Vehicle Entry Board Linkage for One-Motion Stow and Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entry-and-exit assistance devices for vehicles require multiple actions to move a board between its using and housed positions, which complicates usability.
Innovation Solution
An entry-and-exit assistance device with a board that is rotatable between horizontal and orthogonal postures, supported by a pivotable support portion and linked to the vehicle body via a mechanism that allows the board to transition between postures with a single action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the board is moved between using position and housed position by rotating the arm in front-rear direction and displacing the board with respect to the arm, then the board can be stored in a compact position, but the operation becomes complex requiring two separate actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the arm rotation function and board displacement function into a single integrated movement. The board is directly coupled to the arm such that when the arm rotates between the using position and housed position, the board automatically moves with it, eliminating the need for separate displacement actions. This merging of functions allows the board to be stored in compact position while requiring only one simple rotational action.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the board is supported from below in the using position and housed vertically in the housed position, then the board provides stable support for occupants, but the mechanism requires two actions to transition between positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support function and positioning function into a single arm structure. The arm is designed to provide stable support for the board when in the using position, and simultaneously serves as the mechanism for positioning the board in the housed position. This integration eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for support and positioning, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining board stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm is designed as a dynamic component that can rotate between two fixed positions (using position and housed position). This dynamic capability allows the arm to adapt its orientation to provide stable support during occupancy while enabling compact storage when not in use, without requiring complex static structures or multiple separate mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An entry-and-exit assistance device for a vehicle is provided in which a motion to move a board between a housed position and a using position is made easy and usability is improved. An entry-and-exit assistance device (1) for a vehicle in the present invention includes a board (10) that is provided to a vehicle-width-direction outer side of a seat (104) adjacent to a door opening of a vehicle (V) and is rotatable between a horizontal posture (P1) and an orthogonal posture (P2), a board support portion (20) that is rotatable between a seat side-portion position (P1) and a flipped-up position (P2) in front or rear, and a linking mechanism (50) that links rotation of the board support portion (20) with rotation of the board (10), the board (10) is pivotally supported around an axis line (16) orthogonal to a vehicle width direction, the support portion (20) is pivotally supported around an axis line (26) extending in the vehicle width direction, and the linking mechanism (50) is configured such that the board (10) is rotated to a vehicle-width-direction inner side with respect to the support portion (20) and takes the orthogonal posture when the support portion (20) is rotated to the flipped-up position and the board (10) is rotated to a vehicle-width-direction outer side with respect to the support portion (20) and takes the horizontal posture when the support portion (20) is rotated to the seat side-portion position.