A monocoque vehicle body

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a monocoque vehicle body (100), the monocoque vehicle body (100) comprising a floor (103); a roof (105); a pair of a-pillars (155); a pair of b-pillars (157)

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a monocoque vehicle body. Aspects of the invention relate to a monocoque vehicle body and a vehicle. BACKGROUND Traditional aluminium monocoque (or unibody) vehicles derive torsional rigidity from multiple elements of their body structure (also known as body in white). Any modification of the unibody, particularly removal of sections, will reduce the torsional rigidity, and may affect vehicle performance or characteristics. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a monocoque vehicle body and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims. Throughout the summary of the invention, description and claims the terms front, rear, left, right, upper and lower are defined with reference to their normal use in the description of a forward facing upright standing vehicle. It follows that features of the invention are described in relation to a vehicle such that, for example, front features are those closer to the front of the vehicle than rear features and upper features are those closer to the top of the vehicle than lower features. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a monocoque vehicle body, the monocoque vehicle body comprising: a floor; a roof; a pair of a-pillars; a pair of b-pillars; a pair of c-piliars, extending from the floor to the roof; and a pair of d-pillars, wherein the pair of c-pillars defines a boundary between a first section and a second section, wherein the first section extends from the front of the monocoque vehicle body to the pair of c-pillars and comprises the pair of a-pillars, the pair of b-pillars and the roof, and the second section extends from the pair of c-pillars to the rear of the monocoque vehicle body and comprises the pair of d-pillars, wherein each section comprises a part of the floor and has a width that is defined between each pillar within each of the pairs of pillars, the monocoque vehicle body further comprising a bulkhead, the bulkhead comprising: a vertical section mounted to the pair ofc-pillars and extending vertically from the floor to the roof; and a horizontal section extending from the vertical section rearward across at least part of the second section and extending widthwise, in a direction between each of the pillars within the pair of c-pillars, across the second section, such that torsional loads acting on the second section are transmitted to the first section, via the bulkhead. Advantageously, transfer of the torsional loads from the second section to the first section acts to reinforce the monocoque vehicle body. Advantageously the bulkhead acts as a reinforcing structure for the monocoque vehicle body, by improving the stiffness and / or torsional rigidity of the monocoque vehicle body. Optionally, the second section of the monocoque vehicle body may comprise a loadspace volume, the loadspace volume extending from the pair of c-pillars to the pair of d-pillars. Optionally, the first section of the monocoque vehicle body may comprise a passenger compartment. Optionally, the horizontal section of the bulkhead is configured to extend wholly across the width of the second section, such that the horizontal section extends fully to the rear of the monocoque vehicle body. The horizontal section of the bulkhead extending wholly across the width of the second section increases the torsional rigidity of the monocoque vehicle body, since forces applied to one side of the monocoque vehicle body are transferred through the horizontal section of the bulkhead to the opposing side of the monocoque vehicle body. Optionally, the horizontal section comprises a rear strut, configured to extend widthwise across the second section, from one of the pair of d-pillars to the other of the pair of d-pillars. Optionally, the loadspace volume comprises a lower loadspace area, below the horizontal section, and an upper loadspace area, above the horizontal section, such that the horizontal section forms a divide between the upper loadspace area and the lower loadspace area. Optionally, the lower loadspace area comprises an aperture closure, such that the lower loadspace area is a sealed storage area. Optionally, the upper loadspace area comprises an aperture closure, such that the upper loadspace area is a sealed storage area. Optionally, the upper loadspace area is a shelf and the horizontal section is the base of the shelf, such that the upper loadspace area is an open-air storage area. Optionally, the horizontal section forms a loadspace divider roof over the lower loadspace area, the loadspace divider roof being connected to the floor via the pair of d-pillars, and the horizontal section also forms a loadspace divider floor forming the base of the upper loadspace area. In some embodiments, the loadspace divider roof and the loadspace divider floor, being formed by the horizontal section, are also connected to the floor of the vehicle by the vertical section. In some embodiments, the loadspace divider roof and the loadspace divider floor, being formed by the horizontal section, are also connected to the floor of the vehicle by the pair of c-pillars. Optionally, at least a part of the bulkhead comprises a frame comprising a plurality of structural components. The structural components may be tubes, for example square cross-sectional tubes, or circular cross-sectional tubes, which are hollow in nature, sheets or another suitable structural component type as will be envisaged by the skilled person. The structural components may comprise any suitable combination of these. The structural components may be fabricated from a metallic material, such as aluminium or steel, for example. Optionally, at least a part of the bulkhead is clad in a finishing material, such that the bulkhead forms a sealed barrier. Optionally, the bulkhead comprises a vent for enabling the flow of air between the first section and the second section. Optionally, the vertical section of the bulkhead forms a divider between the first section and the second section. When the vertical section of the bulkhead is clad in a finishing material, the vertical section of the bulkhead serves to form a sealed barrier between the passenger compartment and the loadspace area. When the horizontal section of the bulkhead is clad in a finishing material, the horizontal section of the bulkhead serves to form a sealed barrier between the upper loadspace area and the lower loadspace area. In some embodiments, the finishing material may be non-structural, and may not be suitable for transferring torsional loads from the first section to the second section. The finishing material may comprise multiple layers, for example a first finishing material layer may comprise a sheet metal material, suitable for environmentally sealing the bulkhead. In some embodiments, the finishing material may comprise a second finishing material layer, for example the second finishing material layer may comprise an NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) reducing foam, the second finishing material layer may further comprise an NVH heavy layer. A heavy layer in this context may comprise material with a density in the region of 2 - 6 kg / m2. In some further embodiments, the finishing material may comprise a third finishing material layer, for example the third finishing material layer may comprise a protective layer for protecting the other layers of the finishing material from external influences, such as water. In some examples, the third finishing material layer may comprise a trim material, for interfacing with users or luggage within the passenger compartment or luggage compartment of the monocoque vehicle body. The vertical section of the bulkhead may comprise a window, or other transparent sealed barrier, so as to enable a user within the monocoque vehicle body to observe the loadspace area of the vehicle from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the monocoque vehicle body. 