Vehicle for ride-sharing and parcel delivery services and method for using same

Abstract

An electric vehicle includes several features to improve ride sharing and / or parcel delivery services. The vehicle includes electric motor (s) and / or auxiliary system (s) disposed along or below the floor to increase the size of the cabin without increasing the overall size of the vehicle. The passenger seat is foldable and movable to provide a continuous cargo space. The side door includes an integrally formed B-pillar to provide a larger opening on the side of the vehicle when the side door is open for both a driver and a passenger to access. Each wheel includes an electroactive suspension system to tilt the vehicle in different directions to facilitate easier access and / or loading and unloading of cargo. A vehicle includes a user interface system to assist a driver in a parcel delivery service. The vehicle is also connected to a trailer that provides electric propulsion and active steering.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Application No. 63 / 392,852, filed on July 27, 2022, entitled “VEHICLE FOR RIDESHARING AND PACKAGE DELIVERY SERVICES AND METHODS FOR USING SAME” and U.S. Application No. 63 / 339,066, filed on May 6, 2022, entitled “VEHICLEFOR RIDESHARING AND PACKAGE DELIVERY SERVICES AND METHODS FOR USING SAME”. Each of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0002] The introduction of digital service platforms has led to a significant increase in the number of gig economy workers (e.g., individuals who perform temporary work as independent contractors or freelancers). Among the various services provided by gig economy workers, package delivery and ride-sharing are the most popular, partly due to low barriers to entry and a steady demand for these services. For example, gig economy workers often use their own vehicles or lease new vehicles to drive in order to provide package delivery and / or ride-sharing services. Therefore, many vehicles used by gig economy workers are simply passenger cars, just like those operated by private individuals. In addition, these vehicles are commonly used vehicles that typically have higher maintenance costs, or are oversized vehicles (e.g., sports utility vehicles or SUVs) that are more expensive and have poor fuel economy than smaller vehicles. These two types of vehicles result in a high total cost of ownership, which can lead to high turnover rates, with workers quitting after a short period of time. This in turn results in ride-sharing services having to hire and train new workers at additional expense.

[0003] Traditional transportation service companies also use vehicles that are the same or similar to traditional passenger cars, such as taxis or vans. Some transportation service companies may deploy specialized vehicles to carry a larger number of passengers, such as shuttles or full-size buses. However, these specialized vehicles are generally not suitable for ridesharing customers because the number of passengers in a typical ride is relatively small (e.g., 1-3 passengers). Traditional package delivery companies use vehicles that are modified versions of traditional passenger cars, such as vans that have been converted into multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) for greater cargo capacity, or specialized delivery vehicles with even greater cargo capacity. Summary of the invention

[0004] Vehicles commonly used for gig economy ridesharing and package delivery services, and even some traditional transportation services and package delivery companies that provide similar services, exhibit several limitations. These limitations can adversely affect the quality of the ridesharing and package delivery services, and hinder the productivity of the workers (also referred to herein as "drivers") who operate the vehicles.

[0005] In particular, conventional vehicles used for ride-sharing services are generally not well suited for rapid entry and exit of passengers of different sizes and mobility. For example, when a passenger enters a vehicle (e.g., a hatchback or sedan), the passenger typically leans over, bends his knees and enters the vehicle by lifting one leg at a time or by lowering his body onto the passenger seat with his back facing the seat. However, these actions are often challenging for elderly or injured people to perform, and often require extra time to enter and exit, and in some cases require the assistance of other individuals. Passenger vehicles are also not easily wheelchair accessible. Instead, individuals in wheelchairs are typically transferred from a wheelchair to a passenger seat by being lifted into the passenger seat with the help of another person or carefully sliding their body from the wheelchair to the passenger seat while holding onto a portion of the vehicle.

[0006] Larger individuals may also have difficulty entering a passenger vehicle, in part due to the limited size of the door openings, which are often constrained by the presence of B-pillars integrated into the vehicle body that separate the front and rear seats of the vehicle. The B-pillar is a vertical support structure that is usually integrated into the vehicle body and disposed between the front driver / passenger door opening and the rear passenger door opening to support the floor and roof of the vehicle. Although some larger passenger vehicles, such as trucks or sport utility vehicles (SUVs), provide larger door openings for entering and exiting the vehicle, these vehicles are typically higher from the ground than other passenger vehicles. Therefore, passengers should climb up and down or step accordingly to enter and exit the vehicle, which may also be challenging for the elderly, disabled, or injured.

[0007] In addition, conventional ride-sharing vehicles rarely provide the same level of comfort as traditional purpose-built transportation vehicles (e.g., rental buses) that carry larger numbers of passengers. In particular, the cabin space available to passengers is constrained by the space occupied by the engine (e.g., internal combustion engine), auxiliary systems (e.g., HVAC), and safety structures (e.g., crash tubes, impact structures, impact buffers). The layout of the seats may also affect the space available to each passenger, particularly legroom and the range to which the passenger seats can be tilted. For example, a conventional passenger car typically has two front seats and three rear seats, with one rear seat being located directly behind each front seat. Therefore, depending on the position of the front seats, the legroom of passengers sitting in the back row may be limited.

[0008] For package delivery services, conventionally used vehicles are usually customized to have a larger cargo capacity than traditional passenger cars, and in some cases, may also include built-in lifts for loading and unloading heavy packages. Despite these features, loading packages into these vehicles and unloading packages from these vehicles is still a labor and time intensive process. In particular, drivers usually spend a lot of unpaid upfront time to manually load and position packages in vehicles so that they can be found and approached more easily later when delivering. Even if the driver spends time in advance to arrange the packages for delivery, the driver may still spend time scanning the (multiple) packages in the order to ensure that the correct (multiple) packages are delivered when delivering. In addition, the driver may also spend time finding the correct delivery correction (e.g., the correct door in the apartment building) for the order. These factors limit the driver's productivity in part by increasing the average amount of time spent to complete each delivery.

[0009] The cargo capacity of vehicles used for package delivery services is also typically fixed. Although vehicle trailers can be attached to vehicles to increase the total cargo capacity, vehicle trailers are rarely used for package delivery services due to, for example, reduced fuel economy and / or negative impacts on the vehicle's drivability, especially in confined spaces (e.g., narrow streets). Therefore, if gig economy workers want to increase cargo capacity to store more packages, they often modify their vehicles or purchase larger vehicles, both of which can incur significant costs for the workers. For traditional package delivery companies, the company typically deploys additional delivery vehicles, which also requires significant costs due to purchasing additional vehicles and hiring additional workers to operate the vehicles.

[0010] In addition, although some passenger cars allow the passenger seats to be partially folded to create cargo space in the cabin for storage, the passenger seats are typically fixed in place in the cabin, thereby limiting the size and geometry of the cargo space. For example, rear passenger seats in passenger cars typically include seat backs that can be folded to lay flat on a fixed seat base, thereby creating a cargo space in the cabin that is connected to the trunk. However, stacking the seat backs onto the seat base limits the height of the cargo space (e.g., the distance between the rear side of the seat back and the roof of the vehicle when laid flat), thereby limiting the size of packages that can be stored in the vehicle. In another example, some vehicles include passenger seats that can be stowed by rotating the seat base. This can allow the passenger seats to be stowed along the side of the vehicle cabin or against the driver seat and / or front passenger seat in larger vehicles (e.g., trucks), or stowed in a compartment in the floor of the vehicle body (e.g., a minivan), at the expense of raising the floor above the ground. Additionally, fixed-in-position passenger seats often create pockets of space within the vehicle cabin that cannot be easily used to store cargo, further limiting the vehicle's cargo space, such as legroom between the rear passenger seats and the driver's seat and / or front passenger seat(s).

[0011] Therefore, the present disclosure relates to various inventive embodiments of vehicles that improve ridesharing and / or package delivery services, in part by addressing the limitations of conventional vehicles described above. The vehicle disclosed herein may be an electric vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion and is powered by one or more batteries or auxiliary systems (e.g., fuel cells, Stirling engines, solar cells, flywheel energy storage systems, or internal combustion engines) that provide power. The vehicle may also include an electroactive suspension system for each wheel, which may be further integrated into the electric motor. Each electroactive suspension system may be independently controllable, so that the height of the vehicle at each corner may be adjustable. It should be appreciated that some of the innovative features and concepts disclosed herein are not limited to electric vehicles, and more generally, these features and concepts may be implemented in other types of vehicles, such as gasoline-powered vehicles, diesel-powered vehicles, or hydrogen-powered vehicles. It should also be appreciated that some of the innovative features and concepts disclosed herein are not limited to ridesharing and package delivery vehicles, and more generally, these features and concepts may be implemented in other types of vehicles, such as private transportation, agricultural product transportation, etc.

[0012] On the one hand, the vehicle disclosed herein can have a center driving position, wherein the driver's seat is located on or near the center line of the vehicle extending from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side. In other words, the driver's seat can be positioned equidistantly or nearly equidistantly from the right and left sides of the vehicle. The center driving position can provide more space for the passengers of the vehicle (e.g., customers of a ride-sharing service) in the vehicle cabin. For example, the vehicle can include passenger seats located behind and to the side of the driver's seat. This arrangement provides more legroom for passengers because the passenger seat is not located directly behind the driver's seat, which is different from the rear passenger seats in conventional passenger cars. In addition, the driver's seat can be at the same height as the passenger seat or lower than the passenger seat to improve the passenger's forward sight line.

[0013] The center driving position may also allow the driver's seat to be placed further forward within the vehicle, particularly for electric vehicles having electric motors and electro-active suspension systems located along the sides and corners of the vehicle. The space available for a passenger within the vehicle cabin may also be increased by moving the driver's seat forward toward the front bumper of the vehicle. In some cases, the driver's seat may be positioned so that the heels of the driver's feet (also referred to as the "heel point") are located on or near the front axis of rotation of the front wheels.

[0014] On the other hand, the vehicle disclosed herein may include one or more passenger seats that can be folded and rotated without being fixed in place in the vehicle's compartment. This allows the passenger seats to be stored in the compartment without taking up a lot of space or constraining the shape and / or size of the cargo space in an undesirable manner. For example, the passenger seat may include a mounting frame that is slidably connected to one or more tracks disposed on the floor of the compartment to move the passenger seat forward or backward in the compartment. The passenger seat also includes a seat base rotatably connected to the mounting frame via a first hinge, a bracket rigidly connected to the seat base, and a seat back rotatably connected to the bracket via a second hinge. In some cases, the passenger seat and the driver's seat may be mounted to a common set of tracks.

