GB2562521A

GB2562521A - Loadfloor support for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2562521A
Application number: GB1707972.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Singh Sanghera Rashpal
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-18
Filing date: 2017-05-18
Publication date: 2018-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-18
Also published as: GB201707972D0; GB2562521B; DE102018207340A1

Abstract

A support arrangement for a loadfloor (16, Fig.2) of a vehicle, the support arrangement comprising a support element 30 moveable when mounted within the vehicle between a supporting position in which the support element is arranged to provide support to the loadfloor, and an access position for enabling access of a vehicle component to a space beneath the support arrangement via a loadspace of the vehicle. Preferably, the support element comprises a hinge assembly to allow pivotal movement. This hinge assembly may include a support beam 36, wherein the beam may have hinge mechanisms 40a, 40b positioned on first and second ends 31, 33. The hinge mechanisms may be formed of two parts, have apertures configured to receive fixing means and be generally L-shaped. A method of assembling a vehicle is claimed, wherein steps include fitting a support arrangement to the loadfloor, configuring it in the access position, locating a vehicle component within a space beneath the loadfloor, and moving the support element into the supporting position.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Jaguar Land Rover Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Abbey Road, Whitley, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV3 4LF, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Rashpal Singh Sanghera (56) Documents Cited:

WO 2008/058197 A2

US 20140070560 A1

US 20110095571 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B60R, B62D Other: WPI, EPODOC

JP 2008174041 A US 20130255176 A1 (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Jaguar Land Rover

Patents Department W/1/073, Abbey Road, Whitley, COVENTRY, CV3 4LF, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Loadfloor support for a vehicle Abstract Title: Loadfloor support (57) A support arrangement for a loadfloor (16, Fig.2) of a vehicle, the support arrangement comprising a support element 30 moveable when mounted within the vehicle between a supporting position in which the support element is arranged to provide support to the loadfloor, and an access position for enabling access of a vehicle component to a space beneath the support arrangement via a loadspace of the vehicle. Preferably, the support element comprises a hinge assembly to allow pivotal movement. This hinge assembly may include a support beam 36, wherein the beam may have hinge mechanisms 40a, 40b positioned on first and second ends 31, 33. The hinge mechanisms may be formed of two parts, have apertures configured to receive fixing means and be generally Lshaped. A method of assembling a vehicle is claimed, wherein steps include fitting a support arrangement to the loadfloor, configuring it in the access position, locating a vehicle component within a space beneath the loadfloor, and moving the support element into the supporting position.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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LOADFLOOR SUPPORT FOR A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a loadfloor support for a vehicle and particularly, but not exclusively, to a moveable loadfloor support. Aspects of the invention relate to a loadfloor support of a vehicle, to a vehicle itself, and to a method of assembling a vehicle having a loadfloor.

BACKGROUND

During high volume manufacture of vehicles, the vehicles are often transported along factory lines on hangers until the wheels are fitted to the vehicles and thus the vehicles can support their own weight. The hangers enable the easy transportation of vehicles along the factory line.

In many modern hybrid and battery electric vehicles the batteries can have a considerable weight, often well in excess of 100kg. Fitting the battery to vehicles that are still being transported on a hanger adds extra loading that may not, therefore, be able to be supported by the hangers. It is therefore desirable to fit the batteries to the vehicles after the wheels have been fitted and the vehicles are able to support their own weight.

In many vehicles, the batteries are fitted within a cavity which resides beneath the loadfloor in the rear boot space of the vehicle. This presents a problem as it is desirable to fit certain components of the loadfloor, such as the support members for the loadfloor, when the vehicle is on the hanger and before components such as the rear seats have been fitted. When the support members are in place, however, they prevent the battery from being fitted to the vehicle from above so it is often the case that the support members have to be removed from the vehicle to allow the battery to be fitted before it is then reattached. Removing the support members from the vehicle prior to fitting the battery and then refitting them can be time consuming as it is often the case that they are secured in place via multiple bolts. This presents a significant waste of time in the manufacturing process.

