Patent Description:
In order to perform the traditional oil change, certain human interaction, as well as certain tools and supplies, are generally required. For example, in some instances, a human may utilize a jack to raise the vehicle off of the ground to provide sufficient access to the underside of the vehicle. In other instances, the human may drive the vehicle up on ramps to provide sufficient access to the underside of the vehicle. In yet other instances, the human may position the vehicle on a lift which when actuated raises the vehicle off of the ground to provide sufficient access to the underside of the vehicle. The human typically utilizes a socket wrench to unscrew the drain plug, and relies on a container placed under the vehicle to catch the drained oil. Once the oil is drained from the vehicle, the human may thereafter add a new gasket to the drain plug and utilize the socket wrench to reinstall the drain plug.

The human may thereafter utilize a filter wrench or similar tool to remove the "old" oil filter and install a "new" oil filter. At this point, the vehicle is ready for the "new" oil to be added. However, prior to adding the new oil, the human generally opens the "hood" of the vehicle to gain access to the top side of the engine, unscrews the oil filler cap and places a funnel in the opening previously covered by the oil filler cap. The human may then open the "new oil" container and pour the new oil into the funnel, where the oil then flows into the engine of the vehicle. Once the desired amount of oil has been added, the human typically reinstalls the oil filler cap and closes the hood of the vehicle. In the above-described process, in addition to the amount of human interaction utilized to complete the oil change, the human also carries the burden of securing the correct size drain plug gasket, the correct size oil filter and the recommended "new" oil (e.g., synthetic or non-synthetic, viscosity, etc.). For a person or family with multiple vehicles, or a shop which services multiple vehicles, each of these can vary from vehicle to vehicle, thereby increasing the costs associated with the equipment and tools needed to perform the oil change.

Furthermore, despite due care being taken when performing the traditional oil change, it is not uncommon for at least some of the oil to wind up on the ground, on the clothes of the person performing the oil change or on the hands/skin of the person performing the oil change. Any spillage of oil onto the ground constitutes an unwanted environmental incident, and if the oil is relatively hot, as is often the case, the spillage onto the clothes or hands/skin can cause unwanted burns to the person performing the oil change. <CIT> discloses a method and apparatus for the automated filling of a container mounted on a vehicle with a fluid. <CIT> discloses an automated system for rapidly and safely evacuating used fluid from the drain plug opening of a fluid receptacle and replenishing the fluid receptacle with fresh fluid through the same drain plug opening.

The claimed invention may be better understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is limited to the subject-matter as defined in the claims. Other described elements are included in the description for illustrative purposes.

It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols and reference characters typically identify similar components throughout several views, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative aspects described in the detailed description, drawings and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other aspects may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the technology described herein.

Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments and advantages of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the technology.

It is further understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, aspects, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, aspects, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein, provided that the resulting combination of features is within the scope of the claims below. The following described teachings, expressions, aspects, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other.

Before explaining the various aspects of the robotic servicing system in detail, it should be noted that the various aspects disclosed herein are not limited in their application or use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. Rather, the disclosed aspects may be positioned or incorporated in other aspects, embodiments, variations and modifications thereof, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Accordingly, aspects of the robotic servicing system disclosed herein are illustrative in nature and are not meant to limit the scope or application thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions employed herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing the aspects for the convenience of the reader and are not meant to limit the scope thereof. In addition, it should be understood that any one or more of the disclosed aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples thereof, can be combined with any one or more of the other disclosed aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples thereof, without limitation, provided that the resulting combination of features is within the scope of the claims below.

Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that terms such as inward, outward, upward, downward, above, below, left, right, interior, exterior and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Terminology used herein is not meant to be limiting insofar as devices described herein, or portions thereof, may be attached or utilized in other orientations. The various aspects will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> illustrates a robotic servicing system <NUM>, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The robotic servicing system <NUM> includes a robotic assembly <NUM>, a user interface <NUM>, one or more sensors <NUM>, one or more indicating lights <NUM>, an evacuation system <NUM>, a refill system <NUM> and a control circuit <NUM>. According to various aspects, the robotic servicing system <NUM> may also include a purge system <NUM> and a filter cleansing system <NUM>. For instances where the vehicle is equipped with a quick fit valve accessible from an exterior of the vehicle, a reusable oil filter (or a plurality of reusable oil filters) and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag or other means of identification, the robotic servicing system <NUM> can be a stand-alone, unmanned station which performs a robotically implemented engine oil change in remote locations or at designated service providers. The robotic servicing system <NUM> can also perform other various service operations on the vehicle such as, for example, refueling the vehicle, checking/altering tire pressure, checking brakes, greasing the vehicle and checking/adding various fluids (e.g., transmission fluid, wiper fluid, coolant, etc.) to the vehicle. For purposes of simplicity, the robotic servicing system <NUM> will be described hereinafter in the context of an oil change service. However, it will be appreciated that the robotic servicing system <NUM> may be utilized to perform any number of different service operations on the vehicle.

The user interface <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a display <NUM>, a keypad <NUM>, an optical scanner <NUM>, a card reader <NUM>, and a printer <NUM>. The display <NUM> provides information, such as for example, the make and model of the vehicle, the type of oil (synthetic or non-synthetic) to be used, the viscosity of the oil to be used, the cost for the oil change service, etc. The keypad <NUM> allows for the user to provide input data to the robotic servicing system <NUM> such as, for example, an upgrade to a synthetic oil, a request for a printed receipt, etc. The optical scanner <NUM> is configured to read a card such as, for example, a membership card or a rewards card associated with the vehicle or the operator of the vehicle. The card reader <NUM> is configured to read a credit card, a debit card, a gift card and the like in order to secure payment for the oil change service to be provided. The printer <NUM> is configured to print a receipt and/or other information for the user/operator of the vehicle.

The evacuation system <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes hosing <NUM> which is coupled to a "waste oil" container <NUM> via a valve <NUM> and a pump <NUM>. The "waste oil" container <NUM> is configured to receive the "waste oil" being evacuated from the vehicle and the valve <NUM> may be utilized to stop the flow of the "waste oil" being evacuated from the vehicle. Although only one "waste oil" container <NUM>, one valve <NUM> and one pump <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, it will be appreciated that the hosing <NUM> may be coupled to any number of "waste oil" containers <NUM> via any number of valves <NUM> and pumps <NUM>. The hosing <NUM> can be wound on a hose reel (not shown) and has a quick fit connector <NUM> coupled to an end of the hosing <NUM>. The quick fit connector <NUM> is configured to mate with the quick fit valve of the vehicle. According to various aspects, a sensor (e.g., one of the sensors <NUM>) of the robotic servicing system <NUM> is configured to sense whether a connection has been made between the quick fit connector <NUM> and the quick fit valve of the vehicle.

The refill system <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes hosing <NUM> which is coupled to a "new oil" container <NUM> via a valve <NUM> and a pump <NUM>. The "new oil" container <NUM> contains the "new oil" utilized to refill the motor oil of the vehicle and the valve <NUM> may be utilized to stop the flow of the "new oil" being provided to the vehicle. Although only one "new oil" container <NUM>, one valve <NUM> and one pump <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, it will be appreciated that the hosing <NUM> may be coupled to any number of "new oil" containers <NUM> via any number of valves <NUM> and pumps <NUM>. The hosing <NUM> can be wound on a hose reel (not shown) and has a quick fit connector <NUM> coupled to an end of the hosing <NUM>. The quick fit connector <NUM> is configured to mate with the quick fit valve of the vehicle. According to various aspects, a sensor (e.g., one of the sensors <NUM>) of the robotic servicing system <NUM> is configured to sense whether a connection has been made between the quick fit connector <NUM> and the quick fit valve of the vehicle.

The purge system <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes hosing <NUM> which is coupled to a purging agent container <NUM> via a valve <NUM>. The purging agent container <NUM> contains a pressurized purging agent (e.g., air or nitrogen) and the valve <NUM> may be utilized to stop the flow of the purging agent provided to the vehicle. The hosing <NUM> can be wound on a hose reel (not shown) and has a quick fit connector <NUM> coupled to an end of the hosing <NUM>. The quick fit connector <NUM> is configured to mate with the quick fit valve of the vehicle. According to various aspects, a sensor (e.g., one of the sensors <NUM>) of the robotic servicing system <NUM> is configured to sense whether a connection has been made between the quick fit connector <NUM> and the quick fit valve of the vehicle.

