Dual Motor Vehicle Step Apparatus Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle step apparatuses rely on a single motor to extend and retract the step, leading to high load on the motor, increased manufacturing difficulties, costs, and failure rates, as well as a shorter working life and drooping issues due to the lack of self-locking mechanisms in the driven mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The use of two permanent magnet direct current motors, each driving a separate arm assembly to extend and retract the step, distributing the load and incorporating self-locking functions to prevent drooping, with the motors' loads and performance requirements reduced, and the addition of elastic members to assist in energy storage and release for synchronized motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If one motor is used to drive the step to move, then the device complexity is reduced, but the load on the motor increases, manufacturing cost increases, and working life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single motor system into two separate motors (first permanent magnet direct current motor and second permanent magnet direct current motor), each driving one arm assembly. This segmentation reduces the load on each individual motor, extending working life and improving reliability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular design.
2Device complexity
If one motor is used to drive the step to move, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the driving system into two motors, each motor operates at lower load levels, allowing the use of more cost-effective motor specifications. The modular arm assembly design also enables standardized manufacturing and assembly, reducing overall production costs despite the increased number of components.
3Device complexity
If the driven mechanism does not have self-lock function, then the structure is simpler, but the step droops especially when the step is very long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs permanent magnet direct current motors that inherently provide self-locking capability through their magnetic field. This self-service feature prevents the step from drooping without requiring additional complex mechanical locking mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring position stability even for long steps.
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
This solution decreases the failure rate and manufacturing costs of the motors, extends their working life, and prevents drooping, while ensuring synchronized and efficient operation of the vehicle step apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
two permanent magnet direct current motors are respectively coupled with the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly to drive the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly to move
Implementation Method 2
the addition of elastic members to assist in energy storage and release for synchronized motion
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle step apparatus (100) comprising a first extending and retracting device (10a) comprising a first mounting bracket (11a), a first step bracket (12a), and a first arm assembly (13a) configured to drive the first step bracket (12a) to move between a first extending position and a first retracting position; a second extending and retracting device (10b) comprising a second mounting bracket (11b), a second step bracket (12b), and a second arm assembly (13b) configured to drive the second step bracket (12b) to move between a second extending position and a second retracting position; a step (20) mounted on the first and second step bracket; a first permanent magnet direct current motor (30a) mounted on the first mounting bracket (11a) and coupled with the first arm assembly (13a) to drive the first arm assembly (13a); and a second permanent magnet direct current motor (30b) mounted on the second mounting bracket (11b) and coupled with the second arm assembly (13b) to drive the second arm assembly (13b).