Crossmember for transverse mounting across a vehicle chassis

Abstract

A crossmember 20 for transverse mounting across a vehicle chassis 2 has a tubular frame, a first set 30 of connectors connected to the frame for connecting to opposing longitudinal portions of the cha

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a crossmember for transverse mounting across a vehicle chassis, a vehicle chassis assembly comprising a vehicle chassis and the crossmember, and a vehicle comprising the crossmember or vehicle chassis assembly. BACKGROUND The chassis of a vehicle typically requires reinforcing via one or more crossmembers. The crossmember is often located in front of parts of the vehicle to which access is required on semi-regular basis, such that removal of the crossmember may often be necessary to provide access. The crossmember may be mounted across the engine or powertrain bay of the vehicle. The present disclosure aims to provide an improved crossmember. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide an improved crossmember, vehicle chassis assembly and 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 invention there is provided a crossmember for transverse mounting across a vehicle chassis, comprising: a tubular frame, a first set of connectors for connecting to opposing longitudinal portions of the vehicle chassis, the first set of connectors being connected to the tubular frame; and a second set of connectors for connecting to a transverse portion of the vehicle chassis, the second set of connectors being connected to the tubular frame, and wherein the second set of connectors are configured to permit pivotal rotation of the tubular frame about a transverse axis passing through the second set of connectors. Each connector of the first and / or second set of connectors may comprise a bearing surface configured to allow rotation about at least three axes. Each connector of the first and / or second set of connectors may be a rod end bearing. The first set of connectors may comprise two connectors, and / or the second set of connectors may comprise two connectors. The tubular frame may comprise a first tubular member and a second tubular member substantially perpendicular to the first tubular member. The first set of connectors may be connected to the first tubular member and the second set of connectors may be connected to the second tubular member. First and second connectors of the first set of connectors may be located on opposing ends of the first tubular member. The crossmember may comprise one or more diagonal tubular members fixedly attached between the first and second tubular members. Each of the connectors of the first and / or second sets of connectors may include a threaded portion configured to engage a captive threaded fastener of the tubular frame. The threaded portion may be rotatable to adjust a position of a connector relative to the tubular frame. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle chassis assembly comprising a vehicle chassis and the crossmember of the first aspect. The vehicle chassis may define an engine bay. The second set of connectors may be connected to a transverse portion of the vehicle chassis adjacent a rear end of the engine bay. The second set of connectors may be configured to allow at least 45 degrees of pivotal rotation about a transverse axis of the vehicle chassis. The second set of connectors may be configured to allow at least 70 degrees of pivotal rotation about a transverse axis of the vehicle chassis. Each connector of the first set of connectors may be removably connected to the longitudinal portion of the vehicle chassis by respective fasteners, and / or each connector of the second set of connectors may be removably connected to the transverse portion of the vehicle chassis by respective fasteners. The chassis may comprise brackets for supporting each connector of the first and / or second sets of connectors. Each bracket may include opposing plates between which the respective connectors are located. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the crossmember of the first aspect or the vehicle chassis of the second aspect. 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 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 The present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle; Figure 2 is a plan view of a vehicle chassis assembly with a crossmember extending across a vehicle chassis; Figure 3 is a plan view of a connector of the crossmember; Figure 4 is a side view of the connector of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the connector of Figure 3 connected between a tubular frame and the vehicle chassis; Figure 6 shows a side view of the connector of Figure 3 connected between the tubular frame and the vehicle chassis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle chassis 2, part of which is shown in Figure 2. An engine (not shown) is located within an engine bay 4. The engine bay 4 may be located beneath a bonnet 3 of the vehicle, such as shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 is a plan view of a vehicle chassis assembly 5. The vehicle chassis assembly 5 includes a crossmember 10 mounted between transverse portions of the vehicle chassis 2. The crossmember 10 include a tubular frame 20, a first set of connectors 30, and a second set of connectors 40. The first set of connectors 30 are each connected between the tubular frame 20 and the vehicle chassis 2. In this example, the first set of connectors 30 are connected to opposing longitudinal portions 12 of the vehicle chassis 2. The first set of connectors 20 shown in Figure 2 include two connectors 31, however it will be appreciated that the first set of connectors 30 may include any suitable number of connectors 31. For example, three, four or more connectors 31. The second set of connectors 40 are each connected between the tubular frame 20 and the vehicle chassis 2. In this example, the second set of connectors 40 are connected to a transverse portion 14 of the vehicle chassis 2. The second set of connectors 40 shown in Figure 2 include two connectors 41, however it will be appreciated that the second set of connectors 41 may include any suitable number of connectors 41. For example, one, three or more connectors 41. The tubular frame 20 may include a first tubular member 24 and a pair of second tubular members 25 substantially perpendicular to the first tubular member 24. The connectors 31 of the first set of connectors 30 are connected to ends of the first tubular member 24, and in this example opposing ends of the first tubular member 24. The connectors 41 of the second set of connectors 40 are each connected to one of the second tubular members 25, with the opposing ends of each second tubular member 25 extending towards the first tubular member 24. The tubular frame 20 may include one or more diagonal tubular members 26. In this context, diagonal refers to the diagonal tubular member 26 extending in a direction obliquely to the first and second members 24, 25. The diagonal tubular members 26 may be fixedly attached between the first and second tubular members 24, 25, such as shown in Figure 2, or alternatively the first and second tubular members 24, 25 may connect directly to each other. Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of a connector 41 of the second set of connectors 40, and Figure 4 shows a side view of the connector 41. The connector 41 includes an eyelet 51 that houses a bearing 52, with the bearing 52 rotatable within the eyelet 51 so as to create a bearing surface therebetween. This arrangement can allow rotation of the bearing 52 relative to the eyelet 51 about two or three axes. The connector 41 may be referred to as a rod end bearing. The bearing 52 defines a through-hole 51a into which a hinge pin 60 is insertable, as will be discussed further in relation to Figures 5 and 6. The connector 41 includes a threaded portion 53 that engages with a captive threaded fastener 54 of the tubular frame 20. The captive threaded fastener 54 may be located within a hollow section of the tubular frame 20. In this way, rotation of the threaded portion 53 into the captive threaded fastener 54 adjusts the position of the connector 31 with respect to the tubular frame 20. In other words, the length of the connector 41 that extends out from the tubular frame 20 is adjustable. This can allow the tubular frame 20 to fit differently-sized vehicle chassis, as well as mitigate the effects of any misalignments of the chassis 2 or tubular frame 20. Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of the connector 31 attached to the chassis 2, and Figure 6 shows a side view of the connector 41 attached to the chassis 2. The connector 41 is attached to the chassis via a bracket 55. The bracket 55 supports the connector 41 and includes opposing plates 56 between which the connector 31 is located. The connector 41 includes a hinge pin 60. The hinge pin 60 extends through a through-hole defined in the bracket 55. The hinge pin 60 permits pivotal rotation of the tubular frame 20 about the axis of the hinge pin 60. The hinge pin 60 may be a fastener that is removably attached to the bracket 55, for example the hinge pin 60 may be a fastener with a threaded male fastener portion 61 and a female threaded fastener portion 62. Whilst only one of the connectors 41 of the second set of connectors 40 has been described, it will be understood that each of the connectors 41 of the second set of connectors 30 and each of the connectors 31 of the first set of connectors 30 may be substantially identical. In order to access the engine bay 4, the first set of connectors 30 are disconnected from the chassis 2. As the second set of connectors 40 are configured to permit pivotal rotation of the tubular frame 20 about the axis of the hinge pin 60, the tubular frame 20 can then be rotated about a transverse axis of the chassis 2 that passes through the second set of connectors 40. In this manner, the tubular frame 20 can be temporarily moved to an open position that allows access to the engine bay 4 without completely removing the crossmember 10. The second set of connectors 40 may be connected to a transverse portion of the chassis adjacent a rear end of the engine bay 4, i.e. if the engine bay 4 is under a front bonnet 3 of the vehicle 1 then the second set of connectors 40 are located closer to a rear of the vehicle 1. In this manner, maximum access to the engine bay 4 can be provided. The second set of connectors 40 may allow at least 45 degrees of pivotal rotation about a transverse axis of the vehicle chassis 2, and preferably allow at least 70 degrees of pivotal rotation about a transverse axis of the vehicle chassis. This can increase access to the engine bay 4. 5 It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present disclosed examples without departing from the scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred 10 to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A crossmember for transverse mounting across a vehicle chassis, comprising:a tubular frame,a first set of connectors for connecting to opposing longitudinal portions of the vehicle chassis, the first set of connectors connected to the tubular frame; anda second set of connectors for connecting to a transverse portion of the vehicle chassis, the second set of connectors connected to the tubular frame, andwherein the second set of connectors are configured to permit pivotal rotation of the tubular frame about a transverse axis passing through the second set of connectors.

