Patent Publication Number: US-2023143465-A1

Title: Variable Chassis Platform and Mobility Vehicle Including the Same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0154214, filed on Nov. 10, 2021, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a variable chassis platform and a mobility vehicle including the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, a platforming strategy of designing a vehicle platform that shares some common components is widely used in the automobile manufacturing industries for the reason of reduction of component costs due to economy of scale and easiness of change of designs. 
     In particular, an electric vehicle includes one lower platform, and various kinds of upper cabins are fixed to the lower platform, so that a method of producing various kinds of electric vehicles according to purpose is possible. For example, an upper cabin manufactured according to purpose, such as a food truck, an ambulance, or unmanned delivery, is installed in a lower platform, in which a driving unit is installed, or an existing upper cabin is replaced by an upper cabin for another purpose, so that different kinds of vehicles may be manufactured according to necessities. This is called a purpose built mobile vehicle or a purpose built vehicle (PBV), and corresponds to a base of future industries suggested by several vehicle manufacturers. 
     Meanwhile, because a length of an upper cabin along a forward/rearward direction may be different according to a purpose thereof, a length of one lower platform along a forward/rearward direction has to be changed such that various upper cabins are applied to the lower platform. However, when the length of the lower platform is changed, it takes much time to disassemble and reassemble related parts and operations are complex. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure can solve problems occurring in the prior art while advantages achieved by the prior art are maintained intact. 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a variable chassis platform that may easily change a length thereof along a forward/rearward direction, and a mobility vehicle including the same. 
     The technical problems to be solved by embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood from the following description by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. 
     According to an embodiment, a variable chassis platform includes a body part having an interior space, an extension part that is inserted into the interior space of the body part along a first direction that crosses an upward/downward direction and an opposite direction thereto, a fixing part that fixes the extension part to a specific location, and a wheel part coupled to one end of the extension part. 
     In another example, the extension part may include an extension member extending along the first direction, and a protrusion member protruding from the extension member in a second direction that crosses the first direction. 
     In another example, the fixing part may include a fixing member being movable along the second direction, and a plurality of holes formed in the fixing member, and arranged along the first direction such that the protrusion member is inserted thereinto. 
     In another example, the fixing part may further include an operation member coupled to the fixing member and the body part, and that moves the fixing member forward and rearward in the second direction and an opposite direction thereto. 
     In another example, the extension part may include an extension member extending along the first direction, and a boss member protruding from the extension member upwards. 
     In another example, the fixing part may include a rotary member being rotatable about an axis extending along the upward/downward direction, and a guide groove formed in the rotary member and into which the boss member is inserted, and the guide groove may guide the boss member such that the boss member is moved along the first direction when the rotary member is rotated. 
     In another example, the guide groove may have a shape that surrounds a center of the rotary member, and a distance between one end of the guide groove in an extension direction, in which the guide groove extends, and the center of the rotary member may be larger than a distance between an opposite end of the guide groove in the extension direction and the center of the rotary member. 
     In another example, the guide groove may have a shape, of which a distance from the center of the rotary member increases as it goes toward the one end of the guide groove in the extension direction. 
     In another example, when a rotational direction from the one end toward the opposite end of the guide groove is a first rotational direction, the boss member may be moved in the first direction when the rotary member is rotated in the first rotational direction, and the boss member may be moved in the opposite direction to the first direction when the rotary member is rotated in an opposite direction to the first rotational direction. 
     In another example, four extension parts and four guide grooves may be provided, and lines obtained by connecting ends of, among the four guide grooves, two adjacent guide grooves and the center of the rotary member may be perpendicular to each other. 
     In another example, lines obtained by connecting opposite ends of, among the four guide grooves, the two adjacent guide grooves and the center of the rotary member may be perpendicular to each other. 
     In another example, one end and an opposite end of the guide groove in the extension direction and the center of the rotary member may be disposed on one line. 
     In another example, a width of the guide groove may correspond to a size of the boss member. 
     In another example, the wheel part may include a shaft member extending in the upward/downward direction, a motor member that rotates the shaft member about an axis that extends in the upward/downward direction, and a wheel member coupled to a lower end of the shaft member and that contacts a ground surface. 
