Patent Publication Number: US-2023144878-A1

Title: Mobility Vehicle Platform

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0154215, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 10, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a mobility vehicle platform. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, a platforming strategy of designing a vehicle platform that shares some common components are widely used in the automobile manufacturing industries for 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 purposes is possible. For example, an upper cabin manufactured according to purposes, such as a food truck, an ambulance, 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 mobility vehicle or a purpose built vehicle (PBV), and corresponds to a base of future industries suggested by several vehicle manufacturers. 
     Meanwhile, a conventional lower platform may be moved only forwards and rearwards by using wheel like a general vehicle. It is impossible for the conventional lower platform to perform an operation, such as leftward and rightward movements. Accordingly, as an example, a traffic line may become longer by using a method of being moved rearwards after being moved to a left front side by using a handle when a leftward movement is desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while advantages achieved by the prior art are maintained intact. 
     Embodiments provide a mobility vehicle platform that may be moved in various movement directions including leftward/rightward movements. 
     The technical problems to be solved by 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 mobility vehicle platform includes a body part opened toward an upper side and configured such that a cabin is coupled to an upper side thereof, and a wheel part connected to the body part to be detachable, the wheel part includes a steering member being rotatable about an axis extending in an upward/downward direction, a wheel member connected to the steering member and that contacts a ground surface, and a coupling member, into which the steering member is inserted, and mounted on the body part to be detachable, the body part includes a body member configured such that the cabin is coupled to an upper side thereof, and a protruding member coupled to the body member to protrude toward an outside of the body member, and to which the coupling member is coupled, the coupling member includes a first coupling part extending upwards, and a second coupling part extending from an upper end of the first coupling part toward the body part, the steering member is coupled to the first coupling part, and the protruding member supports a lower surface of the second coupling part upwards. 
     In another example, the first coupling part may contact an outer side surface of the protruding member, and the second coupling part may contact an upper surface of the protruding member. 
     In another example, an outer circumferential surface of the first coupling part on left and right sides may have a partial shape of a cylinder. 
     In another example, a through-hole may pass through the first coupling part in an upward/downward direction, and an upper end of the steering member may be inserted into the through-hole. 
     In another example, the body part may include a wheel cover member disposed on an upper side of the wheel member, and having an arc shape to surround the wheel member, and the wheel cover member may include a pair of guide parts each having a groove having an arc shape when viewed from an outside and recessed inwards, and spaced apart from each other while facing each other, and a plurality of cover parts disposed between the pair of guide parts, sides of which are inserted into the recesses, and that covers the wheel member. 
     In another example, the plurality of recesses may be formed to correspond to the number of the plurality of cover parts, and shapes of the sides of the cover part may correspond to shapes of the recesses. 
     In another example, the protruding member may include a first protruding member coupled to a left side of the body member, and a second protruding member coupled to a right side of the body member, the coupling member may include a first coupling member coupled to the first protruding member, and a second coupling member coupled to the first protruding member, and the body part may further include a reinforcing member extending in a leftward/rightward direction, and adhered to the first protruding member, the second protruding member, the first coupling member, and the second coupling member. 
     In another example, the first protruding member may include a (1-1)-th protruding member coupled to a front left side of the body member, and a (1-2)-th protruding member coupled to a rear left side of the body member, the second protruding member include a (2-1)-th protruding member coupled to a front right side of the body member, and a (2-2)-th protruding member coupled to a rear right side of the body member, the first coupling member may include a (1-1)-th coupling member coupled to the (1-1)-th protruding member, and a (1-2)-th coupling member coupled to the (1-2)-th protruding member, the second coupling member may include a (2-1)-th coupling member coupled to the (2-1)-th protruding member, and a (2-2)-th coupling member coupled to the (2-2)-th protruding member, and the reinforcing member may include a front reinforcing member connected to the (1-1)-th protruding member, the (2-1)-th protruding member, the (1-1)-th coupling member, and the (2-1)-th coupling member, and a rear reinforcing member connected to the (1-2)-th protruding member, the (2-2)-th protruding member, the (1-2)-th coupling member, and the (2-2)-th coupling member. 
