Aircraft Cable Raceway Guide Layout for Variable Seat Pitch
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cable installation processes for aircraft cabins are costly and time-consuming due to the need for various cable lengths and configurations to accommodate different seating arrangements, leading to extended downtime and inventory management challenges during reconfigurations.
Innovation Solution
A raceway assembly with an elongate base and guides that can bend the cable path to adjust its length, allowing a single set of parts to accommodate different seat pitches by selectively bending the cable along the base, reducing the need for multiple components and simplifying installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cables of various lengths and configurations are used to accommodate different seating configurations, then the cable installation can meet different seat pitch requirements, but the inventory management complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single standard-length cable that can serve multiple seat pitch configurations through the raceway guide system. The cable is not dedicated to a specific configuration but can be routed differently to accommodate various seat arrangements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized cables and reducing inventory complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cable path adjustable rather than fixed. The raceway guides allow the cable to be dynamically routed along different paths to reach seats at various distances and positions. This dynamic routing capability replaces the need for static, pre-configured cables of different lengths.
2Manufacturing precision
If cables are customized for specific seat pitches, then the installation precision is improved, but the installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing the raceway guides with predetermined routing paths during aircraft manufacturing. This allows installers to simply route the cable through the pre-positioned guides rather than measuring and customizing cable paths during seat reconfiguration, significantly speeding up installation while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cable routing path into discrete segments defined by the raceway guides. Each guide creates a specific routing segment, and the combination of segments achieves the precise cable length and angle needed for different seat pitches without requiring custom cable fabrication.
3Device complexity
If a single standard-length cable is used for all seat pitches, then the inventory complexity is reduced, but the cable may be too long for shorter seat pitches without bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by utilizing the vertical and lateral dimensions through the raceway guides. Instead of varying cable length in one dimension, the system uses guides that route the cable through three-dimensional space, creating effective length variations by changing the cable's spatial path rather than its physical length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature by using raceway guides that bend the cable path into curved or angled routes. The guides create bends and curves in the cable routing, effectively shortening the cable's projected length between seats while maintaining connection, allowing a single standard cable to serve multiple seat pitch configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
A raceway is provided for containing a cable of an aircraft. The raceway includes an elongate base extending a length between end portions and extending a width between sides. The base is configured to be mounted to a structure of the aircraft. The base includes a guide that extends outwardly from a face of the base. The guide is arranged along the length and width of the base such that the guide is configured to bend a path of the cable along the length of the base.