated. These holes can be used as door decorations. In fact, the rear plate 28 is located on the cabin side of the aircraft and is visible to the passengers. For example, illumination can be provided between the two plates forming each panel for the backlight of the holes in the rear plate. In this case, these holes can be arranged according to a specific pattern (line drawing, airline logo, lettering, etc.).

As is clear from the above description, the door described above can meet a number of criteria such as:
When decompression occurs in the cockpit, this door can equalize the pressure,
Even when decompression occurs in the cabin, this door can equalize the pressure,
This door is designed to remain integral when very high mechanical stresses occur,
The weight of this door is relatively light,
This door can be equipped with a conventional closing and locking device,
Can be equipped with surveillance systems (eg, peepholes, cameras)
This door can be closed automatically,
This door can be locked automatically
This door provides the pilot with a private space that is isolated from the rest of the cabin,
It is possible to make a door with an aesthetic that fits well with the rest of the room.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments shown as non-limiting examples. The present invention includes within its scope all modifications that are available to those with ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

It is the figure which looked at the partial cross section of the front part of an aircraft from the top. It is a front view of the door by this invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a horizontal section taken along section line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the opening mechanism shown in FIG. 3 and is in a locked position. It is a figure in the unlocking position of the release mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 when decompression occurs in the aircraft cockpit. FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 when decompression occurs in the aircraft cockpit. FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 when decompression occurs in the aircraft cockpit. FIG. 3 is an elevation view showing a structure for supporting the door of FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing by sectional line XX of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a reinforcing member of the door structure of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing an improvement of the door panel according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing an improvement of the door panel according to the present invention. FIG. 14 is a front view of an assembly of two panels as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Claims (7)

In a reinforced door (12) of an aircraft comprising vertical columns forming an internal structure (16) and connected to each other by connecting components (22, 24) arranged horizontally The internal structure (16) is reinforced by a harness net (82) arranged along the vertical pillars and the horizontally arranged connecting parts. Door (12).   Reinforced door (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the harness is shown in the form of a strip glued onto the internal structure (16).   Reinforced door (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the harness is made of high strength composite fiber.   A reinforced door (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that the harness is made of carbon fibre.   Reinforced door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the harness is arranged on the internal structure (16) and is connected to each other so as to form a webbing. 12).   6. The internal structure (16) comprises at least three vertical columns (20, 21) connected to each other by connecting components (22, 24) arranged horizontally. The reinforced door according to any one of the above.   Reinforced according to claim 6, characterized in that the harness is arranged along the vertical column (20, 21) and the horizontal connecting part (22, 24) over its entire length. door.

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