     In another example, the front reinforcing member may be adhered to a front surface of the (1-1)-th protruding member, a front surface of the (2-1)-th protruding member, a front surface of the (1-1)-th coupling member, and a front surface of the (2-1)-th coupling member, and the rear reinforcing member may be adhered to a rear surface of the (1-2)-th protruding member, a rear surface of the (2-2)-th protruding member, a rear surface of the (1-2)-th coupling member, and a rear surface of the (2-2)-th coupling member. 
     In another example, the body part may include a seat member disposed on an upper side of the body member and configured such that a passenger is seated thereon, and a pair of reception members disposed between the body member and the seat member to support the seat member, spaced apart from each other in leftward/rightward direction, and in which a wiring line is received in a space therebetween. 
     In another example, a pass-hole, through which the wiring line passes, may be formed on a side surface of the reception member. 
     In another example, the body part may include a battery member disposed at a portion of the body member, which is located on a rear side of the seat member, and that supplies electric power, and a control member disposed at a portion of the body member, which is located one at least any one of a left side or a right side of the seat member, and that controls movement of the wheel part. 
     In another example, the body part may include a front bumper member coupled to a front surface of the body member, and of which a front left side and a front right side are rounded, and a rear bumper member coupled to a rear surface of the body member, and of which a rear left side and a rear right side are rounded. 
     In another example, the front bumper member may include a pair of first front bumper parts coupled to a front surface of the body member to extend forwards, and spaced apart from each other in a leftward/rightward direction, and a second front bumper part coupled to front surfaces of the pair of first front bumper parts and of which a front left side and a front right side are rounded. 
     In another example, the protruding member may include a first protruding part that contacts the first coupling part and the second coupling part and of which a width in a leftward/rightward direction is constant, and a second protruding part disposed on a lower side of the first protruding part and of which a width in the leftward/rightward direction becomes shorter as it goes to a lower side. 
     In another example, a first insertion recess may be formed in a first contact area that is an area of the body member, which contacts the protruding member, a second insertion recess having a shape corresponding to the first insertion recess may be formed in a second contact area that is an area of the protruding member, which contacts the body member, and the body part may further include an insertion member that is inserted into both of the first insertion recess and the second insertion recess. 
     In another example, the insertion member may have a slot shape, and the first insertion recess and the second insertion recess may have shapes corresponding to the insertion member, and have width that are smaller than a width of the insertion member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a view illustrating a mobility vehicle platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a view illustrating a mobility vehicle platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from a top; 
         FIG.  3    is a view illustrating a mobility vehicle platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from a left side; 
         FIG.  4    is a view illustrating a mobility vehicle platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from a front side; 
         FIG.  5    is a partially enlarged view of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a view illustrating a wheel part and a protruding member; 
         FIG.  7    is a top view of a coupling member; 
         FIG.  8    is a view illustrating a wheel cover member; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a contact part; and 
         FIG.  10    is a view illustrating a first contact area and an insertion member. 
     
    
    
     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. 
       FIG.  1    is a view illustrating a mobility vehicle platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  2    is a view illustrating a mobility vehicle platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from a top.  FIG.  3    is a view illustrating a mobility vehicle platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from a left side.  FIG.  4    is a view illustrating a mobility vehicle platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from a front side.  FIG.  5    is a partially enlarged view of  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  6    is a view illustrating a wheel part and a protruding member. 
     A mobility vehicle platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a lower platform that may be applied to a lower side of a mobility vehicle. The mobility vehicle platform according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body part wo and a wheel part  200 . 
     Body Part  100   
     The body part wo may be opened toward an upper side, and a cabin may be provided on an upper side thereof to be coupled thereto. The cabin may have various shapes according to a purpose of a mobility vehicle. 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. 
     The body part  100  may include a body member no and a protruding member  120 . The cabin (not illustrated) may be provided on an upper side of the body member no to be coupled thereto. 
     The protruding member  120  may be coupled to the body member no to protrude in an outward direction of the body member  110 . As an example, the outward direction may be a leftward/rightward direction. A coupling member  230 , which will be described below, may be coupled to the protruding member  120 . 
     Wheel Part  200   
     The wheel part  200  may be connected to the body part  100  to be detachable. The body part  100  may include a steering member  210 , a wheel member  220 , and the coupling member  230 . The steering member  210  may be provided to be rotated about an axis that extends in an upward/downward direction. The steering member  210  may be connected to a motor (not illustrated). 
