Telescopic Access Bridge with Segmented Folding and Wave Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine access bridges face challenges in reducing storage volume and ensuring safe and easy access due to the need for robust designs that accommodate varying marine conditions and substantial forces, while also requiring efficient transportation and storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A foldable telescopic access bridge with hinged connections, a slewing mechanism, inflatable bridge tips, and a compensation controller that allows for compact storage and flexible operation, enabling efficient use and transport in containers, and compensates for wave disturbances for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robust design is used to accommodate varying marine conditions and substantial forces, then reliability is improved, but storage volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access bridge is divided into multiple segments that can be folded relative to each other. The bridge structure includes a first section and a second section connected by a folding mechanism, allowing the bridge to be collapsed into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining structural integrity when deployed. This segmentation enables the bridge to achieve both robustness during operation and compactness during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism allows one section of the bridge to be nested within or adjacent to another section when in storage position. The sections are arranged to occupy minimal space when folded, similar to nested dolls, while providing full structural support when extended for use.
2Reliability
If a robust design is used to accommodate varying marine conditions and substantial forces, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge is segmented into modular sections that can be manufactured separately and then assembled through folding connections. This modular approach simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing each section to be produced independently using standard fabrication techniques, while the overall structure maintains the robustness needed for marine environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism introduces dynamic capability to the bridge structure, allowing it to transition between deployed and stored configurations. This dynamic design uses hinged connections and folding joints that are relatively simple to manufacture compared to rigid, fixed-structure alternatives, while still providing the necessary structural strength.
3Volume of moving object
If the bridge is designed for efficient storage, then storage volume is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge is divided into foldable sections connected by hinged joints, allowing compact storage configuration. The segmentation enables the bridge to collapse into a small volume when not in use, while the connection mechanisms are designed to be relatively simple in construction and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism provides dynamic reconfiguration capability, allowing the bridge to transition between extended and compact states. The dynamic nature of the folding joints enables efficient storage while the mechanisms are designed to minimize complexity in terms of components and control systems.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a telescopic access bridge (2), a unit provided therewith, and method there for. The bridge comprises: - a base unit (4); - an elevating unit (8) having a first end with a first hinged connection to the base unit and a second end; - a bridge (28) comprising a main bridge part (30) and a telescopic bridge part (32), the bridge having one end with a second hinged connection to the second end of the elevating unit.