Vehicle Step Motor Assembly with Elastic Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle step apparatus motor assembly has a shorter working life due to uneven load and current requirements during extending and retracting processes, affecting its operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A motor assembly with an elastic member, such as a scroll spring, is integrated to store energy during the extending process and release it during the retracting process, balancing the load and current demands, thereby prolonging the motor's working life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor drives the extending and retracting device to extend towards the extending position, then the step can be extended to assist passengers, but the motor experiences different load and current requirements compared to the retracting process, affecting working life
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member acts as a counterweight mechanism that stores energy during the extending process when the motor experiences higher load, and releases this energy during the retracting process to assist the motor. This balances the motor's workload across both operations, reducing peak current requirements and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is pre-loaded during the extending process to store mechanical energy before the retracting operation begins. This preliminary energy storage allows the member to assist during the subsequent retracting phase, smoothing out the motor's current requirements and preventing excessive current spikes that would reduce working life.
2Productivity
If the motor operates with uneven load distribution between extending and retracting processes, then the step apparatus can function, but the motor's working life is reduced due to inconsistent current demands
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member provides a counterbalancing force that equalizes the motor's load during extending and retracting operations. By storing energy during extension and releasing it during retraction, the system achieves more consistent current demands, improving both productivity and extending the motor's operational lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical energy parameters by introducing an elastic member that transforms the load characteristics. The elastic member modifies the force-displacement relationship during both extending and retracting, creating more uniform current requirements that enhance productivity while extending motor life through reduced electrical stress.
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 elastic member assists the motor in maintaining consistent working current and load during both extending and retracting processes, effectively prolonging the motor's lifespan and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to be elastically deformed so as to store energy when the motor drives the extending and retracting device to move towards the extending position, and to release energy so as to assist the motor to drive the extending and retracting device when the motor drives the extending and retracting device to move towards the retracting position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle step apparatus for a vehicle and a motor assembly thereof are provided. The vehicle step apparatus includes: a extending and retracting device including a mounting support, a vehicle step support and an arm assembly, the arm assembly being connected between the mounting support and the vehicle step support and configured to drive the vehicle step support to move between an extending position and a retraction position; a vehicle step disposed at the vehicle step support; a motor disposed at the mounting support and including a motor shaft coupled with the arm assembly; and an elastic element configured to take an elastic deformation to store energy when the motor drives the vehicle step support to move towards the extension position, and to release energy to assist the motor in driving the extending and retracting device when the motor drives the vehicle step support towards the retraction position.