US 12,269,538 B2
Low floor electric vehicle
Christopher Roche, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Jingyu Liu, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Mark Bono, Northville, MI (US); Mark Preston, Maybee, MI (US); Song Young, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Viktor Kostrominov, Schererville, IN (US); Dan Daniels, Elkhart, IN (US); Eric Elliott, Canton, MI (US); and James Scott, Imlay City, MI (US)
Assigned to Optimal Electric Vehicles Corporation, Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed by Optimal Electric Vehicles Corporation, Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 18, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/127,905.
Prior Publication US 2022/0194489 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 31/02 (2006.01); A61G 3/06 (2006.01); B60K 1/00 (2006.01); B60K 1/04 (2019.01); B60K 17/22 (2006.01); B60P 1/43 (2006.01); B60R 16/02 (2006.01); B62D 21/07 (2006.01); B62D 29/00 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 31/025 (2013.01) [A61G 3/061 (2013.01); B60K 1/00 (2013.01); B60K 1/04 (2013.01); B60K 17/22 (2013.01); B60P 1/431 (2013.01); B60R 16/0207 (2013.01); B62D 21/07 (2013.01); B62D 29/001 (2013.01); B60K 2001/001 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A low floor electric bus comprising:
a cutaway chassis comprising a longitudinally extending frame having a front end and a rear end, wherein the frame includes a pair of laterally spaced sidepieces extending from the front end to the rear end, wherein the frame includes a front section, a central section, and a rear section, wherein the central section is positioned at a lower height than the front and rear sections;
a body coupled to the frame and including a driver cabin and a passenger cabin, wherein the passenger cabin comprises a floor assembly, a sidewall assembly, and a roof assembly;
a battery pack positioned below the floor assembly, wherein the battery pack is coupled to and extends between the sidepieces in the central section of the frame, wherein the battery pack functions as a load-bearing crossmember for the frame, wherein the frame comprises a skid plate coupled to and extending between the sidepieces immediately in front of the battery pack to thereby protect the battery pack from roadway debris;
an electric motor coupled to the rear section of the frame;
a rear axle coupled to the rear section of the frame and comprising a differential driven by the electric motor; and
a driveshaft extending rearwardly from the differential toward the electric motor.