JP2005119611A - Getting-on/off step device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a getting-on/off step device for a vehicle which can easily be post-installed to the outside of the vehicle by being modularized, and of which the auxiliary step is hardly deformed by a load from the outside by improving rigidity. <P>SOLUTION: The getting-on/off step device S for the vehicle is equipped with a drive part 20, a transmission part 30 to transmit a driving force, and a swinging step 40 having the auxiliary step 41 capable of being moved by the driving force from the transmission part 30 between an accommodation position and a spread position. The swinging step 40 is provided with a plurality of links 43a and 43b with one-side ends coupled with the auxiliary step 41 and swinging centering on the other end on the vehicle side, wherein the two link members of the link 43b are arranged inclined at a certain angle relative to the width direction of the auxiliary step 41 from the coupling part with the auxiliary step 41 in such a way as intersecting each other on the extension line stretching in the longitudinal direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle stepping-in / stepping device, and more particularly, to a vehicle stepping-in / stepping device including a movable step structure for assisting a passenger to get on / off in a vehicle.

  Generally, in a vehicle such as a one-box car, since the floor of the passenger compartment is set relatively high, a step is provided at the entrance / exit side of the vehicle floor so as to be one step lower. However, in the conventional getting-on / off step structure, the distance from the ground to the step is still high, which is inconvenient when an infant, an elderly person, a woman wearing a kimono, etc. get on and off. Thus, in view of these circumstances, various vehicle entry / exit step devices and the like have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The electric retractable auxiliary step device described in Patent Document 1 can be deployed from a position below the step to a position outside the vehicle by a link mechanism provided below the step in a vehicle having a step that is one step lower than the floor at the entrance. An auxiliary step is provided. In the electric retractable auxiliary step device described in Patent Document 1, the auxiliary step is arranged between the ground surface and the step when the passenger gets on and off, and assists the passenger on getting on and off. Is stored at a position below the step.
The electric retractable auxiliary step described in Patent Document 1 is such that the auxiliary step is pivotally supported by the lower ends of two parallel link arms whose upper ends are pivotally supported on the vehicle side, and the link arms swing. Thus, the auxiliary step can be expanded from the storage position to the expansion position. The driving force from the driving engine is transmitted to the connecting arm, and the driving force is transmitted to the lower end portion of the link arm located outside the vehicle via the connecting arm.

The connecting arm has a structure in which a plurality of links are rotatably connected, a driving arm connected to a driving shaft of a driving engine, a first connecting rod connected to a tip side of the driving arm, and a tip of the first connecting rod. And a first connecting rod connected to the distal end of the driven arm and connected to the link arm outside the vehicle. The L-shaped follower arm is pivotally supported at the center by a rotating shaft disposed on the vehicle side.
With this configuration, when the auxiliary step is deployed to the deployed position, the rotation shaft that pivotally supports the L-shaped driven arm, the pivot that connects the driven arm and the first connecting rod, the first connecting rod and the link outside the vehicle A pivot connecting the arm is arranged on a straight line. As a result, even if a person is placed on the auxiliary step in the unfolded state and a load is applied, the load is applied to the rotating shaft via the pivot described above and is not transmitted to the drive engine, and displacement such as subsidence of the auxiliary step is prevented. The
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-29583 (page 2-4, FIG. 1)

However, the electric retractable auxiliary step device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to attach to the vehicle by retrofitting because the drive engine is a side part of the step of the vehicle and is fixed inside the vehicle body. there were.
Moreover, in the electric retractable auxiliary step device described in Patent Document 1, the load applied to the auxiliary step as described above is transmitted to the rotating shaft via the pivot, so that the personnel can The auxiliary step is difficult to be displaced when placed on the center. However, when a person sits near the end of the auxiliary step, an unbalanced load is applied to the link arms before and after the auxiliary step, and the auxiliary step is subjected to a torsional load as a whole and is also displaced. There was a risk of it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to make it modular so that it can be easily attached to a vehicle by retrofitting and to improve rigidity against external loads. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle entry / exit step device in which an auxiliary step is hardly displaced.

  The problems include a drive unit, a transmission unit coupled to the drive shaft of the drive unit and transmitting a driving force, and a storage position stored under the fixed step for getting on and off the vehicle by the driving force from the transmission unit. A step part having an auxiliary step that is movable between a deployment position developed on the vehicle outer side than the fixed step, and a vehicle entry / exit step device for assisting in getting on / off the vehicle, The step portion includes a plurality of links, one end of which is connected to the auxiliary step and swings around the other end of the vehicle side as a rotation center, and the step portion is disposed apart from the plurality of links in the width direction of the auxiliary step. The at least one pair of links is arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the width direction of the auxiliary step from the connecting portion with the auxiliary step so as to intersect each other on the extension line in the length direction. It is solved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, one end of a plurality of links swinging around the other end on the vehicle side is connected to the auxiliary step. With this configuration, the retracted state is set according to the swinging motion of the link. It can move between expanded states. Then, at least one pair of links arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the auxiliary step among the plurality of links extends in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the width direction of the auxiliary step from the connecting portion with the auxiliary step. It is arrange | positioned so that it may take out. Further, the pair of links arranged at an inclination is arranged so as to extend in a direction intersecting with each other on an extension line in the length direction.

  With such a configuration, the vehicle step device according to the present invention can increase the rigidity against a load from the outside, and can improve the rigidity in the lateral direction and the rigidity in the torsional direction. That is, by arranging at least one pair of links spaced apart in the width direction so as to intersect with each other and arrange them in a square shape (or reverse square shape), the rigidity against an external force in the width direction can be enhanced. As a result, even if an external load is applied to the auxiliary step, the auxiliary step is not easily displaced, and play is less likely to occur. Further, vibration and noise of the auxiliary step during traveling are suppressed, and wear of the connecting portion due to vibration is reduced. Furthermore, by reducing the backlash, it is possible to easily adjust the sensor that detects the unfolded / stored state, pinching, and the like, and it is possible to greatly reduce the possibility of erroneous detection and malfunction due to backlash.

