WO2018013069A1

WO2018013069A1 - Multimodal transportation system

Info

Publication number: WO2018013069A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/041701
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hendryk F. CAMPOS CARDENAS; Angeles Jorge A. PENA
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Llc
Priority date: 2016-07-11
Filing date: 2016-07-11
Publication date: 2018-01-18

Abstract

A multimodal transportation system includes a vehicle having a first mating structure on an inner surface of a rear door of a passenger compartment, and a personal mobility device having a second mating structure for removably mounting the personal mobility device to the first mating structure. The passenger compartment of the vehicle includes a cable in electrical communication with the vehicle battery. The personal mobility device includes a port in electrical communication with the battery of the personal mobility device. The battery of the personal mobility device is chargeable when the cable is inserted into the port.

Description

MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

[0001] Mobility devices, such as scooters, may be transported with vehicles for use at various destinations. Transporting mobility devices in or on a vehicle can create difficulties, especially with small vehicles. An interior of a vehicle may be reconfigurable, e.g., seats may be folded, to accommodate mobility devices in the interior of the vehicle. Mobility devices may consume valuable interior space of the vehicle, however, and can move in the vehicle, e.g., during acceleration or deceleration.

[0002] Mobility devices can also be transported on an exterior of the vehicle. For example, after-market racks are available for mounting one or more mobility devices to the exterior of vehicles. Attaching after- market racks to vehicles, however, and mounting mobility devices onto the rack, can be physically strenuous and time consuming. Moreover, after-market racks can be expensive to purchase, and can disrupt airflow around the vehicle during travel, decreasing fuel economy of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example multimodal transportation system including a vehicle and a mobility device disposed outside the vehicle;

[0004] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the mobility device of Figure 1 with a foldable steering assembly in an operating position;

[0005] Figure 2B is a perspective view of the mobility device of Figure 1 with the foldable steering assembly in a stowed position;

[0006] Figure 2C is a perspective view of a portion of the bottom surface of the mobility device of Figure 1 ;

[0007] Figure 2D is a perspective view of a front end of the mobility device of Figure 1 ;

[0008] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first mating structure disposed on an inner surface of a rear door of the vehicle and the mobility device of Figure 1 ; and

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mobility device of Figure 1 removably mounted to the rear door of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a multimodal transportation system 10 is shown, including a vehicle 12 and a mobility device 22, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4.

[0011] The vehicle 12 includes a passenger compartment 14 and a rear door 16, e.g., a rear hatch. The rear door 16 has an inner surface 18 facing the passenger compartment 14. A first mating structure 20 is disposed on the inner surface 18 of the rear door 16.

[0012] The mobility device 22 includes a second mating structure 26. The second mating structure 26 is configured to removably engage the first mating structure 20 of the vehicle 12. In this way, the mobility device 22 can be removably mountable to the inner surface 18 of the rear door 16 of the vehicle 12.

[0013] As shown in the Figures, the mobility device 22 may be, for example, an electric scooter 24. Referring to Figures 2A-D, the electric scooter 24 includes a platform 28, a battery 50, a motor 52, a steer wheel 100, one or more driven wheels 56, a foldable steering assembly 78, and one or more lights 136, as discussed further below.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2A, the platform 28 extends along a longitudinal axis A between a front end 30 and a rear end 32. The front end 30 of the platform 28 can include one or more lights 136, and the rear end 32 of the platform 28 can also include one or more lights 136.

[0015] The platform 28 includes a top surface 34 and a bottom surface 36. The top surface 34 of the platform 28 is of a suitable size and shape to accommodate users of the electric scooter 24. The top surface 34 and the bottom surface 36 of the platform 28 may be formed together simultaneously as a single unit.

[0016] Alternatively, the top surface 34 and the bottom surface 36 can be separately formed and subsequently connected together, e.g., with adhesives, fasteners, or the like. The platform 28 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as a metal, a polymer (e.g., a plastic), a composite, etc. The top surface 34 and bottom surface 36 of the platform 28 may be constructed from the same material, or from different materials.

