Electromechanical Brake Actuator Wireless Antenna Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical actuators for aircraft brakes, designed with separable portions, face increased complexity and cost due to the need for additional electrical connectors for each portion to connect with external control means, complicating interface management and connection harnesses.
Innovation Solution
The actuator is designed with a first portion containing an electric motor and connection means, and a second portion with a pusher and measurement means, where the two portions are electromagnetically coupled via antennas, allowing electrical signal transfer without wired connections, simplifying the actuator and connection harness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each portion of the actuator is fitted with a separate electrical connector to connect with external control means, then each portion can be independently connected and controlled, but the device complexity and cost increase due to additional connectors and interface management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an electromagnetic coupling system. The second portion communicates with external control means through electromagnetic signals transmitted via the first portion, eliminating the need for separate physical connectors on the second portion while maintaining independent communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first portion is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a functional component of the actuator and as a communication interface for the second portion. The first portion's connector and antenna system handles both power/control signals for the motor and electromagnetic coupling signals for the measurement means, reducing the need for separate connection systems.
2Ease of repair
If the actuator is designed with separable portions for easier maintenance and replacement, then repairability improves, but the need for additional connectors in each portion increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into two separable portions: a first portion containing the motor and connection means, and a second portion containing the pusher and measurement means. This segmentation allows independent replacement of failed components while the electromagnetic coupling system ensures that minimal connection infrastructure is needed at each interface.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing the traditional mechanical wired connection with electromagnetic coupling between portions, the patent reduces the complexity of physical interfaces while maintaining the separability benefit. The electromagnetic field coupling requires no physical wire connections between portions, simplifying the mechanical interface while preserving functional connectivity.
3Reliability
If additional electrical connectors are added to the second portion for electromagnetic coupling, then signal transfer between portions is enabled, but the cost and complexity of the actuator increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wired connections with electromagnetic coupling using antennas. This substitution eliminates the need for complex connector assemblies while enabling reliable wireless signal transfer between the first and second portions, reducing both cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Electromagnetic fields serve as an intermediary medium for transferring signals between the first and second portions. The antennas in each portion couple through this electromagnetic intermediary, enabling communication without direct physical wire connections, thus simplifying the interface architecture.
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
This solution enables seamless electrical connectivity between the actuator portions and external control means without additional connectors, facilitating easy separation and replacement of faulty parts, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
the two antennas being arranged so as to be electromagnetically coupled together when the first portion and the second portion are coupled together, so as to enable electrical signals to be transferred between the measurement means and the connection means
Data Source
AI summary
An electromechanical actuator for a vehicle brake, the actuator comprising first and second portions 8 and 9 that are separable. The first portion 8 includes an electric motor 5 and connection structure 15 for connecting the actuator to an external control structure 4. The second portion 9 including a slidable pusher 6, the second portion 9 also including measurement structure 21. The first portion 8 includes a first antenna 14 connected to the connection structure 15, and the second portion 9 includes a second antenna 22 connected to the measurement structure 21, the two antennas 14, 22 being arranged to be electromagnetically coupled together when the first portion 8 and the second portion 9 are coupled together, so as to enable electrical signals to be transferred between the measurement structure 21 and the connection structure 15.