Segmented Sliding Step for Compact Underbody Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding step devices for vehicles, such as rail vehicles and buses, are limited by their design, particularly due to being arranged in the underbody area, which restricts design freedom and requires significant storage space when retracted.
Innovation Solution
A sliding step device with multiple interconnected tread elements, joint devices, and a sensor system, allowing the sliding step to be efficiently stowed in the underbody area with reduced space requirements and enabling automatic extension to bridge gaps between the vehicle and platform, using a support structure and storage roller for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sliding step is arranged in the underbody area of the vehicle, then the design freedom of the vehicle is restricted, but the sliding step can be stored when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding step is divided into multiple individual steps that can be independently stored or deployed. This segmentation allows the steps to be compactly stored in the underbody area while enabling flexible deployment configurations, thereby resolving the contradiction between limited storage space and design freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding step mechanism utilizes vertical deployment from the underbody area rather than horizontal extension. By moving the steps vertically upward when needed and collapsing them downward for storage, the system achieves both compact storage and design flexibility without requiring significant horizontal space in the underbody area.
2Strength
If multiple step elements are provided to form the sliding step, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple step elements are combined into a single integrated sliding step assembly that functions as one cohesive unit. The steps are connected through a unified drive mechanism and control system, allowing them to move simultaneously as a group. This merging approach maintains high load-bearing capacity while reducing overall system complexity compared to having independently controlled steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding step system employs dynamic elements that allow the multiple step elements to move and adjust automatically based on load requirements. The steps can be dynamically deployed or retracted as needed, and the system adapts its configuration based on operational conditions, thereby achieving high strength without requiring permanently complex structures.
3Ease of operation
If the sliding step is designed to be automatically extended, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to sensor and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding step system incorporates sensors that automatically detect when gap bridging is needed and trigger the extension sequence without external intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational state and automatically deploying or retracting steps based on detected conditions, thereby achieving ease of operation while minimizing the need for complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic extension system uses feedback from sensors that detect the presence of gaps, the position of the sliding step, and load conditions. This feedback loop allows the control system to make real-time adjustments and automatically complete the extension or retraction sequence, achieving user-friendly operation without requiring overly complex manual control mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A sliding step device (20) for a vehicle (100) comprises a plurality of step elements (10) which, in combination, at least partially form a sliding step (1). A step element includes two contact sides (11), a step surface (12), and an underside (14). At least one of the contact sides serves to make physical contact with an adjacent step element or with a contact side of an adjacent step element. In particular, adjacent step elements support each other via their respective contact sides. The sliding step, and especially its components, are designed such that the step surfaces of adjacent step elements form at least a part of a sliding step surface of the sliding step.In particular, essentially all step elements, with the possible exception of end elements (18) and edge elements (19), at least those step elements contributing to the effective formation of the sliding step, are designed with the same length, the same width and/or the same height. Furthermore, the sliding step has hinge devices (15) wherein each pair of step elements is rotatably connected to one another by means of the hinge device.