Vehicle body configurations

• US 20030038468A1
• Filed: 07/24/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Shabana, Mohsen D., Chernoff, Adrian B., Borroni-Bird, Christopher E., White, Tommy E., Vitale, Robert Louis
• Granted Patent: US 6,880,856 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/781
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 2700/50 Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines
• 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 2001/005 : the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 : the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 : Rail vehicles
• 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 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 21/07 : wide-hipped frame type, i.e. a wide box-shaped mid portion with narrower sections extending from said mid portion in both fore and aft directions
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/10 : in which the main member is plate-like
• 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 25/105 : for motor cars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/008 : predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded
• 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 65/04 : Joining preassembled modular units composed of sub-units performing diverse functions, e.g. engine and bonnet B62D65/06 - B62D65/16 take precedence
• 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

Various body configurations are described which capitalize upon the interchangeability of vehicle bodies on a flat rolling chassis. The ability to interchange vehicle bodies and exchange modular interior components enables substantial freedom and variation in the types of automobile, trucks, heavy equipment, machinery, RV bodies, etc. that can be interchanged on a rolling chassis. Various seating arrangements may be provided as well as enhanced space utilization, and different types of interior and exterior environments, aesthetics and functionality, including sound, lighting, and other technology enhancements may be provided on a body. Methods and structures are described for facilitating the exchange of modular body components, such as via a removable body floor.

Claims

1. A vehicle body configured for attachment to a chassis, the body comprising:

a body floor configured to extend substantially the entire length of the chassis;

a seat assembly supported by the floor;

a driver interface supported with respect to the floor adjacent the seat assembly to communicate vehicle control signals to the chassis from a seated driver; and

an interface on a bottom surface of the floor configured for attachment to the chassis.

2. The body of claim 1, wherein said interface is configured to conform to a standardized interface system wherein mechanical and electrical connection components of the body and chassis complement each other and are sufficiently aligned such that different styles of conforming bodies may be mated to any conforming chassis without need for modification to either the chassis or body to facilitate attachment.

3. The body of claim 2, further comprising an enclosure connected to the floor for sheltering occupants within the body, wherein the enclosure is connected to opposing ends of the floor such that the enclosure extends substantially the entire length of the floor so that substantially the entire length of the floor is accessible and usable space for occupants.

4. The body of claim 2, wherein the body is selected from the group consisting of sedans, pickup trucks, convertibles, coupes, vans, station wagons, sport-utility vehicles, and other types of transports.

5. For use in combination with a vehicle chassis, a vehicle body comprising:

an enclosure configured to shelter a vehicle occupant;

a driver communication interface positioned within the enclosure to communicate vehicle control signals to the chassis from a vehicle driver; and

a chassis-attachment interface connected to the enclosure and configured for selective attachment to the chassis, said chassis-attachment interface being configured to conform to a standardized interface system wherein mechanical and electrical connection components of the body and chassis complement each other and are sufficiently aligned such that any conforming body may be mated to any conforming chassis without modification to either the chassis or body at the interface.

6. The body of claim 5, wherein the chassis-attachment interface includes a single umbilical electrical connector through which all electrical communication signals pass from the body to a corresponding single electrical connector on the chassis.

7. The body of claim 5, wherein the enclosure is supported by a floor which extends substantially the entire length of the body, so that substantially the entire length of the floor is accessible and usable space for occupants.

8. The body of claim 7, wherein the floor is substantially flat.

9. The body of claim 7, further comprising at least one seat supported on the floor.

10. The body of claim 5, wherein the driver communication interface includes a drive-by-wire control input device, and wherein the driver communication interface is further characterized by the absence of a mechanical steering linkage, such as a steering column.

11. The body of claim 5, wherein the chassis-attachment interface includes a plurality of load-transmitting chassis-attachment couplings positioned for attachment to corresponding load-bearing couplings on the chassis.

12. The body of claim 5, wherein the enclosure is selected from the body-style group consisting of sedans, pickup trucks, convertibles, coupes, vans, station wagons, sport-utility vehicles, and other types of transports.

13. A vehicle body comprising:

a body skeleton structure having body openings formed therein; and

each of said body openings being covered by non-metal closeout panels.

14. The vehicle body of claim 13, wherein said non-metal closeout panels comprise materials selected from the group consisting of fabric, wood, plastic, rubber, nylon, webbing, canvas and mylar.

15. The vehicle body of claim 14, wherein said non-metal closeout panels are removably attached over the body openings to facilitate interchangeability.

16. The vehicle body of claim 13, wherein said body skeleton structure and closeout panels form an enclosure for sheltering occupants within the body, wherein the enclosure is connected to opposing ends of a body floor such that the enclosure extends substantially the entire length of the floor so that substantially the entire length of the floor is accessible and usable space for occupants.

17. The vehicle body of claim 13, further comprising a substantially flat body floor.

18. The vehicle body of claim 13, further comprising at least one seat within the enclosure.

19. The vehicle body of claim 17, further comprising a driver communication interface connected to the floor and including a drive by-wire control input device.

20. The vehicle body of claim 14, wherein one of said nonmetal close-out panels forms a hood or fender of the body.

21. The vehicle body of claim 13, wherein said non-metal close-out panels comprise materials selected from the group consisting of fabric, wood, plastic and rubber.

22. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis, wherein the chassis includes

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 an attached tire;

a steering system operably connected to at least one wheel and operably connected to a control signal receiver;

a braking system operably connected to at least one wheel and to a control signal receiver; and

an energy conversion system operably connected to at least one wheel and to a control signal receiver;

wherein each of the steering system, braking system, and energy conversion system is responsive to non-mechanical control signals; and

a body, wherein the body includes

a body structural unit;

at least one complementary attachment coupling mounted with respect to the body structural unit and engaged with the at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling;

at least one control signal transmitter mounted with respect to the body structural unit and engaged with the at least one control signal receiver; and

a passenger enclosure partially defining a passenger space;

wherein the passenger space extends forward and rearward in the vehicle from each of the wheels when the wheels are positioned for forward travel of the vehicle.

23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein the body further comprises at least one driver-operable control input device operably connected to a control signal transmitter.

24. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein the steering system, braking system, and energy conversion system are controllable by wire, and wherein the at least one control signal receiver is an electrical connector, and wherein the at least one control signal transmitter is an electrical connector.

25. The vehicle of claim 24, wherein the energy conversion system includes a fuel cell.

26. The vehicle of claim 24, wherein the energy conversion system includes a plurality of wheel motors.