Vehicle with floor area having perforations

A vehicle floor area may include a body and a floor. The floor may be attached to and positioned at least partially above the body. The floor may comprise floor perforations. A collection receptacle may be supported by the body and positioned at least partially below the floor so that solid waste or liquid waste can fall through the floor perforations onto the collection receptacle. The waste that has fallen onto the collection receptacle may be removed from the collection receptacle.

BACKGROUND

People desire cleanliness inside vehicles. Dust, debris, and liquid waste that accumulates on the floor inside a vehicle may be cleaned by vacuuming, hosing and/or or wiping the surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application relates to vehicles having floor areas with perforations. The vehicle floor areas can be structured and arranged to maintain a visibly clean surface of a floor inside the vehicle. In various examples, the vehicle floor area comprises a body and a floor. The floor may have a rigid bottom substrate attached to a top layer or mat. The top layer or mat may have a plurality of mat perforations. Each mat perforation may comprise a diameter in the range of, for example, 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The bottom rigid substrate may have a plurality of substrate perforations that are substantially aligned with the mat perforations. Each substrate perforation may comprise a diameter in the range of, for example, 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In some examples, the substrate perforations may comprise a diameter in the range of 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm. The body may comprise a floor support rising upwardly from a bottom or base portion of the body. The floor may be attached to the floor support at a position substantially above the floor support. The floor support, in certain examples, includes first and second support guides at a first lateral side of the body, and third and fourth support guides at a second lateral side of the body. Each of the support guides in various examples may include laterally extending rails. A first collection tray may be supported by the first and second support guides at the first lateral side and positioned at least partially below the rigid substrate of the floor so that solid waste or fluid waste can fall through the mat and substrate perforations onto the first collection tray. A second collection tray may be supported by the third and fourth support guides at the second lateral side of the body and positioned at least partially below the rigid substrate so that solid waste or fluid waste can fall through the mat and substrate perforations onto the second collection tray.

When the vehicle is operating, the natural vibrations of the vehicle can create a sieving type of action at the floor area to cause any waste or debris that may have fallen onto a top surface of the mat (e.g., onto a surface area of the mat located between each mat perforation) to fall through the mat and substrate perforations onto the first and second collection trays. The first and second collection trays may be accessible from side door end portions of the vehicle and may be manually pulled out from their support guides so that any waste or debris that has fallen onto the collection trays can be removed from the collection trays. The clean collection trays can then be inserted back into their respective support guides to collect further debris. It should therefore be appreciated that in various examples, the vehicle and vehicle floor areas described herein help maintain a visually clean top surface of the vehicle floor.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a vehicle floor area100according to an example of the present disclosure.FIGS.2A and3Aare perspective sectional views of the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.1.FIGS.2B and2Care enlarged views of different portions ofFIG.2A, whileFIG.3Bis an enlarged view of a portion ofFIG.3A.FIG.4is an exploded view of the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.1. Thus, referring primarily to the example vehicle floor area100illustrated inFIG.1(but also referring toFIGS.2A-2C,3A,3B and4, which show various portions of floor area100ofFIG.1), the vehicle floor area100comprises a floor110and a body140. Body140comprises a first or front seat support146aand a second or back seat support146b, which is opposite the front seat support146ain a longitudinal direction180. Body140further comprises a first lateral side148a(SeeFIG.3Aalso) and a second lateral side148b(SeeFIG.3Aalso), which is opposite the first lateral side148ain a lateral direction190. First lateral side148acomprises a side door end portion149a(SeeFIG.3Aalso). Second lateral side148blikewise comprises a side door end portion149b(SeeFIG.3Aalso), which is opposite the side door end portion149aof the first lateral side148ain the lateral direction190. First lateral side148aand second lateral side148beach extend generally in the lateral direction190towards a center of the body140. One or more side doors (not shown) of a vehicle (not shown but discussed, for example as vehicle802below in reference toFIG.8) may be attached to the side door end portion149aof the first lateral side148aof the body140. Likewise, one or more additional side doors (not shown) of the vehicle (not shown) may be attached to the side door end portion149bof second lateral side148bof the body140.

The body140of floor area100further comprises a floor support142that extends generally upwards from a bottom or base of the body140towards the front seat support146aand towards the back seat support146band is configured and arranged so as to be attached to support the floor110(SeeFIG.4A, for example). The floor support142may in various examples comprises the same material as body140. In examples, body140may comprise carbon fiber. However, the body140may comprise any other material that is suitable to serve as a body of vehicle, such as steel or aluminum. In various examples, floor support142need not be separately attached to the body140and may instead be formed as a single continuous or integral component of the body140extending generally upwards from the base of the body towards the floor110. A first collection tray160ais supported by the floor support142at the first lateral side148aof body140. A second collection tray160bis supported by the floor support142at the second lateral side148bof body140.

The floor110comprises a top layer or mat112and a bottom substrate layer or substrate114. The mat112may include a substantially elastic material. In certain examples, the mat112comprises rubber. The top layer112in other examples may comprise any material suitable to form a top surface a vehicle floor area. The substrate114may comprise a substantially rigid material. In examples, the substrate114may comprise plastic. In other examples, the material of the substrate may be any material that will prevent substantial deformation or change in the shape of the substrate114and is suitable for a vehicle floor.

The mat112is attached to and positioned at least partially above the substrate114. In various examples, the mat112is attached to substrate via a bonded connection, which in various examples is a bonding of at least a portion of the top surface area of substrate114. In examples, mat112is bonded to edges of the substrate114and/or to spaces between perforations112aand114a(as discussed below) in the mat112and substrate114, respectively. The bonding of the mat112to the substrate114may in various examples be any suitable bonding technique such as adhesive, heat, pressure or chemical bonding. The substrate114is positioned at least partially above the floor support142and attached thereto. In various examples, substrate114may be attached to floor support142via mechanical fasteners. For example, as illustrated, substrate114may comprise fastener holes115that are aligned with fastener holes142aof floor support142, which are aligned with fastener holes141aof the side door end portion149aof the first lateral side148aof body140(SeeFIG.4). A mechanical fastener such as a bolt may be inserted through each of the respective fastener holes to secure substrate114(and its attached mat112) to the floor support142and to the side door end portion149aof body140. Fastener holes115may be located in tabs115a. It should be appreciated that substrate114in various examples may be attached to the floor support142in any other suitable manner, such as bonding.