[0015] In yet another aspect, a vehicle includes a dashboard beam to mechanically support a driver's instrument panel. The dashboard beam may also have one or more cavities to deliver air from the ambient environment around the vehicle to corresponding vents within the vehicle cabin to facilitate weatherization of the cabin during operation (e.g., supplying fresh air to the driver and / or passengers). In this manner, the dashboard beam provides both ducting and mechanical support (e.g., for the instrument panel). The dashboard beam may be formed of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, metals, polymers, wood, and natural or carbon fiber. The dashboard beam may also be formed as an extrusion or casting.

[0016] The vehicle may also include digital rearview mirrors and sideview mirrors. For example, the vehicle may include a rearview camera disposed on an exterior rear portion of the vehicle and a pair of sideview cameras disposed on an exterior left and right portion of the vehicle. These cameras may all be communicatively coupled to a display screen on the dashboard of the vehicle. During operation of the vehicle, the display screen may display video images acquired by the respective cameras so that the driver has visibility of his or her surroundings. In some cases, the display screen may also be movable, for example, when the driver turns the steering wheel to turn the vehicle or rotates their head. In this way, when the driver turns their head, the portion of the display screen displaying the video images from the rearview and sideview cameras may remain within the driver's field of view.

[0017] In another aspect, a vehicle may include a side door opening of a larger size than a conventional passenger vehicle to improve ease of entry and exit. For example, a vehicle may include a side door that, when open, allows both a driver and a passenger to enter and exit the vehicle through the side door opening. This may be accomplished in part by eliminating the B-pillar from the vehicle body, thereby increasing the size of the door opening for entry and exit. Conversely, the B-pillar may be integrated into the side door to provide structural support to the vehicle body when the side door is closed.

[0018] In some cases, the side door opening can be wide enough to provide wheelchair access for wheelchair passengers. For example, the vehicle can include a retractable and / or removable ramp (e.g., the ramp is directly attached to the bottom side) coupled to the bottom side of the side door opening so that the wheelchair passenger can enter or exit the vehicle while remaining in the wheelchair. The passenger seat can be moved backward along (multiple) tracks to provide enough space for the wheelchair to easily enter and exit the vehicle. The vehicle can also include a restraint customized to secure the wheelchair to the vehicle compartment and the passenger to the wheelchair. The vehicle can also include a tailgate and a rear door opening, the rear door opening size is set to allow the wheelchair passenger to enter and exit the vehicle through the rear door opening when the tailgate is open instead of the side door. The retractable and / or removable ramp can also be coupled to the bottom side of the rear door opening (e.g., the ramp is directly attached to the bottom side) to facilitate the entry and exit of the wheelchair passenger.

[0019] The driver's seat may also be movable to help the driver enter and exit the vehicle, particularly to enter and exit the center driving position. For example, the driver's seat may be slidably movable between a center driving position when the driver is operating the vehicle and a "close" position in which the driver's seat is positioned closer to and / or facing the side door opening. When the driver enters the vehicle, leaves the vehicle, or approaches a side window, the close position may be used, for example, to interact with an external device or system (e.g., a toll machine, a mailbox, or a drive-through window). In one example, the driver's seat may include a motorized seat positioning system having one or more tracks mounted to the floor of the vehicle compartment to guide the driver's seat when the driver's seat is converted between the center driving position and the close position. In some embodiments, the driver's seat may be removable from the vehicle so that a wheelchair-bound driver may enter and exit the vehicle and / or operate the vehicle from their wheelchair.

[0020] The electroactive suspension system disposed at the corresponding wheel of the vehicle can be used to tilt and / or change the height of the vehicle to help passengers enter and leave the vehicle and / or help the driver load and unload packages. For example, the vehicle can be tilted and / or the ground clearance can be adjusted to reduce the distance between the floor of the compartment and the ground, so that passengers can enter and leave the vehicle more easily accordingly (for example, without having to obviously lift their legs). This may be particularly beneficial for passengers in wheelchairs. By tilting the vehicle downward to the left, right and / or rear side of the vehicle and / or reducing the total ground clearance, the ramp can be oriented at a shallow angle relative to the ground, which can make it easier for passengers in wheelchairs to enter and leave the vehicle. In some cases, the vehicle can be tilted and / or lowered to the extent that a passenger in a wheelchair can enter and leave the vehicle without a ramp. In other words, the floor of the vehicle compartment can be aligned with, for example, a curb or a road.

[0021] The vehicle may also be tilted toward the rear or lowered closer to the ground to facilitate loading and unloading of packages. In particular, the tailgate of the vehicle may include an integrated rear bumper structure. In this way, the bottom side of the rear door opening may be vertically aligned with the vehicle bed. A ramp may further be coupled to the bottom side of the rear door opening (e.g., by removing the ramp from the side door opening and attaching the ramp to the bottom side) so that the wheeled container may be more easily rolled in and out of the vehicle bed. Some containers may include folding casters to traverse the vertical offset between the vehicle bed floor and the ground, and thus may be rolled in and out of the vehicle without a ramp.

[0022] It should also be appreciated that in addition to improving ease of entry and exit and loading and unloading packages, tilting and / or adjusting the ground clearance of the vehicle can be utilized in other applications. For example, if the vehicle is traveling over rough terrain, the ground clearance can be raised to increase the clearance between the vehicle bed and the ground. In another example, when the vehicle is in transit, the ground clearance can be lowered to reduce the clearance between the vehicle bed and the ground, thereby reducing the vehicle's drag coefficient.

[0023] In another aspect, the vehicle may include a user interface system to provide hands-free access to the vehicle and assist the driver in achieving package delivery. The user interface system may include a display screen, a camera, and / or a user input device (e.g., a touch screen) disposed on the exterior of the vehicle. For example, the user interface system may be disposed on a side door (e.g., a B-pillar) or on a tailgate. The user interface may utilize a camera to identify the driver and thereby automatically unlock and / or open the doors of the vehicle. The display screen may also be used to inform the driver of the location of the vehicle, for example, when parked in a garage with several other identical vehicles belonging to other individuals.

[0024] For package delivery services, the user interface system may also include a barcode scanner that the driver may use to identify and track the order in which packages are loaded into and unloaded from the vehicle. For example, packages during a delivery shift or shift may be scanned by the driver before being loaded into the vehicle. During this process, the user interface may allow the driver to select the order of delivery, and the user interface accordingly determines the fastest delivery route via a navigation system (e.g., the vehicle's navigation system). The user interface system may also automatically determine the order in which packages should be delivered to reduce the distance or time to complete a delivery shift.

[0025] The user interface system may also have an environmental display system (e.g., a projector, a laser, a floodlight). When loading a package into a vehicle, the environmental display system may be used to display an image (e.g., a video image) or a light beam to show where the driver should place the package in the vehicle for easier access. For example, the user interface system may instruct the driver to load the package in reverse order and / or (e.g., through a rear door opening) a container with wheels for the package that rolls in and out of the vehicle. Thus, the package is loaded according to a last-in, first-out manner. When delivering the package, the environmental display system (e.g., with light or laser) illuminates the package so that the driver can quickly locate the package in the cargo area. In this way, the environmental display system can reduce the time it takes for the driver to manually arrange the package for later retrieval and / or locate the package for delivery. The environmental display system may also be used to help guide the driver to the location where the package should be delivered after leaving the vehicle. For example, the driver may deliver the package in an apartment building with multiple units. The environmental display system may illuminate a specific entrance or door where the driver should go to drop off the package. This can be achieved by a light source emitting continuous or pulsed light from outside the vehicle or inside the vehicle through, for example, a hole in the vehicle body or a door opening. In another example, the environment display system can display a map onto the surrounding environment, the map having a route to guide the driver to the entrance or door. Thus, the environment display system can include light sources disposed inside and outside the vehicle.

[0026] On the other hand, the vehicle disclosed herein can also support a trailer. The trailer can be used to increase the cargo capacity of the vehicle, for example, to store a larger number of packages or passengers' luggage for delivery. The trailer can be connected to the vehicle using a hook. The trailer can also include, for example, two wheels, each wheel driven by an electric motor similar or identical to the electric motor used in the vehicle. If the vehicle has limited traction capacity, a self-powered trailer may be particularly desirable. The electric motor of the trailer can also be independently controllable, allowing active steering by changing the rotational speed of one wheel relative to the other wheel and / or torque vectoring to stabilize the movement of the trailer relative to the vehicle.

[0027] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and the additional concepts discussed in more detail below (assuming such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are considered part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of the claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are considered part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terms explicitly adopted herein that may also appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be given the meaning most consistent with the specific concepts disclosed herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are primarily for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter described herein. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; in some cases, various aspects of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate understanding of different features. In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally refer to the same features (e.g., functionally similar and / or structurally similar elements).

[0029] Figure 1A A cutaway top view of an exemplary vehicle with a center driving position is shown.

[0030] Figure 1B Shows the corresponding Figure 1A Plane AA Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of a vehicle.

[0031] Figure 2A Shows Figure 1A An exterior perspective view of a cabin in a vehicle.

[0032] Figure 2B Shows Figure 2A Perspective view of the interior of a carriage.

[0033] Figure 3A Shows Figure 1A A side view of a vehicle with a side door in a closed position and a window of the side door partially lowered.

[0034] Figure 3B Shows Figure 3A A side view of a vehicle with a side door in an open position.

[0035] Figure 3C Shows Figure 3A An enlarged perspective view of the side door.

[0036] Figure 3D Shows Figure 3A A cutaway top view of a vehicle of FIG. The driver's seat is shown in both a driving position and an approach position.

[0037] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3A A vehicle with a side door in an open position to provide wheelchair access to the driver or passenger.

[0038] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1A A perspective view of the platform of the vehicle.

[0039] Fig. 6A Shown is a backward tilt Figure 1A Side view of the vehicle.

[0040] Figure 6BShown in a crouching position Fig. 6A Side view of the vehicle.

[0041] Figure 6C Shown in raised position Fig. 6A Rear view of the vehicle.

[0042] Fig.6D Shown is a tilted Fig. 6A Rear view of the vehicle.

[0043] Figure 7 Shows Figure 1A A rear perspective view of a vehicle with the tailgate in an open position.

[0044] Figure 8 Shown is a rear tilted to provide wheelchair access for passengers Figure 7 Side view of the vehicle.

[0045] Fig. 9 Shown in a crouched position with a ramp to load or unload a wire mesh wrap cage Figure 7 Side view of the vehicle.

