Aircraft Rack Interconnection Panels That Eliminate Cable Rewiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing interconnection systems for aircraft racks require extensive and costly wiring, leading to weight, volume, and accessibility issues, as well as complex maintenance procedures due to the proliferation of cables, which are cumbersome and time-consuming to rework when electronic devices are replaced.
Innovation Solution
An interconnection system comprising a rear panel with a printed circuit and a lateral panel with an electronic circuit board, which eliminates the need for cables by establishing predefined electrical links between connectors and the aircraft system, facilitating maintenance and reducing installation complexity through pre-defined wiring configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are used to wire each connector of frames to the aircraft system, then electrical connections can be established, but weight, volume, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cable connections are merged into a single rigid backbone structure. The backbone serves as a common electrical interconnection medium that replaces numerous individual cables, thereby reducing weight while maintaining electrical connection reliability through the structured routing and connection points along the backbone.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid backbone acts as an intermediary element between the frame connectors and the aircraft system. Instead of connecting each connector directly to the system with separate cables, the backbone mediates these connections, providing a centralized infrastructure that reduces overall cable mass while ensuring reliable electrical pathways.
2Reliability
If cables are used to wire each connector, then electrical connections are established, but the volume occupied by cables becomes significant and limits accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cable pathways are merged into a single rigid backbone structure that consolidates the electrical interconnection function. This merging reduces the total volume occupied by wiring while maintaining connection reliability through defined routing channels and connection points along the backbone structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring architecture transitions from a distributed three-dimensional cable arrangement to a structured one-dimensional backbone with lateral connections. This dimensional reorganization consolidates wiring into a more compact form factor, reducing overall volume while preserving electrical connectivity through the backbone's length and its connection points.
3Reliability
If extensive wiring is performed for each frame connector, then electrical connections are established, but the implementation becomes lengthy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid backbone is pre-configured with connection points and routing paths before installation. This preliminary preparation allows for faster assembly by eliminating the need to route and connect individual cables during installation, thereby reducing implementation time while ensuring reliable electrical connections through the pre-established backbone infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical interconnection system is segmented into modular components: the rigid backbone with its connection points, and the frame connectors. This segmentation allows for independent assembly and testing of components, simplifying the overall implementation process and reducing complexity while maintaining connection reliability through standardized interfaces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If wiring is performed for each frame, then electrical connections are established, but rewiring is required when electronic devices are replaced, increasing maintenance time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the rigid backbone infrastructure and the frame-level connectors. This segmentation allows electronic devices to be replaced at the frame level without affecting the backbone wiring, enabling quick device swaps while maintaining electrical connections through the standardized frame connectors that remain attached to the backbone.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic devices are extracted as replaceable units from the frames, while the frame connectors remain permanently attached to the rigid backbone. This extraction allows devices to be replaced without disturbing the wiring infrastructure, reducing maintenance time while preserving adaptability through the standardized frame-connector-backbone interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An interconnection system for a rack of a system of an aircraft is provided. The rack includes at least one shelf with at least one frame adapted to receive an electronic device, the interconnection system comprising a rear panel, consisting of a printed circuit, the rear panel comprising as many coupling fittings as connectors of the shelf, each coupling fitting being connected to a connector, at least one interface for connecting a lateral panel consisting of an electronic circuit board, the lateral panel comprising: an interface for connecting the rear panel and connectors allowing a connection to the system of the aircraft, the printed circuit of the rear panel allowing a set of predefined electrical links between the connectors and the interface, the electronic circuit board of the lateral panel allowing a set of electrical links to be set up between the interface and the connectors to the system of the aircraft.