Aircraft ULD Loading Control Using Adjacent Sensor Coverage Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cargo loading systems for aircraft face delays and errors due to incorrect masking signals from sensors, which can be caused by damaged, dirty, or unsuitable Unit Load Devices (ULDs), leading to malfunctions and increased maintenance efforts.
Innovation Solution
A cargo loading system and method that includes a controller generating a covering state for freight conveyor drive units based on detection signals from sensors, compensating for missing or incorrect signals by using adjacent sensor data to ensure reliable operation, even with dirty or damaged ULDs, and a computer program to execute this method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sensors are used to detect covering of cargo conveyor drive units, then automated control of ULD loading is improved, but errors occur due to dirty or damaged ULD surfaces causing incorrect masking signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines masking signals from multiple adjacent sensors (first sensor and second sensor) to determine the covering state of a cargo conveyor drive unit. By merging the detection results from multiple sensors, the system compensates for incorrect signals from individual sensors caused by dirty or damaged ULD surfaces, thereby maintaining reliable automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensors to verify the covering state. The controller receives masking signals from adjacent sensors and uses this feedback to confirm or correct the covering state determination, ensuring accurate detection even when individual sensors provide incorrect signals due to surface contamination or damage.
2Reliability
If multiple adjacent cargo conveyor drive units are covered by a ULD, then reliable detection is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing sensors serve multiple functions: each sensor not only detects covering of its associated cargo conveyor drive unit but also contributes to detecting covering of adjacent units. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable detection through multiple adjacent sensors without adding dedicated sensors for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cargo loading system (16) and to a cargo loading method for loading a cargo compartment (10) of an aircraft (12) with unit load devices (ULDs) (18-1, 18-2) in an at least partially automated manner. In this case, drive elements (30) of cargo conveying drive units (26, 26a) are controlled depending on coverage signals from sensors (32) detecting coverage of the cargo conveying drive unit (26, 26a). A missing or lost coverage signal for a first cargo conveying drive unit (26a) is compensated for by a control logic system by way of a coverage signal for at least one adjacent cargo conveying drive unit (26), which is intended to be covered by a standardized ULD (18-1, 18-2) together with the first cargo conveying unit (26a), being checked and the coverage state of the first cargo conveying drive unit (26a) being set to "covered" when such a coverage signal from an adjacent sensor (32) is present.