Patent Publication Number: US-2023150435-A1

Title: Rocker footboard device and vehicle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation-In-Part application of PCT Application No. PCT/CN2021/133818 filed on Nov. 29, 2021, which claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202111351509.7 filed on Nov. 15, 2021. All the above are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a technical field of vehicle accessories, and in particular to a rocker footboard device and a vehicle including same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A vehicle footboard is provided under a vehicle door for people to get on or off the vehicle. There have been two types of mainstream footboards, including a fixed footboard (namely the position of the footboard on a vehicle is fixed), and an electric lifting footboard (namely the footboard is extended under driving of a motor when needed, but retracted and concealed under the vehicle door when not used). The mainstream electric footboard is extended or retracted by driving a four-rod linkage mechanism through the motor. However, the four-rod linkage mechanism has a high manufacturing cost, and under a same occupied space, the four-rod linkage mechanism has small travel and a low universality. 
     SUMMARY 
     An objective of the present disclosure provides a rocker footboard device, to solve problems of high manufacturing cost and small travel of an extending and retracting mechanism of the footboard in the prior art. 
     To achieve the above objective, a first aspect of the present disclosure provides a rocker footboard device, including: a mounting seat, a rotary driving device arranged on the mounting seat, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a sliding sleeve, and a footboard, where 
     the rotary driving device is provided with a driving shaft; the first connecting rod includes a first end fixedly connected with the driving shaft, and a second end pivotally connected with a first end of the second connecting rod through a first pivot shaft; the footboard is provided at a second end of the second connecting rod; the sliding sleeve is pivotally connected with the mounting seat through a second pivot shaft; a middle segment of the second connecting rod is slidably provided on the sliding sleeve; and an axis of the driving shaft, an axis of the first pivot shaft, and an axis of the second pivot shaft are parallel to one another. 
     Preferably, a distance between the axis of the driving shaft and the axis of the first pivot shaft may be a first distance; a distance between the axis of the driving shaft and the axis of the second pivot shaft may be a second distance; and the first distance may be less than the second distance. 
     Preferably, the rotary driving device may be provided at an underside of the mounting seat, the underside of the mounting seat may be provided with a hinge seat, the second pivot shaft may be pivotally connected on the hinge seat, and the driving shaft may be higher than the second pivot shaft. 
     Preferably, the rocker footboard device may further include: a stop block, where the stop block may be located between the driving shaft and the second pivot shaft, an upper end of the stop block may be connected with the mounting seat, and a lower side of the stop block may be provided with an abutting portion abutting against the second connecting rod. 
     Preferably, the abutting portion may be provided with an abutting surface abutting against the second connecting rod, and the abutting surface may be matched with an outer side of the second connecting rod in shape. 
     Preferably, when the second connecting rod abuts against the abutting surface, the second end of the second connecting rod may be extended, and an upper side of the footboard may keep horizontal. 
     Preferably, the mounting seat may be provided with a plurality of mounting holes. 
     Preferably, the second end of the second connecting rod may be provided with a bending portion which may bend upward, and the footboard may be provided on the bending portion. 
     Preferably, a friction texture may be provided at the upper side of the footboard. 
     A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a vehicle, including: a vehicle body, and the above rocker footboard device, where the vehicle body is provided with a chassis; the mounting seat is provided at a bottom of the chassis; and the rotary driving device, the first connecting rod, and the second connecting rod are located under the chassis. 
     The rocker footboard device and the vehicle including same provided by the present disclosure achieve the following beneficial effects: The rotary driving device of the rocker footboard device drives the first connecting rod to rotate around the driving shaft, and the first connecting rod drives the second connecting rod to slide in the sliding sleeve. As a result, the second connecting rod is extended or retracted, thereby extending the footboard when the footboard is needed, or retracting the footboard when the footboard is not used. Compared with the four-rod linkage mechanism, the rocker footboard device has the simpler structure, fewer parts, smaller size, lower manufacturing cost, and higher production efficiency. Moreover, under a same occupied space, the crank rocker mechanism formed by the first connecting rod, the second connecting rod and the sliding sleeve has larger travel, allowing for greater convenience in adjusting the travel of the footboard, and a stronger universality. 
     Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be partly provided in the following description, and partly become evident in the following description or understood through the practice of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic structural view of a rocker footboard device according to an embodiment in a first aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic structural view of a second connecting rod in a retracted state according to an embodiment in the first aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic structural view of a second connecting rod in an extended state according to an embodiment in the first aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic structural view of an installation structure of a vehicle and a rocker footboard device in an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
       100 : mounting seat,  110 : hinge seat,  120 : stop block,  121 : abutting portion,  122 : abutting surface,  130 : mounting hole,  200 : rotary driving device,  210 : driving shaft,  300 : first connecting rod,  310 : first pivot shaft,  400 : second connecting rod,  410 : bending portion,  500 : sliding sleeve,  510 : second pivot shaft,  600 : footboard,  610 : friction texture,  700 : first distance,  800 : second distance,  16 : vehicle body, and  17 : chassis. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings. The same or similar numerals represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout the specification. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary. They are only used to explain the present disclosure, and should not be construed as a limitation to the present disclosure. 
     In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that orientational or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside” and “outside” are based on the drawings. These terms are merely intended to facilitate and simplify the description of the present disclosure, rather than to indicate or imply that the mentioned device or components must have a specific orientation or must be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, these terms should not be understood as a limitation to the present disclosure. 
     In the description of the present disclosure, “several” means a number larger than one, while “a plurality of” means a number larger than two; “greater than”, “less than”, “over” and the like are construed as not including the number, and “above”, “below”, “within” and the like are construed as including the number. The “first” and “second” in the description are merely intended to distinguish technical features, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating a number of indicated technical features or implicitly indicating a sequence relationship of the indicated technical features. 
     In the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the words such as “arrange”, “install” and “connect” should be understood in a broad sense, and those skilled in the technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above words in the present disclosure in combination with specific contents of the technical solutions. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  3   , descriptions are now made to a rocker footboard device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the rocker footboard device in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a mounting seat  100 , a rotary driving device  200  arranged on the mounting seat  100 , a first connecting rod  300 , a second connecting rod  400 , a sliding sleeve  500 , and a footboard  600 . The rotary driving device  200  is provided with a driving shaft  210 . The first connecting rod  300  includes a first end fixedly connected with the driving shaft  210 , and a second end pivotally connected with a first end of the second connecting rod  400  through a first pivot shaft  310 . The footboard  600  is provided at a second end of the second connecting rod  400 . The sliding sleeve  500  is pivotally connected with the mounting seat  100  through a second pivot shaft  510 . A middle segment of the second connecting rod  400  is slidably provided on the sliding sleeve  500 . An axis of the driving shaft  210 , an axis of the first pivot shaft  310 , and an axis of the second pivot shaft  510  are parallel to one another. A sliding channel is formed in the sliding sleeve  500 , and the second connecting rod  400  is slidably provided in the sliding channel, such that the second connecting rod  400  can be slidably connected with the sliding sleeve  500 . 
     The first connecting rod  300 , the second connecting rod  400  and the sliding sleeve  500  are formed into a crank rocker mechanism. The rotary driving device  200  drives the first connecting rod  300  to rotate around the driving shaft  210 , and the first connecting rod  300  drives the second connecting rod  400  to slide in the sliding channel of the sliding sleeve  500 . As a result, the second connecting rod  400  can be extended or retracted relative to the sliding sleeve  500 , thereby extending the footboard  600  when the footboard  600  is needed, or retracting the footboard  600  when the footboard  600  is not used. Referring to  FIG.  3   , when the first connecting rod  300  swings toward a direction close to the second pivot shaft  510 , the first connecting rod  300  drives the second end of the second connecting rod  400  to extend toward a direction away from the second pivot shaft  510 , thereby extending the footboard  600  at the second end of the second connecting rod  400  outward. Referring to  FIG.  2   , when the first connecting rod  300  swings toward the direction away from the second pivot shaft  510 , the first connecting rod  300  drives the second end of the second connecting rod  400  to gradually get close to the second pivot shaft  510 , thereby retracting the footboard  600 . The crank rocker mechanism formed by the first connecting rod  300 , the second connecting rod  400  and the sliding sleeve  500  can adjust the travel of the second connecting rod  400  through the length of the first connecting rod  300 . The longer the first connecting rod  300 , the larger the travel extended or retracted by the second connecting rod  400  under a same swing amplitude of the first connecting rod  300 . Therefore, the travel extended or retracted by the second connecting rod  400  is adjusted conveniently. 
