Programmable vehicle model

A simulated vehicle includes body panels arranged in a simulated vehicle position and movably mounted on an internal support structure attached to a platform. The body panels are moved by a control unit in any of up/down, fore/aft, cross car and tilt directions. Certain of the body panels are formed of first and second telescopingly overlapping panel sections which are extendable and retractable with respect to each other by the control unit. The panel sections are configured to present a solid exterior surface in any extended and retracted position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates, in general, to motor vehicles and, more 
specifically, to methods and apparatus for designing motor vehicles. 
The design of automotive vehicles, such as automobiles, trucks, etc., 
usually begins with the development of various sketches and drawings 
showing the shape of the various body panels and other components of the 
vehicle. Three-dimensional clay models and, more recently, computer 
generated models, are then created to provide a visual image of the 
proposed vehicle design. Changes to the shape of the vehicle at this stage 
entail time consuming, highly skilled labor, even if such changes are on 
the order of only several millimeters in a particular dimension. 
In order to design and market a successful vehicle, an accurate assessment 
of consumer needs, the market and the competition with regard to size and 
styling of a vehicle, among other factors, must be determined at an early 
stage of the vehicle design. Typically, models, known in the industry as 
"bucks" are constructed to simulate a particular body component or vehicle 
section, such as the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle, the 
exterior shell, trunk, engine compartment, undercarriage, etc. Such bucks 
are designed for a specific vehicle and any changes to the parts thereof 
require additional labor and time. Furthermore, a number of identical 
bucks or test stands are designed for each different vehicle model made by 
a particular manufacturer for use by various design and engineering 
personnel. 
Ergonomics, or the interaction of the vehicle with the user, is becoming an 
important factor in the design of automotive vehicles. Ergonomics involves 
the spatial relationship of various components with each other and the 
user, such as the driver or passenger of a vehicle. In order to provide a 
comparison of various ergonomic factors, a number of different bucks would 
be designed, each having a different spacial relationship of components. 
Consumers sit in or view each buck and provide their opinions in response 
to detailed questions relating to various facets of each design. This 
information is utilized by the vehicle manufacturer to develop a new 
vehicle or to refine an existing vehicle. 
In order to expedite the design of a vehicle and to adequately assess all 
of the ergonomic and other factors associated with the design of a 
vehicle, attempts have been made to provide universal bucks which are 
adjustable in size and shape so as to enable a number of different designs 
to be tested in a time efficient manner. One such attempt by some of the 
inventors of the present application resulted in the development of a 
computer controlled buck which incorporated a seat, steering column, 
instrument panel, gear shifter, floor pan and front and rear seats. Most 
of the above-named components were variably adjustable in position in 
up/down or fore/aft directions as well as being adjustably positionable 
laterally across the width of the test buck. While this buck was effective 
in evaluating various vehicle interior designs and spatial relationships, 
it did not incorporate any exterior body panels which would lend it to 
testing of entire vehicle shapes, both interior and exterior, as well as 
how such exterior body panels interact spatially with the internal vehicle 
components and/or passenger. 
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a programmable vehicle model which 
presents an entire full-size vehicle in which substantially all of the 
vehicle components are adjustable in position with respect to each other 
to create different vehicle shapes and component spatial relationships. It 
would also be desirable to provide a programmable vehicle model in which 
the length, height and width of the vehicle model is adjustable without 
any gaps appearing between adjacent exterior body panels. It would also be 
desirable to provide a programmable vehicle model which is easily 
reconfigurable into the exterior and/or interior dimensions and spatial 
component relationships of a variety of different sized vehicles. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a programmable vehicle model in which 
substantially all of the interior and exterior components of the model are 
adjustable in some or all of the up/down, fore/aft and cross car 
directions. 
The programmable vehicle model includes a platform on which various panel 
support structures are mounted. A plurality of vehicle body panels are 
mounted on the support structures in a vehicle body position to simulate a 
full-size vehicle body. At least certain of the body panels and/or 
interior components are formed of first and second sections which are 
mounted in an overlapping, telescopingly adjustable positional 
relationship. A drive means, mounted on at least one of the first and 
second sections, adjustably positions the first and second sections with 
respect to each other at any selectable position to vary at least one of 
the height, width and length of the overall body panel. 
A control means executing a stored control program is provided for 
controlling the drive means to vary the position of certain or all of the 
body panels and/or vehicle components. 
In a preferred embodiment, a cross car carriage formed of a plurality of 
movable plates is mounted on the platform and is movable in a lateral 
direction by the control means to any desired position. A fore/aft 
carriage formed of another set of movable plates are slidably disposed on 
the cross car carriage plates to provide controlled fore/aft movement of 
various body components. Vertical displacement means are also provided for 
variably displacing certain body components, such as the vehicle hood, 
roof and trunk in a vertical or up and down direction. Horizontal 
displacement means are provided for variably displacing various body 
components including the instrument panel, accelerator and/or brake 
pedals, steering column, seats, front and rear floor pans, hood, trunk and 
roof along horizontal axes extending fore/aft and cross car or laterally 
along the vehicle. 
An exterior body panel, such as a door, is formed of first and second 
telescopingly overlapping sections which are configured such that the 
first and second sections of each body panel present a solid exterior 
surface regardless of their degree of overlap with respect to each other. 
