Cabin Supply Bracket Geometry for Lightweight Duct Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft environmental control system components face challenges in maintaining stability and minimizing weight while withstanding harsh environments, including varying temperatures, pressures, and vibrations, while ensuring ductwork is securely positioned to prevent leakage and efficiency loss.
Innovation Solution
A cabin supply bracket with a base plate featuring a triangular arrangement of mounting holes and a coupling socket that receives a tie rod, providing structural support for the cabin supply duct assembly, with specific geometric ratios optimizing the socket width to base plate thickness for enhanced stability and leakage prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the base plate thickness is increased to improve structural strength and stability, then the bracket can better withstand harsh environments and stresses, but the overall weight of the component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the ratio of socket width to base plate thickness within a specific range (6.31-7.84). This controlled parameter adjustment allows the design to achieve adequate structural strength while preventing excessive weight gain, as the thickness is increased only to the extent necessary to maintain the optimal ratio rather than being arbitrarily thickened.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating structural reinforcement only where needed - specifically in the base plate thickness and socket region - rather than uniformly thickening the entire bracket. This localized approach to strengthening minimizes overall weight while providing sufficient strength at the critical load-bearing coupling socket interface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bracket design is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity and cost, then production becomes easier, but the ability to secure the duct assembly firmly and prevent leakage may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the coupling socket structure into distinct functional zones - the base plate with mounting holes, the coupling socket itself with tie rod coupling supports, and the integrated tie rod. This segmented design allows each component to be manufactured using standard processes while the specific geometric ratios ensure reliable leakage prevention when assembled.
3Strength
If the bracket occupies more space to provide adequate strength and stability, then it can better handle stresses, but the available compact space in the aircraft ECS is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by optimizing the three-dimensional geometry of the coupling socket, specifically the ratio of socket width to base plate thickness. This dimensional optimization allows the bracket to achieve sufficient strength and stability without increasing overall volume, as the design efficiently utilizes the available spatial dimensions rather than simply increasing size in one direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A cabin supply bracket for a cabin supply duct assembly is provided. The cabin supply bracket includes a base plate with a first, second, and third mounting hole distributed in a substantially triangular arrangement. The first mounting hole has a centerline defined therethrough. A coupling socket extends from the base plate. The coupling socket includes a first and second tie rod coupling support having a tie rod coupling hole formed therethrough and a first and second outer edge. The first outer edge is proximate the second mounting hole, and the second outer edge is proximate the third mounting hole. The coupling socket has a socket width defined between a first socket edge proximate the first outer edge and a second socket edge proximate the second outer edge. A ratio of the socket width to a thickness of the base plate is between 6.31 and 7.84.