Automated Vehicle Ramp Assembly for Stepped Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ramp systems for vehicles, particularly those for wheelchair users, face challenges in automated deployment and recovery, requiring manual effort and lacking control over extension mechanisms, which limits their ability to traverse multiple steps or uneven terrain safely and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A ramp assembly with an automated deployment and recovery mechanism, featuring a drive mechanism, carriage, and control module that enables the ramp to move between stowed, extended, and supporting configurations, ensuring continuous connection to the vehicle and safe traversal of stepped terrain through a conveyor belt or rack and pinion system, with sensing capabilities for terrain adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual deployment of ramp is used, then user can control ramp positioning, but user must be physically capable of handling loads and securing the ramp
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp system performs deployment, positioning, and recovery operations autonomously without requiring user physical intervention. Sensors detect terrain features and automatically control the actuation mechanism to deploy the ramp to the correct position and angle, then recover it after vehicle passage, eliminating the need for users to manually handle heavy loads or secure the ramp
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated actuation system driven by a winch and controlled by a microprocessor-based controller that receives input from terrain sensors, enabling automated ramp deployment and recovery without direct user manipulation of mechanical components
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed ramp length is used, then structure is simple, but terrain traversal capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp structure transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, adjustable system where the ramp length and angle can be varied in real-time. The actuation mechanism allows the ramp to extend or retract to different lengths and adjust to different angles based on terrain requirements detected by sensors, enabling traversal of multiple steps or varying elevations
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp is divided into modular sections that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the ramp to be configured in different lengths and angles by moving individual segments relative to each other through the actuation system, providing adaptability to various terrain configurations
3Extent of automation
If automated deployment is implemented, then user effort is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated actuation system driven by a winch and controlled by a microprocessor-based controller that receives input from terrain sensors, enabling automated ramp deployment and recovery without direct user manipulation of mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates terrain sensors that detect the presence and characteristics of obstacles, providing feedback to the control system. The microprocessor-based controller uses this sensor data to automatically adjust ramp deployment parameters such as extension length and angle, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to real-time terrain conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a ramp assembly for a vehicle, comprising a ramp for supporting one or more wheels of a vehicle and providing a bridge over stepped terrain on which the wheels of the vehicle can travel, wherein the ramp is arranged to be movable between a first configuration in which the ramp is stowed in the ramp assembly, a second configuration in which the ramp extends from the ramp assembly, and a third configuration in which the ramp is arranged to support the wheels of the vehicle as it travels over the stepped terrain, a drive mechanism for driving motion of the ramp, and a carriage coupling the drive mechanism to the ramp, the carriage having a primary actuation system to enable rotation of the ramp about a pivot, and a secondary actuation system to enable linear movement of the carriage along the ramp, the apparatus further comprising a control module for controlling the drive mechanism to drive the carriage around a curvilinear loop, and to control the carriage and drive mechanism such that the ramp is driven in a cycle from the first configuration to the second configuration to the third configuration to the first configuration. Also provided is a wheeled vehicle comprising the ramp assembly.