Modular vehicle

• US 20050022460A1
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Minds LLC
• Original Assignee: Applied Minds LLC
• Inventors: Hillis, W. Daniel, Ferren, Bran
• Granted Patent: US 9,254,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/36.500
• 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: B60R 2011/0043 for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/12 related to parameters of the vehicle itself , e.g. tyre models
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/00 Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit , e.g. process diagnostic or vehicle driver interfaces
• 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 25/00 Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 39/00 Vehicle bodies not otherwise provided for , e.g. safety vehicles safety equipment B60R21/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/024 Positioning of sub-units or components with respect to body shell or other sub-units or components

Abstract

The invention is a modular vehicle that is intended for a variety of operations including both military and civilian operations. The vehicle addresses the issue of performing special purpose tasks that the vehicle is asked to do. Such tasks can be accomplished by configuring the vehicle as an ambulance, as a fire-fighting vehicle, as a communications van, as a command and control vehicle, etc. Thus, the vehicle is readily adapted using standardized and customized modules that are readily attached to a standardized platform that includes an appropriate interconnection means.

Claims

1. A modular vehicle, comprising:

a standardized vehicle platform;

a plurality of fixation sites along said platform, said fixation sites comprising standardized interconnection means for any of mechanical, electrical, and fluid interconnection with any one or more of a plurality of specialized functional modules that are readily attached to said standardized platform via said interconnection means;

said fixation sites being located along said vehicle platform at standardized intervals to accept one or more of said modules; and

a computer implemented control and communications protocol communicatively provided throughout said platform for recognizing any of a module'"'"'s presence, identity, capability, and function, and for configuring said vehicle accordingly.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, said platform further comprising:

a service trough extending along said vehicle from a first vehicle location to at least a second vehicle location, said service trough providing a communications pathway for any of mechanical, electrical, communications, and fluid sources.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a dedicated path about said platform for effecting individual module control.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer implemented vehicle operating system for controlling said modules.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, said fixation sites comprising:

a plurality of custom interfaces for any of contact closures, lighting, power, control, and interface to computers on board one or more of said modules.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, said computer implemented control and communications protocol further comprising:

means for recognizing a module'"'"'s personality and location.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, said platform further comprising:

a plurality of specialized operator stations, each of said stations having dynamically assigned thereto one or more specialized module-related functions.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, said computer implemented control and communications protocol further comprising:

means for controlling vehicle operation and configuration, both in accordance with a current vehicle module complement and in accordance with vehicle resources and performance specifications.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, said fixation sites defining fractional locations along an overall platform extent, wherein said platform receives a plurality of said modules, wherein said modules have an extent that is equal to, or that is a fraction of, said platform extent, and wherein any number of modules having a total, combined extent that is less than or equal to the extent of said platform may be attached to said platform at any given time.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, said computer implemented control and communications protocol further comprising:

means for acknowledging each module, and for performing a background calculation for any of module weight, balance, and power consumption.

11. A modular vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle platform;

means for accepting any one or more of a plurality of special purpose, self-identifying modules on said vehicle platform in a mix and match fashion to provide said vehicle with a desired functionality for a particular application;

a central control system within said vehicle for communication with, and identification and control of, said plurality of special purpose modules; and

a plurality of sites at standardized intervals along said platform that each provide a common connection for mechanical, electrical, and fluid communication for said modules.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said central control system within said platform determines a unique identification associated with each of said special purpose modules to any of update said module, unlock functions in installed but inactivated module feature sets, and accept new modules.

13. The vehicle of claim 11, said central control system further comprising:

means for any of assessing any of module weight, power consumption, size, and functionality;

determining whether a complement of modules fit within design limits of said platform; and

dynamically configuring a user interface to express functionality of each of said modules installed on said platform.