Swiveling electric running board and vehicle

Abstract

Swiveling electric footboard, characterized in that it includes: a running board body (10); a first assembly seat (20) that can be connected to a vehicle body; a first connecting seat (30) which is fixedly connected to one end of the footboard body (10) and rotatably connected to the first mounting seat (20); a connecting rod (40) whose end is movably connected to the first connecting seat (30); a swivel arm (50) whose one end is movably connected to the other end of the connecting rod (40); a drive (60) which is arranged at the first mounting seat (20) and connected to the other end of the swivel arm (50), wherein the drive (60) can drive the swivel arm (50) to swivel in a horizontal direction; a second assembly seat (70) that can be connected to the vehicle body; and a second connecting seat (80) which is fixedly connected to the other end of the footboard body (10) and rotatably connected to the second mounting seat (70), wherein the drive (60) can move the first connecting seat (30) about a pivot axis between the first connecting seat and the first mounting seat (20) and the second connecting seat (80) about a pivot axis between the second connecting seat and the second mounting seat (70) to fold outwards or inwards in a vertical direction.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automotive engineering, in particular a swiveling electric running board and a vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In some SUVs and MPVs, getting in and out of the vehicle is more difficult for occupants due to their higher ground clearance compared to sedans. Therefore, these vehicle types are typically equipped with running boards to facilitate entry and exit. Running boards are generally divided into fixed and electric running boards. Fixed running boards are permanently attached to the vehicle body, while electric running boards have running board bodies driven by an electric drive mechanism, allowing them to move relative to the vehicle body. Existing electric running boards are connected to the vehicle body via a four-bar linkage. When moving, a motor drives the running board body outwards through this four-bar linkage.However, since the lateral and longitudinal installation space of the vehicle body is extremely limited, and there is insufficient space for the electric running board, the four-bar linkage drive results in a comparatively large range of motion for the electric running board, particularly a large lateral range of motion. This occupies a significant portion of the vehicle body's installation space and thus negatively impacts the vehicle structure design. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a novel swiveling electric running board and a vehicle to address the aforementioned problems. CONTENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a swiveling electric running board and a vehicle.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the following technical solution is proposed to solve the technical problem: A swiveling electric footboard is provided, comprising: a running board body; a first assembly seat that can be connected to a vehicle body; a first connecting seat which is fixedly connected to one end of the footboard body and rotatably connected to the first mounting seat; a connecting rod, one end of which is movably connected to the first connecting seat; a swivel arm, one end of which is movably connected to the other end of the connecting rod; a drive which is arranged at the first mounting seat and connected to the other end of the swivel arm, wherein the drive can drive the swivel arm to swivel in a horizontal direction; a second assembly seat that can be connected to the vehicle body; and a second connecting seat, which is fixedly connected to the other end of the footboard body and rotatably connected to the second mounting seat, wherein the drive can move the first connecting seat about a pivot axis between the first connecting seat and the first mounting seat and the second connecting seat about a pivot axis between the second connecting seat and the second mounting seat to fold outwards or inwards in a vertical direction.

[0005] Furthermore, the drive is provided to include a motor, a worm connected to one output of the motor, and a worm wheel connected to the other end of the swivel arm and meshing with the worm, wherein the motor can drive the worm wheel via the worm to rotate in order to cause the swivel arm to pivot in a horizontal direction.

[0006] Furthermore, it is provided that a mounting groove and a support groove, arranged in a stepped manner, are provided on the running board body, wherein the first connecting seat comprises a second mounting part which is arranged in the mounting groove and is connected to the running board body via a detachable structure, as well as a support part which rests against the support groove.

[0007] Furthermore, it is intended that the detachable structure will be a first bolted connection structure.

[0008] Furthermore, it is provided that the first mounting seat comprises a first mounting part and a connecting part, wherein the first mounting part is connectable to the vehicle body, the first connecting seat is rotatably connected to the connecting part and a deflection groove is formed in the connecting part so that the running board body, when folded in the state, projects at least partially into the deflection groove.

