ATC Console Slat-Wall Structure for Cable Routing and Front Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current Air Traffic Control (ATC) consoles are rigid, difficult to maintain, and lack flexibility in equipment placement and ergonomic adjustments, leading to increased maintenance costs and reduced operator area due to large swinging doors and deep enclosures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates laterally spaced vertical ribs with slat wall hooks, cable routing features, and vertically closing tambour doors to reduce the rear service aisle size, along with sucker fans for air circulation, allowing for improved structural integrity, cable management, and increased operator space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid welded steel consoles are used to provide structural support and equipment mounting, then structural integrity is improved, but adaptability and ease of repair deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The console is divided into modular components including removable panels, interchangeable equipment modules, and segmented mounting systems. This allows individual sections to be accessed, replaced, or reconfigured without affecting the entire structure, thereby maintaining structural integrity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The console incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements such as movable equipment mounts, adjustable panel positions, and flexible cable routing systems. These dynamic features enable the console to adapt to different equipment configurations and operational requirements while maintaining overall structural stability.
2Ease of operation
If large swinging doors are used to access equipment behind consoles, then ease of operation is improved, but the rear service aisle size increases reducing operator area
Solution Approach 1:
The console design extracts equipment that requires frequent access and places it in front-mounted positions or in easily accessible compartments. This eliminates the need for large swinging doors and deep service aisles, thereby preserving operator area while maintaining ease of operation for commonly accessed equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using large swinging doors that extend into the service aisle, the design employs vertical sliding doors or front-access panels that move in different dimensions. This allows equipment access without occupying horizontal service aisle space, preserving operator area while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If equipment is mounted at the front on angled faces for easy operator access, then ease of operation is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The console incorporates removable panels and modular equipment modules that can be easily detached from the front. This allows technicians to access equipment for repair by simply removing panels rather than working from the back, thereby improving ease of repair while maintaining front accessibility for operators.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring back-side access for repairs, the design inverts the access approach by providing front-side access panels and removable modules. This allows both operators and technicians to access equipment from the front, eliminating the difficulty of back-side servicing while preserving operator accessibility.
4Ease of repair
If the service aisle behind consoles is made large to accommodate equipment removal, then ease of repair is improved, but operator area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The console design uses removable panels and modular components that can be accessed from the front. This eliminates the need for a large service aisle, as technicians can work on equipment without requiring deep rear access space, thereby preserving operator area while maintaining ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring rear aisle space for repairs, the design inverts the access approach by providing front-side panels and modules. This allows technicians to service equipment from the front, eliminating the need for large service aisles while preserving operator area.
Data Source
AI summary
An Air Traffic Control (ATC) console provides improved structural integrity and cable routing. The ATC console includes laterally spaced apart vertical ribs including a strong center box structure and slat wall hooks on opposing flat wings. Front and rear slat wall panels attached to opposite sides of the ribs by horizontal lips on rear surfaces of the slat walls engaging the slat wall hooks. Horizontal openings for cable passage are created by spacing consecutive slat walls apart, and may be staggered to avoid light reaching an operator. Brush grommets may fill the openings in the front slat walls further preventing light from reaching the operator. Cable trays may be position under the horizontal openings and the vertical ribs may include cable pass throughs aligned with the horizontal openings and cable trays allowing cables to be routed laterally between the slat walls.