Storage enclosure with movable member

A storage enclosure for a vehicle includes a seatback, an outboard member, a ceiling, and a tray. The tray includes a base with at least one wall extending upward from the base. The tray is selectively operable to transfer cargo between a passenger area and a cargo area. The tray is selectively operable to define the storage enclosure in the cargo area that is at least partially defined by the seatback, the outboard member, and the ceiling. The seatback is in a substantially vertical position.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to storage enclosures and more specifically to storage enclosures with movable members in vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Convenient access to vehicle cargo has become increasingly important as passengers seek user friendly cargo stowage options. Secure and convenient transfer of cargo within a vehicle is paramount for satisfying customer needs. Improved cargo storage and transfer options are always desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a storage enclosure for a vehicle includes a seatback, an outboard member, a ceiling, and a tray. The tray includes a base with at least one wall extending upward from the base. The tray is selectively operable to transfer cargo between a passenger area and a cargo area. The tray is selectively operable to define the storage enclosure in the cargo area that is at least partially defined by the seatback, the outboard member, and the ceiling when the seatback is in a substantially vertical position.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:the outboard member is a vehicle wall;the outboard member is a panel coupled to the vehicle;the panel is coupled to a cargo area floor, the ceiling, or a back wall of the vehicle;the at least one wall of the tray includes a sidewall and a back wall;the ceiling defines a multilayer construction;the tray is movable in a longitudinal direction from the passenger area to the cargo area;the tray is movable in a latitudinal direction within the cargo area;a cargo area floor and a back of the seatback;the cargo area floor and the back of the seatback form a cargo loading surface when the seatback is in a substantially horizontal position;one or more rails;the one or more rails are coupled to the cargo loading surface; and/orthe tray is coupled to the one or more rails and slides along the one or more rails from the passenger area to the cargo area when the seatback is in a substantially horizontal position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tray includes a bottom portion and first and second walls. The bottom portion is arranged proximate a seatback and an outboard member to form a storage enclosure with the first and second walls. The bottom portion is selectively positionable within a vehicle between a loading area and a cargo area when the seatback is positioned horizontally.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:the bottom portion is retained in the cargo area when the seatback is vertical;the bottom portion includes rollers;the outboard member is a panel; and/orthe panel and the bottom portion are selectively coupled when the panel is within a groove defined in the bottom portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cargo handling system for a vehicle includes a passenger area, a cargo area, and at least one tray selectively movable between the passenger area and the cargo area.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:the passenger area comprises a primary loading area proximate a front door;the passenger area further comprises a secondary loading area proximate a rear door;the at least one tray is selectively movable among the primary loading area, the secondary loading area, and the cargo area;the at least one tray includes a plurality of trays; and/orthe at least one tray includes a plurality of trays and wherein the plurality of trays are selectively movable among the primary loading area, the secondary loading area, and the cargo area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1-15, a storage enclosure2for a vehicle4is defined by a seatback6, a ceiling10, a tray12, and an outboard member that may include outboard vehicle body panel8, first panel140, second panel142, third panel144, and various other members, including the member generally depicted by outboard member145. The tray12includes a base14with at least one wall16extending upward from the base14. The tray12is selectively operable to transfer cargo between a passenger area18and a cargo area20. The tray12is selectively operable to define the storage enclosure2in the cargo area20that is at least partially defined by the seatback6, the ceiling10, an outboard member that may include outboard vehicle body panel8, first panel140, second panel142, third panel144, and various other members including the member generally depicted by outboard member145. The seatback6is in a substantially vertical position5.

