Fold Out Ramp Assembly Slope Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Fold out ramps for vehicles face challenges in varying curb heights and road surfaces, leading to significant ramp angle variations, which can create obstacles for passengers with disabilities, particularly in bus applications where the drop-off between the vehicle floor and inclined ramp surface poses navigation difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A ramp assembly with a rotatable ramp portion and support element, controlled by an actuator and controller, that adjusts to a predetermined maximum slope or panel elevation, minimizing the slope of the roadside portion and maintaining the curbside portion below a maximum slope, ensuring a safer and more accessible transition surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the ramp is extended to reach higher curbs, then the ramp length increases, but the ramp angle becomes too steep creating obstacles for passengers with disabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveramp lengthVSAvoidpassenger accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp assembly is divided into two separate segments: a first ramp segment that pivots about a first hinge and a second ramp segment that pivots about a second hinge. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling the system to achieve gentle slopes for passenger accessibility while still reaching higher curbs through the combined extension of both segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ramp assembly employs dynamic control through a motorized drive system with a motor and transmission that can independently control the pivoting of each ramp segment. This dynamic control allows the system to adjust the ramp configuration in real-time, optimizing the slope angle for passenger accessibility while adapting to various curb heights and maintaining the required maximum slope limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the ramp assembly is positioned at the front of the bus, then the ramp can extend laterally toward the curb, but a drop-off is formed between the vehicle floor and the inclined surface creating navigation difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveramp deployment flexibilityVSAvoidpassenger navigation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp assembly is divided into two separate segments: a first ramp segment that pivots about a first hinge and a second ramp segment that pivots about a second hinge. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling the system to achieve gentle slopes for passenger accessibility while still reaching higher curbs through the combined extension of both segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ramp assembly employs dynamic control through a motorized drive system with a motor and transmission that can independently control the pivoting of each ramp segment. This dynamic control allows the system to adjust the ramp configuration in real-time, optimizing the slope angle for passenger accessibility while adapting to various curb heights and maintaining the required maximum slope limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the ramp is made shorter to reduce the slope, then the ramp angle decreases improving accessibility, but the ramp cannot reach higher curbs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger accessibilityVSAvoidcurb height accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp assembly is divided into two separate segments: a first ramp segment that pivots about a first hinge and a second ramp segment that pivots about a second hinge. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling the system to achieve gentle slopes for passenger accessibility while still reaching higher curbs through the combined extension of both segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ramp assembly employs dynamic control through a motorized drive system with a motor and transmission that can independently control the pivoting of each ramp segment. This dynamic control allows the system to adjust the ramp configuration in real-time, optimizing the slope angle for passenger accessibility while adapting to various curb heights and maintaining the required maximum slope limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9820899B1Fold out ramp

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 ELEVATOR U DIV OF HOGAN MFG

AI summary

A method is disclosed for deploying a ramp assembly. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion rotatable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The ramp assembly further includes a panel rotatable about a first end, wherein the ramp portion supportingly engages a second end of the panel to elevate the second end of the panel as the ramp portion moves toward the deployed position. The method includes the step of rotating the ramp portion until the ramp portion contacts an alighting surface. The method further includes the step of rotating the ramp portion until one of a first condition and second condition occurs. The first condition is that the ramp portion has reached a maximum slope. The second condition is that the second end of the panel has reached a predetermined elevation.