[0017] Referring to Figures 2A-B, the top surface 34 of the platform 28 may include a recess 38. The recess 38 can be dimensioned to receive the foldable steering assembly 78 when the foldable steering assembly 78 is in a stowed position. For example, the recess 38 can be of a shape and depth so that when the foldable steering assembly 78 is in the stowed position, the foldable steering assembly 78 is substantially flush with the top surface 34 of the platform 28.

[0018] The recess 38 can include a first portion 40, a second portion 42, and a third portion 44. The first portion 40 of the recess 38 extends along the longitudinal axis A of the platform 30 from the front end 30 of the platform 28 to the second portion 42 of the recess 38. As shown in Figures 2A and 2D, the first portion 42 can include an opening 46 extending through the bottom surface 36 of the platform 28, as discussed further below.

[0019] The second portion 42 of the recess 38 extends substantially along the longitudinal axis A of the platform 28 from the first portion 40 of the recess 38 to the third portion 44. The second portion 42 of the recess 38 can include a steering-assembly clip (not shown) configured to releasably hold the foldable steering assembly 78 in the recess 38 when the foldable steering assembly 78 is in the stowed position.

[0020] The third portion 44 of the recess 38 extends at a substantially right angle relative to the longitudinal axis A of the platform 28. In this way, the third portion 44 of the recess 38 can receive a handle segment 106 of a handlebar 102 of the foldable steering assembly 78 when the foldable steering assembly 78 is in the stowed position.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2C, the bottom surface 36 of the platform 28 may support the battery 50. For example, the bottom surface 36 can include a slot (not shown) proximate the rear end 32 of the platform 28 that detachably secures the battery 50 to the bottom surface 36. The battery 50 can be a lithium-ion battery, or any other suitable type of power source. The battery 50 may be rechargeable.

[0022] With continued reference to Figure 2C, the motor 52 can also be secured to the bottom surface 36 of the platform 28, e.g., proximate the rear end 32. The motor 52 may be electrically connected to the battery 50 by wires 54. The motor 48 is also drivably connected to one or more driven wheels 56.

[0023] For example, an axle 58 may be rotatably coupled to the bottom surface 36 of the platform 28 proximate the rear end 32. The axle 58 can have a first end 60 connected to a first driven wheel 56 and a second end 62 connected to a second driven wheel 56. The axle 58 can include threads 64 configured to engage a gear wheel 66 rotatably coupled to the motor 52. In this way, the motor 52 may rotate the gear wheel 66, the gear wheel 66 may rotate the axle 58, and the axle 58 may rotate the first and second driven wheels 56.

[0024] The axle 58 can be constructed from a single piece of material, or from multiple pieces of material. The material can be of any suitable type, e.g., metal, such as aluminum, steel, and the like. The axle 58 may be constructed from the same materials, or from different materials.

[0025] The bottom surface 36 of the platform 28 can support a casing 68. The battery 50, the motor 52, the gear wheel 66, and at least a portion of the axle 58 may be disposed in the casing 68.

[0026] The casing 68 may have opposing sides 70, 72. Each of the opposing sides 70, 72 may have an opening (not shown). The first end 60 of the axle 58 may extend through one opening in the casing 68, and the second end 62 of the axle 58 may extend through another opening. The first and second driven wheels 56 may be connected to the first end 60 of the axle 58 and to the second end 62 of the axle 58, respectively, external to the casing 68.

[0027] The casing 68 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as metal, a polymer (e.g., a plastic), a composite, etc. The casing 68 can be releasably attached to the bottom surface 36 of the platform 28 in any suitable way, e.g., fasteners (not shown).

[0028] As discussed above, the electric scooter 24 can include the foldable steering assembly 78. The foldable steering assembly 78 may have an outer tube 80, an inner tube 86, the handlebar 102, a fork member 98, and the steer wheel 100.

[0029] The inner tube 86 may be journaled within the outer tube 80 so as to allow the inner tube 86 to rotate relative to the outer tube 80. For example, a headset 92 can provide a rotatable interface between the inner tube 86 and the outer tube 80.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2D, the inner tube 86 includes a bottom portion 88. The bottom portion 88 extends outwardly from a first end 82 of the outer tube 80. When the foldable steering assembly 78 is in an operating position, the bottom portion 88 of the inner tube 86 extends through the opening 46 in the bottom surface 36 of the platform 28. A lower piece 94 of the headset 92 engages the bottom portion 88 of the inner tube 86 and the first end 82 of the outer tube 80.

