Offset Drive Arrangement for Vehicle Sidestep Clearance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable vehicle sidestep drive arrangements face challenges in avoiding obstruction of other vehicle components and reducing ground clearance, particularly when the motors and gearboxes are not symmetrically aligned, leading to potential interference and uneven space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A drive arrangement featuring an electric motor with a driveshaft, a transfer shaft with matching spur and worm gears, and an offset output shaft, allowing for mirror image alignment on either side of the vehicle, ensuring compactness and non-interference with vehicle components, while providing a 400:1 speed reduction and self-locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motors and gearboxes are used to enable retractable vehicle steps to be selectively moved, then the sidestep can be positioned and retracted, but the motors and gearboxes may obstruct other vehicle components or reduce ground clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The drive arrangement employs asymmetric positioning of the motor and gearbox components, with the motor mounted offset from the vehicle centerline and the driveshaft angled relative to the output shaft. This asymmetric configuration allows the drive mechanism to be positioned in a compact arrangement that avoids obstructing other vehicle components while maintaining ground clearance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by mounting the motor at an offset position and angling the driveshaft at a specific angle relative to the output shaft. This dimensional arrangement allows the drive components to be positioned in unused spatial volumes, preventing interference with vehicle components below and maintaining ground clearance
2Stability of the object's composition
If linkage arrangements are mounted towards each end of the step, then the sidestep can be supported, but the arrangements may not move simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The single motor and driveshaft assembly serves multiple functions by simultaneously driving both linkage arrangements through the transfer shaft. The universal drive mechanism ensures that both linkages receive power and move simultaneously, maintaining the stability and reliability of the sidestep support system
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a compact drive arrangement is used, then ground clearance is maintained, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the motor, driveshaft, transfer shaft, and gear components into a single integrated drive arrangement. This consolidation achieves compactness that maintains ground clearance while actually reducing overall complexity compared to separate distributed drive systems, as all components work together in a coordinated manner
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
This solution enables a compact, symmetric drive arrangement that maintains ground clearance and prevents interference with vehicle components, ensuring simultaneous movement of sidestep linkages and secure positioning without obstructing other parts, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of retractable sidesteps.
Implementation Method 1
a first worm gear, a transfer shaft being provided which mounts a first spur gear engageable with the first driveshaft to be driven thereby, the transfer shaft also mounting a second worm gear which drivingly engages with a second spur gear
Implementation Method 2
the first worm gear, a transfer shaft being provided which mounts a first spur gear engageable with the first driveshaft to be driven thereby, the transfer shaft also mounting a second worm gear which drivingly engages with a second spur gear
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A drive arrangement (20) for moving a vehicle sidestep (14) between operative and retracted positions. The drive arrangement comprises an electric motor (22) with a driveshaft (24) driving a first worm gear (26). A transverse link shaft (28) mounts a first spur gear (30) which engages with the first worm gear (26). The shaft (28) also mounts a second worm gear (32) which drivingly engages with a second spur gear (34), which second spur gear (34) is mounted on an output shaft (36) which drives movement of the vehicle sidestep (14). The output shaft (36) and driveshaft (24) being parallel and offset relative to each other.