Towing Vehicle Load Position and Orientation Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high labor costs and difficulty in assessing movements during aircraft maneuvering on airfields, where towing vehicles must navigate large aircraft without assistance from aircraft systems, as the aircraft is typically shut down and inaccessible, leading to challenges in avoiding collisions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the position and orientation of a movable load connected to a towing vehicle using a sensor system, combining data from the towing vehicle to remotely calculate the load's position and orientation, displaying potential collision points and allowing for advanced maneuver planning, even in poor visibility, by using position-determining devices and a compass to assess the towing vehicle's orientation and load's relative position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wing watchers are used to observe and warn the driver, then collision avoidance is improved, but labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the towing vehicle to autonomously determine its own position and orientation using integrated sensor systems (GPS, compass, sensor unit) without requiring external human observers. The vehicle's own systems provide the data needed for collision avoidance, eliminating the need for separate wing watcher personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/human observation system (wing watchers physically observing and using radios) with an automated electronic system that uses sensor data processing to determine position and orientation, thereby eliminating human labor while maintaining or improving collision avoidance capability.
2Ease of operation
If the aircraft is completely shut down and inaccessible, then maneuvering control is simplified, but the ability to use aircraft systems for assistance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensor system that bridges the gap between the inaccessible aircraft and the towing vehicle's control systems. This intermediary system (comprising sensor units on the aircraft and processing units in the towing vehicle) translates aircraft position and orientation data into usable information for the driver, enabling assistance without requiring direct access to aircraft systems.
3Ease of operation
If remote determination of load position is implemented, then manipulation on the load is eliminated, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor systems (GPS for position, compass for orientation, and additional sensor units) to work together and provide accurate determination of the load's position and orientation. By merging the data from these complementary systems, the patent achieves high measurement precision while maintaining the advantage of remote determination without direct manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one of a position and an orientation of a movable load. The present invention also relates to a position and orientation determining system for a group which includes a towing vehicle and at least one load which can be moved by the towing vehicle.