The filter cleansing system <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes hosing <NUM> which is coupled to a cleansing fluid container <NUM> via a valve <NUM> and a pump <NUM>. The cleansing fluid container <NUM> contains a cleansing fluid and the valve <NUM> may be utilized to stop the flow of the cleansing fluid provided to the vehicle. The hosing <NUM> can be wound on a hose reel (not shown) and has a quick fit connector <NUM> coupled to an end of the hosing <NUM>. The quick fit connector <NUM> is configured to mate with the quick fit valve of the vehicle. According to various aspects, a sensor (e.g., one of the sensors <NUM>) of the robotic servicing system <NUM> is configured to sense whether a connection has been made between the quick fit connector <NUM> and the quick fit valve of the vehicle.

The control circuit <NUM> is coupled to the robotic assembly <NUM>, the user interface <NUM>, the one or more sensors <NUM>, the one or more indicating lights <NUM>, the evacuation system <NUM>, the refill system <NUM>, the purge system <NUM> and the filter cleansing system <NUM> (See <FIG>). As shown in <FIG> in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the control circuit <NUM> includes a processing circuit <NUM>, a memory circuit <NUM> and a wireless communication module <NUM>.

The processing circuit <NUM> may be, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor including one or more individual instruction processing cores, processing unit, processor, microcontroller, microcontroller unit, controller, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable logic device (PLD), programmable logic array (PLA), or field programmable gate array (FPGA)), state machine circuitry, firmware that stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry, and any combination thereof. The processing circuit <NUM> may, collectively or individually, be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a larger system, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on-chip (SoC), desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, servers, smart phones, etc. Accordingly, the processing circuit <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.

The memory circuit <NUM> is coupled to the processing circuit <NUM> and may include more than one type of memory. For example, according to various aspects, the memory <NUM> circuit may include volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which can act as external cache memory. According to various aspects, the random access memory can be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), Synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), direct Rambus random access memory (DRRAM) and the like. The non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory and the like. According to various aspects, the memory circuit <NUM> can also include removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile storage media, such as for example disk storage. The disk storage can include, but is not limited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a tape drive, a Jaz drive, a Zip drive, a LS-<NUM> drive, a flash memory card, or a memory stick. In addition, the disk storage can include storage media separately or in combination with other storage media including, but not limited to, an optical disc drive such as a compact disc ROM device (CD-ROM), a compact disc recordable drive (CD-R Drive), a compact disc rewritable drive (CD-RW Drive), a digital versatile disc ROM drive (DVD-ROM) and the like.

The wireless communication module <NUM> is configured to enable communication between the robotic servicing system <NUM> and other devices/systems, including the vehicle, via a network <NUM> (See <FIG>), where the communications between the wireless communications module <NUM> and the network <NUM> are wireless communications. For example, according to various aspects, as the vehicle approaches the robotic servicing system <NUM>, the vehicle may emit a wireless signal associated with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag of the vehicle and the control circuit <NUM> may be configured to utilize the signal to automatically identify the vehicle based on the signal. For example, based on the received signal, the control circuit <NUM> may access a database of vehicles enrolled in member service rolls and match information in the signal (e.g., a vehicle ID) with a vehicle in the database. For such vehicles, the database includes information regarding make, model, year and engine of the vehicle, as well as the type, viscosity and volume of oil for the vehicle. Thus, based on the information in the database, the control circuit <NUM> identifies the make, model, year and engine of the vehicle and determines the type, viscosity and volume of oil associated with the vehicle. Stated differently, the control circuit <NUM> determines the type, viscosity and volume of "new oil" to be added to the engine of the vehicle during a refill operation.

The wireless communication module <NUM> can employ any suitable wireless communication technology. For example, according to various aspects, the wireless communication module <NUM> can employ, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Thread, ZigBee, and the like. Similarly, the wireless communication module <NUM> can employ any one of a number of wireless communication standards or protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi (IEEE <NUM> family), WiMAX (IEEE <NUM> family), IEEE <NUM>, long-term evolution (LTE), and Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, and Ethernet derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless protocols that are designated as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and beyond.

