Joint safety interlock for a tractor airplane ground air conditioning unit
By installing an interlocking device of limit switches and warning light buzzers on the ground air conditioning units of towed aircraft, the safety accident problem caused by misoperation was solved, and a safer and more reliable unit support process was achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WUXI XUEOU MOBILE AIR-CONDITIONING CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
During the use of towed aircraft ground air conditioning units, personnel may make mistakes, causing the unit to be evacuated without the special aircraft connector being detached from the aircraft, resulting in a safety accident.
A safety interlocking device was designed, comprising a first limit switch, a second limit switch, a lead-acid battery, and a warning light and buzzer. By detecting the status of the air supply hose connector and the pull rod, evacuation is only permitted when they are in the correct positions; otherwise, a warning sound is emitted to remind the operator.
This improves the safety and reliability of air conditioning units during operation and prevents safety accidents caused by misoperation.
Smart Images
Figure CN224448168U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of aircraft ground air conditioning units, specifically relating to a safety interlock device for connectors of towed aircraft ground air conditioning units. Background Technology
[0002] A towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit is a specialized air conditioning system used for aircraft ground services. This unit cools / heats, filters, and dehumidifies incoming outside air, replacing the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) to provide cooling / heating and ventilation services to the cabin when the aircraft engines are not running. During ground services, the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit is connected to the aircraft via a flexible air supply hose and a dedicated aircraft connector, continuously supplying cool (or hot) air. At the end of the service period, the dedicated aircraft connector must be disconnected from the aircraft, and the air supply hose and unit must be retracted back into the unit before evacuation. However, personnel may sometimes misoperate, leaving the dedicated aircraft connector connected to the aircraft before evacuating, which could lead to serious safety incidents. Utility Model Content
[0003] This utility model aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art.
[0004] Therefore, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a safety interlock device for a connector of a towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit, including a first limit switch, a second limit switch, a lead-acid battery, and a warning light buzzer installed on the housing of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit. The first limit switch is installed on one side of the air supply hose connector storage area of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit, and the second limit switch is installed on one side of the tow rod of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit. The lead-acid battery is used to power the first limit switch and the second limit switch.
[0005] The housing is equipped with a battery charger for charging the lead-acid battery.
[0006] The housing is equipped with a power display meter for showing the power level of the lead-acid battery.
[0007] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: the present invention will issue an alarm in a timely manner when the air supply hose connector is not disconnected from the aircraft, making the air conditioning unit safer and more reliable during the protection process. Attached Figure Description
[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0009] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.
[0010] Conversely, this application covers any alternatives, modifications, equivalent methods, and schemes made within the spirit and scope of this application as defined by the claims. Furthermore, to provide the public with a better understanding of this application, certain specific details are described in detail below. However, this application can be fully understood by those skilled in the art even without these detailed descriptions.
[0011] See Figure 1 The safety interlock device for the connector of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit includes a first limit switch 1, a second limit switch 2, a lead-acid battery 4, and a warning light buzzer 5, which are installed on the housing 3 of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit. The first limit switch 1 is located on one side of the air supply hose connector 6 storage area of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit, and the second limit switch 2 is located on one side of the tow bar 7 of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit. The lead-acid battery 4 is used to power the first limit switch 1 and the second limit switch 2.
[0012] The housing 3 is equipped with a battery charger for charging the lead-acid battery 4.
[0013] The housing 3 is equipped with a power display for showing the power level of the lead-acid battery 4.
[0014] The first limit switch, the second limit switch, and the warning light buzzer are all connected to the controller.
[0015] The first limit switch is used to check whether the air supply hose connector has been retracted to the initial position of the equipment; the second limit switch is used to check whether the tow bar is in a towing state or a parking brake state.
[0016] When the unit is in a standby state, the air conditioning unit's aircraft air supply hose connector is reliably connected to the aircraft air inlet, the tow bar is upright and in the parking brake state, the first limit switch is in the open state, the second limit switch is in the closed state, the interlock is normal, and the warning light buzzer does not sound.
[0017] When the crew completes the evacuation, the air supply hose connector is disconnected from the aircraft air inlet and retracted to its initial position inside the crew. The tow bar is lowered and in a dragging state. At this time, the first limit switch is in the closed state, the second limit switch is in the open state, the interlock is normal, and the warning light buzzer does not sound.
[0018] Interlocking Abnormal Status: The air supply hose connector is connected to the aircraft air inlet and has not been retracted to its initial position within the crew. The tow bar is down and in a dragging state. At this time, the first limit switch is in the open state and the second limit switch is in the open state. The interlocking is abnormal, and the warning light and buzzer sound to remind the maintenance personnel to handle it in time.
[0019] This invention makes the air conditioning unit safer and more reliable during operation, meeting customer requirements.
Claims
1. A joint safety interlock for a tractor airplane ground air conditioning unit, characterized in that: Includes a first limit switch (1), a second limit switch (2), a lead-acid battery (4), and a warning light buzzer (5) installed on the housing (3) of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit. The first limit switch (1) is located on one side of the air supply hose connector (6) of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit, and the second limit switch (2) is located on one side of the towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit's tow bar (7). The lead-acid battery (4) is used to power the first limit switch (1) and the second limit switch (2).
2. The connection safety interlock for a tractor airplane ground air conditioning unit of claim 1 wherein: The housing (3) is provided with a battery charger for charging the lead-acid battery (4).
3. The safety interlock device for the connector of a towed aircraft ground air conditioning unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (3) is provided with a power display table for displaying the power of the lead-acid battery (4).