Vehicle Step Support Arm With Controlled Collision Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle steps, especially those on service vehicles like VANs or SUVs, are prone to damage during parking due to their location at the vehicle's distal parts, which can lead to costly repairs and potential damage to the chassis when subjected to collision forces.

Innovation Solution

A step arrangement with a support arm featuring a primary deformation zone designed to absorb collision energy, allowing the arm to controllably deform and redirect forces away from the vehicle, using materials like metals or polymers, and optionally incorporating secondary deformation zones and hinge connections to enhance resilience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the step is fixedly attached to the vehicle in a stiff manner, then the step provides stable support and improved accessibility, but collision forces are transferred to the vehicle chassis causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of step attachmentVSAvoiddamage to vehicle chassis

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is designed with a primary deformation zone that acts as a pre-engineered energy absorption mechanism. This zone is positioned to deform first during collision, absorbing impact energy before it can reach the vehicle chassis, thus providing beforehand cushioning against harmful forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm serves as an intermediary element between the foot plate and the vehicle chassis. It includes a primary deformation zone that absorbs collision energy and a secondary deformation zone near the bracket that provides additional energy absorption, acting as a mediator that protects the chassis from direct impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the support arm is made rigid to prevent deformation, then structural strength is maintained, but collision energy is transferred to the vehicle causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strength of support armVSAvoidcollision energy transfer to vehicle

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm exhibits local quality variation through its different deformation zones. The primary deformation zone has reduced structural strength designed for energy absorption, while other portions maintain sufficient strength for normal load-bearing functions. This localized weakness allows controlled deformation at specific areas while preserving overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm structure incorporates parameter changes in its cross-sectional properties along its length. The primary deformation zone has modified geometric parameters that enable controlled deformation, while maintaining adequate strength in non-deformation zones to perform structural functions during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the step arrangement is designed with energy absorption capabilities, then collision damage is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision damage reductionVSAvoidcomplexity of step arrangement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is segmented into distinct functional zones: a primary deformation zone for main energy absorption, a secondary deformation zone near the bracket for additional energy absorption, and structural portions for load-bearing. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The design minimizes damage to the vehicle by absorbing collision energy, reducing repair costs and maintaining functionality post-collision, while ensuring the step remains operational and secure.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one support arm comprises a primary deformation zone in an area between the first end and the second end such that the at least one support arm is configured to controllably deform in a deformation plane coinciding with the longitudinal axis in response to a collision force acting on the foot plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4686611A1Step arrangement

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 MODUL SYST HH

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a step arrangement (1) for a road vehicle (40), the step arrangement (1) comprising: a foot plate (30) at least one bracket (20) configured to be mounted to the road vehicle (40) at least one support arm (10) having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end (16a) fixedly connected to the at least one bracket (20) and a second end (16b) connected to the foot plate (30); wherein the at least one support arm (10) comprises a primary deformation zone (DZ) in an area between the first end (16a) and the second end (16b) such that the at least one support arm (10) is configured to controllably deform in a deformation plane coinciding with the longitudinal axis in response to a collision force (F) acting on the foot plate.