Vehicle body business methods

• US 20030046802A1
• Filed: 07/24/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Shabana, Mohsen D., Chernoff, Adrian B., Borroni-Bird, Christopher E., White, Tommy E., Vitale, Robert Louis
• Granted Patent: US 6,959,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/428
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 2700/50 Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/14 having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/015 the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements B60G17/002, B60G17/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/10 Independent suspensions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/144 with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/18 Multilink suspensions, e.g. elastokinematic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/44 steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/46 camber angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/462 Toe-in/out
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/40 Type of actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/42 Electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/10 Mounting of suspension elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/11 Mounting of sensors thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/14 Mounting of suspension arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/16 Mounting of vehicle body on chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/20 Mounting of accessories, e.g. pump, compressor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/202 of cables
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/011 Modular constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/0114 Independent suspensions on subframes
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/50 : Constructional features of wheel supports or knuckles, e.g. steering knuckles, spindle attachments
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/99 : Suspension element selection procedure depending on loading or performance requirements, e.g. selection of damper, spring or bush
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/45 : Rolling frame vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/50 : Electric vehicles; Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/60 : Vehicles using regenerative power
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/21 : Traction, slip, skid or slide control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/802 : Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/90 : System Controller type
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/91 : Suspension Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/92 : ABS - Brake Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/963 : Steer-by-wire
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/18 : with two or more pivoted arms, e.g. parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/003 : of adjustable length
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/004 : for vehicles having a combustion engine and electric drive means, e.g. hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 : Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 : of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/07 : of gas tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/001 : one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/005 : the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 : the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 : Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 : for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/14 : rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/10 , B60N2/2869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 : Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/065 : employing disc B60T1/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/10 : by utilising wheel movement for accumulating energy, e.g. driving air compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/66 : Electrical control in fluid-pressure brake systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 : characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/74 : with electrical assistance or drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/82 : Brake-by-Wire, EHB
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/00 : Brake-action initiating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/042 : by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/00 : Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force by changing number of effective brake cylinders in power brake systems B60T17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/00 : Power-assisted or power-driven steering for non-deflectable wheels B62D11/00; fluid-pressure servomotors in general F15B
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/18 : Steering knuckles; King pins
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 : Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 : Converting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49718 : Repairing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4973 : Replacing of defective part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Various vehicle body business processes are described which capitalize upon the interchangeability of vehicle bodies on a flat rolling chassis. The ability to interchange vehicle bodies and exchange modular interior components enables substantial freedom and variation in the types of automobile, trucks, heavy equipment, machinery, RV bodies, etc. that can be interchanged on a rolling chassis. Various seating arrangements may be provided as well as enhanced space utilization, and different types of interior and exterior environments, aesthetics and functionality, including sound, lighting, and other technology enhancements may be provided on a body. Methods and structures are described for facilitating the exchange of modular body components, such as via a removable body floor.

Claims

1. A method of conducting business with a customer regarding a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a body with a body floor, a body enclosure, and interior and exterior body components, the method comprising:

removing body components from the body for the customer at a remote location selected by the customer; and

attaching replacement body components to the body at said location to alter the aesthetics or functionality of the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said replacement body components are selected from the group consisting of seats, consoles, driver interfaces, steering devices, drive by-wire input devices, entertainment systems and communication systems.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said replacement body components are selected from the group consisting of seats, consoles, driver interfaces, steering devices, and drive by-wire input devices.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said replacement body components are selected from the group consisting of doors, fenders, hoods, quarter panels, bumpers, and body structural members.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said remote location comprises the customer'"'"'s home.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said remote location comprises the customer'"'"'s place of business.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said replacement body components are provided through a club membership.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said replacement body components are leased by the customer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said replacement body components are rented by the customer.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said replacement body components are purchased by the customer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said replacement body components are financed by the customer.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the floor from the enclosure to facilitate said attachment of replacement body components.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said steps of removing body components and attaching replacement body components to the body comprise removing the floor from the body enclosure and installing a replacement floor with the replacement body components thereon.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said steps of removing body components and attaching replacement body components to the body comprise removing and attaching the components through body openings.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said body openings comprise door openings.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising pre-validating the replacement body components prior to attachment to the body.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the body includes a body skeleton structure attached to the floor and having body openings formed therein, and the method includes covering the body openings with non-metal closeout panels to complete the enclosure.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said non-metal closeout panels comprise materials selected from the group consisting of fabric, wood, plastic, rubber, nylon, webbing, canvas and mylar.

19. A method of remanufacturing a vehicle including a floor, a body enclosure supported above the floor, and modular individual body components connected to the floor, the method comprising:

detaching the floor from the body enclosure to facilitate removal of the modular individual body components; and

installing replacement body components in the body.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of installing replacement body components in the body comprises installing a replacement floor having the replacement body components thereon.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of installing replacement body components comprises installing the replacement components on the floor after the floor has been detached, and re-installing the floor with the replacement body components thereon.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said detaching and installing steps are performed by a mobile service unit at a location selected by a customer.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein said replacement body components are selected from the group consisting of seats, consoles, driver interfaces, steering devices, and drive by-wire input devices.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the replacement body components are rented, sold, leased or financed.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the replacement body components are acquired through a club membership.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising pre-validating the replacement body components prior to installation.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein said replacement body components are installed in a specialized service station.

28. A method of conducting business with a customer regarding a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a body with a body floor, a body enclosure, and interior body components, the method comprising:

detaching the floor from the body enclosure to facilitate removal of interior body components;

removing the interior body components;

installing replacement interior body components on the body; and

re-attaching the floor to the body enclosure.