The mat112comprises a plurality of top layer or mat perforations112a. Mat perforations112aas illustrated are positioned at both the first lateral side148aof body140and at the second lateral side148bof body140. Each of the mat perforations112aare substantially cylindrical in shape having a diameter, which in various examples may range from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In other examples, however, mat perforations112amay be any suitable shape and size to enable solid waste or liquid waste of a particular size, e.g., the size of dust particles or small pebbles, to fall through the mat perforations112a. The substrate114may similarly comprise a plurality of substrate perforations114a. Substrate perforations114aare also substantially cylindrical and have a diameter, which in various examples may also range from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In some examples, the substrate perforations114amay be less than 4.0 mm. In various examples, the substrate perforations may be in the range of 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm. In other examples, substrate perforations114amay be any suitable size to enable solid waste or liquid waste of a particular size, e.g., the size of dust particles or small pebbles, to fall through the substrate perforations114a. In one particular example, each of mat perforations112amay be smaller in diameter than each corresponding substrate perforation114ato help prevent any solid debris from being lodged in the substrate perforations114a, where the lodged debris may be more difficult to access. The substrate perforations114aare also positioned at both the first lateral side148aof body140and at the second lateral side148bof body140and are substantially aligned with the mat perforations112a. The substantial alignment of the mat perforations112awith the substrate perforations114aenables liquid or solid waste to fall through both the mat perforations112aand the substrate perforations114aonto the first collection tray160aand onto the second collection tray160b. Natural vibrations of a vehicle in operation (to which the floor area100may be connected or part of) can cause debris lying on the top surface of mat112, e.g., in the spaces located between each mat perforations112a, to fall through the perforations112a,114ain a sieving or sifting type manner.

In various examples, the floor110may further comprise a first lateral panel130a, a second lateral panel130b, a first corner panel130c, a second corner panel130d, a third corner panel130eand a fourth corner panel130f. The first lateral panel130amay be attached at the side door end portion149aof the first lateral side148aof body140(SeeFIG.3A,FIG.4) and may be secured to the substrate114in various examples. The second lateral panel130bmay be attached at the side door end portion149aof the second lateral side148bof the body140(SeeFIG.3A) and may be secured to the substrate114in various examples.

The first and second corner panels130c,130dmay be attached to the first lateral panel130aat a first longitudinal end of the first lateral panel130aand to an opposite longitudinal end of the first lateral panel130a, respectively. The first lateral panel130amay also be secured to the substrate114, for example, at the curved front seat connecting portion114band at the curved back seat connecting portion114c. It should be appreciated that the first and second corner panels130c,130dneed not be separate pieces from first lateral panel130aand may instead be formed as a single continuous piece in various examples. It should further be appreciated that in various embodiments the vehicle floor area need not include any floor panels.

The third and fourth corner panels130e,130fmay be attached to the second lateral panel130bat a first longitudinal end of the second lateral panel130band to an opposite longitudinal end of the second lateral panel130b, respectively. The second lateral panel130bmay also be secured to the substrate114, for example, at the curved front seat connecting portion114band at the curved back seat connecting portion114c. The mat112may likewise have a curved front seat connecting portion112band curved back seat connecting portion112cthat conforms to the shape of the curved front and back seat connecting portions114b,114cof the substrate114, respectively, and may likewise be secured to substrate114and first and second lateral panels130a,130b, respectively130b. It should be appreciated that the third and fourth corner panels130e,130f, like panels130c,130dneed not be separate pieces from second lateral panel130band may instead be formed as a single continuous piece in various examples. It should be appreciated that the curved seat connecting portions112b,112cof the mat may be formed integrally or as a single piece with the mat112and curved seat connecting portions114b,114cmay likewise be formed integrally or a single piece with substrate114.

The first lateral panel130acomprises a slot132that extends longitudinally. The first collection tray160amay be inserted into, and accessible for removal from, the floor support142. That is, the first collection tray160amay be removed manually from the slot132(and hence the entire floor area100) so that any liquid or solid waste that has fallen onto the first collection tray160acan be removed from the first collection tray160a. Once the first collection tray160ais removed, it may then be re-inserted or slid into the slot132int the first lateral panel13ato be supported by the floor support142for collection of further solid or liquid waste that falls through the mat perforations112aand substrate perforations114a.

It should be appreciated that the second lateral panel130blikewise may comprise a slot (not shown) that extends longitudinally, similar to slot132. And the second collection tray160b, like the first collection tray160amay be inserted into, and accessible for removal from, the floor support142. That is, the second collection tray160bmay be removed manually from the slot in the second lateral panel130b(and hence the entire floor area100) so that any liquid or solid waste that has fallen onto the second collection tray160bcan be removed from the second collection tray160b. The second collection tray160b, once removed, may then be re-inserted or slid into the slot in the second lateral panel130bto be supported by the floor support142for collection of any further solid or liquid waste that falls through the mat perforations112aand floor perforations114a.

In various examples, one or more door (not shown) may be hingably coupled or otherwise suitably attached to the first lateral panel130ato allow access to, and closure of, the slot132in the first lateral panel130a. Similarly, one or more door (not shown) may be hingably coupled or otherwise suitably attached to the second lateral panel130bto allow access to, and closure of, the slot (not illustrated) in the second lateral panel130b. It should be appreciated that in certain examples, the doors may be opened to allow removal and insertion of the tray(s) and may be closed to at least partially conceal or hide such tray(s) from view. It should also be appreciated that in some examples, the doors may be coupled to otherwise suitably attached to any portion of the vehicle body and, in various examples, be arranged so as to at least partially or fully cover, hide or conceal the slot(s) or openings into which the tray(s) are inserted.

