GB2565844A

GB2565844A - Storage tank for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2565844A
Application number: GB1713712.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mawlam Craig
Original assignee: Ionic Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Ionic Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2017-08-25
Filing date: 2017-08-25
Publication date: 2019-02-27
Also published as: GB201713712D0

Abstract

The storage tank 120 is mounted to the vehicle by one or more mounting brackets 140 providing a hinge connection 130, the hinge connection 130 defining a hinge axis H, the hinge axis H being transverse to the vehicle in use. The hinge connection 130 allows the rear of the storage tank 120 to lift away from a load support frame or surface. The hinge connection may be made at the front of the storage tank. The rear of the storage tank may be free to lift away from the support surface in the event of a crash of the vehicle. Also disclosed is a method of mounting a storage tank 120 to a motor vehicle comprising mounting one or more brackets 140 defining hinge guides to the vehicle, and mounting the storage tank 120 to the mounting brackets 140 by coaxially aligning a 1st hinge pin guide (144,146, figure 3) and a 2nd hinge pin guide (134,136,138) and inserting a hinge pin (132) within the 1st hinge pin guide (144,146) and the 2nd hinge pin guide (134,136,138). The tank 120 may be used for bulk storage of liquid such as window cleaning liquid.

Description

Storage tank for a motor vehicle [0001] This invention relates to a storage tank for storing at least 100 litres of liquid, for example window-cleaning liquid, as well as to kits of parts and method for mounting a storage tank to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND [0002] For safety, a storage tank for storing a large volume of liquid (at least 100 litres of liquid) is typically securely mounted to a vehicle at both a front end and a rear end of the tank. Thus, when the vehicle experiences high deceleration in a direction of forward travel (for example because the vehicle is involved in a road traffic collision), the tank remains fixedly mounted to the vehicle. This is important because the tank is typically mounted behind one or more seats of the vehicle. Were the tank to break free from mounting points to the vehicle, any occupants in the seats of the vehicle would be in danger of being crushed by the combined force from the tank and any liquid stored therein, which could be significant, particularly when the vehicle experiences high deceleration from a crash.

[0003] In one example of the prior art, a storage tank can be substantially permanently mounted in a vehicle by securing the both a front and a rear of the tank to the chassis using a total of six mounting brackets which each secure directly to a chassis of the vehicle.

[0004] The present invention provides at least an alternative to storage tanks and mounting methods therefor of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0005] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a method of mounting a storage tank, having a liquid storage capacity of at least 100 litres, to a motor vehicle. The vehicle has a front and a rear. The vehicle is for moving in a direction of travel between the front and the rear and along a ground surface. The vehicle has a load support surface for supporting the storage tank when mounted in the vehicle. The storage tank has a front and a rear to face towards the respective front and the rear of the vehicle when the storage tank is mounted in the vehicle. The method comprises mounting one or more mounting brackets to the vehicle, the mounting brackets providing at least a first portion of a hinge connection. The hinge connection defines a hinge axis substantially transverse to the direction of travel and to a direction normal to the ground surface in use. The method further comprises mounting the storage tank to the mounting brackets to secure the storage tank thereto via a second portion of the hinge connection. The storage tank is to rest on the load support surface of the vehicle when mounted to the vehicle via the mounting brackets. The storage tank is mounted to the vehicle via the mounting brackets such that a crash of the vehicle causes the storage tank to hinge about the hinge axis and allows the rear of the storage tank to lift away from the load support surface.

[0006] Thus, in the event of a crash, the kinetic energy of the storage tank, including any liquid stored therein, will be converted into a combination of gravitational potential energy and upwardly directed kinetic energy as the rear of the storage tank lifts away from the load support surface. When the storage tank is mounted in an enclosed portion of the motor vehicle, then a collision of the storage tank with a roof of the vehicle can also be used to further arrest the movement of the storage tank.

[0007] It will be understood that the term motor vehicle means any road vehicle, whether powered electrically or by an internal combustion engine or otherwise.

[0008] The storage tank may have a liquid storage capacity of at least 350 litres. The storage tank may have a liquid storage capacity of at least 400 litres.

