Foldable Vehicle Step With Decoupled Pivoting Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable steps for vehicles, particularly in rescue vehicles, are complex and fail to provide a fast and reliable unfolding process for accessing high-position compartments above the wheel housing.
Innovation Solution
A foldable step with a pivoting device featuring a rigid arm hinged to the vehicle's console, an abutment plate, and a guiding rod, along with a coupling element like a spring, allows the step plate to unfold automatically from a retracted to an unfolded position, ensuring easy access by decoupling the arm's movement from the abutment plate beyond a first stopper and guiding the step plate to a horizontal position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foldable step is provided under the locker to enable access to high-position compartments, then accessibility to high compartments is improved, but the construction becomes complicated and the unfolding process becomes slow and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting device is divided into distinct functional components: a rigid arm for primary pivoting, an abutment plate for stopping control, and a coupling element for motion decoupling. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall construction while ensuring reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutment plate is pre-positioned with stoppers that automatically engage during the pivoting process. This preliminary positioning ensures that the step plate follows the correct trajectory and achieves the proper unfolded position without requiring complex control mechanisms, thereby reducing construction complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
2Productivity
If the unfolding process is made fast and reliable, then operational efficiency is improved, but the construction becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting device is designed to unfold automatically using the vehicle's own movement dynamics. When the vehicle accelerates or decelerates, the inertial forces naturally drive the step plate from the retracted to the unfolded position through the hinged arm and abutment plate mechanism. This self-service approach achieves fast and reliable unfolding without requiring external power sources or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element dynamically transitions between coupled and decoupled states during the pivoting process. Initially, it couples the abutment plate to the arm for controlled movement, then decouples to allow the arm to pivot independently to the final position. This dynamic behavior enables fast, reliable unfolding while keeping the construction simple through natural mechanical interactions.
3Volume of moving object
If the step plate is retracted inside the compartment during normal operation, then space utilization is improved, but access to the compartment becomes difficult when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The step plate is designed to nest within the vehicle compartment when retracted, utilizing the available space efficiently. The hinged arm allows the step plate to be stored compactly inside the compartment during normal operation. When access is needed, the same hinged mechanism enables the step plate to pivot outward and downward, providing easy access to the compartment without requiring additional space or complex deployment 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 solution enables a simple, fast, and reliable unfolding process, allowing easy access to high-position compartments, enhancing operational efficiency during rescue missions.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling element comprises a spring element that is hinged to the abutment plate at a third point and to the rigid arm at a fourth point, in a way that the spring element is compressed during the turning movement of the arm beyond the stopping position of the abutment plate at the first stopper.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to a foldable step for vehicles, comprising a step plate and a pivoting device for pivoting the step plate between a retracted position and an unfolded position. The pivoting device comprises a rigid arm that is hinged to a vehicle structure and turnable around a horizontal axis. The step plate is attached to the free end of the rigid arm and turnable about a second axis. An abutment plate stands vertically with respect to the rotation axis of the rigid arm and is turnable together with it around its rotation axis against a first stopper at the vehicle structure. A coupling element couples the rigid arm with the abutment plate and allows a turning movement of the rigid arm with respect to the abutment plate. The rigid arm is turnable beyond the stopping position of the abutment plate at the first stopper to reach a second stopper. The pivoting device further comprises a rod for connecting the abutment plate with the step plate, which is hinged to the abutment plate and to the step plate.