Vehicle Control Module Unit With Power Rails

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cabin service systems in vehicles, such as aircraft, are complex, heavy, costly, and require extensive electrical wiring, which complicates installation and maintenance due to their complexity and weight.

Innovation Solution

A control module unit communicatively coupled to a plurality of cabin services via power rails that provide both mechanical attachment and electrical power, simplifying control and reducing the need for extensive wiring through discrete control relays and communication ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cabin service systems use extensive electrical wiring to connect control modules to cabin services, then reliable control of cabin services is achieved, but the system weight increases substantially and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces extensive electrical wiring (mechanical/electrical system) with a wireless communication system. Control modules communicate with cabin services via wireless signals, eliminating the need for miles of physical wiring while maintaining control reliability. This substitution directly reduces system weight without sacrificing functional capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If conventional cabin service systems use extensive electrical wiring to ensure system connectivity, then control functionality is maintained, but the wiring complexity and installation labor increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electrical wiring installation with wireless communication protocols. Control modules and cabin services establish connections through wireless signals, eliminating tedious wiring tasks, reducing installation labor, and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining full control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control modules are designed with multi-functional capabilities, integrating wireless communication, processing, and control functions into single units. This universality reduces the number of separate components and connections needed, thereby simplifying installation and reducing wiring complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cabin service systems use extensive wiring to connect all components, then complete control coverage is achieved, but the occupied space and cost increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol coverageVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical wiring infrastructure with wireless communication channels. This substitution maintains complete control coverage across all cabin services while eliminating the space occupied by extensive wiring harnesses, conduits, and connection points, thereby reducing overall system volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10003829B2Control module unit for services systems for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A cabin service system may include a control module unit, a pair of power rails, the power rails being configured to provide mechanical attachment and electrical power to the control module unit, and a plurality of cabin services, wherein the control module is communicatively coupled to the plurality of cabin services to provide control of the plurality of cabin services. The control module unit may include a plurality of communication ports, and a plurality of relays coupled to at least one communication port of the plurality of communication ports, wherein each communication port of the plurality of communication ports corresponds to at least one cabin service of the plurality of cabin services, and wherein each relay of the plurality of relays provides discrete control of an associated cabin service of the plurality of cabin services.