Referring now more specifically toFIGS.2A-2C,FIG.2Ais a perspective sectional view of the floor area100ofFIG.1, whileFIGS.2B and2Care enlarged views of portions ofFIG.2A.FIG.2Bshows the floor support142comprising a first support guide144a(SeeFIG.4also) in the form of a laterally extending rail and the first collection tray160aincluding a first support structure162ainsertable into and supportable by the first support guide144a.FIG.2Cillustrates the floor support142comprising a second support guide144b(SeeFIG.4also) in the form of a laterally extending rail that is longitudinally opposite the first support guide144aand illustrates the first collection tray160aincluding a second support structure162blongitudinally opposite the first support structure162aand likewise insertable into and supportable by the second support guide144b. It should be appreciated that the first support guide144ais positioned at the first lateral side148aof body140, while the second support guide144bis also positioned at the first lateral side148aof body140. It should additionally be appreciated that the floor support142may further comprise third and fourth support guides (not shown) in the form of laterally extending rails similar to the first and second support guides144a,144b, but positioned at the second lateral side148bof body140. Similarly, it should be appreciated that the second collection tray160bmay likewise comprise a third support structure (not shown) longitudinally opposite a fourth support structure (not shown) and insertable into and supportable by the corresponding third and fourth support guides. The support structures162a,162bin the example illustrated inFIGS.2B and2Care in the form of a T shape and slide along corresponding L shaped or cantilever shaped support guides144a,144b. It should be appreciated, however, that each of the support structures and corresponding support guides herein may be in of any form, arrangement or shape suitable to allow the collection trays160a,160band any support structures therefore to be insertable into, supportable by, and removable from the support guides. In examples, the support structures may be in the form of wheels that are insertable into, and moveable within, the support guides.

Turning now toFIG.5,FIG.5illustrates another example of a vehicle floor area100of the present disclosure. The vehicle floor area100ofFIG.5is similar to the vehicle floor area100illustrated inFIGS.1,2A-2C,3A,3B and4except as described below and is apparent from the figures. Like elements are identified with the same or similar reference numerals. The description of those elements including each of the alternatives discussed above in connection withFIGS.1,2A-2C3A,3B and4apply in many respects to like element numbers inFIG.5. The vehicle floor area100ofFIG.5differs primarily from the vehicle floor area100illustrated inFIGS.1,2A-2C,3A,3B and4in that instead of having first and second collection trays160a,160bremovable from respective slots of first and second lateral panels130a,130b, each of the first and second lateral panels130a,130binstead comprise gas openings or ports134a,134bfor connecting a gas source175to the openings134a,134b. The gas source175(or multiple gas sources) in various examples may be connected to each of the respective openings134a,134bfor applying a negative pressure or suction to remove fluid waste or liquid waste that may have accumulated on the trays160a,160b. The negative pressure or suction supplied by the gas source175may also cause any solid waste stuck in the perforations112aor114ato be dislodged. In various examples, the gas source175may additionally or alternatively apply a positive pressure to cause any solid waste that may be stuck in one of the perforations112aor114ato be dislodged from the perforations112aor114a. The gas source175may be manually connected to the openings134a,134b, or in various examples may be automated. In examples, the gas source175may be a negative and/or positive pressure pump. It should thus be appreciated that in the vehicle floor area100illustrated inFIG.5, the collection trays160a,160bneed not be removed from the vehicle floor area to remove any dust collected that has fallen on the trays160a,160b. It should also be appreciated that in various embodiments each of the side door end portions149a,149band/or the lateral sides148a,149bmay comprise gas openings for connection to a gas source or to allow the positive or negative pressure from the gas source to flow.

FIG.6illustrates another example of a vehicle floor area100of the present disclosure. The vehicle floor area100ofFIG.6is similar to the vehicle floor area100ofFIGS.1,2A-2C,3A,3B and4except as described below and is apparent from the figures. Like elements are identified with the same or similar reference numerals. The description of those elements including each of the alternatives discussed above in connection withFIGS.1,2A-2C,3A,3B and4apply in many respects to like element numbers inFIG.6. The vehicle floor area100ofFIG.6differs primarily from the vehicle floor area100ofFIGS.1,2A-2C,3A,3B and4in that instead of solid or liquid waste falling through the perforations112a,114aonto the collection trays160a,160b, the waste instead falls directly onto the floor support142. That is, the floor support142ofFIG.6does not support the collection trays160aor160bat all. The floor support142is instead structured and arranged so that any waste that falls through perforations112aand114afalls directly onto floor support142so that the waster may slide or fall downwardly on the top surface of floor support142towards respective side door end portions149a,149bvia gravity. It should therefore be appreciated that the floor support142in various examples may be considered as one or more collection receptacle (as may the collection tray(s) or collection bin(s), as further described below). It should also be appreciated that, in various examples, the top surface of floor support142may be substantially smooth to allow the debris that falls directly onto the top surface of the floor support142to slide more easily towards side door end portions149a,149b.

The floor support142illustrated inFIG.6comprises a height h1near side door end portion149athat is smaller than a height h2near a center150of body140. Likewise, the floor support142comprises a height h3at or near the opposite side door end portion149bthat is smaller than a height h4at or near the center150of body140. Thus, it should be appreciated that the body140has a floor support142that may be arcuate or curved in such a way that a height of the floor support142(and hence the height of the body140itself) increases from (i) the side door end portion149a(of the first lateral side148aof body140) to the center150of the body140and (ii) the side door end portion149b(of the second lateral side148bof body140) to the center150of the body140. It should further be appreciated that while the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.6illustrates the floor support142being curved, the floor support142in other examples may instead be angled in a triangular like shape such that the height of the floor support142similarly increases from (i) the side door end portion149a(of the first lateral side148aof body140) to the center150of the body140and (ii) the side door end portion149b(of the second lateral side148bof body140) to the center150of the body140. It should additionally be appreciated that, in the example illustrated inFIG.6, the side door end portion149aof the first lateral side148aof the body140and/or the first lateral panel130amay be at least partially removable and/or have a door, an opening or any other suitable structure that enables the waste debris that has fallen downwardly towards the side door end portion149ato fall outside the vehicle or vehicle floor area100. Similarly, the side door end portion149bof the second lateral side148bof the body140and/or the second lateral panel130bmay be at least partially removable and/or have a door, an opening or any suitable structure that enables the waste debris that has fallen downwardly towards the side door end portion149bto fall outside the vehicle or vehicle floor area100. In some examples, such door, opening or other structure may be located in the floor support142itself and/or a portion of the body140beneath the floor support142so that any debris that may fall through perforations112a,114acan fall directly out of a bottom portion of the vehicle. In various examples, the floor support142and/or the portion of body140below floor support142may define one or more opening, channel or other suitable structure to allow the debris to fall out of the bottom of the vehicle. In certain examples, a door may be provided for the one or more of such opening or channel in the floor support and/or the portion of body140to allow accesses to the opening(s) or channel(s) and to cover and at least partially conceal or hide such opening(s) or channel(s). Such door(s) may be opened and closed automatically or manually in various examples.

