ATTACHMENT STRUCTURE, ATTACHMENT DEVICE AND ATTACHMENT SYSTEM FOR ATTACHMENT OF A FINISHING COMPONENT IN AN AIRCRAFT

• US 20110215203A1
• Filed: 10/21/2009
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Steinlicht, Thorsten, Hartlef, Matthias, Röse, Frank, Legrand, Maxime, Gödecke, Rolf
• Granted Patent: US 8,888,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/131
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1412 hold down mechanisms, e.g. avionic racks

Abstract

An attachment device for attaching an equipment component in an aircraft, comprising a second attachment element for attaching an equipment component in an aircraft, the second attachment element comprising a guiding element, a contact element and a locking element, wherein the guiding element is introducible into a first section of a first attachment element, wherein the guiding element is movable from the first section of a first attachment element according to the present invention into a second section of the first attachment element, wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element are mechanically couplable by engaging from behind the first attachment element in the second section of the first attachment element, wherein, in the coupled state, the contact element provides a mechanical contact between first and second attachment element and wherein by operating the locking element the first attachment element and the second attachment element are releasably fixable relative to one another.

Claims

1. An attachment structure for attaching of an equipment component in an aircraft, comprising:

a first attachment element comprising an opening;

the opening comprising;

a first section; and

a second section;

wherein the first section is adapted to receive a guiding element of an attachment device;

wherein the second section is adapted to be positively engaged to a second attachment element of the attachment device; and

wherein, in a coupled state, a mechanical contact between the first and the second attachment elements is provided by employing a contact element of the second attachment element.

2. The attachment structure according to claim 1, wherein at least some sections of the second section are circular or wherein the first section and the second section comprise a taper in between.

3. The attachment structure according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of first attachment elements;

wherein the plurality of first attachment elements are arranged in a defined repeating manner.

4. The attachment structure according to claim 1, wherein the attachment structure is a structure selected from the group consisting of rail structure, perforated rail structure, U-rail, Z-rail, Ω

-rail, inverse Ω

-rail, rectangular-rail, and a combination thereof.

8. An attachment system for attaching an equipment component in an aircraft, comprising:

an attachment structure according to claim 1;

wherein the attachment structure is mountable to the structure of an aircraft; and

an attachment device comprising;

a guiding element comprising a connecting element;

a contact element; and

a locking element;

wherein the guiding element is adapted to be introduced in a first section of a first attachment element;

wherein the guiding element is movable from a first section of the first attachment element into a second section of the first attachment element;

wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element are mechanically couplable by engaging from behind the first attachment element in the second section of the first attachment element;

wherein, in a coupled state, the contact element provides a mechanical contact between first and second attachment elements; and

wherein by activating the locking element, the first attachment element and the second attachment element are releasably fixed relative to one another.

9. The attachment system according to claim 8, wherein, in the coupled state, the first attachment element and the second attachment element are electrically connected.

10. Attachment system according to claim 8, further comprising a component comprising a carrier element,

wherein the second attachment element is connected with the carrier element;

and

wherein the component is releasably attachable to the attachment structure by employing the second attachment element.

11. The attachment system according to claim 10, further comprising:

at least one further attachment structure;

wherein the at least one further attachment structure is arranged in a defined distance to the attachment structure;

the carrier element further comprising;

a plurality of second attachment elements, wherein the second attachment elements are arranged at the carrier element such that the component is attachable by employing at least two attachment structures.

12. The attachment system according to claim 8,

Wherein, in the coupled state, the component and the attachment structure are automatically locked;

or

Wherein, in the coupled state, the component and the attachment structure are automatically electrically connected.

14. An aircraft comprising an attachment structure for attaching an equipment component according to claim 1.

5. An attachment device for attaching an equipment component in an aircraft, comprising:

a second attachment element for attaching an equipment component in an aircraft, the second attachment element comprising;

a guiding element comprising a connecting element;

a contact element; and

a locking element;

wherein the guiding element is adapted to be introduced in a first section of a first attachment element;

wherein the guiding element is movable from the first section into a second section of the first attachment element;

wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element are mechanically couplable by engaging from behind the first attachment element in the second section of the first attachment element;

wherein, in a coupled state, the contact element provides a mechanical contact between first and second attachment elements; and

wherein, by operating of the locking element, the first attachment element and the second attachment element are releasably fixed relative to one another.

6. The attachment device according to claim 5, wherein the second attachment element is adapted as a blind screw connection.

7. The attachment device according to claim 5, further comprising a connecting element;

wherein the connecting element is adapted to be introduced into the first section of the first attachment element, and

wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element are mechanically couplable by engaging from behind the first attachment element, by employing the connecting element, in the second section of the first attachment element.

13. An equipment component for an aircraft comprising at least one attachment device according to claim 5.

15. (canceled)