ABSTRACT

The concept of modular construction is not new, having been explored for decades across various fields, including the development of functionally adaptable vehicles and the design and construction of buildings.

My approach to a new concept of modular vehicle construction emerged during the development of an emergency functions drone project, with dimensions comparable to a Spitfire. The objective was to enable rapid and practical transport to operational zones using conventional logistics solutions, such as international freight trucks or railway cargo systems.

To make this feasible, the drone needed to be disassembled and reassembled within minutes, in a manner that was both practical and safe for operators, while ensuring the structural and functional integrity of all components and their connection interfaces.

From this requirement arose the concept of a modular system applicable to a wide range of vehicles—from aircraft and marine vessels to ground vehicles—focused on logistical efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability.

This concept is based on the development of a central structural module within each project, to which all peripheral, non-structural modules are connected. Each module incorporates specifically designed male–female interfaces that enable precise and reliable assembly.

To secure these interfaces, I developed a dedicated mechanical fastening device that allows rapid and safe locking and release, ensuring efficient assembly and disassembly of the different modules.

Each fastening device is engineered specifically for its intended interface, considering the mechanical characteristics and operational loads expected throughout its service life.

Unlike traditional modular vehicle concepts, which aim to transform the functionality of a vehicle (for example, converting a car into an aircraft or a boat), this approach is focused on improving logistical efficiency and operational flexibility, while enabling more sustainable development and use of each project, with a reduced environmental footprint.

Key advantages of this concept include ease of packaging for storage and transport, improved accessibility for maintenance and repair, the ability to develop modules independently, and the potential to reuse modules across successive generations of products. These features significantly enhance sustainability.

INTRODUCTION

The traditional method of constructing aircraft, vehicles, and boats, as with any mechanical project, begins with defining the model to be built based on objectives of functionality, dimensions, design, costs, target market, and others. After this, the overall project is developed, defining each of the components and parts to be used, as well as the manufacturing, assembly, and finishing processes, for delivery to the customer.

According to this traditional methodology, each final model is conceived, designed, and manufactured as a functional and indivisible whole. Maintenance operations, whether routine or for repair, are naturally planned for and facilitated by an adequate and functional design.

In this classic type of conception and manufacturing, each model is designed without anticipating the need for its total or partial disassembly, whether during its functional process or for storage or transport. Maintenance or repair operations are usually time-consuming due to the complexity of the unitary structure, and sharing components with other models is limited.

Addicionally the progressive increase in all these vehicles dimensions creates a logistic problem of space to keep them properly and safely packaged and to transport them when not by their own means.

THE UNITARY CONSTRUCTION PROBLEM

The traditional way of building aircraft, vehicles and boats, as in any mechanical project, involves defining the model to be built based on functionality, dimensions, design, costs, target market and other objectives, after which the overall project is developed, with the definition of each of the components and parts to be used and the manufacturing, assembly and finalization processes, for delivery to the customer.

According to this traditional methodology, each final vehicle is conceived, designed and manufactured as a functional and indivisible whole. Maintenance operations, whether routine or for repair, are, naturally, foreseen and are facilitated by an adequate and functional design.

In this classic type of design and manufacturing, each vehicle is designed without foreseeing the need for its total or partial disassembly, whether during its functional process, or for packaging or transport, and maintenance or repair operations are usually time-consuming, due to the complexity of the unitary structure, with limited sharing of components with other models.

In addition, the total or partial disassembly of a vehicle requires that the fastening mechanisms used to connect the different components of the vehicle body to be reversible, while providing an effective and long-lasting fixation.

Most used mechanical fastening devices are screws. The use of screws or sets of screws and nuts properly selected and suitable for a given project, allows for relatively quick, effective and long-lasting fixation. However, this type of solution is not ideal for repetitive assembling and disassembling of the vehicle, due to the rapid deterioration of the support material in each repetition of the fastening and/or removal process, and the time it takes to fasten and/or remove these devices.

My invention innovatively provides a solution for such problems.

