Folding Wingtip Harness Guide With Helical Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of routing electrical wiring harnesses in movable wing tip devices of aircraft is exacerbated by harsh environmental conditions, movement, and limited space, particularly due to the need for a wiring harness that can accommodate changes in tension and maintain connectivity while minimizing interference and damage.
Innovation Solution
A wing assembly with a harness guide featuring a helical channel to guide the wiring harness between the fixed wing and the moveable wing tip device, which can be coaxial or offset from the joint, made of resilient materials like engineering plastic or metal, and equipped with retaining elements to secure the wiring within the channel, ensuring flexibility and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiring harness is routed through a movable joint in a folding wing tip, then power and data can be transferred to the wing tip device, but the wiring harness is exposed to harsh environmental conditions, movement, and changes in tensional loads that can cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
A harness guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the fixed wing and the movable wing tip device. This harness guide provides a protected pathway through the joint, shielding the wiring harness from direct exposure to harsh environmental conditions and mechanical stresses while still allowing electrical power and data to be transferred to the movable wing tip device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If slack is incorporated in the wiring harness to accommodate movement, then the wiring can handle tension changes, but the available volume within the aircraft structure towards the wing tip is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The harness guide features a curved or helical pathway that allows the wiring harness to bend and flex in a controlled manner. This curved configuration enables the wiring to accommodate the movement and tension changes of the folding wing tip device while maintaining a compact form factor that fits within the limited volume available in the wing structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the harness guide is positioned coaxial with the joint, then all rotation occurs about the joint reducing interference, but the harness guide must be located at the joint where space is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The harness guide is designed to extend along the longitudinal axis of the wing, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to position the guide away from the joint area. This dimensional arrangement allows the harness guide to maintain coaxial alignment with the joint for stable rotation while being installed in a location with greater availability of space along the wing's length.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a wing assembly for an aircraft. The wing assembly comprises a fixed wing, a wing tip device, a wiring harness and a harness guide. The wing tip device is moveably mounted at a joint at an end of the fixed wing. The wing tip device is moveable about the joint between: (i) a flight configuration for use during flight, and (ii) a ground configuration for use during ground-based operations, in which ground configuration the wing tip device is moved relative to the fixed wing such that the span of the wing is reduced. The wiring harness extends between the fixed wing and the wing tip device. The wiring harness comprises a plurality of conductors and is arranged to transmit electrical power and/or data to the wing tip device. The harness guide is located between the fixed wing and the wing tip device. The harness guide comprises a helical channel configured to receive the wiring harness and guide the wiring harness between the fixed wing and the wing tip device.