Modular vehicle system and method

• US 20080017426A1
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aaron Lehnhardt, Brian Huff, Christopher Gable, Cody Glenn, Gordon Clune, Kirk Swanson, Michael Kacaba, Peter Hutchinson, Raul Walters, Tyrone Henry
• Original Assignee: Aaron Lehnhardt, Brian Huff, Christopher Gable, Cody Glenn, Gordon Clune, Kirk Swanson, Michael Kacaba, Peter Hutchinson, Raul Walters, Tyrone Henry
• Inventors: Walters, Raul, Huff, Brian, Gable, Christopher, Glenn, Cody, Hutchinson, Peter, Swanson, Kirk, Clune, Gordon, Henry, Tyrone, Lehnhardt, Aaron, Kacaba, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/726,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20080017426A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 3/003 Parts or details of the vehicle structure; vehicle arrangements not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/00 Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units arrangement or mounting in vehicles of electrical gearing, in which an electrical machine serves only as reduction gearing and not as the prime mover and in which no electrical storing means are used B60K17/12; control and regulation of purely electrical prime movers B60L; prime-movers comprising electrical and internal combustion motors in a common engine block or housing per se F02B65/00; electric motors or motor-generators used for starting the combustion engine F02N11/04; electric motors for synchronising gearing F16H3/12 Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00
• 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 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/62 charged by low-power generators primarily intended to support the batteries, e.g. range extenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/423 from transport of persons to transport of goods
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 23/00 Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units or parts or details thereof B62D25/00 ; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 24/00 Connections between vehicle body and vehicle frame B62D23/00, B62D33/077 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 39/00 Vehicle bodies not otherwise provided for , e.g. safety vehicles safety equipment B60R21/00
• 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: F41H 7/02 Land vehicles with enclosing armour, e.g. tanks endless-track vehicles, steering thereof B62D ; vehicles for placing portable or sectional bridges E01D15/127; vehicles carrying floating bridges E01D15/22
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/044 Hull or cab construction other than floors or base plates for increased land mine protection mounting of armoured plates F41H5/013
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/048 Vehicles having separate armoured compartments, e.g. modular armoured vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

A modular vehicle system, for enabling configuration thereof as required. The system includes a core vehicle, and a module, for enabling configuration of the core vehicle as required, able to be integrated into the core vehicle, and able to be disconnected from the core vehicle for interchange thereof with another module.

Claims

1. A modular vehicle system, for enabling configuration thereof as required, comprising:

a core vehicle; and

a first module, for enabling configuration of the core vehicle as required, able to be integrated into the core vehicle, and able to be disconnected from the core vehicle for interchange thereof with another module.

2. A modular vehicle system as in claim 1, wherein the core vehicle includes a chassis, a main body tub, mounted on the chassis, and components, connectable relative to the chassis and the main body tub.

3. A modular vehicle system as in claim 1, further comprising a second module, for enabling configuration of the core vehicle as required, able to be integrated into the core vehicle, and able to be disconnected from the core vehicle for interchange thereof.

4. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include wheel hub motors.

5. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include suspension modules.

6. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a removable engine and generator module.

7. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components further include electronics, radio, and computerized components.

8. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include smart armor, including an opaque armor skin, and sensory layers, to track a projectile out to the source electronically, and to automatically sense the location of the source.

9. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include an extender unit, connectable to the modular vehicle, which includes a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one wheel includes a hub motor.

10. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a loading guide for enabling loading of the modular vehicle in an aircraft.

11. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a flat bed.

12. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a front cockpit area.

13. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include an enclosed cabin.

14. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a rear bumper.

15. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include tandem seats.

16. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a diesel/electric hybrid drive.

17. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components further enable towing of a towed vehicle.

18. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include stackable wall panels.

19. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a removable roof.

20. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a rotating weapons turret.

21. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include articulatable side counterlevered doors.

22. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a roll cage.

23. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components enable the modular vehicle to be submersible.

24. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components inhibit direct air intake.

25. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a quick-release radiator.

26. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components enable the modular vehicle to be readily disassembleable.

27. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a rear bumper, able to lower the load carrying weight bearing thereof.

28. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components include a removable bumper.

29. A modular vehicle system as in claim 2, wherein the components of the modular vehicle includes tracks.

30. A modular vehicle system as in claim 3, wherein the second module is able to be interchanged with the first module for integration into the core vehicle.

31. A modular vehicle system as in claim 3, wherein the first and second modules include quick disconnect couplers for enabling interchange thereof.

32. A modular vehicle system as in claim 6, wherein the removable engine and generator module comprises a power module sled.

33. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include remote controls.

34. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a controller, which enables very low speed control, and very high speed running.

35. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a ruggedized daylight readable monitor.

36. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a navigation screen.

37. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a high cruise speed control.

38. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a loaded acceleration control.

39. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components enable climbing a steep incline.

40. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include primary-secondary operator switchable controls.

41. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a surveillance antenna mask.

42. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components enable shutting off of one of the diesel/electric motors and running on the other.

43. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include an air filter which is removable, changeable and able to be cleaned for reuse.

44. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include redundant backup systems.

45. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include an anti-flat tire insert.

46. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include implementation and communications programs.

47. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components are able to ratchet down for stops for loading.

48. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components enable computerized loading.

49. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a backup system enabling operation of steering from the rear seat.

50. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include heavyduty air flow systems.

51. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a slidable roof canopy.

52. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include explosive side windows, and side structures which are detachable.

53. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include electronics boxes.

54. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a missile system.

55. A modular vehicle system as in claim 7, wherein the components include a radio signal blocking system.

56. A modular vehicle system as in claim 10, wherein the loading guide comprises a front bumper and winch module.

57. A modular vehicle system as in claim 16, wherein the battery which is operable to enable stealth operation.

58. A modular vehicle system as in claim 20, wherein the modular vehicle includes a turret gun, and the components include turret gun bearings for substantially free rotation of the turret.

59. A modular vehicle system as in claim 23, wherein the components include elements for flotation, propulsion, wheels, steering, and thruster.

60. A modular vehicle system as in claim 38, wherein the controller includes a chip, software, and alternate programming code.

61. A method of enabling configuration of a modular vehicle system as required, in a system which includes a core vehicle, and a first module, for enabling configuration of the core vehicle as required, able to be integrated into the core vehicle, and able to be disconnected from the core vehicle for interchange thereof with another module, wherein the method comprises:

enabling configuration of the core vehicle as required, including enabling the first module to be integrated into the core vehicle, and to be disconnected from the core vehicle for interchange thereof with another module.

62. A method as in claim 61, wherein the core vehicle includes a chassis, a main body tub, mounted on the chassis, and components, connectable to the chassis and the main body tub, and wherein enabling in the method further comprises enabling the components to be connectable to the chassis and the main body tub.

63. A method as in claim 61, further comprising a second module, for enabling configuration of the core vehicle as required, able to be integrated into the core vehicle, and able to be disconnected from the core vehicle for interchange thereof, and wherein enabling in the method further comprises enabling integration of the second module into the core vehicle, and enabling disconnection of the second module from the core vehicle for interchange thereof.