Chassis with energy-absorption zones

• US 20030168844A1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• 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., Vitale, Robert L., Borroni-Bird, Christopher E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,905,138 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/784
• 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 15/2009 : for braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/46 : Vehicles with auxiliary ad-on propulsions, e.g. add-on electric motor kits for bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 : Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 : by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/26 : by pedal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 : Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/40 : related to technical updates when adding new parts or software
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/16 : for vehicles comprising converters between the power source and the motor
• 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: B60W 10/18 : including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 : including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/24 : including control of energy storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 : Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/105 : Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/125 : Lateral acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/14 : Yaw
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/28 : Wheel speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 : Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 : Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/84 : Wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/12 : characterised by three-wheeled construction
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/02 : vehicle-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/22 : Alternative steering-control elements, e.g. for teaching purposes
• 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 21/10 : in which the main member is plate-like
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/15 : having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body bumpers B60R19/02; shock absorbers in general F16F
• 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 29/008 : predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/02 : Streamlining the undersurfaces B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence
• 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 63/025 : Modular vehicles superstructures for busses having modular sections B62D31/025
• 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: G06Q 30/06 : Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A chassis having systems responsive to nonmechanical control signals and a simplified body-attachment interface includes regions optimized for energy absorption from an impact to the chassis periphery. A structural frame defines open spaces within which chassis systems are positioned. Material configured to absorb energy from an impact to the chassis periphery is located between the chassis periphery and the open spaces.

Claims

1. A vehicle chassis comprising:

a structural frame;

a suspension system;

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

a braking system;

a steering system;

an energy conversion system;

an energy storage system operatively connected to the energy conversion system; and

material mounted with respect to the structural frame and configured to absorb energy from an impact to the chassis;

wherein the braking system, steering system, and energy conversion system are mounted with respect to the structural frame, operatively connected to at least one wheel, and responsive to non-mechanical control signals.

2. The vehicle chassis of claim 1, wherein the structural frame includes a plurality of structural elements defining at least one open space therebetween;

wherein at least one of the energy conversion system, energy storage system, steering system, or braking system is at least partially contained within the at least one open space; and

wherein the material is located between the at least one open space and at least a portion of the chassis periphery, and is configured to absorb energy from an impact to at least part of the chassis periphery.

3. The vehicle chassis of claim 2, wherein the material includes aluminum honeycomb.

4. The vehicle chassis of claim 2, wherein the material includes polymeric foam.

5. The vehicle chassis of claim 2, wherein the material includes a metallic tube having formations such that the tube deforms and thereby absorbs energy from an impact to at least part of the chassis periphery.

6. The vehicle chassis of claim 2, wherein the material is located between a lateral edge of the chassis and at least one open space.

7. The vehicle chassis of claim 2, wherein the material is located between the at least one open space and the forward extent of the chassis.

8. The vehicle chassis of claim 2, wherein the material is located between the at least one open space and the rearward extent of the chassis.

9. The vehicle chassis of claim 2, further comprising a bumper or barrier mounted with respect to the structural frame between the energy absorbing material and the chassis periphery, and configured to transfer impact loads from a point on the periphery to the energy absorbing material.

10. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the energy conversion system includes a fuel cell.

11. A vehicle chassis comprising:

a structural frame defining at least one open space;

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 operatively connected to one of the at least three wheels;

a by-wire steering system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operatively connected to one of the at least three wheels;

a by-wire energy conversion system mounted with respect to the structural frame and operatively connected to one of the at least three wheels;

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

at least one impact region located between the at least one open space and at least a portion of the chassis periphery, the impact region including material mounted with respect to the structural frame and configured to absorb energy from an impact to at least part of the chassis periphery.

12. The vehicle chassis of claim 11, wherein the impact region further includes a bumper or barrier member mounted with respect to the structural frame, located between the material and the chassis periphery, and configured to transfer impact loads from at least part of the chassis periphery to the energy absorbing material.

13. The vehicle chassis of claim 12, wherein the structural frame includes a member located between the at least one open space and the energy absorbing material, the structural member configured to act as a reaction surface against which the energy absorbing material deforms from an impact to at least part of the chassis periphery.

14. The vehicle chassis of claim 13, wherein the at least one impact region substantially abuts the forward or rearward extent of the chassis and includes at least one metallic tube configured to collapse and thereby absorb energy from an impact to at least part of the chassis periphery.

15. The vehicle chassis of claim 13, wherein the at least one impact region substantially abuts a lateral edge of the chassis.

16. The vehicle chassis of claim 13, wherein the at least one impact region substantially abuts the forward extent of the vehicle chassis, the rearward extent of the vehicle chassis, and the lateral extents of the chassis.