JP7183630B2 - Movable side step device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a movable side step device for a vehicle.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0347240 (Patent Document 1) is a prior document disclosing the configuration of a movable side step device for a vehicle. A running board, described in US Pat. The running board is displaceable between a raised retracted position and a lowered deployed position.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0347240

In the movable side step device for a vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, the side step is stored in the non-use position while the vehicle is running, but the aerodynamic characteristics of the side step stored in the non-use position are taken into consideration. not

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. When the side steps are retracted, the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle can be improved. To provide a movable side step device for a vehicle, which can get on and off the vehicle.

A movable side step device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes an actuator, a link mechanism, a side step, and a current plate. The actuator is provided on the vehicle body. A link mechanism is driven by an actuator. The side step is connected to a link mechanism and is provided movably between a use position located on the side of the vehicle body and a non-use position located below the vehicle body. The rectifying plate is connected to the side steps and is rotatable between a retracted position positioned below the side steps and a deployed position positioned laterally of the side steps. When the side step is positioned at the use position, the rectifying plate is positioned at the retracted position. When the side step is positioned at the non-use position, the current plate is positioned at the deployed position.

In one form of the present invention, the current plate is rotated by movement of the side step driven by the actuator.

In one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle movable side step device further includes an arm portion. The arm portion is rotatably connected to each of the vehicle body and the rectifying plate, and couples the vehicle body and the rectifying plate to each other. The link mechanism constitutes a 4-link mechanism at a position above the arm portion. The arm portion is connected to the vehicle body so as to be rotatable about a vehicle body-side rotation shaft supported by the vehicle body, and is rotatably rotatable about the rectifier-side rotation shaft supported by the rectifier plate. connected to the board. The rectifying plate is connected to the side step so as to be rotatable about a side step-side rotating shaft supported by the side step. In a state in which the link mechanism is rotated outward in the width direction of the vehicle body by driving the actuator, the center-to-center distance between the vehicle body side rotation shaft and the side step side rotation shaft is rectified with the vehicle body side rotation shaft. Longer than the center-to-center distance from the plate-side rotation shaft. In a state in which the link mechanism is rotated inward in the width direction of the vehicle body by driving the actuator, the center-to-center distance between the vehicle body side rotation shaft and the side step side rotation shaft is rectified with the vehicle body side rotation shaft. Shorter than the center-to-center distance with the plate-side rotation shaft.

In one aspect of the present invention, a movable side step device for a vehicle includes, as straightening vanes, a front straightening vane and a rear straightening vane that is spaced rearward from the front straightening vane in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. When the straightening vanes are in the deployed position, the front straightening vanes are arranged to straighten the vortices of air generated behind the front wheels, and the rear straightening vanes are arranged in front of the rear wheels due to the air being lifted up by the rear wheels. is arranged to rectify the air flow generated in the

In one form of the present invention, the rectifying plate has a fin-like shape. When the rectifying plate is positioned at the deployed position, the rectifying plate is inclined downward toward the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body.

According to the present invention, when the side steps are retracted, the aerodynamic characteristics of the running vehicle can be improved, and when the side steps are deployed, it is possible to easily get in and out of the vehicle.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a side step is deployed in a vehicle to which a movable side step device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention is assembled; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a side step is retracted in a vehicle to which a movable side step device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention is assembled; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle movable side step device in the state of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrows on line III-III. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship of each component of the movable side step device for a vehicle shown in FIG. 3 as seen from the front-rear direction of the vehicle; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle movable side step device in the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship of each component of the vehicle movable side step device shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle;

A movable side step device for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the drawings, arrows X1 and X2 indicate the outward direction of the vehicle and arrow X2 respectively, arrows Y1 and Y2 indicate the forward direction of the vehicle and arrow Y2 respectively, and arrows Z1 and Z2 indicate the upward direction and the downward direction of the vehicle. is shown. These directions can be applied to the movable side step device for a vehicle before being attached to the vehicle body and to the movable side step device for a vehicle after being attached to the vehicle body.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which side steps are deployed in a vehicle to which a movable side step device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is assembled. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the side step is retracted in the vehicle to which the vehicle movable side step device according to the embodiment of the present invention is assembled.

