GB2569317A - Collapsible storage apparatus for a vehicle load space - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a storage apparatus (figure 2, 1) for a vehicle load space (Figure 1, 101), the storage apparatus comprising a storage module 30 configured to be received in the vehicle load space. The storage module is arranged to readily collapse in a first direction (Figure 7, arrows) when a force exerted on the storage apparatus in the first direction is greater than or equal to a threshold force. It should resist collapse in a second direction when a force equal to said threshold force is exerted on the storage apparatus in the second direction. The storage module may be configured to be received in the vehicle load space such that the first direction is substantially aligned with an X/front-to-back axis of the vehicle. This may be accomplished by using at least structural component formed of a weaker material or lower structural strength. The storage apparatus may be mounted to the vehicle and contain multiple separate storage sections.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE LOAD SPACE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a storage apparatus for a vehicle load space, and to a vehicle comprising such a storage apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Automobiles are typically provided with a load space towards the rear of the vehicle including a floor panel on which various items may be placed in use of the vehicle. In some cases it may be necessary or desirable to place or mount a storage module within the load space, for example in order to provide secure enclosed storage space for certain items. However, positioning a storage module within the load space may affect the crash performance of the vehicle in the event of an impact to the rear of the vehicle. For example, the storage module may affect the ability of the load space to collapse or crumple during such an impact.

It is an aim of the present invention to address disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage apparatus for a vehicle load space, the storage apparatus comprising a storage module configured to be received in the vehicle load space, wherein the storage module is arranged to readily collapse in a first direction upon a force exerted on the storage apparatus in the first direction exceeding a threshold force.

The storage module may be a cabinet type storage module that provides an at least substantially enclosed storage space.

It will be appreciated that the storage module is designed to have sufficient structural strength in the first direction to maintain its structural integrity during normal use of the storage module, including repeated loading and unloading of the storage module and repeated installation and removal of the storage module from the vehicle load space over a long period of time. However, the storage module is designed to have sufficiently low structural strength in the first direction that it can readily collapse in the first direction upon experiencing a force that is significantly greater than the forces experienced during normal use.

By designing the storage apparatus to be readily collapsible in the first direction, the present invention minimises the effect of the storage module on the crash performance of the vehicle in the case of a rear impact. For example, since the storage module is able to collapse in the first direction, it does not significantly affect the ability of the load space region of the vehicle to deform during the impact.

It will be appreciated that the threshold force required to cause the storage module to collapse in the first direction may vary for different applications, for example depending on the size of the storage module and the dimensions and design of the vehicle load space.

The storage module may be arranged to readily collapse in a first direction when a force exerted on the storage apparatus in the first direction is greater than or equal to a threshold force, and to resist collapse in a second direction when a force equal to said threshold force is exerted on the storage apparatus in the second direction.

The storage module may be configured to be received in the vehicle load space such that the first direction is substantially aligned with an X-axis of the vehicle (that is the longitudinal axis of the vehicle).

The storage module may be configured to be received in the vehicle load space such that the second direction is substantially aligned with either a Y-axis or a Z-axis of the vehicle.

The storage module may comprise at least one structural component extending in the first direction that has lower structural strength than at least one structural component of the storage module extending in the second direction.

The at least one structural component extending in the first direction may be formed of a weaker material than the structural component extending in the second direction and/or may have a lower thickness than the structural component extending in the second direction and/or may be formed of a structural arrangement configured to achieve a reduced strength in the first direction.

The storage module may be arranged to resist collapse in a third direction when a force equal to said threshold force is exerted on the storage apparatus in the third direction, and the storage module may be configured to be received in the vehicle load space such that the first direction is substantially aligned with the X-axis of the vehicle and the second and third directions are substantially aligned with the Y-axis and Z-axis of the vehicle.

The storage module may be configured to be positively mounted within the vehicle load space with the first direction substantially aligned with the X-axis of the vehicle. The first direction may be a longitudinal direction of the storage module, that is the direction of the storage module that is configured to be aligned with the X-axis of the vehicle.

The storage module may have lower structural strength in the first direction than in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the storage module being configured to be received in the vehicle load space such that the second direction is substantially aligned with a Y-axis of the vehicle (that is the transverse axis of the vehicle). In other words the storage module may be able to withstand a greater force in the second direction without collapsing than in the first direction. For example, the storage module may be able to withstand a force at least 50% higher in the second direction than in the first direction.

