Automated retractable vehicle step

• US 9,511,717 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2015
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• 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 DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US14/977,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20160252911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 280/163, 280/166, 280/169, 182/127
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 comprising a stepping surface that is movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the vehicle, the step including one or more mounts configured to allow attachment of the step to the vehicle;

a motor drivably coupled to the step and capable of effectuating movement of the stepping surface from the first position to the second position; and

a controller in electronic communication with the motor and configured, in response to data electronically received from an already existing electronics port and generated by an existing vehicle computer system of the vehicle, to cause the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping surface between the first position and the second position.

2. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the data electronically received from the already existing electronics port and generated by the existing vehicle computer system indicates one or more of a door being remotely locked or a door being remotely unlocked.

3. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the data electronically received from the already existing electronics port and generated by the existing vehicle computer system is indicative of wireless detection by electronics of the vehicle of a key fob crossing into or out of a threshold proximity with respect to the vehicle.

4. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the data electronically received from the already existing electronics port and generated by the existing vehicle computer system comprises door opened/closed status information originating from pre-existing door electronics that do not incorporate any wireless sensors to detect door opened/closed status.

5. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle computer system comprises one or more of a body control module or a door control unit.

6. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein during the movement from the first position to the second position, the stepping surface moves outwardly, in a direction away from the vehicle.

7. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 1 wherein the already existing electronics port is accessible for plug-in connection thereto without disassembly or modification of the vehicle.

8. The powered vehicle step assist system of claim 7 wherein the already existing electronics port is an on-board diagnostics port positioned in an interior of the vehicle.

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

a step unit comprising a stepping deck and configured for mounting to a vehicle;

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 vehicle interface and with the step unit, and configured, in response to the data received from the already existing electronics port, to issue commands to the step unit to perform one or more operations associated with the step unit.

10. The vehicle step assist system of claim 9 wherein the step unit comprises a motor configured to effectuate movement of the stepping deck between a retracted position with respect to the vehicle and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle, wherein the commands are communicated from the controller to the motor, and wherein the operations associated with the step unit comprise powered retraction of the step unit and powered deployment of the step unit.

11. The vehicle step assist system of claim 9 wherein the vehicle interface includes a first connector and a second connector, the first connector configured to removably attach to the existing electronics port, the vehicle interface configured to transmit data received at the first connector to the second connector.

12. The vehicle step assist system of claim 11 wherein the second connector comprises a replica of the existing electronics port.

13. The step assist system of claim 11 wherein the vehicle interface includes a cable spanning between the first connector and the second connector.

14. The step assist system of claim 11 wherein the vehicle interface further comprises a third connector, wherein the controller receives data from the existing electronics port via an electrical path including the first connector, the first wiring, and the third connector.

15. The step assist system of claim 11 wherein the first connector and the second connector are provided on a common housing.

16. The step assist system of claim 11 further comprising:

first wiring extending between the vehicle interface and the controller and configured to carry the data received from the existing electronics port to the controller; and

second wiring extending between the controller and the step unit and configured to carry the commands from the controller to the step unit.

17. A method of installing an automated vehicle step assist system to a vehicle, the method comprising:

mounting control electronics of the step assist system to the vehicle;

mounting a stepping deck of the step assist system with respect to the vehicle such that the stepping deck is capable of powered movement between first and second positions;

mounting 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 control electronics of the step assist system to existing electronics of the vehicle such that electronic information obtained via the existing electronics is communicated to the control electronics,

wherein the interfacing does not involve disassembly or modification to of any door of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said interfacing does not involve removal of door paneling.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said interfacing does not involve installation of special in-door componentry.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said interfacing does not involve modification of existing electrical componentry of the vehicle.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein said interfacing does not involve cutting, splicing, or tapping into existing wiring of the vehicle residing in or around the vehicle doors.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein said interfacing comprises interfacing the control electronics to an existing communication bus of the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said interfacing comprises connecting to an existing electrical connector of the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the existing electrical connector is an on-board diagnostic port.