DE29825002U1 - Access flap for overhead luggage bin for aircraft is fitted with sprung hinges with integral viscous dampers which dampen the opening action of the flap - Google Patents

Abstract

An access flap (2) for an overhead luggage bin in an aircraft has the flap hinged to swing up about its upper edge. A coil spring around each hinge supports the flap in the raised position. The coil springs are contained inside a protective sleeve. Each hinge is fitted with a compact viscous damper with the damping force reducing with the speed of the flap. The viscous fluid is selected to have a near constant viscocity in the temperature range of -15 to +55 deg. C.

Description

The invention relates to a luggage storage container for aircraft according to the preamble of claim 1.

Conventional luggage storage compartments in aircraft are mostly equipped with gas springs that make opening the flaps easier and allow the flap to be held in the open position. A disadvantage is the vulnerability from gas springs to low temperatures. When the plane has cooled down a lot, There may be problems opening the door due to high friction Flaps are coming. For example, if the plane is at night Standing at the airport, it can happen that passengers in the morning Difficulty opening the storage compartments to have. About that In addition, the gas pressure springs are arranged on one or both sides a not inconsiderable one Part of the existing volume of the luggage storage compartment, whereby the one that can be loaded with luggage Net volume is reduced. The gas springs can also be loaded damaged if covers are not installed, which in turn will accommodate need and complicate assembly and maintenance.

The US 3,955,241 A describes a container with a door, which is pivotably mounted on the container via at least one hinge or the like and in which a complex mechanism causes a counter torque that differs depending on the opening angle of the door, with the spring force canceling the spring force in a certain intermediate position Counter moment is generated and therefore no moment is exerted on the door. In this position, the door can be easily installed or removed without any counterforce having to be exerted against the compression force of the coil spring or a force caused by the torque of the door. Such a mechanism is space-saving, but cannot meet the requirements placed on luggage storage compartments for aircraft.

Object of the present invention is therefore the creation of a container with a door in which the device for moving the door and for holding the door in it Open position as low as possible Has size and as little as possible Volume of the container claimed. The lifespan should be as long as possible, the manufacturing and maintenance costs as low as possible his. The disadvantages of known systems should be as possible avoided or at least reduced. The container according to the invention is intended especially those used in the aircraft industry meet the required high safety and stress conditions.

The object of the invention is achieved by that the device to support the movement of the door in the open Positioning and holding the door in the open Position and the device for damping the movement of the door essentially around the pivot axis of the door arranged and integrated in the or each hinge or the like, and that the device for damping the movement of the door is designed such that the damping with decreasing opening speed the door decreases. Through this execution is a compact and small construction that is easy to assemble, interchangeable and easy to maintain. No components protrude essentially inside the container inside, so that no valuable storage volume is lost. In order to guarantee, that the movement of the door of the container not too strong and too fast, but still holding the Door in the open Position guaranteed is provided that the damping with decreasing opening speed the door decreases. Due to the arrangement essentially around the pivot axis the door will achieved that the construction even in the presence of such damping device remains compact and takes up little storage volume.

The device is advantageous for cushioning the movement of the door through one in a viscous liquid moving damping element formed. Such a construction is due to particularly low friction losses characterized, which further increases the life of the arrangement can. Also, there will be no disturbing noises when opening and closing the Container caused. As a viscous liquid can e.g.

Serve fluid grease. To be a good one Function among all possible To reach operating temperatures, the viscosity should be in the range of approx. -15 ° C up to 55 ° C preferably be constant.

According to a variant the invention provides that the device for supporting the Movement of the door in the open Positioning and holding the door in the open Position by a pressure placed in the pivot axis of the door Coil spring or the like. Is formed, with means for converting the in the pivot axis of the door acting force of the coil spring or the like in a rotational movement the door are provided. The use of a coil spring represents one very small and inexpensive to manufacture Variant. Above In addition, the design is limited to relatively few components.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the devices for converting the force of the helical spring or the like into a rotational movement of the door are formed with a damping of the rotational movement of the door that decreases with increasing opening angle of the door in that the helical spring or the like. surrounding sleeve is arranged, and that one end of the coil spring or the like. is fixedly mounted and the other end of the coil spring is adjacent to a rotationally connected to the door and slidably mounted in the pivot axis of the door, the rod with at least one bolt or is connected. and the sleeve has at least one thread-like groove through which groove the or each bolt protrudes, whereby the pressure force on the rod can be deformed into a rotation of the rod and the door connected in a rotationally fixed manner and the damping of the rotational movement of the door by the pitch of the thread-like groove is adjustable. These constructive measures convert the force originating from the helical spring in the pivot axis of the door into a rotary movement of the door while taking into account the damping of the movement. Using a non-metallic material for the sleeve prevents the metallic coil spring from coming into contact with another metallic object, which could result in noise. The bolts or the like located on the rod are guided in the groove of the sleeve in a so-called setting, whereby the rod is forced to rotate. The design of the groove and also the bolts (sliding blocks) and their material exert an influence on the damping of the rotary movement, as a result of which it is easily adjustable and can also be adapted to the respective requirements.

