Description:A SIDE STEP OF A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a side step of a vehicle. The present invention, in particular, relates to a side step of the vehicle with enhanced rigidity so as to provide support to the passengers during boarding or de-boarding the vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] In a vehicle, side steps are typically mounted to sides of the vehicle body and are located below the doors to provide support to the passengers during boarding or de-boarding the vehicle. The side steps usually comprise a garnish structure and a reinforcement assembly. The garnish structure is one of the main components of the side step adapted to provide platform to facilitate boarding or de-boarding of the passenger. The garnish structure commonly available in the market are made of plastic material along with metal inserts with poor structural strength and poor wear resistance. Another type of garnish structure is a steel integrated garnish structure, which can solve the problem of lack in structural strength and wear resistance of the plastic garnish structure, but is limited by weak workability of steel, single structural shape and size, and poor applicability and versatility of the integrated structure. The garnish structure is mounted over reinforcement assembly which is adapted to bear load acting on the garnish structure. For better distribution of load, the garnish structure is provided with limited space. However, the limited space of garnish structure makes it difficult to board or de-board due to limited foot space.
[0003] In vehicles, side steps are provided on the underside of the door, which is the lower part of the vehicle body, to facilitate boarding or de-boarding of the passenger. Referring to FIG. 1a illustrating bottom view of a side step in accordance with the existing art. The side step 100 comprises a garnish structure 101 and a reinforcement assembly 102. The reinforcement assembly 102 is mounted on the side sill area of the vehicle. The reinforcement assembly 102 is provided to distribute the load acting on the garnish structure 101 to the vehicle body. The reinforcement assembly 102 comprises a plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 103 and a plurality of cantilever brackets 104. The plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 103 is fastened on the outer side sill of the vehicle. The cantilever bracket 104 has a straight portion and a bend portion. The bend profile extends integrally from the straight profile. Each of the plurality of cantilever brackets 104 is provided with a hole 105 on the bend portion, to accommodate fasteners for fastening the cantilever brackets 104 with the garnish structure 101 of the vehicle.
[0004] Referring to FIG. 1b illustrating assembly of the side long reinforcement bracket 103 with the cantilever bracket 104 in accordance with existing art. The plurality of cantilever brackets 104 are prone to bending at the end of the straight portion 104a where the end connects with the side long reinforcement bracket 103. To further enhance usability of the garnish structure 101, foot space is increased by increasing the width of the garnish structure 101. Due to increase in width of the garnish structure 101, the length of the cantilever bracket 104 is also increased which increases the bending moment acting due to customer foot load. Since the junction on the cantilever brackets 104 has increased bending load, rigidity requirement has also increased. Further, the cantilever brackets 104 is prone to bending in abusive load condition.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a side step of a vehicle with enhanced rigidity to provide support to the passengers during boarding or de-boarding the vehicle.

SUMMARY
[0006] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a side step of a vehicle with enhanced rigidity. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0007] The present subject matter relates to a side step of a vehicle with enhanced rigidity. The side step of the vehicle comprises a garnish structure and a reinforcement assembly. The garnish structure is mounted on the reinforcement assembly which is fixedly attached to side sill of the vehicle. The reinforcement assembly comprises a plurality of side long reinforcement brackets, the plurality of reinforcement brackets and the plurality of elongated brackets. The plurality of side long reinforcement brackets is fixedly attached to the side sill of the vehicle. The plurality of reinforcement brackets is welded to the side long reinforcement brackets. Each of the plurality of reinforcement brackets has a first portion and a second portion. The plurality of elongated brackets is welded to the side long reinforcement brackets. Each of the plurality of elongated brackets has a mounting portion and a load bearing portion with lower surfaces of the load bearing portion of each of the elongated brackets welded to the second portion of the corresponding reinforcement brackets. The garnish structure is fixedly attached to the load bearing portion of the plurality of elongated brackets.
[0008] In an aspect, the plurality of reinforcement brackets and the plurality of elongated brackets are attached to the side long reinforcement brackets.
