Aircraft Floor Raceway Lifting Through Floor Grid Cutouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical raceway installation techniques require multiple human installers to manually lift and position heavy electrical raceways into a pre-assembled structural floor grid assembly, leading to access and ergonomic issues due to the timing of the installation.
Innovation Solution
An electrical raceway installation apparatus comprising a backing, floor grid tooling, and a hoist, where the backing is connected to the electrical raceway and loaded into the floor grid tooling through a cutout, allowing the hoist to lift the raceway vertically into position for attachment with the floor grid assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual installation techniques are used with multiple human installers carrying heavy electrical raceways, then the electrical raceway can be installed into the floor grid assembly, but access and ergonomic issues arise due to the timing of installation while structural work is still underway
Solution Approach 1:
A backing assembly serves as an intermediary device between the electrical raceway and the installation environment. The backing provides a standardized interface with attachment means that facilitate handling and installation, transforming the difficult task of manually positioning heavy raceways into a more manageable process where the backing acts as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between installers and the raceway system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the installation process by providing attachment means that extend vertically from the backing assembly. This allows electrical raceways to be attached at elevated positions and then lowered into place, changing the installation approach from horizontal manual carrying to vertical suspension and lowering, thereby improving ergonomics and reducing access issues
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical raceways are installed while the majority of structural work of the floor grid assembly is still underway, then flexibility in installation timing is achieved, but installers face access and ergonomic challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The backing assembly is prepared in advance with attachment means positioned and configured before the electrical raceway is installed into the floor grid assembly. This preliminary preparation of the backing allows it to serve as a pre-configured handling and positioning device, enabling flexible installation timing while maintaining good ergonomics because the attachment infrastructure is already in place to support the raceway at appropriate heights and positions
3Productivity
If heavy electrical raceways weighing hundreds of pounds are manually handled by multiple installers, then the raceway can be positioned and lowered into place, but the physical burden on installers creates ergonomic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The backing assembly acts as an intermediary that distributes and manages the weight of heavy electrical raceways. By providing structured attachment means, the backing transforms the ergonomic challenge of manually carrying hundreds of pounds into a more manageable process where the weight is supported by the attachment infrastructure rather than being borne entirely by human installers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimension of force application by introducing vertical attachment means. Instead of installers horizontally carrying and lifting heavy raceways, the attachment means allow the raceway to be vertically suspended and lowered, utilizing gravity assist and reducing the physical strain on installers while maintaining installation capability
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical raceway installation apparatus and method for installing an electrical raceway into a floor grid assembly of an aircraft. The electrical raceway installation apparatus includes a backing for connection to the electrical raceway. Floor grid tooling includes a horizontal beam that supports a floor grid assembly of an aircraft. The horizontal beam has a cutout that provides space under the floor grid assembly for insertion of the backing and electrical raceway. A hoist is connected to the floor grid tooling and lifts the backing and the electrical raceway through the space to a position for attachment with the floor grid assembly of the aircraft.