DEVICE FOR EARLY REGISTRATION OF A CLOSING STATE OF A CLOSURE ELEMENT FOR A COMPARTMENT OPENING

• US 20110050445A1
• Filed: 08/24/2010
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Heeren, Jens
• Granted Patent: US 8,427,334 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1415 Cargo doors, e.g. incorporating ramps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/675 Serially operable

Abstract

A device is provided for early registering of the closing state of a closure element for a compartment opening includes, but is not limited to an inductive proximity sensor, a measuring plate and a movement path guide. By means of the movement path guide the measuring plate is guided parallel to the proximity sensor from a predetermined degree of closing to complete closure of the closure element. In this manner a precise early statement relating to the imminent closure of the closure element can be made, for example in order to activate a locking mechanism.

Claims

1. A device for early registering of a closing state of a closure element for a compartment opening, comprising:

at least one inductive proximity sensor;

at least one measuring plate; and

at least one movement path guide,

wherein the inductive proximity sensor and the measuring plate are arranged at regions of the closure element which are opposite a closing region of the closure element and wherein the inductive proximity sensor and the measuring plate are arranged at a corresponding edge region adjacent to the compartment opening, and

wherein the movement path guide is designed to guide the measuring plate parallel to the proximity sensor from a predetermined degree of closing of the closure element to complete closure of the closure element.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the movement path guide comprises a retaining element that is designed to deflect the measuring plate in the direction of the proximity sensor.

3. The device of claim 1,

wherein the movement path guide is designed as a crank comprising a first element, a second element and a third element,

wherein the first element and the second element are hinged to an attachment surface in the region of the compartment opening, thus forming a trapezoid or a parallelogram with the third element, and

wherein the measuring plate is arranged on the third element.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable end stop device for limiting the deflection of the movement path guide.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a spacer to specify a defined distance between the measuring plate and the proximity sensor in a region between the predetermined degree of closing and the complete closure of the closure element.

6. A closure device for a cargo compartment of an aircraft, comprising

a cargo-compartment opening frame;

a cargo door pivotally held to the cargo-compartment opening frame, comprising a pivot axis and an edge region, arranged on an opposite end of the cargo door;

at least one inductive proximity sensor;

at least one measuring plate; and

at least one movement path guide,

wherein the inductive proximity sensor is arranged in an edge region of the cargo-compartment opening frame, which edge region corresponds to the edge region of the cargo door,

wherein the measuring plate, by means of the movement path guide, is arranged at the edge region of the cargo door, and

wherein the movement path guide is designed to guide the measuring plate parallel to the proximity sensor from a predetermined space between the edge region of the cargo door and the corresponding edge region of the cargo-compartment opening frame to complete closure of the cargo door.

7. The closure device of claim 6, further comprising at least one control unit that is equipped, when a specified activation distance between the edge region of the cargo door and the corresponding edge region of the cargo-compartment opening frame has been reached or has been exceeded, to activate a locking mechanism.

8. An aircraft, comprising at least one cargo compartment and at least one cargo door that close off the cargo compartment, and a locking mechanism, comprising:

a cargo-compartment opening frame;

a cargo door pivotally held to the cargo-compartment opening frame, comprising a pivot axis and an edge region, arranged opposite the pivot axis;

at least one inductive proximity sensor,

at least one measuring plate, and

at least one movement path guide,

wherein the inductive proximity sensor is arranged in an edge region of the cargo-compartment opening frame, which edge region corresponds to the edge region of the cargo door,

wherein the measuring plate, by means of the movement path guide, is arranged at the edge region of the cargo door, and

wherein the movement path guide is designed to guide the measuring plate parallel to the proximity sensor from a predetermined space between the edge region of the cargo door and the corresponding edge region of the cargo-compartment opening frame to complete closure of the cargo door.