	US 12,071,189 B2
	Method of vehicle assembly including modular vehicle subassembly controls, communication and manufacture
Galen Keith Thomas, Dearborn, MI (US); and Kerry Lance Paskell, Detroit, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/165,464.
Application 17/165,464 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/909,462, filed on Jun. 23, 2020, granted, now 11,720,095.
Prior Publication US 2021/0394844 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. B62D 65/00 (2006.01); B62D 65/04 (2006.01); G01M 17/04 (2006.01); G01M 17/06 (2006.01)

CPC B62D 65/005 (2013.01) [B62D 65/04 (2013.01); G01M 17/04 (2013.01); G01M 17/06 (2013.01)]

20 Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a modular vehicle subassembly (MVS), the method comprising:

assembling a propulsion system and drive system onto a vehicle frame;

assembling a suspension system and wheels onto the vehicle frame;

assembling a steering system and a braking system onto the vehicle frame;

assembling an electrical distribution system onto the vehicle frame;

testing and verifying at least one of the drive system, the suspension system, the steering system, the braking system, and the propulsion system;

integrating an onboard controller with the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system, wherein the onboard controller is configured to command the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system such the MVS is operable to move untethered through a top hat assembly line during assembly of a top hat on the MVS; and

assigning and storing a vehicle identification number (VIN) for the MVS in the onboard controller, wherein a central control station directs the MVS through a plurality of subsequent assembly stations as a function of the VIN assigned to the MVS.