Integrated Duct Step Garnish Assembly Reducing Vehicle Step Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air ducting systems in vehicles, when routed along the side sill member, compromise egress and ingress due to space inefficiency and structural support requirements, leading to elevated step heights and installation challenges.
Innovation Solution
An integrated duct step garnish assembly with an injection molded deck member and underside member, featuring integrally molded supporting structures and apertures, provides a longitudinally extending air duct while maintaining structural integrity and reducing step height, allowing for efficient space use and easier installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If separate features are molded into the step garnish to provide structural support for blow molded ducting, then structural integrity is maintained, but space utilization becomes inefficient and step height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the step garnish and air duct into a single integrated assembly where the duct is formed within the hollow cavity of the step garnish itself, eliminating the need for separate structural features and maximizing space utilization while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct is nested within the hollow cavity of the step garnish, allowing the duct to be contained within the existing structural volume of the step garnish without requiring additional external space or increasing step height
2Strength
If separate features are molded into the step garnish to support the ducting, then structural support is adequate, but the step garnish becomes heavier and harder to install
Solution Approach 1:
The step garnish and air duct are combined into a single integrated component that can be manufactured as one piece or pre-assembled unit, reducing the number of separate parts that need to be handled and installed, thereby easing installation while maintaining structural support
3Volume of stationary object
If the step garnish is elevated to provide space for ducting, then adequate space for ducting is achieved, but stepping space is reduced and step height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct is nested within the hollow cavity of the step garnish, utilizing the existing internal volume of the step garnish for ducting purposes without requiring the step garnish to be elevated or enlarged, thereby maintaining original step height while providing adequate ducting space
4Reliability
If blow molded plastic ducting is used with separate structural features, then ducting function is achieved, but space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air ducting function is merged with the step garnish structure by forming the duct within the hollow cavity of the step garnish, eliminating the need for separate structural support features and achieving both ducting function and space efficiency in a single integrated component
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated duct step garnish assembly for a vehicle includes a deck member defining a stepping area on an upper side thereof and an underside member secured to an underside of the deck member for defining an air duct between the underside member and the deck member. The air duct extends along a longitudinal length of the deck member and the underside member for delivering conditioned airflow to a rear of the vehicle.