Modular vehicle
AssigneeApplied Minds, LLC
InventorsBran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims10
A modular vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle frame configured with a first plurality of fixation sites arranged at predetermined regular intervals along said frame;
- a plurality of fixable and removable module frames, each having a top hatch or roof hatch and configured to partially surround an internal space and further configured with two mounting brackets fixed thereto, wherein each mounting bracket is configured with a second plurality of fixation sites arranged with said predetermined regular intervals along each mounting bracket such that a module frame is configured to be coupled to the vehicle frame at a variety of distinct locations on the vehicle frame,
- at least one a plurality of releasable connecting mechanisms, wherein each releasable connecting mechanism is configured to be connectable to one of the first plurality of fixation sites and one of the second plurality of fixation sites simultaneously;
- a plurality of module devices, wherein each module device is configured within each of the fixable and removable module frames via the internal space partially surrounded by the module frames respectively, and
- a control system configured with one or more established operating relations for operating the modular vehicle, wherein the control system comprises a processor, embodying instructions, which when executed by the processor, recognizes one or more module devices upon coupling of the one or more fixable and removable module frames to the vehicle frame via one or more of the plurality of releasable connecting mechanisms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.