Abstract:
A plural level system to achieve simplicity in wire routing. The system involves the assigning of wire separation categories for panel connections and incorporates one or more separation dedicated connectors for each category and connects these via integration wire bundles and proper terminals of integration disconnects on the opposite end of the system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of prior copending application Ser. No. 09/010,392, filed Jan. 21, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/721,415, filed Sep. 26, 1996, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/392,643, filed Feb. 21, 1995, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/205,907, filed Mar. 2, 1994, abandoned. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to wiring installations and more particularly to wiring installations in aircraft electronics bays, main instrument panels or overhead panels which require extremely complex wiring of multiple systems.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    In the patent literature U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,215 to Hargrave, et al. shows a telephone line access system for main distribution frame that employs access blocks comprising sockets and pins for coupling two rows of lightning protectors. One or more integrated circuit modules are attached to each access block and these may be readily affixed to and disconnected from a main distribution frame.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,261 to Scerbo et al. shows a method for optimizing cable routing in the distribution panels for an office environment. Means are described for minimizing crossovers and cable lengths. Optimization is based on crossovers and length in contrast to the present method which considers separation requirements. Also Scerbo, et al. is hardwired in contrast to the present method of using connectors.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,298 to Casa et al. is illustrative of high density circuit computer assemblies, while U.S. Pat. No. 2,098,321 to Treptow is illustrative of distributing frames in telephone systems.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,819 to Fujitani et al. shows an electric wire branching device used for forming branching circuits in a wire harness (bundle) system.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,964 to Minerd et al. shows a method of controlling DC devices on a serial data bus by providing a programmable connector module which eliminates the massive amounts of interconnective wiring in conventional electromechanical driven systems for controlling a machine.  
           [0010]    The problems of wiring separation, congestion, integration, routing, cross-connected wire bundles, and disconnects in aircraft installations have been tolerated and accepted without solution, the traditional method of complex wiring of multiple systems being to hand wire from a connector at the peripheral device to another at e.g., an overhead panel or directly into the overhead panel. There has been no consistent system for achieving wire separation, avoiding cross-connects or minimizing connections or any attempts made to solve the congestion problem during aircraft final assembly.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    This invention employs a plural-level system to achieve simplicity. Each panel is analyzed to assign wire separation categories for every required connection, then one or more connectors (designated separation dedicated connectors) are incorporated for each category. The opposite end of the system is composed of a set of “integration disconnects”. The connections on these are determined by performing a wire separation category analysis on the wires coming into the instrument bay from the peripherals in a given physical area (called a destination area) and assigning at least one connector for each category. The third portion of the system is composed of the “integration wire bundles”. These are designed with breakouts from the bundle body so that they connect the proper terminals of the dedicated separation connectors to the proper terminals of the integration disconnects (see page 26, 1A). In addition to the above advantages, the present invention importantly practically eliminates the need for doing hand wiring at final assembly. The features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent hereinafter from a detailed description of the invention and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the attached drawing of a preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the present basic plural level wiring interface;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2A is an exemplary overlay of a present system wiring interface layout for an overhead panel;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 2B and 2C are taken together on an enlarged view of the system of FIG. 2A;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 3A, 3B,  3 C and  3 D are an exemplary representation of the structure of a typical integration or distribution bundle.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 4A and 4B show examples of Integration Disconnects with and without wiring.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4C shows a typical Integration Disconnect.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4D shows an example of integrating connectors without an Integration Disconnect bracket. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    Initially upon reviewing the aircraft overhead panel or electronics bay of an aircraft, and due to its inherent wire congestion, complexity, and separation problems, efforts towards a solution of the problem have generally not been attempted or abandoned. The present invention however solves the separation problem by utilizing separation dedicated connectors. Using this method a wire is inserted into the connector meeting the wire&#39;s separation requirement; should multiple connectors meet the wire&#39;s separation requirement, the wire is inserted into the connector also meeting the wire&#39;s destination requirements, thereby providing a solution to the separation routing congestion, cross-connected wire bundles, and complexity problems. A wiring matrix results in simplified discrete integrated wire bundles which are assembled and positioned on the module or overhead panel before final assembly, thereby completing a module or panel and wiring assembly. Routing integration previously achieved by end point aircraft final assembly wiring with complex integration wiring panels is eliminated in accordance with the present plural level wiring interface hereinafter described utilization which is a system utilizing separation dedicated connectors, integration disconnects (having no wiring, Ref FIGS. 4A, 4B and  4 D), Ref FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, modular integrated wire bundle breakouts from the bundle body (Ref FIGS. 1, 3A and  3 B). This system permits wire bundle production on foam boards including connectors and wiring as integral unitary modules.  
