U.S. patent application number 14/709692 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-24 for integrated monument.
The applicant listed for this patent is Airbus Operations GmbH. Invention is credited to Bernd EHLERS, Mark HERZOG.
Application Number | 20150266583 14/709692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42663998 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150266583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EHLERS; Bernd ; et
al. |
September 24, 2015 |
INTEGRATED MONUMENT
Abstract
A monument is provided for an aircraft. The monument includes,
but is not limited to several system components with identical,
substantially identical or similar functions that can be connected
by way of a single system connection arrangement to the supply in
the aircraft. Distribution of the supply media, received by the
aircraft, to the individual system components takes place within
the monument. The system connections can thus be identical to the
system connections of a single monument.
Inventors: |
EHLERS; Bernd; (Hamburg,
DE) ; HERZOG; Mark; (Hamburg, DE) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Airbus Operations GmbH |
Hamburg |
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DE |
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|
Family ID: |
42663998 |
Appl. No.: |
14/709692 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13244440 |
Sep 24, 2011 |
9056682 |
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14709692 |
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PCT/EP2010/052973 |
Mar 9, 2010 |
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13244440 |
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61162796 |
Mar 24, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
244/118.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/02 20130101;
Y02T 50/46 20130101; B64D 2011/0046 20130101; B64D 11/04 20130101;
Y02T 50/40 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B64D 11/02 20060101
B64D011/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 24, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 014 601.6 |
Claims
1. A monument for an aircraft, comprising: a first toilet cabin
including a first system component, which is a first toilet or wash
basin; a second toilet cabin including a second system component,
which is a second toilet or wash basin; a dividing wall dividing
the first toilet cabin and the second toilet cabin; a system
connection arrangement including a fresh water connection; a line
arrangement including a first forked line; wherein the system
connection arrangement including a fresh water connection is
configured to connect the first system component and the second
system component to a fresh water supply line of the aircraft via
the first forked line.
2. The monument of claim 1, further comprising: a water heater for
providing hot water to the first and second system components;
wherein the first forked line and the water heater are arranged
inside the first toilet cabin.
3. The monument of claim 1, wherein the monument is an on-board
toilet monument; wherein the first system component is a first
toilet and the second system component is a second toilet that is
separate from the first toilet.
4. The monument of claim 1, wherein the monument comprises a
galley.
5. The monument of claim 1, wherein the monument is configured for
installation in a passenger cabin of the aircraft.
6. The monument of claim 1, wherein the monument is configured as a
combi module for replacing two identical single monuments.
7. The monument of claim 1, further comprising: a third system
component; and a fourth system component, wherein the system
connection arrangement is configured to connect the third system
component and the fourth system component to the supply line of the
aircraft, wherein the line arrangement is configured to connect the
system connection arrangement to the third system component and to
the fourth system component, wherein the third system component is
a first wash basin, and wherein the fourth system component is a
second wash basin.
8. The monument of claim 1, further comprising: a control device
configured to ensure that the first system component and the second
system component together do not request more than a predetermined
maximum quantity of water per unit of time from a water supply of
the aircraft.
9. The monument of claim 8, wherein the control device is
configured to prevent concurrent flushing of the first toilet and
of the second toilet, such that the first and second toilets do not
request more than a predetermined maximum quantity of water per
unit of time from a water supply of the aircraft.
10. The monument of claim 7, wherein the first wash basin is
arranged on a first side of the dividing wall, wherein the second
wash basin is arranged on a second side of the dividing wall, and
wherein the second side is situated opposite the first side.
11. An aircraft comprising a monument, the monument comprising: a
first toilet cabin including a first system component, which is a
first toilet or wash basin; a second toilet cabin including a
second system component, which is a second toilet or wash basin; a
dividing wall dividing the first toilet cabin and the second toilet
cabin; a system connection arrangement including a fresh water
connection; a line arrangement including a first forked line;
wherein the system connection arrangement including a fresh water
connection is configured to connect the first system component and
the second system component to a fresh water supply line of the
aircraft via the first forked line;
12. The aircraft of claim 11, further comprising: a passenger
cabin; and seat rails, wherein a monument is arranged in the
passenger cabin and attached to the aircraft only at attachment
points of a corresponding single monument and at the seat rails.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/244,440, filed Sep. 24, 2011, which is a
continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/052973,
filed Mar. 9, 2010, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) and
which claims priority to German Patent Application No.
102009014601.6 filed Mar. 24, 2009 and of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/162,796 filed Mar. 24, 2009, the disclosure of
which applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The technical field relates to monuments in transportation
means. In particular, the technical field relates to a monument for
an aircraft, to the use of such a monument in an aircraft, and to
an aircraft comprising such a monument.