The robotic assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, includes a robotic arm <NUM> configured to hold a variety of different interchangeable tools <NUM> which are suitable for various aspects of an oil change service. According to various aspects, such tools <NUM> include, for example, a grasping tool configured to grasp any of the above-described quick fit connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (or any of the hosing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), a socket type tool configured to engage with the drain plug of the vehicle, a filter wrench type tool configured to engage with an oil filter of the vehicle, etc. Although the robotic assembly <NUM> is described herein in the context of including one robotic arm <NUM> for purposes of simplicity, it will be appreciated that the robotic assembly <NUM> may include any number of robotic arms (e.g., two arms, three arms, etc.).

The robotic assembly <NUM> also includes a plurality of motors <NUM>, one or more controllers <NUM>, a vision system <NUM>, a plurality of sensors <NUM> and a processing circuit <NUM>. As represented in <FIG>, at least a portion of the one or more controllers <NUM>, the vision system <NUM>, the plurality of sensors <NUM> and the processing circuit <NUM> may be positioned within a housing <NUM>. The motors <NUM> operate to move the robotic arm <NUM> and the tool <NUM> to desired positions and orientations relative to the vehicle with at least six degrees of freedom (i.e., translation in three perpendicular axes (forward/backward, up/down and left/right) combined with rotation about three perpendicular axes (pitch, yaw, and roll). The motors <NUM> may be any suitable type of motors (e.g., linear motors, servo motors, stepper motors, combinations thereof, etc.) and also operate to actuate the various tools <NUM> to grasp, open and close, rotate, extend, etc..

The one or more controllers <NUM> are configured to control the operation of the motors <NUM> based on control signals (e.g., drive signals) output by the processing circuit <NUM>. The vision system <NUM> is configured to assess the position of the robotic arm <NUM> and the tool <NUM> relative to the vehicle (or the target point of the vehicle such as, for example, a quick connect valve at an exterior of the vehicle, the drain plug of the vehicle, the oil filter of the vehicle, etc.) and provide this information as feedback to the processing circuit <NUM> so the processing circuit <NUM> can in turn determine the proper control signals to be output to the one or more controllers <NUM> to properly position the robotic arm <NUM> and the tool <NUM>. According to various aspects, the vision system <NUM> is also configured to assess the position of the robotic arm <NUM> and the tool <NUM> relative to any of the above-described quick fit connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (or any of the hosing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and provide this information as feedback to the processing circuit <NUM> so the processing circuit <NUM> can in turn determine the proper control signals to be output to the one or more controllers <NUM> to properly position the robotic arm <NUM> and the tool <NUM>. According to yet other aspects, the vision system <NUM> is configured to assess the position of the robotic arm <NUM> relative to any of the "unconnected" tools <NUM> and provide this information as feedback to the processing circuit <NUM> so the processing circuit <NUM> can in turn determine the proper control signals to be output to the one or more controllers <NUM> to properly position the robotic arm <NUM> relative to the "unconnected" tools <NUM> to autonomously connect the desired tool <NUM> to the robotic arm <NUM>. The vision system <NUM> may be implemented in any suitable manner. For example, according to various aspects, the vision system <NUM> includes one or more cameras or other imaging devices. According to other aspects, the vision system <NUM> is implemented by a laser vision system. According to yet other aspects, the vision system is implemented by a machine vision system.

The plurality of sensors <NUM> may be similar or identical to the sensors <NUM> described hereinabove. According to various aspects, one or more of the sensors <NUM> are configured to sense whether the robotic arm <NUM> has engaged with one of the tools <NUM>, or whether a tool <NUM> engaged with the robotic arm <NUM> has engaged with any of the above-described quick fit connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (or any of the hosing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). Similarly, one or more of the sensors <NUM> may be configured to sense whether any of the tools <NUM> have engaged with the drain plug of the vehicle, with the oil filter of the vehicle, etc. According to yet other aspects, one or more of the sensors <NUM> are configured to sense whether any of the above-described quick fit connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have mated with the quick fit valve of the vehicle. One or more of the sensors <NUM> may also be utilized to sense the position of vehicle, the position of the robotic arm <NUM> and the tool <NUM> relative to the vehicle, the position of the robotic arm <NUM> relative to an "unconnected" tool <NUM>, and the like. The processing circuit <NUM> may be similar or identical to the processing circuit <NUM> described hereinabove.