[0009] Furthermore, it is provided that the first mounting seat is connected to the vehicle body via a second bolted connection structure.

[0010] Furthermore, it is provided that a receiving groove is provided on a side wall of the vehicle body, wherein the running board body 10 is at least partially received in the receiving groove when folded in the folded state.

[0011] A vehicle is planned that includes an electric running board as described above.

[0012] The invention has the following advantageous aspects: It provides a pivoting electric running board and a vehicle. The electric running board comprises: a running board body; a first mounting seat that can be connected to a vehicle body; a first connecting seat that is fixedly connected to one end of the running board body and rotatably connected to the first mounting seat; a connecting rod, one end of which is movably connected to the first connecting seat; a pivot arm, one end of which is movably connected to the other end of the connecting rod; a drive unit that is arranged on the first mounting seat and connected to the other end of the pivot arm, wherein the drive unit can drive the pivot arm to pivot in a horizontal direction; a second mounting seat that can be connected to the vehicle body;and a second connecting seat, which is fixedly connected to the other end of the running board body and rotatably connected to the second mounting seat, wherein the drive can move the first connecting seat about a pivot axis between the first connecting seat and the first mounting seat, and the second connecting seat about a pivot axis between the second connecting seat and the second mounting seat, to fold outwards or inwards in a vertical direction. The structure described above allows the lateral movement path of the running board body to be shortened during extension, thereby reducing the installation space in the vehicle body occupied by the electric running board and simplifying the arrangement of the vehicle structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The foregoing and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and easily understandable from the description of the exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the figures: Fig. Figure 1 shows a first structural schematic representation of a swiveling electric footboard in a folded-in state; Fig. Figure 2 shows a first structural schematic representation of the swiveling electric footboard in an unfolded state; Fig. Figure 3 shows a second structural schematic representation of the swiveling electric footboard in the folded-in state; Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial view of area A. Fig. 3; Fig. Figure 5 shows an enlarged partial view of area B. Fig. 3; Fig. Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the swiveling electric footboard in the unfolded position; and Fig. Figure 7 shows an enlarged partial view of area C from Fig. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] This document describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention, with preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The drawings serve to supplement the textual descriptions with graphical representations, so that the individual technical features and the overall technical solution of the present invention become clear and easily understandable, without, however, being interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0015] In the description of the present invention, the term "several" is to be understood as meaning two or more. Furthermore, the terms "greater than," "less than," and "over" are to be understood as not including the stated value, while the terms "more than," "less than," and "within" are to be understood as including the stated value. Where terms such as "first" and "second" are used, they serve only to distinguish technical features and are not to be understood as an indication or suggestion of relative importance or as an implicit statement of the number of the designated technical features or their order.

[0016] In the description of the present invention, it should further be understood that directional terms such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "left," and "right," which denote a direction or position, are based on the directional or positional relationships illustrated in the drawings and serve only to facilitate the description of the present invention and to simplify its presentation. In other words, these terms do not refer, either implicitly or explicitly, to the positioning, design, or operation of the device or element in question in a predetermined position, so that there is no limitation of the invention in this respect.

[0017] In the present invention, unless expressly stated otherwise, terms such as "arranged," "assembled," and "connected" are to be understood in a broad sense. Thus, they can, for example, denote a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate element, a fixed connection or a detachable connection, as well as a one-piece construction, a mechanical connection or an internal connection between two elements, or an interaction between two elements. A person skilled in the art can appropriately determine the respective meanings of the aforementioned terms depending on the specific content of the technical solution of the present invention.

[0018] See Fig. 1 to 7. A swiveling electric footboard is provided, which includes: a running board body; a first assembly seat that can be connected to a vehicle body; a first connecting seat which is fixedly connected to one end of the footboard body and rotatably connected to the first mounting seat; a rotary drive arrangement, each connected to the first mounting seat and the first connecting seat; a second assembly seat that can be connected to the vehicle body; and a second connecting seat, which is fixed to the other end of the footboard body and rotatably connected to the second mounting seat.

