Vehicle Hood Release Step Assembly for High Ride Height Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with high ride heights, such as trucks and SUVs, pose accessibility challenges for servicing components like batteries and dipsticks due to obstructed views and elevated positions when the hood is open, making it difficult for standard-sized individuals to access these areas safely and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A deployable step assembly integrated with the hood release system, which pivots from a stowed to a deployed position in conjunction with the hood's opening, providing a stepping surface to improve access to the compartment while the hood is open, and is actuated by a hood release lever or mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hood is opened to access components under the hood, then accessibility to components is improved, but the driver's forward view is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the hood opening action into two separate actions: opening the hood and deploying the step assembly. This segmentation allows the hood to be opened for component access while the step assembly provides a platform that elevates the user, thereby maintaining driver's view by positioning the user higher relative to the hood opening.
2Volume of moving object
If the vehicle ride height is increased for cargo capacity, then cargo capacity is improved, but accessibility to components under the hood is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The step assembly is designed as a dynamic, deployable structure that transforms from a stowed position to a deployed position when needed. This dynamic characteristic allows the vehicle to maintain a high ride height for cargo capacity while providing temporary elevation support when component access is required, effectively compensating for the increased ride height.
3Ease of operation
If a deployable step assembly is added to improve accessibility, then ease of access to components is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The step assembly is merged with the existing hood latch assembly, sharing common mounting points and structural elements. This integration approach allows the step assembly to be added to improve accessibility while minimizing overall system complexity by reusing existing vehicle structures rather than adding completely separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle and a hood release system are provided. The vehicle may include a hood release lever disposed within a vehicle cabin connected to a hood latch assembly and a step assembly disposed within a front portion of the vehicle. The hood release lever may be configured to release the step assembly from a stowed to a deployed position in coordination with releasing the hood latch from a primary latching position to a secondary latching position. The step assembly may be configured to release the hood latch from the secondary latching position to allow the hood to fully open.