Multi-directional drive

• US 20030127272A1
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Shabana, Mohsen D., Chernoff, Adrian B., Borroni-Bird, Christopher E., Baker, Lawrence, Vitale, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 6,971,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/14 having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/015 the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements B60G17/002, B60G17/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/10 Independent suspensions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/144 with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/18 Multilink suspensions, e.g. elastokinematic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/44 steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/46 camber angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/462 Toe-in/out
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/40 Type of actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/42 Electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/10 Mounting of suspension elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/11 Mounting of sensors thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/14 Mounting of suspension arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/16 Mounting of vehicle body on chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/20 Mounting of accessories, e.g. pump, compressor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/202 of cables
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/011 Modular constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/0114 Independent suspensions on subframes
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/50 Constructional features of wheel supports or knuckles, e.g. steering knuckles, spindle attachments
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/99 : Suspension element selection procedure depending on loading or performance requirements, e.g. selection of damper, spring or bush
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/45 : Rolling frame vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/50 : Electric vehicles; Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/60 : Vehicles using regenerative power
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/21 : Traction, slip, skid or slide control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/802 : Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/90 : System Controller type
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/91 : Suspension Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/92 : ABS - Brake Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/963 : Steer-by-wire
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/18 : with two or more pivoted arms, e.g. parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/003 : of adjustable length
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/004 : for vehicles having a combustion engine and electric drive means, e.g. hybrid electric vehicles
• 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 1/04 : 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 15/07 : of gas tanks
• 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 2001/005 : the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 : the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2009 : for braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/46 : Vehicles with auxiliary ad-on propulsions, e.g. add-on electric motor kits for bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 : Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 : by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/26 : by pedal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 : Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/40 : related to technical updates when adding new parts or software
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/16 : for vehicles comprising converters between the power source and the motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/14 : rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/10 , B60N2/2869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 : Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/065 : employing disc B60T1/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/10 : by utilising wheel movement for accumulating energy, e.g. driving air compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/66 : Electrical control in fluid-pressure brake systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 : characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/74 : with electrical assistance or drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/82 : Brake-by-Wire, EHB
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/00 : Brake-action initiating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/042 : by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/00 : Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force by changing number of effective brake cylinders in power brake systems B60T17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 : including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 : including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/24 : including control of energy storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 : Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/105 : Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/125 : Lateral acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/14 : Yaw
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/28 : Wheel speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 : Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 : Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/84 : Wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/12 : characterised by three-wheeled construction
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/02 : vehicle-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/22 : Alternative steering-control elements, e.g. for teaching purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/00 : Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted combined frame and vehicle body B62D23/00 ; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/10 : in which the main member is plate-like
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/15 : having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body bumpers B60R19/02; shock absorbers in general F16F
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 24/02 : Vehicle body, not intended to move relatively to the vehicle frame, and mounted on vibration absorbing mountings, e.g. rubber pads
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/008 : predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/02 : Streamlining the undersurfaces B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/00 : Power-assisted or power-driven steering for non-deflectable wheels B62D11/00; fluid-pressure servomotors in general F15B
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/025 : Modular vehicles superstructures for busses having modular sections B62D31/025
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/04 : Joining preassembled modular units composed of sub-units performing diverse functions, e.g. engine and bonnet B62D65/06 - B62D65/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 : Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle is capable of being driven in a plurality of forward directions, the direction of travel being a function of the forward-facing orientation of a movable seat or movement of the driver to a different seat. The vehicle includes a frame, at least three wheels, a steering system, a braking system and an energy conversion system operable with respect to at least one of the wheels and controllable through non-mechanical control means. The vehicle has at least one movable seat connected to the frame and at least one operator interface operably connected to at least one of the steering system, braking system and energy conversion system that is usable to drive the vehicle in different directions when the seat is moved. A control cockpit for use on a vehicle controllable through non-mechanical controls includes a panel with a passageway, a movable seat mounted on the panel with a second passageway in communication with the first passageway, a driver interface that is movable with respect to the seat and usable for operating the vehicle via a connector connected at one end to the driver interface and extending through the first and second passageways.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

at least three wheels operable with respect to the frame;

a steering system mounted with respect to the frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;

a braking system mounted with respect to the frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;

an energy conversion system mounted with respect to the frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;

a seat rotatable to a plurality of different rotational positions with respect to the frame; and

