Sliding Door Step for Vehicle Side Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger transport vehicles lack effective protection in the event of a side crash, as conventional door and step configurations are not sufficiently stable to absorb impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A passenger transport vehicle design featuring a sliding door with a step that is vertically positioned outside of the vehicle's vertical body pillars in a deactivated state, which can be automatically moved to a horizontal or diagonal position for access and functions as a protective element by being pressed against the pillars during a side impact, utilizing high-strength materials and multiple body pillars for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a step is attached to the side of the vehicle to facilitate entry and exit, then accessibility is improved, but the structure becomes insufficient for absorbing impact forces in a side crash
Solution Approach 1:
The step is designed to serve dual functions: facilitating passenger entry/exit during normal operation and absorbing impact forces during side crashes. By positioning the step outside the vertical body pillars and designing it with sufficient structural strength, it becomes a multi-functional element that contributes to both accessibility and passive safety without requiring separate dedicated components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the step is positioned vertically below the sliding door in a deactivated state, then it provides structural support during driving, but it does not facilitate easy entry and exit
Solution Approach 1:
The step is designed to be movable between two positions: a vertical deactivated position during driving where it provides structural support and stability, and a horizontal activated position during entry/exit where it facilitates passenger access. This dynamic repositioning allows the same component to optimize for either structural stability or operational ease depending on the vehicle's operational state.
3Reliability
If the step is made of high-strength material to serve as a protective element, then passive safety is improved, but the weight of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The step is designed to serve dual functions: facilitating passenger entry/exit during normal operation and absorbing impact forces during side crashes. By positioning the step outside the vertical body pillars and designing it with sufficient structural strength, it becomes a multi-functional element that contributes to both accessibility and passive safety without requiring separate dedicated components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A passenger transport vehicle comprising a sliding door (1) and a step (2), wherein the step (2) is arranged vertically below the sliding door (1) in a deactivated state and wherein the step (2) is arranged substantially horizontally and/or inclined downwards below the sliding door (1) in an activated state, such that the step (2) can be used as a step and/or as a ramp for access to the passenger transport vehicle through the sliding door (1), wherein the passenger transport vehicle comprises a first vertical body pillar (3), wherein the step (2) is arranged outside the first vertical body pillars (3, 4) in the deactivated state such that the step (2) is supported against the first vertical body pillar (3, 4) in the deactivated state when subjected to an external force.