This application claims priority to GB Patent Application No. 1902923.0, which was filed on 5 Mar. 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a movable bulkhead for a motor vehicle.
Interiors of motor vehicles, such as light commercial vehicles or light trucks may comprise a passenger compartment, in which one or more seats can be provided for occupants of the vehicle, and a cargo compartment for the storage of cargo, such as goods being transported by the vehicle, tools, construction materials etc.
The vehicle may comprise a bulkhead configured to partition the interior of the vehicle. For example, the bulkhead may be configured to separate the passenger compartment from the cargo compartment.
The bulkhead may be provided in order to protect the occupants of the vehicle from items of cargo that become loose during transit. The position of the bulkhead within the vehicle interior may define the proportion of the vehicle interior available for seating the vehicle occupants and the proportion of the vehicle interior available for storing cargo.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a movable bulkhead assembly, the assembly comprising a segmented shutter and a track assembly configured to guide the movement of the segmented shutter, wherein the track assembly comprises a first track portion defining a plane parallel with a lateral direction of the motor vehicle, the segmented shutter being movable along the first track portion to deploy or retract the bulkhead. The track assembly comprises a first track arranged at a first lateral side of the movable bulkhead and a second track arranged at a second lateral side of the movable bulkhead The first and second tracks, or portions thereof, are arranged non-parallel to one another, such that the width of the segmented shutter varies along a length of the track assembly.
The segments of the shutter may comprise followers, e.g. rollers, configured to move, e.g. roll, along tracks of the track assembly to guide movement of the shutter.
The track assembly may further comprise a second vertically extending track portion spaced apart from the first vertically extending track portion in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The segmented shutter may be movable along the track between the first and second vertically extending track portions, e.g. in order to adjust the partitioning of the interior volume of the vehicle.
The segmented shutter may be configured to form a door of the vehicle when the segmented shutter is aligned with the second vertically extending track portion or the first vertically extending track portion.
The movable bulkhead assembly may further comprise a horizontally extending track portion. The horizontally extending track portion may extend between the first and second vertically extending track portions. The segmented shutter may be moved between the first and second vertically extending track portions via the horizontally extending track portion. The horizontally extending track portion may be arranged adjacent to a roof of the vehicle. The movable bulkhead assembly may be configured such that the segmented shutter can be stowed on a horizontal orientation by aligning the segmented shutter with the horizontally extending track portion.
A width of the segmented shutter may extend between the first and second tracks. The first and second tracks may be for guiding the movement of the shutter segments at the first and second sides of the movable bulkhead respectively.
Each of the segments of the shutter comprise two or more segment portions slidable relative to one another, e.g. in a direction perpendicular to the track portions, such that widths of the segments of the shutter are variable.
The movable bulkhead may further comprise one or more frame panels extending outwardly, e.g. laterally outward, from track assembly, e.g. form the first and second tracks of the track assembly. The frame panels may be for filling a space between the track assembly and wall of a body structure of the vehicle, e.g. such that the cross-sectional area of the interior of the vehicle is filled by the movable bulkhead in a plane of the movable bulkhead.
The frame panels may be pivotally couplable to the wall of the body structure of the vehicle. For example, the frame panels may comprise pivotal couplings for coupling to the wall of the body structure.
The movable bulkhead assembly may further comprise a lock for securing the position of the segmented shutter within the vehicle interior.
A motor vehicle may comprises a body structure comprising walls defining an interior volume of the motor vehicle; and the above-mentioned movable bulkhead assembly.
The interior volume may comprise a passenger space, e.g. in which seat for passengers can be secured, and a cargo space for storing cargo, e.g. to be transported by the vehicle. The first vertically extending track portion may be positioned such that, when the segmented shutter is aligned with the first vertically extending track portion, the segmented shutter is arranged to separate the passenger space from the cargo space. Additionally or alternatively, the segmented shutter may be arranged to separate the passenger space from the cargo space when the segmented shutter is aligned with the second vertically extending track portion.
The vehicle may comprise a first row of seats and a second row of seats. The first vertically extending track portion may be positioned between the first and second rows of seats, e.g. in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The seats, e.g. within the first and/or second rows of seats may be removable form the vehicle. The first vertically extending track portion may be positioned between the positions at which the first and second rows of seats may be provided in the vehicle interior. The vehicle may comprise one or more first seat attachment points, for securing seats in the first row of seats, and one or more second seat attachment points for securing seats in the second row of seats. The first vertically extending track portion may be at least partially aligned with the second seat attachment points or positioned between the first and second seat attachment points. Alternatively, the second vertically extending track portion may be positioned between the first and second rows of seats, e.g. in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
The second vertically extending track portion may be positioned adjacent to an opening in the body structure of the vehicle. The segmented shutter may be configured to form a door into the interior of the vehicle when the segmented shutter is aligned with the second vertically extending track portion.