     The wheel member  220  may be connected to the steering member  210 , and may contact a ground surface. The wheel member  220  may include a wheel and a tire. Because a plurality of wheel parts  200  may be provided and each of the wheel parts  200  includes the steering member  210 , the wheel member  220  may be rotated about an axis that extends in an upward/downward direction. Then, the steering members  210  may be driven such that rotational angles thereof are independent. 
     According to the present disclosure, because the wheel member  220  is connected to the steering member  210  that may be rotated about an axis that extends in an upward/downward direction, the mobility vehicle platform may be moved in various directions including a left/rightward direction. For example, when the mobility vehicle platform is to be moved in leftwards and rightwards, the steering member  210  may arrange the wheel member  220  such that the wheel member  220  faces the leftward/rightward direction through rotation thereof by 90 degrees. 
     The steering member  210  may be inserted into the coupling member  230 . Furthermore, the coupling member  230  may be mounted on the body part  100  to be detachable. In more detail, the coupling member  230  may be coupled to the protruding member  120 . 
     According to the present disclosure, because the wheel part  200  and the body part  100  are connected to each other by coupling the protruding member  120  to the coupling member  230 , it may be convenient to replace the wheel parts  200 , respectively. 
     The coupling member  230  may include a first coupling part  231  and a second coupling part  232 . The first coupling part  231  may extend upwards.  FIG.  7    is a top view of a coupling member. As illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , an outer circumferential surface of the first coupling part  231  in a leftward/rightward direction may have a partial shape of a cylinder. 
     The steering member  210  may be coupled to the first coupling part  231 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  7   , a through-hole  231 ′ may pass through the first coupling part  231  in the upward/downward direction, and an upper end of the steering member  210  may be inserted into the through-hole  231 ′. 
     The second coupling part  232  may extend from an upper end of the first coupling part  231  toward the body part  100 . In summary, the coupling member  230  may have an “L” shape as a whole. 
     Meanwhile, the protruding member  120  may support a lower surface of the second coupling part  232  upwards. Through this, a load that is to be applied to the wheel part  200  may be received by the protruding member  120  to secure strength. 
     The first coupling part  231  may contact side surfaces of the protruding member  120  in left and right outward directions. Furthermore, the second coupling part  232  may contact an upper surface of the protruding member  120 . Through this, the protruding member  120  may support the first coupling part  231  toward left and right outer sides, and may support the second coupling part  232  upwards. Accordingly, as compared with a case, in which only the first coupling part  231  is supported outward or only the second coupling part  232  is supported upwards, there may be a low possibility of distortion of the protruding member  120  by the coupling member  230 . 
     The protruding member  120  may include a first protruding part  121  and a second protruding part  122 . The first protruding part  121  may contact the first coupling part  231  and the second coupling part  232 , and may be configured such that an upward/downward height and a leftward/rightward width thereof are constant. The second protruding part  122  may be disposed on a lower side of the first protruding part  121 , and a leftward/rightward width thereof may become shorter as it goes to a lower side. 
     Wheel Cover Member  130   
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the body part  100  may include a wheel cover member  130 . The wheel cover member  130  is a configuration for protecting the wheel member  220 , and the wheel cover member  130  may be disposed on an upper side of the wheel member  220  and may have an arc shape to surround the wheel member  220 . The wheel cover member  130  may include a guide part  131  and a cover part  132 . 
       FIG.  8    is a view illustrating a guide part and a cover part. As illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the guide part  131  may have a groove having an arc shape when viewed from an outside and recessed inwards. As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , a pair of guide parts  131  may be provided, and may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other while the cover part  132  being interposed therebetween. 
     A plurality of cover parts  132  may be provided, and the cover parts  132  may be disposed between the pair of guide parts  131  to cover the wheel part  200 . The plurality of cover parts  132  may constitute a structure, in which they are assembled with each other, and the plurality of cover parts  132  may be integrally formed to be divided into a plurality of areas. Meanwhile, a recessed area may be formed at a border of two adjacent cover parts  132 . A side of the cover part  132  may be inserted into the groove of the guide part  131 . A plurality of grooves may be formed to correspond to the number of the plurality of cover parts  132 . Furthermore, a shape of the side of the cover part  132  may correspond to a shape of the groove. 
