Abstract:
An anti-lock brake system module for a trailer or dolly, including a module panel having a front side and a back side facing in an opposite direction to the front side, a plurality of anti-lock brake system components, at least a portion of the components attached to the front side of the module panel and at least a portion of the components attached to the back side of the module panel, the plurality of anti-lock brake system components including an anti-lock brake valve and an electronic control unit, and a mounting element for removably connecting the module panel to a mounting location, such as an I-beam, of the trailer or dolly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system module that is mounted onto a mounting surface of a trailer/dolly. More particularly, the system module is mounted to an I-beam or C-channel of the trailer/dolly via fasteners or clamps. This allows the system module to be easily removable and replaceable, minimizing trailer/dolly down time as well as diagnostic troubleshooting/repair time. More particularly, the present invention uses a system module for a trailer/dolly air brake system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Tractor-trailer and dolly systems are used to transport large quantities of cargo across the United States. Various industries and consumers are dependent upon these trailer/dolly systems for the transport of their goods. In particular, the shipping industry, including large companies such as UPS®, FedEx®, and the United States Postal Service® among others, utilize trailer/dolly systems to transport and ship goods to consumers. These systems help the shipping industry adequately transport goods in order to meet the demand of US consumers, which require huge volumes of goods to be shipped daily. 
     What makes trailer/dolly systems unique is that these vehicles are constantly being used and operated. Companies try to maximize use of trailer/dolly systems, as this allows companies to fully allocate their resources and limit costs. In fact, companies work under the operational model whereby trailer/dolly systems are in constant use. This saves the industry thousands, if not millions, of dollars in operational savings. 
     Inevitably, however, trailer/dolly downtime does occur when trailer/dolly systems are serviced. This disrupts the operational model of the shipping companies and results in delays, which results in monetary and operational loses. When trailer/dolly downtime occurs, the shipping industry loses money as it cannot maximize the efficiency of the trailer/dolly systems. Additional trailer/dolly systems are then utilized, either by being purchased as a backup or rented from another company. In both instances this costs companies time and money, as inefficiencies in the operational model persist. 
     As noted above, it is thus desirable to avoid trailer/dolly downtime, especially periodic causes of downtime. One such periodic cause of trailer/dolly downtime could be the Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) system module. Other such periodic causes of trailer/dolly downtime could be the Booster Valve and Pressure Protection Valve, other such valves in a trailer/dolly, as well as trailer/dolly control and hydraulic systems. Trailer/dolly systems must have periodic maintenance checks for safety reasons. Downtime as a result of a these periodic maintenance checks costs companies time and money. 
     It is thus desirable to reduce, if not limit entirely, the amount of trailer/dolly downtime due to periodic service and repair. 
     Prior art designs of system modules on trailer/dolly systems required the entire trailer/dolly vehicle to be inoperable if a problem in the system module occurred. Thus, when the system module had to be replaced, the entire trailer/dolly assembly was down and could not be used. Furthermore, prior art designs of system modules for trailer/dolly systems occasionally would fail, resulting in insurance cost increases to the owner&#39;s of the trailer/dolly system. Prior art designs would also be installed incorrectly, thus increasing operation cost both in early and unnecessary repair and replacement cost. 
     What is thus desired, therefore, is an apparatus and method for providing a system module that can be easily be removed and replaced to minimize trailer/dolly downtime. If a problem is detected in a module attached to a trailer/dolly vehicle, the module can be quickly replaced with another module, allowing for continued use of the trailer/dolly vehicle, and minimizing trailer/dolly downtime. 
     It is further desirable to provide for an apparatus and method for allowing for quick and easily installation of a system module. It is further desirable for a method that eliminates installation errors during the installation of a system module, thus minimizing operation cost both in early and unnecessary repair and replacement. It is further desirable to minimize catastrophic failures resulting in insurance cost savings, as well as to reduce diagnostic troubleshooting and repair time for system modules. 
     It is further desirable to provide a special clamp that allows for the other desired objects of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for providing a system module that can be easily be removed and replaced to minimize trailer/dolly downtime. Specifically, the system module pertains to a trailer/dolly air brake system module. It is a further object of the invention to quickly replace a system module with another system module, allowing for continued use of the trailer/dolly vehicle. It is a another object of the invention to reduce installation time of a system module, and eliminate installation errors of the system module, thus minimizing operation cost in both early and unnecessary repair and replacement cost, as well as minimizing catastrophic failures resulting in insurance cost saving. It is another object of the present invention to provide a special clamp to achieve other objects of the present invention. 
