FR3149300A1 - PANEL FOR A FURNITURE ELEMENT WITH A RIBBED FACE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a panel (30) for a furniture element (14) comprising at least: a filling material (32) and at least one ribbed face (33) comprising at least one bending line (34). Abstract: Figure 2

Description

PANEL FOR A FURNITURE ELEMENT WITH A RIBBED FACE

The present invention relates to a panel, in particular a noise attenuating panel, for a piece of furniture having a ribbed face.

The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the aeronautical field, in particular for "business class" and "first class" type seating units in an aircraft cabin.

Such a seating unit comprises a seat and a shell extending at least partly around the seat so as to define a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. Such a configuration makes it possible to ensure the privacy of the passenger.

Noise that may disturb passengers is an important environmental concern to consider when developing a seating unit.

There is therefore a need to reduce the perception of noise inside an aircraft cabin in order to optimize the acoustic comfort of passengers.

In this context, aircraft seat shells are equipped with noise-reducing panels. Manufacturing solutions for such noise-reducing panels, such as thermoforming, are expensive to achieve the required quality levels, particularly in curved areas. Indeed, curved areas can cause creases and/or marbling that affect the perceived quality of the product.

Another problem is linked to the large dimensions of the noise attenuating panels which make them difficult to handle in an aircraft by maintenance teams when replacing them.

The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a panel for a piece of furniture comprising at least:
- a filling material and
- at least one ribbed face comprising at least one bending line to facilitate shaping of the panel.

The invention thus makes it possible to facilitate the creation of curved areas by avoiding the formation of folds in the panel. The invention also makes it possible to easily adapt a tension applied to a panel according to the radius of curvature and the type of filling material used. In addition, since the panel can be easily folded, the invention makes it easier to handle by maintenance teams.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the ribbed face comprises at least two lines of stitching spaced apart by at least one curved portion.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the panel comprises a support for repeating the sewing lines.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the support is made of a material chosen from a non-woven material, a mesh material and/or a plastic material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a spacing between the stitching lines is adapted to the flexible filling material and to a radius of curvature of the panel.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the ribbed face comprises at least two compression lines spaced apart by at least one curved portion.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a spacing between the compression lines is adapted to the flexible filling material and to a radius of curvature of the panel.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the panel comprises a second face of ribbed shape comprising at least two curved portions spaced apart by at least one hollow, the curved portions being intended to come to bear against a face of the aircraft seat shell so as to create linear contacts with a piece of furniture.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the panel comprises a bumpy face comprising a plurality of projecting portions, so as to create point contacts with the furniture element.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the bumpy-shaped face is made in a support structure.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the embossed face is made directly in the flexible filling material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the bumpy-shaped face comprises a plurality of studs and/or a plurality of waves.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a piece of furniture and a panel as previously defined which is fixed to one face of the piece of furniture.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the furniture element is chosen from:
- a console,
- a shell, intended to extend at least partly around a seat,
- a footrest, and/or
- a monument of an aircraft cabin.

The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

There is a perspective view of a seat unit having a panel according to the present invention;

There is a perspective view of a panel according to the invention arranged around a seat;

There is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the panel according to the invention;

There is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the panel according to the invention;

There is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the panel according to the invention;

There is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the panel according to the invention;

There is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the panel according to the invention;

There is a perspective view of a support structure for the panel of the ;

There is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the panel according to the invention; and

Figures 8b and 8c are perspective views illustrating alternative embodiments of the filling material of the .

It should be noted that the structural and/or functional elements common to the different embodiments have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

There is a perspective view of a seat unit 10 having a panel 30 according to the present invention;

In particular, the shows the seat unit 10 comprising a seat 12, which can be associated with a side console 13 extending along one side of the seat 12.

In addition, the seat unit 10 may comprise a shell 14, also called a “privacy shell”, extending at least partly around the seat 12, so as to delimit a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of the passenger seated on the seat 12.

The shell 14 is made, for example, of a composite material or of a plastic material.

A video screen 16 of a multimedia system, also designated by the acronym “IFE” for “InFlight Entertainment” in English, can be installed on a rear part of the hull 14, so as to be usable by a passenger seated behind the seat unit 10.

The console 13 may include an upper wall 17 forming a table, on which the passenger can place objects, as well as a storage space 18 comprising one or more elements from a literature pocket, a bottle holder, or a minibar. The choice of storage is configurable according to the wishes of the airline. The console 13 may also include a reading light 19 intended to direct lighting towards the seat 12.