The storage module may comprise at least one structural component extending in the first direction that has lower structural strength than at least one structural component of the storage module extending in the second direction. The structural component extending in the first direction may be a sidewall of the storage module, and the structural component extending in the second direction may be an end wall of the storage module. Lower structural strength for the structural component extending in the first direction may be achieved in a variety of different ways. For example, the structural component extending in the first direction may be formed of a weaker material than the structural component extending in the second direction and/or may have a lower thickness than the structural component extending in the second direction.

The storage module may have lower structural strength in the first direction than in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the storage module being configured to be received in the vehicle load space such that the third direction is substantially aligned with a Z-axis of the vehicle (that is the vertical axis of the vehicle). In other words the storage module may be able to withstand a greater force in the third direction without collapsing than in the first direction. For example, the storage module may be able to withstand a force at least 50% higher in the third direction than in the first direction.

The storage module may comprise at least one structural component extending in the first direction that has lower structural strength in the first direction than in the third direction. The structural component may be a sidewall of the storage module. Lower structural strength in the first direction may be achieved in a variety of different ways.

For example, the structural component may comprise a honeycomb type structural element. The walls of the honeycomb type structural element may extend in the third direction. The honeycomb type structural element may be faced on one or both sides with outer surface panel(s).

Alternatively, or in addition, the structural component may include at least one initiator feature for initiating collapse of the structural component in the first direction. The initiator feature may comprise a pre-weekend region of the structural component. Weakening may be achieved, for example, by provision of a slit or thinned region of the structural component.

The storage module may comprise at least one reinforcement element that provides reinforcement in the second direction and/or in the third direction. The reinforcement element may act to increase the structural strength of the storage module in the second direction and/or in the third direction relative to the first direction. The reinforcement element may take the form of a pillar, and may optionally extend in a generally vertical direction. The reinforcement element may form part of an outer wall of the storage module, for example an outer sidewall, and may be attached to or integrally formed with the outer wall. In some embodiments the storage module may comprise a plurality of reinforcement elements spaced apart from each other along one or both of its sides. At least one reinforcement element may be located adjacent to an initiator feature such as an initiator bracket of the vehicle load space that is configured to initiate collapse of the load space at a predetermined location in the event of an impact to the rear of the vehicle.

The storage module may be configured to be mounted within the vehicle load space. In this case the storage module is preferably a removable storage module, that is a storage module that is configured to be readily removed by a user of the vehicle. The storage module may be configured to be mounted to a load floor panel and/or to a container located below the floor plane of the load space in order to provide secure location of the storage module at a fixed position within the load space.

The storage module may comprise at least one mounting point for mounting the storage module to the vehicle. The mounting point may include a locating feature, for example a protrusion or a recess, that is configured to interact with a corresponding feature provided in the load space in order to constrain movement of the storage module relative to the load space. The locating feature may act to constrain movement of the storage module in at least one direction along the floor plane of the load space and/or to prevent the storage module from being lifted away from the floor plane of the load space.

In some embodiments the storage module may comprise a plurality of mounting points spaced apart from each other along one or both of its sides. At least one mounting point may be located adjacent to an initiator feature such as an initiator bracket of the vehicle load space that is configured to initiate collapse of the load space at a predetermined location in the event of an impact to the rear of the vehicle.

The storage module may comprise a plurality of separate sections that are configured to be removably mounted to each other. For example, the storage module may comprise a first section and a second section that is configured to be removably mounted on top of the first section. It will be appreciated that the storage module may also include more than two sections. In some embodiments the storage module may comprise a storage compartment for receiving at least one elongate object that extends through a plurality of the storage sections. Any of the features described above in connection with the storage module may equally apply to any one or more of the storage module sections.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a storage apparatus according to any preceding claim located in a load space of the vehicle. The vehicle may be an automotive vehicle, for example a car.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle comprising a storage apparatus including an under-floor container, a floor panel and a storage module in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a front view of the storage apparatus taken from the rear of the vehicle looking forwards;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a cross-section view of the storage apparatus in a vertical plane running parallel to the length direction of the vehicle;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a plan view of the storage apparatus;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a plan view of the storage apparatus with the floor panel and the storage module removed;

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a front view of the storage apparatus taken from the rear of the vehicle looking forwards with the storage module lifted above the underfloor container, and

Figures 7 and 8 schematically illustrate collapse of the storage apparatus during an impact to the rear of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 100 comprising a rear storage area or load space 101 that is accessed via a tailgate 102. For reference, and as illustrated in Figure 1, embodiments of the invention will be described in relation to an X-axis of the vehicle 100 running in a longitudinal (fore-to-aft) direction, a Y-axis of the vehicle 100 running in a lateral (side-to-side) direction and a Z-axis of the vehicle 100 running in a typically vertical (top-to-bottom) direction. It will be understood that, unless otherwise stated or apparent, any references to vertical and/or horizontal orientations are to be interpreted as corresponding to an orientation of the vehicle 100 when the X- and Y-axes are substantially horizontal (e.g. such as when the vehicle 100 is on a generally flat horizontal surface).

