US20220340069A1 - Vehicle door assembly having a ramp - Google Patents
Vehicle door assembly having a ramp Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220340069A1 US20220340069A1 US17/240,343 US202117240343A US2022340069A1 US 20220340069 A1 US20220340069 A1 US 20220340069A1 US 202117240343 A US202117240343 A US 202117240343A US 2022340069 A1 US2022340069 A1 US 2022340069A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- door
- ramp
- vehicle
- assembly
- sill
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J5/00—Doors
- B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
- B60J5/0493—Appurtenances
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G3/00—Ambulance aspects of vehicles; Vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances, e.g. for facilitating access of, or for loading, wheelchairs
- A61G3/02—Loading or unloading personal conveyances; Facilitating access of patients or disabled persons to, or exit from, vehicles
- A61G3/06—Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like
- A61G3/061—Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like using ramps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J5/00—Doors
- B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
- B60J5/0468—Fixation or mounting means specific for door components
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J5/00—Doors
- B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
- B60J5/06—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides slidable; foldable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
- B60P1/43—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using a loading ramp mounted on the vehicle
- B60P1/435—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using a loading ramp mounted on the vehicle the ramp being attached to or making part of the side- or tailboards of the vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R3/00—Arrangements of steps or ladders facilitating access to or on the vehicle, e.g. running-boards
- B60R3/02—Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to a vehicle door assembly having a slidable door and a ramp.
- Some vehicles such as vans, include a slidable door.
- the slidable door In a closed position, the slidable door is disposed within a door opening. Sliding the slidable door from the closed position to an open position moves the slidable door out of the door opening so that a user can enter or exit the vehicle.
- a vehicle door assembly includes, among other things, a ramp pivotable back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position.
- the vehicle door assembly further includes a door slidable back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position.
- the door and the ramp are configured to slide together when the ramp is in the stowed position.
- the door is configured to slide relative to the ramp when the ramp is in the deployed position.
- the ramp includes a first side and an opposite, second side.
- the first side faces laterally outward from a longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the ramp is in the stowed position.
- the first side faces vertically downward when the ramp is in the deployed position.
- the first side provides an exterior surface of the vehicle.
- the exterior surface is visible and exposed when the ramp is in the stowed position.
- the second side provides a ramped surface when the ramp is in the deployed position.
- the ramped surface faces vertically upward when the ramp is in the deployed position.
- the door in the closed position is disposed within a door opening of the vehicle.
- the door in the open position is disposed outboard of the door opening and is displaced relative to the door opening along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
- the ramp is configured to pivot about a horizontally extending axis.
- a sill assembly having a track.
- the door includes a rail structure that slides within the track as the door slides back-and-forth between the closed position and the open position.
- the vehicle sill is configured to move back-and-forth between an extended position and a retracted position relative to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle.
- the vehicle sill is in the extended position when the door slides between the closed position and the open position.
- Another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes a sill actuator that moves the vehicle sill back-and-forth between the extended position and the retracted position.
- the vehicle sill assembly is at a lower side of a door opening.
- the door in the closed position is disposed within the door opening.
- Another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes an actuator that pivots the ramp back-and-forth between the stowed position and the deployed position.
- Another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes a first locking assembly that transitions between a locked position and an unlocked position.
- the ramp in the stowed position is coupled to the door through the first locking assembly when the first locking assembly is in the locked position.
- Another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes a second locking assembly that transitions between a locked position and an unlocked position.
- the ramp is coupled to a vehicle sill through the second locking assembly when the second locking assembly is in the locked position.
- the first locking assembly is in the locked position and the second locking assembly is in the unlocked position when the door and the ramp are sliding together between the closed position and the open position.
- the first locking assembly is in the unlocked position and the second locking assembly is in the locked position when the door is sliding relative to the ramp between the closed position and the open position.
- the ramp is configured to directly contact a ground surface when the ramp is in the deployed position.
- a door actuation method includes, among other things, sliding a ramp together with a door between a closed position and an open position.
- the door is disposed within a door opening of a vehicle when the door is in the closed position.