     According to another embodiment, a mobility vehicle includes a variable chassis platform, of which a length along a first direction that crosses an upward/downward direction is variable, and a cabin seated on an upper side of the variable chassis platform and covering a portion of the variable chassis platform on the upper side of the variable chassis platform, and the variable chassis platform may include a body part and an extension part protruding from the body part along the first direction and an opposite direction thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a view illustrating an example of a variable chassis platform according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a view illustrating an example of a variable chassis platform according to embodiments of the present disclosure, when viewed from an upper side; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a state in which two cabins having different lengths along a first direction are seated on upper sides of variable chassis platforms, respectively; 
         FIG.  4    is a view illustrating a variable chassis platform according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a view illustrating a state in which an extension part in  FIG.  4    is moved in a first direction; 
         FIG.  6    is an enlarged view of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a view illustrating a variable chassis platform according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a view illustrating a state in which an extension part in  FIG.  7    is moved in a first direction; 
         FIG.  9    is an enlarged view of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a view illustrating a variable chassis platform according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a top view of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a view illustrating a state in which an extension part in  FIG.  11    is moved in a first direction; and 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view of  FIG.  10   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In providing reference numerals to the constituent elements of the drawings, the same elements may have the same reference numerals even if they are displayed on different drawings. Further, in the following description of the present disclosure, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present disclosure rather unclear. 
     A variable chassis platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a variable chassis platform that may be applied to a purpose-based mobility vehicle such that a length thereof along a forward/rearward direction may be changed. Prior to a detailed description of a variable chassis platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mobility vehicle, to which the variable chassis platform according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied, will be described. The mobility vehicle may be a vehicle, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it should be understood that the mobility vehicle generally refers to all means that may be driven by using power. 
     The mobility vehicle may include a variable chassis platform  1  and a cabin  2 . A length of the variable chassis platform  1  along a first direction D 1  (see  FIG.  4   ) that crosses an upward/downward direction may vary. Here, the first direction D 1  may be a forward/rearward direction. Then, the first direction D 1  may be a concept that does not mean one direction but means directions, in which an extension member  21 , which will be described below, extends. 
       FIG.  1    is a view illustrating an example of the variable chassis platform  1  according to embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG.  2    is a view illustrating the example of the variable chassis platform  1  according to embodiments of the present disclosure, when viewed from an upper side. 
     The cabin  2  may be seated on an upper side of the variable chassis platform  1 , and may cover a portion of the variable chassis platform  1  from an upper side thereof. 
     The cabins  2  and  2 ′ may have various shapes according to a purpose of a mobility vehicle that is to be used. As an example, a cabin for a food truck may include a facility or an apparatus, such as a fuel intake, which is necessary for cooking. As another example, a cabin for an ambulance may include a facility or an apparatus, such as a defibrillator, which is necessary for an emergency situation.  FIG.  3    illustrates a state in which two cabins  2  and  2 ′ having different lengths along the first direction D 1  (see  FIG.  4   ) are seated on upper sides of the variable chassis platforms  1 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , lengths of the cabins  2  and  2 ′ along the first direction D 1  may be different according to purposes thereof. Accordingly, a length of the variable chassis platform  1  along the first direction D 1  also has to vary as illustrated in  FIG.  3   . 
     Hereinafter, a detailed structure of the variable chassis platform  1 , by which a length thereof along the first direction D 1  may vary, will be described below. 
     The variable chassis platform  1  may include a body part  10  and an extension part  20 . The extension part  20  may protrude from the body part  10  along the first direction D 1  and an opposite direction to the first direction D 1 . 
     In more detail, the body part  10  may have an interior space  11 . The extension part  20  may be inserted into the interior space  11  of the body part  10  along the first direction D 1  and the opposite direction thereto. A wheel part  30  may be coupled to one end of the extension part  20 . 
     The wheel part  30  may be rotated by 360 degrees about an axis that extends in an upward/downward direction. For example, the wheel part  30  may include a shaft member, a motor member, and a wheel member. The shaft member may extend along the upward/downward direction. The motor member may rotate the shaft member about an axis that extends in the upward/downward direction. The wheel member may be coupled to a lower end of the shaft member and may contact a ground surface. The wheel member may include a wheel and a tire. The wheel part  30  may be moved not only in a forward/rearward direction of the mobility vehicle but also in a leftward/rightward direction, and a diagonal direction, in which the forward/rearward direction and the leftward/rightward direction are combined. 
