Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 26
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default Design problem: I'm looking for help

    Hi all,
    I'm trying to design a movable step for our Transit van camper.
    I really don't want to have the step in its stored position lower than the existing structure due to ground clearance. Here is a sketch of the space available for storage, and the position I would like it in when extended out. Any hinges or tracks or levers need to fit no further left then the vertical line on the left (the outline of the van) and no lower than the horizontal line on the right (the water tank under the van floor).
    I've tried all kinds of variations of CAD (cardboard assisted design) and lots of sketches of hinges and tracks - all to no avail.
    So I thought there are better and more imaginative brains here than anywhere I can imagine, so someone might just "see" in their mind how it could be done
    Step path.jpg
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    My first thought looking at the picture is vertical runners at the rear to bring the step assembly down, then slide within a slide horizontally until you have the reach you need. Fair bit of cantilever action going on though.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    505

    Default

    Might be easier to achieve if some simplification of the problem is possible.
    For example, would the storage position be workable if the step stayed horizontal (or close to) when stored, but was as high and far forwards as possible?
    Things may be easier if the step could be stored inverted. If so maybe it could hinge around the edge that is forward when deployed; that would reduce the distance to the storage location, and (errr ... maybe) simplify the mechanism needed.
    J hovel step.gif
    Bill

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    If the step tread can be split into two leaves and folded on top of itself for storage so it’s only half as long (left to right in the photo), then it would give more options as to the final orientation when stored.

    In case that doesn’t make sense, the setup action for use would be to pull the step out of its storage, and then flip the front leaf down.

    I still can’t visualize after that how it would actually be set up, but just feels to me like having to use the full diagonal space to store it makes it harder to achieve.

    Steve

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Joe, Guys,

    When I made the step for my Ford transit 280 camper van, now scrapped, I used a motor driven screw and a pair of roller rails to support it !

    A battery electric drill drove the screw, the step was horizontal and bolted to the sill lip at the front and a pair of M8 bolts at the rear into the chassis runner. A pair of M8 riv-nuts crimped into the chassis and a pair of M6 riv-nuts in the bottom of the sill. The actual step was a rectangle of aluminium chequer plate pop riveted to the moving frame. The whole thing was only an inch in thickness excluding the drill motor.

    The downside was the drill motor made quite a noticeable noise when running. It did about six years before the van got scrapped because of chassis failure at the rear spring hangers. Sad really because it was a very good conversion and did about 60K running about Europe.

    The new van is currently SORN'ed, at least until this Covid thing is sorted.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Willowbank QLD
    Posts
    517

    Default

    Joe

    I have a bit on and am not good at computer sketching to prove my idea. If you have the step in the stowed position with the top corner at the rear of the compartment instead of the front as shown \ way instead of / way it opens up some options.

    I would put the pivot on the lower back point with an arm at to near the top back of the step. If you can get the angles correct this would allow the step to come out in a counter clockwise motion and extend back.

    I have a few more ideas on refining this concept if it looks like it may work for you.

    Steve

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,541

    Default

    Joe, is that sketch to scale? At a first glance, I think the movement may have to be in two stages but it's an interesting problem so a solution may present itself.

    Michael

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default

    Thanks everyone for the responses.
    I'll consider them all and review how I could implement each one.
    The rotating idea of Steve's is interesting, I'll have a ponder. Not considered that one at all.
    Michael, it's only roughly to scale. Once I review the new principles, I'll do a dimensioned sketch for working out the exact mechanism.
    Having the step in two folding slats sounds like a great way to reduce the storage angle. I had not considered that either.
    Roller tracks was in my mind when I considered my option and the cantilever issue stopped me going down that track....
    Keep ideas coming. Amazing how differently different people think and imagine engineering issues! Great stuff!
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Willowbank QLD
    Posts
    517

    Default

    Joe

    To I will add a bit more to my thinking. If I was to design this I would measure the length of the opening.
    This length would determine how long the pivoting arm can be. I would then draw an arc from the lower rear corner. This will show how far back the pivot would go.

    The attachment point for the pivot arm to the step will be where it wants to be. I would be guessing 1/2 to 2/3 along step.
    This arm would pivot at both the step and caravan end.

    When the step is "released" from the stowed position it will naturally drop down.

    The easiest solution would be to have a chain that hangs down and holds the step in the rearward position and a pin to stop the step rotating.

    Therefore your design would be to straight arms, a chain and pin.

    Steve

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,277

    Default

    How about storing the step in the same plane as it is when in use?
    keeps it simple.

    Step path.jpg

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Joe, Guys,

    I started my design by using a piece of flat wood pressed against the underside of the chassis member protruding out under the sill. I found that on my van the sill was level with the bottom of the chassis. This effectively determined that the step was going to be horizontal and level with bottom of the sill.

    The amount that I wanted the step to protrude, about 9" inches determined the overall length of the side rails and hence the total length plus that needed for the motor. Since there is not a great weight to pull and push I used a brass M8 nut and galvanised threaded rod to drive the step.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    54
    Posts
    825

    Default

    G'day Joe,
    How about a combination of telescopic slides, pivoting step and hinged supports.

    Step.png

    Cheers,
    Greg.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Bendigo
    Age
    60
    Posts
    419

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9,088

    Default

    Hi Joe,

    What surfaces are structural?
    I assume we aren't allow to drop a strap down off that left hand face?
    I'm picturing a stair that swings down sideways, slides forward then flips out. Easy

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,541

    Default

    Still thinking about this one Joe. Not what you have asked for I know but may be a good fall back position -
    Simple step.JPG
    With a pivot point just by the corner (where the circle is), a step would fold up flat against the door.
    I was also thinking of an aluminium step that would sit in the stair well when travelling and then could be taken out when you first open the door.
    We'll keep thinking...

    Michael

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Help with Chair design
    By hobbyhack in forum METALWORK PROJECTS
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 17th May 2019, 12:01 PM
  2. Finding Engineering Design Software For Automatic Machine Design
    By davidWilliams in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11th Jan 2010, 10:41 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •