Rear Entry Latch Assembly for Wheelchair Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass-produced passenger vehicles are not designed to accommodate physically limited passengers, requiring significant modifications such as adding ramps and modifying rear entry openings to enable wheelchair access, which can be complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with a tailgate assembly that includes a movably coupled tailgate, a latch system, and a release mechanism allowing the tailgate to transition between closed and open positions, facilitating easy access for wheelchair-confined passengers, with integrated sensors and a control system to manage the latch and ramp operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If significant modifications are made to the OEM vehicle to accommodate wheelchair access (adding ramps, modifying rear entry openings), then accessibility for physically limited passengers is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a closure for the cargo area and an access point for wheelchair passengers. The latch assembly integrates both cargo securing functionality and wheelchair accessibility control, allowing a single structure to serve universal purposes without requiring separate specialized mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cargo area closure system with the wheelchair access system into a unified tailgate assembly. The latch assembly integrates both cargo latching and wheelchair restraint functions, merging what would traditionally be separate systems into one coordinated mechanism that reduces overall complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the tailgate is made easily movable for wheelchair access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of cargo securing may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate assembly incorporates dynamic elements including movable latches that can transition between locked and unlocked states, and a release mechanism that enables controlled movement. The system adapts its rigidity based on operational needs: secure when latched for cargo transport, movable when unlatched for wheelchair access.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly acts as an intermediary between the tailgate and the frame, providing a controlled interface that enables both secure attachment and controlled movement. The release mechanism serves as a mediator that transitions the system between latched and unlatched states, ensuring reliable operation in both modes.
3Reliability
If a latch system is added to secure the tailgate, then cargo security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly merges cargo securing and wheelchair restraint functions into a single integrated system. The same latches that secure the tailgate for cargo transport also provide restraint for wheelchair passengers, eliminating the need for separate securing mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both cargo area closure and wheelchair passenger restraint. This universal design allows a single mechanism to serve multiple security functions, reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining high reliability for both cargo and passenger safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle having a body, for transporting a wheelchair-confined passenger, and a rear liftgate, for providing ingress and egress for the passenger. The motor vehicle includes a tailgate frame operatively connected to the body and disposed adjacently to the rear liftgate. The tailgate frame defines an opening. A tailgate is movably coupled to the tailgate frame at the opening, wherein the tailgate includes a closed position and an open position. A latch is operatively connected to the tailgate. The latch includes a latched condition configured to latch the tailgate in the closed position, a lock condition configured to lock the tailgate in the closed position, and an unlatched condition configured to unlatch the tailgate for movement from the closed position to the open position.