COTS Storage Damping Assembly for Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for connecting and fixing computer data storage devices to on-board computers in severe environments, such as those in aircraft, are either bulky or not easily transferable between different computer systems, making it difficult to use Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) storage devices in harsh environments while maintaining a compact and user-friendly design.
Innovation Solution
A fixing and connection assembly comprising an encapsulation structure and a host structure, where the encapsulation structure can receive a COTS storage device and be removably fixed within the host structure, allowing for easy insertion and extraction, and featuring a locking mechanism and damping system to ensure secure connection and operation in severe environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If storage devices are provided with mechanical protection to withstand severe environments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a standard COTS storage device and a separate receiving structure with damping elements. The storage device itself remains simple and unchanged, while the receiving structure provides the necessary protection and adaptation, allowing the storage device to be replaced independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving structure acts as an intermediary between the standard storage device and the severe operating environment. It includes damping elements that absorb mechanical shocks and vibrations, protecting the storage device without requiring modifications to the device itself.
2Reliability
If storage devices are provided with mechanical protection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the receiving structure and the storage device is designed to be dynamically changeable - firmly connected during operation to ensure reliability, but easily separable when extraction is needed. The receiving structure can be quickly removed from the housing to enable rapid storage device replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving structure is pre-configured with damping elements and connection mechanisms that automatically engage when the storage device is inserted, providing immediate protection and stable connection without requiring additional setup or complex operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard COTS storage devices are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to severe environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical damping for severe environments, serves as an adapter between standard storage devices and specialized housings, and enables both protected in-flight operation and unprotected ground-based portability. This universal design allows the same COTS storage device to operate in multiple environments.
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
Enables the use of COTS storage devices in severe environments while maintaining a compact and ergonomic design, allowing for quick and easy insertion and extraction, ensuring reliable connectivity and operation with both on-board and ground computers.
Implementation Method 1
a damping element arranged in the encapsulation structure and capable of dampening the vibrations of the storage device when the encapsulation structure is received in the host structure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly (10) for attaching a data storage device (12) to an on-board computer including an encapsulation structure (17), and a structure (18) for receiving the encapsulation structure (17) comprising a first connector matching a connector of the storage device and a second connector matching a connector of the on-board computer. The encapsulation structure (17) and the storage device (12) mounted therein are movable relative to the receiving structure (18) between an inserted configuration in which the encapsulation structure (17) and the storage device (12) are inserted into the receiving structure (18) and the connector of the storage device (12) is connected to the first connector, and a removed configuration in which the encapsulation structure (17) and the storage device (12) are removed from the receiving structure (18).