     These and other objectives are achieved by providing an apparatus for a system module including a system module, a mounting element, and a mounting surface, wherein said mounting element attaches said system module to said mounting surface, and wherein said mounting surface is an element of a vehicle. While the mounting surface is generally either an I-beam or C-channel, the mounting surface may also be another element of a trailer/dolly system. Furthermore, the attachment of the mounting element to the mounting surface of the apparatus is done either by welding, through a fastening device, a clamping device, or a combination of these devices and methods. Also, the mounting element could be another such element or technique used in the industry that can attach and support the mounting element to the mounting surface, but can also allow quick removal of the system module. The mounting element could involve various elements, such elastics and other such flexible and strong materials, to attach the system module to the mounting surface, and also allow for the system module to be removed from the mounting element and mounting surface. 
     In particular, a unique clamp and clamping system designed by Haldex® achieves this objective, and is a mounting element to be used in an embodiment of the present invention. The Haldex® clamp provides increased ease of use, durability, and longevity, as it attaches the system module to the mounting element, whereby the mounting element is generally an I-beam. 
     Specifically, the Haldex® clamp includes a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members for engaging laterally opposite flanges of a mounting surface, each clamping member having a lug portion thereof, a pair of brackets disposed between the lug portions of the clamping members, the brackets secured to the clamping members via fasteners, where the brackets are adapted to receive a panel. 
     The Haldex® clamp may have said pair of brackets secured to each other via fasteners. The clamping members on the Haldex® clamp may be C-shaped and the brackets may be L-shaped. 
     In an embodiment, the brackets of the clamp face each other to form a T-shape, forming a groove in between the brackets. A panel is disposed in the groove between the brackets and is secured via fasteners. These fasteners may be easily removed allowing the panel to be removed from the brackets, and thus from the clamp. 
     The Halex® clamp is typically for use with an I-beam, though the clamp may have other uses. When used with an I-beam, the clamping members of the Haldex® clamp attach to the laterally opposite flanges of a lower flange portion of the I-beam. The clamp functions by having its fasteners tighten the clamping members around the I-beam to secure the clamp to the I-beam. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention involves a clamping system including a pair of clamps for engaging two separate mounting surfaces, the clamps each having a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members for engaging laterally opposite flanges of the mounting surfaces, each clamping member having a lug portion thereof, the clamps each having a pair of brackets disposed between the lug portions of the clamping members, wherein the brackets are secured to the clamping members via fasteners, and a module panel, the module panel secured to each of the clamps. 
     The clamping system further may have fasteners that secure the module panel to each of the clamps. The clamping members may be C-shaped. The brackets may be L-shaped. Furthermore, the brackets on each of the clamps may face each other to form a T-shape, forming a groove in between the brackets for each of the clamps. This allows the panel to be disposed in the groove of each of the clamps and allows the panel to be secured to the brackets of each of the clamps via fasteners. 
     The clamping system may have mounting surfaces selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or a C-channel, or a combination thereof. An I-beam is preferred for use with the clamping system. 
     Another embodiment involves a method for assembly of a clamp including introducing a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members for engaging laterally opposite flanges of a mounting surface, each clamping member having a lug portion thereof, introducing a pair of brackets, disposing the brackets between the lug portions of the clamping members, and fastening the brackets to the clamping members. 
     The clamping members of this method may be C-shaped. The brackets may be L-shaped. The method further may have the fasteners tighten the clamping members around the I-beam to secure the clamp to the I-beam. The method further may involve inserting a panel between the brackets, and securing the panel to the brackets via fasteners. The mounting surface of the method is selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or a C-channel, although an I-beam is preferred. 
     The Haldex® clamp, Haldex® clamping system, and method for Haldex® clamp assembly are all focused on the mounting element of the present invention which connects the mounting surface to the system module. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the system module can be repaired without disturbing the continued use of the vehicle. This is done by first removing the system module from the mounting surface, and once removed, the system module can be replaced by a second system module, and the second system module will then allow for continued use of the vehicle. This allows for any or all components of the trailer/dolly air brake system module to be easily and efficiency replaced by a similar components or an air brake system module, thus minimizing downtime of the trailer/dolly system. 
