WO2021123942A1

WO2021123942A1 - Multi-purpose vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2021123942A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/059896
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto Maria Merlo; Pietro Camardella
Original assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile Per Azioni
Priority date: 2019-12-20
Filing date: 2020-10-21
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Also published as: IT201900024790A1

Abstract

Described herein is a vehicle (1) comprising: - a cockpit (2); - a rear-access compartment (4); and - a load compartment (6), wherein: said cockpit (2) houses a single driver seat (18) and is set, in a transverse direction, alongside said load compartment (6), said load compartment (6) developing in a longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle; said rear-access compartment (4) being adjacent at the back to said cockpit (2) and said load compartment (6), said cockpit (2) being separated from said rear-access compartment (4) by means of a curtain (10), said load compartment (6) being accessible through a loading opening (12) facing said rear-access compartment (4) and being configured for receiving a load unitload units (14), which can be slid in the longitudinal direction along the rear-access compartment (4) and through the loading opening (12).

Description

"Multi-purpose vehicle"

★★★★

TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle for personal mobility. The invention has been developed with particular reference to vehicles configured for use, in a car-rental fleet, over short stretches in the car-sharing context.

Prior art and general technical problem

The growing demand for vehicles with low environmental impact and systems of urban mobility of a car-sharing type has led over the years to proliferation of car-sharing services, which, however, perform the only function of ensuring personal mobility.

Penetration of electric vehicles in this sector is, however, still reduced primarily on account of the diffidence of operators and end users as regards autonomy of the batteries. Further reasons for diffidence regard the difference in price as compared to vehicles with thermal powertrains.

In any case, for solutions of urban personal mobility energy saving is the most pressing target: in this regard, electric vehicles are particularly at a disadvantage since added to the potentially reduced autonomy of the batteries are high levels of energy absorption due to urban use, as well as high levels of energy absorption due to air-conditioning. Air- conditioning is particularly critical for electric vehicles since these do not even have available a heater for the cockpit supplied by the cooling liquid of an internal-combustion engine (this constituting an energy contribution that would otherwise be lost, and hence a source of energy at practically zero cost), so that the demand for energy that the batteries have to deliver is particularly high.

It is moreover interesting to note how almost all car-sharing services use traditional two-seater or four-seater cars with compartments for the occupants that are over-sized as compared to the actual mission requirements, given that these vehicles normally travel with a very small number of occupants (in general just the driver or at the most one passenger), thus under exploiting the capacity of the vehicle with an over consumption of energy - both for travelling and for air-conditioning of a cockpit that is large as compared to the actual requirements. Nevertheless, this reduces the space available for loading any possible luggage to a minimum, as this would worsen an energy balance that is already precarious.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the technical problems mentioned previously. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a vehicle, in particular designed for service in a fleet of car-sharing vehicles, that will be improved and competitive as compared to known vehicles at the level of energy efficiency, economy of use, and loading capacity.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is achieved by a vehicle having the features forming the subject of one or more of the ensuing claims, which form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided herein in relation to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which: - Figures 1A, IB, 1C, and ID are orthogonal views, respectively a side view, a rear view, a front view, and a top plan view, of a vehicle according to the invention, with a schematic indication of how the vehicle is divided up into compartments;

- Figures 2 to 4 are diagrams that compare the vehicle according to the invention with a vehicle of a known type; and

- Figures 5 to 10 illustrate in partial see- through view different operating modes of the vehicle according to the invention.

Detailed description

With reference to Figures 1A-1D and 5 to 10, the reference number 1 designates as a whole a vehicle according to various embodiments of the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a cockpit 2, a rear-access compartment 4, and a load compartment 6. With reference to Figures 1A-1D, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, the cockpit 2 is a single-seater cockpit and is transversely set alongside the load compartment 6 and partially overlies it, namely, also extending over it. The load compartment 6 extends in fact in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, running alongside the cockpit 2. The reference system for identification of the directions in the vehicle 1 is constituted by the cartesian triad X-Y-Z, where the co ordinate X is associated to a longitudinal direction (the axis X points forwards), the co-ordinate Y is associated to a transverse direction, whereas the co ordinate Z is associated to a vertical direction.

The rear-access compartment 4 is, instead, set at the rear, adjacent to the cockpit 2 and to the load compartment 6, whereas the cockpit 2 is accessible through a door D and is in turn separated from the rear-access compartment 4 by means of a curtain 10. In Figures 1A-1D the three compartments 2, 4, 6 are moreover identified by corresponding hatchings. Where more than one hatchings are superimposed there is the simultaneous presence of more than one compartment.

The load compartment 6 is accessible from the rear through a loading opening 12 facing the rear-access compartment 4. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the load compartment 6 is provided as a storage box and is configured to receive a load unit 14 (Figures 6-10), which have a shape elongated in the longitudinal direction X and are slidable along the rear-access compartment 4 (which can in turn be accessed by means of a rear hatchback door) and through the loading opening 12 to be accommodated within the load compartment 6. Also the rear-access compartment can, if need be, be used as supplementary loading compartment .

According to various embodiments of the invention, a volume V2 of the cockpit 2, a volume V4 of the rear- access compartment 4, and a volume V6 of the load compartment 6 are sized so as to be divided as follows: the volume V2 ranges between 58% and 85% of a total volume VTOT equal to V2 + V4 + V6; the volume V4 ranges between 5% and 20% of the volume VTOT, and is preferably 15% of the volume VTOT; and the volume V6 ranges between 10% and 30% of the volume VTOT, and is preferably 27% of the volume VTOT, subject to the condition V2 + V4 + V6 = VTOT = 100%.

With reference to Figures 5 to 10, preferably the load compartment 6 is set on top of a service compartment 16 configured to house batteries for power supply of an electric or hybrid powertrain in the case where the vehicle 1 has electric propulsion or hybrid propulsion (electric propulsion + thermal internal- combustion propulsion) or else possibly to house a fuel tank in the case where the vehicle 1 is propelled by means of a thermal powertrain. In any case, the electric or thermal powertrain may be housed inside a front bonnet or hood FH, whereas in the case of a hybrid powertrain it is possible to contemplate a front location (bonnet FH) for the thermal engine, and a rear location under the floor panel (and hence under the rear-access compartment 4) for the electric engine.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the vehicle 1 has four wheels W, but for example tricycle configurations are possible with two rear wheels and one front wheel (or vice versa) or else quadricycle configurations with a narrow track (preferably at the rear). The choice may depend, for example, upon whether it is expedient to build the vehicle 1 on the basis of an already existing vehicle, re-using part of the bodywork panels, but markedly reducing the overall dimensions thereof thanks to the configuration according to the invention.

With reference to the comparative diagrams of Figures 2 to 4, the vehicle 1 is illustrated so that its body is superimposed on the body of a vehicle 1 of a known type. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle 1 can share the same floor panel as the vehicle 1 and a firewall FW, and the bodywork and internal spaces are re-elaborated in such a way as to obtain a reduction of the front longitudinal encumbrance AF, a reduction of rear longitudinal encumbrance AR, which are both illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a reduction in the bilateral transverse encumbrance AS (Figures 3 and 4), and a backward displacement of the driver seat AH. In the case of marked displacement backwards of the driver seat, it is possible to apply a diaphragm FW' (as in the preferred vehicle 1 illustrated in the figures) to the firewall FW, thus creating a false firewall to which a dashboard of the cockpit 2 can be fixed.

Thanks to the single-seater cockpit and to the general reductions in encumbrance AF, AR, AS it is possible to ensure a significant reduction in the volume that is to be air-conditioned, to the total advantage of energy saving. Using, then, a single side door D set on the side of the vehicle where the cockpit 2 develops (Figure 1A), and thus reducing in general the window surface of the vehicle also thanks to the reduction in encumbrance, the energy requirement of the vehicle 1 is reduced considerably.

