Rotating Step Assembly for Semi-Truck Trailer Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for accessing the rear of semi-truck trailers are unsafe and inefficient, particularly for aging OTR drivers who need to frequently climb onto trailers with high steps and lack proper handholds, leading to strain and injury risks.

Innovation Solution

A step assembly attachable to a vehicle's crossbar, featuring a base subassembly with side brackets and a stair subassembly of rotatable step members, providing a safe and convenient stepping surface that can be deployed and stored securely, with safety locking mechanisms and slip-resistant materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If drivers jump up and down to access the trailer, then they can reach the trailer bed, but it causes significant strain and injury risks to the body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access to trailerVSAvoidstrain and injury to body

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (step assembly with handhold) between the ground and the trailer bed. The step assembly includes a step portion that provides a intermediate platform and a handhold portion that provides support, allowing drivers to safely transition from ground to trailer bed without jumping, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of access and body strain prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The access path is segmented into multiple stages: ground level, step portion (intermediate level), and trailer bed level. This segmentation allows the driver to ascend gradually rather than making a single large jump, reducing impact forces and body strain while maintaining ease of access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the step assembly is made detachable and rotatable, then it can be stored when not in use, but it increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of step assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The step assembly employs dynamic characteristics by being rotatably mounted to the trailer frame. The assembly can rotate between a deployed position (providing access) and a stowed position (parallel to the trailer rear wall). This dynamic capability allows the same structure to serve multiple functions without significantly increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handhold portion and step portion are merged into a single integrated assembly that rotates together as one unit. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while still achieving both storage capability and operational functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11584302B2Driver access assist

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 JACKSON MARK V

AI summary

A step assembly to be attached to a crossbar of a vehicle, the step assembly including a base subassembly including first and second side brackets configured to be coupled to an upper surface of a crossbar of a vehicle, and a stair subassembly including a plurality of step members arranged between first and second side members, wherein proximal ends of each of the first and second side members are configured to be rotatably coupled to the respective first and second side brackets such that the stair subassembly is selectively rotatable between a deployed position and a stored position.