CABLE ROUTING IN AIRCRAFT

Abstract

An aircraft configurator for calculating locations of consumers and routes along which consumers are to be connected to corresponding suppliers of the aircraft. A computing unit can calculate different connection routes and select the connection route where a key performance indicator is optimal and takes into account additional installations that influence the route. Through this it possible to increase the efficiency in the production of the aircraft and the efficiency in the operation of the aircraft.

Claims

1. An aircraft configurator for calculating installation locations of consumers and routes along which consumers are to be connected to corresponding suppliers, comprising: a data storage storing information about the geometry of the aircraft and consumers and suppliers installable therein; an input unit adapted to input the installation locations and the type of consumers to be installed; and a computing unit adapted to identify a supplier to which the corresponding consumer is to be connected and to calculate alternative routes along which the consumer is connectable to the utility; wherein the computing unit is further adapted to identify the calculated route in which a key performance indicator or a sum of a plurality of differently weighted key performance indicators of the aircraft is optimized and wherein the identified calculated route takes into account additional installations in the aircraft influencing the route.

2. The aircraft configurator according to claim 1, wherein the key performance indicator is the weight of the aircraft, the distance of the center of gravity of the aircraft from a desired position of a center of gravity, or the installation time required to install the consumer and establish the connection between the consumer and the supplier.

3. The aircraft configurator according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is adapted to input the key performance indicator.

4. The aircraft configurator according to claim 1, wherein the computing unit is adapted to change the installation location of a consumer to be installed to optimize the at least one key performance indicator.

5. The aircraft configurator according to claim 1, wherein the computing unit is adapted to identify consumers whose locations are not to be changed.

6. The aircraft configurator according to claim 1, wherein the consumers are toilets, sinks, vents, lights, speakers, displays, kitchen appliances, seat supplies, communication systems such as on-board telephones, cabin crew displays, and service counters.

7. The aircraft configurator according to claim 1, wherein the computing unit is adapted to create a schedule of installation for the consumers, and further comprising an output unit for outputting the installation plan.

8. A method for calculating the locations of consumers in an aircraft and routes along which consumers are to be connected to corresponding suppliers, comprising the steps of: storing information about geometry of the aircraft and consumers and suppliers installable therein, as well as additional installations affecting a route; entering the installation locations and the type of consumers to be installed; identifying a supplier to which the corresponding consumer is to be connected; calculating various alternative routes along which the consumer is connectable to the utility; and identifying the calculated route in which a key performance indicator or a sum of a plurality of differently weighted key performance indicators of the aircraft is optimal and which additional installations in the aircraft affecting the route are considered.

9. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed on an computing unit of an aircraft configurator, instructs the computing unit to perform a method comprising the steps of: retrieving information about geometry of the aircraft and consumers and suppliers installable therein, as well as additional installations affecting a route; accepting the installation locations and the type of consumers to be installed; identifying a supplier to which the corresponding consumer is to be connected; calculating various alternative routes along which the consumer is connectable to the utility; and identifying the calculated route in which a key performance indicator or a sum of a plurality of differently weighted key performance indicators of the aircraft is minimal and wherein the identified calculated route takes into account additional installations in the aircraft influencing the route.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] A more complete understanding of the subject matter may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the figures.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows an aircraft configurator according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the description of a route element using description logic.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows alternative cable routes according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows frames of an aircraft.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the fuselage of an aircraft, divided into different areas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or the application and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an aircraft configurator according to an embodiment of the invention. The aircraft configurator is used to calculate locations of installation of electrical or other consumers in an aircraft, and routes along which consumers are to be connected to corresponding suppliers in the aircraft.

[0035] The aircraft configurator comprises a computing unit 101 adapted to identify a utility to which one or more corresponding consumers are to be connected and to calculate alternative routes along which consumers are connectable to the utility. For this purpose, the computing unit requires comprehensive data, which are stored in the data storage 103, and which in particular include information about the geometry of the aircraft and about consumers and suppliers which are installable in the aircraft.

[0036] In addition, the computing unit 101 is connected to an input unit 102, which is adapted for inputting the installation locations and the type of consumers to be installed.

