Vehicle Height Control for Platform Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers with mobility difficulties face challenges in boarding and exiting vehicles when the height of the boarding gate differs from the platform, as existing assist devices are limited by changing vehicle environments.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes sensors to gather surroundings information, a controller to determine the boarding gate and platform locations, and adjust the vehicle height to match the platform and boarding gate heights, using suspension control to facilitate safe boarding and exiting, incorporating V2X communication and location acquisition for precise adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a boarding and exiting assist device is used, then passengers with mobility difficulties can board and exit the vehicle, but the device is limited by changing vehicle environments (height differences between platform and boarding gate)
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle height is dynamically adjusted using suspension control to match the platform height at different stopping locations. The system continuously monitors the vehicle's stopping position and modifies the vehicle body height in real-time, transforming a static vehicle into a dynamic system that adapts to varying platform heights, thereby resolving the limitation of fixed-height assist devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of vehicle height by controlling the suspension system. By adjusting the suspension air springs or hydraulic components, the vehicle body height is modified to create a minimal height difference with the platform, directly addressing the adaptability issue caused by environmental variations
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle height is adjusted to match the platform height, then boarding and exiting becomes easier for passengers with mobility difficulties, but the system complexity increases due to sensors, controllers, and suspension control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension control system serves multiple functions: it provides normal vehicle suspension for comfort, actively adjusts vehicle height for accessible boarding, and can potentially handle other height-adjustment scenarios. By making the suspension system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding a separate dedicated height-adjustment mechanism, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving the desired accessibility improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing suspension infrastructure and onboard sensors to automatically determine and execute height adjustments. The controller integrates data from stopping location sensors and calculates required height changes without external intervention, allowing the system to self-manage the height adjustment process using its own resources, minimizing the need for additional complex control equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling a vehicle includes: a sensor configured to obtain surroundings information of the vehicle and sensing a vehicle height; a location acquisition device configured to obtain a location of the vehicle; and a controller. The controller determines a location of a boarding gate of the vehicle based on a stopping location of the vehicle, determines information of a platform based on the boarding gate location, calculates a target vehicle height based on the platform information and boarding gate information, and controls a vehicle height of the vehicle based on the target vehicle height.