Translating Equipment Rack for External Aircraft Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic equipment racks in aircraft require significant space for maintenance access and are cumbersome, limiting the use of aircraft volume for cargo and passengers, and often position personnel in ergonomically unfavorable positions during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A translating equipment rack system with a mounting frame, translation mechanism, and flexible attachment cables that allows the rack to move from an interior compartment to an exterior area for access, reducing the need for internal space and improving ergonomics by enabling external maintenance without entering the compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If equipment racks are placed within the electronic equipment bay with aisles for personnel access, then maintenance personnel can access the equipment, but the space required for aisles and rack installation reduces the volume available for cargo and passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment rack is extracted from the interior electronic equipment bay and positioned in an exterior mounting frame. The rack can be translated between the interior compartment and exterior positions, allowing maintenance personnel to access equipment from outside the aircraft without requiring internal aisles, thereby preserving aircraft volume for cargo and passengers.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment rack system incorporates a translation mechanism that enables the rack to dynamically change position between interior and exterior locations. This dynamic positioning allows the rack to be moved to exterior areas for maintenance access while minimizing the space occupied within the aircraft during operation.
2Productivity
If equipment racks are installed in compact configurations to maximize space, then more equipment can be accommodated, but maintenance personnel must work in ergonomically unfavorable positions
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment rack is extracted from the constrained interior environment and positioned in an exterior mounting frame where maintenance personnel can access equipment from outside the aircraft. This extraction allows compact interior packaging while providing ergonomic exterior access positions for maintenance activities.
3Ease of operation
If aisles are provided between equipment racks for personnel movement, then maintenance personnel can move throughout the electronic equipment bay, but the space required for aisles reduces the volume for other purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment rack is extracted from the interior electronic equipment bay and repositioned in an exterior mounting frame. This extraction eliminates the need for internal aisles between racks, as maintenance personnel can access the rack from outside the aircraft, thereby maximizing the electronic equipment bay area for other purposes.
4Ease of operation
If equipment racks are positioned to allow access through hatches in the flight deck or cabin, then ground crew personnel can access the equipment, but the racks require space for installation and removal without disturbing other equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment rack system is segmented into a separate exterior mounting frame that is independently installable and removable. This segmentation allows the rack to be installed or removed from the exterior without disturbing equipment mounted within the interior electronic equipment bay, simplifying the installation process while maintaining exterior access capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for an accessible equipment rack system. A mounting frame having a set of transport elements and a translation mechanism is connected to a translating equipment rack. The translation mechanism moves the translating equipment rack to enable access to said translating equipment rack from an exterior area.