Abstract:
A modular motor vehicle system and method allowing a user replace modular components of the automobile wherein vehicle repair and replacement time is greatly decreased. The present invention is further incorporates built in speed control devices, built in fire suppression systems, flotation materials to keep motor vehicles from sinking in high water, as well as interlocking bumpers, controls, brakes, and accelerators for freeway and interstate travel. The present invention also cleans up the atmosphere as it is used.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the motor vehicle industry, and more specifically the present invention relates to an improved overall motor vehicle industry including manufacture and assembly, after sales parts/components, modular units, automobile servicing and after market replacement parts.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002]     One embodiment of the present invention is further meant to simplify the motor vehicle industry from the user/consumer standpoint as well and to extend the net life cycle of each motor vehicle unit built to consider the rising cost of replacement materials, and to consider the environment, from landfills, waste disposal, waste recycled fluids and materials. One embodiment of the present invention will also address built in speed control devices, built in fire suppression systems, flotation materials to keep automobiles, trucks and school buses from sinking in high water, as well as interlocking bumpers, controls, brakes, and accelerators for freeway and interstate travel. One embodiment of the present invention also cleans up the atmosphere as it is used. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view partially in cross section of an automobile in accordance with present invention;  
         [0004]      FIG. 2  illustrates two perspective views of the engine compartment attached to the frame/unibody and one with the engine compartment disengaged from the frame/unibody in accordance with present invention;  
         [0005]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view partially in cross section of an embodiment in accordance with present invention;  
         [0006]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view partially in cross section of an embodiment of the present invention in accordance with present invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view and a partial blowout view of an embodiment in accordance with present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top view partially in cross section of an embodiment in accordance with present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart of the engine computer signal reception in accordance with present invention; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view partially in cross section of an embodiment in accordance with present invention. 
     
    
       [0011]     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include various embodiments of the present invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances, various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated, reduced or enlarged, or otherwise distorted to facilitate an understanding of the present invention.  
         [0012]     For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     Detailed descriptions of the embodiments are provided herein, as well as a mode of carrying out and employing embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms other than those specifically disclosed. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner. The practice of the present invention is illustrated by the following examples which are deemed illustrative of both the process taught by the present invention and of the product and article of manufacture made in accordance with the present invention. It should also be noted that throughout this disclosure one or a plurality of clips, springs or other devices could be used as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates one general embodiment of the apparatus as divided into at least six general modular components. It is important to not that one of ordinary skill in the art could see how to arrange these components into different subgroups or group the components together to form larger or smaller component blocks or modules as desired. It is also important to note that additional figures and disclosure will provide a more detailed description of the inventive apparatus&#39; function. The front clips  100  are preferably located in the front of the vehicle  1000  and preferably in front of the wheels and on each side of the vehicle  1000 . However, the exact location, of clips  100 ; may vary with design and should not be viewed as a limitation thereof. The front clips  100  are preferably designed to attach the motor and engine compartment components to the frame  300 . The front clips  100  are preferably designed to be easily removable (preferably without the use of power tools) to allow for easy removal of the engine compartment. However, some tools may be required if the clips  100  further comprise belts or screws. It should be understood that the number of clips  100  should be minimized to facilitate quick attachment and/or removal. The engine compartment clips  200  are preferably located behind the engine compartment. The engine compartment clips  200  are preferably designed to attach to the back portion of the motor and engine compartment components to the frame  300 . It is also to be understood that the engine compartment clips  200  may attach directly to the front clips  100  so as to add support to the engine compartment and also to allow for ease in detaching the engine compartment from the frame  300 . The engine compartment clips  200  are preferably designed to be easily removable (preferably without the use of power tools) to allow for easy removal of the engine compartment ( FIG. 2  discusses in more detail).  
         [0015]     Also illustrated in  FIG. 1  is one embodiment of an air filter system  140  (an alternate air filtration system is shown in  FIG. 8 ). The air filter  140  is preferably designed to intake air and can be located on any position on the frame  300  or body so as to allow for air inflow into the air filter frame  140 . As illustrated the air filter is attached to the front of the vehicle  1000 , but behind front tires  10 . The air filter  140  is preferably attached to a pipe system  460  which comprises air filters and purifiers  462  designed to clean the air passing through the pipe system  461  and purify it prior to the air leaving the pipe system  460  through the pipe system exit  461 . The pipe system exit  461  is preferably designed to be in the rear of the vehicle so as to allow purified and filtered air to exit the vehicle. The air filters and purifiers  462  are known in the art and are designed to filter the air that moves through them and to remove harmful pollutants.  
