Systems packaged within flat vehicle chassis
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle chassis comprising:
- a structural frame having a thickness defined as the vertical distance between the lowest point on the frame and the highest point on the frame;
a body attachment interface having body connection components, the body connection components including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling mounted with respect to the structural frame and at least one control signal receiver;
a suspension system mounted with respect to the structural frame;
at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system;
a steering system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver;
a braking system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; and
an energy conversion system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver;
wherein each of the steering system, braking system, and energy conversion system is responsive to non-mechanical control signals; and
wherein the steering system, braking system, and energy conversion system are mounted with respect to the structural frame such that the highest point of any of the steering system, braking system and energy conversion system does not extend or protrude higher than the highest point of the structural frame by an amount more than approximately 150% of the structural frame thickness.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle chassis includes a braking system, an energy conversion system, a steering system and a suspension system wherein each system is operably connected to at least one of a plurality of wheels. The systems are packaged substantially within a substantially flat vehicle frame to provide a substantially flat chassis. The flatness of the chassis increases available passenger space in any attached vehicle body and facilitates compatibility between the chassis and bodies of varying configurations.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A vehicle chassis comprising:
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a structural frame having a thickness defined as the vertical distance between the lowest point on the frame and the highest point on the frame; a body attachment interface having body connection components, the body connection components including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling mounted with respect to the structural frame and at least one control signal receiver; a suspension system mounted with respect to the structural frame; at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system; a steering system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; a braking system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; and an energy conversion system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; wherein each of the steering system, braking system, and energy conversion system is responsive to non-mechanical control signals; and wherein the steering system, braking system, and energy conversion system are mounted with respect to the structural frame such that the highest point of any of the steering system, braking system and energy conversion system does not extend or protrude higher than the highest point of the structural frame by an amount more than approximately 150% of the structural frame thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle chassis comprising:
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a structural frame; a body attachment interface having body connection components, the body connection components including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling mounted with respect to the structural frame and at least one control signal receiver; a suspension system mounted with respect to the structural frame; at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system, each of the at least three wheels having a tire attached thereto; a steering system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; a braking system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; and an energy conversion system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; wherein each of the steering system, braking system, and energy conversion system is responsive to non-mechanical control signals; and wherein no part of the energy conversion system, steering system, and braking system extends or protrudes higher than the top of any of the at least three wheels. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A vehicle chassis comprising:
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a structural frame; a body attachment interface having body connection components, the body connection components including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling mounted with respect to the structural frame and at least one control signal receiver; a suspension system mounted with respect to the structural frame; at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system, each of the at least three wheels having a tire attached thereto; a steering system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; a braking system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; and an energy conversion system operably connected to at least one wheel and to said at least one control signal receiver; wherein each of the steering system, braking system, and energy conversion system is responsive to non-mechanical control signals; and wherein no part of the energy conversion system, steering system, and braking system extends or protrudes higher than the top of any of the tires. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification