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BR-102019000241-B1 - Modular, configurable vehicle on a common chassis platform, and associated methods and systems.

BR102019000241B1BR 102019000241 B1BR102019000241 B1BR 102019000241B1BR-102019000241-B1

Abstract

A modular, configurable vehicle on a common chassis platform, and associated methods and systems are described. In one embodiment, a modular configurable vehicle includes: a chassis, a power plant module configured to generate electrical power, and a drive unit module. The drive unit module includes: at least one traction motor configured to receive electrical power from the power plant module, a transmission configured to transfer torque from the traction motor to a drive axle, and the drive axle configured to transfer torque to drive wheels, and a system control module configured to control components of the power plant module and the drive unit module. The interfaces of the power plant module are predefined, and different types of power plant modules and drive unit modules are interchangeable within their respective interfaces.

Inventors

  • STANLEY W. DELIZO
  • GERALD J. ANGELO
  • THEODORE JOSEPH SCHERZINGER
  • BRIAN J. LINDGREN

Assignees

  • PACCAR INC

Dates

Publication Date
20260310
Application Date
20190107
Priority Date
20180925

Claims (20)

  1. 1 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, characterized by comprising: a chassis (600); a first electricity plant module (100) configured to generate electrical energy from a first fuel source; a powertrain module comprising; at least one traction motor; a transmission; and a drive shaft, wherein the transmission is configured to transfer torque from at least one traction motor to a drive shaft, and the drive shaft is configured to transfer torque to the drive wheels; an electrical cable interface, wherein the electrical cable interface is configured to transfer energy from the power module (500) to the traction motor, wherein the electrical cable interface is configured to receive a second power module (500), and wherein the second power module (500) is configured to generate electrical energy from a second fuel source other than the first fuel source.
  2. 2 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising a control system module configured to control components of the first power module (500), an interface between the power module (500) and the control system module, wherein the interface has a size and location configured to accommodate the second power module (500).
  3. 3 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 2, characterized in that the first power module (500) comprises: a motor (110); and a generator (130) configured to receive torque from the motor, wherein the generator (130) is connected in electrical mode with at least one traction motor (210) of the traction unit module (200).
  4. 4 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 3, characterized by comprising the first power module (500) additionally a motor gearbox (120) connected with the motor (110) and the generator (130), wherein the motor gearbox (120) is configured to transfer torque from the motor (110) to the generator (130).
  5. 5 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 3, characterized in that the engine (110) is selected from a group consisting of a diesel engine, a gas engine, a compressed gas engine, a gas turbine, and a fuel cell engine.
  6. 6 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 2, characterized by having at least one traction motor (210) and an electric motor electrically connected to a generator (130) of the first energy module (500).
  7. 7 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 2, characterized by having at least one traction motor (210) and a first traction motor, the configurable modular vehicle comprising a second traction motor (220) connected in electrical mode to the generator (130) of the first energy module (500).
  8. 8 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 2, characterized by comprising the energy module (500) rechargeable batteries (520).
  9. 9 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one traction motor (210) of the traction unit module (200) receives electrical energy at least in part from rechargeable batteries (520).
  10. 10 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 8, characterized by comprising the electricity plant module (100) an electric charger (522) configured to charge rechargeable batteries (520).
  11. 11 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 8, characterized by comprising the power module (500) a power management controller (510) configured to manage an accessory package (550), power electronics (540) and the rechargeable batteries (520) of the power module (500).
  12. 12 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 1, further characterized by comprising at least one subsystem support module (300) comprising a fuel tank (310), an air compressor (432), at least one air tank (434), an exhaust subsystem (330) and an air intake subsystem (320).
  13. 13 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 2, characterized in that the size and location of the interface are configured to accommodate different types of control system modules.
  14. 14 - CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle (1000, 5000, 6000) is a Class 8 truck.
  15. 15 - METHOD FOR DESIGNING A CONFIGURABLE MODULAR VEHICLE, said method being characterized by comprising the steps of: defining interfaces for an electricity plant module (100), a traction unit module (200), and a system control module; defining elements of the electricity plant module (100), the traction unit module (200), and the power module (500); and integrate the modules (100, 200, 500) into their corresponding shared interfaces, wherein the electricity plant module (100) is configured to generate electrical power from a primary fuel source and provide electrical power to the traction unit module (200), wherein the traction unit module (200) is configured to provide torque from at least one traction motor (210) to a drive axle (410), and wherein the power module (500) is configured to control components of the electricity plant module (100) and the traction unit module (200).
  16. 16 - METHOD, according to claim 15, characterized in that the module (100) of the electricity plant is a first electricity plant module, the method further comprising: replacing the first electricity plant module with a second electricity plant module, wherein the first electricity plant module and the second electricity plant module include different types of motors.
  17. 17 - METHOD, according to claim 15, characterized by comprising the electricity plant module: a motor (110); a motor gearbox (120) connected to the motor (110); and a generator (130) mechanically connected to the motor gearbox (120) and electrically connected to at least one traction motor (210) of the traction unit module (200); wherein the motor (110) is selected from a group consisting of a diesel engine, a gas engine, a compressed gas engine, a gas turbine and a fuel cell engine.
  18. 18 - METHOD, according to claim 15, characterized by comprising the traction unit module (200): at least one traction motor (210) connected to a transmission (230); the transmission configured to transfer torque from the traction motor (210) to the drive axle (410); and the drive axle (410) configured to transfer torque to the drive wheels (19).
  19. 19 - METHOD, according to claim 15, characterized in that the control system module is configured to control components of the electricity plant module (100) and the traction unit module (200).
  20. 20 - METHOD, according to claim 18, characterized by comprising the module (500) rechargeable batteries (520).

