JP2002144960A - Retractable auxiliary step for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure good getting on/off and vehicle traveling stability. SOLUTION: A base end part of a driving arm 5 connected to a driving source 4 through a transmission means 7 is pivotally mounted to a lower part of a vehicle step S and a tip end of the driving arm 5 is pivotally mounted to an approximate center at a bottom part of the auxiliary step 1. A base end part of a driven arm 6 having the same rotation radius as that of the driving arm 5 is pivotally mounted to a lower part of the vehicle step S and a tip end is pivotally mounted to one side of the auxiliary step 1. Auxiliary arms 12, 12a for supporting a bottom part 1a of the auxiliary step 1 at the time of projecting of the auxiliary step are projectingly provided on right and left sides of the driving arm 5. At least a pair of light and left auxiliary arms 12, 12a supports a rear side of the bottom part 1a of the auxiliary step 1 and stably retains a horizontal state of the auxiliary step 1 at the time of getting on/off. Whereas, at least one auxiliary arm 12a supports a tip end of the driving arm 5 and a bottom part 1a of the auxiliary step 1 at the time of accommodation of the auxiliary step and stably retains the auxiliary step 1 at the time of accommodation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a retractable auxiliary step for a vehicle which is arranged between a step of a vehicle such as a passenger car, a bus and a one-box car and a ground surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a step provided at the entrance of the above vehicle has a height difference between the ground and the ground surface so as to interfere with getting on and off. It can be seen that a retractable auxiliary step that can be extended is provided to eliminate the difference in elevation when getting on and off. For example, the auxiliary step shown in FIG. 12 is installed immediately below the vehicle step x, interlocks when the door is opened, and only slides out to the front of the entrance with the height maintained, so that Before, the position from the ground was too high to step on,
The purpose of the original auxiliary step y as a foot joint has not been achieved. However, recently, a vehicle whose floor itself is low and the position of the vehicle step x is also low has been developed, and the above-described auxiliary step y is provided below the vehicle step x, so that the role as the auxiliary step y is provided. Can be fulfilled enough.

[0003]

However, in this auxiliary step y, the vehicle step y
In order to protrude so as to protrude further forward, the area of at least the portion where the passenger steps on and the rail (not shown) that slides and supports the left and right sides of the auxiliary step x holds the base end of the auxiliary step x. And a large storage space is required, and the output of the drive source must be increased in order to move the auxiliary step x having such a large area back and forth. Further, since the rail supporting the auxiliary step y only supports the left and right sides of the auxiliary step y, the rail is sunk by the stepping down of the occupant, and has a disadvantage that the stability is poor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a retractable auxiliary step for a vehicle which can store the auxiliary step with a minimum size, reduce the size of the drive source, and improve the stability when getting on and off and running the vehicle. And

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention pivotally connects a base end of a single driving arm connected to a driving source via a transmission means below a vehicle step. The distal end of the arm is pivotally connected to the approximate center of the bottom of the auxiliary step, the base end of the driven arm having the same radius of rotation as the driving arm is pivoted below the vehicle step, and the distal end is pivoted to one side of the auxiliary step. With the auxiliary step being moved horizontally to the right or to the left by the rotational movement of the main and driven arms, the auxiliary step is translated to the right or left to overhang the lower part of the vehicle step, so that the passenger can step on it. The above-mentioned problem is solved by storing an auxiliary step having a size sufficient for the minimum depth required for the vehicle at the lower part of the vehicle step. In addition, in view of the problem of step stability,
At the time of extension of the auxiliary step, an auxiliary arm for supporting the bottom of the auxiliary step is protruded, and at least a pair of left and right auxiliary arms are configured to support the rear of the bottom of the auxiliary step. The auxiliary step is supported by the arm so that the horizontal state of the auxiliary step can be stably maintained when getting on and off. On the other hand, at the time of storing the auxiliary step, at least one auxiliary arm supports the bottom of the auxiliary step together with the tip of the driving arm. The above-mentioned problem is solved by stably holding the auxiliary step at the time of storage.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 1 denotes a retractable auxiliary step for a vehicle according to the present invention. The auxiliary step 1 is formed in a substantially horizontally long rectangular plate shape, and is located on the right or left side below the vehicle step S at the entrance of the vehicle (the left side in FIG. 1). ), The auxiliary step 1 is translated leftward or rightward (rightward in FIG. 1) forward from such a position so as to project forward under the vehicle step S. The drive mechanism 2 of the auxiliary step 1 is attached to the lower part of the vehicle step S via the frame 3, and the drive source 4 of the drive mechanism 2 is fixed to the lower part of the frame 3. or,
The drive source 4 has a lever 4b projecting outwardly for manually interrupting the transmission of the drive force to the drive shaft 4a. Usually, the drive force of the drive source 4 is transmitted to the drive shaft 4a. The distal end of the lever 4b is connected to a bracket protruding from the drive source 4 with a pin to prevent the lever 4b from being accidentally moved.

