Baggage Conveyor Alignment and Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing baggage conveyor systems face challenges in aligning the front end with aircraft loading hatches without causing damage, due to steerability issues and the need for height adjustments, which can result in misalignment and contact with the aircraft's outer skin.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor belt vehicle with steerable wheels and adjustable supports, allowing for precise positioning and height control, including the use of spring-loaded contact rollers and movable railings to prevent damage, and automatic compensatory movements to maintain alignment and height during loading and unloading processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the steerable wheels are used to align the front end of the main conveyor with the loading hatch, then the alignment precision is improved, but the angle between the conveyor direction and the aircraft longitudinal axis changes, increasing the risk of damage to the aircraft outer skin
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is segmented into two independent parts: (1) aligning the front end of the main conveyor with the loading hatch using steerable wheels, and (2) maintaining the conveyor direction parallel to the aircraft longitudinal axis using independent directional control. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized without compromising the other, eliminating the trade-off between alignment precision and aircraft safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new degree of freedom by independently controlling the directional angle of the conveyor relative to the aircraft axis, separate from the lateral alignment. This dimensional separation allows the front end to be precisely aligned with the hatch while keeping the conveyor body properly oriented, preventing skin damage.
2Ease of operation
If the height of the rear end of the main conveyor is adjusted to match the luggage trolley level, then the manual work is reduced, but the position of the front end of the main conveyor changes, increasing the risk of contact with the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment function is segmented and localized to only the rear end of the main conveyor through independent rear support mechanisms. This allows the rear end height to be adjusted to match luggage trolley levels while the front end position remains independently controlled and stable, preventing unintended contact with the aircraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear support structure is made dynamically adjustable in height while the front support maintains a fixed or independently controlled position. This dynamic capability allows the rear end to adapt to varying luggage trolley heights without affecting front end alignment, reducing manual work while maintaining safety.
3Productivity
If the front end of the main conveyor is moved into the hatch during unloading, then the luggage can fall out directly onto the conveyor, but the same alignment and contact risks occur as during loading
Solution Approach 1:
The unloading function is segmented into two independent control aspects: (1) lateral positioning of the front end relative to the hatch opening, and (2) directional orientation of the conveyor body. The steerable wheels enable the front end to be precisely positioned under the hatch while the independent directional control keeps the conveyor body parallel to the aircraft axis, allowing efficient unloading without skin contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The steerable wheel mechanism acts as an intermediary that decouples the lateral positioning function from the directional orientation function. This intermediary allows the front end to be positioned precisely under the hatch for efficient unloading while maintaining proper conveyor orientation, preventing direct contact with the aircraft skin.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Minimizes the risk of damage to aircraft by enabling precise and controlled alignment and height adjustments, facilitating efficient and safe loading and unloading operations with reduced maneuvering space.
Implementation Method 1
spring-loaded contact rollers
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
To prevent the front end (3a) of the main conveyor (3) from undesirably changing its height and/or longitudinal position during operational height adjustment of the rear end (3b) of the main conveyor (3) – which could cause collisions with the aircraft (100) – the lower pivot axes (5'a, 6'a) of the front (5) and/or rear (6) supports of the main conveyor (3) are designed to be movable in the longitudinal direction (10), wherein in particular the control (1*) of the conveyor (1) automatically ensures that the position of the front end (3a) is maintained by longitudinal movement of at least one of the lower pivot axes (5'a, 6'a) and/or movement of one of the supports (5, 6).