Airport ground support equipment

Abstract

Provided is airport ground assistance equipment that can reduce human labor. One example of this airport ground assistance equipment is provided with: an access unit that approaches a parked aircraft (3) and, in an access state in which the tip of the access unit is adjacent to or in contact with the aircraft (3), allows movement of people and / or goods to and from the aircraft (3) through an opening when a door (3a) of the aircraft (3) is open; and an image providing unit that is disposed in the access unit and provides an image of the access state of the access unit to the aircraft (3) when the door (3a) of the aircraft (3) is closed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to airport ground support equipment such as passenger boarding bridges and passenger step cars. [Background technology]

[0002] At airports, various types of airport ground support equipment are used, such as passenger boarding bridges and passenger step cars. In this specification and claims, the term "airport ground support equipment" includes passenger boarding bridges. In a passenger boarding bridge, a tunnel section that serves as a pedestrian walkway is connected to a rotunda connected to the terminal building, and a cab that is attached to an aircraft is connected to the end of the tunnel section.

[0003] When the cab is installed on the aircraft, generally, a ground staff member such as a passenger boarding bridge operator visually checks from the cab side whether the cab is installed properly and whether there are any abnormalities around the aircraft door, and then receives a signal (such as a thumbs-up) from a cabin crew member on the aircraft through the door window that the door mode has been changed from automatic mode to manual mode, after which the ground staff member opens the aircraft door. When leaving the aircraft, the ground staff member closes the aircraft door from the cab side and visually checks whether there are any abnormalities around the door, and then receives a signal from the cabin crew member through the door window that the door mode has been changed from manual mode to automatic mode, and then operates the passenger boarding bridge to allow the aircraft to leave the aircraft.

[0004] In this way, the opening and closing of aircraft doors is usually performed by ground staff waiting on the cab side, in coordination with cabin crew through the door window.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a passenger boarding bridge in which a lamp is provided in a position visible to a cabin crew member through the aircraft door window to notify the cabin crew that installation is complete when the cab is installed on the aircraft. It also describes that the lamp is turned on to notify the cabin crew that installation is complete, and the cabin crew then opens the door. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6720414 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, after the passenger boarding bridge cab is installed on the aircraft, when the aircraft door is opened, the cabin crew can see the light on through the door window, but the actual access state of the cab to the aircraft (installed state) is in a blind spot and cannot be visually confirmed. For this reason, the operator of the passenger boarding bridge on the cab side opens the door, including visually confirming that it is OK to open the door.

[0008] On the other hand, when a passenger boarding bridge is attached to an aircraft by remote control from a central monitoring room, etc., it is not desirable from the perspective of reducing personnel to have an operator or other person enter the cab to check the door mode change or open the aircraft door.

[0009] Furthermore, when the passenger boarding bridge is detached from the aircraft by remote control from a central monitoring room, etc., it is not desirable from the perspective of reducing personnel to have an operator or other personnel enter the cab to close the aircraft doors or check the door mode status.

[0010] In addition, similar problems will arise with airport ground support equipment other than passenger boarding bridges, such as passenger step cars, when they are attached to or detached from aircraft as automated and unmanned driving becomes more common in the future.

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide airport ground support equipment that can reduce the number of personnel required. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an airport ground support equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an access section that, when approaching a parked aircraft and in an access state with its tip adjacent to or in contact with the aircraft, enables the movement of people and / or goods between the aircraft and the access section through an opening that opens when the aircraft door is opened, and an image providing section that is provided in the access section and provides an image of the access state of the access section to the aircraft when the aircraft door is closed.

[0013] With this configuration, the cabin crew can confirm that the access state is normal by looking at the image of the access state of the access unit provided by the image providing unit. Therefore, there is no need for an operator or other person to get into the access unit to inform the cabin crew that the access state is normal, which reduces the number of people required when installing the access unit on an aircraft.

[0014] The access unit may further include an image capturing device that is provided in the access unit and captures an image including the tip of the access unit when in an access state, and the image providing unit may be a display device that displays the image captured by the image capturing device toward the aircraft.

[0015] The image providing unit may be a mirror body, and the mirror body may be arranged in the access part so that the access state of the access part can be seen from the aircraft side via a mirror image reflected in the mirror body.

[0016] The aircraft may further include a first notification means for notifying the aircraft of precautions to be taken before opening the door, thereby making it possible to notify cabin crew of precautions to be taken before opening the door.

[0017] The first notification means may be configured to notify the aircraft of a prompt to change the door mode of the aircraft from automatic mode to manual mode, thereby ensuring safety when the door is opened.

[0018] A photographing unit that photographs an image including a window provided in the door of the aircraft, an image determination unit that analyzes the photographed image by the photographing unit and determines whether a cabin crew member in the aircraft has performed a predetermined operation, and based on the determination result of the image determination unit, it may further include a second notification unit that notifies the aircraft of the progress status of the confirmation procedure when opening the door of the aircraft. Thereby, it is possible to notify the cabin crew of the progress status of the confirmation procedure when opening the door.

[0019] The image determination unit analyzes the photographed image taken by the photographing unit after the door of the aircraft is once opened and then closed, and when it is determined that the cabin crew member has performed a predetermined operation intended to change the door mode of the aircraft from the manual mode to the automatic mode, it may further include a signal output unit that outputs a detachable signal indicating that it is possible to detach the access unit from the aircraft to a predetermined notification unit. Thereby, when detaching the access unit from the aircraft, there is no need for a person such as an operator to board the access unit to confirm the door mode for the cabin crew, and it is possible to achieve labor reduction when detaching the access unit from the aircraft.

