Active Dent Shield for Vehicle Doors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle styling has removed traditional dent protection from doors, leading to increased dents and repair costs, with existing solutions either being aesthetically unappealing or requiring significant modifications to vehicle designs.
Innovation Solution
An active dent shield system that includes a running board with a linkage and actuator, allowing the board to move from a lowered position for stepping into the vehicle to a raised position for shielding, while maintaining a concealed mechanism to preserve the vehicle's appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional dent protection (rubber bumpers) is removed from vehicle doors to improve aesthetics, then the appearance is improved, but the door becomes vulnerable to dents and dings
Solution Approach 1:
The running board is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between a lowered position (for aesthetics and stepping) and a raised position (for dent protection). This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its function based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between aesthetics and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The running board serves multiple functions: it provides aesthetic appearance when lowered, enables easy vehicle entry/exit when lowered, and provides dent protection when raised. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single component serve both aesthetic and protective roles at different times.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an active dent protection mechanism is added to protect the door, then dent protection is improved, but the mechanism is exposed to view and degrades the appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The protection mechanism (running board) is designed to be dynamic rather than static, remaining concealed in the lowered position and only becoming visible when raised for protection. This resolves the contradiction by making the mechanism invisible during normal operation and only visible when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection mechanism is extracted from the visible surface of the vehicle body and integrated into the running board structure, which is positioned below the door. This allows the mechanism to be separated from the aesthetic surface while still providing protection when activated.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the running board is spaced significantly from the rocker to allow rotation into protective position, then dent protection is achieved, but the risk of engaging and damaging the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The running board uses a controlled lifting mechanism rather than free rotation, allowing precise control over the movement path and position. This dynamic control eliminates the risk of uncontrolled engagement with the vehicle body while still achieving the protective position.
Solution Approach 2:
A linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the running board, controlling the movement and positioning of the board. This intermediary mechanism ensures controlled motion and prevents direct engagement with the vehicle body that could cause damage.
4Ease of manufacture
If a conventional running board design is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but integration with existing vehicle designs requires significant modification
Solution Approach 1:
The running board is designed as a universal component that can be integrated into various vehicle platforms without significant modification. The standardized design with adaptable mounting options allows it to work with different vehicle architectures, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and design compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The running board system is segmented into modular components (board, linkage, actuator, mounting brackets) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This modularity facilitates easier integration with different vehicle designs while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A dent shield for a vehicle door includes a running board having a first position for stepping into the vehicle door. The running board conceals or at least partially overlies a lifter including a linkage in the lowered position. The lifter includes an actuator for actuating the linkage to move the running board to a second position (which may be a tilted position) for at least partially shielding the vehicle door from dents or dings.