[0046] Fig. 10A A wire mesh wrap cage with folding casters is shown in a crouched position to load or unload Figure 7 Side view of the vehicle.

[0047] Fig. 10B A container with folding castors is shown in a crouching position for loading or unloading. Figure 7 Side view of the vehicle.

[0048] Fig.11A Shown tilting back to unload catering units Figure 7 Side view of the vehicle.

[0049] Fig. 11B Shows Fig.11A A side view of the vehicle with the dining unit partially deployed.

[0050] Fig. 11C Shows Fig. 11B A side view of the vehicle with the catering unit deployed and in operation.

[0051] Fig.12 A perspective view of a modular container is shown.

[0052] Fig.13 A side view of another exemplary vehicle having a central driving position is shown. The vehicle is configured as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and covers Figure 1A on the vehicle.

[0053] Fig.14 Shows Fig.13 A side view of a vehicle with the tailgate in an open position and a ramp used to load or unload a wire mesh wrap cage. The vehicle is shown in a crouched position.

[0054] Fig.15 Shows Fig.13 A side view of a vehicle with the tailgate in an open position. The vehicle is shown in a crouched position to load or unload a wire mesh wrap cage with folding casters.

[0055] Fig.16A Shows Fig.13 A side view of a vehicle with the tailgate in an open position. The vehicle is shown in a crouched position to load or unload a catering unit.

[0056] Fig. 16B Shows Fig.16A A side view of the vehicle with the dining unit partially deployed.

[0057] Fig. 16C Shows Fig. 16B A side view of the vehicle with the catering unit deployed and in operation.

[0058] Fig.17A Shows Figure 1A A side view of a vehicle with the user interface system integrated into the B-pillar of the side door.

[0059] Fig. 17B Shows Fig.17A An enlarged side view of a user interface system.

[0060] Fig.18A Shows Fig.17A A perspective view of a vehicle in which a user interface system projects an image and / or video of a map onto the surrounding environment.

[0061] Fig.18B Shows Fig.17A A perspective view of a vehicle in which a user interface system projects light onto a portion of an environment used to deliver a package.

[0062] Fig.19A A vehicle having multiple displays to indicate the status of the vehicle is shown. Fig.13 Side view of the vehicle.

[0063] Fig.19B Shows Fig.19A Rear perspective view of a vehicle.

[0064] Fig. 20 A display is shown to indicate the status of the vehicle. Figure 1A Rear view of the vehicle.

[0065] Fig.21 An exemplary trailer is shown. Fig.13 Side view of the vehicle.

[0066] Fig.22A Shows Figure 1A A cut-away side view of a vehicle with a passenger seat in an expanded configuration.

[0067] Fig. 22B Shows Fig.22A Perspective view of the passenger seat.

[0068] Fig.23A Shows Fig.22A A cut-away side view of a vehicle with a passenger seat in a folded configuration.

[0069] Fig. 23B Shows Fig.23A Perspective view of the passenger seat.

[0070] Fig.24 Shows Fig.23A A cut-away perspective view of a vehicle with cargo stored in the cargo space behind a passenger seat with the passenger seat in a folded configuration.

[0071] Fig.25A Shows Fig.23A A cut-away perspective view of a vehicle with a passenger seat in a folded configuration.

[0072] Fig.25B Shows Fig.25A Another cut-away perspective view of a vehicle.

[0073] Fig.26A Shows Fig.23A A perspective view of a vehicle with its doors open and the passenger seats in a folded configuration.

[0074] Fig.26B Shows Fig.26A A perspective view of a vehicle in which a passenger seat is converted from a folded configuration to a deployed configuration by first shifting from a first position to a second position.

[0075] Fig.26C Shows Fig.26B A perspective view of a vehicle with a passenger seat in a second position.

[0076] Fig.26D Shows Fig.26C A perspective view of a vehicle in which the seat base is rotated relative to the mounting frame via a first hinge from a first rotational position to a second rotational position.

[0077] Fig.26E Shows Fig.26DA perspective view of a vehicle with the seat base in a second rotational position.

[0078] Fig.26F Shows Fig.26E A perspective view of a vehicle in which the seat back is rotated from a third rotational position to a fourth rotational position relative to the seat back via a second hinge.

[0079] Figure 26G Shows Fig.26F A perspective view of a vehicle with the passenger seat in a fourth rotational position and therefore in a deployed configuration.

[0080] Fig.27A Shows Fig.26E Another perspective view of a vehicle with the vehicle doors omitted for clarity.

[0081] Fig.27B Shows Fig.27A A perspective view of a vehicle in which the seat base is rotated from the second rotational position to the first rotational position to convert the passenger seat to the folded configuration.

[0082] Fig.27C Shows Fig.27B A perspective view of a vehicle with the seat base in a first rotational position.

[0083] Fig.27D Shows Fig.27C A perspective view of a vehicle in which the passenger seat is moved from the second position to the first position and is thus in a folded configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] The following is a more detailed description of various concepts related to vehicles for ridesharing and package delivery services and implementations of the vehicles. It should be appreciated that the various concepts introduced above and discussed in more detail below can be implemented in a variety of ways. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes to enable those skilled in the art to practice implementations and alternatives that are obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0085] The accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments described below are not meant to limit the scope of the present embodiment to a single embodiment. Other embodiments are possible by interchanging some or all of the elements described or shown. In addition, in the case where some elements of the disclosed exemplary embodiments can be partially or completely implemented using known components, in some cases, only those parts required for understanding the present embodiment of such known components are described, and detailed descriptions of other parts of such known components are omitted to avoid blurring the present embodiment.

[0086] In the following discussion, various examples of the inventive vehicle are provided, wherein a given example or group of examples demonstrates one or more specific features of a vehicle cabin having a movable driver seat, a foldable passenger seat, a side door, a tailgate, a platform having an electric motor and / or an electro-active suspension system, a user interface system, and a trailer. It should be appreciated that one or more features discussed in conjunction with a given example of a vehicle may be employed in other examples of vehicles according to the present disclosure, such that the various features disclosed herein may be readily combined in a given vehicle according to the present disclosure (assuming that the corresponding features are not mutually inconsistent).

[0087] Certain dimensions and features of the vehicle are described herein using the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially," and / or "similar." As used herein, the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially," and / or "similar" indicate that each of the dimensions or features described are not strict boundaries or parameters, and that functionally similar variations thereof are not excluded. Unless the context or specification indicates otherwise, the use of the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially," and / or "similar" in connection with numerical parameters indicates that the numerical parameters include variations that do not change the least significant digits using mathematical and industrial principles recognized in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.).

[0088] 1. Example Vehicle with Center Driving Position Figure 1A and 1B An exemplary vehicle 100a is shown. As shown, the vehicle 100a includes a vehicle body 110 that defines a vehicle compartment 200. The vehicle compartment 200 supports a driver seat 210 and one (or more) passenger seats 220a. However, it should be appreciated that the number and arrangement of seats in the vehicle 100a are non-limiting, and more generally, the vehicle 100a may include more or fewer seats. For example, the vehicle 100a may be expanded to include Figure 1A In another example, at least a portion of the passenger seats can be removed to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs (see FIG. Figure 1A The vehicle compartment 200 also includes an instrument panel 300 for a driver's seat 210. The driver's seat and / or the passenger seat 220a may be configured as a captain's chair (i.e., a seat that provides a single seating position). However, it should be appreciated that the passenger seat 220a may alternatively be configured as a long seat that provides multiple seating positions.

[0089] As shown, the driver's seat 210 can be located in the center driving position. Specifically, the driver's seat 210 can be oriented to face the front side of the vehicle 100a and be arranged on or near the center line of the vehicle 100a (see, for example, Figure 1A In other words, the driver's seat 210 may be positioned equidistantly or nearly equidistantly from the right side 101a and the left side 101b of the vehicle 100a, such as Figure 1A In addition, the vehicle 100a may include a passenger seat 220a located behind the driver's seat 210 and positioned on the right or left side of the vehicle compartment 200. For example, Figure 1A A passenger seat 220a is shown positioned behind the driver's seat 210 and offset to one side of the vehicle 100a. The passenger seat 220a may also be flush with the driver's seat 210 or positioned higher than the driver's seat 210. This arrangement provides additional legroom and space for passengers to recline their seats within the vehicle compartment 200.

[0090] The central driving position may also allow the driver's seat 210 to be positioned closer to the front of the vehicle 100a, thereby further increasing the available space for each passenger, particularly a wheelchair-bound passenger, and / or cargo. For example, the vehicle 100a may be an electric vehicle having an electric motor at each wheel (see, e.g., Figure 5 The electric motor may be disposed on or near the floor of the vehicle platform, thereby occupying space only along the sides and corners of the vehicle 100a. For example, the electric motor may be at least partially disposed within the rim of the wheel, thereby providing more space for the cabin 200. Auxiliary systems of the vehicle 100a, such as an HVAC system, may also be disposed along or below the floor of the vehicle 100a, under the seats.

[0091] In some cases, each electric motor may also include an integrated electro-active suspension system (see Figure 5), which reduces the overall weight of the vehicle 100a and allows for a more compact crash structure (e.g., a shorter crash tube). Further details related to electric motors with integrated electro-active suspension systems can be found in U.S. Application No. 17 / 336,895, filed on June 2, 2021, entitled “A MULTI-INPUT, MULTI-OUTPUT ACTUATOR AND ASSEMBLIES USING SAME” (hereinafter referred to as the '895 Application), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The electric motor of the vehicle 100a can be powered by various energy storage devices (e.g., one or more batteries) on the vehicle 100a and / or auxiliary systems that provide power (e.g., a fuel cell, a Stirling engine, a solar cell, a flywheel energy storage system, or an internal combustion engine).

[0092] By arranging the various components of the vehicle 100a in the manner described above, the vehicle cabin 200 can be extended closer to the front side of the vehicle 100a than a conventional passenger vehicle. This in turn allows the driver's seat 210, steering wheel 311, accelerator and brake pedals, and instrument panel 300 to also be positioned closer to the front side of the vehicle 100a, thereby creating more space behind the driver for (multiple) passengers and / or cargo without increasing the size of the vehicle 100a. Figure 1B As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle 100a may have an overall vehicle length corresponding to a distance from a front-most outer portion to a rear-most outer portion of the vehicle 100a. L , and the vehicle compartment length corresponding to the distance from the frontmost portion to the rearmost portion of the compartment 200 L c . Vehicle compartment length L c and total vehicle length L The ratio of can be in the range of about 0.8 to about 0.95, including all values ​​and sub-ranges therebetween. When used to describe the ratio of vehicle cabin length to total vehicle length, the term "about" is intended to encompass variations due to manufacturing tolerances. For example, "about 0.8" can correspond to the following size ranges: 0.792 to 0.808 (+ / - 1% tolerance), 0.7936 to 0.8064 (+ / - 0.8% tolerance), 0.7952 to 0.8048 (+ / - 0.6% tolerance), 0.7968 to 0.8032 (+ / - 4% tolerance), 0.7984 to 0.8016 (+ / - 2% tolerance), including all values ​​and sub-ranges therebetween. Figure 1B Also shown is a representative driver in a driver seat 210. As shown, the driver seat 210 may be positioned toward the front side of the vehicle cabin 200 so that the driver's heel point 11 may be located at or forward of the front axis of rotation 132 of the front wheels 130.