[0009] The one or more mounting brackets together may be configured to secure the storage tank more strongly thereto than any further attachment means connecting the storage tank to the vehicle. The attachment means may be one or more further mounting brackets. The attachment means may be one or more mounting straps. Thus, even if further attachment means are present to nominally secure the storage tank to the vehicle, a retaining strength of the further attachment means is such that the further attachment means will break in a crash, allowing the rear of the storage tank to lift away from the load support surface.

[0010] The rear of the storage tank may be free to lift away from the load support surface of the vehicle, in use. In other words, the storage tank may be mounted to the vehicle only away from the rear of the storage tank. The storage tank may be mounted to the vehicle only at the front of the storage tank. Thus, the mounting and/or removal of the storage tank in or from the vehicle is simpler [0011] The storage tank may be mounted to the one or more mounting brackets at the front of the storage tank. It will be understood that in this context, at the front means at a point of the storage tank closer to a front end face than a rear end face. The storage tank may be mounted to the one or more mounting brackets substantially at a front end face of the storage tank. Thus, the hinge axis may be substantially at the front of the storage tank.

[0012] The storage tank may be mounted to the one or more mounting brackets at a lower surface of the storage tank. Thus, the hinge axis may be substantially at a base of the storage tank when the storage tank is mounted in the vehicle. In embodiments, the hinge axis may be below the storage tank when the storage tank is mounted in the vehicle.

[0013] The second portion of the hinge connection may be provided on the storage tank. The second portion of the hinge connection may be defined by an opening defined by a housing of the storage tank. In embodiments, the second portion of the hinge connection may be provided by a run-through hole.

[0014] The first portion of the hinge connection may define a first hinge pin guide. The second portion of the hinge connection may define a second hinge pin guide. The hinge connection may further comprise a hinge pin to engage with the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide to secure the first portion of the hinge connection to the second portion of the hinge connection via the hinge pin. Thus, in embodiments, the storage tank may be mounted to the vehicle by aligning coaxially the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide and inserting the hinge pin in the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide. Further, the storage tank may be demounted from the vehicle by removal of the hinge pin from the first hinge pin guide and/or the second hinge pin guide.

[0015] This in itself is believed to be novel, so in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of mounting a storage tank, having a liquid storage capacity of at least 100 litres, to a motor vehicle. The vehicle has a front and a rear. The storage tank has a front and a rear to face towards the respective front and the rear of the vehicle when the storage tank is mounted in the vehicle. The method comprises mounting one or more mounting brackets to the vehicle. The mounting brackets provide at least a first portion of a hinge connection. The hinge connection defines a hinge axis. The first portion of the hinge connection defines a first hinge pin guide. The method further comprises mounting the storage tank to the mounting brackets to secure the storage tank thereto via a second portion of the hinge connection. The second portion defines a second hinge pin guide. Mounting the storage tank to the mounting brackets comprises aligning coaxially the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide, and inserting a hinge pin within the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide to secure the first portion of the hinge connection to the second portion of the hinge connection via the hinge pin.

[0016] Thus, the method allows the storage tank to be easily mounted and/or demounted to and/or from the motor vehicle. When the vehicle is a commercial vehicle having a sideloading door to a cargo area in which the storage tank is to be mounted, the one or more mounting brackets and the storage tank may be mounted such that the hinge axis of the hinge connection is arranged to pass through an opening covered by the side-loading door of the vehicle. Thus, the hinge pin can be easily inserted and removed through the sideloading opening of the vehicle.

[0017] The hinge pin may be formed from a metal bar. The metal bar may be steel and may be sized to substantially prevent shear failure of the hinge pin during a crash of the vehicle with the storage tank mounted thereto and being filled to the liquid storage capacity with liquid. The liquid may be window cleaning fluid. The window cleaning fluid may be mostly water.

[0018] The hinge pin may be to be removable from the first portion of the hinge connection and/or the second portion of the hinge connection to release the storage tank from the one or more mounting brackets. In embodiments, the hinge pin may be removable from the first portion of the hinge connection and the second portion of the hinge connection to release the storage tank from the one or more mounting brackets. Thus, the method may be a method of removably mounting the storage tank to the vehicle.

