Modular autonomous system for vehicle maintenance, repair and related method
OwnerMallar A. Petersinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention in its embodiment is a Modular Autonomous System for vehicle maintenance and repairs. The system is built around a base unit, with slots for individual modular service units. The system autonomously carries out tire changes, oil changes, cosmetic detailing, fluid replacements, tire balancing, tire rotations, mechanical parts replacement/removal, mechanical parts printing, paint applications, and vehicle diagnostics. The system is designed to operate in auto dealer service bays, tire shops, paint/cosmetic detailing shops, full service centers, home garages, and any location with access to electricity. A method of use is also disclosed.
Claims15
A modular system for autonomously performing maintenance or repair services on a vehicle, said system comprising:
- A. a base unit that includes a tubular frame, a vehicle lift, tire balancer, prefabricated hardware slots and a diagnostic tool component;
- and
- B. one or more of the following module components:
- (i) a tire control module consisting of at least one tire changing station for:
- (a) affixing to the base unit;
- and
- (b) using the module to:
- remove a first tire mounted on a rim from the vehicle,
- remove the first tire from the rim,
- replace the first tire with a second tire,
- mount the second tire on the rim,
- inflate the second tire on the rim,
- balance the second tire on the rim, and
- mount the balanced second tire and rim onto the vehicle;
- and
- (ii) an oil change module for affixing to the base unit, said oil change module including:
- (a) a rotating arm for removing:
- a first oil filter from the vehicle;
- an oil pan drain plug, and an oil cap from an engine area of the vehicle after its hood has been raised;
- and grabbing a second oil filter for the vehicle to install;
- (b) an area for collecting used oil drained from the vehicle;
- and
- (c) means for delivering new oil from a storage area to the engine area;
- (iii) a mechanical parts application module that includes at least one robotic arm having an arm end with interchangeable tool tips from a tool tip storage area;
- and
- (iv) a paint/cosmetic detailing application module that includes at least one robotic arm having a sanding tip, a polishing tip and a paint spray tip.
A modular system for autonomously performing maintenance or repair services on a vehicle, said system comprising:
- (a) a base unit that includes a tubular frame and a vehicle lift component located between a pair of adjustable vehicle tire tracks;
- (b) a tire control module consisting of at least one tire changing station for:
- (i) affixing to the base unit;
- and (ii) using the module to:
- remove a first tire mounted on a rim from the vehicle,
- remove the first tire from the rim,
- replace the first tire with a second tire,
- mount the second tire on the rim,
- inflate the second tire on the rim,
- balance the second tire on the rim, and
- mount the balanced second tire and rim onto the vehicle;
- and
- (c) an oil change module for affixing to the base unit, said oil change module including:
- (i) a rotating arm for removing:
- a first oil filter from the vehicle;
- an oil pan drain plug, and an oil cap from an engine area of the vehicle after its hood has been raised;
- and grabbing a second oil filter for the vehicle to install;
- (ii) an area for collecting used oil drained from the vehicle;
- and
- (iii) means for delivering new oil from a storage area to the engine area.
A method for autonomously performing maintenance or repair services on a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
- A. supplying an autonomous system having:
- (i) a base unit that includes a tubular frame and a vehicle lift component between a pair of adjustable vehicle tire tracks;
- and
- (ii) one or more of the following modules:
- (a) a tire control module consisting of at least one tire changing station for affixing to the base unit;
- and using the module to:
- remove a first tire mounted on a rim from the vehicle,
- remove the first tire from the rim,
- replace the first tire with a second tire,
- mount the second tire on the rim,
- inflate the second tire on the rim,
- balance the second tire on the rim, and
- mount the balanced second tire and rim onto the vehicle;
- (b) an oil change module for affixing to the base unit, said oil change module including (i) a rotating arm for removing:
- a first oil filter from the vehicle;
- an oil pan drain plug, and an oil cap from an engine area of the vehicle after its hood has been raised;
- and grabbing a second oil filter for the vehicle to install;
- (ii) an area for collecting used oil drained from the vehicle;
- and (iii) means for delivering new oil from a storage area to the engine area;
- (c) a mechanical parts application module with at least one robotic arm having an arm end with interchangeable tool tips from a tool tip storage area and
- (d) a paint/cosmetic detailing application module that includes at least one robotic arm having a sanding tip, a polishing tip and a paint applicator tip;
- and
- (e) a user interface for programing which of the modules will be used on a vehicle driven into the modular system for servicing;
- B. driving the vehicle for servicing into the autonomous system;
- and
- C. programming the user interface to perform services from the modules on the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.