[0093] Figure 2A and 2B An enlarged view of the instrument panel 300 of the vehicle 100a is shown. As shown, the instrument panel 300 is mounted to the vehicle compartment 200 via the instrument panel beam 301. The instrument panel beam 301 may also have one or more cavities to deliver air from the surrounding environment around the vehicle 100a to corresponding vents in the vehicle compartment 200, so as to facilitate the climatization of the compartment 200 during operation (e.g., supplying fresh air to the driver and / or passengers). In this way, the instrument panel beam 301 provides both ducts for air and mechanical support for various components, including but not limited to the instrument panel 300, switches, touch fields, lights, speakers, vents, cameras, etc. In contrast, conventional ducts are typically formed of thin plastic and cannot mechanically support other components. The instrument panel beam 301 may be formed of various materials, including but not limited to metals, polymers, wood, and natural or carbon fibers. The instrument panel beam 301 may also be formed as an extrusion or casting.

[0094] The instrument panel 300 may include a display screen 310 extending to both sides of a centrally located steering wheel 311. The display screen 310 may be curved in shape to provide a driver with a constant or substantially constant viewing distance when the driver turns his head while operating the vehicle 100a. For example, the display screen 310 may have a constant radius curve, wherein the center of curvature is disposed on a vertical line located near the driver's head (e.g., between the driver's eyes).

[0095] The vehicle 100a may also include digital rear-view and side-view mirrors. Specifically, each digital mirror may include one or more cameras mounted to an exterior portion of the vehicle 100a (see Figure 1A Each camera may be communicatively coupled to a display screen 310 of the instrument panel 300 to display video images during operation of the vehicle 100a. For example, Figure 2B It is shown that the display screen 310 can be divided into at least three parts to show video images from the left mirror 313b, the right mirror 313c, and the rear mirror 313a.

[0096] In some cases, the display screen 310 may also be movable so that the portion of the display screen 310 that displays the video images captured by the digital rearview and side mirrors remains within the driver's field of view, particularly when the driver is not looking directly in front of the vehicle 100a. For example, the driver may turn their head when turning the vehicle or making a lane change. Therefore, the display screen 310 may move as the steering wheel 311 rotates and / or the driver's head rotates. This may be achieved in part by the dashboard 300 including a motorized sliding mechanism (not shown) for supporting the display screen 310. For example, the dashboard 300 may include a track, and the display screen 310 may include a motor having a roller bearing constrained to move along the track. The track may also be curved in shape so that the curved display screen 310 may be rotationally displaced around the center of curvature of the display screen 310. In other words, the center of curvature of the track and the center of curvature of the display screen 310 may be located on the same vertical line, or may coincide in some cases.

[0097] In one example, the movement of the display screen 310 can be based on the rotation of the steering wheel 311. The displacement amplitude of the display screen 310 can vary linearly with the angle at which the steering wheel is turned. In another example, the dashboard 300 may include a camera that tracks the movement of the driver's head or, in some cases, their eyes. When the driver's head or eyes move while operating the vehicle, the display screen 310 can move in response. Further details related to the reactive digital mirror that tracks the driver's head and eyes can be found in U.S. application No. 17 / 284,285, entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS TO ADJUST A REACTIVESYSTEM BASED ON A SENSORY INPUT AND VEHICLES INCORPORATING SAME," filed on April 9, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0098] Figure 2B It is shown that the cabin 200 may include various other features, including, but not limited to, a touch shift button 314 to select different modes of the vehicle 100a (e.g., normal drive, reverse, neutral, park), a wireless charger 315 (e.g., for the driver's phone), and a cup holder 316. The cabin 200 may also include one or more speakers 312 and / or storage pockets disposed near the driver's legs.

[0099] 2. Example side door for easier entry and exit The vehicle 100a may also provide greater ease of entry and exit for both the driver and passengers. Figures 3A-3DThe vehicle body 110 is shown to include a side door opening 115, and the vehicle 100a may include a corresponding side door 112 that is large enough to allow both the driver and passengers to enter and exit the vehicle 100a. This can be achieved in part by removing the B-pillar 111 from the vehicle body 110 to facilitate integrating the B-pillar 111 into the side door 112. For example, Figure 3A and 3B It is shown that the side door 112 can include a shark fin structure 116 to couple the B-pillar 111 to the side door body 113. When the side door 112 is closed, the combination of the integrated B-pillar 111 and the body of the side door 113 can structurally support the floor and roof of the vehicle body 110 in the same manner as a B-pillar in a conventional vehicle body.

[0100] The side door 112 may be a sliding door coupled to the vehicle body 110. The vehicle 100a may generally include one side door 112 disposed on the left or right side of the vehicle 100a or two side doors 112 disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle 100a. The B-pillar 111 may further separate two side windows 114 supported by the side door 112. Each window 114 may be raised and lowered independently. The side door 112, in particular the shark fin structure 116, may also include an integrated side impact structure. Figure 3C Also shown is that the shark fin structure 116 may include a door handle 119, a vent 117 for the vehicle cabin 200, and a display screen 118. The display screen 118 may be used as part of a user interface system 150, as described in more detail below.

[0101] In some cases, the side door opening 115 can be sized and / or shaped to have a sufficiently large width and height to allow a wheelchair-bound passenger to enter and exit the vehicle 100a through the side door opening 115 without having to move from the wheelchair. For example, the side door opening 115 can have a width in a range of about 125 centimeters to about 190 centimeters and a height in a range of about 115 centimeters to about 140 centimeters. When used to describe dimensions of the vehicle 100a (e.g., the side door opening 115, the rear door opening 121), the term "about" is intended to encompass variations due to manufacturing tolerances. For example, "approximately 120 centimeters" may correspond to the following size ranges: 118.8 to 121.2 cm (+ / - 1% tolerance), 119.04 to 120.96 cm (+ / - 0.8% tolerance), 119.28 to 120.72 cm (+ / - 0.6% tolerance), 119.52 to 120.48 cm (+ / - 4% tolerance), 119.76 to 120.24 cm (+ / - 2% tolerance), including all values ​​and sub-ranges therebetween.

[0102] Figure 4The vehicle 100a is shown to include a ramp 142 coupled to the bottom side of the side door opening 115 so that a passenger in a wheelchair can roll directly into the vehicle compartment 200 through the side door opening 115. The ramp 142 can be a retractable ramp that is manually deployed or automatically deployed via a motor when the vehicle 100a is parked. The ramp 142 can also be detachable and deployable, for example, at the rear of the vehicle body 110. The vehicle 100a can also include a restraint (not shown) for securing a wheelchair to the floor of the vehicle compartment 200 and / or a restraint (not shown) for securing a passenger to the wheelchair. As shown, the vehicle 100a can also be tilted to one side to provide easier entry in part by reducing the distance between the floor of the vehicle compartment 200 and the ground, which in turn reduces the angle between the ramp 142 and the ground. The tilting function of the vehicle 100a is described in more detail below.

[0103] Additionally, the central driving position can often make it more challenging for the driver to enter and exit the vehicle because the driver's seat 210 is not located adjacent to the door. In the vehicle 100a, these difficulties can be partially addressed by making the driver's seat 210 movable to assist the driver in entering and exiting the vehicle 100a. For example, Figure 3D It is shown that the driver's seat 210 can be moved between a "driving" position and an "approaching" position. The driving position corresponds to the central driving position when the driver is operating the vehicle 100a. In contrast, the approaching position can be positioned toward the side door opening 115 and oriented so that the driver faces the left side 101b of the vehicle 100a at an angle θ relative to the forward direction of the driving position. The angle θ can generally vary between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees. In this way, when the driver enters and leaves the vehicle 100a, the driver's seat 210 can be converted from the driving position to the approaching position. In addition, the approaching position can be used when the driver wants to approach the side window, for example, to interact with an external device or system (such as a toll machine or a drive-through vending machine).

[0104] Movement of the driver's seat 210 may be accomplished by a motorized seat positioning system. For example, the seat positioning system may include one or more tracks mounted to, for example, a floor of the vehicle cabin 200 and a motorized drive system mounted to the driver's seat 210, the motorized drive system including one or more roller bearings to constrain the motorized drive system to move along the track(s). The track(s) may be oriented to move the driver's seat 210 toward the rear and sides (e.g., left side 101b and / or right side 101a) of the vehicle 100a, as shown in FIG. Figure 3DAs shown in . In one example, the (multiple) tracks can be curved in shape so that the driver seat 210 rotates when transitioning between the driving position and the approach position. In another example, the motorized drive system can also provide a rotational degree of freedom to rotate the driver seat 210 about a vertical axis. Further details related to the seat positioning system can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 17 / 051,613, filed on October 29, 2020, entitled “ARTICULATED VEHICLES WITH PAYLOAD-POSITIONING SYSTEMS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety (hereinafter referred to as the '613 application).

[0105] 3. Exemplary Foldable Passenger Seat The vehicle 100a may be used for both ride-sharing and package delivery services. This is facilitated in part by the central driving position providing more space for passengers and / or cargo, as described above. In addition, the vehicle 100a may include one or more passenger seats in the vehicle compartment 200 that may be folded and rotated without being fixed in place within the vehicle compartment 200 (see, e.g., Figure 1A In this way, the passenger seat(s) in the vehicle 100a can be easily folded and stored without significantly limiting the shape and / or size of the cargo space. Instead, the passenger cargo space of the vehicle 100a can be primarily determined by the shape and / or size of the vehicle body 110 that defines the cabin 200.

