WO2018186818A1 - Procédé de construction d'une caisse de véhicule avec des éléments de languettes et de fentes - Google Patents

Procédé de construction d'une caisse de véhicule avec des éléments de languettes et de fentes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018186818A1
WO2018186818A1 PCT/US2017/024461 US2017024461W WO2018186818A1 WO 2018186818 A1 WO2018186818 A1 WO 2018186818A1 US 2017024461 W US2017024461 W US 2017024461W WO 2018186818 A1 WO2018186818 A1 WO 2018186818A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tab
vehicle
slot
unconstrained
vehicle components
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2017/024461
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David R. Hall
Stephen R. HALL
Original Assignee
Hall David R
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hall David R filed Critical Hall David R
Priority to PCT/US2017/024461 priority Critical patent/WO2018186818A1/fr
Publication of WO2018186818A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018186818A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D61/00—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern
    • B62D61/06—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with only three wheels
    • B62D61/065—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with only three wheels with single rear wheel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D23/00—Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D27/00—Connections between superstructure or understructure sub-units
    • B62D27/02—Connections between superstructure or understructure sub-units rigid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
    • B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to frames for vehicles such as automobiles, boats, airplanes, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to fasteners for vehicle frames integrally formed with such frames during an initial build of a frame.
  • a vehicle frame also known as a chassis, may provide a supporting structure for a vehicle.
  • Such frames must typically be strong enough to withstanding the static and dynamic loads experienced by the vehicle.
  • Elements that may apply loads to a vehicle may include the weight of the vehicle body itself plus any passengers and/or cargo.
  • torsional loads created by traveling over uneven surfaces As a vehicle travels, it may also be subjected to torsional loads created by traveling over uneven surfaces, lateral loads created by steering the vehicle, torque created by the engine and transmission, longitudinal loads created by acceleration and breaking, and sudden impacts from collisions.
  • vehicle frames are traditionally large, heavy, expensive and difficult to manufacture.
  • All other vehicle components such as lights, seats, upholstery, handles, radios, and speakers may be attached to the frame. Attachment has traditionally been accomplished by fasteners welded to the frame. This welding may increase the difficulty of manufacture as well as adding to the overall weight of the vehicle.
  • U.S. Pat. App. No. 2008/0169680 to Hedderly describes a vehicle body assembly having a set of castings. Each member of the set of castings interlocks with another member of the set of castings to create a vehicle body structure.
  • U.S. Patent No. 8,398,159 to Hall describes a vehicle frame comprising a plurality of frame members including at least two side plate members interlocked with a bottom plate member and a vertically loaded plate member. The side plate members support the bottom plate member and the vertically loaded plate member through a plurality of tab and slot connections.
  • a method of constructing a custom vehicle frame with tab and slot members includes: providing a plurality of unconstrained vehicle components in a three dimensional space; placing a tab and slot panel in a central proximity to the plurality of unconstrained vehicle components; measuring relative distances between distinct tabs or slots of the tab and slot panel and the plurality of unconstrained vehicle components; creating, in reference to the measured relative distances, a plurality of tab and slot frame members which connect directly or indirectly to the tab and slot panel; and constructing a vehicle frame by welding together a plurality of tabs and slots of the plurality of tab and slot frame members, wherein at least some of the tab and slot frame members are welded to the tab and slot panel.
  • a vehicle frame may comprise a plurality of interlocking tab and slot frame members forming a three-dimensional structure.
  • the three-dimensional structure may comprise a main body and at least one appendage protruding from the main body.
  • the appendage may be formed from a plurality of interlocking frame members and at least one of the plurality of interlocking frame members may only form part of the appendage. Some of the interlocking frame members forming the appendage may be parallel with each other.
  • the plurality of interlocking frame members may comprise generally flat plates or bent plates. Such plates may be laser cut or stamped from larger plates. Such plates may also be formed of aluminum. The plates may be held together by a plurality of tab and slot connections which may further be welded in place.
  • the appendage may have an attachment device disposed thereon.
  • the attachment device may comprise a hole or several holes disposed in one or several of the plurality of interlocking frame members forming the appendage. When several holes are present, they may be coaxial.
  • the hole may comprise a threaded rivet secured therein formed of steel.
  • the hole may also comprise a bolt secured therein.
