Running Board Shield Member Gap Barrier Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Extended-mount running boards on vehicles create a gap between the vehicle body and the running board, which can lead to objects, including debris and fluids, passing through, causing safety issues and potential damage to the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A shield member is attached between the running board and the vehicle body, forming a barrier to restrict objects from passing through the gap, while also preventing debris from hitting the vehicle and reducing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If extended-mount running boards are used to position the running board away from the vehicle body, then ease of vehicle entry is improved, but safety and vehicle protection deteriorate due to objects passing through the gap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of vehicle entryVSAvoidsafety and vehicle protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A shield member is introduced as an intermediary component between the running board and the vehicle body. The shield member fills the gap created by extended-mount running boards, preventing objects, debris, and fluids from passing through while maintaining the extended mounting configuration for ease of entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding function is separated from the running board structure itself and implemented as a distinct shield member. This segmentation allows the running board to maintain its extended-mount configuration for ease of entry while the separate shield member addresses the safety and protection concerns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If extended-mount running boards create a gap between the running board and vehicle body, then aesthetic flexibility is improved, but harmful factors increase due to debris and fluid passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic flexibilityVSAvoiddebris and fluid passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield member serves as a mediator that blocks harmful factors (debris, fluids, objects) from passing through the gap while allowing the extended-mount running board configuration to maintain its aesthetic and functional benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gap created by extended-mount running boards, which initially appears to be a problem allowing harmful factors to pass through, is converted into a controlled space by the shield member. The shield member transforms the potentially harmful open gap into a protected space that maintains the aesthetic and functional advantages of extended mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the running board is positioned away from the vehicle body, then functional versatility is improved, but noise and debris impact on the vehicle body increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidnoise and debris impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield member acts as an intermediary barrier between the running board area and the vehicle body, intercepting debris and preventing it from impacting the vehicle body, thereby reducing noise and damage while maintaining functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8528925B2Running board attachment

Publication Date: 2013.09.10 MCFARLANE BRIAN

AI summary

A running board attachment. The running board attachment forms a barrier to restrict the passage of objects through the area between a vehicle body and a running board mounted distantly from the vehicle body.