Dome Module Floor Segments for Gap-Free Airplane Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dome modules between air passenger bridges or stairs and airplanes often result in gaps when attached near the cockpit area, especially when the airplane door opens inward, posing a safety risk and requiring barriers to prevent entry into these gaps.
Innovation Solution
The floor of the dome module features flexible buffer cross-beams connecting multiple floor segments, allowing horizontal displacement via a drive device with gas springs and a pulling mechanism, ensuring a gap-free transition by adjusting to the airplane's skin, with guide elements and tubular motor drives for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the floor is designed as a single stationary element, then the structure is simple and stable, but gaps form between the floor and airplane fuselage when the door opens inward
Solution Approach 1:
The floor is divided into a stationary floor element and a movable floor head part that can be horizontally displaced. The floor head part itself is segmented into multiple floor segments connected by flexible buffer cross-beams, allowing each segment to adjust independently to eliminate gaps while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor head part is designed to be horizontally displaceable relative to the stationary floor element through guide elements and drive devices. This dynamic capability allows the floor to adapt its position to accommodate different door opening directions and maintain gap-free transition, transforming a static structure into an adaptive system.
2Reliability
If the floor head part is horizontally displaceable relative to the stationary floor element, then gap formation is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex and requires guide elements and drive devices
Solution Approach 1:
The floor head part is designed to be horizontally displaceable relative to the stationary floor element through guide elements and drive devices. This dynamic capability allows the floor to adapt its position to accommodate different door opening directions and maintain gap-free transition, transforming a static structure into an adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device with gas springs automatically positions the floor head part and floor segments to eliminate gaps. The system uses the weight and positioning requirements itself to drive the adjustment mechanism, reducing the need for complex external control systems while maintaining reliable gap-free transition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple floor segments are connected by flexible buffer cross-beams, then automatic adaptation to airplane skin is achieved, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floor is divided into a stationary floor element and a movable floor head part that can be horizontally displaced. The floor head part itself is segmented into multiple floor segments connected by flexible buffer cross-beams, allowing each segment to adjust independently to eliminate gaps while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible buffer cross-beams allow the floor segments to change their relative positions and orientations automatically. By changing the physical parameters (position, orientation) of individual segments through the flexible connections, the floor adapts to different airplane skin contours without requiring custom-manufactured components for each configuration.
4Extent of automation
If a drive device with gas springs is used for horizontal displacement, then automatic placement is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device with gas springs automatically positions the floor head part and floor segments to eliminate gaps. The system uses the weight and positioning requirements itself to drive the adjustment mechanism, reducing the need for complex external control systems while maintaining reliable gap-free transition.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas springs are used to provide the necessary force for horizontal displacement of the floor head part and floor segments. This pneumatic mechanism provides automatic, controlled movement without requiring complex electrical motors or hydraulic systems, achieving automation through simpler mechanical 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
This solution enables an automatic, gap-free transition of the dome module floor to the airplane fuselage, enhancing safety and usability by accommodating various airplane types and door orientations without the need for barriers.
Implementation Method 1
the drive device comprises in particular several, in particular two spring elements which are advantageously constructed as gas springs
Implementation Method 2
spring elements which are advantageously constructed as gas springs which are firmly mounted on their one end, e.g. on the floor frame, and on their other end are connected to the flexible and displaceable buffer cross-beam
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter of the invention is a floor of a dome module as an interface between an air passenger bridge or air passenger stairs and the airplane, wherein the floor comprises a stationary floor section and a floor head part, wherein the floor head part exhibits several floor segments, which are connected to one another by a buffer cross-beam that is flexible over at least a portion of its length, wherein several floor segments are horizontally displaceable relative to one another.