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

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a loadfloor support arrangement for a vehicle, a vehicle and a method of assembling a vehicle having a loadfloor.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a support arrangement for a loadfloor of a vehicle, the support arrangement comprising a support element moveable when mounted within the vehicle between: a supporting position in which the support element is arranged to provide support to the loadfloor when the vehicle is in use, and an access position for enabling access of a vehicle component to a space beneath the loadfloor via the loadspace during assembly of the vehicle.

The invention provides the advantage that the support arrangement can be fitted within the vehicle, prior to fitting the battery to the vehicle. The support element may be fitted in a support position and then moved to an access position to provide unobstructed access to a space beneath the loadfloor at the appropriate stage of the production line. This allows vehicle components, such as batteries or spare wheels to be positioned within the space beneath the loadfloor of the vehicle when the support elements are in place. In embodiments of the invention the space may be a battery compartment configured to receive a battery.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support arrangement comprises a hinge assembly to allow pivotable movement of the support element between the supporting and access positions. For example, the support element may comprise a support beam having a first end and a second end, and wherein the hinge assembly comprises a first hinge and a second hinge located at the first and second ends, respectively. This arrangement allows the support element to be pivoted between the support position and the access position by means of the hinges at each end.

The moveable support element may be moveable via a sliding means to enable sliding movement of the support element between the supporting and access positions.

In one embodiment of the invention each of the first and second hinges includes a first hinge portion to be secured to the vehicle, in use, and a second hinge portion which is coupled to the support element and movable relative to the first hinge portion such that the support element is pivotable between the supporting and access positions. The first hinge portion comprises an aperture configured to receive a first fixing means for fixing the first hinge portion to the vehicle.

The first hinge portion and the second hinge portion may be configured to receive a second fixing means for securing the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion relative to each other when the support element is in the supporting position. One or more of the first or second hinge portions may comprise an aperture configured to receive the second fixing means to secure the first and second hinge portions relative to one another. Alternatively, the first and second hinge portions may comprise a recess spanning the interface between the first and second hinge portions, which when the support element is in a support position, provides an aperture for receiving the second fixing means.

In one embodiment, the first and second hinge portions may be coupled together by a hinge pin. In one example, the first and second hinge portions are substantially Lshaped, each comprising a base region remote from the hinge pin. The base region of the first hinge portion may be configured to be fixed to the vehicle when the support arrangement is mounted within the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the invention the support beam may be arranged to extend substantially transversely across the vehicle, when the support arrangement is mounted within the vehicle.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the support arrangement according to the previous aspect of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, when the support element is in the access position, access via the loadspace of the vehicle to the space beneath the support arrangement is enabled for a battery of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a vehicle , the method comprising: fitting a support arrangement for a loadfloor of the vehicle, the support arrangement comprising a support element moveable when mounted within the vehicle between the supporting position and an access position; configuring the support element into the access position to enable access of a vehicle component to a space beneath the support arrangement via a loadspace of the vehicle; locating the vehicle component within the space beneath the loadfloor; moving the support element back into the supporting position; and installing the loadfloor into the vehicle.

In one embodiment the support arrangement may be fitted to the vehicle when the vehicle is suspended by a hanger within a factory. The vehicle component may be heavy and the hanger may be unable to be supported the combined weight of the vehicle and the vehicle component, thus it may be desirable to fit the vehicle component when the vehicle is able to support its own weight. Accordingly, the vehicle component may be located within the space beneath the loadfloor after at least one wheel has been fitted to the vehicle, and thus when the vehicle is able to at least partly support its own weight on siad wheel(s), rather than being suspended on the hanger.

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 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with which a support arrangement according to the present invention may be used;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a part of the vehicle in Figure 1, to show a loadfloor located within the vehicle;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a space under the loadfloor of Figure 2, to show the support arrangement for the loadfloor in a support position;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the support arrangement for the loadfloor of Figure 2, to show the support arrangement for the loadfloor in an access position;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a hinge mechanism mounted to the loadfloor support arrangement in Figures 3 and 4; and

Figure 6 shows the method steps of assembling the battery and loadfloor support arrangement into the vehicle of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general terms, embodiments of the invention provide a support arrangement for a loadfloor of a vehicle. The support arrangement includes a moveable support element. The moveable support element is moveable between a supporting position and an access position wherein, when in the supporting position, the moveable support element provides support to the loadfloor and when in an access position the moveable support element is positioned such that access is provided to one or more vehicle components, such as one or more batteries, to a space located beneath the loadfloor so as to allow the component(s) to be lowered, or otherwise introduced, into the compartment without fouling the support arrangement.