  • a vehicle component such as a light, seat, handle, lock, wheel, motor, transmission, drive train, tractor implement, snow plow, weapon, tool, armor, or shock may be secured to one or more appendages.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle.
  • Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views of the vehicle body and the vehicle frame respectively of the embodiment of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle frame comprising several appendages protruding from a main body.
  • Figures 4 through 6 are magnified perspective views of embodiments of appendages protruding from a main body of a vehicle frame.
  • Figures 7a and 7b are longitudinal-section views of embodiments of attachment devices disposed on appendages.
  • Figure 8a is a perspective view of a tab and slot panel.
  • Figure 8b is a perspective view of a tab and slot panel in a central proximity to a plurality of unconstrained vehicle components.
  • Figure 9 is a side view of a tab and slot panel in a central proximity to a plurality of unconstrained vehicle components.
  • Figure 10a is a perspective view of vehicle frame constructed from a plurality of tab and slot frame members.
  • Figure 10b is a perspective view of vehicle frame constructed from a plurality of tab and slot frame member with vehicle components connected to the vehicle frame.
  • FIG. 1 la is a perspective view of an embodiment of an automobile.
  • FIG. 1 lb is a perspective view of an embodiment of a water vessel.
  • FIG. 1 lc is a perspective view of an embodiment of a front-loader vehicle.
  • FIG. 1 Id is a perspective view of an embodiment of an airplane.
  • FIGS 1, 2a and 2b show an embodiment of a vehicle 150 capable of transporting passengers and cargo over land. While the embodiment shown comprises a three-wheeled car, it should be understood that the present invention may be useful with various types of vehicles including automobiles, boats, airplanes, and the like.
  • the vehicle 150 may comprise various components such as a plurality of wheels 140, doors 141, seats 142, lights 144, and windows 145 as well as a passenger compartment 160 and other elements that may enhance comfort, safety and ease of use of the vehicle 150.
  • the vehicle 150 may comprise a vehicle body 170 mounted on a vehicle frame 100.
  • the vehicle body 170 has been removed from the vehicle frame 100 to illustrate how the vehicle frame 100 may comprise a plurality of interlocking frame members 110 forming a three-dimensional structure.
  • the three-dimensional structure may be designed to support the vehicle's mechanical components and body while withstanding the static and dynamic loads experienced by the vehicle. These static and dynamic loads may include the weight of the vehicle body, passengers, and cargo loads; vertical and torsional twisting created by traveling over uneven surfaces; transverse lateral forces created by road conditions, side winds, and steering of the vehicle; torque created by the engine and transmission; longitudinal tensile forces created by acceleration and compression forces created by braking of the vehicle; and sudden impacts from collisions.
  • some of the plurality of interlocking frame members 110 may comprise generally flat plates while others may comprise bent plates. Such plates may be held together by a plurality of tab and slot connections 115. Such tab and slot connections 115 may provide support to the three-dimensional structure as well as hold the threedimensional structure together while it is being welded. By holding the three-dimensional structure together while it is being welded, the tab and slot connections 115 may obviate a jig and lead to easier and less expensive manufacture.
  • the tab and slot connections 115, along with the rest of the plates, may be formed by laser cutting or stamping the plates out from larger plates. Additionally, the plates may be formed of aluminum to minimize the weight of the vehicle.
  • FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a vehicle frame 200.
  • the vehicle frame 200 may comprise a three-dimensional structure comprising a main body 220 and several appendages 230 protruding from the main body 220.
  • the appendages 230 may be formed from a plurality of interlocking frame members that also form the main body 220.
  • FIG. 4 shows one example of an embodiment of an appendage 330 protruding from a main body 320 of a vehicle frame 300.
  • the appendage 330 may be formed of plates 311 that may be held to the main body 320 by a plurality of tab and slot connections 315. Such tab and slot connections 315 may also be welded together for increased strength.
  • the appendage 330 may comprise an attachment device comprising two coaxial holes 380 disposed in two of the plates 311 disposed parallel to each other.
  • a component 390 such as a shock absorber, may be secured to the appendage 330 via the attachment device such that the component 390 is obstructed from translational movement while being free to rotate around an axis of the two coaxial holes 380. It is believed that by integrating a fastener for a shock absorber into the main body 320 of a vehicle frame 300 via the appendage 330 as described allows the forces experienced by the shock absorber to be transferred into and born by the main body 320.