[0020] A photographing unit that photographs an image including a window provided in the door of the aircraft, an image determination unit that analyzes the photographed image by the photographing unit and determines whether a cabin crew member in the aircraft has performed a predetermined operation intended to change the door mode of the aircraft from the manual mode to the automatic mode, the image determination unit analyzes the photographed image taken by the photographing unit after the door of the aircraft is once opened and then closed, and when it is determined that the cabin crew member has performed the predetermined operation, it may further include a signal output unit that outputs a detachable signal indicating that it is possible to detach the access unit from the aircraft to a predetermined notification unit.

[0021] According to this configuration, after the aircraft door is once opened and then closed, when it is determined that the cabin crew has performed a predetermined operation intending to change the door mode from the manual mode to the automatic mode, a detachable signal is output. Therefore, it is not necessary for a person such as an operator to enter the access section to confirm the door mode with the cabin crew, and labor reduction when detaching the access section from the aircraft can be achieved.

[0022] It may further include door closing detection means for detecting a state where the aircraft door is closed.

Effect of the Invention

[0023] The present invention has the configuration described above, and has an effect of being able to provide airport ground support equipment that can achieve labor reduction.

[0024] The above object, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be clarified from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a passenger boarding bridge, which is an example of airport ground support equipment according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the passenger boarding bridge seen from the side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of a state where the cab is attached to the aircraft. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the tip portion of the cab to be attached to the aircraft seen from the aircraft side. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the tip of the cab and its vicinity. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an overview of the control system of the passenger boarding bridge. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an overview of the operation of the cabin crew and the processing of the control device when attaching the passenger boarding bridge to the aircraft. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the outline of the actions of the cabin crew and the processing of the control device when the passenger boarding bridge is detached from the aircraft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, identical or corresponding elements will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant explanations will be omitted. The drawings are schematic illustrations of the respective components for ease of understanding, and the shapes, dimensional ratios, and the like may not be accurately depicted. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0027] (Embodiment) The airport ground support equipment according to this embodiment includes passenger boarding bridges, passenger step cars, airport catering trucks, etc. In the following, a passenger boarding bridge will be described as an example.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a passenger boarding bridge, which is an example of airport ground support equipment according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the passenger boarding bridge as viewed from the side. FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of a cab attached to an aircraft. FIG. 4 is a view of the tip of the cab attached to the aircraft as viewed from the front (aircraft side). FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the tip of the cab and its vicinity. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an overview of the control system of the passenger boarding bridge.

[0029] This passenger boarding bridge 1 comprises a rotunda (base circular chamber) 4 that is connected to the boarding and disembarking entrance of an airport terminal building 2 and is capable of rotating horizontally, a tunnel section 5 whose base end is connected to the rotunda 4 and is configured to be able to extend and retract in the longitudinal direction, a cab (tip circular chamber) 6 that is provided at the tip of the tunnel section 5 and is capable of rotating forward and backward, and a drive column 7. The cab 6 corresponds to the access section.

[0030] The rotunda 4 is supported by a support 70 so as to be rotatable in both directions around a rotation axis (vertical axis) CL1.

[0031] The tunnel section 5 forms a passenger walking passage, and a plurality of tunnels 5a, 5b each made of a cylindrical body are fitted concentrically and configured to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction. Here, the tunnel section 5 composed of two tunnels 5a, 5b is illustrated, but the tunnel section 5 may be composed of two or more tunnels. Further, the proximal end of the tunnel section 5 is swingably connected around the horizontal rotation axis CL4 (FIG. 2) in the rotunda 4, so that the tunnel section 5 is connected to the rotunda 4 so as to be pitchable.

[0032] Also, a drive column 7 is attached as a support leg to a portion near the tip of the tunnel section 5 (the most distal tunnel 5b). Note that the drive column 7 may be attached to the cab 6.

[0033] An elevating device 8 for elevating the cab 6 and the tunnel section 5 is provided on the drive column 7. The elevating device 8 has, for example, a pair of support columns configured to support the tunnel section 5 and be stretchable, and the tunnel section 5 can be elevated by the expansion and contraction of this pair of support columns. Thereby, the cab 6 and the tunnel section 5 can swing in the vertical direction with the rotunda 4 as a base point.

[0034] Also, on the drive column 7, below the elevating device 8, a traveling device 10 having two traveling wheels 9 (right wheel 9R and left wheel 9L) that can be individually and independently driven to rotate forward and backward is provided. The traveling device 10 is configured to be able to travel forward (travel in the direction of arrow F) and backward (travel in the direction of arrow B) by the rotational drive of the two traveling wheels 9. Further, the traveling device 10 is configured to be rotatable forward and backward around the rotation axis CL2, and the traveling direction can be changed. When the traveling device 10 (traveling wheels 9) travels on the apron EP, the tunnel section 5 can be rotated around the rotation axis CL1 of the rotunda 4 and the tunnel section 5 can be expanded and contracted.

[0035] The cab 6 is provided at the tip of the tunnel part 5 and is configured to be rotatable forward and backward around a rotation axis CL3 perpendicular to the floor surface of the cab 6 by a cab rotation device 6R (Fig. 6).

[0036] Also, a closure 63 is provided at the tip of the cab 6. The closure 63 has a bellows that can be expanded and contracted in the front-rear direction. When the cab 6 is attached to the aircraft 3 and the bellows is expanded forward, the front end of the bellows can abut against the periphery of the door 3a of the aircraft 3.

