Motor vehicle for transporting persons and / or objects as well as processes

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) for transporting persons and / or objects, with an automatically movable wall (3) by means of which a vehicle interior (2) can be divided into different areas (4), wherein the areas (4) are completely separated from each other by means of the adjustable wall (3), wherein the size of the respective areas (4) can be adjusted by adjusting the wall (3), wherein - the motor vehicle (1) can be operated in a goods transport mode or in a passenger and goods transport mode and - in the object transport mode or in the passenger and object transport mode, a foldable shelf (7) is unfolded in the vehicle interior (2), which is designed to hold respective objects and / or - a backrest (5) is arranged on the wall (3) and a stowable seat (6) is provided, which together in a use position of the seat (6) provide a vehicle seat.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle for transporting persons and / or objects, and to a method for transporting persons and / or objects by means of a motor vehicle.

[0002] From WO 2019 / 224435 A1, a modular vehicle is known which comprises a driver's cab and a loading platform with movable rigid panels. The vehicle has at least two configurations: a "goods transport" configuration and a "passenger transport" configuration. In the "goods transport" configuration, the vehicle's loading platform is a flat surface that occupies more than half of the vehicle's upper surface. In this configuration, the driver's compartment is located beneath the loading platform and is therefore inaccessible to the driver. In the "passenger transport" configuration, the rigid panels are shifted compared to the "goods transport" configuration, making the driver's compartment accessible and usable. By shifting the rigid panels, seats can be created for passengers.

[0003] Furthermore, US patent 2022 / 0340052 A1 discloses an autonomous vehicle that is configurable for transporting passengers, cargo, or both. The autonomous vehicle includes movable seating assemblies, a door arrangement, and storage compartments.

[0004] Furthermore, a device for dividing cabins and / or cargo spaces is known from DE 10 2016 215 405 A1. This device has three flexible walls, each of which can be rolled up or down on a rotatable shaft. A guide rail is also described, by means of which two walls can be guided within a cabin and / or cargo space. The size of the cabin and / or cargo space can be adjusted by rolling and sliding the walls.

[0005] Furthermore, CN 204895312 U discloses a partition wall for a bus luggage compartment that can be pivoted, thereby dividing the luggage compartment into several levels. The partition wall is connected to the luggage compartment via hinges and brackets and can be moved and locked between a retracted and an extended position, thus creating single- or multi-level storage configurations.

[0006] Furthermore, CN 113044393 A discloses a transport system which has mechanisms for height and lateral adjustment. This allows the interior of a transport rack to be divided into several compartments.

[0007] Furthermore, EP 3 705 350 B1 discloses a movable partition arrangement comprising a rail arrangement configured to guide a blind. The blind can be moved to unfold the partition, thereby separating a passenger compartment from a cargo compartment.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 10 2016 200 054 A1 discloses partition elements that can be arranged in several different positions and / or orientations in the luggage compartment of a motor vehicle in order to divide the luggage compartment into luggage compartment sections. The partition elements can be designed in the form of rigid partitions and pivotably mounted on one side on a support column.

[0009] Furthermore, a system for opening and closing a partition is known from CN 113302085 A. In this system, the partition arranged between the seats is only opened or closed by a drive device when required, with a control unit deciding whether opening or closing is necessary based on the entry and exit plans of the occupants.

[0010] Furthermore, FR 2 895 340 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a cargo space that can be flexibly subdivided by removable, vertical, and rigid partitions. Each partition is positioned and held transversely and / or longitudinally in the cargo space. This is achieved by a lower groove formed in the floor and an upper guide that accommodates the upper section of the partition.

[0011] Furthermore, US Patent 2016 / 0082875 A1 describes a partition wall that divides a shipping container into several compartments. It can consist of two panels that together cover the width and height of the container and are fitted with right-angled corner pieces through which crossbars are inserted. The crossbars are clipped into rails on the container walls and can be attached at various points, allowing the position of the partition wall to be adjusted along the container.

[0012] Furthermore, US patent 2019 / 0202377 A1 discloses a vehicle interior that can be divided into or connected by movable walls. These walls can be moved horizontally to separate the passenger compartments depicted therein.

[0013] Furthermore, US 10 752 196 B2 discloses a passenger compartment in which a movable partition is arranged transversely in the vehicle and can be moved between a retracted and extended position in order to separate or make accessible seating areas arranged in the passenger compartment.

[0014] Furthermore, WO 2018 / 225472 A1 describes a vehicle system with a flexibly usable interior. In this system, a passenger compartment can be divided into separate areas or connected by means of movable partitions or modules.