  • Figure 5 shows another example of an embodiment of an appendage 430 protruding from a main body 420 of a vehicle frame 400.
  • two frame members 424, 426 may be disposed parallel to each other and may each comprise a hole 425 coaxial with the other.
  • a component 490 such as a control arm, may be secured to the appendage 430 as well as another appendage 431 spaced from the first appendage 430 such that the component 490 is rotationally independent there from.
  • Figure 6 shows yet another example of an embodiment of an appendage 530 protruding from a main body 520 of a vehicle frame 500.
  • one interlocking frame member 532 forms only part of the appendage 530 and not any part of the main body 520.
  • the appendage 530 may comprise an attachment device disposed thereon comprising a hole 580 disposed in the interlocking frame member 532.
  • a component 590 such as a door lock, may comprise matching holes 584 to the attachment device to receive bolts.
  • Figures 7a and 7b show embodiments of attachment devices disposed on appendages.
  • Figure 7a shows a hole 680a disposed in an interlocking frame member 632a forming part of an appendage.
  • a threaded rivet 628a is secured within the hole 680a.
  • a bolt 684a may be threaded into the threaded rivet 628a to hold a component 690a 5 to the appendage.
  • the threaded rivet 628a may be formed of steel to keep from stripping.
  • Figure 7b shows a hole 680b disposed in an interlocking frame member 632b forming part of another appendage.
  • a bolt 684b may be threaded into a nut 686 to hold a component 390b to the appendage.
  • FIG 8a shows a perspective view of a tab and slot panel 800.
  • the tab and slot panel may be a flat sheet of metal.
  • the tabs and slots may be made by laser cutting, by pressing of die punches, and/or roll forming, etc.
  • the panel 800 may be custom made according to a vehicle purchaser's choice of vehicle components. For example, a vehicle purchaser may access a website on the Internet and select a truck with a backhoe vehicle component in the bed of the truck and a forklift vehicle component on the front of the truck. A custom tab and slot panel and tab and slot vehicle frame may then be formed to support the purchaser's selections.
  • Figure 8b shows a perspective view of a tab and slot panel in a central proximity to a plurality of unconstrained vehicle components 801.
  • the unconstrained vehicle components 801 may be vehicle parts.
  • the vehicle parts may be from different manufacturers or different models of vehicle or even from different types of vehicles.
  • a user may want seats of a Corvette and an engine of a Porsha.
  • Another example might include, a Ford truck with a dump truck bed or a backhoe arm attached.
  • the custom vehicle selection may then be modeled in a three dimensional space.
  • the modeling may include providing a plurality of unconstrained vehicle components in a three dimensional space with a tab and slot panel in a central proximity to the unconstrained vehicle components.
  • tab and slot frame members may include integrally formed fasteners for attaching the unconstrained vehicle components as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6.
  • the tab and slot frame members may then be welded to one another and to the tab and slot panel to form a tab and slot vehicle frame.
  • An example of a tab and slot vehicle frame is shown in Figure 10a.
  • Figure 9 shows a side view of unconstrained vehicle parts 801 floating above tab and slot panel 800.
  • the unconstrained vehicle parts 801 and the slot panel 800 may be modeled in a three dimensional software modeling program. Relative distances between the panel 800 and parts 801 may be determined by measuring a distance between specific tabs or slots in reference to a specific part or location of a connection point of the part or to a point in space where two or more tab and slot members connect. Actual distances and length of fame members may be determined based on the measured relative distances.
  • Figure 10a is a custom tab and slot vehicle frame constructed according to a purchaser's selection.
  • Figure 10b is the custom tab and slot vehicle frame of Figure 10a with the vehicle parts 801 now constrained to the custom vehicle.
  • vehicle parts 801 now constrained to the custom vehicle.
  • the selectable vehicle components may include lights, instrumentation, vehicle accessories, seats, vehicle features, vehicle shape, vehicle size, handles, locks, wheels, motors, transmissions, drive trains, tractor implements, snow plows, weapons, tools, armor, and/or shocks, etc .
  • FIG. 1 la-1 Id disclose embodiments of vehicles using a plurality of tab and slot frame members.
  • the tab and slot frame members may simplify frame assembly for customized wheeled vehicles 1100; such as cars, buses, trucks, semi -trucks, motorcycles, vans, and the like.