This avoids any unsightly gaps between such body sections which would 
detract from the overall appearance of the vehicle. 
The programmable vehicle model of the present invention overcomes many of 
the problems associated with previously devised test stands or bucks used 
to test specific vehicle configurations, such as interior components, 
exterior body panels, etc. The programmable vehicle model of the present 
invention controls a large number individual body components thereby 
enabling substantially all of the components to be adjustably positioned 
in varying increments to any desired vehicle shape. This allows particular 
vehicle designs to be tested or assessed from a consumer viewpoint before 
final dies, tooling, vehicle drawings, etc., are generated. Ergonomic 
factors relating to the spatial relationship of interior vehicle 
components and exterior body panels with respect to passengers of the 
vehicle can also be easily assessed by using the programmable vehicle 
model of the present invention. Variations in the spatial relationship of 
any of the vehicle components can be easily implemented in a manner of 
minutes to test different designs. Furthermore, the programmable vehicle 
model of the present invention is capable of storing a number of different 
vehicle body component arrangements such that a large number of different 
vehicle configurations can be recalled on the programmable vehicle model. 
Finally, all of the motors, controls and support structure are mounted 
internally within the programmable vehicle model so as not to hinder 
viewing of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawing, and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is 
illustrated a programmable vehicle model 10 which is capable of assuming a 
practically infinite number of dimensional positions so as to simulate any 
desired vehicle exterior and interior size and/or configuration. 
Generally, the programmable vehicle model includes a platform, internal 
support structure, movable exterior vehicle body panels and a control 
means which controls the operation of various electrical drive motors 
mounted internally within the programmable vehicle model to move the 
various vehicle components to any selected dimensional position. 
The platform 12, shown in detail in FIG. 2, is in the form of a base 
constructed of interconnected steel tubular members 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22. 
Cross braces 24 are interconnected between various ones of the tubular 
members to provide structural integrity for the base 12. Casters 13 and 
levelling pads, shown generally in FIG. 4, are provided beneath the base 
12 at each corner and centrally along the longitudinal sides to provide a 
level support surface for the base 12. Electrically actuated jack screws 
15 are also provided at the four corners of the base 12 and at a central 
location along each of the side tubular members 14 and 18 to provide 
selective positioning of the base 12 in a vertical direction, as described 
in greater detail hereafter. 
A plurality of plates 26 is mounted on the tubular members forming the base 
12 and form a part of a cross car carriage which provides cross car 
adjustment of the width of the programmable vehicle model 10. The plates 
26 are spaced along the length of the platform 12 and are secured to the 
tubular members of the platform by suitable means, such as welding, 
fasteners, etc. Each plate 26 is provided with at least one laterally 
extending linear guide rail only one of which is denoted by reference 
number 28 in FIG. 2. Each linear guide rail 28 includes an upper 
substantially circular cross section portion on which bearings slidably 
move. 
A plurality of cross car plates are provided on the base and are movably 
disposed to provide selective variation in the cross car or lateral 
position of the various components of the programmable vehicle model 10. 
Specifically, left and right front clip plates 30 and 32, left and right 
front door plates 34 and 36, left and right B pillar plates 38 and 40, 
left and right rear door sill support plates 42 and 44, and left and right 
rear clip plates 46 and 48 are slidably mounted on linear rails 28 on the 
plates 26. Each of the cross car plates includes open-ended bearings 
mounted on a bottom surface which slidably engage the linear rails 28 to 
slidably mount each cross car plate on the linear rails 28 on the platform 
12. 
The cross car plates are controlled in at least opposed pairs by a suitable 
cross car drive means 49. The cross car drive means 49, as shown in FIG. 
2, preferably comprises an electric stepper motor 50 mounted on one of the 
plates 26, substantially centrally along the length of the platform 12. 
The output shaft of the motor 50 is connected through a gear transmission 
52 to a 90.degree. gear box 54 which translates the rotational direction 
of the output shaft of the motor 50 substantially 90.degree.. Two ball 
screws 56 and 58 extend outward from housings 60 in which each ball screw 
56 and 58 is coupled to the 90.degree. gear box 54 to result in 
simultaneous rotation of each ball screw 56 and 58 upon activation of the 
motor 50. A conventional ball nut, such as an anti-backlash ball nut sold 
by Thompson Saginaw, Series SEL, is threadingly mounted on each ball screw 
56 and 58. Each ball nut 62 is threadingly attached to one of the B pillar 
plates 38 and 40 to cause translation of each B pillar plate 38 and 40 
upon rotation of the ball screws 56 and 58 in either direction of 
rotation. 
The cross car plates on each longitudinal side of the platform 12 are 
rigidly interconnected for simultaneous movement. Thus, the plates 30, 34, 
38, 42 and 46 on the left side of the platform 12 are interconnected for 
simultaneous movement inboard or outboard from the center of the platform 
12 depending upon the direction of rotation of the ball screw 56. 
Similarly, the plates 32, 36, 40, 44 and 48 on the right-hand side of the 
platform 12 are also rigidly interconnected for simultaneous movement upon 
rotation of the ball screw 58. Each set of interconnected plates moves 
simultaneously with the other set of plates to vary the lateral dimension 
or width of the complete cross car carriage mounted on the platform 12. 
