초록 ▼

An extending and retracting device for a vehicle-step apparatus includes a mounting bracket and step bracket. A first arm defines a first end pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a second end pivotally connected to the step bracket. A second arm defines a first end pivotally connected to

An extending and retracting device for a vehicle-step apparatus includes a mounting bracket and step bracket. A first arm defines a first end pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a second end pivotally connected to the step bracket. A second arm defines a first end pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and a second end. A third arm defines a first end pivotally connected to the second end of the second arm and a second end pivotally connected to the step bracket. A trajectory-control assembly is configured to connect the first arm to the second arm and/or third arm to control a “motion” trajectory of the step bracket. A vehicle-step apparatus includes a step member, the extending and retracting device, and a driving device driving the first arm and/or second arm to move the extending and retracting device between an extended position and a retracted position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An extending and retracting device for a vehicle-step apparatus, said device comprising: a mounting bracket;a step bracket;a first arm defining a first end pivotally connected to said mounting bracket and a second end pivotally connected to said step bracket;a second arm defining a first end pivo

1. An extending and retracting device for a vehicle-step apparatus, said device comprising: a mounting bracket;a step bracket;a first arm defining a first end pivotally connected to said mounting bracket and a second end pivotally connected to said step bracket;a second arm defining a first end pivotally connected to said mounting bracket and a second end;a third arm defining a first end pivotally connected to said second end of said second arm and a second end pivotally connected to said step bracket; anda trajectory-control assembly configured to connect said first arm to at least one of said second and third arms to control a motion trajectory of said step bracket. 2. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said trajectory-control assembly includes a trajectory-control plate mounted onto one of said first, second, and third arms and formed with a trajectory-control groove in said trajectory-control plate and a trajectory-control rod defining a first end inserted into and movable in said trajectory-control and a second end mounted onto an arm opposite to said one of said first, second, and third arms in a substantially transverse direction. 3. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said trajectory-control plate is mounted onto either of said second and third arms and said second end of said trajectory-control rod is connected to said first arm. 4. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said trajectory-control plate is mounted onto said first arm and said second end of said trajectory-control rod is mounted onto either of said second and third arms. 5. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said trajectory-control plate is connected integrally with said first arm. 6. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said trajectory-control plate is mounted onto said first arm via a bolt. 7. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said trajectory-control plate is mounted onto said first arm and said first end of said third arm is connected to said second end of said second arm via an intermediate pivot that is also used as said trajectory-control rod. 8. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said trajectory-control groove is a closed groove formed in said trajectory-control plate. 9. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said trajectory-control assembly includes a trajectory-control lever defining a first end pivotally connected to one of said first, second, and third arms and a second end and a trajectory-control rod defining a first end pivotally connected to said second end of said trajectory-control lever and a second end connected to an arm opposite to said one of said first, second, and third arms in a substantially transverse direction. 10. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first end of said trajectory-control lever is connected to either of said second and third arms and said second end of said trajectory-control rod is mounted onto said first arm. 11. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first end of said trajectory-control lever is connected to said first arm and said second end of said trajectory-control rod is mounted onto either of said second and third arms. 12. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 11, wherein a V-shaped groove is formed at a substantially transverse outside of said first arm and said first end of said trajectory-control lever is connected in said V-shaped groove. 13. An extending and retracting device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first end of said trajectory-control lever is connected to said first arm and said first end of said third arm is connected to said second end of said second arm via an intermediate pivot that is also used as said trajectory-control rod. 14. A vehicle-step apparatus comprising: a step member;an extending and retracting device including: a mounting bracket;a step bracket;a first arm defining a first end pivotally connected to said mounting bracket and a second end pivotally connected to said step bracket;a second arm defining a first end pivotally connected to said mounting bracket and a second end;a third arm defining a first end pivotally connected to said second end of said second arm and a second end pivotally connected to said step bracket; anda trajectory-control assembly configured to connect said first arm to at least one of said second and third arms to control a motion trajectory of said step bracket; anda driving device driving at least one of said first and second arms to move said extending and retracting device between an extended position and a retracted position. 15. A vehicle-step apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said driving device is a motor. 16. A vehicle-step apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said trajectory-control assembly includes a trajectory-control plate mounted onto one of said first, second, and third arms and formed with a trajectory-control groove in said trajectory-control plate and a trajectory-control rod defining a first end inserted into and movable in said trajectory-control and a second end mounted onto an arm opposite to said one of said first, second, and third arms in a substantially transverse direction. 17. A vehicle-step apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said trajectory-control plate is mounted onto either of said second and third arms and said second end of said trajectory-control rod is connected to said first arm. 18. A vehicle-step apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said trajectory-control plate is mounted onto said first arm and said second end of said trajectory-control rod is mounted onto either of said second and third arms. 19. A vehicle-step apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said trajectory-control plate is mounted onto said first arm and said first end of said third arm is connected to said second end of said second arm via an intermediate pivot that is also used as said trajectory-control rod. 20. A vehicle-step apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said trajectory-control assembly includes a trajectory-control lever defining a first end pivotally connected to one of said first, second, and third arms and a second end and a trajectory-control rod defining a first end pivotally connected to said second end of said trajectory-control lever and a second end connected to an arm opposite to said one of said first, second, and third arms in a substantially transverse direction.