DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a bridging mechanism and in particular, relates to a bridge system for boarding and de-boarding of passengers in a vehicle, and a method of operating the bridge system.

BACKGROUND

A large number of travelers commute through public transport, such as train, metro trains, and buses, on a daily basis. Generally, due to the crowd, the commuters have to board and de-board the vehicle in a haste manner. For example, in case of trains, considering that a large number of people travel through trains every day, such situations are routine occurrence. This would lead to significant inconvenience to a commuter. Particularly, platform clearance, i.e., the gap between a door of the vehicle and the platform poses a serious concern for the commuters. In fact, there have been multiple instances where commuters get stuck in this clearance space, for example, during the boarding or de-boarding the train. This space cannot be reduced as an operable distance has to be maintained between the door and the platform for a safe operation of the vehicle. Similar situations occur in case of commuting through buses as well. This problem is further intensified in case of women commuters or specially-abled commuters or children.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a bridge system for boarding and de-boarding of passengers in a vehicle is disclosed. The bridge system includes at least one spring disposed at a door of the vehicle, and a foot rest coupled to the at least one spring. The foot rest is adapted to extend towards a platform to bridge a gap between the vehicle and the platform, by decompression of the at least one spring. The foot rest is adapted to retract to an original position by compressing the at least one spring to an original state.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a bridge system for boarding and de-boarding of passengers in a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a motion sensing unit, an operational state of a door of the vehicle. The operational state includes an open state and a closed state. The method includes detecting, by a proximity sensing unit, a presence of a platform at a predefined distance from the door of the vehicle. The method includes operating, by a controller, a foot rest to extend towards the platform, based on the detection.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a bridge system having at least one spring and a foot rest disposed in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of the bridge system when the foot rest is extended towards a platform, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of the bridge system having sensors and a controller to operate the foot rest, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of a top view of the bridge system when the foot rest is in a retracted position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic view of a top view of the bridge system when the foot rest is in an extended position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 6 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method of operating the bridge system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a bridge system 100 for boarding and de-boarding of passengers in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the vehicle may include, but is not limited to a train and a bus. In other embodiments, the vehicle may be any other vehicle capable of accommodating the bridge system 100 for facilitating a convenient boarding and de-boarding of passengers, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The bridge system 100 may include, but is not limited to, at least one spring 102 and a foot rest 104 coupled to the at least one spring 102. In an embodiment, a number of springs 102 in the bridge system 100 may vary depending at least on constructional features of the foot rest 104. The foot rest 104 may be adapted to extend and retract, by the virtue of de-compression and compression of the at least one spring 102, respectively. The at least one spring 102 and the foot rest 104 may be adapted to be disposed within the vehicle, in an original position, i.e., when the at least one spring 102 is compressed and the foot rest 104 is not extended. For example, the foot rest 104 may be disposed at a door 106 of the vehicle such that the foot rest 104 may not protrude from boundaries of the vehicle. Particularly, Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the bridge system 100 where the foot rest 104 is disposed within the vehicle, for example, at the door 106. In the illustrated state, the at least one spring 102 and the foot rest 104 are in the original position. In an embodiment, the foot rest 104 may be formed of Aluminium.

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of the bridge system 100 when the foot rest 104 is extended towards a platform 108, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment where the vehicle is a train, the platform 108 may be of a train station. In an embodiment, the foot rest 104 may be adapted to extend towards the platform 108. The foot rest 104 may extend towards the platform108 to bridge a gap between the vehicle and the platform 108. Therefore, a continuous path is formed from the door 106 of the vehicle to the platform 108 for ensuring smooth and convenient boarding and de-boarding of the passengers. In an embodiment, the foot rest 104 may be extended owing to the decompression or expansion of the at least one spring 102.

In an embodiment, when the boarding and the de-boarding are completed, the foot rest 104 may be retracted to the original position, as shown in Figure 1. The retraction of the foot rest 104 may be achieved owing to compression of the at least one spring 102 to an original state.

Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, in an embodiment, the bridge system 100 may further include a switch (not shown) operably coupled to at least one of the at least one spring 102 and the foot rest 104. In an embodiment, the switch may be adapted to be actuated for operating the foot rest 104 to extend towards the platform 108 and retract to the original position. The switch may be a push-pull type switch, a rotary switch, and a sliding-type switch, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, in an embodiment, the switch may be disposed in a driver cabin, for example, as a part of a train control and management system. In another embodiment, the switch may be disposed at the door 106 of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the bridge system 100 may include a sensing mechanism and a controller for automatic movement of the foot rest 104, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram 300 of the bridge system 100 having sensors and a controller, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the bridge system 100 may include a motion sensing unit 302, a proximity sensing unit 304, and a controller 306 in communication with at least one of the motion sensing unit 302 and the proximity sensing unit 304.

In an embodiment, the motion sensing unit 302 may be adapted to detect an operational state of the door 106 of the vehicle. The operational state of the door 106 may include an open state and a closed state. Further, the proximity sensing unit 304 may be adapted to detect a presence of the platform 108 at a predefined distance from the door 106 of the vehicle. The controller 306 may be in communication with at least one of the motion sensing unit 302 and the proximity sensing unit 304, and adapted to control the movement of the foot rest 104, based on the detection.

In particular, the controller 306 may be adapted to receive details pertaining to the detection of the operational state of the door 106 and the proximity of the platform 108 to the door 106 from the motion sensing unit 302 and the proximity sensing unit 304, respectively. In an embodiment, the controller 204 may include a processor (not shown), memory (not shown), modules (not shown), and data (not shown). The modules and the memory may be coupled to the processor. The processor may be a single processing unit or a number of units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The processor may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in the memory.

The memory may include any non-transitory computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.

The modules, amongst other things, include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement data types. The modules may also be implemented as, signal processor(s), state machine(s), logic circuitries, and/or any other device or component that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.

Further, the modules can be implemented in hardware, instructions executed by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof. The processing unit can comprise a computer, a processor, such as the processor, a state machine, a logic array or any other suitable devices capable of processing instructions. The processing unit can be a general-purpose processor which executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the required tasks or, the processing unit can be dedicated to perform the required functions. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the modules may be machine-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor/processing unit, perform any of the described functionalities.

In an embodiment, the controller 306 may be in communication with the motion sensing unit 302. Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, in such an embodiment, the controller 306 may be adapted to operate the foot rest 104 to extend towards the platform 108, when the door 106 is detected to be in the open state. In another embodiment, the foot rest 104 may not be extended when the door 106 is detected to be in the closed state.

In another embodiment, the controller 306 may be in communication with the proximity sensing unit 304. As explained earlier, the proximity sensing unit 304 may be adapted to detect the presence of the platform 108 at the predefined distance from the door 106. In such an embodiment, the controller 306 may be adapted to operate the foot rest 104 to extend towards the platform 108, when the platform 108 is detected to be at the predefined distance from the door 106. In an example, the predefined distance may be selected based on the dimensional characteristics of the foot rest 104.

For example, if the length of the foot rest 104 is one feet, the predefined distance may be selected as 1.1 feet. Therefore, when the proximity sensing unit 304 detects that the platform 108 is at a distance of 1.1 feet from the door 106 of the vehicle, the controller 306 may extend the foot rest 104. In another example, when the proximity sensing unit 304 detects that the platform 108 is at a distance less than 1 feet, the controller 306 may not extend the foot rest 104.

In an embodiment, the controller 306 may operate the foot rest 104 to extend towards the platform 108, when the door 106 is detected to be in the open state and the platform 108 is detected to be at the predefined distance from the door 106.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of a top view of the bridge system 100, when the foot rest is in the retracted position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, Figure 5 illustrates a schematic view of a top view of the bridge system 100, when the foot rest 104 is in an extended position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment where the bridge system 100 includes the sensors and the controller 306, the switch may be used to over-ride the bridge system 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method 600 of operating the bridge system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the method 600 may be a computer-implemented method 600. Further, for the sake of brevity, details of the present disclosure that are explained in details in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5 are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 6.

At a block 602, the method 600 includes detecting the operational state of the door 106 of the vehicle. The operational state may include the open state and the closed state. In an embodiment, the motion sensing unit 302 may detect the operational state of the door 106.

At a block 604, the method 600 includes detecting the presence of the platform 108 at the predefined distance from the door 106 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the proximity sensing unit 304 may detect the presence of the platform 108.