[0019] The one or more mounting brackets may be mounted directly to a vehicle frame of the vehicle. The vehicle frame may comprise a chassis rail providing structural support to the vehicle. The one or more mounting brackets may be mounted directly to the chassis rail of the vehicle.

[0020] The one or more mounting brackets may be two mounting brackets. The two mounting brackets may be mounted to the vehicle in a spaced arrangement along the hinge axis.

[0021] A length of the storage tank in a direction between the front and the rear of the storage tank may be at least 100 centimetres. A length of the storage tank in a direction between the front and the rear of the storage tank may be at least 150 centimetres.

[0022] A width of the storage tank in a direction along the hinge axis of the storage tank may be less than 180 centimetres.

[0023] A height of the storage tank in a direction transverse to the hinge axis and to a direction between the front and the rear of the storage tank may be less than 150 centimetres. A height of the storage tank in a direction transverse to the hinge axis and to a direction between the front and the rear of the storage tank may be less than 100 centimetres.

[0024] The liquid storage capacity of the storage tank may be at least 220 litres. The liquid storage capacity of the storage tank may be at least 350 litres. The liquid storage capacity of the storage tank may be at least 400 litres.

[0025] An upper surface of the storage tank may be provided with a mounting point for the attachment of a further component on the upper surface of the storage tank. The method may further comprise mounting the further component to the upper surface of the storage tank. Thus, when the storage tank is removably mounted, the further component(s) can be removed as part of removal of the storage tank.

[0026] The further component may be a hose reel.

[0027] The steps of the method may be carried out in the order described herein. Alternatively, the steps of the method may be carried out in a different order, where this is not inherently impossible.

[0028] Viewed from another aspect, the present disclosure provides a kit of parts for carrying out any of the methods described above. The kit of parts may comprise the storage tank. The kit of parts may comprise the one or more mounting brackets. The kit of parts may be for use with the motor vehicle. Thus, it will be understood that in some embodiments the kit of parts need not include the motor vehicle, but is for use with a motor vehicle.

[0029] Viewed from a further aspect, the kit of parts may comprise the one or more mounting brackets and the hinge pin. The kit of parts may be for use with the motor vehicle. As above, in embodiments, the kit of parts may not include the motor vehicle.

[0030] The kit of parts may further comprise a set of instructions for carrying out any of the hereinbefore described methods.

[0031] Viewed from a yet further aspect, the present disclosure provides a storage tank for mounting in a motor vehicle. The storage tank may in any of the configurations as described hereinbefore.

[0032] Viewed from yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a motor vehicle comprising: a passenger cabin facing a front of the vehicle; a support frame; and a storage tank provided rearward of the passenger cabin and for storage of at least 100 litres of liquid and having a front arranged to face towards the front of the vehicle, and a rear opposite the front of the storage tank. The storage tank is hingedly mounted to the support frame of the vehicle such that a crash of the vehicle causes the storage tank to rotate about a hinge axis substantially transverse to the direction of travel, and allows the rear of the storage tank to lift away from the support frame in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel and the hinge axis.

[0033] The vehicle may comprise a rotation stop configured to prevent rotation of the storage tank about the hinge axis beyond a predetermined rotation angle. Thus, the rotation stop protects occupants in the passenger cabin from a heavy storage tank in the event of a crash.

[0034] The rotation stop may be provided by a roof of the vehicle. A length of the storage tank is such that the rotation of the storage tank is limited by contact between the rear of the storage tank and the roof of the vehicle. Thus, the roof can be used to further slow movement of the storage tank during a crash. It will be understood that during a crash, damage to the roof is far preferable to damage to the occupants of the vehicle.

[0035] A distance between an upper surface of the storage tank and a lower surface of the storage tank may be less than 70 centimetres. The upper surface of the storage tank may have provided thereon one or more mounting portions for tools or may have provided thereon one or more hose reels. Thus, when the storage tank is mounted in a pickup truck, the tool and/or hose reels will be provided at a convenient height for a user standing on the ground adjacent to a side of the pickup truck. The term pickup truck is used herein to refer to any road vehicle having an open cargo area surrounded by raised sides and located behind a passenger compartment, accessible from a side of the vehicle.