The load space 101 is provided with a storage apparatus 1 according to one possible embodiment of the present invention. The storage apparatus 1 is illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, in which Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the storage apparatus 1 taken from the rear of the vehicle 100 looking forwards, Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section view of the storage apparatus 1 in a generally vertical plane A-A running parallel to the X-axis of the vehicle 100, and Figure 4 illustrates a plan view of the storage apparatus 1.

For simplicity the floor plane of the load space 101 is illustrated as extending in a horizontal plane. However, it will be appreciated that the floor plane may not lie in an exactly horizontal plane, and may, for example, slope upwardly towards the rear end of the vehicle 100.

The storage apparatus 1 comprises an under-floor storage container 10 that is mounted to the body structure of the vehicle 100 and at least substantially located below the floor plane of the load space 101. The storage apparatus 1 further comprises a removable load floor panel 20 and a removable storage module 30, each of which are mounted to and supported by the under-floor container 10. The floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 form a split load floor arrangement, with the floor panel 20 providing a storage surface on which one or more items may be placed on a first side of the load space 101, while the storage module 30 provides enclosed storage space on a second side of the load space 101, as described in more detail below.

The under-floor container 10, which in the illustrated example extends across substantially the entire length and width of the load space 101, is illustrated in plan view in Figure 5 with the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 removed. As shown in Figure 5, the under-floor container 10 is generally rectangular in plan view, and comprises a first end wall 10a at a first end of the load space 101 adjacent to the passenger compartment of the vehicle 100, a second end wall 10b at a second end of the load space adjacent to the tailgate 101, first and second side walls 10c, 10d running along the side edges of the load space 101, and a base 10e that together define an under-floor storage region 11 that extends below the floor plane of the load space 101. The under-floor container 10 further comprises a longitudinal upstanding dividing wall 10f that extends in a fore-aft direction at or close to the longitudinal centre line of the load space 101 and divides the under-floor storage region 11 into first and second compartments 11a, 11b. As shown in the cross-section view of Figure 3, the depth of the under-floor container 10 generally decreases towards the rear end of the vehicle 100 in order to leave adequate space for the suspension system of the vehicle

100. The under-floor container 10 may be formed as a single moulded plastics component.

The under-floor container 10 is mounted to the body structure of the vehicle 100 by a series of mounting tabs 12 that each extend outwardly from the upper edges of the first and second side walls 10c, 10d, as illustrated in Figure 5. The load space 101 comprises a pair of load space rails 103a, 103b that run along the side edges of the load space 101 and are mounted to the body structure of the vehicle 100 by a series of brackets 104a to 104f which are also arranged along the side edges of the load space

101. The brackets include a pair of first brackets 104a, 104b located close to the tailgate 102 at the second end of the load space 101, a pair of second brackets 104c, 104d at intermediate locations along the length of the load space 101, and a pair of third brackets 104e, 104f located close to the passenger compartment of the vehicle

100 at the first end of the load space 101. The second brackets 104c, 104d may optionally be initiator brackets that are designed to initiate collapse of the load space

101 in a controlled manner in the case of a significant impact to the rear of the vehicle

100, and the third brackets 104e, 104f are arrestor brackets that are designed to remain in a fixed location with respect to the passenger compartment of the vehicle 100 in the case of a significant impact. The mounting tabs 12 of the under-floor container 10 are clamped between the load space rails 103a, 103b and the brackets 104a to 104f in order to securely locate the under-floor container 10 in the load space

101.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the under-floor container 10 comprises a first set of support elements or pillars 15a, 15b, 15c that extend upwardly from the base 10e of the underfloor container 10 adjacent to the first side wall 10c. The first set of pillars 15a, 15b, 15c together define a first support 15 that extends in a longitudinal direction along a first side edge of the load space 101 and supports a first longitudinal side edge 20a of the floor panel 20. The dividing wall 10e acts as a second support element extending in a longitudinal direction at an inboard location with respect to the under-floor container 10 and the loadspace 101. In the illustrated example, the dividing wall 10e is provided close to the centre-line of the under-floor container 10. The top surface of the dividing wall 10f defines a second support 16 that supports an opposing second longitudinal side edge 20b of the floor panel 20.

