Adjustable Cabin Floor Plate for Wheelchair Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheelchair access systems for vehicles, particularly in small and medium-sized automobiles, face challenges in providing a comfortable and safe space for wheelchair users due to interference with the vehicle chassis, leading to discomfort during inclined travel positions and difficulties in obtaining regulatory approvals.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable automobile cabin floor system with a floor plate that can pivot between a lowered loading position and a horizontal travel position, utilizing a joint and lifting device mechanism to maintain rigidity and accommodate wheelchair users without altering the vehicle chassis, allowing for a flat surface and comfortable travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pan floor surface is arranged in a slope to leave room below the pan for the rear axis suspension, then more vertical space is available for wheelchair users to sit upright, but wheelchair passengers experience discomfort when riding in an inclined travel position
Solution Approach 1:
The floor plate is designed to be movable between a horizontal travel position and an inclined loading position. During travel, the floor plate maintains a horizontal orientation to provide comfort for wheelchair passengers. During loading/unloading, it can be inclined to facilitate wheelchair access. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining horizontal comfort and enabling vertical space utilization.
2Shape
If a specifically designed suspension adapter is used to provide a flat floor surface in the vicinity of the rear door, then a horizontal floor surface is achieved, but excessive efforts are required to achieve compliance with regulatory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The floor system is segmented into a movable floor plate that can be independently positioned. The floor plate is separated from the fixed pan structure, allowing it to be horizontal during travel while the pan maintains its sloped configuration for suspension clearance. This segmentation enables a flat travel surface without requiring complex suspension adapters or regulatory modifications.
3Ease of operation
If the floor plate is made movable between lowered and lifted positions, then comfortable horizontal travel is enabled, but the mechanism requires space below the pan which is usually not available in small and medium sized automobiles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing the necessary space vertically below the pan, the invention utilizes the longitudinal dimension by allowing the floor plate to pivot along the slope of the pan. The lifting mechanism is integrated into the pan structure itself, using the pan's inclined geometry to provide the mechanical advantage needed for elevation. This dimensional approach allows floor plate movement without requiring additional vertical clearance that would be unavailable in compact vehicles.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustable automobile cabin floor (1), preferably for arrangement in a pan (107) in a door area of an automobile, in particular a rear door area of automobile, the adjustable automobile cabin floor (1) comprising a floor plate (3) for carrying a wheelchair, at least one joint (31) for attaching the floor plate (3) to the automobile chassis (105) such that the floor plate (3) is moveable between a lowered loading position and at least one, preferably horizontal, lifted travel position, at least one bearing (5) attachable to the automobile chassis (5) below the floor plate, and a lifting device for elevating and/or lowering the floor plate, such as a pivotable lever (7), supported by the bearing (5), is provided with a slider (9) translationally moveable along the floor plate (3), the slider (9) being interposed between the lifting device and the floor plate (3).