The driving mechanism 2 includes a driving arm 5 and a driven arm 6 for moving the auxiliary step 1 in parallel, a driving source 4 for operating the driving arm 5, and the driving source 4 and the driving arm 5.
And transmission means 7 for connecting the two. The driving arm 5 is bent substantially downward at a gentle curve on the base end side, and the distal end side is substantially horizontal with respect to the bent portion.
The base end of the driving arm 5 is pivotally connected to a fixed shaft 8 vertically provided on the right side of the frame 3 as a rotation axis,
The tip is pivotally attached to the approximate center of the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 and is horizontally arranged below the vehicle step S. On the other hand, the driven arm 6 has the same radius of rotation as that of the driven arm 5 and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. Are pivotally attached to the base end, and the distal end is pivotally attached to the left side of the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1. The driving arm 5 and the driven arm 6 are fixed shafts 8,
The auxiliary step 1 is always moved in parallel by the rotation about the center axis 8a.

The transmission means 7 includes a substantially L-shaped lever 9 protruding from the base end of the driving arm 5 and a driving shaft 4 a of the driving source 4.
And a connecting rod 11 for pivotally connecting each end of the crank 10 and the lever rod 9 to each other.
And the connecting rod 11 are pivotally connected with a pivot 11a, and the lever rod 9 and the connecting rod 11 are pivotally connected with a pivot 11b. By driving the drive source 4, the base end of the driving arm 5 is rotated forward and reverse via the lever 9 and the connecting rod 11, so that the driven arm 6 follows in parallel with the driving arm 5, and the auxiliary step is performed. 1 is extended to the lower front of the vehicle step S or stored under the vehicle step S.

On the left and right sides of the driving arm 5, auxiliary arms 12, 12a and 12b for supporting the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 are protruded when the auxiliary step is extended.
Support rollers 13, 13a, and 13b that roll on the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 are provided at the tips of a and 12b. The specific arrangement of the auxiliary arms 12, 12a and 12b is such that, in the extended state of the auxiliary step shown in FIG. 4, the front and rear sides of the driving arm 5 corresponding to the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 are located on the left and right sides. Auxiliary arms 12, 12a are provided so as to project toward the left rear end and the right rear end of the bottom 1a, and the front end of the driving arm 5 is directed from the left front portion to the front of the bottom 1a. An auxiliary arm 12b protrudes. Then, in the extended state of the auxiliary step, the support rollers 13, 13a of the pair of left and right auxiliary arms 12, 12a support the rear of the bottom portion 1a of the auxiliary step 1, and the auxiliary step is formed by the pivoting portion at the tip of the driving arm 5 and the auxiliary arm 12b. The bottom 1a of the unit 1 is configured to support the front. The auxiliary arms 12a and 12b are set so as to support a proper position of the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 when the auxiliary step is stored (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

When the auxiliary step 1 is extended, the support roller 13 supporting the left rear side (in FIG. 4) of the auxiliary step 1 bottom 1a is held at this position by a holder 14 provided on the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1. It has been made.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the holder 14 is disposed on the track of the support roller 13 behind the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 and is formed in a substantially box shape having two adjacent side walls opened. The support roller 13 corresponds to the insertion / removal direction of the support roller 13, and the support roller 13 is provided in the holder 14 so as to be freely inserted / removed. Although the holder 14 is shown to hold the support roller 13 when the auxiliary step is extended, the holder 14 that holds the support rollers 13a and 13b is supported when extended and stored. Roller 13
The auxiliary step support positions a and 13b may be separately provided. Further, stoppers 15 and 15a for stopping the driving arm 5 at a fixed position are provided on the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 in accordance with the extended state and the retracted state.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This auxiliary step 1 has the same basic structure as described above, and the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The drive mechanism 2 of the auxiliary step 1 has a drive source 4 disposed on the left side of the frame 3. The driving arm 5 is bent downward at a gentle curve on the base end side, makes the distal end side horizontal from the bent part, and bends and forms a substantially middle part ahead of the bent part to the right side. The driven arm 6 is formed by inclining and bending an intermediate portion so that the base end side and the front end side are vertically parallel on the same axis, and the base end is pivotally attached to the bottom of the drive source 4 on the left side of the frame 3. , An L-shaped rod whose tip projects from the left side of the auxiliary step 1
It is pivotally attached to the 16 tips.