It should be appreciated that in certain examples, at least a portion of the floor support142and/or the body140below the floor support142may be constructed with a contour or shape that generally follows or conforms to the shape of (or otherwise has a shape that avoids contact with) any electronics, computing devices and/or batteries located in the vehicle floor area100, e.g., located in the body140beneath floor support142. In some examples, the one or more openings, channels or other suitable structures (defined by the body140and or the floor support142) that allow waste debris to fall directly out of the bottom of the vehicle may have such shapes and be positioned between any such electronics, computing devices and/or batteries. It should further be appreciated that in any of the vehicle floor areas described herein, various sound abatement structures or materials may be included with the vehicle floor areas to aid in reducing any noise caused by the structure of the vehicle floor area, e.g., noise caused by any openings or channels in the bottom of the vehicle floor area. In some examples, a foam material (or any other suitable noise abatement material) may be added to one ore more of the mat112, the substrate114, the floor support142, the body140and the panels130a,130bto help mitigate noise that may occur inside the vehicle. In some examples, the opening of any doors to allow waste debris to be removed from the vehicle door area may be triggered upon stopping the vehicle, or upon opening of any of the side doors attached to the body140, i.e., the side doors that allow passengers to enter or exit the vehicle (not shown).

FIG.7illustrates another example of a vehicle floor area100of the present disclosure. The vehicle floor area100ofFIG.7is similar to the vehicle floor area100ofFIGS.1,2A-2C,3A,3B,4andFIG.6except as described below and is apparent from the figures. Like elements are identified with the same or similar reference numerals. The description of those elements including each of the alternatives discussed above in connection withFIGS.1,2A-2C,3A,3B,4and6apply in many respects to like element numbers inFIG.7. The vehicle floor area100ofFIG.7differs primarily from the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.6in that instead of only the floor support142being curved or otherwise angled downwardly from a center150of the body140towards each side door end portions149a,149b, both the floor support142and the floor110are angled or otherwise curved downwardly from a center150of the body140towards side door end portions149a,149b. This enables any waste that may collect on a top surface of the mat112to slide or fall downwardly on the mat112away from a center of the body140towards side door end portions149a,149bwhere the waste may fall through the mat and substrate perforations112a,114aonto first and second collection bins160c,160d, respectively. It should thus be appreciated that the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.7differs in two other respects from the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.6. First, the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.7comprises the first and second collection bins160c,160dsupported by and positioned against or at respective side door end portions149a,149bof the lateral sides148a,148b. Second, the mat perforations112aand substrate perforations114aofFIG.7are aligned with the position of the first and second collection bins160c,160dand thus do not extend laterally towards the center of body140as much as the perforations112a,114ain the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.6. Perforations112a,114ainFIG.7are instead positioned only near the side door end portions149a,149b. It should also be appreciated that, like the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.6, the floor support142and the floor110inFIG.7each comprise a height h1near side door end portion149athat is smaller than a height h2near the center150of body140. Likewise, the floor support142and the floor110each comprise a height h3near side door end portion149bthat is smaller than a height h4near the center150of body140. Thus, each of the floor support142and the floor110is arcuate, curved or angled in such a way that a height of each of the floor support142(and hence the height of the body140also) and the floor110increases from (i) the side door end portion149a(of the first lateral side148aof body140) to the center150of the body140and (ii) the side door end portion149b(of the second lateral side148bof body140) to the center150of the body140.

Similar to the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.6, it should additionally be appreciated that at least a portion of the side door end portion149aof the first lateral side148aof the body140and/or the first lateral panel130aof the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.7may be removable and/or have a door, an opening or other suitable structure that enables the first collection bin160cto be removed from the vehicle floor area100to dump any waste collected in the bin160c. Similarly, the side door end portion149bof the second lateral side148bof the body140and/or the second lateral panel130bin the vehicle floor area100ofFIG.7may be at least partially removable and/or have a door, an opening or other suitable structure that enables the second collection bin160dto be removed from the entire vehicle floor area100to dump the waste collected in the second collection bin160d. In some examples, the one or more door that enables the bin(s) to be removed may be opened and closed automatically or manually. It should be appreciated that in various examples, the one or more door may also at least partially conceal or hide the bin(s) from view when closed. Alternatively or additionally, any of the removable panel(s) may also at least partially conceal or hide the bin(s) from view.

FIG.9illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the example vehicle floor area100ofFIG.1. The enlarged sectional view ofFIG.9shows the top layer or mat112and the bottom substrate114of floor110. As shown, the top layer112includes the mat or top layer perforations112aand the bottom substrate114includes the substrate or bottom layer perforations114a. The mat perforations112aare substantially aligned with the substrate perforations114a. Between each mat perforation112aand the respectively aligned substrate perforation114ain the longitudinal direction180is a space116where a bottom surface of the mat112may be attached to a top surface of the substrate114, e.g., via bonding. It should be appreciated that in various examples, the mat112need not be attached or bonded to the substrate114at every space116between each mat perforation112aand substrate perforation114a. The mat112in some examples may instead be attached at one or more of the spaces116, but not all of the spaces16. It should likewise be appreciated that in some examples, the mat112may not be attached to the substrate114at any of the spaces116, and may instead be attached around edge or edge portions of the mat112and the substrate114. It should also be understood that mat perforations112aand substrate perforations114aneed not be precisely aligned and may be offset slightly in various examples. In should further be appreciated that in various examples, instead of the mat perforations112aand substrate perforations114ahaving substantially the same size or diameter as illustrated inFIG.9, the mat perforations112amay be smaller than each of the substrate perforations114ato help prevent larger waste particles from getting lodged in the substrate perforation114a, which may be more difficult to access and thus more difficult to dislodge than waste particles lodged in the mat perforations112a.

It should also be appreciated that in various examples, a portion of the mat112(or the entire mat112) may have multiple mat perforations112athat are substantially aligned with a single substrate perforation114a. A portion of the mat112(or the entire mat) may in other examples have multiple map perforations112aaligned with more than one, but less than the multiple map perforations112a. Similarly, in some example, the mat112may be formed to have single individual mat perforations112aaligned with a plurality of substrate perforations. Additionally, although the perforations112aand114ainFIG.9are illustrated as being uniformly spaced and distributed across the mat112and the substrate114, but in various examples, the mat perforations112aand the substrate perforations114amay be non-uniformly spaced or distributed. For example, each mat perforations112amay be randomly spaced apart from each of the other mat perforations112aand each of the substrate perforations114amay be substantially aligned with the randomly spaced mat perforations112a. It should be appreciated that the entire description with respect toFIG.9herein may apply to a variety of the vehicle floor areas100of the present disclosure.

In various examples, the mat112of any one of the vehicle floor areas100of the present disclosure may further comprise a plurality of speckles (not shown) located in a top surface of the mat112and visible on the top surface of the mat. The speckles may be interspersed uniformly between each of the mat perforations112aor randomly spaced between each of the mat perforations112a. The speckles may aid in masking the visibility of any solid waste, e.g., dust, that does not fall through the mat perforations112aand instead collects on the top surface of the mat112between the mat perforations112a. In examples, the speckles may be a white or whitish color, and the mat112may be a black or blackish color, e.g., a black rubber mat material.

It should also be appreciated that, while various examples of the vehicle floor areas100of the present disclosure are described as having first and second collection trays, in various other examples, the vehicle floor areas may comprise a single collection tray. The single collection tray my be located only at only one lateral side of the body of the vehicle floor area or may extend from one lateral side of the body to the other lateral side of the body (or from a side door end portion of one lateral side to the side door end portion of the other lateral side). Likewise, while various examples herein describe a vehicle floor area having first and second collection bins, it should be appreciated that in various other examples, the vehicle floor area may comprise only a single collection bin. The single collection bin may be located at only one lateral side of the body (or at the side door end portion of one lateral side of the body), or the single collection bin may extend from one lateral side of the body from one lateral side of the body to the other lateral side of the body (or from a side door end portion of one lateral side to the side door end portion of the other lateral side). Various examples of the present disclosure illustrate the collection bins, trays and perforations not extending all the way to a middle or center of the vehicle floor areas or being located only at or near side door end portions of respective lateral sides of the body. However, in various other examples, the bins, trays and perforations may extend across an entire lateral area of the vehicle floor area past a center of the vehicle floor areas.

It should also be appreciated that any of the collection trays or collection bins described herein (whether the collection trays are a plurality of trays or only a single collection tray, or a plurality of bins or only a single collection bin) may be formed in any shape or structure that allows waste to fall on top of, or be collected on, or within, the collection tray(s) or bin(s). Each of the collection tray(s) or bin(s) herein may thus be considered as collection receptacle(s). For example, while the collection tray(s) illustrated herein are substantially flat, in various examples, the collection tray(s) or receptacle(s) may include a raised rim around at least a portion of the perimeter of the tray(s) or receptacles(s). The raised rim may create a deep or shallow collection area within the perimeter of the tray(s) or receptacle(s), depending on the height of the rim. Similarly, while at least a portion of the collection bin(s) illustrated herein form an open rectangular prism like structure, each of the collection bin(s) or receptacle(s) described herein may have any suitable shape (e.g., an open cylindrical shape or cylindrical like shape, substantially flat or entirely flat) that allows waste to fall on top of, or be collected on, or within, the bin(s) or receptacle(s). In examples, the bin(s) or receptacle(s) herein may comprise at least one side wall forming deep or shallow interior area that collects, catches, or holds waste. It should further be appreciated that in various examples of the vehicle floor areas described herein, the collection receptacle(s) may comprise the floor support itself (as discussed above) and may allow the debris to automatically fall out a side of the vehicle floor area or through a bottom of the vehicle (as also discussed above), or may comprise any structure located at least substantially below the floor perforations that allows the waste debris to fall on top of, or be collected on, or within, the receptacle(s), bin(s) or tray(s).

It should further be appreciated that the use of the term body herein is not limited to a vehicle having a unibody construction. In some examples, the term body may comprise a vehicle having a body-on-frame construction. In least some examples, the term body may therefore comprise the vehicle body, the vehicle frame, or both the vehicle body and the vehicle frame. It should be appreciated that the term body may comprise any structure and arrangement suitable for including the features for the vehicle floor areas described herein.

FIG.8is a block diagram of an example system800for implementing techniques or functions of any vehicle802utilizing the various example vehicle floor areas100of the present disclosure. The system800may include a vehicle802, which may include a vehicle computing device804, one or more sensor systems806, one or more emitters808, one or more communication connections810, at least one direct connection812, and one or more drive modules814.

Vehicle computing device804may include one or more processors816and memory818communicatively coupled with the one or more processors816. Vehicle802may include any type of vehicle including an autonomous vehicle or a semi-autonomous vehicle. In the illustrated example, the memory818of vehicle computing device804stores a localization component820, a perception component822, a planning component824, and one or more system controllers826. Though depicted inFIG.8as residing in the memory818, it is contemplated that the localization component820, the perception component822, the planning component824, and the system controllers826may additionally, or alternatively, be accessible to the vehicle802(e.g., stored on, or otherwise accessible by, memory remote from the vehicle802, such as, for example, on memory834of a remote computing device836).