[0009] In an aspect, a mounting cut is provided on top edge of the plurality of reinforcement brackets to facilitate mounting of the reinforcement bracket on the front extension part of the corresponding side long reinforcement bracket.
[0010] In an aspect, width of the second portion of the plurality of reinforcement brackets decreases gradually towards the front edge creating a bend section in the top edge of the plurality of reinforcement brackets.
[0011] In an aspect, width of the first portion of the plurality of reinforcement brackets is kept constant for better distribution of load.
[0012] In an aspect, a plurality of notches is provided on the top edge of the second portion of the reinforcement brackets to facilitate identification of weld location during assembly.
[0013] In an aspect, contour of the load bearing portion of the elongated bracket is identical to the contour of the top edge of the second portion of the reinforcement bracket creating a bend section.
[0014] In an aspect, a plurality of longitudinal beads is provided on the load bearing portion of the plurality of elongated brackets.
[0015] In an aspect, a Y-shaped slot is provided in the middle of front edge of the load bearing portion of the plurality of elongated brackets.
[0016] In an aspect, a downward bend is provided on the front edge of the load bearing portion of the plurality of elongated brackets to engage with the garnish structure.
[0017] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0018] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0019] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1a illustrates bottom view of a side step in accordance with the existing art;
[0021] FIG. 1b illustrates assembly of the side long reinforcement bracket with the cantilever bracket in accordance with existing art;
[0022] FIG. 2 a bottom view of an exemplary side step that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates side view of the reinforcement bracket that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates top isometric view of the elongated bracket that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates isometric view of the reinforcement assembly, in assembled state, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates isometric view of the back of reinforcement assembly, in assembled state, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0029] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0030] “Foot Space” may be defined, in context of the disclosure, as the area available on the garnish structure for resting the foot of the passenger during boarding or de-boarding.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0031] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0032] Ergonomics and comfort have become important aspect for a vehicle. Passengers boarding and de-boarding is considered as a parameter for evaluation of the comfort. Generally, the height of the roof, the height of the seat, the height of the doorsill and the width of the doorsill are considered as a parameter for comfort. For improving passenger’s comfort during boarding or de-boarding, foot space of garnish structure is increased by increasing the width of the garnish structure. Due to the increase in the width of the garnish structure, rigidity requirement also increases.
[0033] To solve the problems, a side step of a vehicle with enhanced rigidity, is disclosed.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary side step that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The side step 200 of a vehicle comprises a garnish structure 201 and a reinforcement assembly 202. The garnish structure 201 is mounted on the reinforcement assembly 202 for better distribution of load when a passenger steps on the garnish structure 201. The reinforcement assembly 202 is fixedly attached to the side sill of the vehicle. Through the reinforcement assembly 202, the load on the garnish structure 201 is distributed in side sill area of the vehicle. The garnish structure 201 is provided with additional width to increase foot space for the passengers. The reinforcement assembly 202 comprises a plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203, a plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 and a plurality of elongated brackets 205. The plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 are fixedly attached longitudinally to the side sill of the vehicle. The plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 has a base part 203a, a front extension part 203b and a back extension part 203c. The front extension part 203b and the back extension parts 203c are integrally extended perpendicularly from the front edge and the back edge of the base 203a respectively. The base 203a of the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 has a crest region 203d and a trough region 203e at regular intervals. In an aspect, the base 203a of the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 is secured with fasteners to the side sill of the vehicle spanning under the garnish structure 201.
