Vehicle Platform Lift Occupant Sensing and Threshold Safety Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing platform lifts for vehicles lack effective safety features and operational efficiency, particularly in ensuring safe wheelchair loading and unloading while preventing accidents and damage.
Innovation Solution
The platform lift system incorporates a mobile platform, a parallelogram mechanism, a hydraulic system, and advanced safety features such as a threshold safety warning system using acoustic sensor arrays, a decouplable power interface for enhanced safety, and a modular LED light assembly for improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional platform lifts are used without advanced sensing systems, then the device complexity is low, but the safety and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic sensor arrays perform preliminary detection of occupants in the threshold area before the lift platform initiates movement. The system proactively identifies potential hazards and prevents platform operation when occupants are detected, rather than reacting to hazards after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
Acoustic sensor arrays serve as an intermediary detection system between the physical environment and the lift control system. These sensors detect occupants through sound waves and transmit this information to the controller, which then makes safety decisions, acting as a mediator that bridges sensing and actuation.
2Reliability
If the lift platform allows movement without occupancy detection, then the operational efficiency is high, but the risk of accidents and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic sensor arrays provide continuous feedback to the controller about the presence of occupants in the threshold area. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically control platform movement, enabling the system to operate efficiently when safe and prevent accidents when hazards are detected.
3Reliability
If fixed power interfaces are used in platform lifts, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the safety and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power interface transitions from a fixed, static connection to a decouplable, dynamic interface that can be engaged and disengaged. This allows the system to adapt its electrical connection state based on operational requirements and safety conditions, improving both safety and versatility while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity.
4Reliability
If adequate visibility features are not incorporated, then the device complexity is low, but the operational safety and visibility are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The LED light assembly uses color changes to communicate different operational states and safety conditions. Different LED colors indicate various system states, providing intuitive visual feedback to operators and enhancing operational safety through clear, recognizable signaling without requiring complex display systems.
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 system ensures safe and efficient operation by preventing platform movement when occupants are detected, reducing the risk of accidents and damage, while also providing enhanced visibility and operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor array, the first sensor array comprising acoustic sensors configured to detect an object in a threshold area
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic system, and advanced safety features
Data Source
AI summary
A lift for a vehicle includes a platform configured to support an occupant thereon, a parallelogram mechanism to move the platform between a stowed position and a deployed position, a base to mount the parallelogram mechanism to a vehicle floor, a hydraulic system to move the platform through the parallelogram mechanism, a mechanism to fold and unfold the platform, an occupant retention device, a control unit to control a movement of the platform. The occupant retention device can include any one of a belt, a bridgeplate and a roll stop. The lift can also include a platform movement control device that can be provided as an acoustic sensor array, a bridgeplate lock and a platform stow lock. A light assembly can be mounted on the platform as a visual warning of the platform operation. The power connection to the control unit can include an encapsulated decouplable power interface.