Abstract:
A passenger service module including a fitting element, an individual ventilation arrangement connected to the fitting element and having at least one air nozzle, a lighting arrangement connected to the fitting element and having at least one reading lamp, and an operating element connected to the fitting element. The operating element includes a touch panel having at least one input field for individually controlling the operation of the air nozzle and/or of the reading lamp.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2011 116 884.6 filed Oct. 25, 2011, and claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/550,945 filed Oct. 25, 2011, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a passenger service module provided in particular for installation in an aircraft passenger cabin, and to a passenger service system equipped with such a passenger service module. 
     The passenger cabin of a modern commercial aircraft is conventionally equipped with a large number of personal service units (PSUs) which are each associated with a passenger seat row and are arranged beneath overhead luggage compartments in a position that is accessible to the passengers seated in the passenger seats. A typical PSU, as is described, for example, in DE 10 2009 058 849 A1, comprises a loudspeaker, a display element on which a fasten seatbelt sign, for example, is shown, and one or more reading lamp(s). An individually adjustable air nozzle for each passenger seat in a seat row is further integrated into a conventional PSU. The air nozzle is connected to an individual ventilation system which is conventionally formed separately from a centrally controlled cabin ventilation system. In order to regulate the air flow supplied to the passenger cabin by way of the air nozzle, a passenger can adjust an air outlet cross-section of the air nozzle as desired, for example by rotation of a corresponding diaphragm element. 
     It is further known from the non-prepublished DE 10 2010 018 569 to integrate modules of an individual ventilation system, which modules comprise components of a centrally controlled cabin ventilation system, components of an emergency oxygen supply system and in each case a plurality of air nozzles, into a carrier structure which is arranged beneath the overhead luggage compartments above the seat rows and extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The invention is directed at the object of providing a passenger service module which is simple and flexible to fit and convenient to operate, as well as a passenger service system equipped with such a passenger service module. 
     The object is achieved by a passenger service module having the features of claim  1  and by a passenger service system having the features of claim  10 . 
     A passenger service module according to the invention comprises a fitting element which serves to secure the passenger service module in its fitted position in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft. Connected to the fitting element is an individual ventilation arrangement, which comprises at least one air nozzle. If desired, the individual ventilation arrangement of the passenger service module may be equipped with a plurality of air nozzles, one air nozzle preferably being provided for each seat of a passenger seat row, which is provided with service functions by the passenger service module. Also connected to the fitting element is a lighting arrangement, which comprises at least one reading lamp. If desired, the lighting arrangement may also be equipped with a plurality of reading lamps, one reading lamp preferably being provided for each seat of a passenger seat row, which is provided with service functions by the passenger service module. 
     Finally, the passenger service module comprises an operating element connected to the fitting element. The operating element comprises a touch panel having at least one input field for individually controlling the operation of the air nozzle and/or of the reading lamp. If the individual ventilation arrangement comprises a plurality of air nozzles, the touch panel is preferably also provided with a plurality of input fields for individually controlling the operation of the air nozzles. Similarly, the touch panel may have a plurality of input fields for individually controlling the operation of a plurality of reading lamps of the lighting arrangement. Finally, an embodiment of the touch panel with a plurality of input fields that are each associated with an air nozzle or with a reading lamp is also conceivable, that is to say the touch panel may be provided with input fields for individually controlling the operation of air nozzles and of reading lamps. 
     Owing to its modular form, the passenger service module may be preassembled to form an independently manageable component assembly even before its final fitting in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft. Final fitting of the passenger service module is therefore particularly simple, time-saving and accordingly inexpensive. In addition, the passenger service module is particularly simple and convenient to operate by way of the touch panel of the operating element. 
     The individual ventilation arrangement may be arranged in a housing connected to the fitting element. Alternatively, the lighting arrangement may also be arranged in a housing connected to the fitting element. Finally, it is conceivable to equip the passenger service module with a common housing for accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and the lighting arrangement. The housing may be, for example, square or trapezoidal in shape, but may also have any other desired shape. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the passenger service module, the housing comprises a releasably secured cover plate. The cover plate may close the housing preferably in the region of a surface of the housing that faces the fitting element, that is to say may form a surface of the housing that faces the fitting element. 
