EP-4737314-A1 - FAUCET FOR AN AIRCRAFT CABIN

EP4737314A1EP 4737314 A1EP4737314 A1EP 4737314A1EP-4737314-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a faucet (2) for an aircraft cabin. The faucet (2) comprises at least one water inlet (4), a pressure regulator (8), a discharge arrangement (14) and a manual interaction element (16). The at least one water inlet (4) is configured to provide a water supply and is fluidly connected with the discharge arrangement (14) via the pressure regulator (8) forming a flow path from the water inlet (4) to the discharge arrangement (14). The pressure regulator (8) is configured to adjust a variable incoming pressure of the water supply to a modified pressure of the water supply to the discharge arrangement (14). The faucet (2) further comprises a vent valve (10) which is fluidly connected to the flow path and is configured to allow an exchange of gas and to close when water inside the flow path reaches the vent valve (10). Based on the modified pressure, the discharge arrangement (14) is configured to provide a predetermined amount of water for a user upon activation of the manual interaction element (6). The present invention also relates to a lavatory for an aircraft cabin, to a lavatory unit (220) for an aircraft cabin, to an aircraft cabin, to an aircraft (200) and to a method for providing water from a faucet (100).

Inventors

Borgwardt, Simon
VÖTTER, Axel

Assignees

Airbus Operations GmbH

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20251023

Claims (13)

