Configurable transportation structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10744396-B2
Application number	US-201816132681-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 17, 2018
Priority date	Mar 22, 2016
Publication date	Aug 18, 2020
Grant date	Aug 18, 2020

Abstract

A system includes a support structure that includes a bottom surface and a connector plate pivotably connected to the bottom surface, and a device including a wheel, the device being releaseably connectable to the connector plate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a support structure that includes:
a bottom surface;
a connector plate pivotably connected to the bottom surface;
a processor that is programmed to:
generate an actuation command for a device based on (i) a location of the device relative to a reference point of the support structure and (ii) a planned path of the support structure; and
actuate the device based on the generated actuation command; and

the device including a wheel, the device being releaseably connectable to the connector plate.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure further includes two or more circular recesses; each recess having (i) a first open end at the bottom surface of the support structure and (ii) a second end pivotably connected to the connector plate.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the connector plate is pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the recess; the longitudinal axis being perpendicular to the bottom surface of the support structure.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the device touches the connector plate.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure further includes a battery that is electrically connectable to the device.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the support structure further includes a wireless charger circuit that is electrically connected to the battery.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure further includes a motor that is drivably connectable to the device.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure further includes a human machine interface and a processor programmed to actuate the human machine interface based on at least one of route data, planned path of the support structure, support structure reservation status.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the human machine interface includes a light, and the processor is further programmed to actuate the light to indicate a location of a holding member of the support structure.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure further includes a second connector plate pivotably connected to the bottom surface, and a second device including a second wheel, the second device being releaseably connectable to the second connector plate.

11. A system, comprising a support structure that includes:
a bottom surface,
a connector plate pivotably connected to the bottom surface,
a device including a wheel, the device being releaseably connectable to the connector plate;
a human machine interface;
a light; and
a processor, programmed to:
actuate the human machine interface based on at least one of route data, planned path of the support structure, support structure reservation status; and
actuate the light to indicate a location of a holding member of the support structure.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Westfall Christopher Robert
• Dominguez Melvin Alfredo
• Vas Kilian
• Ricke Tobias
• Wagner Uwe

Classifications

• B62D61/04

  with two other wheels which are coaxial · CPC title

• B62D51/02

  the driver standing in the vehicle · CPC title

• B62D47/00

  Motor vehicles or trailers predominantly for carrying passengers (superstructures B62D31/00) · CPC title

• B60L2250/16

  by display · CPC title

• B60L2240/622

  by satellite navigation · CPC title