Line system

A line system for an aircraft cabin has a line channel with a first surface and a second surface facing in an opposite direction with respect to the first surface. The line system also includes at least one conductor running in the line channel a plurality of first plug channels which enable contacting of the at least one conductor through the first surface, and at least one second plug channel which enables contacting of the at least one conductor through the second surface. At and at least one connector plug with an elongated contact pin which contacts the at least one conductor through the second plug channel, the contact pin having a first section situated in the second plug channel and a second section situated outside the second plug channel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a line system, in particular in an aircraft cabin, with a line channel and at least one conductor running in the line channel.

BACKGROUND

The prior art discloses cable channels (so-called raceways) which are laid on the floor of an aircraft cabin and have cables running in them, via which electronic devices integrated into the passenger seats, such as so-called passenger entertainment systems (PES) and lighting means, are supplied with energy and data. In particular, it is known to install on the floor under a passenger seat a so-called seat electronic box (SEB) which is connected to the cable running in the cable channel in order to supply one or a group of passenger seats with energy and data. Seat electronic boxes decode, inter alia, audio and video data received via the cable running in the cable channel and pass the data on to the passenger entertainment systems integrated in the passenger seats for output to the passengers.

In the case of the known cable channels, however, it is a disadvantage that the supply of energy and data from an energy source and a data source to the cable running in the cable channel takes place via a supply cable which is laid on the floor of the aircraft cabin separately from the cable channel. In order that the supply cable does not lie exposed in the aircraft cabin, it is laid on the aircraft cabin floor under the fitted carpet. Consequently, the supply cable has to be laid as early as during the stage when the cabin is fitted out, i.e. before the fitted carpet is laid. However, this makes it more difficult to subsequently change the orientation/length of the supply cable or replace a defective supply cable. Moreover, the course of the supply cable under the fitted carpet, in particular transversely with respect to aisles between seat rows, gives rise to undulations or unevenness in the fitted carpet, which in emergency situations may hinder the passengers and cabin crew.

Airlines have an interest in being able to change the arrangement of passenger seats in an aircraft cabin. In particular, the arrangement of passenger seats is to be changeable in such a way that the spacing between the passenger seats can be increased or reduced towards the front and towards the rear. If the positions of the passenger seats in the aircraft cabin are changed, the seat electronic boxes installed under the passenger seats and the new passenger seat positions must also be adapted. Since the seat electronic boxes are connected to the cable running in the cable channel, the cable lengths must furthermore be adapted to the new arrangement of passenger seats or new cable channels with changed cable outlet openings must be installed in the aircraft cabin.

A cable channel with modular cable routing elements and cable outlet elements is known from the document DE 10 2004 045 964 A1. Cables running in the cable channel can be routed to a passenger seat via the cable outlet elements. In the case of this cable channel, however, it is a disadvantage that when the arrangement of passenger seats is changed the number and positions of the cable routing elements and cable outlet elements has to be redetermined, which is relatively time-consuming. Moreover, the lengths of the cables running in the cable channel must also be adapted to the new arrangement of passenger seats. Furthermore, a time-consuming assembly of the cable routing elements and cable outlet elements in the cable channel is necessary.

The invention is directed at the object of providing a line system, in particular in an aircraft cabin, which enables a simple and time-saving adaptation to different connecting configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve this object, a line system, in particular in an aircraft cabin, is provided, which has a line channel with a first surface and a second surface facing in an opposite direction with respect to the first surface, at least one conductor running in the line channel, a plurality of first plug channels which enable contacting of the at least one conductor through the first surface, at least one second plug channel which enables contacting of the at least one conductor through the second surface, and at least one connector plug with an elongated contact pin which contacts the at least one conductor through the second plug channel. The elongated contact pin has a first section or portion situated in the second plug channel and a second section or portion situated outside the second plug channel.

