Movable Vehicle Access Platform with Horizontal Shifting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing installations for secure access to the upper part of vehicles are expensive, space-consuming, and require multiple stairways, which are inconvenient and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The installation features a fixed frame with a vertically movable support structure, allowing for horizontal movement of longitudinal platforms without the need to descend to the ground floor, thereby reducing space requirements and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional installations use multiple uprights to handle loads, then structural strength is improved, but space requirements increase and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple support functions into a single integrated movable support structure. Instead of using multiple separate uprights distributed across the space, the invention uses one consolidated movable support structure that performs all support functions, thereby reducing space requirements while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable support structure is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting longitudinal platforms, enabling vertical movement, allowing horizontal movement, and providing lateral support. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized uprights, reducing both space and cost while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If conventional installations use multiple stairways for access, then accessibility to both sides is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidnumber of stairways
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple stairways into a single stairway arrangement. The movable support structure enables staff to access both longitudinal platforms through one stairway by horizontally moving the platform to the required position, thereby providing full accessibility while halving the number of stairways needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic horizontal movement of the longitudinal platforms to adapt to different access requirements. Instead of having static multiple stairways for different positions, the platform can be moved horizontally to bring the single stairway to the required access point, maintaining ease of operation while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If conventional installations require staff to climb down to floor level to move sides, then structural simplicity is maintained, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidstaff efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic horizontal movement capability to the support structure, allowing platforms to be repositioned laterally without returning to ground level. This dynamic feature enables staff to move between sides efficiently while maintaining a relatively simple structural design, as the movement is achieved through integrated actuators rather than complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable support structure acts as an intermediary between the fixed frame and the longitudinal platforms. It mediates the movement requirements by providing both vertical and horizontal movement capabilities, allowing staff to transition between sides efficiently without requiring complex separate mechanisms for each movement type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4313841B1Installation for secure access to an upper part of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 ATELIERS MÉCANIQUES DOSTERT S.À.R L
  • EP4313841B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4313841B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4313841B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This invention relates to an installation (2) for secure access to an upper part of a vehicle (B), said installation comprising: a fixed frame (3) arranged along a line (C) of passage for said vehicle (B), a vertically movable support structure (4), movable relative to the fixed frame (3), at least one longitudinal platform (5) supported by said movable support structure (4), a first actuating device (45) having one fixed part (450) fixed relative to the fixed frame (3) and a movable part (452) attached to said movable support structure (4), to arrange for vertical movement, of the movable support structure (4), a second actuating device (42) having one part (420) attached to a first fixing means (44) fixated to said movable support structure (4) and another part (421) attached to a second fixing means (43) attached to said longitudinal platform (5), to arrange for horizontal movement of the longitudinal platform (5), wherein said fixed frame (3) includes at least four, preferably merely four, uprights (30) interconnected at their top ends by longitudinally and transversally extending support structures (31, 35, 32, 36) and by said vertically movable support structure (4) including a pair of transversal support beams (40) extending transversally between a pair of said uprights (30) positioned on each side of said line of passage (C), wherein adjacent each end of said transversal support beams (40) there is arranged a movable anchoring device (41) guided by said uprights (30) to enable vertical movement but fixed positioning in other directions.