In at least examples, the localization component820may include functionality to receive data from the sensor system(s)806to determine a position and/or orientation of the vehicle802(e.g., one or more of an x-, y-, z-position, roll, pitch, or yaw). For example, the localization component820may include and/or request/receive a map of an environment and can continuously determine a location and/or orientation of the autonomous vehicle within the map.

In some examples, the perception component822may include functionality to perform object detection, segmentation, and/or classification. In general, the planning component824may determine a path for the vehicle802to follow to traverse through an environment.

In at least some examples, the vehicle computing device804may include one or more system controllers826, which may be configured to control steering, propulsion, braking, safety, emitters, communication, and other systems of the vehicle802. The system controller(s)826may communicate with and/or control corresponding systems of the drive module(s)814and/or other components of the vehicle802.

As can be understood, the components discussed herein (e.g., the localization component820, the perception component822, the planning component824, the one or more system controllers826are described as divided for illustrative purposes. However, the operations performed by the various components can be combined or performed in any other component.

In some instances, aspects of some or all of the components discussed herein can include any models, algorithms, and/or machine learning algorithms. For example, in some instances, the components in the memory818(and the memory834, discussed below) can be implemented as a neural network. As can be understood in the context of this disclosure, a neural network can utilize machine learning, which can refer to a broad class of such algorithms in which an output is generated based on learned parameters. Although discussed in the context of neural networks, any type of machine learning can be used consistent with this disclosure.

In at least examples, the sensor system(s)806may include LIDAR sensors, radar sensors, ultrasonic transducers, sonar sensors, location sensors (e.g., GPS, compass, etc.), inertial sensors (e.g., inertial measurement units (IMUs), accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, etc.), cameras (e.g., RGB, IR, intensity, depth, time of flight, etc.), microphones, wheel encoders, environment sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), etc. In various examples, the sensor system(s)806may include a position sensor configured to determine whether a passenger is seated in a seat assembly. In some examples, the position sensor may include a weight switch configured to determine whether a weight is located on the seat assembly. The weight may include a minimum weight associated with a passenger (e.g., 50 pounds, 25 kilograms, 100 pounds, etc.). In various examples, the position sensor may include an image capture device and/or other perception sensor. In such examples, the image capture device and/or other perception sensor may send sensor data to the vehicle computing device to analyze and determine whether the object in the seat assembly is a passenger (e.g., whether it is a human or other live animal). In some examples, the sensor system(s)806may include a float sensor, a laser beam, and/or a weight sensor configured to sense data regarding the vehicle floor areas descried herein. Such data may be used in various examples for determining whether solid waste and/or liquid waste may have accumulated on any of the collection receptacle(s) described herein so that such waste can be removed from the vehicle floor area.

The sensor system(s)806can include multiple instances of each of these or other types of sensors. For instance, the LIDAR sensors can include individual LIDAR sensors located at the corners, front, back, sides, and/or top of the vehicle802. As another example, the camera sensors can include multiple cameras disposed at various locations about the exterior and/or interior of the vehicle802. The sensor system(s)806can provide input to the vehicle computing device804. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor system(s)806may send sensor data, via the one or more networks844, to the one or more computing device(s)836at a particular frequency, after a lapse of a predetermined period of time, in near real-time, etc.

The vehicle802may also include one or more emitters808for emitting light and/or sound. The emitters808in this example include interior audio and visual emitters to communicate with passengers of the vehicle802.

The vehicle802may also include one or more communication connection(s)810that enable communication between the vehicle802and one or more other local or remote computing device(s). For instance, the communication connection(s)810can facilitate communication with other local computing device(s) on the vehicle802and/or the drive module(s)814. Also, the communication connection(s)810can allow the vehicle to communicate with other nearby computing device(s) (e.g., computing device(s)836, other nearby vehicles, etc.) and/or one or more remote sensor system(s)846for receiving sensor data.

In various examples, the vehicle802may include one or more drive modules814. In some examples, the vehicle802can have a single drive module814. In at least examples, the drive module(s)814may include one or more sensor systems to detect conditions of the drive module(s)814and/or the surroundings of the vehicle802. By way of example and not limitation, the sensor system(s) can include cameras or other image sensors, ultrasonic sensors to acoustically detect objects in the surroundings of the drive module, LIDAR sensors, radar sensors, etc. Some sensors, such as the wheel encoders can be unique to the drive module(s)714. In some cases, the sensor system(s) on the drive module(s)814can overlap or supplement corresponding systems of the vehicle802(e.g., sensor system(s)806).

The drive module(s)814may include many of the vehicle systems, including a high voltage battery, a motor to propel the vehicle, an inverter to convert direct current from the battery into alternating current for use by other vehicle systems, a steering system including a steering motor and steering rack (which can be electric), a braking system including hydraulic or electric actuators, a suspension system including hydraulic and/or pneumatic components, a stability control system for distributing brake forces to mitigate loss of traction and maintain control, an HVAC system, lighting (e.g., lighting such as head/tail lights to illuminate an exterior surrounding of the vehicle), and one or more other systems (e.g., cooling system, safety systems, onboard charging system, other electrical components such as a DC/DC converter, a high voltage junction, a high voltage cable, charging system, charge port, etc.).