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle movable side step device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle body 11 of a vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the vehicle movable side step device 100 is attached to the lower portion of the vehicle body 11 along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10 . The vehicle movable side step device 100 is arranged in a region between the front wheels 14A and the rear wheels 14B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to this embodiment includes a link mechanism 120, a side step 140, a current plate 160, and an arm portion 180. As shown in FIGS.

In the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to this embodiment, the side step 140 is connected to the link mechanism 120 . Thus, the side step 140 is provided movably between a use position Pa1 located on the side of the vehicle body 11 and a non-use position Pa2 located below the vehicle body 11. As shown in FIG. Details of the link mechanism 120 will be described later.

In the vehicle movable side step device 100 in the state shown in FIG. 1, the side step 140 is positioned at the use position Pa1. In the vehicle movable side step device 100 in the state shown in FIG. 2, the side step 140 is positioned at the non-use position Pa2.

A current plate 160 is connected to the side step 140 . As shown in FIG. 1, when side step 140 is positioned at use position Pa1, rectifying plate 160 is positioned at storage position Pb1 positioned below side step 140. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the current plate 160 has a fin-like shape. When side step 140 is positioned at non-use position Pa2, straightening vane 160 is positioned at unfolded position Pb2 located to the side of side step 140. As shown in FIG. Specifically, when straightening vane 160 is positioned at unfolded position Pb2, straightening vane 160 is inclined downward toward the vehicle outer side X1, which is the outside of vehicle body 11 in the width direction. As will be described later, the current plate 160 is rotatable between a retracted position Pb1 positioned below the side step 140 and a deployed position Pb2 positioned laterally of the side step 140. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a straightening vane 160, which is a front straightening vane 160A, which is spaced rearward from the front straightening vane 160A in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. and a rear straightening plate 160B. Each of front straightening vane 160A and rear straightening vane 160B is inclined downward toward the vehicle outward side X1, which is the outside of vehicle body 11 in the width direction.

In this embodiment, the rectifying plate 160 is arranged so as to rectify an air vortex generated behind the front wheels 14A of the vehicle when positioned at the deployed position Pb2 as shown in FIG. Specifically, when straightening vane 160 is positioned at deployed position Pb2, front straightening vane 160A is arranged to straighten the vortex of air generated behind front wheel 14A. When the rectifying plate 160 is positioned at the deployed position Pb2, the rear rectifying plate 160B is arranged to rectify the air flow generated in front of the rear wheel 14B due to the air being lifted by the rear wheel 14B.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the two rectifying vanes 160 are arranged with a gap in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Two link mechanisms 120 are arranged between straightening vanes 160 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each of the two straightening vanes 160 is connected to the lower surface of the side step 140 . Note that only one current plate 160 may be provided for one side step 140 .

In this embodiment, the two arm portions 180 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each of the two arm portions 180 connects the vehicle body 11 and the current plate 160 to each other. Note that only one arm portion 180 may be provided for one side step 140 .

Details of the configuration of the vehicle movable side step device 100 will be described below.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle movable side step device in the state of FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship of each component of the movable side step device for a vehicle shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle movable side step device in the state of FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship of each component of the movable side step device for a vehicle shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes an actuator 110 provided on the vehicle body 11 . The actuator 110 is arranged below the vehicle body 11 . The actuator 110 has a drive shaft 111 . Drive shaft 111 extends along the longitudinal direction of vehicle 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the link mechanism 120 is connected to the drive shaft 111. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, one of the two link mechanisms 120 is connected to the drive shaft 111 and the other link mechanism 120 is not connected to the drive shaft 111 .

When the actuator 110 is driven to rotate the drive shaft 111 in one direction, one of the link mechanisms 120 rotates outward in the width direction of the vehicle body 11 to deploy. When the actuator 110 is driven to rotate the drive shaft 111 in the other direction, the one link mechanism 120 rotates inward in the width direction of the vehicle body 11 and is folded. Thus, link mechanism 120 is driven by actuator 110 .

