Modular architecture for combat tactical vehicle

Abstract

A combat tactical modular vehicle structure including a center frame module comprising a front bulkhead a cab portion and a rear bulkhead where the center frame module includes an integrated armor so that the integrated armor is a part of center frame module or the center frame module has at least one piece of armor attached to the center frame module, a front frame module comprising an engine subframe where the front frame module is connected to the front bulkhead by a plurality of mechanical coupling devices, and a rear frame module comprising a gearbox subframe where the rear frame module is connected to the rear bulkhead by the plurality of mechanical coupling devices for selectively connecting and disconnecting the front frame module to the front bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection and the rear frame module to the rear bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection.

1 . A vehicle structure comprising:
 a center frame module comprising a front bulkhead, a cab portion, and a rear bulkhead;   wherein the center frame module has at least one piece of armor attached to the center frame module;   a front frame module comprising an engine subframe, the front frame module being connected to the front bulkhead by a plurality of mechanical coupling devices;   a rear frame module comprising a gearbox subframe, the rear frame module being connected to the rear bulkhead by the plurality of mechanical coupling devices; and   wherein the plurality of mechanical coupling devices provide for selectively connecting and disconnecting the front frame module to the front bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection,   wherein the plurality of mechanical coupling devices provide for selectively connecting and disconnecting the rear frame module to the rear bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection,   wherein the vehicle structure is for a combat tactical vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mechanical coupling devices are a plurality of mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle structure of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of mechanical fasteners are located in at least a substantially longitudinal direction and a substantially lateral direction when connecting the front frame module to the front bulkhead of the center frame module. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle structure of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of mechanical fasteners are located in at least a substantially longitudinal direction and a substantially lateral direction when connecting the rear frame module to the rear bulkhead of the center frame module. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle structure of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of mechanical fasteners comprising a plurality of bolts. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle structure of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of corresponding nuts to each bolt. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the front bulkhead is made of a cast or forge aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the front bulkhead is made of a sheet or plate aluminum alloy product. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the rear bulkhead is made of a cast or forge aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the rear bulkhead is made of a sheet or plate aluminum alloy product. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the rear frame module is made of a plurality of extruded aluminum longitudinal beams. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle structure of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of extruded aluminum longitudinal beams of rear frame module are connected by nodes. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle structure of  claim 12 , wherein the nodes are made of aluminum extrusions, forgings or castings. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cab portion comprises a plurality of frame rails and a floor. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle structure of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of frame rails are made of aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle structure of  claim 14 , wherein the floor is made of an aluminum alloy sheet or plate. 
     
     
         17 . A modular vehicle comprising:
 a first modular section having a plurality of securing features and a system integrated therein having a connector, and   a second modular section having a plurality of securing features connected to the first modular section securing features, and a system integrated therein having a connector connected to the first modular section system connector,   whereby the first modular section and the second modular section can be assembled and disassembled for replacement or repair without adversely affecting vehicle structural or systems integrity of remaining secured modular sections.   
     
     
         18 . The modular vehicle according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a third modular section having a plurality of securing features connected to either the first modular section securing features or the second modular section securing features, and a system integrated therein having a connector connected to either the first modular section system connector or the second modular section system connector,   whereby the first modular section, the second modular section, and third modular section can be assembled and disassembled for replacement or repair without adversely affecting vehicle structural or systems integrity of remaining secured modular sections.   
     
     
         19 . A method of assembling a modular vehicle comprising the steps of:
 providing a first modular section and a second modular section, wherein each modular section comprises:
 a system integrated therein having connectors, and 
 a plurality of features for securing to another modular section, securing the first modular section to the second modular section, and 
   connecting the first modular section system connector to the second modular section system connector such that the first modular section system cooperates or communicates with the second modular section system.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19  further comprising the steps of:
 providing a third modular section comprising:
 a system integrated therein having a connector to connect to either the first modular section system or the second modular section system, and 
 a plurality of features for securing the third modular section to either the first modular section or the second modular section, 
 
 securing the third modular section to either the first modular section or the second modular section, and 
 connecting the third modular section system connector to either the first modular section system or the second modular section system such that the third modular section system cooperates or communicates with either the first modular section system or the second modular section system.