Vehicle body business methods

• US 7,373,315 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2002
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Shabana, Mohsen D., Chernoff, Adrian B., Borroni-Bird, Christopher E., Vitale, Robert Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US10/202,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20030040933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,120 Days
• Field of Search: 296/35.3, 296/24.32, 296/193.09, 296/193.03, 296/193.04, 296/204, 705/26
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• 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: 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 24/02 : Vehicle body, not intended to move relatively to the vehicle frame, and mounted on vibration absorbing mountings, e.g. rubber pads
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/02 : Streamlining the undersurfaces B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence
• 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: G06Q 30/0601 : Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

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 a vehicle business transaction with a customer comprising:

granting possession of a body floor to the customer in a financial transaction separately from a chassis; and

attaching individual vehicle body components to the body floor after said step of granting possession of the body floor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said body components comprise interior components.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said body components comprise exterior components.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising granting possession of a body enclosure with said body floor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said financial transaction comprises a lease.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said financial transaction comprises a sale.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said financial transaction comprises a financing agreement.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said financial transaction comprises a rental agreement.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising granting possession of a body enclosure separately from the floor.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the enclosure to the body.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said body components are attached at a location selected by the customer by a mobile body parts service unit.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising swapping body components at a location selected by the customer, said swapping being performed by a mobile body parts service unit.

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

14. The method of claim 3, wherein said exterior components are selected from the group consisting of doors, fenders, hoods, windows, quarter panels, bumpers, and body structural members.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual body components are rented, sold, leased or financed.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein possession of said body floor is granted with factory-installed body components which are later removed prior to said step of attaching individual vehicle body components.

17. The method of claim 16, where in said steps of removing the factory-installed body components and attaching individual vehicle body components are performed at a location selected by the customer by a mobile body parts service unit.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising offering a club membership wherein members may selectively exchange body components.

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

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said body components are attached in a specialized service station.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein possession of the vehicle floor is granted with a body enclosure attached.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the floor is removed from the body enclosure to allow said steps or removing the factory-installed body components and attaching the individual vehicle body components, and the floor is re-attached to the body enclosure thereafter.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the factory-installed body components are removed and the individual body vehicle body components installed through openings in the body enclosure.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said body openings comprise door openings.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein possession of the vehicle floor is granted with a body enclosure attached, and the method further comprises detaching the floor from the enclosure and attaching a different floor having different body components thereon to alter the aesthetics or functionality of the vehicle.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a body skeleton structure attached to the floor and having body openings formed therein, and covering all of said body openings with non-metal closeout panels.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said non-metal closeout panels comprise materials selected from the group consisting of fabric, wood, plastic and rubber.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising exchanging said non-metal closeout panels for the customer.

29. A method of conducting a vehicle business transaction with a customer comprising:

granting possession of a body to the customer in a financial transaction, wherein the body includes a body floor, a body enclosure connected to the floor, and modular individual body components on the body including at least one of a steer-by-wire input device and a brake-by-wire input device; and

exchanging the modular individual vehicle body components with pre-validated replacement components after said step of granting possession of the body.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said replacement components comprise interior components.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said replacement components comprise exterior components.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein said financial transaction comprises a lease.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein said financial transaction comprises a sale.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein said financial transaction comprises a financing agreement.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein said financial transaction comprises a rental agreement.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein said modular individual body components are exchanged at a location selected by the customer by a mobile body parts service unit.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein said interior components are selected from the group consisting of seats, consoles, driver interfaces, steering devices, and drive by-wire input devices.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein said exterior components are selected from the group consisting of doors, fenders, hoods, windows, quarter panels, bumpers, and body structural members.

39. The method of claim 29, wherein said replacement components are rented, sold, leased or financed.

40. The method of claim 29, further comprising offering a club membership wherein members may selectively exchange modular individual body components.

41. The method of claim 29, wherein said replacement modular body components are attached in a specialized service station.

42. The method of claim 29, wherein body components axe removed and the replacement components installed through openings in the body enclosure.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said body openings comprise door openings.

44. The method of claim 29, wherein said exchanging step comprises detaching the floor from the enclosure and attaching a different floor having the replacement modular body components thereon to alter the aesthetics or functionality of the vehicle.

45. The method of claim 29, wherein said body enclosure comprises a body skeleton structure attached to the floor and having body openings formed therein with non-metal closeout panels covering the openings.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said non-metal closeout panels comprise materials selected from the group consisting of fabric, wood, plastic, rubber, nylon, webbing, canvas and mylar.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising exchanging said non-metal closeout panels for the customer.

48. A method of conducting a vehicle business transaction with a customer comprising:

granting possession of a body floor and body enclosure to the customer in a financial transaction separately from a, chassis, wherein the body floor and enclosure include factory-installed body components;

offering a club membership to the customer through which body components may be exchanged;

removing the floor from the body enclosure;

exchanging the factory-installed body components for replacement body components; and

re-attaching the floor to the enclosure.