Passenger Boarding Bridge Brake Linkage for Wire Rope Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger boarding bridge tunnel braking systems have a complex structure and low reliability, posing safety hazards when wire ropes break, as they can lead to uncontrolled movement of tunnels, compromising passenger safety.

Innovation Solution

A movable tunnel braking system utilizing a brake plate, brake pin, and triggering device with a mechanical structure that restricts relative movement between adjacent tunnels when the tensile or retracting wire rope is broken, ensuring safety through a simple and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a traditional tunnel braking system is used, then the structure becomes complex, but the reliability remains low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking system structureVSAvoidbraking system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The braking system is segmented into independent modular components: brake plates installed on fixed tunnels, brake pins on movable tunnels, and independent triggering devices. Each module functions autonomously, simplifying the overall structure while improving reliability through redundancy. The segmentation allows the system to brake individual tunnel sections independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The triggering device automatically detects wire rope breakage and activates the brake pin without external intervention. The mechanical structure self-activates when the retracting wire rope breaks, causing the triggering device to rotate and drive the brake pin into the brake plate, eliminating the need for complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wire ropes break, then tunnels become uncontrolled, but existing braking systems fail to prevent this

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuncontrolled tunnel movementVSAvoidsafety under wire rope failure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brake plate and brake pin are pre-positioned and mechanically configured to automatically engage when wire rope breakage occurs. The triggering device is pre-set to rotate and activate the brake pin upon detecting the breakage condition, creating a preliminary protective action that prevents uncontrolled movement before it can cause harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of wire rope breakage into a beneficial triggering mechanism. When the retracting wire rope breaks, instead of causing uncontrolled movement, the breakage itself activates the triggering device, which rotates and drives the brake pin into the brake plate, transforming the failure condition into a safety activation signal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If a simple braking mechanism is used, then the structure is compact, but the ability to brake adjacent tunnels simultaneously is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking mechanism simplicityVSAvoidability to brake multiple tunnels
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The brake plate and brake pin design is universal and can be applied to any adjacent tunnel connection. The same simple mechanical components can brake multiple tunnel sections simultaneously by installing sets at different locations. The triggering device design allows it to work with multiple brake pin pairs, enabling the system to adapt to different tunnel configurations and brake multiple sections as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system effectively brakes adjacent tunnels when wire ropes break, ensuring passenger safety with high reliability and simplicity, without relying on electrical components, thus preventing uncontrolled movement and potential accidents.

Implementation Method 1

a brake pin (67) which is movably disposed at a second tunnel (23), wherein the brake plate (223) and the brake pin (67) are used to brake two adjacent tunnels of the passenger boarding bridge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

Both ends of the tensile spring (72) are respectively connected to the main hinged rod (66) and the second tunnel (23), so that when the tensile wire rope (52) or the retracting wire rope (51) is broken, the linkage mechanism is driven to move and rotates the brake pin (67) to combine with the brake slot (224)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3511250B1Movable tunnel braking system and passenger boarding bridge
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 SHENZHEN CIMC TIANDA AIRPORT SUPPORT
  • EP3511250B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3511250B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3511250B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A movable walkway braking system, comprising a braking plate (223), a braking pin (67) and a triggering mechanism. A passenger boarding bridge comprising said movable walkway braking system, having three or more walkways, and an extending steel cable (52) and a retracting steel cable (51) connecting multiple walkways. The braking plate (223) is fixedly disposed on a first walkway (22), braking clamping grooves (224) are disposed on the braking plate, and the braking pin (67) is movably disposed on a second walkway (23) that sleeves over the first walkway (22), and is used to engage with a braking clamping groove (224). The triggering mechanism comprises mechanical stopper parts (231, 233), a pull rod mechanism and a tension spring (72), the mechanical stopper parts being fixedly disposed on the second walkway (23), the pull rod mechanism being movably disposed on the second walkway and connected to one end of an extending steel cable (52) or a retracting steel cable (51), and the pull rod mechanism abutting a mechanical stopper part when the extending steel cable (52) or the retracting steel cable (51) is under tension. Two ends of the tension spring (72) are connected to the pull rod mechanism and the second walkway, respectively, the spring being used to drive movement of the pull rod mechanism and make the pull rod mechanism move the braking pin (67) to engage with a braking clamping groove (224) when the extending steel cable (52) or the retracting steel cable (51) breaks, so as to stop the first walkway (22) and the second walkway (23). The structure of the present system is simple and compact, and convenient to install; in addition, the present system can effectively completely stop a movable walkway by means of a mechanical structure if an extending steel cable (52) or a retracting steel cable (51) breaks, thereby protecting the life safety of passengers, and the operation thereof is highly reliable.