The under-floor container 10 further comprises a third set of support elements or pillars 17a, 17b, 17c that extend upwardly from the base 10e of the under-floor container 10 adjacent to the dividing wall 10e. The third set of pillars 17a, 17b, 17c together define a third support 17 that extends in a longitudinal direction at an inboard location with respect to the under-floor container 10 and the loadspace 101. In the illustrated example, the third set of pillars 17a, 17b, 17c are provided close to the centre-line of the under-floor container 10 and supports a first longitudinal side edge 30a of the storage module 30. The under-floor container 10 further comprises a fourth set of support elements or pillars 18a, 18b, 18c that extend upwardly from the base 10e of the under-floor container 10 adjacent to the second sidewall 10d. The fourth set of pillars 18a, 18b, 18c together define a fourth support 18 that extends in a longitudinal direction along a second side edge of the load space 101 and supports an opposing second longitudinal side edge 30b of the storage module 30.

In this way, the under-floor container 10 provides a set of four supports 15, 16, 17, 18 that securely support the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 along their lengths when the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 are installed in the load space 101 as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4.

It will be appreciated that the terms first, second, third and fourth as applied to the supports are used for ease of reference only, and that any one of the supports 15, 16, 17, 18 may equally be regarded as a first support.

The pillars 15a to 15c and 18a to 18c forming the first and fourth supports 15, 18 (which provide mounting points via which the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 are mounted to the under-floor container 10, as described below) are each located adjacent to a respective one of the brackets 104a to 104f via which the under-floor container 10 is mounted to the body structure of the vehicle 100 in order to aid the transfer of forces from the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 to the vehicle body structure.

The floor panel 20 is positively mounted to the under-floor container 10 at a set of mounting points 20A, 20B, 20C located along the first side edge 20a of the floor panel 20 in order to ensure secure location of the floor panel 20 relative to the under-floor container 10. For clarity, the term ‘positively mounted’ used herein with reference to a first object in relation to a second object is to be understood to mean the first object not simply resting upon the second object, but to comprise some form of engagement between the first and second objects to inhibit movement in at least one direction parallel to the mounting surfaces of the first and second objects. Accordingly, in the illustrated example the floor panel mounting points 20A, 20B, 20C each include a pin that extends downwardly from the underside of the floor panel 20 and is received within a corresponding aperture or recess 19 provided by the under-floor container 10.

Similarly, the storage module 30 is also positively mounted to the under-floor container 10 at a set of mounting points 30A to 30F located along the first and second side edges 30a, 30b of the storage module 30 in order to ensure secure location of the storage module 30 relative to the under-floor container 10. The storage module mounting points 30A to 30F each include a pin 39 that extends downwardly from the underside of the storage module 30 and is received within a corresponding aperture or recess 19 provided by the under-floor container 10. The pins 39 at the front corners of the storage module 30 are shown in Figure 6, which illustrates a front view of the storage apparatus 1 taken from the rear of the vehicle 100 looking forwards with the storage module 30 lifted above the under-floor container 10.

In the illustrated example, the apertures or recesses 19 are each provided in the upper surface of a respective one of the pillars 15a to 15c, 17a to 17c and 18a to 18d forming the first, third and fourth supports 15, 17, 18.

One or more of the mounting points 20A to 20C and 30A to 30F for each of the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 preferably comprises a latch or clip arrangement, illustrated generally at 41 in Figure 3, for releasably locking the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 to the under-floor container 10 in order to prevent the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 from accidentally lifting away from the under-floor container 10.

When it is desired to install the floor panel 20 in the load space 101 of the vehicle 100, the floor panel 20 is simply lifted into the load space 101 and lowered onto the upper surfaces of the first and second supports 15, 16 with the pins located along the first side edge 20a of the floor panel 20 aligned with the apertures 19 in the pillars 15a forming the first support 15. Conversely, when it is desired to remove the floor panel 20, for example in order to gain access to the first under-floor storage compartment 11a or to replace the floor panel 20 with another floor panel or removable storage module, the floor panel 20 may be lifted away from the under-floor container 10.

