Arc Guide Rod for Passenger Boarding Bridge Bellows
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing passenger boarding bridges and stairways suffer from damage to the bellows frames and eyelets due to excessive tension in the bumper area, leading to tears or eyelet detachment from the guide rod, especially when the bellows roof is set far apart from the floor.
Innovation Solution
The guide rod is angled in an arc towards the ground in the bumper area, allowing the bellows elements to follow the contour without resistance, and featuring a round cross-section with a consistent or larger diameter to prevent damage, along with eyelets designed as guide members with elongated holes for smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bellows roof is set far apart from the floor area to accommodate aircraft contour, then the bellows can achieve better sealing with the aircraft, but the bellows frame and eyelets are damaged due to excessive tension
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rod is designed with an arc-shaped bend in the bumper area instead of a straight configuration. This curvature allows the guide rod to follow the contour of the aircraft fuselage, enabling the bellows to extend further for better sealing while the arc shape absorbs the tension forces, preventing damage to the bellows frame and eyelets
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rod changes its geometric parameters by incorporating an arc-shaped section with specific radius and angle (30°-180°, preferably 90°). This parameter change allows the system to accommodate the aircraft contour while distributing mechanical stress, resolving the contradiction between achieving tight sealing and preventing structural damage
2Strength
If the guide rod has a right-angled bevel to the floor in the bumper area, then the guide rod provides structural support, but the bellows elements experience resistance and are damaged during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rod transitions from a right-angled bevel configuration to an arc-shaped curved configuration in the bumper area. This curvature eliminates sharp angles that create resistance, allowing bellows elements to move smoothly along the guide rod while maintaining structural support through the arc shape
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rod maintains a uniform round cross-section throughout its length, including in the arcuate bend area. This homogeneity ensures consistent guidance and minimal resistance during bellows movement, preventing damage while providing continuous structural support
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an air passenger boarding bridge with an frontal transition part (1) or an escalator (4), wherein the transition part (1) comprises a base (12) and a bellows with frontal bumper (8), the bellows comprises a plurality of bellows elements (7), the transition part in the area of the base (12) has at least one guide rod (20) for longitudinally displaceable control of several bellows elements (7) in the length direction of the guide rod, and the guide rod (20) in the area of the bumper (8) bends towards the direction of the base (12) in an arc manner.