Abstract:
An equipment element for transportation means, in particular an airplane, includes, but is not limited to a retractable line, the length of which can be set using a retraction mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Patent Application No. 10 2009 018 771.5 filed Apr. 24, 2009 and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/172,351 filed Apr. 24, 2009, the disclosures of which applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to the interior equipment of transportation means. In particular, the invention relates to an equipment element for a transportation means with an arrangement of lines for connecting the equipment element with the wiring system of the transportation means. The invention also relates to a method for installing an equipment element, and an aircraft with an equipment element. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Equipment elements, such as separating walls, kitchen monuments or toilet monuments, often contain electrical equipment, such as monitors, exit signs, toilet occupied signs, but also non-electrical equipment, such as sinks or toilets requiring fluids like water. This equipment may have to be attached to the wiring system of the transportation means during installation. 
     While the interface or connection of the transportation means for the respective connection of the equipment element may be roughly determined in the initial construction phase of a transportation means, the position of the interface or connection may change during the ensuing construction phases. For this reason, the lines between the equipment element and interface or connection may have to be longer than would actually be required, which may add to the weight and may lead to complicated suspension devices for the lines. 
     If the line between the equipment element and the interface or connection of the aircraft is too short, either the position of the interface or connection in the transportation means may have to be changed, or the line may have to be lengthened, which may result in a high adjustment outlay. 
     DE 10 2004 044 944 B3 and US 2008/034630 A1 disclose an illuminated ceiling paneling for an aircraft, which can be connected with a power source via an electrical line. 
     SUMMARY 
     To this end, an embodiment of the invention may provide an equipment element for a transportation means. The equipment element may comprise a terminal device, a line arrangement for connecting the terminal device with a supply device of the transportation means, and a line retraction mechanism for setting the length of the line arrangement between the equipment element and the supply device. 
     The equipment element may comprise a retractable line, the length of which may be set by means of a retraction mechanism. 
     Thus, the outlay required for the equipping the interior of a transportation means may be reduced. 
     The equipment element may be a component for the interior space of the transportation means. The equipment element may be a monument, for example a galley or a toilet monument, a separating wall, a PSU module for a PSC or an airplane seat. 
     In the equipment element the cable length required for the installation of the equipment element in the airplane may be integrated, plus some length left over. 
     A line retraction mechanism may be used to set the line from the equipment element to the interface or connection of the airplane in such a way that the line traverses the shortest possible or the direct route from the equipment element to the interface or connection. 
     As a result, no excess lengths may have to be provided for the lines, which make it possible to save on weight. In addition, the right length of line for connection to the interface or connection may always be available. No mounts for securing the line to the transportation means may be necessary, since no loose loops of line are created by setting the length of the line arrangement, which would make it necessary to prevent the line arrangement from swinging around uncontrollably. Eliminating the necessity for mounts may enable a further savings in weight for the transportation means. The adjustment outlay required for lengthening a too short line may be saved. 
     Setting the length of the line arrangement may involve shortening and/or lengthening the line arrangement by retracting or extending the line. To this end, for example, the line arrangement may be sectionally rolled up or also be linearly refracted. 
     The equipment element may be connectable with at least one supply device. However, it may also be connectable with a plurality of supply devices. 
     In an embodiment, the equipment element may comprise a line guide for guiding the line arrangement when adjusting the length of the line arrangement. If the line arrangement is connected with the transportation means, the line arrangement may lead from the line guide to the interface, to the junction or connection between the line arrangement and transportation means. The line arrangement may be movably coupled with the line guide. If the line guide is rigidly secured to the equipment element, the line guide may establish a fixed reference point, which the line arrangement of the equipment element leads away from. 
     In an embodiment, the line retraction mechanism may be arranged between the line guide and the terminal device. The line arrangement may lead from the terminal device to the line retraction mechanism, and then from the line refraction mechanism to the line guide. 
     In an embodiment, one end of the line arrangement may be arranged at the line guide in a transport position, wherein the length of the line arrangement may be minimal between the end of the line arrangement and line guide in an installation position, in which the end of the line arrangement may be connected with the supply device. The fact that the line arrangement length is minimal may mean that the line arrangement is minimal by comparison with a line arrangement that is “loosely” suspended, and forms loops, for example. The line arrangement may not have to not run along the straight connecting line between the end of the line arrangement and the line guide, but may rather run along the minimal possible path, for example when the line arrangement is guided around a corner. 