A pair of auxiliary arms 12, 12a for supporting the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 are provided on the left and right sides of the driving arm 5 when the auxiliary step is extended.
Are provided with support rollers 13 and 13a for rolling on the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1. More specifically, in the extended state of the auxiliary step, one of the auxiliary arms 1 is directed toward the left rear end of the bottom portion 1a from the left rearward portion of the leading end of the driving arm 5 corresponding to the bottom portion 1a of the auxiliary step 1. An arm 12 is protruded, and the other auxiliary arm 12a is protruded from the front portion on the right side of the driving arm 5 so as to be directed to the rear of the bottom portion 1a. The supporting rollers 13, 13a at the tip support the rear of the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1. When the auxiliary step 1 is extended, the support roller 13 supporting the rear left side of the auxiliary step 1 bottom 1a is held by the holder 14 provided on the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 at this position. The auxiliary arm 12a is set so as to support the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 when the auxiliary step is stored. The holder 14 for holding the support roller 13a may be separately provided at each of the auxiliary step support positions of the support roller 13a at the time of extension and storage.

Next, the operation of the auxiliary step 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 (FIGS. 7 and 8 in the second embodiment), the crank 1
0, the driving arm 5 is in contact with the stopper 15 via the connecting rod 11 and the lever rod 9, and keeps being pulled below the vehicle step S. In the horizontal state, it is arranged in parallel on the lower left side of the vehicle step S (in FIG. 1 or FIG. 7). In such a state, the supporting rollers 13 at the distal end of the auxiliary arms 12a and 12b (the auxiliary arm 12a in the second embodiment) of the driving arm 5 are used.
a, 13b (support rollers 13a in the second embodiment) support the front and rear of the right side of the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 (right rear in the second embodiment).
A stable horizontal state is maintained by the three-point support (in the second embodiment, the support roller 13a is supported at two points) by the pivot portion at the tip and the support rollers 13a and 13b.

In the retracted state, when the drive source 4 is actuated, the crank 10 rotates in the auxiliary step extension direction, and the driving arm 5 rotates the fixed shaft 8 around the fixed shaft 8 by the connecting rod 11 and the lever rod 9 linked to this. At the same time the auxiliary step rotates in the extension direction, and at the same time the driven arm 6 also rotates in the same direction.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 (FIGS. 9 to 11 in the second embodiment), the auxiliary step 1 is translated while maintaining the horizontal position.
The lower part of the vehicle step S is projected forward from the lower left side of the vehicle step S. At this time, the driving arm 5 (the auxiliary arm 12 in the first embodiment) comes into contact with the stopper 15a, and the extended state is maintained, and the support roller 13 at the tip of the auxiliary arm 12 in the driving arm 5 is attached to the holder 14. It is embraced and supports the rear left side of the auxiliary step 1 bottom 1a,
Further, the supporting rollers 13a and 13b (the supporting rollers 13a in the second embodiment) at the tips of the other auxiliary arms 12a and 12b (the auxiliary arm 12a in the second embodiment) are located on the right rear side and the left front side (the first In the second embodiment, the supporting step 1 is supported by four points of the leading end of the driving arm 5 and the supporting rollers 13, 13a, and 13b (the three points of the supporting rollers 13, 13a in the second embodiment). Support), a stable horizontal state is maintained. When the auxiliary step 1 is stored, the driving source 4 is rotated in the reverse direction to operate it, and the auxiliary step 1 is stored below the vehicle step S in the reverse procedure.

If the drive source 4 breaks down when the auxiliary step 1 is extended, the pin is removed from the bracket provided on the drive source 4 and the lever 4b is rotated in the rotatable direction to rotate the drive source 4. 4 is disconnected from the drive shaft 4a, the auxiliary step 1 is manually stored under the vehicle step S, and then the lever 4b
Is rotated to return the position, and the drive source 4 and the drive shaft 4a are connected so that the auxiliary step 1 does not protrude without permission during the running of the vehicle.