At a block 606, the method 600 includes operating the foot rest 104 of the bridge system 100 to extend towards the platform 108, based on the detection. In an embodiment, the controller 306 may operate the foot rest 104.

In an embodiment, the method 600 may include operating the foot rest 104 to extend, when the door 106 is detected to be in the open state. In an embodiment, the method 600 may include operating the foot rest 104 to extend towards the platform 108, when the platform 108 is detected to be at the predefined distance from the door 106.

In an embodiment, the method 600 may include operating the foot rest 104 to extend towards the platform 108 and retract to the original position, in response to an actuation of the switch.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure relates to the bridge system 100 and the method 600 that offer a comprehensive approach for ensuring smooth and convenient boarding and de-boarding of the passengers. The bridge system 100 can be installed to ensure that the gap between the door 106 and the platform 108 is filled.

Further, the foot rest 104 can be operated in response to the switch as well as automatically based on detection by the sensors, such as the motion sensing unit 302 and the proximity sensing unit 304. Furthermore, the motion sensing unit 302 and the proximity sensing unit 304 ensure that the foot rest 104 is not extended when the door 106 is in the closed state and/or the platform 108 is not at the predefined distance from the door 106. This ensures that the possibility of any damage to the bridge system 100 in such circumstances is eliminated. Therefore, the safety bridge 100 is configured to operate automatically and deploy between the platform 108 and the door 106 during passengers boarding or alighting and retract to an original position during movement of the vehicle, thereby providing the safety for kids, aged and specially-abled peoples.

Also, the bridge system 100 includes minimal components and has a simple construction. Accordingly, the installation, maintenance, and operation of the bridge system 100 are simple and effective. Consequently, an overall operational cost of the bridge system 100 is significantly low. Therefore, the present disclosure offers the bridge system 100 and the method 600 that are simple, easy to install, maintain and operate, efficient, and economical.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A bridge system (100) for boarding and de-boarding of passengers in a vehicle, the bridge system (100) comprising:
at least one spring (102) disposed at a door (106) of the vehicle; and
a foot rest (104) coupled to the at least one spring (102) and adapted to:
extend towards a platform (108) to bridge a gap between the vehicle and the platform (108), by decompression of the at least one spring (102); and
retract to an original position by compression of the at least one spring (102) to an original state.

2. The bridge system (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a switch adapted to be actuated for operating the foot rest (104) to extend towards the platform (108) and retract to the original position.

3. The bridge system (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
a motion sensing unit (302) adapted to detect an operational state of the door (106) of the vehicle, wherein the operational state of the door (106) comprising of an open state and a closed state; and
a controller (306) in communication with the motion sensing unit (302) and adapted to operate the foot rest (104) to extend towards the platform (108) when the door (106) is detected to be in the open state.

4. The bridge system (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
a proximity sensing unit (304) adapted to detect a presence of the platform (108) at a predefined distance from the door (106) of the vehicle; and
a controller (306) in communication with the proximity sensing unit (304) and adapted to operate the foot rest (104) to extend towards the platform (108) when the platform (108) is detected to be at the predefined distance from the door (106).

5. The bridge system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foot rest (104) is adapted to be disposed at the door (106) of the vehicle in the original position, such that the foot rest (104) does not protrude from boundaries of the vehicle.

6. The bridge system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foot rest (104) is formed of Aluminium.

7. A method (600) of operating a bridge system (100) for boarding and de-boarding of passengers in a vehicle, the method comprising:
detecting, by a motion sensing unit (302), an operational state of a door (106) of the vehicle, wherein the operational state is comprising of an open state and a closed state;
detecting, by a proximity sensing unit (304), a presence of a platform (108) at a predefined distance from the door (106) of the vehicle; and
operating, by a controller (306), a foot rest (104) of the bridge system (100) to extend towards the platform (108), based on the detection.

8. The method (600) as claimed in claim 7 comprising operating the foot rest (104) to extend, when the door (106) is detected to be in the open state.

9. The method (600) as claimed in claim 7 comprising operating the foot rest (104) to extend towards the platform (108), when the platform (108) is detected to be at the predefined distance from the door (106).

10. The method (600) as claimed in claim 7 comprising operating the foot rest (104) to extend towards the platform (108) and retract to the original position, in response to an actuation of a switch.