[0037] Further, a level detection device 64 is attached to the outer side wall of the cab 6. The level detection device 64 is a device that detects the relative vertical movement amount of the aircraft 3 with respect to the cab 6 when the aircraft 3 moves up and down due to boarding and alighting of passengers or loading and unloading of luggage after the cab 6 is attached to the aircraft 3. When the level detection device 64 is activated, the wheel 64A moves forward and abuts against the surface of the fuselage of the aircraft 3, and the wheel 64A rotates when the aircraft 3 moves up and down. The level detection device 64 detects the vertical movement amount of the aircraft 3 based on the rotation direction and rotation angle of the wheel 64A, and when this movement amount exceeds a predetermined amount, it outputs this movement amount to the control device 50. The control device 50 controls the lifting device 8 of the drive column 7 so that the cab 6 follows the up and down movement of the aircraft 3 based on the above movement amount.

[0038] In this example, the rotunda 4 is configured to rotate together with the tunnel part 5, but the tunnel part 5 may be configured to rotate around the rotunda 4 with the rotation axis CL1 as the center while the rotunda 4 is fixed. Also, in this example, the entire cab 6 is configured to rotate with respect to the tunnel part 5, but only the tip part including the closure 63, the level detection device 64, and the tip part 6a of the cab 6 attached to the aircraft 3 may be configured to rotate around the rotation axis CL3.

[0039] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, an electric sliding door 65 that partitions the tip part 6a side and the inner side (tunnel part side) is installed in the passage inside the cab 6.

[0040] Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a bumper 62 is provided at the tip of the floor 61 of the cab 6 mounted on the aircraft 3, and a plurality (two in this example) of distance sensors 23 (for example, laser distance meters) for measuring the distance between the cab 6 and the aircraft 3 are attached side by side in the left - right direction of this bumper 62. Note that the installation position of the distance sensor 23 can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be arranged on the floor 61 of the cab 6.

[0041] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, first and second cameras 21, 22 for photographing the door 3a of the aircraft 3 are installed at a position deep inside the tip portion of the cab 6. The installation positions of these first and second cameras 21, 22 may be changed as appropriate as long as they are arranged apart from each other and can photograph the door 3a of the aircraft 3.

[0042] Further, a camera 101 is installed on the upper wall near the tip of the cab 6. This camera 101 is a photographing device that photographs an image including the tip portion 6a of the cab 6. When the cab 6 is in the access state of being mounted on the aircraft 3, it can photograph the boundary portion which is the gap or the contact portion between the tip portion 6a of the cab 6 and the aircraft 3.

[0043] Further, an operation panel 31 is installed inside the cab 6, and transparent displays 104, 105 are attached to the window in front of the operation panel 31 and the window of the electric observation door 65. The transparent displays 104, 105 maintain a transparent state when the power is off. Also, a display device 102 is installed on the right side near the tip of the cab 6. The display device 102 and the transparent displays 104, 105 can display the photographed image of the camera 101 and the like toward the aircraft side mounted in front of the cab 6.

[0044] Further, signal lights 103 are arranged near the display device 102 and near the first camera 21 in front of the operation panel 31. The two signal lights 103 can each be lit in a plurality of colors. In this example, as the signal lights 103, for example, a stacked signal light capable of lighting in four colors of red, yellow, green, and blue is used.

[0045] In front of the operation panel 31, a speaker 106 is arranged, and predetermined information can be output as voice towards the aircraft.

[0046] Near the first camera 21 in front of the operation panel 31, a human detection image sensor 107 is arranged facing the aircraft. As shown in FIG. 5, this human detection image sensor 107 can detect a state in which a cabin crew member has performed a predetermined operation through the window 3b of the door 3a of the aircraft 3 mounted in front of the cabin 6. That is, the human detection image sensor 107 includes a photographing unit that photographs an image including the window 3b of the door 3a, and an image determination unit that analyzes the photographed image by the photographing unit and determines whether or not a cabin crew member in the aircraft 3 has performed a predetermined operation, and can be configured by a human vision component. Note that the photographing unit (camera) and the image determination unit may be provided separately.

[0047] On the right side near the tip of the cabin 6, a door closing detection sensor 108 for detecting that the door 3a of the aircraft 3 has been closed is arranged. As the door closing detection sensor 108, for example, an object detection sensor such as an infrared sensor can be used. The door closing detection sensor 108 detects the door 3a when the door 3a is closed and outputs a detection signal, and does not detect the door 3a when the door 3a is open and does not output a detection signal.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, on the passenger boarding bridge 1, a rotary table angle sensor 24 for detecting the rotation angle φr (FIG. 1) of the rotary table 4, a cabin angle sensor 25 for detecting the rotation angle φc (FIG. 1) of the cabin 6 with respect to the center line Ed of the tunnel portion 5, a traveling angle sensor 26 for detecting the rotation angle (angle indicating the traveling direction) φw (FIG. 1) of the traveling device 10 with respect to the center line Ed of the tunnel portion 5 in a plan view, a lifting sensor 27 for detecting the lifting amount of the lifting device 8, and a tunnel length sensor 28 configured by a distance meter or the like for detecting the length of the tunnel portion 5 (for example, the length LF in FIG. 2) are provided at appropriate positions.

[0049] In addition, an operation panel 31 installed inside the cab 6 is equipped with an operation device 32 and a display device 33. The operation device 32 is equipped with various operation switches and operation levers, etc., and by using these, the operator can perform operations such as raising and lowering the tunnel section 5 and the cab 6 using the lifting device 8, rotating the cab 6 using the cab rotation device 6R, and traveling using the traveling device 10.

