Aircraft Wingtip Harness Guide With Helical Routing at the Fold Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of routing electrical wiring harnesses in movable wing tip devices of aircraft is exacerbated by harsh environmental conditions, movement, and limited space, particularly due to the need for a wiring harness that can accommodate changes in tension and volume constraints.
Innovation Solution
A wing assembly with a harness guide featuring a helical channel to guide the wiring harness between a fixed wing and a moveable wing tip device, which can be coaxial or offset from the joint, made of resilient materials like engineering plastic or metal, and equipped with retaining elements to secure the wiring, allowing for rotation and space-efficient installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wiring harness is made flexible to accommodate movement and tension changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased exposure to environmental damage and wear
Solution Approach 1:
A harness guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the fixed wing and the movable wing tip device. This harness guide provides a stable, guided path for the wiring harness, reducing direct exposure to harsh environmental conditions and movement stresses while still allowing necessary motion. The harness guide acts as a mediator that protects the wiring harness from damage while maintaining electrical connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wiring harness is routed through the joint to accommodate movement, then the adaptability is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to exposure to environmental conditions and tensional loads
Solution Approach 1:
The harness guide serves as a protective intermediary that routes the wiring harness through a controlled path. This guide structure shields the wiring harness from direct exposure to harmful environmental factors such as moisture, temperature extremes, and mechanical stress, while still permitting the necessary relative movement between the fixed wing and wing tip device.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness guide may incorporate flexible protective coverings or channels that allow the wiring harness to move smoothly while maintaining protection. This flexible shielding approach enables the wiring harness to accommodate joint movement without direct exposure to harsh conditions, reducing wear and environmental damage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the harness guide is positioned coaxial with the joint to reduce interference, then the harmful factors are reduced, but the volume available for installation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The harness guide is designed to utilize the radial dimension around the joint axis rather than occupying space along the axis itself. By positioning the harness guide in a circumferential arrangement around the joint, the design reduces interference between wing parts while maintaining adequate installation volume through three-dimensional space optimization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the wiring harness incorporates slack to accommodate movement, then the adaptability is improved, but the volume required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harness guide acts as a mediator that manages the wiring harness routing efficiently. By providing a guided path with appropriate geometry, the harness guide allows the wiring harness to accommodate movement and tension changes without requiring excessive slack, thereby reducing the overall volume required while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness guide may incorporate curved or helical pathways that allow the wiring harness to flex and accommodate movement in a compact manner. This curved routing approach enables the wiring harness to absorb movement and tension changes without requiring large amounts of slack space, optimizing volume utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a wing assembly for an aircraft. The wing assembly comprises a fixed wing, a wing tip device, a wiring harness and a harness guide. The wing tip device is moveably mounted at a joint at an end of the fixed wing. The wing tip device is moveable about the joint between: (i) a flight configuration for use during flight, and (ii) a ground configuration for use during ground-based operations, in which ground configuration the wing tip device is moved relative to the fixed wing such that the span of the wing is reduced. The wiring harness extends between the fixed wing and the wing tip device. The wiring harness comprises a plurality of conductors and is arranged to transmit electrical power and/or data to the wing tip device. The harness guide is located between the fixed wing and the wing tip device. The harness guide comprises a helical channel configured to receive the wiring harness and guide the wiring harness between the fixed wing and the wing tip device.