num="0045">FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows a liquid collector in detail,

FIG. 8(a) diagrammatically shows a first embodiment of a liquid collector,

FIG. 8(b) diagrammatically shows a second embodiment of a liquid collector,

FIG. 8(c) diagrammatically shows a third embodiment of a liquid collector,

FIG. 8(d) diagrammatically shows a fourth embodiment of a liquid collector,

FIG. 8(e) diagrammatically shows a fifth embodiment of a liquid collector,

FIG. 9(a) diagrammatically shows another embodiment of a liquid collector,

FIG. 9(b) diagrammatically shows a further embodiment of a liquid collector,

FIG. 9(c) diagrammatically shows still another embodiment of a liquid collector,

FIG. 10(a) diagrammatically shows an embodiment of a liquid collector with a hose,

FIG. 10(b) diagrammatically shows another embodiment of a liquid collector with a hose

FIG. 11(a) diagrammatically shows a further embodiment of a liquid collector with a hose, and,

FIG. 11(b) diagrammatically shows another further embodiment of a liquid collector with a hose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a view of an aircraft cabin portion 10 which comprises a cabin device module 20 in the form of an overhead luggage compartment 21. The overhead luggage compartment 21 is shown here on the rear side, with the result that its top side is visible. At least one liquid-conducting element 30 is attached on and to the cabin device module 20. This liquid-conducting element 30 can be implemented, for example, in the form of a strip made from foam or felt, or in the form of a depression or channel which is integrated into or attached to the cabin device module 20.

FIG. 1 shows a liquid-conducting element 32 which is installed on a side wall of the overhead luggage compartment 21, it being possible, for example, for the side wall to adjoin a side wall of a further overhead luggage compartment (not shown). A further liquid-conducting element 33 is provided on the top side of the overhead luggage compartment 21, while a third liquid-conducting element 31 is installed on a rear side of the overhead luggage compartment 21. A liquid, for example condensation, which accrues on the overhead luggage compartment 21 is impeded from flowing onto a side below the overhead luggage compartment 21 by way of the liquid-conducting elements 30. In this way, the aircraft cabin, in particular a passenger region, is protected against condensation which drips or flows downward.

Furthermore, the aircraft cabin portion 10 comprises a liquid collector 100 which is arranged at a lower end of one of the liquid-conducting elements, here the liquid-conducting elements 31 and 33. The liquid collector 100, which will be described in even greater detail in relation to FIG. 7, is produced from a flexible material and has a lumen. The lumen can be a cavity which is delimited by a shell. Liquid from the liquid-conducting elements 30 can be collected and discharged downward by way of the lumen.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, aircraft components 5 are installed in a region above the top side of the cabin device module 20. For example, a ventilation pipe may be the aircraft component 5 installed there. Aircraft components 5 of this type are usually also situated in a rear-side region of the cabin device module 20, with the result that all the liquid-conducting structural elements have to be laid around these aircraft components 5. The liquid collector 100 made from flexible material can be installed and laid in a highly simple and inexpensive way, without having to be adapted specifically to the position of the aircraft components 5. The flexible material can consist of film material.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an aircraft cabin portion 10, for example the aircraft cabin portion 10 from FIG. 1. The position and the course of the liquid collector 100 can be seen clearly therein. In an upper region, in which an inlet opening 105 of the lumen of the liquid collector 100 is situated, the liquid collector 100 is arranged at the lower end of the liquid-conducting element 31, with the result that liquid flows from the liquid-conducting element 31 through the inlet opening 105 into the lumen.

The liquid collector 100 is laid in such a way that a lower end thereof, in particular a lower outlet opening 106 of the liquid collector 100, is arranged in the region of a side trim panel 22 (shown here as a cove light panel). The liquid which flows through the lumen of the liquid collector 100 is therefore conducted through the outlet opening 106 onto the liquid-conducting component (here, the side trim panel 22). As an alternative or in addition, the liquid which leaves the lumen of the liquid collector 100 at the outlet opening 106 can be conducted onto an insulation means 7, like an insulation panel, of the outer wall of the aircraft cabin portion 10. The liquid flow is shown diagrammatically by way of arrows in FIG. 2 beside the liquid collector 100 and the actual liquid-conducting lumen thereof.

As is likewise shown in FIG. 2, the liquid collector 100 made from flexible material can be laid in a simple way, even if aircraft components 5 are situated in an intermediate space between the cabin device module 20 and the exterior skin of the aircraft 1. Instead of a rigid component of complex shape, the liquid collector 100 made from flexible material can be laid simply over the aircraft components 5.

In order to prevent the liquid collector 100 changing its position during operation of the aircraft in such a way that the liquid is no longer collected and/or can no longer be forwarded to the next (in the flow direction) liquid-conducting component 7, 22, the liquid collector 100 can be fastened in the region of its inlet opening 105 and outlet opening 106 to the corresponding modules and components. For example, a bottom side of the liquid collector 100 can be fastened in the region of the inlet opening 105 to the cabin device module 20 and/or to the liquid-conducting element 30. A bottom side of the liquid collector 100 can likewise be fastened in the region of the outlet opening 106 to the liquid-conducting component, for example in the form of the side trim panel 22 and/or the insulation means 7 or any desired liquid-conducting component which is arranged in between.

