U.S. patent application number 14/625685 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-25 for vehicle deployable front step.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Cary Ochen Diehl, Julee Harlow, Scott Milke, Nadia Preston.
Application Number | 20160243992 14/625685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56506831 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160243992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Diehl; Cary Ochen ; et
al. |
August 25, 2016 |
Vehicle Deployable Front Step
Abstract
A vehicle and a hood release system are provided. The vehicle
may include a hood release lever disposed within a vehicle cabin
connected to a hood latch assembly and a step assembly disposed
within a front portion of the vehicle. The hood release lever may
be configured to release the step assembly from a stowed to a
deployed position in coordination with releasing the hood latch
from primary latching position to a secondary latching position.
The step assembly may be configured to release the hood latch from
the secondary latching position to allow the hood to fully
open.
Inventors: |
Diehl; Cary Ochen; (Grosse
Ile, MI) ; Preston; Nadia; (Windsor, CA) ;
Harlow; Julee; (Ann Arbor, MI) ; Milke; Scott;
(Clinton Twp., MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56506831 |
Appl. No.: |
14/625685 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 83/24 20130101;
E05C 3/16 20130101; B62D 25/12 20130101; B60R 3/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 3/02 20060101
B60R003/02; E05B 83/24 20060101 E05B083/24 |
Claims
1. A vehicle comprising: a latch assembly connected to the vehicle
having a primary and a secondary latch configured to maintain a
hood in primary and secondary closed positions, respectively; a
step assembly disposed within a front portion of the vehicle, the
step assembly having a stowed and a deployed position; and a hood
release disposed within a vehicle cabin configured to release the
primary latch and deploy the step assembly.
2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the step assembly includes: a
step member; a first member having a first end connected to the
step member and a second end spaced apart from the first end and an
elongate body extending therebetween; and a second member connected
to the front portion of the vehicle, the second member defining an
interior chamber, the interior chamber configured to receive the
second end along a longitudinal axis of the second member, wherein
the first member is configured to translate the step member
relative to the second member.
3. The vehicle of claim 2 further comprising a locking mechanism
operatively connected with the latch assembly and the step
assembly, the locking mechanism configured to inhibit movement of
the step assembly away from the stowed position while the step
assembly is in the stowed position.
4. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein the locking mechanism is
configured to inhibit movement of the step assembly away from the
deployed position while the step assembly is in the deployed
position.
5. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the step assembly further
includes a biasing member received within the interior chamber of
the second member, wherein the biasing member is configured to urge
the step member away from the stowed position responsive to
actuation of the hood release.
6. The vehicle of claim 3 further comprising a tension member
extending between the locking mechanism and the latch assembly,
wherein in response to a downward force applied to the step member,
the step assembly pivots about a pivot axis to actuate the latch
assembly, via the tension member, to release the secondary
latch.
7. A hood release system comprising: a hood release operatively
coupled to a hood latch assembly configured to releasably latch a
vehicle hood; and a step member pivotally mounted to a front
portion of a vehicle, the step member operatively coupled to the
hood latch assembly, wherein in response to actuation of the hood
release, the step member pivots from a stowed position to a
deployed position.
8. The hood release system of claim 7 further comprising a latching
mechanism operatively connected to the hood release, the latching
mechanism configured to retain the step member in the stowed
position.
9. The hood release system of claim 7 wherein the hood latch
assembly includes: a primary latch operatively coupled to the hood
release, the primary latch configured to inhibit movement of the
vehicle hood away from a primary closed position to a secondary
closed position when engaged with the vehicle hood; and a secondary
latch operatively coupled to the step member, the secondary latch
configured to inhibit movement of the vehicle hood away from the
secondary closed position to an open position when the primary
latch is disengaged from the vehicle hood responsive to actuation
of the hood release.
10. The hood release system of claim 9 wherein in response to a
downward force applied to the step member while in the deployed
position, the step member is configured to pivot about a pivot
mount to release the secondary latch.
11. The hood release system of claim 10 further comprising a
stopper disposed proximate the pivot mount, wherein the stopper is
configured to engage the step member to inhibit further pivotal
movement of the step member.
12. A hood release system comprising: a hood releasably connected
to a vehicle via a latch assembly; a hood release connected to the
latch assembly; and a step assembly connected to the vehicle and
the latch assembly, the step assembly disposed proximate a front
portion of the vehicle, wherein in response to a downward force
applied to the step assembly, the hood is released from a closed
position to an open position.
