Patent Description:
There are requests from passengers with infants who use aircraft to change diapers or the like without disturbing other passengers. In order to meet these requests, aircraft provide lavatories with diaper changing tables are already in service. An example of a lavatory provided with a diaper changing table is disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, for example.

General aircraft lavatories have a relatively narrow interior space in order to effectively utilize the allocated space inside the aircraft. Accordingly, diaper changing tables are usually housed in a wall of the lavatory so as not to interfere with passengers who use the toilet and are pulled out and used as necessary.

Incidentally, infants on board an aircraft may feel uncomfortable in the decompressed aircraft cabin or unfamiliar environments and may be irritable. Accordingly, when changing diapers in a narrow lavatory, it may be difficult to change infant's diapers smoothly. On the other hand, it is difficult to provide large spaces in the lavatory such that infants can relax, for example.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an Aircraft Lavatory Unit that ensures lavatory user comfort while facilitating diaper changing.

In order to achieve the above object, an aircraft lavatory unit according to the present invention includes a movable table on which an infant can be placed and which can be selectively changed between a housed state in which the movable table is housed in a wall surface and a pulled-out state in which the movable table is pulled out from the wall surface; and a display which is disposed to face the movable table in the pulled-out state and displays still images or videos. The display is configured to display a still image or a video having content for infants in response to the movable table changing to the pulled-out state.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an aircraft lavatory unit that ensures lavatory user comfort while facilitating diaper changing.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a diaper changing table used in an aircraft lavatory unit according to the embodiments of the present invention. In <FIG>, the vertical direction is set as the Z direction, and the directions perpendicular to the Z direction are set as the X direction and the Y direction.

The diaper changing table (Movable Table) <NUM> includes a first resin plate <NUM> and a second resin plate <NUM>. The first resin plate <NUM> has a rectangular plate shape elongated in the Y direction. The second resin plate <NUM> has a dimension and thickness in the Y direction substantially equal to the first resin plate <NUM>, and is formed by connecting a wide portion 12a, a transition portion 12c, and a narrow portion 12b. The width of the narrow portion 12b in the X direction is narrower than that of the wide portion 12a, and the transition portion 12c connects the wide portion 12a and the narrow portion 12b. The width of the transition portion 12c in the X direction gradually increases from the narrow portion 12b toward the wide portion 12a.

The edge of the second resin plate <NUM> on the side of the first resin plate <NUM> has a straight shape, but the edge on the side opposite to the first resin plate <NUM> has a stepped shape, and in particular, an arc edge 12d formed in an arc shape is formed on the edge of the transition portion 12c.

The first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> are rotatably connected to each other around the axis O1 by a first hinge <NUM>. Artificial leather <NUM> having a substantially pentagonal shape is attached from the upper surface of the wide portion 12a and the transition portion 12c of the second resin plate <NUM> to the upper surface of the first resin plate <NUM>. A material having excellent cushioning properties such as urethane foam is arranged between the artificial leather <NUM> and the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM>, and the design is such that no discomfort is caused when the baby is laid on the artificial leather <NUM>. Further, the artificial leather <NUM> has excellent waterproof characteristics, and even if a liquid is spilled on the artificial leather <NUM>, it can easily be wiped off.

On the first resin plate <NUM>, a luggage storage area <NUM> is provided adjacent to the artificial leather <NUM>. The luggage storage area <NUM> can be used, for example, as a place for passengers using the diaper changing table <NUM> to store their luggage.

A semicircular concave portion 12e is formed from the upper surface of the narrow portion 12b of the second resin plate <NUM> to the edge opposite to the first resin plate <NUM>, and a protrusion 12f is formed in the center of the concave portion 12e. The handle of a bag of the passenger using the diaper changing table <NUM> can be hooked on the protrusion 12f.

The first resin plate <NUM> includes a second hinge <NUM> in the vicinity of the edge opposite to the second resin plate <NUM>, such that the first resin plate <NUM> is rotatable around the axis O2.

<FIG> are perspective views illustrating the inside of the aircraft lavatory unit <NUM> according to the present embodiments, but the wall provided with the door is not shown so that the internal configuration can be easily understood. The aircraft lavatory unit <NUM> has a toilet <NUM> installed on a floor surface or a side wall surface, a water washing valve unit <NUM> installed behind the toilet <NUM>, and a washstand <NUM> arranged so as to be in contact with the wall surface.

The water washing valve unit <NUM> is covered with a triangular columnar cover structure 22a. The upper portion of the cover structure 22a is firmly connected to the wall surface. The height from the floor surface to the upper surface of the cover structure 22a is equal to the height from the floor surface to the upper surface of the washstand <NUM>. The second hinge <NUM> of the first resin plate <NUM> of the diaper changing table <NUM> is connected to the wall surface in the vicinity of the cover structure 22a and the vicinity of the washstand <NUM>.

Further, a first display <NUM> is arranged from the floor surface to the ceiling surface on the wall surface of the aircraft lavatory unit (hereinafter referred to as a lavatory unit) <NUM> facing the washstand <NUM>, and a second display <NUM> is arranged on the ceiling surface adjacent to the first display <NUM>. A passenger service unit (PSU) <NUM> that stores an oxygen mask or the like for use in an emergency is arranged on the ceiling surface adjacent to the second display <NUM>. The first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM> can display still images or videos via a control unit (not shown).

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a contact type switch <NUM> is arranged on the Housing wall surface <NUM> above the cover structure 22a. The contact type switch <NUM> is connected to a control unit (not shown) such that an electric signal can be transmitted. It should be noted that the location of the contact type switch <NUM> is not limited to the above. In addition, the switch is not limited to a contact type switch, and a switch using an infrared sensor, for example, may be provided.

