Modular Wiring Support for Aircraft Electrical Cabinets

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electrical cabinet wiring process is time-consuming and requires the presence of the cabinet, making it difficult to perform wiring operations efficiently, especially in aircraft where redundancy and safety protocols add complexity, and necessitates the availability of the furniture during assembly and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An electrical cabinet with a wiring support system featuring crossed support elements and fastening means that allows cable bundles to be assembled and connected independently of the cabinet, enabling wiring operations to be completed in a workshop without the cabinet, facilitating easier integration and maintenance by reducing the need for partial aircraft dismantling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cable harnesses are fixed by hand by operators to the front of the furniture according to cable trays, then wiring can be completed, but the wiring operation becomes very time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring operation speedVSAvoidtime required for wiring operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the wiring system into separate modular components: the furniture (cabinet structure) and the wiring support with cable trays are distinct elements that can be prepared independently. The wiring support is a separate assembly that attaches to the furniture, allowing parallel preparation of both components and eliminating sequential dependencies that cause time delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wiring support with cable trays can be pre-assembled and prepared in advance before the actual wiring operation begins. This preliminary preparation of the support structure allows operators to start wiring immediately when components are ready, rather than waiting for the furniture to be fully assembled and positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the cabinet is required to be present for wiring operations, then wiring can be performed, but the availability of the piece of furniture becomes a limiting factor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring operation flexibilityVSAvoidcabinet availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wiring support is separated from the furniture as an independent module. This segmentation allows the wiring support to be manufactured, tested, and prepared separately from the furniture, enabling flexible scheduling and eliminating the constraint that the furniture must be available for all wiring operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wiring support acts as an intermediary component between the furniture and the cable harnesses. It can be attached to the furniture at the appropriate time, serving as a bridge that allows wiring operations to proceed independently of furniture availability while still achieving the final integrated configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the piece of furniture is integrated into the aircraft structure, then mechanical strength is enhanced and weight is reduced, but maintenance requires partial dismantling of the aircraft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaircraft mechanical strengthVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The wiring support is designed as a separate removable module from the furniture. This segmentation allows the wiring support to be detached and serviced independently without requiring dismantling of the integrated furniture or aircraft structure, significantly simplifying maintenance operations while preserving the structural integration benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the wiring support and furniture is designed to be dynamic and reversible, allowing the wiring support to be easily attached and detached as needed. This dynamic connection enables maintenance personnel to access and service the wiring support without permanent structural modifications or extensive dismantling of the aircraft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1793659B1Electrical cabinet comprising a wiring bracket
Publication Date: 2010.01.06 LABINAL SA
  • EP1793659B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1793659B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1793659B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The cabinet has a wiring support (24) comprising crosspieces (38) and posts (40) on which bunched cables are assembled. The wiring support extends in a plane parallel to a face of a furniture (12) when it is fixed to a face of the furniture. Vertical bars (36a, 36b) of the support include a fixation unit for fixing the support to the furniture. Electrical cables are assembled to the support before fixation on the support. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a wiring support for an electrical cabinet (2) a wiring method for an electrical cabinet.