This provides the advantage of being able to fit the support arrangement to the vehicle, prior to installing the component(s) within the space located beneath the loadfloor. As described previously, the support elements are often fitted at an early stage of the vehicle assembly process, prior to the installation of, for example, the battery in the case of a hybrid or battery electric vehicle. By providing such a moveable support element that allows access to the space located beneath the loadfloor in this manner, the excessive assembly steps previously required of removing and refitting the support elements to enable the battery (in the case of hybrid and battery electric vehicles) to be installed may be avoided.

To place embodiments of the invention in a suitable context, reference will firstly be made to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 comprising a battery 14, a loadfloor 16 and a loadfloor support arrangement 12 according to an embodiment of the invention.

With reference to Figure 2, the loadfloor 16 is positioned within a loadspace 20 of the vehicle 10. Beneath the loadfloor 16 there is provided a space such as compartment 22 that may be used to store a vehicle component such as the battery 14 or a spare wheel such that the loadfloor 16 substantially covers the vehicle component, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises the battery 14. It is to be appreciated that the loadfloor 16 would typically cover the battery compartment 22, however, for illustrative purposes this section of the loadfloor 16 is not shown. The loadfloor 16 provides a surface that users of the vehicle 10 can store luggage upon within the loadspace 20, such as the boot or trunk. The loadfloor support arrangement 12 supports the loadfloor 16 to minimise the deflection of the loadfloor 16 under heavy loads.

Figure 3 shows the loadfloor support arrangement 12 and battery 14 prior to fitting the loadfloor 16 into the vehicle 10. The loadfloor support arrangement 12 of the illustrated embodiment has two support elements that provide support to the loadfloor 16 when in situ. A first support element takes the form of a fixed beam 32 which traverses the vehicle 10 width, with respective ends of the fixed beam 32 being fixed to structural elements 34a, 34b of the vehicle 10 at either end of the fixed beam 32. The fixed beam is positioned towards the rear end of the loadspace 20 such that it is not positioned directly above the battery 14 (i.e. it does not obstruct access to the battery compartment 22).

A moveable support element 30 takes the form of a moveable support beam 36 having a first end 31 and a second end 33. The moveable support beam 36 traverses the width of the vehicle 10, in a similar way to the fixed support beam 32, and is secured to the structural elements 34a, 34b of the vehicle 10 at the first and second ends 31, 33 thereof, respectively. The moveable support element 30 is moveable between a support position (shown in Figure 3) where the moveable support beam 36 is positioned above the battery 14 and provides support to the loadfloor 16, and an access position (shown in Figure 4) where the moveable support beam 36 is positioned in a location that is not directly above the battery 14 of the vehicle 10 such that access is provided to the battery compartment 22 beneath the loadfloor 16.

The moveable support beam 36 of the illustrated embodiment is provided with first and second hinge mechanisms 40a, 40b positioned at the first and second ends of the moveable support beam 36 respectively, and configured to secure the moveable support beam 36 to the structural elements 34a, 34b of the vehicle 10. Figure 5 shows the first hinge mechanism 40b secured to the second end 33 of the moveable support beam 36 and to the structural element 34b of the vehicle 10, with the moveable support beam 36 being shown in the support position. The first hinge mechanism 40b includes first and second hinge portions 42, 44 that are pivotably mounted to a hinge pin 46 aligned along a hinge axis 49 such that the first and second hinge portions 42, 44 are able to independently pivot about the hinge pin 46. The hinge portions 42, 44 have a generally L-shaped profile and each includes a base plate 43a, 43b for attachment to the structural element 34b of the vehicle 10 and the moveable support beam 36 respectively, with the base plate 43a, 43b being located at one end of each hinge portion 42, 44 being remote from the hinge pin 46.

