Separable Bellows for Aircraft Boarding Bridge Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft boarding stairs and bridges with U-shaped bellows are expensive to transport due to their size, requiring special vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A separable bellows design with two legs connected by a web, allowing for assembly and disassembly using a pocket and tongue mechanism, and releasable connecting means like hook and loop tapes, enabling transportation on standard trucks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bellows is made as a complete U-shaped structure, then it provides continuous protection and structural integrity, but it requires expensive special transport vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows is divided into multiple separable segments (first bellows section, second bellows section, and intermediate bellows section) that can be detached from each other. The connection elements allow these segments to be separated for transport and reassembled at the installation site, enabling transport on standard vehicles while maintaining the ability to form a complete protective structure when assembled.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bellows is made separable into discrete parts, then it can be transported on standard trucks, but it requires assembly and disassembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
Connection elements are pre-installed on the bellows segments during manufacturing, so that when the segments need to be assembled, the connection work is already partially done. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity and time required for on-site assembly and disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection elements serve as intermediaries between the bellows segments, providing a standardized interface that simplifies the assembly and disassembly process. These connection elements enable easy coupling and decoupling of segments without requiring complex joining operations.
3Length of stationary object
If the bellows height is increased to at least 3.40 m, then it provides adequate protection coverage, but it can only be shipped by special transport vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The tall bellows structure is segmented into multiple vertical sections that can be transported separately on standard vehicles and then assembled to achieve the required height of at least 3.40 m. This segmentation allows compliance with height restrictions during transport while maintaining the necessary protection coverage when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transporting the bellows as a single tall vertical structure, the design allows disassembly into segments that can be transported in a compact configuration (reducing height dimension during transport) and then reassembled to restore the full height dimension at the installation site.
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
Enables cost-effective transportation and assembly of the bellows, ensuring flexibility and protection of aircraft surfaces without the need for specialized vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
said flexible frame having a bumper made from an elastically resilient material. The bumper is intended to prevent the outer skin of the aircraft from being damaged when the flexible frame is fit thereagainst.
Data Source
AI summary
The Object of the invention as a seal for aircraft boarding stairs or for an aircraft boarding bridge, said seal comprising a U-shaped bellows (5) spanning a gangway bottom plate (10), said bellows (5) comprising a flexible frame (3) at its one open end, said flexible frame having a bumper (4) made from an elastically resilient material, whereby the bellows (5) is separable.