Aircraft Harness Clamp and Roller Box for Boom Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft harness arrangements in refueling booms are prone to collisions and dislodgment due to pitch and roll movements, requiring complex and non-standardized installation, and existing clamping solutions fail to securely fasten harnesses in movable components.
Innovation Solution
A clamp system with longitudinal and transverse receiving elements, combined with a roller box featuring rollers, securely attaches harnesses to the aircraft structure using rivets, guiding them to prevent collisions and maintain position during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard clamps are used to fix the harnesses, then the harnesses can be attached to the aircraft structure, but the arrangement becomes non-standardized and difficult to reproduce across different aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple harnesses of different sizes and configurations through adjustable receiving elements. The standardized clamp design with multiple receiving elements allows it to serve as a multi-functional component that can secure various harness types across different aircraft models, eliminating the need for custom clamp configurations for each aircraft.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If glued parts are used to support the harnesses in the lateral structure, then the harnesses are protected from collision with sharp structures, but the glued parts may become unglued due to movement and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the adhesive bonding system with a mechanical fastening system using clamps that are bolted or riveted to the aircraft structure. This mechanical substitution provides a more reliable and vibration-resistant attachment method while maintaining the protective function against sharp structures through the clamp's receiving elements that guide and secure the harnesses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the harnesses are allowed to move freely during pitch and roll movements, then the harnesses can accommodate the boom's four different movements, but the harnesses are at risk of collision and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates dynamic receiving elements that can move or adjust within the clamp structure to accommodate the boom's pitch and roll movements. The receiving elements are designed to guide the harnesses through a range of motion while maintaining secure engagement, allowing the harnesses to adapt to the boom's four different movements without colliding with surrounding structures or suffering wear.
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 stabilizes harnesses, preventing wear and damage by guiding them through rollers, ensuring secure attachment and consistent arrangement despite the boom's movements, reducing the risk of dislodgment and collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The roller box comprises rollers so that the harnesses are allowed to slide thereon along the longitudinal direction of the harness
Data Source
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AI summary
Aircraft harness (6) holding system comprising a clamp (1) having a longitudinal direction configured to be parallel to a longitudinal direction of the harnesses (6) to be held and a transversal direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. The clamp (1) comprises a plurality of receiving elements (2), each receiving element (2) being configured to accommodate a longitudinal portion of at least a harness (6). The system further comprises a roller box (3) being configured to receive a longitudinal portion of the harnesses (6). The roller box (3) comprises rollers (4) so that the harnesses (6) are allowed to slide thereon along the longitudinal direction of the harness (6). The clamp (1) and the roller box (3) comprise means for their attachment to an aircraft structure.