Deployable Step Platform With Pivoting Bars for Low-Floor Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger ingress and egress assistance apparatuses in vehicles with batteries under the floor cause increased step height, inconveniencing ordinary passengers and failing to meet wheelchair transportation safety regulations.

Innovation Solution

A passenger ingress and egress assistance apparatus with a case containing a movable platform, a hinge mechanism, and a step device with pivotally connected step bars, allowing for adjustable deployment and retraction to accommodate different passenger types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the passenger ingress and egress assistance apparatus is stacked on the top surface of the floor to assist passengers with disabilities, then accessibility for disabled passengers is improved, but the step height increases causing inconvenience for ordinary passengers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for disabled passengersVSAvoidconvenience for ordinary passengers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The step device incorporates movable step bars that can dynamically adjust their position between extended and retracted states. When extended, they provide additional stepping support for disabled passengers; when retracted, they minimize step height for ordinary passengers, enabling the system to adapt to different user needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the height of the vehicle floor is increased to accommodate the assistance apparatus, then assistance for wheelchair transportation is improved, but compliance with North American safety regulations becomes difficult to meet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheelchair transportation assistanceVSAvoidcompliance with safety regulations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The step device is segmented into multiple independent step bars that can be individually controlled. This segmentation allows the system to provide assistance only where needed while maintaining a lower overall floor height, helping to meet safety regulations regarding maximum floor height for wheelchair accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the step body is extended to provide stepping assistance, then ease of ingress and egress is improved, but the risk of passenger falling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of ingress and egressVSAvoidrisk of passenger falling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The safety cover acts as an intermediary protective element that covers the leading opening of the step body when the step device is not in use or when the platform is close to the ground. This intermediary structure prevents passengers from accidentally falling while not interfering with the normal operation of the step bars

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250303968A1Passenger ingress and egress assistance apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An embodiment passenger ingress and egress assistance apparatus includes a case having a cavity defined therein, a moving body configured to move in the cavity of the case in a longitudinal direction of the case, a platform configured to be stowed in and deployed from the cavity of the case by a movement of the moving body, a hinge mechanism configured to pivotally connect the platform to the moving body, and a step device disposed at a leading portion of the platform, the step device including a step body that is parallel to the platform and a plurality of step bars pivotally connecting the step body to the leading portion of the platform.