13. The hood release system of claim 12 wherein the step assembly
includes: a step member; an arm connected to the step member and
operatively connected proximate the front portion of the vehicle;
and an electric motor drivably connected to the arm.
14. The hood release system of claim 13 wherein in response to a
first actuation of the hood release, the electric motor is
configured to translate the step member, via the arm, from a stowed
position to a deployed position.
15. The hood release system of claim 14 wherein in response to a
second actuation of the hood release, the electric motor is
configured to translate the step member, via the arm, from the
deployed position to the stowed position.
16. The hood release system of claim 15 further comprising a sensor
disposed proximate the latch assembly configured to provide data
indicative of a position of the hood.
17. The hood release system of claim 16 wherein in response to data
indicative of the hood moved from the open position to the closed
position, the electric motor translates the step member, via the
arm, from a deployed position to a stowed position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This patent application relates to deployable vehicle steps,
and more specifically to vehicle steps used to access a compartment
covered by a hood and the deployment of the step being coordinated
with a release of the hood.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A hood may be any exterior movable body panel on a vehicle
that is used to cover an engine, motor, storage, or battery
compartment. The hood may be located in a front portion of a
vehicle and may be pivotally attached to the vehicle. A hood latch
system may be provided with a primary latch to maintain the hood in
a closed position on the vehicle. Typically, a single hood latch is
located at the center leading edge of the hood, although other
systems and configurations have been used. A hood release handle
may be located within the interior of the vehicle operatively
connected to release the primary latch and pop the hood.
[0003] A vehicle having a front opening hood may obstruct a
driver's forward view when opened. The hood latch system may be
provided with a secondary latch. The secondary latch may act as a
safety latch in the event the primary latch is released while the
vehicle is moving. A hood having the primary latch released
typically raises the hood a predetermined amount and is maintained
in an intermediate closed position by the secondary latch. A
secondary release lever may be located on the hood latch assembly
itself to release the secondary latch.
[0004] Servicing components within the compartment covered by the
hood may be challenging in vehicles with a high ride height, such
as trucks, sport utility vehicles, or utility vehicles. As a result
of the high ride height, the current vehicle architecture, and
component layout, accessibility to components such as the battery,
dip stick, washer fluid, etc. may be inhibited while a 50.sup.th
percentile male (69 inches in height) or a 5.sup.th percentile
female (59.1 inches in height) is standing on the ground.
SUMMARY
[0005] In at least one embodiment, a vehicle is provided. The
vehicle may include a latch assembly, a step assembly, and a hood
release lever. The latch assembly may be connected to the vehicle.
The latch assembly may have a primary and a secondary latch
configured to maintain a hood in primary and secondary closed
positions, respectively. The step assembly may be disposed within a
front portion of the vehicle. The step assembly may have a stowed
and a deployed position. The hood release lever may be disposed
within a vehicle cabin. The hood release lever may be configured to
release the primary latch and deploy the step assembly.
[0006] In at least one embodiment, a hood release system is
provided. The hood release system may include a hood release lever
and a step member. The hood release system may be operatively
coupled to a hood latch assembly configured to releasably latch a
vehicle hood. The step member may be pivotally mounted to a front
portion of a vehicle. The step member operatively coupled to the
hood latch assembly. The step member may pivot from a stowed
position to a deployed position in response to actuation of the
hood release lever.
[0007] In at least one embodiment, a hood release system is
provided. The hood release system may include a hood, a hood
release, and a step assembly. The hood may be releasably connected
to a vehicle via a latch assembly. The hood release may be
connected to the latch assembly. The step assembly may be connected
to the vehicle and the latch assembly. The step assembly may be
disposed proximate a front bumper of the vehicle. The hood may be
released from a closed position to an open position in response to
a downward force applied to the step assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1A and 1B are partial diagrammatic side views of an
exemplary embodiment of a vehicle having a deployable front
step.
[0009] FIGS. 2A and 2B are partial diagrammatic side views of an
exemplary embodiment of a hood release system.
