Vehicle step device

Abstract

To provide a step device for a vehicle which simplifies a support structure with resect to a body side of a second step plate covering a movable first step plate.SOLUTION: A second step plate 12 has a resin integral structure having a step body part 12a and an erection part 12b. The second step plate 12 is mounted on a locker panel 9 of a door opening 3 by a plurality of metal coupling members 13. The coupling member 13 has a base part 13a coupled to the locker panel 9, and a support part 13b which faces the base part 13a and is coupled to the erection part 12b of the second step plate 12. The base part 13a and the support part 13b are connected to each other in a reversed U shape in the mutual upper parts by a connection part 13c, and is spring-energized in a mutually approaching direction. The second step plate 12 is pressed against the upper surface of a first step plate 11 with pressing force P by spring energization force of the connection part 13c, and flapping is suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a step device provided at a door opening of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sliding step device in which a step plate (footboard) is deployed and stored in conjunction with the opening and closing of a sliding door on the side of a vehicle. With this step device, when the sliding door is opened, the step plate is deployed to the side, making it easier for passengers to get in and out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-238933 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to enhance the usefulness of a step device while ensuring user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The above problems are solved by the following inventions. The first invention is a step device provided in a door opening of a vehicle, comprising a first step plate extending from the door opening, a step main body covering the top of the first step plate, a second step plate with an L-shaped cross section that has an integral standing portion extending upward from the edge of the step main body, and a connecting member that connects the second step plate to the door opening. The connecting member has a base portion that connects to the door opening, and a support portion that faces the base portion and connects to the standing portion of the second step plate. The base portion and the support portion are connected to each other in a U-shape between their upper and lower portions, and are spring-biased in directions that bring them closer to each other.

[0006] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the second step plate has an integral shape in which the step body and the rising portion are connected in an L-shape. The second step plate is connected to the door opening by a connecting member having a biasing force. This simplifies the structure of the second step plate and reduces the number of parts. This enhances the usefulness of the step device.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the support portion has a first engagement portion that restricts downward displacement of the second step plate relative to the second step plate and a second engagement portion that restricts upward displacement. The base portion has a third engagement portion that restricts displacement of the second step plate in a direction away from the door opening. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the supporting rigidity of the second step plate relative to the door opening is ensured with a simple configuration.

[0008] In the third invention, in the first or second invention, the connecting member is made of stainless steel or spring steel. According to the third invention, the connecting member itself has a spring biasing force, so the step body is biased toward the first step plate without the need for a separate spring, thereby suppressing fluttering. In this respect, the structure of the second step plate can be simplified.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the base is screwed to the door opening, and the supporting rigidity of the resin second step plate with respect to the door opening can be ensured without using a configuration in which a reinforcing member is insert-molded or the like.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the upright portion of the second step plate and the support portion of the connecting member are provided with work holes for screwing the base portion of the connecting member to the door opening, which facilitates the work of attaching the second step plate to the door opening.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the connecting members are interposed at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the second step plate, thereby increasing the supporting rigidity of the second step plate with respect to the door opening over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the second step plate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the step device, showing a state in which the sliding door is opened and the step plate is removed. [Figure 4] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the step device, showing a state in which the sliding door is closed and the step plate is stored. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5, and is a right side view of the second step plate. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of the second step plate, showing the state in which the connecting member has been removed, as viewed from inside the vehicle compartment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a perspective view of the connecting member, as viewed from inside the vehicle compartment. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of a connecting member, as viewed from outside the vehicle compartment. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 5, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state in which the second step plate is attached to the rocker panel by the connecting member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11. Fig. 1 shows the left side of a so-called minivan-type vehicle 1. A sliding door 2 is provided on, for example, the left side of the vehicle 1. When the sliding door 2 is slid rearward, a door opening 3 is opened. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the sliding door 2 is slid rearward and the door opening 3 is opened. When the sliding door 2 is slid forward, the door opening 3 is closed. In addition to the left side of the vehicle 1, the sliding door 2 may also be provided on the right side.

[0014] Passengers get in and out through door opening 3. Rear seats 6 are provided on floor 4. Although not visible in the diagram, front seats (driver's seat and passenger seat) are provided in front of rear seats 6. A rotating hinged front door 7 is provided in front of sliding door 2. When front door 7 is opened, passengers get in and out and sit in the front seats. The front-to-back, left-to-right, up-and-down directions of each component are applied based on the driver seated in the driver's seat.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a floor step section 5 for getting on and off is provided below the door opening 3, which is one step lower than the floor 4. A movable step device 10 is provided along the bottom of the floor step section 5. The floor step section 5 and step device 10 make it easier for passengers to get on and off.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 5, the step device 10 comprises a first step plate 11 and a second step plate 12. The first step plate 11 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction. The first step plate 11 is supported below the floor step portion 5 (rocker panel 9) by a parallel link mechanism 20. The first step plate 11 is supported by the parallel link mechanism 20 so that it can slide in the planar direction. The first step plate 11 is slid to the left (outside the vehicle compartment) and extended to the usage position. The first step plate 11 is slid to the right (inside the vehicle compartment) and stored.