  In addition, it is preferable that a connection fixing member that can be attached to the vehicle is provided by being attached to the lower surface of the vehicle fixing step, and the driving portion, the transmission portion, and the step portion are fixed to the connection fixing member. As described above, the drive unit, the transmission unit, and the step unit are fixed by the connecting and fixing member to be modularized, and the modularized unit can be attached to the bottom surface of the vehicle fixing step, that is, outside the vehicle. This makes it easy to attach to the vehicle later. As a result, the vehicle entry / exit step device of the present invention can be set as an option as well as as a standard setting in the vehicle.

In addition, at least one pair of links arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the auxiliary step among the plurality of links is arranged along the width direction of the auxiliary step at a portion other than the connecting portion with the step portion. It is suitable if it is connected and fixed by a reinforcing rod provided. Thus, by connecting and fixing the two links with the reinforcing rod, it is possible to further improve the rigidity with respect to the external load, particularly the rigidity with respect to the torsional load and the rigidity with respect to the lateral load.
Further, if the link is configured to come into contact with a stopper that restricts the movement of the link at the deployment position or the storage position of the auxiliary step, the auxiliary step can be accurately stopped at the deployment position or the storage position. Is preferred.

The transmission unit includes a crank arm having one end connected to the drive shaft and rotatable about the drive shaft, and the other end and one end of the crank arm being rotatably connected by a pivot and the other end being the step. A drive link connected to a drive portion, and the crank arm and the drive link are connected to the drive shaft, the pivot shaft, and the step portion of the drive link when the auxiliary step is in the deployed position. When the auxiliary step is in the retracted position when viewed from the axial direction of the shaft and the crank arm and the drive link overlap, the drive shaft, the pivot, and the step portion of the drive link It is preferable that the connecting portions are set so as to be aligned on a substantially straight line when viewed from the axial direction of the drive shaft.
Thus, by transmitting the driving force from the drive shaft via the crank arm and the drive link, the auxiliary step can move between the deployed position and the retracted position. The crank arm and the drive link are viewed in the axial direction when the drive shaft, the pivot for pivotally connecting the crank arm and the drive link, and the connecting portion between the drive link and the step portion are viewed in the axial direction. It is set so as to be aligned on a substantially straight line. Thus, even if a load is applied to the auxiliary step from the outside, the load is applied in the direction in which the crank arm and the drive link are stretched, and is not applied in the direction in which the drive link, the crank arm, and the drive shaft are rotated. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the auxiliary step to be displaced by the external load.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that at least the crank arm or the drive link of the transmission unit is configured to abut against a stopper that restricts the movement of the crank arm or the drive link in the deployed position and the retracted position of the auxiliary step. By doing so, the crank arm or the drive link can be stopped by the stopper, and the auxiliary step can be accurately stopped at the deployed position and the retracted position. As a result, the drive shaft, the pivot shaft that pivotally connects the crank arm and the drive link, and the connection portion between the drive link and the step portion are aligned substantially in a straight line when viewed from the axial direction in both the deployed position and the retracted position. Can be stopped.

  A door opening / closing detection unit for detecting that the door of the vehicle is opened and outputting a door opening signal; and for detecting that the door is closed and outputting a door closing signal; and driving the driving unit A control unit for controlling, the control unit detects the door open signal, drives the auxiliary step from the storage position to the deployment position, and detects the door close signal, It is preferable that the driving unit is controlled to drive the auxiliary step from the deployed position to the retracted position. If comprised in this way, since an auxiliary | assistant step is automatically expand | deployed and stored in response to the opening / closing operation | movement of a door, the troublesome operation at the time of a passenger | crew's getting on / off can be made unnecessary.

  A storage state detection unit that detects that the auxiliary step is in the storage position and outputs a storage state detection signal; and a deployment state that detects that the auxiliary step is in the deployment position and outputs a deployment state detection signal A detection unit, and the control unit is preferably configured to control the drive unit to stop driving by detecting either the unfolded state detection signal or the storage state detection signal. is there. If comprised in this way, since it will be stopped automatically when an auxiliary | assistant step will be in the state expanded or stored, the troublesome operation at the time of a passenger's boarding / alighting may be made unnecessary.

Further, it includes a pinching detection unit that detects that the storing operation or the unfolding operation of the auxiliary step is hindered and outputs a pinching detection signal, and the control unit includes the pinching during the storing or unfolding of the auxiliary step. It is preferable that the detection unit detects the detection signal so that the drive direction of the drive unit is reversed. With this configuration, when the auxiliary step is hindered by a foreign object being caught during operation, the control unit that detects the pinching detection signal reverses the driving direction of the driving unit, and the auxiliary step is Operates in the direction to return to. Thereby, it is possible to immediately avoid a state of being caught.
Further, it includes a pinching detection unit that detects that the storing operation or the unfolding operation of the auxiliary step is hindered and outputs a pinching detection signal, and the control unit includes the pinching during the storing or unfolding of the auxiliary step. It is good also as a structure which controls so that the drive of the said drive part may be stopped by detecting a detection signal. In this case, since the operation of the auxiliary step is stopped when the pinching is detected, the cause of the pinching can be removed in the stopped state.

  Further, it is preferable that the controller is configured to output the pinching detection signal to a central control device of the vehicle when detecting the pinching detection signal. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to perform control, such as not starting a vehicle, during detection of pinching.

  According to the present invention, the drive unit, the transmission unit transmitting the driving force of the drive unit, and the step having the auxiliary step capable of moving the auxiliary step between the storage position and the deployment position by the driving force transmitted via the transmission unit. The unit is modularized and can be easily attached as a unit to the outside of the vehicle by retrofitting. Further, it is possible to provide a vehicle entry / exit step device for improving the rigidity with respect to a load applied to an auxiliary step or the like so that the auxiliary step is not easily displaced by an external load.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that members, arrangements, and the like described below do not limit the present invention, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an auxiliary step of the vehicle entry / exit step device is deployed, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the entry / exit step mechanism, FIG. 3 is a rear view of the entry / exit step mechanism, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing that the auxiliary step of the boarding / alighting step mechanism is in the middle of expansion, and FIG. 6 is an expansion of the auxiliary step of the boarding / alighting step mechanism. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the electrical connection configuration of the vehicle entry / exit step device, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the pinching detection switch, and FIG. 9 is the pinching according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view when the getting-on / off step mechanism detects the pinching.