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial diagrammatic side views of an
exemplary embodiment of an exemplary embodiment of a hood release
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are
not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or
minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, diagrammatic views of an
exemplary vehicle 10 are shown. The vehicle 10 may be a motor
vehicle, such as a truck, sport utility vehicle, or utility
vehicle. The vehicle may include an opening or a compartment 12
such as an engine, motor, storage, or battery compartment.
[0013] An enclosure such as a vehicle hood 14 may be disposed over
the compartment 12. The vehicle hood 14 may be pivotally attached
to a vehicle body structure to cover and provide access to the
compartment 12. The vehicle hood 14 may move between a primary
closed position 16a, a secondary closed position 16b, also referred
to as an intermediate closed position, and an open position 16c.
The vehicle hood 14 may be moved or pivot with respect to the
vehicle body structure to provide access to the compartment 12 in
the open position 16c.
[0014] A hood latch assembly 20 may be connected to the vehicle
body structure. The hood latch assembly 20 may be operatively
connected to a hood release 30 disposed within a vehicle cabin
40.
[0015] The hood latch assembly 20 may be configured to engage a
striker 22 extending from the vehicle hood 14. The vehicle hood 14
may be releasably connected to or latched to the vehicle body
structure by the hood latch assembly 20.
[0016] The hood latch assembly 20 may be configured to move between
a primary latched position 18a, a secondary latched position 18b,
and an unlatched position 18c. The hood latch assembly 20 may be
configured to move between the primary latched position 18a and the
secondary latched position 18b responsive to actuation of the hood
release 30 via a first tension member 32. The first tension member
32 may be a cable, linkage, or the like.
[0017] The hood release 30 may be a hood release lever, handle,
actuator, or the like. In at least one embodiment, the hood release
30 may be a button, switch, or the like operatively connected to a
hood release actuator (not shown) that may actuate or move the hood
latch assembly 20 between the primary latched position 18a and the
secondary latched position 18b.
[0018] The primary latched position 18a of the hood latch assembly
20 may correspond to the primary closed position 16a of the vehicle
hood 14. The secondary latched position 18b of the hood latch
assembly 20 may correspond to the secondary closed position 16b of
the vehicle hood 14. The unlatched position 18c of the hood latch
assembly 20 may correspond to the open position 16c of the vehicle
hood 14.
[0019] The first tension member 32 may actuate a primary latch arm
24 responsive to actuation of the hood release 30. The primary
latch arm 24 of the hood latch assembly 20 may be configured to
engage the striker 22 in the primary latched position 18a. The
engagement of the striker 22 with the primary latch arm 24 in the
primary latched position 18a may inhibit pivotal movement of the
vehicle hood 14 away from the primary closed position 16a.
[0020] The first tension member 32 may actuate the primary latch
arm 24 to release or disengage the primary latch arm 24 from the
striker 22, in coordination with or responsive to the actuation of
the hood release 30. The releasing of the primary latch arm 24 may
enable the vehicle hood 14 to move from the primary closed position
18a to the secondary closed position 18b. The secondary closed
position 18b may be commonly referred to as "popping the hood". The
secondary latch arm 26 of the hood latch assembly 20 may be
configured to engage the striker 22 in the secondary latched
position 18b, subsequent to or simultaneously with the
disengagement of the primary latch arm 24. The engagement of the
striker 22 with the secondary latch arm 26 in the secondary latch
position 18b may inhibit pivotal movement of the vehicle hood 14
away from the secondary closed position 16b.
[0021] The secondary latch arm 26 may be configured to release from
or disengage the striker 22, and the structure for doing so will be
addressed in greater detail below. The disengagement of the
secondary latch arm 26 from the striker 22 may permit movement of
the vehicle hood 14 from the secondary closed position 16b toward
the open position 16c.
[0022] A hood sensor 34 may be disposed proximate the hood latch
assembly 20. The hood sensor 34 may be configured to provide data
indicative of the position of the vehicle hood 14 to a controller
36. The hood sensor 34 may provide data indicative of the primary
closed position 16a, the secondary closed position 16b, and/or the
open position 16c. The controller 36 may output for display, via a
user interface, a warning indicative of a change in the vehicle
hood 14 position from the primary closed position 16a to the
secondary closed position 16b or the open position 16c.
[0023] Vehicle 10 may have a high ride height which may make it
more difficult to access components disposed within the compartment
12 while the vehicle hood 14 is in the open position 16c and a
person is standing on the ground 44. A step assembly 50 may be
provided to improve access to components disposed within the
compartment 12 while the vehicle hood is in the open position
16c.