[0050] The control device 50 is disposed, for example, in the cab 6 (illustrated in FIG. 5) or the tunnel 5b at the tip end. The control device 50 may have any configuration as long as it has a control function. The control device 50 has, for example, a calculation unit such as a CPU and a storage unit such as a ROM and RAM. The storage unit pre-stores control programs for operating each unit of the passenger boarding bridge 1 and information required for the operation. The calculation unit (CPU) executes the control programs to control the operation of the cab rotation device 6R, the lifting device 8, the traveling device 10, the closure 63, the level detection device 64, the electric double doors 65, and the like. Information stored during operation of the passenger boarding bridge 1 is also stored in the storage unit. The control device 50 may be configured as a single control device that performs centralized control, or may be configured as multiple control devices that cooperate with each other to perform distributed control.

[0051] Information (operation information) such as operation commands based on the operation of the operating device 32 is input to the control device 50. The control device 50 can control the operation of each part of the passenger boarding bridge 1 based on the operation of the operating device 32. The control device 50 also outputs information to be displayed on the display device 33.

[0052] The control device 50 receives the captured image data from the first and second cameras 21 and 22, and also receives the output signals from the sensors 23 to .

[0053] The control device 50 also receives as input captured image data from the camera 101, and as input output signals from the human detection image sensor 107 and the door closing detection sensor 108. The control device 50 also controls the display device 102, the signal light 103, the transparent displays 104 and 105, and the speaker 106. The control device 50 can display images captured by the camera 101, etc., on the display device 102 and the transparent displays 104 and 105. The control device 50 can also cause the speaker 106 to make a predetermined announcement (output audio) as necessary. The content of the announcement is stored in advance in a storage unit as an audio file corresponding to the announcement.

[0054] The control device 50 is also configured to be able to communicate with a control device 81 of a remote control device 80 installed in, for example, a central monitoring room in a terminal building. This communication may be wireless and / or wired, and a communication device may be provided separately. The remote control device 80 includes a control device 81, an operating device 82, a display device 83, etc.

[0055] The operating device 82 has substantially the same configuration as the operating device 32 of the passenger boarding bridge 1. Therefore, in this passenger boarding bridge 1, an operator can enter the cab 6 and directly operate the passenger boarding bridge 1 using the operating device 32, and the operator can also select the passenger boarding bridge 1 to be remotely operated using the operating device 82 of the remote control device 80 and remotely operate the selected passenger boarding bridge 1. In the case of manual control, the operator operates the operating device 32 or the operating device 82 to make each part of the passenger boarding bridge 1 operate, and can move the passenger boarding bridge 1 from the standby position and attach it to the door 3a of the aircraft 3 (accurately, the area around the door 3a). Also, in the case of automatic control, the operator can move the passenger boarding bridge 1 from the standby position and attach it to the door 3a of the aircraft 3 by pressing the automatic attachment start button provided on the operating devices 32 and 82. Note that the standby position is a predetermined position where the passenger boarding bridge 1 waits when the aircraft 3 has not arrived at the apron. Also, when detaching the passenger boarding bridge 1 from the state of being attached to the door 3a of the aircraft 3, the operator can return the passenger boarding bridge 1 to the predetermined standby position by automatic control by pressing the automatic detachment start button provided on the operating devices 32 and 82.

[0056] The control device 81 of the remote control device 80 (hereinafter, also referred to as the "remote control device 81") and the control device 50 of the passenger boarding bridge 1 to be remotely operated transmit and receive information and the like necessary for remote operation. For example, the remote control device 81 transmits operation information (such as an automatic attachment start signal) of the operating device 82 necessary for remotely operating the passenger boarding bridge 1 to the control device 50 of the passenger boarding bridge 1. Also, the control device 50 of the passenger boarding bridge 1 transmits in real time the photographed image data of the cameras 21, 22, 101, etc. provided on the passenger boarding bridge 1 to the remote control device 81.

[0057] The remote control device 80 is equipped with a camera image display device (not shown) that acquires image data captured by cameras 21, 22, 101, etc. on the passenger boarding bridge 1 and displays the captured images in real time. The display method may be to split the screen so that images captured by multiple cameras can be displayed simultaneously, or to select a camera and switch between them for display. The display device 83 may also be configured to function as a camera image display device.

[0058] Furthermore, the remote control device 81 can obtain, from the control device 50 of the passenger boarding bridge 1, current position information of predetermined parts of the passenger boarding bridge 1 (such as a predetermined position 6P of the tip 6a of the cab 6 and the center position of the running gear 10) to be displayed on the display device 33 of the passenger boarding bridge 1, and display this information on the display device 83. The control device 50 of the passenger boarding bridge 1 grasps the positions (three-dimensional position coordinates) of the predetermined parts of the passenger boarding bridge 1 in real time, for example, using a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system whose origin is the intersection of the rotation axis CL1 of the rotunda 4 and the plane of the apron EP. The control device 50 is configured to calculate the positions of the predetermined parts of the passenger boarding bridge 1 based on the detected values of the rotunda angle sensor 24, the cab angle sensor 25, the elevation sensor 27, and the tunnel length sensor 28, etc.

[0059] Next, we will explain an example of the operation of the passenger boarding bridge 1. The operation of this passenger boarding bridge 1 is realized by the control of the control device 50.

[0060] When the aircraft 3 has not yet arrived at the apron, the passenger boarding bridge 1 waits at a predetermined waiting position indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 1. The aircraft 3 stops with its axis aligned on the aircraft guidance line AL drawn on the apron and aiming at a predetermined stopping position determined in the extension direction of the aircraft guidance line AL.

[0061] The general procedure of the movement of the cabin 6 after the aircraft 3 has parked will be described as follows. When the cabin 6 moves from the standby position, the tip 6a of the cabin 6 is attached to the lower part in the immediate vicinity of the door 3a of the aircraft 3. Further, when the cabin 6 detaches from the aircraft 3 later, it returns to the standby position and stops, and waits at the standby position until the attachment operation to the next aircraft is started. When the cabin 6 detaches from the aircraft 3 and returns to the standby position, the target position (position coordinates) of the traveling device 10 where the cabin 6 is to be located is stored in the control device 50 in advance.