[0017] The parallel link mechanism 20 has a front link arm 21 and a rear link arm 22. A rotation base end of the front link arm 21 is rotatably supported on the rocker panel 9 via a support shaft 21a. A rotation tip end side of the front link arm 21 is rotatably supported on the front underside of the first step plate 11 via a support shaft 21b. A rotation base end side of the rear link arm 22 is rotatably supported on the rocker panel 9 via a support shaft 22a. A rotation tip end side of the rear link arm 22 is rotatably supported on the rear underside of the first step plate 11 via a support shaft 22b.

[0018] The first step plate 11 is linked to the sliding door 2 via a linkage arm 8. As a result, the extension and retraction operations of the first step plate 11 are linked to the opening and closing operations of the sliding door 2. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, when the sliding door 2 is slid rearward to open the door opening 3, the first step plate 11 is extended to the use position. When the sliding door 2 is slid forward to close the door opening 3 as shown in Figure 4, the first step plate 11 is slid inside the vehicle cabin and retracted below the rocker panel 9.

[0019] A second step plate 12 is provided to cover the upper surface side of the first step plate 11. The first step plate 11 can be extended from below the second step plate 12 to a usage position outside the vehicle cabin, allowing passengers to straddle both the first step plate 11 and the second step plate 12 and place their feet on them. This ensures that the step device 10 has a large step width in the vehicle width direction, making it highly convenient for passengers getting on and off.

[0020] The second step plate 12 has an integrally molded structure in which a step main body 12a that protrudes outward from the vehicle interior and a rising portion 12b that protrudes upward from the inner edge of the step main body 12a are joined in an L-shape. The step main body 12a protrudes along the upper surface of the first step plate 11. The second step plate 12 is molded integrally using, for example, synthetic resin.

[0021] The second step plate 12 is connected along the side of the rocker panel 9 on the outside of the vehicle cabin by metal connecting members 13. In this embodiment, the second step plate 12 is attached by four connecting members 13. The four connecting members 13 have the same configuration.

[0022] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the connecting member 13 is made by bending stainless steel or spring steel into a U-shape. The connecting member 13 is treated to prevent rust. The connecting member 13 has a base portion 13a and a support portion 13b that face each other. The base portion 13a and the support portion 13b are rectangular flat plates of approximately the same size. The top of the base portion 13a and the top of the support portion 13b are connected in an inverted U-shape via a connecting portion 13c. The connecting portion 13c has a spring force (leaf spring hinge structure) that moves the base portion 13a and the support portion 13b closer to each other.

[0023] The base portion 13a on the interior side of the vehicle is connected to the rocker panel 9. The support portion 13b is connected to the upright portion 12b of the second step plate 12. A circular hole 13d is provided in the center of the base portion 13a. An L-shaped third engagement portion 13e is provided at the bottom of the base portion 13a. The third engagement portion 13e extends toward the support portion 13b (outside the vehicle cabin). An engagement claw 13f is provided at the tip of the third engagement portion 13e. The engagement claw 13f extends forward and rearward from the tip of the third engagement portion 13e.

[0024] A single circular hole 13g is provided in the center of the support portion 13b. The circular hole 13g is provided coaxially with the circular hole 13d of the base portion 13a. The circular hole 13g of the support portion 13b has a larger diameter than the circular hole 13d of the base portion 13a. The circular hole 13g of the support portion 13b has a diameter that allows the head 14a of the fixing screw 14 used to fix the connecting member 13 to pass through. The circular hole 13d of the base portion 13a is formed with a smaller diameter than the head 14a of the fixing screw 14.

[0025] A rectangular engagement recess 13j is provided in the shape of a notch at the bottom of the circular hole 13g. Front and rear engagement portions 13h are provided at the top of the support portion 13b. The front and rear engagement portions 13h are provided so as to protrude forward and rearward from the front and rear ends of the connecting portion 13c. Raised engagement claws 13i are provided at the bottom of the support portion 13b, in front and rear of the engagement portions 13h.

[0026] 6 and 7, four connecting members 13 are connected at approximately equal intervals to the back surface (the side surface facing the interior of the vehicle) of the standing portion 12b of the second step plate 12. Four mounting seats 12c are provided on the standing portion 12b to connect the connecting members 13. The rearmost mounting seat 12c will be described below. The other three mounting seats 12c have the same configuration.