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 shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side perspective view of a monocoque vehicle body in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a monocoque vehicle body in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a bulkhead in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 shows a rear perspective view of a vehicle with the rear aperture closure removed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 1. Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle comprising a monocoque vehicle body and a bulkhead located within the vehicle. Figure 2 and Figure 3 illustrate a monocoque vehicle body 100 comprising: a floor 103; a roof 105; a pair of a-pillars 155; a pair of b-pillars 157; a pair of c-pillars 160; and a pair of d-pillars 159. The pair of c-pillars 160 extend from the floor 103 to the roof 105 of the monocoque vehicle body 100. The pair ofc-pillars 160 further define a boundary between a first section 125 and a second section 135 of the monocoque vehicle body 100. The first section 125 extends from the front of the monocoque vehicle body 100 to the pair of c-pillars 160 and comprises the pair of a-pillars 155, the pair of b-pillars 157 and the roof 105. The second section 135 extends from the pair of c-pillars 160 to the rear of the monocoque vehicle body 100 and comprises the pair of d-pillars 159. Each of the first section 125 and the second section 135 comprises a part of the floor 103 and has a width (W1) that is defined between each pillar within each of the pairs of pillars, as will be discussed. Figure 4 illustrates a bulkhead 110 in more detail. The bulkhead 110 includes a vertical section 120 mounted to a pair of c-pillars 160 of the monocoque vehicle body 100. The vertical section 120 extends vertically from the floor 103 to the roof 105. The bulkhead 110 also comprises a horizontal section 130 extending from the vertical section 120 rearward within the monocoque vehicle body 100 across at least a part of the second section 135. Put another way, the horizontal section 130 of the bulkhead of the monocoque vehicle body 100 extends from the vertical section 120 of the bulkhead 110 toward the rear 132 of the monocoque vehicle body 100. In some configurations, the horizontal section 130 of the bulkhead of the monocoque vehicle body 100 extends fully from the vertical section 120 of the bulkhead 110 to the rear 132 of the monocoque vehicle body 100. The horizontal section 130 extends widthwise across the second section of the monocoque vehicle body 100, in a direction between each of the pillars within the pair of c-pillars 160. It will be appreciated that the width W1 as shown in figure 4 is the width between each of the pillars within the pair of b-pillars, however it will be appreciated that this is merely exemplary and the width between each of the pillars in any of the given pairs of pillars may be illustrated equivalently. The horizontal section 130 extending widthwise across the monocoque vehicle body 100 will enable torsional loads acting on one side of the second section 135 to be transmitted to the other side of the second section 135, via the horizontal section 130. The bulkhead 110 arrangement as described will ensure that torsional loads acting on the second section 135 are transmitted to the first section 125, via the bulkhead 110. This will improve the overall torsional rigidity of the monocoque vehicle body 100. The monocoque vehicle body 100 comprises the bulkhead 110 where the vertical section 120 is mounted to the pair ofc-pillars 160 and extends vertically from the floor 103 to the roof 105 and the horizontal section 130 extending from the vertical section 120 rearward across the second section 135. The horizontal section 130 also extends widthwise across the second section 135 means that torsional loads acting on the second section 135 are transmitted to the first section 125, via the bulkhead 110. To put this another way, the introduction of the bulkhead 110 into the monocoque vehicle body 100 serves to improve the rigidity and structural stiffness of the monocoque vehicle body 100, improving vehicle composure and driving characteristics. In some embodiments of the invention, the horizontal section 130 extends partially into the second section 135. Only partially extending through the second section enables the user of the vehicle to store large items in the remainder of the second section 135, whilst the horizontal section 130 is sufficient to improve the structural stability of the monocoque vehicle body 100 by reinforcing the second section 135. In embodiments of the invention, the second section 135 of the monocoque vehicle body 100 comprises a loadspace volume, the loadspace volume extending from the pair of c-pillars 160 to the pair of d-pillars 159. The loadspace volume is suitable for storing luggage, and other such non-passenger items. In some embodiments, the first section 125 of the monocoque vehicle body 100 comprises a passenger compartment. As shown in Figure 6, the horizontal section 130 of the bulkhead 110 is configured to extend wholly along the length of the second section 135, such that the horizontal section 130 extends fully to the rear 132 of the monocoque vehicle body 100. The horizontal section 130 may comprise a rear strut 201, configured to extend widthwise across the second section 135, from one of the pair of d-pillars 159 to the other of the pair of d-pillars 159. The horizontal section 130 of the bulkhead 110 extends wholly across the width W1 of the second section 135 which increases the torsional rigidity of the monocoque vehicle body 100, since forces applied to one side of the monocoque vehicle body 100 are transferred through the horizontal section 130 of the bulkhead 110 to the opposing side of the monocoque vehicle body 100. As shown in Figure 3, the loadspace volume comprises a lower loadspace area 140, below the horizontal section 130, and an upper loadspace area 150, above the horizontal section 130, such that the horizontal section 130 forms a divide between the upper loadspace area 190 and the lower loadspace area 192. As shown in Figure 5, the lower loadspace area 140 comprises an aperture closure 190, such that the lower loadspace area 140 is a sealed storage area. The lower loadspace area 140 comprises a lower aperture closure 190 that enables the lower loadspace area 140 to be used to secure luggage (or