Multi-Part Vehicle Entry Ramp for Low-Inclination Gap Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional climbing systems for public transport vehicles often have steep access ramps that are difficult for passengers with mobility issues to navigate, and do not easily adapt to varying installation spaces or height differences between vehicles and platforms.
Innovation Solution
A modular access system featuring a cassette with a sliding step, a cover flap, and a tread strip, mechanically coupled via a coupling element, which forms a continuous and low-inclination approach ramp that can extend or retract to bridge gaps and adjust to different vehicle and platform heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conventional boarding systems use steep access ramps to bridge larger gaps, then the gap between vehicle and platform can be covered, but the ramp becomes difficult to navigate for passengers with mobility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The boarding system is divided into multiple segments: a sliding step that can extend horizontally, a step rail that forms part of the access ramp, and a cover flap that can open to allow access. This segmentation allows the system to bridge larger gaps by extending the sliding step further while maintaining a gentler ramp angle, as the horizontal extension is achieved through the sliding mechanism rather than a single steep ramp structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic components including a sliding step that can extend and retract horizontally, a step rail that can pivot to adjust the ramp angle, and a cover flap that opens and closes. These dynamic elements allow the system to adapt to different gap sizes and heights while maintaining optimal ramp angles for accessibility, rather than being fixed in a single configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the boarding system is designed to adapt to varying installation spaces, then flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boarding system is designed with multi-functional components that can serve multiple purposes. The sliding step can extend to different positions to accommodate various gap sizes, the step rail can pivot to create different ramp angles, and the cover flap can open to different degrees. This universality allows a single system design to adapt to various installation spaces and vehicle types without requiring completely different configurations, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
3Length of stationary object
If the sliding step extends further horizontally to bridge larger gaps, then gap coverage is improved, but the installation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding step is designed to nest within the vehicle body when retracted, and the step rail can be positioned to maximize the use of available space. The cover flap also nests when closed. This nesting arrangement allows the system to achieve a long horizontal reach when extended while requiring minimal installation space when retracted, as the extended components are contained within the vehicle's existing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves extended horizontal reach not only by extending the sliding step linearly but also by utilizing vertical space through the pivoting step rail and the opening cover flap. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to bridge larger gaps without proportionally increasing the horizontal installation space required, as part of the extension is achieved through vertical and angular movements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
The present invention relates to an access system for a vehicle (40), in particular for a vehicle (40) of public transport, comprising: • a cassette (21) for receiving and slidably storing a sliding step (28), wherein the cassette (21) is arranged to be positioned below a door opening (41) of the vehicle (40), • a sliding step (28) which is arranged to assume an extended or a retracted state by sliding, • a cover flap (25) for closing the cassette (21) at least at the front and for covering the sliding step (28) in the retracted state, • a tread strip (22) which closes the cassette (21) at least partially at the top and partially covers the sliding step (28).This is characterized in that • the access system comprises a coupling element (30) which mechanically couples the tread strip (22), the cover flap (25) and the sliding step (28) together, and • the coupling element (30) is arranged such that, in an at least partially extended state of the sliding step (28), the tread strip (22), the cover flap (25) and at least a part of the sliding step (28) form an access ramp (34) to facilitate access for persons into the vehicle (40).