Automated retractable vehicle step

• US 10,106,088 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2017
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lund Motion Products Inc (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lund Motion Products Inc (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John D
• Application Number:
  US15/792,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20180141497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 280163, 280166, 280169, 182127
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/002 Running boards for vehicle tops B60R3/005; at the sides of the vehicle for carrying loads B60R9/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2304/05 Reducing production costs, e.g. by redesign
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2304/07 Facilitating assembling or mounting
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 3/10 without using feedback
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A powered vehicle step assist system configured for use with a vehicle, the step assist system comprising:

a step 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 the vehicle and connected to the step, the support member configured to at least partially support the step with respect to the vehicle;

a controller in electronic communication with the motor and with the vehicle, the controller programmed to;

receive first status information from the vehicle indicative of a speed at which the car is moving;

receive second status information from the vehicle;

determine based on the first status information whether or not the vehicle is moving above a threshold speed;

in response to determining that the vehicle is not moving above the threshold speed, control motorized movement of the step based on the second status information; and

in response to determining that the vehicle is moving above the threshold speed, control motorized movement of the step independent from the second status information.

2. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the threshold speed is a value less than 40 miles per hour.

3. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the threshold speed is a value less than 10 miles per hour.

4. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the second status information is door open/closed status information.

5. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further programmed to, in response to determining that the vehicle is moving above the threshold speed, control motorized movement of the step independent from the second status information by preventing deployment of the step.

6. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the controller is programmed to, in response to determining that the vehicle is moving above the threshold speed, control motorized movement of the step independent from the second status information by (i) preventing deployment of the step if the step is currently retracted and (ii) causing retraction of the step if the step is currently deployed.

7. A powered vehicle step assist system configured for use with a vehicle, the step assist system comprising:

a step movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle;

at least one support member connectable with respect to the vehicle and connected to the step, the support member configured to at least partially support the step with respect to the vehicle; and

a controller in electronic communication with the motor and with the vehicle, the controller programmed to;

receive first status information indicating opening of a vehicle door;

in response to the first status information, cause motorized movement of the step from the retracted position to the deployed position;

subsequent to receiving the first status information, receive second status information from the vehicle relating to movement of the vehicle; and

in response to the second status information, cause motorized movement of the step from the deployed position to the retracted position while the vehicle door remains open.

8. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 7 wherein the second status information is vehicle speed information.

9. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 8 wherein the controller is programmed to cause the motorized movement in response to the vehicle speed information exceeding a threshold speed.

10. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 9 wherein the threshold speed is a value less than 40 miles per hour.

11. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 9 wherein the threshold speed is a value less than 10 miles per hour.

12. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 7 wherein the vehicle door is open in a door ajar state at the time of receipt of the second status information.

13. A powered vehicle step assist system configured for use with a vehicle, the step assist system comprising:

a step movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle;

at least one support member connectable with respect to the vehicle and connected to the step, the support member configured to at least partially support the step with respect to the vehicle; and

a controller in electronic communication with the motor and with the vehicle, the controller programmed to;

receive first status information indicative of door status information;

receive second status information from the vehicle; and

based on a review of the second status information, determine whether to (i) prevent motorized movement of the step from the retracted position to the deployed position regardless of the first status information, or (ii) allow motorized movement of the step from the retracted position to the deployed position depending on the first status information.

14. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 13, wherein the second status information indicates an engine status of the vehicle.

15. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 13, wherein the second status information indicates a speed of the vehicle.

16. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 15, wherein the controller is programmed to decide to prevent the motorized movement based on the review indicating that the car is moving above a threshold speed.