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CA-3038546-C - AIRCRAFT MODULAR LAVATORY SYSTEM

CA3038546CCA 3038546 CCA3038546 CCA 3038546CCA-3038546-C

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, a modular lavatory system for replacing a conventional lavatory monument in an aircraft cabin includes a base lavatory module including a fore sidewall, an aft sidewall, and an aisle wall that form a housing enclosing a toilet unit. A first sidewall of the fore sidewall and the aft sidewall may include a widening region positioned above a passenger seat headrest height. The modular lavatory system may include at least two interchangeable modules configured for mounting against the other sidewall of the base lavatory module. A footprint of the base lavatory module may be smaller than the conventional lavatory monument footprint, such that an extra cabin space is created proximate the other sidewall of the base lavatory module after replacement of the conventional lavatory monument with the modular lavatory system. The at least two interchangeable modules may each be dimensioned for installation within the extra space.

Inventors

  • Jefferey McKee
  • TREVOR SKELLY

Assignees

  • B/E AEROSPACE, INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20171006
Priority Date
20161007

Claims (18)

  1. EMBODIMENTS IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS: 1. A modular lavatory system for replacing an existing lavatory monument in an aircraft cabin, comprising: a base lavatory module comprising a fore sidewall, an aft sidewall, and an aisle wall that form, in a deployed state, a housing enclosing a toilet unit, wherein one of the fore sidewall and the aft sidewall includes a widening region positioned, in the deployed state, above a passenger seat headrest height; one of at least two interchangeable modules mounted against the other sidewall of the fore sidewall and the aft sidewall of the base lavatory module; wherein a footprint of the lavatory module at its base is smaller than an area at a level of the widening region, such that an extra cabin space is created proximate the other sidewall of the base lavatory module, wherein the at least two interchangeable modules are each dimensioned for installation within the extra cabin space; the lavatory module further comprising a door in the aisle wall of the base lavatory module; and an aisle attendant seat mounted to the aisle wall proximate the door, wherein the door including a wider upper portion and a narrower lower portion to form a profile conforming to a profile of an aisle attendant seat such that the aisle attendant seat is free from obstructing the door in the aisle wall of the base lavatory module.
  2. 2. The modular lavatory system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two interchangeable modules is an upper stowage module configured to abut an upper portion of the other sidewall of the base lavatory module.
  3. 3. The modular lavatory system of claim 2, wherein the upper stowage module is configured for installation between the other sidewall and a side panel of an overhead storage bin in the aircraft cabin. 17 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-15
  4. 4. The modular lavatory system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two interchangeable modules is a floor stowage module configured to abut the other sidewall of the base lavatory module.
  5. 5. The modular lavatory system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two interchangeable modules is an attendant seat module configured to abut the other sidewall of the base lavatory module.
  6. 6. The modular lavatory system of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two interchangeable modules is a flex wall module configured to abut the other sidewall of the base lavatory module.
  7. 7. The modular lavatory system of claim 6, wherein the flex wall module includes at least one of a beverage and a snack kiosk.
  8. 8. The modular lavatory system of claim 6, wherein the flex wall module includes a stowage cabin.
  9. 9. The modular lavatory system of claim 1, further comprising a sidewall filler panel for covering an inner surface of the aircraft cabin beneath the widening region.
  10. 10. The modular lavatory system of claim 9, wherein the sidewall filler panel is integrated into one of the fore sidewall and the aft sidewall of the base lavatory module.
  11. 11. The modular lavatory system of claim 9, further comprising a second sidewall filler panel for covering an inner surface of the aircraft cabin adjacent to the other sidewall of the base lavatory module.
  12. 12. The modular lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the modular lavatory system is fixed to a structure of the aircraft cabin using at least two upper monument anchors, wherein the base lavatory module is fixed using a first upper monument anchor of the at least two upper monument anchors, and a selected interchangeable module of the at least two interchangeable 18 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-15 modules is fixed using a second upper monument anchor of the at least two upper monument anchors.
  13. 13. A method for replacing a conventional lavatory monument with a modular lavatory system in an aircraft cabin, the method comprising: removing the conventional lavatory monument; positioning a base lavatory module in a region of the aircraft cabin previously used by the conventional lavatory monument, wherein the conventional lavatory monument utilized a footprint having a width Y, and positioning the base lavatory module comprises positioning a lower edge of a first side panel of the base lavatory module of the modular lavatory system near a first end of the width Y of the footprint, wherein the base lavatory module has a lower width less than Y and an upper width greater than the lower width, wherein the first side panel comprises a widening region disposed above a passenger seat headrest height and extending to an upper edge of the first side panel; anchoring the base lavatory module to an upper structure of the aircraft cabin using one of the at least two overhead anchors; positioning an inner side panel of a selected interchangeable module of at least two interchangeable modules proximate the other side panel of the base lavatory module; anchoring the selected interchangeable module to the upper structure of the aircraft cabin using another one of the at least two overhead anchors; and relocating a preexisting aisle attendant seat to a location proximate an aisle panel of the base lavatory module such that the preexisting aisle attendant seat is free from obstructing a door in the aisle panel of the base lavatory module.
  14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a seat pallet of the attendant seat is fixed to structure of the aircraft cabin using a preexisting standard interface attachment provision.
  15. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein positioning the lower edge of the first side panel near the first end of the width Y comprises positioning the lower edge of the first side panel such that a sidewall filler panel covers an inner surface of the aircraft cabin beneath the widening region originally covered by the conventional lavatory monument. 19 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-15
  16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the sidewall filler panel is integrated into the first side panel.
  17. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising sealing the selected interchangeable module to the base lavatory module along abutting panels using a releasable seal.
  18. 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising releasably fixing the selected interchangeable module to the base lavatory module. Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-15