In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two link mechanisms 120 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As described above, the two link mechanisms 120 operate synchronously by being connected to each other by the first connecting shaft 123 shown in FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when one link mechanism 120 rotates outward in the width direction of the vehicle body 11 to deploy, the other link mechanism 120 also rotates outward in the width direction of the vehicle body 11 at the same time. Expand by doing. As shown in FIG. 2, when one link mechanism 120 rotates inward in the width direction of the vehicle body 11 to be folded, the other link mechanism 120 also rotates inward in the width direction of the vehicle body 11 at the same time. Folded by

In this embodiment, the actuator 110 is arranged outside the two link mechanisms 120 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each of the two link mechanisms 120 is connected with a side step 140 . Note that only one link mechanism 120 may be provided for one side step 140 .

4 and 6, in one link mechanism 120, a first link portion 121 connects the vehicle body 11 and the side step 140 to each other, and a second link portion 122 connects the side step 140 and the drive shaft 111. connected to each other.

Each of the link mechanisms 120 includes a first link portion 121 and a second link portion 122 and forms a four-link mechanism above the arm portion 180 . That is, in the link mechanism 120, the vehicle body 11, the first link portion 121, the second link portion 122, and the side step 140 are rotatably connected to each other to form a four-link mechanism. there is

The configuration of the four-link mechanism according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the vehicle body 11 and the first link portion 121 are rotatably connected to each other by a first connecting shaft 123. As shown in FIGS. The first link portion 121 and the side step 140 are rotatably connected to each other by a second connecting shaft 124 . The side step 140 and the second link portion 122 are rotatably connected to each other by a third connecting shaft 125 . The second link portion 122 and the vehicle body 11 are rotatably connected to each other by the drive shaft 111 .

Each of first connecting shaft 123 , second connecting shaft 124 and third connecting shaft 125 extends along the longitudinal direction of vehicle 10 . The first connecting shaft 123 is positioned on the vehicle outer side X1 with respect to the drive shaft 111 . The second connecting shaft 124 is positioned on the vehicle outer side X1 side with respect to the third connecting shaft 125 . The first connecting shaft 123 and the drive shaft 111 are positioned on the vehicle upper Z1 side with respect to the second connecting shaft 124 and the third connecting shaft 125 . The second connecting shaft 124 is located on the vehicle downward Z2 side with respect to the third connecting shaft 125 .

Each of first connecting shaft 123 and second connecting shaft 124 is fixed to first link portion 121 . Each of drive shaft 111 and third connecting shaft 125 is fixed to second link portion 122 . As a result, the drive shaft 111 of the actuator 110 rotates, thereby rotating the second link portion 122 .

A link support portion 12 is provided on the lower portion of the vehicle body 11 . The link support portion 12 has a plate-like outer shape. The link support portion 12 is arranged such that the plate surface of the link support portion 12 is substantially perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear direction.

The link support portion 12 is rotatably connected to the first link portion 121 by the first connection shaft 123 . The link support portion 12 is rotatably connected to the second link portion 122 by the drive shaft 111 .

The side step 140 has a step support portion 141 and a step portion 142 . The step support portion 141 is provided at the end portion of the step portion 142 on the vehicle inner side X2 side. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the step support portion 141 extends from the end of the step portion 142 on the vehicle inner side X2 side toward the vehicle inner side X2 and the vehicle upper side Z1.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the side step 140 is positioned at the use position Pa1, the upper surface 143 of the step portion 142 faces upward Z1 of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a straightening plate supporting portion 145 is provided on the lower surface 144 of the side step 140. As shown in FIGS. The rectifying plate support portion 145 supports the side step side rotation shaft P3. The side step-side rotation shaft P3 extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 .

The rectifying plate 160 is connected to the side step 140 so as to be rotatable around a side step-side rotating shaft P3 supported by the rectifying plate supporting portion 145 . In this manner, the straightening plate 160 is connected to the side step 140 .

The rectifying plate 160 has a first surface 161 and a second surface 162 positioned opposite to each other. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when straightening vane 160 is positioned at retracted position Pb1, first surface 161 faces vehicle bottom Z2, and second surface 162 faces vehicle top Z1.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the current plate 160 is positioned at the deployed position Pb2, the first surface 161 faces the vehicle outward direction X1 and the vehicle upward direction Z1, and the second surface 162 faces the vehicle inner direction. It faces X2 and the vehicle downward direction Z2.

