Vehicle Entry Board Linkage for One-Action Stow and Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle entry-and-exit assistance devices require multiple actions to move a board between its using and housed positions, leading to reduced usability for individuals with disabled lower limbs.

Innovation Solution

A device with a rotatable board and support portion, linked by a mechanism that allows the board to transition between horizontal and orthogonal postures using a single action, incorporating universal joints and a damper for enhanced operability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the board and arm are moved between using and housed positions in related art vehicles, then the board can be stored when not in use, but multiple actions are required which reduces usability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboard positioning capabilityVSAvoidnumber of actions required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the arm rotation function and board displacement function into a single integrated mechanism. When the arm rotates between using and housed positions, the board automatically displaces relative to the arm through the linking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate rotation and displacement actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a linking mechanism as an intermediary component between the arm and the board. This linking mechanism transfers the motion from the arm's rotation to the board's displacement, enabling coordinated movement of both components through a single input action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the support portion is rotated to flipped-up position during vehicle acceleration or deceleration, then the board can be moved to housed position, but unintentional rotation may occur causing safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboard movement capabilityVSAvoidunintentional rotation prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a damping mechanism that opposes unintended rotation movements of the support portion. The damper generates resistive force against rapid or unintended rotation caused by vehicle acceleration or deceleration, while allowing controlled rotation when the user intentionally operates the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If the board is rotated to orthogonal posture during movement, then the housed position is achieved, but finger entrapment risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboard rotation capabilityVSAvoidfinger entrapment risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing a damper that controls the rotation speed and motion characteristics of the board. The damping mechanism slows down the rotation process and provides cushioning force that prevents sudden movements, thereby reducing the risk of finger entrapment while the board rotates to its orthogonal housed posture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates easy movement between using and housed states with improved usability and safety, preventing unintentional rotation during vehicle acceleration or deceleration, and reducing the risk of finger entrapment.

Implementation Method 1

a damper that brakes a speed of displacement from the flipped-up position to the seat side-portion position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

one end in a longitudinal direction is coupled with a predetermined part of a lower surface of the board in the horizontal posture via a first universal joint, another end in the longitudinal direction is coupled with a predetermined part of the vehicle body via a second universal joint

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGimbal mechanism: Gimbal

Data Source

PatentUS12115889B2Entry-and-exit assistance device for vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 MAZDA MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A vehicle entry-and-exit assistance device easily moves a board between a housed position and a using position. Embodiments include a board at an outer side of a seat adjacent to a door opening, the board rotatable between a horizontal posture and an orthogonal posture; a board support portion rotatable between a seat side-position and a flipped-up position; and a linking mechanism. The board pivots around an axis orthogonal to the vehicle width direction, and the support portion pivots around an axis extending in the vehicle width direction. The linking mechanism rotates the board to a vehicle-width-direction inner side with respect to the support portion to take the orthogonal posture when the support portion is rotated to the flipped-up position, and rotates the board to a vehicle-width-direction outer side with respect to the support portion to take the horizontal posture when the support portion is rotated to the seat side-position.