- the door is disposed outboard of the door opening and is displaced relative to the door opening along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the door is in the open position.
- the method further includes unlocking the ramp from the door and, after the unlocking, pivoting the ramp from a stowed position to a deployed position.
- the door is slidable relative to the ramp between the closed position and the open position after the unlocking.
- the unlocking of the ramp from the door is when the door is in the closed position.
- the door is slideably coupled to a vehicle sill using a rail and track system.
- the ramp in the deployed position is configured to directly contact a ground surface.
- FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle having a vehicle door assembly with a door of the vehicle door assembly is in a closed position.
- FIG. 2 shows the door of FIG. 1 moved from the closed position of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a ramp of the vehicle door assembly moved to a deployed position when the door of the vehicle door assembly in the position of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 shows the door of the vehicle door assembly of FIG. 1 in a fully open position while the ramp is in the deployed position.
- FIG. 5 shows a section view at line 5 - 5 in FIG. 1 with a sill of the vehicle in a retracted position.
- FIG. 6 show a close-up view of an area of the section in FIG. 5 when the sill is in the extended position.
- This disclosure details an exemplary door assembly for a vehicle.
- a ramp is incorporated into the door assembly.
- the ramp can be used, for example, by a wheelchair user when entering the vehicle.
- a vehicle 10 includes a vehicle door assembly 14 .
- the vehicle door assembly 14 has a door 18 , a ramp 22 , and a door sill 26 .
- a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 passes through the vehicle 10 from a front end to a rear end of the vehicle 10 .
- the door 18 of the vehicle door assembly 14 is slidable back-and-forth between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1 , and a fully open position as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the ramp 22 can pivot back-and-forth between the stowed position of FIG. 2 and the deployed position of FIG. 4 .
- the door 18 and the ramp 22 can move and slide together as the door 18 moves back-and-forth between the closed position and the open position.
- the door 18 can slide relative to the ramp 22 . That is, the door 18 can slide from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 4 while the ramp 22 remains in the deployed position.
- the door 18 in the closed position is disposed within a door opening 30 .
- the door 18 is disposed outboard of the door opening 30 and is displaced relative to the door opening 30 along a longitudinally extending longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 .
- a user can traverse the ramp 22 when entering or exiting the vehicle 10 through the door opening 30 .
- a wheelchair user could utilize the ramp 22 to assist in loading the wheelchair into the vehicle 10 .
- the user could also utilize the ramp 22 to help the user load cargo, such as packages, into the vehicle 10 .
- the ramp 22 includes a first side 40 and an opposite second side 44 .
- the first side 40 faces laterally outward away from a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 when the ramp 22 is in the stowed position.
- the first side 40 provides an exterior or A-surface of the vehicle 10 . That is, when the ramp 22 is in the stowed position of FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first side 40 of the ramp 22 is visible and exposed to an observer outside the vehicle 10 .
- the first side 40 can be painted or otherwise color matched to other exterior surfaces of the vehicle 10 .
- the first side 40 faces vertically downward and can directly contact a ground surface G.
- Vertical and horizontal for purposes of this disclosure, are with reference to ground G and a general orientation of the vehicle 10 during operation.
- the second side 44 faces vertically upward when the ramp 22 is in the deployed position.
- the second side 44 can include raised features 48 that provide traction to a user utilizing the ramp 22 .
- the ramp 22 is configured to pivot back-and-forth between the stowed position and the deployed position about an axis A, which is a horizontally extending axis in this example.
- the ramp 22 is pivotably connected to the sill 26 when pivoting back-and-forth between the stowed position and the deployed position. This permits the ramp 22 to pivot while still allowing the door 18 to slide relative to the ramp 22 .
- the sill 26 is at a vertically lower side of the door opening 30 .
- the sill 26 is configured to move back-and-forth between an extended position shown in FIGS. 2-4 and a retracted position relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis.
- the sill 26 includes a track 50 in this example.
