Modular Oxygen Support Grid for Aircraft Adaptability

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern aircraft emergency oxygen supply systems face challenges in designing and manufacturing support structures that can be easily adapted to varying geometries of different aircraft and emergency oxygen supply systems, leading to high costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A modular support framework comprising a combination of support bars of different lengths, T-connectors, and L-connectors that form a grid structure, allowing for easy assembly and configuration to accommodate various aircraft geometries and components, including oxygen sources, mask containers, and controllers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If custom support structures are designed for each aircraft type and emergency oxygen supply system configuration, then the support structure can be precisely adapted to specific geometries, but the manufacturing costs and design complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying geometriesVSAvoidsupport structure design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into modular components including support bars of different lengths, T-connectors, and L-connectors that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows the same component set to adapt to various aircraft geometries without requiring custom designs for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal set of support bars, connectors, and mounting brackets is designed to serve multiple functions across different aircraft types and emergency oxygen supply system configurations. The standardized interface and modular design enable the same components to be reused in various applications, reducing design complexity and manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If custom support structures are designed for each aircraft type, then the support structure can be optimized for specific geometries, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying geometriesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into modular components including support bars of different lengths, T-connectors, and L-connectors that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows the same component set to adapt to various aircraft geometries without requiring custom designs for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal set of support bars, connectors, and mounting brackets is designed to serve multiple functions across different aircraft types and emergency oxygen supply system configurations. The standardized interface and modular design enable the same components to be reused in various applications, reducing design complexity and manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If a standardized modular support framework is used, then manufacturing costs and design efforts are reduced, but the ability to precisely accommodate specific geometries may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidgeometric fit precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into modular components including support bars of different lengths, T-connectors, and L-connectors that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows the same component set to adapt to various aircraft geometries without requiring custom designs for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

While using standardized components, the design incorporates local adaptations through adjustable mounting brackets and selective component placement to achieve precise geometric fit in specific locations. The modular nature allows precision to be maintained where needed while using standard components elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20240417094A1Modular support framework for an aircraft emergency oxygen supply system, aircraft emergency oxygen supply system, and aircraft comprising an aircraft emergency oxygen supply system

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 BE AEROSPACE SYST GMBH

AI summary

A modular support framework for an aircraft emergency oxygen supply system, wherein the modular support framework comprises: a plurality of support bars of different lengths; and a plurality of T-connectors and a plurality of L-connectors, with each of the plurality of T-connectors coupling three of the plurality of support bars to each other and with each of the plurality of L-connectors coupling two of the plurality of support bars to each other. The plurality of support bars, the plurality of T-connectors, and the plurality of L-connectors form a support grid, defining a plurality of functional component field. In at least one of the plurality of functional component fields, a functional component support bracket is arranged, with the functional component support bracket being attached to at least one adjacent support bar of the support grid.