US-12623858-B2 - Control device for a cargo loading system, cargo loading system, and method for positioning containers and/or pallets on a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft

US12623858B2US 12623858 B2US12623858 B2US 12623858B2US-12623858-B2

Abstract

A control device for a cargo loading system on a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft. The control device includes a plurality of selection switch elements each for selecting a loading configuration from a plurality of possible loading configurations, at least one first indicator device, comprising a display for outputting an at least partial depiction of the cargo deck, at least one second indicator device to be arranged (directly) on the cargo deck, in particular on system components of the cargo loading system, and a computing unit. The computing unit is configured to: a) determine a selected loading configuration based on signals from at least some of the selection switch elements; b) using the selected loading configuration, determine an identification region on the cargo deck and/or an identification selection of system components; and c) visualize the identification region and/or the identification selection using the first indicator device and the second indicator device (simultaneously).

Inventors

Benedikt Kieser
Marcos Mengual Hinojosa
Matthias Urch

Assignees

TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GMBH

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220512
Priority Date: 20210514

Claims (14)

1 . A control device for a cargo loading system on a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft, the control device comprising: a plurality of selection switch elements each for selecting a loading configuration from a plurality of possible loading configurations; at least one first indicator device comprising a display for outputting a cargo space outline graphically representative of at least a portion of the cargo deck, at least one second indicator device having a plurality of light source arrangements to be arranged on the cargo deck, and a computing unit, which is configured to: a) determine the selected loading configuration based on signals from at least some of the selection switch elements; b) using the selected loading configuration, determine an identification region on the cargo deck where cargo is to be loaded and/or an identification selection of system components to be used in the selected loading configuration from a plurality of system components of the cargo loading system; and c) generate a graphical representation of the identification region and/or the identification selection on the display and generate an optical indication on the cargo deck of the identification region and/or the identification selection using the second indicator device, wherein the light source arrangements are arrangeable or arranged on the plurality of system components of the cargo loading system.
2 . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the display is configured to generate the graphical representation of the identification region and/or the identification selection on the display in/as part of the cargo space outline.
3 . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the computing unit has a communicative connection to the second indicator device.
4 . The control device according to claim 3 , wherein each light source arrangement has a plurality of light sources, and the light sources are combined into groups in such a way that the optical indication of the identification region and/or the identification selection on the cargo deck can be generated by means of the light source arrangements.
5 . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the computing unit is configured to receive first and second control signals from at least one control means device and, in reaction to the first control signal, to determine the identification region on the cargo deck and/or the identification selection of system components, and/or, in reaction to the second control signal, to activate system components within the identification region and/or the identification selection of the system components.
6 . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the computing unit is configured to communicate with a storage unit, wherein items of information with respect to the cargo space outline and/or items of information with respect to the plurality of loading configurations are stored on the storage unit.
7 . A cargo loading system of a cargo aircraft, comprising a control device according to claim 1 .
8 . The cargo loading system of a cargo aircraft according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one first indicator device is arranged at an operating panel in the vicinity of a cargo door of the cargo aircraft, and a plurality of light source arrangements are arranged on/in roller drive units of the cargo loading system to assist positioning of containers and/or pallets.
9 . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the system components are roller drive units on the cargo deck.
10 . A method for positioning containers and/or pallets on a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft by means of a control device according to claim 1 , comprising the following steps: selecting a loading configuration from a plurality of possible loading configurations for containers and/or pallets on the cargo deck; determining an identification region on the cargo deck and/or an identification selection of system components using the selected loading configuration; and generating a graphical representation of the identification region or the identification selection on the at least one first indicator device in the cargo space and generating an optical indication on the cargo deck of the identification region or the identification selection using the at least one second indicator device on the cargo deck.
11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the graphical representation of the identification region or the identification selection is generated on the display with reference to the cargo space outline.
12 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein generating the optical indication on the cargo deck of the identification region or the identification selection using the at least one second indicator device comprises flashing and/or lighting up of light source arrangements.
13 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising a control of system components within the identification region and/or the identification selection of system components.
14 . A computer-readable (storage) medium, comprising instructions which, upon execution by at least one computing unit, cause it to implement a method according to claim 10 .

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102021112593.6, filed May 14, 2021. The disclosure set forth in the referenced application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a control device for a cargo loading system, a cargo loading system, and a method for positioning containers and/or pallets on a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft. BACKGROUND To transport air cargo, pieces of cargo, such as containers and/or pallets (“unit load devices”—ULDs), the dimensions of which usually meet defined norms, are fastened within a cargo space of a cargo aircraft by means of bolt elements on the cargo deck of the cargo space. Such bolt elements often form cargo loading paths, between which the normed pieces of cargo can be positioned. To position the pieces of cargo at the positions provided for them, cargo loading systems are used which assist the ground personnel during loading and unloading. To make the loading and unloading process as efficient as possible, the cargo decks have, for example, ball mats, which enable the pieces of cargo to be transported with little application of force on the cargo deck. Furthermore, cargo conveyor devices such as roller drive units (“PDUs: power drive units”) are regularly provided, which apply the force required for the transport. Nonetheless, ground personnel cannot be omitted during loading and unloading of the cargo, since many loading processes are very individual due to different loading configurations, dimensions of the pieces of cargo, excesses, etc. In EP 2 418 145 A2, for example, a cargo space floor or cargo deck is described, which offers a variety of possible loading configurations. Such a variety of possible loading configurations can quickly become confusing during a loading or unloading process—in particular if it is necessary to work under high time pressure. However, special loading and unloading processes of cargo aircraft generally have to take place under ultrahigh time pressure, since every minute which an aircraft spends on the ground causes operator-side costs. Especially in the case of frequently changing cargo having different dimensions, aircraft types, cargo systems, loading configurations, etc., the responsible personnel can thus easily make errors in the handling of a corresponding cargo loading system. Such an operating error can have the result that, for example, sections of the cargo deck, the entire cargo deck, or system components of the cargo loading system are damaged. However, such operating errors absolutely have to be prevented, since a defective cargo loading system can result in significant costs. Repairing or replacing corresponding system components or entire sections of the cargo deck is very expensive. SUMMARY The present invention is based on the object of providing a control device and a corresponding method for positioning containers and/or pallets on a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft having improved intuitive handling to exclude an operating error as much as possible and to avoid problems and/or delays during the loading of the cargo deck. This object is achieved in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular, the object is achieved by a control device for a cargo loading system on a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft, wherein the control device comprises the following: a plurality of selection switching elements for selecting a loading configuration in each case;at least one first indicator device having a display to output an at least partial depiction of the cargo deck,at least one second indicator device for the (direct) arrangement on the cargo deck or on system components of the cargo loading system; and a computing unit, which is designed to:a) determine a selected loading configuration based on signals of at least some of the selection switching elements;b) using the selected loading configuration, determine an identification region on the cargo deck and/or an identification selection of system components;c) visualize the identification region and/or the identification selection using the first indicator device and the second indicator device (simultaneously). The object is also achieved by a control device for positioning containers and/or pallets for cargo loading system on a cargo deck of a cargo aircraft, wherein the control device comprises the following: a plurality of selection switching elements for selecting a loading configuration in each case;an indicator device, comprising at least one first indicator device, in particular a display, which is arranged in the cargo space, and at least one second indicator device, which is arranged directly on the cargo deck or in/on system components of the cargo loading system, to assist positioning of the containers and/or pallets on the cargo deck; anda computing unit, which is designed to receive a respective selection signal from each of the plurality