Aircraft Rear Connector Elastomeric Pad Cable Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rear connectors for aircraft turbine engines fail to provide adequate cable retention and mechanical stability due to the use of thermoplastic materials with low adhesion coefficients, leading to potential damage and electromagnetic shielding degradation.

Innovation Solution

A rear connector design featuring half-shells with an elastomeric inner pad and a rigid outer jacket, where the elastomeric material provides traction resistance without damaging the cables and the rigid material ensures secure clamping, while maintaining electromagnetic compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If thermoplastic materials are used for half-shells, then manufacturing ease is improved, but cable retention and adhesion are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidcable retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining thermoplastic material for the outer half-shell structure with an elastomeric material for the inner clamping surface. This composite approach allows the thermoplastic to provide structural integrity and ease of manufacture, while the elastomeric material provides high adhesion and reliable cable retention, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and cable retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the material properties at different locations of the half-shell. The outer structure uses thermoplastic material optimized for manufacturing, while the inner clamping surface uses elastomeric material optimized for cable retention. This localized material differentiation resolves the contradiction by assigning different material qualities to different functional zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid materials are used for clamping, then mechanical stability is improved, but cable damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidcable damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials where the thermoplastic outer half-shell provides rigid structural support and mechanical stability, while the elastomeric inner lining provides compliant cable contact surfaces. This combination allows the rigid structure to maintain mechanical stability while the soft elastomeric material prevents cable damage, resolving the contradiction between stability and damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric material acts as an intermediary between the rigid thermoplastic structure and the cable. It transfers the clamping force from the rigid structure to the cable in a distributed, compliant manner, preventing stress concentration and cable damage while maintaining the mechanical stability provided by the rigid outer structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If tight clamping is applied to cables, then electromagnetic shielding is improved, but cable stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic shieldingVSAvoidcable strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the clamping surface from rigid thermoplastic to compliant elastomeric material. This parameter change allows the material to deform and distribute clamping forces more evenly, maintaining adequate electromagnetic shielding through sufficient contact pressure while reducing peak stresses that could damage the cable, thus resolving the contradiction between shielding and cable strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively holds cables in traction without stressing them, preventing damage and ensuring reliable electrical continuity and electromagnetic shielding, addressing the limitations of prior art connectors.

Implementation Method 1

The inner pad (111a, 111b) is made of an elastomeric material and is configured to be in contact with the cable... provides traction resistance without damaging the cables

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The outer jacket (113a, 113b) is made of a rigid material, at least partially enveloping the inner pad and configured to be in contact with the rear clamping nut

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11710925B2Device for connecting an electric wiring harness to the rear of an electrical connector

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER

AI summary

A device for connecting an electric wiring harness to the rear of an electrical connector, includes two half-shells configured to be assembled and to receive within them at least one cable of the electric wiring harness, a rear clamping nut designed to compress the two half-shells radially around the cable, a longitudinal body designed to hold the two half-shells axially, a front clamping nut designed to hold the longitudinal body around the electrical connector, wherein each one of the two half-shells includes an inner pad made of an elastomeric material, configured to be in contact with the cable, and an outer jacket made of a rigid material, at least partially enveloping the inner pad and configured to be in contact with the rear clamping nut.