     Reinforcing Member  140   
     The body part  100  may include a reinforcing member  140 . Hereinafter, for a description of the reinforcing member  140 , a description of the protruding member  120  and the coupling member  230  will be made below in detail according to locations thereof. 
     The protruding member  120  may include a first protruding member  120   a  and a second protruding member  120   b.  The first protruding member  120   a  may be coupled to a left side of the body member  110 . The second protruding member  120   b  may be coupled to a right side of the body member  110 . 
     The coupling member  230  may include a first coupling member  230   a  and a second coupling member  230   b.  The first coupling member  230   a  may be coupled to the first protruding member  120   a.  The second coupling member  230   b  may be coupled to the second protruding member  120   b.    
     The reinforcing member  140  may extend in a leftward/rightward direction, and may be adhered to the first protruding member  120   a,  the second protruding member  120   b,  the first coupling member  230   a,  and the second coupling member  230   b.    
     The first protruding member  120   a  may include a (1-1)-th protruding member  120   a ′ (see  FIG.  4   ) and a (1-2)-th protruding member  120   a ″. The (1-1)-th protruding member  120   a ′ may be coupled to a front left side of the body member  110 . The (1-2)-th protruding member  120   a ″ may be coupled to a rear left side of the body member  110 . 
     The second protruding member  120   b  may include a (2-1)-th protruding member  120   b ′ (see  FIG.  4   ) and a (2-2)-th protruding member  120   b ″. The (2-1)-th protruding member  120   b ′ may be coupled to a front right side of the body member  110 . The (2-2)-th protruding member  120   b ″ may be coupled to a rear right side of the body member  110 . 
     The first coupling member  230   a  may include a (1-1)-th coupling member  230   a ′ and a (1-2)-th coupling member  230   a ″. The (1-1)-th coupling member  230   a ′ may be coupled to the (1-1)-th protruding member  120   a ′. The (1-2)-th coupling member  230   a ″ may be coupled to the (1-2)-th protruding member  120   a″.    
     The second coupling member  230   b  may include a (2-1)-th coupling member  230   b ′ (see  FIG.  4   ) and a (2-2)-th coupling member  230   b ″. The (2-1)-th coupling member  230   b ′ may be coupled to the (2-1)-th protruding member  120   b ′. The (2-2)-th coupling member  230   b ″ may be coupled to the (2-2)-th protruding member  120   b″.    
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the reinforcing member  140  may include a front reinforcing member  141  and a rear reinforcing member  142 . The front reinforcing member  141  may be connected to the (1-1)-th protruding member  120   a ′, the (2-1)-th protruding member  120   b ′, the (1-1)-th coupling member  230   a ′, and the (2-1)-th coupling member  230   b ′. As an example, the front reinforcing member  141  may be adhered to a front surface of the (1-1)-th protruding member  120   a ′, a front surface of the (2-1)-th protruding member  120   b ′, a front surface of the (1-1)-th coupling member  230   a ′, and a front surface of the (2-1)-th coupling member  230   b′.    
     The rear reinforcing member  142  may be connected to the (1-2)-th protruding member  120   a ″, the (2-2)-th protruding member  120   b ″, the (1-2)-th coupling member  230   a ″, and the (2-2)-th coupling member  230   b ″. As an example, the rear reinforcing member  142  may be adhered to a rear surface of the (1-2)-th protruding member  120   a ″, a rear surface of the (2-2)-th protruding member  120   b ″, a rear surface of the (1-2)-th coupling member  230   a ″, and a rear surface of the (2-2)-th coupling member  230   b ″. A rear lamp may be coupled to the rear reinforcing member  142 . 
     Front Bumper Member  150   
     The body part  100  may include a front bumper member  150 . The front bumper member  150  may be coupled to a front surface of the body member no, and a front left side and a front right side thereof may be rounded. 
     The front bumper member  150  may include a first front bumper part  151  and a second front bumper part  152 . A pair of first front bumper pails  151  may be provided, may be coupled to a front surface of the body member no to extend to a front side, and may be spaced apart from each other leftwards and rightwards. The second front bumper pall  152  may be coupled to front surfaces of the pair of first front bumper parts, and a front left side and a front right side thereof may be rounded. 
