Mobile chassis and interchangeable vehicle body with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system

• US 7,028,791 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2002
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Shabana, Mohsen D., Chernoff, Adrian B., Borroni-Bird, Christopher E., Vitale, Robert Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/206,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20030038470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 180/54.1, 180/58, 180/291, 180/65.2, 180/65.4, 180/68.1, 180/68.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.5, 180/65.1, 180/65.6, 296/70, 296/72, 296/208, 296/194, 296/230.01, 296/193.04, 296/193.05, 296/193.07, 296/203.01, 701/1, 701/22, 701/48, 454 69- 73, 454143-148
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/14 having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/015 the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements B60G17/002, B60G17/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/10 Independent suspensions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/144 with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/18 Multilink suspensions, e.g. elastokinematic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/44 steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/46 camber angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/462 Toe-in/out
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/40 Type of actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/42 Electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/10 Mounting of suspension elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/11 Mounting of sensors thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/14 Mounting of suspension arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/16 Mounting of vehicle body on chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/20 Mounting of accessories, e.g. pump, compressor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/202 of cables
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/011 Modular constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/0114 Independent suspensions on subframes
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/50 Constructional features of wheel supports or knuckles, e.g. steering knuckles, spindle attachments
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/99 : Suspension element selection procedure depending on loading or performance requirements, e.g. selection of damper, spring or bush
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/45 : Rolling frame vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/50 : Electric vehicles; Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/60 : Vehicles using regenerative power
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/21 : Traction, slip, skid or slide control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/802 : Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/90 : System Controller type
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/91 : Suspension Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/92 : ABS - Brake Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/963 : Steer-by-wire
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/18 : with two or more pivoted arms, e.g. parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/003 : of adjustable length
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/004 : for vehicles having a combustion engine and electric drive means, e.g. hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 : Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 : of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/07 : of gas tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/001 : one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/005 : the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 : the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 : to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 : to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 : Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/34 : Cabin temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 : Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 : by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 : Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0038 : relating to sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 : with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/71 : Arrangement of fuel cells within vehicles specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/72 : Constructional details of fuel cells specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/33 : by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/34 : by heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 : for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/18 : Controlling the braking effect B60L7/12, B60L7/14, B60L7/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/14 : rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/10 , B60N2/2869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 : Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/065 : employing disc B60T1/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/10 : by utilising wheel movement for accumulating energy, e.g. driving air compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/66 : Electrical control in fluid-pressure brake systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 : characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/74 : with electrical assistance or drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/82 : Brake-by-Wire, EHB
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/00 : Brake-action initiating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/042 : by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/00 : Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force by changing number of effective brake cylinders in power brake systems B60T17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/105 : for motor cars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/00 : Power-assisted or power-driven steering for non-deflectable wheels B62D11/00; fluid-pressure servomotors in general F15B
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/18 : Steering knuckles; King pins
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 : Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A mobile chassis for vehicle body interchangeability has a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system packaged in a rolling platform. The system is connected to a powertrain cooling loop for waste heat circulation and to an electric air conditioning compressor for cooling. Supplemental heating elements are utilized for additional heating loads. Airflow from the HVAC system flows into the vehicle body through single or multiple passthroughs from the rolling platform. The air is then distributed through a ducting system in the vehicle body. The ducting system utilizes floor structure, seat structure, body pillars, or other designed forms so that the airflow is positioned and directed as desired.

Claims

1. A mobile chassis for mating with a vehicle body having at least one heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) duct connector, the chassis comprising:

a structural frame;

body attachment components mounted with respect to the frame and adapted to mate with the vehicle body;

an HVAC system mounted with respect to the frame and having an HVAC fluid coupling, the body attachment components and HVAC fluid coupling defining an external interface, the vehicle body being matable with the chassis at the external interface; and

the HVAC fluid coupling being operably connectable to the HVAC duct connector at the external interface when the vehicle body is mated with the chassis.

2. The mobile chassis of claim 1, in combination with the vehicle body and including an air flow control in the HVAC system, the air flow control having a control signal receiver connector, and the vehicle body having a transmitter for sending by wire to the receiver connector a signal for selectively operating the air flow control.

3. The mobile chassis of claim 1, in combination with a vehicle body having hollow structural members forming a second air flow duct in air flow communication with the air flow coupling and air flow duct of the air cooling system.

4. A mobile chassis for mating with a vehicle body having at least one heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) duct connector, the chassis comprising:

a frame having a plurality of interconnected spaced-apart structural members;

body attachment components connected to the frame and adapted to mate with the vehicle body;

an HVAC system mounted with respect to the frame and having an HVAC fluid coupling, the body attachment components and HVAC fluid coupling defining an external interface, the vehicle body being matable with the chassis at the external interface; and

the HVAC fluid coupling being operably connectable to the HVAC duct connector at the external interface when the vehicle body is mated with the chassis.

5. The mobile chassis of claim 4, including a waste heat emitting cooling loop connected to the HVAC system so that the waste heat emitted by the cooling loop is in fluid flow communication with the HVAC fluid coupling.