[0106] Fig.22A and 22B An exemplary foldable passenger seat 220b is shown in a deployed configuration disposed behind the driver seat 210, and Fig.23A and 23B A passenger seat 220b is shown in a folded configuration. As shown, the passenger seat 220b includes a mounting frame 221 that is slidably coupled to one or more tracks (see tracks 227a, 227b, and 227c) disposed on the floor 201 of the vehicle 200. As shown, the tracks 227a, 227b, and 227c may be disposed on the floor 201 of the vehicle 100a. Each passenger seat 220b may be mounted to one or more of these tracks. The passenger seat 220b also includes a seat base 222 rotatably coupled to the mounting frame 221 via a first hinge 223, a bracket 224 rigidly coupled to the seat base 222, and a seat back 226 rotatably coupled to the bracket 224 via a second hinge 225. In this example, the passenger seat 220b may span the width of the vehicle body 110 and support up to three passengers. However, implementations with Fig.22A and Fig. 22B The foldable passenger seats 220bs may be similar in components and / or mechanism to the passenger seats 220b of the embodiment of the present invention and may accommodate fewer passengers. For example, a foldable passenger seat 220bs supporting a single passenger may be provided. Figure 1A The passenger seat 220b can also be Fig.22A and 22B The passenger seat 220b is folded and / or unfolded in the same manner (which will be described in further detail below).

[0107] The mounting frame 221 is configured to be slidably movable along a path defined by the track(s) 227a-227c, which in turn allows for adjustment of the position of the passenger seat 220b within the vehicle compartment 200 (see, e.g., Fig. 22B In other words, unlike many conventional passenger seats 220bs, the passenger seat 220b is not rigidly fixed in position within the vehicle compartment 200. Fig. 22B It is also shown that the first hinge 223 defines a first rotation axis 228b, and the second hinge 225 defines a second rotation axis 228c. The seat base 222, together with the bracket 224, the second hinge 225 and the seat back 226, can rotate relative to the mounting frame 221 about the first rotation axis 228b, and the seat back 226 can further rotate relative to the seat base 222 and the bracket 224 about the second rotation axis 228c. As shown, the first rotation axis 228b and the second rotation axis 228c can be aligned in parallel, but partially offset in position (e.g., based on the length of the bracket 224) to provide sufficient clearance for the seat back 226 to rotate relative to the seat base 222 without excessive wear between the seat back 226 and the seat base 222. The first rotation axis 228b and the second rotation axis 228c can also be oriented generally horizontally.

[0108] The mounting frame 221 can be coupled to the (multiple) tracks 227a-227c via one or more bearings. The mounting frame 221 can also include a motorized drive system (not shown) to slideably move the passenger seat 220b along the (multiple) tracks 227a-227c. The motorized drive system can be remotely controlled by an operator (e.g., driver, passenger) using a set of controls on the seat or dashboard of the vehicle 100a. Alternatively, the mounting frame 221 can be manually displaced along the (multiple) tracks 227a-227c using, for example, a manually actuated ratchet mechanism. The mounting frame 221 and the (multiple) tracks 227a-227c also include a locking mechanism (not shown), such as a brake, to fix the passenger seat 220b to a specific position along the (multiple) tracks 227a-227c, which can be released when the position of the passenger seat 220b is adjusted. Examples of bearings, motorized drive systems, and brakes can be found in the '613 application.

[0109] The first hinge 223 and the second hinge 225 can have various rotation mechanisms, including but not limited to, a pair of meshing planetary gears, worm gears and planetary gears, and a pin joint with a spring (e.g., a radial spring or a spiral spring) and a ratchet mechanism. The rotation mechanism can generally provide a locking mechanism (not shown) to fix the seat base 222 and / or the seat back 226 at a desired angle. The rotation mechanism of the first hinge 223 and the second hinge 225 can also be motorized or manually operated.

[0110] The position of the passenger seat 220b and the orientation of the seat base 222 and the seat back 226 can be adjusted via the translation axis 228a and the first and second rotation axes 228b and 228c, for example, to change the passenger seat 220b between a folded configuration and a deployed configuration and / or to adjust the passenger seat 220b to accommodate different passengers (e.g., moving the passenger rearward for a passenger who prefers more legroom, rotating the seat back 226 for a passenger who prefers to sit in a more reclined position). For example, Fig.22A and Fig. 22B The passenger seat 220b shown in the deployed configuration can be positioned toward the rear of the vehicle 100a. The seat base 222 can also be oriented so that the top surface of the seat base 222 is at an angle relative to the horizontal axis. Θ 1 is inclined downward toward the rear end of the vehicle 100a, and the front surface of the seat back 226 is at an angle relative to the horizontal axis. α 1 is tilted upward toward the rear end of the vehicle 100a. When supporting a passenger, the angle Θ 1 may be, for example, in the range of about 0 degrees to about 15 degrees. Similarly, when supporting a passenger, the angle α 1 may, for example, be in the range of about 0 degrees to about 60 degrees.

[0111] Fig.23A and Fig. 23B Another example is shown in which a passenger seat 220b in a folded configuration can be positioned toward the front of the vehicle compartment 200. For example, the mounting frame 221 can be at the end of the track(s) 227a-227c. The seat base 222 can also be rotated about the first rotation axis 228b so that the bottom side of the seat base 222 is angularly rotated. Θ2 faces the rear side of the driver's seat 210. In some cases, the folded configuration can result in the bottom side of the seat base 222 abutting the rear side of the driver's seat 210. However, it should be appreciated that the passenger seat 220b in the folded configuration can be positioned further rearward to provide sufficient clearance for the driver to easily enter or exit the vehicle 100a through the door opening 115, and / or to provide sufficient clearance for the driver's seat 210 to move between the "driving" position and the "approach" position. The seat back 226 can also be rotated about the second rotation axis 228c so that the front side of the seat base 222 is angularly α 2 is adjacent to the top side of the seat base 222. When supporting a passenger, the corner Θ 2 may be, for example, in the range of about 90 degrees to about 135 degrees. Similarly, when supporting a passenger, the angle α 2 may be, for example, in the range of about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees. Θ 2 and α The sum of 2 can also be constrained to equal 180 degrees.

[0112] By positioning the passenger seat 220b toward the front of the vehicle compartment 200 and Fig.23A By folding the seat base 222 and the seat back 226 in the manner shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle 100a can provide a more uniform and continuous cargo space behind the passenger seat 220b, thereby storing, for example, packages when the vehicle 100a is used for package delivery services. In particular, the folded configuration of the passenger seat 220b provides a cargo space extending from the floor of the vehicle 100a to the roof and from the rear side of the seat back 226 to the tailgate 120 of the vehicle 100a. In addition, a larger cargo space can be provided without increasing the overall size of the vehicle 100a. In addition, the orientation of the seat back 226 and the seat base 222 can reduce unused small spaces within the vehicle compartment 200, thereby further increasing the cargo capacity of the vehicle 100a. As described above, the placement of the electric motor and / or other auxiliary systems on or below the floor of the vehicle 100a can allow the vehicle compartment 200 to have a substantially flat floor. Thus, these aforementioned aspects of vehicle 100a can facilitate a generally flat cargo space whose dimensions are primarily defined by vehicle body 110, similar to a conventional delivery vehicle (eg, a van or truck). Fig.24 The vehicle compartment 200 is shown with the passenger seat 220b in a folded configuration with a plurality of packages positioned directly behind the passenger seat 220b.

[0113] Fig.25A and Fig.25B Additional views are shown of the passenger seat 220b in a folded configuration. Fig.26A – 26G shows the passenger seat 220b being converted from the folded configuration to the deployed configuration. For example, Fig.26AThe passenger seat 220b is shown initially in a folded configuration at a first position along the track(s) 227a-227c. When converted to the deployed configuration, Fig.26B It is shown that the passenger seat 220b can first be slidably moved along the track(s) 227a-227c to the second position without rotating the seat base 222 or the seat back 226. Thereafter Fig.26C The passenger seat 220b is shown in the second position. Fig.26D and Fig.26E The seat base 222, together with the bracket 224 and the seat back 226, can rotate about the first rotation axis 228a of the first hinge 223 until the seat base 222 is at an angle. Θ 1. Fig.26F and Figure 26G The seat back 226 can then be rotated about the second rotation axis 228c of the second hinge 225 until the seat back 226 is at an angle of α 1.

[0114] Similarly, Fig.27A – 27D shows the passenger seat 220b being converted from the deployed configuration to the folded configuration following the same steps in reverse above. Specifically, Fig.27A A passenger seat 220b is shown with the seat back 226 folded up so that the front side of the seat back 226 is angled. α 2 is adjacent to the top side of the seat base 222. Fig.27B and Fig.27C The seat base 222 can then be rotated to an angle about the first rotation axis 228b of the first hinge 223. Θ 2. Then, Fig.27D The seat base 222 is shown to be slidably movable along track(s) 227a - 227c from the second position back to the first position.

[0115] In the above example, the passenger seat 220b includes a seat base 222 and a seat back 226 that span the width of three seating positions, wherein the seat base 222 and the seat back 226 rotate as a single component about a first rotation axis 228b and a second rotation axis 228c, respectively. However, it should be appreciated that Fig.22A-23B passenger seat 220b is a non-limiting example. In another example, the passenger seat 220b can be segmented, where each seating position includes a separate mounting frame 221, seat base 222, bracket 224 and seat back 226. The seat base 222 and seat back 226 of each seating position can rotate about the first rotation axis 228b and the second rotation axis 228c independently of other seat bases 222s and seat backs 226s of other seating positions. The mounting frame 221 of each seating position can further move along the tracks 227a-227c independently of other mounting frames 221s of other seating positions.

[0116] In addition, it should be appreciated that the vehicle 100a is not limited to a single row of passenger seats 220bs, but may be equipped with multiple rows of passenger seats 220bs. Fig.22A A second passenger seat 220b, which is identical to the first passenger seat 220b, may be installed behind the first passenger seat 220b toward the rear end of the vehicle 100a and mounted to the same set of (multiple) tracks 227a-227c as the first passenger seat 220b. The second passenger seat 220b may also be folded in a manner similar to the first passenger seat 220b. In the folded configuration, the bottom side of the seat base 222 of the second passenger seat 220b may abut the rear side of the seat back 226 of the first passenger seat 220b, rather than the rear side of the driver's seat 210. The driver's seat 210 may also be mounted to some of the (multiple) tracks 227a-227c that also support the passenger seat 220b. For example, the vehicle 100a may include a plurality of tracks 227a-227c for supporting the first passenger seat 220b. Fig.22A and Fig. 22B The driver's seat 210 may be mounted to the two inner tracks and slidably move forward and backward in the compartment 200 in the same manner as the passenger seat 220 b.

