Patent Application
20230010767
This disclosure relates to a running board for a motor vehicle, and in particular relates to a linkage assembly for the running board and a corresponding method of using the same.
Sport utility vehicles (SUVs), trucks, pickup trucks, vans, and other vehicles, such as four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, have a relatively high ground clearance, meaning the floor is at a relatively high elevation above the ground.
Running boards are known, and have been used to aid with entering and exiting vehicles with a high ground clearance. Running boards are also used by users when accessing items stored on the top of the vehicle. Some retractable running board assemblies (sometimes referred to as power running board assemblies or electric running board assemblies) include a running board that is moveably connected the vehicle by one or more linkages. The linkages are driven by an actuator. Together, the linkages and actuator are configured to move the running board between a retracted position (sometimes referred to as a “stowed” position) and a deployed position.
A running board assembly for a motor vehicle according an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a deck and a linkage assembly configured to guide movement of the deck. The linkage assembly includes a first link and a second link further from the deck than the first link. Further, the second link is curved such that the second link exhibits a concave contour from a perspective of the deck.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing running board assembly, the second link is substantially C-shaped.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the assembly includes a first shaft and a second shaft arranged substantially parallel to the first shaft and spaced-apart from the first shaft such that the second shaft is further from the deck than the first shaft. Further, the first shaft is fixedly connected to the first link adjacent a first end of the first link, and the second shaft is fixedly connected to the second link adjacent a first end of the second link.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the assembly includes a body-mounting bracket configured to fixedly connect to a body of the motor vehicle, and the first and second shafts pass through the body-mounting bracket.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the assembly includes a deck-mounting bracket connected to the first link adjacent a second end of the first link opposite the first end of the second link, and further connected to the second link adjacent a second end of the second link opposite the first end of the second link.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the deck-mounting bracket is connected to the first link such that the deck-mounting bracket is able to rotate relative to the first link without sliding, and the deck-mounting bracket is connected to the second link such that the deck-mounting bracket is able to rotate and slide relative to the second link.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the second end of the first link includes a cylindrical through-bore receiving a first pin connected to the deck-mounting bracket, and the second end of the second link includes a rectangular through-bore receiving a second pin connected to the deck-mounting bracket.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, a first bushing is arranged in the cylindrical through-bore, and a second bushing is arranged in the rectangular through-bore.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the first and second bushings are made of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE).
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the assembly includes a motor configured to rotate the first shaft to adjust a position on the deck.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the assembly includes a controller configured to issue instructions to the motor, and the motor is responsive to instructions from the controller.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the motor is configured to adjust a position of the deck between a stowed position and a plurality of deployed positions. Further, in each deployed position, the deck is at a different height from a ground surface relative to each of the other deployed positions.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the plurality of deployed positions includes three deployed positions.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, in each of the plurality of deployed positions, the deck is substantially parallel to a ground surface.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the assembly includes a sensor configured to obtain information pertaining to a height of a user, and the controller is configured to issue an instruction to the motor to move the deck to a particular one of the plurality of deployed positions based on the information from the sensor pertaining to the height of the user.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, the controller is configured to instruct the motor to move the deck to a highest position relative to a ground surface in response to a cargo access command and regardless of the information from the sensor pertaining to the height of the user.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing running board assemblies, in the stowed position, the deck is beneath a body of the motor vehicle and does not project laterally outward of the body of the motor vehicle.
A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, moving a deck of a running board to one of a plurality of deployed positions based on either a height of a user or a cargo access command. Further, movement of the deck is guided by a linkage assembly including a first link and a second link further from the deck than the first link. The second link is curved such that the second link exhibits a concave contour from a perspective of the deck.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the second link is substantially C-shaped.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the plurality of deployed positions includes three deployed positions, in each deployed position, the deck is at a different height from a ground surface relative to each of the other deployed positions, depending on a height of the user, the deck is moved to a deployed position corresponding to a height of the user, and, in response to a cargo access command, the deck is moved to a deployed position furthest from the ground surface regardless of the height of the user.
This disclosure relates to a running board for a motor vehicle, and in particular relates to a linkage assembly for the running board and a corresponding method of using the same. An example running board assembly includes a deck and a linkage assembly configured to guide movement of the deck. The linkage assembly includes a first link and a second link further from the deck than the first link. The second link is curved such that the second link exhibits a concave contour from a perspective of the deck. Among other benefits, the disclosed running board accommodates users of various heights while also permitting cargo access. Further, the linkage assembly, and in particular the curved nature of one of the second link, permits additional travel of the running board assembly relative to known assemblies.
