Removable Vehicle Step Locking Geometry for Stable Load Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable vehicle steps suffer from excessive load distribution on locking elements, leading to structural instability, wear, and deformation, with the locking element slipping affecting platform stability.
Innovation Solution
A removable step design featuring a lever with a 'V'-shaped abutment portion and a circular locking element, combined with an electric motor-driven mechanism, optimizes load distribution and stability by evenly distributing forces across multiple points, reducing wear and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the locking element contacts the lateral surface of the supporting arm to maintain platform stability, then the platform remains stable under user weight, but the locking element experiences excessive load leading to wear and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple contact points along the supporting arm's lateral surface. Instead of a single locking element bearing the entire load, multiple locking elements are distributed along the arm, dividing the load into several segments. This segmentation reduces the force on each individual locking element, minimizing wear and deformation while maintaining overall platform stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral surface of the supporting arm is designed with specific local geometric features (such as inclined surfaces or recesses) at multiple locations where locking elements make contact. These local quality modifications optimize the contact geometry to distribute forces evenly, ensuring that each locking element experiences reduced and balanced loads, thereby improving both stability and durability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the locking element contacts the lateral surface of the supporting arm, then the platform maintains its position, but Hertzian pressures cause permanent deformation affecting platform position variation
Solution Approach 1:
By distributing multiple locking elements along the supporting arm, the total load is segmented across several contact points. This reduces the Hertzian pressure at each individual contact point, preventing permanent deformation that would otherwise cause platform position drift. The segmented approach maintains precise platform positioning over extended use.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates geometric features on the lateral surface of the supporting arm that beforehand cushion the contact between locking elements and the arm. These features (such as rounded edges or compliant surface treatments) reduce peak Hertzian pressures before they can cause deformation, thereby preserving manufacturing precision and platform position accuracy throughout the product lifecycle.
3Device complexity
If the locking element slips on the lateral surface of the supporting arm, then the mechanism maintains simplicity, but platform stability is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking elements are distributed along the supporting arm, so that if one locking element experiences slipping, the other locking elements continue to provide stabilizing contact. This segmentation creates redundancy that maintains platform stability without requiring complex anti-slip mechanisms for each individual locking element.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple locking elements work together as a combined system, where their collective contact with the supporting arm provides enhanced stability. The merging of multiple simple locking elements creates a robust system that resists slipping better than a single complex locking mechanism would, while maintaining overall simplicity in the design of each individual element.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a removable step (1) for a vehicle, comprising a fixed portion (2) designed to stably connect to said vehicle, a movable platform (3), a lever (5) fixed with a first end (51) to said movable platform (3) and connection and movement means (4) designed to connect said movable platform (3) with said fixed portion (2) and to move said movable platform (3) from a retracted position (P1) to an extracted position (P2).