A recess 21 may be arranged under the upper wall 17. The recess 21 is open laterally towards the seat 12. In addition, a horizontal face 22 of the console 13 may in particular provide an armrest function. For this purpose, the horizontal face 22 may locally have the shape of a curved cuff 23 matching the shape of a portion of the passenger's arm.

The console 13 may also include a control unit 25 for the seat 12 and its ancillary components, also designated by the acronym “PCU” for “Passenger Control Unit” in English. The control unit 25 allows the passenger in particular to control a selection of a position of the seat 12, as well as the ancillary components, such as a multimedia system, a heating device, a lighting ambiance system and/or any other ancillary component that can be integrated into the seat 12.

The seat unit 10 may also conventionally comprise a tablet 26, in particular movable between:
a stored position, as shown in the , in which the tablet 26 is located inside a housing, in particular arranged in the console 13, and
a deployed position, in which the tablet 26 is located outside the housing, to allow the passenger to place an object there, such as a meal tray.

In addition, the console 13 has a housing 27, seen through the transparency on the , in which a footrest 28 is arranged. The footrest 28 has a horizontal face on which a passenger seated behind the seat unit 10 can place his feet.

According to the invention, the panel 30, in particular a noise-attenuating panel 30, is fixed to one face of the shell 14. The panel 30 can be fixed to a front face of the shell 14, located on the side of the seat 12. As a variant or in addition, the panel 30 can be fixed to a rear face of the shell 14. The panel 30 can also be fixed to one face of the side console 13, located on the side of the seat 12 or around the footrest 28.

Thus, the panel 30 can be fixed to one or more furniture elements of the seat 12, notably chosen from the console 13, the shell 14 and/or the footrest 28.

Alternatively, the furniture element on which the panel 30 is fixed may consist of a furniture element of an aircraft cabin, such as a monument, in particular a first-row monument and/or a last-row monument of an aircraft cabin. In particular, such a monument may include storage, housings for on-board devices and/or a footrest.

The panel 30 comprises at least one flexible filling material 32. The flexible filling material 32 is made from a material chosen from:
a foam, especially an open-cell foam,
a fibrous material,
a non-woven material,
felt, and/or
a wadding-based material.

The flexible filling 32 may also comprise several layers of different materials (among those mentioned above) and not just a single material. One of the layers of the complex of materials of the flexible filling 32 may be high density foam which may or may not be perforated.

Alternatively, the flexible filling material 32 may be made of any other flexible filling material 32 suitable for use.

The flexible filling material 32 has a thickness of the order of 1mm to 25mm.

There is a perspective view of the panel 30 according to the invention arranged around the seat 12.

The panel 30 comprises at least one ribbed face 33. In particular, the ribbed face 33 may comprise at least one bending line 34, in particular several bending lines 34.

The bending line 34, in particular in the case of a plurality of bending lines 34, makes it easier to shape the panel 30, in particular to give it a curved shape following a desired radius of curvature.

There is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention.

More particularly, according to the first embodiment, the ribbed face 33 of the panel 30 comprises sewing lines 34’ sewn onto a support 36.

In the first embodiment of the , the ribbed face 33 comprises a plurality of domed portions 35 spaced apart by a stitching line 34'. The domed portions 35 and the stitching lines 34' are arranged alternately. According to such a configuration, a stitching line 34' is followed by a domed portion 35 then a stitching line 34' and consecutively. Thus, each domed portion 35 extends between two successive stitching lines 34'.

According to a particular embodiment, the seam line 34’ is arranged in a hollow located between two consecutive curved portions 35.

The support 36 ensures a recovery of the sewing lines 34', that is to say that the sewing lines 34 are sewn onto the support 36. The support 36 is made of a material chosen from
a non-woven material,
a mesh material, and/or
a plastic material, in particular thermoformed depending on the application.

Two seam lines 34’ are spaced apart by an inter-seam spacing E1, in particular a constant inter-seam spacing E1. Specifically, the inter-seam spacing E1 between the seam lines 34’ is adapted to the flexible filling material 32 and to a radius of curvature of the panel 30.

There is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention.

More particularly, according to the second embodiment, the ribbed face 33 of the panel 30 made of a material, in particular a thermoformed foam material, comprises compression lines 34’’.

