Modular vehicle

• US 9,254,877 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Issued: 02/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Minds LLC
• Original Assignee: Applied Minds LLC
• Inventors: Ferren, Bran, Hillis, W. Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US10/750,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20050022460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,424 Days
• Field of Search: 180/89.13, 180/89.18, 180/89, 296/193.03, 296/193.04, 296/193.05, 296/193.08, 296/24.4, 296/35.3, 296/37.6, 701/1, 701/20, 701/32, 701/49, 701/33
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/42 convertible from one use to a different one vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media, rail-and-road vehicles B60F
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0043 for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/12 related to parameters of the vehicle itself , e.g. tyre models
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/00 Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit , e.g. process diagnostic or vehicle driver interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/00 Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted combined frame and vehicle body B62D23/00 ; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/00 Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 39/00 Vehicle bodies not otherwise provided for , e.g. safety vehicles safety equipment B60R21/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/024 Positioning of sub-units or components with respect to body shell or other sub-units or components

Abstract

The invention is a modular vehicle that is intended for a variety of operations including both military and civilian operations. The vehicle addresses the issue of performing special purpose tasks that the vehicle is asked to do. Such tasks can be accomplished by configuring the vehicle as an ambulance, as a fire-fighting vehicle, as a communications van, as a command and control vehicle, etc. Thus, the vehicle is readily adapted using standardized and customized modules that are readily attached to a standardized platform that includes an appropriate interconnection means.

Claims

1. A modular vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle platform;

a plurality of fixation sites along said platform, said fixation sites comprising standardized interconnection means for all any of mechanical and electrical connections and for distribution of hydraulic fluid and compressed air to specialized functional modules;

said fixation sites being located along said platform at intervals to readily accept at least two said modules simultaneously, where each said module is sized as a standardized fraction of the total area of said platform, with said platform providing an underlying foundation for accepting a plurality of combinations of said modules, with the total area of the modules of said combination totaling no more than the area of said platform;

a control and communications protocol communicatively provided throughout said platform for recognizing any of said module'"'"'s presence, identity, capability, and function, and for configuring said modular vehicle accordingly; and

at least two modules, each module providing a unique function, each module comprising a standardized fraction of the total area of said platform, said modules when affixed to said platform comprising in combination a vehicle suited for a particular use, said modules having in combination an area totaling no more that the area of said platform, said modules having fixation means that are located along said modules at intervals that coincide with at least a portion of said fixation sites of said platform, said fixation means being engageable with said platform at said fixation sites to secure said modules to said underlying platform.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a dedicated path about said platform for effecting individual control of said modules.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer implemented vehicle operating system for controlling said modules.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, said fixation sites comprising:

a plurality of custom interfaces for any of contact closures, lighting, power, control, and interface to computers on board one or more of said modules.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a dedicated control pathway connected to a plurality of sub panels placed about the vehicle for direct control of potentially dangerous elements apart from a general purpose control system running on a vehicle computer.