公开(公告)号：US11254274B1

公开(公告)日：2022-02-22

申请号：US16731451

申请日：2019-12-31

Applicant: Zoox, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Christian Allbee ,  Mark Alan Bates ,  Ramanjaneya Reddy Butukuri ,  Kevin Hothem ,  Marcos Puerta Terron ,  Vishveshwar Ramanathan Subramanian ,  Thomas Andrew Stoddart

IPC: B60R21/02 ,  B62D21/09 ,  B62D21/15 ,  B60K1/04

Abstract: An impact energy management system for a vehicle includes an impact energy absorbing structure to absorb energy from an impact with an external object, and an energy management structure to manage energy from an impact with an internal displaceable object (e.g., a motor or steering rack) with one or more protected objects (e.g., a passenger compartment or battery). The energy management structure may include one or more swingarms or other members configured to protect the protected object from impact by directing the displaceable object down and/or away from the protected object during a collision.

公开(公告)号：US11167798B1

公开(公告)日：2021-11-09

申请号：US16728786

申请日：2019-12-27

Applicant: Zoox, Inc.

Inventor： Ramanjaneya Reddy Butukuri ,  Kevin Hothem ,  Robert Alan Ng ,  Thomas Andrew Stoddart

IPC: B60J9/00 ,  B62D21/15 ,  B62D21/02 ,  B60R19/02 ,  B60K1/04

Abstract: An impact energy absorbing system for a vehicle includes a first impact energy absorbing structure to absorb energy from an impact with an external object, and a second energy absorbing structure to absorb energy from an impact with an internal displaceable object internal. The second energy absorbing structure may be disposed between the displaceable object and a protected object internal to the vehicle. The second impact energy absorbing structure may be disposed within the vehicle and configured to protect the protected object from impact by the displaceable object being displaced toward the protected object during a collision. Additionally, the second impact energy absorbing structure may cause the displaceable object to avoid impacting and/or damaging the protected object.

公开(公告)号：US10780930B1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-22

申请号：US15900521

申请日：2018-02-20

Applicant: Zoox, Inc.

Inventor： Timothy David Kentley-Klay ,  Nicholas Liotta ,  Chao Lu ,  Paul Choin ,  Daniel Elliot Schabb ,  Forrest Craft ,  Kevin Hothem ,  James Hedden ,  Brandon Loeb

IPC: B62D65/02 ,  G05D1/02 ,  B62B3/06 ,  B62D65/04

Abstract: A system for detachably coupling subassemblies to vehicles or other components is discussed herein. The system can include one or more driveshafts and worm drives to drive fasteners to couple the subassembly to the vehicle. The system can enable drive interfaces located in a substantially conventional location (e.g., located vertically on the bottom of the vehicle) to drive fasteners horizontally into the body or other subassembly. In this manner, fasteners can be hidden and to utilize blind holes in the body of the vehicle. The system can be partially disassembled in situ to enable parts replacement and fastener access in the event of a failure. The system can be used in conjunction with a robotic cart to enable subassemblies to be removed from the vehicle for service and repair. A portion of the system can also act as a portion of, or to reinforce, the crash structure of the vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US10967906B1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-06

申请号：US16399490

申请日：2019-04-30

Applicant: Zoox, Inc.

Inventor： Ramanjaneya Reddy Butukuri ,  Kevin Hothem ,  Marcos Puerta Terron ,  Vishveshwar Ramanathan Subramanian ,  Thomas Andrew Stoddart

IPC: B62D21/15 ,  B62D21/02

Abstract: An impact structure includes a beam configured to deform in a particular manner. The beam may include a first deformable portion extending from a front end of the beam toward a rear end of the beam. The first deformable portion may be configured to axially crush in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the beam. The beam may also include a second deformable portion extending between the first deformable portion and the rear end. The beam may also include a reinforced section configured to cause the second deformable portion to bend. The first and second deformable portions may be configured such that an axial force acting on the front end in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction causes the first deformable portion to axially crush prior to causing the second deformable portion to bend.

公开(公告)号：US10960939B1

公开(公告)日：2021-03-30

申请号：US15900426

申请日：2018-02-20

Applicant: Zoox, Inc.

Inventor： Timothy David Kentley-Klay ,  Brandon Loeb ,  Nicholas Liotta ,  Daniel Elliot Schabb ,  Forrest Craft ,  Chao Lu ,  Kevin Hothem ,  James Hedden ,  Paul Choin

IPC: B62D25/08 ,  B62D21/15 ,  B62D33/077 ,  F16H1/16 ,  B62B3/02 ,  B62D27/02 ,  G01S13/86 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01C21/16

Abstract: A system for detachably coupling subassemblies of vehicles or other components is discussed herein. The system can include one or more driveshafts and worm drives to drive fasteners to couple the subassembly to the vehicle. The system can enable module repair or replacement in conventional locations without any additional infrastructure by driving fasteners horizontally into the body or other subassembly. In this manner, fasteners can be hidden and to utilize blind holes in the body of the vehicle. The system can be partially disassembled in situ to enable parts replacement and fastener access in the event of a failure. The system can be used in conjunction with a robotic cart to enable subassemblies to be removed from the vehicle for service and repair. A portion of the system can also act as a portion of, or to reinforce, the crash structure of the vehicle.