FIGS. 3 to 5 each show a diagrammatic view of an aircraft cabin portion 10. In the aircraft cabin portion 10 according to FIG. 3, a ceiling trim element 23 is arranged next to and above a monument 24. Liquid-conducting elements 33 which conduct a liquid on the top side of the ceiling trim element 23 in the direction of the monument 24 can likewise be arranged on the ceiling trim element 23. A liquid collector 100 made from flexible material which receives the liquid from the top side of the ceiling trim element 23 is arranged adjacently thereto.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the inlet opening 105 of the liquid collector 100 can be designed in such a way that it extends over the entire width of the ceiling trim element 23. Therefore, the liquid-conducting elements 33 can also be dispensed with, since all the liquid which passes onto the ceiling trim element 23 is received into the lumen of the liquid collector 100 via its inlet opening 105.

A corresponding configuration comprising the ceiling trim element 23 and monument 24 is also shown in FIG. 4. Here, however, the liquid collector 100 made from flexible material is also of relatively wide design at its outlet opening 106. For example, the outlet opening 106 can be exactly as wide as the inlet opening 105. As an alternative, the outlet opening 106 can be almost as wide as the inlet opening 105 and, in particular, can be adapted to the width of a liquid-conducting portion of a rear wall 27 of the monument 24.

Furthermore, the liquid collector 100 can be configured to be so long between the inlet opening 105 and the outlet opening 106 that the liquid collector 100 covers the top side of the monument 24. In other words, the outlet opening 106 of the liquid collector 100 lies in a region of the rear wall 27 of the monument 24.

Therefore, no further liquid-conducting elements have to be provided on the top side of the monument 24 and possibly also in a region of the rear wall 27 of the monument 24. Liquid which passes onto a top side (upper outer side) of the liquid collector 100 can also be discharged on the top side of the liquid collector 100 and can be conducted to the rear wall 27 of the monument 24. Therefore, on its outer top side and in its lumen, the entire liquid collector 100 forms a liquid-conducting component which protects the monument 24. Possibly present aircraft components 5 can likewise be covered and protected by the liquid collector 100 here.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows a further cabin device module 20 in the form of a ceiling element 23. Liquid-conducting elements 34 in the form of channels or depressions are provided in the ceiling element 23. These can be integrated into the ceiling element 23, for example, with the result that no additional elements are necessary. A liquid-conducting element 31 in the form of a channel or made from felt can be installed on a side edge of the ceiling element 23. Here, the inlet opening 105 of the liquid collector 100 can be dimensioned in such a way that it spans at least one channel or depression 34 (two channels 34 are preferably shown) of the ceiling element 23 and guides liquid out of the channel or depression 34 into the lumen of the liquid collector 100.

FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows a sectional view of an aircraft 1 and an aircraft cabin portion 10 and a liquid collector 100. Thus, for example, a ceiling element 23 and two luggage compartments 21 which lie opposite one another are arranged in the aircraft 1. A liquid collector 100 which conducts liquid from the ceiling element 23 to the respective luggage compartment 21 is provided at each transition point between the ceiling element 23 and the respective luggage compartment 21.

A liquid collector 100 can likewise be provided (not shown) at a transition point between the luggage compartment 21 and the side trim panel 22 or the insulation means 7. As an alternative, liquid can be conducted from the luggage compartment 21 directly onto an outer side of the side trim panel 22 and/or onto the insulation means 7, for example by way of corresponding configuration of the top side of the luggage compartment 21.

Since most condensation accrues in the region of the ceiling element 23, the liquid collector 100 which is installed there can merge at its outlet opening 106 into a hose 150. For example, the hose 150 can be connected (in a fluid-tight manner) to the outlet opening 106. The hose 150 can be guided past the luggage compartment 21. An outlet opening 156 of the hose 150 can lie on an outer side of the side trim panel 22 and/or on the insulation means 7, with the result that the liquid can be conducted from the ceiling element 23 directly to there. The hose 150 can be produced from a different material and with a different thickness than the liquid collector 100 made from flexible material.

FIG. 7 shows the liquid collector 100 made from flexible material in greater detail. In particular, the inlet opening 105 can be seen. For example, a lower film or a lower shell part of the liquid collector 100 can be equipped with a holding element 110 along its edge at the inlet opening 105. The holding element 110 can be, for example, an adhesive strip, by way of which the lower film or the lower shell part of the liquid collector 100 can be fastened to the lower end of the liquid-conducting element 30 and/or to a top side of the cabin device module 20.

In order to hold the inlet opening 105 in an open state and therefore to make it possible that liquid can enter into the lumen of the liquid collector 100 at all times, a spreading element 120 is provided. The spreading element 120 spreads the inlet opening 105, with the result that an upper film or an upper shell part of the liquid collector 100, in the region of the inlet opening 105, does not lie directly on the lower film/the lower shell part of the liquid collector 100 and would close the inlet opening 105. The spreading element 120 can be produced, for example, from a dimensionally stable foam which is connected to the upper film/the upper shell part of the liquid collector 100 or is integrated into it. As an alternative or in addition, a wire can also form the spreading element 120. The spreading element can also be a plastics part, preferably an injection molded part. It can also be of peripheral configuration and can therefore also fulfill the function of the holding element 110, by the plastics part being adhesively bonded to the lower side. In every case, the upper film of the liquid collector 100 is held spaced apart from the lower film of the liquid collector