Vehicle Running Board With Reinforced Elastomer Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tread plate units face issues with reduced service life due to brittleness, excessive swinging, and wear out from recurring loads, as well as a trade-off between necessary elasticity and stability, leading to potential damage or destruction when encountering obstacles.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates unreinforced vibrating areas extending over the entire width for flexible movement and reinforcement elements at high-load points, made from materials like hard plastics or metal, to enhance stability and durability, with connecting beams and secure connections to manage force distribution and prevent wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcement elements are added to increase strength and stability, then tear resistance and load-bearing capacity improve, but elasticity and freedom of movement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reinforcement elements selectively at specific high-stress locations (attachment points to side plates and connecting beams) rather than uniformly across the entire elastic section. This localized reinforcement maintains high strength where needed while preserving elasticity in other areas, resolving the contradiction between tear resistance and elastic freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines different materials with complementary properties: elastomer for elasticity and flexibility, reinforced with materials like steel, aluminum, or fiber-reinforced plastics for strength. This composite approach allows the tread plate unit to simultaneously achieve high tear resistance and maintain elastic freedom of movement.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If reinforcement elements are added to prevent wear from recurring loads, then service life improves, but flexibility and ability to absorb impacts deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcement elements are strategically positioned at attachment points and high-stress zones where wear from recurring loads occurs most frequently. The elastic sections in non-critical areas remain unreinforced, maintaining their flexibility and ability to absorb impacts, thus extending service life without sacrificing overall flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic sections are designed to provide beforehand cushioning by absorbing and dissipating impact energy from obstacles like stones or rock falls before these forces can cause damage. The reinforcement elements further protect critical areas from wear, collectively extending service life while preserving flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If high elasticity is provided in elastic sections to allow flexible movement, then ability to withstand obstacles improves, but stability and force transmission capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a differentiated structure where elastic sections provide high elasticity for withstanding obstacles, while reinforcement elements at attachment points ensure stable force transmission to the side plates and connecting beams. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between flexibility for obstacle resistance and stability for force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction combines elastomer material for elasticity with reinforcement materials for structural stability. This allows the tread plate unit to simultaneously achieve high adaptability to withstand obstacles while maintaining sufficient stability and force transmission capability through the reinforced attachment points.
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 configuration allows for increased mobility and tear resistance, targeted adjustment of elastic freedom, and improved power transmission, resulting in a longer-lasting and more stable tread plate unit.
Implementation Method 1
the side plates having elastic sections made of an elastomer such as a flexible plastic or rubber
Implementation Method 2
at least one elastic section having at least one reinforcement element which is at least partially encased by the elastomer
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a running board assembly for vehicles comprising at least one running board (3) and at least two side plates (1), wherein the side plates (1) have elastic sections (2) made of an elastomer, such as a flexible plastic or rubber, and at least one elastic section has at least one reinforcing element (5, 6) which is at least partially encased by the elastomer. The object of the invention is to provide a running board assembly that, although at least partially elastic, exhibits a low risk of excessive twisting or deformation. Furthermore, the load on the elastically designed areas should be as stable as possible when connected to the adjacent areas. This is achieved by the sections (2) having at least one vibration zone (10) that is not reinforced by reinforcing elements (5, 6) and that extends over the entire width of the section (2).