2. The crossmember of claim 1, wherein each connector of the first and / or second set of connectors comprises a bearing surface configured to allow rotation about at least three axes.

3. The crossmember of claim 1 or 2, wherein each connector of the first and / or second set of connectors is a rod end bearing.

4. The crossmember of any preceding claim, wherein the first set of connectors comprises two connectors, and / or the second set of connectors comprises two connectors.

5. The crossmember of any preceding claim, the tubular frame comprising a first tubular member and a second tubular member substantially perpendicular to the first tubular member, wherein the first set of connectors are connected to the first tubular member and the second set of connectors are connected to the second tubular member.

6. The crossmember of claim 5, wherein first and second connectors of the first set of connectors are located on opposing ends of the first tubular member.

7. The crossmember of claim 5 or 6, comprising one or more diagonal tubular members fixedly attached between the first and second tubular members.

8. The crossmember of any preceding claim, wherein each of the connectors of the first and / or second sets of connectors includes a threaded portion configured to engage a captive threaded fastener of the tubular frame, wherein the threaded portion is rotatable to adjust a position of a connector relative to the tubular frame.

9. A vehicle chassis assembly comprising a vehicle chassis and the crossmember of any preceding claim.

10. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9, wherein the vehicle chassis defines an engine bay, and wherein the second set of connectors are connected to a transverse portion of the vehicle chassis adjacent a rear end of the engine bay.

11. The vehicle chassis assembly of claim 9 or 10, wherein the second set of connectors are configured to allow at least 45 degrees of pivotal rotation about a transverse axis of the vehicle chassis.

12. The vehicle chassis assembly of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the second set of connectors are configured to allow at least 70 degrees of pivotal rotation about a transverse axis of the vehicle chassis.

13. The vehicle chassis assembly of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein each connector of the first set of connectors is removably connected to the longitudinal portion of the vehicle chassis by respective fasteners, and / or each connector of the second set of connectors is removably connected to the transverse portion of the vehicle chassis by respective fasteners.

14. The vehicle chassis assembly of any one of claims 9 to 13, the vehicle chassis comprising brackets for supporting each connector of the first and / or second sets of connectors, each bracket including opposing plates between which the respective connectors are located.

15. A vehicle comprising the crossmember or vehicle chassis assembly of any preceding claim.

Images