The vehicle entry / exit step device S according to the present embodiment is suitably mounted on a vehicle having a high entrance / exit from the ground, such as a one-box car, a so-called minivan, a truck, etc. As shown in FIG. 7, the boarding / alighting step device S includes a boarding / alighting step mechanism unit 10, a central control unit 50, a power supply unit 54, and a reverse circuit 56.
FIG. 1 shows an example in which the vehicle entry / exit step device S is applied to the left entry / exit of a one-box car. As shown in FIG. 1, the boarding / alighting step mechanism unit 10 is provided at the lower part of the boarding / exiting port 61 of the vehicle 60 provided with a boarding / fixing step 63 so as to be lowered by one step from the vehicle floor 62 to the boarding / exiting port 61. Yes. The entry / exit step mechanism unit 10 is configured such that the auxiliary step 41 is deployed to the outside of the vehicle 60 with the door 64 open in order to assist an occupant to get on and off at the entrance 61.

As shown in FIG. 2, the getting-on / off step mechanism unit 10 is configured as a unit by having a driving unit 20, a transmission unit 30, a swinging step unit 40, etc. attached to a top plate 12 as a connecting and fixing member. ing. Since the boarding / alighting step mechanism 10 is modularized in this way, it becomes easy to retrofit various vehicle types as options. The getting-on / off step mechanism unit 10 is attached to the under floor of the getting-on / off fixing step 63 with bolts or the like later. In addition, since it is modularized as described later, it is possible to ensure rigidity, quality, and reliability in units of modules. In the present embodiment, the top plate 12 to which the drive unit 20, the transmission unit 30, and the swing step unit 40 are attached is a plate-like member. However, the top plate 12 may not be a plate-like member. It may be something like this.
The drive unit 20 includes a drive motor 21, a deceleration mechanism unit 22 that decelerates the rotational output of the drive motor 21, and a drive shaft 23 that extends to both sides of the deceleration mechanism unit 22 (the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) and transmits rotational drive force. It is configured with. The drive motor 21 is fixed to and integrated with the speed reduction mechanism unit 22. Further, the drive shaft 23 extending in the R direction in FIG. 2 is inserted into a bearing portion 24 fixed to the lower surface of the top plate 12 and is rotatably supported.

  The drive motor 21 is configured to rotate forward and backward by a current supplied from the power supply unit 54 in accordance with a control signal from the central control unit 50, thereby expanding or storing the auxiliary step 41. In addition, a reverse rotation circuit 56 is disposed between the power supply unit 54 and the drive motor 21, and when the central control unit 50 detects pinching by the auxiliary step 41 as will be described later, the central control unit 50. By switching the wiring by the control signal, the direction of the current can be switched. That is, when the drive motor 21 rotates in the forward direction and the catching is detected when the auxiliary step 41 is in the middle of expansion, the central control unit 50 reverses the drive motor 21 by switching the wiring to assist. Step 41 is stored. When the drive motor 21 rotates in the opposite direction and the auxiliary step 41 is in the middle of storing, when the pinching is detected, the central control unit 50 switches the wiring to rotate the drive motor 21 in the forward direction and perform the auxiliary step. 41 is developed. In addition to switching the wiring, the polarity of the current supplied from the power supply unit 54 may be switched without providing the reversing circuit 56.

The transmission unit 30 has one end fixed to each end of the drive shaft 23 and a crank arm 31 (31f, 31r) that rotates synchronously, and a drive that is rotatably supported at the other end of the crank arm 31. A link 32 (32f, 32r) is provided. The drive link 32 can be adjusted in length. The crank arm 31 and the drive link 32 are rotatably connected by a pivot 33. In the reference numerals, “f” and “r” mean that they are arranged on the front side and the rear side of the vehicle 60, respectively.
The swinging step portion 40 includes two sets of hinge portions 42 (42a, 42b) fixed to the top plate 12, and two pairs of links 43 (43a, 43b) having one end portion rotatably connected to the hinge portion 42. ), Rods 44 (44a, 44b) for connecting the other ends of the links 43a, 43b, respectively, and an auxiliary step 41 connected to the link 43. The auxiliary step 41 is formed with arms 41f and 41r extending substantially in parallel toward the vehicle inner side, and rods 44a and 44b are inserted between the arms 41f and 41r. In the reference numerals, “a” and “b” mean that they are arranged on the outside and inside of the vehicle 60, respectively.

Further, the other end of the drive link 32 is connected to both ends of the rod 44a and between the arm 41f and the arm 41r, and the drive force of the drive unit 20 is transmitted to the auxiliary step 20 side. ing. As described above, the driving force from the driving unit 20 is transmitted to the auxiliary step 41 side through the pair of crank arms 31f and 31r and the driving links 32f and 32r, whereby the driving force is transmitted to both sides of the auxiliary step 41. It can be expanded and stored stably.
Note that the auxiliary step 41 of the present embodiment is configured such that the arms 41f and 41r extend in the direction substantially perpendicular to the side in the length direction from the middle of the auxiliary step 41 in the length direction and from the end side. Compared with the length of the auxiliary step 41, the length of the link drive mechanism portion including the transmission portion 30 in the front-rear direction is short and compact. In addition, since the auxiliary step 41 has a shape that extends larger than before with respect to the transmission portion 30, a load in the torsional direction is applied to the transmission portion 30 and the like particularly when an occupant is placed on the front extension portion. It becomes easy to hang. For this reason, the boarding / alighting step mechanism 10 of the present embodiment is reinforced with respect to a torsional load and a lateral load as follows.