Facilities are advantageous provided to adjust the bias of the coil spring. This can, for example, by adjusting the fixed end of the coil spring the spring is pretensioned in the direction of the swivel axis, whereby e.g. a wear related Paralysis of the spring can be compensated to a certain extent can.

According to a further feature of the invention in the construction variant above, the device for damping the Movement of the door through a chamber filled with viscous liquid slidably arranged pistons with perforations for permeability of the viscous liquid. This represents a variant for realizing the motion damping for a linear one Movement represents the damping decreases with decreasing movement speed. When stationary Piston provides no damping the spring force of the coil spring, which when opened Door full Spring force to hold the door in the open position to disposal stands. On the other hand, the door snaps open too quickly the viscosity damping efficiently prevented.

According to another embodiment variant of the Invention is the device for supporting the movement of the door in the opened Positioning and holding the door in the open Position by at least one arranged around the pivot axis of the door Leg spring, torsion spring or the like. Formed. In this case the spring or the like. Strained for rotation and thereby causes directly a turning movement of the door, whereby no facilities to implement any force in the direction of the pivot axis in a rotary movement of the door necessary are.

In this case, according to one Another feature of the invention, the device for damping the movement of the door one in a viscous liquid filled Chamber rotatably arranged rotary piston formed with damping vanes, the rotary piston is rotatably connected to one end of the torsion spring or the like.

Are, as above, separate devices for damping the movement of the door necessary for reasons the compactness essentially according to the invention around the pivot axis of the door arranged. One with increasing opening angle the door decreasing damping can be taken through various measures, e.g. by a Type disc brake with thin disc brake, or air suspension with throttle valve, the cross section of the drain valve with increasing opening angle the door increases, can be realized. The required damping characteristic is also through a suitably shaped body made of elastic material achievable.

The embodiments described above can be found in Within the scope of the invention can be changed as desired. The main thing here is to get support the movement of the door in the open position and holding the door in the open position, advantageously the movement of the door at the beginning of the opening movement heavily subdued will and the damping with increasing opening angle the door drops so that the door is held securely in the open position. The resulting force on the door, which is dependent of the opening angle the door drops can be achieved by various combinations of springs or the like become.

Using the attached drawings, two embodiments described the invention in more detail.

In it show:

1a a schematic diagram of a container with a door;

1b to 1c the principle curves of the force F originating from a device for supporting the movement of the door into the open position, the desired resulting force F _R and the resulting damping 6 depending on the opening angle a of the door;

2a a variant of a hinge according to the invention for a luggage storage compartment for aircraft in cross section;

2 B a plan view of the variant of the hinge according to 2a ;

2c a detailed view for explaining the scenery;

3a another variant of a hinge for a luggage storage compartment for aircraft in cross section;

3b a top view of the variant according to 3a ;

4a a variant of a hinge according to the invention for a luggage storage compartment for aircraft in cross section;

4b a plan view of the variant of the hinge according to 4a ,

1a shows a schematic representation of a container 1 with a hinged door 2 , The opening angle of the door 2 is denoted by a. With an appropriate device to support the movement of the door 2 in the open position and hold the door 2 in the open position, a force F acts on the door 2 or a torque on the pivot axis of the door 2 , As a result of the device used to support the movement of the door 2 In the open position, such as a spring or the like, the force F is usually when the door is closed 2 (ie α = 0 °) largest and becomes smaller with increasing opening angle a. This is shown in the diagram 1b , which shows the force F as a function of the opening angle a. In practice, of course, this relationship will not necessarily be linear. These diagrams are only for your understanding. The device supporting the movement of the door 2 Force F originating in its open position must be selected so that the door 2 is held in this position when the position is open (ie a maximum). So it has to be on the door 2 force acting at maximum opening angle F (α = max) on the door 2 acting gravity. This would, however, open the door at the beginning 2 an impermissibly high force on the door 2 act, which is an extremely fast swinging up of the door 2 would result in injury to people. It is therefore desirable to have a curve of the resulting force F _R as a function of the opening angle a, which is caused by a minimal force when the door is closed 2 F _R (α = 0) and by maximum force with the door fully open 2 F _R (α = max) is marked as in 1c shown. Therefore is a damping 6 the force F according to the course 1d , ie falling damping 6 with increasing opening angle α, required.