<FIG> illustrates a method <NUM> of performing a robotically controlled oil change service. The method <NUM> may be implemented by the robotic servicing system <NUM>. In operation, as a vehicle approaches the robotic servicing system <NUM>, the control circuit <NUM> or the robotic assembly <NUM> (e.g., the vision system <NUM>, the sensors <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM>) recognizes whether the vehicle has a service ID associated with vehicles enrolled in member service rolls. The recognition may be a result of a signal communicated from the vehicle (e.g., a signal associated with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag) or an image of the vehicle (or an image of a license plate, a bar code, or the like on the vehicle) captured by the vision system <NUM>. For such instances, the control circuit <NUM> or the robotic assembly <NUM> identifies the vehicle make, model, year and engine and determines <NUM> the type, viscosity and volume of oil for the vehicle. The control circuit <NUM> or the robotic assembly <NUM> also prompts the driver of the vehicle to drive the vehicle onto the designated service pad, utilizes one or more of the one or more sensors <NUM> (or the vision system <NUM> or one or more of the sensors <NUM>) to determine the position of the vehicle relative to the designated service pad and controls the operation of the one or more lights <NUM> to light up when the vehicle is properly positioned on the designated service pad.

Once the vehicle is properly positioned on the designated service pad, the robotic assembly <NUM> is controlled to initiate <NUM> the purge aspect of the oil change service by autonomously attaching the quick fit connector <NUM> coupled to an end of the hosing <NUM> of the purge system <NUM> to the quick fit valve of the vehicle. An example of the robotic assembly <NUM> connecting a quick fit connector to the quick fit valve of a vehicle is shown in <FIG>, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. According to various aspects, a sensor (e.g., one of the sensors <NUM> or one of the sensors <NUM>) is configured to sense that the connection between the quick fit connector <NUM> and the quick fit valve of the vehicle has been made, generate a signal indicative of the connection having been made, and communicate the signal to the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM>. Upon receipt of the signal, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> operates to allow the purge aspect of the oil change service to begin. According to various aspects, without the signal, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> operates as if the connection has not been made and prevents the purge aspect of the oil change service from beginning. In other words, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> locks out the purge aspect of the oil change service until the signal is communicated from the sensor.

For the purge aspect of the oil change service, the robotic servicing system <NUM> introduces the pressurized purging agent from the purging agent container <NUM> to the quick fit valve of the vehicle, and the pressurized purging agent operates to purge oil from the existing oil filter (or filters) into the engine sump. The pressurized purging agent acts to dislodge and remove any trapped particulate or oil from the oil filter (or oil filters) of the vehicle, thereby allowing for the dislodged particulate or oil to be subsequently removed from the engine sump during an evacuation aspect of the oil change service. Although the oil filter purge can operate for any reasonable amount of time, the purge aspect of the oil change service is typically completed within approximately <NUM>-<NUM> seconds.

According to various aspects, following completion of the purge aspect of the oil change service, for aspects of the robotic servicing system <NUM> which include the filter cleansing system <NUM>, the robotic assembly <NUM> is controlled to initiate <NUM> the filter cleansing aspect of the oil change service by autonomously attaching the quick fit connector <NUM> coupled to an end of the hosing <NUM> of the filter cleansing system <NUM> to the quick fit valve of the vehicle. According to various aspects, a sensor (e.g., one of the sensors <NUM> or one of the sensors <NUM>) is configured to sense that the connection between the quick fit connector <NUM> and the quick fit valve of the vehicle has been made, generate a signal indicative of the connection having been made, and communicate the signal to the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM>. Upon receipt of the signal, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> operates to allow the filter cleansing aspect of the oil change service to begin. According to various aspects, without the signal, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> operates as if the connection has not been made and prevents the filter cleansing aspect of the oil change service from beginning. In other words, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> locks out the filter cleansing aspect of the oil change service until the signal is communicated from the sensor.

