Boarding Bridge Protective Zone Scanning for Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boarding bridge collision avoidance systems are inadequate in providing comprehensive and accurate protection due to reliance on complex data calculations and sensors, leading to potential collisions with aircraft or other bridges.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involves pre-configuring protective regions around the boarding bridge, scanning for obstacles within these regions, and implementing graded collision avoidance actions based on the obstacle's location within these regions, using a combination of distance sensing devices and control modules to ensure omnidirectional protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proximity sensors are installed at high-risk locations to detect obstacles, then collision probability is reduced, but complete collision avoidance cannot be achieved due to multiple degrees of freedom and complex outlines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidance capabilityVSAvoidsensor installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective region is divided into multiple graded zones (first graded zone, second graded zone, etc.) with different alarm distances. Each zone has its own alarm signal and collision avoidance action, allowing differentiated response based on obstacle proximity and risk level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from point-based sensor detection to region-based protective zone coverage. By defining graded zones with different alarm distances in spatial dimensions, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without requiring sensors at every high-risk location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If software-based collision avoidance is used with position relationship calculation, then collision can be avoided, but the system is highly dependent on accurate motion state data and docking position data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidance functionVSAvoidposition data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The protective regions and their boundaries are pre-configured before the boarding bridge operation. The graded zones with different alarm distances are established in advance, eliminating the need for real-time complex position calculations and reducing dependency on accurate motion state data during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of calculating actual position relationships in real-time, the system uses pre-defined protective region models that represent safe and dangerous zones. This simplifies the detection logic to checking whether obstacles fall within these pre-configured regions rather than performing complex geometric calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multiple sensors are installed to achieve omnidirectional protection, then collision avoidance coverage is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveomnidirectional protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distance sensing device performs multiple functions: it detects obstacles, determines their location relative to graded zones, triggers appropriate alarm signals, and initiates corresponding collision avoidance actions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each detection and response level.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a single distance sensing device that measures distance parameters to determine which graded zone an obstacle falls into. By changing the alarm distance parameter based on the detected zone, the system achieves differentiated protection levels without requiring multiple sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4212436B1Boarding bridge Anti-collision method and boarding bridge Anti-collision system
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SHENZHEN CIMC TIANDA AIRPORT SUPPORT
  • EP4212436B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4212436B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4212436B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A boarding bridge (1) anti-collision method and a boarding bridge anti-collision system. The boarding bridge anti-collision method comprises: obtaining a pre-configured boarding bridge protection area; performing scanning and obtaining the location of an obstacle (5); if the obstacle is located in the protection area, generating an alarm signal, and controlling a boarding bridge to perform an anti-collision action; and if the obstacle is not located in the protection area, and continuing scanning.