Rail Vehicle Boarding Platform Height Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rail vehicles face challenges in adapting to varying platform heights, particularly for individuals with mobility impairments, as existing boarding devices occupy large installation spaces and are inefficient in design, leading to difficulties in boarding and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A boarding auxiliary device featuring a bidirectional power mechanism, guide rail, and support rods that allow the boarding platform to adjust height, combined with a telescopic pedal for gap compensation, minimizing installation space and enhancing accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing lifting devices are used to adapt to different platform heights, then boarding accessibility is improved, but installation space occupied is large
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism employs a nested scissor structure where the first scissor lifting arm and second scissor lifting arm are arranged concentrically. The second scissor lifting arm is positioned inside the first scissor lifting arm, allowing both mechanisms to occupy the same vertical space. This nesting arrangement enables the device to achieve significant height adjustment capability while maintaining a compact footprint that minimizes installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal space occupation to vertical space utilization by implementing a scissor-like lifting mechanism. The support rods and lifting arms are arranged to expand vertically rather than horizontally, allowing the boarding platform to achieve height adjustment capability while occupying minimal horizontal installation space. The scissor mechanism converts rotational motion into vertical linear motion, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension for functionality.
2Ease of operation
If manual pedals and ground auxiliary boarding devices are used, then boarding assistance is provided, but boarding efficiency is low and operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boarding auxiliary device is designed as an automated system that provides self-service boarding assistance. The scissor lifting mechanism automatically adjusts the boarding platform height to match the platform level, eliminating the need for manual operation by staff. The device includes sensors and control systems that detect platform height and automatically position the boarding platform, enabling independent operation without continuous human intervention and significantly improving boarding efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a hybrid power system combining hydraulic cylinders and electric motors to accelerate the lifting process. The hydraulic system provides high-force rapid lifting capability, while the electric motor assists in positioning and fine-adjustment. This combined power approach dramatically reduces the time required for boarding platform deployment compared to manual systems, thereby increasing boarding throughput and efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If staff assistance is used for boarding, then people with mobility impairments can board, but transportation operation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated boarding device eliminates the need for staff assistance by providing self-service functionality. The system includes automatic platform height detection, automated scissor mechanism deployment, and self-positioning capabilities that allow the boarding platform to adapt to different platform heights without human intervention. This automation reduces operational costs by eliminating the labor requirement while maintaining full accessibility for people with mobility impairments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical human labor system with an automated electromechanical-hydraulic system. The manual assistance provided by staff is substituted with an automated control system that uses sensors, hydraulic cylinders, and electric motors to perform the boarding assistance function. This substitution reduces operational costs by eliminating labor while maintaining or improving the quality of boarding assistance through consistent, reliable automated operation.
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 stable, reliable, and space-efficient boarding system that adapts to different platform heights, facilitating easy access for individuals with mobility impairments while reducing operational costs and installation space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the bidirectional power mechanism is a bidirectional hydraulic cylinder or a bidirectional cylinder
Implementation Method 2
the bidirectional power mechanism is a screw mechanism with two nuts
Implementation Method 3
the lower ends of the two first support rods are movably connected to the guide rail and can move along the guide rail
Implementation Method 4
the upper ends of the two first support rods are hinged to the boarding platform, and the lower ends of the two first support rods are movably connected to the guide rail
Implementation Method 5
two first scissor lifting arms, a second scissor lifting arm, and a hydraulic cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Disclosed is a boarding auxiliary device of a rail vehicle. The boarding auxiliary device includes a boarding platform (1) and a lifting mechanism located below the boarding platform (1), the lifting mechanism includes a bidirectional power mechanism, a guide rail (3), two first support rods (4) and two second support rods (5), and the movement directions of two power output ends of the bidirectional power mechanism are opposite to each other and are parallel to the boarding platform (1); the upper ends of the two first support rods(4) are hinged to the boarding platform (1), and the lower ends of the two first support rods (4) are movably connected to the guide rail (3) and can move along the guide rail (3); the upper ends of the two second support rods (5) are respectively hinged to the middle of the corresponding two first support rods (4), the lower ends of the two second support rods (5) are respectively hinged to the two power output ends of the bidirectional power mechanism. The boarding platform (1) can be installed as part of a vehicle body floor and is at the same height as a vehicle floor; and the lifting mechanism enables the boarding platform (1) to ascend or descend to meet the boarding requirements of platforms of different heights.