- the door 18 includes a rail structure 54 that slides within the track 50 as the door 18 slides back-and-forth between the closed position of FIG. 1 and the open position of FIG. 4 . Moving the sill 26 to the extended position moves the track 50 outward so the door 18 can slide rearward without contacting a fixed wall 60 of the vehicle ( FIG. 1 ).
- a floor 64 is used to cover the gap resulting from moving the sill 26 outward. As the sill 26 is transitioned to the extended position, the floor 64 extends to cover a gap between the sill 26 and an interior floor of the vehicle 10 .
- the floor 64 is a folding or origami floor.
- An actuator 68 can drive a telescoping arm 72 to extend the sill outboard and to pull the floor 64 to the extended position shown in FIG. 6 .
- the actuator 68 could be a hydraulic actuator, for example.
- the actuator 78 is used to move the ramp 22 .
- the actuator 78 can include a motor 82 and a lead screw 84 .
- the motor 82 can drive the lead screw 84 to pivot the ramp 22 back-and-forth between the stowed position and the deployed position.
- the vehicle door assembly 14 additionally includes a first locking assembly 88 that can hold the ramp 22 in the stowed position.
- the first locking assembly 88 includes a hook 90 that engages a pin 92 when the first locking assembly 88 is in the locked position.
- an actuator assembly 94 Prior to driving the lead screw 84 , an actuator assembly 94 can rotate the hook 90 to transition the first locking assembly 88 from the locked position, shown in FIG. 6 , to an unlocked position. This permits the pivoting movement of the ramp 22 from the stowed position to the deployed position.
- a second locking assembly 96 can transition from an unlocked position to a locked position. In the locked position, the second locking assembly 96 can pivotably couple the ramp 22 to the sill 26 .
- the first locking assembly 88 unlocks as the second locking assembly 96 locks. Similarly, the first locking assembly 88 locks as the second locking assembly unlocks. This logic ensures that the ramp 22 remains coupled to the door 18 or the sill 26 .
- the ramp 22 is pivotably coupled to the sill 26 when the ramp 22 is pivoted between the stowed position and the deployed position.
- the first locking assembly 88 is in the locked position and the second locking assembly 96 is in an unlocked position when the door 18 and the ramp 22 are sliding together between the closed position and the open position.
- the first locking assembly 88 is in the unlocked position and the second locking assembly 96 is in the locked position when the door 18 is sliding relative to the ramp 22 between the closed position and the open position.
- the user can slide the ramp 22 together with the door 18 from the closed position to the open position. If the user instead wants to use the ramp 22 when entering or exiting the vehicle 10 , the ramp 22 can be decoupled from the door 18 and then pivoted to the deployed position. The door 18 can then be moved to a fully open position to reveal the door opening 30 .
- structural support beams 100 and 102 can extend through the door 18 and the ramp 22 , respectively.
- the ramp can be used to, for example, load cargo, or to assist the user entering or exiting the vehicle.
- the ramp 22 can provide an A-surface of the vehicle 10 when the ramp 22 is not deployed and is in a stowed position.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
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Abstract
A vehicle door assembly includes, among other things, a ramp pivotable back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position. The vehicle door assembly further includes a door slidable back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position. The door and the ramp are configured to slide together when the ramp is in the stowed position. The door is configured to slide relative to the ramp when the ramp is in the deployed position.
Description
- This disclosure relates generally to a vehicle door assembly having a slidable door and a ramp.
- Some vehicles, such as vans, include a slidable door. In a closed position, the slidable door is disposed within a door opening. Sliding the slidable door from the closed position to an open position moves the slidable door out of the door opening so that a user can enter or exit the vehicle.
- A vehicle door assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a ramp pivotable back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position. The vehicle door assembly further includes a door slidable back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position. The door and the ramp are configured to slide together when the ramp is in the stowed position. The door is configured to slide relative to the ramp when the ramp is in the deployed position.
- In another exemplary embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the ramp includes a first side and an opposite, second side. The first side faces laterally outward from a longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the ramp is in the stowed position. The first side faces vertically downward when the ramp is in the deployed position.
