Integrated Insulating Panel with Air Ducts and Cable Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for installing equipment and fittings in means of transport, such as aircraft, require significant modification effort and lead time due to individual adaptations, leading to heat losses, incorrect cutouts, and vulnerability of air-conditioning ducts, with wiring cables having freely suspended sections and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A detachable panel with a plate-like insulating body featuring integrated air-conditioning ducts and cable conduits, eliminating the need for separate holders and cutouts, and allowing predefined routing of wiring cables, which reduces installation complexity and enhances insulation and structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If holders are initially fastened on the primary structure and insulating mats are fastened with cutouts for holders, then wiring cables can be installed, but substantial modification effort is required and construction leadtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the insulating mat and cable conduit into a single integrated panel assembly. The cable conduits are directly formed in the insulating mat, eliminating the need for separate holders and multiple installation steps. This merging of components reduces modification effort and shortens construction leadtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable conduits are pre-formed in the insulating mat during manufacturing, before installation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site modification and holder installation, allowing wiring cables to be directly routed through the pre-formed conduits during a quicker installation process.
2Ease of operation
If holders are spaced apart for wiring cables, then cable routing is possible, but wiring cables have freely suspended sections that are vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing function is merged into the insulating mat itself through integrally formed cable conduits. This eliminates the need for separate holders and provides continuous protection for wiring cables along their entire routing path, preventing freely suspended sections and reducing damage risk.
3Ease of operation
If cutouts are produced in insulating mats for holders, then cable installation is enabled, but heat losses occur and insulating effect deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing function is integrated into the insulating mat through formed conduits rather than requiring cutouts. This maintains the continuous insulating material around cable pathways, eliminating heat loss gaps while still enabling cable installation through the pre-formed conduits.
4Ease of operation
If air-conditioning ducts are fastened separately to the primary structure, then air-conditioning installation is possible, but ducts are vulnerable to strain whitening under compressive loads
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioning ducts are integrated with the insulating panel as a unified assembly. The insulating panel provides structural support and protection for the ducts, distributing and reducing compressive loads. This merging prevents strain whitening while maintaining installation flexibility.
5Ease of repair
If interior lining is damaged, then replacement is needed, but entire side panel must be exchanged in prior art
Solution Approach 1:
The design separates the interior lining from the insulating panel with integrated cable conduits and air-conditioning ducts. This segmentation allows the interior lining to be replaced independently without affecting the structural insulating panel, unlike prior art where the entire side panel must be exchanged.
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
Simplifies equipment installation, reduces installation time, improves insulation, and minimizes damage risks to air-conditioning ducts and wiring cables, while enabling quick responses to customer requirements and reducing aircraft weight.
Implementation Method 1
a plate-like insulating body (6) that features at least one integrated air-conditioning duct (18, 20)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention discloses a panel for being detachably arranged between a skin of a means of transport such as, e.g., an aircraft, a motor coach, a railway car or a ship cabin and an interior lining of the means of transport, wherein said panel has a plate-like insulating body that features at least one integrated air-conditioning duct and at least one groove-like cable conduit that is at least sectionally open toward the inner surface, a method for manufacturing a panel of this type, as well as an aircraft with a plurality of such panels.