The pair of links 43a are connected to each other by a reinforcing rod 44c. The reinforcing rod 44c is a long member having a rectangular cross section, and both end portions thereof are connected and fixed to the central portion in the length direction of the link 43a. The reinforcing rod 44c serves to prevent the auxiliary step 41 from being displaced in the twisting direction when a load in the twisting direction is applied to the link 43. A plurality of reinforcing rods 44c may be provided in a portion other than the rods 44a and 44b.
Further, in order to prevent the auxiliary step 41 from being tilted or sinking due to such a load, the link 43b is not parallel as shown in FIG. Installed in the mold). That is, the link 43b is disposed so as to extend in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the width direction of the auxiliary step 41 from the connecting portion with the arms 41f and 41r so as to intersect on the extension line in the length direction. Thus, the distance between the one end portions (on the hinge portion 42b side) is larger than the distance between the other end portions (on the rod 44b side). With such a configuration, when a load in the torsional direction or a lateral load is applied to the auxiliary step 41, an axial force is applied to the link 43b in the length direction, and these loads are supported. As described above, the getting-on / off step mechanism 10 has enhanced torsional rigidity with respect to the torsional load applied to the auxiliary step 41 and lateral rigidity with respect to the lateral load. In addition, it is desirable that the inclination angles of the two links 43b are substantially the same angle.

Thus, in this embodiment, the two links 43b, which are spaced apart in the width direction of the auxiliary step 41, are inclined with respect to the length direction of the rod 44, and the length direction of the link Are arranged in a direction crossing each other on the extended line. Even if a load is applied from either the left or right side in the width direction of the auxiliary step 41 by arranging the two links so as to incline and intersect each other on the extension line in the length direction, either the left or right link The load can be supported by stretching. Further, by configuring in this way, the rigidity is improved not only for the load from the left and right direction but also for the load in the torsional direction and the rotational direction.
In addition, although the link 43b of this embodiment has one link 43b arrange | positioned so that the edge part side connected with the top plate 12 may open, not only this but the edge part side connected with the top plate 12 is. Even if it is arranged so as to be narrowed, the rigidity can be improved. Further, the link 43a instead of the link 43b may be arranged in an inverted C shape (or a C shape). The two links 43b are preferably inclined by substantially the same angle so that they cross each other on the extension line in the length direction, but the inclination angles may be different from each other. Further, both the link 43a and the link 43b may be inclined.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the getting-on / off step mechanism unit 10 of the present embodiment is provided with stoppers 46 and 47 on the housing of the speed reduction mechanism unit 22 so that the auxiliary step 41 reliably stops at the deployed position and the storage position. ing. As the drive motor 21 rotates, the crank arm 31 rotates in the range of approximately 200 degrees in the forward and reverse directions, but the stopper 46 is brought into contact with the crank arm 31 when the auxiliary step 41 is driven to the retracted position. The stopper 47 is disposed so as to come into contact with the crank arm 31 when the auxiliary step 41 is deployed to the deployed position. Further, a stopper 48 that contacts the vehicle 60 at the unfolded position is disposed on the side surface of the link 43a on the auxiliary step 41 side. By means of these stoppers 46, 47, 48, the auxiliary step 41 is physically stopped at the retracted position and the deployed position. Moreover, you may comprise so that the drive link 32 may be contact | abutted with a stopper in a retracted position and a deployment position. Furthermore, you may comprise so that the link 43 may be contact | abutted with a stopper also in a retracted position.

  Further, in order to electrically stop the auxiliary step 41 at the storage position and the deployment position, a storage state detection switch SW1 as a storage state detection unit and a deployment state detection switch SW2 as a deployment state detection unit are included in the speed reduction mechanism unit 22. It is provided in the housing. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage state detection switch SW1 is arranged so as to be switched on in contact with the crank arm 31 when the auxiliary step 41 is in the stored state. The storage detection signal is sometimes transmitted to the central control unit 50. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the unfolding state detection switch SW2 is arranged so as to be switched on in contact with the crank arm 31 when the auxiliary step 41 is unfolded. When this happens, the deployment detection signal is transmitted to the central control unit 50. The retracted state detection switch SW1 and the unfolded state detection switch SW2 may not be contact type switches, but may be proximity switches that detect magnetic changes.

Next, operation | movement of the getting on / off step mechanism part 10 is demonstrated. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the auxiliary step 41 is in the storage position. At this time, the crank arm 31 is in contact with the stopper 46, and the storage state detection switch SW1 and the crank arm 31 are in contact with each other to output a storage detection signal to the central control unit 50. In the retracted state, the crank arm 31f and the drive link 32f and the crank arm 31r and the drive link 32r of the transmission unit 30 are set so as to overlap each other in a folded state and line up on a straight line Lr when viewed from the axial direction. Specifically, they are arranged on a straight line Lr when viewed from the axial direction in the order of the axis of the pivot 33, the drive shaft 23, and the rod 44a. At this time, the vertical distance from the upper surface of the auxiliary step 41 to the vehicle 60 is Hr. If the axis centers of the pivot 33, the drive shaft 23, and the rod 44a are set so as to be aligned on the straight line Lr when viewed from the axial direction, the crank arm 31 and the drive link 32 are linear when viewed from the axial direction. For example, it may be L-shaped.
When the drive motor 21 rotates forward from this state, the crank arm 31 rotates counterclockwise in the figure as shown in FIG. By this rotation, the drive link 32 is pushed rightward in the figure, and accordingly, the link 43 rotates counterclockwise around the hinge portion 42 as a rotation center. The auxiliary step 41 connected to the link 43 is pushed rightward while maintaining the horizontal state. At this time, the auxiliary step 41 is pushed rightward while temporarily moving downward, and then pushed rightward while further moving upward. FIG. 5 shows a state where the auxiliary step 41 is at the lowest point.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the auxiliary step 41 is expanded to the expansion position. At this time, the crank arm 31 and the stopper 47 are in contact with each other, and the stopper 48 disposed on the link 43a and the vehicle 60 are in contact with each other. Further, in the deployed state, the deployed state detection switch SW2 and the crank arm 31 come into contact with each other, and a deployment detection signal is sent to the central control unit 50, and the supply of drive current to the drive motor 21 is stopped. In this state, the crank arm 31f and the drive link 32f of the transmission unit 30 and the crank arm 31r and the drive link 32r are set so as to extend on the straight line Ld as seen from the axial direction. Specifically, the drive shaft 23, the pivot shaft 33, and the axis center of the rod 44a are arranged on the straight line Ld when viewed from the axial direction. At this time, the vertical distance from the upper surface of the auxiliary step 41 to the vehicle 60 is Hd. The distance Hd is set to be larger than the distance Hr, and the auxiliary step 41 is arranged at a height closer to the ground at the deployed position, so that passengers can easily get on and off. In addition, since the auxiliary step 41 is disposed at a position close to the back surface side of the fixed boarding step 63 at the retracted position, a sufficient distance between the ground surface and the auxiliary step 41 can be secured, and the ground surface, obstacles on the road, etc. Can be prevented.

