FR3149302A1 - PANEL FOR A FURNITURE ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH A LAYER OF ACOUSTIC MATERIAL - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a panel (30) for a furniture element (13, 14, 28) comprising:a covering cap (31), a layer of flexible material (32), anda layer of acoustic material (33). Figure for abstract: Figure 2a

Description

PANEL FOR A FURNITURE ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH A LAYER OF ACOUSTIC MATERIAL

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

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, without reducing their living space.

To this end, the invention aims to effectively meet this need by proposing a panel for a piece of furniture comprising at least:
- a dressing cap,
- a layer of soft material, and
- a layer of acoustic material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of acoustic material is arranged inside the layer of flexible material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of acoustic material is arranged between the covering cap and the layer of flexible material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of acoustic material is intended to be fixed directly to one face of the furniture element.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of acoustic material is perforated.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the panel further comprises a support structure.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure comprises removable fixing means for fixing the panel to one face of the furniture item.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of acoustic material is arranged between the support structure and the layer of flexible material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of flexible material is made of a material chosen from a foam, in particular an open-cell foam, a fibrous material, a non-woven material, felt, a wadding-based material and/or a mixture of such materials.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of acoustic material is made of a polymer material.

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;

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are cross-sectional views of variants of a first embodiment of a panel according to the invention; and

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are cross-sectional views of variants of a second embodiment of a panel according to the invention.

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.

In the various embodiments shown in the figures, the panel 30 comprises at least one covering cap 31, a layer of flexible material 32 and a layer of acoustic material 33.

According to a particular embodiment, a thickness E of the panel 30 can be between 1mm and 50mm, in particular between 5mm and 20mm, in particular between 12mm and 15mm inclusive.

The covering cap 31 is chosen to give an aesthetic finish to the assembly. The covering cap 31 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 31 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.

The flexible material layer 32 is made of 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 material layer 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 material layer 32 may be high density foam which may or may not be perforated.

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

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

The layer of acoustic material 33 has vibro-acoustic damping properties. The layer of acoustic material 33 is made of a material chosen mainly from polymers having good viscoelastic properties.

The layer of acoustic material 33 has a thickness of the order of 0.001 mm to 1.5 mm.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are cross-sectional views of variants of a first embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention.

More particularly, according to the first embodiment, the panel 30 is devoid of a support structure;

In the variant of Figure 2a, the layer of acoustic material 33 is arranged inside the layer of flexible material 32. Thus, the layer of acoustic material 33 is arranged between two sub-layers 32.1, 32.2 of the layer of flexible material 32.

In the variant of the , the layer of acoustic material 33 is arranged between the covering cap 31 and the layer of flexible material 32.

In the variants of Figures 2a and 2b, the layer of flexible material 32 is fixed directly to one face of the furniture element, that is to say without an intermediate support structure.

Preferably, the fixing of the layer of flexible material 32 on the face of the furniture element is carried out by gluing.

In the variant of the , the layer of acoustic material 33 is arranged between the furniture element and the layer of flexible material 32. In such a case, the layer of flexible material 32 is fixed, in particular by gluing, directly on the layer of acoustic material 33, which is fixed, in particular by gluing, directly on one face of the furniture element.

In the variant of the , the acoustic material layer 33 is perforated. The acoustic material layer 33 has a plurality of through perforations.

Although the shows a layer of acoustic material 33 arranged between the layer of flexible material 32 and the covering cap 31, the perforated layer of acoustic material 33 can be arranged inside the layer of flexible material 32 and/or between the furniture element and the layer of flexible material 32.

The positioning of the acoustic material layer 33 has an impact on the type of frequencies absorbed.

The integration of the layer of acoustic material 33 directly behind the covering cap 31, as presented in particular in the variant of the , mainly reduces frequencies between 500Hz and 1200Hz.

The positioning of the layer of acoustic material 33 inside the layer of flexible material 32, as presented in particular in the variant of the , allows the absorption peak to be shifted towards frequencies above 800Hz.

The perforation rate of the acoustic material layer 33 also has an impact on the frequencies absorbed by the system. Thus, at a low perforation rate, for example less than 1%, the absorption peak is narrow and towards frequencies below 1000 Hz. By increasing the perforation rate, for example between 1% and 30%, the amplitude of the absorption peak broadens from frequencies above 800 Hz.

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are cross-sectional views of variants of a second embodiment of the panel 30 according to the invention.

More particularly, according to the second embodiment, the panel 30 comprises a support structure 35.

