Step Plate Rotation Restriction for Vehicle Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles with rotating step plates become unstable when a rider attempts to get on or off, as the step plates can tilt, leading to instability during the process.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle with a restriction mechanism that controls the rotation of the step plates, allowing them to be restricted when a rider is getting on or off, using detection means to determine the rider's position and load, ensuring the step plates remain stable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the step plate is allowed to rotate freely in the left/right direction for turning movement, then the turning performance is improved, but the vehicle becomes unstable when a rider gets on or off the step plate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturning performanceVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the step plate's rotational restriction adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically switches between a restricted state (during boarding/alighting) and a permitted state (during normal operation), allowing the step plate to rotate freely for turning movement while preventing rotation during boarding/alighting operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback through detection units that monitor whether a rider is boarding or alighting from the vehicle. Based on this feedback information, the control unit automatically adjusts the restriction mechanism to either restrict or permit step plate rotation, ensuring stability during critical operations while maintaining turning capability during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the step plate rotation is restricted to maintain stability during boarding/alighting, then the vehicle stability is improved, but the turning movement capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidturning movement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable between restricted and permitted states based on operational conditions. During boarding/alighting, the mechanism restricts rotation to maintain stability, while during normal operation, it permits rotation to enable turning movement, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and maneuverability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2546131B1Mobile object
Publication Date: 2015.05.20 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2546131B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2546131B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2546131B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a vehicle capable of maintaining a stable state when a rider gets on the step plate or get off the step plate. A vehicle (1) is a vehicle that performs a turning movement based on the rotation of step plates (120) on which a rider rides in the left/right direction. The vehicle (1) includes restriction means (50) to enable the rotation of the step plates (120) in the left/right direction to be restricted. The vehicle preferably further includes first control means (52) that controls the restriction means (50) so that the rotation of the step plates (120) in the left/right direction is restricted when the rider gets on the step plates (120) or gets off the step plates (120).