Decentralized Aircraft Braking System Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The centralized architecture of aircraft braking systems is bulky, heavy, and costly due to the extensive use of electrical wires for power and communication, which increases mass and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized braking system architecture where each electromechanical actuator integrates an electric motor, power module, and digital communication module, forming a digital network that reduces the number of wires needed, allowing power modules to generate supply currents locally and eliminating the need for common mode current filtering circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized architecture is used with extensive electrical wires for power and communication, then system control and monitoring are simplified, but the mass, size, and complexity of the braking system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized braking system into decentralized modular units, with each actuator becoming an independent functional module containing its own power module and digital communication module. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive centralized wiring while maintaining system functionality through distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-wire power distribution system to a digital communication dimension, where control and status information are exchanged through digital networks rather than extensive analog wiring. This dimensional shift in communication methodology reduces physical wire requirements while enhancing system intelligence.
2Quantity of substance
If power modules are integrated into each actuator to generate supply currents locally, then the number of electrical wires is reduced, but the device complexity at the actuator level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power module, digital communication module, and actuator into a single integrated unit. This combination consolidates multiple functions within one component, reducing the overall number of separate parts and connections while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated actuator module serves multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical actuation, local power generation for supply currents, digital communication, and control signal processing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing wire count and overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If a digital network is implemented to interconnect actuators, then communication efficiency improves, but the initial system setup and integration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog electrical communication systems with a digital network infrastructure. This substitution enables more efficient data transmission and processing while reducing the physical infrastructure required, as digital signals can carry multiple types of information (control, status, diagnostics) over fewer physical connections.
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 design reduces the mass, size, and complexity of the braking system, enhances flexibility, and lowers costs by minimizing the number of electrical wires and eliminating unnecessary components, while maintaining system reliability through redundant control units.
Implementation Method 1
a power module for generating a supply current for the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
transformation by the electric motor of the electric energy into mechanical energy which drives the actuation member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
Aircraft braking system architecture comprising: - a brake (20) having a plurality of electromechanical actuators (25), each electromechanical actuator (25) having a power module and a digital communication module (26), the digital communication modules of the brake being interconnected to form a digital network (30); - two control units (22a, 22b) adapted to generate digital control signals for the electric motors; - a network interconnection element (23) connected to the two control units and integrated into the digital network to distribute the digital control signals to the digital communication modules via the digital network.