[0019] The swivel drive arrangement can move the first connecting seat about a rotational axis between the first connecting seat and the first assembly seat, and the second connecting seat about a rotational axis between the second connecting seat and the second assembly seat, to fold outwards or inwards in a vertical direction.

[0020] In the present invention, the Fig. Figures 1 and 3 to 5 each show a structural view of the electric running board in the folded state. Specifically, the pivot arm 50 is driven to pivot in the horizontal direction when the drive 60 receives a control signal sent by an on-board computer. After power transmission via the connecting rod 40, the first connecting seat 30 is driven to unfold vertically outwards about a pivot axis between the first connecting seat 30 and the first mounting seat 20. Simultaneously, the second connecting seat 80 is driven, via the transmission of the running board body 10, to unfold vertically outwards about a pivot axis between the second connecting seat 80 and the second mounting seat 70, thereby unfolding the running board body 10 as a whole.

[0021] The Fig.Figures 2 and 6 to 7 each show a structural view of the electric running board in its unfolded state. Specifically, the pivot arm 50 is driven in the opposite direction to pivot horizontally when the drive 60 receives a control signal from an on-board computer. After power transmission via the connecting rod 40, the first connecting seat 30 is driven to fold inwards vertically around the axis of rotation between the first connecting seat 30 and the first mounting seat 20. Simultaneously, the second connecting seat 80 is driven, via the transmission of the running board body 10, to fold inwards vertically around the axis of rotation between the second connecting seat 80 and the second mounting seat 70, thereby folding the entire running board body 10 inwards.The advantage of the present invention is that the structure described above allows the lateral movement path of the running board body 10 to be shortened when extending, thereby reducing the installation space of the vehicle body occupied by the electric running board and simplifying the arrangement of the vehicle structure.

[0022] The pivot angle of the running board body 10 can be adjusted depending on the curvature of the side wall of the vehicle body. This only requires changing the length and angle of movement of the connecting rod 40 and the length and angle of movement of the pivot arm 50. Furthermore, a receiving groove is provided on the side wall of the vehicle body, whereby the running board body 10, when folded in the folded position, can be at least partially received in the receiving groove, so that it forms part of the side skirt of the vehicle and can also increase the structural strength of the vehicle side.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the rotary drive arrangement, it is provided that the rotary drive arrangement comprises: a connecting rod, one end of which is movably connected to the first connecting seat via a first ball socket; a swivel arm, one end of which is movably connected to the other end of the connecting rod via a second ball socket; and a drive which is arranged at the first mounting seat and connected to the other end of the swivel arm, wherein the drive can drive the swivel arm to swivel in a horizontal direction.

[0024] The drive can, via the swivel arm and the connecting rod, move the first connecting seat around the axis of rotation between the first connecting seat and the first mounting seat, and the second connecting seat around the axis of rotation between the second connecting seat and the second mounting seat, to fold outwards or inwards in a vertical direction.

[0025] One end of the connecting rod 40 is movably connected to the first connecting seat 30 via a first ball socket 91, and the other end of the connecting rod 40 is movably connected to one end of the pivot arm 50 via a second ball socket 92. The ball socket structure enables a large-angle rotatable connection both between the connecting rod 40 and the first connecting seat 30 and between the connecting rod 40 and the pivot arm 50, thus preventing jamming of the footboard body 10. Furthermore, the first ball socket 91 and the second ball socket 92 can be designed as known ball socket structures, which are not further described in the present invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the present invention.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the drive 60, it is provided that the drive 60 comprises a motor 61, a worm connected to an output of the motor 61, and a worm wheel connected to the other end of the pivoting arm 50 and meshing with the worm, wherein the motor 61 can drive the worm wheel via the worm to rotate in order to cause the pivoting arm 50 to pivot in a horizontal direction.