[0027] As shown in Figure 8, one circular hole 12d is provided in the mounting seat 12c. A fixing screw 14 is fastened to the rocker panel 9 through the circular hole 12d and a circular hole 13g in the connecting member 13. The circular hole 12d has a slightly smaller diameter than the circular hole 13g in the connecting member 13. This hides the connecting member 13 from the outside, improving the appearance of the second step plate 12.

[0028] Second engagement portions 12e are provided at the front and rear of the upper side of the circular hole 12d. Front and rear engagement portions 13h of the connecting member 13 are inserted from below into the front and rear second engagement portions 12e, respectively, and engage with them. One first hook portion 12f is provided directly below the circular hole 12d. The first hook portion 12f protrudes to the right and is bent downward in an L-shape. The first hook portion 12f is hooked into an engagement recess 13j of the connecting member 13. First engagement portions 12g are provided in front and behind the first hook portion 12f. Engagement claws 13i of the connecting member 13 engage with the first engagement portion 12g from above.

[0029] Second hook portions 12h are provided below the front and rear first engagement portions 12g, protruding to the right. Front and rear engagement claws 13f of the connecting member 13 are hooked from below onto the second hook portions 12h. This engages the lower side of the base portion 13a via the third engagement portion 13e, restricting displacement of the second step plate 12 toward the outside of the vehicle cabin (in the direction away from the rocker panel 9).

[0030] The attachment of the coupling member 13 to the attachment seat 12c is performed by inserting the engagement portion 13h of the support portion 13b into the second engagement portion 12e from below, and by inserting the first hook portion 12f into the engagement recess 13j, so that the support portion 13b abuts against the upright portion 12b. As a result, the front and rear engagement claws 13i are engaged with the first engagement portion 12g from above, and the third engagement portion 13e is hooked onto the second hook portion 12h.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 11 , with four connecting members 13 attached to the interior side (right side) of the upright portion 12b, the second step plate 12 is screwed to the rocker panel 9. One fixing screw 14 is used for each connecting member 13. The fixing screws 14 are inserted through the circular holes 12d of the second step plate 12 and the circular holes 13g of the connecting members 13. The fixing screws 14 pass through the circular holes 13d of the connecting members 13 and are tightened into the fixing nuts 9a of the rocker panel 9. The fixing nuts 9a are previously joined to the inner surface of the rocker panel 9 by welding. The fixing screws 14 are tightened by engaging the heads 14a of the fixing screws 14 with a driver bit (screw tightening tool) through the circular holes 12d of the second step plate 12 and the circular holes 13g of the connecting members 13. By tightening the four fixing screws 14, the second step plate 12 is tightened to the rocker panel 9. The circular hole 12d of the second step plate 12 and the circular hole 13g of the connecting member 13 function as working holes for screw fastening work.

[0032] When the second step plate 12 is attached, the base portion 13a of the connecting member 13 abuts against the left side of the rocker panel 9, and the support portion 13b abuts against the right side of the upright portion 12b of the second step plate 12. The support portion 13b of the connecting member 13 is spring-biased in a direction approaching the base portion 13a by the biasing force of the connecting portion 13c. As a result, the step main body portion 12a of the second step plate 12 is pressed against the upper surface of the first step plate 11 by the spring-biasing force of the connecting portion 13c. The spring-biasing force of the connecting portion 13c acts as a downward pressing force P that presses the step main body portion 12a against the upper surface of the first step plate 11. This suppresses flapping of the step main body portion 12a.

[0033] According to the embodiment configured as described above, the second step plate 12 covering the upper part of the first step plate 11 has an integral shape in which the step main body portion 12a and the rising portion 12b are connected in an L-shape. The second step plate 12 is connected to the lower part of the door opening 3 (rocker panel 9) by a metal connecting member 13. This simplifies the configuration of the second step plate 12, reducing the number of parts and costs. This enhances the usefulness of the step device 10.

[0034] According to the embodiment, the support portion 13b of the connecting member 13 has a first engagement portion 12g that restricts downward displacement relative to the upright portion 12b of the second step plate 12, and a second engagement portion 12e that restricts upward displacement. The base portion 13a of the connecting member 13 has a third engagement portion 13e that restricts displacement of the second step plate 12 in a direction (leftward) away from the rocker panel 9. This ensures the supporting rigidity of the second step plate 12 with respect to the rocker panel 9 with a simple configuration.

