Two-Part Vehicle Running Board for Sealed Step Rail Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sliding step systems in local public transport vehicles are difficult to assemble and maintain due to their design, which requires a solid step bar that is sealed to the vehicle, making it impossible to dismantle without destroying the seal, and the limited space below the vehicle floor complicates the installation and maintenance of the sliding step cassette.
Innovation Solution
A two-part step bar design is introduced, where the inner part is U-shaped and sealed during initial assembly, and the outer part is more stable and can be easily removed for maintenance, allowing the sliding step system to be assembled and dismantled as a complete cassette, with the two parts connected through form fit and screwing, facilitating assembly and maintenance from outside the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the step rail is designed as a solid single piece and sealed to the vehicle, then the strength and deflection resistance is improved, but the ease of maintenance deteriorates as the step rail cannot be removed without destroying the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The step rail is divided into multiple segments (first step rail segment and second step rail segment) that can be detached from each other. The first segment remains sealed to the vehicle floor, while the second segment can be removed for maintenance of the sliding step system, resolving the contradiction between maintaining seal integrity and enabling maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The second step rail segment is extracted as a separate removable component that can be taken out without damaging the seal between the vehicle floor and the first segment. This allows maintenance workers to access the sliding step system for servicing while the sealed first segment remains in place.
2Device complexity
If the step rail is designed as a solid single piece, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the complexity of sealing and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The step rail is segmented into at least two separate parts: a first segment that is sealed to the vehicle floor and a second segment that can be attached or removed. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing each segment to be produced and sealed independently, then assembled together, reducing the overall complexity of the sealing process.
3Volume of moving object
If the vertical space below the vehicle floor is limited, then the vehicle design compactness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the sliding step system cannot be installed as a complete cassette
Solution Approach 1:
The step rail is divided into segments that can be assembled in a specific sequence. The first segment is installed and sealed to the vehicle floor, creating a sealed compartment. The second segment is then attached to complete the step rail structure, allowing the sliding step system to be installed as a complete cassette unit without requiring excessive vertical clearance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a running board (1) for a vehicle (100). It is characterized in that it is formed from at least two parts (2, 3).