Adoption of wheels W with tyres of small width can contribute synergistically to the above reduction, both on account of the smaller surface of contact with the ground and the lower rolling resistance and on account of the fact that it is more in line with the general reduction of encumbrance of the vehicle 1 as compared to vehicles of a known type. The benefits affect the vehicle 1 irrespective of the type of powertrain, but are particularly evident in the case of completely electric powertrains.

With reference once again to the drawings, the cockpit 2 comprises just the place for the driver, which includes a reclinable seat 18, a steering wheel 20, and a dashboard 22, the latter preferentially extending in a transverse direction from one side to the other of the vehicle extending above the load compartment 6. The door D (just one side door, but not the only door of the vehicle since the hatchback door of the compartment 4 is also present) opens in a position corresponding to the seat 18 and on the same side of the vehicle 1, as already mentioned.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the dashboard 22 is conveniently fixed to the firewall FW, or else - in the case where the diaphragm FW' is used - it is applied to the diaphragm FW' itself. The dimension DH mentioned previously corresponds to the longitudinal displacement of the driver seat 18 of the vehicle 1 with respect to the driver seat of the vehicle 1', measured as centre-to-centre distance between the so- called points H of the seat 18 of the vehicle 1 and of the seat of the vehicle 1'.

The seat 18 is mobile from an upright position (illustrated in Figures 6, 7, and 8) to a position reclined in bed configuration (illustrated in Figure 9).

To accommodate movement of the seat 18, the curtain 10 comprises, in a position corresponding to the cockpit 2, a selectively openable element identified by the reference number 24. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the selectively openable element 24 is a roll-up portion of the curtain 10, obtained, for example, by means of a roll-up partition. The roll-up partition is, in an example of embodiment, constituted by material comprising 35% polyester staple fibre and 65% polyester-fibre fabric with a mass per unit surface of 315 g/m² and a thermal conductivity of 0.036 W/mK.

The element 24 is set in a transverse direction comprised between a first blind panel 26 and a second blind panel 28, which are set, respectively, in a position corresponding to (and on one side of) the cockpit 2 and in a position corresponding to the load compartment 6, with the panel 28 passing over the load compartment 6 itself, the blind panels being made, for example, of foamed polyethylene, alveolar cardboard, or cork.

The ensemble of the element 24 and of the panels 26, 28 delimits the cockpit 2 from the rear-access compartment 4, and is likewise configured to retain any possible objects present in the compartment 4 in the event of jamming-on of the brakes.

With reference once again to Figures 5 to 10, some operating modes of the vehicle 1 will now be illustrated to offer a review of the extremely wide range of uses. Figure 5 illustrates an operating condition where the vehicle is being driven (i.e., driving is carried out by a driver) and with the compartment 6 empty.

Figure 6 shows a condition where the vehicle is being driven - hence a condition similar to that of Figure 5 - but the load compartment 6 has been filled using a load unit 14 inserted in the direction X14 through the loading opening 12.

Figure 7 exemplifies an operating condition envisaged for vehicles 1 provided with an autonomous- driving module. In this mode, driving of the vehicle 1 is governed by a control unit of the autonomous-driving module. In this condition, the steering wheel 20 is preferably separable with respect to a steering column and can be rested on the dashboard 22 or put away in a compartment when the motor vehicle is travelling to prevent uncontrolled movement thereof in the cockpit 2.

With reference to Figure 8, in the autonomous- driving mode of Figure 7 the vehicle 1 can be conveniently equipped to function as smart-working platform and can be purposely equipped with a desk 30 that can be pulled out in a position corresponding to the driver seat, in particular the seat 18, for carrying a portable computer and/or documents. The extractable desk 30 may be designed to be hidden away in the dashboard 22 or in the load compartment 6, or may simply be tiltable so as to be out of the way when it is not in use.

