Boarding Bridge Joint Equipment for Downward Aircraft Gates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional boarding bridge joint equipment is not suitable for aircraft with up and down opened boarding gates, particularly in regions where extension line aircraft are prevalent, as it is designed for left and right opened gates.
Innovation Solution
A joint equipment for boarding bridges featuring a floor frame with a concave notch, sliding plate, rotating cover plates, and activating device, allowing for the accommodation of downwardly turned boarding gates, with safety edges and pressure sensors for protection, and detachable guardrails for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional joint equipment designed for left and right opened boarding gates is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate up and down opened boarding gates of extension line aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The joint equipment incorporates a sliding plate that can move horizontally relative to the floor frame, allowing the structure to adapt dynamically to different boarding gate configurations. The sliding plate can be positioned to accommodate either left-right opening or up-down opening gates, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint equipment is divided into separable components including the floor frame, sliding plate, cover plates, and joining plates. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and positioned to accommodate different gate opening types, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the sliding plate is extended to accommodate downwardly turned boarding gates, then the joining channel is sealed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding plate acts as an intermediary component between the floor frame and the cover plates. By introducing this intermediate element, the system achieves reliable sealing of the joining channel while distributing the mechanical complexity across multiple simpler components rather than requiring a single complex sealing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plates are arranged to overlap and nest over the sliding plate and floor frame components. This nested arrangement creates a sealed joining channel while allowing each component to remain relatively simple in design, as the sealing function is achieved through the arrangement rather than complex individual elements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cover plates are added to accommodate aircraft guardrails, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plates serve multiple functions: they accommodate aircraft guardrails, seal the joining channel, and provide structural support. By designing the cover plates to perform multiple functions simultaneously, the system improves safety without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same components address multiple concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The front cover plates and rear cover plates are merged into a unified assembly that works together to accommodate guardrails and seal the channel. This merging of functions into a coordinated component system provides enhanced safety while avoiding the complexity that would arise from separate independent mechanisms for each function.
4Ease of repair
If the sliding plate is made retractable for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but the reliability of the connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding plate is designed with preliminary positioning features and guidance structures that ensure it returns to its correct operational position after maintenance activities. This preliminary design of positioning mechanisms allows the component to be easily accessed for maintenance while maintaining connection reliability when in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint equipment incorporates self-aligning and self-securing features that automatically position components correctly during operation and after maintenance. This self-service capability allows the sliding plate to be easily accessed for maintenance while ensuring reliable reconnection without requiring complex alignment procedures, thus maintaining both ease of repair and reliability.
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
Enables secure and safe connection with extension line aircraft by creating a sealed joining channel and accommodating aircraft guardrails, while providing protection and ease of maintenance through retractable and adjustable components.
Implementation Method 1
two sets of rollers arranged at the underside of the sliding plate and suitable for engaging with and rolling along the guide
Implementation Method 2
a curved lever having a first end pivotably connected to the hinge point and a second end
Implementation Method 3
a wedged block fixed to the first end of the curved lever; a wedged plate arranged at the underside of the sliding plate for engaging and cooperating with the wedged block
Data Source
AI summary
A joint equipment of a boarding bridge is provided, which is suitable for joining with a downwardly turned boarding gate of the aircraft and includes a floor frame having a concave notch at its front end; a first floor arranged at the opening of the concave notch; a sliding plate arranged under the first floor and slidable with respect to the first floor through a slide device arranged under the sliding plate; a joining plate rotatably connected in the front end of the sliding plate; a pair of front cover plates rotatably connected to the joining plate respectively; a pair of rear cover plates rotatably connected to the first floor, wherein the front cover plates are partly lapped over the rear cover plates respectively; an activating device for operating sliding movement of the sliding plate; and a pair of turning mechanisms for turning the pairs of the front and the rear cover plates respectively with respect to the joining plate and the first floor.