[0036] This in itself is believed to be novel and so, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a storage tank for storing at least 100 litres of liquid and for mounting in a cargo area of a pickup truck, wherein a distance between an upper surface of the storage tank and a lower surface of the storage tank may be less than 70 centimetres. The upper surface of the storage tank may have provided thereon one or more mounting portions for tools or may have provided thereon one or more hose reels. Thus, when the storage tank is mounted in a pickup truck, the tool and/or hose reels will be provided at a convenient height for a user standing on the ground adjacent to a side of the pickup truck. The disclosure extends to a pickup truck comprising a storage tank, as described hereinbefore and to a kit of parts for mounting the storage tank in the cargo area of the pickup truck, comprising the storage tank, one or more mounting brackets or one or more mounting straps and a set of instructions for mounting the storage tank in the cargo area of the pickup truck.

[0037] It will be understood that the term crash means any deceleration event of the motor vehicle where the vehicle is forced to decelerate at a rate which would result in death or serious injury to any occupants of the vehicle forward of the storage tank were the storage tank not to be securely mounted to the vehicle. It is not necessary that the vehicle need collide with any external structure or further vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0038] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an assembly of a storage tank and mounting brackets for mounting in a motor vehicle;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle for having mounted therein the storage tank shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a close-in view of the mounting brackets as shown in Figure 1, when in use to mount the storage tank to the vehicle;

Figure 4 shows the storage tank of Figures 1 and 3 when mounted in a motor vehicle during a crash;

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of mounting a storage tank to a motor vehicle, such as the vehicle shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a further method of mounting a storage tank to a motor vehicle, such as the vehicle shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0039] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an assembly of a storage tank and mounting brackets for mounting in a motor vehicle. The assembly 100 comprises the storage tank 120 to be mounted to a motor vehicle (not shown in Figure 1) via a hinge connection 130. The hinge connection 130 allows a rear R of the storage tank 120 to lift away from a load support surface of the vehicle (not shown in Figure 1) by hinging about a hinge axis H of the hinge connection 130. The hinge axis H is arranged to be substantially transverse to a direction of travel of the vehicle, and substantially transverse to a surface normal to the ground surface for the vehicle (see Figure 2 below). The hinge connection 130 is provided at least in part by a first portion of the hinge connection 130 provided by the mounting brackets 140, 142. In this example, a first mounting bracket 140 is axially spaced from a second mounting bracket 142. The mounting brackets 140, 142 are each to be mounted to the vehicle. The hinge connection 130 is also provided at least in part by a second portion of the hinge connection 130. In this example, the second portion of the hinge connection is provided at the storage tank 120, as will be described further with reference to Figure 2 below. The storage tank 120 is for storing at least 100 litres of liquid. In this example, the storage tank 120 is for storing 350 litres of liquid, such as a cleaning fluid, for example window-cleaning fluid or water for use to form a cleaning fluid for example windowcleaning fluid. The storage tank 120 comprises a housing 122 which surrounds a liquid storage chamber. In some examples, the housing 122 defines the liquid storage chamber therein for storage of the at least 100 litres of liquid. In this example, the hinge connection 130 (and the hinge axis H) is substantially at a front F of the storage tank 120. In particular, the hinge connection 130 (and the hinge axis H) is provided substantially a front end face 126 of the storage tank 120. In this example, the hinge connection 130 (and the hinge axis H) is also substantially at a lower surface of the storage tank 120. The front end face 126 is part of the housing 122. An upper surface 128 of the storage tank, is provided also provided as part of the housing 122. The upper surface 128 has provided thereon one or more mounting points for connection to one or more further components. In the example shown in Figure 1, the further components attached to the upper surface 128 of the storage tank 120 are two hose reels 182, 184 and two hose storage containers 186, 188. In this example, the storage tank further comprises a user interface 160 for controlling an operation of the storage tank 120, for example to control a pumping operation to pump the liquid out of the storage tank 120. The storage tank 120 may also comprise an electrical connector to connect to a power supply of the vehicle when the storage tank 120 is mounted in the vehicle.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle for having mounted therein the storage tank shown in Figure 1. The motor vehicle 200 in this example is a commercial van comprising a passenger compartment 210 substantially at a front F1 of the vehicle 200 and for accommodating a driver and optionally one or more passengers of the vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 further comprises a cargo area 220 for transporting a load, such as a storage tank as shown in Figure 1. The cargo area 220 is rearwards of the passenger compartment 210. The passenger compartment 210 is generally separated from the cargo area 220. In this example, the cargo area 220 is accessible through a sidedoor 230 which is configured to be opened by sliding along slide rail 240. The cargo area is also generally accessible by one or more rear doors (not shown) at a rear R1 of the vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 is for travelling along a ground surface 280 in a direction 290 from the rear R1 towards the front F1 of the vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 shown in Figure 2 also comprises a roof 250 over at least the cargo area 220.

