System and method for modular vehicle storage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11970139-B2
Application number	US-202017078214-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2020
Priority date	Oct 23, 2020
Publication date	Apr 30, 2024
Grant date	Apr 30, 2024

Abstract

A storage module connects to a frame forming a door opening of a vehicle. The storage module includes a housing conforming to the door opening and extending into the compartment in an installed configuration. The storage module further includes an exterior panel disposed on a first side of the housing. The exterior panel conforms to an exterior surface of the vehicle enclosing the door opening. At least one storage compartment is disposed inside the housing and the compartment in the installed configuration. The storage compartment includes an access panel forming a portion of the exterior surface and forms a first storage volume.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A storage module that connects to a chassis of a vehicle, the chassis forming a door frame defining a door opening to a compartment of a vehicle, the storage module comprising:
a housing conforming to the door opening and extending into the compartment in an installed configuration;
an exterior panel disposed on a first side of the housing, the exterior panel conforming to an exterior surface of the vehicle enclosing the door opening;
at least one storage compartment comprising a first access panel forming a portion of the exterior surface, the at least one storage compartment forming a first storage volume disposed inside the housing and the compartment in the installed configuration, wherein the at least one storage compartment further comprises a second storage volume having a second access panel, and wherein the storage module further comprises a mask overlayed on the first access panel and the second access panel, wherein the mask resembles the installed door; and
a hinge assembly comprising:
a body hinge bracket coupled with the door frame, the body hinge bracket configured to alternatively couple with an installed door and a storage module hinge bracket, the body hinge bracket hidden behind one of the installed door and the exterior panel, wherein the installed door pivotally couples with the body hinge bracket; and
the storage module hinge bracket coupled with at least one of the housing and the exterior panel, the storage module hinge bracket operable between a free position and a coupled position, wherein the storage module hinge bracket couples with the body hinge bracket in the coupled position.

2. The storage module according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior panel of the storage module interchangeably replaces a door of the vehicle.

3. The storage module according to claim 1 , wherein the storage module connects to a door latch of the door of the vehicle in the installed configuration, wherein the door latch includes a door cinch device.

4. The storage module according to claim 1 , wherein the storage module occupies a portion of the compartment including a portion of a passenger seat in the installed configuration.

5. The storage module according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a first locating mechanism forming a mating assembly between a first locator in connection with a floor portion of the passenger compartment and a second locator in connection with a second side of the housing.

6. The storage module according to claim 5 , wherein the second side opposes the first side and extends into the passenger compartment in the installed configuration.

7. The storage module according to claim 5 , wherein the first locator comprises a bracket forming a receiving opening in connection with the floor portion and the second locator forms a protrusion forming an exterior profile complementary to the receiving opening.

8. The storage module according to claim 5 , wherein the first locator slidably engages the second locator positioning the storage module in a first direction.

9. The storage module according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior panel comprises an inner surface opposing the exterior surface, the inner surface in connection with the housing, and wherein the storage module hinge bracket is in connection with at least one of the housing and the inside surface.

10. The storage module according to claim 1 , wherein the storage module comprises a folding cart comprising a plurality of legs pivotably mounted to a base of the housing, wherein the legs fold between the base and the floor portion in the installed configuration.

11. A vehicle having a storage module comprising:
a frame forming a door opening to a compartment of the vehicle, the frame configured to couple with the storage module and an access door;
the access door enclosing the door opening, the access door removably coupled with the frame;
the storage module interchangeable with the access door, the storage module insertable into the compartment of the vehicle, and the storage module comprising:
a housing comprising an exterior profile conforming to the door opening, the housing extending into the compartment in an installed configuration;
an exterior panel disposed on a first side of the housing, the exterior panel forming a portion of an exterior surface of the vehicle and enclosing the door opening the vehicle, wherein the exterior panel comprises an access panel; and
at least one storage compartment comprising a drawer, the at least one storage compartment forming a first storage volume disposed inside the housing and the compartment in the installed configuration, wherein the at least one storage compartment is accessed via the access panel, and wherein the at least one storage compartment includes a latch assembly unexposed from the exterior of the vehicle; and
a locator assembly comprising:
at least one protrusion coupled with an underside of the housing, the at least one protrusion extending past a backside of the housing opposite the exterior profile of the housing; and
at least one bracket directly coupled with a floor of the vehicle in the compartment, the bracket defining an opening configured to receive the at least one protrusion, wherein the opening receives the at least one protrusion, a length of the at least one protrusion extending past the backside of the housing; and

a hinge assembly comprising:
a body hinge bracket coupled with the frame, the body hinge bracket alternatively covered by the access door and the storage module, the body hinge bracket defining a first surface and a first aperture; and
a storage module hinge bracket coupled with the housing, the storage module hinge bracket defining a second surface and a second aperture, wherein the storage module connects to the vehicle when the first surface mates the second surface, the first aperture is aligned with the second aperture at a common axis, and a pin axially aligned with the common axis is inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture, wherein a locating sensor coupled with the pin detects a targeted coupling between the body hinge bracket and the storage module hinge bracket.

12. The storage module according to claim 1 , wherein the first side of the housing, the exterior panel, and the access panel enclose the door opening and conform to the exterior surface in the installed configuration.

13. The storage module according to claim 7 , wherein the protrusion extends past a backside of the housing opposite the exterior profile of the housing.

14. The storage module according to claim 13 , wherein the receiving opening receives the protrusion at least as far as the at least one protrusion extends past the backside of the housing.

15. A vehicle having an interchangeable storage module comprising:
a frame forming a door opening to a compartment of the vehicle;
an access door enclosing the door opening, the access door removably coupled with the frame at a hinge assembly and a powered latch assembly, the powered latch assembly including a cinching device, the access door partially defining a cavity, the hinge assembly including:
a body hinge bracket coupled with the frame, the body hinge bracket alternatively covered by the access door and a storage module, the body hinge bracket defining a first surface and a first aperture; and
a storage module hinge bracket coupled with the housing, the storage module hinge bracket defining a second surface and a second aperture, wherein the first surface mates the second surface, such that the storage module couples with the vehicle, the first aperture is aligned with th

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Glickman David Brian
• Berry Hussein
• Carlson Adam
• Phung Peter
• Richer Benjamin

Classifications

• B60R7/04 Primary

  in driver or passenger space {, e.g. using racks (B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R7/08 Primary

  Disposition of racks, clips {, holders, containers} or the like {for supporting specific articles (B60R7/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R11/06

  for tools or spare parts (for vehicle roof parts B60J7/20; for spare wheels B62D) · CPC title

• B60P3/14

  the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work (lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04) · CPC title