similar) protected from the elements and isolated from the vehicle passenger compartment. In some embodiments, the upper loadspace area 150 also comprises an upper aperture closure 192, such that the upper loadspace area 150 is also a sealed storage area. In some embodiments, the lower aperture closure 190 and the upper aperture closure 192 may be a single aperture closure, such as a tailgate. The tailgate may be horizontally or vertically hinged. In further embodiments, the lower aperture closure 190 and the upper aperture closure 192 may be separate tailgates, forming a split tailgate arrangement. The aperture closures may be manual or powered. The aperture closures may be independently operable, and operable in any order or arrangement. In some embodiments, the upper loadspace area 150 is a shelf and the horizontal section 130 is the base of the shelf, such that the upper loadspace area 150 is an open-air storage area. In such embodiments, the horizontal section 130 forms a loadspace divider roof over the lower loadspace area 140, the loadspace divider roof being connected to the floor 105 via the pair of d-pillars 159, and the horizontal section 130 also forms a loadspace divider floor forming the base of the upper loadspace area 150. In such embodiments, the upper loadspace area 150 is suitable for attaching or storing items that are not adversely affected by not being protected from the elements. The loadspace divider roof may be openable, and in arrangements (not shown) may comprise hinges, or other pivotable connections, at the rear of the loadspace volume, or to the side of the loadspace volume. In embodiments where the loadspace divider roof is openable, the lower loadspace area 140 may be sealed with a lower aperture closure 190 that is compatible with an openable loadspace divider roof. In some embodiments, the loadspace divider roof and the loadspace divider floor, being formed by the horizontal section 130, are also connected to the floor 103 of the monocoque vehicle body 100 by the vertical section 120. In some embodiments, the loadspace divider roof and the loadspace divider floor, being formed by the horizontal section 130, are connected to the floor 103 of the vehicle by the pair of c-pillars 160. The loadspace divider roof and the loadspace divider floor, being formed by the horizontal section 130 may be connected to the monocoque vehicle body 100 by both of the vertical section 120 and the pair of c-pillars 160. The bulkhead 110 may comprise a frame comprising a plurality of structural components. The structural components may be tubes, for example square cross-sectional tubes, or circular cross-sectional tubes, which are hollow in nature, sheets or another suitable structural component types as will be envisaged by the skilled person. The structural components may comprise any suitable combination of these. The structural components may be fabricated from a metallic material, such as aluminium or steel, for example, or a non-metallic material such as carbon fibre. At least a part of the bulkhead 110 may be clad in a finishing material, such that the bulkhead forms a sealed barrier. The vertical section of the bulkhead 110 may form a divider between the first section 125 and the second section 135. The bulkhead 110 may comprise a vent for enabling the flow of air between the first section 125 and the second section 135. Such a vent enables a HVAC system of the vehicle to receive a flow of air across the sealed barrier. Such a vent will be envisaged as allowing the flow of air between different environmentally sealed regions of the vehicle. Put another way, the ventwill enable airflow between luggage compartments and passenger compartments, and not between passenger compartments and the external environment, or between luggage compartments and the external environment. When the vertical section 120 of the bulkhead 110 is clad in a finishing material, the vertical section 120 of the bulkhead 110 serves to form a sealed barrier between the passenger compartment and the loadspace area. When the horizontal section 130 of the bulkhead 110 is clad in a finishing material, the horizontal section 130 of the bulkhead 110 serves to form a sealed barrier between the upper loadspace area 150 and the lower loadspace area 140. In some embodiments, the finishing material may be non-structural, and may not be suitable for transferring torsional loads from the first section to the second section. The finishing material may comprise multiple layers, for example a first finishing material layer may comprise a sheet metal material, suitable for environmentally sealing the bulkhead 110. In some embodiments, the finishing material may comprise a second finishing material layer, for example the second finishing material layer may comprise an NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) reducing foam, the second finishing material layer may further comprise an NVH heavy layer. A heavy layer in this context may comprise material with a density in the region of 2 - 6 kg / m2. In some further embodiments, the finishing material may comprise a third finishing material layer, for example the third finishing material layer may comprise a protective layer for protecting the other layers of the finishing material from external influences, such as water. In some examples, the third finishing material layer may comprise a trim material, for interfacing with users or luggage within the passenger 5 compartment or luggage compartment of the monocoque vehicle body 100. The vertical section of the bulkhead 110 may comprise a window, or other transparent sealed barrier, so as to enable a user within the monocoque vehicle body 100 to observe the loadspace area of the vehicle 10 from the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. 10 The monocoque vehicle body 100 as described forms the body in white or unibody of a vehicle 10, as shown in Figure 1. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without 15 departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A monocoque vehicle body, the monocoque vehicle body comprising:a floor;a roof;a pair of a-pillars;a pair of b-pillars;a pair of c-pillars, extending from the floor to the roof; anda pair of d-pillars,wherein the pair of c-pillars defines a boundary between a first section and a second section, wherein the first section extends from the front of the monocoque vehicle body to the pair of c-pillars and comprises the pair of a-pillars, the pair of b-pillars and the roof, and the second section extends from the pair of c-pillars to the rear of the monocoque vehicle body and comprises the pair of d-pillars, wherein each section comprises a part of the floor and has a width that is defined between each pillar within each of the pairs of pillars,the monocoque vehicle body further comprising a bulkhead, the bulkhead comprising:a vertical section mounted to the pair of c-pillars and extending vertically from the floor to the roof; anda horizontal section extending from the vertical section rearward across at least part of the second section and extending widthwise, in a direction between each of the pillars within the pair ofc-pillars, across the second section,such that torsional loads acting on the second section are transmitted to the first section, via the bulkhead.