[0117] 4. Example suspension system for vehicle tilt and height adjustment As described above, the vehicle 100a may generally include an electro-active suspension system 410 for each wheel, which may further be integrated as part of the electric motor. As an example, Figure 5 A platform 400 of a vehicle 100a is shown having a pair of front wheels 130 and a pair of rear wheels 131, wherein each wheel is powered by its own electric motor with an integrated electro-active suspension system 410 (see further details in the '895 application). Each of the electro-active suspension systems 410 may be independently controllable and configured to raise or lower a corresponding corner of the vehicle body 110 relative to the ground. It should be appreciated that each suspension system 410 may implement a locking mechanism to maintain a desired height.

[0118] The electro-active suspension system 410 may be used as part of an adaptive suspension system to improve ride comfort during operation of the vehicle 100a. The suspension system 410 may also be used to adjust ground clearance, for example, to increase the clearance between the cabin floor and the ground if the vehicle is traveling over rough terrain, or to decrease the clearance between the cabin floor and the ground when the vehicle is in transit to reduce the vehicle's drag coefficient. For ridesharing and package delivery services, the electro-active suspension system 410 may also be used to improve ease of entry and exit and / or ease of loading and unloading packages by allowing the driver to adjust the height and orientation of the vehicle cabin 200 relative to the ground.

[0119] For example, Fig. 6A It is shown that the front side of the vehicle 100a can be raised and the rear side of the vehicle 100a can be lowered so that the vehicle 100a tilts downward toward the rear side. This configuration can help the driver load and unload packages through the rear door opening 121 of the vehicle 100a by reducing the height of the floor of the vehicle compartment 200 relative to the ground (also known as the "step height"). In another example, Figure 6B Both the front and rear sides of the vehicle 100a are shown lowered closer to the ground in the crouched position so that the floor of the vehicle cabin 200 is closer to the ground and flush with the ground. In yet another example, Figure 6C The vehicle 100a is shown in a raised position typically used when operating the vehicle 100a, and Fig.6D The vehicle 100a is shown tilted to one side by lowering the left side 101b of the vehicle 100a and raising the right side 101a of the vehicle 100a. Fig.6D It is also shown that a ramp 142 can be coupled to the side door opening 115 to facilitate entry and exit of, for example, a wheelchair-bound passenger (see, e.g. Figure 4 ). It should be appreciated that the vehicle 100a may also be configured to tilt in the opposite direction (eg, by lowering the right side 101a of the vehicle 100a and raising the left side 101b of the vehicle 100a).

[0120] By providing a way to control the height of the vehicle body 110, in particular the height of the floor of the car 200, the electroactive suspension system 410 can provide different step heights as needed. For example, the step height of the vehicle 100a can be adjusted to accommodate different curb heights when picking up and dropping off passengers or when loading and unloading packages. The step height can be adjusted to align with the curb so that passengers do not need to step up or down to enter and exit the vehicle 100a. In another example, if the passenger enters the vehicle from the road or leaves the vehicle to the road accordingly, the step height can be adjusted to reduce the step height between the car floor and the road. In another example, the step height can be adjusted to facilitate loading a trolley with folding casters, which is designed to enter the vehicle at a specific step height. In some cases, the vehicle 100a can provide a step height that meets various accessibility standards (such as the American Disabilities Act (ADA) standards). For example, the step height can be adjusted to be the same as the entry step of a bus.

[0121] In one example, during operation of the vehicle 100a, the height of the vehicle floor relative to the ground H f (See Figure 3A ) can nominally be about 260 millimeters. Each electro-active suspension system can adjust the corresponding corner of the vehicle cabin 200 by plus or minus about 100 millimeters. In other words, each electro-active suspension system 410 can have a total travel range of about 200 millimeters. Therefore, the height of each corner of the cabin floor can vary between about 160 millimeters and about 360 millimeters relative to the ground. When used to describe the variation in the height of the cabin floor, the term "about" is intended to cover variations due to manufacturing tolerances. For example, "about 100 millimeters" can correspond to the following size ranges: 99 to 101 mm (+ / - 1% tolerance), 99.2 to 100.8 mm (+ / - 0.8% tolerance), 99.4 to 100.6 mm (+ / - 0.6% tolerance), 99.6 to 100.4 mm (+ / - 4% tolerance), 99.8 to 100.2 mm (+ / - 2% tolerance), including all values ​​and sub-ranges therebetween.

[0122] 5. Example use case for loading and unloading vehicles Hereinafter, several exemplary use cases for adjusting step height of vehicle 100a are provided below. It should be appreciated that these use cases discussed below are non-limiting examples, and more generally, adjustment of step height of vehicle 100a may be used in other applications where step height adjustment is beneficial.

[0123] Figure 7A vehicle 100a is shown with a tailgate 120 in an open position and a rear door opening 121 of a vehicle body 110. As shown, the tailgate 120 may include an integrated rear bumper structure so that the bottom side of the rear door opening 121 is aligned with the floor of the vehicle compartment 200. In this way, when a ramp 142 is coupled to the bottom side of the rear door opening 121, a wheelchair passenger, a wheeled cart or carriage, and / or a bicycle or motorcycle can roll in and out of the vehicle compartment 200. In addition, the vehicle 100a can be tilted so that the bottom side of the rear door opening 121 is positioned closer to the ground, thereby further improving the ease of loading and / or unloading. The rear door opening 121 can have a width in the range of about 75 centimeters to about 125 centimeters and a height in the range of about 100 centimeters to 140 centimeters. The ramp 142 can be a retractable ramp that is manually deployed or automatically deployed via a motor when the vehicle 100a is parked. For example, the ramp 142 can be configured as an assembly of one or more parts that fold and unfold around a horizontal axis or a vertical axis. The ramp 142 can also be detachable and deployable, for example, on the bottom side of the side door opening 115 of the vehicle body 110.

[0124] In one example, Figure 8 It is shown that the vehicle 100a can be tilted backward (see, for example Fig. 6A ), so that a passenger in a wheelchair can enter or exit the vehicle 100a through the rear door opening 121. In some cases, the vehicle 100a may also include a track for guiding a wheelchair in and out of the vehicle 100a. As described above, the vehicle 100a may also include a restraint for securing a wheelchair to the vehicle 100a (e.g., a mechanical stopper deployed along the track) and / or a restraint for securing a passenger to the wheelchair.

[0125] In another example, Fig. 9 The vehicle 100b is shown in a crouched position so that a wire mesh cage 160a with wheels can be rolled into or out of the vehicle 100a through the rear door opening 121 via a ramp 142. The wire mesh cage 160a can generally carry various packages or other cargo for delivery. Similar to the above example, tracks can also be used to guide the wire mesh cage in and out of the vehicle 100a. Mechanical stops and / or other restraints can also be used to securely couple the wire mesh cage fixed to the vehicle 100a.

[0126] In yet another example, Fig. 10A The vehicle 100b is shown in a crouched position so that the wire mesh wrapped cage 160a with folding casters 161 can be rolled into or out of the vehicle 100a without a ramp. Specifically, the folding casters 161 can be folded when in contact with the vehicle 100a when being loaded. When the wire mesh wrapped cage is unloaded, the folding casters 161 can also be automatically deployed, such as by a spring mechanism. Fig. 10BAnother exemplary container 160b is shown with folding casters 161, which can be used with Fig. 10A The wire mesh wrapped cage 160a is loaded and unloaded in the same manner.

[0127] Figures 11A-11C FIG. 1 shows another example of a catering unit 160c being unloaded from a vehicle 100a. The catering unit 160c may be used, for example, to set up a pop-up restaurant or food stall at a party or street festival. Fig.11A As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle 100 a can be tilted rearwardly so that the dining unit 160 c can be unloaded from the vehicle 100 a through the rear door opening 121 via the ramp 142 . Fig. 11B It is shown that the vehicle 100a can be returned to the raised position, and the dining unit 160c can be electrically coupled to the vehicle 100a to receive power, for example, to power cooking equipment (e.g., hotplates, microwaves), lighting, or point-of-service devices. The dining unit 160c can also include one or more motors to deploy the dining unit 160c (e.g., by raising a canopy of the dining unit). Alternatively, the dining unit 160c can be manually deployed by an operator. Finally, Fig. 11C The dining unit 160c is shown fully deployed and powered by the vehicle 100a.

[0128] Fig.12 Yet another example of a modular container 170 is shown, which can be transported by the vehicle 100a and used as a local pickup and return station for packages. The modular container 170 can be used to store different types of goods (e.g., refrigerated / frozen goods, medical supplies, small / large items). For example, the modular container 170 can be deployed in a neighborhood or apartment building to facilitate the pickup and return of packages. Periodically, the driver can drop off a new modular container 170 with packages for delivery and load the modular container 170 with the returned packages into the vehicle 100a for transportation back to the shipping center. The modular container 170 can include a common mechanical interface (e.g., rails, restraints) to securely couple the modular container 170 to the vehicle 100a, thereby improving the ease of loading into and unloading from the vehicle 100a. In some cases, the modular container 170 can enhance the operation of the vehicle 100a. For example, the modular container 170 can include a battery pack to increase the mileage of the vehicle 100a, or equipment specific to a particular application (e.g., equipment for police or paramedics).

[0129] More generally, the vehicle 100a can be equipped with different modular accessories to accommodate different types of cargo, thereby increasing the ease and speed of loading and unloading specific types of cargo, which in turn can increase driver productivity. The modular accessories can be customized for various types of cargo, including, but not limited to, police equipment (e.g., flashing devices, vehicle locking tools), gardening equipment (e.g., lawn mowers), pool service equipment, woodworking equipment, sporting equipment (e.g., golf clubs), road service equipment (e.g., jacks, spare wheels), nursing equipment (e.g., gurneys), passive or active cooling modules (e.g., supplemental air conditioning for passengers or cargo), equipment for storing food (e.g., ice cream) at refrigerated or frozen temperatures, camping modules (e.g., tents, cookers), additional seats for passengers, and battery modules for the vehicle 100a or another vehicle (e.g., another vehicle 100a or a scooter).

[0130] Furthermore, the modular accessories can be easily replaced and / or exchanged with different modular accessories as needed. For example, a driver may deliver packages during the weekdays and install a first set of modular accessories to accommodate the mesh parcel cage 160a and / or container 160b described above. However, during the weekends, the driver may provide a ridesharing service and therefore may remove the first set of modular accessories and install a removable seat (e.g., seat 220a or 220b) or a second set of modular accessories to accommodate a wheelchair.

