Evacuation Slide Integral Cable Channel Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft evacuation slides lack an efficient and integrated method for routing cables, which can lead to entanglement and hinder the proper functioning of readiness indicator signs during emergency deployments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an integral cable channel within the inflatable tubes of the evacuation slide, allowing the cable to be securely routed and preventing entanglement, while also enabling the use of a water-activated battery and light system for enhanced visibility in water landings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cables are routed through discrete readiness indicator tunnels attached to the longitudinal tubes, then the readiness indicator sign can be positioned and operated, but cable entanglement occurs and proper functioning is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness indicator sign functioningVSAvoidcable entanglement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cable routing function directly into the inflatable tube structure by forming the cable channel as an integral part of the tube during manufacturing. This eliminates the need for separate discrete tunnels and their associated attachment hardware, thereby preventing cable entanglement while ensuring reliable readiness indicator sign operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable tube is segmented to include a dedicated cable channel portion that is integrated into the tube wall structure. This segmentation allows the cable to be routed through a defined pathway within the tube itself, preventing entanglement with other components while maintaining the structural integrity of the inflatable tube.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-generated harmful factors

If an integral cable channel is incorporated within the inflatable tubes, then cable entanglement is prevented and component integration is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable entanglementVSAvoidintegral cable channel fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable channel is formed into the inflatable tube structure during the initial manufacturing process, before the tube is assembled into the evacuation slide. This preliminary action integrates the cable routing function into the tube itself, eliminating the need for separate cable routing components and their associated assembly steps, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the modified tube fabrication process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11345478B2Evacuation slide and method of forming evacuation slide having integral cable channel

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

An inflatable tube for an inflatable slide may comprise an interior surface extending from a first longitudinal end of the inflatable tube to a second longitudinal end of the inflatable tube opposite the first longitudinal end. An exterior surface is opposite the interior surface and may include a land portion located proximate the first longitudinal end. A channel portion may extend from the second longitudinal end. The channel portion may include an attachment portion located proximate a distal longitudinal end of the channel portion. The interior surface of the attachment portion may be configured to attach to the land portion of the exterior surface.