Towbarless Tractor Winch Retraction Interlock for Nose Gear Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airplane capture systems using winch systems can cause damage and safety hazards due to improper retraction of the winch strap, leading to costly repairs and potential environmental risks.
Innovation Solution
A towbarless tractor with a control system that automatically retracts the winch strap when the cradle is lifted without the nose gear being supported and prevents release if the strap is not fully retracted, featuring a winch assembly and cradle to securely couple with the airplane's nose gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the winch strap is manually retracted and stored, then the winch system can be operated, but the winch strap may unintentionally move causing damage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors cradle position and winch strap retraction status, then autonomously activates the winch assembly to retract the strap without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the risk of unintentional strap movement during towing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring cradle position and winch strap retraction status. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts winch assembly operation to ensure proper strap retraction, preventing damage and safety hazards while maintaining reliable operation.
2Ease of operation
If the winch strap is not properly retracted before driving, then the towbarless tractor can operate, but the winch strap can unintentionally move causing damage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically retracts the winch strap to the proper position before the towbarless tractor begins driving operations. This preliminary action ensures the strap is securely positioned and cannot unintentionally move during operation, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
3Reliability
If automatic control systems are added to monitor and retract the winch strap, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs multiple functions using a single integrated unit: monitoring cradle position, detecting winch strap retraction status, controlling winch assembly operation, and preventing tractor movement until proper retraction is achieved. This multi-functionality improves reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A towbarless tractor includes a prime mover, a capture system including a cradle configured to support a nose gear and a winch assembly including a winch strap configured to selectively couple with the nose gear, the winch assembly configured to selectively retract the winch strap to pull the towbarless tractor towards the airplane such that the cradle is pulled underneath the nose gear, and a control system configured to at least one of automatically retract the winch strap in response to the cradle being in a lifted position without the nose gear being supported thereby and without the winch strap being retracted, limit operation of the prime mover, engage a brake, or prevent releasing the brake in response to determining that the winch strap is not fully retracted, or automatically stop retracting the winch strap in response to the winch strap being fully retracted.