BACKGROUND
[0003] On board a commercial aircraft of the size of the A320 there
are, as a rule, three to four toilets. In order to provide end
users with the option of optimizing the cabin for their purposes, a
greater number of positioning spaces for toilets is provided than
required. Thus, individual placement of the toilet monuments is
possible to a certain extent.
[0004] As a result of the large number of possible positioning
spaces and the fact that over the life of an aircraft, as a rule,
it is operated by several operators and thus different cabins are
configured and erected, there is a need to make provisions at the
time of delivery, which provisions make it possible to erect
monuments afterwards, at different positioning spaces. Such
monuments are, for example, on-board toilet monuments or galley
monuments. These provisions take up space, cost money, and add
additional weight to the aircraft, often without ever actually
being used.
[0005] DE 103 39 077 A1 and US 2005/0103935 A1 describe a passenger
compartment in the cabin of a commercial aircraft with several
toilet monuments. Described is a multipurpose space 1, which with
minimal manipulation can be converted from a toilet space to a
space with a neutral look. The cabin layout is not changed in this
process.
[0006] It is at least one object to state a monument that allows
increased flexibility in the cabin layout. In addition, other
objects, desirable features and characteristics will become
apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and
the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and this background.
SUMMARY
[0007] Stated are a monument for an aircraft, the use of a monument
in an aircraft and an aircraft. The described exemplary embodiments
relate equally to the monument, the use and the aircraft. In other
words, all the characteristics mentioned below, for example with
regard to the monument, can be implemented for the use or in the
aircraft, and vice versa.
[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment, a monument for an
aircraft is stated that comprises a first system component, a
system connection arrangement and a line arrangement. The system
connection arrangement is designed for connecting the first system
component and a further, second, system component to a supply line
of the aircraft. The line arrangement is designed for connecting
the system connection arrangement to the first system component and
to the second system component, wherein the first system component
and the second system component are identical (in other words at
least corresponding) system components. This includes also such
system components that merely comprise identical or similar
functions. For example, the first system component can be a toilet,
and the second system component a urinal. Alternatively, the first
system component is, for example, a toilet for persons with a
disability, and the second system component is a standard
toilet.
[0009] In other words this is a combined monument (combi monument)
or an expandable monument that can be enlarged. In the case of a
combi monument the monument comprises two system components, and in
the case of an expandable monument it comprises at least the first
system component and connections for a second system component.
Both system components correspond to each other, in other words
comprise identical or similar functions, but they need not be
altogether identical. In each case a sole system connection
arrangement is sufficient to connect both system components to the
supply line of the aircraft, even if the two system components are
accommodated in different sections of the monument.
[0010] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the monument is
an on-board toilet monument. According to a further exemplary
embodiment, the on-board toilet monument comprises two separate
toilets as first and second system components. Moreover, the first
system component can be a toilet or a urinal, and the second system
component can be a toilet or a shower.
[0011] It is thus no longer necessary for each individual toilet to
be connected separately to its own system connection arrangement.
Instead, a single system connection arrangement (and corresponding
supply connections in the aircraft) is sufficient for both toilets.
In this manner it is possible for a single toilet monument, which
is already integrated in the aircraft, by means of the toilet
monument according to the invention to be exchanged for two
on-board toilets, without this requiring the provision of
additional system connection arrangements.
[0012] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the monument is
a galley monument. For example, in this case the system components
are wash basins or electrical galley appliances.
[0013] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the monument is
designed to be installed in a passenger cabin of an aircraft, and,
in particular, the monument is designed to replace already known
standardized single monuments.
[0014] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the monument is
designed as a combi module for replacing two identical single
monuments. The two identical single monuments are, for example,
on-board toilet monuments.
[0015] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the monument
comprises a third system component in the form of a first wash
basin, and a fourth system component in the form of the second wash
basin. The system connection arrangement is not only used for
connecting the first two system components, but also for connecting
the third system component and the fourth system component to a
supply line of the aircraft. The line arrangement is used for
connecting the system connection arrangement to the third system
component and to the fourth system component. In particular, the
two sections of the monument, in which sections in each case the
first or second system component is located, can differ in
size.
[0016] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the monument
comprises a control device that ensures that all the system
components together do not request more than a predetermined
maximum quantity of water per unit of time from a water supply of
the aircraft (and if applicable do not have more than this
supplied), so that overloading the water supply of the aircraft is
prevented.
[0017] This can, for example, be an electronic control device which
on the one hand measures the quantity of water which the respective
users request at a given time. On the other hand, by means of
suitable sensors, the electronic control system can also measure
the actual rate of flow of the water through the line arrangement.
Control valves can be provided in the lines, which control valves
prevent or even stop the through-flow at suitable locations, if
required.
[0018] Furthermore, the control device can be a purely mechanical
control device which, for example, prevents water from flowing at
the same time through two particular supply lines. This can, for
example, take place by means of a three-way valve that is affixed
to a fork of a supply line and that ensures that water can flow
either into one branch or into the other branch. In this way it is
possible to ensure in a simple manner that at any given time only
one toilet can be flushed.
[0019] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the control
device is designed to prevent concurrent flushing of the first
toilet and of the second toilet.
[0020] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the monument
comprises a dividing wall, wherein the first wash basin is arranged
on a first side of the dividing wall and the second wash basin is
arranged on a second side of the dividing wall, which side is
situated opposite the first side.
[0021] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the use of a
monument in an aircraft is stated, and the monument comprises the
characteristics described above and below.
[0022] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the aircraft
comprises, in particular, a passenger cabin and one seat rail or
several seat rails. The monument is arranged in the passenger cabin
and is attached to the load-bearing structure of the aircraft only
at defined attachment points of a corresponding single monument and
at the seat rails. In other words, by means of the monument
according to the invention precisely those attachment points can be
used that are also used for a single monument of the type installed
in the past in aircraft.
[0023] By means of the monuments, additional monument positioning
spaces and monument positioning areas can be created without it
being necessary to make additional provisions for this on the
aircraft side. In this arrangement, instead of a single monument
(for example an on-board toilet monument) an enlarged monument is
installed, which comprises two toilets and two wash basins.
Moreover, it is possible to expand a base module of the monument
according to the invention (which base model only comprises one
toilet and one wash basin, but a corresponding line arrangement for
connecting a second wash basin and a second toilet) in order to
expand precisely this second toilet and the second wash basin. The
expansion module with the second toilet and the second wash basin
can be designed in such a manner that it comprises connections for
a further expansion module so that overall three toilets with three
wash basins can then be installed, without this necessitating
additional supply lines on the aircraft side.
[0024] The system connections of the base monument are identical to
the system connections of known single monuments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The present invention will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the following drawing figures, which are
diagrammatic and not to scale, and where like numerals denote like
elements, and:
[0026] FIG. 1 shows two separate toilet monuments;
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a monument according to an exemplary
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 3 shows a monument according to a further exemplary
embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 4 shows an aircraft according to an exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in
nature and is not intended to limit application and uses.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory
presented in the preceding background or summary or the following
detailed description.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows two identical single monuments 112, 113 for an
aircraft that are arranged one beside the other. Each of the two
monuments comprises its own system connection arrangement 103 that
is connected to a corresponding supply line of the aircraft. Thus,
the supply line, too, needs to comprise two interface groups,
namely one each for a system connection arrangement 103. The system
connection arrangement 103 comprises a fresh water connection 114,
a gray water connection 115 for removing gray water, and a black
water or waste water connection 116 for removing waste water from
the on-board toilet.
[0032] Each of the two monuments 112, 113 comprises its "own four
walls". In particular, the separation between the two modules
comprises double walls, because each of the two modules has its own
outside wall 118, 119. In each module there is a wash basin 105,
106 as well as a toilet 101, 102. The fittings 120 of the wash
basins are supplied with fresh water, by way of their own supply
lines, by the fresh water 114. In order to heat the water, a heater
117 can be installed in the fresh water supply line.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a monument 100 designed as a double toilet
according to an exemplary embodiment. Only a single dividing wall
108 is provided for separating the two toilet regions from one
another. Furthermore, the monument comprises a left-hand sidewall
123 and a right-hand sidewall 124 as well as a rear wall 125 and a
ceiling 126.
[0034] The monument 100 comprises only one system connection
arrangement 103, which can be connected to the supply lines
integrated in the aircraft. The system connection arrangement 103
comprises, in particular, connections for fresh water 114, gray
water connection 115 and black water or waste water connection
116.
[0035] The supply of fresh water 114 is connected to the first wash
basin 105 and to the first toilet 101 by way of the line a (i.e.,
conduit or duct) arrangement 104. For this purpose a fork in the
line 132 is provided, wherein the right-hand line branch 135 leads
to the right-hand toilet 102, the right-hand line branch 133 leads
to the left-hand toilet 101, and the upper line branch 134 leads to
the wash basins.
[0036] In particular, it can be provided for the line branch 134 to
supply water to both wash basins 105, 106. To this effect a
trifurcation 140 is provided. The first, left-hand branch of the
line arrangement extends as a cold water supply from the fork 140
to the left-hand wash basin 105 or to the fitting 120 of the
left-hand wash basin 105. The right-hand branch also extends as a
cold water supply to the right-hand fitting 120 of the right-hand
wash basin 106. The middle branch runs through a heater 117 before
forking into two further branches, wherein the left-hand branch
leads to the first wash basin 105, and the right-hand branch leads
to the second wash basin 106 (or to their fittings 120).
[0037] It is possible for all the lines that extend from the
right-hand module half through the dividing wall 108 into the
left-hand module half to comprise an interface in or on the
dividing wall so that the lines of the left-hand module half can be
connected in that location and can optionally be removed. In this
manner it is possible to create a monument whose left-hand half can
be erected or removed as required.
