Patent ID: 9688205
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: B60R

Claim:
1. A vehicle step apparatus, comprising: a first extending and retracting device and a second extending and retracting device, each comprising a mounting bracket, a step bracket, and an arm assembly coupled between the mounting bracket and the step bracket and configured to drive the step bracket to move between an extending position and a retracting position; a step mounted on the step brackets of the first extending and retracting device and the second extending and retracting device; one motor mounted on the mounting bracket of the first extending and retracting device, and having a casing and a motor shaft coupled with the arm assemblies of the first extending and retracting device and the second extending and retracting device to drive the arm assemblies; and an elastic member configured to be elastically deformed so as to store energy when the motor drives the first and second extending and retracting devices to move towards the extending position, and to release energy so as to assist the motor to drive the extending and retracting devices when the one motor drives the first and second extending and retracting devices to move towards the retracting position, wherein the one motor is coupled with the arm assembly of the first extending and retracting device via a first connection shaft, and coupled with the arm assembly of the second extending and retracting device via a transmission shaft and a second connection shaft, wherein the elastic element comprises a first scroll spring disposed at an outside of the mounting bracket of the second extending and retracting device away from the mounting bracket of the first extending and retracting device, and defining a fixed first end and a second end driven by the motor shaft via the transmission shaft to twist, wherein a second recess is formed in the outside of the mounting bracket of the second extending and retracting device and covered by a second cover, wherein a first end of the second connection shaft is connected to the transmission shaft, and a second end of the second connection shaft is extended beyond the outside of the mounting bracket of the second extending and retracting device, wherein a second connection plate is fitted over and coupled with the second end of the second connection shaft via splined connection, and a second catch groove is formed in an outer circumferential surface of the second connection plate, wherein a catch column formed on the outside of the mounting bracket of the second extending and retracting device is disposed in the second recess, wherein the first scroll spring is disposed in the second recess, the first end of the first scroll spring is fitted over the catch column, and the second end of the first scroll spring is inserted into and fitted within the second catch groove.