Contactless Linear Motor Sliding Step Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding step assemblies for vehicles are prone to functional failures due to dirt, icing, deformation, and vandalism, particularly when using contact-based drives, which can lead to non-functional systems and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

A contactlessly operating electric linear motor using magnetic forces to drive the step board, allowing for movement between retracted and deployed positions without mechanical connections, making the system less sensitive to geometrical distortions and requiring less maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contact-based drives (belt drives, spindle drives, pneumatic cylinders) are used to move the step board, then the drive can transmit force effectively, but the drive becomes blocked due to dirt, icing, deformation, or temperature influences, resulting in functional failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to dirt and icing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces contact-based mechanical drives (belt drives, spindle drives, pneumatic cylinders) with a contactless electric linear motor that uses electromagnetic fields to move the step board. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact points that are susceptible to dirt, icing, and deformation, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective force transmission and sensitivity to harmful environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Force

If contact-based drives are used, then the drive can provide sufficient force, but the drive train is vulnerable to vandalism and destruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive forceVSAvoidvandalism susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electric linear motor provides sufficient drive force through electromagnetic interaction without exposed mechanical components. The contactless operation eliminates vulnerable mechanical linkages that could be targeted by vandalism, while maintaining the necessary force for step board movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If contactless electric linear motor is used, then the system is less sensitive to geometrical distortions and requires less maintenance, but the motor requires precise magnetic field control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidmagnetic field control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electric linear motor uses electromagnetic fields instead of mechanical linkages, making the system insensitive to geometrical distortions in the guide device or mounting structure. While magnetic field control is required, this complexity is offset by the elimination of mechanical maintenance and the increased reliability from having no contact points subject to wear or deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The solution enhances the reliability and reduces maintenance needs of sliding step assemblies by allowing larger geometrical tolerances and preventing functional failures due to dirt or distortion, ensuring consistent operation.

Implementation Method 1

A contactlessly operating electric linear motor using magnetic forces to drive the step board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic forces: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11554721B2Sliding step assembly for a motor vehicle or for a rail vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 KNORR BREMSE GMBH

AI summary

Disclosed embodiment provide a sliding step assembly for a vehicle or a rail vehicle, comprising at least one footboard, which is guided on a guiding device for movement along a travel path between a retracted position and an extended position by driving by a drive. The drive contains at least one electrical linear motor operating without contact, wherein the driving force of the electrical linear motor is transferred to the footboard without mechanical connection.