Passenger Boarding Bridge Direction Detection for Reliable Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The docking and undocking of passenger boarding bridges with aircraft are manually controlled, relying on operator skill, which can lead to issues such as incorrect docking direction (backward travel) and subsequent operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A passenger boarding bridge system with a determiner that continuously checks the forward travel direction of wheels during docking, providing warnings or restricting backward travel if the direction is not within a safe range, ensuring correct docking by forward travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control by operator is used for docking, then operational flexibility is maintained, but docking reliability deteriorates due to operator skill variations and potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic detection of the cab's position relative to the aircraft using sensors (laser distance meters, photoelectric sensors) that continuously monitor distance and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust travel wheel operations to achieve precise docking, eliminating reliance on operator skill while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control operations with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors and control units to manage the travel wheels. The control unit automatically processes sensor data and commands the travel wheels to move the cab to the correct docking position, substituting human operators with an automated electromechanical system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If backward travel of travel wheels is allowed during docking, then operational versatility is maintained, but harmful effects occur when cab is incorrectly docked by backward travel
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively prevents harmful backward docking by implementing automatic detection of the cab's approach direction using sensors. When the control unit detects that the cab is approaching the aircraft in an incorrect direction (backward approach), it automatically issues warnings and restricts backward travel commands, preventing the harmful docking action before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously receives feedback from sensors about the cab's position and travel direction relative to the aircraft. Based on this feedback, the system automatically determines whether backward travel should be permitted or restricted, dynamically adjusting travel wheel control to prevent harmful operations while allowing necessary versatile movements.
3Device complexity
If limit switch is used to detect docking, then simple detection is achieved, but operational problems occur when cab is docked by backward travel
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensors (laser distance meters, photoelectric sensors) positioned at different locations and angles. Rather than relying on a single limit switch, the system uses multiple sensors to independently detect the cab's position and approach direction, providing redundant and more reliable detection that can distinguish between forward and backward approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it detects the cab's distance from the aircraft, determines the approach direction (forward or backward), and provides data for automatic control. This multi-functional detection system replaces the single-function limit switch, achieving both simplicity and reliability through integrated sensor technology.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger boarding bridge is capable of avoiding docking by backward travel of travel wheels. The passenger boarding bridge includes: a rotunda connected to a terminal building and supported to be rotatable horizontally; a tunnel unit, whose proximal end is connected to the rotunda, that is extendable and retractable; a cab provided at a distal end of the tunnel unit and configured to be docked with an aircraft; travel wheels supporting the tunnel unit and configured to travel forward and backward in changeable directions; an operating device that is operated to input an operation command to the travel wheels; and a determiner configured to repeatedly perform determination whether or not the current direction of the forward travel of the travel wheels is within a predetermined range during a period from when the cab starts being moved from a predetermined position until the cab is docked with the aircraft.