Transport Vehicle Platform Lifting Mechanism for Accessibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting devices for people, particularly those in wheelchairs, face difficulties in accessing the platform due to high steps, compromising ease of use and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled transport vehicle with a chassis, energy supply, and a lifting device that allows the transport platform to be lowered to the ground for easy loading/unloading and raised for optimal center of gravity, enhancing stability and safety, while being adaptable for various platforms and docking configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the transport platform is positioned high for stable transport, then vehicle stability is improved, but accessibility for wheelchair users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transport platform is designed to be dynamically repositionable between a raised position during transport for stability and a lowered position at destinations for accessibility. The lifting device enables this dynamic adjustment, allowing the system to optimize for different operational requirements at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle is divided into separate functional components: a stable chassis for transport and a movable transport platform for passenger carriage. This segmentation allows the platform to be independently positioned relative to the chassis, enabling stability during transport while providing accessibility when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the transport platform is lowered to the ground for easy loading, then accessibility is improved, but vehicle stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The platform's height is dynamically adjusted based on operational phase: lowered at loading/unloading points for accessibility, and raised during transport for stability. This dynamic repositioning resolves the stability-accessibility trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the chassis and transport platform, enabling controlled vertical movement. This intermediary allows the platform to transition between positions that optimize for either accessibility or stability as required.
3Ease of operation
If the transport platform is extended beyond the chassis for accessibility, then ease of boarding is improved, but vehicle center of gravity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The platform's horizontal position is dynamically adjusted: extended beyond the chassis at loading points for easy boarding, and retracted over the chassis during transport to maintain optimal center of gravity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle system separates the transport function (chassis) from the passenger carriage function (platform), allowing the platform to be positioned independently. This enables the platform to extend for accessibility while the chassis maintains its stable center of gravity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-propelling transport vehicle (1), comprising: a chassis (3) which extends with respect to the length (4) thereof in a direction of travel (7) and extends with regard to the width (5) thereof transversely with respect to the direction of travel (7), wherein at least three wheels (6) are arranged on the chassis (3), which wheels (6) in the unsteered state are oriented in the direction of travel (7); a power supply device (30) which is accommodated in the chassis (3); a lifting device (13) which is coupled to the chassis (3); a transport platform (12) which is displaceable in the vertical direction (18) relative to the chassis (3) between a lowered position (19) and a raised position (20) by means of the lifting device (13) . The transport platform (12) is displaceable in the direction of travel (7) relative to the chassis (3) between a receiving position (31) and a transport position (32). In addition, a drive device (44) is designed for displacing the transport platform (12) in the direction of travel (7).