     Typical vehicles that can use the present invention are selected from, but not limited to, a group consisting of semi-trailers, dolly, semi-trailer trucks, lorry&#39;s, side lifters, reefers, vans, flat beds, tanker trailers, dump trailers, road trains, or other commercial and heavy duty vehicles that use an air/hydraulic system, or other such vehicles 
     In other embodiments of the invention, the invention involves a method of removing and replacing a system module from a vehicle including introducing a system module, introducing a mounting element, wherein the mounting element attaches the system module to a mounting surface on the vehicle. 
     The method further includes removing said system module by disengaging said system module from said mounting element, introducing a second system module, and engaging said second system module with said mounting element, wherein said second system module allows for continued use of said vehicle. 
     The method further uses a mounting surface selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or C-channel. However, the mounting surface can be another part associated with a trailer/dolly vehicle. Furthermore, the mounting element is selected from a group consisting of a fastening device, and/or a clamping device, however, other methods may also be used to connect the system to the mounting surface. More than one of these methods can be used in conjunction with one another to mount the system module to the mounting surface. In a specific embodiment of this method, the system module used is an air brake trailer/dolly system module. 
     The method further applies to a vehicle from a group consisting, but not limited to, semi-trailers, dolly, semi-trailer trucks, lorry&#39;s, side lifters, reefers, vans, flat beds, tanker trailers, dump trailers, road trains, or other commercial and heavy duty vehicles that use air/hydraulic systems. 
     The method further includes the step of easing the installation of the system module. The method further includes the step of servicing the system module and inserting the system module into another vehicle. This allows for system modules to be used interchangeably, thus minimizing downtime of the vehicle. This downtime can be limited, whereby the time to remove and replace a system module with a second system module takes under an hour. More preferably, the downtime can be limited to 30 minutes, whereby it take approximately 30 minutes or less to remove and replace a system module from a mounting surface. 
     Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the front side of a module panel with various system elements connected to a mounting surface according to one embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the module panel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the module panel shown in  FIG. 1  showing the connection to the mounting surface; 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified view of the mounting element attaching the system module to the mounting surface; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the invention shown in  FIG. 4  showing the mounting elements used to attach the system module to the mounting surface; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the mounting element using to attach the system module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the mounting element using welding to attach the system module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the mounting element using a flexible elastic to attach the system module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of the mounting element using a clamp to attach the system module to the mounting surface according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the Haldex® clamp; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the Haldex® clamp; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the Haldex® clamping system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a module panel  100  is shown in accordance with the present invention. The module panel is shown attached to a mounting surface  105 ,  110  via mounting elements  115 ,  120 . These mounting elements can be either fasteners, clamps, or a combination of the same. Welding may also be used to attach the mounting element  115 ,  120  to the mounting surface  105 , 110 , however to attach the module panel  100  to the mounting element  115 , 120 , welding should not be used, as the module panel  100  needs to be easily removable from the mounting element  115 ,  120 . In  FIG. 1 , fasteners  125  and  130  are used to hold and tighten the mounting elements  115 ,  120 , which are designed to go around and attach the mounting surface  105 ,  110  to the module panel  100 . 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment whereby the mounting surface  105 ,  110  is shown as a trailer I-beam. However, the mounting surface  105 ,  110  may also be a C-channel or other such mounting surface for mounting a system module  1000  onto a trailer or dolly vehicle. 
       FIG. 1  further shows elements that are arranged on the module panel  100 . These elements make up the system module  1000 . The order and arrangement of the elements that make up the system module  1000  can vary. Shown in  FIG. 1  are booster valve  140 , manifold valve  150 , check valve  160 , and FFABS valve with electronic control unit  170 . These elements are part of system module  1000 , and are mounted onto the module panel  100 . Further control system elements can be added to the module panel  100  that are not shown and an advantage of using a module panel  100  is that additional elements can be added to the module panel, such as, but not limited to the following elements: Tire Inflation System, FFABS Valve with ECU, 6-Port Valve with ECU, 2-Port Valve with ECU, Suspension Dump Valve, Suspension Pilot Valve, In-Line Filters, One Way check Valves, Quick Release Valve, Pressure Protection Valve, Lift Axle Valve, Trailer Brake Control Valve, Power Junction Box, Warning Lamp, Alarm box, Vehicle Weight Monitor, and Diagnostic Tool or Diagnostic Interface Tool. 