         [0016]     Also illustrated in  FIG. 1  is the rear axle  400  of the vehicle  1000 . The rear axle  400  is preferably constructed to be able to readily detach from the frame  300  in an expeditious manner similar to the front clips  100  such that the rear axle  400  can be quickly replaced.  FIG. 3  further illustrates the detachment of the rear axle  400 . The interior  450  of the vehicle is also preferably modular so that the interior  450  can quickly be detached from the from the frame of the vehicle and pulled out through a door  24  ( FIG. 6 ). It should be understood that door  24  should either be fully opening (i.e. movement of at least more than ninety degrees or should be easily detachable to facilitate the removal of interior  450 .  FIG. 6  further illustrates the detachment of the interior  450 . The dashboard  460  is also preferably a modular piece, which can be quickly removed from the vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the dash board column  463  is preferably attached to the frame  300  by preferably, but not limited to, a C-shaped coupler and bolt, a quick release mechanism pin, or other quick release mechanism  464  known in the art. In one embodiment of the invention, once the quick release  464  is disengaged the dashboard  460  and the dashboard column  463  can be removed from the frame  300  via a door  24 . In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the quick release  464  is a C-shaped coupler that can be disengaged when the dashboard is pulled in a downward fashion therein putting the C-coupler  464  in a release position in relation to the bolt so that the C-coupler can then slide off the bolt and the dashboard  460  and dashboard column  463  can be removed by the vehicle. It is important to note that in the C-coupler embodiment a quick catch release  465  located preferably on the side or front of the dashboard  460  needs to be activated therein releasing the dashboard  460  from the dash portion of the frame  466  and allowing for the dashboard  460  and the dashboard column  463  to rotate about the bolt of the C-coupler  464 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of modular vehicle  1 . Modular vehicle  1  can have any chassis styling such as, but not limited to, a truck, a bus, SUV, SUT, car, wagon, cab, van or mini-van, or other vehicle. Modular vehicle  1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2  is a hatchback or hybrid SUV, but is in no way limited to this vehicle chassis. The modular vehicle  1  contains a main drive train  2 , comprising, but not limited to, the motor  50 , transmission  51 , radiator  52  and battery  53 . The main drive train  2  is preferably able to be installed or removed from the modular vehicle  1  as a single section or unit. The removal or installation of the main drive train  2  can be accomplished by removing the front clip quick disconnect  3 , such as but not limited to the quick disconnect clips utilized in autoracing. Also attached in the quick disconnect  3  arrangement are the headlights  18 , blinker  54  and horn  55  through a multiconductor wiring harness  5  located and attached to the frame/unibody  6 . Once the multiconductor wiring harness  5  is disconnected from the frame/unibody  6 , front switches/clips  7  (commonly referred to in the art as easy clips or zip clips) can be removed. The front switches/clips  7  are designed to keep the drive train  2  attached to the frame  63 . Once the switches/clips  7  are removed, all of the quick connects such as, but not limited to, the transmission linkage  56 , speedometer cable  57 , brake lines  58 , steering column for the gear box  59 , throttle cable/rod  60 , heater hoses  61 , A/C compressor high pressure lines  62 , and the multi-conductor wiring harness  5  for the engine compartment to the interior of the vehicle can be disconnected. Once the transmission linkage  56 , speedometer cable  57 , brake lines  58 , steering column for the gear box  59 , throttle cable/rod  60 , heater hoses  61 , A/C compressor high pressure lines  62 , and the multi-conductor wiring harness  5  for the engine compartment to the interior of the vehicle have been disconnected the frame/unibody  63  can be separated such that the engine compartment  8  can be removed from the rest of the modular vehicle  1 . The removal of the engine compartment  8  can be accomplished by pulling the disconnect pins  9 , which may be but are not limited to disconnect pins, latches, catches, turnbuckles or a combination therein, from the main body frame  63 . The engine compartment  8  can then be pulled away and/or rolled away from the frame  63  and be replace or repaired.