Configurable hardware unit for car systems
View Patent ↗Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a universal chassis that may be mounted in the head unit of a vehicle. The chassis may accept one or more modules that each have common dimensions. With a common form factor, the universal chassis is configurable as different modules with different functionality may be inserted into the chassis with ease.
1. A vehicle console, comprising:
a head unit of a dashboard;
a chassis inserted into the head unit and attached to the head unit, the chassis having a front face and a back portion, wherein the back portion is unexposed, the chassis comprising:
a power bus;
at least four rails;
at least two stiles, wherein the at least four rails and at least two stiles form at least three cavities in the front face of the chassis, wherein each cavity is configured to accept a module, wherein each cavity has substantially similar dimensions, and wherein each cavity includes a wired electrical connection configured to electrically connect with the module;
a first module having first physical dimensions inserted into a first cavity of the at least three cavities such that the first module electrically connects with the electrical connection, and wherein the first module is configured to perform a first function for a vehicle; and
a second module having second physical dimensions inserted into a second cavity of the at least three cavities such that the second module electrically connects with the electrical connection, wherein the first physical dimensions and the second physical dimensions are the same, and wherein the second module is configured to perform a second function for the vehicle.
2. The vehicle console of claim 1 , wherein the first function of the first module and the second function of the second module are different electrical operations.
3. The vehicle console of claim 2 , wherein each first and second cavity includes a power connector configured to mate with the respective one of first or second module and wherein the power connector of each cavity is electrically connected to the power bus via the electrical connection.
4. The vehicle console of claim 3 , wherein the chassis includes an input/output (I/O) bus.
5. The vehicle console of claim 4 , wherein each first and second cavity includes an I/O connector configured to mate with the respective one of the first or second module and wherein the I/O connector of each cavity is electrically connected to the I/O bus via the electrical connection.
6. The vehicle console of claim 5 , wherein the chassis further comprises at least one connection point on the front face of the chassis.
7. The vehicle console of claim 6 , further comprising a display device mounted to the connection point, covering the front face of the chassis and the at least three cavities in the chassis, and in communication with the first or second module.