an operator interface operably connectable to at least one of the steering system, braking system and energy conversion system for driving the vehicle, and movable with respect to the frame in a manner that does not interfere with the rotation of the seat;

said operator interface being operable for operating said at least one of the steering, braking and energy conversion systems by hand and without foot action when the seat is in any of said plurality of different rotational positions with respect to the frame.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, including a sensor operatively connected to the seat and capable of sensing a rotational change in position of the seat, and a control unit operably connectable to the sensor and connected to said at least one of the steering, braking and energy conversion systems, wherein a rotational change in seat position is communicated to said at least one of the systems by the control unit.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein said at least one of said systems is calibrated based upon the rotational change in seat position, and wherein the control unit is programmable to adjust the non-mechanical control signals sent to said at least one of the systems based upon a redistribution of the vehicle load position data related to the rotational change in seat position.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the seat is rotatable between a first position facing in one longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a second position facing in the opposite longitudinal direction.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the operator interface is mounted in a fixed position with respect to the seat and rotatable therewith.

6. A drivable vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a drive-by-wire control operable by wire and mounted in the frame;

a driver'"'"'s seat connected with respect to the frame in a manner to permit horizontal rotation of the seat with respect to the frame and having an operator interface operably connectable to the drive-by-wire control for driving the vehicle;

said operator interface being operable to drive the vehicle in different directions when the driver'"'"'s seat is rotated.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising:

a sensor operatively connected to the driver'"'"'s seat and capable of sensing a rotational change in position of the driver'"'"'s seat;

a connector operably connectable to the sensor and connected to the drive-by-wire control, wherein a rotational change in driver'"'"'s seat position is communicated to the drive-by-wire control.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein at least one control signal sent by the drive-by-wire control for driving the vehicle is calibrated based upon a predetermined set of vehicle load distribution data and the drive-by-wire control is programmable to adjust the at least one control signal sent based upon a redistribution of the vehicle load position data related to the rotational change in driver'"'"'s seat position.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the control signal is a braking control signal.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the control signal is an acceleration control signal.

11. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the control signal is a steering control signal.

12. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the driver'"'"'s seat is rotatable between a first position facing in one direction and a second position facing in another direction.

13. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the operator interface is mounted in a fixed position with respect to the driver'"'"'s seat and rotatable therewith.

14. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the rotatable connection of the driver'"'"'s seat with respect to the frame includes structure forming a passageway through which the operator interface and drive-by-wire control are operably connectable.

15. A drivable vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a drive-by-wire control mounted in the frame and including a drive-by-wire connector port;

a driver'"'"'s seat connected with respect to the frame in a manner to permit rotation of the seat with respect to the frame and having an operator interface operably connectable to the drive-by-wire control for driving the vehicle;

a connector operatively associated with the operator interface and configured for complementary engagement with said drive-by-wire connector port;

said operator interface being operable to drive the vehicle in different directions when the driver'"'"'s seat is rotated.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the driver'"'"'s seat is rotatable between a first position facing in one direction and a second position facing in another direction.

17. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the operator interface is mounted in a fixed position with respect to the driver'"'"'s seat and rotating therewith.

18. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the rotatable connection of the driver'"'"'s seat with respect to the frame includes structure forming a passageway for the connector configured for engagement with the connector port.

19. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising:

a sensor operatively connected to the driver'"'"'s seat and capable of sensing a rotational change in position of the driver'"'"'s seat;

a second connector operatively associated with the sensor and configured for complementary engagement with the drive-by-wire connector port, wherein a rotational change in driver'"'"'s seat position is communicated to the drive-by-wire control.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein at least one control signal sent by the drive-by-wire control for driving the vehicle is calibrated based upon a predetermined set of vehicle load distribution data and the drive-by-wire control is programmable to adjust the at least one control signal sent based upon a redistribution of the vehicle load distribution data related to the rotational change in driver'"'"'s seat position.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the control signal is a braking control signal.

22. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the control signal is an acceleration control signal.

23. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the control signal is a steering control signal.

24. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

at least three wheels operable with respect to the frame;

a steering system mounted with respect to the frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;

a braking system mounted with respect to the frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;

an energy conversion system mounted with respect to the frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;

a seat connected with respect to the frame in a manner to permit rotation of the seat with respect to the frame between a first position facing in one longitudinal direction and a second position facing in an opposite longitudinal direction; and

an operator interface operably connectable to the steering system, the braking system and the energy conversion system for driving the vehicle, and mounted in a fixed position with respect to the seat and rotatable therewith in a manner that does not interfere with the rotation of the seat;

said operator interface being operable for operating the steering, braking and energy conversion systems when the seat is in either of the first or the second position;

a sensor operatively connected to the seat and capable of sensing a rotational change in position of the seat; and

a control unit operably connectable to the sensor and connected to the steering system, the braking system and the energy conversion system wherein a rotational change in seat position is communicable to the steering system, the braking system and the energy conversion system by the control unit, wherein the steering system, the braking system and the energy conversion system are calibrated based upon the rotational change in seat position and a set of predetermined vehicle load distribution data, and wherein the control unit is programmable to adjust the non-mechanical control signals sent to the steering system, the braking system and the energy conversion system based upon a redistribution of the vehicle load distribution data related to the rotational change in seat position.

25. A control cockpit adapted for use on a vehicle that is controllable through at least one drive-by-wire connector port, the control cockpit comprising:

a panel mountable on the vehicle and having structure forming a first passageway adapted to communicate with the at least one connector port;

at least one seat mounted on the panel in a manner to be horizontally movable to a plurality of different positions with respect to the vehicle when the control cockpit is mounted on the vehicle, said at least one seat having structure forming a second passageway in communication with the first passageway in the panel;

at least one interface movable with the seat and operable for operating the vehicle when the control cockpit is mounted on the vehicle; and

at least one connector configured for connection with the at least one drive-by-wire connector port at one end and connected at the other end to the interface while extending through the first and second passageways.

26. The control cockpit of claim 25 wherein the at least one driver interface is mounted in a fixed position with respect to the at least one seat and movable therewith.

27. The control cockpit of claim 25 including:

at least one sensor operatively connected with respect to the at least one seat and capable of sensing a change in position with respect to the vehicle of the at least one seat; and

at least another connector operatively connected to the at least one sensor at one end and configured for connection with the at least one connector port at the other end while extending through at least one of the first and second passageways whereby to adjust the control of the vehicle in response to the position of the at least one seat.

28. A drivable vehicle comprising:

a frame;

at least three wheels operable with respect to the frame in a manner to permit movement of the at least three wheels in a multitude of directions;

a steering system mounted with respect to the frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel and;

a braking system mounted with respect to the frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel;

an energy conversion system mounted with respect to the frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel;

wherein at least one of said steering system, braking system and energy conversion system is responsive to non-mechanical controls;

at least one driver'"'"'s seat connected with respect to the frame in a manner to permit rotation and horizontal translation of the seat with respect to the frame;

at least one operator interface operably connectable to the at least one of said steering system, braking system and energy conversion system;

said at least one operator interface being operable through driver input to the at least one operator interface to drive the vehicle in a multitude of different directions.

29. The vehicle of claim 28 wherein the at least one operator interface is operable through direct and not remote driver input.

30. The vehicle of claim 28 including at least one sensor operatively connected to the at least one seat and capable of sensing a change in position of the at least one seat;

a control unit operably connectable to the at least one sensor and connected to the at least one of said steering system, braking system and energy conversion system, wherein the at least one of said steering system, braking system and energy conversion system is calibrated based upon the change in position of the seat.

31. The vehicle of claim 30 wherein the at least one of said steering system, braking system and energy conversion system is calibrated based upon a set of predetermined vehicle load distribution data, and wherein the control unit is programmable to adjust the non-mechanical control signals sent to the at least one of the steering system, the braking system and the energy conversion system based upon a redistribution of the vehicle load distribution data related to the change in seat position.

32. The vehicle of claim 28 wherein the at least one driver'"'"'s seat is rotatably connected with respect to the frame.

33. The vehicle of claim 32 wherein the at least one operator interface is operable through direct and not remote driver input.

34. The vehicle of claim 32 including at least one sensor operatively connected to the at least one seat and capable of sensing a change in position of the at least one seat;

a control unit operably connectable to the at least one sensor and connected to the at least one of said steering system, braking system and energy conversion system, wherein the at least one steering system, braking system and energy conversion system is calibrated based upon the rotational change in seat position.

35. The vehicle of claim 33 wherein the at least one of said steering system, braking system and energy conversion system is calibrated in response to a set of predetermined vehicle load position data, and wherein the control unit is programmable to adjust the non-mechanical control signals sent to the at least one of the steering system, the braking system and the energy conversion system in relation to a redistribution of the vehicle load position data related to the change in seat position.