Vehicle Step Apparatus Wireless Control via Magnetic Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle step apparatus integration into a vehicle's CAN bus is hindered by security measures, increasing operational complexity and cost, and reducing reliability, as foreign signals are prohibited from accessing the bus.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle step apparatus with a magnetic member, magnetic induction member, emitter, receiver, and controller that allows independent control of the step's extension and retraction based on door opening and closing signals, eliminating the need for CAN bus integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control circuit of the vehicle step apparatus is integrated into the CAN bus of the vehicle, then the control system can be unified, but the security protection measures of the vehicle prohibit foreign signals from accessing the bus, making integration difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control circuit of the vehicle step apparatus from the vehicle's CAN bus system, making it an independent control unit. This allows the step control function to operate autonomously without needing to access the protected vehicle bus, thereby resolving the security conflict while maintaining integration benefits through wireless communication with the door control system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control circuit of the vehicle step apparatus is integrated into the CAN bus of the vehicle, then centralized control is achieved, but it requires modification of the vehicle bus, increasing cost and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into independent modules: the vehicle's door control system and the step apparatus control system. The step control circuit is designed as a standalone unit that communicates wirelessly with the door control system, eliminating the need for physical bus modifications while maintaining coordinated control functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control circuit of the vehicle step apparatus is integrated into the CAN bus of the vehicle, then system unification is achieved, but the operation becomes more complex and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The step apparatus control circuit is designed to be self-sufficient, independently detecting door opening/closing signals through wireless communication and autonomously controlling the step motor. This self-service capability simplifies operation by eliminating complex bus integration requirements while maintaining system coordination through automatic signal recognition and response.
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
Enables easy passenger access and independent control of the step without burdening the vehicle's control system, reducing integration complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic induction member mounted on the other of the vehicle body and the door and magnetically coupled with the magnetic member so as to generate a first signal of opening the door and a second signal of closing the door
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a vehicle body; a door moveable between an opened position and a closed position, a step moveable between an extending position and a retracting position, a driving device for moving the step between the extending position and the retracting position, a magnetic member, an emitter, a receiver and a controller. The magnetic member is mounted on one of the vehicle body and the door, and the magnetic induction member is magnetically coupled with the magnetic member so as to generate a signals. The emitter is coupled with the magnetic induction member and configured to emit the signals and the receiver receives the signals from the emitter. The controller is coupled with the driving device and the receiver so as to drive the step to move between the extending position and the retracting position based on the signals.