  • the present invention may be applied to watercraft 1101, such as customized motorboats, ferries, cruise ships, kayaks, canoes, row boats, submarines, and the like.
  • the present invention may be incorporated into customized construction equipment 1102, such as tractors, back hoes, bull dozers, excavators, road planers, mining machines, steamrollers, trenchers, front loaders, and the like.
  • the invention may be used for customized aircraftl l03, such as passenger planes, biplanes, helicopters, spacecraft, rockets, and the like.
  • the method disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics.
  • the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
  • the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

Un châssis de véhicule selon l'invention peut comprendre une pluralité d'éléments de châssis à languettes et fentes d'interverrouillage formant une structure tridimensionnelle. Une construction de châssis de véhicule personnalisée peut être spécifiée, conçue et construite sur la base d'un choix par un acheteur. La structure tridimensionnelle peut comprendre un panneau de languettes et de fentes auquel sont attachés des éléments de châssis à languettes et fentes supplémentaires. Les éléments de châssis à languettes et fentes peuvent avoir un dispositif de fixation disposé sur ceux-ci pour la fixation d'un élément de véhicule sélectionné par l'acheteur du châssis de véhicule.
PCT/US2017/024461 2017-04-06 2017-04-06 Procédé de construction d'une caisse de véhicule avec des éléments de languettes et de fentes WO2018186818A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2017/024461 WO2018186818A1 (fr) 2017-04-06 2017-04-06 Procédé de construction d'une caisse de véhicule avec des éléments de languettes et de fentes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2017/024461 WO2018186818A1 (fr) 2017-04-06 2017-04-06 Procédé de construction d'une caisse de véhicule avec des éléments de languettes et de fentes

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WO2018186818A1 true WO2018186818A1 (fr) 2018-10-11

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Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5380978A (en) * 1991-07-12 1995-01-10 Pryor; Timothy R. Method and apparatus for assembly of car bodies and other 3-dimensional objects
US6880856B2 (en) * 2001-08-23 2005-04-19 General Motors Corporation Vehicle body configurations
US7020584B2 (en) * 2001-01-23 2006-03-28 Mazda Motor Corporation Vehicle information providing apparatus, vehicle information providing system, vehicle information providing method, computer program, and computer readable storage medium
US7104581B2 (en) * 2001-08-23 2006-09-12 General Motors Corporation Vehicle body interchangeability
US20080169680A1 (en) * 2007-01-11 2008-07-17 Ford Motor Company Vehicle body assembly
US7849601B2 (en) * 2007-01-11 2010-12-14 Ford Motor Company Method of manufacturing a vehicle
US7913370B2 (en) * 2001-05-16 2011-03-29 Utica Enterprises, Inc. Method and apparatus for assembling exterior automotive vehicle body components onto an automotive vehicle body
US8398159B1 (en) * 2011-09-15 2013-03-19 Stephen Hall Frame members with tab and slot connections
US20150266517A1 (en) * 2014-03-20 2015-09-24 David R. Hall Fasteners integrated into a vehicle frame

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5380978A (en) * 1991-07-12 1995-01-10 Pryor; Timothy R. Method and apparatus for assembly of car bodies and other 3-dimensional objects
US7020584B2 (en) * 2001-01-23 2006-03-28 Mazda Motor Corporation Vehicle information providing apparatus, vehicle information providing system, vehicle information providing method, computer program, and computer readable storage medium
US7913370B2 (en) * 2001-05-16 2011-03-29 Utica Enterprises, Inc. Method and apparatus for assembling exterior automotive vehicle body components onto an automotive vehicle body
US6880856B2 (en) * 2001-08-23 2005-04-19 General Motors Corporation Vehicle body configurations
US7104581B2 (en) * 2001-08-23 2006-09-12 General Motors Corporation Vehicle body interchangeability
US20080169680A1 (en) * 2007-01-11 2008-07-17 Ford Motor Company Vehicle body assembly
US7849601B2 (en) * 2007-01-11 2010-12-14 Ford Motor Company Method of manufacturing a vehicle
US8398159B1 (en) * 2011-09-15 2013-03-19 Stephen Hall Frame members with tab and slot connections
US20150266517A1 (en) * 2014-03-20 2015-09-24 David R. Hall Fasteners integrated into a vehicle frame

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