     In the transport position, the line arrangement may be better protected against influences acting from outside than in a case where the line arrangement is only provisionally secured to the equipment element solely for transportation purposes. Further, the end of the line arrangement may not swing around uncontrollably in the transport position, since it is held in place by the line guide at a specific point. 
     According to an embodiment, the line arrangement may comprise a single line. 
     In an embodiment, the line arrangement may comprise several lines, which may also be used for different purposes. For example, electrical lines for power supply, hydraulic lines for supplying pressure to the equipment element, and fluid lines for supplying the equipment element with a fluid, such as oxygen, air or water. 
     In an embodiment, the terminal device may comprise an electrical device, and the line may comprise an electrical line. The supply device may be a power supply source of the transportation means. An electrical line may have several individual conductors, for example individual phases. In this case, the equipment element may comprise a lamp or may be an illuminated sign. 
     In an embodiment, the terminal device may comprise an information-processing device and the line may comprise a signal line. The supply device may be part of the information system or communication system of the transportation means, such as a computer. The signal line may be a fiberglass cable or coaxial cable. The terminal device may be a wireless transmitter or a wireless receiver, or also a computer arranged in the equipment element or a controller. 
     In an embodiment, the terminal device may comprise a fluid-consuming or fluid-dispensing device, and the line may comprise a fluid line. The line arrangement may comprise lines for gas, water, service water, gray water, or black water. The equipment element may be a toilet monument or a galley. These lines may be connected with a water supply system, with a wastewater system or compressed air system of the transportation means. The supply device may be a tank, for example. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the line arrangement may have at least two lines, wherein the line retraction mechanism may have a single line retraction mechanism for each of the at least two lines. 
     Each of the single line mechanisms may be adapted to adjust the length of the respective line between the equipment element and supply device separately or independently of the other single retraction mechanisms. For example, electrical lines and signal lines may be combined for the line arrangement, for example for a controller or a computer. It may be also possible to combine electrical lines and fluid lines, like for example a water line, for a galley or kitchen monument. When using lines serving different purposes, separately operating line retraction mechanisms may be adjusted to the respective properties of the lines. 
     In an embodiment, the equipment element may comprise a plug at the end of the line arrangement, wherein the plug can be retracted up to the line guide via the line arrangement using the line retraction mechanism. 
     On the one hand, a plug may make it possible to decrease the outlay involved in connecting the line arrangement with the supply systems of the transportation means. On the other hand, a plug may prevent the line arrangement from being retracted beyond the line guide by the line retraction mechanism. The plug may comprise a plurality of individual plugs for the lines of the line arrangement. 
     In an embodiment, the equipment element may comprise a combination plug at the end of the line arrangement, wherein the combination plug may be designed as an integrally formed component. The combination plug may have an individual plug for each of the at least two lines. The terminal device or terminal devices of the equipment element may be connected with the transportation means in a single operation. 
     In an embodiment, the combination plug may be connected with a combination socket of the transportation means, wherein the at least two lines may be connected with at least two supply devices by connecting the combination plug with the combination socket. It has to be understood that the terms “plug” and “socket” may be interchangeable with each other. Plugs and sockets may each comprise a male plug and/or female plug, or vice versa. 
     In an embodiment, the equipment element may have a cavity, wherein the line retraction mechanism may be arranged in the cavity of the equipment element. The cavity may be surrounded by walls of the equipment element. 
     A cavities inside the equipment element may be used x for protecting the line retraction mechanism and the line arrangement at the same time. 
     In an embodiment, the cavity may be bordered by a wall of the equipment element, wherein the line guide may comprise an opening in the wall, and the line arrangement may be arranged in the cavity of the equipment element in the transport position. It may be the case that only the end of the line arrangement may project out of the equipment element in the transport position, or that in the transport position the line arrangement may be arranged in the cavity of the equipment element except the end of the line arrangement. 
     In this way, the line arrangement may be protected by the equipment element while transporting the equipment element to the installation site in the transportation means. 
     In an embodiment, the plug or combination plug at the end of the line arrangement may be formed in such a way that the cable cannot disappear in the cavity or the interior of the equipment element when the line arrangement is retracted by the line retraction mechanism. As a result, the line arrangement and line retraction mechanism may be installed without the danger of the line retraction mechanism retracting the line arrangement so far inside the equipment element that it can no longer be accessed when installing the equipment element in the transportation means. 
     In another embodiment, the line retraction mechanism may comprise an energy storage mechanism, wherein mechanical energy may be storable in the energy storage mechanism while extending the line arrangement, for example, wherein the energy may be released from the energy storage mechanism to retract the line arrangement. 