[0062] Note that the state where the cabin 6 approaches the parked aircraft 3 and the tip 6a of the cabin 6 is attached to the lower part in the immediate vicinity of the door 3a of the aircraft 3 (access state) is a state where the tip 6a of the cabin 6 is adjacent to or in contact with the aircraft 3. That is, in the access state, there may be a state where a slight gap is provided between the bumper 62 of the tip 6a of the cabin 6 and the aircraft 3 so as not to hinder walking, or a state where the bumper 62 is in contact with the aircraft 3.

[0063] The cabin crew of the aircraft 3 sets the door mode to the automatic mode when the aircraft 3 takes off, and sets the door mode to the manual mode when the aircraft 3 lands. When the door mode is set to the automatic mode, when the door 3a of the aircraft 3 is opened, the emergency escape slide is activated. When the door mode is set to the manual mode, the emergency escape slide is not activated even when the door 3a of the aircraft 3 is opened. When the aircraft 3 lands and the door 3a is opened without changing the door mode from the automatic mode to the manual mode, the emergency escape slide is activated, and the workers on the apron etc. are put in danger. Thus, there are two door modes: the automatic mode in which the emergency escape slide is activated in response to the opening of the door 3a, and the manual mode in which it is not activated. The automatic mode is also called the armed mode, and the manual mode is also called the disarmed mode.

[0064] 〔Remote operation during attachment〕 Next, a description will be given of the case where the passenger boarding bridge 1 is remotely attached to the aircraft 3. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operations of the cabin crew and the processing of the control device 50 when the passenger boarding bridge 1 is remotely attached to the aircraft 3.

[0065] First, when the operator selects the passenger boarding bridge 1 to be remotely operated using the operation device 82 of the remote control device 80 and presses the automatic docking start button, an automatic docking start signal is sent from the control device 81 to the control device 50 of the passenger boarding bridge 1 to be remotely operated, and the control device 50 starts automatic docking. The control device 50 starts automatic docking and docks the cab 6 to the aircraft 3. Here, when performing automatic docking, that is, when moving the cab 6 from the standby position by automatic control and docking the front end 6a of the cab 6 to the door 3a of the aircraft 3 (more precisely, around the door 3a), for example, the control device 50 photographs the door 3a of the aircraft 3 with the cameras 21, 22 installed on the cab 6, determines the three-dimensional position of the door 3a from these photographed images, etc., and calculates the position (docking position) where the front end 6a of the cab 6 will be docked to the aircraft 3.

[0066] The control device 50 then controls the traveling device 10, the lifting device 8, and the cab rotation device 6R to move the front end 6a of the cab 6 to the above-mentioned installation position, thereby installing the front end 6a of the cab 6 on the aircraft 3. The installation position may be calculated multiple times before the cab 6 starts to move and during its movement. The installation position may also be calculated using the detection value of the distance sensor 23. Next, the control device 50 extends the closure 63 to deploy the bellows portion and bring it into contact with the aircraft 3, and activates the level detection device 64. This completes the installation of the passenger boarding bridge 1 on the aircraft 3.

[0067] After receiving, for example, the automatic wearing start signal by the above remote operation, the control device 50 lights up the signal lamp 103 in red as a signal indicating that wearing is in progress (step S11). Further, the control device 50 causes the monitors 102, 104, 105 to display the captured image of the camera 101. The start timing of this display may be any predetermined timing from the start of wearing to the completion of wearing. Note that, as described above, the display device 102 and the transparent displays 104, 105 may be referred to as monitors 102, 104, 105.

[0068] Before the completion of wearing, the cabin crew may bring their face close to the window 3b of the door 3a of the aircraft 3 to check the monitors 102, 104, 105 and the signal lamp 103 (step S1). In this case, when the human detection image sensor 107 detects a human face at the window 3b of the door 3a of the aircraft 3 (Yes in step S12), the control device 50 instructs the cabin crew to wait until the completion of wearing using the speaker 106 and the monitors 102, 104, 105 (step S13). This instruction may be to output a predetermined statement by voice from the speaker 106, or to display a predetermined statement or a predetermined mark or the like together with the captured image of the camera 101 on the monitors 102, 104, 105.

[0069] When the wearing is completed, the control device 50 lights up the signal lamp 103 in yellow as a signal of completion of wearing, and using the speaker 106 and the monitors 102, 104, 105, calls on the cabin crew to confirm that the distance or contact state between the aircraft 3 and the tip portion 6a of the floor of the cabin 6 is normal, that is, the access state is normal (step S14). This call for confirmation of the access state may be to output a predetermined statement by voice from the speaker 106, or to display a predetermined statement or a predetermined mark or the like on the monitors 102, 104, 105.

[0070] The cabin attendant waits until the device is fully attached (step S2), and after that, brings their face close to the window 3b to check that the signal light 103 is lit in yellow, and also checks that the access status is normal by looking at the images captured by the camera 101 displayed on the monitors 102, 104, and 105 (step S3). Here, the cabin attendant's bringing their face close to the window 3b is an action for checking the access status.

[0071] When the control device 50 detects a human face at the window 3b of the door 3a of the aircraft 3 using the human detection image sensor 107 (Yes in step S15), the control device 50 lights up the signal light 103 in green as a signal that the door mode is being changed, in other words, as a signal to prompt the user to change the door mode, and issues a warning to the cabin crew to check the door mode using the speaker 106 and the monitors 102, 104, and 105 (step S16). This warning may prompt the user to change the door mode to the manual mode, or may prompt the user to confirm that the door mode is the manual mode. This warning may be issued by outputting a predetermined message via the speaker 106, or by displaying a predetermined message or a predetermined mark on the monitors 102, 104, and 105.

