WO2023021061A1

WO2023021061A1 - Mobile partition wall

Info

Publication number: WO2023021061A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/072904
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sabine Hoelterhoff; Marcell Engel
Original assignee: Lufthansa Technik Ag; Akut SOS Clean GmbH
Priority date: 2021-08-20
Filing date: 2022-08-17
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Also published as: DE102021121618A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile partition wall (10) for selectively segmenting a volume (2, 3), for example the passenger cabin (2) or cargo hold (3) of a commercial aircraft, by way of a flexible tarpaulin (11). Besides the tarpaulin (11) for covering the cross section of the volume (2, 3), the mobile partition wall (10) for selectively segmenting a volume (2, 3) comprises an encircling inflatable supporting structure (12) at the periphery of the flexible tarpaulin (11), wherein the tarpaulin (11) and supporting structure (12) are configured such that, in the inflated state of the supporting structure (12), the mobile partition wall (10) is able to bear with the latter sealingly against the boundary wall (4, 5) of the volume (2, 3) along the cross section to be covered, and is foldable in the uninflated state of the supporting structure (12).

Description

Mobile partition wall

The invention relates to a mobile partition wall for the selective segmentation of a volume, comprising a flexible tarpaulin to cover the cross section of the volume.

For larger volumes, such as the interior of containers, such as containers, corridors and rooms of buildings, but also cabins and cargo loading areas of land, water or air vehicles, it can, for example. it may be necessary to disinfect the volume due to legal requirements or official orders. This can be the case, for example, if a volume has actually or only potentially been contaminated by pathogens (generally germs or bacteria, spores and fungi, prions, viruses and viroids).

Depending on the requirements, disinfection can be carried out as a so-called Scrubbing and wiping disinfection can be carried out, in which a liquid disinfectant is applied to surfaces in the interior of a volume to be disinfected, worked in and removed again after a specified exposure time. Adherent, possibly contaminated dirt can be removed by scrubbing using the disinfectant.

As an alternative or in addition, disinfection can also be carried out with finely or very finely nebulized disinfectant ("soft fog disinfection"). In this process, a liquid disinfectant is nebulized so that mist with a droplet size between 0.5 and 400 μm, often between 0. 5 and 100 pm This type of disinfection offers the advantage that surfaces that cannot be reached with scrubbing and wiping disinfection, for example, can also be disinfected.

yourself if necessary airborne pollutants such as Germs can also be put into a state in which they can no longer infect.

A number of other disinfection methods are also known which can be used as an alternative or in addition.

If a larger volume, such as the cabin and/or the cargo hold of an aircraft, is to be disinfected, there is an increased risk of recontamination of already existing space due to the regularly elongated design of the space to be disinfected in the longitudinal direction of the space to be disinfected disinfected areas, i .e . H . already disinfected areas are e.g. recontaminated by particles released during disinfection of an adjacent area.

The object of the present invention is to create a device with which the problems and disadvantages of the prior art can be reduced.

This problem is solved by a device according to the main claim. Advantageous developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a mobile partition wall for the optional segmentation of a volume, comprising a flexible tarpaulin for covering a cross section of the volume, on the edge of which an inflatable support structure is provided circumferentially, the tarpaulin and support structure being designed in such a way that the mobile partition wall in the inflated state the support structure with this sealingly on the boundary wall of the volume along the cross-section to be covered and is foldable in the non-inflated state of the support structure. With one or more such mobile partitions, a Volume optionally divided into several sections, i.e. segmented, so that e.g. disinfection in sections can be carried out without the risk of re-contamination of sections that have already been disinfected.

First, some terms used in connection with the invention are explained.

An "inflatable support structure" is usually a tubular structure made of flexible, gas-tight material. If the tubular structure is filled with gas, e.g. air, with the appropriate gas pressure, the initially flexible and therefore foldable structure results in a basically Stable structure that is also suitable for carrying loads to a certain extent A corresponding inflatable support structure is known, for example, from inflatable tents.

A support structure is considered to be "fully deployed" when its fully inflated shape is not deformed by external force or the like. Although such a freely deployed condition may not necessarily occur in actual use of the mobile partition, this condition is helpful for understanding the mobile partition wall according to the invention and its design.

