Retractable Golf Vehicle Step for Access and Ground Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf vehicles face challenges in improving ease of ingress and egress for operators and passengers while maintaining desired ground clearance.
Innovation Solution
A retractable step assembly in the golf vehicle that can be repositioned between a stowed and deployed configuration, allowing for adjustable height adjustment to enhance accessibility without compromising ground clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed step assembly is added to improve ingress/egress ease, then ease of operation is improved, but ground clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The step assembly is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between deployed and retracted positions. The step platform can be positioned at different heights relative to the floorboard, enabling the system to adapt between providing entry assistance and maintaining ground clearance based on operational needs
Solution Approach 2:
The step assembly is divided into separate components including a step platform, support structure, and positioning mechanism. This segmentation allows the step to be independently positioned and repositioned, enabling it to provide entry assistance when needed while being retractable to maintain ground clearance when not in use
2Reliability
If ground clearance is maintained to improve vehicle performance, then vehicle performance is improved, but ease of ingress and egress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The step assembly transitions from a static component to a dynamic one that can change position. When the step is retracted to maintain ground clearance for vehicle performance, it becomes deployable when ingress/egress assistance is needed, allowing the system to optimize for different operational requirements at different times
Solution Approach 2:
The step assembly serves multiple functions: it provides entry assistance when deployed and maintains ground clearance when retracted. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both the need for ease of ingress/egress and the need to maintain ground clearance for vehicle performance
Data Source
AI summary
A golf vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a floorboard coupled to the vehicle frame, and a step assembly coupled to the floorboard. The step assembly includes a step platform that is repositionable relative to the floorboard between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The step platform is at a first height when in the stowed configuration. The step platform is at a second height, lower than the first height, when in the deployed configuration.