[0024] The step assembly 50 may be disposed within a front portion
52 of the vehicle 10. The step assembly 50 may be disposed
proximate a front fascia or vehicle bumper 54. The step assembly 50
may be disposed under the vehicle bumper 54, above the vehicle
bumper 54, or in-line with the vehicle bumper 54, as shown in FIGS.
1A and 1B.
[0025] The step assembly 50 may have a stowed position 56a, as
shown in FIG. 1A. The step assembly may have a deployed position
56b, as shown in FIG. 1B. Movement of the step assembly from the
stowed position 56a to the deployed position 56b may occur in
coordination with actuation of the hood release 30.
[0026] The step assembly 50 may include a step member 60, a first
member 62, a second member 72, and a biasing member 80. The step
member 60 may have a stepping surface 61 configured to receive a
foot or a downward force.
[0027] The first member 62 may have a first end 64 connected to the
step member 60. The first member 62 may have a second end 66 spaced
apart from the first end 64. The first member 62 may have an
elongate body 68 extending between the first end 64 and the second
end 66 along a longitudinal axis 70.
[0028] The second member 72 may be connected to the front portion
52 of the vehicle 10. The second member may be connected to the
front portion 52 via a first mount 74 and a second mount 76. The
first mount 74 may be configured as a pivot mount having a pivot
axis 75. The elongate body 68 of the step assembly 50 may pivot
about the pivot axis 75 responsive to a downward force applied to
the step member 60.
[0029] The second member 72 may be a generally elongate body
defining a cavity or interior chamber 78. The interior chamber 78
may be configured to receive the second end 66 of the first member
62 and at least a portion of the elongate body 68 of the first
member 62 coaxially with the longitudinal axis 70.
[0030] The biasing member 80 may be received within the interior
chamber 78. The biasing member 80 may be a spring, linear actuator,
or the like. The biasing member 80 may be configured to engage the
first end 64 of the first member 62 and an internal surface 82 of
the second member 72.
[0031] The biasing member 80 may be configured to urge the step
member 60 and the first member 62 along the longitudinal axis 70.
The biasing member 80 may assist the step member 60 and the first
member 62 to translate relative to the second member 72. The
biasing member 80 may urge the step member 60 of the step assembly
50 away from the stowed position towards the deployed position, in
coordination with and responsive to actuation of the hood release
30.
[0032] A locking mechanism 84 may be disposed proximate the step
assembly 50. The locking mechanism 90 may be connected to or
incorporated with the second mount 76. The locking mechanism 90 may
include a spring-loaded pin 92. The spring-loaded pin 92 of the
locking mechanism 90 may be configured to be received within a
first opening 96 or a second opening 98 defined by the first member
62. In at least one embodiment, additional openings may be provided
by the first member 62. The additional openings may enable the step
assembly 50 to have multiple deployed positions.
[0033] The spring-loaded pin 92 of the locking mechanism 90 may be
configured to be received within the first opening 96 while the
step assembly 50 is in the stowed position 56a. The spring-loaded
pin 92 of the locking mechanism 90 may be configured to inhibit
movement of the step member 60 and first member 62 of the step
assembly 50 away from the stowed position 56a while the step
assembly 50 is in the stowed position 56a.
[0034] The spring-loaded pin 92 of the locking mechanism 90 may be
configured to be received within the second opening 98 while the
step assembly 50 is in the deployed position 56b. The spring-loaded
pin 92 of the locking mechanism 90 may be configured to inhibit
movement of the step member 60 and first member 62 of the step
assembly 50 away from the deployed position 56b while the step
assembly 50 is in the deployed position 56b.
[0035] The locking mechanism 90 may be operatively connected to the
hood latch assembly 20 and the step assembly 50 via a second
tension member 102. The first tension member 32 may actuate the
hood latch assembly 20 to release the primary latch arm 24 from
engagement with the striker 22 in response to a first actuation of
the hood release 30 that may enable the vehicle hood 14 to move
from the primary closed position to the secondary closed
position.