The current plate 160 is connected to the side step 140 on the second surface 162 side. The straightening plate 160 supports the straightening plate-side rotation shaft P2 on the second surface 162 side. The current plate-side rotation shaft P2 extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the arm support portion 13 supports the vehicle body side rotation shaft P1 at a position below the link support portion 12. As shown in FIGS. The vehicle body side rotation shaft P<b>1 extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a threaded portion is provided at the tip of the vehicle-body-side rotating shaft P1, and this threaded portion is fastened with a nut.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the arm portion 180 is connected to the vehicle body 11 so as to be rotatable about a vehicle body-side rotation shaft P1 supported by the vehicle body 11, and is supported by the current plate 160. It is connected to the rectifying plate 160 so as to be rotatable about the rectifying plate-side rotating shaft P2. Thus, arm portion 180 is rotatably connected to each of vehicle body 11 and straightening vane 160 to connect vehicle body 11 and straightening vane 160 to each other.

Further, in the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to the present embodiment, the current plate 160 is rotated by the movement of the side step 140 driven by the actuator 110 . That is, each of side step 140 and current plate 160 is driven by one actuator. The operation of the current plate 160 that rotates as the side step 140 moves from the use position Pa1 to the non-use position Pa2 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG.

The vehicle movable side step device 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is in a state in which the link mechanism 120 is rotated outward in the width direction of the vehicle body 11 by driving the actuator 110 . At this time, the side step 140 connected to the link mechanism 120 is also moved toward the vehicle outward side X1, which is the outside of the vehicle body 11 in the width direction. The side step-side rotation shaft P3 is located on the vehicle outward X1 side, which is the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body 11, relative to the current plate-side rotation shaft P2.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the link mechanism 120 rotates outward in the width direction of the vehicle body 11, the axis between the vehicle body side rotation shaft P1 and the side step side rotation shaft P3 is The center-to-center distance Lx is longer than the center-to-center distance La between the vehicle body side rotation shaft P1 and the current plate side rotation shaft P2.

In the movable side step device 100 for a vehicle shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the actuator 110 is driven so that the link mechanism 120 is rotated toward the vehicle inner side X2, which is the inner side in the width direction of the vehicle body 11. there is At this time, the side step 140 connected to the link mechanism 120 is also moved toward the vehicle inner side X2, which is the inner side of the vehicle body 11 in the width direction. The side step-side rotation shaft P3 is located on the vehicle inner side X2, which is the inner side in the width direction of the vehicle body 11 from the current plate-side rotation shaft P2.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the link mechanism 120 is rotated inward in the width direction of the vehicle body 11, the axis between the vehicle body side rotation shaft P1 and the side step side rotation shaft P3 is The center-to-center distance Lx is shorter than the center-to-center distance La between the vehicle body side rotation shaft P1 and the current plate side rotation shaft P2.

Thus, the magnitude relationship between the center-to-center distance Lx and the center-to-center distance La changes while the side step 140 moves between the use position Pa1 and the non-use position Pa2. The current plate 160 rotates about the side step-side rotation shaft P3 in accordance with the magnitude relationship between the center-to-center distance Lx and the center-to-center distance La. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, when Lx>La, the current plate 160 is positioned at the storage position Pb1. As shown in FIG. 6, when Lx<La, current plate 160 is positioned at deployment position Pb2.

As described above, in the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the side step 140 is positioned at the use position Pa1, the current plate 160 is positioned at the storage position Pb1, When the side step 140 is positioned at the unused position Pa2, the current plate 160 is positioned at the deployed position Pb2.

As a result, when the side step 140 is retracted, the aerodynamic characteristics of the running vehicle can be improved by the rectifying plate 160, and when the side step 140 is deployed, the rectifying plate 160 is retracted. It is possible to get on and off easily.

In the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the current plate 160 is rotated by the movement of the side step 140 driven by the actuator 110 .

As a result, there is no need to provide an actuator for operating the current plate 160 separately from the actuator 110 for operating the side step 140, so the configuration of the movable side step device 100 for a vehicle can be simplified. It should be noted that the straightening plate 160 may be operated by another actuator different from the actuator 110 . Another actuator is provided, for example, on the lower surface of side step 140 .

In the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the link mechanism 120 and the arm portion 180 are used to operate the side step 140 and the current plate 160 respectively.

Thereby, the configuration of the vehicle movable side step device 100 can be simplified. Note that each of the side step 140 and the current plate 160 may be operated by separate drive mechanisms.