     Rear Bumper Member  160   
     The body part  100  may include a rear bumper member  160 . The rear bumper member  160  may be coupled to a rear surface of the body member no, and a rear left side and a rear right side thereof may be rounded. 
     The rear bumper member  160  may include a first rear bumper part  161  and a second rear bumper part  162 . A pair of first rear bumper pails  161  may be provided, may be coupled to a rear surface of the body member no to extend to a rear side, and may be spaced apart from each other leftwards and rightwards. The second rear bumper part  162  may be coupled to front surfaces of the pair of first rear bumper parts, and a rear left side and a rear right side thereof may be rounded. 
     Seat Member  171  and Reception Member  172   
     The body part  100  may include a seat member  171  and a reception member  172 . The seat member  171  may be disposed on an upper side of the body member  110 , and may be configured such that a passenger may be seated thereon. The reception member  172  may be disposed between the body member no and the seat member  171  to support the seat member  171 . A pair of reception members  172  may be spaced apart from each other leftwards and rightwards. A wiring line may be received in a space between the pair of reception members  172 . A pass-hole  173 , through which a wiring line may pass, may be formed on a side surface of the reception member  172 . 
     Battery Member  181  and Control Member  182   
     The body part  100  may further include a battery member  181  and a control member  182 . The battery member  181  may be disposed at a portion of the body member  110 , which is located on a rear side of the seat member  171 , to supply electric power. The control member  182  may be disposed at a portion of the body member  110 , which is located one at least any one of a left side or a right side of the seat member  171 , and may control movement of the wheel part  200 . 
     The control member  182  may further include a processor and a memory. The processor may include a microprocessor such as a field Programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a central processing unit (CPU). The memory may store control instructions that are basic in generating instructions for controlling movement of the wheel part  200  by the processor. The memory may be data storage such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a volatile medium, and a nonvolatile medium. 
     Handle  191 , Joystick  192 , and Display  193   
     The body part  100  may include a handle  191 , a joystick  192 , and a display  193 . The handle  191  and the joystick  192  may rotate the steering member  210 . A user may rotate the steering member  210  with the handle  191  of the joystick  192  if necessary. The display  193  may display information related to driving, including a driving speed and a vehicle state. 
     Load Dispersing Structure 
     Hereinafter, a structure for dispersing a load when the protruding member  120  and the body member no are coupled to each other will be described below. As will be described below, the structure for dispersing a load when the protruding member  120  and the body member no are coupled to each other may be a first insertion recess  113 , a second insertion recess  124 , and an insertion member  114 . 
       FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a contact part.  FIG.  10    is a view illustrating a first contact area and an insertion member. The first insertion recess  113  may be formed in a first contact area  112  that is an area of the body member  110 , which contacts the protruding member  120 . The first contact area  112  may be a portion of a contact part in. The contact part  111  may be a part that is located on a front side or a rear side of the body member  110 . For reference, for convenience of illustration, the coupling member is omitted in  FIG.  10   . 
     The second insertion recess  124  (see  FIG.  6   ) may be formed in a second contact area  123  (see  FIG.  6   ) that is an area of the protruding member  120 , which contacts the body member  110 . The second insertion recess  124  may have a shape corresponding to the first insertion recess  113 . 
     Meanwhile, the body part  100  may further include the insertion member  114 . The insertion member  114  may be inserted into both of the first insertion recess  113  and the second insertion recess  124  ( FIG.  6   ). The insertion member  114  may have a slot shape. 
     The first insertion recess  113  and the second insertion recess  124  may have shapes corresponding to the insertion member  114 . Further, the first insertion recess  113  and the second insertion recess  124  may have widths that are narrower than the insertion member  114  in a leftward/rightward direction. Accordingly, the insertion member  114  may be inserted into both of the first insertion recess  113  and the second insertion recess  124 . 
     According to the structure, because the insertion member  114  is inserted into both of the first insertion recess  113  of the body member no and the second insertion recess  124  of the protruding member  120 , a load that is to be received by a bolt of the protruding member  120  may be dispersed by the insertion member  114 . 
     According to the present disclosure, because the wheel member is connected to the steering member that may be rotated about an axis that extends in an upward/downward direction, the mobility vehicle platform may be moved in various directions including a left/rightward direction. 
     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 is not provided to limit the technical spirits of the present disclosure but 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.