An electrically powered motor vehicle

A motor vehicle including modular units for operating two rear wheels of the vehicle the motive unit includes a rigid link which is pivotally connected between the rear wheel and the motive unit, and the motive unit is operable by a motor. A rigid link is pivotally connected, and the rear wheels are spring suspended mounted relative to the frame of the vehicle. In an electrical vehicle form, there is a slidable movable battery pack located in a rear compartment of the vehicle for easy installation and removal from the vehicle. Different traction characteristics can be provided to the motive unit including an integrated motor, integrated gear box, and power input-output shaft accessible to secondary power or an energy recycler unit. Steering is effected by a controller which operates the speed of the driven wheels.

BACKGROUND 
This invention relates to the field of motor vehicles such as automobiles, 
introducing a concept of modular construction where self-contained, 
multi-functional, structural units provide building blocks in the vehicle 
assembly. In particular, the invention is directed to electric vehicles 
using battery power or a battery and an external power supply. More so the 
invention concerns specialized vehicles designed to perform specific 
functions. 
The present art in this field is highly developed and well represented by 
the conventional automobile. Until recent years, the automobile status was 
accepted without any serious reservations. However, in the process of 
development, some features such as efficiency were neglected, while others 
such as size and weight had a tendency to grow. 
Presently, almost all motor vehicles depend on internal combustion engines 
as their source of power. This is also the source of two serious problems: 
dependence on an unstable and expensive supply of fuel, and the more 
serious problem of air pollution. The latter problem causes ever-growing 
restrictions on the use of internal combustion engines, forcing the 
industry to produce less polluting cars or to turn to production of 
electric vehicles. 
This invention addresses both of these problems by enabling vehicle 
designers and manufacturers to produce less expensive and more efficient 
vehicles than the internal combustion engine, and, moreover, to produce an 
electrical vehicle with a potential to equal and surpass performance and 
utility of the present day automobiles. 
Primarily, the invention seeks to provide a commuter and general utility 
vehicle with reduced weight, improved performance and low production cost. 
SUMMARY 
According to the invention a motor vehicle comprises a frame, means on the 
frame for accommodating a load which is selectively one or more 
passengers. The vehicle includes at least three wheels supported by the 
frame and there is motive means for driving two of the wheels. A power 
source is supported by the frame. 
The motive means is located relative to the driven means such that there is 
a relative pivotal movement between the driven wheels and the motive 
means. A rigid mechanical link between the motive means and the driven 
wheels are pivotally mounted relative to the motive means and pivotally 
mounted relative to the driven wheels. As the wheels move vertically, the 
link moves vertically about the pivot mounting of the motive means and the 
driven wheels. There is drive means for transmitting power between the 
motive means and the wheels whereby the wheels can apply a traction force 
to a surface on which the vehicle moves. 
In a preferred form of the invention, the drive means is a flexible drive 
in a selectively chained belt. 
In a further preferred form of the invention the rigid link about the wheel 
includes suspension means, the suspension means being anchored at one end 
with the rigid link and another end with the frame of the vehicle. 
The motive means includes an electric motor or I.C. engine located 
selectively in adjacency with the motive means or as an integral part of 
the motive means. The motor can selectively include a gear box and a power 
take off shaft. 
The motive means permits for means for controlling the steering of the 
vehicle. The essential components of power generation, suspension, gearing 
and steering requires structure of substantially or relatively less weight 
than in conventional vehicle driven by an internal combustion (I.C.) 
engine. 
Reduction of the excess weight encountered in conventional cars improves 
performance, lowers fuel consumption and reduces the amount of polluting 
emissions. This is achieved by eliminating the conventional power train 
components, front and rear suspension system and braking and steering 
systems. With the invention, the functions of all these presently 
indispensable components including traction wheel and brakes are combined 
within two substantially identical compact modules. 
Another aspect of the invention is the removal of heavy and bulky parts 
from the body frame of the vehicle. This relieves structural stresses and 
allows lighter construction to provide more space for safety and comfort 
for the driver and passengers. 
Manufacturing savings are expected to result from the modular design of the 
vehicle and reductions in weight. Modules for assembly will be channeled 
to a network of assembly points such as repair shops at gas stations or 
battery stations, large scale factories with expansive intricate assembly 
lines may be unnecessary. 
An essence of the invention is the design of traction modules, namely a 
Basic Traction Module, a Reducing Traction Module, a Power Traction Module 
and a Compound Traction Module, each module providing for different design 
purposes and requirements of the vehicle. 
Most of the advantages and benefits coming from this invention are 
conferred to the electrical vehicle, and components of that vehicle and 
the method of operating these components and the method of generating 
power for that vehicle. 
