Intelligent Plug Map System for Aircraft Wiring Maintenance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In complex electrical systems, such as aircraft wiring, maintaining accurate plug maps and linking them to associated wiring information is tedious and error-prone, especially with large numbers of contacts, and existing systems lack automated tools for generating intelligent diagrams that integrate plug maps with other graphic and tabular data.

Innovation Solution

The Intelligent Graphics Plug Map System automatically recognizes plug maps, generates intelligent diagrams, and links them to relevant wiring information, using an Intelligent Plug Map Recognizer, HTML Generator, and CGM4 File Builder to create interactive and synchronized views, enabling efficient navigation and analysis of electrical systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plug maps and wiring information are maintained manually, then flexibility and adaptability are preserved, but accuracy deteriorates and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of plug map dataVSAvoidtime to maintain plug maps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-updating of plug maps by extracting information directly from 3D CAD models. The plug map generator automatically creates and maintains plug map data structures without manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in maintaining accuracy while reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If existing automated plug map generation systems are used, then productivity is improved, but intelligence and automatic linking capability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of plug map generationVSAvoidautomatic linking to wiring information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges previously separate functions into a unified intelligent plug map generator that simultaneously performs plug map creation and automatic linking to wiring information. By combining the plug map generator with access to the 3D CAD model database and wiring data, the system achieves both high productivity and full automation of information linking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If manual linking of plug maps to wiring information is performed, then adaptability is maintained, but error rate increases and cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of data linkingVSAvoidcost and effort to create plug maps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the manual mechanical process of linking plug maps to wiring information with an automated computational system. The intelligent plug map generator automatically establishes links by querying the 3D CAD model database and matching geometric and topological features, eliminating manual errors and reducing costs while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of information

If comprehensive wiring information is integrated into plug maps, then information completeness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of wiring informationVSAvoidcomplexity of plug map system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the comprehensive wiring information into hierarchical levels of detail, allowing users to access complete information when needed while presenting simplified views during normal operation. The intelligent plug map generator organizes data from the 3D CAD model into structured segments that can be dynamically expanded or collapsed based on user needs, managing complexity while preserving information completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8381164B2Method and system of intelligent interactive graphics electrical plug map to analyze text and distances between electrical contacts and physical layout file builder

Publication Date: 2013.02.19 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

The Intelligent Graphics Plug Map System automatically converts plug maps into Intelligent Graphics with intelligent behaviors. The electronic trouble shooting system enables users to easily navigate large quantities of interrelated data and accurately analyze how each plug is used. The system automatically integrates additional information such as the function of each contact, what signals are connected to the contact, and what tools and processes are required to repair or test electrical circuitry. The system provides an Intelligent Plug Map Recognizer that associates a correct contact label for each contact associated with a plug map file defining a plug map; an HTML Generator that generates an HTML file for the plug map; a CGM4 File Builder that generates an intelligent plug map file from the plug map file; and a technical data system application that synchronizes plug map views when a contact associated with the plug map is identified.