The invention relates to a mobile partition wall comprising a tarpaulin and an inflatable support structure. Since the support structure is provided all around the edge of the tarpaulin, the result is usually, but at least preferably, that the tarpaulin is at least slightly tensioned by the support structure when it is fully inflated and completely freely unfolded, which is also fundamentally advantageous for the ultimately intended formation of a partition wall is . The tarpaulin and support structure should be designed in such a way that, when the support structure is inflated, they can seal against the boundary wall of the volume to be segmented in at least one predetermined direction in the volume, so that the cross section of the volume is completely covered by the partition wall. For this purpose, the tarpaulin and support structure can preferably be shaped to match the cross-section to be covered, so that when the support structure is fully inflated and fully unfolded freely, the partition wall is shaped corresponding to the cross-section to be covered, if necessary. with a slight excess , yields . Such an oversize can ensure even better sealing contact with the boundary wall of the volume.

For the ultimate application, the mobile partition can be placed in the volume to be segmented and then inflated, d. H . it becomes gas , such as . Air introduced under pressure into support structure. As the support structure is inflated, it gradually takes on its final shape, with the bulkhead remaining within the volume or volume during inflation and to some extent thereafter. can be aligned with the boundary wall.

To remove the mobile partition, the gas, such as Air to be fully or partially deflated from the support structure. The latter is particularly useful when the partition wall is to be set up directly at a different location within the same volume. In this case it is sufficient to make the support structure flexible by partially deflating it so that it can be moved to the desired new position. When the support structure is then inflated again there, only the previously released gas has to be reintroduced. When the support structure is completely deflated, the entire partition folds easily into a package due to the flexibility of both the tarpaulin and the deflated support structure. Due to the small volume of the deflated support structure, the mobile partition can be easily transported and stored.

With just one, but in particular also with several mobile partition walls according to the invention, it is possible to selectively segment a volume to be disinfected. It is advantageous if the mobile partition wall, in particular the edge of the tarpaulin and the support structure arranged there, is fundamentally adapted to the cross section to be covered. The desired separation cannot be achieved with a partition wall that is too small; if the partition wall is too large, there may be unforeseeable deformation of the surrounding support structure at the edge of the tarpaulin when fully inflated. However, minor deviations in the cross section can easily be compensated for by the inflatable support structure.

The mobile partition wall is particularly suitable for the segmental separation of areas in an elongated volume, such as e.g. the cabin of an aircraft, the interior of water, rail or land vehicles, but also aisles and rooms in buildings or the interior of containers, such as containers or silos.

In the case of a passenger cabin of an aircraft, e.g. a passenger aircraft, the partition can be adapted to the free cross-section, so that the support structure in the inflated state sealingly on the floor and the inner wall of the passenger cabin and any fixtures, such as. Luggage compartments, is present. With such a shape, the mobile partition can usually be arbitrarily over the entire length of the passenger cabin, with the exception of the kitchen, toilet and door areas.

For a cargo hold of an aircraft—be it the cargo hold below a cabin (lower cargo compartment), such as in a passenger aircraft, or a main deck cargo compartment that largely fills the fuselage cross-section, such as in the case of a civil or military cargo aircraft - the same applies. Here, too, a mobile partition wall, which is basically adapted to the free cross-section of the cargo hold, can be installed at least away from the cargo doors, etc. be used over the entire length of the cargo hold.

The segments separated from one another by one or more mobile partition walls according to the invention can then, for example disinfected one after the other, with the risk of re-contamination of an already disinfected section being greatly reduced.

It is preferred if a sealing device and/or a coating that increases the sealing effect is provided on the surface of the support structure on the side facing away from the tarpaulin in the inflated state. The area of the support structure in question is usually that which, when in use, is in contact with the boundary wall of a volume to be segmented. By arranging a corresponding coating or sealing device in this area, the sealing effect between the mobile partition wall and the boundary wall of the volume can be increased. The sealing device can preferably be designed to be exchangeable, for example. to be replaced when worn out. An opening that can be sealed and closed is preferably provided in the tarpaulin. The opening can in particular be designed as a door opening, for which purpose one or more slots are provided in the tarpaulin, comparable to a tent door. In order to be able to seal the slit or slits, suitably sealed zippers or other sealing closures can preferably be provided. With a corresponding opening designed as a door, it is possible to enter an area delimited by the partition wall for disinfection and, for example, to leave again during the exposure time of a disinfectant. Alternatively or additionally, an opening can also be designed as a hatch.

