CPC B62D 63/025 (2013.01) [B60R 16/0231 (2013.01); B60R 16/08 (2013.01); B62D 65/12 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A method for installing a Vehicle Corner Module (VCM) on a reference frame of a vehicle, the VCM including a sub-frame having a vehicle-connection interface for reversible mechanical connection of the VCM to the VCM-connection interface of the reference frame; a wheel-hub for mounting of a wheel thereon; and at least one subsystem of the vehicle, selected from a group of subsystems consisting of a drive subsystem, a steering subsystem, a suspension subsystem, and a braking subsystem, the method comprising:
aligning the vehicle-connection interface with the reference-frame, such that the vehicle-connection interface is disposed between upper and lower surfaces of the reference frame; and
without changing the height alignment between the vehicle-connection interface of the VCM and the reference-frame, mechanically connecting the at least one VCM to the reference-frame by engagement of the vehicle-connection interface with a VCM-connection interface of the reference frame, and, following the engagement, moving the VCM-portion relative to the vehicle-platform-portion until they are connected,
wherein moving the VCM-portion relative to the vehicle-platform-portion includes actuating motion of the VCM-portion by a mechanical mechanism that extends between a back portion of the VCM and a front portion of the VCM.
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