Similarly, when it is desired to install the storage module 30 in the load space 101 of the vehicle 100, the storage module 30 is simply lifted into the load space 101 and lowered onto the upper surfaces of the third and fourth supports 17, 18 with the pins located along the first and second side edges 30a, 30b of the storage module 30 aligned with the apertures 19 in the pillars 17a, 18a forming the third and fourth supports 17, 18. Conversely, when it is desired to remove the storage module 30, for example in order to gain access to the second under-floor storage compartment 11b or to replace the storage module 30 with another floor panel or removable storage module, the storage module 30 may be lifted away from the under-floor container 10.

The storage apparatus 1 may optionally be provided with a full-width floor panel (not illustrated) that may be fitted to the underfloor container 10 in place of the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 when a user does not require use of the storage module 30 or of a split load floor arrangement. The full width floor panel may be arranged to be supported by the first and fourth supports 15, 18 along its respective longitudinal side edges.

The storage module 30 takes the form of a substantially enclosed storage cabinet, and is specifically designed to support one or more elongate objects 50 such as full-sized sporting shotguns in shotgun slips, as illustrated in Figure 3. The storage module 30 has a longitudinal axis extending in a first direction that is generally aligned with the Xaxis of the vehicle, a transverse axis extending in a second direction that is generally aligned with the Y-axis of the vehicle, and a vertical axis extending in a third direction that is generally aligned with the Z-axis of the vehicle, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

The storage module 30 is formed by a lower section 31 that is configured to be removably mounted to the under-floor container 10 in the manner described above, and an upper section 32 that is removably mounted on top of the lower section 31.

Each of the storage module sections 31,32 comprises a pair of longitudinal sidewalls which together form the longitudinal sidewalls 30a, 30b of the storage module 30 when the storage module 30 is fully assembled. Each of the sidewalls of each storage module section 31, 32 comprises a composite panel including a honeycomb type structural element with walls extending in a vertical direction that is sandwiched between a pair of outer surface panels. The non-isotropic honeycomb panels each provide greater structural strength in the vertical (third) direction than in the longitudinal (first) direction. In this way the longitudinal sidewalls 30a, 30b of the storage module 30 each have greater structural strength in the vertical (third) direction than in the longitudinal (first) direction.

Each sidewall additionally comprises reinforcement elements in the form of a set of vertical pillars 40 that provides additional reinforcement in the vertical (third) direction. The pillars 40 may be provided on the inside or outside of the sidewalls, or alternatively between the outer surface panels. The pillars 40 of the storage module 30 are vertically aligned with the pillars 17a to 17c and 18a to 18c of the under-floor container 10 that together form the third and fourth supports 17, 18 and with the mounting points via which the storage module 30 is mounted to the under-floor container 10 in order to aid the transfer of forces between the storage module 30 and the under-floor container 10. The pillars 40 along the second side edge 30b of the storage module 30 are also located adjacent to the brackets 104b, 104d and 104f in order to aid the transfer of forces from the storage module 30 to the vehicle body structure.

The storage module sections 31,32 are provided with complimentary locating features in the form of pins 39a and corresponding recesses 39b (illustrated in Figure 7) for ensuring secure location of the upper section 32 with respect to the lower section 31 when the storage module 30 is fully assembled. In the illustrated example, the locating features are provided in the pillars 40, and are therefore also aligned with the mounting points via which the storage module 30 is mounted to the under-floor container 10.

The storage module 30 defines a main storage compartment 33 for receiving the one or more elongate objects 50 that extends through the upper and lower sections 31,32 of the storage module 30 and into the under-floor storage compartment 11b defined by the under-floor container 10, as illustrated in Figure 3. The main storage compartment 33 is designed to accommodate elongate objects such as sporting shotguns with a length of at least 1.3m. In some embodiments the main storage compartment 33 may be able to accommodate elongate objects with a greater length, for example of 1.5m or more depending on space constraints within the vehicle load space 101. The main storage compartment 33 generally extends in a downward direction towards the front of the vehicle 100, and is provided with a support element 34 in an upper portion of the storage module 30 for engaging with features located towards the upper/rearward ends of elongate objects when received in the main storage compartment 33.

The main storage compartment 33 is configured to support the one or more elongate objects 50 at a downwardly inclined angle of, for example, between 35 and 40 degrees and more particularly in one example approximately 37 degrees with respect to the Xaxis of the vehicle 100 (and to a horizontal plane when the vehicle 100 is on a generally flat horizontal surface), with the rearward ends of the elongate objects elevated with respect to the forward ends of the elongate objects. It will be appreciated that the illustration of Figure 3 is for illustrative purposes only and the angle of the shotgun in Figure 3 is not shown to scale.