Preferably, the first surface of the cable channel lies in the interior of the aircraft cabin and the second surface of the cable channel lies on the floor or a fitted carpet laid in the aircraft cabin. The line system according to the invention is distinguished in that the conductor can be contacted via the plurality of first plug channels at a multiplicity of locations. If, for example, a seat electronic box installed under a passenger seat in an aircraft cabin is connected via a first plug channel to the conductor running in the line channel, when the position of the passenger seat is changed towards the front or towards the rear the seat electronic box can be connected via another first plug channel to the conductor running in the line channel. In doing so, there is no need to change or replace the line channel or the conductor.

The cable running in the line channel can be supplied with energy and data from an energy source and a data source via the connector plug. Since the connector plug has an elongated contact pin, a supply of energy and data to the connector plug via a supply cable running on the floor under the fitted carpet can be avoided. In addition to the data supply, bidirectional data communication may also take place.

In order, furthermore, to avoid a supply of the conductor running in the line channel with power and data via a supply cable running on the floor under the fitted carpet, the section of the elongated contact pin situated outside the second plug channel may be longer than the section situated in the second plug channel. This condition may apply particularly when one end of the section of the contact pin situated inside the second plug channel contacts the at least one conductor. In order for the supply to be able to take place from below the interior of the aircraft cabin, the section of the elongated contact pin situated outside the second plug channel may furthermore be at least twice as long as the section situated in the second plug channel. Preferably, the section of the elongated contact pin situated outside the second plug channel is at least three times as long as the section situated in the second plug channel.

In order for the supply of energy and data to the line running in the line channel to be made independent of the interior of the aircraft cabin, the line system may furthermore have a floor panel, on the upper side of which the line channel lies with its second surface, the elongated contact pin of the connector plug extending through the floor panel to the conductor. For this purpose, the floor panel may have a bore. The supply of energy and data from an energy source and a data source to the conductor running in the line channel may thus take place via a cavity situated below the floor panel. As a result, supply cabling in the interior of the aircraft cabin below the fitted carpet can be avoided. Furthermore, replacement of defective supply cables is simplified, since the fitted carpet does not have to be removed for access to the supply cable.

In order for the connector plug to be able to be connected in a simple manner to the line running in the line channel and furthermore for reliable contacting of the conductor to be ensured, the connector plug may have a plug body with a bearing surface which lies against the underside of the floor panel, the elongated contact pin projecting from the bearing surface and the length of the contact pin section situated outside the second plug channel corresponding to the thickness of the floor panel. Thus, the connector plug can be plugged with its elongated contact pin from below through a corresponding bore in the floor panel into the second plug channel. This dimensioning of the length of the contact pin enables precise contacting of the conductor and a firm hold of the connector plug in the line channel. In particular, the connector plug can be positively and/or non-positively held in the second plug channel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the line system has a supply line which runs below the floor panel and feeds the conductor with power and/or data via the connector plug. For this purpose, the supply line may be connected to a central power and data source. The data can be supplied to the conductor running in the line channel, in particular with the aid of a bus system. Bidirectional data communication is likewise possible. The supply line may be, for example, a cable which is connectable to the part of the connector plug situated below the floor panel. For this purpose, the cable may have corresponding plugs.

With further preference, the connector plug has a supply conductor which is formed as a pin and is arranged on the side of the connector plug facing away from the contact pin. The power and data supply line may be connected to the connector plug via the supply conductor formed as a pin. In particular, the supply conductor may be formed as a curved pin and curved in a direction from which the power and data supply line feeds the connector plug with power and/or data. As a result, the required installation depth of the connector plug can be reduced, thereby making it possible for the connector plug also to be inserted in a cavity with a low height under the floor panel.

