Retractable Step Lifting and Ramp Function for Barrier-Free Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boarding systems for passenger vehicles face challenges in accommodating varying distances and heights between vehicle entrances and boarding platforms, hindering barrier-free access due to differences in platform design.
Innovation Solution
A boarding system with a sliding step featuring an extendable front edge and adjustable rear edge, equipped with a lifting mechanism driven by an extension motor, allowing for horizontal and vertical movement to bridge the gap between the vehicle and platform, ensuring barrier-free access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sliding step is fixed in height, then structure is simple, but barrier-free entry cannot be achieved on varying platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding step incorporates a lifting mechanism that enables dynamic height adjustment between a first height (retracted position) and a second height (extended position). This dynamic capability allows the step to adapt to different platform heights without requiring completely different structures for each platform type, thus maintaining reasonable complexity while achieving platform adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the height parameter of the sliding step based on the platform configuration. The lifting mechanism adjusts the vertical position of the step, changing its height parameter from the first height to the second height as needed. This parameter change enables the same structure to work with varying platform heights, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Device complexity
If sliding step extends horizontally only, then mechanism is simple, but height compensation is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two functions into one integrated mechanism: the extension motor both extends the sliding step horizontally and activates the lifting mechanism to adjust height. By combining the extension and lifting functions into a single coordinated system, the patent achieves height and distance compensation simultaneously without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension motor serves multiple purposes: it drives the horizontal extension of the sliding step and simultaneously controls the lifting mechanism for height adjustment. This multi-functionality allows a single motor to achieve both distance compensation (through horizontal extension) and height compensation (through lifting), reducing overall mechanism complexity while achieving comprehensive adaptability.
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 effectively compensates for height and distance variations, providing a barrier-free entry by adjusting the sliding step's height and position, enhancing accessibility for passengers across different platforms.
Implementation Method 1
The lifting gear is set up to translate an extension movement of the extension motor into an at least partial pivoting movement of the sliding step, so that the pivoting movement of the sliding step causes a change in height of the front edge and/or the rear edge
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a boarding system for a vehicle for transporting people, comprising a retractable step that has a lifting and ramp function, both an extendable front edge of the retractable step and a rear edge of said retractable step, arranged behind in the direction of travel, being adjustable in terms of height.