Retractable vehicle step
View Patent ↗A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having an upper stepping surface, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm also has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The first and second arms can be generally planar linkages.
1. A retractable vehicle step system comprising:
a mounting bracket configured to connect to an underbody of a vehicle;
a stepping member comprising a stepping deck;
a first arm rotatably connected at a proximal end to the mounting bracket and rotatably connected at a distal end to the stepping member;
a second arm rotatably connected at a proximal end to the mounting bracket and rotatably connected at a distal end to the stepping member; and
a drive system configured to move the stepping deck between a retracted position and an extended position, the extended position being located outboard of the retracted position,
wherein the drive system comprises:
a motor;
a gear system configured to convert a rotational output from the motor into a motion that causes the first arm and the second arm to rotate with respect to the mounting bracket; and
a controller configured to receive one or more control inputs and to cause the motor to turn in an appropriate direction for extension or retraction of the stepping deck;
wherein, in both the retracted position and the extended position, the distal end of the first arm is positioned below the proximal end of the first arm, and the distal end of the second arm is positioned below the proximal end of the second arm, and
wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured such that, when the stepping deck is in the extended position and a downward force is applied to the stepping deck, a relative position of the second arm with respect to the first arm is such that the motor is not required to be activated to keep the stepping deck from moving to the retracted position.
2. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 1 , wherein the retractable vehicle step system does not comprise a locking mechanism that is required to be disengaged before retracting the stepping deck from the extended position.
3. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 1 , wherein the second arm is driven by the drive system.
4. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 1 , wherein the second arm is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket at a pin that serves as a drive axle, and wherein the drive axle is driven by the drive system.
5. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 1 , wherein the first arm is driven by the drive system.
6. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 1 , wherein the drive system further comprises a clutch assembly that can enable the motor to continue rotating when the stepping deck is immobilized by an obstruction.
7. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 1 , wherein the gear system comprises a worm gear driven by the motor.
8. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 7 , wherein the worm gear is configured to rotate about a first axis that is perpendicular to a second axis about which the second arm rotates with respect to the mounting bracket.
9. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more control inputs comprises an input indicative of a vehicle ignition switch position.
10. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more control inputs comprises an input indicative of a vehicle door open or closed status.
11. The retractable vehicle step system of claim 1 , wherein the retractable vehicle step system is self-energizing when the stepping deck is in the retracted position.
12. A vehicle comprising:
an underbody;
a mounting bracket rigidly connected to the underbody;
a stepping member comprising a stepping deck;
a first arm rotatably connected at a proximal end to the mounting bracket and rotatably connected at a distal end to the stepping member;
a second arm rotatably connected at a proximal end to the mounting bracket and rotatably connected at a distal end to the stepping member; and
a drive system configured to move the stepping deck between a retracted position and an extended position, the extended position being located outboard of the retracted position,
wherein the drive system comprises:
a motor;
a gear system configured to convert a rotational output from the motor into a motion that causes the first arm and the second arm to rotate with respect to the mounting bracket; and
a controller configured to receive one or more control inputs and to cause the motor to turn in an appropriate direction for extension or retraction of the stepping deck;
wherein, in both the retracted position and the extended position, the distal end of the first arm is positioned below the proximal end of the first arm, and the distal end of the second arm is positioned below the proximal end of the second arm, and
wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured such that, when the stepping deck is in the extended position and a downward force is applied to the stepping deck, a relative position of the second arm with respect to the first arm is such that the motor is not required to be activated to keep the stepping deck from moving to the retracted position.
13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the vehicle does not comprise a locking mechanism that is required to be disengaged before retracting the stepping deck from the extended position.
14. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the second arm is driven by the drive system.
15. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the second arm is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket at a pin that serves as a drive axle, and wherein the drive axle is driven by the drive system.
16. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the drive system further comprises a clutch assembly that can enable the motor to continue rotating when the stepping deck is immobilized by an obstruction.
17. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the gear system comprises a worm gear driven by the motor.
18. The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the worm gear is configured to rotate about a first axis that is perpendicular to a second axis about which the second arm rotates with respect to the mounting bracket.
19. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the one or more control inputs comprises an input indicative of a position of an ignition switch of the vehicle.
20. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the one or more control inputs comprises an input indicative of an open or closed status of a door of the vehicle.