2a and 2 B show an embodiment of a hinge according to the invention for a luggage storage compartment 1 of an airplane. There is a luggage storage compartment 1 a door 2 pivotally mounted on its upper edge. The hinge for the pivotable connection of the door 2 on the luggage storage compartment 1 consists of two over a bolt 3 connected bearing plates 4 . 5 , one of which is a bearing plate 4 eg with the help of screws 6 with the luggage storage compartment 1 and the other bearing plate 5 eg with the help of screws 7 with the door 2 is connected so that the door 2 around the axis of the bolt 3 can be pivoted. The bolt 3 is with the one with the door 2 connected bearing plate 5 firmly connected. The bolt is according to the invention 3 formed with a square hole in which a square rod 8th is arranged so that movement in the longitudinal direction is possible. By arranging a bolt accordingly 9 is achieved that the bearing plate 5 a possible rotation of the square rod 8th participates without movement of the square rod 8th is prevented in the longitudinal direction. Of course, other construction variants that bring the same result are also possible. To support the rotating movement of the door 2 is in the axis of the bolt 3 of the hinge next to the hinge a coil spring 10 in a sleeve 11 arranged. At one end is the coil spring 10 firmly anchored while the other end of the coil spring is on the end of the square rod 8th exerts a compressive force in the direction of arrow A. To convert the pressure force into a rotary movement of the door 2 are with the square bar 8th bolt 12 od. Like. firmly connected, the outside, by the square rod 8th protruding ends through a corresponding groove in the sleeve 11 protrude. Will the device for holding the door 2 in the closed position (not shown), which can be formed by a known closure at the free end of the door, the coil spring presses 10 the square bar 8th in the direction of arrow A. Through a thread-like formation of the groove 13 (please refer 2c ) becomes the square bar 8th forced to rotate, causing the coil spring 10 opening the door 2 causes. The guidance of the bolts 12 in the sleeve 11 is also called the scenery guide, which is why the bolts 12 can also be referred to as backdrop stones. By designing the groove accordingly 13 can dampen the rotary motion of the door 2 be influenced according to the invention. In order to achieve a higher damping with a smaller opening angle a, the pitch of the thread-shaped groove 13 therefore advantageously designed to be lower at the beginning, so that a higher friction and thus, as desired, a greater damping result. The one through the groove 13 in the sleeve 11 limited opening angle a can additionally by a resilient pressure piece 14 be limited. By different design of the groove 13 in the sleeve 11 and choice of the shape and material of the bolts 12 can be done in a very simple and inexpensive manner, a different damping curve or an adaptation to different circumstances. By adjusting the firmly anchored end of the coil spring 10 the preload can be adjusted. As a result, the spring could become weak to a certain extent by readjusting it.

In the embodiment according to 2a to 2c Thus, according to the invention, both the device for supporting the movement of the door into the open position and the device for damping the movement as a function of the opening angle are integrated in the hinge. As a result, the movement mechanism takes up minimal space, and it the storage volume is not reduced by protruding components.

In 3a and 3b is another variant of a hinge for the door 2 a luggage storage compartment 1 shown for aircraft. This is used to support the movement of the door 2 necessary force in the open position by at least one leg spring 15 applied. The leg spring 15 is around the bolt 3 arranged of the hinge. To make contact between the metallic leg spring 15 and the metallic bolt 3 to avoid causing annoying noises when opening the door 2 could arise, the bolt 3 from a sleeve preferably made of plastic 16 surround. In this variant of the hinge, the advantageously necessary device for damping the movement as a function of the opening angle of the door is below the pivot axis of the hinge 2 contain. This can be designed in different ways. For example, a damping in principle of a disc brake with a decreasing thickness of the disc is possible. Air suspension with a throttle valve, the opening cross section of which increases with increasing opening angle of the door, can also be used to achieve the damping curve described above. In order to protect the damping device and also the hinge from damage and dirt, there are two covers which can be pushed or pushed into one another 17 . 18 with the luggage storage compartment 1 or with the door 2 connected.