The plurality of cross car drive means 49, each including a motor 50, a 
pair of ball screws 56 and 58, and gears are longitudinally spaced along 
the length of the platform 12 for simultaneously driving the 
interconnected cross car carriage plates in a uniform manner. An 
additional motor and ball screw drive is mounted at opposite ends of the 
platform 12 and interconnected between the left and right-hand front clip 
plates 30 and 32 and the left and right-hand rear clip plates 46 and 48, 
for example. 
Each motor 50, as well as all of the motors described hereafter, includes 
an electrically operable friction brake integrally coupled with the motor 
output shaft. For example, the friction brake can be one sold by Carlyle 
Johnson, Model No. FSBS-001 or 002. The brake is activated by a control 
means, as described hereafter, to positively lock the motor output shaft 
in a fixed position when the motor is de-energized or when power is 
removed from the control means. 
In addition to the plates described above which are mounted on essentially 
the longitudinal sides of the platform 12, a number of other crosswise 
movable plates are also movably mounted on certain of the plates 26 for 
cross car or lateral movement. Thus, left front and right front passenger 
compartment plates 68 and 70 are movably mounted on the platform 12 on 
opposite sides of a centrally located console support plate 72. Left and 
right-hand rear passenger compartment support plates 74 and 76 are also 
mounted on the platform 12 between the outboard plates 42 and 44, 
respectively, and longitudinally between the left and right front 
passenger compartment plates 68 and 70 and the left and right rear clip 
support plates 46 and 48. 
At least a pair of spaced longitudinally extending linear rails 29 are 
mounted on each of the cross car carriage plates described above. Thus, 
the right front clip plate 32 includes a pair of longitudinally extending 
linear rails 80 and 82. Each of the rails 80 and 82 has a generally 
circular cross section upper portion which slidably receives a bearing to 
movably mount another plate to the right-hand front clip plate 32, as 
described hereafter. The rails 80 and 82 are mounted to the plate 32 by 
any suitable means, such as welding, fasteners, etc. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is depicted the fore/aft carriage which is 
formed of a plurality of individually longitudinally movable plates which 
slidably engage the linear rails 80 and 82 on certain of the cross car 
carriage plates described above. By way of example only, the fore/aft 
carriage includes left and right front support plates 90 and 92, 
respectively, left front floor pan and left front seat plates 94 and 96, 
respectively, a center console plate 98, a right front floor pan and front 
seat plates 100 and 102, respectively, left rear floor pan and left rear 
seat plates 104 and 106, respectively, right rear floor pan and rear seat 
support plates 108 and 110, respectively, and left and right rear quarter 
panel/trunk support plates 112 and 114, respectively. Each of the fore/aft 
plates is substantially planar and is provided with coaxially aligned 
bearings, denoted in general by reference number 116, mounted on a bottom 
surface of each plate and which slidably engage certain of the linear 
rails 80 and 82 on the cross car carriage plates corresponding thereto. 
Thus, the fore/aft front support plates 90 and 92 are respectively mounted 
on the front left and right front clip plates 30 and 32, respectively; the 
left floor pan and seat plates 94 and 96, respectively, are slidably 
mounted on the left passenger compartment plate 68; and the right front 
floor pan and front seat plates 100 and 102, respectively, are slidably 
mounted support member 130 is fixedly mounted on the B pillar support 
plate 38 and remains stationary despite any longitudinal or cross car 
variation in the dimensions of the programmable vehicle model 10. A rear 
door sill front extension 132 extends rearward from the B pillar support 
member 130 and is disposed in telescoping relationship with a rear door 
sill panel 134 which is fixedly connected to and movable with the rear 
clip 122. In this manner, longitudinal variations in the length of the 
programmable vehicle model 10, as described hereafter, will cause the 
front door sill extension 132 to telescope with regard to the fixed door 
sill 128 and the rear door sill extension 132 to telescope with respect to 
the associated rear door sill panel 134. 
FIG. 5 depicts the internal structure of one of the four doors of the 
programmable vehicle model 10. As such structure is identical for each of 
the doors, FIG. 5 will be used to describe the same structure which is 
applicable to each of the four doors of the programmable vehicle model 10. 
Three vertically extending plates 140, 142 and 144 are longitudinally 
spaced apart and mounted between conventionally shaped inner and outer 
door panels. A pair of bosses 146 are mounted on the plates 140 and 144 
and support upper and lower rails 148 and 150, respectively, therebetween. 
The upper and lower rails 148 and 150 are each supported in spaced 
bearings denoted in general by reference number 152 which are fixedly 
secured to a door inner plate 154. The upper and lower rails 148 and 150 
slidably extend through the intermediate plate 142 and guide the 
longitudinal extension and retraction of the door. A guide screw 143 
extends through the plate 142. A ball nut 145 mounted on one side of the 
plate 142 causes rotation of the guide screw 143 during movement of the 
door panels. A friction brake 147 is mounted on the other side of the 
plate 142 to positively lock the screw 142 in a fixed, non-rotatable 
position to enable the door to be opened and closed in a normal fashion. 