It is preferred if a flexible viewing window is embedded in the tarpaulin. If the tarpaulin of the partition wall is not already sufficiently transparent, it is possible to look into the area behind the partition wall through a corresponding viewing window and, for example, to control the disinfection progress . The flexible design of the viewing window ensures that the partition wall can still be collapsed. The viewing window can preferably be made of a transparent film. It is also possible for the viewing window to be in the form of a sealingly closable opening, as described above.

In addition to running around the edge of the tarpaulin, the support structure preferably also has inflatable struts along the tarpaulin. Appropriate struts can provide the partition wall with additional stability, particularly in the case of larger cross sections to be covered. In particular, areas of the partition wall with closable openings can also be reinforced by appropriate struts, which often makes it easier to open and close the openings. It is preferred if the support structure is designed to be continuous in such a way that the entire support structure can be inflated via a single compressed gas connection. This makes it particularly easy to inflate the support structure, but also to let gas out of it, which ultimately also simplifies the use of the partition wall. The compressed gas connection is preferably designed in a standardized manner, which means that it can often be connected directly to a suitable compressed gas source, such as compressed air lines, compressed air compressors or compressed gas cartridges.

The tarpaulin can be at least partially made of film or textile and/or preferably gas-tight. The support structure can be at least partially made of foil or coated textile. Are tarpaulin and support structure made of the same material or at least the same, if necessary. If the material is only provided with a different coating, a simple and inexpensive production of the mobile partition wall is possible.

It is preferred if the inflatable support structure is not created by the flexible tarpaulin itself, but rather the flexible tarpaulin to form the support structure (looped around an inflatable, gas-tight inlay. This offers the advantage that the flexible tarpaulin itself does not come out of the In order to create an inflatable structure, sufficient gas-tight material must be manufactured.In particular, the flexible tarpaulin can be made of a textile, a film or another material which can be used up to a certain pressure difference, for example less than 0.5 bar, over the tarpaulin , is to be regarded as gas-tight or at least in the case of a low pressure difference on both sides of the tarpaulin, e.g. less than 0.5 bar across the tarpaulin, can be considered impermeable to liquids, air and/or aerosols, for the formation of an inflatable support structure itself, however, is not sufficiently gas-tight. The free end of the tarpaulin guided around the inlay can be sewn, glued and/or welded to the rest of the tarpaulin.

In order to easily allow the support structure to be inflated in such a construction, the inlay can be provided with a compressed gas connection which is routed through the tarpaulin. The compressed gas connection is thus permanently accessible from the outside. The compressed gas connection can preferably be a standardized compressed gas connection.

The invention will now be described by way of example on the basis of advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it :

FIG. 1: schematic representation of an aircraft fuselage segment of a passenger aircraft with mobile partition walls according to the invention; and

FIG. 2a, b: schematic detail sections of the mobile partition walls from FIG.

A section of the aircraft fuselage 1 of a passenger aircraft is shown schematically in FIG. The aircraft fuselage 1 comprises the passenger cabin as a first volume 2 and a lower cargo compartment underneath as a second volume 3 . In the illustrated section of the aircraft fuselage 1, there are neither doors nor special installations in the passenger cabin 2, such as galleys or toilets. As a result, the cross section of the passenger cabin 2 is determined by its floor, the side walls and the ceiling together with the luggage compartments 2' arranged there as a boundary wall 4. The cross section of the cargo hold 3 results analogously from the floor there, the side walls and the ceiling as the boundary wall 5 . In the illustrated section of the aircraft fuselage 1 , a mobile partition wall 10 is set up both in the passenger cabin 2 and in the cargo hold 3 , as a result of which the passenger cabin 2 and the cargo hold 3 are each divided into segments. By providing further mobile partition walls 10, as shown as an example in FIG. 1, in other areas of the passenger cabin 2 and/or the cargo hold 3, these can be subdivided into almost any desired sections.

The mobile partition intended for passenger cabin 2

10 comprises a flexible tarpaulin 11 on the outer edge of which an inflatable support structure 12 is provided all around. The mobile partition wall 10 is designed in such a way that when the support structure 12 is fully unfolded, a shape corresponding to the cross section of the passenger cabin 2 results with a slight oversize. The oversize ensures a sealing contact with the floor 4 , side walls 5 and ceiling 6 and thus a secure hold of the mobile partition wall 10 when it is ultimately used in the passenger cabin 2 , as shown in FIG. 1 .

The tarpaulin 11 and the support structure 12 are made in one piece from non-transparent, gas-tight film. The design of the support structure 12 and its connection to the tarpaulin

11 can be recognized in the schematic sectional view in FIG.