The first vertically extending track portion may be positioned adjacent to a side door of the motor vehicle, such that, when the segmented shutter is aligned with the first vertically extending track portion, part of the interior of the vehicle forwards of the first vertically extending track portion is accessible via the side door and part of the interior of the vehicle rearwards of the first vertically extending track portion is inaccessible via the side door.
The motor vehicle may further comprise a lock for securing the position of the segmented shutter relative to the body structure.
To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention.
The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The figures that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
With reference to
The vehicle 2 further comprises a movable bulkhead assembly 100 configured to partition the interior 8 of the vehicle. The movable bulkhead assembly 100 comprises a segmented shutter 110 and a track assembly 120 for guiding the movement of the segmented shutter 110.
The track assembly 120 comprises a first track 122 coupled to the body structure 4 at a first lateral side 4a of the body structure, e.g. to the first side wall 6a, and a second track 124 coupled to the body structure 4 at a second lateral side 4b of the body structure opposite to the first track 122, e.g. to the second side wall 6b.
A width of the segmented shutter 110, e.g. between the first and second tracks 122, 124, extends across a width of the interior 8 of the vehicle, e.g. between the first and second side walls 6a, 6b. The segmented shutter 110 comprises a plurality of shutter segments 112 pivotally coupled together in a series arrangement along a length of the segmented shutter 110, e.g. extending along the first and second tracks 122, 124.
The segmented shutter, e.g. the shutter segments 112 of the segmented shutter, are configured to movably, e.g. slidably, couple to the first track 122, e.g. at first ends 112a of the shutter segments, and the second track 124, e.g. at second ends 112b of the shutter segments 112. For example, the shutter segments 112 may comprise rollers coupled to the first and second ends 112a, 112b of the shutter segments which are movably coupled to the first and second tracks 122, 124, e.g. by enabling the rollers to roll along the first and second tracks 122, 124.
As shown in
The segmented shutter 110 can be moved along the tracks of the track assembly 120, e.g. forming the first track portion 120a, in order to adjust the position of the segmented shutter 110 within the interior 8 of the vehicle, e.g. to deploy or retract the bulkhead.
The track assembly 120 further comprises a second track portion 120b. The second track portion 120b comprises second lengths of the first and second tracks 122, 124 extending in the vertical direction within the interior 8 of the vehicle 2. The second track portion 120b, e.g. the lengths of the first and second tracks 122, 124 forming the second track portion 120b, define a second plane P2 in which the segmented shutter 110 is arranged when the segmented shutter is aligned with the second track portion 120b.
The second plane P2 is parallel with and spaced apart from the first plane P1 in a direction perpendicular to the first and second planes P1, P2, e.g. in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. In other words, the second vertically extending track portion 120b is spaced apart from the first vertically extending track portion 120a in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.
The segmented shutter 110 can be moved along the tracks of the track assembly 120 between the first and second track portions 120a, 120b. The position, e.g. longitudinal position, of the segmented shutter 110 within the interior 8 of the vehicle can therefore be adjusted by moving the segmented shutter 110 along the tracks 122, 124 of the track assembly 120.
The track assembly 120 may further comprise a third track portion 120c. The third track portion 120c comprises third lengths of the first and second tracks 122, 124 extending between the lengths forming the first and second track portions 120a, 120b. As shown in
The segmented shutter 110 may be moved along the third track portion 120c between the first and second track portions 120a, 120b in order to adjust the position of the segmented shutter 110 within the vehicle interior 8. In some arrangements, the third track portion 120c may be configured such that the segmented shutter 110 can be stowed in a horizontal orientation, e.g. adjacent to the roof 6c of the vehicle, by aligning the segmented shutter 110 with the third track portion 120c. For example, the third lengths of the first and second tracks 122, 124 forming the third track portion 120c may be approximately equal to or greater in length than the segmented shutter 110.
With reference to
The movable bulkhead assembly 100, e.g. the segmented shutter 110 of the movable bulkhead, may be configured to separate the passenger space 10 from the cargo space 14. The proportions of the interior 8 of the vehicle forming the passenger space 10 and the cargo space 14 may be defined by the position of the segmented shutter 110 of the movable bulkhead assembly 100 within the interior 8 of the motor vehicle.