The supply conductor of the connector plug formed as a curved pin may furthermore be partly insulated, so that a safe connection to the power and data supply line is made possible. In particular, the supply conductor may be formed as a spring-loaded pin, thereby ensuring reliable contacting of the connector plug by the power and data supply line even in the case of shaking or vibration. For instance, shaking or vibration occurs particularly during take-off and landing of aircraft, and may cause the power and data supply line to become detached from the connector plug. With the aid of the spring-loaded pin, it is possible to compensate for such shaking or vibration at the connector plug.

To make possible a time-saving rearrangement of passenger seats in the interior of the aircraft cabin, the plurality of first plug channels may be arranged at equal spacings along the line channel. As a result, in particular, measuring and drilling of plug channels in the line channel can be avoided. If, for example, an airline desires all the passenger seats of economy class to have greater spacing from the respective front seat, then for all the passenger seats corresponding first plug channels which are further away can be used for the contacting of the conductor running in the conductor channel from the interior of the aircraft cabin, without remeasuring. This change may take place in particular by unplugging a plug from and plugging it into the first plug channels.

In order for reliable contacting of the conductor running in the line channel from below the floor panel by the connector plug and from the interior of the aircraft cabin to be ensured, the conductor may have a substantially rectangular cross-section, the long sides of which are parallel to the second surface of the line channel. As a result of the rectangular cross-section, the contact area of the conductor accessible from above and below is increased, whereby faulty contacts can be avoided.

According to a further-preferred embodiment of the present invention, the line system furthermore has an electronic box for a passenger seat with at least one connector pin, the at least one connector pin detachably contacting the conductor through the first plug channel. The electronic box is preferably a seat electronic box. Consequently, when the arrangement of passenger seats is changed, the connector pin together with the electronic box can be pulled out of one of the plurality of first plug channels and plugged into another of the plurality of first plug channels. Thus, individual contacting of the conductor running in the cable channel from the interior of the aircraft cabin is made possible without structural alteration of the cable channel, the cable, the connector plug or the supply line.

In order to minimise the hindrance of passengers due to the line channel running on the floor panel, the first surface may be of convex or plane form. Furthermore, the second surface may be of plane form. In particular, the second surface lies on the floor panel and the first surface faces the interior of the aircraft cabin.

For simple contacting of the at least one conductor, in particular by respective plugs from above and below, the first and/or the second plug channels may run substantially perpendicularly to the second surface.

In order to be able to supply both power and data to a plurality of passenger seats or electronic boxes for passenger seats, the at least one conductor running in the line channel may comprise a conductor rail running in the line channel and a data line running in the line channel, respective plug channels and connector plugs being provided for the conductor rail and the data line. It is thus possible to provide two connector plugs which, via respective supply lines, supply the conductor rail and the data line with power and data from a power and data source, respectively, from below the floor panel. Furthermore, the electronic box may have two connector pins for the passenger seat which detachably contact the conductor rail and the data line via respective first plug channels.

In order to make possible reliable contacting of the conductor rail and the data line from below the floor panel via the connector plugs and from the interior of the aircraft cabin, the conductor rail and data line may run parallel to one another in the cable channel and equidistantly from the second surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2show lateral sectional views of a line system in an aircraft cabin shown schematically in a detail. The line system comprises a line channel10, two connector plugs14,16which can be plugged into the line channel10from below a floor panel12and a seat electronic box18which can be plugged into the line channel10from the interior of the aircraft cabin.FIGS. 1 and 2differ in that inFIG. 1the seat electronic box18is shown in an arrangement unplugged with respect to the line channel10, whereas inFIG. 2the seat electronic box18is plugged into the line channel10(for this reason, only some reference numbers, which are identical for the identical components inFIGS. 1 and 2, are repeated in both figures where necessary).

The line channel10is laid on the floor12of the aircraft cabin, for example fastened on a rail (not shown) or directly on the floor. The line channel10has a convex surface20which extends into the interior of the aircraft cabin. Furthermore, the line channel10has a second surface24lying on the floor panel12. The line channel10extends perpendicularly to the image plane shown inFIGS. 1 and 2and preferably consists of a lightweight, but loadable plastics material. Preferably, the first surface20directed into the interior of the aircraft cabin has no edges, so that little dirt can collect on the cable channel10and moreover passengers cannot catch their feet on the cable channel10or trip up.

