Movable Vehicle Step Bar for Side-Impact Reinforcement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles, the lack of a middle pillar between the front and rear pillars can compromise structural reinforcement during side impacts, and existing solutions do not effectively address the need for a mechanism that assists occupants in ingress and egress while providing impact resistance.
Innovation Solution
A step bar supported by the vehicle's rocker, which is movable between a raised and lowered position, overlapping the rocker and doors in the raised position to provide structural reinforcement and extending as a stepping surface in the lowered position for easier access, with a computer system controlling its movement in conjunction with the doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a middle pillar is added between the front and rear pillars, then structural reinforcement during side impacts is improved, but the ingress and egress functionality is worsened due to blocked access
Solution Approach 1:
The step bar is designed to be movable between a stored position (where it provides structural reinforcement like a middle pillar) and a deployed position (where it assists occupant access). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same component to serve both structural and functional purposes at different times, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The step bar is segmented into multiple functional zones: an impact absorption portion for structural reinforcement, a stepping surface for occupant access, and connection portions for mounting. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to serve different functions, enabling both structural support and ease of operation simultaneously or sequentially.
2Ease of operation
If the step bar is positioned to assist occupant access, then ease of operation is improved, but structural reinforcement during impacts is worsened due to reduced load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The step bar transitions between deployed and stored positions dynamically. When deployed, it facilitates occupant access; when stored, it provides structural reinforcement. This temporal separation of functions resolves the contradiction by ensuring that at any given moment, one function is prioritized while the other is maintained in standby mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The step bar is designed as a multi-functional component that can serve both as an access aid and a structural reinforcement element. By integrating both functions into a single component that can switch between operational states, the invention eliminates the need to choose between ease of operation and structural strength.
3Strength
If the step bar overlaps the rocker in the raised position, then structural reinforcement is improved, but the stepping surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The step bar's position is dynamically adjusted between overlapping the rocker (for structural reinforcement) and extending outward (for increased stepping surface area). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the stepping surface area to expand when structural support is less critical and contract when structural reinforcement is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The step bar utilizes spatial reconfiguration by changing its orientation and position in three-dimensional space. When overlapping the rocker, it provides structural support; when extended, it offers a larger stepping surface. This dimensional flexibility allows the component to optimize for either strength or surface area depending on operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a vehicle body including a front pillar and a rear pillar spaced from the front pillar. The vehicle body includes a rocker extending from the front pillar to the rear pillar. The vehicle includes a step bar supported by the rocker. The step bar extends from a first end aligned with the front pillar to a second end aligned with the rear pillar. The step bar is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the step bar overlaps the rocker in a vehicle-outboard direction. The step bar extends upwardly above the rocker.