Motorized Cable Guiding Wheel for Aircraft Service Pit Unstowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of unstowing electrical power supply cables from underground service pits is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and poses a risk of injury due to the heavy and long nature of the cables.
Innovation Solution
A motorized cable guiding wheel system is installed at ground level above the service pit, which reduces the operator's pulling force by rotating the wheel to lift the cable out of the storage chamber, utilizing a friction material for enhanced grip and a compact brushless motor for reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual cable retrieval is used, then device complexity is reduced, but operator safety and ease of operation deteriorate due to heavy cable handling
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guiding wheel system automatically retrieves the cable when the aircraft moves forward, eliminating the need for manual cable handling. The wheel's rotation is driven by the cable tension itself, creating a self-service mechanism that improves ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized cable guiding wheel provides a counteracting force to the cable weight and tension, effectively balancing the heavy load that operators would otherwise have to manually handle. This resolves the contradiction by reducing operator effort while maintaining system simplicity
2Device complexity
If manual cable retrieval is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically retrieves the cable as the aircraft moves, converting the aircraft's own movement into the retrieval mechanism. This self-service approach dramatically increases productivity without requiring complex active retrieval systems, as the cable is pulled along passively with the aircraft's motion
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guiding wheel transitions from a static storage position to an active retrieval mechanism as the aircraft moves. The dynamic engagement of the wheel with the moving cable enables rapid deployment, improving productivity while keeping the system simple when not in use
3Device complexity
If manual cable retrieval is used, then device complexity is reduced, but operator safety deteriorates due to injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic cable retrieval system eliminates direct human contact with the heavy cable during deployment, removing the operator from the hazardous interaction between the cable and the retrieval mechanism. This self-service automation resolves the safety contradiction by keeping the system simple while eliminating injury risks
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guiding wheel acts as an intermediary between the heavy cable and the operator, absorbing the mechanical stress and preventing direct human contact with forces that could cause injury. This intermediary mechanism improves safety without requiring complex safety systems
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
The system significantly reduces the operator's load and time required to unstow cables, minimizes disruptions to existing infrastructure, and enhances safety with reduced maintenance needs, while being easily integratable into existing service pits.
Implementation Method 1
a friction material for enhanced grip
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device (500) for unstowing an electrical supply cable (540) from a storage chamber disposed within an underground service pit, the cable (540) being configured to electrically connect to an electrical power supply at a first end and to connect to an external power socket of an aircraft at a second end for supplying electrical power to the aircraft, the device comprising: cable guiding wheel (300) disposed at ground level above the underground service pit configured to receive the cable (540); and a motor (400) coupled to the cable guiding wheel (300) configured to drive the cable guiding wheel, wherein, upon activation, the motor (400) rotates the cable guiding wheel (300) to generate a pulling force on the cable (540) to at least partially lift the cable out of the storage chamber.