on the right front cross car plate 70. The right rear floor pan and rear 
seat plates 104 and 106 are slidably mounted on the rear passenger 
compartment plate 74; the right rear floor pan and rear seat plates 108 
and 110 are slidably mounted on the right rear cross car plate 76; the 
left quarter panel trunk support plate 112 is slidably mounted on the left 
rear clip plate 46; and the right quarter trunk panel support plate 114 is 
slidably mounted on the right rear clip plate 48. The console plate 98 is 
slidably mounted on the console support plate 72 shown in FIG. 2. Each 
plate 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and 114 is 
individually controllable by a motor and ball screw/ball nut arrangement 
as described hereafter. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the left front plate 90 has a support structure 120 
mounted thereon which supports the left front fender, bumper or front 
facia, A pillar, left front tire and the left hood lift and tilt 
mechanism. The opposed right support plate 92 has a similar support 
structure mounted thereon. It will further be understood that the 
following description of the various components mounted on the fore/aft 
support plates are substantially identical from left-hand to right-hand 
sides of the platform 12. A rear clip structure 122 is fixedly mounted on 
the left rear clip plate 112 and supports the rear quarter panel, rear 
wheel and a left side portion of the rear deck lid. 
As shown in FIG. 4, an A pillar support member 124 is mounted on the left 
support plate 90 and is part of the support structure forming the front 
clip 120. The A pillar support member 124 is in the form of a U-shaped, 
open-sided channel which supports the front door hinges, a front door 
extension panel, a front door sill extension panel 126 and the left front 
lower fender. The front door sill extension panel 126 is disposed in 
telescoping relationship with a fixed front door sill panel 128 which is 
fixedly attached to a B pillar support member 130. The B pillar 
The first plate 140 is connected by a pair of hinges to the A pillar 
support member 124 and provides normal pivotal movement of the door 
between open and closed positions. The plate 144 supports an electrical 
solenoid-operated door striker 156 for locking the door in the closed 
position. As the A pillar support member 124 is longitudinally slidably 
with the front clip plate 90, longitudinal movement of the front clip 
plate 90 in either direction will cause a corresponding movement of the 
plate 140 on the door and thereby result in an extension or retraction of 
the two overlapping door panels 520 and 522, FIG. 1, which are 
respectively mounted to the left-most plate 140, and to the plates 142 and 
144. 
The programmable vehicle model 10 also provides for up and down and fore 
and aft movement of the door armrests and the door window regulator in 
each door. These movements are provided by means of a pair of linear rails 
158 and 160 mounted on the door plate 154 and extending longitudinally 
along the door plate 154. First and second slidable brackets 162 and 164, 
each carrying a pair of coaxial bearings 166, are slidably mounted on the 
linear rails 158 and 160, respectively. A pair of vertically extending 
shafts 168 and 170 extend between the brackets 162 and 164. A armrest 
support plate 172 is slidably mounted about the shafts 168 and 170. A 
drive motor 174 is fixedly mounted to the plate 172 and has a rotatable 
ball screw 176 extending outward therefrom. A conventional ball nut 178 is 
threadingly engaged with the ball screw 176 and is fixedly secured to one 
of the plates, such as the plate 164. In this manner, activation of the 
motor 174 will cause movement of the plate 172 depending upon the 
direction of rotation of the ball screw 176. A second motor 180 is mounted 
on the door plate 154 and has a rotatable ball screw 182 extending outward 
therefrom. A ball nut 184 is threadingly engaged by the ball screw and is 
fixedly attached to the plate 172 to control longitudinal movement of the 
plate 172 and the attached door armrest. Rotation of the ball screw 182 
upon activation of the motor 180 will cause the plate 172 carrying the 
door armrest and both plates 162 and 164 to slide along the rails 158 and 
160 to the desired longitudinal position within the door. 
A similar position control mechanism is provided for the door window 
regulator. Brackets 186 and 188 are slidably mounted on the linear rails 
158 and 160. A pair of vertically extending shafts 190 extend between the 
brackets 186 and 188 and slidingly support a window regulator support 
plate 192. A drive motor/ball screw/ball nut arrangement 194, identical to 
that described above for the door armrest position control, is mounted on 
the door plate 154 and engages the window regulator support plate 192 to 
control longitudinal positioning of the window regulator support plate and 
the attached window regulator within the door. A second motor 196 is 
mounted to the window regulator support plate 192 and drives a ball screw 
198 which engages a ball nut 200 fixedly connected to one of the brackets, 
such as bracket 188, to control the vertical position of the window 
regulator support plate 192 and the attached window regulator. 
The programmable vehicle model 10 is provided with a variable dimension 
roof structure 210. Vertical up and down positioning of the roof 210 is 
provided by a plurality of vertical displacement means mounted in all four 
of the A and C support pillars, such as the A support member or pillar 124 
shown in FIG. 4. As each vertical displacement means is identical, the 
vertical displacement means 213 shown in FIG. 6 will be understood as 
applying to each of the four vertical roof structure drive mechanisms. 
As shown generally in FIG. 14, an electrically controlled friction brake 
215, as described above, and a gear reducer 217 are coupled to a motor 214 
and mounted with the motor 214 in a housing 219. 
The first electrical stepper motor 214 is fixedly mounted within the A 
pillar support member 124 by means of suitable fasteners, clamps, etc. A 
rotatable ball screw 216 extends outward from the motor 214 and 
threadingly engages a ball nut 218 which is fixedly mounted to a hollow 
tube 220. A rotatable shaft 222 is mounted in and extends outward from one 
end of the tube 220. The shaft 222 extends through a bearing 224 mounted 
on the A pillar support member 124. A central portion of the shaft 222 is 
formed as a spline 226. A pivot block 228 is attached to or formed on one 
end of the shaft 222 and is located just above the upper edge of the A 
pillar support member 124. Depending on the direction of rotation of the 
motor output shaft 216, the shaft 222 will be vertically displaced either 
up or down to raise or lower the vehicle roof. 