[0038] At the first bifurcation between the fresh water line 132
and the left-hand and right-hand branches 133 and 134 a control
device 107 can be provided, for example in the form of a two-way
valve or a three-way valve. This control device can control and
regulate the maximum possible flow through the fresh water supply
line 132. Furthermore, a line 135 can be provided, which is also
connected to the first bifurcation and which can be controlled by
way of the control device 107, which line 135 leads to the second
toilet 102.
[0039] The control device 107 is thus able, for example, to switch
between the two supply lines to the first toilet 101 and 135 to the
second toilet 102, and if applicable also to switch off the supply
line to the two wash basins, if required.
[0040] The two wash basins 105, 106 are integrated in corresponding
wash basin surrounds 121, 122. Each of the wash basins comprises
its own fitting 120. The dividing wall 108 comprises a left-hand
side 109 and a right-hand side 110, wherein one wash basin 105 is
arranged on the left-hand side and the other wash basin 106 is
arranged on the right-hand side, where they are also attached if
applicable.
[0041] Toilet waste water is fed by the disposal lines 127 (from
the left-hand toilet) and 128 (from the right-hand toilet) and
thereafter by way of the central line 129 and the connection 116 to
the waste water removal device of the aircraft. All the waste water
supply lines together are designated 111. Gray water removal by way
of the left-hand wash basin takes place via the line 131 that leads
through the wall 108 to the right-hand wash basin 106, and from the
right-hand wash basin 106 the line 130 leads to the gray water
disposal device (see connection 115).
[0042] FIG. 3 shows an on-board toilet monument according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention. The on-board toilet monument
100 comprises a left-hand toilet cell 301 and a right-hand toilet
cell 302. Each of the cells comprises it own toilet 101, 102 and
its own wash basin 105, 106. The wash basins and the toilets are
connected to a system connection arrangement 103 by way of
corresponding line arrangements. The pipe work 303 within the
monument is provided for this purpose. As shown in FIG. 3, the
combi module has been erected in front of the seat row 304 at the
fuselage wall 305 in the region of the exit.
[0043] Optimization of the architecture by the described integrated
monuments (for example in the form of a double toilet) makes it
possible to erect an additional toilet without there being a need
to make additional provisions when compared to a standard toilet.
All the necessary installations and provisions form part of the
double monument 100. This results in a reduced number of provisions
for erecting the monument, while the variety of installed parts
remains the same, thus resulting in savings in weight and cost.
Furthermore, there are no disadvantages to an operator wishing to
install a single monument. No additional provisions for installing
the double monument are required, which provisions are presently
not used. In principle, the subject is a monument with two toilet
cabins.
[0044] In this arrangement, in relation to one toilet the same
connection philosophy applies as in relation to a single monument.
The second toilet only comprises system connections within the
monument and might also share the systems of the first toilet (for
example the instantaneous water heater, storage compartment for
paper, fire extinguishing equipment, waste water system, oxygen
masks including generator, etc.).
[0045] The wash basin surrounds are, for example, opposite one
another against the dividing wall 108 between the two cabins, which
allow optimal dual use of the systems. Overload of the system
connections is prevented by an affixed system architecture. For
example, the control device 107 is provided for this purpose, which
control device 107 prevents concurrent flushing of the toilets.
Additional structural attachment of this double monument 100 takes
place, for example, merely by way of the already present attachment
points of a single monument and by way of the seat rails. Thus,
retrofitting in existing aircraft layout is possible.
[0046] The number of positioning spaces to be provided for toilets
can be reduced over the entire aircraft, which results in cost
savings. By means of shared use of some monument components, weight
savings are achieved when compared to the use of a single
toilet.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows an aircraft 400. The aircraft 400 comprises a
passenger cabin 401 in which a monument according to the invention
is arranged at each exit. In the exemplary embodiment shown, four
such monuments are provided, namely two on the starboard side of
the aircraft and two on the port side. Each of these monuments can,
for example, be connected to the primary structure of the aircraft
by way of two or more seat rails 402, 403, or can be attached to
the floor of the cabin.
[0048] Instead of toilets it is also possible to install kitchen
equipment and the like in the monument, so that a modular
expandable galley is provided, or an existing galley monument can
be replaced by a combined, in other words enlarged, galley
monument, without this requiring the use of other connections in
the aircraft than is the case for the single monument.
[0049] In addition, it should be pointed out that "comprising" does
not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "one" does not
exclude a plural number. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that
characteristics or steps which have been described with reference
to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in
combination with other characteristics or steps of other exemplary
embodiments described above.
[0050] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented
in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be
appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also
be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary
embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the
scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the
foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those
skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an
exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may
be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an
exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth
in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *