Automated Accessible Ramp Design System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing accessible ramps that comply with various regulations, such as the ADA, is a time-consuming and costly process due to the need for specific training and the wide range of installation environments, necessitating a more efficient method for creating compliant ramp designs.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that accesses and combines ramp data structures with environment and standard data to generate 3D ramp designs, providing visual indications of compliance, allowing for efficient and accurate design of accessible ramps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual ramp design methods are used to ensure compliance with accessibility regulations, then design accuracy and compliance are improved, but design time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically performing compliance checks and generating ramp designs without requiring manual intervention from trained designers. The computer automatically combines ramp data structures with environment data, calculates parameters, and compares them against accessibility standards, eliminating the need for human designers to manually verify compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical design process with an automated computer-based system. Instead of designers manually calculating ramp parameters and checking compliance, the system uses computer algorithms to automatically process design data, perform calculations, and verify compliance with accessibility regulations.
2Manufacturing precision
If designers receive specialized training to handle various installation environments, then design quality and compliance are improved, but training costs and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for specialized designer training by incorporating all regulatory knowledge and environmental considerations into the automated software. The computer system itself serves as the expert, automatically applying accessibility standards and adjusting designs for different installation environments without requiring human expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves universality by being capable of handling all types of ramp installation environments and accessibility regulations through a single automated platform. The software incorporates multiple regulatory standards and environmental parameters, allowing it to universally address diverse design scenarios without requiring specialized training for each case.
3Reliability
If comprehensive regulatory requirements are manually verified, then compliance reliability is improved, but design complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service compliance verification by automatically comparing calculated ramp parameters against stored regulatory requirements. The computer systematically checks each parameter (slope, width, landing zone dimensions, etc.) against the relevant accessibility standards and generates compliance reports without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by automatically comparing design parameters with regulatory standards and providing immediate compliance information. The computer generates visual indications of compliance or noncompliance, allowing designers to quickly identify and correct issues without manual verification processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for the automated design of accessible ramps is disclosed. A ramp data structure is provided having general shape information for a plurality of ramp types. A ramp environment data structure is also provided with 3D reference information for one or more ramp installation environments. After user selection of a ramp type and installation environment a 3D ramp design is automatically generated conforming to the selected ramp environment. Also, the ramp design may be automatically compared to a design standard to determine if the design is in compliance. Also, convenient editing may be employed while conforming to the ramp environment with real time updates to the 3D ramp design.