[0131] In some cases, the above-mentioned wire mesh wrapped cage 160a, container 160b and / or modular unit (e.g., catering unit 160c) can also be motorized and battery-powered to further improve the ease of loading and unloading. The battery can also be used to recharge the battery of the vehicle 100a and / or extend the mileage of the vehicle 100a. This can be achieved by incorporating self-locating electrical connectors (e.g., a set of complementary spring pin connectors) in the vehicle 100a and on the cargo. When the cargo is loaded and secured to the vehicle 100a, the electrical connector on the cargo can automatically engage the connector installed in the vehicle compartment 200 in a hands-free manner. The wire mesh wrapped cage 160a, container 160b and / or modular unit can also generate electricity (e.g., via one or more solar photovoltaic cells) to charge the battery of, for example, the vehicle 100a.

[0132] It should be appreciated that vehicle 100a is a non-limiting example and other variations of vehicle 100a are contemplated herein. Fig.13A vehicle 100b configured as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is shown, wherein the size of the rear portion of the cabin is enlarged, thereby increasing the cargo capacity of the vehicle 100b. This in turn allows the vehicle 100b to accommodate more cargo and / or larger cargo. The vehicle 100b may include several of the same features as the vehicle 100a, particularly a central driving position, a side door 112 with an integrated B-pillar 111, and / or an electric motor with an integrated electro-active suspension system 410. For the sake of brevity, a repeated discussion of these features is not provided below.

[0133] Passengers may enter and exit vehicle 100b in the same manner as vehicle 100a. Similarly, packages and / or other cargo may be loaded into and unloaded from vehicle 100b in the same manner as vehicle 100a. For example, Fig.14 The vehicle 100b is shown in a crouched position so that the wire mesh wrapped cage 160a with wheels can be loaded or unloaded via the ramp 142. In another example, Fig.15 The vehicle 100b is shown in a crouched position so that a wire mesh wrapped cage 160a having folding casters 161 can be loaded or unloaded. In yet another example, Figures 16A-16C The catering unit 160c is shown unloaded from the vehicle 100b and loaded with Figures 11A-11C The dining unit 160c is unfolded in the same manner. Figures 11A-11C Compared with the dining unit 160c, Figures 16A-16C The size of the dining unit 160c in can be larger.

[0134] 6. Exemplary User Interface System for Vehicle The vehicles disclosed herein may also include a user interface system to enhance the ease of operating the vehicle and to assist the driver in performing specific tasks associated with ridesharing and package delivery services.

[0135] In one example, Fig.17A and 17B The user interface system 150 is shown integrated on the B-pillar 111 of the side door 112 above the shark fin structure 116 in the vehicle 100a. However, it should be appreciated that the user interface system 150 can be integrated into other areas of the vehicle 100a, such as the tailgate 120. The user interface system 150 can generally include a display screen (e.g., a display screen 151a on the shark fin structure 116, a second display screen 151b / 151c), a camera, and / or a user input device (e.g., a touch screen) disposed outside the vehicle 100a. In some cases, the user interface system 150 can also include a scanner (e.g., a barcode scanner) to scan packages loaded into or unloaded from the vehicle 100a.

[0136] The display screen 151a may be used to provide various notifications to the driver. In one example, the display screen 151a may display a visual indicator that the vehicle 100a belongs to the driver, particularly when the vehicle 100a is parked in a space with other identical vehicles 100a belonging to other drivers. This may be accomplished, for example, by the display screen 151a displaying a particular color, animation, or message when the driver approaches the vehicle 100a. In another example, the display screen 151a may also provide instructions to the driver when performing certain tasks, such as instructions for using a scanner to scan a package being loaded into or unloaded from the vehicle 100a or instructions provided by a recipient regarding a delivery location and / or how a package should be delivered. Although in Fig.17A and Fig. 17B The display screen 151a is shown as being disposed outside the vehicle, but it should be appreciated that the user interface system 150 may include a display screen disposed within the vehicle cabin 200. In addition, the user interface system 150 may include multiple display screens disposed outside the vehicle 100a or within the vehicle cabin 200 and configured to display the same information.

[0137] The camera can be used, in part, to facilitate hands-free approach to the vehicle 100a through facial recognition. For example, when a person approaches the vehicle 100a, a proximity sensor in the vehicle 100a can trigger the camera to acquire video images. If the user interface system 150 determines that the video image of the person corresponds to the driver, the user interface system 150 can unlock the vehicle 100a and open the side door 112 for the driver. In another example, if the user interface system 150 determines that the video image acquired by the camera shows that the driver is leaving the vehicle 100a, the user interface system 150 can close the side door 112 and lock the vehicle 100a. The image or video image acquired by the camera can also be displayed on a display screen of the user interface system 150 or another display screen of the vehicle 100a (e.g., the dashboard 300).

[0138] The user input device may provide another way for the driver to interact with the user interface system 150. For example, the user input device may allow the driver to confirm when a package is full or to advance to the next instruction sequence when scanning a package for delivery.

[0139] In some cases, the user interface system 150 may also include an environment display system 152 disposed inside the vehicle cabin 200 and / or outside the vehicle 100a, having one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs, lasers) configured to illuminate a portion of the environment and / or display images or video images. The environment display system 152 may assist the driver when loading or unloading packages when making deliveries, thereby reducing or in some cases eliminating the upfront time typically spent loading and unloading packages.

[0140] In one example, Fig.18A It is shown that the environment display system 152 can display a map or floor plan onto the ground next to the vehicle 100b to visually guide the driver to the location where the package should be delivered (e.g., the correct door of an apartment building). This can be achieved, for example, by the user interface system 150 being communicatively coupled to the vehicle's navigation system (e.g., to obtain geographic information about the vehicle's surroundings) or a third-party service (e.g., Google Maps) via a network connection provided by the vehicle or a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) connected to the vehicle. In another example, Fig.18B It is shown that the environment display system 152 can also direct light toward the delivery location within the environment. For example, the environment display system 152 can include a floodlight or laser to illuminate a door or mailbox in the environment to guide the driver. In yet another example, the environment display system 152 can illuminate a portion of the dashboard 300, or more generally, a portion of the vehicle cabin 200, to indicate the delivery location to the driver when operating the vehicle 100a.

[0141] In yet another example, the environment display system 152 may display an image of the vehicle compartment 200 outside the vehicle 100a to show the driver the location of the package in the vehicle compartment 200 when the delivery is made. Alternatively, the environment display system 152 may direct light (e.g., spotlight, laser) toward the package in the vehicle compartment 200 so that the driver can quickly locate the package. In addition, the user interface system 150 may also help the driver load the package into the vehicle so that the packages can be efficiently loaded for later retrieval based in part on the order in which the packages are delivered. For example, the user interface system 150 may instruct the driver to load the packages so that some packages are accessible and other packages are inaccessible. The accessible packages may correspond to the packages that are delivered first. In another example, the user interface system 150 may instruct the driver to load the packages so that the last package loaded is the first package delivered (e.g., last-in, first-out method) or the last package delivered (e.g., first-in, first-out method). The camera of the user interface system 150 may also acquire an image of each package as it is loaded to determine the shape and size of the package. This allows the ambient display system 152 to compensate for packages of different sizes in order to more accurately direct light toward each package.

[0142] In addition to the user interface system 150, the vehicle disclosed herein may include other visual indicators located around the vehicle 100a (eg, the dashboard 300 or the tailgate 120). For example, Fig.19A It is shown that vehicle 100b may include a display screen on the windshield (see display screen 151b) and a display screen on tailgate 120 (see display screen 151c). Fig.19BIt is also shown that the vehicle 100b may include high visibility tail lights and turn signals with separate turn signal and hazard light functions using red, yellow, and / or orange lights. Fig. 20 The vehicle 100a is shown to also include a display screen 151b on the tailgate 120. These additional visual indicators may also operate in conjunction with the user interface system 150.

[0143] In one example, Fig.19A The display screens 151a-151c shown in FIG. 1 can be used to indicate the charging status of the battery of the vehicle 100b to the driver. For example, when the driver approaches the vehicle 100b, the display screens 151a-151c can emit green light to indicate that the battery is about to be or is fully charged, emit red light to indicate that the battery is about to be exhausted and the vehicle 100b cannot be driven, or emit yellow light to indicate that the battery is not fully charged, but the vehicle 100b can still be driven. In another example, Fig. 20 It is shown that display screen 151c can also be used to provide messages to other individuals near vehicle 100a (e.g., other drivers, nearby pedestrians), such as that vehicle 100a is about to stop or turn (e.g., to make a delivery, pick up or drop off a passenger). Display screens 151a-151c can also be used to display other information, such as emergency notifications (e.g., when the vehicle is involved in an accident) or advertisements.

[0144] 7. Example trailer for vehicle The vehicle disclosed herein may also support a trailer to further enhance ridesharing and package delivery services. For example, a trailer may provide space for passengers' luggage. In another example, a trailer may provide additional cargo space to store packages for delivery. In yet another example, a trailer may allow a driver to provide both ridesharing and package delivery services without modifying the vehicle itself (e.g., replacing modular accessories or installing / removing passenger seats). In some cases, multiple trailers may be coupled to a vehicle. For example, a first trailer may be hooked up to the vehicle, and a second trailer may be hooked up to the first trailer.

[0145] Fig.21 An example of a trailer 500 coupled to the rear side of the vehicle 100b using a hitch or another coupling mechanism is shown. As shown, the trailer 500 may include a pair of wheels 510, at least one door 512 (e.g., side door, tailgate), and a rear indicator 514. It should be appreciated that Fig.21 The trailer 500 shown in is a non-limiting example, and other trailers of different sizes are contemplated herein. For example, a trailer with four wheels can be hooked to the vehicle 100b.

[0146] The vehicles disclosed herein may generally have a towing capacity that is limited by the power of the electric motor. To offset these limitations, particularly for larger and / or heavier trailers, the trailer 500 itself may include an electric motor to propel the wheels 510 and a battery to provide power to the motor. For example, Fig.21 Each wheel 510 in the trailer 500 can have an electric motor similar or identical to the electric motor used in the vehicle 100b. The trailer 500 can also be communicatively coupled to the vehicle 100b so that the electric motor of the vehicle 100b is controlled based on the driver's input (e.g., steering, acceleration, braking input). Therefore, the electric motor of the trailer 500 can provide additional power to move the trailer 500 with the vehicle 100b.