  As described above, in the boarding / alighting step mechanism unit 10 of the present embodiment, the crank arm 31 is stopped by the stoppers 46 and 47, so that an accurate deployment position and storage position are secured. When the vehicle is stopped (stored and deployed), the crank arm 31 and the drive link 32 are configured to be aligned on the straight line Lr or the straight line Ld when viewed from the axial direction. When a load is applied, the component force transmitted from the auxiliary step 41 to the drive link 32 is applied in the length direction of the crank arm 31 and the drive link 32 arranged in a straight line. For this component force, since the crank arm 31 and the drive link 32 are aligned on a straight line, the tension force is effectively applied, and the backlash is reduced and play at the stop position is less likely to occur. it can. Thus, even when a load is applied to the auxiliary step 41, no force is applied to rotate the drive shaft 23 in either the forward or reverse direction. As described above, the getting-on / off step mechanism unit 10 is improved in rigidity with respect to the load applied to the auxiliary step 41 in both the unfolding and storage, and is difficult to be displaced.

  Further, as described above, the auxiliary step 41 is supported by the two pairs of links 43a and 43b connected to the top plate 12, and the pair of links 43a is disposed substantially in parallel and the other pair of links. 43b is arranged so as to be a reverse letter C. As a result, the getting-on / off step mechanism unit 10 of the present embodiment is improved in rigidity with respect to a torsional load and a lateral load, and is less likely to be loose.

If the backlash is large as in the past, when pinching detection as described below is performed, pinching detection will be detected erroneously when pinching does not occur unless the pinch detection unit sensitivity is set low. If the value is set too low, there is a problem that pinching cannot be detected when pinching actually occurs. Also, if the backlash is large, the auxiliary step may be detected as being out of the stop position due to vehicle vibration during traveling. Further, there is a problem that the connecting portion is worn by the play due to the backlash and wears the connected portion, or noise is generated by the vibration.
On the other hand, in the boarding / alighting step mechanism unit 10 according to the present embodiment, since the rigidity is improved, it is difficult for the rattling to occur as a whole. Therefore, malfunction does not occur even if the sensitivity of the pinching detection unit is not set low. It becomes difficult and adjustment becomes easy. In addition, it is preferable that the auxiliary step 41 is not detected as being out of the stop position due to the vibration of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, before the drive motor 21 is operated and the crank arm 31 and the drive link 32 are aligned on the straight lines Lr and Ld when viewed from the axial direction, the drive link 32 pushes the auxiliary step 41 with a large force. Pull in. The stoppers 46 and 47 are in contact with the crank arm 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the stoppers 46 and 47 are disposed so as to contact with the link 43 having a smaller operating angle than the crank arm 31. You may make it suppress.
Moreover, in the boarding / alighting step mechanism part 10 of this embodiment, the driving force of one drive motor 21 is transmitted to the auxiliary step 41 only through the crank arm 31 and the drive link 32 via the speed reduction mechanism part 22. Is simple, and is suitable for the modularization of the getting-on / off step mechanism section 10.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the vehicle entry / exit step device S of the present embodiment. The central control unit 50 in FIG. 7 includes, for example, a CPU for performing various calculations, a ROM in which a program for operating the CPU is stored, a RAM for temporarily storing information processed by the CPU, and the like. It is composed of an electrical circuit provided. The central control unit 50 supplies power by detecting detection signals from the above-described storage state detection switch SW1, unfolding state detection switch SW2, detection signals from the door opening / closing detection unit 66 and the pinch detection unit 49 described later. The power supply command signal can be output to the unit 54, and the wiring reverse command signal can be output to the reverse circuit 56. The central control unit 50 may be integrated into a central control device (not shown) provided in the vehicle 60.

The power supply unit 54 is configured by a power supply device including a battery provided in the vehicle 60, and can apply a predetermined voltage to the drive motor 21 in accordance with a power supply command signal from the central control unit 50. It is configured as follows.
Further, the door opening / closing detection unit 66 according to the present embodiment detects opening / closing of a door 64 (in the present embodiment, configured as a sliding door as an example) provided in the vehicle 60. When the door is closed, a door close signal is output to the central control unit 50, and when the door 64 is opened, a door open signal is output to the central control unit 50.
The reverse rotation circuit 56 is disposed between the power supply unit 54 and the drive motor 21, and corrects the wiring from the power supply unit 54 to the drive motor 21 in accordance with the wiring reverse rotation command signal from the central control unit 50. The rotation direction of the drive motor 21 is reversed by switching from the rotation direction to the reverse rotation direction.

