Vehicle Step Assembly with V-Shaped Truss for Side Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle structures fail to provide adequate side impact protection while also serving as a functional assist step for passenger ingress and egress, leading to potential compartment intrusion and damage to chassis-mounted components during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A step assembly with an energy absorption member and mounting member, featuring a support structure with a V-shaped truss design that integrates a support surface and connection portions, providing both structural rigidity and energy absorption capabilities to mitigate side impact forces and facilitate easier vehicle access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a step assembly is added to aid passenger ingress and egress, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the step function and energy absorption function into a single integrated assembly. The step assembly includes a step portion for passenger access and an energy absorption portion with crushable cells that can deform during side impacts, eliminating the need for separate step and safety structures
Solution Approach 2:
The step assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a step for passenger ingress/egress, acts as a side impact protection structure, and functions as an energy absorption mechanism through its crushable cell design. This multi-functionality reduces overall vehicle structure complexity while improving safety
2Strength
If structural rigidity is increased to protect against side impact, then strength is improved, but energy absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption portion uses crushable cells with controlled wall thickness and geometric parameters that allow predictable deformation under side impact loads. By adjusting cell geometry, material properties, and arrangement, the structure achieves optimal balance between maintaining structural integrity and absorbing impact energy through controlled collapse
Solution Approach 2:
The step assembly combines materials with different mechanical properties - the step portion uses high-strength rigid material for structural support, while the energy absorption portion uses materials designed for controlled deformation and energy dissipation. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of strength and energy absorption
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 step assembly effectively reduces passenger compartment intrusion and damage to components like batteries, while enhancing passenger access by distributing crash forces and maintaining structural integrity during side impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of support members coupled to upper and lower inner walls of the support structure such that the plurality of support members form a V-shaped truss structure
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary step assembly for a vehicle includes an energy absorption member including a support portion and a connection portion, the support portion including a support surface and a support structure, the support structure including a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members coupled to upper and lower inner walls of the support structure and a mounting member including a horizontal support member defining a plurality of openings. The energy absorption member is coupled to the mounting member with a mechanical fastener.