     The fitting element may comprise an individual air duct section which may be connected to an individual air supply line of an individual ventilation system. The fitting element may further be provided with a carrier section for connecting the fitting element to the individual ventilation arrangement, to the lighting arrangement and/or to the operating element. The carrier section of the fitting element may have a plate-like basic shape, for example, it being possible for the carrier section, if desired, to be provided with cut-outs in order to reduce the weight of the fitting element. The individual air duct section may be in the form of a tube section, for example, and extend in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a plane defining the carrier section of the fitting element. The individual air duct section and the carrier section of the fitting element are preferably integral. 
     A first end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element may be connected to the individual ventilation arrangement by way of a flexible connecting element. The flexible connecting element may be formed, for example, by a flexible hose or the like and enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated. The flexible form of the connecting element further ensures a secure connection between the first end of the individual air duct section and the individual ventilation arrangement even when vibrations occur during operation of the passenger service module. In particular, the flexible connecting element may connect the first end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element to an opening that is formed in the cover plate of the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement. 
     A second end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element is preferably connected to a first end of a flexible individual air connecting line. A second end of the flexible individual air connecting line may be connectable to an individual air supply line of an individual ventilation system. The flexible form of the individual air connecting line again enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated and ensures a secure connection of the individual air duct section to the individual air supply line of the individual ventilation system if vibrations should occur during operation of the passenger service module. 
     On the carrier section of the fitting element there may be provided at least one first connecting element for connecting the fitting element to the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement. The first connecting element is preferably integral with the carrier section of the fitting element. For example, the first connecting element may be connected to the carrier section in the region of a side face of the carrier section and may extend substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section. Preferably, two first connecting elements are present, which are connected to the carrier section in the region of two opposing side faces of the carrier section. Each first connecting element may be connected to a holding element, which is attached to the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement. 
     In addition or alternatively thereto, there may be provided on the carrier section of the fitting element at least one second connecting element for connecting the fitting element to the operating element. The second connecting element is likewise preferably integral with the carrier section of the fitting element. The second connecting element may preferably likewise extend substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section of the fitting element. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the passenger service module, the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement is connected to the fitting element in the region of a first surface of the carrier section, so that the carrier section of the fitting element rests on the housing on a surface of the housing that faces the fitting element and is preferably formed by the cover plate of the housing. The individual air duct section of the fitting element, on the other hand, preferably extends from a second surface of the carrier section that is opposite the first surface of the carrier section. 
     The passenger service module may further comprise an electronics module connected to the fitting element. The electronics module may contain electronic components for controlling the individual ventilation arrangement, the lighting arrangement and/or the operating element. If desired, these components may be accommodated in a suitable housing. The electronics module is connected to the fitting element in particular in the region of the second surface of the carrier section that is opposite the first surface of the carrier section. This results in a configuration in which the carrier section of the fitting element is arranged between the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement and the electronics module. The electronics module, or a housing of the electronics module, may be provided with a cut-out in which the individual air duct section of the fitting element can be received. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to configure the electronics module in two parts and connect it to the fitting element on both sides of the individual air duct section in the region of the second surface of the carrier section. 
     The passenger service module preferably further comprises a receiver device of a contactless power supply system, which receiver device is connected electrically to the electronics module. The receiver device may be in the form of a coil, for example. A contactless power supply system allows current-carrying lines for connecting the electronics module to a higher-level power supply system to be omitted. As a result, the outlay in terms of fitting when installing the passenger service module in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft, may be reduced further. The receiver device may be secured, for example, to the fitting element. In particular, it is conceivable to secure the receiver device to the fitting element of the passenger service module adjacent to the individual air duct section. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the passenger service module comprises a securing element which is configured to secure the fitting element in its fitted position in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft. The securing element may be connected to the fitting element in particular in the region of a first end face of the carrier section. 