The pinch detection unit 49 detects that the operation of the auxiliary step 41 is prevented by contacting or pinching with an occupant or an obstacle. As shown in FIG. 8, a so-called pressure sensitive contact switch It consists of That is, a space 41a having a substantially rectangular cross section is provided inside the auxiliary step 41, and the rod 44 connected to the link 43 is movable in the space 41a. A first contact 49a is provided in the space 41a, and a second contact 49c is provided at the tip of a switch portion 49b having a substantially cylindrical cross section that is slidably arranged with the rod 44.
The switch portion 49b is provided with a spring 49d. Due to the elastic force of the spring 49d, the first contact 49a and the second contact 49c are separated from each other as shown in FIG. 8A when there is no load. It is in a state. On the other hand, when a predetermined load or more is applied to the auxiliary step 41 in the vehicle inner direction (the X direction shown in FIG. 8B), as shown in FIG. 8B, the first contact 49a and the second contact 49c are Thus, a pinch detection signal is output from the pinch detection unit 49 to the central control unit 50.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the switch part 49b having the second contact 49c attached to the tip part so as to sandwich the rod 44 from both sides is provided at two places, and the first contact 49a is provided so as to correspond to these. It is good. In this way, it is possible to detect pinching in both cases where the auxiliary step 41 is subjected to a load of a predetermined level or more in both the vehicle inner direction (X direction) and the vehicle outer direction (Y direction).
In addition, the arrangement position of the pinch detection unit 49 is not limited to the inside of the auxiliary step 41, but may be incorporated in the transmission unit 30 to detect a load applied to the transmission unit 30. Further, a contact switch may be provided on the vehicle outer surface of the auxiliary step 41.
In the pinching detection unit 49 of the present embodiment, the elastic force of the spring 49d is set so that the first contact 49a and the second contact 49c do not come into contact with each other due to vibration while the vehicle 60 is traveling. Further, as described above, since the getting-on / off step mechanism unit 10 is configured to reduce backlash, the pinching detection unit 49 does not malfunction due to backlash.

In the vehicle entry / exit step device S of the present embodiment, the auxiliary step 41 operates so as to be interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the door 64 provided in the vehicle 60. That is, in the state where the door 64 is closed, as shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary step 41 is in a stored state stored below the fixed boarding step 63. Further, in conjunction with the opening of the door 64, as shown in FIG. 6, the auxiliary step 41 is in a deployed state in which the auxiliary step 41 is deployed to the vehicle outer side than the boarding / alighting fixing step 63.
The auxiliary step 41 may be deployed after a while since the door 64 is opened, and the auxiliary step 41 may be stored after a while after the door 64 is closed. Further, when the auxiliary step 41 is expanded and stored, a configuration may be used in which notification is provided by a display (not shown) or a warning sound is emitted from a speaker.

  In the vehicle entry / exit step device S of the present embodiment, when the door 64 is opened from the closed state, a door open signal is output from the door opening / closing detection unit 66 to the central control unit 50, and the central control is performed. The unit 50 recognizes that the door 64 has been opened. When the central control unit 50 detects the door opening signal, the central control unit 50 outputs a predetermined power supply command signal to the power supply unit 54. When the power supply unit 54 detects the power supply signal, the central control unit 50 detects the power supply signal from the predetermined polarity. Apply a voltage. At this time, the reverse rotation circuit 56 is wired in the forward rotation direction. As a result, the drive motor 21 rotates in the forward direction, the drive shaft 23 and the crank arm 31 rotate in the forward direction, and this rotational force is transmitted to the drive link 32. Thereby, the auxiliary step 41 is pushed out of the vehicle 60. Thereafter, in the state shown in FIG. 6, the crank arm 31 contacts the stopper 47, and the stopper 48 attached to the link 43 a contacts the vehicle 60. At the same time, the crank arm 31 comes into contact with the deployed state detection switch SW2 to operate the deployed state detection switch SW2. As a result, the central control unit 50 detects that the auxiliary step 41 has been deployed, and the rotation of the drive motor 21 is stopped. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the auxiliary step 41 is in a deployed state in which the auxiliary step 41 is deployed on the vehicle outer side than the boarding / alighting fixing step 63.

  In this way, the auxiliary step 41 is arranged outside the fixed boarding step 63 and between the ground surface and the outside by extending the auxiliary step 41 outside the fixed boarding step 63 when getting on and off the vehicle. Can do. Further, in the vehicle entry / exit step device S of the present embodiment, as described above, the development position developed on the vehicle outer side than the entry / exit fixing step 63 in the auxiliary step 41 is stored below the entrance / exit fixing step 63. It is configured lower than the storage position. Accordingly, when the auxiliary step 41 is in the state of being deployed to the outside of the vehicle, the distance between the auxiliary step 41 and the ground surface is reduced, so that the passenger can easily get on and off using the auxiliary step 41.

  On the other hand, in the vehicle entry / exit step device S of the present embodiment, when the door 64 is in a closed state, a door close signal is output from the door open / close detection unit 66 to the central control unit 50, and the central control unit 50 receives the door 64. Recognize that is closed. When the central control unit 50 detects the door close signal, the central control unit 50 outputs a predetermined power supply command signal to the power supply unit 54. When the power supply unit 54 detects the power supply signal, the central control unit 50 detects the power supply signal from the predetermined polarity. Apply a voltage. The polarity at this time is opposite to that when the drive motor 21 is normally rotated as described above. Note that the wiring of the reverse rotation circuit 56 is maintained in the forward rotation direction. As a result, the drive motor 21 rotates in the reverse direction, the drive shaft 23 and the crank arm 31 rotate in the reverse direction, and this rotational force is transmitted to the drive link 32. As a result, the auxiliary step 41 moves in the storage direction. Thereafter, the crank arm 31 comes into contact with the stopper 46 in the state shown in FIG. At the same time, the crank arm 31 comes into contact with the storage state detection switch SW1 to operate the storage state detection switch SW1. Thereby, it is detected in the central control unit 50 that the auxiliary step 41 is stored, and the rotation of the drive motor 21 is stopped. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary step 41 is in a storage state stored below the fixed boarding step 63.