For the filter cleansing aspect of the oil change service, the robotic servicing system <NUM> is controlled to introduce the cleansing fluid from the filter cleaning container <NUM> to the quick fit valve of the vehicle, which is coupled to the reusable oil filter of the vehicle. An example of a reusable filter can be found, for example, in <CIT>, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The cleansing fluid is introduced to the reusable filter in reverse flow - from a clean side of the filter to an unfiltered side. The cleansing fluid acts to back flush contaminants from the 'unfiltered' side of filter media. The control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> is configured to monitor the cleansing fluid used for the filter cleansing, and determine when contaminants in the cleansing fluid have reached a desired level. Once the desired level has been reached, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> may operate to stop the filter cleansing aspect of the oil change service.

Following completion of the filter cleansing aspect of the oil change service, according to various aspects, the robotic servicing system <NUM> may be controlled to initiate <NUM> the cleansing fluid purge aspect of the oil change service by autonomously attaching the quick fit connector <NUM> of the purge system <NUM> to the quick fit valve of the vehicle. Once the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> establishes that a connection has been made between the quick fit connector <NUM> and the quick fit valve of the vehicle, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> allows the introduction of a pressurized fluid (e.g., air or nitrogen) into the quick fit valve of the vehicle to purge cleansing fluid from the filter which has just been cleaned. On removal of all the cleansing fluid from filter, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> may stop the cleansing fluid purge aspect of the oil change service. Although the purge system <NUM> and the filter cleansing system <NUM> have been described as two separate systems, it will be appreciated that according to other aspects, various components such as the hosing <NUM>, <NUM> and the quick fit connectors <NUM>. <NUM> may be combined to form a single hosing and a single quick fit connector. The purge and/or filter cleansing aspects of the oil change service generally returns the reusable filter (or filters) to a like-new condition. In cases where the purge and/or filter cleansing aspects of the oil change service do not adequately clean the reusable filter, the robotic service system <NUM> may be controlled to replace the "old" reusable filter with a new reusable filter as described below.

For aspects of the robotic servicing system <NUM> which do not include the purge system <NUM> and the filter cleansing system <NUM>, or following completion of the purge and/or filter cleansing aspects of the oil change service, the robotic servicing system <NUM> may be controlled to initiate <NUM> the evacuation aspect of the oil change service by autonomously attaching the quick fit connector <NUM> coupled to an end of the hosing <NUM> of the evacuation system <NUM> to the quick fit valve of the vehicle. According to various aspects, a sensor (e.g., one of the sensors <NUM> or one of the sensors <NUM>) is configured to sense that the connection between the quick fit connector <NUM> and the quick fit valve of the vehicle has been made, generate a signal indicative of the connection having been made, and communicate the signal to the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM>. Upon receipt of the signal, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> operates to allow the evacuation aspect of the oil change service to begin. According to various aspects, without the signal, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> operates as if the connection has not been made and prevents the evacuation aspect of the oil change service from beginning. In other words, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> locks out the evacuation aspect of the oil change service until the signal is communicated from the sensor.

For the evacuation aspect of the oil change service, the robotic servicing system <NUM> "pulls" the oil from the engine sump to the quick fit valve of the vehicle, through the quick fit connector <NUM> and the hosing <NUM> of the evacuation system <NUM> and back to the "waste oil" container <NUM>. The pressurized pulling (i.e., negative pressure) of the oil from the engine sump results in a more thorough and complete evacuation of the engine oil than is the case with traditional gravity draining.

Following completion of the evacuation aspect of the oil change service, the robotic servicing system <NUM> can then be controlled to change <NUM> the oil filter (or oil filters) of the vehicle or initiate <NUM> the refill aspect of the oil change service. The robotic servicing system <NUM> may be controlled to change a conventional oil filter (as would almost always be the case) or a reusable oil filter if the reusable filter was not adequately cleaned by the purge aspect, the filter cleansing aspect and the cleansing fluid purge aspect of the oil change service. The robotic servicing system <NUM> may be controlled to initiate <NUM> the refill aspect of the oil change service by autonomously attaching the quick fit connector <NUM> coupled to an end of the hosing <NUM> of the refill system <NUM> to the quick fit valve of the vehicle. According to various aspects, a sensor (e.g., one of the sensors <NUM> or one of the sensors <NUM>) is configured to sense that the connection between the quick fit connector <NUM> and the quick fit valve of the vehicle has been made, generate a signal indicative of the connection having been made, and communicate the signal to the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM>. Upon receipt of the signal, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> operates to allow the refill aspect of the oil change service to begin. According to various aspects, without the signal, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> operates as if the connection has not been made and prevents the refill aspect of the oil change service from beginning. In other words, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> locks out the refill aspect of the oil change service until the signal is communicated from the sensor.

