Stowable step assembly

Abstract

A stowable step assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed step structure fixed to a body of the vehicle and having first curved fingers, and a movable step structure that is rotatably coupled to the fixed step structure and having second curved fingers. The movable step structure is rotatable between a stowed position of the stowable step assembly in which one or more of the second curved fingers are positioned between the first curved fingers and a deployed position of the stowable step assembly in which at least portions of the one or more of the second curved fingers move out from between the first curved fingers.

Description

STOWABLE STEP ASSEMBLYCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 715,100, filed November 1, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] The subject disclosure relates to vehicles, and in particular to a stowable step assembly for vehicles.

[0003] Large vehicles such as semi-trailer trucks have compartments that may utilize steps for a driver or passenger to reach. However, step assemblies disposed on an outside of the vehicles may negatively impact the aerodynamic performance of the vehicles, which in turn negatively impacts energy consumption of the vehicles. Therefore, step assemblies that do not have negative impacts on the aerodynamic performance of the vehicles may be desirable.SUMMARY

[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, a stowable step assembly for a vehicle comprises a fixed step structure fixed to a body of the vehicle and comprising first curved fingers, and a movable step structure that is rotatably coupled to the fixed step structure and comprising second curved fingers. The movable step structure is rotatable between a stowed position of the stowable step assembly in which one or more of the second curved fingers are positioned between the first curved fingers and a deployed position of the stowable step assembly in which at least portions of the one or more of the second curved fingers move out from between the first curved fingers.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the movable step structure further comprises a door that is configured rotate via a hinge to open and close, and the second curved fingers protrude from the door.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the hinge is rotatably attached to the movable step structure.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the door comprises a light.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the movable step structure comprises an actuator configured to open and close the door.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the actuator is back-drivable to enable the door to be manually opened and closed.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the fixed step structure is fixed to a back plate.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the fixed step structure comprises a finger support positioned below the first curved fingers that directly contacts bottom surfaces of the second curved fingers to support the second curved fingers.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, at least some of the second curved fingers are interleaved between the first curved fingers.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first curved fingers and the second curved fingers comprise aluminum, steel, plastic, or composite.

[0014] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle comprises a passenger compartment, a plurality of wheels, and a stowable step assembly positioned below the passenger compartment and forward of a front wheel of the plurality of wheels. The stowable step assembly comprises a fixed step structure fixed to a body of the vehicle and comprising first curved fingers, and a movable step structure that is rotatably coupled to the fixed step structure and comprising second curved fingers. The movable step structure is rotatable between a stowed position of the stowable step assembly in which one or more of the second curved fingers are positioned between the first curved fingers and a deployed position of the stowable step assembly in which at least portions of the one or more of the second curved fingers move out from between the first curved fingers.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the movable step structure further comprises a door that is configured rotate via a hinge to open and close, and the second curved fingers protrude from the door.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the hinge is rotatably attached to the movable step structure.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the door comprises a light.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the movable step structure comprises an actuator configured to open and close the door.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the actuator is back-drivable to enable the door to be manually opened and closed.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the fixed step structure is fixed to a back plate.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the fixed step structure comprises a finger support positioned below the first curved fingers that directly contacts bottom surfaces of the second curved fingers to support the second curved fingers.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, at least some of the second curved fingers are interleaved between the first curved fingers.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first curved fingers and the second curved fingers comprise aluminum, steel, plastic, or composite.

[0024] The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0036] FIG.11 is a perspective view of movable step structure of a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0037] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0038] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0039] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0040] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0041] FIG. 16 is a front view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0042] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0043] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a movable step structure of a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0044] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of upper and lower fixed structures of a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0045] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a back plate of a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0046] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a spray guard of a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0047] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0048] FIG. 23 is a top view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0049] FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a detent mechanism for a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0050] FIG. 25 is a schematic view of a detent mechanism for a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0051] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0052] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0053] FIG. 28 is a side view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0054] FIG. 29 is a side view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0055] FIG. 30 is a top view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0056] FIG. 31 is a top view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0057] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0058] FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram showing an actuator, a controller, and a sensor according to one or more embodiments;

[0059] FIG. 34 is a top view of a portion of a vehicle having a stowable step assembly according to one or more embodiments; and