- In another example of any of the foregoing assemblies, the first side provides an exterior surface of the vehicle. The exterior surface is visible and exposed when the ramp is in the stowed position.
- In another example of any of the foregoing assemblies, the second side provides a ramped surface when the ramp is in the deployed position. The ramped surface faces vertically upward when the ramp is in the deployed position.
- In another example of any of the foregoing vehicle assemblies, the door in the closed position is disposed within a door opening of the vehicle. The door in the open position is disposed outboard of the door opening and is displaced relative to the door opening along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
- In another example of any of the foregoing assemblies, the ramp is configured to pivot about a horizontally extending axis.
- Another example of any of the foregoing assemblies includes a sill assembly having a track. The door includes a rail structure that slides within the track as the door slides back-and-forth between the closed position and the open position.
- In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the vehicle sill is configured to move back-and-forth between an extended position and a retracted position relative to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle. The vehicle sill is in the extended position when the door slides between the closed position and the open position.
- Another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes a sill actuator that moves the vehicle sill back-and-forth between the extended position and the retracted position.
- In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies, the vehicle sill assembly is at a lower side of a door opening. The door in the closed position is disposed within the door opening.
- Another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes an actuator that pivots the ramp back-and-forth between the stowed position and the deployed position.
- Another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes a first locking assembly that transitions between a locked position and an unlocked position. The ramp in the stowed position is coupled to the door through the first locking assembly when the first locking assembly is in the locked position.
- Another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies includes a second locking assembly that transitions between a locked position and an unlocked position. The ramp is coupled to a vehicle sill through the second locking assembly when the second locking assembly is in the locked position.
- In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle assemblies, the first locking assembly is in the locked position and the second locking assembly is in the unlocked position when the door and the ramp are sliding together between the closed position and the open position. The first locking assembly is in the unlocked position and the second locking assembly is in the locked position when the door is sliding relative to the ramp between the closed position and the open position.
- In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle assemblies, the ramp is configured to directly contact a ground surface when the ramp is in the deployed position.
- A door actuation method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, sliding a ramp together with a door between a closed position and an open position. The door is disposed within a door opening of a vehicle when the door is in the closed position. The door is disposed outboard of the door opening and is displaced relative to the door opening along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the door is in the open position. The method further includes unlocking the ramp from the door and, after the unlocking, pivoting the ramp from a stowed position to a deployed position. The door is slidable relative to the ramp between the closed position and the open position after the unlocking.
- In another exemplary embodiment of the foregoing method, the unlocking of the ramp from the door is when the door is in the closed position.
- In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the door is slideably coupled to a vehicle sill using a rail and track system.
- In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the ramp in the deployed position is configured to directly contact a ground surface.
- The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
- The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The figures that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
-
FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle having a vehicle door assembly with a door of the vehicle door assembly is in a closed position. -
FIG. 2 shows the door ofFIG. 1 moved from the closed position ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a ramp of the vehicle door assembly moved to a deployed position when the door of the vehicle door assembly in the position ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 shows the door of the vehicle door assembly ofFIG. 1 in a fully open position while the ramp is in the deployed position. -
FIG. 5 shows a section view at line 5-5 inFIG. 1 with a sill of the vehicle in a retracted position. -
FIG. 6 show a close-up view of an area of the section inFIG. 5 when the sill is in the extended position. - This disclosure details an exemplary door assembly for a vehicle. A ramp is incorporated into the door assembly. The ramp can be used, for example, by a wheelchair user when entering the vehicle.