For the refill aspect of the oil change service, the robotic servicing system <NUM> "pushes" new clean motor oil from the "new oil" container <NUM> into the quick fit valve of the vehicle, where the new clean oil is then distributed to the engine of the vehicle via the oil filter (or oil filters). Based on the information regarding the vehicle model, make, year and engine, the control circuit <NUM> or the processing circuit <NUM> controls the delivery of the correct type, viscosity and volume of "new oil" to the engine of the vehicle.

According to various aspects, once a predetermined volume of oil has been delivered to the engine of the vehicle, the robotic servicing system <NUM> can then prompt a person associated with the vehicle to "verify" the level of the oil in the engine by checking a dipstick of the engine. The person can then instruct the robotic servicing system <NUM> to add or evacuate oil as necessary in order to achieve a desired oil level in the engine of the vehicle, or the person may opt to do this manually.

The robotic servicing system <NUM> is further configured to signal to a person associated with the vehicle that the oil change service has been completed, and to record the event for automatic billing to a Customer account.

<FIG> illustrates a management system <NUM>. The management system <NUM> includes the robotic servicing system <NUM>, a network <NUM> and one or more computing systems <NUM>. The robotic servicing system <NUM> is communicably connected with the one or more computing systems <NUM> via the network <NUM>. The network <NUM> may include any type of delivery system including, but not limited to, a local area network (e.g., Ethernet), a wide area network (e.g. the Internet and/or World Wide Web), a telephone network (e.g., analog, digital, wired, wireless, PSTN, ISDN, GSM, GPRS, and/or xDSL), a packet-switched network, a radio network, a television network, a cable network, a satellite network, and/or any other wired or wireless communications network configured to carry data. The network <NUM> may include elements, such as, for example, intermediate nodes, proxy servers, routers, switches, and adapters configured to direct and/or deliver data. In general, the robotic servicing system <NUM> is configured to communicate with the one or more computing systems <NUM> via the network <NUM> using various communication protocols (e.g., HTTP, TCP/IP, UDP, WAP, WiFi, Bluetooth) and/or to operate within or in concert with one or more other communications systems. As the robotic servicing system <NUM> can connect to the Internet, it will be appreciated that the robotic servicing system <NUM> can have a distinct Internet Protocol address (IP address) which allows for host or network interface identification and location addressing.

The one or more computing systems <NUM> can include, for example, a computing system of an owner of the robotic servicing system <NUM>, a computing system of a service provider associated with the robotic servicing system <NUM>, a computing system associated with an owner of the vehicle being serviced by the robotic servicing system <NUM>, etc., and each of these computing systems can be at locations which are remote from the vehicle being serviced.

According to various aspects, at least one of the one or more computing systems <NUM> can function as an inventory management system. For example, as the robotic servicing system <NUM> knows the amount of new clean oil provided from the "new oil" container <NUM>, the computing system <NUM> knows the inventory of the new clean oil in the "new oil" container <NUM> in real-time or in near-real time.

Although the various aspects of the robotic servicing system have been described herein in connection with certain disclosed aspects, many modifications and variations to those aspects may be implemented. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. Furthermore, according to various aspects, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions.

Claim 1:
A robotic servicing system (<NUM>), comprising:
an evacuation system (<NUM>) comprising a first quick connect fitting configured to mate with a quick connect valve of a vehicle;
a refill system (<NUM>) comprising a second quick connect fitting configured to mate with the quick connect valve of the vehicle; and
a robotic assembly (<NUM>) couplable to the evacuation system (<NUM>) and the refill system (<NUM>), wherein the robotic servicing system (<NUM>) further comprises a processing circuit (<NUM>, <NUM>) and is configured to initiate an evacuation operation by autonomously attaching the first quick connect fitting to the quick connect valve of the vehicle; and
following completion of the evacuation operation, initiate a refill operation by autonomously attaching the second quick connect fitting to the quick connect valve of the vehicle.