Description

AIRCRAFT MODULAR LAVATORY SYSTEM [0001] BACKGROUND [0002] It is the goal of all of those who design aircraft that space is optimized in every aspect of the aircraft's systems and functions. While all aircraft strive for efficiency and economy in its arrangement of components, this is particularly critical in commercial aircraft. Single aisle aircraft are especially stringent when it comes to the number of seats that can be accommodated, since each additional row of seats, or seats themselves, represents a higher percentage of profitability as compared with larger aircraft. However, the floor plans of these smaller aircraft are typically fixed by other constraints, thereby limiting the number of seats or cabin space available. Any arrangement that allows for additional space in the cabin represents a significant advance in aircraft design. [0003] Fig. 1 illustrates a standard aircraft cabin arrangement for a single aisle aircraft, such as an Airbus A320 family of aircraft. As illustrated in the figure, the width of the lavatories 400 at the rear doors 405 establishes a rearmost position of the last row of reclining passenger seats 410, that position being the forward edge of the lavatories 400 plus another six to eight inches for the seats to move back. [0004] In today's commercial airline industry, operators prefer passenger cabin arrangements that maximize the number of seats available for passengers. Unfortunately, increasing the number of seats in an aircraft can reduce the amount of space available for lavatories and food service galleys 415. Accordingly, there is a need for a high passenger solution ("HPS") for the aft portion of a single-aisle aircraft like that shown in Fig. 1, which provides space for at least one additional row of passenger seats, or in the alternative provides additional galley/storage area. The present disclosure solves this problem and 1 Date Re9ue/Date Received 2024-05-15 WO 2018/067982 PCT/0S2017/055614 increases the cabin usable area with no loss of performance in any area of the aircraft's existing systems. SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS [0005] Aspects of the disclosure provide a modular lavatory system for replacing an existing lavatory system in an aircraft cabin. The modular lavatory system includes a base lavatory module that includes a fore sidewall, an aft sidewall, and an aisle wall that form a housing enclosing a toilet unit. A first sidewall of the fore sidewall and the aft sidewall includes a widening region positioned above a passenger seat headrest height. The modular lavatory system further includes at least two interchangeable modules configured for mounting against the other sidewall of the fore sidewall and the aft sidewall. A footprint of the base lavatory module is smaller than a footprint of the existing lavatory system, such that an extra cabin space is created proximate the other sidewall of the base lavatory module. The at least two interchangeable modules are each dimensioned for installation within the extra space. [0006] Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for retrofitting a conventional lavatory monument location with a modular lavatory system in an aircraft cabin. The method includes removing a conventional lavatory system affixed to the aircraft cabin using at least two overhead anchors from the conventional lavatory monument location, anchoring a base lavatory module of the modular lavatory system using one of the at least two overhead anchors, and anchoring one interchangeable modules of the modular system using another one of the at least two overhead anchors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] A more complete appreciation of the innovations and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, where: [0008] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a prior art single aisle aircraft; [0009] Fig. 2 is an elevated, perspective view of an example layout of a modular lavatory system of the present disclosure; 2 WO 2018/067982 PCT/0S2017/055614 [0010] Fig. 3 is an elevated, perspective view of a another example of a modular lavatory system, including flight attendant seating and storage area; [0011] Fig. 4 is a cut away front view of an example modular lavatory system of the present disclosure; [0012] Fig. 5 is an elevated, perspective view of an example modular lavatory system including a flex wall module adjacent to the lavatory; [0013] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the single aisle aircraft with an example modular lavatory system installation including a flex wall; [0014] Fig. 7 shows a right hand side view of an existing, prior art aft cabin and lavatory arrangement in an aircraft; [0015] Fig. 8 shows a plan view of an aft portion of an aircraft cabin where an example modular lavatory system replaces a conventional lavatory to retrofit an existing aircraft cabin; [0016] Fig. 9 shows a