Abstract: A ramp system for a vehicle includes a control device. Using an obstacle detection device, the control device determines whether an obstacle exists within a ramp extension area. Upon determining that an obstacle exists within the ramp extension area, the control device causes a vehicle to move to a location in which no obstacle exists within the ramp extension area.

Abstract: When it is confirmed that a user exists based on an image of the situation outside a vehicle which is captured using a camera and a proximity sensor detects a fact that the user is approaching based on, for example, a putting of a hand of the user over the proximity sensor, a control device causes a ramp to be extended. As such, a user sitting in a wheelchair can cause the ramp to be extended by approaching the proximity sensor, such as the putting of the user's hand over the proximity sensor such that the user sitting in the wheelchair does not have to press an extension/storage button provided on the vehicle to cause the ramp to be extended.

Abstract: A vehicle side structure includes: a vehicle body side structure including a boarding opening through which an occupant gets into and out of a vehicle; a sliding door configured to slide to open and close the boarding opening; an upper support structure; a middle support structure; a lower support structure; and a drive unit located in an upper portion of the vehicle body side structure and configured to drive the sliding door to open and close via at least a part of the upper support structure. The upper support structure, the middle support structure, and the lower support structure are configured to support the sliding door in upper, middle, and lower portions of the vehicle body side structure in a vertical direction of a vehicle such that the sliding door slides, respectively.

Abstract: An upper rail is located along an upper edge of a boarding opening. A center rail extends from a side edge of the boarding opening in a direction away from the boarding opening. A lower rail is located along a lower edge of a sliding door. An upper hinge that is guided by the upper rail and a center hinge that is guided by the center rail slide with the sliding door. A lower hinge that is guided by the lower rail is located at each of front and rear side edges of the boarding opening, and does not slide. A lower edge lock mechanism fixes the lower edge of the sliding door to a vehicle body side structure.

Abstract: A ramp system for a vehicle includes a control device. Using an obstacle detection device, the control device determines whether an obstacle exists within a ramp extension area. Upon determining that an obstacle exists within the ramp extension area, the control device causes a vehicle to move to a location in which no obstacle exists within the ramp extension area.

Abstract: When it is confirmed that a user exists based on an image of the situation outside a vehicle which is captured using a camera and a proximity sensor detects a fact that the user is approaching based on, for example, a putting of a hand of the user over the proximity sensor, a control device causes a ramp to be extended. As such, a user sitting in a wheelchair can cause the ramp to be extended by approaching the proximity sensor, such as the putting of the user's hand over the proximity sensor such that the user sitting in the wheelchair does not have to press an extension/storage button provided on the vehicle to cause the ramp to be extended.

Abstract: A vehicle slide door support device connects a slide door to a vehicle body. The slide door is configured to open and close a door opening formed in a side surface of the vehicle body. The device includes: a first guide rail arranged on a lower portion of the slide door and regulating a movement direction of the slide door; a first hinge unit arranged below the door opening and configured to move relative to the first guide rail in a longitudinal direction of the first guide rail; a second guide rail arranged above the first hinge unit on the vehicle body and regulating the movement direction of the slide door; and a second hinge unit arranged above the first guide rail on the slide door and configured to move relative to the second guide rail in a longitudinal direction of the second guide rail.

Abstract: A slide door support device supports a slide door that opens and closes a door opening formed on a side surface of a vehicle body. The slide door support device includes first and second lower rails, an upper rail, and lower and upper guide units. The upper rail includes a straight portion extending to a vehicle front, and a curved portion curved so as to extend inward in a vehicle width direction as a position shifts from a front end of the straight portion to the vehicle front. The upper guide unit includes first and second upper guide rollers that move along the upper rail, an upper load roller rolling on a rolling surface that extends along the upper rail, and an upper rotational arm connected so as to be rotatable relative to the slide door and supporting the first and second upper guide rollers and the upper load roller.

Abstract: A slide door support device supports a slide door that opens and closes a door opening formed on a side surface of a vehicle body. The slide door support device includes first and second lower rails and a lower guide unit. The lower guide unit includes a first lower guide roller moving along the first lower rail, a second lower guide roller moving along the second lower rail, a lower fixed portion fixed to the slide door, a lower rotational arm rotatable relative to the lower fixed portion and supporting the first and second lower guide rollers, and a pressing member pressing the lower fixed portion. An arm angle made by the lower fixed portion and the lower rotational arm gradually decreases as an opened degree of the slide door decreases. The pressing member presses the lower fixed portion in a direction of increasing the arm angle.