Chassis with energy-absorption zones
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle chassis comprising:
- a structural frame;
a suspension system;
at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system;
a braking system;
a steering system;
an energy conversion system;
an energy storage system operatively connected to the energy conversion system; and
material mounted with respect to the structural frame and configured to absorb energy from an impact to the chassis;
wherein the braking system, steering system, and energy conversion system are mounted with respect to the structural frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel, and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;
wherein the structural frame includes a plurality of structural elements defining at least one open space therebetween;
wherein at least one of the energy conversion system, energy storage system, steering system, or braking system is at least partially contained within the at least one open space; and
wherein the material is located between the at least one open space and at least a portion of the chassis periphery, and is configured to absorb energy from an impact to at least part of the chassis periphery.
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Abstract
A chassis having systems responsive to nonmechanical control signals and a simplified body-attachment interface includes regions optimized for energy absorption from an impact to the chassis periphery. A structural frame defines open spaces within which chassis systems are positioned. Material configured to absorb energy from an impact to the chassis periphery is located between the chassis periphery and the open spaces.
85 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vehicle chassis comprising:
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a structural frame;
a suspension system;
at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system;
a braking system;
a steering system;
an energy conversion system;
an energy storage system operatively connected to the energy conversion system; and
material mounted with respect to the structural frame and configured to absorb energy from an impact to the chassis;
wherein the braking system, steering system, and energy conversion system are mounted with respect to the structural frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel, and responsive to non-mechanical control signals;
wherein the structural frame includes a plurality of structural elements defining at least one open space therebetween;
wherein at least one of the energy conversion system, energy storage system, steering system, or braking system is at least partially contained within the at least one open space; and
wherein the material is located between the at least one open space and at least a portion of the chassis periphery, and is configured to absorb energy from an impact to at least part of the chassis periphery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle chassis comprising:
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a structural frame defining at least one open space;
a suspension system mounted with respect to the structural frame;
at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system;
a by-wire braking system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operatively connected to one of the at least three wheels;
a by-wire steering system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operatively connected to one of the at least three wheels;
a by-wire energy conversion system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operatively connected to one of the at least three wheels;
an energy storage system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operatively connected to the energy conversion system; and
at least one impact region located between the at least one open space and at least a portion of the chassis periphery, the impact region including material mounted with respect to the structural frame and configured to absorb energy from an impact to at least part of the chassis periphery. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification