Electromechanical Plug Fastener for Simultaneous Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug fasteners for airplane cabin components require excessive cable lengths, leading to unnecessary weight and complexity in assembly and disassembly, as they separate mechanical and electric connections sequentially, necessitating manual access for cable separation.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical plug fastener that integrates electric contacts within the fasteners, allowing simultaneous mechanical and electric connection/disconnection through a single step, eliminating the need for excessive cable lengths by establishing and separating connections between electric contacts and the fastening pin within the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mechanical and electric connections are used, then mechanical fastening is achieved, but excessive cable length is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical fastening function and electric connection function into a single integrated plug fastener component. The housing contains both the mechanical fastening elements (groove, slide, spring) and the electric contacts, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously by a single insertion action, thereby eliminating the need for separate cable connections and excessive cable length.
2Reliability
If separate mechanical and electric connections are used, then mechanical fastening is achieved, but assembly and disassembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mechanical fastening operation and electric connection operation into a single integrated action. The plug fastener is designed so that inserting the component simultaneously establishes both the mechanical connection (via groove and slide engagement) and the electric connection (via contact between electric contacts), eliminating the need for separate assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug fastener incorporates self-aligning and self-connecting features. The spring-loaded slide automatically engages with the groove, and the electric contacts automatically establish connection upon insertion, without requiring manual alignment or separate connection steps, thereby simplifying the overall assembly process.
3Reliability
If separate mechanical and electric connections are used, then mechanical fastening is achieved, but manual access for cable separation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical fastening function and electric connection function into a single integrated plug fastener component. The housing contains both the mechanical fastening elements (groove, slide, spring) and the electric contacts, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously by a single insertion action, thereby eliminating the need for separate cable connections and excessive cable length.
4Adaptability or versatility
If excessive cable length is used, then panel movement is enabled, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical fastening function and electric connection function into a single integrated plug fastener component. The housing contains both the mechanical fastening elements (groove, slide, spring) and the electric contacts, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously by a single insertion action, thereby eliminating the need for separate cable connections and excessive cable length.
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
This solution reduces cable length requirements, simplifies assembly and disassembly by eliminating the need for manual separation of electric connections, and prevents rattling noise through compression of the damper, ensuring secure and tool-free operations.
Implementation Method 1
a spring pre-stressed slide is supported, which can be displaced by inserting the mounting pin into an opening of the housing against the spring pretension and subsequently it can latch in the groove of the mounting pin due to the spring pretension
Implementation Method 2
an elastic, washer shaped damper for damping oscillations and for assembling the mounting pin, which is arranged on the mounting pin
Data Source
AI summary
A plug-type mount is provided for releasably holding an equipment part such as a panel or an interior trim part on a sub-frame such as a fuselage. The plug-type mount (5) includes a first holder (30) and a second holder (35) which can be fastened to one another with the aid of a holding pin (11) and a housing (20), in which the holding pin (11) can be releasably locked. The holders (30, 35) carry in each case at least one electrical contact (33, 34) and are configured in such a way that, in the case of the holding pin (11) being locked in the housing (20), the holders (30, 35) are fastened to one another and the electrical contacts (33, 34) are connected electrically. Excessive cable lengths can be avoided by the preferable use of the plug-type mount (5) in an airplane because the electrical connection is also produced and disconnected as the mechanical connection is produced and disconnected.