- With reference to
FIGS. 1-4 , avehicle 10 includes avehicle door assembly 14. In the exemplary embodiment, thevehicle door assembly 14 has adoor 18, aramp 22, and adoor sill 26. A longitudinal axis of thevehicle 10 passes through thevehicle 10 from a front end to a rear end of thevehicle 10. - The
door 18 of thevehicle door assembly 14 is slidable back-and-forth between a closed position, as shown inFIG. 1 , and a fully open position as shown inFIG. 4 . Theramp 22 can pivot back-and-forth between the stowed position ofFIG. 2 and the deployed position ofFIG. 4 . - When the
ramp 22 is in the stowed position, thedoor 18 and theramp 22 can move and slide together as thedoor 18 moves back-and-forth between the closed position and the open position. When theramp 22 is in the deployed position, thedoor 18 can slide relative to theramp 22. That is, thedoor 18 can slide from the position ofFIG. 3 to the position ofFIG. 4 while theramp 22 remains in the deployed position. - The
door 18 in the closed position is disposed within adoor opening 30. When thedoor 18 is in the open position ofFIG. 4 , thedoor 18 is disposed outboard of thedoor opening 30 and is displaced relative to the door opening 30 along a longitudinally extending longitudinal axis of thevehicle 10. - When the
door 18 is in the open position ofFIG. 4 and theramp 22 is in the deployed position as shown inFIG. 4 , a user can traverse theramp 22 when entering or exiting thevehicle 10 through thedoor opening 30. For example, a wheelchair user could utilize theramp 22 to assist in loading the wheelchair into thevehicle 10. The user could also utilize theramp 22 to help the user load cargo, such as packages, into thevehicle 10. - The
ramp 22 includes afirst side 40 and an oppositesecond side 44. Thefirst side 40 faces laterally outward away from a longitudinal axis of thevehicle 10 when theramp 22 is in the stowed position. When theramp 22 is in the stowed position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , thefirst side 40 provides an exterior or A-surface of thevehicle 10. That is, when theramp 22 is in the stowed position ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , thefirst side 40 of theramp 22 is visible and exposed to an observer outside thevehicle 10. Thefirst side 40 can be painted or otherwise color matched to other exterior surfaces of thevehicle 10. - When the
ramp 22 is in the deployed position ofFIGS. 3 and 4 , thefirst side 40 faces vertically downward and can directly contact a ground surface G. Vertical and horizontal, for purposes of this disclosure, are with reference to ground G and a general orientation of thevehicle 10 during operation. - The
second side 44 faces vertically upward when theramp 22 is in the deployed position. Thesecond side 44 can include raisedfeatures 48 that provide traction to a user utilizing theramp 22. - The
ramp 22 is configured to pivot back-and-forth between the stowed position and the deployed position about an axis A, which is a horizontally extending axis in this example. - The
ramp 22 is pivotably connected to thesill 26 when pivoting back-and-forth between the stowed position and the deployed position. This permits theramp 22 to pivot while still allowing thedoor 18 to slide relative to theramp 22. - The
sill 26 is at a vertically lower side of thedoor opening 30. Thesill 26 is configured to move back-and-forth between an extended position shown inFIGS. 2-4 and a retracted position relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis. - The
sill 26 includes atrack 50 in this example. Thedoor 18 includes arail structure 54 that slides within thetrack 50 as thedoor 18 slides back-and-forth between the closed position ofFIG. 1 and the open position ofFIG. 4 . Moving thesill 26 to the extended position moves thetrack 50 outward so thedoor 18 can slide rearward without contacting a fixedwall 60 of the vehicle (FIG. 1 ). - With reference now to
FIGS. 5 and 6 and continuing reference toFIG. 1 , afloor 64 is used to cover the gap resulting from moving thesill 26 outward. As thesill 26 is transitioned to the extended position, thefloor 64 extends to cover a gap between thesill 26 and an interior floor of thevehicle 10. Thefloor 64 is a folding or origami floor. Anactuator 68 can drive atelescoping arm 72 to extend the sill outboard and to pull thefloor 64 to the extended position shown inFIG. 6 . Theactuator 68 could be a hydraulic actuator, for example. - Another
actuator 78 is used to move theramp 22. Theactuator 78 can include amotor 82 and alead screw 84. Themotor 82 can drive thelead screw 84 to pivot theramp 22 back-and-forth between the stowed position and the deployed position. - The
vehicle door assembly 14 additionally includes afirst locking assembly 88 that can hold theramp 22 in the stowed position. Thefirst locking assembly 88 includes ahook 90 that engages apin 92 when thefirst locking assembly 88 is in the locked position. Prior to driving thelead screw 84, anactuator assembly 94 can rotate thehook 90 to transition thefirst locking assembly 88 from the locked position, shown inFIG. 6 , to an unlocked position. This permits the pivoting movement of theramp 22 from the stowed position to the deployed position. - While transitioning the
