Automated retractable vehicle step
View Patent ↗Powered retractable vehicle step assist systems and methods are provided. The steps systems are configured for installation (e.g., after market installation) and use with a vehicle. The system can include a stepping member movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle. The system can further include a vehicle interface configured to electronically communicate with an existing communication bus of the vehicle, such as through a connection with an existing electronics port of the vehicle. A controller of the step system can be configured to process information received from the vehicle interface and, based at least partly on the processing of the information, cause movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position.
1. A powered retractable vehicle step assist system configured for use with a vehicle, the step assist system comprising:
a stepping member having a stepping surface and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle;
at least one support member connectable with respect to an underside of the vehicle and connected to the stepping member, the support member configured to at least partially support the stepping member with respect to the vehicle;
a motor operably coupled to the support member and capable of effectuating movement of the stepping member from the retracted position to the deployed position;
a vehicle interface configured to connect with an already existing electronics port of the vehicle and to electronically receive data via the existing electronics port, the data generated by existing electronics of the vehicle; and
a controller in electronic communication with the motor and configured, in response to the data received from the already existing electronics port, to cause the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position,
wherein the data comprises door opened/closed status information originating from door electronics that do not incorporate any wireless sensors to detect door opened/closed status.
2. The step assist system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle interface implements a serial digital interface and the existing electronics port provides the data to the vehicle interface as serial digital data.
3. The step assist system of claim 1 , wherein the existing electronics port includes an on-board diagnostic port.
4. The step assist system of claim 1 , wherein the controller commands the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position in response to determining that a door vehicle has opened.
5. The step assist system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle interface comprises an electrical connector configured to directly attach to the already existing electronics port of the vehicle.
6. The step assist system of claim 5 , wherein the electrical connector of the vehicle interface is configured to mate with the already existing electronics port via an interference fit.
7. The step assist system of claim 1 , further comprising a wired connection between the vehicle interface and the controller.
8. A powered retractable vehicle step assist system configured for use with a vehicle, the step assist system comprising:
a stepping member having a stepping surface and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle;
at least one support member connectable with respect to an underside of the vehicle and connected to the stepping member, the support member configured to at least partially support the stepping member with respect to the vehicle;
a motor operably coupled to the support member and capable of effectuating movement of the stepping member from the retracted position to the deployed position;
a vehicle interface configured to connect with an already existing electronics port of the vehicle and to electronically receive data via the existing electronics port, the data generated by existing electronics of the vehicle; and
a controller in electronic communication with the motor and configured, in response to the data received from the already existing electronics port, to cause the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position,
wherein the existing vehicle electronics include a body control module.
9. The step assist system of claim 8 , wherein the vehicle interface implements a serial digital interface and the existing electronics port provides the data to the vehicle interface as serial digital data.
10. The step assist system of claim 8 , wherein the existing electronics port includes an on-board diagnostic port.
11. The step assist system of claim 8 , wherein the controller commands the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position in response to determining that a door vehicle has opened.
12. The step assist system of claim 8 , wherein the vehicle interface comprises an electrical connector configured to directly attach to the already existing electronics port of the vehicle.
13. The step assist system of claim 8 , further comprising a wired connection between the vehicle interface and the controller.
14. A powered retractable vehicle step assist system configured for use with a vehicle, the step assist system comprising:
a stepping member having a stepping surface and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle;
at least one support member connectable with respect to an underside of the vehicle and connected to the stepping member, the support member configured to at least partially support the stepping member with respect to the vehicle;
a motor operably coupled to the support member and capable of effectuating movement of the stepping member from the retracted position to the deployed position;
a vehicle interface configured to connect with an already existing electronics port of the vehicle and to electronically receive data via the existing electronics port, the data generated by existing electronics of the vehicle; and
a controller in electronic communication with the motor and configured, in response to the data received from the already existing electronics port, to cause the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position,
wherein the vehicle interface comprises a first connector configured to connect to the existing electronics port and further comprises a replica connector, wherein vehicle interface is configured to forward the data received from the existing electronics port to the replica connector.
15. The step assist system of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle interface includes a cable spanning between the first connector and the replica connector.
16. The step assist system of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle interface further comprises a second replica connector, the controller being coupled to the vehicle interface via connection to the second replica connector.
17. The step assist system of claim 14 , wherein the first connector and the replica connector are provided on a common housing.
18. The step assist system of claim 14 , wherein the existing electronics port includes an on-board diagnostic port.
19. The step assist system of claim 14 , wherein the controller commands the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position in response to determining that a door vehicle has opened.
20. The step assist system of claim 14 , wherein the vehicle interface comprises an electrical connector configured to directly attach to the already existing electronics port of the vehicle.
21. The step assist system of claim 14 , further comprising a wired connection between the vehicle interface and the controller.
22. A method of installing an automated vehicle step assist system to a vehicle, the method comprising:
electrically connecting control electronics of the step assist system to an existing power source of the vehicle;
mounting the control electronics of the step assist on the vehicle;
mounting a step of the step assist system with respect to the vehicle such that a stepping deck of the step is capable of powered movement between retracted and deployed positions;
securing a motor of the step assist system to the vehicle, the motor in electrical communication with the control electronics and drivably coupled to the step to provide the powered movement of the stepping deck; and
interfacing with an existing communication bus of the vehicle such that electronic information obtained via the existing communication bus is communicated to the control electronics of the step assist system,
wherein the interfacing comprises establishing a wired connection between the existing communication bus and the control electronics of the step assist system.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the interfacing comprises mating a connector of the step assist system with an existing connector of the vehicle.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein the installation is performed after market.
25. A method of installing an automated vehicle step assist system to a vehicle, the method comprising:
electrically connecting control electronics of the step assist system to an existing power source of the vehicle;
mounting the control electronics of the step assist on the vehicle;
mounting a step of the step assist system with respect to the vehicle such that a stepping deck of the step is capable of powered movement between retracted and deployed positions;
securing a motor of the step assist system to the vehicle, the motor in electrical communication with the control electronics and drivably coupled to the step to provide the powered movement of the stepping deck;
interfacing with an existing communication bus of the vehicle such that electronic information obtained via the existing communication bus is communicated to the control electronics of the step assist system, wherein the interfacing comprises mating a connector of the step assist system with an existing connector of the vehicle; and
repositioning the existing connector of the vehicle and fastening a replica port of the step assist system to an accessible location in the vehicle.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the replica port is positioned in substantially the original location of the existing connector of the vehicle.
27. A method of installing an automated vehicle step assist system to a vehicle, the method comprising:
electrically connecting control electronics of the step assist system to an existing power source of the vehicle;
mounting the control electronics of the step assist on the vehicle;
mounting a step of the step assist system with respect to the vehicle such that a stepping deck of the step is capable of powered movement between retracted and deployed positions;
securing a motor of the step assist system to the vehicle, the motor in electrical communication with the control electronics and drivably coupled to the step to provide the powered movement of the stepping deck; and
interfacing with an existing communication bus of the vehicle such that electronic information obtained via the existing communication bus is communicated to the control electronics of the step assist system,
wherein the interfacing does not involve disassembly of the vehicle.