Aircraft Cable Spacer Layout for Segregation Distance Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric cables in aircraft configurations suffer from contact points and folds due to excess length, failing to maintain a minimum segregation distance from aircraft structures, leading to unsatisfactory performance.

Innovation Solution

The electric cable is equipped with spacers that have a cylindrical outer surface and a spherical duct, spaced apart to maintain a minimum segregation distance, allowing the cable to follow a curved path without contact with other elements, using features like flared ends, hemispherical parts, and holding systems for assembly and immobilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electric cable has excess length to allow equipment movement, then the equipment can be moved between dismantled and mounted positions, but the cable cannot maintain minimum segregation distance and creates contact points or folds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment mobilityVSAvoidsegregation distance maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is divided into multiple sections by inserting spacers at intervals along its length. These spacers create discrete segments that maintain separation between the cable and surrounding structures, allowing the cable to accommodate equipment movement while preventing contact points and folds between segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Spacers are introduced as intermediary elements between the electric cable and the duct or surrounding structures. These spacers act as mediators that maintain the required segregation distance, enabling the cable to move with equipment while preventing direct contact that would violate segregation principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If ties are used to link the cable to the structure, then the cable follows a predetermined path, but the cable cannot accommodate equipment movement without creating contact points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable path stabilityVSAvoidequipment mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cable support system transitions from a static tied configuration to a dynamic spacer-based system. The spacers allow the cable to move dynamically with equipment while maintaining its predetermined path through the duct, accommodating both stability requirements and mobility needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the cable is kept taut to avoid folds, then segregation is maintained, but the equipment cannot be moved between positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegregation distance maintenanceVSAvoidequipment mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the cable with spacers, the system allows controlled slack within each segment while maintaining overall tension. This enables equipment movement without creating folds or contact points, as the spacers prevent the cable from sagging between support points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12603197B2Electric cable equipped with at least one spacer, aircraft comprising at least one such electric cable

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

An electric cable configured to be mounted in an aircraft. This electric cable includes at least one spacer at least partially surrounding a part of the electric cable and making it possible to hold it at a distance greater than a minimum segregation distance from any other element. According to one configuration, the electric cable comprises several spacers distributed along the electric cable and separated from one another.