Methods and systems for reconfiguring a vehicle geometry

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10248134-B2
Application number	US-201615336861-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 28, 2016
Priority date	Oct 28, 2016
Publication date	Apr 2, 2019
Grant date	Apr 2, 2019

Abstract

A system for reconfiguring a vehicle geometry is disclosed. The system includes a configuration system configured to alter the vehicle geometry, a communication system, and a controller in communication with the configuration system and the communication system, the controller configured to receive a configuration signal from the communication system, determine a configuration control signal, and automatically control the configuration system based on the control signal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for reconfiguring a vehicle geometry, comprising:
a configuration system configured to alter the vehicle geometry;
a communication system;
a vehicle occupancy sensor; and
a controller in communication with the configuration system, the vehicle occupancy sensor, and the communication system, the controller configured to receive a configuration signal from the communication system, receive sensor data from the vehicle occupancy sensor, determine an occupancy status of a vehicle, determine a configuration control signal, and automatically control the configuration system based on the control signal.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an input device, wherein the communication system is configured to communicate with the input device.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the input device is a handheld device.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive a user input from the input device, the user input indicating a desired vehicle configuration.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration system includes a rack and pinion mechanism.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration system includes a pneumatic mechanism.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration system includes a hydraulic mechanism.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the configuration system includes a servo electric mechanism.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the configuration mechanism.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sensors configured to measure and capture data on one or more vehicle characteristics indicative of the occupancy status of the vehicle, the one or more vehicle characteristics including one or more of an image of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, a noise level of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a weight of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sensors includes one or more of a RADAR sensor, a LIDAR sensor, an optical camera, a thermal camera, an ultrasonic sensor, an occupant sensor, and an ANC microphone.

12. An automotive vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle body structure including a roof and a main body, the roof supported by a roof support system;
a configuration system located in the roof support system, the configuration system configured to alter a vehicle configuration;
at least one vehicle sensor configured to detect an occupancy status of the vehicle;
a communication system; and
a controller in communication with the at least one vehicle sensor, the configuration system, and the communication system, the controller configured to receive sensor data corresponding to the occupancy status of the vehicle from the at least one vehicle sensor, determine the vehicle configuration based on the sensor data, generate a control signal based on the vehicle configuration, and automatically control the configuration system according to the control signal to alter the vehicle body structure from a first configuration to a second configuration.

13. The automotive vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the configuration system includes one or more of a gear mechanism, a hydraulic mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism, and an electric servo mechanism.

14. The automotive vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive a user input from an input device, the user input indicating a desired vehicle configuration.

15. The automotive vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the configuration system to alter the vehicle body structure from the second configuration to the first configuration.

16. The automotive vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the roof is positioned at a first height in the first configuration and positioned at a second height in the second configuration and the second height is less than the first height.

17. The automotive vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the roof is a convertible roof top.

18. An automotive vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle body structure including a roof, a roof support system, and a main body;
a configuration system located in the vehicle body structure, the configuration system configured to alter a vehicle configuration;
at least one vehicle sensor configured to detect an occupancy status of the vehicle;
a communication system; and
a controller in communication with the at least one vehicle sensor, the configuration system, and the communication system, the controller configured to receive sensor data corresponding to an occupancy of an interior of the vehicle from the at least one vehicle sensor, determine the vehicle configuration based on the sensor data, generate a control signal based on the vehicle configuration, and automatically control the configuration system according to the control signal to alter the vehicle body structure from a first configuration to a second configuration.

19. The automotive vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the roof comprises a first roof portion and a second roof portion.

20. The automotive vehicle of claim 19 , wherein in the first configuration the first roof portion and the second roof portion form a continuous vehicle roof and in the second configuration the first roof portion and the second roof portion retract within the main body.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Barra Nicholas A
• Damman Scott W
• Theis Nicholas D
• Mcguire Michael E

Classifications

• G05D3/10 Primary

  without using feedback · CPC title

• B60J7/08 Primary

  of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position · CPC title

• B62D37/02 Primary

  by aerodynamic means · CPC title

• B62D35/00

  Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining · CPC title

• B60N2/005

  Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles {, e.g. dismountable auxiliary seats}(B60N2/02 takes precedence {; for railway vehicles B61D1/04}) · CPC title