[0041] When the cargo area 220 is accessible through the side-door 230, it will be appreciated that the storage tank 120 shown in Figure 1 above can be easily mounted and demounted, as will be described in further detail below.

[0042] It will be understood that the vehicle 200 shown in Figure 2 is merely a representation of a single type of vehicle. The present disclosure is generally applicable to many different vehicles, for example vehicles not having a roof over the cargo area, or vehicles not having a side-door to access the cargo area.

[0043] Figure 3 shows a cut-out of a close-in view of the hinge connection 130 as shown in Figure 1, when in use to mount the storage tank 120 to the vehicle (for example the vehicle 200 shown in Figure 2), viewed from an underside of the storage tank 120. The first mounting bracket 140 has defined therein a mounting hole 141 for directly securing the first mounting bracket 140 to a support frame (not shown) of the vehicle by a fastening means, for example by a bolt. The second mounting bracket 142 has defined therein a mounting hole 143 for directly securing the second mounting bracket 142 to the support frame (not shown) of the vehicle by a fastening means, for example a bolt. The first mounting bracket 140 further comprises a first hinge pin guide in the form of an upper hinge pin guide 144 arranged to hold captive therein a hinge pin 132 extending through the upper hinge pin guide 144. The upper hinge pin guide 144 substantially prevents any movement of the hinge pin 132 upwardly away from the first mounting bracket 140.

Similarly, the second mounting bracket 142 also further comprises a first hinge pin guide in the form of an upper hinge pin guide 146 also arranged to hold captive therein the hinge pin 132. Thus, the hinge pin 132 extends through the upper hinge pin guides 146 of both the first mounting bracket 140 and the second mounting bracket 142. The storage tank 120 provides a second hinge pin guide in the form of run-through hole 134 which is defined within the housing 122 of the storage tank 120. The run-through hole 134 receives therein the hinge pin 132 whereby to connect the vehicle to the storage tank 120 via the mounting brackets 140, 142 and the hinge pin 132. In this example, the run-through hole 134 is provided between the first mounting bracket 140 and the second mounting bracket 142. The storage tank 120 further comprises two further second hinge pin guides in the form of two further run-through holes 136, 138 to engage with the hinge pin 132 outside the upper hinge pin guides 144, 146 and the run-through hole 134. In particular, the hinge pin 132 is engaged with the first hinge pin guides in the form of the upper hinge pin guides 144, 146 and is engaged with the second hinge pin guides in the form of the run-through holes 134, 136, 138. In this example, the hinge pin 132 is a cylindrical metal bar formed from steel. In particular, the hinge pin 132 is sized to prevent shear failure of the hinge pin 132 during a crash of the vehicle. Thus, in the present example, when the hinge pin 132 is formed from solid steel, the diameter of the hinge pin 132 is approximately 25 millimetres. Different diameters of the hinge pin 132 may be sufficient when used with a different storage tank 120 having a different fully loaded weight or where a shear strength of the material forming the hinge pin 132 is different. For example, where the hinge pin 132 is formed from high tensile steel, the diameter of the hinge pin 132 may be approximately 15 millimetres. The first mounting bracket 140 and the second mounting bracket 142 are together arranged to substantially prevent movement of the storage tank 120 in a forward direction towards a front F1 of the vehicle when the storage tank 120 is mounted in the vehicle and the vehicle is involved in a crash. In the present example, the first mounting bracket 140 and the second mounting bracket 142 are formed from iron and have a minimum plate thickness of 10 millimetres. The first mounting bracket 140 and the second mounting bracket 142 in this example are formed by casting. It will be understood that the first mounting bracket 140 and the second mounting bracket 142 may instead be formed from other materials, such as plate steel, and have a different thickness, for example approximately 5 millimetres when formed from plate steel.