  As described above, in the vehicle entry / exit step device S according to the present embodiment, when the auxiliary step 41 is in the state of being stored inside the vehicle, the auxiliary step 41 approaches the back side of the fixed step 63 for getting on / off. Therefore, a sufficient distance between the ground surface and the auxiliary step 41 can be secured, and the auxiliary step 41 can be prevented from coming into contact with the ground surface.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the drive motor 21 rotates forward in response to the opening of the door 64 and the auxiliary step 41 is deployed, the auxiliary step 41 becomes the vehicle 60. When the vehicle is in contact with an obstacle 100 such as a curb stone on the outside of the vehicle, a load in the vehicle inner direction is applied to the auxiliary step 41 and the pinching detection unit 49 is activated. At this time, a pinching signal is output from the pinching detection unit 49 to the central control unit 50, the central control unit 50 outputs a wiring reverse rotation command signal to the reverse rotation circuit 56, and the reverse rotation circuit 56 switches the wiring in the reverse rotation direction. When the reverse rotation circuit 56 is activated, a current in the reverse rotation direction is supplied to the drive motor 21, and the drive motor 21 starts reverse rotation. Then, the drive motor 21 rotates reversely until the storage state detection switch SW1 operates, and when the central control unit 50 receives the storage detection signal from the storage state detection switch SW1, the current supply from the power supply unit 54 is stopped, and the drive motor 21 stops. When the drive motor 21 stops and the auxiliary step 41 enters the retracted state, the reverse rotation circuit 56 returns the wiring in the forward rotation direction.

In this case, the central control unit 50 receives the door open signal and detects that the door 64 is in the open state. However, the auxiliary step 41 is returned to the stored state, and the auxiliary step 41 is detected by the not-shown notification means. A warning sound or a lamp informs that it has not been deployed. This warning sound or the like continues until the door 64 is closed and the central control unit 50 receives a door close signal, and is reset when the central control unit 50 receives the door close signal. By being reset, the auxiliary step 41 is controlled to perform a normal operation again.
In addition, when a warning is once issued as described above, a central control (not shown) provided in the vehicle 60 from the central control unit 50 to prevent the vehicle 60 from starting until it is reset. You may comprise so that a signal may be output to an apparatus.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the drive motor 21 rotates in the reverse direction and the foreign step 110 such as a stone is mistakenly inserted while the auxiliary step 41 is stored, the vehicle is placed in the auxiliary step 41. The pinching detection unit 49 is actuated by applying an outward load. At this time, a pinching signal is output from the pinching detection unit 49 to the central control unit 50, the wiring of the reverse rotation circuit 56 is switched in the reverse rotation direction, and the drive motor 21 starts to rotate forward. And when auxiliary step 41 will be in a deployment state, drive motor 21 will stop. At this time, the reverse rotation circuit 56 returns the wiring in the forward rotation direction.
In this case, the central control unit 50 receives the door closing signal and detects that the door 64 is in the closed state. However, the auxiliary step 41 is expanded to the expanded state, and the auxiliary step 41 is notified by a not-illustrated notification means. A warning sound and a lamp are used to notify that the system has been deployed. This warning continues until the door 64 is opened again and the central control unit 50 receives a door open signal, and is reset when the central control unit 50 receives a door opening signal. By being reset, the auxiliary step 41 is controlled to perform a normal operation again.
Further, when a warning is once issued in the same manner as described above, a central control (not shown) provided in the vehicle 60 is provided from the central control unit 50 to prevent the vehicle 60 from starting until it is reset. You may comprise so that a signal may be output to an apparatus.

In the above embodiment, in addition to the stoppers 46 to 48 which are physical stop means, the auxiliary step 41 is electrically performed by the retracted state detection switch SW1 and the unfolded state detection switch SW2 provided in the speed reduction mechanism unit 22. However, the switches SW1 and SW2 may be extended from the top plate 12 so as to contact the crank arm 31 and the link 43. In addition to such a switch, an encoder or the like may be provided in the drive motor 21 so that the developed state and the stored state of the auxiliary step 41 are detected by this encoder. Moreover, the structure which detects the expansion | deployment storing state of the auxiliary | assistant step 41 by the limit switch etc. which were provided in the drive motor 21 or the deceleration mechanism part 22 may be sufficient.
Further, a deployment storage detection switch may be provided in the stoppers 46 to 48, or a deployment storage detection switch may be provided together with the stoppers 46 to 48. Further, the unfolded and retracted state of the auxiliary step 41 may be detected by detecting the current in the drive motor 21 when the crank arm 31 or the link 43 contacts the stoppers 46 and 47. That is, when the rotation of the drive motor 21 is stopped by the crank arm 31 and the like coming into contact with the stoppers 46 and 47, the encoder detects that the drive motor 21 has not rotated for a certain period of time, or an overcurrent occurs. This may be detected by a current detector or the like to stop energization of the drive motor 21.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the boarding / alighting step apparatus S became a structure which act | operates the auxiliary | assistant step 41 according to the detection result by the door opening / closing detection part 66, this invention is not limited to this. Various modifications are possible. For example, in addition to door opening / closing detection, it may be configured that the presence / absence of an occupant seated is detected and the auxiliary step 41 operates according to the detection result. Further, a configuration may be employed in which an up / down switch (not shown) is provided, and the auxiliary step 41 operates according to the operating state of the up / down switch.

  In the above embodiment, the auxiliary step 41 is automatically driven to the retracted state when the auxiliary step 41 is detected while the auxiliary step 41 is being developed, and the auxiliary step 41 is detected when the auxiliary step 41 is detected while the auxiliary step 41 is being stored. 41 is automatically driven to the unfolded state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is configured to stop the power supply to the drive motor 21 so as to stop the auxiliary step 41 at the position when the pinching is detected in both the deployment and the storage. Also good. In this case, when the door 64 changes from the open state to the closed state or from the closed state to the open state, and the central control unit 50 newly receives the door close signal or the door open signal, the warning or the like is reset, and again The auxiliary step 41 can be configured to operate normally.