[0035] The plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 and the plurality of elongated brackets 205 are fixedly attached to the side sill of the vehicle through the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203. Before discussing the assembling of plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 and the plurality of elongated brackets 205 over the side sill of the vehicle, structure of the plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 and the plurality of elongated brackets 205 are discussed in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates side view of the reinforcement bracket 204 that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It is to be noted that the plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 are identical to each other. For clarity of subject matter, only one reinforcement bracket 204 is illustrated. The reinforcement bracket 204 comprises a first portion 204a and a second portion 204b. A mounting cut 301 is provided on the top edge of the reinforcement bracket 204 to facilitate mounting of the reinforcement bracket 204 on the front extension part 203b of the corresponding side long reinforcement bracket 203. The mounting cut 301 divides the top edge of the reinforcement bracket 204 into the first portion 204a and the second portion 204b. A plurality of notches 302 are provided on the top edge of the second portion 204b of the reinforcement bracket 204. The notches 302 are helpful to identify the weld location during assembly. In addition, width of the second portion 204b of the reinforcement bracket 204 decreases gradually towards the front edge 303 creating a bend section 304. Further, width of the first portion 204a of the reinforcement bracket 204 is kept constant for better distribution of load. In an aspect, the plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 is welded to the corresponding side long reinforcement bracket 203, preferably in trough region 203e.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates top isometric view of the elongated bracket 205 that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It is to be noted that the plurality of elongated brackets 205 are identical to each other. For clarity of subject matter, only one elongated bracket 205 is illustrated. The elongated bracket 205 comprises a mounting portion 205a and a load bearing portion 205b. The load bearing portion 205b integrally extends from the mounting portion 205a. Contour of the load bearing portion 205b of the elongated bracket 205 is identical to the contour of the top edge of the second portion 204b of the reinforcement bracket 204. Thus, the load bearing portion 205b of the elongated bracket 205 also creates a smooth bend section. The smooth bend section enhances rigidity and reduces stress concentration over the load bearing portion 205b of the elongated bracket 205. In assembled condition, the load bearing portion 205b of the elongated bracket 205 is fixed over the top edge of the second portion 204b of the corresponding reinforcement bracket 204. The load bearing portion 205b of the elongated bracket 205 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal beads 401 to uniformly distribute the load acting on the elongated bracket 205. In assembled condition, the garnish structure 201 is mounted over the load bearing portion 205b of the elongated bracket 205. To fix the garnish structure 201 over the loading bearing portion 205b of the elongated bracket 205, a Y-shaped slot 402 is provided. The Y-shaped slot 402 is provided in the middle of front edge of the load bearing portion 205b of the elongated bracket. The Y-shaped slot 402 act as a guide to fasteners for easy assembly of garnish structure 201 over the elongated bracket 205. In addition, the Y-shaped slot 402 helps in adapting the assembly to manufacturing variations of the garnish stud portions. In addition, front edge of the elongated bracket 205 is bent downwards. This slight downward bent in the front edge of the elongated bracket 205 prevents disassembly of the garnish structure after assembly. In assembled condition, the mounting portion 205a of the elongated bracket 205 is placed between the side sill and the side long reinforcement bracket 203 and the load bearing portion 205b of the elongated bracket 205 is fixed over the top edge of the second portion 204b of the corresponding reinforcement bracket 204.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates isometric view of the reinforcement assembly, in assembled state, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The reinforcement assembly 202 is assembled over the side sill of a vehicle. The plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 are fixed on the side sill of the vehicle. In an aspect, the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 are fastened to the side sill of the vehicle using fasteners. Contact of the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 is only made in crest portions 203d, and trough portions 203e of the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 maintains a gap with the side sill of the vehicle. In an aspect, the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 are fastened to the side sill of the vehicle in crest portions 203d. In the trough portions 203e of the plurality of side long reinforcement bracket 203, the plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 and the plurality of elongated brackets 205 are attached. Assembly of the plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 and the plurality of elongated brackets 205 with the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 is discussed in FIG. 6 below.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates isometric view of the back of reinforcement assembly, in assembled state, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 is first attached to the side sill of the vehicle using fasteners. In the trough regions 203e of the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203, reinforcement brackets 204 are arranged. The plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 are affixed to the front extension part 203b of the side long reinforcement brackets 203 through the mounting cut 301 present on the top edge of the plurality of reinforcement brackets 204. In the trough portions 203e of the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203, the plurality of elongated brackets 205 are arranged. The plurality of elongated brackets 205 are affixed in the gap formed between the trough portions 203e of the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 and the side sill of the vehicle. The load bearing portion 205b of the plurality of elongated brackets 205 are fixed over the second portion 204b of the corresponding reinforcement bracket 204. In an aspect, the load bearing portion 205b of the plurality of elongated brackets 205 are welded over the second portion 204b of the corresponding reinforcement bracket 204. The garnish structure 201 is mounted over the plurality of elongated brackets 205 using fasteners. The Y-shaped slot 402 on the plurality of elongated brackets 205 facilitate holding of the fasteners after assembly. The downward bend provided on the front edges of the plurality of elongated brackets 205 engages with the garnish structure 201 after assembly. This engagement prevents disassembly of the garnish structure 201 after assembly.