[0060] FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram showing a heating structure, a controller, and a temperature sensor according to one or more embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10 according to a non-limiting example. The vehicle may be, for example, a semi-trailer truck, although the present application is not limited thereto. Although a cab-over or flat-nosed semi-trailer truck is shown as an example of the vehicle 10 in the drawings, the present application is not limited thereto. The vehicle 10 includes an upper vehicle body 11 and a lower vehicle body 12 supported on a plurality of wheels 15. The lower vehicle body 12 may include a bumper. The upper vehicle body 11 defines, in part, a passenger compartment 20. The passenger compartment 20 may include a driver seat, a passenger seat, a dashboard, and a steering wheel (not shown). One or more of the wheels 15 may be steerable via the steering wheel. The upper vehicle body 11 and / or the lower vehiclebody 12 further defines, in part, a prime mover compartment that houses a prime mover 17. The prime mover 17 may be, for example, an engine, a motor, or both an engine and a motor in a hybrid configuration. The upper vehicle body 11 may be separate from the lower vehicle body 12 such that the upper vehicle body 11 may be tiltable forward into a serviceable position for the prime mover 17. For such a structure, the vehicle door 13 may not extend to the lower vehicle body 12. A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) may be arranged in the upper vehicle body 11 and / or the lower vehicle body 12 and may provide power to components within the vehicle 10 which may include the prime mover 17. A gear assembly and / or transmission (not shown) may be coupled to the prime mover 17 to drive one or more of the wheels 15. The upper vehicle body 11 may further include one or more vehicle doors 13. While specific structures and locations are shown for upper vehicle body 11, lower vehicle body 12, vehicle door 13, wheels 15, prime mover 17, and the compartment in FIG. 1 , these locations are merely exemplary and not limiting, and the structures and locations thereof may vary. Although an upper vehicle body 11 and a lower vehicle body 12 are shown, the vehicle 10 may instead have a vehicle body.

[0063] FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6 show the vehicle door 13 in the closed position, while FIGS. 3, 5, and 7 show the vehicle door 13 removed. It should be understood that the vehicle door 13 is movably attached to the upper vehicle body 11 and / or the lower vehicle body 12 via hinges and / or sliding mechanisms (not shown) so as to be movable between open and closed positions. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, the passenger compartment 20 is disposed behind the vehicle door 13. A step recess 60 may be formed in the upper vehicle body 11 or the lower vehicle body 12 below the passenger compartment 20. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6, the step recess 60 may be covered entirely by the vehicle door 13 such that the step recess 60 does not negatively impact the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle 10.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 1-10, 12-17, 22, 23, and 26-32, the vehicle 10 includes a stowable step assembly 100. While the stowable step assembly 100 is only shown on one side of the vehicle 10, it should be understood that the stowable step assembly 100 may also be on the other side of the vehicle 10. The stowable step assembly 100 includes a movable step structure 110A (see FIG. 18) that includes adoor 110 and one or more door hinges 115. The door hinges 115 may be vertical hinges. The movable step structure 110A may be swingably mounted on the lower vehicle body 12 via the one or more door hinges 115 of the movable step structure 110A. The one or more door hinges 115 may protrude from an inner surface of the door 110. For example, as shown in FIGS. 22, 23, 29, and 32, an actuator 160 may be coupled to a shaft 117 that is rotatably fixed to the door hinges 115 such that the actuator 160 may rotate the shaft 117 to swing the movable step structure 110A from a stowed position (see FIGS. 2, 4, 8, 12, 14-17, 26, 28, and 30) to a deployed position (see FIGS. 3, 5-7, 9, 10, 13, 22, 23, 27, 29, and 31. In the stowed position, an outer surface of the door 110 may be flush with the lower vehicle body 12 such that the stowable step assembly 100 does not negatively impact the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle 10. The door 110 may include a blinker light 111. A reflective material or bright material (e.g., yellow material) may be disposed on an inner surface of the blinker light 111 or the door 110 such that, when the door 110 is opened, a driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian may easily visually identify that the door 110 is open and the movable step structure 110A is in the deployed position. While the door 110 is shown as a single structure, according to one or more embodiments, the door 110 may be formed of multiple structures. As a non-limiting example, the door 110 may include an inner structural portion and an outer skin portion (not shown). According to one or more embodiments, the outer skin portion may have the same color as the vehicle 10. The outer skin portion may be added by the manufacturer of the vehicle 10 during manufacturing to match the color of the vehicle or, alternatively, may be added by the manufacturer or another party after manufacturing. According to one or more embodiments, the inner structural portion may be made of metal and the outer skin portion may be a plastic cover.

[0065] The actuator 160 may open and close the door 110 automatically based on a signal for a door light switch. The actuator 160 may be an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or other actuators known in the art. The actuator 160 may be back-drivable so that the door 110 may be manually opened if necessary, but with a certain level of friction that may be overcome by a level of force that an average person may exert. As shown in FIG. 33, the actuator 160 may be operably connected to a controller 180 and / or a sensor 185. The controller 180 may also be operablyconnected to the sensor 185. The sensor may be a position sensor or other sensors known in the art, and may detect whether the door 110 may be opened without hitting an obstacle.