In the advanced version of such vehicle, there is an electric motor with an 
associated gear reducer added to the Basic Traction Module. This creates a 
complete self-contained Power Traction Module, in some respects similar to 
the outboard motor in a boat. Such power traction modules considerably 
simplify design and construction, by removing all parts of the power train 
from the vehicle body. 
In the further advanced form of this invention, the Compound Power Traction 
Module has a shaft concentric with the module pivot for additional power 
input or output for the energy storage and recycling system, or for the 
addition of extra power from an auxiliary power source in a hybrid model. 
Also, provisions are made for the optional access for the mechanical and 
electrical controls if a multi-speed or a free-wheel drive is requested. 
Another characteristic of this invention is alleviation of dependence of 
the electric vehicle on the capacity of its batteries. The accessibility 
of a removable battery pack located low between the two power traction 
modules allows easy replacement of the depleted battery pack with a 
charged pack at a gas-battery station. The vehicle contains means for 
facilitating replacement of a battery pack, the battery pack being 
slidably mounted on support means in the vehicle. Removal of the battery 
is effected by rolling the battery from the vehicle to an adjacent support 
carriage. Replacing a recharged battery is effected by rolling the new 
battery from an adjacent carriage into the vehicle. This process of 
replenishing energy will be cheaper and will take no more time than 
filling a gasoline tank for the equivalent milage. Once a network of 
battery supply stations is established, or when the gas stations add this 
function to their operation, this feature, with respect to the operating 
range, will place the electric vehicle on equal footing with a 
conventional I.C. automobile. 
The invention also takes advantage of two motors in the vehicle and uses a 
series-parallel control. Under this arrangement the two motors are 
electrically connected in series when the vehicle starts and is later 
changed to a parallel connection to provide maximum speed. This general 
type of series-parallel control is a basic advantage over single motor 
design. 
Other invented features include a vehicle having maneuverability at zero or 
low turning radius, and the capability of riding over extremely rough 
terrain. The vehicle can be designed to have an amphibious capability, 
steerable and operable on land and/or water. Such a vehicle would serve 
the purpose of rescue vehicles, military and ranger operations, and 
recreational vehicles. Due to the fact that two traction wheels carry most 
of the load, they are practically as effective as the "four-wheel drive" 
in a "Jeep" (Trademark) or similar terrain vehicle. 
Flexible geometry of the vehicle, such as adjustable distance between the 
traction wheels and adjustable elevation of the frame with respect to the 
ground, is applicable in agricultural machines such as sowing and 
harvesting machines operating back and forth in the field over parallel 
rows of sown or harvested crops. 
In some applications of the special vehicle, it may be prudent to replace 
electric motors in the Power Traction Module or Compound Traction Module 
with the advanced internal combustion engines possibly having ignition 
controlled speed in order to accomplish differential steering control 
similar to one performed with two electric motors. 
Also, the electric power vehicle is made compatible with a transportation 
system having an external power supply. With the expansion of electric 
transportation, freeways and highways will gradually be electrified and be 
made accessible to vehicles operating on their own battery power. The 
invention provides a retractable receptacle which can slide over bus bars, 
rails or other means which need to use external power. A switching system 
and a meter records power used for driving and charging the batteries. The 
vehicle is also adaptable to the system of underground power supply lines. 
The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying 
drawings.

DESCRIPTION 
A modular vehicle design incorporates elements of traction, suspension and 
steering. These elements, including traction wheels and brakes, are 
incorporated in two self-contained assemblies of traction modules which 
are symmetrically located on the opposite sides of a vehicle to support 
the bulk of the vehicle weight and provide traction and steering. These 
geometrical and functional features create a vehicle in a new class of 
vehicular conveyance, irrespective of the vehicle configuration, purpose 
or power source, and irrespective of the configuration, position or number 
of their nontraction wheels. 
A demonstrated application of the modular vehicle is an electrical commuter 
and general utility vehicle shown in FIG. 1. 
The vehicle 1 includes a frame or chassis 109 on which the body 110 is 
located. The vehicle 1 includes respectively right and left Power Traction 
Modules 2 and 3, each attached in at least two places with bolts 4 and 
screws 5 to frame members 6 and 7 being part of the overall frame 109. A 
non-traction, steerable front wheel assembly 8 is also attached to the 
frame of the vehicle 1. Space 9 in the rear of the vehicle 1 is reserved 
for batteries or a battery pack, a controller and other components of the 
electrical system which are complementary to the Power Traction Modules 2 
and 3. Space is provided for three persons 108 sitting in line across the 
vehicle slightly in front of the center of gravity and therefore having 
little effect on the overall weight distribution. Power from motors in the 
Power Traction Modules 2 and 3 applied to the wheels 10 causes a traction 
force to be imparted to a road surface 120 on which the vehicle 1 moves. 
