Underfloor Raceway Layout for Smooth Aircraft Cabin Flooring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wiring run installations in aircraft cabins are complex, difficult to manage, and costly, with issues including bumps and discontinuities in the floor covering, excessive weight from secondary shielding, and ergonomic challenges during installation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a raceway assembly secured to a seat rail using a clip assembly, with a floor panel positioned overlying the raceway assembly, allows for efficient routing of wires, cables, and tubes along the cabin length while reducing installation complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wiring runs are installed above the floor with conduit and adhesive, then wires can be routed to individual seats, but bumps and discontinuities are created in the floor covering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the wire routing system from above the floor to below the floor level. The raceway is installed in the floor cavity space, allowing wires to be routed to individual seats while maintaining a smooth floor covering from the passenger perspective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the conduit and wire routing system from the visible floor area and relocates it to the hidden space below the floor. This eliminates the visual and physical disruption to the floor covering while preserving the wire routing functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If secondary shielding layers are installed to protect wiring runs, then wiring is protected from damage, but aircraft weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective function with the structural floor assembly itself. The raceway is integrated into the floor structure and protected by the floor panels and surrounding aircraft structure, eliminating the need for separate secondary shielding layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the floor structure itself as the protective element. The floor panels and surrounding aircraft structure that would normally just support passengers now also serve to protect the wiring runs, converting the floor's structural mass into a protective function without adding extra weight.
3Ease of operation
If raceway is installed with clip members engaging seat rail and floor panel, then wire runs are secured below floor, but floor panel removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the securing system into separate functional components: clip members that attach the raceway to the seat rail, and floor panels that provide access. The clip members are positioned to engage the seat rail independently, allowing the floor panel to be removed without disturbing the securement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the seat rail as an intermediary structural element between the clip members and the raceway. The clip members engage the seat rail, which then supports the raceway, allowing the floor panel to be removed without directly interfering with the securement mechanism.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If track cover panel is positioned in overlying relationship to raceway, then raceway is protected, but installation weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the floor panel serve multiple functions: it provides the structural floor surface for passengers, protects the raceway from above, and allows access for maintenance when removed. This eliminates the need for a separate track cover panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the protective cover function with the structural floor panel. The floor panel serves both as the walking surface and as the protective cover for the raceway, eliminating redundant components and reducing overall weight.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for securing a raceway assembly within an aircraft, which includes a clip assembly associated with the raceway assembly, which secures the raceway assembly to a seat rail. The apparatus further includes a floor panel positioned in overlying relationship to the raceway assembly and the clip assembly.