When mounted within the vehicle 10, the first hinge portion 42 of the hinge mechanism 40b is secured to the structural element 34b of the vehicle 10 via its base plate 43a to secure the hinge mechanism 40b within the vehicle 10. The second hinge portion 44 is secured to the moveable support beam 36 via its base plate 43b to pivotally secure the respective end 33 of the moveable support beam 36 to the structural element 34b of the vehicle 10. The second hinge portion 44 is free to pivot about the hinge pin 46 so that the moveable support beam 36 can move between the support position (where the moveable support beam 36 provides support to the loadfloor 16) and the access position (where the moveable support beam 36 is moved to allow unobstructed access to the battery compartment 22 beneath the loadfloor 16).

The first hinge portion 42, secured to the structural element 34b of the vehicle 10, has a first aperture (not shown) located in the base plate 43a of the first hinge portion 42 for receiving a first fixing means 41 to secure the first hinge portion 42 to the structural element 34b of the vehicle 10. In the embodiment shown the first fixing means 41 is a bolt that passes through the first aperture and engages the structural element 34b of the vehicle.

A second aperture (not shown) is formed within the base plates 43a, 43b of the first and second hinge portions 42, 44 for receiving a second fixing means 48 to secure the first and second hinge portions 42, 44 relative to each other when the moveable support element 30 is located in the support position. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the second aperture is positioned on an interface 45 of the base plates 43a, 43b spanning the first and second hinge portions 42, 44, such that a recess on the edge of the first hinge portion 42 mates with a recess on the second hinge portion 44 to define the second aperture. In this embodiment the second fixing means 48 is a plastic fastener that is pressed into position to secure the first and second hinge portions 42, 44 relative to each other. The second fixing means 48 may alternatively be a nut and bolt arrangement or an alternative fixing arrangement to secure the first and second hinge portions 42, 44 relative to each other. When the moveable support beam 36 is positioned in the support position the recesses align to form a single aperture configured to receive the second fixing means 48.

During the assembly process of the vehicle 10, it is desirable to fit the loadfloor support arrangement 12 prior to fitting the battery 14 of the vehicle 10. The battery 14 may weigh in excess of 100kg and thus it is often not fitted until later in the assembly process, when the vehicle’s wheels are attached and the vehicle 10 is capable of supporting its own weight.

Figure 6 shows the method steps involved in fitting the loadfloor support arrangement 12 and battery 14 to the vehicle 10, in accordance with the present invention. In step 50, the moveable support element 30 is fitted to the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, this step of fitting the moveable support element 30 is performed whilst the vehicle 10 is supported on a hanger prior to wheels being fitted to the vehicle 10. The next step 52 is to configure the moveable support element 30 into the access position, for example by moving the moveable support beam 36 from the support position to the access position. The access position is a position where the moveable support beam 36 does not obstruct access for a vehicle component, such as a battery 14 or spare wheel, to be fitted to the compartment 22 beneath the loadfloor 16 by passing through the loadspace 20.

The moveable support element 30 may be fitted in the support position such that it is able to provide support to the loadfloor 16. However, the skilled person would appreciate that the moveable support element 30 may alternatively be fitted in the access position in some embodiments of the invention, such that the actions of fitting the support arrangement 12 and configuring the support element 30 into the access position may be performed in a single step.

The next step 54 is to locate a vehicle component such as the battery 14 of the vehicle 10 into the battery compartment 22 beneath the loadfloor 16 by lowering the battery 14 into the battery compartment 22 beneath the loadfloor 16 of the vehicle 10 via the loadspace 20. This is enabled by configuring the movable support element 30 into the access position. Specifically for the illustrated example of Figures 2 to 5, the moveable support beam 36 pivots on the hinge mechanisms 40a, 40b so that it is pivotable between the support position and the access position. If the support beam 36 had been fixedly mounted in the support position, access to the battery compartment 22 in this way would be obstructed and it would be impossible to fit the battery 14 into the battery compartment 22 via the loadspace 20 without first removing the support beam and subsequently remounting it. In some embodiments of the invention the step of locating and fitting the vehicle component within the compartment 22 beneath the load floor 16 is performed after wheels have been fitted to the vehicle 10 such that the vehicle 10 may be supported on its wheels and not on a hanger.

