Modular Vehicle Architecture
AssigneeThales Australia Limited
InventorsCRAIG LACHLAN MACKENZIE, GREG HARRIS
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the field of mechanical engineering, in particular, vehicles. In one form, the invention relates to military or defence industry protected (armoured) vehicles with a modular vehicle architecture comprising: a capsule adapted for accommodating at least one occupant; at least one sub-frame detachably operatively connected to the capsule; wherein at least the sub-frame construction comprises members of tubular structure having a cross section corresponding to a conic section.
Claims23
-9. (canceled)
A modular vehicle architecture, comprising:
- a capsule adapted for accommodating at least one occupant;
- at least one sub-frame detachably operatively connected to the capsule;
- wherein a majority of major functional vehicle components are housed within a sub-frame.
A method of assembling a vehicle comprising, the steps of:
- providing a centre module comprising a capsule adapted for accommodating at least one occupant;
- providing a first sub-frame comprising sub-frame members of tubular structure having a cross section corresponding to a conic section;
- providing a second sub-frame comprising sub-frame members of tubular structure having a cross section corresponding to a conic section;
- detachably connecting the first sub-frame to the front of the centre module;
- detachably connecting the second sub-frame to the rear of the centre module.
A modular vehicle architecture having:
- a capsule adapted for accommodating at least one occupant;
- at least one sub-frame detachably connectable to the capsule and constructed from members of tubular structure having a circular or elliptical cross-sectional profile;
- wherein one or more connections between the capsule and the at least one sub-frame comprises a fastening between a hull plate of the capsule and a sub-frame flange of the sub-frame, and wherein the fastening comprises a combination of a bolt and a dowel where the dowel is for locating the sub frame assembly during its assembly and the bolt is arranged for tightening upon locating the sub frame assembly such that fatigue loads on the connection are minimised and the dowel is capable of dissipating shearing loads.
(canceled)
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.