     According to embodiments of the present disclosure, because the variable chassis platform  1  includes the extension part  20  that may be inserted into the interior space  11  of the body part  10  in the first direction D 1  and the opposite direction thereto, a length of the variable chassis platform  1  along the first direction D 1  may easily vary as the extension part  20  is inserted. Accordingly, because a length of a lower platform may conveniently vary according to a length of the upper cabin  2 , a time for exchanging the upper cabin  2  may be shortened and an operation may be simplified. 
     The variable chassis platform  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fixing part  40 . The fixing part  40  may fix the extension part  20  to a specific location. That is, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, because the extension part  20  may be fixed to the specific location through the fixing part  40 , the length of the variable chassis platform  1  along the first direction D 1  may be prevented from varying against an intention of a driver or a user. 
     Hereinafter, three embodiments of the variable chassis platform  1  will be described below. The three embodiments are different in methods for varying the length of the variable chassis platform  1  along the first direction D 1 . 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG.  4    is a view illustrating a variable chassis platform according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  5    is a view illustrating a state in which the extension part  20  in  FIG.  4    is moved in the first direction D 1 .  FIG.  6    is an enlarged view of  FIG.  4   . 
     The extension part  20  of the variable chassis platform  1  according to the first embodiment may include the extension member  21  and a protrusion member  22 . The extension member  21  may extend along the first direction D 1 . The protrusion member  22  may protrude from the extension member  21  in a second direction D 2 . The second direction D 2  may be a direction that crosses the first direction D 1 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , when the first direction D 1  is a forward/rearward direction, the second direction D 2  in the first embodiment may be a direction that faces a left side or a right side. 
     The fixing part  40  may include a fixing member  41  and a plurality of holes  42 . The fixing member  41  may be moved along the second direction D 2 . The plurality of holes  42  may be formed in the fixing member  41 , and may be arranged along the first direction D 1  such that the protrusion member  22  may be inserted thereinto. The plurality of holes  42  may be connected to each other or may have separate shapes. 
     Furthermore, the fixing part  40  may further include an operation member  43 . The operation member  43  may be coupled to the fixing member  41  and the body part  10 . The operation member  43  may move the fixing member  41  forward and rearward in the second direction D 2  and an opposite direction thereto. The operation member  43  may be a linear motor. 
     The operation member  43  may be connected to a controller  50 . The controller  50  may control the operation member  43  such that the fixing member  41  is moved forward and rearward in the second direction D 2 . The controller  50  may include a processor  51  and a memory  52 . The processor  51  may include a microprocessor such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a central processing unit (CPU). The memory  52  may store instructions that are bases for generating commands for determining an operation of the operation member  43  by the processor  51 . The memory  52  may be data storage such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a volatile medium, and a nonvolatile medium. 
     Hereinafter, an operation of the variable chassis platform  1  according to the first embodiment will be described below. The operation of the variable chassis platform  1  may be an operation of increasing or decreasing the length of the variable chassis platform  1  in the first direction D 1 . Here, an operation of increasing the length of the variable chassis platform in the first direction D 1  will be described below. 
     First, the operation member  43  moves the fixing member  41  in the second direction D 2 . Accordingly, the protrusion member  22  that is inserted through one of the plurality of holes  42  is extracted from the hole  42 . 
     Second, the wheel part  30  is moved in the first direction D 1 . 
     Finally, when the movements of the wheel part  30  and the extension member  21  are ended, the operation member  43  moves the fixing member  41  in the opposite direction to the second direction D 2 . Accordingly, the protrusion member  22  is inserted into, among the plurality of holes  42 , another hole, and a location of the extension member  21  is fixed. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG.  7    is a view illustrating a variable chassis platform  1 ′ according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  8    is a view illustrating a state in which the extension part  20  in  FIG.  7    is moved in the first direction D 1 .  FIG.  9    is an enlarged view of  FIG.  8   . 
