Vehicle and vehicle step apparatus

A vehicle step apparatus, comprising:

• a first extending and retracting device comprising a first mounting bracket, a first step bracket, and a first arm assembly coupled between the first mounting bracket and the first step bracket and configured to drive the first step bracket to move between a first extending position and a first retracting position;
• a second extending and retracting device comprising a second mounting bracket, a second step bracket, and a second arm assembly coupled between the second mounting bracket and the second step bracket and configured to drive the second step bracket to move between a second extending position and a second retracting position;
• a step mounted on the first step bracket and the second step bracket;
• a first permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the first mounting bracket and coupled with the first arm assembly to drive the first arm assembly;
• a second permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the second mounting bracket and coupled with the second arm assembly to drive the second arm assembly;
• a first elastic member configured to elastically deform so as to store energy when the first permanent magnet direct current motor drives the first step bracket to move towards the first extending position, and to release energy so as to assist the first permanent magnet direct current motor to drive the first extending and retracting device when the first permanent magnet direct current motor drives the first step bracket to move towards the first retracting position;
• and
• a second elastic member configured to elastically deform so as to store energy when the second permanent magnet direct current motor drives the second step bracket to move towards the second extending position, and to release energy so as to assist the second permanent magnet direct current motor to drive the second extending and retracting device when the second permanent magnet direct current motor drives the second step bracket to move towards the second retracting position;
• wherein the first elastic member comprises a first scroll spring defining a fixed first end and a second end driven by the first motor shaft of the first permanent magnet direct current motor so as to twist;
• wherein the second elastic member comprises a second scroll spring defining a fixed first end and a second end driven by the second motor shaft of the second permanent magnet direct current motor so as to twist;
• wherein the vehicle step apparatus further comprises:
• a first cover and a first connection plate, wherein a first recess is formed in a casing of the first permanent magnet direct current motor, and the first cover covers the first recess to define a first cavity, the first connection plate is mounted within the first cavity and driven by the first motor shaft of the first permanent magnet direct current motor to rotate, wherein the first scroll spring is mounted within the first cavity, the first end of the first scroll spring is fixed in the first cover, and the second end of the first scroll spring is coupled with the first connection plate;
• and
• a second cover and a second connection plate, wherein a second recess is formed in a casing of the second permanent magnet direct current motor, and the second cover covers the second recess to define a second cavity, the second connection plate is mounted within the second cavity and driven by the second motor shaft of the second permanent magnet direct current motor to rotate, wherein the second scroll spring is mounted within the second cavity, the first end of the second scroll spring is fixed in the second cover, and the second end of the second scroll spring is coupled with the second connection plate.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a first extending and retracting device comprising a first mounting bracket, a first step bracket, and a first arm assembly coupled between the first mounting bracket and the first step bracket and configured to drive the first step bracket to move between a first extending position and a first retracting position;
• a second extending and retracting device comprising a second mounting bracket, a second step bracket, and a second arm assembly coupled between the second mounting bracket and the second step bracket and configured to drive the second step bracket to move between a second extending position and a second retracting position;
• a step mounted on the first step bracket and the second step bracket;
• a first permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the first mounting bracket and having a first motor shaft coupled with the first arm assembly;
• a second permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the second mounting bracket and having a second motor shaft coupled with the second arm assembly;
• a first elastic member configured to elastically deform so as to store energy when the first permanent magnet direct current motor drives the first step bracket to move towards the first extending position, and to release energy so as to assist the first permanent magnet direct current motor to drive the first extending and retracting device when the first permanent magnet direct current motor drives the first step bracket to move towards the first retracting position;
• and
• a second elastic member configured to elastically deform so as to store energy when the second permanent magnet direct current motor drives the second step bracket to move towards the second extending position, and to release energy so as to assist the second permanent magnet direct current motor to drive the second extending and retracting device when the second permanent magnet direct current motor drives the second step bracket to move towards the second retracting position.