[0037] Furthermore, an output unit 104, for example in the form of a printer or a display, is provided, via which the installation and connection diagram generated by the computing unit 101 may be output. The output may be in the form of a PD (Principle Diagram) of an FD (Functional Diagram) or a WD (Wire Diagram).

[0038] In order to be able to calculate the position of the installation locations of the consumers and suppliers as well as the routes of the connections between those two groups, the computing unit may, for example, use a three-dimensional grid which maps the geometry of the aircraft and its installations. Starting from this three-dimensional grid, the computing unit may now position a specific consumer at a certain point and then calculate possible cable and/or cable routes from the consumer to the corresponding supplier.

[0039] This process may then be carried out for all consumers and suppliers. It may be provided that the user himself determines the position of one, several, or all consumers. In any case, the computing unit may be programmed to change the position of one, or more, or all consumers (unless the user has prohibited this for one or more consumers), followed by a re-calculation of the corresponding cable routes.

[0040] Now the computing unit may compare whether the new positions and cable routes are more beneficial than the previous ones. If this is the case, for example, certain positions can be defined as fixed and other positions or cable routes may be varied again to achieve an even better result. This iterative process may be performed until a selected key performance indicator or function of multiple key performance indicators (for example, this may be a sum of different key performance indicators that are weighted equally or differently) are optimized to an acceptable, predetermined magnitude.

[0041] Both, the consumers and suppliers to be installed in the aircraft, as well as the further installations to be installed therein, as well as the cables and lines that can be used, may be defined by way of description logic. An example of this is shown in FIG. 2, in which a position indicator r2, c2 is shown, which is described with logical statements in the form of description logic. Thus, the position indicator 201 may be arranged to the right of the installation (see arrow 203), to the left of an installation (see arrow 202), over the installation (see arrow 205) or under the installation (see arrow 204).

[0042] A fundamental consideration is that the aircraft or at least a certain area of the aircraft, for example the fuselage or the passenger cabin, is subdivided into conceptional areas of space. Those spatial regions may be predetermined, for example, by the frame regions in the x-direction (see FIG. 5). These different regions may also be split further in the y-z plane (see FIG. 6, which shows a cross section of the fuselage). The x-axis extends in the direction of flight, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, the z-axis is the vertical axis and the y-axis is the transverse axis.

[0043] After the division of the available space into sub-areas and rasterizing the room, which defines the installability of the consumers (each taking into account already existing structural components, such as frames and stringers, as well as the configuration of the cabin) the selection of consumers to be installed takes place. This is followed by fixing the installation locations of the consumers.

[0044] After performing these steps, the aircraft configuration is optimized taking into account one or more key performance indicators (e.g. total weight, installation time, usability of standard cables, center of gravity).

[0045] As a result, the computing unit outputs, for example, an installation plan for the consumers indicating the position and type of consumers as well as the corresponding line and/or cable routes. The use of description logic describes the functional, possible links between consumers, cables and wires, suppliers, and other components of the aircraft.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a possible result of the method described above. Locations 301 and 302 indicate the positions of a consumer and a supplier to be connected to each other. The direct route leads diagonally through the aircraft cabin (see 303). Alternative routes are designated by lines 304, 305, 306. Route 306 takes into account geometric factors such as the shape of the fuselage, the shape and position of structural components such as frames and stringers, and brackets attached thereto.

[0047] The aircraft configurator compares the various alternative line and cable routes 303 to 306 and identifies the route for which a selected key performance indicator or, for example, a sum of weighted selected key performance indicators is most optimized (e.g., lowest). This route will then be chosen for the creation of the aircraft.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] In step 401, information about the geometry of the aircraft and about installable consumers and suppliers from a database is retrieved by a computing unit. In step 402, the computing unit receives installation locations and type of consumers to be installed from a user, and in step 403, the computing unit identifies a particular supplier to which a corresponding consumer is to be connected. In step 404, various alternative routes along which the consumer is connectable to the provider are calculated, and in step 405, those of the calculated routes are identified in which a key performance indicator or a sum of several key performance indicators of the aircraft is minimal. In step 406, a corresponding, finished installation plan is output.

[0050] In addition, it should be noted that comprising and having does not exclude other elements or steps, and a or an does not exclude a plurality. It should also be appreciated that features or steps described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

[0051] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by the claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.