Running in the cable channel10along the direction in which it extends are a conductor rail26and a data line28. The conductor rail26and the data line28run substantially parallel to one another and to the second surface24. In particular, the conductor rail26and the data line28have a flat, rectangular cross-section. The long sides of the rectangular cross-section run parallel to the second surface24. The conductor rail26and the data line28may be, in particular, cables. The conductor rail26and the data line28are guided in the cable channel10by corresponding holders or recesses. In particular, further recesses (not shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) may be provided for weight reduction of the cable channel10.

For contacting the conductor rail26and the data line28from above from the interior of the aircraft cabin, the line channel10has two first plug channels30and32, through which contacting of the conductor rail26and the data line28is made possible via the first surface20. Furthermore, the line channel10has two second plug channels34and36for contacting the conductor rail26and the data line28from below via the second surface24. The first plug channels30and32and the second plug channels34and36extend substantially in a direction perpendicular to the second surface24. In particular, the first and second plug channels30,32,34,36run parallel to one another in the line channel10, a direct passage between the first surface20and the second surface24being freed when the conductor rail26and data line28are removed from the line channel10. The first and second plug channels30,32,34,36may be bores. Removable closures (not shown) may additionally be provided in the first plug channels30and32in the arrangement of the seat electronic box18shown inFIG. 1, which closures prevent dirt from penetrating into the line channel10from the interior of the aircraft cabin.

The connector plugs14and16have plug bodies38and40, elongated contact pins42and44and supply conductors46and48. The plug bodies38and40have respective bearing surfaces which bear against the underside of the floor panel12. Contact pins42and44extend from the centre of the bearing surfaces through respective bores in the floor panel12and the second plug channels34and36to the conductor rail26and the data line28. The contact pins42and44contact the conductor rail26and the data line28, respectively. The contact pins42and44each have a first section42a,44a(also referred to as a first portion) which is situated in the second plug channels34and36, and a second section42b,44b(also referred to as a second portion) which is situated outside the second plug channels34and36, i.e. between the second plug channels34and36and the plug bodies38and40(seeFIG. 2). The second sections42b44bof the elongated contact pins42and44situated outside the second plug channels34and36are longer than the first sections42a,44aof the elongated contact pins42and44situated inside the second plug channels34and36, respective ends of the first sections42a,44aof the elongated contact pins42and44situated inside the second plug channels34and36contacting the conductor rail26and the data line28, respectively. In particular, the second sections42b44bof the elongated contact pins42and44situated outside the second plug channels34and36are at least twice as long, furthermore in particular at least three times as long, as the first sections42a,44aof the elongated contact pins42and44situated inside the second plug channels34and36.FIG. 2also illustrates an example of the relative first length LA of the first sections42a,44aand second length LB of the second sections42b,44b.

The supply conductors46and48of the connector plugs14and16are arranged at the end of the plug bodies38and40which is opposite the contact pins42,44. The supply conductors46and48are formed as partly insulated, curved pins. In particular, the supply conductors46and48are formed as spring-loaded pins (schematically shown inFIGS. 1 and 2). As a result, it is possible to compensate for shaking, or contact displacements caused by the shaking, at the supply conductor46,48.

The supply conductor46is connected to a power source52via a supply line50. Furthermore, the supply conductor48is connected to a data source56via a supply line54. The power source52may be any type of energy source which supplies the seat electronic box18with energy via the connector plug14and the conductor rail26. The data source56may be any type of data source, for example a computer server which supplies via a bus system (not shown) the connector plug16and the data line28or the plugged-in seat electronic box18with information data such as audio and video data (e.g. films and music). The supply lines50and54furthermore have plug contacts (not shown) for contacting the supply conductors46and48. Furthermore, bidirectional data communication between the seat electronic box18and the data source56is also possible.