     Hereinafter, the variable chassis platform  1 ′ according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to  FIGS.  7  to  9   . The variable chassis platform  1 ′ according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a scheme of fixing a location of an extension part  20 ′, in particular, the second direction D 2  is an upward direction. The same or corresponding reference numerals are given to configurations that are the same as or correspond to those of the variable chassis platform  1  according to the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the extension part  20 ′ may include an extension member  21 ′ and a protrusion member  22 ′. The extension member  21 ′ may extend along the first direction D 1 . Here, the first direction D 1  may be a direction that crosses an extension direction of a body part  10 ′. That is, in the second embodiment, the first direction D 1  is parallel to a horizontal direction, and may be understood as a diagonal direction that defines a specific angle with a forward/rearward direction and a leftward/rightward direction of the body part  10 ′. The protrusion member  22 ′ may protrude upwards from the extension member  21 ′. 
     A fixing part  40 ′ may include a fixing member  41 ′ and a plurality of holes  42 ′. The fixing member  41 ′ may be moved along the upward/downward direction. The plurality of holes  42 ′ may be formed in the fixing member  41 ′, and may be arranged along the first direction D 1  such that the protrusion member  22 ′ may be inserted thereinto. The plurality of holes  42 ′ may be connected to each other or may have separate shapes. 
     Furthermore, the fixing part  40 ′ may further include an operation member  43 ′. The operation member  43 ′ may be coupled to the fixing member  41 ′ and the body part  10 ′. The operation member  43 ′ may move the fixing member  41 ′ forward and rearward along the upward/downward direction. The operation member  43 ′ may be a linear motor. 
     Hereinafter, an operation of the variable chassis platform  1 ′ according to the second embodiment will be described below. The operation of the variable chassis platform  1 ′ may be an operation of increasing or decreasing a protrusion length of the extension member  21 ′. Here, an operation of increasing the protrusion length of the extension member  21 ′ will be described below. 
     First, the operation member  43 ′ moves the fixing member  41 ′ upwards. Accordingly, the protrusion member  22 ′ that is inserted through one of the plurality of holes  42 ′ is extracted from the hole  42 ′. 
     Second, the wheel part  30 ′ is moved in the first direction D 1 . 
     Finally, when the movements of the wheel part  30 ′ and the extension member  21 ′ are ended, the operation member  43 ′ moves the fixing member  41 ′ downwards. Accordingly, the protrusion member  22 ′ is inserted into, among the plurality of holes  42 ′, another hole  42 ′, and a location of the extension member  21 ′ is fixed. 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG.  10    is a view illustrating a variable chassis platform  1 ″ according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  11    is a top view of  FIG.  10   .  FIG.  12    is a view illustrating a state in which an extension part  20 ″ in  FIG.  11    is moved in the first direction D 1 .  FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view of  FIG.  10   . 
     Hereinafter, the variable chassis platform  1 ″ according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to  FIGS.  10  to  13   . The variable chassis platform  1 ″ according to the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that it includes a scheme of fixing a location of the extension part  20 ″, in particular, a scheme of using a spiral guide groove  45 . The same or corresponding reference numerals are given to configurations that are the same as or correspond to those of the variable chassis platform  1 ′ according to the second embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, the extension part  20 ″ may include a boss member  23 . The boss member  23  may protrude upwards from the extension member  21 ″. 
     A fixing part  40 ″ may include a rotary member  44  and the guide groove  45 . The rotary member  44  may be rotated about an axis that extends along the upward/downward direction. The rotary member  44  may be connected to a motor  46 . The motor  46  may be a servo motor. The motor  46  may be connected to the controller  50 . 
     The guide groove  45  may be formed in the rotary member  44 , and may be configured such that the boss member  23  is inserted thereinto. The guide groove  45  may guide the boss member  23  such that the boss member  23  is moved along the first direction D 1  when the rotary member  44  is rotated. A width of the guide groove  45  may correspond to a size of the boss member  23 . 
     For example, the guide groove  45  may have a shape that surrounds a center of the rotary member  44 , and a distance between one end  45   a  of the guide groove  45  in an extension direction, in which the guide groove  45  extends, and the center of the rotary member  44  is larger than a distance between an opposite end  45   b  of the guide groove  45  in the extension direction and the center of the rotary member  44 . 
