Vehicle stowage system

Abstract

A vehicle stowage system 10, comprises: a support structure 20 defining a hollow 21, wherein the support structure comprises a connector 25 located in the hollow; a stowage holder 30 located in the ho

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a vehicle stowage system. Aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle 5 stowage system, a vehicle comprising the vehicle stowage system, and a method of installing a stowage system into a vehicle. BACKGROUND 10 It is known to provide a vehicle with a jack, or other breakdown equipment, that is secured within a luggage space of the vehicle such as under the load floor. The jack may be tailored to a particular vehicle model or batch, or emitted entirely. Flexibility in options requires flexibility in the design of any stowage system arranged to secure the jack. As the load floor support block is typically assembled to the main vehicle structure at an early point in the assembly process, any required modifications to the support block are likely to complicate 15 the production process. 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 vehicle stowage system, a vehicle comprising the vehicle stowage system, and a method of installing a stowage system into a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims. 25 According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle stowage system, comprising: a support structure defining a hollow, wherein the support structure comprises a connector located in the hollow for engaging a complementary connector of a stowage holder locatable in the hollow to secure the stowage holder in the hollow. 30 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle stowage system according to claim 1. Also disclosed herein is a vehicle stowage system comprising: a support structure defining a hollow, wherein the support structure comprises a connector located in the hollow; a stowage holder located in the hollow, the stowage holder comprising a complementary connector; wherein the connector of the support structure engages the complementary connector of the stowage holder to secure the stowage holder in the 35 hollow. With this arrangement, a stowage system for an item of stowage (such as a jack) is provided in a manner that a stowage holder can be installed separately to the main support structure of the vehicle. Such an arrangement allows the stowage holder to be installed at a later stage of assembly or to be absent from the vehicle entirely. 40 The item of stowage could be customised for each vehicle depending on the desired item of stowage. 80 The connector is an undercut and the complementary connector is a ledge configured to engage a lower surface of the undercut to secure the stowage holder in the hollow. With this arrangement, a simple means of securing the stowage holder is provided that can be integrally formed 5 and requires no additional fastening means. Optionally, a lower surface of the undercut and an upper surface of ledge define parallel abutting surfaces. This arrangement ensures a surface contact, rather than a point contact, is established. This can decrease 10 any concentration of stress that might otherwise wear the components more quickly or more readily. The deformation of the abutting surfaces is also reduced compared to if a point contact is established, due to the increased surface area over which the load is applied, and this increases securement and fixing of the stowage holder within the hollow. 15 Optionally, the ledge decreases in thickness towards an edge so as to form an angled lower surface of the ledge. With this arrangement, the ledge defines a profiled form (e.g. chamfered, rounded, tapered lower surface) that helps to facilitate installation of the stowage holder more easily into the hollow. A cut-out is formed on both ends of the ledge, the cut-out extending from an upper surface of the stowage holder to below the ledge. This provides increased flexibility to the complementary connector so that the complementary connector can 25 flex more easily as the stowage holder is installed into the hollow. Optionally, the vehicle stowage system comprises a plurality of complementary connector of the stowage holder configured to engage with a common connector to secure the stowage holder in the hollow. 30 The extent of the complementary connectors can therefore be reduced (i.e. discontinuous) whilst maintaining securement of the stowage holder by distributing the complementary connectors about the perimeter of the stowage holder. In turn, the discrete nature of the individual complementary connectors allows them to more easily deflect, making installation of the stowage holder into the hollow easier. 35 Optionally, an upper surface of the stowage holder is substantially level with an upper surface of the support structure. With this arrangement, a liner or floorboard above the stowage system is supported across the hollow. 80 Optionally, the vehicle stowage system comprises a liner covering an upper surface of the support structure, wherein the liner defines an aperture positioned over the hollow, the aperture having a perimeter edge, and wherein the perimeter edge extends into a gap between the support structure and the stowage holder. 5 In this manner, the edge of the liner (e.g. the edge of a wheel well liner) is protected, with no visible edges that can be damaged during use. Any tolerancing issues between the size of the hollow and the stowage holder can also be accommodated for by the liner, as the fold on the liner into the gap can push against the stowage holder. 10 Optionally, the vehicle stowage system comprises a floorboard covering an upper surface of the support structure and an upper surface of the stowage holder. The support structure and stowage holder can thereby be covered and protected by a floorboard (e.g. a boot floor). The floorboard may be moveable so as to allow convenient access to the stowage item retained by the 15 stowage holder. Optionally, the support structure and / or stowage holder are formed of expanded polypropylene. Expanded polypropylene (EPP) has advantages over alternative materials, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) in its ability to elastically deform rather than plastically deform. This ensures the final component, with the stowage holder installed in the hollow, is dimensioned substantially as designed and thereby performs as intended. Optionally, the stowage holder comprises a recess configured to receive an item of stowage. The item of 25 stowage may be secured to the stowage holder by an interference fit therebetween. The item of stowage may be a jack. With this arrangement, the item of stowage can be securely and releasably retained for convenient access when required. The recess can allow the item of stowage to adopt a low profile that does not interrupt the 30 space above, for example the trunk / boot space. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the vehicle stowage system. 35 Optionally, the vehicle stowage system is an underfloor stowage system located within a luggage space of the vehicle. This is a convenient location for storing a number of stowage items to which access is not generally required regularly, such as a jack. 80 According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing a stowage system into a vehicle according to claim 12. Also disclosed herein is a method of installing a stowage system into a vehicle, comprising: providing a support structure, the support structure defining a hollow having a connector; connecting the support structure to a vehicle structure; providing a stowage holder having a complementary 5 connector; and inserting the stowage holder into the hollow so as to engage the connector of the support structure with the complementary connector of the stowage holder to secure the stowage holder in the hollow. With this arrangement, the stowage holder can be installed separately to the main support structure of the vehicle and thereby installed at a later stage of assembly or to be absent from the vehicle entirely. The item of 10 stowage could be customised for each vehicle depending on the desired item of stowage. 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. 15 That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in anyway 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 vehicle stowage system; 30 Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle stowage system in which a support structure engages a stowage holder to retain the stowage holder; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the vehicle stowage system retaining a jack; 35 Figure 5 shows a cross-section of a stowage holder of the vehicle stowage system; Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle stowage system having two inset views of the interface between connectors of the support structure and complementary connectors of the stowage holder; 40 Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the stowage holder; Figure 8 shows a plan view of the stowage holder; and Figure 9 shows a flow diagram of a method of installing the stowage system into a vehicle. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION A vehicle stowage system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle stowage system 10 can be installed in a luggage space of the vehicle 100, e.g. under a load floor in the trunk 101 of the vehicle 100 such 10 that the vehicle stowage system 10 is an underfloor stowage system 10. Although it will be appreciated the vehicle stowage system 10 may be located in any suitable location ofthe vehicle 100 such as under the bonnet 102. The vehicle stowage system 10 includes a support structure 20. The support structure 20 defines a hollow 21 15 (See figure 3). The hollow 21 is a hole in the support structure 20 into which a stowage holder 30 is insertable. A connector 25 is located in the hollow 21. In this example, the connector 25 is an undercut 26 formed in the support structure 20 such that the support structure 20 includes an overhang that extends into the hollow 21 (See Figure 6). The stowage holder 30 is a component ofthe vehicle stowage system 10 arranged to retain an item of stowage. In particular, the stowage holder 30 is arranged to retain a jack 80, such as shown in Figure 4. In this example, the stowage holder 30 inc ludes a recess 31 sized to form an interference fit with the jack 80 to retain the jack 80 in the recess 31 - see figures 3 and 5. An interference fit provides a convenient means of retaining an item of stowage whilst allowing it to be secured in position, whilst the recess 31 allows the item of stowage to adopt 25 a low profile so as not to interrupt the space above, i.e. the luggage space. As the stowage holder 30 ofthe present example is shown to retain a jack 80, the stowage holder 30 is sized accordingly. For instance, the width J ofthe stowage holder in the present example is approximately 200 mm whilst the length K is approximately 600 mm (See figure 8). It will be appreciated that the stowage holder 30 30 will be suitably sized according to the item of stowage to be retained by the stowage holder 30. The support structure 20 and stowage holder 30 may each be formed of expanded polypropylene (EPP). EPP has a number of advantages over alternatives, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), due to its ability to elastically deform rather than plastically deform. This ensures that a stowage holder 30 installed in the hollow 35 21 is substantially undeformed by the installation process, ensuring the stowage holder 30 is retained effectively and as intended (i.e. it has the same dimensions upon installation as it did pre-installation). The stowage holder 30 includes a corresponding plurality of complementary connectors 35 that are arranged to engage with the connector 25 ofthe support structure 25. In this example, the complementary connectors 40 35 are ledges 36 configured to engage a lower surface 26i ofthe undercut 26 to secure the stowage holder 30 in the hollow 21 - as best shown in figure 6. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the vehicle stowage system 10 in which it can be seen that the lower surface 26i of the undercut 26 engages the upper surface 36j of each ledge 36 of the stowage holder 30 to prevent the stowage holder 30 from being lifted out from the hollow 21, whilst a base 22 of the hollow 21 supports the 5 stowage holder 30 in the hollow 21 to restrict its movement within the hollow 21. The provision of a series of ledges 36 provides a simple means of retaining the stowage holder 30 from exiting the hollow 21. The undercut 26 is integrally formed with the support structure 20, whilst the ledges 36 are integrally formed with the stowage holder 30. In this manner, the stowage holder 30 is retained without the 10 need for additional fasteners. With this arrangement, the stowage holder 30 can be installed separately to the main support structure of the vehicle 100. This allows the stowage holder 30 to be installed at a later stage of manufacture than would otherwise be possible and / or in selected vehicles 100 of a production line such that the stowage holder 30 15 may be customised for each vehicle 100. For example, the stowage holder 30 may be one of a number of stowage holders 30, each configured to retain a different item of stowage. The method of installing the stowage system 10 into the vehicle 100 is shown in Figure 9. In a first step 91, the support structure 20 is provided. In a subsequent step 92, the support structure 20 is connected to a structure of the vehicle 100. In a further step 93, the stowage holder is provided. Subsequently, in an assembly step 94, the stowage holder 30 is inserted into the hollow 21 so as to engage the connector 25 of the support structure 20 with the complementary connector 35 of the stowage holder 30 to secure the stowage holder 30 in the hollow 21. 