[0072] The cabin attendant confirms that the door mode is set to manual mode, and if it is automatic mode, changes it to manual mode (step S4), and performs a predetermined action to indicate that the door mode has been changed (step S5). The predetermined action may be bringing the face close to the window 3b or holding the palm of the hand over the window 3b.

[0073] When the control device 50 detects the cabin crew member's action of changing the door mode at the window 3b of the door 3a of the aircraft 3 using the human detection image sensor 107 (e.g., detects a person's face) (Yes in step S17), the control device 50 turns on the signal light 103 in blue as an instruction to open the door 3a of the aircraft 3 (step S18), and opens the electric double doors 65.

[0074] The cabin attendant checks that the signal lamp 103 has turned blue and opens door 3a of the aircraft 3 (step S6).

[0075] In steps S12 and S15, for preventing false detection, for example, when the human detection image sensor 107 continuously detects a person for a first predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), it may be determined that a person has been detected. Also, when no person is detected in step S15, it is determined whether or not non-detection has occurred a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) (step S21). When the number of non-detection times has not reached the predetermined number of times, the speaker 106 and the monitors 102, 104, 105 are used to re-awaken the confirmation of the access state (step S22). When the number of non-detection times has reached the predetermined number of times, the control device 50 reports an abnormality (step S25).

[0076] Also, in step S17, for preventing false detection, for example, when the human detection image sensor 107 continuously detects a person for a first predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), it may be determined that a person has been detected. Also, when no person is detected in step S17, it is determined whether or not non-detection has occurred a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) (step S23). When the number of non-detection times has not reached the predetermined number of times, the speaker 106 and the monitors 102, 104, 105 are used to re-awaken the re-attention to the door mode confirmation (step S24). When the number of non-detection times has reached the predetermined number of times, the control device 50 reports an abnormality (step S25).

[0077] In step S25, the control device 50 may notify, for example, an operator on the apron EP that there is an abnormality by using a speaker (not shown) arranged outside the passenger boarding bridge 1. This operator is an operator who can manually operate the passenger boarding bridge 1. Also, in step S25, the control device 50 may transmit an abnormality signal to the remote control device 80. In the remote control device 80, the control device 81 causes a display device 83 and / or a speaker (not shown) provided in the remote control device 80 to output that there is an abnormality based on the above abnormality signal. The fact that there is an abnormality may include the fact that manual operation is required.

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment, the cabin crew can confirm that the access state is normal by looking at the images captured by the camera 101 displayed on the monitors 102, 104, and 105. Therefore, there is no need for a person such as an operator to get into the cab 6 to inform the cabin crew that the access state is normal, which reduces the number of personnel required when attaching the passenger boarding bridge 1 to the aircraft 3. Furthermore, the control device 50 detects an action by the cabin crew indicating that the door mode has been changed (step S17) and then issues an instruction to open the door 3a of the aircraft 3 (step S18), thereby ensuring safety when the door 3a is opened.

[0079] In the above description, the display device 102 and the transparent displays 104, 105 are used as the image providing unit that provides an image of the access state toward the window 3b of the door 3a of the aircraft 3, but any one of these may be used. Also, as the image providing unit, a mirror such as a convex mirror may be installed in an appropriate position that does not obstruct the passage of passengers getting on and off, for example, near the display device 102.

[0080] 7 is an example, and it is possible that the cabin crew has already changed the door mode to the manual mode before the installation is complete. Therefore, if the person detection image sensor 107 detects a person continuously for a predetermined time (for example, 4 to 5 seconds) after step S14, the control device 50 may perform step S16 during that time, and may perform step S18 after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0081] In the above, the speaker 106 and the monitors 102, 104, 105 function as a first notification means for notifying the aircraft 3 of precautions before opening the door 3a of the aircraft 3, such as in steps S14 and S16, and for notifying the aircraft 3 of the content prompting the change from the automatic mode to the manual mode regarding the door mode. Further, the signal lamp 103 is also a second notification means for notifying the cabin crew of the aircraft 3 of the progress state of the confirmation procedure when opening the door 3a based on the detection result of the human detection image sensor 107, such as the "signal during door mode change" in step S16 and the "door open signal" in step S17. Note that the functions of this second notification means may be realized by the speaker 106 and the monitors 102, 104, 105.

[0082] [Remote operation at the time of detachment] Next, the case of detaching the passenger boarding bridge 1 from the aircraft 3 by remote operation will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an overview of the operations of the cabin crew and the processing of the control device 50 when detaching the passenger boarding bridge 1 from the aircraft 3 by remote operation.

[0083] The door closed signal in step S41 is that the signal lamp 103 is lit in blue, and the state where the signal lamp 103 was lit in blue in step S18 of FIG. 7 continues. That is, the blue signal lamp 103 becomes a door open signal in step S18 of FIG. 7, but becomes a door closed signal in step S41 of FIG. 8.

[0084] The cabin crew confirms that the signal lamp 103 is lit in blue, closes the door 3a of the aircraft 3 (step S31), and performs a predetermined operation intending to close the door 3a (step S32). The predetermined operation may be an operation of bringing the face close to the window 3b or an operation of holding the palm of the hand over the window 3b.

[0085] On the one hand, the control device 50 determines whether the door 3a of the aircraft 3 has been closed based on the presence or absence of the detection signal from the door closed detection sensor 108 (step S42). When the door closed detection sensor 108 detects the closed door 3a of the aircraft 3, it outputs a detection signal to the control device 50.