In certain situations, when it is desirable to use a single vehicle entry point to load luggage and enter the vehicle4, it is desirable to use the tray12to transfer luggage to a storage enclosure2partially defined by the tray12. By way of example, a passenger approaches a vehicle4that is waiting for a passenger at an airport curb. The passenger opens the passenger door30, moves the seatback6from the substantially vertical position5to the substantially horizontal position7by rotating the seatback6about pivot25, slides the tray12from the cargo area20to the loading area32, places luggage into the tray12, moves the tray12from the loading area32to the cargo area20, and loads luggage into the tray12. The passenger then slides the tray12back to the cargo area20, rotates the seatback6from the substantially horizontal position7to the substantially vertical position5about a pivot25, enters the passenger area18, and sits on a seating assembly22. The tray12together with the seatback6, the outboard vehicle body panel8, and the ceiling10define a storage enclosure2for the luggage. The storage enclosure2contains luggage during erratic driving or collisions. When the vehicle4has reached its destination, the passenger leaves the vehicle4, and the passenger rotates the seatback6about the pivot25from the substantially vertical position5to the substantially horizontal position7. The tray12is transferred from the cargo area20to the loading area32so that a passenger may conveniently unload the luggage from the tray12at the vehicle entry point19. Accordingly, providing a storage enclosure2with a tray12that moves between the loading area32near the vehicle entry point19and the cargo area20, as generally shown inFIGS. 1-15, provides a more pleasant traveling experience for the occupant.

Referring toFIGS. 1-15, a cargo handling system21includes at least a passenger area18, a cargo area20, and at least one tray12that is selectively movable between the passenger area18and the cargo area20. In various aspects, the passenger area18includes a loading area32.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, a vehicle4includes a passenger area18and a cargo area20. The passenger area18contains a seating assembly22that includes a seat24and a seatback6. The seatback6is selectively rotatable about a pivot25so that the seatback6can be arranged in at least a substantially vertical position5and a substantially horizontal position7. The driver26is in the passenger area18.

Referring to the aspects generally shown inFIGS. 1-15, the seating assembly22is generally configured to seat one person. In various aspects, the seating assembly22may provide space for more than one person. In various aspects, the seating assembly22may be a bench seat. In the depicted aspect, a pedestal29couples the seating assembly22to the vehicle floor28. In various aspects, the seating assembly22may be coupled to the floor, side, or other structure of the vehicle with rails, rivets, screws, or other attachments.

A passenger door30provides access to the passenger area18and the loading area32. In the depicted aspect, dampers34protrude from the vehicle back wall36. In various aspects, dampers34may protrude from the tray12.

Referring toFIG. 2, a cargo area floor39and a back38of the seatback6form a loading surface40. The vehicle door30is open, and the seatback6is in a substantially horizontal position7. An arrow42indicates the longitudinal directions in which the tray12typically moves along the loading surface40between the loading area32and the cargo area20. In various aspects, tray12may travel along rails44. In various aspects, mechanical features45such as bearings, rollers, protrusions, or a combination thereof may be located along the bottom of tray12and may engage with rails44to move the tray12along rails44. In various aspects, rails44may be equipped with inertia locks46that may fix the tray12in a stationary position during vehicle impact. In various aspects, inertia locks46activate to substantially immobilize the tray12when an accelerometer or other device detects an acceleration or other event above a predetermined threshold value.

FIG. 3depicts the tray12in the loading area32. Luggage50is in the tray12. The tray12includes a first lip52on the front side of the tray12and a second lip54on the outboard side of the tray12. The first lip52and the second lip54typically provide a clear indication of a perimeter of the tray12base14. In the depicted aspect, vehicle4has a multi-layer ceiling56.

Referring toFIG. 4, the tray12is in the cargo area20. The seatback6is in the substantially vertical position5. The tray12sits tightly against the dampers34that protrude from back panel36of vehicle4and act against the wall16of the tray12. A grip62is on top of the seatback6to rotate the seatback6between at least the substantially horizontal position7and the substantially vertical position5about the pivot25. As the seatback6is moved from the substantially horizontal position7to the substantially vertical position5, the seatback6may function as a lever to press the tray12into the cargo area20and to compress the dampers34to eliminate positional looseness between the wall16of the tray12and the vehicle back wall36. The first lip52of the tray12is positioned against the seatback6.