When fully received within the main storage compartment 33, the forward ends of the elongate objects 50 extend into the under-floor storage compartment 11b defined by the under-floor container 10, and the rearward ends of the elongate objects 50 are located adjacent to a rear windscreen 102a of the tailgate 102.

The main storage compartment 33 is accessed via an opening 35 provided towards the top of the upper section 32 of the storage module 30. The opening 35 is provided with a cover 36 that may be locked in a closed position by a lock mechanism 37 in order to prevent access to the interior of the main storage compartment 33. The main storage compartment 33 is at least substantially enclosed such that it is not possible to see or access items 50 located within the main storage compartment 33 when the cover 36 is in the closed position.

The storage module 30 also provides further storage space in addition to the main storage compartment 33 in each of the upper and lower sections 31, 32. In particular, the lower section 31 of the storage module 30 includes a single large drawer 38, and the upper section 32 of the storage module 30 includes a pair of smaller drawers 38. The drawers 38 are each provided to the rear of the main storage compartment 33 with respect to the forward direction of the vehicle 100. One or more of the drawers 38 may be lockable, for example to provide secure storage for personal items or gun cartridges. Other arrangements are also possible in other embodiments. For example, one or more of the drawers 38 could equally be replaced by a cupboard or an open shelf space.

The storage module 30 is configured to readily collapse in the first direction (that is the longitudinal direction that is aligned with the X-axis of the vehicle 100 and its load space 101) upon a significant impact to the rear of the vehicle 100 resulting in significant damage to the load space 101. For example, the storage module 30 may be configured to readily collapse in the longitudinal direction upon a force exerted on the storage module 30 in longitudinal direction being equal to or greater than a threshold force, wherein said threshold force may be less than a force required to cause the rear impact structure 105 (see Figure 1) of the vehicle to crumple. Such a rear impact structure 105 may comprise one or more of, for example, a bumper, a bumper beam, a crush can or crash box, etc. In this way the effect of the storage module 30 on the crash performance of the vehicle 100 is minimised.

It will be appreciated that the storage module 30 is designed to have sufficiently great structural strength in the first (longitudinal) direction to withstand heavy use over a long period of time, including during repeated loading and unloading of the storage module 30 and repeated installation and removal of the storage module 30 from the vehicle load space 101. However, the storage module 30 is designed to readily collapse in the first (longitudinal) direction upon experiencing such a threshold force in the first direction that is significantly greater than the forces experienced during normal use.

The storage module 30 is specifically adapted to readily collapse in the longitudinal direction by having comparatively low structural strength in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the storage module 30 has lower structural strength in the longitudinal direction than in, for example, the vertical direction (that is the third direction aligned with the Z-axis of the vehicle 100) due to the sidewalls 30a, 30b, which form structural components of the storage module 30 extending in the longitudinal direction, being formed using non-isotropic honeycomb panels and including vertical reinforcing pillars 40, as described above. In some embodiments the sidewalls 30a, 30b of the storage module 30 may additionally include initiator features such as slits 30b’ or thinned regions 30b” for initiating longitudinal collapse, as illustrated in Figure 7.

The storage module 30 preferably also has lower structural strength in the longitudinal (first) direction than in the transverse direction (that is the second direction, which is aligned with the Y-axis of the vehicle 100). For example, one or both of the sidewalls 30a, 30b of the storage module 30 may have lower structural strength than a first end wall 30c of the storage module 30 which forms a first structural component of the storage module 30 extending in the transverse direction adjacent to the passenger compartment of the vehicle 100. Alternatively, or in addition, one or both of the sidewalls 30a, 30b of the storage module 30 may have lower structural strength than a second end wall 30d of the storage module 30 which is mostly formed by the front panels of the drawers 38 and which forms a second structural component of the storage module 30 extending in the transverse direction adjacent to the tailgate 102. Reduced strength may be achieved, for example, by use of a weaker material and/or lower thickness for the side walls 30a, 30b compared to the end walls 30c, 30d, and/or a structural arrangement configured to achieve a reduced strength in the longitudinal direction.