Four module designs of the traction modules are shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, 
each module providing for different design requirements of the motor 
vehicle. These are: the Basic Traction Module, Reducing Traction Module, 
Power Traction Module and Compound Traction Module. 
The Basic Traction Module is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and consist of a 
traction wheel 10 with a chain sprocket 12 supported between two arms 100 
of an H-shaped horizontal bracket 101 pivoted in the bearings 13 in the 
housing 14 to be attached to the frame of the vehicle. Two vertical 
telescopic spring suspension assemblies 16 straddle the wheel 10, 
supporting the bulk of the weight of the vehicle, flexibly putting the 
vehicle load on the axles 15 of wheels 10. Concentric with the pivot 
bearings 13 is the shaft 19 with the sprocket 20 which, on one side of the 
wheel 10, provides a chain drive 21 similar to drives used in motorcycles. 
The shaft 19 is driven by an internal combustion engine or an electric 
motor which is located in the body of the vehicle. The shaft 19 rotates in 
shaft bearings 104 located within the pivot bearings 13. 
The traction wheel 10 is driven by a chain drive or other means such as a 
shaft and is held between two 100 arms of a bracket 101. At the other end, 
the bracket 101 is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame of the 
vehicle. The traction wheel 10 can swing up and down in a pivotal vertical 
plane. 
The Basic Traction Modules as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be used in 
the vehicle driven by the I.C. engine or electric motor in the system 
illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 12. 
The Reducing Traction Module is illustrated in FIG. 9. It is essentially 
the same as the Basic Traction Module with an added speed reducing gearbox 
22 which has an output shaft 19 concentric with the pivot bearings 13 and 
the chain sprocket mounted on the output shaft 19. The Reducing Traction 
Module can also be used in the system illustrated in the block diagram of 
FIG. 12. 
The Power Traction Module is illustrated in FIG. 10 and is used in the 
electrical vehicle shown in FIG. 1 designated as module 2 and 3. It is 
essentially the same as the Basic Traction Module but includes an integral 
electric motor 23 with the associated speed-reducing gearbox installed to 
retain concentricity with the pivot bearings 13. For compactness and 
clarity of illustration, the pivot bearings 13 in FIGS. 1 and 10 are shown 
as an integral part of the gear-motor housing. An electric input cable 105 
is shown entering the motor. 
A Compound Traction Module is illustrated in FIG. 11. It includes a Power 
Traction Module with a modified gearbox with shaft 24 concentric with the 
module pivot. The shaft 24 provides for the input or output of power in an 
optional energy storage and recycling system for the module, or for the 
addition of extra power from an auxiliary power source in hybrid vehicles. 
Optional access for the mechanical or electric controls for a multi-speed 
or a freewheel drive module is also provided. As the motor 23 is also 
contained within the structure between pivot bearings 13, recycling of 
power is effected in a situation where a vehicle, when braking or 
traversing a downhill grade, can electrically regenerate power into the 
motive means for possible storage in the battery pack for the vehicle. 
Shaft 24 also allows installation of alternative means for energy storage 
or addition of power from a secondary source. 
Steering of the modular vehicle is accomplished by controlling the speed 
ratio between the two traction wheels. The supporting or non-traction 
wheel at the front of the vehicle may be left free to swivel and 
self-adjust to the direction of desired movement. Alternatively the front 
wheel can be steerable in which case its directional orientation must be 
coordinated to be compatible with the speed ratio of the traction wheels 
10 to produce the same turning radius. In vehicle 1 demonstrated in FIG. 
1, the front wheel 107 is steerable. 
In some cases a non-traction wheel can be provided at the rear and the 
traction wheels at the front of the vehicle. It is also possible to have 
only one of the pair of wheels under traction, while the other is in a 
state of non-traction. This can be suitably controlled. 
FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show respectively three different steering systems 
applicable in the modular vehicle with the front wheel steering providing 
for different design requirements. 
In FIG. 12, there is a system for a vehicle using an internal combustion 
engine or one electric motor together with a differential control 
operative for each Basic Traction Module. A differential gear or 
equivalent speed ratio control device is operable between the two modules 
and the engine or motor located in the body of the vehicle. In FIG. 13 
there is a system for vehicles using two electric motors with two Basic 
Traction Modules, one motor for each module. In FIG. 14, there is a system 
for vehicles using Power Traction Module or Compound Traction Module of 
FIGS. 10 and 11. 
