MODULAR ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A modular electric vehicle comprising a plurality of interchangeable vehicle assembly modules said vehicle comprising:
- a. At least two interchangeable vehicle assembly modules each comprising;
i. an axis extending between its two axial ends oriented in the direction of travel of the assembled vehicle, and having at least one connecting module surface at an axial end thereof for structural attachment to an adjoining connecting module surface of an adjacent vehicle assembly module;
ii. a central power bus connectible to the central power bus of adjacent vehicle assembly modules at adjoining module surfaces;
iii. an electrical power source connected to the central power bus;
iv. a central network bus connectible to the central network bus of adjacent vehicle assembly modules at adjoining module surfaces;
v. a module controller connected to and capable of controlling the at least one electrically powered axle and connected to the central network bus for communication with the module controllers of the other vehicle assembly modules; and
vi. at least one electrically powered axle connected to the central power bus and the central network bus;
b. wherein at least one of the powered vehicle assembly modules is steerable, by interaction of its module controller with the at least one powered axle thereof;
c. a vehicle controller connected to the central network bus, which can control the movement and steering of the vehicle by interaction with the module controllers on the powered vehicle assembly modules; and
d. an operator interface connected to the vehicle controller, and by which an operator can drive and steer the vehicle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular electric vehicle system, allowing for the assembly of many different vehicle configurations using a plurality of interchangeable vehicle assembly modules, including at least two powered vehicle assembly modules in an assembled vehicle each of which has self-contained drive and power systems and controls which can be connected together by a central network bus on the vehicle. At least one of the powered vehicle assembly modules will be a steering module, with the necessary additional controls and components to steer the axle thereon and in turn steer the assembled vehicle. The connection of the network bus and the modules would be done in an interchangeable way so that different modules could be interchangeably placed in the assembled vehicle. Various steering systems, control methodologies and vehicle attachments are also disclosed.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A modular electric vehicle comprising a plurality of interchangeable vehicle assembly modules said vehicle comprising:
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a. At least two interchangeable vehicle assembly modules each comprising; i. an axis extending between its two axial ends oriented in the direction of travel of the assembled vehicle, and having at least one connecting module surface at an axial end thereof for structural attachment to an adjoining connecting module surface of an adjacent vehicle assembly module; ii. a central power bus connectible to the central power bus of adjacent vehicle assembly modules at adjoining module surfaces; iii. an electrical power source connected to the central power bus; iv. a central network bus connectible to the central network bus of adjacent vehicle assembly modules at adjoining module surfaces; v. a module controller connected to and capable of controlling the at least one electrically powered axle and connected to the central network bus for communication with the module controllers of the other vehicle assembly modules; and vi. at least one electrically powered axle connected to the central power bus and the central network bus; b. wherein at least one of the powered vehicle assembly modules is steerable, by interaction of its module controller with the at least one powered axle thereof; c. a vehicle controller connected to the central network bus, which can control the movement and steering of the vehicle by interaction with the module controllers on the powered vehicle assembly modules; and d. an operator interface connected to the vehicle controller, and by which an operator can drive and steer the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A central control network for use on a modular electric vehicle comprising a plurality of interchangeable vehicle assembly modules, wherein:
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a. At least two of the interchangeable vehicle assembly modules are powered vehicle assembly modules comprising; i. an axis extending between its two axial ends oriented in the direction of travel of the assembled vehicle, and having at least one connecting module surface at an axial end thereof for structural attachment to an adjoining connecting module surface of an adjacent vehicle assembly module; ii. an electrical power source on the module; iii. a central power bus connectible to the central power bus of adjacent vehicle assembly modules at adjoining module surfaces, and connected to the electrical power source on the module; iv. at least one electrically powered axle; and v. at least one of the powered vehicle assembly modules is steerable by interaction of its module controller with the at least one powered axle thereof;
said central control network comprising;vi. a central network bus extending through each interchangeable vehicle assembly module and connectible at each connecting module surface to the central network bus extending through adjacent vehicle assembly modules; vii. a module controller within each vehicle assembly module, connected to the central network bus and the central power bus and capable of controlling any power or steering components thereon; viii. a vehicle controller connected to the vehicle and the central network bus, which can control the vehicle by interaction with the module controllers on the vehicle assembly modules; and ix. an operator interface is connected to the vehicle controller, and by which an operator can drive and steer the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. An interchangeable vehicle assembly module for use in the assembly of a modular electric vehicle comprising:
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a. an axis extending between its two axial ends oriented in the direction of travel of the assembled vehicle, and having at least one connecting module surface at an axial end thereof for structural attachment to an adjoining connecting module surface of an adjacent vehicle assembly module; b. a central power bus connectible to the central power bus of adjacent vehicle assembly modules at adjoining module surfaces; c. a central network bus connectible to the central network bus of adjacent vehicle assembly modules at adjoining module surfaces; d. a module controller connected to the central power bus and the central network bus; - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification