Dual-Motor Vehicle Step Assembly to Prevent Drooping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle step apparatuses rely on a single motor to drive the step, leading to high motor performance requirements, increased manufacturing difficulty and cost, and a shorter working life, with the driven mechanism prone to drooping due to the lack of self-locking functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle step apparatus utilizing two permanent magnet direct current motors, each coupled with an arm assembly, to distribute the load and provide self-locking functionality, preventing drooping and enhancing synchronization and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single motor is used to drive the step, then the device complexity is reduced, but the motor load increases leading to higher manufacturing difficulty, higher cost, and shorter working life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single motor drive system into two separate motor assemblies, each independently driving one side of the step. This segmentation reduces the load on each motor, extending working life and reliability while maintaining overall system functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single motor is used to drive the step, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the motor performance requirements increase leading to higher manufacturing difficulty and cost
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the drive system into two motors, each motor handles only half the total load, reducing individual motor performance requirements and making manufacturing easier and more cost-effective.
3Device complexity
If a driven mechanism without self-lock function is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the step becomes prone to drooping especially when the step is very long
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assemblies are designed with self-locking functionality that automatically maintains the step position without requiring additional locking mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the motor's inherent self-lock property to prevent drooping.
4Device complexity
If a driven mechanism without self-lock function is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but drooping occurs leading to poor operational stability
Solution Approach 1:
The self-locking motor assemblies automatically maintain step position and prevent drooping during operation, providing operational stability without adding complex external locking mechanisms.
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 dual motor system reduces manufacturing costs and failure rates, extends the working life of the motors, and prevents drooping, ensuring a stable and synchronized operation of the vehicle step.
Implementation Method 1
a first permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the first mounting bracket and coupled with the first arm assembly to drive the first arm assembly; and a second permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the second mounting bracket and coupled with the second arm assembly to drive the second arm assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle step apparatus comprises a first extending and retracting device comprising a first mounting bracket, a first step bracket, and a first arm assembly configured to drive the first step bracket to move between a first extended position and a first retracted position; a second extending and retracting device comprising a second mounting bracket, a second step bracket, and a second arm assembly configured to drive the second step bracket to move between a second extended position and a second retracted position; a step mounted on the first and second step bracket; a first permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the first mounting bracket and coupled with the first arm assembly to drive the first arm assembly; and a second permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the second mounting bracket and coupled with the second arm assembly to drive the second arm assembly.