# US 10,118,557 B2 · Automated retractable step system, sensor system for a moveable vehicle member, and actuator assembly for a moveable vehicle member

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- Number: US 10,118,557 B2
- Document ID: US10118557B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/160,427
- Filed: 2016-05-20
- Published: 2016-11-24
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-05-22
- Assignees: Magna Closures Inc.
- Applicants: Magna Closures Inc.
- Inventors: Mirko Pribisic
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118557B2

## CPC

- B60R 3/02: Retractable steps {or ladders, e.g. movable under shock (B60R3/005 takes precedence)}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An automated retractable step system has at least one linkage subassembly for attachment to a vehicle frame. A step is attached to the linkage subassembly and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. An actuator is coupled with the linkage subassembly for moving the step between the stowed and deployed positions. A sensor subassembly includes a sensing electrode and a reference electrode disposed adjacent to the sensing electrode and a driven shield electrode extending generally parallel to and in a spaced relationship with the sensing electrode and the reference electrode. A controller is electrically connected to the sensing electrode and to the reference electrode and to the driven shield electrode. The controller is also electrically connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator to move the step between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to the signal from the sensor subassembly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An automated retractable step system, comprising:
at least one linkage subassembly for operable attachment to a vehicle frame;
a step attached to said linkage subassembly and movable between a retracted, stowed position and an extended, deployed position;
an actuator operably coupled with said linkage subassembly for moving said step between said retracted, stowed position and said extended, deployed position;
a sensor subassembly connected to said step; and
a controller in operable communication with said sensor subassembly and with said actuator for commanding said actuator to move said step between said retracted, stowed position and said extended, deployed position in response to a signal from said sensor subassembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The automated retractable step system of claim 1 wherein said sensor subassembly includes a sensing electrode and a reference electrode disposed adjacent said sensing electrode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The automated retractable step system of claim 2 wherein said reference electrode extends about said sensing electrode in spaced relation therefrom.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The automated retractable step system of claim 3 wherein said reference electrode and said sensing electrode are substantially coplanar.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The automated retractable step system of claim 4 wherein said sensor subassembly includes a driven shield electrode overlying said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The automated retractable step system of claim 5 wherein said driven shield electrode extends within a plane generally parallel to and in a spaced relation with said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The automated retractable step system of claim 2 wherein said reference electrode and said sensing electrode are substantially coplanar.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The automated retractable step system of claim 7 wherein said sensor subassembly includes a driven shield electrode overlying said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The automated retractable step system of claim 8 wherein said driven shield electrode extends within a plane generally parallel to and in a spaced relation with said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The actuator assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one cap is coupled with said step, and wherein said sensor subassembly is connected to said cap.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The actuator assembly of claim 10 wherein said cap has an upper surface and a lower surface positioned in spaced relationship with said upper surface, wherein said sensor subassembly includes a sensing electrode and a reference electrode connected to said lower surface of said cap, and wherein said sensor subassembly further includes a driven shield electrode connected to said upper surface of said cap and in overlying relation to said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The actuator assembly of claim 11 wherein said sensing electrode extends lengthwise across said lower surface of said cap, and wherein said reference electrode is disposed annularly about and spaced from said sensing electrode.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The actuator assembly of claim 11 wherein at least one upper tab extends from said upper surface of said cap and at least one lower tab extends from said lower surface of said cap, and wherein said upper and lower tabs are received by said step for securing said cap to said step.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The actuator assembly of claim 10 wherein said step extends between a pair of open ends, and wherein said at least one cap includes a pair of caps with each of said caps closing one of said ends of said step.

### Claim 15

A sensor system for a vehicle, comprising:
a moveable step for moving relative to a frame of the vehicle and moveable between a deployed state and a retracted step;
a sensor subassembly connected to said step and including a sensing electrode and a reference electrode disposed adjacent said sensing electrode; and
a controller in operable communication with said sensor subassembly for commanding said moveable step to move between said deployed state and said retracted state.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The sensor system of claim 15 wherein said reference electrode extends about said sensing electrode in spaced relation therefrom.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The sensor system of claim 16 wherein said reference electrode and said sensing electrode are substantially coplanar.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The sensor system of claim 17 wherein said sensor subassembly includes a driven shield electrode overlying said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The sensor system of claim 18 wherein said driven shield electrode extends within a plane generally parallel to and in a spaced relation with the plane containing said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The sensor system of claim 15 wherein said reference electrode and said sensing electrode are substantially coplanar.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The sensor system of claim 20 wherein said sensor subassembly includes a driven shield electrode overlying said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The sensor system of claim 21 wherein said driven shield electrode extends within a plane generally parallel to and in a spaced relation with the plane containing said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 23 (depends on 15)

The sensor system of claim 15 wherein said controller has a sleep state and a power state, said controller scans for signals over a first time interval in said sleep state and scans for signals over a second time interval in said power state, said first time interval being greater than said second time interval.

### Claim 24

An actuator assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a moveable step for moving relative to a frame of the vehicle and moveable between a deployed state and a retracted state;
an actuator coupled with said moveable step and configured to move said moveable step between said deployed state and said retracted state;
a sensor subassembly configured in electrical communication with said actuator, said sensor subassembly including a sensing electrode and a reference electrode disposed adjacent said sensing electrode; and
a controller in operable communication with said sensor subassembly for commanding said actuator to move said movable step in response to a signal from said sensor subassembly.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The actuator assembly of claim 24 further including a driven shield electrode overlying said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The actuator assembly of claim 25 wherein said driven shield electrode extends within a plane generally parallel to and in a spaced relation with the plane containing said sensing electrode and said reference electrode.