[0015] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution by which the interior of a motor vehicle can be used particularly efficiently.

[0016] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments set forth in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded, at least analogously, as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as of any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the dependent claims.

[0017] The invention relates to a motor vehicle for transporting persons and / or objects. The motor vehicle is specifically designed to transport the persons and / or objects at least semi-automatically, and in particular fully automatically and thus autonomously. The motor vehicle includes an automatically movable wall by means of which the vehicle interior can be divided into different areas. The areas are completely separated from one another by means of the adjustable wall, and the size of the respective areas can be adjusted by moving the wall. This means that the wall can be moved translationally within the vehicle interior, in particular in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction, thereby allowing the size or size ratio of the respective areas separated by the wall to be adjusted.Because the wall completely separates the different areas, access to one area from the other is prevented. If individuals are located in different areas, the complete separation allows them to be transported separately, thus protecting their privacy. For example, if at least one object is located in one area and a person in the other, the complete separation ensures that the object is inaccessible to the person in the other area. This significantly reduces the risk of theft and damage to the object.The automated wall adjustment allows for easy adaptation of the size of the respective compartments to specific needs. The more people the vehicle is transporting, the larger the portion of the interior can be designated for passenger transport. Conversely, the more goods being transported, the larger the cargo area can be adjusted by moving the wall. Thus, the interior layout can be adapted to the specific task of transporting goods or people by automatically moving the wall.The automated movement of the wall means in particular that the wall can be moved, for example by means of an actuator, and therefore does not have to be moved manually by a person, especially to adjust the size of the respective areas.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the invention, the motor vehicle can be operated in a passenger transport mode, a goods transport mode, or a combined passenger and goods transport mode. In passenger transport mode, the entire vehicle interior is designated for the transport of persons. In goods transport mode, the entire vehicle interior is designated for the transport of goods. In combined passenger and goods transport mode, both persons and goods are transported in the vehicle interior, with the persons and goods being transported in completely separate areas of the vehicle interior. The motor vehicle can thus be particularly well adapted to specific transport requirements. This allows the motor vehicle to be used with particular efficiency for the transport of persons and / or goods.

[0019] In this context, it may be particularly suitable that, in passenger transport mode, the vehicle interior is divided into completely separate compartments by means of a partition, each capable of accommodating at least one person. In other words, in passenger transport mode, the vehicle interior is divided into separate compartments, each capable of accommodating at least one person, and in particular exactly one person. This allows the occupants within the vehicle interior to maintain their privacy to a high degree.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the invention, a foldable shelf is unfolded in the vehicle interior during the goods transport mode, designed to hold various items. This means that the shelf is foldable, allowing it to be folded particularly compactly and stored securely in a space-saving manner during passenger transport mode or in passenger and goods transport mode. To switch to goods transport mode, the shelf can be at least partially unfolded into the vehicle interior, and in particular, fully unfolded, enabling the shelf to hold the items to be transported by the vehicle. The foldable shelf allows for particularly easy conversion of the vehicle interior and / or a particularly easy adjustment of the goods transport mode or the passenger and goods transport mode.

[0021] In this context, it may be particularly suitable for the shelving unit to have separately extendable and foldable shelf elements, allowing the size of the shelving unit to be adapted to the area of ​​the vehicle interior intended for transporting items. The shelving unit can thus comprise separately foldable and unfoldable segments, making it especially easy to adjust its size to the dimensions of the vehicle interior area designated for transporting items. This allows for particularly efficient and complete utilization of the space designated for transporting items within the vehicle interior.

[0022] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the shelf is accessible from opposite sides of the vehicle. This means that the shelf is designed in such a way that it is particularly easy to access from different sides of the vehicle. It is thus provided that the shelf has compartments on opposite sides, so that when a first vehicle door is opened, at least one compartment is available for inserting or removing an item, and when a second vehicle door opposite this first door is opened, at least one further compartment is available for inserting or removing an item.This makes it particularly easy to place items on or remove them from the shelf, depending on which vehicle door is currently accessible.

[0023] In another possible embodiment of the invention, the shelf is mounted on the wall. This means that at least one side of the shelf is attached to the wall. If the wall is moved to adjust the size of the respective sections, the wall-mounted side of the shelf moves with it, allowing the shelf to be partially unfolded or folded away.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the invention provides that a backrest is arranged on the wall and a stowable seat is provided, which together, in a use position of the seat, form a vehicle seat. This means that the backrest and the seat, when arranged in their respective use positions, together provide the vehicle seat for at least one person. Because the backrest and the seat are not directly attached to each other, the seat can be stowed particularly easily, for example in the area of ​​the vehicle floor, and the backrest can be moved particularly easily together with the wall in the vehicle interior.