In the variants of figures 3a-3d, the support structure 35 is further provided to be fixed on one face of the furniture element.

In the second embodiment, the trim cap 31 may be provided with a flap secured against an edge of the support structure 35. The fastening of the flap to the support structure 35 may be carried out by gluing, riveting, insertion into a retaining groove or any other fastening technique suitable for the application with or without gluing.

The support structure 35 may be made of a plastic material, in particular thermoformed, a metallic material, such as aluminum, or a very high density foam material.

The support structure 35 has a low thickness, for example between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

According to an exemplary implementation, the support structure 35 is constituted by a plate made of a thermoplastic material. For this purpose, the plate is heated and then shaped using a die. Once cooled, the thermoformed plate retains the shape printed by the die.

Furthermore, the support structure 35 comprises removable fixing means 36 for fixing the assembly consisting of the covering cap 31, the layer of flexible material 32, the layer of acoustic material 33 and the support structure 35 on one face of the furniture element.

The fixing means 36 can be arranged at the feet of the support structure 35.

The choice of the fastening means 36 depends in particular on the integration constraints and a positioning of the assembly in the seat unit 10. In the case where the assembly is arranged in a visible area of the seat unit 10, the fastening means 36 are preferably removable, in particular dismountable without the aid of a tool, such as for example snap-fastening devices, textile fasteners formed by complementary loops and hooks, press studs, magnetic fasteners and/or any other fastening device adapted to the application.

In the case where the assembly is arranged in a non-visible area of the seat unit 10, in particular a technical area, for example located in the lower part of the seat unit 10, the fixing means 36 may be screws for fixing the support structure 35 on the furniture element. Alternatively, it is also possible to use fir tree pins or any other fixing means suitable for the application.

The type of fixing means 36 makes it possible to ensure the retention of the panel 30 within the framework of certification tests during which significant decelerations are applied to the seat unit 10.

A clearance 38, in particular of a few millimeters, in particular between 1 mm and 15 mm and more specifically preferably 3 mm, is provided between the support structure 35 and the furniture element, outside the fixing zones. Such a clearance makes it possible to certify the parts independently of one another.

In the variant of Figure 3a, the layer of acoustic material 33 is arranged inside the layer of flexible material 32. Thus, the layer of acoustic material 33 is arranged between two sub-layers 32.1, 32.2 of the layer of flexible material 32.

In the variant of the , the layer of acoustic material 33 is arranged between the covering cap 31 and the layer of flexible material 32.

In the variants of figures 3a and 3b, the layer of flexible material 32 is fixed directly to the support structure 35 which is fixed to one face of the furniture element using the fixing means 36. Preferably, the fixing of the layer of flexible material 32 to the support structure 35 is carried out by gluing.

In the variant of the , the layer of acoustic material 33 is arranged between the support structure 35 and the layer of flexible material 32. In such a case, the layer of flexible material 32 is fixed, in particular by gluing, to the layer of acoustic material 33, which is fixed, in particular by gluing, directly to the support structure 35.

In the variant of the , the acoustic material layer 33 is perforated. The acoustic material layer 33 has a plurality of through perforations.

Although the shows a layer of acoustic material 33 arranged between the layer of flexible material 32 and the covering cap 31, the perforated layer of acoustic material 33 can be arranged inside the layer of flexible material 32 and/or between the support structure 35 and the layer of flexible material 32.

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 (12)

Panel (30) for a piece of furniture (13, 14, 28), characterized in that the panel (30) comprises at least:
a dressing cap (31),
a layer of flexible material (32), and
a layer of acoustic material (33). Panel (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of acoustic material (33) is arranged inside the layer of flexible material (32). Panel (30) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the layer of acoustic material (33) is arranged between the covering cap (31) and the layer of flexible material (32). Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer of acoustic material (33) is intended to be fixed directly to one face of the furniture element (13, 14, 28). Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer of acoustic material (33) is perforated. Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panel (30) further comprises a support structure (35). Panel (30) according to claim 6, characterized in that the support structure (35) comprises removable fixing means (36) for fixing the panel (30) on one face of the furniture element (13, 14, 28). Panel (30) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the layer of acoustic material (33) is arranged between the support structure (35) and the layer of flexible material (32). Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer of flexible material (32) is made of a material chosen from a foam, in particular an open-cell foam, a fibrous material, a non-woven material, felt, a wadding-based material and/or a mixture of such materials. Panel (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer of acoustic material (33) is made of a polymer material . 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 11, 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.