     When the line arrangement is extended by a person, for example by someone who extracts the line arrangement from the equipment element during installation of the equipment element in the transportation means, energy may be stored in the energy storage mechanism, which may again be released while retracting the line arrangement via the line retraction mechanism, so that the line of the line retraction mechanism may be automatically retracted. In an installation position or in a position where the line is partially extended from the equipment element, the line arrangement may be placed under a mechanical stress by the energy storage mechanism. The mechanical stress may be used to shorten the line arrangement, so as to set the minimal length of the line between the line guide and supply device. 
     In an embodiment, the energy storage mechanism may be a spring arrangement or spring. 
     The invention also relates to a method for installing an equipment element. According to an embodiment, the method may comprise the steps: Securing the equipment element to the transportation means; withdrawing the line arrangement until the end of the line arrangement is connectable with the end of a line with the supply device; attaching the terminal device by connecting the end of the line arrangement with an end of the line to the supply device; shortening the line arrangement to a minimal length by retracting the line arrangement via the line retraction mechanism. 
     This may make it possible to significantly reduce the work required to install an equipment element in a transportation means. In an embodiment, the terminal device may be connected via a plug or the combination plug at the end of the line arrangement with a receptacle at the end of a line to the supply device. 
     In an embodiment, the method may also comprise the following steps: Separating the terminal device from the airplane by detaching the line arrangement, stowing the line arrangement by retracting the line arrangement via the line retraction mechanism; disconnecting the equipment element from the transportation means. 
     This may also make it possible to reduce the work required for de-installing the equipment element. The line arrangement may be protected inside the equipment element while the equipment element is temporarily stored and during transport to the next installation site. 
     According to an embodiment, the disconnection of the terminal device may comprise detaching a plug from a receptacle of the transportation means. The line arrangement may be retracted up until its end or up to the plug when stowing the line arrangement. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, extending the line arrangement may comprise a storing of energy in an energy storage mechanism, and retracting the line arrangement may comprise a releasing of energy via the energy storage mechanism. For example, the energy storage mechanism may store energy in the form of mechanical energy, and may facilitate the retraction of the line arrangement inside the equipment element. 
     The embodiments of the invention may also relate to the use of an equipment element according to the invention in an aircraft, for example an airplane, a zeppelin or a helicopter. 
     The embodiments of the invention also relates to an aircraft with the equipment element according to the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a longitudinal section through a curtain top section, which is also called header panel or curtain header, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of a cross section through the curtain header from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a diagrammatic longitudinal section through a monument according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a diagrammatic top view of an airplane with equipment elements according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram for a method of installing an equipment element according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. 
       FIG. 1  shows a partially longitudinal section through an equipment element  10  in the form of a curtain header. An illuminated sign  12  is secured to a lateral wall  32  of the curtain header  10 . The sign  12 , which can be illuminated by incandescent lamps or LED&#39;s, for example, is connected by an electrical line  14  with a line retraction mechanism  16 . The line retraction mechanism  16  is a spring-loaded cable take-up reel, which can retract a line arrangement  18  in the form of an electrical line. The electrical line  18  exits the curtain header  10  through an opening  20 . A plug  22  is located at the end of the electrical line  18 . 
     The electrical line  18  is partially reeled onto a drum  24  of the retraction mechanism  16 . The end of the electrical line  18  for the drum  24  is electrically connected with the line  14 . If the plug  22  is connected with a power supply system of a transportation means, for example an aircraft, the sign  12  is supplied with power via the lines  14  and  18 . 
     If a person pulls on the end of the line  18  in the area of the plug  22 , the drum  24  turns, and the line  18  is unreeled from the drum  24 . The drum  24  is connected with a spring, which is tensioned while unreeling the line  18 , accumulating mechanical energy. If the end of the line  18  with the plug  22  is loose, meaning no longer connected with a socket, the tensioned spring causes the drum  24  to turn and to retract the line  18  into the equipment element  10 . The opening  20  guides the line  18  inside the equipment element  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a top view of a cross section through the curtain header  10 . As evident from  FIG. 2 , the curtain header  10  comprises two lateral walls  30  and  32 . A sign  12  is secured to the lateral wall  32 . A cavity  34  is formed between the two lateral walls  30  and  32 , and incorporates the electrical line  14 , the line refraction mechanism  16  and a section of the line  18 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a diagrammatic longitudinal section through a monument  110  of a transportation means. The lower area of the monument  110  is provided with a cavity  112 , in which two line refraction mechanisms  114  and  116  are provided. Similarly to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the line retraction mechanism  114  is a spring-loaded cable take-up reel  118 , which can retract an electrical line  120  into the interior  112  of the monument  110 . The electrical line  120  is electrically connected with an electrical line  122 , to which the electrical consumers, for example a lamp, controller or computer within the monument  110  are attached. A deflection roller  124  guides the line  120  through an opening  125  in a lateral wall of the monument  110 . The end of the line  118  is connected with a combination plug  126 . In addition to an electrical plug element  128 , the combination plug  126  designed as an integral component has a plug element  130  for a fluid line  132 . 
