Pivoting Storable Step for Vehicle Rocker Guard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles face challenges in protecting lower body side panels from damage while maintaining ground clearance, as conventional guards and steps can detract from the vehicle's appearance and reduce clearance.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting guard assembly with a support tube and pivot tube, featuring a spring-biased mechanism that allows the step to move between stowed and deployed positions, providing protection and aiding entry/exit without compromising ground clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional guards and steps are mounted on the vehicle, then protection of the lower body side panel is improved, but ground clearance is reduced and vehicle appearance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The step is designed to be movable between a retracted position (flush with or above the guard) and a deployed position (extending downward to provide stepping assistance). This dynamic configuration allows the step to provide protection when retracted and aid entry/exit when deployed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining ground clearance and providing stepping assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard assembly is segmented into a fixed support structure and a movable step component. The step can be independently positioned relative to the main guard body, allowing it to be stored in a compact configuration that maintains ground clearance while providing protection, and deployed when needed for user assistance.
2Ease of operation
If conventional steps are mounted on the vehicle, then entry and exit assistance is improved, but ground clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The step transitions from a static, clearance-reducing component to a dynamic, on-demand assistance device. It remains retracted during normal vehicle operation to maintain ground clearance, and is deployed only when users need assistance entering or exiting, thus providing ease of operation without permanently compromising ground clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable step serves multiple functions: it provides structural protection as part of the guard assembly, aids entry/exit when deployed, and maintains ground clearance when retracted. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the step adaptable to different operational requirements.
3Ease of operation
If conventional steps are mounted on the vehicle, then entry and exit assistance is improved, but vehicle appearance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The step can be positioned in a retracted configuration that is flush with or integrated into the guard assembly, creating a clean, streamlined appearance. When assistance is needed, it deploys to provide functional value. This dynamic positioning resolves the appearance contradiction by allowing the step to be aesthetically pleasing when not in use while remaining functional when needed.
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
The guard assembly effectively protects the lower body side panel and aids vehicle access by moving between stowed and deployed positions, maintaining ground clearance and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
A spring member is disposed between the support tube and pivot tube biasing the pivot tube toward one of the stowed position and deployed position
Data Source
AI summary
A guard for a vehicle includes a support tube. A pivoting step includes a pivot tube portion movable about the support tube between a stowed position and a deployed position and a step portion. A spring member is disposed between the support tube and pivot tube biasing the pivot tube toward one of the stowed position and deployed position.