Wheel module

• US 20030132584A1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• 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., Zemke, Bruce Edward, Vitale, Robert Louis
• Granted Patent: US 7,597,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/5.5
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 2700/50 Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines
• 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 1/00385 : for vehicles having an electrical drive, e.g. hybrid or fuel cell
• 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 2007/0038 : the motor moving together with the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0092 : the motor axle being coaxial to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 : the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 : Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/50 : Structural details of electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/24 : Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/425 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/461 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 : Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/145 : Structure borne vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 : characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/24 : with additional mechanical or electromagnetic braking
• 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 10/08 : including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• 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 10/22 : including control of suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/28 : Wheel speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/18 : Braking system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/30 : Wheel torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 : Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/12 : characterised by three-wheeled construction
• 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 21/07 : wide-hipped frame type, i.e. a wide box-shaped mid portion with narrower sections extending from said mid portion in both fore and aft directions
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/10 : in which the main member is plate-like
• 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 5/0418 : Electric motor acting on road wheel carriers
• 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: B62D 65/12 : the sub-units or components being suspensions, brakes or wheel units
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/18 : Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines conveyors and haulage in general B65G
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/18 : Steering knuckles; King pins
• 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 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

A wheel module is configured for use on a vehicle chassis. A drivable vehicle includes a wheel module operatively connected to a vehicle chassis. The wheel module includes at least one non-rotating structural unit, a rotatable wheel controllably connected to the structural unit, a vehicle attachment interface operatively connected to the non-rotating structural unit including a load-bearing vehicle retention coupling and a control signal receiver. The wheel module further includes chassis components including at least one of a brake system, steering system, motor and suspension system operatively connected to the non-rotating structural unit and to the wheel, and operatively connected to the control signal receiver for controlling the wheel in response to non-mechanical control signals received through the control signal receiver.

Claims

1. A wheel module for a vehicle comprising:

at least one non-rotating structural unit;

a rotatable wheel controllably connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit;

a vehicle-attachment interface operatively connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit, the vehicle attachment interface including a load-bearing vehicle retention coupling and a control signal receiver; and

chassis components including at least one of a brake system, steering system, motor and suspension system operatively connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit and to the wheel, and operatively connected to the control signal receiver for controlling the wheel in response to non-mechanical control signals received through the control signal receiver.

2. The wheel module of claim 1 further comprising at least two chassis components.

3. The wheel module of claim 1 further comprising at least three chassis components.

4. The wheel module of claim 1, further comprising at least four chassis components.

5. The wheel module of claim 1, further comprising an actuator operatively connected to the chassis components and to the control signal receiver and configured to convert an electrical control signal into a mechanical force that acts on the chassis components.

6. The wheel module of claim 5 wherein the actuator is operatively connected to the non-rotating structural unit.

7. The wheel module of claim 1 wherein the wheel module is operably connectable to a vehicle by only the vehicle attachment interface, and wherein the vehicle attachment interface is characterized by the absence of mechanical control linkages.

8. The wheel module of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor operatively connected to at least one of the wheel and the chassis components, and capable of sensing a component condition; and

wherein the vehicle attachment interface includes a sensor connector operatively connected to the sensor.

9. A drivable vehicle comprising:

a wheel module including;

at least one non-rotating structural unit;

a rotatable wheel controllably connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit;

a vehicle attachment interface operatively connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit, the vehicle attachment interface including a load-bearing vehicle retention coupling and a control signal receiver; and

chassis components including at least one of a brake system, steering system, motor and suspension system operatively connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit and to the wheel, and operatively connected to the control signal receiver for controlling the wheel in response to non-mechanical control signals received through the control signal receiver; and

a vehicle chassis including a frame, at least one control unit operatively connected to the chassis components, a wheel module attachment interface including a control signal connector port and a load-bearing wheel module retention coupling operatively connected to the frame, wherein said at least one control unit is operatively connected to the control signal connector port;

wherein the control signal receiver is operatively connected to the control signal connector port such that said at least one control unit is communicable with and controls the chassis components, and the load-bearing vehicle retention coupling is operatively connected to the load-bearing wheel module retention coupling.

10. The drivable vehicle of claim 9 wherein the wheel module is operatively connected to the vehicle chassis by only the vehicle attachment interface and the wheel module attachment interface, and wherein the vehicle attachment interface is characterized by an absence of mechanical control linkages.

11. A method of manufacturing a drivable vehicle comprising:

attaching a vehicle chassis to a wheel module, wherein;

the vehicle chassis includes a frame, at least one control unit operatively connected to the frame and to chassis components including at least one of a brake system, steering system, motor and suspension system, a wheel module attachment interface including a control signal connector port and a load-bearing wheel module retention coupling operatively connected to the frame, wherein said at least one control unit is operatively connected to the control signal connector port;

wherein the wheel module includes at least one non-rotating structural unit, a rotatable wheel controllably connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit, a vehicle attachment interface operatively connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit, the vehicle attachment interface including a load-bearing vehicle retention coupling and a control signal receiver, and chassis components including at least one of a brake system, steering system, motor and suspension system operatively connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit and to the wheel, and operatively connected to the control signal receiver for controlling the wheel in response to non-mechanical control signals received through the control signal receiver;

said attaching comprising operatively connecting the control signal receiver with the control signal connector port such that said at least one control unit is communicable with and controls the chassis components, and operatively connecting the load-bearing vehicle retention coupling with the load-bearing wheel module retention coupling.

12. A method of manufacturing a drivable vehicle comprising:

maintaining an inventory of wheel modules, including wheel modules of a first type and of a second type, said first type and said second type each having at least one non-rotating structural unit, a rotatable wheel controllably connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit, a vehicle attachment interface operatively connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit, the vehicle attachment interface including a load-bearing vehicle retention coupling and a control signal receiver, and chassis components including at least one of a brake system, steering system, motor and suspension system operatively connected to said at least one non-rotating structural unit and to the wheel, and operatively connected to the control signal receiver for controlling the wheel in response to non-mechanical control signals received through the control signal receiver, wherein the wheel module of the first type includes chassis components configured to provide a different function than the chassis components of the wheel module of the second type;

assembling a first drivable vehicle having a wheel module of the first type selected from the inventory; and

assembling a second drivable vehicle having a wheel module of the second type selected from the inventory;

wherein said assembling comprises attaching a vehicle chassis to said wheel module wherein the vehicle chassis includes a frame, at least one control unit operably connectable to the chassis components, a wheel module attachment interface including a control signal connector port and a load-bearing wheel module retention coupling operatively connected to the frame, wherein said at least one control unit is operatively connected to the control signal connector port, said attaching comprising operatively connecting the control signal receiver with the control signal connector port and the load-bearing vehicle retention coupling with the load-bearing wheel module retention coupling.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the wheel module of the first type includes a motor and the wheel module of the second type does not include a motor;

and

wherein the first drivable vehicle has four wheel modules of the first type and the second drivable vehicle has only two wheel modules of the first type.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the wheel module of the first type includes a steering system and the wheel module of the second type does not include a steering system;

and

wherein the first drivable vehicle has four wheel modules of the first type and the second drivable vehicle has only two wheel modules of the first type.