Vehicle frame assembly and method for same
A method for assembling vehicular structural frames employing elongated members and connectors interconnecting the elongated members increases flexibility in assembling chassis frames and body frames. The method includes assembling a first vehicle structural frame according to a first design, and assembling a second vehicle structural frame according to a second design. The second design is derived from the first design by replacing elongated members of the first design with differently-dimensioned elongated members, or by changing the quantity of elongated members, to result in a second structural frame configuration different from the first structural frame configuration.
1. A vehicle chassis comprising:
a structural frame having a plurality of rigid elongated members and a plurality of connectors engaged with and thereby operably interconnecting the elongated members to at least partially form the structural frame;
a body attachment interface having body connection components including at least one load-bearing body-retention coupling mounted with respect to the structural frame, and at least one control signal receiver connector configured to convey control signals in non-mechanical form;
a suspension system;
at least three wheels rotatably mounted with respect to the suspension system;
a braking system;
a steering system;
an energy conversion system; and
an energy storage system operably connected to the energy conversion system;
wherein the braking system, steering system, and energy conversion system are operably connected to at least one wheel, each operably connected to a control signal receiver connector, and each configured to respond to non-mechanical control signals.
2. The vehicle chassis of claim 1 , wherein the connectors are integral parts of the elongated members.
3. The vehicle chassis of claim 1 , wherein the connectors are nodes having arms or sockets onto or into which the ends of the elongated members are received.
4. The vehicle chassis of claim 3 , wherein the energy conversion system includes a fuel cell.