Pivoting Handrail Stows Vertically to Preserve Cabin Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle entry-exit assist devices reduce interior space when the door is closed due to the need to retract support arms and stays, hindering occupant entry and exit while compromising vehicle space.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle entry-exit assist device featuring a support column and pivoting handrail that stows vertically along the vehicle's inner side when the door is closed, utilizing the door's opening-closing mechanism to pivot the handrail efficiently and reducing the need for additional drive systems, with a sensor-activated restricting mechanism to ensure occupant safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the support arm and stay are rotated and moved into the cabin when the door is closed, then the handrail function is provided when the door is open, but the vehicle interior space is reduced when the door is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The handrail is designed to be movable rather than fixed, pivoting between a deployed position (when door is open) and a retracted position (when door is closed). This dynamic configuration allows the handrail to provide support during entry/exit while minimizing space occupation during normal driving, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and interior space volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The handrail pivots about an axis along the vehicle front-rear direction, moving from a horizontal extension into the cabin to a vertical alignment along the support column. This dimensional transformation allows the handrail to transition from occupying interior space to providing external support, simultaneously achieving both entry/exit facilitation and space preservation.
2Ease of operation
If a separate drive system is added to pivot the handrail, then the handrail positioning control is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handrail pivoting function is merged with the existing door opening-closing mechanism. The same motor that drives the door is used to pivot the handrail through the pivot mechanism, eliminating the need for a separate drive system. This consolidation maintains precise handrail positioning control while reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening-closing mechanism is given a dual function: it not only opens and closes the door but also pivots the handrail into appropriate positions. This multi-functionality allows a single drive system to control both door operation and handrail positioning, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the handrail is made freely pivotable, then the handrail adaptability to occupant needs is improved, but the safety risk from unintended pivoting increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor detects when an occupant is present in the vehicle and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit processes this information and activates the restricting mechanism to prevent unintended handrail pivoting. This feedback loop ensures the handrail remains stable during normal occupancy while allowing flexible positioning when the door is open and the occupant needs assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically restricts handrail pivoting based on sensor detection of occupant presence, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The restricting mechanism engages or disengages automatically according to detected conditions, providing safety without compromising the handrail's adaptability when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle entry-exit assist device includes a support column that is provided along a vehicle vertical direction at a vehicle inner side of an a vehicle front side end portion or a vehicle rear side end portion of a door opening provided at a side section of a vehicle so as to place the vehicle inner side and a vehicle outer side in communication with each other, a handrail that is provided to the support column, that is capable of pivoting toward the vehicle outer side and a vehicle upper side about an axis along a vehicle front-rear direction in a case in which a door provided at the door opening is open, and that is stowed along the support column in a case in which the door is closed, and a pivot mechanism that is provided at the support column and that is configured to pivot the handrail.