25 The vehicle stowage system 10 includes a liner 50 (alternatively referred to as a wheel well liner), such as shown in Figure 6. The liner 50 covers an upper surface 20j of the support structure 20, with an aperture defined in the liner 50 that is positioned over the hollow 21. In this way, the perimeter edge 52 of the aperture can extend into the gap between the support structure 20 and the stowage holder 30 (See Figure 6). As a result, the perimeter edge 52 of the liner 50 is protected within the gap, with no visible edges that could be 30 damaged during use. In addition, any tolerance issues between the size of the hollow 21 and the stowage holder 30 can be accommodated for by the liner 50. For instance, Figure 6 shows the liner 50 extending into the gap such that the liner 50 will also push against the stowage holder 30 to assist in fixing the stowage holder 30 in position. 35 At least a portion of the upper surface 30j of the stowage holder 30 is substantially level with the upper surface 20j of the support structure 20 (accounting for the relative thickness of the liner 50 that extends across the support structure 20), such as shown in Figure 6. Consequently, there is a height difference between the upper surface 36j of the ledge 36 and the upper surface 30j of the stowage holder 30. In the present example, the height C is approximately 21 mm. This ensures the undercut 26 has a sufficient depth to remain structurally 40 intact during assembly and use. 80 80 The liner 50, the uppersurface 20j of the support structure 20, and the upper surface 30j of the stowage holder 30j may be covered by a floorboard 60 (See Figure 3). The floorboard 60 can be lifted to allow access to the item of stowage, whilst also providing a flat surface thereon that protects the item of stowage when not in use. This can be a particularly convenient means of storage for items of stowage that are infrequently used, e.g., a 5 jack 80. It will be appreciated that the effectiveness of the interference fit of the stowage holder 30 on the jack 80 depends in part on the rigidity of the stowage holder 30. The width D of the upper surface 30j of the stowage holder 30 is therefore designed accordingly to provide this rigidity. 10 In some vehicles 100, a stowage holder 30 may not be a required. In this case, the liner 50 may extend all the way across the support structure 20, such that the liner 50 covers the hollow 21. In this way, the same support structure 20 can be used on each vehicle 100, with those examples in which a stowage holder 30 is not provided still having the connector 25 but with the connector 25 hidden under the liner 50. If a stowage holder 15 30 is to be subsequently installed in the vehicle 100, the liner 50 may be cut to provide an aperture so that a stowage holder 30 can be inserted through the aperture and into the hollow 21. The liner 50 may be cut by any suitable method, e.g., waterjet cutting. As previously discussed, the stowage holder 30 includes a plurality of complementary connectors 35. The complementary connectors 35 are configured to engage a common connector 25 of the support structure 20. In the example shown in figures 7 and 8, the stowage holder 30 includes five complementary connectors 35 distributed around the perimeter of the stowage holder 30. The provision of a plurality of complementary connectors 35, as opposed to a single complementary connector, provides several benefits. Firstly, the extent of the complementary connectors 35 can therefore be reduced whilst maintaining securement of the stowage 25 holder 30 by distributing the positioning of the complementary connectors 35. Secondly, the discrete nature of the individual complementary connectors 35 allows each complementary connector 35 to more easily deflect, making installation of the stowage holder 30 into the hollow 21 easier. In the present example, the complementary connectors 35 each have widths between 40 mm and 80 mm (See H1 - 48 mm, H2 - 65mm, &H3 - 55 mm shown in figure 5), although it will be appreciated that the complementary connectors 35 may 30 have other suitable widths. The flexibility of the ledge 36, relative to the main body of the stowage holder 30, can be increased by the formation of cut-outs 37 on both ends of each ledge 36. In particular, figure 7 shows a cut-out 37 on either side of the ledge 36 having a width L of approximately 10 mm. 35 The ledge 36 further includes a profiled lower surface 36i (See figure 5). In particular, the ledge 36 decreases in thickness towards its edge 38 to form an angled lower surface 36i. The angled surface 36i helps to guide the stowage holder 30 into the hollow 21 more easily. It will be appreciated that the angled surface 36i may have any suitable profile, such as chamfered or rounded. In the example shown in figure 5, the lower surface 40 36i includes a first portion arranged at an angle F of 75 degrees relative to the upper surface 36j of the ledge 36, and a second portion arranged at an angle G of 125 degrees relative to the first portion of the lower surface 36i. The upper surface 36j of the ledge 36 is arranged to abut the lower surface 26i of the undercut 26, with the 5 two surfaces defining parallel abutting surfaces - as best seen in figure 6. This helps to rigidly fix the stowage holder 30 in position, such that positioning of the stowage holder 30 into the hollow 21 is easier than removal of the stowage holder 30 from the hollow 21. Additionally, having parallel abutting surfaces ensures a surface contact, rather than point contact, so that stress concentrations are reduced that might otherwise wear the components more quickly or more readily. 10 The overlap between the undercut 26 and each ledge 36 may be any suitable value to ensure the stowage holder 30 is securely retained in the hollow 21 whilst facilitating its installation without damage to the ledges 36. In the present example, as indicated in figures 3 and 6, the overlap is approximately 8 mm (A - 8mm, B-8.1 mm). The overlap may be between 6 mm and 14 mm. In order to provide a gap for the liner 50 to be 15 inserted, the overlap will be less than the width of the ledge 36 and undercut 26. Figure 5 indicates the ledge 36 as having a width E of approximately 11.5 mm, with the undercut 26 having a similar width. It will be appreciated that the support structure 20 and stowage holder 30 may be provided with various surface textures to improve performance and aesthetic. In figure 7, the stowage holder 30 is shown as having an antisqueak texture M on its sides and aesthetic graining N on the upper surface 30j. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. 25 80 08 04 25

