Cab Entry Step Linkage Control for Comfort and Width Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cab step systems for vehicles do not efficiently adapt to different operational states, compromising operator comfort and vehicle performance, as they either prioritize ease of ingress/egress or reduce vehicle width, but not both simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A cab step system with a selectively moveable staircase that transitions between extended and retracted states based on vehicle conditions, using sensors and actuators to optimize comfort and spatial efficiency, and includes a controller to manage these transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the staircase is extended to provide a less steep ingress/egress path, then operator comfort is improved, but vehicle width increases and collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The staircase is designed to be dynamically adjustable between extended and retracted states. The linkage system with actuators enables the staircase to change its configuration based on real-time vehicle conditions, transitioning from a static structure to a dynamic one that adapts to operational requirements and safety considerations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the staircase is retracted to minimize vehicle width, then collision risk is reduced, but operator comfort deteriorates due to steeper ingress/egress path
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the staircase position based on vehicle state. When the vehicle is stationary and safe conditions are detected, the staircase extends to provide comfortable access. When motion is detected or unsafe conditions exist, the staircase automatically retracts to minimize collision risk, thus adapting to different operational contexts
3Device complexity
If the staircase is made fixed to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operational states is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than a fixed structure, the staircase employs a dynamic linkage system with multiple components (actuators, sensors, control unit) that enable automatic adaptation to different operational states, achieving versatility through coordinated interaction of multiple subsystems
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect vehicle motion and operational state, with the control unit autonomously deciding when to extend or retract the staircase without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to self-adjust based on detected conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a platform and a staircase moveable between a retracted state and an extended state. The staircase has steps including a retractable step and a support segment. A linkage system includes an actuator that moves the staircase from the retracted and extended state, a sensor detecting the staircase state and a vehicle condition, and an extension bracket coupling the staircase and platform. A controller determines the staircase state, determines an articulation angle, compares the articulation angle to an articulation angle threshold, in response to the articulation angle exceeding the threshold, causes the staircase to move to the retracted state, detects a vehicle operation event, in response to detecting the operation event, causes the staircase to move to the retracted state, detects a vehicle shut-down event, and in response to detecting the shut-down event causes the staircase to move to the extended state.