In the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the straightening vane 160 is positioned at the deployed position Pb2, the front straightening vane 160A straightens the vortex of air generated behind the front wheels 14A. The rear rectifying plate 160B is arranged to rectify the flow of air generated in front of the rear wheel 14B due to the air being lifted up by the rear wheel 14B.

As a result, the running resistance can be reduced by each of the front straightening vanes 160A and the rear straightening vanes 160B, and the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle can be improved while the vehicle is running. can be suppressed. Note that the vehicle movable side step device 100 may include only one current plate 160 . In this case, straightening plate 160 may be either front straightening plate 160A or rear straightening plate 160B.

In the vehicle movable side step device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the straightening vane 160 has a fin-like shape, and when the straightening vane 160 is positioned at the deployed position Pb2, the straightening vane 160 is inclined downward toward the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body 11 .

As a result, it is possible to effectively block the flow of air that increases the running resistance of the running vehicle, thereby improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the running vehicle. The posture of straightening plate 160 when straightening plate 160 is positioned at unfolded position Pb2 is not limited to the above. The posture of the straightening plate 160 when the straightening plate 160 is positioned at the deployed position Pb2 may be inclined downward toward the inside in the width direction of the vehicle body 11, or may be positioned along the vertical direction. may

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalents of the scope of the claims.

Reference Signs List 10 vehicle 11 vehicle body 12 link support portion 13 arm support portion 14A front wheel 14B rear wheel 100 vehicle movable side step device 110 actuator 111 drive shaft 120 link mechanism 121 first link portion 122 second 2 link portion 123 first connecting shaft 124 second connecting shaft 125 third connecting shaft 140 side step 141 step support portion 142 step portion 143 upper surface 144 lower surface 145 current plate support portion 160 current plate , 160A front straightening plate, 160B rear straightening plate, 161 first surface, 162 second surface, 180 arm portion.

Claims (4)

an actuator provided on the vehicle body;
a link mechanism driven by the actuator;
a side step connected to the link mechanism and provided movably between a use position located laterally of the vehicle body and a non-use position located below the vehicle body;
a rectifying plate connected to the side step and provided so as to be rotatable between a retracted position positioned below the side step and a deployed position positioned laterally of the side step;
When the side step is positioned at the use position, the current plate is positioned at the retracted position,
When the side step is positioned at the non-use position, the current plate is positioned at the deployed position,
A movable side step device for a vehicle , wherein the current plate is rotated by movement of the side step driven by the actuator . an arm portion that is rotatably connected to each of the vehicle body and the rectifying plate and that couples the vehicle body and the rectifying plate to each other;
The link mechanism constitutes a 4-link mechanism at a position above the arm,
The arm portion is connected to the vehicle body so as to be rotatable about a vehicle body side rotation shaft supported by the vehicle body, and is rotatable about the straightening plate side rotation shaft supported by the straightening plate. movably connected to the straightening plate,
The rectifying plate is connected to the side step so as to be rotatable about a side step side rotating shaft supported by the side step,
In a state in which the link mechanism is rotated outward in the width direction of the vehicle body by driving the actuator, the center-to-center distance between the vehicle body-side rotation shaft and the side step-side rotation shaft is equal to the vehicle body. longer than the center-to-center distance between the side rotation shaft and the current plate side rotation shaft,
In a state in which the link mechanism is rotated inward in the width direction of the vehicle body by driving the actuator, the center-to-center distance between the vehicle body-side rotation shaft and the side step-side rotation shaft is the same as the vehicle body. 2. The movable side step device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the movable side step device is shorter than the center-to-center distance between the side rotation shaft and the current plate side rotation shaft. The rectifying plate includes a front rectifying plate and a rear rectifying plate that is spaced rearward from the front rectifying plate in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body,
When the straightening vanes are positioned at the deployed position, the front straightening vanes are arranged to straighten air vortices generated behind the front wheels, and the rear straightening vanes are arranged to straighten the air swirl generated by the rear wheels. 3. The movable side step device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the movable side step device is arranged to straighten the air flow generated in front of the rear wheel. The rectifying plate has a fin-like shape,
4. The straightening vane according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the straightening vane is inclined downward toward the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body when the straightening vane is positioned at the deployed position. of movable side step devices for vehicles.

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