[0031] The fork member 98 is secured to the bottom portion 88 of the inner tube 86. The steer wheel 100 is rotatably coupled to the fork member. In this way, when users turn the handlebar 102, the steer wheel 100 can turn the electric scooter 24, as further discussed below. [0032] With reference to Figure 2A, the inner tube 86 also includes a top portion 90. The top portion 90 extends outwardly from a second end 84 of the outer tube 80. An upper piece 96 of the headset 92 engages the top portion 90 of the inner tube 86 and the second end 84 of the outer tube 80.

[0033] The handlebar 102 is fixedly secured to the top portion 90 of the inner tube 86. For example, the handlebar 102 can include a sleeve 104. The handle segment 106 may be attached to the sleeve 104 at a substantially right angle to the sleeve 104.

[0034] The sleeve 104 of the handlebar 102 may define an opening (not shown) into which the top portion 90 of the inner tube 86 can be inserted. The top portion 90 can be fixedly secured to the sleeve 104 in any suitable way, e.g., fasteners, adhesives, etc. In this way, rotating the handlebar 102 rotates the inner tube 98, which rotates the fork member 98, which turns the steer wheel 100.

[0035] The foldable steering assembly 78 can pivot between the operating position and the stowed position. For example, as shown in Figure 2D, a first bearing 108 and a second bearing 110 can be fixed to opposing sides of the outer tube 80 proximate the first end 82. Opposing walls 112 in the first portion 40 of the recess 38 can include a first pin 114 that aligns with the first bearing 108, and a second pin 116 that aligns with the second bearing 110. In this way, the first pin 114 and the second pin 116 may be inserted in the first bearing 108 and the second bearing 110, respectively, so that the foldable steering assembly 78 can pivot between the operating position (see Figures 1 and 2A) and the stowed position (see Figure 2B, 3 and 4).

[0036] As discussed above, when the foldable steering assembly 78 is in the stowed position, the steering-assembly clip (not shown) in the recess 38, e.g., in the second portion 42 of the recess 38, releasably holds the foldable steering assembly 78 in the stowed position.

[0037] The electric scooter 24 can also include a retaining mechanism 118 to releasably hold the foldable steering assembly 78 in the operating position. An example of the retaining mechanism 118 is shown in Figures 1, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3, and 4. The retaining mechanism 118 includes a first leg 120 and a second leg 122 extending from a base portion (not numbered). A retention block 130 is mounted on the base portion. The retention block 130 includes a C-shaped cutout 132.

[0038] The first and second legs 120, 122 of the retaining mechanism 118 may be inserted into the first portion 40 of the recess 38 at the front end 30 of the platform 28. Walls 112 of the recess 38 may abut the first and second legs 120, 122, securing the retaining mechanism 118 to the platform 28. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second legs 120, 122 may be secured to the walls 112 with fasteners (not shown), adhesives, and the like.

[0039] The base portion of the retaining mechanism 118 includes wings 126, 128 that extend away from the first and second legs 120, 122 at substantially right angles relative to the first and second legs 120, 122. The wings 126, 128 may touch the top surface 34 of the platform 28. The wings 126 and 128 may be secured to the top surface 34 of the platform using any suitable means, e.g., fasteners, adhesives, etc.

[0040] As discussed above, the retaining mechanism 118 includes the retention block 130 mounted to the base portion 124. When the retaining mechanism 118 is secured to the front end 30 of the platform 28, the C-shaped cutout 132 includes a gap 134 in a direction of the rear end 32 of the platform 28. In this way, when the foldable steering assembly 78 pivots to the operating position, the outer tube 80 can be inserted through the gap 138 and releasably held by the C-shaped cutout 132.

[0041] The retaining mechanism 118 may be formed as a single unit. Alternatively, the first and second legs 120, 122, the base portion 124 and the retention block 130 may be separately formed and subsequently connected together, e.g., with adhesives, fasteners, and the like. The retaining mechanism 118 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as metal, a polymer (e.g., plastic), a composite, etc.

