System and method for passenger access to a platform

A platform access system for a personal mobility device, comprising:

• a deployable ramp slidably arranged on a platform, a plurality of actuators, a sensor, and a ramp controller including a communication link;
• the deployable ramp including a first elongated beam having a toothed rack portion arranged thereon;
• wherein the platform is horizontally disposed at a first elevation level;
• wherein the deployable ramp is disposed at a first position on the platform;
• wherein the ramp controller is operatively connected to the plurality of actuators;
• wherein the ramp controller is in communication with the sensor;
• wherein the deployable ramp is moveable, via one of the plurality of actuators, on the platform between the first position that is in parallel to a longitudinal axis and a second position that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;
• wherein the deployable ramp includes a second end that extends outwardly from an edge portion of the platform in the second position;
• wherein the deployable ramp is vertically pivotable, via one of the plurality of actuators, on the edge portion of the platform when in the second position, with the second end of the deployable ramp being disposed at a second elevation;
• wherein a first end of the deployable ramp is securable, via one of the plurality of actuators, to the edge portion of the platform;
• wherein the toothed rack portion of the first elongated beam is arranged to engage a sprocket of a drive wheel of a personal mobility device that is disposed at the second elevation;
• and
• wherein the communication link is arranged to communicate with a communication device of the personal mobility device.

A passenger access system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

• a wheelchair including a seat portion, an extendable post, a wheeled base portion, a sensor, and a first controller;
• and
• a deployable ramp and a second controller;
• wherein the seat portion is coupled to the wheeled base portion via the extendable post;
• wherein a first end of the extendable post is pivotably coupled to the wheeled base portion at a first joint;
• wherein a second end of the extendable post is pivotably coupled to the seat portion at a second joint;
• wherein the wheeled base portion includes a plurality of wheels arranged on a chassis, a power pack, and an electric motor;
• wherein one of the plurality of wheels includes a drive wheel;
• wherein the drive wheel is coupled to the electric motor;
• wherein the drive wheel includes a sprocket;
• wherein the deployable ramp includes an elongated beam having a rack portion arranged thereon;
• wherein the sprocket of the drive wheel is meshingly engageable with the rack portion of the elongated beam of the deployable ramp;
• wherein the first controller is arranged to monitor, via the sensor, a location of the wheelchair;
• wherein the first controller is arranged to control the electric motor to rotate the sprocket of the drive wheel;
• wherein the first controller is arranged to control the extendable post;
• wherein the first controller is arranged to control the first joint between the wheeled base portion and the extendable post;
• wherein the first controller is arranged to control the second joint between the seat portion and the extendable post;
• wherein the first controller is arranged to control the extendable post to control a position of the seat portion;
• and
• wherein, when the sprocket of the drive wheel engages the deployable ramp, the first controller:
• controls the electric motor to rotate the sprocket of the drive wheel to meshingly engage the rack portion of the elongated beam of the deployable ramp to cause the wheelchair to traverse the deployable ramp,
• controls the second joint to orient the seat portion in an upright state as the wheelchair is traversing the deployable ramp, and
• controls the first joint, the second joint, and the extendable post to control the position of the seat portion as the wheelchair is traversing the deployable ramp.