Retractable Gangway Sidewall Cover for Gap Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gangway designs suffer from gaps between the sidewall and the floor or ceiling due to misalignment, particularly under varying driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sidewall design for a gangway that incorporates a cover attached to a rail, which is connected to the gangway ends, ensuring the cover synchronizes with the movement of the gangway ends and reduces gaps by adapting to the relative positions of the gangway ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flexible sidewall with one-piece covers is used to cover gaps between the sidewall and floor/ceiling, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but gaps can occur under certain driving conditions due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cover movable relative to the sidewall through a rail-guided mechanism. The cover can dynamically adjust its position along the rail to maintain alignment with the floor and ceiling during gangway movement, preventing gaps from forming under varying driving conditions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cover from the sidewall structure, allowing the cover to be a separate movable component rather than a fixed one-piece element. This segmentation enables the cover to independently adjust its position to maintain proper alignment with the floor and ceiling during gangway operation.
2Device complexity
If the cover is fixed to the sidewall to maintain structural simplicity, then the device complexity is low, but the cover cannot adapt to movement of gangway ends causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rail as an intermediary element between the cover and the gangway structure. The rail serves as a guide that allows the cover to move and adapt to changes in gangway end positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. The rail mediates the interaction between the fixed sidewall and the movable cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed to be movable along the rail, transforming it from a static component to a dynamic one that can adapt to gangway movement. This dynamic capability allows the cover to maintain alignment with the floor and ceiling during operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional mounting elements and rails are added to enable cover movement, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rail serves multiple functions: it guides the cover movement, maintains proper spacing between the cover and sidewall, and allows for easy installation and removal of the cover. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maximizing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed as a flexible element that can move along the rail to adapt to gangway end positions. This flexibility allows the cover to maintain alignment with the floor and ceiling without requiring complex mechanical linkages or actuation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A sidewall suitable for a gangway comprises a first panel that provides a first gangway end; a second panel that provides a second gangway end, the second gangway end being opposite the first gangway end; a retractable rail comprising a first rail end that is connected to the first panel and that has a second rail end opposite the first rail end, wherein the second rail end is connected to the second panel, wherein the retractable rail extends along a longitudinal axis; and wherein a cover is attached to the rail and extending along the rail, the cover having a flexible portion that extends from the rail into a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.