Multi-Part Boarding Ramp for Accessible Vehicle Gap Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional boarding systems for public transport vehicles often require steep boarding ramps or steps to bridge larger gaps, which are perceived as disadvantageous by passengers and cannot be negotiated by wheelchair users or people with walking aids.
Innovation Solution
The boarding system comprises a cassette for accommodating a sliding step, a cover flap for closing the cassette, and a tread strip that, together with the sliding step, form a boarding ramp via a coupling element. This configuration allows for a more flexible and accessible boarding solution by adjusting the angle and length of the boarding ramp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conventional boarding systems use steep ramps or steps to bridge larger gaps, then the gap bridging capability is improved, but the accessibility for wheelchair users and people with walking aids deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boarding ramp is designed as a dynamic structure that can adjust its angle and length. The ramp consists of multiple sections that can be positioned at different angles, allowing it to adapt to various gap sizes while maintaining a gentle slope suitable for wheelchair users and people with walking aids.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp is divided into multiple modular sections that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the ramp to achieve both extended length for bridging larger gaps and controlled angles for accessibility, with each section contributing to the overall gentle slope configuration.
2Ease of operation
If the boarding ramp angle is reduced to improve accessibility, then the ease of operation for wheelchair users is improved, but the ability to bridge larger gaps deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp system utilizes multiple dimensions by incorporating both horizontal extension and vertical adjustment capabilities. The modular sections can be arranged to extend horizontally while maintaining gentle vertical slopes, effectively bridging larger gaps without increasing the ramp angle beyond accessibility limits.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle boarding system includes a cassette for accommodating and displaceably mounting a sliding step, wherein the cassette is arranged below a vehicle door opening; a sliding step configured to assume an extended or a retracted state by a displacement motion, a cover flap for closing the cassette at least at the front and for covering the sliding step in the retracted state, a tread strip that at least partially closes the cassette at the top and covers the sliding step in some areas. The boarding system includes a coupling element which mechanically couples the tread strip, cover flap, and sliding step to one another. The coupling element is arranged such that, in an at least partially extended state of the sliding step, the tread strip, cover flap, and at least a part of the sliding step form a boarding ramp for facilitating the boarding of persons into the vehicle.