Vehicle body connection system

• US 7,275,609 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2002
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Shabana, Mohsen D., Chernoff, Adrian B., Borroni-Bird, Christopher E., Vitale, Robert Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/207,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,891 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.5, 180/65.6, 180/65.7, 180/65.8, 180/333, 180/446, 180/400, 180/401, 180/402, 180/403, 296/35.3, 296/204, 296/191, 296/193.03, 296/177, 701/1, 701/22, 701/37, 701/41, 701/70, 701/48, 701/29, 280/781, 280/790, 280/785, 280/783
• 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 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 58/40 : for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• 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 24/02 : Vehicle body, not intended to move relatively to the vehicle frame, and mounted on vibration absorbing mountings, e.g. rubber pads
• 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 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A vehicle chassis having substantially all of the mechanical, electrical, and structural componentry necessary for a fully functional vehicle includes at least an energy conversion system, a steering system, and a braking system. The chassis is configured for matability with a variety of different types or styles of vehicle bodies. Various prior art mechanical control linkages between a driver and controlled systems are replaced with non-mechanical control signal transmission components. Fuel cell technology is also implemented. Further, the chassis is configured for automatic engagement of its body connection components with complementary connection components on a vehicle body when a body is sufficiently positioned against the chassis.

Claims

1. A vehicle chassis comprising:

a structural frame;

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 operably connected to at least one wheel;

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

an energy conversion system controllable by wire, mounted with respect to the structural frame, and operably connected to at least one wheel; and

a body-attachment interface at which a vehicle body is matable to the chassis, the body attachment interface having at least one body connection component including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling configured for automatic engagement with a complementary attachment coupling whereby the body is fastened to the chassis.

2. The vehicle chassis of claim 1, wherein the steering system is controllable by wire.

3. The vehicle chassis of claim 1, wherein the energy conversion system includes a fuel cell.

4. The vehicle chassis of claim 3, further comprising an energy storage system configured to store hydrogen and operably connected to the energy conversion system.

5. The vehicle chassis of claim 1, further comprising an alignment aperture configured to receive a tapered aligmnent pin on a vehicle body to be attached to the chassis.

6. The vehicle chassis of claim 1, further comprising:

a rigid covering mounted with respect to the structural frame and configured to function as a vehicle floor; and

a plurality of passenger seating attachment couplings mounted with respect to the structural frame.

7. The vehicle chassis of claim 6, wherein the steering system is controllable by wire.

8. The vehicle chassis of claim 6, further comprising at least one driver-operable control input device;

and wherein each of the energy conversion system, braking system, and steering system are operably connected to a driver-operable control input device.

9. The vehicle chassis of claim 8, wherein the steering system is controllable by wire.

10. The vehicle chassis of claim 9, wherein the at least one driver-operable control input device is movable with respect to the structural frame.

11. The vehicle chassis of claim 6, wherein the energy conversion system includes a fuel cell.

12. The vehicle chassis of claim 11, further comprising an energy storage system.

13. The vehicle chassis of claim 1, wherein the body connection components include at least one control signal receiver connector configured to convey control signals in non-mechanical form and configured for automatic engagement with a complementary connector;

and wherein the braking system and energy conversion system are operably connected to a control signal receiver connector.

14. The vehicle chassis of claim 13, wherein the body connection components include no more than four control signal receiver connector.

15. The vehicle chassis of claim 14, wherein the steering system is controllable by wire and is operably connected to a control signal receiver connector.

16. The vehicle chassis of claim 15, wherein the body connection components include no more than one control signal receiver connector.

17. The vehicle chassis of claim 13, wherein the at least one control signal receiver connectors comprise electrical connectors.

18. The vehicle chassis of claim 17, wherein the steering system is controllable by wire and operably connected to an electrical connector.

19. The vehicle chassis of claim 18, wherein the energy conversion system includes a fuel cell.

20. The vehicle chassis of claim 19, further comprising an energy storage system.

21. The vehicle chassis of claim 20, wherein the body connection components have a predetermined spatial relationship relative to one another and are sufficiently exposed, positioned, and unobstructed such that when a vehicle having complementary components in the same predetermined spatial relationship as the body connection components is sufficiently positioned relative to the body attachment interface, each body connection component is adjacent to a complementary component.

22. The vehicle chassis of claim 20, wherein the body connection components have a predetermined spatial relationship relative to one another and are sufficiently exposed, positioned, and unobstructed such that when a vehicle having complementary components in the same predetermined spatial relationship as the body connection components is sufficiently positioned relative to the body attachment interface, an electrical connector to which the braking system is connected, an electrical connector to which the steering system is connected, an electrical connector to which the energy conversion system is connected and through which it receives control signals are each adjacent to a complementary component.