A clevis 230 is pivotally connected to the pivot block 228 by means of a 
pivot pin, not shown. The clevis 230 is mounted at one end of a second 
electrical, bi-directional stepper motor 232. A ball screw 234 is rotated 
by the second stepper motor 232 and threadingly engages a ball nut 236. 
The ball nut 236 threadingly engages a tubular extension 238. A second 
clevis 240 is connected to the opposite end of the tubular extension 238 
and receives a pivot member 242 in the form of a hollow tube having 
internal threads at one end. The pivot member 242 threadingly engages a 
bearing 244 mounted on the programmable vehicle model roof 210 as 
described hereafter. 
A stretchable sleeve 239, formed of a spandex or other elastic material, 
surrounds the motor 232, the ball screw 234 and the tubular extension 238 
and is attached to the motor 232 and the tubular extension 238 at opposite 
ends. The sleeve 239 thus completely covers the internal roof drive 
components even when the overall length of the components is extended by 
the drive motor 232 and ball screw 234 to provide an aesthetic appearance 
within the interior of the programmable vehicle model 10. 
A spline nut 250 slidably engages the splines 226 on the shaft 222. A clamp 
252 surrounds and fixedly engages the spline nut 250. The clamp 252 is 
formed with a pair of spaced arms which pivotally receive a pivot member 
254 which is pivotally connected thereto by a pivot pin. A ball nut 256 is 
threadingly connected to the pivot member 254 and threadingly engages a 
ball screw 258 extending from and rotated by a third electrical stepper 
motor 260. The stepper motor 260 is mounted on the front clip support 120 
and, when activated, causes rotation of the shaft 222 on which the splines 
226 are mounted via rotation of the spline nut 250. 
The use of the roof vertical roof displacement means described above and 
shown in FIG. 6 will now be described in conjunction with the programmable 
vehicle model roof structure 210 shown in detail in FIG. 7. As shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 7, the programmable vehicle model roof structure 210 is formed 
of four separately movable, overlapping roof panels 270, 272, 274 and 276. 
The front-most roof panels 270 and 272 are arranged in an overlapping pair 
with the roof panel 272 having a portion disposed below one side edge of 
the roof panel 270. 
Although not shown, the windshield of the programmable vehicle model 10 is 
pivotally mounted at an upper edge to two telescoping frame members 
respectively attached to the front edges of the roof panels 270 and 272. 
The windshield extends below the cowl of the hood 430 and is thus capable 
of angular tilting along with angular and vertical movements of the A 
pillars is described herein. 
An inner, substantially four-sided frame 278 formed of a bent planar strip 
is mounted by adhesive or other suitable means to the interior surface of 
each roof panel 270, 272, 274 and 276. The frame members 278 on two 
adjacent roof panel sections 270 and 272 each have a wall 280 disposed in 
spaced, parallel relationship with the corresponding wall 280 in the 
adjacent frame 278. An electric drive motor 282 is threadingly connected 
to one of the wall members 280. The ball screw 284 driven by the motor 282 
extends through aligned apertures in the two adjacent wall members 280 on 
the two adjacent frames 278. A ball nut 286 is threadingly connected to 
the opposed wall member 280 and threadingly receives the ball screw 284 
therethrough. Activation of the motor 282 will thus separate or pull 
together the two adjacent frames 278 and thereby vary the positional 
overlap of the adjacent roof panels 272 and 274. 
At least one and preferably a pair of ball screw shafts 288 also rotatingly 
extend through the adjacent wall members 280 of the two adjacent frames 
278. A ball nut 290 is mounted on one end of each of the ball screw shafts 
288 and threadingly engages a side wall of one of the frames 278. A 
friction brake 291 is mounted on one end of each ball shaft 288 and is 
connected to the respective frame 278 by a bracket 292. The shafts 288 
provide a guide for maintaining the frames 278 in alignment during 
transverse movement of the frames 278. The brakes 291 lock two laterally 
adjacent frames together for fore and aft movement or to hold the roof 210 
in a fixed position. 
A similar drive arrangement and ball screw shafts is provided for the rear 
pair of roof panels 274 and 276 to provide transverse extension and 
retraction of the rear roof panels 274 and 276 with respect to each other. 
Fore and aft positional changes in the roof panels 270, 272, 274 and 276 
are provided by opposed drive mechanisms mounted to the frames 278 and 
located between and connected to the A, B and C pillars of the 
programmable vehicle model 10. As both drive mechanisms are identical, 
only one will be described hereafter. 
As shown in FIG. 7, the bearing 244 pivotally connected to the drive 
mechanism mounted in the A pillar support member 124 is threadingly 
connected to a tubular shaft 300. The shaft 300 is disposed below the 
inner surface of the roof panel 270 along the side edge thereof and is 
connected by suitable fasteners, welding, etc., to the frame 278 mounted 
on the roof panel 270. The opposite end of the tubular shaft 300 is 
threadingly connected to a ball nut 302 which threadingly engages a ball 
screw 304 driven by a first electric motor 306. The motor 306 is mounted 
on the roof structure 210 by means of a rotatable shaft 308 mounted in a 
bushing 310 to which the B pillar vertical drive mechanism 312 is 
connected. Continuing from the bearing 310, a second drive motor 314 is 
fixedly connected to the rotatable shaft 308. The second drive motor 314 
rotates a second ball screw 316 which threadingly engages a ball nut 318 
attached to a second tubular extension shaft 320. The opposite end of the 
shaft 320 is connected to a rotatable shaft 322 mounted in a bearing 324 
which is connected to the C pillar vertical drive mechanism. 