In various examples, one or more of the sensor system(s) described herein may send sensor data regarding any of the vehicle floor areas herein to the vehicle computing device804to analyze and determine whether any waste or debris may be stuck or lodged in the perforations112aor114aof the vehicle floor area. If the vehicle computing device804determines, based upon the received vehicle floor area sensor data, that solid waste or liquid waste may be lodged in one of the perforations112aor114a, the computing device804may then communicate, e.g., via the one or more communication connection(s)810(described herein), with the drive module(s)814(described herein) to activate the suspension system of the drive module(s)814, e.g., activate hydraulic and/or pneumatic component(s), to try to dislodge the debris. In certain examples, the activation may occur only at appropriate times, e.g., when the vehicle802is stopped or when no passengers are inside the vehicle. The movement or vibrations caused by the activated suspension system may dislodge the debris from the perforations112aor114b, thereby maintaining a clean upper surface of the vehicle floor area, e.g., a clean top surface of the mat layer112. In various examples, the activated suspension system of drive module814may be deactivated (i) after a certain period of time has elapsed after the vehicle computing device804has activated the suspension system, or (ii) after the vehicle computing device804determines that no debris is lodged in the perforations based upon sensor data from the sensor system(s), e.g., sensor data from the image capture device or camera, regarding the vehicle floor area. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle computing device804may include a cleaning or waste management cycle. In some examples, the waste management cycle may periodically cause the drive module(s)814to activate the suspension system to try to dislodge any waste or debris that may be lodged in the perforations112aor114b. Such periodic activation of the suspension system in accordance with the waste management cycle may occur according to any suitable schedule. For example, the waste management cycle may activate the suspension system once per day at a specific time, once per week at a specific time, after a certain number of miles have been driven and the vehicle has stopped, after a certain number of passengers have utilized the vehicle and the vehicle is stopped, or anytime it is determined that no passengers are inside the vehicle. In various examples, the waste management cycle may alternatively or additionally cause the drive module(s)814to navigate the vehicle to a location where the vehicle will move along a bumpy surface or road to try to dislodge any waste debris that may be stuck in the perforations112aor114b. Such waste management cycle may alternatively or additionally cause the drive module(s)814to navigate the vehicle to a location where any debris lodged in the perforations112aor114b(or in any of the collection receptacle(s) described herein) may be removed manually or automatically. In various examples, sensed data from one or more of the sensor system(s) may alternatively or additionally be used to cause the drive module(s)814to navigate the vehicle to a location where the vehicle will move along a bumpy surface or road to try to dislodge any waste debris that may be lodged in the perforations112aor114b.

Additionally, the drive module(s)814may include a drive module controller which can receive and preprocess data from the sensor system(s) and to control operation of the various vehicle systems. In some examples, the drive module controller can include one or more processors and memory communicatively coupled with the one or more processors. The memory can store one or more modules to perform various functionalities of the drive module(s)814. Furthermore, the drive module(s)814may also include one or more communication connection(s) that enable communication by the respective drive module with one or more other local or remote computing device(s).

In at least examples, the direct connection812may provide a physical interface to couple the one or more drive module(s)814with the body of the vehicle802. For example, the direct connection812may allow the transfer of energy, fluids, air, data, etc. between the drive module(s)814and the vehicle.

In at least examples, the localization component820, the perception component822, the planning component824, and the one or more system controllers826, and various components thereof, may process sensor data, as described above, and may send their respective outputs, over the one or more network(s)844, to the computing device(s)836.

In some examples, the vehicle802may send sensor data to the computing device(s)836via the network(s)844. In some examples, the vehicle802may receive sensor data from the computing device(s)836and/or from remote sensor systems846via the network(s)744. The sensor data may include raw sensor data and/or processed sensor data and/or representations of sensor data. In some examples, the sensor data (raw or processed) may be sent and/or received as one or more log files.

The computing device(s)836may include processor(s)848and a memory834configured to store data. The processor(s)816of the vehicle802and the processor(s)848of the computing device(s)836may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions to process data and perform operations as described herein.

Memory818and834are examples of non-transitory computer-readable media. The memory818and834may store an operating system and one or more software applications, instructions, programs, and/or data to implement the methods described herein and the functions attributed to the various systems. In various implementations, the memory can be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory capable of storing information.

It should be noted that whileFIG.8is illustrated as a distributed system, in alternative examples, components of the vehicle802may be associated with the computing device(s)836and/or components of the computing device(s)836may be associated with the vehicle802. That is, the vehicle802may perform one or more of the functions associated with the computing device(s)836, and vice versa.

EXAMPLE CLAUSES

A: A vehicle comprising: a body comprising a floor support; a floor comprising: a rigid substrate attached to and positioned at least partially above the floor support, the rigid substrate comprising substrate perforations, and a mat attached to and positioned at least partially above the rigid substrate, the mat comprising mat perforations substantially aligned with the substrate perforations; and a first collection tray supported by the floor support at a first lateral side of the body and positioned at least partially below the rigid substrate such that solid waste or fluid waste can fall through the mat perforations and the substrate perforations onto the first collection tray for removal from the first collection tray; and a second collection tray supported by the floor support at a second lateral side of the body and positioned at least partially below the rigid substrate such that solid waste or fluid waste can fall through the mat perforations and the substrate perforations onto the second collection tray for removal from the second collection tray.

B: A vehicle as paragraph A describes, wherein: each of the mat perforations comprise a diameter, the diameter of each mat perforation having a range between 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

C: A vehicle as paragraph A describes, wherein: the floor support comprises: a first support guide positioned at the first lateral side of the body, a second support guide positioned at the first lateral side of the body longitudinally opposite the first support guide, a third support guide positioned at the second lateral side of the body, and a fourth support guide positioned at the second lateral side of the body longitudinally opposite the third support guide, and wherein: the first collection tray supported by the first and second support guides, and the second collection tray supported by the third and fourth support guides.

D: A vehicle as paragraph C describes, wherein: the first support guide comprises a first laterally extending rail, the second support guide comprises a second laterally extending rail longitudinally opposite the first laterally extending rail, and the third support guide comprises a third laterally extending rail, the fourth support guide comprises a fourth laterally extending rail longitudinally opposite the third laterally extending rail, and wherein: the first collection tray comprises: a first support structure movable within and supported by the first laterally extending rail, and a second support structure movable within and supported by the second laterally extending rail; and the second collection tray comprises: a third support structure movable within and supported by the first laterally extending rail, and a fourth support structure movable within and supported by the second laterally extending rail.

