Two-Piece Extruded Running Board for Easier Aperture Piercing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current running board designs with closed extruded aluminum sections are difficult to pierce for hole creation, making it challenging to attach components like step mats and end caps.

Innovation Solution

A 2-piece extruded running board step design where each section can be easily pierced to create apertures, allowing for various attachment features such as hooks, snap features, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives to secure the sections together.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a closed extruded aluminum section is used for the running board step, then the structural strength and integrity are improved, but the difficulty of piercing holes for component attachment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of piercing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The running board step is divided into two separate extruded aluminum sections instead of using a single closed section. This segmentation allows each section to be individually pierced for hole creation while maintaining the overall structural integrity through the attachment mechanism between sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a closed extruded aluminum section is used for the running board step, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the ability to attach components like step mats and end caps is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcomponent attachment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By splitting the running board into two separate sections, the design enables multiple attachment points for components such as step mats, end caps, and brackets. Each section can be independently configured with appropriate hole patterns while maintaining overall structural integrity through the attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a 2-piece extruded design is used, then the ease of piercing and component attachment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of piercingVSAvoidnumber of sections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The running board is divided into two extruded sections that can be individually manufactured with pre-pierced holes for component attachment. These sections are then joined using a simple attachment mechanism, which balances the increased manufacturing flexibility against the added assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An attachment mechanism serves as an intermediary between the two extruded sections, providing a straightforward method to join them while enabling component attachment. This intermediary element simplifies the overall assembly process despite the segmented design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230415653A1Running board step - 2 pieces extrusion board

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 MAGNA EXTERIORS INC

AI summary

A step board that is a multi-piece board including at least a first piece and a second piece that can be easily pierced at predetermined locations to create predetermined apertures for attaching step board assembly components, such as step mats, end caps, bracket attachments, and etc. The first and second pieces are then secured together.