Lightweight surface vehicle
First Claim
1. A vehicle, said vehicle comprising:
- at least two substantially identical cells, each cell having two ends and two opposing sides, a bottom surface and a top surface;
each cell comprising;
a body section;
at least one pair of wheels, one wheel on each of said opposing sides;
an axle for each wheel, said wheel coupled to said axle, an independent, swingarm suspension for each wheel, wherein said suspensions couple said axles to said bottom surface of said body section;
a drive motor fixedly attached to said axle, wherein motive force is translated from said drive motor to said wheels;
wherein said cells are assembled end-to-end such that a rigid vehicle body structure is formed;
a steering system, wherein all of said wheels are operative to steer said vehicle, said steering system being microprocessor-controllable;
a power plant for generating power and supplying said power to said drive motors; and
one or more microprocessor control means for centrally controlling at least said steering system;
wherein providing multiple pairs of suspensions closely spaced reduces load requirements for said vehicle structure, so that suspensions for said transit vehicle are manufacturable from lightweight, off-the-shelf parts.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Lightweight wheeled surface vehicles of various types and sizes constructed chiefly from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts, incorporate alternate suspensions, e.g. swingarms. One embodiment provides a vehicle incorporating a cellular body design wherein the vehicle is constructed from a varying number of substantially identical cells, assembled end-to-end to produce vehicles of varying size and capacity. Additional embodiments include lightweight passenger vehicles, such as automobiles, manufacturable from COTS parts, including independent suspensions providing large vertical wheel travel. One embodiment provides an automobile-type vehicle having a roll-cage frame, and a lightweight, exo-skeleton external frame, provided in multiple wheel configurations, e.g. three- or four-wheeled configurations. Body panels are quickly and easily attached to the tubular frame and also easily removed and switched and readily replaceable. Bicycles are equipped with electric pedal assist units. Additionally, a pneumatic pedal assist reduces peak power requirements and prolongs battery life.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A vehicle, said vehicle comprising:
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at least two substantially identical cells, each cell having two ends and two opposing sides, a bottom surface and a top surface;
each cell comprising;
a body section;
at least one pair of wheels, one wheel on each of said opposing sides;
an axle for each wheel, said wheel coupled to said axle, an independent, swingarm suspension for each wheel, wherein said suspensions couple said axles to said bottom surface of said body section;
a drive motor fixedly attached to said axle, wherein motive force is translated from said drive motor to said wheels;
wherein said cells are assembled end-to-end such that a rigid vehicle body structure is formed;
a steering system, wherein all of said wheels are operative to steer said vehicle, said steering system being microprocessor-controllable;
a power plant for generating power and supplying said power to said drive motors; and
one or more microprocessor control means for centrally controlling at least said steering system;
wherein providing multiple pairs of suspensions closely spaced reduces load requirements for said vehicle structure, so that suspensions for said transit vehicle are manufacturable from lightweight, off-the-shelf parts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A wheeled vehicle, said vehicle comprising;
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an external frame;
at least one body panel replaceably attached to said frame;
an independent, swingarm suspension coupled to said frame for each wheel. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification