Aircraft Harnessing Simplification via Effector LRU Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of aircraft harnessing in multi-redundant control systems is increased by the crisscrossing of inter-channel signals, making it difficult to shield cable bundles and requiring numerous uniquely keyed connectors, which complicates the routing of signals between Line-Replaceable Units (LRUs).
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves routing inter-lane signals within a remote Effector LRU instead of within the harness itself, simplifying the aircraft harness scheme and reducing the number of uniquely keyed connectors by making LRU Lane IDs independent of wire harness connections, allowing for internal connections between all ports within the Effector LRU.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inter-channel signals are routed through the harness in a multi-redundant control system, then all control LRUs can communicate with each other, but the harness complexity significantly increases due to crisscrossing signals and numerous uniquely keyed connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The effector LRU acts as an intermediary device that receives inter-channel signals from control LRUs and internally routes them to the appropriate destinations. This mediator approach eliminates the need for complex crisscrossing wire harnesses between control LRUs, as all communication is funneled through the effector LRU's internal switching matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple communication functions into a single effector LRU unit. Instead of having separate dedicated connections between each pair of control LRUs, the effector LRU integrates all inter-channel routing functions, merging numerous potential signal paths into one centralized location with internal switching capability.
2Ease of operation
If numerous uniquely keyed connectors are used to route inter-lane signals, then proper signal routing between LRUs is achieved, but the harness becomes difficult to shield against electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating all inter-channel signal routing into the effector LRU's internal connections, the patent creates a single localized area for signal routing rather than distributed connections throughout the aircraft. This merging enables concentrated shielding around the effector LRU rather than requiring extensive shielding along multiple separate harness paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional harnessing scheme with multiple connectors is used, then all control LRUs can be connected, but the quantity of material and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The effector LRU serves as a central intermediary that consolidates all inter-channel connections. Instead of requiring separate wire harnesses and connectors between each control LRU pair, the system uses a single harness to each effector LRU, dramatically reducing the total quantity of wiring material and connectors needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and control system that implements a particular aircraft harnessing for an aircraft is provided. The control system includes an effector Line-Replaceable Unit (LRU) including a first connection port, a second connection port, and a first interconnect wire internally connecting the first connection port and the second connection port, a first control LRU connected using a first harnessing to the effector LRU, and a second control LRU connected using a second harnessing to the effector LRU, wherein the first control LRU and the second control LRU are configured to communicate using the first interconnect wire in the effector LRU.