The supply of the conductor rail26and data line28, running in the line channel10, with power and data, respectively, takes place from below the floor panel12. The power source52and the data source56do not have to be arranged below the floor panel12here. Merely the supply lines50and54or the plug bodies38and40and the supply conductors46and48are situated in a cavity below the floor panel22. The power source52and the data source56may also be arranged in the interior of the aircraft cabin. For this purpose, the supply lines50and54may be routed into the interior of the aircraft cabin at their ends facing away from the connector plugs14and16.

For a line channel10with a conductor rail26and a data line28, it is sufficient for only two connector plugs38,40and two supply lines50,54to be provided. Since the supply lines50,54are routed below the floor panel12, no cables need to be laid above the floor panel12, in particular under a fitted carpet. Moreover, since no passengers are able to step on the cables, the service life of the cables is increased.

The seat electronic box18is arranged in the interior of the aircraft cabin under a passenger seat (not shown). The seat electronic box18has on its underside two connector pins58and60which can be plugged into the first plug channels30and32of the cable channel10through the first surface20. The contact pins58and60may be of partly insulated form. As can be seen fromFIG. 2, when the seat electronic box18is plugged into the cable channel10, the contact pins58and60contact the conductor rail26and the data line28, respectively. Consequently, the seat electronic box18is detachably connected to the conductor rail26and the data line28via the contact pins58and60. Thus, the seat electronic box18can be supplied with power from the power source52via the supply line50, the connector plug14and the conductor rail26, and can be supplied with data from the data source56via the supply line54, the connector plug16and the data line28.

FIG. 3shows the line system ofFIG. 2from above, i.e. a view from the interior of the aircraft cabin towards the floor panel12. A multiplicity of first plug channels30and32are provided in the line channel10and they are provided, by way of example, with reference symbols30and32inFIG. 3. The first plug channels30and32run parallel to one another. In particular, the first plug channels30and32are arranged at equal spacings from one another, for example one-inch spacings, along the direction in which the line channel10extends. As a result, in the case of a new arrangement of passenger seats, measuring can be avoided. Correspondingly, a plurality of second plug channels34and36can also be provided in the line channel10. It is also conceivable for in each case only one second plug channel34and36to be provided. As can be seen fromFIG. 3, the connector plugs14and16are connected to the conductor rail26and the data line28, respectively, at locations offset in the longitudinal direction. The connector plugs14and16may, however, also be arranged side by side.

FIGS. 4 and 5correspond to the embodiment ofFIG. 3and show line systems in a view from above with a plurality of seat electronic boxes18′,18″,18′″,18″″ plugged into the line channel10. The seat electronic boxes18′,18″,18′″,18″″ are situated below respective passenger seats (not shown). In particular, one seat electronic box18′,18″,18′″,18″″ can supply a group of passenger seats with power and data.

In the arrangement shown inFIG. 4, there is a relatively large spacing towards the front and towards the rear between neighbouring seat electronic boxes18′,18″,18′″,18″″. The spacings between the passenger seats are correspondingly large. If an airline wishes to install a further row of passenger seats in the interior of the aircraft cabin, the seat electronic box18″ shown inFIG. 4is unplugged from respective first plug channels30and32and plugged into respective other first plug channels30and32at the position shown inFIG. 5. Subsequently, an additional seat electronic box18″″ for the additional row of passenger seats is plugged into corresponding first plug channels30and32shown inFIG. 5. The connector plugs14and16can remain unchanged here.

Consequently, the seat electronic boxes18′,18″,18′″,18″″ can be adapted in a simple manner to different arrangements of passenger seats. In so doing, it is not necessary to replace or redesign the line channel10. Furthermore, there is no need to make changes to the conductor rail26, the data line28or the supply lines50and54.