Aircraft Direct-Vision Window Cable Chain with Articulated Square Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing 'pigtail'-shaped cables connecting the direct-vision window and its support in aircraft flight decks tend to extend and become tangled, causing hazards and equipment malfunctions due to lack of mechanical hold, leading to clamping and potential rupture of internal electric cables.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a deformable cable chain with articulated supports of square cross-section, which pivots to guide and protect the cable, preventing clamping and maintaining rigidity during window movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pigtail-shaped cable is used to connect the direct-vision window and its support, then the cable can accommodate window movements, but the cable extends and becomes tangled, creating hazards and causing equipment malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable flexibility for window movementVSAvoidcable stability and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a flexible cable chain with square cross-section links that can deform and bend to accommodate the window's two-translation movements while maintaining structural integrity. The chain's flexibility allows it to follow the window's path during retraction and sliding, preventing tangling and extension problems associated with traditional pigtail cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cable chain is designed as a dynamic structure that can change its configuration during window operation. The square links articulate relative to each other, allowing the chain to adapt its shape as the window moves from the closed position through the intermediate position to the fully open position, maintaining both flexibility and reliability throughout the motion sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a pigtail-shaped cable is used without mechanical hold, then the cable can move freely with the window, but clamping occurs at cable ends, likely producing rupture of internal electric cables

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable movement freedomVSAvoidcable integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cable chain is segmented into multiple square cross-section links that are connected through articulation points. This segmentation allows the cable to move freely and accommodate window movements while distributing mechanical stresses across multiple segments, preventing clamping at single points and reducing the risk of internal cable rupture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each square link acts as a flexible yet structurally sound element that protects the internal electric cables. The square cross-section provides inherent mechanical strength and geometric stability, preventing the kind of sharp bending and clamping that occurs with traditional flexible cables, thereby protecting internal conductors from rupture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If an articulated support structure with square cross-section is used to guide the cable chain, then the cable is protected and guided effectively, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable protection and guidanceVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The square cross-section support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the cable chain along the window's movement path, provides mechanical protection for the cable, articulates to accommodate movements, and maintains geometric stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective elements, thereby limiting overall device complexity while ensuring reliable cable protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8336824B2Device for protecting and guiding a cable from a direct-vision window of an aircraft flight deck

Publication Date: 2012.12.25 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

A device for protecting and guiding at least one cable (22) that connects a direct-vision window (10) of an aircraft cabin that is provided for blocking an opening, and connects its support (14), includes a cable chain (26) that can deform along a winding plane and protect and guide the cable (22), on both sides of the cable chain (26), a first support (28) that is articulated relative to the direct-vision window (10) so as to be able to pivot around an axis of articulation (36) that is essentially parallel to the release translation and a second support (30) that is articulated relative to the support (14) so as to be able to pivot around an axis of articulation (38) that is essentially parallel to the release translation and the first and second supports (28, 30) have a square cross-section.