Towbarless Tractor Remote Capture Control for Nose Gear Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators face difficulties in monitoring the towing process of airplanes while seated in a tractor, leading to potential errors and damage due to limited visibility.
Innovation Solution
A towbarless tractor system with operator controls positioned outside the seating area, enabling operators to control braking and winch operations remotely, and incorporating a sensor to detect the presence of the nose gear during the capture process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator sits in the tractor to control towing operations, then the operator can access controls easily, but the operator has limited visibility and difficulty monitoring the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote control system that acts as an intermediary between the operator and the tractor controls. The operator can control the capture system, braking system, and winch assembly from outside the occupant seating area using a remote device, thereby maintaining control capability while eliminating the visibility limitations of sitting in the tractor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the operator to control the towing operations from a different spatial position - outside the occupant seating area rather than from within it. This dimensional change in operator position allows for improved visibility and monitoring of the capture process while maintaining control through the remote control system.
2Ease of operation
If the operator sits in the occupant seating area, then controls are accessible, but monitoring of the capture process becomes difficult leading to errors and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control system serves as an intermediary that allows the operator to maintain control accessibility while positioned in a safer, more visible location. This eliminates the safety risks associated with poor monitoring capability during the capture process.
3Productivity
If the cradle is lowered to capture the nose gear, then the capture process can proceed, but the operator needs to be outside the seating area to monitor properly
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service through automated sensor detection and control system responses. The sensor automatically detects when the nose gear is present in the cradle, and the control system automatically engages the braking system and stops the winch assembly, eliminating the need for the operator to be in a specific position to monitor these functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement for operator positioning with an electronic sensor-based detection and control system. The sensor and control system automatically perform the monitoring and control functions that would otherwise require the operator to be in a specific position, allowing the operator to work from any location with control access.
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
Enhances the safety and precision of airplane towing by allowing operators to monitor and control the process from a more favorable vantage point, reducing errors and damage.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to detect a presence of the nose gear within the cradle
Implementation Method 2
a braking system configured to brake one or more of the plurality of tractive elements
Implementation Method 3
a winch assembly including a winch strap configured to selectively couple with the nose gear
Data Source
AI summary
A towbarless tractor for towing an airplane includes a control system configured to engage a braking system responsive to first operator controls receiving a first operator input, control a winch assembly to pay out a winch strap responsive to second operator controls receiving a second operator input, enter the vehicle into a capture mode responsive to the first operator controls or the second operator controls receiving a third input, disengage the braking system and control the winch assembly to retract the winch strap responsive to the second operator controls receiving a fourth input during the capture mode to pull the towbarless tractor towards the airplane such that a cradle is pulled underneath a nose gear, and engage the braking system and control the winch assembly to stop retracting the winch strap responsive to a sensor detecting the presence of the nose gear within the cradle during the capture mode.