4a and 4b show an embodiment of a hinge according to the invention for a luggage storage compartment 1 of an airplane. There is a luggage storage compartment 1 a door 2 pivotally mounted on its upper edge. The hinge for the pivotable connection of the door 2 on the luggage storage compartment 1 consists of two bearing plates 4 . 5 , one of which is a bearing plate 4 .B. with the help of screws 6 with the luggage storage compartment 1 and the other bearing plate 5 eg with the help of screws 7 with the door 2 is connected. The bearing plate 4 and the bearing plate 5 are about a torsion spring 19 connected with each other. One end of the torsion spring 19 is non-rotatable with a rotary piston 20 with damping wing 21 connected, which in a chamber 22 is rotatably arranged with a viscous liquid. When the rotary piston rotates 20 in the chamber 22 is through the damping wing 21 the viscous liquid, eg fluid grease, is displaced and thus part of the torsion spring 19 stored energy converted into displacement work. In this case, the damping is independent of the opening angle of the door 2 but depending on the opening speed. The opening angle of the door can be adjusted using a resilient pressure piece 14 be limited. With the door open 2 becomes the spring force of the torsion spring 19 not dampened, which ensures a secure hold of the door 2 is guaranteed. A major advantage of the viscosity damping is the low-friction and thus low-wear design, which can significantly increase the life of the hinge. In the aircraft industry, for example, more than 250,000 opening and closing cycles should be achieved without significant functional deterioration. In the case of a linear compressive force of a helical spring or an elastic element that is subjected to pressure, for example, a piston can be arranged in a chamber filled with viscous liquid instead of a rotary piston with a damping wing, the piston having perforations or the like through which the viscous liquid passes and thus delays the movement (not shown).

Claims (8)

Luggage rack ( 1 ) for aircraft, with one door ( 2 ) which are attached to the container via at least one hinge or the like ( 1 ) is pivotally mounted, with a device for supporting the movement of the door ( 2 ) in the open position and hold the door ( 2 ) in the open position, and with a device for damping the movement of the door ( 2 ), and with a device for holding the door ( 2 ) in the closed position, characterized in that the device for supporting the movement of the door ( 2 ) in the open position and hold the door ( 2 ) in the open position and the device for damping the movement of the door ( 2 ) essentially around the pivot axis of the door ( 2 ) is arranged and integrated in the or each hinge or the like, and that the device for damping the movement of the door ( 2 ) is designed such that the damping ( 6 ) with decreasing opening speed of the door ( 2 ) decreases. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for damping the movement of the door ( 2 ) is formed by a damping element moved in a viscous liquid. Container according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the device for supporting the movement of the door ( 2 ) in the open position and hold the door ( 2 ) in the open position by a in the pivot axis of the door ( 2 ) arranged coil spring under pressure ( 10 ) or the like. Is formed, wherein means for converting the in the pivot axis of the door ( 2 ) acting force of the coil spring ( 10 ) or the like in a rotating movement of the door ( 2 ) are provided. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for converting the force of the coil spring ( 10 ) or the like in a rotating movement of the door ( 2 ) with an increasing opening angle (α) of the door ( 2 ) decreasing damping of the rotary movement of the door ( 2 ) thereby that the coil spring ( 10 ) or the like. surrounding sleeve ( 11 ) and that one end of the coil spring ( 10 ) or the like. is firmly mounted and the other end of the coil spring ( 10 ) to a non-rotatable with the door ( 2 ) connected and in the pivot axis of the door ( 2 ) slidably mounted rod ( 8th ) adjacent, with the rod ( 8th ) with at least one bolt ( 12 ) or the like. Is connected, and the sleeve ( 11 ) at least one thread-like groove ( 13 ) through which groove ( 13 ) the or each bolt ( 12 ) protrudes, causing the pressure on the rod ( 8th ) in a rotation of the rod ( 8th ) and the non-rotatably connected door ( 2 ) malleable and damping the rotation of the door ( 2 ) due to the pitch of the thread-like groove ( 13 ) is adjustable. Container according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that devices for adjusting the bias of the coil spring ( 10 ) are provided. Container according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the device for damping the movement of the door ( 2 ) is formed by a piston with perforations arranged displaceably in a chamber filled with viscous liquid for permeability of the viscous liquid. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device for supporting the movement of the door ( 2 ) in the open position and hold the door ( 2 ) in the open position by at least one around the pivot axis of the door ( 2 ) arranged leg spring ( 15 ), Torsion spring ( 19 ) or the like. is formed. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that the device for damping the movement of the door ( 2 ) through a chamber filled with viscous liquid ( 22 ) rotatable piston ( 20 ) with damping wing ( 21 ) is formed, the rotary piston ( 20 ) rotatably with one end of the torsion spring ( 19 ) or the like.