[0027] The running board body 10 has a mounting groove 11 and a support groove 12, which are arranged in a stepped configuration. The first connecting seat 30 comprises a second mounting part 31, which is arranged in the mounting groove 11 and is connected to the running board body 10 via a detachable structure 93, and a support part 32, which rests against the support groove 12. The support part 32 can serve to support the running board body 10 when the electric running board is folded down.

[0028] The detachable structure 93 is a first bolted connection structure.

[0029] The first mounting seat 20 comprises a first mounting part 21 and a connecting part 22, wherein the first mounting part 21 is connectable to the vehicle body, the first connecting seat 30 is rotatably connected to the connecting part 22, and a clearance groove 23 is formed in the connecting part 22, such that the running board body 10, in the folded state, projects at least partially into the clearance groove 23. The design of the clearance groove 23 ensures that the running board body 10, in the folded state, projects at least partially into the clearance groove 23, thereby further reducing the lateral movement of the running board body 10 when extended.

[0030] The first mounting seat 20 is connected to the vehicle body via a second bolted connection structure 94.

[0031] A vehicle is planned that includes an electric running board as described above.

[0032] Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art may make equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such equivalent modifications and substitutions are included within the scope of protection defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

[1] Swiveling electric footboard, characterized by , that it includes: a running board body (10); a first assembly seat (20) that can be connected to a vehicle body; a first connecting seat (30) which is fixedly connected to one end of the footboard body (10) and rotatably connected to the first mounting seat (20); a connecting rod (40) whose end is movably connected to the first connecting seat (30); a swivel arm (50) whose one end is movably connected to the other end of the connecting rod (40); a drive (60) which is arranged at the first mounting seat (20) and connected to the other end of the swivel arm (50), wherein the drive (60) can drive the swivel arm (50) to swivel in a horizontal direction; a second assembly seat (70) that can be connected to the vehicle body; and a second connecting seat (80) which is fixedly connected to the other end of the footboard body (10) and rotatably connected to the second mounting seat (70), wherein the drive (60) can move the first connecting seat (30) about a pivot axis between the first connecting seat and the first mounting seat (20) and the second connecting seat (80) about a pivot axis between the second connecting seat and the second mounting seat (70) to fold outwards or inwards in a vertical direction. [2] Swiveling electric footboard according to claim 1, characterized by , that the drive (60) comprises a motor (61), a worm connected to an output of the motor (61) and a worm wheel connected to the other end of the swivel arm (50) and meshing with the worm, wherein the motor (61) can drive the worm wheel via the worm to rotate in order to cause the swivel arm (50) to pivot in a horizontal direction. [3] Swiveling electric footboard according to claim 1, characterized by , that a mounting groove (11) and a support groove (12) which are arranged in a stepped manner are provided on the running board body (10), wherein the first connecting seat (30) comprises a second mounting part (31) which is arranged in the mounting groove (11) and is connected to the running board body (10) via a detachable structure (93), and a support part (32) which rests against the support groove (12). [4] Swiveling electric footboard according to claim 3, characterized by , that the detachable structure (93) is a first bolted connection structure. [5] Swiveling electric footboard according to claim 1, characterized by, that the first mounting seat (20) comprises a first mounting part (21) and a connecting part (22), wherein the first mounting part (21) is connectable to the vehicle body, the first connecting seat (30) is rotatably connected to the connecting part (22) and a clearance groove (23) is formed in the connecting part (22) so that the running board body (10) projects at least partially into the clearance groove (23) when folded in. [6] Swiveling electric footboard according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first mounting seat (20) is connected to the vehicle body via a second bolted connection structure (94). [7] Swiveling electric footboard according to claim 1, characterized by , that a receiving groove is provided on a side wall of the vehicle body, wherein the running board body (10) is at least partially received in the receiving groove when folded in the folded state. [8] vehicle, characterized by, that it comprises an electric running board according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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