Activation of the drive motors 306 and 314, which will correspond to a 
simultaneous energization of the corresponding drive motors on the 
opposite side of the roof structure 210, will cause an extension or 
retraction of the overall longitudinal length of the entire roof 210 
depending upon the direction of rotation of the ball screws associated 
with the drive motors 306 and 314. During such extension or retraction, 
the roof panels 270, 272, 274 and 276 will be brought together in a closer 
overlapping relationship or driven longitudinally apart to increase the 
overall length of the roof 210. However, during all such displacements, 
each roof panel 270, 272, 274 and 276 will always have an overlapped 
position with adjacent panels to provide a solid exterior surface for the 
roof 210. 
Further, rotation of the shaft 222 by the drive motor 260 will rotate the 
pivot block 228 and cause a change in the angle of the extension 238. This 
enables the width and length of the roof 210 and the angle of the A and C 
pillars to be varied as desired. 
Simultaneously, the pivotal connection of the bearings 244 and 324 to the A 
and C pillar drive mechanisms in conjunction with the corresponding 
bearings on the opposite side of the roof panel 210 maintains the roof 
panel 210 in a level position during such extension and retraction 
movements as well as during vertical up and down movements of the roof 
210. 
Various internal structures are also movable in the programmable vehicle 
model 10. FIG. 8 depicts the structure of an adjustable toe plate which is 
attached to each of the longitudinally movable floor pan support plates 94 
and 100. As both toe plates are identical, only one will be described 
hereafter. 
As shown in FIG. 8, a planar toe plate 340 is pivotally mounted by means of 
a hinge 342 to the floor pan plate 94 which is movably mounted on the 
cross car carriage plate 68 as described above. A pair of spaced arms 344 
and 346 are attached at one end to the bottom surface of the floor pan 
support plate 94 and extend outward beyond one edge of the floor pan 
support plate 94. The arms 344 and 346 pivotally support a block 348 
mounted therebetween by means of a pivot 350. A bi-directional electric 
motor 352 reciprocatingly drives a threaded shaft 354. The threaded shaft 
354 engages one surface of the toe plate 340 and, upon extension or 
retraction of the shaft 354 with respect to the motor 352, causes a 
resulting tilting or change in the angular disposition of the toe plate 
340 with respect to the floor pan 94. 
The accelerator and/or brake pedals within the programmable vehicle model 
10 are also adjustable in vertical, horizontal and cross car directions. 
As shown in FIG. 9, a pedal positional mounting structure is illustrated. 
The pedal positional mounting structure 360 is attached to the front clip 
support 120 shown in FIG. 4 and has conventional accelerator and brake 
pedals, not shown, pivotally mounted on a first plate 362. A pair of 
spaced shafts 364 and 366 extend from the first plate 362 through an 
aperture 367 in a mounting plate 368 to a second plate 370. A pair of 
blocks 372 are mounted to one side of the mounting plate 368 and support 
bearings 374 which slidably receive the shafts 364 and 366. An electric 
drive motor 376 is attached at one end to the mounting plate 368 and has a 
ball screw 377 extending outward therefrom toward the second plate 370. A 
ball nut 378 is fixedly mounted to the second plate 370 and threadingly 
engages the ball screw 377. Rotation of the ball screw 377 upon activation 
of the motor 376 will cause a corresponding movement in the position of 
the second plate 370 with respect to the mounting plate 368 and through 
the shafts 364 and 366 cause the first plate carrying the accelerator 
and/or brake pedals to correspondingly move away from or toward the 
mounting plate 368 thereby changing the fore and aft position of the 
accelerator and/or brake pedals within the interior of the programmable 
vehicle model 10. Additional motors, not shown, are attached to the front 
clip support structure 120 and engage the blocks 372 to provide up/down 
positioning of the pedals. The mounting plate 368 and the blocks 372 carry 
bearings which slide along linear rails on the support structure 120 for 
such variable positioning. Cross car positioning of the pedals is achieved 
by movement of the main cross car plates as described above. 
A positioning mechanism similar to that shown in FIG. 9 is also provided to 
provide fore/aft, up/down and cross car positioning of the steering 
column. 
FIGS. 10, 15 and 16 depict a positional mounting structure for the 
instrument panel 390 of the programmable vehicle model 10. The instrument 
panel positional mounting arrangement is provided in two substantially 
identical assemblies, one for the instrument panel section 392 on the 
driver's side of the programmable vehicle model 10 and the other for the 
passenger side instrument panel section 394. The sections 392 and 394 
overlap as shown in FIG. 16 and are each separately movable fore/aft, 
up/down and laterally cross car. 