[0066] The stowable step assembly 100 may include an upper step assembly 140 and a lower step assembly 150. It should be understood that, depending on the size of the vehicle 10, the stowable step assembly 100 may include only one of the upper step assembly 140 and the lower step assembly 150, or may include additional step assemblies.

[0067] The upper step assembly 140 may include an upper movable step 140A and an upper fixed step structure 140B (see FIGS. 17 and 18). The upper movable step 140 A may be part of the movable step structure 110A in the form of a plurality of curved fingers 141 protruding from an upper portion of an inner surface of the door 110. The upper fixed step structure 140B may include an upper finger support 143, a plurality of curved fingers 145, and a shaft aperture 147. The shaft 117 may pass through the shaft aperture 147 and be rotatable with respect to the upper fixed step structure 140B. While four curved fingers 141 of the upper movable step 140A and four curved fingers 145 of the upper fixed step structure 140B are shown, the present application is not limited thereto. The curved fingers 141 of the upper movable step 140A and the curved fingers 145 of the upper fixed step structure 140B are offset from each other such that the curved fingers 141 of the upper movable step 140A may be interleaved between the curved fingers 145 of the upper fixed step structure 140B. As shown in FIGS. 12, 15, and 17, in the stowed position, the curved fingers 141 of the upper movable step 140 A may interleave between the curved fingers 145 of the upper fixed step structure 140B. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5-7, 9, 10, 13, 22, 23, 27, 29, 31, and 32, in the deployed position, the curved fingers 141 of the upper movable step 141 A move out from between the curved fingers 145 of the upper fixed step structure 141B with the free ends thereof being supported atop the upper finger support 143 to form an upper step. As shown, at least some portion of the curved fingers 141 are supported atop the upper finger support 143 in an entire range from the stowed position to the deployed position.

[0068] The lower step assembly 150 may include a lower movable step 150A and a lower fixed step structure 150B (see FIGS. 17 and 18). The lower movable step 150 A may be part of the movable step structure 110A in the form of a plurality of curved fingers 151 protruding from a lower portion of an inner surface of the door 110. The lower fixed step structure 150B may include a lower finger support 153, a plurality of curved fingers 155, and a shaft aperture 157. The shaft 117 may pass through the shaft aperture 157 and be rotatable with respect to the lower fixed step structure 150B. While five curved fingers 151 of the lower movable step 150A and four curved fingers 155 of the lower fixed step structure 150B are shown, the present application is not limited thereto. The curved fingers 151 of the lower movable step 150A and the curved fingers 155 of the lower fixed step structure 150B are offset from each other such that he curved fingers 151 of the lower movable step 150A may be interleaved between the curved fingers 155 of the lower fixed step structure 150B. Similarly to the upper step assembly 140, in the stowed position, the curved fingers 151 of the lower movable step 150A are interleaved between the curved fingers 155 of the lower fixed step structure 150B. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5-7, 9, 10, 13, 22, 23, 27, 29, 31, and 32, in the deployed position, the curved fingers 151 of the lower movable step 151 A move out from between the curved fingers 155 of the lower fixed step structure 15 IB with the free ends thereof being supported atop the lower finger support 153 to form a lower step. As shown, at least some portion of the curved fingers 151 are supported atop the lower finger support 153 in an entire range from the stowed position to the deployed position.