The under-floor container 10 also preferably has lower structural strength in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse and/or vertical direction(s) in order to facilitate longitudinal collapse of the storage assembly 1 as a whole. For example, the longitudinal dividing wall 10f of the under-floor container 10 may also comprise a non isotropic honeycomb structure. In this manner, the under-floor container 10 may be arranged to readily collapse in the longitudinal direction when a force exerted on the under-floor container 10 in the longitudinal direction is greater than or equal to a threshold force, whilst arranged to resist collapse in the transverse and/or vertical direction(s) when a force equal to said threshold force is exerted on the under-floor container 10 in the transverse and/or vertical direction(s). As previously mentioned, such a threshold force may be less than a force required to cause the rear impact structure 105 of the vehicle to crumple.

Collapse of the storage assembly will now be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

If the vehicle 100 is subjected to a rear impact with sufficient force to cause the load space 101 to buckle or collapse in its longitudinal direction along the X-axis of the vehicle 100, the initiator brackets 104c, 104d initiate collapse of the load space rails 103a, 103b in a downward direction at the locations of the brackets 104c, 104d, thereby facilitating longitudinal collapse of the load space 101. As the load space 101 collapses, the under-floor container 10 and the storage module 30 both collapse in the longitudinal direction within the load space, with the collapsible sidewalls 30a, 30b of the storage module facilitating collapse of the storage module 30, as illustrated in Figure 7.

During collapse of the load space 101, the arrestor brackets 104e, 104f remain in a fixed position with respect to the passenger compartment of the vehicle 100 and act to prevent the rear end of the under-floor container 10 (that is the end closest to the passenger compartment) from moving forwards towards the passenger compartment. In addition, the storage module mounting points 30E, 30F adjacent to the arrestor brackets 104e, 104f at the rear end 30d of the storage module 30 are designed to maintain their integrity during collapse of the load space 101 in order to prevent the rear end 30d of the storage module 30 (that is the end closest to the passenger compartment) from moving forwards towards the passenger compartment.

In some embodiments one or more of the remaining storage module mounting points 30A to 30D may be designed to become detached during collapse of the load space

101. For example, the pins 39 that extend downwardly from the underside of the storage module 30 at the remaining mounting points 30A to 30D may be designed to fail at a predetermined load in order to enable the storage module 30 to collapse at a different rate and/or to a different extent to the under-floor container 10 to which it is mounted. In other embodiments the remaining mounting points 30A to 30D may be designed to maintain their integrity during collapse of the load space 101, in which case the storage module 30 may collapse at substantially the same rate and to substantially the same extent as the under-floor container 10.

As the load space 101 collapses, the rearward ends of any elongate objects 50 located in the main storage compartment 33 of the storage module 30 will tend to be pushed forward by the advancing tailgate 102. However, due to the angled arrangement of the elongate objects 50, the elongate objects 50 will pivot upwardly about their forward ends as illustrated in Figures 8a and 8b instead of moving forward from the load space 101. As illustrated in Figure 8a, the storage module 30 is configured to support the elongate object 50 at a downwardly inclined angle with a first end of the elongate object 50 located rearward within the vehicle and elevated with respect to a second end of the elongate object 50. In particular, the rear end of the elongate object 50 is supported such that it is elevated with respect to the rear impact structure 105 so that the rear end is supported above a crash impact point of the vehicle. In this manner, during a collapse of the rear impact structure 105, load space 101 and/or storage module 30, the collapsing structure(s) will tend to crush into the elongate object 50 below its centre of mass, causing it to pivot upwardly. The tendency of the elongate objects 50 to pivot upwardly is also increased by the provision of the drawers 38, which are configured to push the bodies of the elongate objects 50 forwards as the storage module 30 collapses in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, since the rearward ends of the elongate objects 50 are located adjacent to the rear windscreen 102a of the tailgate 102, the elongate objects 50 can pierce the rear windscreen 102a rather than moving forwards. The under-floor container 10 may also be provided with additional reinforcement in a lower forward region of the storage compartment against which the lower ends of the elongate objects 50 may be driven during a rearward collision of the vehicle 10. For example, the first end wall 10a of the under-floor container 10 may be strengthened/reinforced compared to, for example, the second end wall 10b and the first and second side walls 10c, 10d of the under-floor container 10. Such additional reinforcement may be provided in order to ensure that the elongate objects 50 are not able to pierce the under-floor container 10 during such a rear collision of the vehicle 10.