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 15, a pair of spaced rails 400 and 402 are mounted 
to the front clip support structure 120. A pair of spaced linear guide 
rails 404 and 406 extend across the rails 400 and 402. A mounting bracket 
408 and 410 is slidably mounted on each of the linear rails 404 and 406, 
respectively. A pair of cross shafts 412 and 414 extend between the 
brackets 408 and 410. A first support plate 416 is slidably mounted on the 
shafts 412 and 414 for cross car positioning of the associated instrument 
panel section 392 during movement of the front clip plate as described 
above. A plurality of mounting posts 418 extend outward from the support 
plate 416 and engage a second spaced plate 419. The mounting posts 418 are 
slidably mounted in the plate 416 through bushings mounted in the plate 
416. An electric motor controlled jack screw 420 is also mounted in the 
plate 416 and engages the second plate 419 at one end. Brackets 395 attach 
a template on blade 396 to the second plate 419. The blade 396 is in the 
form of a thin plate having the shape of and joined to the instrument 
panel section 392. 
Activation of the jack screw 420 will cause the position of the instrument 
panel section 392 to be varied depending upon the amount and direction of 
rotation of the jack screw 420. A bi-directional electric motor 422 is 
mounted on the rail 402 and has an output shaft 424 which engages a rail 
426 for controlling the fore/aft position of the interconnected brackets 
408 and 410. A similar structure is provided for the other telescopingly 
arranged instrument panel section 394 to provide varying degrees of 
overlap in a cross car direction of the two instrument panel sections 392 
and 394. 
FIGS. 11, 12 and 17 depict the positional mounting of the hood 430 of the 
programmable vehicle model 10. The hood 430 is formed of three sections 
comprising a central section 432 and opposed side sections 434 and 436. As 
shown in FIG. 11, each side section, such as side section 436 of the hood 
430 curves downwardly from a horizontal portion which is disposed in an 
overlapping relationship with one side edge of the central hood portion 
432. The lower edge 438 of the side section 436 telescopes within a 
vertical section of a fender 440 of the programmable vehicle model 10. As 
shown in FIG. 11, the fender 440 is mounted to the front clip support 
structure 120 by suitable brackets and extends above a wheel 442 which is 
also attached to the front clip support structure 120. 
As shown in FIG. 12, the hood 430 may also be tilted downward from the cowl 
portion toward the front facia or bumper 470 and raised or lowered 
vertically. A ball screw shaft 450 extends between bearings 452 attached 
to support frames or members 454 supporting the three sections 432, 434 
and 436 of the hood 430. The shaft 450 provides lateral or cross car 
alignment of the three hood sections 432, 434 and 436. A drive motor 460 
mounted to the front clip support structure 120 engages and vertically 
displaces a cylinder 462 mounted about a laterally extending, rotatable 
shaft 464 extending across the entire hood 430. A similar drive motor and 
rotatable shaft is mounted on the opposed front clip support structure. 
Likewise, a pair of drive motors, one of which is denoted by reference 
number 465 in FIG. 12, engages and vertically displaces a front located 
cylinder 466 which engages a rotatable shaft 467 extending across the 
front portion of the frame or support members 454. In this manner, 
selective activation of the front located motors 465 or the rear located 
motors 460 can result in a tilting or pivotal movement of the programmable 
vehicle model hood 430. Of course, both sets of motors 460 and 465 can be 
activated in unison and in the same direction of output shaft rotation to 
cause a vertical displacement of the entire hood 430 in which all three 
hood sections 432, 434 and 436 are vertically displaced by the same amount 
of displacement. 
The front facia or bumper 470 shown in detail in FIG. 17 is also formed of 
three independently movable sections including a central section 472 
movable in fore and aft, and up and down directions only and two outer 
side sections 474 and 476 which are movable fore/aft, up/down and also 
cross car. The three different axis movements of the front facia sections 
472, 474 and 476 are controlled by the front clip plates on which the 
support structure 120 carrying the front facia sections is mounted. During 
cross car movements, the center section 472 remains stationary, while the 
two side sections 474 and 476 move inboard or outboard from a center 
position shown by the phantom lines. However, during such movements, the 
three front facia sections 472, 474 and 476 remain overlapped to provide a 
solid exterior appearance. A similar three-piece movable structure is also 
provided for the trunk of the programmable vehicle model 10. 
All of the electric motors controlling the up/down, fore/aft, cross car and 
tilt movements of the various components of the programmable vehicle model 
10 are electrically connected to a control means denoted generally by 
reference number 500 in FIG. 1. The control means 500 is preferably a 
computer having a central processing unit which executes a control program 
stored in a memory. The computer may be any personal or microcomputer or a 
special purpose computer, such as a 147 MVME sold by Motorola. As is 
conventional, the control means 500 includes a keyboard 502 and a display 
or monitor 504. 
