Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Leszek Derbis

Joel Thomas Pierce

Arjun Singh

Bhupenda A Patel

A powered running board assembly includes a running board and an actuator to displace the running board between a stowed position and a deployed position. That actuator includes a housing and a telescoping arm oriented along a first axis oblique to the running board. A related method of operating a running board is also disclosed.

Powered running board assembly and method of operation

A retractable running board assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a running board and a linkage connected to the running board. The linkage includes a hinge provided by a pin rotatable relative to a bushing, which is provided in a recess in the linkage. Further, a seal is provided in the recess between the bushing and an opening of the recess.

Linkage for retractable running board

A vehicle tailgate assembly includes a tailgate adapted to pivotally latch to a vehicle cargo box. A hinge pivot is coupled to the tailgate and includes an electromagnetic cylinder and a vane hub positioned within the cylinder and coupled to at least one of the tailgate and the cargo box. The vane hub is configured to rotate within the cylinder. A vane is coupled to the vane hub. A magnetorheological fluid is positioned around the vane.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn Hills, MI, United States of America

Leszek Derbis