Description

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION [001] Conventional trucks are designed for specific transport purposes, for example, short-distance deliveries by a box truck, transport and mixing of concrete by a mixer truck, towing of large loads over long distances with Class 8 tractor trucks, and so on. The engine and transmission for a specific truck are selected based on its size, load limits, towing distance requirements, and other requirements. When a truck is redesigned, or an existing truck is upgraded, the process essentially begins from a draft by selecting or designing the chassis, engine, transmission, auxiliary components, cab, and so on. These components are then arranged and integrated into a complete truck according to the customer's requirements. [002] Figure 1 is a side view of a tractor-trailer combination according to conventional technology. The tractor-trailer combination includes a tractor or truck (10) fitted with a so-called fifth wheel to which a Box type semi-trailer (20) can be connected to transport loads. In operation, torque is transferred from the engine/transmission to the rear wheels (19) to move the truck/trailer combination. The truck (10) illustrated also includes a cab (12) and an enclosed bed (14). [003] Figure 2 is a top view of the tractor (10) according to the state of the art. With the conventional tractor (10), the engine compartment houses an engine (16) coupled to a transmission (15) to transmit power to the drive wheels (not shown). When a tractor is redesigned or a new tractor is designed from drafts, the space inside the engine compartment (and other spaces inside the tractor chassis) is rearranged and completed with the tractor components. For example, a new engine may be combined with a new transmission. Depending on the size of the new engine and transmission, other components will be rearranged inside the available space in the engine compartment and other spaces of the tractor. [004] Some more recent truck designs use hybrid power plants with an internal combustion engine and a battery pack. These trucks are generally more energy efficient under certain usage conditions (e.g., stop-and-go driving). However, the design flow for hybrid trucks generally follows the established process for designing conventional trucks. That is, truck components (engine, batteries, transmission, auxiliary systems, etc.) are either selected or designed from drafts, and then arranged inside a (typically newly designed) chassis, with low or negligible improvements in design efficiency or corresponding cost savings. [005] Therefore, there remains a need for truck designs that are cost-efficient and space-efficient in order to solve one or more problems of state-of-the-art systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [006] This Summary is presented to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form which are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features of the subject matter of the claims. [007] In one embodiment, a configurable modular vehicle includes: a chassis, a power plant module configured to generate electrical power; and a drive unit module. The drive unit module includes at least one traction motor configured to receive electrical power from the power plant module, a transmission configured to transfer torque from the traction motor to a drive axle, and the drive axle configured to transfer torque to drive wheels. The configurable modular vehicle also includes a system control module configured to control components of the power plant module and the drive unit module. Interfaces for the power plant module and the drive unit module are predefined. Different types of power plant modules and drive unit modules are interchangeable within their respective predefined interfaces. [008] In one aspect, the electricity plant module includes: a motor and a generator configured to receive torque from the motor. The generator is electrically connected to at least one traction motor of the traction unit module. In another aspect, an electricity plant module additionally includes a motor gearbox connected to the motor and the generator, where the motor gearbox is configured to transfer torque from the motor to the generator. [009] In one aspect, the engine is selected from the group consisting of a diesel engine, a gas engine, a compressed gas engine, a gas turbine, and a fuel cell engine. In another aspect, at least one traction motor is an electric motor electrically connected to a generator in the power plant. In one aspect, at least one traction motor is a first traction motor, and the configurable modular vehicle includes a second traction motor that is electrically connected to the generator and the power plant module. [0010] In one aspect, the control system module includes rechargeable batteries. In another aspect, at least one traction motor of the traction unit module receives electrical power at least in part from the rechargeable bat