In the embodiment of the , the ribbed face 33 comprises a plurality of compression lines 34'' spaced apart by curved portions 35 of the panel 30. The curved portions 35 and the compression lines 34'' are arranged alternately. According to such a configuration, a compression line 34'' is followed by a curved portion 35 then a compression line 34'' and consecutively. Thus, each curved portion 35 extends between two successive compression lines 34''.

According to a particular embodiment, the compression line 34'' is arranged in a hollow located between two consecutive curved portions 35.

The 34’’ compression lines are made by compressing a filling material, in particular foam. The panel 30 is preferably obtained by thermoforming.

Two 34” compression lines are spaced apart by an inter-compression spacing E2, in particular a constant inter-compression spacing E2. Specifically, the inter-compression spacing E2 between the 34” compression lines is adapted to the flexible filling material 32 and to a radius of curvature of the panel 30.

According to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the bending lines 34 may be constituted by sewing lines 34’ and/or by compression lines 34’’.

In certain configurations, it may be desirable to provide clearance between the shell 14 and the panel 30. Such clearance allows independent certification of the shell 14 and the panel 30, in particular via fire resistance tests.

However, such play can be a problem in terms of perceived quality and usually requires the addition of a rigid structure in order to avoid weakening of the panel 30.

There is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention.

More particularly, according to the third embodiment, the panel 30 is made of a material, in particular thermoformed foam, with a double ribbed face.

There represents an alternative embodiment taking advantage of the thermoforming of the panel 30 to repeat the ribbed shape on the non-visible face of the panel 30. Such a configuration thus makes it possible to create linear contacts between the panel 30 and the furniture element on which it is mounted. This thus makes it possible to avoid the use of a rigid structure to reinforce the panel 30.

In the third embodiment of the , the panel 30 thus comprises a second ribbed-shaped face 33', located on a non-visible side of the panel 30 and opposite the first ribbed-shaped face 33 of the panel 30.

The second ribbed face 33' comprises a plurality of second domed portions 35' spaced apart by recesses 37. The second domed portions 35' and the recesses 37 are arranged alternately. According to such a configuration, a recess 37 is followed by a second domed portion 35' then a recess 37 and consecutively. Thus, each second domed portion 35' therefore extends between successive recesses 37.

The second curved portions 35' are intended to come to bear against a face of the furniture element, in particular the shell 14, so as to create linear contacts with the furniture element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the second curved portions 35' of the second ribbed face 33' are advantageously located at the level of the compression lines 34'' of the first face 33.

Likewise, the hollows 37 of the second ribbed face 33' are located at the level of the first curved portions 35 of the first ribbed face 33 of the panel 30.

In such a configuration, a very limited overall contact surface is defined. Thus, the panel 30 and the furniture element are always considered independent and therefore capable of being certified independently of each other.

There is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention.

More particularly, according to the fourth embodiment, the panel 30 is made of a material, in particular thermoformed foam, comprising a ribbed face located on a non-visible side of the panel 30.

In the fourth embodiment of the , for the same need as described above, that is to say adding intermediate supports to the panel 30 when clearance is required with the furniture element, the panel 30 comprises a single ribbed-shaped face 33' arranged on the side of the non-visible face of the panel 30.

In all embodiments of the invention, the panel 30 may be covered by a covering cap 39 chosen to provide an aesthetic finish to the assembly. The covering cap 39 may, for example, be made of a material chosen from:
a textile material,
leather,
imitation leather,
alcantara, and/or
any other flexible material suitable for finishing the 30 panel.

The trim cover 39 may have decorative patterns on its visible parts, when the panel 30 is put in place on the furniture element, such as in particular the console 13, the shell 14 and/or the footrest 28 of the seat 12. Such decorative patterns may be personalized, in particular according to the wishes of an airline.

There is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention.

More particularly, according to the fifth embodiment, the panel 30 comprises a support structure 40 provided with a bumpy face 41 intended to come into contact with a face of the furniture element;

In the fifth embodiment of the , the panel 30 comprises a covering cap 39, a flexible filling material 32 and a support structure 40.

The support structure 40 comprises a bumpy face 41 having a plurality of projecting portions 42, in order to create a multitude of point contacts with the furniture element, in particular the shell 14 of the seat 12.

According to a particular embodiment, a thickness E3 of the panel 30 can be between 1mm and 50mm, in particular between 12mm and 15mm inclusive.