[0069] According to one or more embodiments, the lower movable step 150A may have more curved fingers 151 than the curved fingers 141 of the upper movable step 140A such that the lower step extends further out than the upper step, allowing a driver and / or a passenger to step on a portion of the lower step that extends further than the upper step. While the lower movable step 150A is shown as having one more of the curved fingers 151 than the curved fingers 141 of the upper movable step 140A, the difference in the number of curved fingers may be greater than one.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 12-15, 17, 20, 22, and 26-32 a back plate 130 may be disposed on an inner side of the stowable step assembly 100. According to one ormore embodiments, the back plate 130 may be formed of aluminum, steel, plastic, composite, or other suitable materials known in the art. Furthermore, a spray guard 135, an example of which is shown in FIG. 21, may be disposed below the stowable step assembly 100. According to one or more embodiments, the spray guard 135 may be formed of aluminum, steel, plastic, composite, or other suitable materials known in the art. The movable step structure 110A, including the door 110 and the curved fingers 141, 151, may be formed of aluminum, steel, plastic, composite, or other suitable materials known in the art. The upper fixed step structure 140B and the lower fixed step structure 150B, including the curved fingers 145, 155 and the upper and lower finger supports 143, 153, may be formed of aluminum, steel, plastic, composite, or other suitable materials known in the art. According to one or more embodiments, the spray guard 135 is installed with a slight outwards angle such that the spray guard 135 is not totally horizontal, to allow rainwater or snow landing on the stowable step assembly 100 and dropping onto the spray guard 135 may flow out and away from the vehicle 10.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 35, the stowable step assembly 100 may include a heating structure 190 that is operably coupled to a controller 193 and / or a temperature sensor 185. The controller 193 may be operably connected to the temperature sensor 195 to receive a signal corresponding to a detected temperature from the temperature sensor 195. The temperature sensor 195 may be disposed one or more elements of the on the stowable step assembly 100. The heating structure 190 may be coupled to one or more of elements of the stowable step assembly 100 to provide heat thereto based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 195, for example, to prevent freezing of one or more of the curved fingers 141, 145, 151, 155 and / or structures involved in opening of the door 110. The controller 193 may control the heating structure 190 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 195. Furthermore, referring to FIG. 33, the controller 180 may control the actuator 160 to engage in micromovements at regular intervals to avoid freezing of elements of the stowable step assembly 100. The stowable step assembly 100 may include sealings around the door 110 to seal an inside of the stowable step assembly 100.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 24, the stowable step assembly 100 may include a detent structure in the upper step and / or the lower step. The detent structure may include a detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 formed on an upper surface of the upper and lower finger supports 143, 153, and a corresponding detent recess(es) 142, 152 formed on a lower surface of the curved fingers 141, 151 of the upper and lower movable steps 140A, 150A. In the deployed position of the stowable step assembly 100, the detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 may be disposed within the detent recess(es) 142, 152 with a small therebetween such that the actuator 160 may generate sufficient rotational force to move the detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 out of the detent recess(es) 142, 152. However, when the driver or the passenger steps onto the curved fingers 141, 151 of the upper and lower movable steps 140A, 150A, the weight of the driver or the passenger moves the curved fingers 141, 151 downward such that the detent recess(es) 142, 152 is moved towards the detent protrusion(s) 149, 159, locking the curved fingers 141, 151 from rotational movement during use. Alternatively, the detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 may be disposed on the lower surface of the curved fingers 141, 151 of the upper and lower movable steps 140A, 150A, and the detent recess(es) 142, 152 may be disposed on the upper surface of the upper and lower finger supports 143, 153. As shown in FIG. 25, the detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 may be a ball or a roller within a recess(es) 144, 154 formed in the upper surface of the upper and lower finger supports 143, 153. In the case of the detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 being a ball or a roller, the detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 may rollably support the curved fingers 141, 151 in moving from the stowed position to the deployed position and vice versa. According to one or more embodiments, each of the curved fingers 141, 151 may have detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 or recess(es) 144, 154. Alternatively or additionally, a locking mechanism operated by a solenoid may be utilized.

[0073] The actuator 160 is configured to overcome the engagement(s) of the detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 and recess(es) 144, 154. The curved fingers 141, 151 may be configured to bend a small amount to accommodate downward movement towards the upper and lower finger supports 143, 153 when in use via weight of the driver or the passenger to strengthen engagement between the detent protrusion(s) 149, 159 and recess(es) 144, 154 such that the actuator 160 would not overcome the engagement during use. Alternatively or additionally, The door hinges 115 may havea bearing assembly that provides vertical slack so that the upper and lower moveable steps 141 A, 151 A may move slightly upwards when there is no weight on upper and lower movable steps 141 A, 151 A. The small vertical slack may be only accessible in the deployed position and not in the stowed position via a structure of the door hinges 115.

[0074] According to one or more embodiments, the actuator 160 may have an maximum angular movement that is farther than required to fully open the door 110, and the angular movement in excess of the door 110 in a fully opened position is utilized to lock the stowable step assembly 100 in the deployed position. For example, the stowable step assembly 100 may include a mechanical device that, at a certain rotational position no longer push the door 110 to open and instead engages with a cam or other feature prevents the door 110 from being back-drivable. Thus, the actuator 160 may be back-drivable prior to the deployed position of the stowable step assembly 100 such that the door 110 may be manually opened if the vehicle 10 is not providing power to the actuator 160, but may be locked in the deployed position such that the stowable step assembly 100 does not move when in use.