     Generally, the four-rod linkage mechanism is a parallelogram mechanism. To increase the travel, two swing rods need to be made longer, which greatly expands the traversing area of the swing rods. However, the crank rocker mechanism formed by the first connecting rod  300 , the second connecting rod  400  and the sliding sleeve  500  can adjust the travel of the second connecting rod  400  through the length of the first connecting rod  300 , namely the travel can be increased by only adjusting the length of the first connecting rod  300 . Compared with the four-rod linkage mechanism, the traversing area is reduced, and the crank rocker mechanism has a wider travel adjustment range. 
     According to the rocker footboard device in the embodiment, the rotary driving device  200  drives the first connecting rod  300  to rotate around the driving shaft  210 , and the first connecting rod  300  drives the second connecting rod  400  to slide in the sliding sleeve  500 . As a result, the second connecting rod  400  is extended or retracted, thereby extending the footboard  600  when the footboard  600  is needed, or retracting the footboard  600  when the footboard  600  is not used. Compared with the four-rod linkage mechanism, the rocker footboard device has the simpler structure, fewer parts, smaller size, lower manufacturing cost, and higher production efficiency. Moreover, under a same occupied space, the crank rocker mechanism formed by the first connecting rod  300 , the second connecting rod  400  and the sliding sleeve  500  has larger travel, allowing for greater convenience in adjusting the travel of the footboard  600 , and a stronger universality. 
     It is to be noted that the rotary driving device  200  is a driving motor, and may also be a pneumatic motor or a hydraulic motor. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , a distance between the axis of the driving shaft  210  and the axis of the first pivot shaft  310  is a first distance  700 , and a distance between the axis of the driving shaft  210  and the axis of the second pivot shaft  510  is a second distance  800 . The first distance  700  is less than the second distance  800 . That is, the rotational radius of the first connecting rod  300  is less than the second distance  800 , which prevents the second end of the second connecting rod  400  from moving toward the rotary driving device  200 , reduces the intervention, and makes the second connecting rod  400  extended or retracted more smoothly. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , the rotary driving device  200  is provided at an underside of the mounting seat  100 , the underside of the mounting seat  100  is provided with a hinge seat  110 , the second pivot shaft  510  is pivotally connected on the hinge seat  110 , and the driving shaft  210  is higher than the second pivot shaft  510 . That is, the driving shaft  210 , the first pivot shaft  310  and the second pivot shaft  510  are located under the mounting seat  100 , and the second pivot shaft  510  is located under the driving shaft  210 , such that when the first connecting rod  300  rotates, the second connecting rod  400  is extended downward, the footboard  600  is extended downward obliquely, and thus the user gets on or off the vehicle conveniently. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , the rocker footboard device further includes: a stop block  120 . The stop block  120  is located between the driving shaft  210  and the second pivot shaft  510 . An upper end of the stop block  120  is connected with the mounting seat  100 , and a lower side of the stop block  120  is provided with an abutting portion  121  abutting against the second connecting rod  400 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , when the second connecting rod  400  is extended under the driving of the first connecting rod  300 , the stop block  120  abuts against the second connecting rod  400 . In this case, the stop block  120  is configured to prevent the second connecting rod  400  from moving upward continuously and the first connecting rod  300  from rotating offside, and the stop block  120  applies a downward force to the second connecting rod  400 . When getting on the vehicle, the user needs to step on the footboard  600 , with a downward force applied to the second end of the second connecting rod  400 . In this case, the stop block  120  supports the first end of the second connecting rod  400 , which prevents the second connecting rod  400  from swinging around the second pivot shaft  510 , fixes the footboard  600 , and prevents the footboard  600  from moving when the user gets on or off the vehicle. