Foldable Vehicle Side Step for Impact-Avoiding Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle side steps are either fixed and prone to damage from uneven surfaces or require complex mechanisms for folding, and they do not maximize efficiency in preventing impact and debris.
Innovation Solution
A foldable vehicle side step with a fixing device set that includes a support beam and stepping panel, allowing secure attachment to various vehicles and enabling the step to be folded snugly against the vehicle body to avoid damage and facilitate easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle side step is fixed and protrudes from the automobile body, then it provides stable support for stepping in and out, but it is prone to damage from uneven surfaces and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The side step is designed to be foldable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between extended (for stepping) and retracted (for protection) states. The fixing device set enables controlled movement between these states, resolving the contradiction between needing stability for support and avoiding damage from impacts.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vehicle side step is foldable to avoid impact damage, then it reduces exposure to harmful factors, but it requires complex mechanisms or electrical systems for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is divided into multiple components: first fixing device with shock absorber, second fixing device with locking mechanism, and third fixing device. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (damping, locking, positioning) independently, simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving reliable foldable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The side step incorporates self-latching and self-locking mechanisms through the fixing device set. The locking pin and locking groove automatically engage to hold the side step in extended or retracted position without requiring external electrical systems or complex control mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vehicle side step is attached as a fender to prevent impact, then it protects against debris, but it limits functionality to one-way operation and does not maximize efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The side step serves multiple functions: it provides stepping support when extended, protects the undercarriage when retracted, and can be positioned at different angles. The fixing device set enables bidirectional operation (extending and retracting), maximizing efficiency by allowing the side step to adapt to different operational requirements rather than being limited to single-function fender operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle side step (200) is installed to the automobile with the vehicle side step (200), which is used for supporting the stepping into the automobile (100) in order to go in and out of the passenger cabin, wherein the vehicle side step (200) can be folded up and down, whereby the supporting beam (202) can be folded snugly against the side of the automobile body in order to avoid impact from uneven surfaces and pavements, or as the supporting beam (202) is folded down, which is used for stepping down from the passenger cabin comfortably.