[0040] The crest portions 203d and the trough portions 203e of the plurality of side long reinforcement brackets 203 is at regular interval. Accordingly, the plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 and the plurality of elongated brackets 205 are also at regular interval. This assembling of plurality of reinforcement brackets 204 and the plurality of elongated brackets 205 at regular interval aids in uniformly distributing the load applied on the garnish structure 201.
ADVANTAGES
[0041] The proposed side step of a vehicle is capable of uniformly distributing the load. The smooth bend section provided in the load bearing portion of the plurality of elongated brackets enhance the overall rigidity of the structure and reduce the stress concentration. Rigidity of the structure of elongated bracket is further enhanced by providing deep drawn longitudinal beads in the load bearing portion of the elongated bracket. The extra foot space provided by increasing the width of the garnish structure increases the comfort of the passengers boarding or de-boarding the vehicle.
[0042] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0043] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0044] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0045] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A side step (200) of a vehicle, comprising:
a garnish structure (201) mounted on a reinforcement assembly (202) fixedly attached to side sill of the vehicle, wherein the reinforcement assembly (202) comprises:
a plurality of side long reinforcement brackets (203) fixedly attached to the side sill of the vehicle;
a plurality of reinforcement brackets (204) welded to the side long reinforcement brackets (203), wherein each of the plurality of reinforcement brackets (204) has a first portion (204a) and a second portion (204b); and
a plurality of elongated brackets (205), each welded to the side long reinforcement brackets (203), having a mounting portion (205a) and a load bearing portion (205b) with lower surface of the load bearing portion (205b) of each of the elongated brackets (205) welded to the second portion (204b) of the corresponding reinforcement bracket (204), wherein the garnish structure (201) is fixedly attached to the load bearing portion (205b) of the plurality of elongated brackets (205).
2. The side step (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of reinforcement brackets (204) and the plurality of elongated brackets (205) are attached to the side long reinforcement brackets (203).
3. The side step (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mounting cut (301) is provided on top edge of the plurality of reinforcement brackets (204) to facilitate mounting of the reinforcement bracket (204) on the front extension part (203b) of the corresponding side long reinforcement bracket (203).
4. The side step (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein width of the second portion (204b) of the plurality of reinforcement brackets (204) decreases gradually towards the front edge (303) creating a bend section (304) in the top edge of the plurality of reinforcement brackets (204).
5. The side step (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein width of the first portion (204a) of the plurality of reinforcement brackets (204) is kept constant.
6. The side step (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of notches (302) is provided on the top edge of the second portion (204b) of the reinforcement brackets (204) to facilitate identification of weld location during assembly.
7. The side step (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein contour of the load bearing portion (205b) of the elongated bracket is identical to the contour of the top edge of the second portion (204b) of the reinforcement bracket (204) creating a bend section.
8. The side step (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of longitudinal beads (401) is provided on the load bearing portion (205b) of the plurality of elongated brackets (205).
9. The side step (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a Y-shaped slot (402) is provided in the middle of front edge of the load bearing portion (205b) of the plurality of elongated brackets (205).
10. The side step (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a downward bend is provided on the front edge of the load bearing portion (205b) of the plurality of elongated brackets (205) to engage with the garnish structure (201).