Four-Wheel Running Mechanism for Passenger Boarding Bridge
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing two-wheel running mechanism of passenger boarding bridges is complex, prone to mechanical and control issues, and experiences significant sliding friction and wear due to mismatched wheel speeds, making it unsuitable for serving double-deck aircrafts.
Innovation Solution
A four-wheel running mechanism with a beam, rotary supporting members, wheel carriers, and driving means, including a reducer and prime mover, equipped with an angle transducer and a programmable logic controller to synchronize the speed of all wheels, reducing sliding friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a four-wheel running mechanism is adopted to serve upper doors of double-decked aircrafts, then the boarding bridge can reach higher doors, but the structure becomes complex and mechanical trouble is prone to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The running mechanism is divided into two independent running wheel sets, each set containing two running wheels. Each wheel set is independently driven by its own motor, allowing the bridge to adapt to different aircraft door heights while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-wheel or two-wheel configuration to a four-wheel configuration with wheels arranged on two sides of the beam. This dimensional expansion allows the bridge to achieve the necessary reach for upper doors of double-decked aircrafts while distributing the mechanical load and improving stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a four-wheel running mechanism with independent motor control is used, then the bridge can serve various aircraft types, but the control method becomes complex and control trouble is prone to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates speed sensors on each running wheel to detect actual wheel speeds. The controller uses this feedback information to automatically adjust motor speeds and maintain synchronized movement of all four wheels, simplifying the control process while ensuring precise coordination across the running mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages and gear systems with an electronic control system that uses motors and sensors. This substitution simplifies the control method by using electronic signal processing rather than mechanical coupling, making the system more adaptable to different aircraft types while reducing mechanical control complexity.
3Device complexity
If running wheels are used without speed synchronization, then the structure is simpler, but sliding friction exists and the surfaces of running wheels are severely worn
Solution Approach 1:
Speed sensors are installed on each running wheel to continuously monitor wheel speed. The control system uses this feedback to automatically adjust motor speeds, ensuring all wheels rotate at matched speeds during operation. This eliminates sliding friction between wheels and the ground surface, preventing severe wear while maintaining relatively simple structural design.
Data Source
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AI summary
Running mechanism for a passenger boarding bridge and the control method thereof are provided. The running mechanism comprises a beam, two rotary supporting members and two running wheel sets, wherein each of said rotary supporting members is pivotally connected to one end of the beam, and also connected to the respective running wheel set. Each running wheel set comprises a wheel carrier and two running wheels respectively mounted on two ends of the wheel carrier. The running mechanism includes four driving means for driving said four running wheel, respectively. The control method is used to provide a matching control for the four running wheels, so that there is no sliding friction between the running wheels and the ground surface when the passenger boarding bridge is steered.