23. The vehicle chassis of claim 1, wherein said at least one load-bearing body retention coupling is a latch.

24. A vehicle chassis comprising:

a structural frame;

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 operably connected to at least one wheel;

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

an energy conversion system controllable by wire, mounted with respect to the structural frame, and operably connected to at least one wheel; and

a body-attachment interface having at least one body connection component including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling configured for automatic engagement with a cormplementary attachment coupling;

wherein die at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling includes a bolt and an electric motor, the electric motor being operably connected to the bolt and configured to rotate the bolt.

25. The vehicle chassis of claim 24, wherein the at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling further comprises a sensor configured to detect a vehicle body and operably connected to the electric motor, and wherein the electric motor is configured to rotate the bolt when the sensor detects a vehicle body.

26. The vehicle chassis of claim 24, wherein the steering system is controllable by wire.

27. A vehicle chassis comprising:

a structural frame;

a suspension system mounted with respect to the structural frame;

at least three wheels rotatablv mounted with respect to the suspension system;

a by-wire braking system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operably connected to at least one wheel;

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

an energy conversion system controllable by wire, mounted with respect to the structural frame, and operably connected to at least one wheel;

a body-attachment interface having at least one body connection component including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling configured for automatic engagement with a complementary attachment coupling;

a rigid covering mounted with respect to the structural frame and configured to function as a vehicle floor; and

a plurality of passenger seating attachment couplings mounted with respect to the structural frame;

wherein the at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling includes a bolt and an electric motor, the electric motor being operably connected to the bolt and configured to rotate the bolt.

28. The vehicle chassis of claim 27, wherein the at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling further comprises a sensor configured to detect a yebiele body and operably connected to the electric motor, and wherein the electric motor is configured to rotate the bolt when the sensor detects a vehicle body.

29. The vehicle chassis of claim 27, further comprising an energy storage system.

30. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis having

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 connector configured to convey control signals in non-mechanical form;

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, a by-wire steering system, and an energy conversion system controllable by wire, each of the braking system, steering system and energy conversion system mounted with respect to the structural frame, operably connected to at least one wheel, and operably connected to a control signal receiver; and

an energy storage system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operably connected to the energy conversion system; and

a vehicle body having

a body structural unit;

complementary connection components, including at least one complementary attachment coupling engageable with the at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling, and at least one control signal transmitter connector engageable with the at least one control signal receiver connector;

a steering transducer operably connected to a control signal transmitter connector;

a braking transducer operably connected to a control signal transmitter connector; and

an energy conversion system transducer opembly connected to a control signal transmitter connector;

wherein the at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling is configured for automatic engagement with the at least one complementary attachment coupling, and the at least one control signal receiver connector is configured for automatic engagement with the at least one control signal transmitter connector;

wherein a control signal transmitter connector to which the braking transducer is connected is engaged with a control signal receiver connector to which the braking system is connected, a control signal transmitter connector to which the steering transducer is connected is engaged with a control signal receiver connector to which the steering system is connected; and

a control signal transmitter connector to which the energy conversion system transducer is connected is engaged with a control signal receiver connector to which the energy conversion system is connected; and

wherein the at least one complementary attachment coupling is engaged with the at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling.

31. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the energy conversion system includes a fUel cell.

32. The vehicle of claim 31, wherein the body connection components include no more than one control signal receiver connector.

33. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the at least one control signal receiver connector is an electrical connector, and the at least one control signal transmitter connector is a complementary electrical connector.

34. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the suspension system is electronically controllable.

35. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the body connection components and the complementary connection components arc located under the body structural unit.

36. A method of assembling a vehicle, comprising:

juxtaposing a vehicle body with respect to a vehicle chassis, wherein the vehicle chassis includes body connection components including at least one load-bearing body retention coupling, and wherein the vehicle body includes complementary connection components including at least one complementary attachment coupling configured for automatic engagement with the at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling; and

wherein said juxtaposing causes the automatic engagement of the at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling with the at least one complementary attachment coupling whereby the body is fastened to the chassis.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the body connection components have a predetermined spatial relationship with one another, and the complementary connection components have the same predetermined spatial relationship relative to one another as the body connection components.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising aligning the body with the chassis using tapered alignment pins extending from the body into engagement with alignment apertures formed in the chassis.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the body connection components of the chassis further include at least one electrical connector;

wherein the complementary connector components of the body further include at least one complementary electrical connector configured for automatic engagement with the at least one electrical connector; and

wherein said juxtaposing causes the automatic engagement of the at least one electrical connector with the at least one complementary electrical connector.