     In fact, various designs that make up a system module  1000  may be used so long as the designs can fit on a module panel  100 . This allows for different system modules with varying elements to be used with the present invention. Typically, the module panel  100  is made of metal or a type of metal alloy, although other types of materials may also be used. 
     Furthermore, fasteners  180  are also shown in  FIG. 1 , which provide further support to attach the module panel  100  to the mounting element  115 ,  120 . These fasteners are not necessary for all embodiments of the invention, and can be used with and without other mounting elements. 
       FIG. 2  shows a Top View of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , mounting elements  115 ,  120  are shown attached to mounting surfaces  105 ,  110 . The module panel  100  is also shown suspended between the mounting surfaces  105 ,  110 . Elements attached to the module panel are shown including air brake monitoring system  210  as well as various pressure valves  220 ,  140  and  170 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  of the present invention is shown. Here, one can see mounting element  115 ,  120  attaching the module panel  100  to mounting surface  105 ,  110 . The module panel  100  holds the elements of system module  1000 . 
       FIG. 3  also shows the use of fasteners  310 ,  320 ,  330 , and  340  that are used tighten mounting element  115 ,  120 . As shown, the mounting element  115 ,  120  is designed to attach to the mounting surface  105 ,  110 , attaching to the module panel  100  to the mounting surface  105 ,  110 . Furthermore, elements such as air brake monitoring system  210  and others are show in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a simplified view of the mounting element  115 ,  120  is shown attaching the module panel  100  to the mounting surface  105 ,  110 . Fasteners  310 ,  320 ,  330 , and  340  are shown with nut and bolt elements respectively. These nut and bolt fasteners may also be reduced to 2 nut and bolt fasteners and can also be replaced by screws and other such fastening devices that are used in the industry. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of  FIG. 4 , where the mounting mechanism is clearly shown. Here, mounting surface  105 ,  110  is shown with module panel  100  shown suspended below. Mounting element  115 ,  120  is shown as being composed of pieces  510  and  520  as well as bolts  521 ,  522 ,  523 ,  524  and nuts  525 ,  526 ,  527 , and  528 . 
     As shown, element  510  and  520  have holes  511 ,  512 ,  513 ,  514 ,  515 ,  516 , and  517 - 518  (not shown). Module panel  100  has holes  531 ,  532 ,  533 , and  534 . These holes allow for the bolts  521 - 524  to go through the holes, allowing for elements  510 ,  520  to and module panel  100  to be attached, thus attaching the module panel  100  to the mounting surface  105 , and  110 . The invention can comprises additional or fewer holes in various embodiments. Additional fastening elements can also be used. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 6 . Here mounting surface  105 ,  110  is shown with mounting element  600 . This mounting element  600  is of a different design that the mounting elements  115 ,  120  shown in other embodiments, as mounting element  600  does not have elements that go around and attach to the lower part of the I-Beam as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . Instead, the mounting element  600  is attached to the mounting surface via a different type of attachment mechanism. Mounting element  600  has a groove  610  for holding the module panel  100  (not shown). Mounting element  600  also has holes  620 ,  630 ,  640 , and  650  used to support fasteners (not shown) such that the module panel  100  can be attached and locked with the mounting element  600 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the mounting element  600  welded to the mounting surface  105 ,  110  via welding elements  710  and  720 . More or less welding can occur in various embodiments of the invention. A module panel  100  would then be able to be attached to the mounting element  600  through groove  610  as well as holes  620 ,  630 ,  640 , and  650 . Fasteners (not shown) would attach and tighten the module panel  100  to the mounting element  600 . 
       FIG. 8  is a view of the mounting element  600  being attached to the mounting surface  105 ,  100  via flexible elastics  810  and  820 . These elastics surround the entire mounting surface  105 ,  110 , as shown, instead of linking to the bottom flange  830  of the mounting surface  105 ,  110 . As described in  FIG. 7 , a module panel  100  would then be able to be attached to the mounting element  600  through groove  610  as well as holes  620 ,  630 ,  640 , and  650 . Fasteners (not shown) would attach and tighten the module panel  100  to the mounting element  600 . 
       FIG. 9  is a view of the mounting element  600  being attached to the mounting surface  105 ,  110  via clamps  910  and  920 . Various clamps may be used including clamps specially designed by Haldex to clamp to a mounting surface on a trailer/dolly. The clamps tighten and allow the mounting element to attach to the mounting surface  105 ,  110 . As described in  FIG. 7 , a module panel  100  would then be able to be attached to the mounting element  600  through groove  610  as well as holes  620 ,  630 ,  640 , and  650 . Fasteners (not shown) would attach and tighten the module panel  100  to the mounting element  600 . 
       FIGS. 1-9  show the attachment of a system module  1000  to a mounting element  115 ,  120  attached to a mounting surface  105 ,  110 , where the system module  1000  is preferably a trailer/dolly air brake system module. 
       FIG. 10  shows use of clamp  2000  designed by Haldex®. The clamp  2000  attaches the system module  1000  to the mounting surface  105 , 110  (not shown in  FIG. 10 ). This Halex® clamp has the unique ability as it provides increased ease of use, durability, and longevity, as it attaches the system module  1000  to the mounting surface  105 , 110 , whereby the mounting element is typically an I-beam. 
     Shown in  FIG. 10 , clamp  2000  comprises a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members  2100 ,  2150  for engaging laterally opposite flanges  2010 ,  2020  of a mounting surface  105 ,  110 , each clamping member having a lug portion  2160  and  2170  thereof. Clamp  2000  also has a pair of brackets  2200 ,  2250  disposed between said lug portions  2160 ,  2170  of said clamping members  2100 ,  2150 , said brackets  2200 ,  2250  secured to said clamping members  2100 ,  2150  via fasteners  2300 ,  2310 ,  2320 , and  2330 . The brackets  2200 ,  2250  are adapted to receive a panel  100   
     Clamp  2000  is also shown wherein said pair of brackets  2200 ,  2250  are secured to each other via fasteners  2400 ,  2410 . The clamping members  2100 ,  2150  are shown to be C-shaped and the brackets  2200 ,  2250  are L-shaped. 
       FIG. 10  shows the brackets  2200 ,  2250  facing each other to form a T-shaped forming groove  2500  between said brackets  2200 ,  2250 . 
     Panel  100  is shown disposed in groove  2400  and panel  100  is secured to said brackets  2200 ,  2250  via fasteners  2400 ,  2410 . These fasteners  2400 ,  2410  can be easily removed from the brackets  2200 ,  2250  allowing for easy removal of panel  100  from the clamp  2000 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an exploded view of the Haldex® clamp  2000 . Here, clamping members  2100 ,  2150  are shown being able to attach to each other and to brackets  2200 ,  2250  via fasteners. The fasteners are typically made of screws  2300 ,  2310 , washers  2302 ,  2312 , and nuts  2305 ,  2315 . 
     The brackets  220 ,  2250  are shown being attach to attach to each other via fasteners, which involve screws  2400 ,  2410 , washers  2402 ,  2412 , and nuts  2405 ,  2415 . 
     Clamp  2000  has laterally opposite flanges  2010 ,  2020  that are part of lower flange portion of said mounting surface  105 ,  110 , which is generally an I-beam. Fasteners  2300 ,  2310 ,  2320 , and  2330  tighten clamping members  2100 ,  2150  around the mounting surface  105 ,  100  to secure clamp  2000  to the mounting surface  105 ,  100 . 
     Another embodiment of the present invention involves clamping system  3000 , shown in  FIG. 12 . Clamping system  3000  comprises a pair of clamps  2000  for engaging two separate mounting surfaces  105 , 110 , said clamps  2000  each having a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members  2100 ,  2150  for engaging laterally opposite flanges  2010 ,  2020  of said mounting surfaces  105 ,  110 , each clamping member having a lug portion  2160 ,  2170  thereof, said clamps each having a pair of brackets  2200 ,  2250  disposed between said lug portions of said clamping members  2100 ,  2150 , wherein said brackets  2200 ,  2250  are secured to said clamping members via fasteners  2300 ,  2310 ,  2320 ,  2330 ; and a module panel  100 , said module panel  100  secured to each of said clamps  2000 . 
     The clamping system may further have fasteners  2300 ,  2310 ,  2320 , and  2330  secure the module panel  100  to each of said clamps  2000 . The clamping system may have its clamping members  2100 ,  2150  of the clamps  2000  be C-shaped. The brackets  2200 ,  2250  of each of the clamps may be L-shaped. The brackets  2200 ,  2250  on each of the clamps  2000  may face each other to form a T-shape, forming a groove  2500  in between the brackets  2200 ,  2250  for each of the clamps  2400 . 