[0025] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the at least one wall is configured to be moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to adjust the size of the areas arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction. This means that the respective areas are bounded in the transverse direction by opposing side walls of the vehicle and in the longitudinal direction by the at least one wall and optionally by a further automatically movable wall or a further wall of the vehicle extending forward or backward in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the automatically adjustable wall extends over an entire cross-section of the vehicle interior, with the cross-section being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.This makes it particularly easy to ensure that the areas separated by the wall are completely isolated from one another. Furthermore, while the areas are completely separated, the size of each area can be easily adjusted simply by moving at least one wall.

[0026] The invention further relates to a method for transporting persons and / or objects by means of a motor vehicle, in which, depending on whether persons and / or objects are to be transported, the vehicle interior is divided into different areas by means of at least one automatically movable wall of the motor vehicle. The areas are completely separated from one another by means of the adjustable wall. By adjusting the wall, the size of the respective areas is adapted. In particular, within the framework of the method, the interior of a motor vehicle can be adapted in its division, as has already been described in connection with the motor vehicle according to the invention.Furthermore, in the method according to the invention, when the motor vehicle is operated in a mode for transporting objects or in a mode for transporting both persons and objects, a foldable shelf is unfolded in the vehicle interior to accommodate the respective objects. Alternatively or additionally, a provided seat surface is moved into its operating position to provide a vehicle seat together with a backrest arranged against the wall.

[0027] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of the figures and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures themselves, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0028] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of the interior of a motor vehicle in a passenger transport mode; Fig. 2. A schematic perspective view of the vehicle interior in an object transport mode of the motor vehicle; and Fig. 3 A schematic perspective view of the vehicle interior in a passenger and goods transport mode of the motor vehicle.

[0029] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are marked with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0030] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. Figure 3 shows a motor vehicle 1 in schematic perspective views, with the respective side walls and roof of the motor vehicle 1 hidden, thus providing a particularly good view of the vehicle interior 2. The motor vehicle 1 includes at least one automatically movable wall 3, by means of which the vehicle interior 2 can be divided into different areas 4. The areas 4 into which the vehicle interior 2 is divided are completely separated from each other by the at least one wall 3. By adjusting the at least one wall 3, the size of the respective areas 4 can be set.

[0031] Motor vehicle 1 can be in a Fig. 1 passenger transport mode shown, in a Fig. 2 item transport modes shown or in one in Fig. The 3 shown passenger and object transport modes can be operated as shown. As in Fig. As can be seen, the vehicle interior 2 is divided into completely separate areas 4 by means of at least one wall 3, in each of which one person can be transported. In the present case, the motor vehicle 1 comprises two walls 3, on each of which a backrest 5 is arranged. In passenger transport mode, this backrest 5, together with an associated seat surface 6, forms a vehicle seat for at least one person. The in Fig. The seating surfaces 6 shown in Figure 1 are each stowable in an underbody area of ​​the vehicle 1 and can be moved into the vehicle interior 2 in their respective operating positions to provide the respective vehicle seat. To switch the vehicle 1 between passenger transport mode and cargo transport mode, as well as between passenger and cargo transport modes, at least one wall 3 of the vehicle 1 is adjusted along the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle. As already explained, the vehicle 1 comprises two walls 3 arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle. A shelf 7 is attached to the rear of the wall 3 that is furthest away in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle. When the rear wall 3 is moved forward in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, the shelf 7 attached to this rear wall 3 is at least partially, and in particular completely, unfolded forward in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle.For this purpose, the shelf 7 has separately unfoldable and foldable shelf elements 8, 9, allowing the size of the shelf 7 to be adapted to an area 4 of the vehicle interior 2 intended for transporting the items. The backrest 5 is thus attached to the front of the rear wall 3 (in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle), and the shelf 7 is attached to the rear. As shown in . Fig. When item 2 can be detected, shelf 7 is fully unfolded in object transport mode. Fig.Figure 3 clearly shows that in passenger and cargo transport mode, a first shelf element 8 of the shelf 7 is unfolded, and a second shelf element 9, arranged in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle in front of or behind the first shelf element 8, is folded. This allows the vehicle interior 2 to be configured for both passenger and cargo transport by dividing the vehicle interior 2 into at least two completely separate areas 4 using at least one of the walls 3, with a vehicle seat being arranged in at least one of the areas 4 and the shelf 7 being at least partially unfolded in the other area 4.

