Avionic Card Extraction Base With Controlled Support Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

In avionic equipment, there is a risk of incorrect electronic card extraction, which can damage components and lead to system malfunctions due to the lack of modular preparation and power supply cut-off during card removal.

Innovation Solution

A base with a rotating extraction lever that requires a support surface to function, ensuring the lever is inoperative without it, preventing erroneous extractions by making the extraction process dependent on the presence of a support surface, which is mechanically or electromagnetically controlled.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an extraction lever is provided to enable card removal, then card extractability is improved, but the risk of incorrect extraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecard extractabilityVSAvoidextraction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is positioned in advance to block the lever's rotation path. Before extraction can occur, the support element must be retracted, which only happens after system reconfiguration and power cut-off are completed. This preliminary blocking action prevents incorrect extractions while maintaining ease of operation when proper procedures are followed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support element acts as an intermediary between the lever and the card extraction process. It controls whether the lever can effectively transfer force to the card by being positioned to block or allow rotation. This intermediary mechanism ensures that extraction only occurs when system conditions are proper, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and extraction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the extraction lever is always active, then operation speed is improved, but system safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction speedVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is pre-positioned to block lever rotation, and its retraction is triggered only after system reconfiguration and power cut-off are completed. This ensures that the lever becomes active only when it is safe to extract, maintaining both extraction speed and safety by preventing harmful actions before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support element provides preliminary anti-action by blocking the lever's rotation path before extraction can occur. This blocking action prevents potential damage by stopping the extraction process before it starts, unless proper safety conditions have been met. The support element is retracted only when system conditions are safe, thus preventing harmful factors while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If a support element is added to control lever operation, then extraction safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction safetyVSAvoidbase structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element serves multiple functions: it blocks lever rotation to prevent incorrect extraction, provides a mechanical stop to control extraction force, and acts as a visual indicator of system state. By combining these functions into a single component, the design improves extraction safety while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The support element is designed to be automatically positioned by spring force and electromagnet interaction, requiring no manual operation. The electromagnet simply needs to be energized or de-energized based on system state, and the spring automatically positions the support element accordingly. This self-service mechanism improves safety while adding minimal complexity to the base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2361004B1Base for electronic card and associated extraction device
Publication Date: 2013.05.08 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • EP2361004B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2361004B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2361004B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Base (3) for an electronic card (1) having at least one groove (2) adapted to receive an electronic card with an extraction lever mounted to rotate relative thereto and adapted to pivot between a first position and a second position, the lever having a support end (12) adapted to bear against a support element (21, 31, 42) of the base 3 to extract the electronic card from the base when the lever moves from the first to the second position, characterized in that the support element (21, 31, 42) has a first state in which the extraction lever (10) does not bear against the support element (21, 31, 42) when moving from the first position to the second position, and a second state in which the lever bears against the element (21, 31, 42) when moving from the first to the second position,the rotation of the lever from the first position to the second position then causes an extraction movement of the card (1) by pressing the support end (12) of the lever (10) on the support element (21, 31, 42) along a support direction.