THE MODULAR CONSTRUCTION SOLUTION

My invention relates to an innovative concept in the modular construction of aircraft, vehicles and boats. It comprises an innovative approach to design and construction as well as the functionality and logistics of these vehicles.

Each vehicle or final model will result from a specific design and will be built in a modular fashion. Each module can be shared with other models of the same vehicle family.

The different modules of each vehicle will be coupled using Male-Female Fittings (6) and then fixed by quick and reversible Mechanical Fastening Devices (7) that allow the fastest and most precise assembly and disassembly, total or partial, of the respective model, whether in functional process or for transport, storage, regular maintenance or repair.

With the use of this innovative concept, when compared to traditional unitary projects concepts, we achieve the following objectives:

· greater simplicity and economy in the design and manufacture of new models/vehicles;

· greater functional and logistical flexibility;

· greater efficiency and economy of the development and evolution processes of each model;

· greater efficiency and functionality in maintenance operations;

· greater efficiency in logistic operations:

o in assembly/disassembly;

o in storage;

o in transportation;

o in the repair of damages;

· greater efficiency in reducing waste and carbon footprint.

My invention has foreseeable practical application in the aerospace industry, the automotive industry, and the shipbuilding industry.

THE MODULAR CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

My invention relates to an innovative concept in the modular construction of aircraft, vehicles and boats. It comprises an innovative approach to design and construction as well as the functionality and logistics of these vehicles.

Each vehicle or final model will result from a specific design and will be built in a modular fashion. Each module can be shared with other models of the same vehicle family.

Each vehicle will have a central, structural and high mechanical strength module, which will serve as support for all other peripheral modules that will be connected to it. In the airplane, the central and structural module will be the Fuselage (1), in the vehicle it will be the Chassis (8) and in the boat it will be the Hull (12).

The different modules of each vehicle will be coupled together using Male-Female Fittings (6). These fittings must be designed to ensure the greatest functionality and the greatest structural and mechanical strength of each module, the respective fittings and the final vehicle or model.

After coupling, the modules will be fixed by quick and reversible Mechanical Fastening Devices (7) that allow the fastest and most precise assembly and disassembly, total or partial, of the vehicle, whether during the operation process, for storage or transport, or for regular maintenance or repair operations.

The quick and reversible Mechanical Fastening Devices (7) to be used should be selected and preferably designed in a manner suitable for the vehicle in which they will be used:

• to allow the greatest precision and speed (2 to 3 seconds) in fixing and releasing the different modules;

• to have the greatest mechanical resistance to rupture and structural resistance to deformation, under the physical, chemical and environmental conditions to which the model in which they will be used will foreseeably be subjected during its service life.

The present invention has clear advantages in the functionality of vehicles, in reducing the ecological footprint, in saving means and resources, in maintenance management and in logistics and transport, having foreseeable practical application in the aerospace industry, the automotive industry and the naval industry.

The innovative concept of my invention will have practical application for use in vehicles where the following are relevant:

• the greater ease in the assembly and disassembly of these models:

o in functional processes of current use;

o for packaging and storage;

o for packaging and transport;

o for maintenance and/or repair tasks;

• the possibility of sharing the use of modules between different models of the same vehicle family;

• the greater flexibility in the development of vehicles to be built:

o in correcting any defects or errors in the design and manufacture of any module;

o in the development of each module:

§ to improve its characteristics and properties;

§ to develop a new module;

o in the design of new modules;

o in the design of new vehicles.

My modular construction concept comprises:

• the modular design of each vehicle or final model;

• the design of the different modules of each final model;

• the design of the Male-Female Fittings (6) of each module;

• the design of the quick and reversible Mechanical Fastening Devices (7);

• the design of different vehicles or final models.