     The operating element of the passenger service module may comprise a touch panel holder which is connected to the touch panel and may preferably be connected to the fitting element in the region of a second end face of the carrier section that is opposite the first end face. The touch panel holder may comprise, for example, a frame which extends at least along a portion of the periphery of the touch panel at a distance from the touch panel. The touch panel holder may further comprise a holder section, which may be provided for connection to the second connecting element of the fitting element. The second connecting element is arranged in particular in the region of the second end face of the carrier section. 
     A passenger service system according to the invention, which may be provided in particular for installation in a vehicle or in an aircraft, comprises at least one above-described passenger service module. The passenger service system further comprises an interior fitment panel. The passenger service module and the interior fitment panel are so arranged relative to one another that the touch panel of the operating element of the passenger service module may be operated by way of a touch panel surface section of the interior fitment panel. In other words, in the passenger service system according to the invention, the touch panel of the operating element may be actuated by touching the touch panel surface section of the interior fitment panel. 
     In the interior fitment panel there may be provided at least one cut-out, in which the air nozzle of the individual ventilation arrangement or the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement of the passenger service module is received. Depending upon the size and shape of the interior fitment panel, the interior fitment panel may be provided to cooperate with a plurality of passenger service modules. The interior fitment panel is then configured with a corresponding number of cut-outs. Depending upon the configuration of the passenger service system, passive, that is to say non-functional, dummy modules may, however, also be arranged in the cut-outs formed in the interior fitment panel. This is expedient, for example, when there is no passenger seat row in the region of an opening formed in the interior fitment panel. 
     The passenger service system preferably further comprises an individual air supply line, which is connected to the second end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element by way of the flexible individual air connecting line of the passenger service module. The individual air supply line may be part of a higher-level individual ventilation system. 
     The fitting element may be secured by way of the securing element to a channel for accommodating components of an emergency oxygen supply system. In the channel for accommodating components of an emergency oxygen supply system there may further be arranged a transmitter device of a contactless power supply system. The transmitter device may be in the form of a coil, for example, and may serve to supply electrical energy to the receiver device connected electrically to the electronics module. The positioning of the transmitter device in the channel for accommodating components of an emergency oxygen supply is advantageous in particular because the channel may be used without problems to lay electrical connecting lines of the transmitter device. 
     An above-described passenger service module and/or an above-described passenger service system may be used particularly advantageously in an aircraft. It is conceivable in particular to fit the passenger service module or the passenger service system beneath overhead luggage compartments in a passenger cabin of the aircraft. The touch panel of the operating element is then conveniently accessible to passengers seated in passenger seats arranged beneath the overhead luggage compartments. 
    
    
     
       SUMMARY OF FIGURES 
       A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a three-dimensional representation of a passenger service system, 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of the passenger service system according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  shows a further three-dimensional view of the passenger service system according to  FIG. 1 , viewed from the interior of an aircraft passenger cabin, 
         FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a passenger service module of the passenger service system according to  FIG. 1 , and 
         FIG. 5  shows a three-dimensional representation of an interior fitment panel of the passenger service system according to  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the figures, a passenger service system is designated generally  100  and a passenger service module is designated generally  10 . As can best be seen in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the passenger service system  10  is provided for fitting in an aircraft passenger cabin in a region beneath overhead luggage compartments  12  provided in the passenger cabin. The passenger service module  10  is then located in such a position that it can be reached comfortably by passengers seated in passenger seats beneath the overhead luggage compartments  12 . In the exemplary embodiment of a passenger service system  100  shown in the figures, each passenger service module  10  is associated with a passenger seat row comprising three seats. 
     The passenger service system  100  comprises an interior fitment panel  14 , which is provided for fitting in a passenger cabin region beneath the luggage compartments  12 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5  in particular, three cut-outs  16  are formed in the interior fitment panel  14 . Each cut-out  16  is provided for cooperation with a passenger service module  10 , the correlation between the interior fitment panel  14  and the passenger service modules  10  being explained in greater detail hereinbelow in connection with a discussion of the construction of the passenger service modules  10 . 
