Vehicle Step Device with Overlapping Movable and Sub-Step
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing step devices for vehicles often have limited step surface size, making it difficult for occupants to comfortably place their feet when entering or exiting the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A step device configuration that includes a movable step and a sub-step, where the movable step is supported under a door opening and moves in conjunction with the sliding door, and the sub-step is fixed to the vehicle body, allowing the movable step to protrude outward and form a larger step surface by overlapping with the sub-step in its deployed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a movable step is used in existing step devices, then the step can move in conjunction with the sliding door, but the step surface area is limited and insufficient for comfortable foot placement
Solution Approach 1:
The step device is divided into two distinct segments: a movable step that moves with the sliding door and a sub-step that is fixed to the vehicle body. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the movable step providing dynamic positioning and the sub-step providing additional stationary support, thereby increasing the total usable step surface area without creating a single complex moving structure
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-step acts as an intermediary element between the vehicle body and the movable step. It provides a stable intermediate platform that supplements the movable step's surface area, allowing occupants to place their feet comfortably during entry and exit while the movable step maintains its dynamic positioning capability
2Area of moving object
If the movable step protrudes outward to increase step surface, then foot placement area is improved, but the load-bearing requirements and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the step surface into a movable step and a fixed sub-step, the load-bearing requirements are distributed across two separate structures. The sub-step, being fixed to the vehicle body, handles a portion of the load, while the movable step handles the remaining load, thereby reducing the strength requirements for each individual component compared to a single large protruding step
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire step structure movable and protruding (which would require high strength and increase costs), the invention inverts the approach by making the sub-step fixed and using it to supplement the movable step's surface area. This reduces the load-bearing demands on the movable portion while still achieving the goal of increased step surface area
Data Source
AI summary
A step device for a vehicle includes: a movable step supported under a door opening; a coupling member that moves the movable step in a vehicle width direction in conjunction with opening and closing of a sliding door; and a sub-step that is disposed under the door opening. The movable step moves under the sub-step toward an outer side in the vehicle width direction so as to be disposed in a deployed position in which the movable step protrudes from the sub-step toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The sub-step has an overlapping region that covers an upper side of the movable step in a state where the movable step is disposed in the deployed position.