first locking assembly 88 from the locked position to the unlocked position, asecond locking assembly 96 can transition from an unlocked position to a locked position. In the locked position, thesecond locking assembly 96 can pivotably couple theramp 22 to thesill 26. - In this example, the
first locking assembly 88 unlocks as thesecond locking assembly 96 locks. Similarly, thefirst locking assembly 88 locks as the second locking assembly unlocks. This logic ensures that theramp 22 remains coupled to thedoor 18 or thesill 26. - In the exemplary embodiment, the
ramp 22 is pivotably coupled to thesill 26 when theramp 22 is pivoted between the stowed position and the deployed position. Thefirst locking assembly 88 is in the locked position and thesecond locking assembly 96 is in an unlocked position when thedoor 18 and theramp 22 are sliding together between the closed position and the open position. Thefirst locking assembly 88 is in the unlocked position and thesecond locking assembly 96 is in the locked position when thedoor 18 is sliding relative to theramp 22 between the closed position and the open position. - Thus, when utilizing the
ramp 22 is not desired, the user can slide theramp 22 together with thedoor 18 from the closed position to the open position. If the user instead wants to use theramp 22 when entering or exiting thevehicle 10, theramp 22 can be decoupled from thedoor 18 and then pivoted to the deployed position. Thedoor 18 can then be moved to a fully open position to reveal thedoor opening 30. - As shown, structural support beams 100 and 102 can extend through the
door 18 and theramp 22, respectively. - Features of the disclosed examples include a vehicle door assembly that provides a ramp to a vehicle. The ramp can be used to, for example, load cargo, or to assist the user entering or exiting the vehicle. The
ramp 22 can provide an A-surface of thevehicle 10 when theramp 22 is not deployed and is in a stowed position. - The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.
Claims (19)
1. A vehicle door assembly, comprising:
a ramp pivotable back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position; and
a door slidable back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position, the door and the ramp configured to slide together when the ramp is in the stowed position, the door configured to slide relative to the ramp when the ramp is in the deployed position.
2. The vehicle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ramp includes a first side and an opposite, second side, the first side facing laterally outward from a longitudinal axis of a vehicle when the ramp is in the stowed position, the first side facing vertically downward when the ramp is in the deployed position.
3. The vehicle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first side provides an exterior surface of the vehicle, the exterior surface visible and exposed when the ramp is in the stowed position.
4. The vehicle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the second side provides a ramped surface when the ramp is in the deployed position, the ramped surface facing vertically downward when the ramp is in the deployed position.
5. The vehicle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the door in the closed position is disposed within a door opening of the vehicle, wherein the door in the open position is disposed outboard of the door opening and is displaced relative to the door opening along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
6. The vehicle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ramp is configured to pivot about a horizontally extending axis.
7. The vehicle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a vehicle sill assembly having a track, wherein the door includes a rail structure that slides within the track as the door slides back-and-forth between the closed position and the fully-open position.
8. The vehicle assembly of claim 7 , wherein the vehicle sill is configured to move back-and-forth between an extended position and a retracted position relative to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle, the vehicle sill is in the extended position when the door slides between the closed position and the open position.
9. The vehicle assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a sill actuator that moves the vehicle sill back-and-forth between the extended position and the retracted position.
10. The vehicle assembly of claim 7 , wherein the vehicle sill assembly is at a lower side of a door opening, the door in the closed position disposed within the door opening.
11. The vehicle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator that pivots the ramp back-and-forth between the stowed position and the deployed position.
12. The vehicle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first locking assembly that transitions between a locked position and an unlocked position, the ramp in the stowed position coupled to the door through the first locking assembly when the first locking assembly is in the locked position.
