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US 11,479,295 B1Granted
Vehicle corner module and methods for installation thereof
AssigneeRee Automotive Ltd
InventorsTroy Kenion, Gail Marie Prince
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Some embodiments relate to a vehicle corner module (VCM) connectable to a VCM-connection interface of a reference-frame of a vehicle platform (e.g. for regulating motion of a vehicle). Some embodiments relate to a multi-interface connection-element for connection of multiple electronic or flow vehicle subsystems of a vehicle to a Vehicle Corner Module (VCM). Related methods are disclosed herein.
Claims27
A vehicle corner module (VCM) connectable to a VCM-connection interface of a reference-frame of a vehicle platform, for regulating motion of a vehicle, the VCM comprising:
- a sub-frame including:
- a base;
- a wall disposed transversely to the base;
- and
- a vehicle-connection interface for reversible mechanical connection of the VCM to the VCM-connection interface of the reference frame;
- a wheel-hub assembly comprising a wheel-hub adapted for mounting of a wheel thereon;
- and
- at least one subsystem of the vehicle, comprising a subsystem unit mounted onto the base of the sub-frame, the at least one subsystem being selected from the group of subsystems consisting of a drive subsystem, a steering subsystem, and a braking subsystem,
- wherein at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, a third condition, and a fourth condition is true, and wherein:
- I. according to the first condition, the at least one subsystem comprises the drive subsystem, which includes a drive subsystem unit having a drive motor mounted onto the base of the sub-frame, and a drive shaft mounted via the wall of the sub-frame, the wall being disposed between the drive motor and the drive shaft;
- II. according to the second condition, the at least one subsystem comprises the braking subsystem, which includes a braking subsystem unit having a brake pump mounted onto the base of the sub-frame;
- III. according to the third condition, when a wheel is mounted on the wheel-hub assembly, the vehicle-connection interface is disposed within a cylindrical footprint of the wheel;
- and
- IV. according to the fourth condition, connection of the sub-frame to the reference-frame by engagement of the vehicle-connection interface with the VCM-connection interface is carried out by longitudinally aligning the sub-frame with the VCM-connection interface, with the sub-frame disposed below the reference-frame, and moving the VCM upward to facilitate the engagement of the vehicle-connection interface with the VCM-connection interface.
11 more elements
A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle platform including a reference frame having an upper surface and a lower surface, the reference frame including at least one VCM-connection interface;
- at least one vehicle corner module (VCM) connected to a VCM-connection interface of the reference-frame, the at least one VCM adapted for regulating motion of the vehicle, the VCM comprising:
- a sub-frame including:
- a base;
- a wall disposed transversely to the base;
- and
- a vehicle-connection interface reversibly and mechanically engaging the VCM-connection interface of the reference frame;
- a wheel-hub assembly comprising a wheel-hub adapted for mounting of a wheel thereon;
- and
- at least one subsystem of the vehicle, comprising a subsystem unit mounted onto the base of the sub-frame, the at least one subsystem being selected from the group of subsystems consisting of a drive subsystem, a steering subsystem, and a braking subsystem,
- wherein at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition is true, and wherein:
- I. according to the first condition, the at least one subsystem comprises the drive subsystem, which includes a drive subsystem unit having a drive motor mounted onto the base of the sub-frame and a drive shaft mounted via the wall of the sub-frame, the wall being disposed between the drive motor and the drive shaft;
- II. according to the second condition, the at least one subsystem comprises the braking subsystem, which includes a braking subsystem unit having a brake pump mounted onto the base of the sub-frame;
- and
- III. according to the third condition, the vehicle further comprises:
- multiple electronic or flow subsystems, each selected from the subsystem group consisting of a power supply, a control-circuit, a computerized controller, a network bus, a network interface, a coolant flow subsystem, an oil flow subsystem, and a brake fluid flow subsystem;
- and
- a multi-interface connection-element including a VCM-portion mounted onto the base of the sub-frame, reversibly connected to a corresponding vehicle-platform-portion mounted onto the reference-frame and connected to the multiple electronic or flow subsystems, each of the VCM-portion and the vehicle-platform-portion including multiple connection interfaces for connection to the other of the VCM-portion and the vehicle-platform-portion,
- wherein, connection of the VCM-portion to the vehicle-platform-portion of the multi-interface connection-element result in connection of the VCM to the multiple electronic or flow subsystems, and
- wherein for each electronic or flow subsystem of the multiple electronic or flow subsystems, one of the VCM-portion and vehicle-platform-portion of the multi-interface connection-element includes a port, and the other of the VCM-portion and vehicle-platform-portion includes a corresponding plug, which, when the first and second portions are connected, is received in the port to connect the VCM to the electronic or flow subsystem.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.