[0044] Figure 4 shows the storage tank 120 of Figures 1 and 3 when mounted in a vehicle during a crash. The storage tank 120 is mounted to the support frame of the vehicle, such that a rear R of the storage tank 120, in normal use, rests on a load support surface 222 of the vehicle 200. It will be understood that the load support surface 222 typically forms the lower surface of the cargo area 220 of the vehicle 200. During a crash, the mounting brackets, 140, 142 act to restrain the storage tank 120 from moving laterally towards a front of the vehicle 200. During a crash, the storage tank 120 is caused to rotate about the hinge axis H of the hinge connection 130 and a rear R of the storage tank 120 is allowed to lift away from the load support surface 222, converting at least some of the kinetic energy from the storage tank 120 into gravitational potential energy as the rear R of the storage tank 120 lifts up from the load support surface 222. In some crashes, it is possible that the kinetic energy from the storage tank 120 may exceed the gain in gravitational potential energy that could be achieved by lifting the rear R of the storage tank 120 away from the load support surface 222 of the vehicle 200. In examples, the storage tank 120 may encounter a rotation stop to substantially arrest further rotational movement of the storage tank 120 after a predetermined amount of rotational movement. In other words, the rotation stop substantially prevents rotation of the storage tank 120 about the hinge axis H beyond a predetermined rotation angle. In this example, the rotation stop is provided by a roof 250 of the vehicle 200. In example, the storage tank 120 and the vehicle 200 may be sized such that, when the storage tank 120 is mounted to the vehicle 200, the rear R of the storage tank 120 lifts away from the load support surface 222 only until it contacts with the roof 250. The present inventors have realised that the roof 250 of the vehicle 200 above the cargo area can be used as a rotation stop to absorb the kinetic energy of the storage tank 120 during a crash of the vehicle 200.

[0045] In this example, the rear R of the storage tank 120 is not connected to the load support surface 222, though it will be appreciated that the same benefit would also occur with frangible fastening means to loosely restrain the rear R of the storage tank 120 to the load support surface 222.

[0046] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of mounting a storage tank to a motor vehicle, such as the vehicle shown in Figure 2. In one example, the method 300 described with reference to Figure 5 is suitable for use in mounting the storage tank shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 to the vehicle shown in Figure 2. The storage tank is substantially similar to the storage tank 120 described with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4 hereinbefore and in particular has a liquid storage capacity of at least 100 litres, and has a front and a rear. The motor vehicle is substantially similar to the vehicle shown in Figure 2 and has a front and a rear, and is for moving in a direction of travel between the front and the rear and along a ground surface. The motor vehicle has a load support surface for supporting the storage tank when mounted in the vehicle. The front and the rear of the storage tank are to face towards the respective front and the rear of the vehicle when the storage tank is mounted in the vehicle. The method 300 comprises a first step 302 of mounting one or more mounting brackets to the vehicle. The mounting brackets provide at least a first portion of a hinge connection. The hinge connection defines a hinge axis substantially transverse to the direction of travel and to a direction normal to the ground surface in use. The method 300 further comprises a second step 304 of mounting the storage tank to the mounting brackets to secure the storage tank thereto via a second portion of the hinge connection. The storage tank is to rest on the load support surface of the vehicle when mounted to the vehicle via the mounting brackets. The storage tank is mounted to the vehicle via the mounting brackets such that a crash of the vehicle causes the storage tank to hinge about the hinge axis and allows the rear of the storage tank to lift away from the load support surface.