Referring again toFIGS. 3 and 4, at a vehicle destination, the passenger steps out of the vehicle4and turns to face the vehicle4. The passenger may release a seatback lock65so that the seatback6rotates about the pivot25from the substantially vertical position5towards the substantially horizontal position7due to the release of compressed force within the dampers34that propels the tray12towards the seatback6. In various aspects, a passenger may release the seatback lock65by depressing an actuator66. In various aspects, depressing the actuator66may trigger a release of an engagement between the seat24and the seatback6at the pivot25or elsewhere to release the seatback6from a fixed substantially vertical position5. In various aspects, the dampers34contain compressed springs or other preloaded members that will push the tray12forward onto the seatback6in the substantially horizontal position7. In various aspects, the passenger pulls the tray12forward until it engages detents68. In various aspects, when the tray12engages detents68, it is fixed in place. In various aspects, the tray12may include backlit translucent surfaces to provide increased visibility proximate the tray12.

In various aspects of the disclosure, pneumatic, mechanical, or other means may be used within the tray12to restrain movement of the luggage50or cargo. In various aspects of the disclosure, restraint of the luggage or cargo minimizes NVH (noise vibration harshness) within the vehicle4. In various aspects of the disclosure, pneumatic, mechanical, or other means may also be used to release the luggage50and/or cargo from the tray12when the seatback6is released from the substantially vertical position5. In various aspects of the disclosure, the storage enclosure2and/or the cargo area20may be equipped with a part present sensor70which alerts the passenger at the destination if there is anything in the tray12without releasing the seatback6from the substantially vertical position5.

Referring toFIG. 5, the cargo area20includes the passenger side cargo area80and the driver side cargo area82. The tray12has moved generally latitudinally as shown by arrow72from the passenger side cargo area80to the driver side cargo area82. Arrow72depicts the typical directions of latitudinal movement. In various aspects, the cargo area20floor39and the back38of the seatback6may include a low friction flooring to facilitate latitudinal movement in the direction of arrow72and longitudinal movement in the direction of arrow42. The cargo area20floor39and the back38of the seatback6may be a substantially flat load bearing surface that rollers48mounted on the tray12can easily travel across. In various aspects, the cargo area20floor39and the back38of the seatback6may be a low friction flooring. In various aspects, the cargo area20floor39and the back38of the seatback6and the tray12are part of a low friction mobility system that may utilize PTFE, Teflon, rollers, ball bearings, or other similar elements individually or in combination.

Referring toFIG. 6, an aspect of the disclosure is shown with a passenger side tray90in the passenger side cargo area80and a driver side tray94in the driver side cargo area82. In the depicted aspect, the loading area32includes the passenger side loading area84and the driver side loading area86. The passenger side tray90slides longitudinally in the directions shown by arrow92between the passenger side loading area84and the passenger side cargo area80. The driver side tray94slides longitudinally as shown by arrow96between the driver side loading area86and the driver side cargo area82. In the depicted aspect, a divider100separates the passenger side cargo area80and the driver side cargo area82. In various aspects, the divider100may or may not be present in the cargo area20.

Referring toFIG. 7, in various aspects, the back38of the passenger seatback6in the substantially vertical position5, the outboard vehicle body panel8, the ceiling10, and the passenger tray90form a storage enclosure2in the passenger side cargo area80. In various aspects, the back38of the seatback6in the substantially vertical position5, the outboard vehicle body panel8, the ceiling10, and the driver side tray94form a storage enclosure102in the driver side cargo area82.