13. The vehicle assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a second locking assembly that transitions between a locked position and an unlocked position, the ramp coupled to a vehicle sill through the second locking assembly when the second locking assembly is in the locked position.
14. The vehicle assembly of claim 13 ,
wherein the first locking assembly is in the locked position and the second locking assembly is in the unlocked position when the door and the ramp are sliding together between the closed position and the open position,
wherein the first locking assembly is in the unlocked position and the second locking assembly is in the locked position when the door is sliding relative to the ramp between the closed position and the open position.
15. The vehicle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ramp is configured to directly contact a ground surface when the ramp is in the deployed position.
16. A door actuation method, comprising:
sliding a ramp together with a door between a closed position and an open position, the door disposed within a door opening of a vehicle when the door is in the closed position, the door disposed outboard of the door opening and displaced relative to the door opening along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the door is in the open position; and
unlocking the ramp from the door; and
after the unlocking, pivoting the ramp from a stowed position to a deployed position, the door slidable relative to the ramp between the closed position and the open position after the unlocking.
17. The door actuation method of claim 16 , wherein the unlocking of the ramp from the door is when the door is in the closed position.
18. The door actuation method of claim 16 , wherein the door is slideably coupled to a vehicle sill using a rail and track system.
19. The door actuation method of claim 16 , wherein the ramp in the deployed position is configured to directly contact a ground surface.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/240,343 US11472326B1 (en) | 2021-04-26 | 2021-04-26 | Vehicle door assembly having a ramp |
DE202022102219.4U DE202022102219U1 (en) | 2021-04-26 | 2022-04-25 | Vehicle door assembly with a ramp |
CN202221007308.5U CN217892674U (en) | 2021-04-26 | 2022-04-26 | Vehicle door assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/240,343 US11472326B1 (en) | 2021-04-26 | 2021-04-26 | Vehicle door assembly having a ramp |
Publications (2)
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US11472326B1 US11472326B1 (en) | 2022-10-18 |
US20220340069A1 true US20220340069A1 (en) | 2022-10-27 |
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US17/240,343 Active 2041-06-30 US11472326B1 (en) | 2021-04-26 | 2021-04-26 | Vehicle door assembly having a ramp |
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US (1) | US11472326B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN217892674U (en) |
DE (1) | DE202022102219U1 (en) |
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KR20220101780A (en) * | 2021-01-12 | 2022-07-19 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Vehicle door open structure |
JP7375776B2 (en) * | 2021-01-13 | 2023-11-08 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Vehicle with slope device |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2843277A (en) * | 1957-01-29 | 1958-07-15 | Walter F Brannan | Truck side-loader |
US4076301A (en) * | 1977-02-02 | 1978-02-28 | General Motors Corporation | Vehicle tailgate |
US6241452B1 (en) * | 1998-11-09 | 2001-06-05 | Link Mfg., Ltd. | Ramp for use with service vans |
FR2802497B1 (en) * | 1999-12-15 | 2002-02-15 | Plastic Omnium Cie | MOTOR VEHICLE HATCHBACK |
US7677626B2 (en) | 2007-10-23 | 2010-03-16 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Multi-functional vehicle tailgate |
US10214250B2 (en) * | 2017-05-22 | 2019-02-26 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Truck tailgate system |
DE102018128560A1 (en) | 2018-11-14 | 2020-05-14 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Vehicle door for a means of transportation and means of transportation with a vehicle door |
DE102019204766A1 (en) | 2019-04-03 | 2020-10-08 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Vehicle with a ramp arrangement |
DE102019210672A1 (en) | 2019-07-18 | 2021-01-21 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Lifting device and method for lifting a wheelchair into an interior of a motor vehicle |
KR20210068942A (en) | 2019-12-02 | 2021-06-10 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Ramp apparatus of in the door for vehicle |
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2022
- 2022-04-25 DE DE202022102219.4U patent/DE202022102219U1/en active Active
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CN217892674U (en) | 2022-11-25 |
DE202022102219U1 (en) | 2022-06-02 |
US11472326B1 (en) | 2022-10-18 |
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