Apparatus and system for efficient and maneuverable vehicle

• US 8,397,844 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abraham Vasant
• Original Assignee: Abraham Vasant
• Inventors: Vasant, Abraham
• Primary Examiner(s): EBNER, KATY MEYER
• Application Number:
  US11/609,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20070144799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,290 Days
• Field of Search: 180 651- 658
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• 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 17/043 Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/30 the ultimate propulsive elements, e.g. ground wheels, being steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 20/08 Dashboard means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0038 the motor moving together with the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0061 the motor axle being parallel to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2036 Electric differentials, e.g. for supporting steering vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 31/003 : compact cars, e.g. city cars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/04 : with two other wheels which are coaxial
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus and system are disclosed for a maneuverable vehicle. The apparatus is a vehicle that includes a frame configured to support the vehicle. The frame has a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis. The apparatus also includes a modular power pack removably coupled with the frame and configured to provide a driving force to the vehicle, first and second wheels attached to the modular power pack along the lateral axis, and third and fourth wheels attached to the frame along the longitudinal axis. The first, second, third, and fourth wheels may be arranged in a diamond shape. The system includes the apparatus and a single control apparatus coupled to the vehicle and in communication with a control computer. The single control apparatus may include a moveable steering wheel configured to control throttle, steering, and braking.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a frame configured to support a vehicle, the frame having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the lateral axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at a point;

a modular power pack removably coupled with the frame and configured to provide a driving force to the vehicle;

first and second wheels attached to the modular power pack along the lateral axis, third and fourth wheels attached to the frame along the longitudinal axis;

the first, second, third, and fourth wheels arranged in a diamond shape; and

a control computer configured to coordinate steering of the third and fourth wheel in response to a current speed of the vehicle such that at a speed lower than a preselected speed the third and fourth wheel turn in opposite directions and at a speed greater than the preselected speed the third and fourth wheel turn in the same direction.

2. A vehicle comprising:

a frame configured to support a vehicle, the frame having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the lateral axis crossing the longitudinal axis substantially at a vertical line through a center of gravity of the vehicle;

a modular power pack removably coupled with the frame and configured to provide a driving force to the vehicle;

first and second wheels attached to the modular power pack along the lateral axis, third and fourth wheels attached to the frame along the longitudinal axis; and

the first, second, third, and fourth wheels arranged in a diamond shape, further comprising a single control apparatus coupled to the vehicle and in communication with a control computer, the single control apparatus comprising a moveable steering wheel configured to control throttle, steering, and braking.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the control computer accelerates the vehicle in response to the steering wheel moving towards a rear of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the control computer slows the vehicle in response to the steering wheel moving towards a front of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the control computer applies a park brake in response to the steering wheel rotating upward to a lifted position.

6. A vehicle comprising:

a frame configured to support a vehicle, the frame having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the lateral axis intersecting the longitudinal axis at a point;

a modular power pack removably coupled with the frame and configured to provide a driving force to the vehicle;

first and second wheels attached to the modular power pack along the lateral axis, third and fourth wheels attached to the frame along the longitudinal axis;

the first, second, third, and fourth wheels arranged in a diamond shape; and

a single control apparatus coupled to the vehicle and in communication with a control computer, the single control apparatus comprising a moveable steering wheel configured to be rotated by a user to turn the vehicle, the steering wheel also configured to control throttle, steering, and braking.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the control computer accelerates the vehicle in response to the steering wheel moving towards a rear of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the control computer slows the vehicle in response to the steering wheel moving towards a front of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the control computer applies a park brake in response to the steering wheel rotating upward to a lifted position.

10. A vehicle comprising:

a frame configured to support a vehicle, the frame having a longitudinal axis;

a modular power pack pivotally and removably coupled with the frame and configured to provide power for a driving force to the vehicle;

first and second wheels attached to the modular power pack along a lateral axis, the lateral axis extending transversely to and crossing the longitudinal axis; and

third and fourth wheels attached to the frame along the longitudinal axis such that the lateral axis is located between the third and fourth wheels.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising an active tilt control system disposed between the frame and a body configured to tilt the body in response to lateral acceleration of the vehicle.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the active tilt control system comprises a tilting mechanism selected from the group consisting of hydraulic pistons, electrical actuators, airbags, adjustable spring rate suspensions, and adjustable stabilizer bar suspensions.

13. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising at least one pedaling mechanism located beneath a removable floorboard, the pedaling mechanism coupled with the third wheel and configured to provide an emergency driving force to the vehicle.

14. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the modular power pack is towed behind the vehicle.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the towed power pack provides the driving force by pushing the vehicle.

16. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the modular power pack comprises a motor coupled with one of the third or fourth wheel.

17. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a single control apparatus coupled to the vehicle and in communication with a control computer, the single control apparatus comprising a moveable steering wheel configured to control throttle, steering, and braking.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the control computer accelerates the vehicle in response to the steering wheel moving towards a rear of the vehicle.

19. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the control computer slows the vehicle in response to the steering wheel moving towards a front of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the control computer applies a park brake in response to the steering wheel rotating upward to a lifted position.