Systems and methods for modular components for electric vehicles

• US 10,479,427 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2017
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC (Rivian Automotive Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC (Rivian Automotive Inc.)
• Inventors: Scaringe, Robert J., Schneider, David, Parker, Larry J., Bakker, Chass
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Saul
• Assistant Examiner(s): Romano, Ashley K
• Application Number:
  US15/403,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20170197679A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/10 pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/95 Position of vehicle body elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/16 GPS track data
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 Damping action or damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/354 having separate mechanical assemblies for transmitting drive to the front or to the rear wheels or set of wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/356 having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel B60K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/001 one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0438 Arrangement under the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/42 convertible from one use to a different one vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media, rail-and-road vehicles B60F
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/90 Vehicles comprising electric prime movers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/045 Improving turning performance, e.g. agility of a vehicle in a curve
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2410/111 Aggregate identification or specification, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/09 Means for mounting load bearing surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/12 assembled from readily detachable parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 27/06 readily releasable
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/025 Modular vehicles superstructures for busses having modular sections B62D31/025

Abstract

A modular system for an automotive vehicle configured to permit removal of a removable structural module from and reattachment to an automotive vehicle is described. The system includes a removable structural module comprising a body, a support structure configured to receive and support the removable structural module and to permit the removable structural module to be releasably attached to an automotive vehicle, a sensing arrangement configured to permit confirmation of secure attachment of the removable structural module to the automotive vehicle and configured to permit identification of a predetermined type of the removable structural module, and a computer configured to identify the predetermined type of the removable structural module from among multiple possible predetermined types of removable structural modules. The removable structural module comprises multiple connecting structures that permit the removable structural module to be releasably secured to the automotive vehicle.

Claims

1. A modular system for an automotive vehicle configured to permit removal of a removable structural module from and reattachment to an automotive vehicle, the modular system comprising:

a vehicle body configured as a unitary body from the most forward end of the body to the most rearward end of the body;

a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels connected to the vehicle body;

a removable structural module; and

a support structure configured to receive and support the removable structural module and to permit the removable structural module to be releasably attached to an automotive vehicle;

a sensing arrangement configured to permit confirmation of secure attachment of the removable structural module to the vehicle and configured to permit identification of a predetermined type of the removable structural module; and

a computer configured to identify the predetermined type of the removable structural module from among multiple possible predetermined types of removable structural modules;

wherein the removable structural module comprises multiple connecting structures that permit the removable structural module to be releasably secured to the automotive vehicle,

wherein the computer is configured to automatically set at the automotive vehicle a predetermined first feature set from among a plurality of predetermined feature sets corresponding to the multiple possible predetermined types of removable structural modules based on the identification of the predetermined type of the removable structural module,

the first predetermined feature set including one or more features selected from a limitation on a maximum permissible acceleration, a firmness of ride of the vehicle, braking sensitivity, a suspension height of a variable suspension, and sport handling.

2. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is configured to be attached to the automotive vehicle, and wherein the removable structural module is secured to the automotive vehicle at least in part by virtue of being secured to the support structure.

3. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a pair of load bearing support rails that support the removable structural module.

4. The modular system of claim 3, wherein the removable structural module comprises multiple rollers configured to ride the pair of load bearing support rails.

5. The modular system of claim 4, wherein multiple rollers have recesses in rolling surfaces thereof that mate with load bearing support rails such that the rollers straddle the load bearing support rails.

6. The modular system of claim 5, wherein load bearing support rails project inward toward a middle of the support structure such that the load bearing support rails confine lateral movement of the removable structural module in a direction transverse to a rolling direction associated with the rollers of the removable structural module.

7. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the multiple connecting structures of the removable structural module are selected from among over-center latches with locks, tab-in-slot latching mechanisms, and electromechanical latches.

8. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the computer is configured to confirm secure attachment of the removable structural module to the automotive vehicle.

9. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the computer comprises an on-board computer of the automotive vehicle.

10. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the computer comprises a mobile computing device.

11. The modular system of claim 10, wherein the mobile computing device comprises a smart phone or a tablet.

24. The modular system of claim 1, wherein, when the removable structural module is not attached to the automotive vehicle, the computer is configured to automatically set said sport handling at the automotive vehicle for driving on roadways other than off-road use.

12. A modular system for an automotive vehicle configured to permit removal of a removable structural module from and reattachment to an automotive vehicle, the modular system comprising:

a removable structural module; and

a support structure configured to receive and support the removable structural module and to permit the removable structural module to be releasably attached to an automotive vehicle;

a sensing arrangement configured to permit confirmation of secure attachment of the removable structural module to the vehicle and configured to permit identification of a predetermined type of the removable structural module; and

a computer configured to identify the predetermined type of the removable structural module from among multiple possible predetermined types of removable structural modules;

wherein the removable structural module comprises multiple connecting structures that permit the removable structural module to be releasably secured to the automotive vehicle,

the support structure being configured to permit the removable structural module to be releasably attached at an exterior of a vehicle body of the automotive vehicle, wherein the vehicle body of the automotive vehicle is configured as a unitary body from the most forward end of the body to the most rearward end of the body, a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels being connected to the vehicle body.

13. The modular system of claim 12, wherein the support structure is configured to be attached to the automotive vehicle, and wherein the removable structural module is secured to the automotive vehicle at least in part by virtue of being secured to the support structure.

14. The modular system of claim 12, wherein the support structure comprises a pair of load bearing support rails that support the removable structural module.

15. The modular system of claim 14, wherein the removable structural module comprises multiple rollers configured to ride the pair of load bearing support rails.

16. The modular system of claim 15, wherein multiple rollers have recesses in rolling surfaces thereof that mate with load bearing support rails such that the rollers straddle the load bearing support rails.

17. The modular system of claim 16, wherein load bearing support rails project inward toward a middle of the support structure such that the load bearing support rails confine lateral movement of the removable structural module in a direction transverse to a rolling direction associated with the rollers of the removable structural module.

18. The modular system of claim 12, wherein the multiple connecting structures of the removable structural module are selected from among over-center latches with locks, tab-in-slot latching mechanisms, and electromechanical latches.

19. The modular system of claim 12, wherein the computer is configured to confirm secure attachment of the removable structural module to the automotive vehicle.

20. The modular system of claim 12, wherein the computer comprises an on-board computer of the automotive vehicle.

21. The modular system of claim 12, wherein the computer comprises a mobile computing device.

22. The modular system of claim 21, wherein the mobile computing device comprises a smart phone or a tablet.

23. A structurally reconfigurable automotive vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle body configured as a unitary body from the most forward end of the body to the most rearward end of the body;

a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels connected to the vehicle body;

a motor;

a drive system;

a removable structural module;

a sensing arrangement configured to permit confirmation of secure attachment of the removable structural module to the automotive vehicle and configured to permit identification of a predetermined type of the removable structural module; and

a computer configured to identify the predetermined type of the removable structural module from among multiple possible predetermined types of removable structural modules;

the removable structural module comprising multiple connecting structures that permit the removable structural module to be releasably secured to the automotive vehicle at an exterior of the automotive vehicle.