FPCB Harness Clip With Wedge Teeth For Gas Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wiring harnesses in gas turbine engines are bulky, heavy, and difficult to manipulate due to their insulation and connector systems, making them unsuitable for weight and size reduction in aircraft applications, and existing clips are not suitable for attaching flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) harnesses without causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A clip design with wedge-shaped teeth and a compliant jaw structure that allows easy insertion and secure holding of FPCB harnesses, featuring a support structure for stability and a material selection for minimal damage, enabling efficient attachment and retention of FPCB harnesses in a compact and lightweight manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional wiring harnesses are used, then electrical connections can be established, but the harness becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical wiring harnesses with flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) technology. The FPCB integrates conductive traces directly into a flexible substrate, eliminating the need for separate insulated wires, connectors, and assembly processes. This substitution reduces both weight and structural complexity while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate wiring functions into a single integrated FPCB structure. Conductive traces, insulation, and connector interfaces are combined into one flexible circuit board, eliminating the need for separate wire bundles and reducing overall harness complexity and weight.
2Ease of operation
If conventional clips are used to attach FPCB harnesses, then attachment can be achieved, but the FPCB harness may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating teeth with varying geometries along the clip structure. The teeth have optimized dimensions and spacing specifically suited for gripping FPCB edges without excessive force concentration. This localized optimization ensures secure attachment while preventing damage to the delicate FPCB material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the clip teeth (size, shape, spacing) to match the specific dimensions and mechanical properties of FPCB harnesses. This parameter optimization allows the clip to apply sufficient holding force while staying below the damage threshold of the flexible circuit board material.
3Weight of moving object
If FPCB harnesses are used, then size and weight are reduced, but existing clips are not suitable for attachment
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adapting the FPCB harness to fit existing clips, the patent inverts the approach by designing a new clip specifically tailored to the FPCB harness geometry. The clip structure is optimized for the thin, flexible profile of FPCB, with teeth configured to grip the edges effectively, rather than trying to make FPCB compatible with conventional wire-harness clips.
4Ease of operation
If force is applied to insert FPCB harness into clip, then attachment is achieved, but excessive force may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic characteristics into the clip teeth, allowing them to flex and deform during the insertion process. The teeth can elastically deform to accommodate the FPCB harness as it is inserted, then return to their original position to provide secure retention. This dynamic behavior reduces insertion force requirements while maintaining reliable attachment.
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
The clip design effectively reduces the force required for insertion while ensuring secure retention of FPCB harnesses, minimizing the risk of damage and providing a compact, lightweight solution for attaching electrical signals and power transmission lines in gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
The jaw 220 is constructed from an elastic material and comprises an upper set of teeth 230 and a lower set of teeth 240
Data Source
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AI summary
A gas turbine engine installation is provided that has a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) harness to transfer electrical signals, including electrical power, around a gas turbine engine. The FPCB harness is held to the gas turbine engine installation using clips. The clips have a jaw that has two sets of opposing teeth extending from a base, and a mouth through which the FPCB harness is inserted. The teeth point in a direction that has a component from the mouth to the teeth. This means that the force required to insert the FPCB harness into the clip is lower than the force required to pull the FPCB harness out of the clip in the opposite direction. This means that the FPCB harness can be secured in place whilst aiding ease of assembly.