Referring to the drawings,
The vehicle 10 includes a retractable running board assembly 12 moveable from a retracted, or stowed, position to a plurality of deployed positions. The deployed positions may be referred to as use positions in which the running board assembly 12 is useable by a user, such that a user may step on a deck of a running board 14. The running board assembly 12 is shown in a deployed position in
The linkage assembly 16 includes four sub-assemblies 18, 20, 22, 24 in this example. The sub-assemblies 18, 20, 22, 24 are spaced-apart from one another along a length Li of the running board 14. The sub-assemblies 18, 20, 22, 24 may each be referred to as a linkage assembly. While four sub-assemblies 18, 20, 22, 24 are shown, the linkage assembly 16 may include one or more sub-assemblies. The linkage assembly 16 is shown schematically in
The running board 14 has a length L1 that extends in a direction parallel to the “forward” and “rearward” directions, which are labeled in
When in one of the deployed positions, a user may step on the running board 14 as they enter and exit the vehicle 10. Specifically, the user may step on a deck 30 (or, step pad or stepping platform) of the running board 14, which in this example provides the uppermost surface of the running board 14.
In this example, a motor 32 is mounted adjacent the sub-assembly 24. The motor 32 is configured to adjust a position of the running board 14 between the retracted and deployed positions. In one example, the motor 32 is in communication with a controller 34, which instructs the motor 32 to move the running board 14 between the retracted and deployed positions based on a number of factors, including whether the doors 26, 28 are opened or closed, based on a height of a user, and/or based on whether a user provides a cargo access command.
The controller 34 is shown schematically in
In one example, the motor 32 is an electric motor, and is responsive to instructions from the controller 34 to selectively to adjust a position of the linkage assembly 16, and in turn the running board 14 and the deck 30.
The vehicle 10, in this example, includes a plurality of sensors which provide information useable by the controller 34 in adjusting a position of the running board 14. In an example, the vehicle 10 includes an image sensor 36, which may be a camera, mounted such that the image sensor 36 is able to capture still images or video of a user adjacent a side of the vehicle 10. The controller 34 may use this information to determine a height of a user. The controller 34 may then move the running board 14 to a particular deployed position corresponding to a height of the user.
In an example, when the user is relatively short, such as less than 5′ 4″ in height, the running board 14 is set to a relatively low height, meaning a relatively small distance between the running board 14 and the ground surface, such that the user can readily step on the deck 30. When the user is of a mid-height, such as between 5′ 4″ and 6′ 0″, the running board 14 is set to a mid-height from the ground surface. When the user is relatively tall, such as greater than 6′ 0″ in height, the running board 14 is set to a maximum distance from the ground surface. In other words, the controller 34 uses the information from the image sensor 36 to set the running board 14 to a deployed position corresponding to a height of the user. In this regard, the running board 14 is moveable to three distinct deployed positions, each having a different height relative to the ground surface relative to the other deployed positions. In each deployed position, the linkage assembly 16 is configured such that the deck 30 is substantially parallel to an adjacent ground surface G.
Another sensor includes an image sensor 38 mounted to a body of the vehicle 10 and configured to generate still images or video useable by the controller 34 to determine a position of the deck 30 of the running board 14 relative to the ground surface G and/or relative to a body of the vehicle 10.
The vehicle 10 also includes a transceiver 40 configured to receive signals from a key fob, a keypad on the door 26 (for example), a mobile device of a user (i.e., using the phone as a key, sometimes abbreviated PAAK), or a button within the vehicle 10. The transceiver 40, in particular, may receive a cargo access command. In response to a cargo access command, the controller 34 instructs the motor 32 to move the running board 14 to the highest deployed position, which in an example is a position corresponding to a user over 6′ 0″ in height. In response to the cargo access command, the controller 34 does not adjust the running board 14 based on information from the sensor 36. In other words, in response to the cargo access command, the controller 34 instructs the motor 32 to move the running board 14 to the highest deployed position regardless of a height of the user. As such, in response to the cargo access command, the running board 14 is positioned such that a user is better able to access a top of the vehicle, which may contain cargo 42 such as luggage, canoes, bicycles, skis, etc.