6. The mobile chassis of claim 5, including a supplemental heating element in fluid flow communication with the HVAC fluid coupling.

7. The mobile chassis of claim 4, including a plurality of HVAC fluid couplings connectable respectively with a plurality of HVAC duct connectors on the vehicle body.

8. The mobile chassis of claim 4, in combination with the vehicle body wherein the vehicle body includes fluid flow directing structure for directing the fluid flow as desired in the vehicle body.

9. A mobile chassis for vehicle body interchangeability comprising;

a structural frame having a plurality of spaced-apart structural members interconnected in a manner to define a plurality of packaging spaces and an external interface;

a propulsion system at least partially in at least one of the packaging spaces and controllable by wire and including a disconnectable connector in the interface operable to disconnect the controllability of the mobile chassis by wire; and

a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system in at least another of the packaging spaces and having an unobstructed, disconnectable HVAC fluid coupling in the external interface connectable to a vehicle body to direct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning from the HVAC system, the external interface being an imaginary surface that includes the unobstructed, disconnectable HVAC fluid coupling when the structural frame with the propulsion and HVAC systems therein moves toward a vehicle body being interchanged.

10. A mobile chassis for use with an interchangeable vehicle body characterized by novel waste heat rejection and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), comprising:

a frame defining a plurality of open spaces and an upper chassis face having connective elements adapted to connect at an imaginary interface with complementary connective elements on a vehicle body being interchanged;

a suspension system including at least three wheels;

a steering system having steering components, mounted with respect to the frame and operably connected to at least one wheel;

an energy conversion system having energy conversion system components, mounted with respect to the frame and operably connected to at least one wheel;

a waste heat rejection system having waste heat rejection system components being operably connected to the energy conversion system, the waste heat rejection components including a cooling loop and a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the energy conversion system, the cooling loop being operably connected to the heat exchanger;

an HVAC system having HVAC system components and operably connected to the cooling loop;

a braking system having braking components, mounted with respect to the frame and operably connected to at least one wheel;

a plurality of body-connection components mounted with respect to the frame, including a plurality of body-retention couplings, a control signal receiver connector, and an HVAC fluid coupling in the HVAC system;

wherein the control signal receiver connector is characterized as control-by wire and is operably connected to the HVAC system, braking system, steering system, and energy conversion system;

wherein the steering components, energy conversion system components, waste heat rejection system components, braking components, HVAC system components, and body connection components are mounted within the open spaces and do not protrude significantly outside the frame or beyond the imaginary interface.

11. An operable automotive vehicle combination comprising:

multiple connectable and interchangeable vehicle bodies,

a connectable and separable vehicle chassis;

each of the multiple bodies having at least one heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) duct connector part in a fixed position common to each of the vehicle bodies;

at least one electrical connector having a connectable and easily separable first electrical connector part connected to the chassis and a connectable and easily separable second electrical connector part complementary to said first electrical connector part and connected to each of the bodies; and

at least one structural connector having a connectable and easily separable first structural connector part connected to the chassis and a connectable and easily separable structural connector part complementary to said first structural part and connected to each of the bodies;

wherein the first and second electrical connector parts substantially define an electrical interface portion between a body and the chassis when the first and second electrical connector parts are connected;

wherein the first and second structural connector parts substantially define a structural interface portion between a body and the chassis when the first and second structural connector parts are connected;

wherein each body and the chassis define a substantially planar connection interface substantially including the structural and electrical interface portions when a vehicle body and the vehicle chassis are connected;

wherein the connection of the structural and electrical parts at the substantially planar connection interface when one of the multiple vehicle bodies and the vehicle chassis are connected permits the automotive vehicle to operate and wherein easy separation of the structural and electrical parts from the connection interface permits another of the multiple vehicle bodies to be interchanged with the vehicle chassis for said one of the multiple vehicle bodies; and

wherein the chassis further comprises a frame having a plurality of spaced-apart structural members interconnected in a manner to define a plurality of internal packaging spaces and an external interface substantially coextensive with said planar connection interface and to connect with each of the multiple vehicle bodies; and

an HVAC system at least partially in at least one of the packaging spaces and having an HVAC fluid coupling mounted in the planar connection interface in a sufficiently fixed, unobstructed position with respect to the frame so that the HVAC fluid coupling unobstructably operably connects to the HVAC duct connector of each one of the multiple vehicle bodies when a selected one of the multiple bodies is connected with the chassis.

12. A body and chassis automotive vehicle combination comprising:

a connectable vehicle body;

a chassis including a frame, an HVAC system, and at least one system selected from the group consisting of a by-wire braking system, a by-wire suspension system, a by-wire energy conversion system and a by-wire steering system, and on which the body is supportable and which defines with the body a connection interface;

said connection interface including matable connector parts respective to each of the vehicle body and the chassis which operably connect respectively with each other at the connection interface when the vehicle body is connected with the chassis; and

wherein the matable connector parts include a fluid coupling respectively on each of the body and the chassis for fluidly connecting the HVAC system with the body for air flow communication between the body and the chassis.