Pivoting Access Platform with Adjustable Nose for Wheelchair Buses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport vehicles, such as buses and trolleybuses, face challenges in reliably providing access for persons with reduced mobility due to issues with retractable ramps, including reliability during stops, adaptability to varying platform heights, and requiring significant driver monitoring, leading to inefficiencies in transport schedules.
Innovation Solution
A mobile platform with a retractable nose that pivots around a longitudinal axis, equipped with sensors for platform detection and a displacement cylinder, allowing the nose to adjust to external platforms of different heights, ensuring reliable and efficient access for passengers with reduced mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable ramp is used for access, then persons with reduced mobility can access the vehicle, but the operation becomes unreliable and sometimes impossible to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static retractable ramp with a dynamic mobile platform that can pivot and adjust its position. The mobile platform is mounted to pivot with respect to the fixed platform around a pivoting axis, allowing it to adapt to different external platform heights and positions dynamically, thereby improving both accessibility and operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The access device is segmented into multiple independent components: a mobile platform that pivots relative to the fixed platform, and a retractable nose that extends relative to the mobile platform. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall system reliability by isolating potential failure points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable ramp is used, then access is provided, but it cannot adapt to different shapes and heights of external platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platform pivots around a pivoting axis to adjust to different external platform heights, and the retractable nose extends to match different platform shapes. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the access device to effectively connect with various external platform configurations, ensuring safe and effective access for persons with reduced mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes geometric parameters (position, angle, extension length) of the mobile platform and retractable nose to adapt to different external platform heights and shapes. By varying these parameters dynamically, the device maintains effective contact with diverse platform configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable ramp is used, then access is enabled, but significant driver monitoring is required causing time waste
Solution Approach 1:
The access device operates autonomously without requiring significant driver monitoring. The mobile platform and retractable nose are equipped with their own actuation mechanisms that automatically position and extend the access structure, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for continuous driver intervention, thereby improving transport schedule efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile platform and retractable nose are positioned and configured in advance before the actual boarding process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the access device is ready and requires minimal monitoring during operation, reducing time waste and improving overall productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable, adaptable, and efficient access system that can handle various platform heights, reducing the need for extensive driver monitoring and minimizing delays in transport schedules.
Implementation Method 1
there is a displacement cylinder for the nose hinged with respect to the mobile platform
Implementation Method 2
the means of detection comprise a sensor, in particular of an optical, ultrasound or inductive type
Implementation Method 3
the means of detection comprise a sensor, in particular of an optical, ultrasound or inductive type
Implementation Method 4
the means of detection comprise a sensor, in particular of an optical, ultrasound or inductive type
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
This vehicle includes a chassis which has a fixed platform (12) and at least one access device (10) which is mobile with respect to the fixed platform and can be moved between a retracted and an open position, in which it allows persons with reduced mobility, in particular persons travelling on a wheelchair, to access the fixed platform from a external platform (20). Said mobile access device is a mobile platform (10), allowing passengers to alight or descend also when in its retracted position, said mobile platform (10), comprising a retractable nose (16) which can be moved with respect to the mobile platform between a retracted and an extended position, in which it is able to come to bear against the external platform (20).