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment of the invention, the wheels  10  are preferably still intact on the drive train  2  so that the drive train  2  can be wheeled out of the frame as a complete unit, which preferably comprises, but is not limited to the engine, transmission, steering gear box (with steering components), shocks springs, sway bars, CV joints/drive axles, brakes, brake lines, hubs/discs, radiator, hoses, belts, batteries, and computer  64 . Once the drive train  2  is pulled away from the frame  63  any of the aforementioned parts can then be replaced or repaired as needed as single parts or as an entire unit. The replacement units can be, but are not limited to, after market units, industry units, or high performance units. Hence, the quick changeability of engine compartments  8  and drive trains  2  will allow for a expedited engine block replacement for users who race their cars, who are going to utilize their cars for different functions such as touring versus towing, or users that need their vehicles repaired. The ease of replacement of the engine compartment  8  would also allow for manufacturers to mass produce engine compartments  8  and drive trains  2  for car repair facilities to store on site. Therein potentially driving down replacement part costs. It is further envisioned that the engine compartments  8  and drive trains  2  could be removed by specially trained mechanics at local stations possibly called “drive-thru&#39;s” in which a consumer can schedule an appointment with the mechanics, then bring the car to the “drive-thru” and have the entire drive train  2  or engine compartment  8  changed out in possibly under one hour.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternate and/or additional embodiment of the apparatus. If a user wanted the rear drive axle/spindles  11  changed or repaired there is preferably a quick disconnect  12 , such as, but not limited to, a hinged bracket with a bolt or bolts, a latch or catch pin, or a series of multiple pins/bolts/bushings  12  attaching the rear drive axle/spindle  11  to the drive shaft  2  (in the case of a front wheel drive vehicle it would not actually attach to the drive shaft). In order to access the hinged bracket with a bolt or bolts, a latch or catch pin, or a series of multiple pins/bolts/bushings  12  the modular vehicle  1  would need to be raised (not shown). Once the modular vehicle  1  is raised a user or mechanic need only to disengage the hinged bracket with a bolt or bolts, a latch or catch pin, or a series of multiple pins/bolts/bushings  12 . Once the hinged bracket with a bolt or bolts, a latch or catch pin, or a series of multiple pins/bolts/bushings  12  the rear drive axle/spindle  11  can be disengaged and removed from the modular vehicle  1 .  
         [0020]     It should be noted that all of the embodiments mentioned in the specification can apply to types of motor vehicles utilized. It should also be noted that vehicle safety could potentially be improved by mandating an engine compartment  8  replacement based on vehicle years of use and vehicle mileage. It should also be noted that in removing the drive shaft  2  of many vehicles various lifting equipment as used in the art may be needed to support the frame  63 .  
         [0021]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment of the apparatus, there are sensors and smart monitoring devices  14  designed to input varying data into the modular vehicle&#39;s dashboard computer and display  15 . The dashboard computer and display  15  is designed to utilize standard equipment known in the art for computerized vehicular display. The smart monitoring device can be, but is not limited to, a keypad, a touch screen, or voice activated. In trucks or other vehicles, ( FIG. 4 ) sensors  16  may be utilized to indicate to the driver or an end user if the truck is loaded, overloaded, the load weight and load distribution. This information is relayed to the smart monitoring  14  and is inputted and displayed on the dashboard computer and display  15  as is know in the art. If the truck is loaded or being loaded when the engine is running then the sensors  16  can send a signal to the monitoring devices  14  which will be displayed on the dashboard computer and display  15  indicating this condition and/or the sensor can send a signal to the engine computer  31  directly to shut down the engine. Also preferably located in the truck bed or cab is another sensor  17  which provides GPS information which is linked to a standard GPS monitoring system  65 . This sensor  17  coupled with the sensor  16  will enable a driver or other end user of monitoring the load condition, location and status of the vehicle, therein enhancing safety. The sensors  14  and  17  may also receive data from hand held computer devices such as, but not limited to, a palm pilot  66 , wherein the data may comprise, but is not limited to information concerning the user&#39;s license status, insurance or operator status of a particular vehicle. If the driver is not authorized to utilize the vehicle in question, the dashboard computer and vehicle display  15  may restrict the user from starting the vehicle by sending a signal to the engine computer  31  shutting down or preventing the engine compartment  8  from starting. If the vehicle is reported stolen or the vehicle is tipped on its side then the sensor  17  can report the vehicles location to a remote user via GPS  65  to indicate the need for emergency help or to track the stolen vehicle.