  As described above, the boarding / alighting step device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment is provided with the boarding / alighting fixing step so as to be one step lower from the vehicle floor to the boarding gate, such as a one-box car or a so-called minivan. In addition to vehicles, the present invention can be applied to buses, trucks, welfare vehicles, aircraft, railway vehicles, and the like.

It is a figure which shows the state which the auxiliary | assistant step of the boarding / alighting step apparatus for vehicles which concerns on this embodiment developed. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the boarding / alighting step mechanism part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a rear view of the boarding / alighting step mechanism part which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows that the auxiliary step of the boarding / alighting step mechanism part which concerns on this embodiment exists in a storage state. It is explanatory drawing which shows that the auxiliary step of the boarding / alighting step mechanism part which concerns on this embodiment exists in the state in the middle of expansion | deployment. It is explanatory drawing which shows that the auxiliary step of the boarding / alighting step mechanism part which concerns on this embodiment exists in an expansion | deployment state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the electrical connection structure of the boarding / alighting step apparatus for vehicles which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the pinching detection switch which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the pinching detection switch which concerns on other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing when the boarding / alighting step mechanism part which concerns on this embodiment detects pinching.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Boarding / alighting step mechanism part, 12 Top plate, 20 Auxiliary step, 20 Drive part, 21 Drive motor, 22 Deceleration mechanism part, 23 Drive shaft, 24 Bearing part, 30 Transmission part, 31 Crank arm, 32 Drive link, 33 Axis, 40 swing step part, 41 auxiliary step, 41f, 41r arm, 41a space part, 42 hinge part, 43 link, 44 rod, 44c reinforcing rod, 46, 47, 48 stopper, 49 pinching detection part, 49a first contact point, 49b switch unit, 49c second contact, 49d spring, 50 central control unit, 54 power supply unit, 56 reverse rotation circuit, 60 vehicle, 61 boarding gate, 62 vehicle floor, 63 fixed boarding step, 64 door, 66 door open / closed detection Part, 100 obstacle, 110 foreign object, Hr, Hd distance, Lr, Ld straight line, S vehicle getting on / off step device, SW1 retracted state detection switch, SW2 unfolded state detection switch

Claims (11)

A drive unit, a transmission unit coupled to a drive shaft of the drive unit and transmitting a driving force; a storage position stored below the fixed step for getting on and off the vehicle by the driving force from the transmission unit; and a fixed step for getting on and off A step part having an auxiliary step movable between a deployment position developed on the vehicle outer side, and a vehicle entry / exit step device for assisting entry / exit into the vehicle,
The step portion includes a plurality of links that have one end connected to the auxiliary step and swing about the other end of the vehicle as a rotation center,
Among the plurality of links, at least one pair of links arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the auxiliary step cross each other on an extension line in the length direction from the connecting portion with the auxiliary step. A boarding / alighting step device for a vehicle, which is disposed at an angle with respect to the width direction of the vehicle.   A connecting and fixing member that can be attached to a vehicle by being attached to a lower surface of a fixing step for getting on and off the vehicle, wherein the driving portion, the transmitting portion, and the step portion are fixed to the connecting and fixing member. The vehicle entry / exit step device according to claim 1.   At least one pair of links arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the auxiliary step among the plurality of links is arranged along the width direction of the auxiliary step at a portion other than the connecting portion with the step portion. The vehicle getting on / off step device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle getting on / off step device is connected and fixed by a reinforcing rod.   2. The vehicle entry / exit step device according to claim 1, wherein the link abuts against a stopper that restricts movement of the link at a deployment position or a storage position of the auxiliary step. The transmission unit includes a crank arm having one end connected to the drive shaft and rotatable about the drive shaft, the other end and one end of the crank arm being rotatably connected by a pivot, and the other end connected to the step unit. A coupled drive link;
In the crank arm and the drive link, when the auxiliary step is in the deployed position, the drive shaft, the pivot shaft, and the connecting portion with the step portion of the drive link are arranged in a substantially straight line when viewed from the axial direction of the drive shaft. When the auxiliary step is in the retracted position, the crank arm and the drive link overlap with each other so that the connecting portion of the drive shaft, the pivot, and the step portion of the drive link is viewed from the axial direction of the drive shaft. The vehicle entry / exit step device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle entry / exit step device is set so as to be aligned substantially in a straight line.   6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein at least the crank arm or the drive link of the transmission unit is in contact with a stopper that restricts movement of the crank arm or the drive link in the deployed position and the retracted position of the auxiliary step. Getting on and off step device. A door opening / closing detection unit for detecting that the door of the vehicle is opened and outputting a door opening signal, and detecting that the door is closed and outputting a door closing signal;
A control unit for controlling the driving of the driving unit,
The control unit detects the door open signal to drive the auxiliary step from the storage position to the deployment position, and detects the door close signal to move the auxiliary step from the deployment position to the storage position. The vehicular boarding / alighting step device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit is controlled so as to be driven. A storage state detection unit that detects that the auxiliary step is in the storage position and outputs a storage state detection signal, and a deployment state detection unit that detects that the auxiliary step is in the deployment position and outputs a deployment state detection signal And comprising
8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls to stop driving of the driving unit by detecting either the unfolded state detection signal or the stored state detection signal. Getting on and off step device. A pinching detection unit that detects that the storing operation or the unfolding operation of the auxiliary step is hindered and outputs a pinching detection signal;
9. The control unit according to claim 7, wherein the control unit performs control so as to reverse a driving direction of the driving unit by detecting the pinching detection signal during storage or development of the auxiliary step. The vehicle entry / exit step device described. A pinching detection unit that detects that the storing operation or the unfolding operation of the auxiliary step is hindered and outputs a pinching detection signal;
9. The control unit according to claim 7, wherein the control unit performs control so as to stop driving of the driving unit by detecting the pinching detection signal during storage or development of the auxiliary step. Vehicle entry / exit step device.   The vehicle entrance / exit step device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control unit outputs the pinching detection signal to a central control device of the vehicle when the pinching detection signal is detected.

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