Boarding Bridge Cabin Brake Caliper for Fail-Safe Pivot Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger boarding bridges face safety issues due to uncontrolled pendulum movements of the cabin relative to the bridgehead, especially when there is a chain or shaft breakage, which can lead to accidents and damage, even with double chain drives, as current braking devices are complex and do not guarantee operational safety.
Innovation Solution
A braking device with a brake caliper that works like a disc brake, held on the cabin side and interacting with a disc-shaped ring segment body on the bridgehead, which automatically closes to block pivoting movements when the drive train is interrupted, using a brake opening actuator controlled by a control unit and restoring elements to ensure reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a braking device is added to block cabin pivoting in case of drive train failure, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential braking function from complex existing braking devices and implements it through a simple mechanical latch mechanism that engages with a cam-shaped feature on the drive shaft. This minimalistic approach provides the necessary safety function without adding unnecessary complexity to the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking device is designed to automatically engage when the drive train fails, without requiring external control systems or additional sensors. The mechanical latch automatically detects drive shaft movement anomalies and engages the braking action, making the system self-regulating and reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If a complex braking device is used to ensure operational safety, then reliability improves, but ease of maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention simplifies the braking device to its essential mechanical components - a latch, a spring, and a cam-shaped feature - that can be easily inspected and maintained. This stripped-down design eliminates complex electronic controls and hydraulic systems, making routine maintenance straightforward for service personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking mechanism uses a simple mechanical latch that can be easily replicated and replaced if needed. The design allows for straightforward duplication of critical components, ensuring that maintenance can be performed quickly without requiring specialized parts or procedures.
3Reliability
If existing braking devices are used, then some level of safety is provided, but they do not guarantee prevention of uncontrolled pendulum movements
Solution Approach 1:
The braking device applies preliminary braking action by automatically engaging the mechanical latch when any abnormal movement of the drive shaft is detected, preventing uncontrolled pendulum movements before they can cause harm. This proactive approach ensures that even partial chain failures are immediately addressed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex sensors and electronic controls to detect failures and then activate braking, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple mechanical latch that passively engages with the cam-shaped feature on the drive shaft. The geometry itself provides the detection and activation mechanism, ensuring reliable prevention of harmful movements through mechanical rather than electronic means.
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 braking device effectively prevents undesirable pendulum movements by automatically blocking the cabin's pivoting relative to the bridgehead in case of drive train failures, enhancing operational safety and allowing for easy maintenance without manual rework, and can be retrofitted into existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the braking device comprises a brake caliper mounted on the cabin side with two brake shoes carrying brake pads and a disc-shaped ring segment body arranged on the bridgehead side and engaging between the brake pads, against which the brake shoes with their brake pads act when the brake caliper is deactivated to block a pivoting movement of the cabin relative to the bridgehead
Implementation Method 2
which closes automatically when the brake opening actuator is deactivated by the restoring force stored by the opening process
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an access bridge 1 with a passenger tunnel 3 leading into a bridgehead 5 and with a cabin 6 that can be pivoted about a section of the bridgehead 5 by means of a cabin pivoting drive, which cabin pivoting drive is designed as a chain drive, in which the at least one chain is held on the bridgehead side and the motor drive 8 with a drive pinion meshing a chain is arranged on the cabin side, wherein the cabin pivoting drive is associated with a brake device that blocks the pivoting of the cabin 6 relative to the bridgehead 5, which can be opened against a restoring force to pivot the cabin 6 relative to the bridgehead 5 by a brake opening actuator 9 connected to a control unit and receiving switching commands from it, and closes automatically by the stored restoring force when the brake opening actuator 9 is deactivated.A special feature is that the braking device comprises a brake caliper held on the cabin side, operating in the manner of a disc brake, as a brake opening actuator 9 with two brake shoes 15, 15.1 carrying brake linings, and a disc-shaped ring segment body arranged on the bridge head side, engaging between the brake linings, against which the brake shoes with their brake linings act when the brake caliper 9 is deactivated to block a pivoting movement of the cabin 6 relative to the bridge head 5, and from which the brake shoes 15, 15.1 with their brake linings are released when the brake caliper 9 is activated.