Vehicle Door Ramp Control Using Sensor-Based Access Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual control of vehicle access ramps for individuals with reduced mobility is often inefficient and tedious, requiring manual intervention by drivers, which can be time-consuming and may not always result in optimal deployment.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a detection module and control module that uses sensors, such as cameras, to automatically detect elements of interest, like wheelchairs or obstacles, and control the ramp's deployment to facilitate easy access for people with reduced mobility by deploying or retracting the ramp based on detected characteristics and confidence indices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of access ramp is used, then driver can control ramp deployment, but the process becomes time-consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the ramp automatically deploys and retracts based on sensor detection of elements of interest, eliminating the need for manual driver intervention. The control module autonomously manages ramp operations by processing sensor data and executing deployment commands without human input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical control system with an electronic automation system comprising sensors, a control module, and actuators. This substitution transforms the ramp control from a manually-operated mechanical process to an electronically-controlled automated process, improving both ease of operation and time efficiency.
2Productivity
If manual ramp deployment is used, then driver has control, but the deployment process is tedious and not always optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously detect elements of interest and provide information to the control module. The control module processes this feedback and adjusts ramp deployment decisions accordingly, enabling optimal and adaptive operation that improves access efficiency while managing system complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module serves as an intermediary between sensor detection and ramp actuation. It processes sensor data, determines whether deployment is necessary based on detected elements of interest, and executes appropriate commands, thereby optimizing access efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through layered control architecture.
3Speed
If automatic detection is implemented, then access speed improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality to detect various types of elements of interest including wheelchairs, strollers, and other objects that may require ramp deployment. This universal detection capability improves access speed for different scenarios while managing device complexity through a unified sensor and control architecture that handles multiple detection tasks.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic device (26) for controlling a ramp (22) for accessing a door (20) of a vehicle (10), the ramp (22) being able to pass from a retracted configuration to a deployed configuration. The electronic device (26) comprises: - a detection module configured to detect, via at least one sensor (24), at least one element of interest (38) located in a neighboring zone (40) of the door (20), each sensor (24) being able to be connected to the detection module; - a control module configured to control the passage of the ramp (22) from one configuration to the other configuration as a function of the detection of element(s) of interest (38).