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates a vehicle with the quick exchange parts in a partial blow out view. The attachments for all of these removable parts is preferably, but not limited to the removal of wingnuts, clips, or other attachment devices known in the art. The headlights  18  are preferably constructed so as easily come out of the frame for quick replacement. The front bumper assembly  19 , the front quarter panel or fender  20 , the rear quarter panel  21 , and the rear bumper  22  also are designed for quick removal. All of the parts shown in  FIG. 5  may optionally be equipped and lined with flotation materials  67  so as to assist the modular vehicle  1  in passing through high water or in case of a flood emergency. It should be appreciated that when the floatation equipped vehicle is a bus, many lives could be saved should a bus, such as a school bus, drive into deep water. Further the floatation may also delay the sinking of a vehicle until all passengers can evacuate the vehicle. Another potential use of the flotation material  67  is that it may assist in absorbing impact in the case of an accident. The seat  23  is preferably equipped with flotation materials as well and is preferably easily removable from the modular vehicle  1 . It should be noted that a plurality of seats may be present in the modular vehicle  1 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates how to remove certain interior elements of the apparatus (not shown is the seats ( FIG. 5 )). The door  24  are preferably easily removed via removal of the wingnuts or other attachment devices known in the art. The doors  24  are preferably attached to the frame  63  in such a fashion that the doors  24  can rotate greater than 90 degrees from the frame  63  upon full rotation. The interior of the modular vehicle  1  can preferably be changed as easily as the exterior. The head liner  25  of the modular vehicle  1  can be removed by pushing the roof support  26  either in or out and then taking the head liner  25  out of the modular vehicle  1 . The inspection plate  27 , near the steering wheel, can also be removed in a manner well known in the art. After the removal of the inspection plate  27 , the gear shift  68 , emergency brake connect  69  and wiring harness  5  leading to the engine compartment  8  can be disconnected. Upon disconnecting the wiring harness leading to the engine compartment  8 , the dash board  28  can be removed by releasing the latches  29  on each side of the underside of the dash board  28 . Upon release of the latches  29 , the dash can lean forward and be lifted off the supports  30  and removed from the modular vehicle  1 . New versions of each of the aforementioned parts of  FIG. 6  or repaired versions of the aforementioned parts can then be put into the modular vehicle  1 .  
         [0024]     It should be appreciated that the modularity concept, described herein, may be adapted to a variety of vehicles including, but not limited to, land, sea, or air vehicles. In particular the racing industry may adapt many of the concepts described herein. For example, not intended as limiting, the modular vehicle will allow cars damaged in races or qualifying race preliminaries to be easily and quickly repaired and put back in the race. The various speed controls could be used to reduce the speed of all cars during certain flagged occasions.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart indicating the types of signals that can be received by the engine computer  31  ( FIG. 2 ). The engine computer  31  can receive signals from speed limit signs, high water signs, ice on bridge signs or a whole host of other signs posted throughout the roadways  101 . The computer can also receive signals from the speedometer, indicating the speed of the vehicle  102 . If the speed of the modular vehicle  1  exceeds the posted speed limit, the computer  31  can signal the fuel injector to limit the fluid being injected into the engine and hence slow down the vehicle  103 . Alternatively, the computer  31  can receive a signal from a law enforcement agent or other end user directing the computer  31  to limit or stop the fluid being injected into the engine, therein slowing down the modular vehicle  1  or stopping it entirely. It is also envisioned that in the alternative, parents can program the computer  31  to not exceed a certain speed, acceleration, or RMP and that upon exceeding one of these set parameters the computer  31  will signal the fluid injector to limit the fuel injected into the engine. In conjunction with sensor  17 , a vehicle computer  31  could also be programmed so that flashers would activate if the motor vehicle is taken out after a certain time, for example midnight. The activated flashers would signal to the proper law enforcement authorities that a juvenile had procured the vehicle and was using it after-hours. In addition to activating flashers or horn or disabling a vehicle, the vehicle computer  31  can also communicate with a GPS system to alert parents or vehicle owners as to the location of the vehicle and its recent operational history. It is also envisioned that the speed control can be used to maintain a preferred distance between automobiles. In this embodiment, one or more sensors  45  could be mounted on the front bumper  41  ( FIG. 8 ) or elsewhere on the automobile. The sensors  95  will preferable sence and/or calculate the distance to the next automobile in front. If the detected distance is less than a predetermined amount the vehicle will automatically stop or slow down. This feature would be very useful in heavy traffic or when a vehicle cuts in front of another to prevent or minimize the damage from rear end collisions.