[0035] According to the embodiment, the connecting member 13 is made of stainless steel or spring steel. Therefore, the connecting member 13 itself has a spring biasing force, so the step main body 12a is biased toward the first step plate 11 without the need for a separate spring, thereby suppressing flapping. In this respect, the structure of the second step plate 12 is simplified.

[0036] According to the embodiment, the base portion 13a of the connecting member 13 is screw-connected to the side portion of the rocker panel 9. Therefore, the supporting rigidity of the synthetic resin second step plate 12 with respect to the rocker panel 9 can be ensured without using a configuration in which a separate reinforcing member is insert-molded or the like.

[0037] According to the embodiment, the upright portion 12b of the second step plate 12 and the support portion 13b of the connecting member 13 are provided with work holes (circular holes 12d and 13g) for screwing the base portion 13a of the connecting member 13 to the rocker panel 9. This facilitates the work of attaching the second step plate 12 to the rocker panel 9.

[0038] According to the embodiment, the connecting members 13 are interposed at four locations in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the second step plate 12. This increases the support rigidity of the second step plate 12 with respect to the rocker panel 9 (the lower part of the door opening 3) over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the second step plate 12.

[0039] The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways. For example, although the second step plate 12 made of synthetic resin is illustrated, it may be changed to a second step plate made of metal or other materials.

[0040] Although the step body 12a and the rising portion 12b of the second step plate 12 are integrally formed by molding in the above example, they may be integrated by screw connection or adhesive bonding.

[0041] Although the connecting member 13 has been exemplified as having an inverted U-shape in which the base portion 13a and the support portion 13b are connected at their upper portions, it may be changed to a connecting member having a U-shape in which the base portion 13a and the support portion 13b are connected at their lower portions. In the embodiment, four positions are exemplified as the positions at which the connecting member 13 is applied, but this can be changed as appropriate.

[0042] Although the example shows a step device 10 installed in the left door opening 3 of the vehicle 1, the second step plate and its mounting structure shown as examples can also be applied to a step device installed in the right door opening or rear opening. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1...Vehicle 2...Sliding door 3...Door opening 4...Floor 5...Floor step section 6...Back seat 7...Front door 8...Linked arm 9...Rocker panel 9a...Fixing nut 10...Step device 11...First step board 12...Second step board 12a...Step body, 12b...Upright part, 12c...Mounting seat 12d...circular hole, 12e...second engagement portion, 12f...first hook portion, 12g...first engagement portion 12h...Second hook P...Pressing force of the second step plate 12 13...Connecting member 13a...base portion, 13b...support portion, 13c...connecting portion, 13d...circular hole 13e... third engagement portion, 13f... engagement claw, 13g... circular hole 13h...engagement portion, 13i...engagement claw, 13j...engagement recess 14...Fixing screw 14a...Head 20...Parallel link mechanism 21...Front link arm 21a, 21b…Spindle 22...Rear link arm 22a, 22b…Spindle

Claims

1. A step device provided at a door opening of a vehicle, a first step plate extending from the door opening; a step body portion covering the upper part of the first step plate; and a second step plate having an L-shaped cross section and integrally having an upright portion extending upward from an edge of the step body portion; a connecting member for connecting the second step plate to the door opening, the connecting member has a base portion connected to the door opening and a support portion facing the base portion and connected to the upright portion of the second step plate, The base portion and the support portion are connected to each other in a U-shape between their upper and lower portions, and are spring-biased in a direction in which they approach each other, The support portion has a first engagement portion that restricts downward displacement relative to the second step plate and a second engagement portion that restricts upward displacement, and the base portion has a third engagement portion that restricts displacement of the second step plate in a direction away from the door opening.

2. A step device provided at a door opening of a vehicle, a first step plate extending from the door opening; a step body portion covering the upper part of the first step plate; and a second step plate having an L-shaped cross section and integrally having an upright portion extending upward from an edge of the step body portion; a connecting member for connecting the second step plate to the door opening, the connecting member has a base portion connected to the door opening and a support portion facing the base portion and connected to the upright portion of the second step plate, The base portion and the support portion are connected to each other in a U-shape between their upper and lower portions, and are spring-biased in a direction in which they approach each other, A step device in which the second step plate is pressed downward against the upper surface of the first step plate by the spring force of the connecting member.

3. 3. The step device according to claim 1 or 2, The step device wherein the connecting member is made of stainless steel or spring steel.

4. 3. The step device according to claim 1 or 2, A step device in which the base portion is threadably connected to the door opening.

5. 5. The step device according to claim 4, A step device in which the upright portion of the second step plate and the support portion of the connecting member are provided with work holes for screwing the base portion of the connecting member to the door opening.

6. 3. The step device according to claim 1 or 2, The connecting members are interposed at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the second step plate.

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