With reference to Figure 9, this illustrates an operating mode preferentially reserved to just the periods when the vehicle 1 is parked. In the mode of Figure 9, the seat 18 is reclined in bed configuration and the selectively openable element 24 opens so as to leave a space for passage through the curtain 10 in order to enable the backrest of the seat 18 to be set - reclined - within the rear-access compartment 4 between the blind panels 26 and 28.

Finally, Figure 10 illustrates an operation of unloading of the vehicle 1 by extracting the load unit 14 from the load compartment 6 with a longitudinal movement of extraction backwards.

The versatility of the vehicle 1 according to the invention renders the latter particularly suited to use as vehicle for mobility in a car-sharing context and/or for mobility limited to urban areas.

The vehicle 1 may moreover be built using composite materials for the bodywork in order to guarantee lightness and strength to the vehicle itself, and one or more bodywork elements may integrate a cooling circuit for disposal of the heat produced by the battery pack and/or by the thermal engine and/or by the electric engine.

Of course, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention, as this is defined in the annexed claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

- a cockpit (2);

- a rear-access compartment (4); and

- a load compartment (6), wherein: said cockpit (2) houses a single driver seat (18) and is set, in a transverse direction, alongside said load compartment (6), said load compartment (6) developing in a longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle; said rear-access compartment (4) being adjacent at the back to said cockpit (2) and to said load compartment (6), said cockpit (2) being separated from said rear-access compartment (4) by means of a curtain (10); and said load compartment (6) being accessible through a loading opening (12) facing said rear-access compartment (4) and being configured for receiving a load unit (14), which can be slid in the longitudinal direction along the rear-access compartment (4) and through the loading opening (12).

2 . The vehicle (1) according to Claim 1, wherein said curtain (10) comprises, in a position corresponding to said cockpit (2), a selectively openable element (24).

3. The vehicle (1) according to Claim 2, wherein said selectively openable element (24) is a roll-up partition of said curtain (10).

4 . The vehicle according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein said single driver seat (18) comprises a seat that can be reclined in bed configuration, said seat (18) being configured, when reclined in bed configuration, for passing through said curtain (10) at said selectively openable element (24) and for being set in part within said rear-access compartment (4).

5. The vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load compartment is a storage box (6), which extends longitudinally in a position set alongside said cockpit (2).

6. The vehicle (1) according to Claim 1, comprising an electric powertrain.

7 . The vehicle (1) according to Claim 1 or Claim

6, comprising an autonomous-driving module.

8. The vehicle (1) according to Claim 1, comprising a desk (30) that can be pulled out into a position corresponding to said single driver seat (18).

9. The vehicle (1) according to Claim 1 or Claim

7, wherein said single driver seat (18) is associated to an extractable steering wheel (20).

10. The vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a service compartment (16) underneath said load compartment (6).

11. The vehicle (1) according to Claim 10, wherein said service compartment (16) houses a battery pack of the vehicle (1).

12. The vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, if:

V2 is the volume of the cockpit (2);

V4 is the volume of the rear-access compartment;

V6 is the volume of the loading compartment; and

VTOT is the sum V2 + V4 + V6, the following applies: V2 ranges between 58% and 85% of VTOT; V4 ranges between 5% and 20%, and is preferably 15% of VTOT; V6 ranges between 10% and 30% of the volume VTOT, and is preferably 27% of VTOT, with V2 + V4 + V6 = VTOT = 100%.

13. The vehicle (1) according to Claim 1, comprising an internal-combustion powertrain.

14. The vehicle (1) according to Claim 1 or Claim 11, comprising a hybrid powertrain.

15 . The vehicle (1) according to Claim 1, comprising a plurality of bodywork panels, wherein at least one bodywork panel forms a radiant element for a cooling circuit of the vehicle (1).