Vehicle Ramp Relocation Control for Obstacle-Clear Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle ramp systems face difficulties in extending the ramp when obstacles, including people, are present at the boarding or exiting location, making it challenging to calculate height differences and distances accurately.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle ramp system equipped with a ramp extension and storage mechanism, obstacle detection devices (such as cameras, millimeter-wave radar, and LIDAR), and a control device that autonomously moves the vehicle to a clear location if an obstacle is detected, allowing the ramp to be safely extended and stored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ramp extension is attempted at the original location, then passenger accessibility is improved, but the system fails when obstacles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle detection device performs preliminary detection of the ramp extension area before the ramp extension mechanism operates. This advance detection identifies obstacles (including pedestrians) in the area where the ramp will be extended, allowing the control device to prevent extension when obstacles are present, thereby ensuring both passenger accessibility and operational reliability
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle remains stationary at the boarding location, then passenger convenience is improved, but the ramp cannot be extended when obstacles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vehicle's position based on real-time obstacle detection results. When obstacles are detected in the ramp extension area, the control device autonomously controls the vehicle to move to an alternative location where the ramp can be safely extended. This dynamic adaptation maintains passenger convenience while ensuring the ramp extension capability functions reliably under varying conditions
3Reliability
If manual intervention is required to clear obstacles, then safety is improved, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by autonomously detecting obstacles and controlling the vehicle to relocate without human intervention. The obstacle detection device continuously monitors the ramp extension area, and when obstacles are detected, the control device automatically executes vehicle relocation to clear the area for safe ramp extension, thereby maintaining safety while significantly improving operational efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the ramp to be extended and stored safely even when obstacles are present, ensuring passenger accessibility and reducing the burden on caregivers by automating the process, thus making vehicles barrier-free for passengers with disabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the obstacle detection device detects whether an obstacle exists within a ramp extension area
Implementation Method 2
obstacle detection devices (such as cameras, millimeter-wave radar, and LIDAR)
Implementation Method 3
obstacle detection devices (such as cameras, millimeter-wave radar, and LIDAR)
Data Source
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AI summary
A ramp system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes a control device (32). Using an obstacle detection device (34), the control device (32) determines whether an obstacle exists within a ramp extension area (46). Upon determining that an obstacle exists within the ramp extension area (46), the control device (32) causes a vehicle (12) to move to a location in which no obstacle exists within the ramp extension area (46).