     A panel  100  may be disposed in groove  2500  and the panel  100  is secured to the brackets  2200 ,  2250  of each of the clamps  2000  via fasteners  2400 ,  2410 . The clamping system may have mounting surfaces  105 , 100  selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or a C-channel, or a combination thereof. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention involves a method for assembly of a clamp  2000  comprising: introducing a pair of oppositely disposed clamping members  2100 ,  2150  for engaging laterally opposite flanges  2010 ,  2020  of a mounting surface  105 ,  110 , each clamping member  2100 ,  2150  having a lug portion  2160 ,  2170  thereof; introducing a pair of brackets  2200 ,  2250 ; disposing the brackets  2200 ,  2250  between the lug portions  2160 ,  2170  of the clamping members  2100 ,  2150 ; and fastening said brackets  2200 ,  2250  to said clamping members  2100 ,  2150 . 
     The method may involve clamping members  2100 ,  2150  that are C-shaped and/or brackets  2200 ,  2250  that are L-shaped. The method may further involve fasteners  2300 ,  2310 ,  2320 ,  2330  that tighten the clamping members  2100 ,  2150  around the I-beam to secure the clamp  2000  to the I-beam. 
     The method may further involve inserting a panel  100  between the brackets  2200 ,  2250  and securing said panel  100  to said brackets  2200 ,  2250  via fasteners  2400 ,  2410 . 
     Another embodiment of the present invention involves a method for providing a system module  1000  that can be easily be removed and replaced to minimize trailer/dolly downtime. The method allows for a system module  1000  to be quickly attached to a trailer dolly vehicle. The method also further allows for a system module  1000  to be quickly replaced with another system module  1000 , allowing for continued use of the trailer/dolly vehicle. This method involves using the apparatus described in other embodiments of the invention. By using the design of the apparatus, a system module  1000  can be easily installed and removed from the mounting surface. 
     The method further involves reducing the installation time of a system module  1000 , and eliminating errors that result during the installation of the system module  1000 . Furthermore, the method minimizes operation cost in both early and unnecessary repair and replacement cost, and minimizing catastrophic failures resulting in insurance cost saving. 
     The method comprises the following steps of introducing a system module  1000 , introducing a mounting element  115 ,  120  described in the apparatus of the invention, wherein the mounting element attaches the system module  1000  to a mounting surface  105 ,  110  on a vehicle. Various mounting elements  115 ,  120  may be used for the attachment of the system module  1000  to the mounting surface  105 ,  110 . 
     The method further involves the step of removing and replacing the system module  1000  by disengaging said system module  1000  from said mounting element  115 ,  120 , introducing a second system module  1000 , and engaging said second system module  1000  with said mounting element  115 ,  120 , wherein said second system module  1000  allows for continued use of the vehicle. The method can be performed by a human, such as a mechanic, or in certain embodiments, robots and machines can be used to replace the system module. 
     The method uses a mounting surface  105 ,  110  selected from a group consisting of an I-beam or C-channel, however, the mounting surface  105 ,  110  can be another part associated with a trailer/dolly vehicle. Furthermore, the mounting element  115 ,  120  is selected from a group consisting of welding, a fastening device, and/or a clamping device, however, other methods may also be used to connect the system module  1000  to the mounting surface  105 ,  110 . Welding is typically used in combination with other fasteners as the ability of the other fasteners allows the system module to be easily removable. More than one of these methods can be used in conjunction with one another to mount the system module  1000  to the mounting surface  105 ,  110 . 
     The method further applies to a vehicle from a group consisting of, but not limited to semi-trailers, dolly, semi-trailer trucks, lorry&#39;s, side lifters, reefers, vans, flat beds, tanker trailers, dump trailers, road trains, or other commercial and heavy duty vehicles that use air/hydraulic systems. 
     The method further comprises the step of easing the installation of the system module  1000 . The method further comprises the step of servicing the system module  1000  and inserting the system module  1000  into another vehicle. This allows for system modules to be used interchangeably, thus minimizing downtime of the vehicle. This downtime can be limited, whereby the time to remove and replace a system module with a second system module takes under an hour. More preferably, the downtime can be limited to 30 minutes, whereby it take approximately 30 minutes or less to remove and replace a system module from a mounting surface. 
     Furthermore, in specific embodiments, the system module is preferably a trailer/dolly air brake system module. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation and that various changes and modifications in form and details can be made thereto, and the scope of the appended Claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit. 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature, and thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.