Claims

1. A vehicle stowage system, comprising:a support structure defining a hollow, wherein the support structure comprises a connector5 located in the hollow;a stowage holder located in the hollow, the stowage holder comprising a complementary connector;wherein the connector of the support structure is an undercut and the complementary connector of the stowage holder is a ledge configured to engage a lower surface of the10 undercut to secure the stowage holder in the hollow, and wherein a cut-out is formed on bothends of the ledge, the cut-out extending from an upper surface of the stowage holder to below the ledge.

2. The vehicle stowage system of claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the undercut and an upper surface of 15 ledge define parallel abutting surfaces.

3. The vehicle stowage system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ledge decreases in thickness towards an edge so as to form an angled lower surface of the ledge.

4. The vehicle stowage system of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of complementary connectors of the stowage holder configured to engage with a common connector to secure the stowage holder in the hollow.

5. The vehicle stowage system of any preceding claim, wherein an upper surface of the stowage holder is25 substantially level with an upper surface of the support structure.

6. The vehicle stowage system of any preceding claim, comprising a liner covering an upper surface of the support structure, wherein the liner defines an aperture positioned over the hollow, the aperture having a perimeter edge, and wherein the perimeter edge extends into a gap between the support structure and the30 stowage holder.

7. The vehicle stowage system of any preceding claim, comprising a floorboard covering an upper surface of the support structure and an upper surface of the stowage holder.08 04 258. The vehicle stowage system of any preceding claim, wherein the support structure and / or stowage holder are formed of expanded polypropylene.5 9. The vehicle stowage system of any preceding claim, wherein the stowage holder comprises a recessconfigured to receive an item of stowage.

10. A vehicle comprising the vehicle stowage system of any preceding claim.10 11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the vehicle stowage system is an underfloor stowage system locatedwithin a luggage space of the vehicle.

12. A method of installing a stowage system into a vehicle, comprising:providing a support structure, the support structure defining a hollow having a connector, where the connector is an undercut;connecting the support structure to a vehicle structure;providing a stowage holder having a complementary connector, wherein the complementary connector is a ledge, and wherein a cut-out is formed on both ends of the ledge, the cut-out extending from an upper surface of the stowage holder to below the ledge; and20 inserting the stowage holder into the hollow so as to engage the ledge with a lower surfaceof the undercut to secure the stowage holder in the hollow.

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