The control program is set up to count the number of rotations of each 
motor from a center or home position and to correlate the number of 
rotations to distance, such as distance amounts measured in millimeters 
from a center home position established for each motor. In a preferred 
embodiment, most of the motors on the programmable vehicle model 10 are 
stepper motors with the control means 500 controlling the amount and 
direction of rotation of the output shaft or ball screw of each stepper 
motor. As in conventional, the control means 500 activates a stepper motor 
driver which generates appropriate control signals to each motor to 
control the duration and direction of rotation of the output shaft of each 
stepper motor. Although a single stepper motor driver may be provided for 
each separate motor, due to the large number of motors employed in a 
preferred configuration of the programmable vehicle model 10, a 
multiplexed stepper motor control arrangement is provided for the 
programmable vehicle model 10. In this multiplexer control, each stepper 
motor is multiplexed to drive each of a plurality of different stepper 
motors, one at a time, under the control of the control means 500. The 
multiplexer control apparatus and the stepper motor drivers themselves may 
be housed entirely within the programmable vehicle model 10, such as 
within the interior of the trunk and/or engine compartment of the 
programmable vehicle model 10. Further details of the construction and 
operation of the multiplexed stepper control apparatus may be had by 
referring to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/786,881, the 
contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
The control means 500 also controls the friction brake associated with each 
motor which functions to lock the ball screw associated with each motor in 
a fixed position. This is essential during opening and closing of the 
programmable vehicle model doors, for example, such that the two 
telescoping door panels remain in the desired fixed position during such 
pivotal opening and closing movements. Such locking engagement of 
associated panels is also required for the programmable vehicle model roof 
210 in which pairs of roof panels are locked together for fore/aft or 
cross car movements. 
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, center position and overtravel sensors are 
associated with each movable cross car, fore/aft and up and down component 
of the programmable vehicle model 10. Such sensors are provided for each 
motor and are typically mounted on the member moved or controlled by each 
motor. Any suitable sensor means may be employed in the present invention. 
As shown in FIG. 13, for example, two sensors 510 and 512 are respectively 
mounted on one edge of the front floor pan fore/aft plate 94 and the front 
floor pan cross car support plate 68. Such sensors, such as a 
photoelectric sensor sold by Allen Bradley as Model No. 42SMP-7021 are 
settable so as to detect the presence of an object or surface at a 
pre-settable distance. Thus, the sensor 510 may be set to detect when the 
edge of the front floor pan plate 94 reaches the outer edge of the 
underlying front floor pan cross car plate 68 thereby indicating an end of 
travel position and to prevent the bearings on the plate 94 from sliding 
off of the linear rails 28. The sensor 512 functions in the same manner to 
detect the edge of the support plate 26 thereby indicating a cross car end 
of travel outboard limit position. Other sensors are also associated with 
each motor or motor controlled component to indicate its home or center 
position. This center position represents the full retracted position for 
the element or component controlled by each motor. 
This position would be represented by a 0.0 current position as described 
hereafter for each element and/or controllable motor. Activation of a 
particular motor which results in rotation of its associated ball screw 
will drive the component or element controlled by the motor a 
predetermined distance by the control means 500. The control means 500 
will calculate the current position of each element by counting the 
rotations of the ball screw of the associated motor and converting the 
number of rotations to a corresponding distance. 
The center position and actual distance or location of each component 
resulting from a selected amount of rotation of the associated drive motor 
is used by the control means 500 in several different ways to control the 
programmable vehicle model 10. In a first mode of operation, with all of 
the components of the programmable vehicle model 10 in their center or 
home position thereby having a current position of 0.0, any axis or 
element of the programmable vehicle model 10 may be called up on the 
monitor 510 by viewing a menu which is displayed by the control program 
executed by the control means 500. This menu lists each controllable 
element of the programmable vehicle model 10 along with each controllable 
direction of movement, such as up/down, fore/aft, cross car or tilt. The 
operator by entering appropriate commands through the keyboard 502 can 
then move a particular axis or component either a predetermined distance 
by entering the desired end position or by jogging the particular motor 
and advancing the associated component driven by the motor to the desired 
position. Other axes or components can then be consecutively called up via 
the menu to position other components of the programmable vehicle model 
10. 
A single or double axis joy stick may also be connected to the control 
means 500 and provided with thumbwheels for selecting an axis or component 
for displacement. Movement of the joy stick in any direction will input 
signals to the control means 500 which will then move the designated 
component in the direction and distance provided by the joy stick. 
It will be understood that certain components of the programmable vehicle 
model 10 move in conjunction with each other, such as the main cross car 
carriage outer plate members, two of the roof panels during fore/aft or 
cross car movements, all four A and C pillar drive motors during vertical 
displacement of the programmable vehicle model roof 210, both front or 
rear doors during extension or retraction of the length of the 
programmable vehicle model 10, etc. These simultaneous operations are 
executed by the control means 500 and are programmed in the control 
program. 
When the operator has the programmable vehicle model 10 positioned in a 
desired configuration or dimensional arrangement, the operator can direct 
the control means 500 to store the positional coordinates of each motor 
and/or controlled element of the programmable vehicle model 10. This 
information is stored in the memory of the control means 500 and may be 
recalled via an appropriate menu on the display 504 so as to enable the 
programmable vehicle model 10 to be repositioned in any of the previously 
stored positional arrangements. This also affords the opportunity to store 
dimensional coordinates associated with a particular vehicle model or 
manufacture and thereby enable the programmable vehicle model 10 to 
simulate any vehicle model. 
The programmable vehicle model 10 includes various exterior body panels, as 
described above. Such panels, such as the two overlapping door panels 520 
and 522 in FIG. 1, may be formed of any suitable material, such as a 
metal, plastic, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the various exterior body 
panels of the programmable vehicle model 10 are formed of carbon fiber 
which is molded to the desired shape. Aluminum blades are attached by 
suitable fasteners, adhesive, etc., to the interior surfaces of each 
exterior body panel and via dowel pins and bolts to the internal support 
structure of the programmable vehicle model 10.