With reference toFIGS. 8 and 9, the cargo handling system21may include a passenger area18. In various aspects, the passenger area18may include a loading area32. In various aspects, the loading area32may include a primary loading area130and a secondary loading area132. In the depicted aspects ofFIGS. 8 and 9, the primary loading area130is proximate the first row of seats112. In the depicted aspects ofFIGS. 8 and 9, the secondary loading area132is proximate the second row of seats. In the cargo handling system21, the tray12is selectively movable among the primary loading area130, the secondary loading area132, and the cargo area20. The cargo handling system21may include aspects with one or more trays12. The plurality of trays12are selectively movable among the primary loading area130, the secondary loading area132, and the cargo area20. In the depicted aspect, the tray12is selectively movable among the primary loading area130, the secondary loading area132, and the cargo area20in the generally longitudinal directions of arrow42. In the depicted aspect, the tray12is selectively movable among the primary loading area130, the secondary loading area132, and the cargo area20in the generally latitudinal directions of arrow72.

In the depicted aspect ofFIG. 8, the tray12of the vehicle110is loaded at the secondary loading area132. In the depicted aspect, a user moves the tray12between the secondary loading area132and the cargo area20to transfer cargo between the secondary loading area132and the cargo area20. In various aspects, the primary loading area130includes all or part of the area between the passenger side front door116and the driver side front door118. In various aspects, the secondary loading area132includes all or part of the area between the passenger side rear door120and the driver side rear door122.

With reference to the depicted aspect ofFIGS. 8 and 9, the second row of seats114includes two seating assemblies22that each cover approximately 50% of the second row of seats114. In various aspects, the second row of seats114may include two seating assemblies22that cover approximately 40% of the second row of seats114and one seating assembly22that covers 20% of the second row of seats114.

With reference to the depicted aspect ofFIGS. 8 and 9, the first row of seats112includes two seating assemblies22that each cover approximately 50% of the first row of seats112. In various aspects, the first row of seats112may include two seating assemblies22that cover approximately 40% of the first row of seats112and one seating assembly22that covers 20% of the first row of seats112.

Referring toFIG. 9, tray12of the vehicle110with a first row of seats112and a second row of seats114is loaded at the primary loading area130. The tray12may be moved from the primary loading area130, through the secondary loading area132, and to the cargo area20. Connecting member134may be placed between the seatbacks6to provide a cargo loading surface136.

Referring again toFIG. 9, in the depicted aspect, two or more trays12may be stored in the cargo area20and may move to the primary loading area130and/or the secondary loading area132for loading and unloading. In the depicted aspect, the driver seatback6of the first row of seats112may be lowered to the substantially horizontal position7to provide additional space for movement and storage of trays12within the vehicle110.

In various aspects of the disclosure, trays12may be rotated in increments of 90° and other amounts to allow tray access areas near first lip52and second lip54to be accessible from both sides of the vehicle for loading and unloading luggage.

FIGS. 10-15depict aspects of the disclosure where the outboard member of the storage enclosure2is a panel in the cargo area20. In the depicted aspect ofFIG. 10, a first panel140is fixedly coupled to the ceiling10of the vehicle4. In various aspects, first panel140may be coupled to one or more layers of the multi-layer ceiling56. The first panel140remains in the cargo area20when the seatback6is rotated about the pivot25from the substantially vertical position5to the substantially horizontal position7and the tray12is transferred to the loading area32. The first panel140engages with a groove138in the second lip54of the tray12when the tray12is slid into the cargo area20. In various aspects, when the tray12is in the cargo area20, the storage enclosure2defined by the tray12, the first panel140, the ceiling10, and the seatback6in the substantially vertical position5forms a lining inside the cargo area20that prevents loose objects from escaping from the storage enclosure2and becoming lost or jammed proximate the tray12.

Referring toFIG. 11, an aspect of the disclosure where the second panel142is fixedly coupled to the vehicle back wall36is shown. In the depicted aspect ofFIG. 11, the second panel142within the cargo area20together with the seatback6in the substantially vertical position5, ceiling10, and tray12define the storage enclosure2.

With reference toFIG. 12, an aspect of the disclosure with the third panel144fixedly coupled to the cargo area floor39of the cargo area20is shown. In the depicted aspect ofFIG. 12, third panel144within the cargo area20together with seatback6in the substantially vertical position5, ceiling10, and tray12define storage enclosure2.