Many modifications may be made to the above examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the under-floor container 10 includes a first pair of supports 15, 16 for supporting both side edges of a removable element in the form of a floor panel 20, and a second pair of supports 17, 18 for supporting both side edges of a further removable element in the form of a storage module 30. However, in other embodiments the under-floor container 10 may include a smaller number of supports. For example, in another embodiment the outside edges 20a, 30b of the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 could be supported directly by the load space rails 103a, 103b, in which case the first and fourth supports 15, 18 may be omitted and the under-floor container 10 may instead be configured to support only the inside edges 20b, 30a of the floor panel 20 and the storage module 30 via the second and third supports 16, 17.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the under-floor container is used to support a split load space arrangement including a pair of removable elements such as a floor panel and a storage module. However, in other embodiments the under-floor container could equally be configured to support a single floor panel or storage module only. In this case the under-floor container could extend across the entire width of the load space and support the side edges of a full-width floor panel, or alternatively could extend across only a portion of the width of the load space and support the side edges of a partial-width floor panel that spans only part of the width of the load space.

In the above-described embodiment, the first, third and fourth supports are each defined by a plurality of separate support elements in the form of pillars that together support a side edge of a removable element such as a floor panel or a storage module over the entire length of the load space. However, in other embodiments one or more of the pillars may be omitted, in which case a removable element supported by the under-floor container may be supported along only a portion of its length. Alternatively, the pillars forming each of the first, third and fourth supports could equally be replaced with elongate support elements that provide a continuous, elongate support surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the load space. Moreover, the supports are not required to be connected to the base of the under-floor container. For example, the pillars forming the first, third and fourth supports could equally be replaced by tabs that extend outwardly from the upper edges of the side walls and the dividing wall of the under-floor container.

In the above-described embodiment, the storage module is mounted to an under-floor container that provides storage space below the floor plane of the load space. However, in other embodiments a similar storage module that is configured to hold one or more elongate objects at a downwardly inclined angle and/or that is configured to readily collapse in a longitudinal direction upon an impact to the rear of the vehicle could equally be mounted to a vehicle load space in another way, for example to a load floor and/or to one or more load space rails, in which case the storage apparatus need not include any under-floor container.

Other modifications and variations will also be apparent to the skilled person.

Claims (15)

1. A storage apparatus for a vehicle load space, the storage apparatus comprising a storage module configured to be received in the vehicle load space, wherein the storage module is arranged to:

readily collapse in a first direction when a force exerted on the storage apparatus in the first direction is greater than or equal to a threshold force, and resist collapse in a second direction when a force equal to said threshold force is exerted on the storage apparatus in the second direction.

2. A storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage module is configured to be received in the vehicle load space such that the first direction is substantially aligned with an X-axis of the vehicle.

3. A storage apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the storage module is configured to be received in the vehicle load space such that the second direction is substantially aligned with either a Y-axis or a Z-axis of the vehicle.

4. A storage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage module comprises at least one structural component extending in the first direction that has lower structural strength than at least one structural component of the storage module extending in the second direction.

5. A storage apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the at least one structural component extending in the first direction is formed of a weaker material than the structural component extending in the second direction and/or has a lower thickness than the structural component extending in the second direction and/or is formed of a structural arrangement configured to achieve a reduced strength in the first direction.

6. A storage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage module is arranged to resist collapse in a third direction when a force equal to said threshold force is exerted on the storage apparatus in the third direction, and the storage module is configured to be received in the vehicle load space such that the first direction is substantially aligned with the X-axis of the vehicle and the second and third directions are substantially aligned with the Y-axis and Z-axis of the vehicle.

7. A storage apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage module comprises at least one structural component extending in the first direction that has lower structural strength in the first direction than in the third direction.

8. A storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one structural component comprises a honeycomb type structural element.

9. A storage apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the at least one structural component includes at least one initiator feature for initiating collapse of the structural component in the first direction.

10. A storage apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the storage module comprises at least one reinforcement element that provides reinforcement in the second direction and/or in the third direction.

11. A storage apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcement element comprises a pillar.

12. A storage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage module is configured to be mounted within the vehicle load space.

13. A storage apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the storage module comprises at least one mounting point for mounting the storage module to the vehicle, the mounting point including a locating feature that is configured to interact with a corresponding feature provided in the load space in order to constrain movement of the storage module relative to the load space.

14. A storage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage module comprises a plurality of separate sections that are configured to be removably mounted to each other.

15. A vehicle comprising a storage apparatus according to any preceding claim located in a load space of the vehicle.