Vehicle Door-Driven Step Fairing for Aerodynamic Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs with uncovered steps in trucks compromise aerodynamics, safety, aesthetics, and increase driver effort due to heavy doors and potential theft risks.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting door system with a fairing that covers steps via a gear mechanism, integrating the fairing with the door's rotation to enhance aerodynamics, reduce weight, and prevent theft, while minimizing effort and maintaining aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If steps are left uncovered to facilitate entry, then ease of operation is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing is made dynamically movable rather than fixed, allowing it to rotate between covering and uncovered positions. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements, providing aerodynamic coverage during normal driving while allowing easy access when the door is opened.
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing is designed to be automatically positioned by the door's own movement through the gear system. When the door opens or closes, it automatically drives the fairing to rotate into the appropriate position, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing system complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a heavy main door is used to cover steps, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but weight and effort to open the door increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic coverage function is segmented from the main door structure and assigned to a separate, lightweight fairing component. This allows the door to remain light while the fairing provides the necessary aerodynamic coverage, eliminating the need for a heavy door design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing is designed as a thin, lightweight shell structure that provides aerodynamic coverage without adding significant weight. This flexible shell approach allows effective aerodynamic sealing while maintaining minimal mass compared to rigid door extensions.
3Ease of operation
If steps are uncovered, then ease of entry is improved, but safety and theft risk worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing's dynamic positioning creates a movable barrier that can cover or expose steps based on door position. When the door is closed, the fairing rotates to cover the steps, providing security and theft prevention. When the door opens, the fairing automatically moves to allow access, maintaining ease of entry.
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
Improves aerodynamics, reduces fuel consumption, eliminates mud and snow accumulation, enhances safety, and prevents theft by covering steps with the fairing, all while reducing weight and effort required to open the door.
Implementation Method 1
a gear system comprising a first gear wheel secured to the door shaft and cooperating with a second gear wheel secured to the fairing shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an access system (2) for a vehicle, comprising a door (3) mounted to rotate about a door shaft (5) and steps (4) to facilitate entry into the vehicle, the steps being adjacent to the door (3), wherein the access system (2) further comprises a fairing (6) for covering at least one of said steps (4), said fairing (6) being mounted so as to rotate about a fairing shaft (7), the fairing (6) being able to be driven in rotation by the door (3), in the same direction of rotation as that of the door (3), via a gear system (9, 10, 11) comprising a first gear wheel (9) secured to the door shaft (5) and cooperating with a second gear wheel (10) secured to the fairing shaft (7).