     Further, the guide groove  45  may have a shape, of which a distance from the center of the rotary member  44  increases as it goes to the one end  45   a  of the guide groove  45  in the extension direction. 
       FIG.  10    will be referenced for helping understanding. As illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the guide groove  45  may have a spiral shape, a diameter of which increases. This may be understood as being similar to an appearance of a top shell, when viewed from a top. 
     With reference to a mobility vehicle having four wheel parts  30 ″, four extension parts  20 ″ and four guide grooves  45  may be formed. Then, lines obtained by connecting ends  45   a  of, among the four guide grooves  45 , two adjacent guide grooves  45  and the center of the rotary member  44  may be perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, lines obtained by connecting opposite ends  45   b  of, among the four guide grooves  45 , the two adjacent guide grooves  45  and the center of the rotary member  44  may be perpendicular to each other. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  10   , one end  45   a  and an opposite end  45   b  of the guide groove  45  in the extension direction and the center of the rotary member  44  may be disposed on one line. 
     Due to the shape of the guide groove  45 , when the rotary member  44  is rotated in a first rotational direction RD 1 , the boss member  23  may be moved in the first direction D 1 . With reference to  FIG.  10   , the first rotational direction RD 1  may be a clockwise direction. When the rotary member  44  is rotated in an opposite direction to the first rotational direction RD 1 , the boss member  23  may be moved in the opposite direction to the first direction D 1 . Moving the boss member  23  in the first direction D 1  or the opposite direction thereto according to the rotational direction of the rotary member  44  may be based on an aspect that a movement range of the boss member  23  is limited to an interior of a space defined by the guide groove  45 . 
     Hereinafter, an operation of the variable chassis platform  1  according to the third embodiment will be described below. The operation of the variable chassis platform  1  may be an operation of increasing or decreasing a protrusion length of the extension member  21 ″. Here, an operation of increasing the protrusion length of the extension member  21 ″ will be described below. 
     The motor  46  rotates the rotary member  44  in the first rotational direction RD 1 . Accordingly, the guide groove  45  also is rotated in the first rotational direction RD 1 , and guides the boss member  23 . As the rotary member  44  is rotated in the first rotational direction RD 1 , a location of an area of the guide groove  45 , which contacts the boss member  23 , becomes farther away from the center. This may be understood as an operation of moving the boss member  23  in the first direction D 1 . 
     After the motor moves the rotary member  44  by a desired angle, rotation of the rotary member  44  is stopped. Accordingly, the boss member  23  is moved in the first direction D 1 , and the extension member  21 ″ and the wheel part  30 ″ also are moved in the first direction D 1 . Then, a maximum rotational angle of the motor may be equal to or less than 90 degrees. 
     In the variable chassis platforms  1  and  1 ′ according to the first and second embodiments, the length of the variable chassis platforms  1  and  1 ′ will be essentially increased in the first direction D 1  discontinuously because the protrusion members  22  and  22 ′ are disposed discontinuously. However, in the case of the variable chassis platform  1 ″ according to the third embodiment, the length of the variable chassis platform  1 ″ in the first direction D 1  may be continuously increased because the boss member  23  is moved by the guide groove  45 . 
     Meanwhile, in the case of the variable chassis platform  1 ″ according to the third embodiment, protrusion lengths of the extension parts  20 ″ toward the first direction D 1  may be the same because the rotary member  44  is directly engaged with the movements of the extension members  21 ″. However, in the case of the variable chassis platforms  1  and  1 ′ according to the first and second embodiments, the protrusion lengths of the extension parts  20  and  20 ′ may become different according to necessities because the fixing members  41  and  41 ′ are not directly engaged with the movements of the extension parts  20  and  20 ′. 
     According to embodiments of the present disclosure, because the extension part that may be inserted into the interior space of the body part is included, the length of the extension part may be easily changed as the extension part is inserted, and thus a length of the lower platform may be conveniently changed according to the length of the upper cabin, whereby a time for exchanging the upper cabin may be shortened and the operation may be simplified. 
     The above description is a simple exemplification of the technical spirits of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be variously corrected and modified by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are not provided to limit the technical spirits of the present disclosure but are provided to describe the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical spirits of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present disclosure should be construed by the attached claims, and all the technical spirits within the equivalent ranges fall within the scope of the present disclosure.