Automatic Slope Adjusting Device for Airplane Boarding Bridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
The height difference between an airplane boarding gate and a boarding bridge poses a challenge for wheelchair users and other mobility-impaired individuals, necessitating an automatic solution to ensure comfortable and safe transportation.
Innovation Solution
An automatic slope adjusting device with a slope type footrest unit and a driving unit that adjusts the inclination angle and length of the footrest to form a sloped passage, allowing seamless transition between the airplane and the boarding bridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed-height boarding bridge is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it creates a height difference that impedes wheelchair accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed boarding bridge into a movable structure. The boarding bridge is equipped with a driving unit that enables it to move forward and backward, and a slope adjusting unit that changes its inclination angle. This allows the bridge to dynamically adapt its position and angle to eliminate height differences with the airplane, making it accessible for wheelchairs while maintaining structural simplicity through automated movement rather than complex mechanical adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the boarding bridge is made movable to eliminate height difference, then wheelchair accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boarding bridge incorporates a slope adjusting unit with a movable second plate that can change the inclination angle of the bridge. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the bridge to adapt to different height differences between the boarding bridge and various airplanes, providing versatility in accommodating different aircraft types while maintaining a relatively simple structural design through the use of automated positioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical parameters of the boarding bridge, specifically its position (through forward-backward movement) and inclination angle (through slope adjustment). These parameter changes enable the bridge to adapt to different height differences and aircraft configurations, providing versatility without requiring a completely different structure for each scenario.
3Productivity
If manual adjustment of the boarding bridge is used, then the device structure is simple, but it requires manual intervention and is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The boarding bridge incorporates a driving unit that enables automated movement and positioning. This self-service mechanism allows the bridge to automatically adjust its position and inclination angle to match the airplane's boarding gate, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The automated system improves boarding efficiency by quickly and precisely positioning the bridge, while the extent of automation is managed through a control unit that coordinates the movement and slope adjustment operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic slope adjusting device is provided herein. The automatic slope adjusting device may include a slope type footrest unit configured to form a sloped passage; and a driving unit configured to adjust an inclination angle of the slope type footrest unit, and a length of the slot type footrest unit in a forward-backward direction thereof.