Passenger Boarding Bridge Tunnel Cooling With Split Air Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tunnel air-conditioning and heating systems for passenger boarding bridges face high installation and operation costs, noise issues due to wind leakage, and increased wind volume and velocity when part of the diffuser is closed, along with high manufacturing costs and poor external appearance.

Innovation Solution

A tunnel air-conditioning apparatus with an indoor unit on the movable tunnel and an outdoor unit connected to it, supported by an outdoor-unit support unit that adjusts space, featuring separate air supply fans and independent control to prevent wind issues and eliminate the need for a diffuser cover, reducing costs and improving aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a turntable and clamps are installed on the rotunda to support the outdoor unit, then the outdoor unit can be provided on the rotunda, but installation and operation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutdoor unit installation stabilityVSAvoidinstallation and operation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The outdoor unit is extracted from the rotunda structure and relocated to the movable tunnel. This eliminates the need for turntables and clamps on the rotunda, thereby reducing installation and operation costs while maintaining the outdoor unit's functional stability in its new location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable tunnel serves dual purposes: it provides the structural support for the outdoor unit and simultaneously performs its primary function of passenger boarding. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate support structures like turntables, reducing overall system complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a diffuser cover and opening/closing unit are installed on the extended tunnel, then the diffuser cover can be opened and closed, but manufacturing costs increase due to mold requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediffuser cover opening and closing functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser cover opening/closing functionality is merged with the existing diffuser structure. The diffuser cover itself is designed to be movable without requiring a separate opening/closing unit, eliminating the need for additional molds and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining operational functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser cover serves multiple functions: it acts as both the air distribution component and the movable cover. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate opening/closing mechanisms and their associated molds, thereby reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If spacing is provided between the diffuser cover and housing for sliding, then the diffuser cover can slide, but wind leakage causes noise inside the tunnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediffuser cover sliding capabilityVSAvoidnoise from wind leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible sealing member is introduced between the diffuser cover and housing. This flexible element allows the diffuser cover to slide while maintaining continuous sealing, preventing wind leakage and the resulting noise while preserving the sliding functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member is pre-installed in the spacing between the diffuser cover and housing to anticipate and prevent wind leakage. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the diffuser cover slides, wind cannot leak through the spacing, thereby preventing noise before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Loss of energy

If most part of the extended tunnel diffuser is closed, then air conditioning efficiency improves, but wind volume and velocity increase at the opened part causing passenger discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair conditioning efficiencyVSAvoidwind volume and velocity at opened part

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple air supply fans are distributed at different locations within the tunnel rather than concentrating air supply at one point. This local quality approach ensures that even when most diffuser parts are closed, the wind is distributed evenly and velocity at any single opened part remains low, preventing passenger discomfort while maintaining overall air conditioning efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The air supply system is segmented into multiple air supply fans positioned at different locations. This segmentation prevents wind convergence at any single opened diffuser part, as each fan creates localized air flow that is distributed throughout the tunnel, thereby reducing wind velocity and passenger discomfort while maintaining energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Power

If a large reciprocating compressor with separate motor is installed outside the indoor and outdoor units, then cooling and heating capability is achieved, but manufacturing costs and electricity costs increase, and external appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling and heating capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs and electricity costs

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor and motor are merged into an integrated unit that combines both components within a single housing. This integration eliminates the need for separate installation of large reciprocating compressors and motors, reducing manufacturing costs, electricity consumption, and improving the external appearance of the air conditioning system while maintaining full cooling and heating capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution reduces installation and operation costs, minimizes noise and wind problems, and enhances the external appearance by integrating components within the indoor unit, while maintaining effective air-conditioning and heating capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

first and second air supply fans, and a connection opening connected to the first and second air supply fans, wherein the first air supply fan is positioned closer to the movable tunnel than the second air supply fan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

an outdoor unit provided on and connected to the indoor unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer:

Data Source

PatentEP2985230B1Tunnel air conditioning apparatus, passenger boarding bridge comprising the apparatus, air conditioning system for passenger boarding bridge, and system for controlling same

Publication Date: 2018.04.18 KOREA AIRPORTS CORP

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AI summary

A tunnel air-conditioning apparatus for air-conditioning a movable tunnel connected to a rotunda, the tunnel air-conditioning and heating apparatus may include an indoor unit that is provided on the movable tunnel; an outdoor unit that is provided on and connected to the indoor unit; and an outdoor-unit support unit that supports the outdoor unit to make the outdoor unit provided on the indoor unit, wherein the outdoor-unit support unit may lift or lower the outdoor unit so as to adjust the space formed on the top part of the indoor unit.