[0086] The control device 50 inputs the detection signal from the door closed detection sensor 108. When it determines that the door 3a of the aircraft 3 has been closed (Yes in step S42), it determines whether there is no one inside the passenger boarding bridge 1 (step S43). This determination may be made, for example, by installing one or more internal imaging cameras inside the passenger boarding bridge 1 to capture the inside of the passenger boarding bridge 1 and based on the analysis result of the captured image of the internal imaging camera. Also, a human presence sensor may be installed inside the passenger boarding bridge 1, and the above determination may be made based on the analysis result of the captured image and the detection result of the human presence sensor. When the control device 50 determines that there is someone inside in step S43, it issues an alarm for an abnormality (step S50). In step S50 when it is determined No in step S43, for example, a speaker installed inside the passenger boarding bridge 1 may be used to output an audio message prompting the person inside to leave. Also, the control device 50 may transmit an abnormality signal to the remote control device 80.

[0087] Next, when the control device 50 detects a predetermined action (e.g., detecting a person's face) intended to close the door 3a of the cabin crew by the person detection image sensor 107 at the window 3b of the aircraft 3 (Yes in step S44), the control device 50 lights the signal lamp 103 green as a signal during door mode change, in other words, a signal prompting the change of the door mode, and uses the speaker 106 and the monitors 102, 104, 105 to call the attention of the cabin crew to confirm the door mode (step S45). This call for attention may be to prompt the change of the door mode to the automatic mode, or to prompt the confirmation that the door mode is in the automatic mode. This call for attention may be made by outputting a predetermined text through the speaker 106, or by displaying a predetermined text or a predetermined mark on the monitors 102, 104, 105.

[0088] The cabin attendant checks that the door mode is in the automatic mode. If it is in the manual mode, it is changed to the automatic mode (step S33), and a predetermined operation is performed to indicate that the door mode has been changed (step S34). The predetermined operation may be an operation of bringing the face close to window 3b, or an operation such as holding the palm of the hand over window 3b.

[0089] When the control device 50 detects an operation indicating that the door mode has been changed by the cabin attendant at window 3b by the human detection image sensor 107 (for example, detects a human face) (Yes in step S46), the control device 50 lights the signal lamp 103 yellow as a detachable signal (step S47). At this time, the control device 50 transmits a detachable signal indicating that the cab 6 can be detached from the aircraft 3 to the remote operation device 80 which is the notification unit.

[0090] In the remote operation device 80, when the control device 81 receives the detachable signal, for example, the display device 83 displays that the passenger boarding bridge 1 is detachable or that the detachment preparation is complete. The operator who sees this display presses the automatic detachment start button provided on the operation device 82. When this operation signal is input, the control device 81 transmits an automatic detachment start signal to the control device 50.

[0091] When the control device 50 receives the automatic detachment start signal, it closes the electric access door 65 and starts the automatic detachment (step 48), and lights the signal lamp 103 red as a signal during detachment (step S49). When starting the automatic detachment, the control device 50 terminates the operation of the level detection device 64, contracts the closure 63, and then controls the traveling device 10, the lifting device 8, and the cab rotation device 6R to return the cab 6 to a predetermined standby position. Note that the electric access door 65 may be closed after it is determined Yes in step S43.

[0092] In steps S44 and S46, in order to prevent erroneous detection, it may be determined that a person has been detected when the person detection image sensor 107 detects a person continuously for a first predetermined time (for example, two seconds). If the control device 50 does not detect a person in steps S44 and S46, it issues an abnormality alert (step S50). In step S46, if the number of times that a person has not been detected has not reached a predetermined number, as in steps S17, S23, and S24 of Fig. 7, it may be configured to use the speaker 106 and the monitors 102, 104, and 105 to issue a second warning to check the door mode, and to issue an abnormality alert when the number of times that a person has not been detected has reached the predetermined number.

[0093] In step S50, if the determination is No in steps S44 and S46, the control device 50 may, for example, use a speaker (not shown) arranged outside the passenger boarding bridge 1 to notify a worker on the apron EP that an abnormality has occurred. This worker is a worker who is able to manually operate the passenger boarding bridge 1. Also, in step S50, the control device 50 may send an abnormality signal to the remote control device 80. In the remote control device 80, the control device 81 causes the display device 83 or a speaker (not shown) provided in the remote control device 80 to output a message indicating an abnormality based on the abnormality signal. This message indicating an abnormality may include a message indicating that manual operation is required.

[0094] As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 50 detects an action by the cabin crew indicating that the door mode has been changed (step S46), and then outputs a detachment possible signal in step S47. This eliminates the need for an operator or other person to get into the cab 6 to confirm the door mode with the cabin crew, thereby reducing the number of people required when detaching the passenger boarding bridge 1 from the aircraft 3.

[0095] Note that the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is an example, and it is conceivable that the flight attendant may change the door mode to the automatic mode immediately after closing door 3a of aircraft 3 (step S31). Therefore, after determining in step S43 that there is no person inside passenger boarding bridge 1, if the person detection image sensor 107 continuously detects a person for a predetermined time (for example, 4 to 5 seconds), the control device 50 may perform step S45 in the middle and perform step S47 after the above predetermined time. Further, step S43 may be omitted, and after determining in step S42 that door 3a has been closed, if the person detection image sensor 107 continuously detects a person for a predetermined time (for example, 4 to 5 seconds), the control device 50 may perform step S45 in the middle and perform step S47 after the above predetermined time.

[0096] Note that in this embodiment, door close detection sensor 108 is used as the door close detection means for detecting the state where door 3a of aircraft 3 is closed. Instead of or in addition to this, the captured images of cameras 21 and 22 that capture door 3a may be analyzed to detect that door 3a has been closed.

