Coupling Module Base Head Segmentation for Fuselage Contour Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft fuselages with heavily contoured front areas pose challenges for coupling modules to achieve gap-free attachment without damaging the aircraft skin, as existing solutions fail to maintain a consistent minimal distance between the coupling module and the fuselage, risking contact and damage.
Innovation Solution
A coupling module with a displaceable floor head part, segmented into multiple segments each equipped with a drive device and sensor, maintains a constant minimal distance from the aircraft fuselage using a sensor-controlled system, ensuring safety and preventing contact through a flexible drive mechanism and bumper system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base of the dome module is made to contact the aircraft fuselage to achieve gap-free attachment, then the seal quality is improved, but the aircraft skin may be damaged due to contact with the contoured fuselage surface
Solution Approach 1:
The base of the dome module is divided into multiple segments that can independently adjust their position. This segmentation allows each base segment to adapt to the contoured fuselage surface while maintaining a controlled distance, preventing direct contact damage to the aircraft skin while still achieving adequate sealing through the segmented structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance parameter between the dome module base and the aircraft fuselage is dynamically adjusted and controlled. By maintaining a specific minimal distance rather than direct contact, the system prevents damage to the aircraft skin while still achieving functional attachment and sealing through the controlled gap.
2Device complexity
If a fixed base structure is used to simplify the design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain consistent minimal distance across the entire width of the coupling module is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The base is segmented into multiple independently controllable units distributed across the width of the coupling module. Each segment can be individually positioned to maintain the required minimal distance, ensuring consistent spacing across the entire width while using relatively simple segmented structures rather than a complex monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure transitions from a fixed, static design to a dynamic, adjustable system. The base segments can move and adapt their position to maintain the required distance consistency across different widths and configurations of the coupling module, providing precision through adaptability rather than rigid fixed geometry.
3Reliability
If the base head section is made displaceable with sensor control to maintain minimal distance, then the safety is improved by preventing contact, but the device complexity increases due to additional drive devices and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The base head section is equipped with sensor devices that automatically detect the position of the aircraft fuselage and control the drive mechanisms to maintain the required minimal distance. This self-controlled system ensures safety by preventing contact without requiring external monitoring or manual adjustment, as the system autonomously maintains the safe distance through its own sensing and actuation capabilities.
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 solution ensures a consistent minimal distance is maintained over the entire width of the coupling module, preventing damage to the aircraft skin and ensuring passenger safety by avoiding gaps that could cause injury.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor device (25) is assigned to the base head section (14), in particular to each base segment (16), by means of which the contour of the fuselage (70) is at least in the area of the base (10) detectable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the base (10) of a dome module (1) as an interface between a passenger boarding bridge or passenger stairs and the fuselage of an aircraft (70), wherein the dome module (1) has an exit opening (40), wherein the base (10) comprises a base head section (14), wherein the base head section (14) is displaceable horizontally in the direction of the exit opening (40) of the dome module (1) by means of at least one sensor device, forming an end-face distance (28) of the base head section (14) to the aircraft fuselage.