CPC B60R 3/02 (2013.01) [B60R 3/002 (2013.01); B60R 16/023 (2013.01); B60R 16/03 (2013.01); G05D 3/10 (2013.01); B60Y 2304/05 (2013.01); B60Y 2304/07 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49117 (2015.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A powered retractable vehicle step assist system configured for use with a vehicle, the step assist system comprising:
a stepping member having a stepping surface and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle, the stepping member being downward and outboard of the retracted position when in the deployed position, the stepping member dimensioned to span a length of first and second step-side passenger doors of the vehicle so as to assist passengers with entering and exiting the first and second doors;
first and second support members connectable with respect to an underside of the vehicle and connected to the stepping member, the support members configured to at least partially support the stepping member beneath the first and second doors of the vehicle, the first and second support members each comprising at least a first support arm and a support bracket, the first support arm connectable with respect to the underside of the vehicle so as to be pivotable about at least a first axis oriented generally parallel to the ground, the support bracket rigidly connected to the stepping member and connected to the first support arm to be pivotable about at least a second axis oriented generally parallel to the ground;
a drive unit operably coupled to the first support member and capable of effectuating movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position;
a vehicle interface configured to electronically receive data generated by an existing computer system of the vehicle; and
a controller in electronic communication with the vehicle interface and the drive unit and configured, in response to the data received from the existing computer system of the vehicle, to cause the drive unit to effectuate movement of the stepping member from the retracted position to the deployed position in response to either: 1) the data comprising door status information indicating that the first door or the second door is opened, the door status information originating from door electronics that do not incorporate any wireless sensors to detect whether the door is opened in response to user actuation of a door handle, or 2) the data comprising door locked/unlocked information indicating unlocking of a door of the vehicle, the door locked/unlocked information generated in response to a signal wirelessly received from a remote device.
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