Vehicle Access Aid With Striker Engagement and Articulating Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobility aids, such as canes, do not provide sufficient support for individuals when getting into and out of vehicles, necessitating a need for improved devices that can securely engage with vehicle doorframes and provide stable support during entry and exit.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle access device with an engagement portion that attaches to a vehicle's striker and an articulating leg with pivotable members, allowing for deployment and folding configurations to assist users in entering and exiting vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard canes are used for walking support, then they are relatively inexpensive and require less space, but they do not provide sufficient support when getting into and out of a vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility device is divided into distinct functional segments: an engagement portion with striker engagement capability, an articulating leg with pivotable members, and a base. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall device effectiveness for vehicle access assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating leg incorporates pivotable members that allow the device to dynamically adjust its configuration between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic structure enables the device to adapt to different vehicle heights and provide stable support during the entry and exit process, resolving the contradiction between support sufficiency and structural simplicity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a device securely engages with vehicle doorframes is designed, then stable support is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion is designed to self-engage with the vehicle striker through a simple insertion motion. The striker engagement mechanism automatically secures the device to the vehicle doorframe without requiring additional locking steps or complex fastening systems, thereby achieving stable engagement while minimizing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an articulating leg with pivotable members is used, then adaptability to different vehicle heights is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable members in the articulating leg enable automatic adaptation to different vehicle heights through gravitational and user-weight-driven motion. When the user places weight on the device, the articulating leg naturally adjusts its angle and extension to match the vehicle entry height, eliminating the need for manual adjustment mechanisms and maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its geometric parameters (angle and extension of articulating leg members) in response to user interaction and vehicle characteristics. This passive parameter adjustment allows the device to adapt to various vehicle heights without requiring active control systems or complex mechanical adjustments, preserving operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle access device for helping a person to enter and exit a vehicle is provided. The vehicle access device includes an engagement portion configured to engage a striker in a doorframe of a vehicle and to hold the device in a fixed relationship relative to the striker. The device further includes an articulating leg coupled to the engagement portion, the articulating leg including a first member pivotably connected to a second member.