The next step 56 is to move the moveable support element 30 into the support position such that it is configured to provide support to the loadfloor 16 of the vehicle 10. The step 56 includes securing the moveable support element 30 in the support position such that it is inhibited from inadvertently moving into the access position. In the illustrated example of Figures 2 to 5 this step 56 includes securing the hinge mechanism 40a, 40b such that the first and second hinge portions 42, 44 are not moveable relative to one another. The final step 58 is to fit the loadfloor 16 into the vehicle 10 so that it is supported by the moveable support element 30 (which is now fixed in position). For the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the loadfloor is supported by both the moveable support beam 36 and the fixed support beam 32 when fitted within the vehicle 10.

In some embodiments of the invention the moveable support beam 36 may be mounted to a sliding mechanism so that it can be slid between the support position and the access position, without the need for a hinge mechanism as described previously. In this embodiment it is possible that the moveable support beam 36 could provide support to the loadfloor 16 in both the support and access positions but when in the access position the moveable support beam 36 would in addition allow access to the battery compartment 22 beneath the loadfloor 16.

The skilled person would appreciate that whilst the embodiment explained above is for the fitting of a battery 14 within a battery compartment 22 located beneath the loadfloor 16, this invention could be used to allow access to a space beneath the loadfloor 16 for additional/alternative vehicle components, such as to provide access for a spare wheel or access to wiring within 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.

Claims

1. A support arrangement for a loadfloor of a vehicle, the support arrangement comprising a support element moveable when mounted within the vehicle between:

a supporting position in which the support element is arranged to provide support to the loadfloor when the vehicle is in use, and an access position for enabling access of a vehicle component to a space beneath the loadfloor via the loadspace during assembly of the vehicle.

2. The support arrangement as claimed in claim 1 comprising a hinge assembly to allow pivotable movement of the support element between the supporting and access positions.

3. The support arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support element comprises a support beam having a first end and a second end, and wherein the hinge assembly comprises a first hinge and a second hinge located at the first and second ends, respectively.

4. The support arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the first and second hinges includes a first hinge portion to be secured to the vehicle, in use, and a second hinge portion which is coupled to the support element and movable relative to the first hinge portion such that the support element is pivotable between the supporting and access positions during assembly of the vehicle.

5. The support arrangement of claim 4, wherein the first hinge portion comprises an aperture configured to receive a first fixing means for fixing the first hinge portion to the vehicle.

6. The support arrangement of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion are configured to receive a second fixing means for securing the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion relative to each other when the supporting element is in the supporting position.

7. The support arrangement of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first and second hinge portions are coupled together by a hinge pin.

8. The support arrangement of claim 7, wherein the first and second hinge portions are substantially L-shaped, each comprising a base region remote from the hinge pin.

9. The support arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base region of the first hinge portion is configured to be fixed to the vehicle, when the support arrangement is mounted within the vehicle.

10. The support arrangement of any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the support beam is arranged to extend substantially transversely across the vehicle, when the support arrangement is mounted within the vehicle.

11. A vehicle comprising the support arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to

10.

12. The vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the support element is in the access position, access via the loadspace of the vehicle to the space beneath the support arrangement is enabled for a battery of the vehicle.

13. A method of assembling a vehicle, the method comprising:

fitting a support arrangement for a loadfloor of the vehicle, the support arrangement comprising a support element moveable when mounted within the vehicle between a supporting position and an access position;

configuring the support element into the access position to enable access of a vehicle component to a space beneath the support arrangement via a loadspace of the vehicle;

locating the vehicle component within the space beneath the loadfloor; moving the support element into the supporting position; and installing the loadfloor into the vehicle.

14.

15.

The method of claim 13, wherein the support arrangement is fitted to the vehicle when the vehicle is suspended by a hanger within a factory.

The method of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the vehicle component is located within the space beneath the loadfloor after at least one wheel has been fitted to the vehicle.

Intellectual

Property Office

Application No: GB1707972.4 Examiner: Mr Samuel Taylor