[0147] Additionally, each electric motor may be independently controllable to provide active steering for the trailer 500, wherein the rotational speed of one wheel 510 varies relative to the other wheel 510. For example, the left wheel 510 may be given more power than the right wheel 510 to assist the trailer 500 in turning right (commonly referred to as torque vectoring). This may be accomplished by the electric motor for the right wheel 510 (1) providing less power to rotate the right wheel 510 in the same direction as the left wheel 510, (2) providing no power (e.g., the right wheel 510 is not actively driven), or (3) providing power to rotate the right wheel 510 in the opposite direction relative to the left wheel 510. The electric motors may also provide positive and / or negative torque vectoring to stabilize the trailer 500, particularly when the vehicle 100b is turning.

[0148] in conclusion All parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are intended to be exemplary, and actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on one or more specific applications in which the present teachings are used. It should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented primarily by way of example, and within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in a manner other than that specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein.

[0149] In addition, if such features, systems, products, materials, kits and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, any combination of two or more such features, systems, products, materials, kits and / or methods is included in the scope of the invention disclosed herein. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the corresponding elements of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The use of numerical ranges does not exclude equivalents that fall outside the scope of achieving the same function in the same manner to produce the same results.

[0150] The above embodiments can be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, the embodiments can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the software code can be executed on a suitable processor or processor set, whether it is set in a single computer or distributed between multiple computers.

[0151] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the computer may be implemented in any of a variety of forms, such as a rack-mounted computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. Additionally, the computer may be embedded in a device not generally considered a computer but having suitable processing capabilities, including a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any other suitable portable or fixed electronic device.

[0152] In addition, the computer may have one or more input and output devices. These devices may be used, in particular, for presenting a user interface. Examples of output devices that may be used to provide a user interface include a printer or display screen for visual presentation of the output and a speaker or other sound generating device for audible presentation of the output. Examples of input devices that may be used for a user interface include a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse, a touch pad, and a digitized tablet computer. As another example, the computer may receive input information by voice recognition or in other audible formats.

[0153] Such computers may be interconnected in a suitable manner via one or more networks, including local area networks or wide area networks, such as enterprise networks, intelligent networks (IN) or the Internet. Such networks may be based on suitable technologies, may operate according to suitable protocols, and may include wireless networks, wired networks or fiber optic networks.

[0154] The various methods or processes outlined herein may be encoded as software executable on one or more processors using any of a variety of operating systems or platforms. In addition, such software may be written using any of a variety of suitable programming languages ​​and / or programming or scripting tools, and may also be compiled into executable machine language code or intermediate code executed on a framework or virtual machine. Some embodiments may specifically use one or more of a specific operating system or platform and a specific programming language and / or scripting tool to facilitate execution.

[0155] Furthermore, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which at least one example has been provided. The actions performed as part of a method may be ordered differently in some cases. Thus, in some inventive implementations, the corresponding actions of a given method may be performed in an order different from that specifically shown, which may include performing some actions simultaneously (even if such actions are shown as sequential actions in an illustrative embodiment).

[0156] All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0157] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0158] Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" as used herein in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "at least one".

[0159] The phrase "and / or" as used herein in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so combined (i.e., elements that exist in combination in some cases and separately in other cases). Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be interpreted in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so combined. In addition to the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, other elements may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open language such as "comprising", a reference to "A and / or B" may refer to only A (optionally including elements other than B) in one embodiment; may refer to only B (optionally including elements other than A) in another embodiment; may refer to both A and B (optionally including other elements) in yet another embodiment; and so on.

[0160] As used herein in the specification and claims, "or" shall be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., including at least one element from a plurality of elements or a list of elements, but also including more than one element, and optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms that explicitly indicate the opposite, such as "only one of..." or "exactly one of...", or when used in a claim, "consisting of..." will refer to including exactly one element from a plurality of elements or a list of elements. Generally, when preceded by an exclusive term, such as "either," "one of...", "only one of..." or "exactly one of...", the term "or" as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating an exclusive alternative (i.e., "one or the other but not both"). When used in a claim, "consisting essentially of..." shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0161] As used herein in the specification and claims, with respect to a list of one or more elements, the phrase "at least one" should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list of elements, but does not necessarily include at least one element of each element specifically listed in the list of elements, and does not exclude any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements other than the elements specifically identified in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") may refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) A in one embodiment, without B (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, may refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) B, without A (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, may refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) A and at least one (optionally including more than one) B (and optionally including other elements); and so on.

[0162] In the claims and the foregoing description, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "having," "consisting of," and the like are to be understood as open-ended, i.e., meaning including, but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" are to be considered closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in Section 2111.03 of the U.S. Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body defining a vehicle compartment; a pair of front wheels rotatably coupled to the vehicle body and defining a front axis of rotation, wherein the pair of front wheels are not mechanically linked together; a pair of rear wheels rotatably coupled to the vehicle body, wherein the pair of rear wheels are not mechanically linked together; a plurality of electric motors, each of the plurality of motors being disposed partially in a rim of a corresponding wheel of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels and providing propulsion to that wheel; as well as A driver's seat is disposed in the vehicle compartment and positioned along a centerline of the vehicle, the driver's seat being positioned sufficiently close to the front side of the vehicle body so that when the driver sits in the driver's seat, the driver's heel point is located at or in front of the front rotation axis.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: the vehicle having a first length, the first length being defined as a distance from a forward-most outer portion of the vehicle to a rearward-most outer portion of the vehicle; The vehicle compartment has a second length, the second length being defined as the distance from a forward-most portion of the vehicle compartment to a rearward-most portion of the vehicle compartment; and A ratio of the second length to the first length is in a range from about 0.8 to about 0.

95.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The vehicle body includes a side door opening; and The vehicle further comprises: a side door slidably coupled to the vehicle body, the side door having a closed position blocking the side door opening and an open position allowing passage through the side door opening, The side door has an integrally formed B-pillar.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the side door opening has a width in a range of about 125 centimeters (cm) to about 190 cm and a height in a range of about 115 cm to about 140 cm.

5. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the side door opening is the only opening disposed on one of a left side or a right side of the vehicle body.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the driver's seat is slidably connected to the vehicle body and is movable between a first position in which the driver's seat faces the front side of the vehicle body and a second position in which the driver's seat is oriented to face a side door opening of the vehicle body and is disposed closer to the side door opening in the second position than in the first position.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of electric motors comprises an electro-active suspension system to perform at least one of the following: raising or lowering a corner of the vehicle body a distance of approximately 100 millimeters.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the floor of the vehicle compartment is disposed at a height of approximately 260 mm above the ground supporting the vehicle.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: A user interface system is provided on the side door, the user interface system comprising: Display screen; user input device; Camera; and Scanner.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, combined with a trailer to form a vehicle-trailer assembly, the trailer comprising: trailer frame; a first wheel rotatably coupled to the trailer frame; a second wheel rotatably coupled to the trailer frame; a first electric motor coupled to the first wheel to drive the first wheel; a second electric motor coupled to the second wheel to drive the second wheel; as well as a plurality of batteries coupled to the trailer frame to supply power to the first electric motor and the second electric motor, The first electric motor and the second electric motor are independently controllable.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: an instrument panel beam coupled to the vehicle body, the instrument panel beam having one or more cavities configured to convey air from an ambient environment surrounding the vehicle to the vehicle cabin; as well as An instrument panel is directly coupled to the instrument panel beam.

12. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body defining a vehicle compartment and having a side door opening; a driver seat slidably coupled to the vehicle body and movable between a first position in which the driver seat faces a front side of the vehicle body and is equidistant from a right side of the vehicle body and a left side of the vehicle body, and a second position in which the driver seat is oriented to face the side door opening and is disposed closer to the side door opening in the second position than in the first position; as well as A side door is slidably coupled to the vehicle body to block the side door opening in a closed position and to allow passage through the side door opening in an open position.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising: a passenger seat, the passenger seat being arranged behind and to the side of the driver's seat, The side door opening is configured to allow a person to enter the vehicle through the side door opening and sit in the driver seat or the passenger seat.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the passenger seat is flush with or higher than the driver seat.

15. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the side door includes an integrally formed B-pillar.

16. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the passenger seat comprises: a mounting frame slidably coupled to the vehicle body; a seat base coupled to the mounting frame such that the seat base is rotatable relative to the mounting frame about a first rotational axis; as well as A seat back is coupled to the seat base such that the seat back is rotatable relative to the seat base about a second rotational axis that is parallel to the first rotational axis.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are oriented horizontally.

18. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein: The passenger seat has a folded configuration and a deployed configuration; and When transitioning from the expanded configuration to the folded configuration, at least one of the following is true: The mounting frame is slidably movable toward the driver's seat; the seat base rotates about the first axis so that a bottom side of the seat base abuts the driver seat; or The seat back is rotated about the second axis such that a front side of the seat back abuts a top side of the seat base.

19. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising: a pair of front wheels rotatably coupled to the vehicle body and defining a front axis of rotation, The driver seat is positioned in the first position so that a heel point of a driver sitting in the driver seat is located near the front rotation axis.

20. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising: a first front wheel rotatably coupled to a first corner of the vehicle body via a first electro-active suspension system; a second front wheel rotatably coupled to a second corner of the vehicle body via a second electro-active suspension system; a first rear wheel rotatably coupled to a third third portion of the vehicle body via a third electro-active suspension system; as well as a second rear wheel rotatably coupled to a fourth corner of the vehicle body via a fourth electro-active suspension system, Each of the first electro-active suspension system, the second electro-active suspension system, the third electro-active suspension system and the fourth electro-active suspension system is independently controllable and configured to adjust the respective heights between the first corner, the second corner, the third corner and the fourth corner of the vehicle body and the ground supporting the vehicle.

21. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising: A ramp is coupled to a bottom side of the side door opening.

22. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising: A user interface system is provided on the side door, the user interface system comprising: Display screen; user input device; Camera; and Scanner.

23. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the vehicle body; a plurality of electric motors, each electric motor of the plurality of electric motors coupled to one of the plurality of wheels; as well as a plurality of batteries coupled to the vehicle body to supply power to the plurality of electric motors, Each of the plurality of wheels is independently driven by one of the plurality of electric motors.

24. The vehicle of claim 12, combined with a trailer to form a vehicle-trailer assembly, the trailer comprising: trailer frame; a first wheel rotatably coupled to the trailer frame; a second wheel rotatably coupled to the trailer frame; a first electric motor coupled to the first wheel to drive the first wheel; a second electric motor coupled to the second wheel to drive the second wheel; as well as a plurality of batteries coupled to the trailer frame to supply power to the first electric motor and the second electric motor, The first electric motor and the second electric motor are independently controllable.

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