Folding Step Mechanism for Vehicle Boarding Gap Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boarding and deboarding apparatuses for passenger transport vehicles face challenges with varying horizontal gap widths and non-constant platform heights, leading to increased constructional effort and assembly space requirements, particularly in international settings where different regulations apply.
Innovation Solution
A folding step mechanism is integrated with the sliding step, allowing it to pivot between folded-in and folded-out positions, with blocking means to ensure the folding step only deploys when the sliding step is fully extended, reducing assembly space and enabling precise control through sensors and actuators for optimal alignment and extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two independently movable sliding steps are used to handle varying gap widths and platform heights, then the adaptability to different boarding conditions is improved, but the constructional effort and assembly space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two sliding steps into a single composite structure where a first sliding step and a second sliding step are integrated. The second sliding step is arranged laterally offset and can be laterally displaced relative to the first sliding step, allowing both steps to function as a unified assembly rather than two independent mechanisms. This merging reduces constructional effort and assembly space while maintaining the ability to handle varying gap widths and platform heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lateral displacement capability between the first and second sliding steps, making the structure dynamic rather than fixed. The second sliding step can be laterally displaced to different positions relative to the first sliding step, enabling the composite structure to adapt to different boarding conditions. This dynamic configuration allows a single integrated structure to replace two independent sliding steps.
2Device complexity
If a single sliding step is used, then the constructional effort and assembly space are reduced, but the ability to handle varying horizontal gap widths and platform heights is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single sliding step into two segments: a first sliding step and a second sliding step that is laterally offset. The second sliding step can be laterally displaced relative to the first, creating segmented functionality within a unified structure. This segmentation allows the single sliding step to handle varying horizontal gap widths and platform heights while maintaining reduced constructional effort and assembly space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a lateral dimension to the traditional sliding step design. Instead of only linear movement, the second sliding step can be laterally displaced relative to the first sliding step, introducing a new degree of freedom. This dimensional change enables a single sliding step to accommodate varying gap widths and platform heights that would otherwise require multiple independent steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Boarding and deboarding apparatus for a vehicle, including a step that can be moved back and forth between a retracted and extended position, which at least in a partially extended position defines a first area that can be stepped upon, lateral guides of the step for attachment to a vehicle, a folding step which is mounted on the step so as to be pivotable between a folded-in and folded-out position and which in a folded-out position defines a second area that can be stepped upon which is parallel to the first area, and blocking means which prevent the folding step from pivoting between the retracted position and an intermediate position of the step, and which release the pivoting of the folding step, at the latest, when the extended position of the step has been reached.