[0097] In addition, the operator in the central monitoring room may view the captured images of cameras 21 and 22 displayed on, for example, the camera image display device to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in door 3a, and transmit this determination result information to the control device 50 by operating the remote control device 80. This determination result information may include information indicating that the open state of door 3a is abnormal and the closed state of door 3a is normal. In this case, instead of or in addition to step S42 in which the control device 50 determines based on the detection result of the door close detection means, the control device 50 may have a step of determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in door 3a based on the received determination result information. Further, when receiving the determination result information from the remote control device 80, the control device 50 may notify the flight attendant of the presence or absence of an abnormality in door 3a indicated by the determination result information through the speaker 106, the monitors 102, 104, 105, the signal lamp 103, etc.

[0098] Also, in this embodiment, instead of the human detection image sensor 107, a window photographing camera which is a photographing unit for photographing an image including the window 3b of the door 3a may be provided, and the photographed image of this window photographing camera may be transmitted from the control device 50 to the remote operation device 80, and the photographed image of the window photographing camera may be displayed on, for example, a camera image display device provided in the remote operation device 80. Then, an operator in the central monitoring room may monitor the photographed image of the window photographing camera displayed on the camera image display device to determine whether a cabin attendant has performed a predetermined operation, and may transmit this determination result information to the control device 50 by operating the remote operation device 80. In this case, steps S12, S15, S17 in FIG. 7 and steps S44, S46 in FIG. 8 are performed based on the above determination result information received from the remote operation device 80.

[0099] In the present embodiment described above, an example where the remote operation device 80 is installed in the central monitoring room has been described, but it may be installed at a location other than the central monitoring room. Further, the remote operation device 80 may be realized by a portable communication terminal such as a tablet or a smartphone. In this case, for example, a remote operation program for remotely operating the passenger boarding bridge is installed in the portable communication terminal. Alternatively, the portable communication terminal may function as a web browser that accesses a remote operation program stored in a web server and remotely operates the passenger boarding bridge.

[0100] Also, in this embodiment, the passenger boarding bridge has been described as an example of airport ground support equipment. However, when the aircraft door is opened in an access state where it approaches a parked aircraft and the tip is adjacent to or in contact with the aircraft, the present invention can be applied to airport ground support equipment having an access part that enables the movement of people and / or articles between the aircraft through the opening. Examples of such airport ground support equipment include, in addition to the passenger boarding bridge, for example, passenger step cars, airport catering trucks, and the like.

[0101] From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the present invention. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the details of its structure and / or function can be substantially changed.

Industrial Applicability

[0102] The present invention is useful as airport ground support equipment and the like that can achieve labor saving.

Explanation of Signs

[0103] 1 Passenger boarding bridge 3 Aircraft 3a Door of the aircraft 3b Window of the door of the aircraft 6 Cabin 101 Camera 102 Display device 103 Signal lamp 104, 105 Transparent display 106 Speaker 107 Image sensor for human detection 108 Door closing detection sensor

Claims

1. An access unit that approaches a parked aircraft and enables the transfer of people and / or articles between the aircraft and the access unit through an opening when the aircraft door is opened in an access state where the tip is adjacent to or in contact with the aircraft; An image providing unit provided in the access unit that provides an image of the access state of the access unit toward the aircraft door when the aircraft door is in a closed state; An airport ground support equipment comprising the above.

2. The access unit further comprises a photographing device that photographs an image including the tip of the access unit in an access state; The image providing unit is a display device that displays the image photographed by the photographing device toward the aircraft door. The airport ground support equipment according to Claim 1.

3. The image providing unit is a mirror; The mirror is arranged in the access unit so that the access state of the access unit can be visually recognized through a mirror image reflected on the mirror from the aircraft side. The airport ground support equipment according to Claim 1.

4. The airport ground support equipment further comprises a first notification means for notifying the aircraft of precautions before opening the aircraft door; The airport ground support equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The first notification means notifies the aircraft of content prompting a change from an automatic mode to a manual mode regarding the aircraft door mode. The airport ground support equipment according to Claim 4.

6. A photographing unit that photographs an image including a window provided in the aircraft door; An image determination unit that analyzes the photographed image by the photographing unit and determines whether a cabin crew member inside the aircraft has performed a predetermined operation; The airport ground support equipment further comprises a second notification means for notifying the aircraft of the progress state of a confirmation procedure when opening the aircraft door based on the determination result of the image determination unit. The airport ground support equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. After the aircraft door is once opened and then closed, the image determination unit analyzes the photographed image photographed by the photographing unit, and when it is determined that the cabin crew member has performed a predetermined operation intended to change the aircraft door mode from a manual mode to an automatic mode, the airport ground support equipment further comprises a signal output unit that outputs a detachable signal indicating that the access unit can be detached from the aircraft to a predetermined notification unit. The airport ground support equipment according to Claim 6.

8. An imaging unit that captures an image including a window provided in the door of the aircraft; An image determination unit that analyzes the captured image by the imaging unit and determines whether or not a predetermined operation intended to change the door mode of the aircraft from the manual mode to the automatic mode has been performed by a cabin crew member inside the aircraft; The image determination unit analyzes a captured image captured by the imaging unit after the door of the aircraft has been opened and then closed, and when it is determined that the cabin crew member has performed the predetermined operation, a signal output unit that outputs a detachable signal indicating that the access unit can be detached from the aircraft to a predetermined notification unit; and The airport ground support equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. Further comprising door closed detection means for detecting a state in which the door of the aircraft is closed; The airport ground support equipment according to claim 7 or 8.

Images