In all these cases, there is a speed ratio controller between the traction 
modules for each of the traction wheels. Such controller coordinates the 
ratio of the revolutions per minute (rpm) of the left and right traction 
wheel with the steering angle .alpha. of the front wheel in such manner 
that both steering means produce the same turning radius R. This 
relationship is also affected by the length y of the wheel base and the 
span x between the traction wheels across the vehicle (see FIG. 1) and is 
expressed by the following formula: 
##EQU1## 
where R designates the turning radius, while the higher speed (rpm)" of 
one traction wheel makes the vehicle turn to the side of the wheel driven 
at lower speed (rpm)'. 
This redundancy of steering provides good mobility, ability to hold the 
road and safe driving on slippery surfaces. For less stringent steering 
requirements, the steering of only one of wheel 107 or wheels 10 may be 
used. 
For more steerability which may be required in some special vehicles, two 
steerable non-traction wheels can be used. There is a front wheel and rear 
wheel arranged in a "diamond" configuration with two traction wheels 10 on 
the sides. 
Different steering characteristics can be provided either by conventional 
front wheel steering, or differential speed control of the driven wheels 
or a combination of these two coordinated by a controller. 
In the illustrated arrangement the compartment means for accommodating the 
passengers load is located ahead or forwardly of the center of gravity 121 
of the vehicle 1. The rear driven wheels 10 are located rearwardly of the 
center of gravity 121 in optimum position to carry the bulk of the vehicle 
weight and maintain stable longitudinal balance. 
FIGS. 4 to 6 show an adaptation of the electric vehicle 1 to use energy 
from either its own batteries or from an external power supply. A pair of 
non-conductive rails 25 housing conductive bars 26 are part of the 
external power supply. A retractable assembly of sliding shoe 27 and 
rolling guide 28 designed for high speed operation enable such vehicles 1 
to enter, exit and operate along the electrified lanes of the freeway and 
highway system. Each vehicle 1 will have a meter which records the energy 
used for driving and charging. In some cases, the rail is below the road 
surface and the vehicle is adaptable to such system. 
In FIG. 18, the modular format of the motor vehicle is illustrated. The 
front module includes the steering features. These are the front wheel 
assembly including suspension, springs and brakes. Also, there is a 
transducer for relaying angular wheel position to the controller and 
mechanical means for transferring movement of the driver's steering wheel 
to the front wheel. Each of the traction modules 1 and 2 include a 
traction wheel with sprocket, a chain drive, gearbox with a sprocket and 
input-output shaft for secondary power or energy recycling. There is an 
electric motor, pivoted bracket supporting traction wheel, two suspension 
spring assemblies, brakes, and mounting provisions. The feature of having 
the vehicle set up in this modular format is a unique construction and 
configuration of a vehicle with enhanced characteristics. 
As illustrated in FIG. 15, there is a characteristic whereby a battery pack 
111 is located in the rear of the vehicle 1 between the Power Traction 
Modules 2 and 3. It extends up to about midway in the vehicle length or 
slightly forward of the position of the wheels 10. The passengers 108 are 
located ahead of the battery pack 111. 
The pack is slidably mounted on roller means 112 which fits in the rear on 
the base 113 of the vehicle. A tailgate 114 closes the rear portion of the 
vehicle through which the battery pack 111 can be removed on the slidable 
rollers 112. The rollers 112 can be powered or free-rolling as required. 
The pack 111 can be slid onto a cart 115 which is brought into adjacency 
with the rear of the vehicle. A battery pack 116 which is shown on rollers 
117 on the base 118 of the cart. The cart itself has wheels 119 by which 
it is brought into adjacency or removed from the vehicle 1 as required. In 
this manner, a battery pack can be removed from the vehicle and be 
replaced with a recharged battery pack 116 as required. 
Many other forms of the invention exist each differing from others in 
matters of detail only. 
For instance, instead of a single wheel 107 in the front of the vehicle, it 
is possible to have a pair of front wheels 107 as conventional in a 
typical four-wheeled vehicle. Alternatively, an additional wheel centrally 
located to the rear of wheels 10 can be provided. The vehicle can have 
additional space provided for carrying loads in addition to passenger 108. 
There can also be space for additional passengers as required. 
Other variations of the invention, the traction wheels can be provided in 
the front of the vehicle 1. Similarly, the battery pack 111 can also be 
located in different locations, including the front of the vehicle. In 
other words, the geometry and arrangement of the traction wheel, battery 
pack and steering can be rearranged relative to the load carrying 
compartments as required. 
Although the invention has been described with regard to a rigid mechanical 
link, embodiments can arise where the link is flexible. This has been 
illustrated in FIG. 17A where a flexible mechanical link has been 
illustrated and where, in FIG. 17B (shown in phantom lines), different 
positions of the link are illustrated. There is no pivoting about at least 
one of the motive means or the driven wheel, but is flexibly movable about 
the supports with the driven wheel and/or the motive means. 
The invention is to be determined solely in terms of the scope of the 
following claims.