         [0020]    Concern has been expressed with regard to the problem of cross-connected wire bundles at a connector (wiring more than one wire bundle to a single connector). This concern is expressed primarily due to production, installation and separation problems. The cross-connection problem is herein solved by the utilization of separation dedicated connectors on modules and panels.  
         [0021]    Turning now to FIG. 1, a plural level wiring interface system is shown in which the following symbols are representative of the interface components:  
         [0022]    MP 1 , MP 2 , MP 3  are modules or panels  
         [0023]    ID 1 , ID 2 , ID 3  are integration disconnects  
         [0024]    IB 1 , IB 2 , IB 3 , IB 4 , IB 5 , IB 6  are integration wire bundles  
         [0025]    DB 1 , DB 2 , DB 3  are distribution wire bundles  
         [0026]    D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , D 4 , D 5  are destination devices  
         [0027]    E 1 , E 2  are assemblies  
         [0028]    A,B,C,N are dedicated separation categories at connectors  
         [0029]    [0029] 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10  are connectors  
         [0030]    In the following, the method by which wiring interfaces are defined and developed will be described:  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 1; starting with the most complex module or panel integration assembly, the separation categories in the module or panel are determined; A,B,C and N for example, where N is a neutral or non-critical separation; and for example, Separation A is routed on the left side, B is routed on the right side, and C is redundant to A and/or B and routed away from A and B. The module or panel is assigned a connector for each separation category in the module or panel.  
         [0032]    As shown in FIG. 1; MP 2  is assigned separation connectors A,B,C; MP 3  is assigned separation connectors B and C; and MP 1  is assigned separation connector A/N (since separation category N may be combined with any other separation category). The internal wiring of the modules or panels are separation routed and connected to the separation dedicated connectors (Ref. Definition) of the module or panel interface. Integration wire bundles IB 1 , IB 2 , IB 3  are used to route wires of similar separation from the module or panel separation dedicated connector interface to an integration disconnect ID 1  via breakouts from the bundle body. Wires from separation dedicated connectors; A of MP 2  and A/N of MP 1  are combined into IB 1 ; B of MP 2  and MP 3  are combined into IB 2 ; and C of MP 2  and MP 3  are combined into IB 3 . Integration wire bundles IB 1 , IB 2 , and IB 3  are kept separate from each other and routed to an integration disconnect ID 1 . (Thus a failure in one bundle will not affect the wiring in another bundle.) This integration disconnect is close to or part of the module or panel assembly E 1 . The integration disconnect provides a disconnect for the assembly E 1  as well as an integration interface to the distribution wire bundles. IB 1  mates with connector  1  (separation dedicated A/N) and connector  2  (separation dedicated N); [Note: The integration disconnect connector  2  is used to route a portion of the separation N wires based on destination, and eliminates the need for wiring at the integration disconnect (Ref Definition) to enter another distribution wire bundle, (Ref FIGS. 4A, 4B and  4 D). IB 2  mates directly with DB 2  and provides a disconnect function at connector  3  for separation category B. IB 3  mates with connectors  4  and  5  to accommodate the volume of wires and provide the disconnect function for separation category C. The distribution wire bundles are used to make long runs with breakouts from the bundle body (Ref FIG. 1) to other integration or destination areas. (DB 1 , DB 2 , and DB 3  are distribution bundles.) DB routes separation category A wires direct from ID 1  connector  1  to ID 2  (see page 6D, line 6-7); (integration disconnect, ID 2 , is shown being used as a production break interface). DB 2  routes separation category B wires from ID 1  connector  3  to both ID 2  connector  8  and ID 3  (see page 6D, line 10-11) (ID 3  being shown as an integration disconnect interface on an enclosed assembly E 2 ). DB 3  accepts separation category N wires from IB 1  connector  2  for routing to destination device D 5  having a single C/N separation dedicated connector; DB 3  also has routing breakouts from the bundle body (Ref FIG. 1) for separation category C wiring to ID 2  and ID 3  see page 6D, line 14-16).  
