Aircraft Cable Routing Using Dielectric Liner Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of cable routing in aircraft increases with the number of cables, leading to inefficient installation and maintenance due to the need for multiple raceways and strict safety guidelines, which complicate the segregation of cables with different voltages and currents.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft cable routing system that uses a dielectric liner with subdividing elements to create secondary channels within a primary channel, allowing multiple cables to be routed while ensuring segregation and safety, reducing the need for multiple raceways and simplifying installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate raceways are provided to route different cables, then cable segregation and safety are improved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing multiple secondary channels (each containing segregated cables) inside a single primary raceway. The secondary channels are nested within the primary channel structure, allowing multiple cable groups to be routed through one raceway while maintaining segregation. This resolves the contradiction by reducing the number of separate raceways needed while preserving cable safety and segregation through the nested secondary channel structure.
2Reliability
If multiple separate raceways are provided to route different cables, then cable segregation and safety are improved, but installation and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure allows installers to work with modular secondary channels that can be pre-assembled and then installed as units within the primary raceway, simplifying the installation process. For maintenance, individual secondary channels can be accessed and serviced without disturbing other channels in the same primary raceway, reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining cable segregation.
3Reliability
If dedicated separate channels are provided for each cable type, then operational safety is improved, but the number of required channels and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cable routing system into primary raceways and secondary channels within them. Each secondary channel provides dedicated routing for specific cable types, maintaining operational safety through segregation. The segmentation is hierarchical rather than requiring completely separate primary raceways for each cable type, reducing the total number of channels needed while preserving safety through the secondary channel segmentation.
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 system provides a compact and efficient cable routing solution by segregating cables within a single primary channel, reducing the number of required raceways and simplifying installation and maintenance, while ensuring safety and protection against electrical hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric liner for insertion into the primary channel... ensuring safety and protection against electrical hazards
Data Source
AI summary
A cable routing system is disclosed having dielectric, or insulating, liner which is installed within a cable routing channel, or raceway, to subdivide the channel into at least two secondary channels. This can achieve more efficient use of space and enable more flexible placement of cables within the channels while meeting safety requirements. Installation of cables into the channel can include inserting the cables into the dielectric liner before the installation of the dielectric liner into the cable routing channel. The cable routing system can be used in an aircraft, including within space-constrained areas of the aircraft such as inside a wing.