[0036] The spring-loaded pin 92 of the locking mechanism may be
retracted from the first opening 96 via the second tension member
102. The retraction of the spring-loaded pin 92 of the locking
mechanism 90 from the first opening 96 may permit the biasing
member 80 to urge the step member 60 and the first member 62 of the
step assembly 50 along the longitudinal axis 70 from the stowed
position 56a to the deployed position 56b.
[0037] As the step member 60 and the first member 62 of the step
assembly 50 are translating towards the deployed position 56b, the
elongate body 68 may ride along a surface of the spring-loaded pin
92 at least until the spring-loaded pin 92 is received within the
second opening 98. The combination of the biasing member 80 and the
spring-loaded pin 92 may maintain the step assembly 50 in the
deployed position 56b.
[0038] The step assembly 50 may pivot about a pivot axis of the
first mount 74 in response to a downward force applied to the step
member 60 of the step assembly 50. The pivoting of the step
assembly 50 may actuate the hood latch assembly 20 to release the
secondary latch arm 26 from engagement with the striker 22 that may
enable the vehicle hood 14 to move from the secondary closed
position 16b to the open position 16c.
[0039] The spring-loaded pin 92 may retract from the second opening
98 in response to a longitudinal force applied to the step member
60 towards the vehicle cabin 40. The continued application of the
longitudinal force may translate the step member 60 and the first
member 62 of the step assembly 50 from the deployed position 56b to
the stowed position 56a such that the step assembly 50 is
completely disposed within the front portion 52.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an exemplary embodiment of a
hood release system is shown. A bumper step member 110 may be
pivotally mounted to the front portion 52 of the vehicle 10. The
bumper step member 110 may be pivotally coupled to the vehicle
bumper 54 via a pivot mount 112 proximate a torsion spring 114.
[0041] The bumper step member 110 may have a stowed position 111a
as shown in FIG. 2A. The bumper step member 110 may have a deployed
position 111b as shown in FIG. 2B.
[0042] A latching mechanism 116 may be disposed proximate the front
portion 52. The latching mechanism 116 may be configured to engage
a step latch 118 extending from the bumper step member 110. The
bumper step member 110 may be releasably connected to or latched to
the vehicle bumper 54 while the bumper step member 110 is in the
stowed position 111a. The latching mechanism 116 may be configured
to inhibit movement of the bumper step member 110 away from the
stowed position 111a while the step assembly 50 is in the stowed
position 111a.
[0043] The latching mechanism 116 may be operatively connected to
the hood latch assembly 20 and the hood release 30. The step latch
118 of the bumper step member 110 may be released from engagement
with the latching mechanism 116 in coordination with or responsive
to actuation of the hood release 30. The bumper step member 110 may
pivot about a pivot axis of a pivot mount 112. The torsion spring
114 may control a rate at which the bumper step member 110 pivots
from the stowed position 111a to the deployed position 111b.
[0044] A stopper 120 may be disposed on the bumper step member 110.
The stopper 120 may be disposed proximate a lower portion of the
vehicle bumper 54. The stopper 120 may be configured to engage the
bumper step member 100 to inhibit further pivotal movement of the
bumper step member downwards.
[0045] The bumper step member 110 may be operatively coupled to the
hood latch assembly 20 via the second tension member 102. The
bumper step member 110 may pivot about the pivot axis of the pivot
mount 112 in response to a downward force applied to a stepping
surface 122 of the bumper step member 110. The pivoting of the
bumper step member 110 may actuate the hood latch assembly 20 to
disengage the secondary latch arm 26 from engagement with the
striker 22 that may enable the vehicle hood 14 to move from the
secondary closed position 16b to the open position 16c.
[0046] The bumper step member 110 may be pivoted from the deployed
position 111b to the stowed position 111a, in response to a force
applied to a surface opposite the stepping surface 122 of the
bumper step member 110. In at least one embodiment, an operator may
kick up on the bumper step member 110 and the latching mechanism
116 may come into engagement with or catch the step latch 118 to
retain the bumper step member 110 in the stowed position 111a.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an exemplary embodiment of a
hood release system is shown. A folding step assembly 126 may be
mounted to the front portion 52 of the vehicle 10. The folding step
assembly 126 may have a stowed position 127a as shown in FIG. 3A.
The folding step assembly 126 may have a deployed position 127b as
shown in FIG. 3B.