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , the abutting portion  121  is provided with an abutting surface  122  abutting against the second connecting rod  400 . The abutting surface  122  is matched with an outer side of the second connecting rod  400  in shape. Since the abutting surface  122  is matched with the outer side of the second connecting rod  400  in shape, the abutting surface  122  abuts against the outer side of the second connecting rod  400  better, the abutting area is increased, the pressure is reduced, and the second connecting rod  400  is not broken. For example, when the second connecting rod  400  is a round rod, the abutting surface  122  is a cylindrical surface. When the second connecting rod  400  is a square rod, the abutting surface  122  is a plane with the matched shape, such that the abutting surface  122  is better attached to the second connecting rod  400 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , when the second connecting rod  400  abuts against the abutting surface  122 , the second end of the second connecting rod  400  is extended, and an upper side of the footboard  600  keeps horizontal. That is, when the second connecting rod  400  is extended under the driving of the first connecting rod  300  and abuts against the abutting surface  122 , the upper side of the footboard  600  keeps horizontal. With the horizontal upper side of the footboard  600 , the user can step on the footboard more stably, and get on or off the vehicle conveniently. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to  FIG.  1   , the mounting seat  100  is provided with a plurality of mounting holes  130 . The mounting seat  100  can be mounted on the vehicle body via bolts passing through the mounting holes  130 . Therefore, the mounting seat  100  is mounted conveniently, the rocker footboard device is provided on the vehicle body conveniently, and the mounting efficiency is improved. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , the second end of the second connecting rod  400  is provided with a bending portion  410  which bends upward, and the footboard  600  is provided on the bending portion  410 . With the bending portion  410 , the angle of the footboard  600  can be adjusted, and the upper side of the extended footboard  600  can keep horizontal for ease of use. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , a friction texture  610  is provided at the upper side of the footboard  600 . With the friction texture  610 , the frictional force at the upper side of the footboard  600  can be increased, and the user does not slip and fall when getting on or off the vehicle. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a vehicle, including a vehicle body  16 , and the above rocker footboard device. The vehicle body  16  is provided with a chassis  17 . The mounting seat  100  is provided at a bottom of the chassis  17 . The rotary driving device  200 , the first connecting rod  300 , and the second connecting rod  400  are located under the chassis  17 . The rocker footboard device is provided on the chassis  17  of the vehicle body  16 , located under a vehicle door, and configured for a user to get on or off the vehicle conveniently. The rocker footboard device does not have to be located on a specific position of the vehicle body  16 , but can be any position where the rocker footboard device is required. The rotary driving device  200  of the rocker footboard device drives the first connecting rod  300  to rotate around the driving shaft  210 , and the first connecting rod  300  drives the second connecting rod  400  to slide in the sliding sleeve  500 . As a result, the second connecting rod  400  is extended or retracted, thereby extending the footboard  600  when the footboard  600  is needed, or retracting the footboard  600  when the footboard  600  is not used. Compared with the four-rod linkage mechanism, the rocker footboard device has the simpler structure, fewer parts, smaller size, lower manufacturing cost, and higher production efficiency. Moreover, under a same occupied space, the crank rocker mechanism formed by the first connecting rod  300 , the second connecting rod  400  and the sliding sleeve  500  has larger travel, allowing for greater convenience in adjusting the travel of the footboard  600 , and a stronger universality. 
     The above are only preferred implementations of the present disclosure. It should be noted that several improvements and replacements may further be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technical principle of the present disclosure, and such improvements and replacements should also be deemed as falling within the protection scope of the present disclosure.