Passenger boarding bridge collision detection via virtual line intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger boarding bridge monitoring systems struggle to reliably detect when multiple boarding bridges are approaching each other, leading to potential collisions due to how distances are calculated between points and lines.
Innovation Solution
A passenger boarding bridge monitoring device that calculates the current position of virtual lines based on detector values from each bridge, determining if these virtual lines are crossing or close to each other to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If distances are calculated between points (corners) and lines (sides) of passenger boarding bridges, then the calculation method is simple, but the detection reliability of coming-close states deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual lines as intermediary elements that represent the spatial boundaries of passenger boarding bridges. Instead of directly calculating distances between complex bridge structures, the system uses these virtual lines as mediators to determine spatial relationships. The virtual lines are generated based on detector data and serve as simplified geometric representations that enable reliable collision detection through line-line intersection algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies (virtual lines) of the physical passenger boarding bridges based on detector measurements. These virtual lines are mathematical representations that replicate the spatial position and orientation of the actual bridges. By working with these copied geometric models rather than the physical structures themselves, the system achieves reliable detection through computational geometry operations.
2Power
If distance calculation is performed only at multiple discrete positions, then the calculation workload is reduced, but the detection completeness of coming-close states deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from discrete point-based distance measurements to continuous line-based spatial representation. By representing passenger boarding bridges as virtual lines extending through space rather than isolated measurement points, the system achieves comprehensive detection of coming-close states along the entire length of the bridges while maintaining computational efficiency through linear geometric operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a passenger boarding bridge monitoring device, for passenger boarding bridges each including: a rotunda; a tunnel unit; a travel device; a cab; and detectors that detect a rotational angle of the rotunda and the cab and a length of the tunnel unit. The monitoring device calculates a current position of a virtual line based on detection values of the respective detectors of the one bridge, the virtual line being shifted outward from a profile of the one bridge and conforming to the profile; calculates a current position of a virtual line based on detection values of the respective detectors of the other bridge, the virtual line either extending along or being shifted outward from a profile of the other bridge; and determines whether or not the two virtual lines are in a state of crossing each other, and if so, performs a first coming-close hindering process.