Aircraft Heated Floor Panel Connector for Modular Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heated floor panel systems in aircraft cabin areas, particularly in door and galley regions, have complex constructions that require replacement of the entire system when either the floor panel element or the connector device is defective, leading to inefficient maintenance and increased workloads.
Innovation Solution
The temperature sensor device is relocated to the connector device and connected to the floor panel element via a thermal conductor, allowing for independent use and replacement of the connector device without affecting the floor panel element, utilizing a plug-and-socket connection and thermally conductive materials for precise temperature detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the temperature sensor device is integrated inside the floor panel element with internal sensor wiring, then the temperature detection is direct and reliable, but the construction becomes complicated and the floor panel element cannot be used independently from the connector device
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: the floor panel element and the connector device are independent from each other. The temperature sensor device is relocated to the connector device, allowing the floor panel element to be used independently without internal wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal conductor element acts as an intermediary between the floor panel element and the temperature sensor device in the connector device. This thermal conductor transmits temperature information without requiring direct integration of the sensor inside the panel, maintaining detection reliability while simplifying the panel construction.
2Reliability
If the entire floor panel system must be replaced when either the floor panel element or connector device is defective, then system reliability is maintained, but maintenance time and workload increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The floor panel system is segmented into replaceable modules: the floor panel element and the connector device can be independently replaced. This modular design allows replacement of only the defective component rather than the entire system, reducing maintenance time while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector device is designed with a removable connection to the floor panel element, enabling dynamic reconfiguration and independent replacement of components during maintenance, rather than requiring fixed integration that would necessitate complete system replacement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the floor panel element and connector device are fixedly connected, then connection stability is ensured, but the ability to replace individual components independently is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the floor panel element and connector device is made dynamic through a removable plug-and-socket interface. This allows the connection to be stable during operation while enabling easy disconnection and independent replacement of components during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector device is designed with universal connection features (plug and socket interface) that provide both stable operational connection and easy removability for maintenance, serving multiple functions simultaneously.
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 simplifies the construction and maintenance of the floor panel system, enabling easier production and independent use of the floor panel element, reducing maintenance efforts by allowing individual components to be replaced without replacing the entire system.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature sensor device is located in the connector device and connected to the floor panel element via a thermal conductor element. In such a way, the temperature of the floor panel element can be detected without the temperature sensor device being located in the floor panel element, simply by the thermal conductor element conducting the heat of the floor panel element out to the temperature sensor device provided in the connector device.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A heated floor panel system (1) for an aircraft, said floor panel system (1) comprising a floor panel element (3) including a panel structure (11) and a panel heater device (13), a temperature sensor device (5) for detecting the temperature at the floor panel element (3), and a connector device (7) connected to the floor panel element (3), wherein the connector device (7) comprises a power link (23) for providing an electric power connection between the panel heater device (13) and an electric power supply (27), and a data link (25) for providing a data connection between the temperature sensor device (5) and a control unit (9). The object of the present invention, to provide a floor panel system (1) including a floor panel element (3) which has a possibly simple construction and which can be used independently from the connector device (7), is achieved in that the temperature sensor device (5) is located in the connector device (7) and connected to the floor panel element (3) via a thermal conductor element (29).