Reinforcing Piece Redirects Forces in Electronic Equipment Rack Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft electrical equipment racks face challenges in replacing heavy and bulky electrical harnesses with lighter and more compact printed circuits, as the mechanical loads from computers or the chassis can damage the fragile connectors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reinforcing part between the connector and the chassis to redirect mechanical forces away from the printed circuit, preventing damage and allowing for the use of printed circuits instead of electrical harnesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If electrical harnesses are replaced with printed circuits, then weight and volume are reduced, but mechanical fragility increases making the connectors susceptible to damage from mechanical loads
Solution Approach 1:
A reinforcing piece is introduced as an intermediary element between the connector and the chassis. This reinforcing piece absorbs and redistributes mechanical loads, preventing them from being transmitted directly to the printed circuit board connector. The mediator structure allows the system to benefit from the weight reduction of printed circuits while protecting against their mechanical fragility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical load path is segmented by introducing the reinforcing piece as a separate structural element. Instead of having the connector directly bear the mechanical loads from the chassis, the load path is divided into: chassis -> reinforcing piece -> connector. This segmentation protects the vulnerable connector while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If computers and chassis generate mechanical loads on connectors, then connectivity is maintained, but the printed circuits are likely to be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing piece is installed beforehand to provide protective cushioning for the connector. It creates a protective barrier that absorbs mechanical shocks and loads before they can reach the printed circuit board connector, preventing damage while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing piece acts as a mediator between the mechanical structures (chassis and computer) and the electrical connector. It allows mechanical loads to be transmitted through the structure without being transferred to the fragile printed circuit, thus protecting it from harmful mechanical factors while maintaining operational connectivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
- The electrical equipment frame (1) comprising at least one chassis (2) on which a computer (3) is intended to be installed and a printed circuit board (10) provided with at least one connector (11) fixed to the chassis (2), the computer (3) being intended to be connected to the connector (11) when installed on the chassis (2), the electrical equipment frame (1) also comprising at least one reinforcing piece (18) arranged, at least in part, between the connector (11) and the chassis (2), the reinforcing piece (18) being configured to redirect forces that the computer (3) exerts on the connector (11) so as not to transmit these forces to the printed circuit board (10), the electrical equipment frame (1) thus reinforced by the reinforcing piece (18) at the interface between the connector (11) and the computer (3) making it possible to prevent the printed circuit board (10) from being damaged.