[0042] As discussed above, the mobility device 22, e.g., the electric scooter 24, may be removably mountable to the inner surface 18 of the rear door 16 of the vehicle 12. The vehicle 12 may include any passenger or commercial automobile such as a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a crossover vehicle, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, etc.

[0043] With reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4, the inner surface 18 of the rear door 16 of the vehicle 12 can include the first mating structure 20. The first mating structure 20 may have a first boss 138 and a second boss 142. The first boss 138 and the second boss 142 can be secured to the inner surface 18 of the rear door 16 by shafts 140 and 144, respectively. The first mating structure 20 may be constructed from any suitable material, e.g., metal, a polymer (e.g., plastic), a composite, etc. [0044] The mobility device 22, such as the electric scooter 24, can include the second mating structure 26. In the example shown in Figures 1, 2A, 2B, 3and 4, the second mating structure 22 can include two C-clips 146, 148 secured to the foldable steering assembly 78. Alternatively, the C-clips 146, 148 may be secured to the platform 28, or anywhere else on the electric scooter 24, such that the mobility device 22 can be removably mounted to the first mating structure 20.

[0045] With specific reference to the example in Figure 4, the two C-clips 146, 148 of the second mating structure 26 may removably mount the electric scooter 24 to the first and second bosses 138, 142 of the first mating structure 20. The C-clips 146, 148 can be constructed from any suitable material, such as metal, a polymer (e.g., plastic), a composite, etc.

[0046] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the passenger compartment 14 of the vehicle 12 can include a cable 150. The cable 150 may be in electric communication with a vehicle battery (not shown) disposed in the vehicle 12.

[0047] The casing 68 of the electric scooter 24 may include a port 152. The port 152 may be in electrically coupled to the battery 50 of the electric scooter 24. In this way, the battery 50 of the electric scooter 24 is chargeable by the vehicle battery when the cable 150 is inserted in the port 152.

[0048] As used herein, the adverb "substantially" modifying an adjective means that a shape, structure, measurement, etc. may deviate from an exact described geometry, distance, measurement, etc., because of imperfections in materials, machining, manufacturing, etc.

[0049] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:

a mobility device including a platform, a plurality of wheels supported by the platform, a motor in drivable communication with at least one of the wheels, a battery electrically connected to the motor, and a second mating structure removably mountable to a first mating structure provided on an inner surface of a vehicle door.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mating structure is at least one boss and the second mating structure is at least one C-clip.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cable in electric communication with a vehicle battery, and a port for receiving the cable on the mobility device, the port connectable with the battery of the mobility device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the battery of the mobility device is chargeable by the vehicle battery when the cable and the port are electrically coupled.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobility device includes a foldable steering assembly and a recess in a top surface of the platform dimensioned to receive the foldable steering assembly substantially flush with the top surface.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second mating structure is attached to the foldable steering assembly.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobility device includes at least one light.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one light is mounted on at least one of a front end of the platform and a rear end of the platform.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle door is a hatchback.

10. A vehicle, comprising:

a passenger compartment and a vehicle door having an inner surface facing the passenger compartment;

a first mating structure provided on the inner surface; and

a mobility device including a platform, a plurality of wheels supported by the platform, a motor in drivable communication with at least one of the wheels, a battery electrically connected to the motor, and a second mating structure removably mountable to the first mating structure.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first mating structure is at least one boss and the second mating structure is at least one C-clip.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a cable in electric communication with a vehicle battery, and a port for receiving the cable on the mobility device, the port connectable with the battery of the mobility device.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the battery of the mobility device is chargeable by the vehicle battery when the cable and the port are electrically coupled.

14. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the mobility device includes a foldable steering assembly and a recess in a top surface of the platform dimensioned to receive the foldable steering assembly substantially flush with the top surface.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the second mating structure is attached to the foldable steering assembly.

16. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the mobility device includes at least one light.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the at least one light is mounted on at least one of a front end of the platform and a rear end of the platform.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the vehicle door is a hatchback.