Pre-engineered frame portion and method of use therefor
First Claim
1. A vehicle chassis comprising:
- a structural frame, the structural frame including;
a frame portion partially defining the structural frame, defining an open space, and having a predetermined configuration such that the open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a horizontal impact to the vehicle chassis; and
at least one structural frame component operatively connected to the frame portion and further defining the structural frame.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle chassis includes a structural frame having a frame portion that partially defines an open space and that has a predetermined configuration such that the open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a horizontal impact to the vehicle chassis. The frame also includes a frame component operatively connected to the frame portion that further defines the structural frame. The open space provides a protected packaging space wherein certain critical chassis components are placed. The frame portion configuration provides a pre-engineered protected area that may be used in a variety of structural frame configurations. Accordingly, a method for using pre-engineered frame portions is provided.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vehicle chassis comprising:
a structural frame, the structural frame including;
a frame portion partially defining the structural frame, defining an open space, and having a predetermined configuration such that the open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a horizontal impact to the vehicle chassis; and
at least one structural frame component operatively connected to the frame portion and further defining the structural frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of assembling a plurality of vehicle chassis, the method comprising:
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assembling a first vehicle structural frame having a first frame portion defining a first open space, partially defining the first vehicle structural frame, and having a predetermined configuration such that the first open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a load exerted on the first frame portion or a vehicle component operatively connected thereto, and a first selection of at least one frame component further defining the first vehicle structural frame and operatively connected to the first frame portion such that the first vehicle structural frame has a first size and a first shape; and
assembling a second vehicle structural frame having a second frame portion substantially identical to the first frame portion, defining a second open space, partially defining the second vehicle structural frame, and having a predetermined configuration such that the second open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of a load exerted on the second frame portion or a vehicle component operatively connected thereto, and a second selection of at least one frame component further defining the second vehicle structural frame and operatively connected to the second frame portion such that the second vehicle structural frame has a second size and a second shape;
wherein the second size is different from the first size or the second shape is different from the first shape. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of assembling vehicle chassis, the method comprising:
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providing a first vehicle structural frame, the first vehicle structural frame including a first frame portion and a first selection of at least one frame component operatively connected to the first frame portion such that the first vehicle structural frame has a first size and first shape, the first frame portion defining a first open space and configured such that the first open space maintains a predetermined amount of spatial integrity in the event of an impact load on the first frame portion; and
providing a second vehicle structural frame, the second vehicle structural frame including a second frame portion being substantially identical to the first frame portion and defining a second open space, and a second selection of at least one frame component operatively connected to the second frame portion such that the second vehicle structural frame has a second size and shape, the second size being different from the first size or the second shape being different from the first shape. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A vehicle chassis comprising:
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a structural frame, the structural frame including;
a prefabricated frame module partially defining the structural frame and defining an open space, the prefabricated frame module being configured such that the open space maintains a predetermined amount of integrity in the event of an impact to the vehicle chassis; and
at least one structural component rigidly mounted with respect to the prefabricated frame module and further defining the structural frame;
at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the structural frame;
a by-wire energy conversion system including a fuel cell mounted with respect to the structural frame and operatively connected to at least one of the at least three wheels;
a by-wire steering system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operatively connected to at least one of the at least three wheels;
a by-wire braking system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operatively connected to at least one of the at least three wheels; and
an energy storage system including storage tanks configured to store compressed hydrogen gas operatively connected to the energy conversion system and mounted with respect to the structural frame;
wherein at least a portion of at least one of the energy conversion system, energy storage system, steering system, and braking system is at least partially located within the open space.
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Specification