Technical Field

The invention relates to an apparatus which serves for loading the pallets used as ULD (Unit Load Device) in air transportation with cargo packages in optimum volume.

The invention particularly relates to an apparatus which serves for loading the pallets used as ULD (Unit Load Device) in air transportation with cargo packages in optimum volume by means of the sensors located on the same in accordance with different airplane and pallet type combinations.

State of the Art

Today, in air transportation, the cargo packages are stacking on ULD pallets and as a result of this stacking, a volume is formed. The dimension limits of this volume were determined by metric rules according to the type of the airplane, type of the pallet and positioning form of the pallets by the aviation authorities so as to locate the pallets within the airplane in a safe manner. These rules are indicated with levelled or stepped tables that converge to the concave shape of the height of the airplane, so as to perform loading in an optimum manner in practice, since most of cargo packages consist of boxes in rectangular prism form.

In the current application, the levels of ULD height are measured by the measuring tape according to the tables formed for optimum loading or flat or L-shaped metal bars prepared according to the levels in the table are used. While the cargo packages are loaded on the pallets, simultaneously the dimensions of the cargo packages is measured by the person who loads the cargo or by a different person. This leads to both labor and time loss and false measurements.

In another current application, cargo packages are placed on ULD pallets with camera measurements. Camera systems require fixed assembly, maintenance and cost. The camera shall be in a determined number, shall be at a certain distance from the loading area, shall work at a particular light, shall distinguish the objects from the background and shall not perceive the operators as obstacles while they are passing in front of the cameras. In addition to this requirements, the ULD loading area is required not to be moved in the downward and upward direction without making the related measurements.

As a result of the researches made on the subject, document No US20080055591 A1 is encountered. In the application, perception and inspection of the working environment is said to accomplished in 2D and 3D . . These measurements can lead to incorrect results in some circumstances. In addition to this, camera systems require fixed assembly, maintenance and cost. The camera shall be in a determined number, shall be at a certain distance from the loading area, shall work at a particular light, shall distinguish the objects from the background and shall not perceive the operators as obstacles while they are passing in front of the same. In addition to this, it is required not to move the ULD loading area in a downward and upward direction during measurement.

As a result due to the abovementioned disadvantages and the insufficiency of the current solutions regarding the subject matter, a development is required to be made in the relevant technical field.

Aim of the Invention

The invention aims to solve the abovementioned disadvantages by being inspired from the current conditions.

The main aim of the invention is to load the ULD pallets with cargo packages with an optimum volume.

Another aim of the invention is to provide loading cargo to the ULDs with an optimum volume according to different airplane, pallet and positioning combinations by means of the buttons on the control panel in ULD apparatus.

Another aim of the invention is to determine the width of the pallet automatically by means of the sensors located on the lower section of the ULD apparatus.

Another aim of the invention is to determine the dimension limits of the cargo packages loaded on the pallet when the sensors detect the obstacle in front of the sensors found on ULD apparatus and to enable light and audible warning in case the limits are exceeded or optimum loading is not performed. Another aim of the invention is to place cargo packages on the pallets by saving time and making proper measurement by means of ULD apparatus without requiring fixed assembly, maintenance and cost.

The structural and characteristic features of the present invention will be understood clearly by the following drawings and the detailed description made with reference to these drawings and therefore the evaluation shall be made by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

Figures Clarifying the Invention

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the inventive apparatus according to a single type pallet, single type airplane, and single type loading combination.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inventive apparatus according to two types of pallets, two types of airplanes, two types of loading combinations.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the inventive apparatus according to two types of pallets, two types of airplanes, three types of loading combinations.

Figure 4 is a representative view of the control panel on the inventive apparatus.

Figure 5 is a representative view of the sensors and light warning on the frame of the inventive apparatus.

Description of the Part References

1. ULD apparatus

2. Frame

2.2 Frame foot

3. Sensor

4. Luminous warning

5. Control panel

5.1 Button 5.2 Audible warning

5.3 Processor card 6. Power Source

ULD: Unit Load Device/Cargo loading unit

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the apparatus used for loading the cargo packages to the inventive ULDs is described by means of examples only for clarifying the subject matter.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the inventive ULD apparatus (1 ) used for loading cargo packages to the ULDs having a frame (2) according to a single type pallet, single type airplane, and single type loading combination. In Figure 1 , different from Figure 2 and Figure 3, it is seen that it has perceiving/warning sensor (3)/light warning (4) when loading is below a determined limit (when loading is not efficient).

The invention is an ULD apparatus (1 ) which helps loading cargo packages to ULD pallets used in air transportation, comprises the frame (2) which is in different structures according to the type of the airplane and pallet, forms the body of the ULD apparatus (1 ), sensors (3) which are located on the frame (2), detect the obstacle in the field of view and transmit the electrical signal formed as a result of perception, a processor card (5.3) which is on the control panel (5), determines the height limit of the cargo packages to be loaded by receiving the electrical signals formed by the sensors (3) and generates command signal in case predetermined limits are exceeded or it is below the same, light warnings (4) which emits light with different colors and frequencies by the command signal received from the processor card (5.3).

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inventive ULD apparatus (1 ) having a frame (2) according to two types of pallets, single type of airplane, two types of loading combinations. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the inventive ULD apparatus (1 ) having a frame (2) according to two types of pallets, two types of airplanes, and three types of loading combinations. When ULD apparatus (1 ) with frame (2) structure having different combinations are used, the type of the airplane and pallet are selected by means of the buttons (5.1 ) on the control panel (5). The processor card (5.3) on the control panel (5) enables the sensors (3) and the light warnings (4) in the relevant section of the ULD apparatus (1 ) to be active.

The sensors (3) on the frame (2) can be ultrasonic, laser or infrared. The frame (2) has a perforated structure at determined intervals so as to position the sensors (3) and the light warnings (4). The frame (2) is made of metal and there are frame feet (2.2) that enable to position the frame (2) on the pallet properly and to stand the same in an upright position to the pallet. The light warnings (4) on the frame (2) are led. The buttons (5.1 ) on the control panel (5) are rotatable or with on/off feature.

Appropriate combination according to the types of airplane, pallet and loading is determined by means of the buttons (5.1 ) on the control panel (5). The processor card (5.3) enables the sensors (3) and the light warnings (4) in the relevant section of the ULD apparatus (1 ) to be active according to the determined combination. The sensors (3) perceive the obstacle in front of them. The limits of the height section of the cargo packages loaded are determined by means of transmitting the electrical signal created as a result of perception to the processor card (5.3). In case these limits are exceeded or they are below these limits, warning is given by the light warning (4) in the region. Also audible warning is given by the audible warning (5.2) located on the control panel (5).

ULD apparatus (1 ) can move in a downward and upward manner together with the platform by means of standing on the loading platform which is adjacent to the pallet and is movable and can perform continuous measurements. ULD apparatus (1 ) passes to the energy saving mode in order to use the power source (6) efficiently in case a pallet is not detected by the sensors (3).

ULD apparatus (1 ) is portable with the power source (6) on it and can be used anywhere. When the ULD apparatus (1 ) is loaded under a determined efficiency, logging can be made according to the time, pallet type and airplane type.