Aircraft Cable Connection Device with Locking Spring and Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection devices between electric cables and conductive structures in aircraft, such as carbon structures, lack easy disconnection capabilities for fault detection and maintenance, and do not provide adequate locking and sealing, which are essential for aeronautical standards.
Innovation Solution
A connection device featuring a female socket on the conductive structure and a male plug with a deformable sleeve crimp barrel, a locking spring, and a cap that engages with a groove and projecting edge, ensuring secure locking and sealing, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without damaging the rivets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are interconnected by lugs crimped to conductive structural elements with rivets, then electrical connection is effective, but disconnection requires destructive piercing of rivets which is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device is divided into separable components: a plug with crimped lugs and a socket with a bore. This segmentation allows the electrical connection to be effective when assembled while enabling non-destructive disconnection by simply separating the plug from the socket, eliminating the need to pierce rivets.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking spring provides localized locking action at specific points (engaging with grooves in the plug) while the overall connection structure remains simple. This localized quality ensures secure connection without requiring complex fastening mechanisms throughout the entire assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional connection devices are used, then assembly is simple, but locking and sealing are inadequate for aeronautical standards
Solution Approach 1:
The locking spring is pre-mounted on the socket base and the crimping of lugs to the cable is performed beforehand. When the plug is inserted into the socket, the locking spring automatically engages with grooves in the plug, providing immediate locking and sealing action without requiring additional assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking spring automatically engages with the plug grooves when the plug is inserted into the socket, providing self-locking functionality. The crimped lugs also provide self-securing by deforming the cable insulation to hold the electrical conductors firmly in place.
3Strength
If riveted lug connections are used, then electrical connection is secure, but maintenance operations require destructive procedures and are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device transitions from a static riveted joint to a dynamic plug-socket system with movable locking spring. This allows the connection to be easily made and broken by simple insertion and withdrawal motions, dramatically reducing maintenance time while maintaining connection strength through the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug and socket can be easily separated and the plug reused in different locations, eliminating the need to discard entire riveted assemblies. Only the cable end needs to be re-crimped, allowing recovery and reuse of most connection components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables rapid and secure connection and disconnection of electric cables, maintaining electrical integrity and meeting aeronautical standards for locking and sealing, thus facilitating maintenance and fault detection without the need for destructive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a locking spring mounted on said base of connection and comprising a flexible branch capable of engaging in said groove when said plug is engaged in said bore
Implementation Method 2
The conductive core of the electric cable is engaged in a blind hole of this sleeve and immobilized by crushing the wall of the latter
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
Connection between two elements of a current return circuit. The device comprises a female connection socket (15) fixed to a conducting structure (13) and a male plug (17) connected to a cable (12), said plug having a groove (37) and a lock spring (40) cooperating with the plug and the socket.