A faucet (2) for an aircraft cabin, the faucet comprising: - at least one water inlet (4); - a vent valve (10); - a pressure regulator (8); - a discharge arrangement (14); and - a manual interaction element (16); wherein the at least one water inlet is fluidly connected with the discharge arrangement via the pressure regulator forming a flow path from the water inlet to the discharge arrangement; wherein the vent valve is fluidly connected to the flow path and is configured to allow an exchange of gas and to close when water inside the flow path reaches the vent valve; wherein the at least one water inlet is configured to provide a water supply; wherein the pressure regulator is configured to adjust a variable incoming pressure of the water supply to a modified pressure of the water supply to the discharge arrangement; and wherein, based on the modified pressure of the water supply, the discharge arrangement is configured to provide a predetermined amount of water for a user upon activation of the manual interaction element.
Faucet according to claim 1, comprising: - two water inlets (4a, 4b); and further comprising - a mixing unit (6); wherein the water inlets are fluidly connected with the mixing unit and the mixing unit is fluidly connected with the discharge arrangement via the pressure regulator forming a flow path from the water inlets to the discharge arrangement; wherein the water inlets are configured to provide a first and second water supply of different temperatures; wherein the mixing unit is configured to provide a common water supply with adjustable temperature; and wherein the pressure regulator is configured to adjust a variable incoming pressure of the common water supply to a modified pressure of the common water supply to the discharge arrangement.
Faucet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge arrangement comprises a discharge outlet (15), and a closing unit (20) acting on the discharge outlet, wherein the closing unit may be urged into an opening direction and a closing direction, respectively, with a force based on the modified pressure of the water supply.
Faucet according to claim 3, wherein the closing unit is a movable piston that is urged towards the closing direction by the modified pressure of the water supply and/or by a resilient element, such as a spring member.
Faucet according to one of the preceding claims, the faucet further comprising a time adjustment device (12) arranged at the discharge arrangement, configured to regulate the flow time of the water out of the faucet.
Faucet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vent valve is fluidly connected to the flow path after the pressure regulator in a downstream position.
Faucet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the manual interaction element further comprises a double acting plunger configured to act on the discharge arrangement performing two actuations simultaneously, wherein, preferably, the two actuations are a pressure release actuation and a discharge actuation.
Faucet according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the faucet further comprises a spout (24), preferably comprising an aerator, fluidly connected with the outlet of the discharge arrangement and configured to provide for a controlled water flow out of the faucet.
A lavatory for an aircraft cabin, the lavatory comprising: - at least one washbasin (26); and - at least one faucet according to one of claims 1 to 8.
A lavatory unit for an aircraft cabin, the lavatory unit comprising: - an enclosure; and - at least one lavatory according to claim 9.
An aircraft cabin, the aircraft cabin comprising: - a cabin space; and - at least one lavatory unit according to claim 10 and/or at least one lavatory according to claim 9, arranged within the cabin space.
An aircraft (200) comprising: - a fuselage with a cabin space (210); and - at least one lavatory unit (220) according to claim 10 and/or at least one lavatory according to claim 9, arranged within the cabin space.
A method (100) for providing water from a faucet to a washbasin in an aircraft lavatory to a user, comprising the steps: - providing (110) at least one water supply to a water inlet of the faucet, wherein the water inlet is fluidly connected with a discharge arrangement via a pressure regulator forming a flow path from the water inlet to the discharge arrangement; - adjusting (120) a variable incoming pressure of the water supply to a modified pressure of the water supply by the pressure regulator and providing the water supply with the modified pressure to the discharge arrangement; and - activating (130) a manual interaction element to start a water flow and to provide, based on the modified pressure of the water supply, a predetermined amount of water by the discharge arrangement to the user.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to providing water in an aircraft cabin to users, e.g. for washing hands. The present invention relates in particular to a faucet for an aircraft cabin, to a lavatory for an aircraft cabin, to a lavatory unit for an aircraft cabin, to an aircraft cabin, to an aircraft and to a method for providing water from a faucet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In an aircraft, the water supply is usually pressurized using an onboard system designed to ensure that water flows to the galleys, lavatories and other areas where it is needed. The water is carried in storage tanks, located in the lower part of the fuselage. In many aircraft, the water system is pressurized using the aircraft's pneumatic system, which supplies compressed air. The compressed air pressurizes the water tanks, pushing the water up through the pipes and out to the faucets and other outlets. Some aircraft also use electric pumps which can draw water from the storage tanks and force it through the plumbing system. To supply water to passengers or crew members, faucets are provided. Faucets in an aircraft cabin are typically found in the lavatories or in the galleys. The faucets can be sensor-activated or have a mechanical, push-button mechanism to control the flow of water, which may automatically stop after a short period to keep water consumption as low as possible. However, it has been shown that the flowtime settings often have to be readjusted by service personnel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There may thus be a need to provide faucets for an aircraft cabin with more reliable flow time and flow rate of the discharged water. The object of the present invention is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims; further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the following described aspects of the invention apply also for the faucet for an aircraft cabin, for the lavatory for an aircraft cabin, for the lavatory unit for an aircraft cabin, for the aircraft cabin, for the aircraft and for the method for providing water from a faucet to a washbasin in an aircraft lavatory. According to the present invention, a faucet for an aircraft cabin is provided. The faucet comprises at least one water inlet, a vent valve, a pressure regulator, a discharge arrangement and a manual interaction element. The at least one water inlet is configured to provide a water supply and is fluidly connected with the discharge arrangement via the pressure regulator forming a flow path from the water inlet to the discharge arrangement. The pressure regulator is configured to adjust a variable incoming pressure of the water supply to a modified pressure of the water supply to the discharge arrangement. The faucet also comprises a vent valve which is fluidly connected to the flow path and is configured to allow an exchange of gas and to close when water inside the flow path reaches the vent valve. Based on the modified pressure of the water supply, the discharge arrangement is configured to provide a predetermined amount of water for a user upon activation of the manual interaction element. As an effect, specified flow time settings for the water can remain constant even with varying water supply pressures. By entering a pressure regulator into the faucet, it is possible to achieve a stable system pressure inside the faucet and so, a constant water pressure can be provided to the discharge unit and the flow rate of the outflowing water is independent from the incoming water supply pressure. Thus, a reliable flow time and flow rate of the discharged water can be achieved. As a further advantage the calcification inside the faucet may be minimized as pressure transients are eliminated. It is known that pressure transients may induce crystal buildup (such as solid calcium carbonate (CaCO3)) by causing solubility changes and enhancing nucleation. Thus, a constant water pressure inside the faucet also reduces or avoids the formation of CaCO3, which then may precipitate out of the water and is commonly associated with the formation of scale or deposits in a water system. The term "faucet" refers to a plumbing fixture that controls the release of water from a pipe or plumbing system. A faucet is for example used in the galleys and lavatories of an aircraft and may be installed in other areas where water is needed. The term "faucet" may also be referred to as a tap, spigot, valve, water plug, water cock, water tap or stopcock. As an option the faucet may be referred to as a self-closing faucet. A self-closing faucet automatically shuts off the water flow after a set period of time or after a predetermined amount of water has been discharged without requiring the user to manually close it. As an advantage, water can be conserved, and hygiene may be improved because a user no longer has to touch the faucet after washing hands. The term "water inlet" refers to an opening that lets water in, i.e. that