     The line  122  may also comprise a signal line, with which a computer inside the monument is connected. 
     The fluid line  132 , which can be a freshwater line, for example, may be a flexible tube, for example a rubber hose. The line  132  runs through an opening  127  in a lateral wall of the monument  110  into the interior of the monument  110 . The line  132  then runs in a first loop  144  around a first deflection roller  134  and in a second loop  146  around as second deflection roller  136  until it reaches a connecting pipe  138 , through which the terminal devices inside the monument  110  may be supplied with water, for example a washbasin or toilet. The first roller  134  and second roller  136  are guided in direction H on the monument  110 , and movably secured to the monument  110  in direction H. To this end, the rollers  134  and  136  are attached to one end of a spring  140  or a spring  142 , the other ends of which are fixedly or rigidly secured to the monument  110 . If the combination plug  116  is moved away form the monument opposite the arrow H, the springs  140  and  142  are compressed by the shortening of the fluid line  132 , and absorb mechanical energy. 
     If the combination plug  126  is released, the spring  140  presses the loop  144  of the fluid line  132  in direction H, and the spring  142  presses the loop  146  of the fluid line  132  against direction H, thereby lengthening the section of the fluid line  132  inside the casing. In this way, the section of the fluid line  132  outside the monument  110  is again retracted into the cavity  112  of the monument  110 . 
     Pulling the combination plug  126  against direction H and away from monument  110  also lengthens the section of the electrical line  120  outside of the monument  10 . The electrical line  120  is here deflected by the roller  124  and unreeled from the cable reel  118 . Unreeling the electrical line  120  from the roller  118  tensions a spring that stores mechanical energy, and as the combination plug  126  moves on the monument  110  to the section of the electrical line  120  outside the monument  110 , retracts inside the cavity  112 , in which the roller  118  winds up a portion of the electrical line  120 . 
     The retraction mechanisms  116  and  114  may be regarded as individual retraction mechanisms, which together form a retraction mechanism  151  for a line arrangement comprised of lines  120  and  132 . The line arrangement  120 ,  132  is guided out of the openings  125  and  127  via a line guide. 
       FIG. 4  shows a diagrammatic, top view of a transportation means or airplane  200 . The curtain header  10  and monument  110  are secured and installed in a cabin  210  of the airplane  200 . The curtain header  10  is connected with the plug  22  with an electrical line  212  to a supply device  214  of the airplane  200 . The combination plug  126  of the line arrangement  150  comprised of lines  120  and  132  connects the monument  110  with the supply device  214  by way of an electrical line  216  on the one hand, and with a tank  220  of the transportation means  200 , for example a water tank, by way of a fluid line  218 , for example a water line. 
       FIG. 5  shows a flowchart for a method to install the equipment elements  10  and  110  in the airplane  200 . 
     In step S 10 , the curtain header  10  and monument  110  are secured in the cabin  210 . In step S 12 , the electrical line  18  or line arrangement  150  is withdrawn from the equipment elements  10 ,  110  to a point where the plugs  22 ,  126  can be connected with the ends of the lines  212  or  216  and  218 . 
     In step S 14 , the plugs  22 ,  126  are inserted into the respective socket at the end of the lines  212  or  216 ,  218 , and the illuminated sign  12  or terminal devices in the monument  110  are connected with the supply device  214  and tank  220 . 
     The equipment elements  10 ,  110  are now completely installed in the airplane. 
     If the airplane is to be retrofitted, in a step S 16  the plugs  22 ,  126  are detached, and the individual mechanisms  16  or  151  retract the line  18  or line arrangement  150  in a transport position. In step S 18 , the equipment elements  10 ,  110  are detached from the airplane  200 , and the two equipment elements  10 ,  110  can be transported away. 
     In addition it has to be understood that “comprising” does not preclude any other elements or steps, and “an” or “a” do not rule out a plurality. Let it further be noted that features of steps described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numbers in the claims are not to be construed as a limitation. Moreover, 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.