         [0033]    Turning now to FIG. 2A, there is seen a plural level wiring interface of the kind shown in FIG. 1 however as adapted for an overhead panel. Only the elements of the present system are shown in heavy lines.  
         [0034]    Referring to FIG. 2A, and enlarged in FIGS. 2B and 2C, giving details the following symbols are representative of the interface components:  
         [0035]    MP 1  through MP 23  are modules  
         [0036]    ID 1 A and ID 1 B are integration disconnects  
         [0037]    IB 1  through IB 5  are integration wire bundles  
         [0038]    DB 1  through DB 7  are distribution wire bundles  
         [0039]    E 1  is a panel assembly  
         [0040]    A through G are dedicated separation categories at connectors  
         [0041]    [0041] 1  through  19  are connectors.  
         [0042]    Separation categories D and E represent (in air/in space/at sea) and (on ground/at port) usage respectively, exclusive usage allows the combining of these wires into a single connector.  
         [0043]    Separation categories F and G are redundant to categories A and B, and may be combined (provided they have protective shielding from A and B) to the first distribution breakout.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 2A (and  2 B and  2 C) is a detail of a complex panel, thus destination devices are not shown.  
         [0045]    Modules MP 22  and MP 23  interface with both integration and distribution wire bundles.  
         [0046]    Connectors ( 1 , 2 , 3 ), ( 4 , 5 , 6 ), and ( 10 , 11 , 12 ) are provided to handle the volume of wires.  
         [0047]    Connectors  8  and  9  on integration disconnect ID 1 A are provided to separate and distribute separation category D and E wires.  
         [0048]    Connectors  7  and  13  on integration disconnects ID 1 A and ID 1 B are provided to separate and distribute separation category A and B from F and G.  
         [0049]    Connectors  1  through  19  also provide a panel disconnect function.  
         [0050]    Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 3B, integration wire bundles route wire of similar separation from various connections on devices through its bundle body to various connections on other devices and/or to connections that mate with connections or distribution wire bundles of similar separation. Integration wire bundles are used to route wire in modules, panels, equipment racks or bays, or other localized areas. An example integration wire bundle structure is represented in FIG. 3C. Distribution wire bundles route wire of similar separation from connections with integration wire bundles to connections on other integration or distribution wire bundles of similar separation and may route wire directly to devices with connections of similar separation. Distribution wire bundles are used to route wire between integration areas. An example distribution wire bundle structure is represented in FIG. 3D.  
         [0051]    It will be further understood that the plural level wiring interface arrangements and methods herein described is not limited to the specific embodiment disclosed by way of illustration, but may assume other embodiments limited only by the scope of the appended claims.  
         [0052]    Definitions  
         [0053]    Separation Dedicated—Routing necessary for isolation of critical circuits to provide safety, dependability and the redundancy to prevent hazardous malfunction or simultaneous loss of equipment functions or propagation of a malfunction or failure.  
         [0054]    Integration Disconnect—Anything that provides a method of mating one or more contacts or connectors with the function or purpose of providing integration, combining or distributing, multiple bundles without wiring between mating bundle contacts or connectors.  
         [0055]    Bundle Body—the main portion (structure) or collective group of physical elements comprising the bundle.  
         [0056]    Breakout—Elements comprising the bundle which exit or enter the bundle body.  
         [0057]    Integration Wire Bundle—provides the integration function in localized areas.  
         [0058]    Distribution Wire Bundle—provides the distribution function between integration areas.