[0075] One or more embodiments of the stowable step assembly 100 described above may provide steps for the driver and / or passenger to reach the passenger compartment 20 of the vehicle 10 that are large and shaped as a staircase rather than a ladder, which are safer and more ergonomic, while allowing the steps to be fully stowed and flush with the lower vehicle body 12 when not in use to prevent negative impacts on the aerodynamic profile of the vehicle 10. For vehicles 10 in which the upper vehicle body 11 and the lower vehicle body 12 are separate (e.g., to allow for tilting of the upper vehicle body 11 with respect to the lower vehicle body 12 for servicing of the prime mover 17), the vehicle door 13 may not extend to the lower vehicle body 12 to cover step structures positioned on the lower vehicle body 12. The stowable step assembly 100 allows for the steps to be covered by the door 110.

[0076] Furthermore, the interleaving of the curved fingers 141, 145, 151, 155 reduces the amount of space taken up by the stowable step assembly 100 within the vehicle 10. Vehicles 10 may have large corner radiuses which provides excellentaerodynamic profiles. One or more embodiments of the stowable step assembly 100 described above may be integrated into vehicles 10 with large corner radiuses. One or more embodiments of the stowable step assembly 100 described above provides steps that are flat to the feet of the driver and / or passenger in every position between the stowed and deployed positions. Thus, the stowable step assembly 100 may be used even if not fully deployed.

[0077] Conventional square steps may limit a corner radius of the vehicle.For example, a vehicle with conventional square steps may have a corner radius in the range of 200-300 mm. As shown in FIG. 34, the stowable step assembly 100 may allow for an increase in a radius 19 of curvature of a front corner 18 of a vehicle 10. Thus, further improved aerodynamics may be achieved by the increase in the radius 19 of curvature of the front corner 18 the vehicle 10. According to one or more embodiments, the stowable step assembly 100 may allow for a corner radius of the vehicle 10 greater than 300 mm. As a non-limiting example, the corner radius of the vehicle 10 may exceed 700 mm.

[0078] The terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. The term “or” means “and / or” unless clearly indicated otherwise by context. Reference throughout the specification to “an aspect”, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects.

[0079] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0080] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0081] While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A stowable step assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a fixed step structure fixed to a body of the vehicle and comprising first curved fingers, and a movable step structure that is rotatably coupled to the fixed step structure and comprising second curved fingers, wherein the movable step structure is rotatable between a stowed position of the stowable step assembly in which one or more of the second curved fingers are positioned between the first curved fingers and a deployed position of the stowable step assembly in which at least portions of the one or more of the second curved fingers move out from between the first curved fingers.

2. The stowable step assembly of claim 1, wherein the movable step structure further comprises a door that is configured rotate via a hinge to open and close, and wherein the second curved fingers protrude from the door.

3. The stowable step assembly of claim 2, wherein the hinge is rotatably attached to the movable step structure.

4. The stowable step assembly of claim 2, wherein the door comprises a light.

5. The stowable step assembly of claim 2, wherein the movable step structure comprises an actuator configured to open and close the door.

6. The stowable step assembly of claim 5, wherein the actuator is back- drivable to enable the door to be manually opened and closed.

7. The stowable step assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixed step structure is fixed to a back plate.

8. The stowable step assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixed step structure comprises a finger support positioned below the first curved fingers that directlycontacts bottom surfaces of the second curved fingers to support the second curved fingers.

9. The stowable step assembly of claim 1, wherein at least some of the second curved fingers are interleaved between the first curved fingers.

10. The stowable step assembly of claim 1, wherein the first curved fingers and the second curved fingers comprise aluminum, steel, plastic, or composite.

11. A vehicle comprising: a passenger compartment; a plurality of wheels; and a stowable step assembly positioned below the passenger compartment and forward of a front wheel of the plurality of wheels, the stowable step assembly comprising: a fixed step structure fixed to a body of the vehicle and comprising first curved fingers, and a movable step structure that is rotatably coupled to the fixed step structure and comprising second curved fingers, wherein the movable step structure is rotatable between a stowed position of the stowable step assembly in which one or more of the second curved fingers are positioned between the first curved fingers and a deployed position of the stowable step assembly in which at least portions of the one or more of the second curved fingers move out from between the first curved fingers.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the movable step structure further comprises a door that is configured rotate via a hinge to open and close, and wherein the second curved fingers protrude from the door.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the hinge is rotatably attached to the movable step structure.

14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the door comprises a light.

15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the movable step structure comprises an actuator configured to open and close the door.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the actuator is back-drivable to enable the door to be manually opened and closed.

17. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the fixed step structure is fixed to a back plate.

18. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the fixed step structure comprises a finger support positioned below the first curved fingers that directly contacts bottom surfaces of the second curved fingers to support the second curved fingers.

19. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein at least some of the second curved fingers are interleaved between the first curved fingers.

20. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the first curved fingers and the second curved fingers comprise aluminum, steel, plastic, or composite.

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