The operation of the modular concept then occurs as follows:

• Each vehicle is designed to consist of different modules;

• The modularity of each vehicle must be suitable for the objectives that justify this type of conceptual option;

• The different modules will be coupled together and fixed to obtain the final and functional model;

• The central module is designed as structural to the vehicle or final model;

• Each peripheral module is designed and coupled to the central module through specific Male-Female Fittings (6) and fixed using suitable quick and reversible Mechanical Fastening Devices (7);

• Each Male-Female Fitting (6) is designed to simultaneously ensure its functionality as well as the greatest mechanical and structural strength of the fitting, the respective modules and the final vehicle or model;

• Each Mechanical Fastening Device (7) is designed to ensure the greatest precision and speed in fixing and releasing the respective fittings and modules that make up the final model, and to have the greatest mechanical and structural strength, under the physical, chemical and environmental conditions to which the model in which they will be used will foreseeably be subjected during its useful life;

• The assembly and disassembly processes, whether in functional situations of current use, for packaging and storage or transport, or for maintenance and/or repair, are facilitated by the precision, speed and reversibility of the coupling and fastening mechanisms.

My invention relates to the modular construction of aircraft, road vehicles and boats, characterized by:

· comprising a modular design of each vehicle or final model;

· comprising a central and structural module in each vehicle or final model;

· comprising different peripheral modules in each vehicle or final model;

· comprising Male-Female Fittings (6) designed to connect or couple the different modules of each vehicle or final model; and

· comprising quick, precise and reversible Mechanical Fastening Devices (7), designed and suitable for stabilizing and fixing the Male-Female Fittings (6) that connect the different modules of each vehicle or final model to each other.

This modular construction of aircraft, road vehicles, and boats is also characterized by:

· comprising the assembly of each final model by coupling the different peripheral modules to the central and structural module of the vehicle, using the respective Male-Female Fittings (6) and their subsequent fixation with the respective Mechanical Fastening Devices (7) that are quick, precise, and reversible; and by

· comprising the total or partial disassembly of each final model by opening the respective Mechanical Fastening Devices (7) that are quick, precise, and reversible, with the uncoupling of the corresponding Male-Female Fittings (6) and the separation of the respective peripheral modules from their connection to the central and structural module of the vehicle.

My invention is further characterized by allowing these assembly and disassembly operations to be carried out with the greatest speed and precision.

This modular construction of aircraft, vehicles and boats is also characterized by allowing the sharing of modules between different models of the same vehicle family, that is, for example, the Main Wing (2) can be used in different aircraft models, the Chassis (8) can be the central and structural module of different road vehicle models and the Hull (12) can be the central and structural module used in different boat models.

BUSINESS BENEFITS

The main advantages for the industry that uses this innovative modular construction concept and reversible fastening mechanism, when compared with unitary construction projects:

· The logistics advantage;

· The advantage of faster development;

· The recycling of old modules for new projects, with:

o The carbon footprint reduction;

o Additional economic advantage.

There can also be several prestigious marketing and image advantages to any company that consider using this innovative solution:

· The planet friendly image for the carbon footprint reduction.

SUMMARY

My invention refers to the assembly of modular vehicles, in a temporary or permanent manner.

My innovative concept is a modular vehicle construction system comprising a central module and at least one peripheral module, being the central module and the peripheral module(s) connected to each other by a reversible fastening mechanism to assemble a complete vehicle, in which the reversible fastening mechanism comprises an internal element (15), an external element (16) and a key (17).

This modular vehicle construction system together with my also innovative reversible fastening mechanism, improves the logistic packaging and transport operations of modular vehicles by providing a quick and precise fixation or release of modular components in a simple and repeatable manner, also facilitates the maintenance and/or repair of the vehicle body parts, by allowing the user to quickly disassemble any damaged module to repair or replace, thus extending the lifespan of a vehicle body and also provides an entirely new field for faster development of the modular vehicle, improving the different modules and reutilizing older modules in new modular vehicles, allowing for a more sustainable development.

CALL ME!

If you are looking to develop and offer products with a lower environmental impact, combined with increased flexibility and operational advantages over conventional monolithic designs, consider integrating this modular construction concept into your future vehicle platforms.

If you want your company to be in the first line of more sustainable development, and your projects to be considered state-of-the-art in more sustainable technology, contact us.

And do it fast…

Together, we can contribute to more efficient engineering solutions and a more sustainable future.

Our beloved planet needs all our efforts to make it healthier!