     Each passenger service module  10  comprises a fitting element  18  which in turn comprises an individual air duct section  20  and a carrier section  22 , see  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 . The individual air duct section  20  and the carrier section  22  of the fitting element  18  are of integral construction. In particular, the individual air duct section  20  is in the form of a bent pipe section, whereas the carrier section  22  has a plate-like basic shape and is provided with appropriate cut-outs in order to reduce the weight of the fitting element  18 . 
     The passenger service module  10  further comprises an individual ventilation arrangement  26  comprising three air nozzles  24 , as well as a lighting arrangement  30  comprising three reading lamps  28 . The individual ventilation arrangement  26  and the lighting arrangement  30  are arranged in a substantially trapezoidal housing  32 . In particular, the shape of the housing  32  is matched to the shape and orientation of the interior fitment panel  14  in its fitted state in the aircraft passenger cabin. In the region of a surface which, in the fitted state of the passenger service module  10 , faces the fitting element  18 , the housing  32  is closed by a releasably secured cover plate  34 . An opening  36  is formed in the cover plate  34 . Furthermore, two holding elements  38 , each provided with two oblong bores, extend from the surface of the housing  32  which, in the fitted state of the passenger service module  10 , faces the fitting element  18 . 
     The holding elements  38  serve to connect the housing  32 , with the individual ventilation arrangement  26  arranged therein and the lighting arrangement  30  arranged therein, to the fitting element  18  by way of first connecting elements  40  provided on the carrier section  22  of the fitting element  18 . The first connecting elements  40  extend substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section  22  from two mutually opposite side faces of the carrier section  22  and are each likewise provided with an oblong bore. Suitable securing means, such as, for example, screws or the like, can be guided through the oblong bores of the holding elements  38  and of the first connecting elements  40  and fixed by means of corresponding locking nuts in order to connect the housing  32  to the carrier section  22  of the fitting element  18 . In particular, the housing  32  is connected to the fitting element  18  in the region of a first surface of the carrier section  32  which, in the fitted state of the passenger service module  10  in an aircraft passenger cabin, faces an interior of the aircraft passenger cabin. In other words, the housing  32  extends downwards from the fitting element  18  in the direction of the interior of the passenger cabin. 
     A first end, facing the housing  32 , of the individual air duct section  20  of the fitting element  18  is connected by way of a flexible connecting element  42  to the opening  36  formed in the cover plate  34  of the housing  32 . The flexible connecting element  42  accordingly produces an air-guiding connection between the individual air duct section  20  and the individual ventilation arrangement  26  arranged in the housing  32 . Air passed through the individual air duct section  20  can accordingly be supplied to the individual ventilation arrangement  26  and finally can be blown out into the aircraft passenger cabin by way of the air nozzles  24  of the individual ventilation arrangement  26 . The flexible configuration of the flexible connecting element  42  enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated and vibrations that occur during operation of the passenger service module  10  to be absorbed. 
     A second end of the individual air duct section  20  of the fitting element  18 , on the other hand, is connected to a first end of a flexible individual air connecting line  44 . A second end of the individual air connecting line  44  is connected to an individual air supply line  46  of an individual ventilation system of the aircraft, see  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The individual air supply line  46  of the individual ventilation system extends through the aircraft passenger cabin substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin and supplies individual air to a plurality of passenger service modules  10  arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin. The flexible form of the individual air connecting line  44  again enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated and vibrations that occur during operation of the passenger service module  10  and of the passenger service system  100  to be absorbed. 
     The passenger service module  10  further comprises a securing element  48  for securing the fitting element  18 , and accordingly the passenger service module  10 , in its fitted position. The securing element  48  is connected to the fitting element  18  in the region of a first end face of the carrier section  22  and comprises an abutment projection  50  provided for cooperation with the second end of the individual air duct section  20 . In the abutment projection  50  there is formed an opening, through which the flexible individual air connecting line  44  passes. The securing element  48  secures the fitting element  18 , and accordingly the passenger service module  10 , to a side wall of a channel  52 , associated with the passenger service system  100 , for accommodating components  54  of an emergency oxygen supply system. Like the individual air supply line  46 , the channel  52  for accommodating components  54  of an emergency oxygen supply system also extends through the aircraft passenger cabin substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin, so that a plurality of passenger service modules  10  arranged one behind the other parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin can be secured without difficulty to the channel  52 . 