[0015]

In short, according to the present invention, the base end of one driving arm 5 connected to the driving source 4 via the transmission means 7 is pivotally mounted below the vehicle step S, and the leading end of the driving arm 5 Part is pivotally attached to the approximate center of the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1, the base end of the driven arm 6 having the same radius of rotation as the driving arm 5 is pivoted below the vehicle step S, and the distal end is connected to the auxiliary step 1. Side, the driving arm 5, the driven arm 6, and the auxiliary step 1 can constitute a parallel movement mechanism. While the auxiliary step 1 is kept horizontal, it is translated rightward or leftward in front of the vehicle. The lower part of step S can be protruded forward. Therefore, the auxiliary step x
As compared with the conventional product which advances and retreats in the width direction of the vehicle, the auxiliary step 1 needs only a minimum depth required for the passenger to step on, so that the size of the auxiliary step 1 can be minimized. It is possible to reduce the size and the storage space of the auxiliary step 1.

Further, auxiliary arms 12, 12a and 12b for supporting the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 are provided on the left and right sides of the driving arm 5 when the auxiliary step is extended. Even if only one driving arm 5 supports 1a, the auxiliary step 1 can be performed at least by the driving arm 5 and the left and right auxiliary arms by the auxiliary arms 12, 12a and 12b extending left and right from the driving arm 5. Three points 12, 12, and 12b can be supported, and the horizontal state can be stably maintained. Further, at the time of extending the auxiliary step, at least a pair of left and right auxiliary arms 12 and 12a support the rear of the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1, so that in the extended state, the auxiliary arms 12, 12a By supporting the auxiliary step 1, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary step 1 from sinking due to a load applied in front of the auxiliary step 1 even when stepping on the auxiliary step 1 when getting on and off.
The auxiliary step 1 does not tilt, and the horizontal state can be more stably maintained. Also, at the time of storing the auxiliary step, since at least one auxiliary arm 12, 12a, 12b supports the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1, the auxiliary step 1 is simply operated by the driving arm 5 at one point. Since the auxiliary step 1 is not supported, the auxiliary step 1 in the retracted state can be supported at two or more points of the driving arm 5 and the auxiliary arms 12a and 12b, and the rattling of the auxiliary step 1 can be suppressed against vibrations generated during running of the vehicle. As described above, according to the present invention, the auxiliary step 1 can always be stably held horizontally by the single driving arm 5 in each of the extended state and the retracted state. The cost can be reduced as compared with the step.

When the auxiliary step is extended or stored, the auxiliary arm 1 supporting the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 is provided.
Since the tip of 2, 12a, 12b is held by the holder 14 provided on the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1, the rear of the bottom 1a of the auxiliary step 1 is supported in each state of overhang or storage. The distal ends of the auxiliary arms 12, 12a, 12b can be fixedly integrated with the auxiliary step 1 by the holder 14, so that the rear support of the auxiliary step 1 in each of the above-mentioned states can be more firmly performed. The practical effect is extremely large, for example, the stability of the auxiliary step 1 can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view in a storage state of an auxiliary step.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view when the auxiliary step is extended.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a second embodiment in a stored state.

FIG. 8 is a front view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view when the auxiliary step is overhanging.

FIG. 10 is a front view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Auxiliary step 1a Bottom part 4 Drive source 5 Driving arm 6 Driving arm 7 Transmission means 12 Auxiliary arm 12a Auxiliary arm 12b Auxiliary arm 14 Holder S Vehicle step

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A base end of one driving arm connected to a driving source via a transmission means is pivotally mounted below a vehicle step, and a distal end of the driving arm is pivoted substantially at the center of the bottom of the auxiliary step. The base end of the driven arm having the same radius of rotation as the driving arm is pivotally attached below the vehicle step, and the tip is pivotally attached to one side of the auxiliary step. A retractable auxiliary step for a vehicle, wherein an auxiliary arm for supporting the bottom of the auxiliary step is protruded when the step is extended. 2. The retractable auxiliary step for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least the pair of left and right auxiliary arms support the rear rear of the bottom of the auxiliary step when the auxiliary step is extended. 3. The retractable auxiliary step for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least one auxiliary arm supports the bottom of the auxiliary step when the auxiliary step is stored. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the auxiliary step is extended and retracted, the tip of the auxiliary arm supporting the bottom of the auxiliary step is held by a holder provided at the bottom of the auxiliary step. Item 4. A retractable auxiliary step for a vehicle according to item 1, 2 or 3.