Due to the gas-tightness of the film, the support structure 12 is basically inflatable, for which purpose a compressed gas connection 13 is provided, via which the support structure 12 can also be vented again. The compressed gas connection 13 is a standardized compressed gas connection to which compressed air lines, compressors or compressed gas cartridges are connected directly can be connected to inflate the support structure 12 within a very short time can.

The support structure 12 also has a sealing device 14 on the side facing away from the tarpaulin 11 , which in the present exemplary embodiment is designed as a coating of cellular rubber. With the coating, the sealing effect with respect to the boundary wall 4 can be further increased during use of the mobile partition wall 10 . The sealing device 14 is detachably connected to the support structure 12 and thus, for example. replaceable in case of wear . The detachable connection can be created by a chemically detachable material connection or by a Velcro connection.

The mobile partition wall 10 for the passenger cabin 3 also includes struts 15 running along the tarpaulin 11 , which are part of the support structure 12 and are therefore also inflatable. The struts 15 are fluidly connected to the part of the support structure 12 running around the edge of the tarpaulin 11 in such a way that the entire support structure 13 can be inflated through the individual compressed gas connection 13 .

A door formed by a C-shaped slot 16 is provided as an opening 17 between two of the inflatable struts 15 . A sealed zipper is provided along the slot 16 with which the door or Orifice 17 can be sealed tightly.

In another area of the tarpaulin 11 a viewing window 18 made of transparent film is fitted. The transparent film 18 of the viewing window is flexible and tightly welded to the tarpaulin 11 all around.

In the state with the support structure 12 fully inflated, the mobile partition wall 10 for the passenger cabin 2 can be used Completely cover the cross-section. If the support structure 12 is deflated, the mobile partition wall 10 can be opened due to the flexible material for the tarpaulin 11 and the support structure 12, including the support struts 12, as well as the flexible design of the viewing window 18 and the zipper along the slot 16 of the opening 17. but can also be folded to a small , easily manageable pack size .

The mobile partition wall 10 for the cargo hold 3, even if it is adapted to its cross section, is basically designed in the same way as that for the passenger cabin 2, albeit without inflatable struts 15, opening 17 and viewing window 18 - although these can of course also be used if necessary can be provided.

The tarpaulin 11 of the mobile partition wall 10 for the cargo hold 3 is made of textile, which is also used to form the support structure 12 provided on the edge of the tarpaulin 11 . For this purpose—as shown in FIG. 2b—the textile of the tarpaulin 11 is looped around an inflatable, gas-tight inlay 19 to form the support structure 11 and the free end is sewn to the tarpaulin 11 . In order to inflate the support structure 12, the inlay 19 is provided with a standardized compressed gas connection 13, which is connected through the textile of the tarpaulin 11 or the support structure 12 is guided.

Claims

Partition wall (10) for the optional segmentation of a volume (2, 3) comprising a flexible tarpaulin (11) for covering a cross section of the volume (2, 3), on the edge of which an inflatable supporting structure (12) is provided circumferentially, the tarpaulin ( 11) and support structure (12) are designed in such a way that, when the support structure (12) is inflated, the mobile partition wall (10) rests sealingly against the boundary wall (4, 5) of the volume (2, 3) along the cross-section to be covered and is foldable when the support structure (12) is not inflated. Mobile partition wall according to Claim 1, characterized in that a sealing device (14), preferably a coating increasing the sealing effect, is provided on the surface of the support structure (12) on the side facing away from the tarpaulin (11) when inflated. Mobile partition wall according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more sealingly closable openings (17), preferably a door and/or a hatch, are provided in the tarpaulin (11). Mobile partition wall according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flexible viewing window (15), preferably made of a transparent film, is embedded in the tarpaulin (11). Mobile partition wall according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (12) comprises inflatable struts (15) along the tarpaulin (11). Mobile partition wall according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (12) is designed to be continuous such that the entire support structure (12) can be inflated via a single compressed gas connection (13). Mobile partition according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tarpaulin (11) is at least partially made of film or textile and/or the support structure (12) is at least partially made of film or coated textile. Mobile partition wall according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume to be segmented is the cabin (2) and/or the cargo hold (3) of an aircraft. Mobile partition wall according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible tarpaulin (11) is looped around an inflatable, gas-tight inlay (19) to form the support structure (11). Mobile partition wall according to claim 9, characterized in that for inflating the supporting structure (12) the inlay (19) is provided with a compressed gas connection (13) which is led through the tarpaulin (11).