[0048] The folding step assembly 126 may include a step 128, a
folding arm assembly 130, and an electric motor 136. The folding
arm assembly 130 may have a first portion 132 pivotally connected
to the front portion 52 and a second portion 134 pivotally
connected to the step 128.
[0049] The electric motor 136 may be in communication with the hood
release 30, the hood sensor 34, and the controller 36. The electric
motor 136 may be drivably connected to the first portion 132 of the
folding arm assembly 130. The electric motor 136 may be drivably
connected to the first portion 132 of the folding arm assembly 130
via a gearing arrangement 138, or other arrangement that may impart
motion to the folding arm assembly 130 relative to the front
portion 52 of the vehicle 10. The gearing arrangement 138 may be
disposed between the first portion 132 of the folding arm assembly
130 and the electric motor 136.
[0050] The gearing arrangement 138 may be configured to inhibit
movement of the step 128 and the folding arm assembly 130 of the
folding step assembly 126 away from the stowed position 127a while
the folding step assembly 126 is in the stowed position 127a. The
gearing arrangement 138 may be configured to inhibit movement of
the step 128 and the folding arm assembly 130 of the folding step
assembly 126 away from the deployed position 127b while the step
assembly 50 is in the deployed position 127b.
[0051] The electric motor 136 may be configured to translate the
step 128 from the stowed position 127a to the deployed position
127b via the folding arm assembly 130, while the folding step
assembly 126 is in the stowed position 127a, in response to a first
actuation of the hood release 30. The electric motor 136 may be
configured to translate the step 128 from the deployed position
127b to the stowed position 127a via the folding arm assembly while
the folding step assembly 126 is in the deployed position 127b, in
response to a second actuation of the hood release 30.
[0052] The electric motor 136 may be configured to translate the
step 128 from the deployed position 127b to the stowed position
127a via the folding arm assembly in response to data provided by
the hood sensor 34 indicative of a change in the vehicle hood
position while the vehicle hood 14 is in the open position 16c.
Data indicative of the vehicle hood 14 movement from the open
position 16c to at least one of the secondary closed position 16b
or the primary closed position 16a, the controller 36 may operate
the electric motor 136 to translate the step 128 from the deployed
position 127b to the stowed position 127a.
[0053] In at least one embodiment, a gas strut 142 may be disposed
proximate the front portion 52. The gas strut 142 may be in
communication with the hood release 30, the hood sensor 34, and the
controller 36. The gas strut 142 may be drivably connected to the
step 128.
[0054] The gas strut 142 may be configured to inhibit movement of
the step 128 and the folding arm assembly 130 of the folding step
assembly 126 away from the stowed position 127a while the folding
step assembly 126 is in the stowed position 127a. The gas strut 142
may be configured to inhibit movement of the step 128 and the
folding arm assembly 130 of the folding step assembly 126 away from
the deployed position 127b while the step assembly 50 is in the
deployed position 127b.
[0055] The gas strut 142 may be configured to translate the step
128 from the stowed position 127a to the deployed position 127b via
the folding arm assembly 130, while the folding step assembly 126
is in the stowed position 127a, in response to a first actuation of
the hood release 30. The gas strut 142 may be configured to
translate the step 128 from the deployed position 127b to the
stowed position 127a via the folding arm assembly while the folding
step assembly 126 is in the deployed position 127b, in response to
a second actuation of the hood release 30.
[0056] In at least one embodiment, a hood latch release 146 may be
provided proximate the stepping surface of the step 128. The hood
latch release 146 may be a switch, a button, or the like in
communication with the controller 36 and a hood latch actuator
148.
[0057] The hood latch actuator 148 may be configured to actuate at
least one of the primary latch arm 24 or the secondary latch arm 26
of the hood latch assembly 20 from the primary latched position 18a
to the secondary latched position 18b and/or the unlatched position
18c.
[0058] The hood latch actuator 148 may be configured to release the
primary latch arm 24 from the primary latched position 18a to the
secondary latched position 18b in response to depression or
activation of the hood latch actuator 148 while the hood latch
assembly 20 is in the primary latched position 18a. The hood latch
actuator 148 may be configured to release the secondary latch arm
26 from the secondary latched position 18b to the unlatched
position 18c in response to depression or activation of the hood
latch actuator 148 while the hood latch assembly 20 is in the
secondary latched position 18b.
[0059] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined to form further
embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *