Aircraft Electrical Connector Guide for Moving Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft systems face challenges in maintaining reliable electrical connections between movable components, particularly when relative motion introduces complexity and the need for flexible cable management while ensuring structural integrity and aerodynamic performance.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft system with a cable harness and connector body that moves through an aperture, utilizing a guide to restrict motion and maintain a stable electrical connection, where the connector body is designed to follow a pre-defined path and is composed of a rigid, aerodynamic material to withstand airflow and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a telescopic conductor or helical cable is used inside the strut to transfer electrical power, then electrical power can be transferred between movable components, but the device complexity and reliability are worsened due to the need for flexible cable management and potential path deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into a fixed connector body mounted on the first structure and a movable connector body coupled to the second structure. The cable harness is divided into a fixed portion and a movable portion, allowing each segment to be optimized independently for reliability and motion accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide structure acts as an intermediary between the fixed and movable connector bodies. The guide defines a predetermined track that constrains the motion of the cable harness, ensuring it follows a controlled path during relative movement, thereby preventing path deviations and maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If the connector body is rigid to withstand airflow and maintain pre-defined path, then aerodynamic performance and connection stability are improved, but the ability to accommodate relative motion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates rigid and flexible functions into different components. The connector bodies are rigid to maintain stability and withstand airflow, while the cable harness includes a flexible movable portion that accommodates relative motion between structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure serves as a mediator that allows the rigid connector bodies to maintain stable connections while accommodating motion through the predetermined track. The guide constrains the flexible cable harness to follow a controlled path, enabling both rigidity and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cable harness is allowed to sweep freely to accommodate motion, then adaptability to relative motion is improved, but path deviations and interference are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary that provides a predetermined track for the cable harness. This track allows the cable to sweep and accommodate relative motion between structures while constraining it to a controlled path, preventing unauthorized deviations and maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure changes the motion parameters of the cable harness by defining a predetermined track. Instead of free sweeping motion, the cable follows a controlled path with specific geometric constraints, transforming unpredictable motion into predictable, reliable movement.
4Reliability
If a guide structure with predetermined track is introduced to constrain cable motion, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is merged with the existing strut or support structure of the aircraft system. By integrating the guide into the existing framework, the patent avoids adding separate complex components, thereby maintaining connection reliability while minimizing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft system has a first structure, and a second structure coupled to the first structure and movable between first and second positions relative to the first structure. The aircraft system has an electrical connector for providing an electrical connection running between respective components housed within the first and second structures. The electrical connector has a cable harness housed within the first structure, and a connector body coupled to an end of the cable harness. The connector body extends through an aperture formed in the first structure, and the connector body is coupled to the second structure such that movement of the second structure between the first and second positions relative to the first structure causes the connector body to move through the aperture.