Referring toFIG. 13, the tray12is coupled with outboard member145, which represents simplified versions of first panel140, second panel142, third panel144, or various other outboard member designs and/or configurations. For clarity, certain elements such as the ceiling10, vehicle back wall36, cargo area floor39, and seatback6have been omitted fromFIGS. 13 and 14.FIG. 13depicts the tray12and outboard member145in an uncoupled configuration. The arrow shown at150shows the direction of the tray's12movement from loading area32to a cargo area20. In the depicted aspect, the outboard member145is stationary in the cargo area20.FIG. 14depicts the tray12and outboard member145in a coupled configuration.

As shown inFIG. 15, as the tray12slides rearward into the cargo area20, the outboard member145engages with the groove138in the second lip54of the tray12.

In various aspects, the outboard member may include any member that defines a storage enclosure at least partially defined by the tray. In various aspects, the outboard member may be a vehicle body component, a separate member fixed to the vehicle, an adjacent tray, or any other structure that at least partially defines the storage enclosure.

In various aspects of the disclosure, a row of seats may include two seating assemblies22that each cover approximately 50% of the row of seats. In various aspects, the row of seats may include two seating assemblies22that cover approximately 40% of the row of seats and one seating assembly that covers approximately 20% of the row of seats. In various aspects, the row of seats may include seats divided according to other proportions.

In various aspects, the vehicle4may be an autonomous vehicle or another type of vehicle. In various aspects, the storage enclosure2and variations thereof may be used for mass transit, fleet, and other larger occupant vehicles. In various aspects, the storage enclosure2and variations thereof may be used for taxi-type vehicles at airports or other congested travel areas (train stations, ferry docks, etc.).

It is contemplated that the disclosure includes various aspects in which one or more rear facing seats are present in the vehicle. The seatback of the rear facing seat may be pivotable towards the rear of the vehicle, which may include the cargo area. The cargo could is transferred between the substantially horizontal seatback of the rear-facing seat to the cargo area.

It is also contemplated that the disclosure includes various aspects including vehicle configurations in which the cargo area might be in the front of the vehicle. The luggage may be loaded into the passenger area and onto a substantially horizontal seatback and transferred to the cargo area in the front of the vehicle.

It is contemplated that to minimize noise and possible cargo damage, a clamping device is selectively applicable downwards from the ceiling of the secure cargo area on to the top and sides of the contents of the tray. In various aspects, the clamping device will be released when the seatback is lowered to the horizontal loading position.

In various aspects, it is contemplated that all sliding box corners shall be filleted for ease of cleaning and visibility. Also, it is contemplated that the tray shall be fully illuminated when the seatback is open to assist visibility. It is also contemplated that the sliding tray interfaces with the cargo area in such a way that there are no places for items or parts of items such as strap ends to enter, jam or be mislaid.

It is contemplated that in various aspects the cargo area may be segmented into two or more separate and secure storage areas.

In various aspects, the tray fits closely in the cargo area. The top of the tray is almost in contact with the cargo area ceiling. The outboard lip of the tray is almost in contact with the inside of the cargo area.

A variety of advantages may be derived from the use of the present disclosure. Vehicle occupants benefit from cargo containment in the event of an accident. Cargo is restrained in the storage enclosure and does not have to be restrained with nets or tie downs. The passenger does not encounter visual or physical obstacles to restraining cargo. The disclosure provides for easy stowage of personal items. The location of the tray within the vehicle promotes posture based safe lifting and handling of luggage. Stowage of luggage is substantially effort free cargo loading and unloading may be done without bending or reaching. There is security of property during transportation because thieves cannot see the property. The cargo handling system encourages a high level of management of personal space and security. The cargo handling system provides storage capacity for large or heavy items. There is freedom from loss or damage to cargo in the autonomous vehicle. The storage enclosure encourages automatic suppression of luggage NVH (noise vibration harshness) and abrasion damage.