[0032] The described invention is based on the understanding that large cities will face increasing populations in the future. This continuous population growth contributes to traffic congestion on main roads in suburbs and city centers, exceeding the demand for parking spaces. Furthermore, commuters who rely on public transportation suffer from unreliable and inaccessible bus connections to other modes of transport. This problem is particularly acute during peak hours. The described vehicle 1 enables its use for commuter traffic, especially in passenger transport mode, by providing commuters with optimized routes from their front door to a desired stop for another mode of transport, particularly through artificial intelligence, such as a neural network.Motor vehicle 1 thus represents a mobility solution for both the first and last mile. Looking at the demand for transport services throughout the day, it can be seen that the demand for passenger transport decreases significantly between peak hours and thus outside of rush hour. Conversely, the demand for freight transport, and thus for the transport of goods, shows an almost inverse relationship and increases between these peak hours. Given the fluctuating demand for passenger and freight transport throughout the day, a dual system that can efficiently meet both needs is advantageous. Taxis are generally characterized by low efficiency, as they often make empty trips to reach a customer's pick-up location.A hybrid approach, in which deliveries of items, such as parcel deliveries, are combined with taxi routes and vice versa, leads to a particularly high utilization of vehicle 1 and a reduction in costs.

[0033] With the rise of online shopping, businesses without logistics infrastructure are losing competitiveness, as they are economically disadvantaged by the costs of delivery services. The technical challenge, therefore, lies in creating an adaptable vehicle interior 2 of the vehicle 1 that can automatically adjust to traffic requirements. This would allow small shop owners to be integrated into freight transport particularly easily using the vehicle 1.

[0034] The interior space 2 of the motor vehicle 1 is capable of automatically converting due to the automatically adjustable at least one wall 3, allowing for the transport of one or two passengers, only objects, or one passenger together with objects. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 addresses the challenge of ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during the transport of objects. If several persons and / or objects are to be transported in the interior space 2, the objects are transported separately from the persons, and the persons are transported spatially separated from each other, by means of the motor vehicle 1. During the journey of the motor vehicle 1, the objects are protected from unauthorized removal by the complete separation of the areas 4. The at least one wall 3, by which the areas 4 are separated from each other, cannot be penetrated or circumvented.By completely separating areas 4 from each other, a particularly high sense of security and a particularly high level of comfort for passengers can be achieved, which is of particular importance for cities with high crime rates.

[0035] The interior design of the vehicle 1 is based on an interchangeable interior concept. This concept includes switching between passenger transport mode and cargo transport mode by stowing and adjusting interior components, in this case the shelf 7 and the seats 6. The interior design of the vehicle 1 shown in the figures allows it to be used for passenger transport only by providing two seats with backrests 5 and tables 10 and / or armrests for two people. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 can be used for cargo transport only by providing the shelf 7 for parcels and packages. Additionally, the vehicle 1 allows for a hybrid passenger and cargo transport mode. To activate this mode, one seat is replaced by partially unfolding the shelf 7.

[0036] For passenger transport mode, the shelf 7 in the rear of the vehicle interior 2 is folded and stowed away. In this case, the vehicle interior 2 is designed to transport two occupants in passenger transport mode. Therefore, the vehicle interior 2 is divided into two compartments 4. Each compartment 4 is equipped with a seat 6 and a backrest 5, which is attached to an adjustable wall 3, as well as a table 10 and / or an armrest. The backrest 5 is decoupled from the seat 6. Because the compartments 4 are completely separated from each other by at least one wall 3, the occupants are afforded a high degree of privacy. An interactive screen for infotainment purposes can be arranged on the rear side of the wall 3 that is at the front in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, for use by a person sitting in the rear seat.To switch from passenger transport mode to goods transport mode, both seats 6 are stowed in the floor of the vehicle 1. The seats 6 are moved vertically into the vehicle floor. Subsequently, both walls 3 move forward along the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle in the direction of travel, thereby unfolding the shelf 7. The shelf 7 can have two identical shelf elements 8, 9, in this case the first shelf element 8 and the second shelf element 9, which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle and each have the structure of a shelf or open boxes, accessible through different vehicle doors, in particular through opposing vehicle doors. In goods transport mode, both shelf elements 8 and 9 of the shelf 7 can be configured to hold respective items and are both unfolded.Shelf 7 may include materials that are fabric-like or similar to fabric to allow for the folding and unfolding of individual shelf compartments. This material is used for the base of each shelf compartment, but not for the side dividers. The shelf structure that provides the vertical division of the individual shelf compartments is rigid to ensure robust stability when Shelf 7 unfolds or folds.