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates the fire suppression system in one embodiment of the apparatus. Illustrated is the under the hood fire suppression system  32  and the cab fire suppression system  33 . The under the hood fire suppression system can be a two stage system capable of firing twice to smother out flames. The system would preferably be activated by the presence of active flames, or heat above a certain temperature. The hood fire suppression system  32  should also be interlocked with the fuel system to shut off the fuel either mechanically or electrically in the case of a vehicle fire. The cab fire suppression system  33  should be able to be triggered inside the modular car  1  by either the user through the dashboard and computer display  15  or by a remote user such as a fireman through the use of a remote control  34 . It is also envisioned that there will be a tube system  35  running through the frame of the modular vehicle  1  wherein the tube system  35  preferably attached to portals  36  where a user such as a fireman can attach a hose to pump in a fire fighting agent  38  such as, but not limited to, water or foam. The tube system  35  preferably has channels  37  leading to the engine compartment  8  and the passenger compartment such that when the fire fighting agent  38  is introduced in the tube system  35  then the agent  38  is released into the engine compartment  8  and the passenger compartment therein preferably putting out the fire. It should be noted that the application of the tube system  35  could also be applied to any vehicle, such as but not limited to trucks, airplanes or helicopters, as well as dwellings.  
         [0027]     Additionally, in one embodiment of the apparatus an electrostatic skin  39  is applied to the exterior of the vehicle to collect air born pollutants. Alternatively, or in addition to this skin  39  a filter  40  may be added in front of the radiator  70 , wherein the filter  40  would also collect air borne pollutants. The filter  40 , is preferably designed to be washable and to last the life of the radiator  70 . The filter  40  may also be sprayed with a spray commonly used with motorcycle dirt bikes to enhance the life and performance of the filter  40 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  further illustrates an alternate embodiment of the apparatus in which electromagnetic bumpers  41  would be attached to the modular vehicle  1 . The electromagnetic bumpers  41  could be activated and deactivated by the user by flipping a series of switches  42  located on the dash board  28 . The electro magnetic bumpers  41  are preferably constructed to be able to alternate between a negative and a positive magnetic dipole as dictated by the switches  42  activated on the dash board  28 . It is also preferable that the switches  42  would also be linked to a signaling lights  43  on the front and back of the modular vehicle  1  to indicate that the electromagnetic bumpers  41  are activated and which charge the electromagnetic bumper  41  is currently running.  
         [0029]     It is envisioned that one potential use for the electromagnetic bumper  41  is to create a series of linked cars on a highway, similar to the linkings of a train. The linked cars could potentially cut down on gas consumption and pollution. In order to join the linked cars, a modular car  1  would need to activate the electromagnetic bumper  41  and then attach, magnetically, to the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of him. It is envisioned that the braking and drive systems of all vehicles in the linked car chain would be synchronized when the modular vehicles  1  are linked, therein increasing safety and improving gas mileage. The linkage could occur by having the dashboard computer and display  15  for the various modular vehicles sending and receiving signals from each other in which the vehicle operations would be coordinated. In order to disengage from the linked car chain, a user need only to deactivate the electromagnetic bumpers  41 , wherein the magnetic attraction is gone. The modular vehicle  1  is then free to drive independently of the linked car chain. It is also envisioned that another use for the electromagnetic bumpers  41  would be to actively repel other modular vehicles  1 . In this way, a user could switch the polarity of the electromagnetic bumper to a negative charge if the user perceived that another driver was driving recklessly and had their electromagnetic bumper charged to a negative charge. Since like poles repel the two vehicles would then be likely avoid a collision or lessen the impact if one occurred due to magnetic repulsion.  
         [0030]     It may be seen from the preceding description that a new and improved system modular automobile system and method of use has been provided. Although very specific examples have been described and disclosed, the embodiment of one form of the apparatus of the instant application is considered to comprise and is intended to comprise any equivalent structure and may be constructed in many different ways to function and operate in the general manner as explained hereinbefore. Accordingly, it is noted that the embodiment of the new and improved system and method described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application, form, embodiment and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.