Avionic Sliding Rack with Bevelled Track and Pyramidal Nut

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Solution Overview

Problem

The pre-set bolt holes on aircraft consoles limit the precise placement of avionics equipment, restricting flexibility in mounting various avionics devices.

Innovation Solution

A mounting rail system with bevelled faces, a pyramidal nut, and a mounting bracket, along with a spacer, allows for adjustable and precise placement of avionics equipment by using a fastener to secure the bracket to the rail, enabling sliding mounting points and adjustable heights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pre-set bolt holes are used on the console, then the mounting structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the placement flexibility and precision of avionics equipment is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement flexibilityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system transitions from fixed bolt holes to a dynamic sliding mechanism. The mounting bracket can slide along the mounting rail to different positions, and the pyramidal nut can be positioned at any location along the bevelled track, enabling continuous adjustment rather than discrete fixed positions. This dynamic capability provides infinite placement options within the rail length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system is divided into separable components: the mounting rail attached to the console, the mounting bracket holding the avionics equipment, and the pyramidal nut serving as a connector. This segmentation allows the bracket to move independently along the rail while maintaining a secure connection through the pyramidal nut, achieving both flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If pre-set bolt holes are used on the console, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the mounting precision of avionics equipment cannot be adjusted precisely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting precisionVSAvoidmounting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pyramidal nut acts as an intermediary between the mounting rail and the mounting bracket. It translates the sliding motion along the bevelled track into precise positional adjustment, enabling fine-tuned mounting precision while keeping the overall system relatively simple in construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mounting rail system with pyramidal nut and sliding mechanism is implemented, then placement flexibility and precision are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable placementVSAvoidmounting system components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting rail system serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the avionics equipment, enables precise positional adjustment along the rail, allows height adjustment through the spacer, and maintains secure attachment through the pyramidal nut mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pyramidal nut is received within the bevelled track of the mounting rail, creating a nested structure. The mounting bracket then attaches to the pyramidal nut, forming another nested layer. This nesting compactly integrates multiple adjustment capabilities within a space-efficient configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10925178B2Avionic sliding rack
Publication Date: 2021.02.16 TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC
  • US10925178B2 patent drawing
  • US10925178B2 patent drawing
  • US10925178B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An example of a mounting rail system for a console of an aircraft includes a mounting rail with a track that includes two bevelled faces, a pyramidal nut configured to fit within the track, and a mounting bracket configured to be secured to the mounting rail via a fastener that attaches to the pyramidal nut. The pyramidal nut includes two bevelled faces that align with the two bevelled faces of the track.