[0037] In passenger and goods transport mode, passenger transport and goods transport are combined. The vehicle interior 2 is divided such that a person can be transported in one of the areas 4, particularly on a front vehicle seat, and the rear passenger seat (in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle) is replaced by the partially unfolded and partially folded shelf 7. Switching from goods transport mode to passenger and goods transport mode is achieved by moving the wall 3, to which the shelf 7 is attached, backwards in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, contrary to the direction of travel. This causes one of the shelf elements 8, 9 of the shelf 7, either the front shelf element 8 or the rear shelf element 9, to fold. The seat 6 can then be moved from the floor of the vehicle 1 into the vehicle interior 2 in the vertical direction z of the vehicle.In this case, the passenger and object transport mode allows a person to be transported in the front of the vehicle interior and objects to be transported in the rear.

[0038] The described interior concept is based on movable elements. The dynamics of the respective elements, especially the walls 3, can be ensured by mounted rails and wheels that can be electronically driven. The described concept enables different use cases by designing the vehicle interior 2. The vehicle 1 is designed such that, in the respective different use cases, the areas 4 of the vehicle interior 2 are spatially separated from one another. This means that in each of the described modes, although the same vehicle interior 2 is used, the respective use cases do not interfere with each other. In this way, passengers do not come into contact with the shelf 7, especially with objects arranged in the shelf 7. Furthermore, the objects do not come into contact with the passengers seated in the vehicle.

[0039] The described concept is particularly compact and functional. Furthermore, the concept is exceptionally minimalist, as only a very few walls 3 are required to reliably and completely separate the respective areas 4. Only one wall 3 is used to divide the two areas 4. Additionally, one of the walls 3 simultaneously serves as a support or side panel for a shelf structure of the shelf 7. The vehicle seats are also designed so that the seat cushions 6 are separate from the respective backrests 5. This allows for simple storage solutions that consist solely of translational sliding movements.

[0040] Overall, the invention shows how a multi-purpose vehicle, in this case the motor vehicle 1, can be implemented with a modular interior. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 Vehicle interior 3 Wall 4 area 5 Backrest 6 Seating area 7 shelves 8 first shelf element 9 second shelf unit x Vehicle longitudinal direction y vehicle transverse direction z Vehicle lifting direction

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) for transporting persons and / or objects, with an automatically movable wall (3) by means of which a vehicle interior (2) can be divided into different areas (4), wherein the areas (4) are completely separated from each other by means of the adjustable wall (3), wherein the size of the respective areas (4) can be adjusted by adjusting the wall (3), wherein - the motor vehicle (1) can be operated in a goods transport mode or in a passenger and goods transport mode and - in the object transport mode or in the passenger and object transport mode, a foldable shelf (7) is unfolded in the vehicle interior (2), which is designed to hold respective objects and / or - a backrest (5) is arranged on the wall (3) and a stowable seat (6) is provided, which together in a use position of the seat (6) provide a vehicle seat. [2] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle (1) can be operated in a passenger transport mode. [3] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 2, wherein in the passenger transport mode the vehicle interior (2) is divided into completely separate areas (4) by means of the wall (3), in each of which at least one person can be transported. [4] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelf (7) has shelf elements (8, 9) that can be unfolded and folded separately from one another, whereby the size of the shelf (7) can be adapted to an area (4) of the vehicle interior (2) provided for transporting the items. [5] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelf (7) is accessible from opposite sides of the motor vehicle (1). [6] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelf (7) is held on the wall (3). [7] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one wall (3) is arranged to be moved in the longitudinal direction (x) of the motor vehicle (1) in order to adjust the size of the areas (4) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (x). [8] Method for transporting persons and / or objects by means of a motor vehicle (1), wherein, depending on whether persons and / or objects are to be transported, a vehicle interior (2) is divided into different areas (4) by means of at least one automatically movable wall (3) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the areas (4) are completely separated from each other by means of the adjustable wall (3), wherein the size of the respective areas (4) is adjusted by adjusting the wall (3), wherein - when the motor vehicle (1) is operated in a goods transport mode or in a passenger and goods transport mode, a foldable shelf (7) is unfolded in the vehicle interior (2) to accommodate respective items and / or - a provided stowable seat (6) is moved into its position of use in order to provide a vehicle seat together with a backrest (5) arranged on the wall (3).

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