In the diaper changing table <NUM>, by relatively rotating the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> around the first hinge <NUM>, the first artificial leather <NUM> attached to both can be folded so as to fold in half at the location illustrated by the dotted line in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a housed state in which the folded first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> are brought into contact with the housing wall surface <NUM>. In such a stored state, a latch (not shown) engages with the diaper changing table <NUM> so that the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> do not fall inadvertently. Further, when the back surface of the second resin plate <NUM> presses the contact type switch <NUM> in the housed state, an off signal is output.

By releasing the latch (not shown) from the state illustrated in <FIG>, the diaper changing table <NUM> can be rotated around the second hinge <NUM> and pulled out to an intermediate pulled-out state illustrated in <FIG>. In such an intermediate pulled-out state, the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> overlap each other, and both ends of the first resin plate <NUM> are supported by the cover structure 22a and the upper surface of the washstand <NUM>.

From the state illustrated in <FIG>, the second resin plate <NUM> can be further rotated around the first hinge <NUM> to be pulled out to the completely pulled-out state illustrated in <FIG>. In such a completely pulled-out state, the upper surfaces of the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> have the same height, and both ends of the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> are supported by the cover structure 22a and the upper surface of the washstand <NUM>. In the intermediate pulled-out state and the complete pulled-out state, the back surface of the second resin plate <NUM> is separated from the contact type switch <NUM>, such that an on signal is output. In the completely pulled-out state, the arc edge 12d is located on the outside the toilet <NUM> in a plan view.

According to the present embodiments, by housing the diaper changing table <NUM> in a state in which the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> are folded, compact housing can be achieved. As a result, the passengers who use the toilet <NUM> are not disturbed. In addition, by deploying the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> in the completely pulled-out state, it is possible to provide a sufficient working area for changing diapers for infants.

Next, a usage mode of the lavatory unit <NUM> will be described. When passengers are not using the lavatory unit <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM> display still images or videos expected to have a soothing effect, such as forests and beaches. Accordingly, when a passenger enters the lavatory by opening the door and enters inside, the still images or videos of the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM> are immediately visible, and the comfortability of the lavatory is increased. It should be noted that the still images or videos displayed on the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM> are not limited to those taken of forests, beaches, or the like.

As described above, in the present embodiment, still images or videos are constantly displayed on the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM>. However, the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM> may not display images until the door lock sensor detects opening of the door lock, thereby displaying still images or videos in response to the door lock detection.

In addition, a directional speaker may be installed in the lavatory unit <NUM>, and bird chirping, the sound of waves, or similar corresponding sounds to the still images or videos of the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM> may be played so as to be heard by the passengers using the toilet <NUM>.

In the lavatory unit <NUM>, a passenger who wants to change an infant diaper may grip the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM> after entering the lavatory, deploy them as illustrated in <FIG>, and put the diaper changing table <NUM> in a completely Pulled-Out State. At this time, even when the passenger is holding an infant with one hand, the diaper changing table <NUM> can be pulled out with the remaining free hand.

When the diaper changing table <NUM> is completely pulled out, an on signal is output from the contact type switch <NUM>. Accordingly, the control unit (not shown) that inputs this signal forms still images or videos including content for infants via the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM>. The content for infants includes, for example, still images or videos related to animals or cartoons. It should be noted that only the second display <NUM> may be switched to a still image or a video having content for infants.

Further, the passenger places the baby they were holding on the first artificial leather <NUM> on the first resin plate <NUM> and the second resin plate <NUM>. At this time, in order to effectively use the large area of the first artificial leather <NUM>, it is preferable that the head of the baby faces the far side (the side farthest from the arc edge 12d). Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, by means of the passenger standing at a location where their body faces the arc edge 12d, since the space can be effectively used even if the inside of the lavatory unit <NUM> is small, it is possible to easily perform work such as changing diapers from the direction of the infant's feet.

During the diaper change, it is expected that the attention of the infant lying face-up on the diaper changing table <NUM> will be drawn to the still images or videos including content for infants that is displayed on the second display <NUM> on the ceiling surface in front of their line of sight, such that the infant will be calmed. This allows passengers to easily change diapers.

In addition, a highly directional speaker may be installed in the lavatory unit <NUM>, and animal calls, cartoon audio or the like corresponding to the still images or videos of the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM> may be played so as to be heard by the infant.

Passengers who have finished changing diapers can pick up the baby again from the diaper changing table <NUM> and fold and house the diaper changing table <NUM> with one hand in the reverse order to that illustrated in <FIG>.

Although an aircraft lavatory unit according to the present embodiments has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above specific examples, and various modifications can be made. For example, the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM> can also function as mirrors by operating a switch (not shown). Further, when the first display <NUM> and the second display <NUM> are made to function as mirrors, a timer may be activated to return to the display of a predetermined still image or video after a certain period of time has elapsed. In addition, the diaper changing table <NUM> is not limited to changing diapers, and can be used, for example, for changing infant clothes and for applying medicine to the skin of infants. In addition, the displays <NUM>, <NUM> can be configured by connecting a plurality of displays, respectively, or can be formed as one continuous display.

Claim 1:
An aircraft lavatory unit (<NUM>) comprising:
a movable table (<NUM>) on which an infant can be placed and which can be selectively changed between a housed state in which the movable table (<NUM>) is configured to be housed in a wall surface and a pulled-out state in which the movable table (<NUM>) is configured to be pulled out from the wall surface; and
characterized in that the aircraft lavatory unit (<NUM>) comprises
a display (<NUM>, <NUM>) which is disposed to face the movable table (<NUM>) in the pulled-out state and displays still images or videos,
wherein the display (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to display a still image or a video having content for infants in response to the movable table (<NUM>) changing to the pulled-out state.