More specifically, the support structure 40 is advantageously produced in
a plastic material, particularly thermoformed,
a metallic material such as aluminum, and/or
in a very high density foam material.

There is a perspective view of the support structure 40 of the panel 30 of the .

In this case, the face of the support structure 40 comprises a plurality of bumps 42, for example in the shape of half-spheres, spaced apart from each other.

The face of the support structure 40 may therefore have a matrix of bumps 42 consisting of a plurality of rows of bumps in which the bumps 42 are spaced apart, in particular regularly, and a plurality of columns of bumps extending perpendicular to the rows of bumps in which the bumps 42 are spaced apart, in particular regularly. Preferably, the support structure 40 comprises at least 5 rows of bumps and at least 5 columns of bumps.

The support surface between the support structure 40 and the furniture element is preferably less than 15% of the total surface area of the furniture element, in particular less than or equal to 10% of the total surface area of the furniture element.

The support structure 40 comprises fastening interfaces 45 for fastening the panel 30 to a face of the furniture element. The fastening interfaces 45 are preferably removable and/or dismountable without the aid of tools, such as for example snap-on devices, textile fasteners formed by complementary loops and hooks, snap fasteners, magnetic fasteners and/or any other fastening device suitable for the application.

In the case where the assembly is arranged in a non-visible area of the furniture element, such as the seat unit 10, in particular a technical area for example located in the lower part of the seat unit 10, the fixing interfaces 45 can be screws and/or rivets.

Between the fixing interfaces 45, the support structure 40 defines an embossing making it possible to add intermediate support zones, thus avoiding the sagging of the panel 30 between the fixing interfaces 45. This further contributes to minimizing the number of fixing interfaces 45 necessary to fix the panel 30 to the furniture element.

There is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention.

More particularly, according to the sixth embodiment, the panel 30 is devoid of a support structure 40 and comprises a filling material 32 provided with a bumpy face intended to come into contact with a face of the furniture element.

The bumpy face 41 is made directly in the flexible filling material 32.

The bumpy face 41 may, for example, include a plurality of waves having alternating peaks and troughs, as illustrated in FIG. , or a plurality of spikes, for example in the shape of a pyramid, as illustrated in the , or alternatively of a conical shape and/or any other shape suitable for the application. The pins or peaks are preferably spaced evenly apart.

The fixing interfaces 45 are integrated directly on one face of the flexible filling material 32.

It should be noted that the panels 30 of the embodiments may also include a ribbed-shaped face 33 on the opposite side of the furniture element.

Of course, the various features, variants and/or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely as examples. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variations that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention and in particular any combinations of the different modes of operation described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

Claims (14)

Panel (30) for a piece of furniture (13, 14, 28), characterized in that the panel (30) comprises at least:
a filling material (32) and
at least one ribbed-shaped face (33, 33') comprising at least one bending line (34, 34', 34''). Panel (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ribbed face (33) comprises at least two stitching lines (34) spaced apart by at least one curved portion (35). Panel (30) according to claim 2, characterized in that the panel (30) comprises a support (36) for resuming the sewing lines (34). Panel (30) according to claim 3, characterized in that the support (36) is made of a material chosen from a non-woven material, a mesh material and/or a plastic material. Panel (30) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a spacing between the stitching lines (34) is adapted to the flexible filling material (32) and to a radius of curvature of the panel (30). Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ribbed face (33) comprises at least two compression lines (34’’) spaced apart by at least one curved portion (35). Panel (30) according to claim 6, characterized in that a spacing between the compression lines (34') is adapted to the flexible filling material (32) and to a radius of curvature of the panel (30). Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panel (30) comprises a second ribbed face (33') comprising at least two curved portions (35') spaced apart by at least one hollow. Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panel (30) comprises a bumpy-shaped face (41) comprising a plurality of projecting portions (42). Panel (30) according to claim 9, characterized in that the embossed face (41) is made in a support structure (40). Panel (30) according to claim 9, characterized in that the embossed face (41) is made directly in the flexible filling material (32). Panel (30) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the embossed face (41) comprises a plurality of studs and/or a plurality of waves. Assembly comprising a furniture element (13, 14, 28) and a panel (30) defined according to any one of the preceding claims fixed on a face of the furniture element (13, 14, 28). Assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the furniture element is chosen from:
a console (13),
a shell (14), intended to extend at least partly around a seat (12),
a footrest (28), and/or
a monument of an airplane cabin.