As shown in
The second track portion 120b may be arranged forwards of the first track portion 120a within the interior 8 of the vehicle. When the segmented shutter 110 is aligned with the second track portion 120b, the size of the cargo space 14 may therefore be greater than the size of the cargo space when the segmented shutter 110 is aligned with the first track portion 120a
The second track portion 120b may be aligned, e.g. longitudinal aligned, with or arranged forwards of the second row of seats 12b. As shown in
The second track portion 120b may be arranged rearwards of the first row 12a of seats, e.g. immediately rearward of the first row of seats. When the segmented shutter 110 is aligned with the second track portion 120b, the segmented shutter 110 may be arranged behind the first row of seats 12a.
The vehicle 2 may comprise one or more first seat attachment points 13a, for coupling seats 12 to the body 4 of the vehicle in the first row 12a, and one or more second seat attachment points 13b, for coupling seats to the body of the vehicle in the second row of seats. The second track portion 120b may arranged between, e.g. longitudinally between, the first seat attachment points 13a and second seat attachment points 13b. Alternatively, the second track portion 120b may be at least partially aligned with the second seat attachment points 13b.
In some arrangements, the seat attachment points may comprise seat rails extending between the first and second rows 12a, 12b of seats. The seats 12 may be coupled to the seat rails at a desired position along the seat rails, in order to mount the seats in the first or second row of seats. In such arrangements, the second track portion 120b may be at least partially aligned with the seat rails at a position between which the seats in the first row 12a and the seats in the second row 12b may be coupled to the seat rails.
With reference to
In the arrangement shown in
As depicted in
With reference to
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Although
The movable bulkhead assembly 100 or the vehicle 2 may comprise one or more locks 200 configured to lock the position of the segmented shutter 110 relative to the track assembly 120 and/or the body 4 of the vehicle. The locks 200 may enable a user, e.g. the driver of the vehicle, to lock the position of the segmented shutter 110, e.g. in a position aligned with the first track portion 120a, in a position aligned with the second track portion 120b or in a stowed position in which the segmented shutter is aligned with the third track portion 120c. For example, locks 200 may be provided on the vehicle body at the first, second and/or third track portions 120a, 120b, 120c. Additionally or alternatively, one or more locks may be provided on the segmented shutter 110 and/or the track assembly 120, for locking the segmented shutter 110 to the track assembly 120 and/or to the vehicle body 4.
As shown in
It may be desirable for the first and second tracks 122, 124 to extend parallel to one another, such that the distance between the first and second tracks remains constant. In this way, the width of the segmented shutter 110, e.g. between the first and second ends 112a, 112b of the shutter segments 112, can remain constant as the segmented shutter moves along the tracks of the track assembly 120.
As shown in
The movable bulkhead assembly 100 may further comprise a plurality of frame panels 300 extending outwardly from the track assembly 120, e.g. from the first and second tracks 122, 124, towards the first and second side walls 6a, 6b of the vehicle body 4. The frame panels 300 are shaped to fill the spaces between the track assembly 120, e.g. the first and second tracks 122, 124, and the side walls 6a, 6b of the vehicle body.
As shown in
As shown in
The first and second tracks 122, 124 forming the first and second track portions 120a, 120b may be coupled to the frame panels 300. As shown in
As shown in
As depicted in
The movable bulkhead assembly 100 may be configured such that positions of the frame panels 300 can be secured in the first and/or in the second configurations. For example, the movable bulkhead assembly 100 may comprise one or more securing mechanisms for securing the positions of the frame panels 300.
As depicted in
As shown in
The segments 112 of the segmented shutter 110 may be configured such that the widths of the segments, e.g. between the first and second ends 112a, 112b of the segments, are variable. For example, the segments 112 may comprise a plurality of segment portions 113 slidably mounted relative to one another, such that the widths of the segments 112 between their first and second ends 112a, 112b can vary by virtue of the segment portions 113 sliding relative to one another.
As depicted in
As described above, the ends 112a, 112b of the segments may be coupled to the first and second tracks 122, 124 respectively. As the segmented shutter 110 moves along a length of the track assembly 120, along which the first and second tracks 122, 124 are non-parallel with one another, the ends 112a, 112b of the segments may be pushed together or pulled apart due to the convergence or divergence of the first and second tracks 122, 124, thereby adjusting the widths of the shutter segments 112. The width of the segmented shutter 110 may therefore vary along the length of the segmented shutter 110, such that the segmented shutter extends across the width of the vehicle interior 8 between the first and second tracks 122, 124.
As depicted in
The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1902923.0 | Mar 2019 | GB | national |