     The passenger service module  10  is further equipped with an operating element  56 , which in turn comprises a touch panel  58  and a touch panel holder  60 . The touch panel holder  60  has a frame  62 , which extends along at least a portion of the periphery of the touch panel  58  at a distance from the touch panel  58  and thereby protects the touch panel  58  from damage and other influences. The touch panel holder  60  further has a holding section  64 , which is provided with two oblong bores. The holding section  64  is provided to cooperate with a second connecting element  66  which extends from the carrier section  22  substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section  22  in the region of a second end face of the carrier section  22 . The second connecting element  66  is provided with three oblong bores, so that corresponding securing means, such as, for example, screws, can be guided through the oblong bores in the holding section  64  of the touch panel holder  60  and the second connecting element  66  and fixed by means of locking nuts, in order to secure the touch panel holder  60 , and accordingly the touch panel  58 , to the fitting element  18 . The holding section  64  of the touch panel holder  60  can further be used additionally to connect the touch panel holder  60  to the housing  32  accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement  26  and the lighting arrangement  30 . 
     The touch panel  58  comprises a plurality of input fields  68 , by way of which the operation of the air nozzles  24  of the individual ventilation arrangement  26  and the operation of the reading lamps  28  of the lighting arrangement  30  can be individually controlled. There is additionally provided on the touch panel  58  an input field  68  that is associated with the function “call flight attendant”. When the passenger service system  100  is in the fitted state in an aircraft passenger cabin, the passenger service module  10  and the interior fitment panel  14  are so arranged relative to one another that the touch panel  58  of the operating element  56  of the passenger service module  10  can be operated by way of a touch panel surface section  70  of the interior fitment panel  14 , see  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In other words, by touching the touch panel surface section  70  of the interior fitment panel  14  in the region of the input fields  68  of the touch panel  58 , passengers seated in seats beneath the passenger service module  10  are able to operate the touch panel  58  and thereby control the operation of the air nozzles  24  and reading lamps  28  associated with their seats. In order to allow individual air to flow unimpeded from the air nozzles  24  into the interior of the passenger cabin, the housing  32  of each passenger service module  10  accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement  26  and the lighting arrangement  30  is arranged in a cut-out  16  provided in the interior fitment panel  14 . 
     Finally, the passenger service module  10  comprises an electronics module  72 . Electronic components for controlling the individual ventilation arrangement  26 , the lighting arrangement  30  and the operating element  56  are combined in the electronics module  72 . The electronics module  72  is connected to the fitting element  18  in the region of a second surface of the carrier section  22 , giving a configuration in which the carrier section  22  of the fitting element  18  is arranged between the electronics module  72  and the housing  32  accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement  26  and the lighting arrangement  30 . The electronics module  72  has a cut-out  74 , the shape of which is matched to the shape of the individual air duct section  20  of the fitting element  18 , so that the securing of the electronics module  72  to the carrier section  22  of the fitting element  18  is not hindered by the individual air duct section  20  of the fitting element  18 . 
     The electronics module  72  is supplied with electrical energy by means of a contactless power supply system. The contactless power supply system comprises a transmitter device  76  in the form of a coil, which is arranged in the channel  52  for accommodating components  54  of an emergency oxygen supply system. The transmitter device  76  is connected to a central power supply network of the aircraft by way of current-carrying lines laid in the channel  52 . The contactless power supply system further comprises a receiver device  78 , which is likewise in the form of a coil and is secured to the fitting element  18  of the passenger service module  10  adjacent to the electronics module  72 . The receiver device  78  is connected to the electronics module  72 , that is to say to the electronic components of the electronics module  72 , by means of cables.