E: A vehicle as paragraph A describers, wherein: the first lateral side of the body comprises a side door end portion, the second lateral side of the body comprises a side door end portion, and the floor comprises: a first lateral panel attached to the side door end portion of the first lateral side of the body, the first lateral panel comprising a longitudinally extending slot, and a second lateral panel attached to the side door end portion of the second lateral side of the body, the second lateral panel comprising a longitudinally extending slot; and further comprising: a first door coupled to the first lateral panel such that the first door is (i) openable so the first collection tray can be removed from the longitudinally extending slot of the first lateral panel, and (ii) closable so the first collection tray is hidden from view by at least the first door; and a second door coupled to the first lateral panel such that the second door is (i) openable so the second collection tray can be removed from the longitudinally extending slot of the second lateral panel, and (ii) closable so the second collection tray can be hidden from view by at least the second door.

F: A vehicle as paragraph A describes, further comprising: a suspension system; and a computing device configured to activate the suspension system, according to a waste management cycle or sensed data, to try to dislodge any solid waste or liquid waste that may be lodged in the mat perforations or substrate perforations.

G. A vehicle floor area comprising: a body; a floor attached to and positioned at least partially above the body, the floor comprising floor perforations; and a collection receptacle supported by the body, the collection receptacle positioned at least partially below the floor so that solid waste or liquid waste can fall through the floor perforations onto the collection receptacle for removal from the collection receptacle.

H: A vehicle floor area as paragraph G describes, wherein: the body comprises: a first lateral side comprising a side door end portion, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side, the second lateral side comprising a side door end portion; and the collection receptacle comprises: a first collection bin supported by and positioned at the side door end portion of the first lateral side, and a second collection bin supported by and positioned at the side door end portion of the second lateral side.

I: A vehicle floor area as paragraph G describes, wherein: the body comprises: a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side; and wherein: the collection receptacle comprises: a first collection tray supported by and removable from the first lateral side of the body, and a second collection tray supported by and removable from the second lateral side of the body.

J: A vehicle floor area as paragraph G describes, wherein: the floor comprises: a top layer, and a bottom substrate attached to the top layer and positioned at least partially below the top layer, and the floor perforations comprise top layer perforations in the top layer and substrate perforations in the bottom substrate.

K: A vehicle floor area as paragraph J describes, wherein: the top layer perforations are substantially aligned with the substrate perforations, the top layer perforations comprise a diameter having a range between 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and the substrate perforations comprise a diameter having a range between 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm.

L: A vehicle floor area as paragraph J describes, wherein: each of the top layer perforations comprise a size, each of the substrate perforations comprise a size, and the size of each top layer perforation is smaller than the size of each substrate perforation.

M: A vehicle floor area as paragraph J describes, wherein the bottom substrate is bonded to the top layer at locations between each of the floor perforations.

N: A vehicle floor area as paragraph G describes, wherein: the body comprises: a first lateral side comprising a side door end portion, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side and comprising a side door end portion, and wherein: the floor comprises: a first lateral panel attached to the side door end portion of the first lateral side, the first lateral panel comprising a longitudinally extending slot, and a second lateral panel attached to the side door end portion of the second lateral side, the second lateral panel comprising a longitudinally extending slot, and wherein: the collection receptacle comprises: a first collection tray insertable into the longitudinally extending slot in the first lateral panel, and a second collection tray insertable into the longitudinally extending slot of the second lateral panel.

O: A vehicle floor area as paragraph N describes, further comprising: a door hingably attached to the first lateral panel to provide access to the longitudinally extending slot of the first lateral panel for insertion and removal of the first collection tray; and a door hingably attached to the second lateral panel to provide access to the longitudinally extending slot of the second lateral panel for insertion and removal of the second collection tray.

P: A vehicle floor area as paragraph G describes, wherein: the body comprises: a first lateral side comprising a side door end portion, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side and comprising a side door end portion, and a center located midway between the first lateral side and the second lateral side, and a height that increases from (i) the side door end portion of the first lateral side to the center of the body, and (ii) the side door end portion of the second lateral side to the center of the body.

Q: A vehicle floor area as paragraph P describes, wherein: the collection receptacle comprises: a first collection bin supported by and positioned at the side door end portion of the first lateral side, and a second collection bin supported by and positioned at the side door end portion of the second lateral side; and wherein: the floor perforations are substantially aligned with (i) the position of the first collection bin at the side door end portion of the first lateral side, and (ii) the position of the second collection bin at the side door end portion of the second lateral side.

R: A vehicle floor area as paragraph G describes, wherein: the body comprises: a first lateral side comprising a side door end portion, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side and comprising a side door end portion, and a center located between the first lateral side and the second lateral side, and wherein: the floor comprises a height that increases from (i) the side door end portion of the first lateral side to the center of the body, and (ii) the side door end portion of the second lateral side to the center of the body.

S: A vehicle floor area as paragraph G describes, wherein: the floor comprises: a first lateral side comprising a side door end portion, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side and comprising a side door end portion, a first lateral panel attached to the side door end portion of the first lateral side, and a second lateral panel attached to the side door end portion of the second lateral side, and at least one of (i) the first lateral panel comprises a gas opening configured to receive a negative pressure to remove any solid waste or liquid that has fallen onto the collection receptacle, or (ii) the second lateral panel comprises a gas opening configured to receive a negative pressure to remove any solid waste or liquid waste that has fallen onto the collection receptacle.

T: A vehicle comprising: a body; a floor comprising: a top layer comprising top layer perforations, and a bottom substrate attached to the top layer and positioned at least partially below the top layer, the bottom substrate comprising substrate perforations; a collection receptacle supported by the body, the collection receptacle positioned at least partially below the floor so that solid waste or liquid waste can fall through the top layer perforations and the substrate perforations onto the collection receptacle for removal from the collection receptacle; and a computing device configured to navigate the vehicle, according to a waste management cycle or sensed data, to a location where the vehicle will move along a bumpy road to try to dislodge any solid waste or liquid waste that may be stuck in the top layer perforations or the substrate perforations.