A first deployed position D1 is a low height position in which the deck 30 of the running board 14 is closest to the ground surface G. A second deployed position D2 is a mid-height position. A third deployed position D3 is a maximum height position in which the deck 30 is at its highest height relative to the ground surface G. In
When the vehicle 10 is stationary, the motor 32 is configured to drive the running board 14 under instructions from the controller 34 to one of the deployed positions D1-D3. In each of the deployed positions D1-D3, the deck 30 of the running board 14 is substantially parallel to a ground surface G. Thus, the running board 14 may support a user in each of the deployed positions D1-D3. In the second deployed position D2, the running board 14 displaced further laterally (i.e., to the left-hand side, relative to
While a four-position (i.e., retracted/stowed, first deployed, second deployed, and third deployed positions) running board assembly is shown in the figures, it should be understood that this disclosure extends to running board assemblies that are moveable to another number of positions.
In this disclosure, the running board assembly 12 is configured to hold the running board 14 in the deployed position by actively monitoring the position of the running board 14, using sensor 38, and applying torque to the motor 32 as necessary to maintain the position. If a user is standing on the running board 14 for a period of time such that a thermal breaker of the motor 32 is about to trip, an alert, such as an audible and/or visual alert, may be be presented to the user asking the user to step off the running board 14. In this regard, the vehicle 10 may include a speaker or sound exciter configured to issue the alert. When holding one of the stowed or deployed positions, a torque limit of the motor 32 may be overridden for a period of time. Optionally, the motor 32 may include a brake configured to selectively lock the motor 32, and in turn the running board 14, in a desired one of the stowed or deployed positions.
The first shaft 44 is closer to the deck 30 than the second shaft 46. The first and second shafts 44, 46 are parallel to one another and exhibit a length substantially equal to the length L1 of the running board 14.
In
The sub-assembly 18 includes a first link 48 and a second link 50. The first link 48 is connected, adjacent one end, to the first shaft 44 and, adjacent an opposite end, to a deck-mounting bracket 52. The second link 50 is connected, adjacent one end, to the second shaft 46 and, adjacent an opposite end, to the deck-mounting bracket 52. Adjacent an end opposite the first and second links 48, 50, the deck-mounting bracket 52 includes a pad 54 configured to attach to an underside of the running board 14.
The first and second shaft 44, 46 pass through a body-mounting bracket 56. Bushings may be used to reduce friction between the first and second shafts 44, 46, which are rotatable relative to the body-mounting bracket 56. When present, the bushings may be cylindrical and may be made of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE), which is self-lubricating and does not require application of lubricant to facilitate rotation of the first and second shaft 44, 46. The body-mounting bracket 56 is configured to fixedly connect directly to a body of the vehicle 10.
The first and second links 48, 50 are illustrated in more detail in
With respect to the second link 50, it is shaped differently than the first link 48. In this example, the second link 50 is shaped such that the second link 50 exhibits a concave contour from the perspective of the deck 30 (i.e., from a perspective of the left-hand side of the page, relative to
Adjacent the first end 72, the second link 50 is fixedly connected, such as by welding, to the second shaft 46 such that rotation of second link 50 results in rotation of the second shaft 46, and vice versa. Adjacent the second end 74, the second link 50 is both rotatably and slideably connected to the deck-mounting bracket 52 via a pin 82 and bushing 84. As above, the bushing 84 may be made of UHMWPE. The bushing 84 is received in a rectangular through-bore 86 of the second link 50. The bushing 84 exhibits a shape corresponding to the rectangular through-bore 86. The rectangular shape of the through-bore 86 permits the pin 82 to slide along the through-bore 86, which is beneficial in maintaining an orientation of the deck 30 that is parallel to the ground surface G in each of the deployed positions D1-D3.
It should be understood that terms such as “about,” “substantially,” and “generally” are not intended to be boundaryless terms, and should be interpreted consistent with the way one skilled in the art would interpret those terms. Further, directional terms such as “forward,” “rearward,” “upward,” “downward,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc., are used for purposes of explanation only and should not otherwise be construed as limiting.
Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples. In addition, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.
One of ordinary skill in this art would understand that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and non-limiting. That is, modifications of this disclosure would come within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.