2. The monocoque vehicle body of any preceding claim, wherein the second section comprisesa loadspace volume, the loadspace volume extending from the pair of c-pillars to the pair of d-pillars.

3. The monocoque vehicle body of any preceding claim, wherein the first section comprises apassenger compartment.

4. The monocoque vehicle body of any preceding claim, wherein the horizontal section isconfigured to extend wholly across the width of the second section, such that the horizontal section extends fully to the rear of the monocoque vehicle body.

5. The monocoque vehicle body of any preceding claim, wherein the horizontal sectioncomprises a rear strut, configured to extend widthwise across the second section, from one of the pair of d-pillars to the other of the pair of d-pillars.

6. The monocoque vehicle body of claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein theloadspace volume comprises:a lower loadspace area, below the horizontal section, and an upper loadspace area, above the horizontal section,such that the horizontal section forms a divide between the upper loadspace area and the lower loadspace area.

7. The monocoque vehicle body of claim 6, wherein the lower loadspace area comprises a loweraperture closure, such that the lower loadspace area is a sealed storage area.

8. The monocoque vehicle body of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the upper loadspace areacomprises an upper aperture closure, such that the upper loadspace area is a sealed storage area.

9. The monocoque vehicle body of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the upper loadspace area is ashelf and the horizontal section is the base of the shelf, such that the upper loadspace area is an open-air storage area.

10. The monocoque vehicle body of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the horizontal section forms aloadspace divider roof over the lower loadspace area, the loadspace divider roof being connected to the floor via the pair of d-pillars, and the horizontal section also forms a loadspace divider floor forming the base of the upper loadspace area.

11. The monocoque vehicle body of any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of the bulkheadcomprises a frame comprising a plurality of structural components.

12. The monocoque vehicle body of any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of the bulkheadis clad in a finishing material, such that the bulkhead forms a sealed barrier.

13. The monocoque vehicle body of any preceding claim, wherein the bulkhead comprises a ventfor enabling the flow of air between the first section and the second section.

14. The monocoque vehicle body of any preceding claim, wherein the vertical section of thebulkhead forms a divider between the first section and the second section.

15. A vehicle comprising the monocoque vehicle body of any preceding claim.

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