Airport Vehicle Anti-Collision Braking With 3D Aircraft Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-collision systems for ground support vehicles at airports are not completely failsafe, as they rely on regulating the vehicle's drivetrain and do not ensure immediate stoppage or provide adequate visual guidance for operators.
Innovation Solution
An anti-collision system for airport vehicles that includes a distance sensor, a 3D sensor system, a brake activation system, and an operator visual indication system, which allows for independent control of the vehicle's braking system and provides visual guidance for precise maneuvering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distance sensors are used to sense distance to the aircraft and regulate the drivetrain, then collision prevention is improved, but the system is not failsafe as the vehicle may still move when in close proximity and immediate stoppage is not ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-collision system is divided into two independent functional segments: a drivetrain regulation segment that controls vehicle speed through the existing drivetrain, and a brake activation segment that provides independent immediate stoppage capability. This segmentation ensures that if one segment fails, the other can still prevent collisions, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A brake activation system is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor system and the vehicle stopping function. This intermediary brake system provides a direct stopping mechanism that bypasses the drivetrain regulation, ensuring immediate stoppage capability and failsafe collision prevention regardless of drivetrain status.
2Reliability
If signalling means are arranged inside the operator's cabin, then the operator can receive collision warnings, but the operator cannot observe the signalling means while keeping focus on the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The signalling means are relocated from the interior dimension (inside the cabin) to the exterior dimension (outside the vehicle near the operator's line of sight to the aircraft). This dimensional change allows the operator to perceive both the signalling means and the aircraft simultaneously in the same visual field, resolving the contradiction between receiving collision warnings and maintaining situational awareness.
3Reliability
If the drivetrain is regulated to control approaching speed, then collision risk is reduced, but the system is expensive and complicated to retrofit into existing vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The brake activation system is extracted as a separate, standalone subsystem that interfaces directly with the vehicle's existing brake mechanism rather than requiring integration into the complex drivetrain. This extraction allows the anti-collision functionality to be added through a simpler retrofit process, reducing both cost and complexity while maintaining collision risk reduction capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An airport vehicle having an anti-collision system and a method for operating the vehicle, where the vehicle comprises a distance sensor, a 3D sensor system comprising two individual 3D sensors, a brake activation system arranged for activating the braking system of the vehicle, an operator visual indication system, and an anti-collision processing system for controlling the visual indication system as a result of sensed parameters from said distance sensor and said 3D sensors, and for controlling the brake activation system depending on the sensed parameters, such that when a predefined minimum distance is sensed by the distance sensor, the visual indication system and said brake activation system are activated, and when the 3D sensor senses an aircraft part, the visual indication system and/or said brake activation system is activated, where the brake activation system is arranged.