[0047] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a further method of mounting a storage tank to a motor vehicle, such as the vehicle shown in Figure 2. In one example, the method 400 described with reference to Figure 6 is suitable for use in mounting the storage tank shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 to the vehicle shown in Figure 2. The storage tank is substantially similar to the storage tank 120 described with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4 hereinbefore and in particular has a liquid storage capacity of at least 100 litres, and has a front and a rear. The motor vehicle is substantially similar to the vehicle shown in Figure 2 and has a front and a rear. The front and the rear of the storage tank are to face towards the respective front and the rear of the vehicle when the storage tank is mounted in the vehicle. The method 400 comprises a first step 402 of mounting one or more mounting brackets to the vehicle. The mounting brackets provide at least a first portion of a hinge connection. The hinge connection defines a hinge axis. The first portion of the hinge connection defines a first hinge pin guide. The method 400 further comprises a second step 404 of aligning coaxially the first hinge pin guide and a second hinge pin guide. The second hinge pin guide is defined by a second portion of the hinge connection. The method 400 further comprises a third step 406 of inserting a hinge pin within the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide to secure the first portion of the hinge connection to the second portion of the hinge connection via the hinge pin. Thus, the second step 404 and the third step 406 together mount the storage tank to the mounting brackets to secure the storage tank thereto via the second portion of the hinge connection.

[0048] When the vehicle 200 has a side-door 230 as shown in Figure 2, the method may further comprise opening the side-door if the vehicle and inserting the hinge pin 132 within the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide through the open side-door. Thus, the method is particularly suited to installing storage tanks in motor vehicles having a cargo area accessible by a side-door where the side opening is aligned with the desired hinge axis of the hinge connection.

[0049] Although methods 300 and 400 were described above with reference to the storage tank 120 of Figures 1, 3 and 4 and the vehicle of Figure 2, it will be understood that the methods could apply to other storage tanks, mounting brackets and motor vehicles.

[0050] In summary, there is provided a method (300) of mounting a storage tank (120), having a liquid storage capacity of at least 100 litres, to a motor vehicle (200). The vehicle (200) has a front (F1) and a rear (R1). The vehicle (200) is for moving in a direction of travel (290) between the front (F1) and the rear (R1) and along a ground surface (280). The vehicle (200) has a load support surface (222) for supporting the storage tank (120) when mounted in the vehicle (200). The storage tank (120) has a front (F) and a rear (R) to face towards the respective front (F1) and the rear (R1) of the vehicle (200) when the storage tank (120) is mounted in the vehicle (200). The method (300) comprises mounting one or more mounting brackets (140, 142) to the vehicle (200), the mounting brackets (140, 142) providing at least a first portion (144, 146) of a hinge connection (130). The hinge connection (130) defines a hinge axis (H) substantially transverse to the direction of travel (290) and to a direction normal to the ground surface (280), in use. The method (300) further comprises mounting the storage tank (120) to the mounting brackets (140, 142) to secure the storage tank (120) thereto via a second portion (134, 136, 138) of the hinge connection (130). The storage tank (120) is to rest on the load support surface (222) of the vehicle (200) when mounted to the vehicle (200) via the mounting brackets (140, 142). The storage tank (120) is mounted to the vehicle (200) via the mounting brackets (140, 142) such that a crash of the vehicle (200) causes the storage tank (120) to hinge about the hinge axis (H) and allows the rear (R) of the storage tank (120) to lift away from the load support surface (222).

[0051] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0052] Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of mounting a storage tank, having a liquid storage capacity of at least 100 litres, to a motor vehicle, the vehicle having a front and a rear, for moving in a direction of travel between the front and the rear and along a ground surface, and having a load support surface for supporting the storage tank when mounted in the vehicle, the storage tank having a front and a rear to face towards the respective front and the rear of the vehicle when the storage tank is mounted in the vehicle, the method comprising:

mounting one or more mounting brackets to the vehicle, the mounting brackets providing at least a first portion of a hinge connection, the hinge connection defining a hinge axis substantially transverse to the direction of travel and to a direction normal to the ground surface in use; and mounting the storage tank to the mounting brackets to secure the storage tank thereto via a second portion of the hinge connection, the storage tank to rest on the load support surface of the vehicle when mounted to the vehicle via the mounting brackets, wherein the storage tank is mounted to the vehicle via the mounting brackets such that a crash of the vehicle causes the storage tank to hinge about the hinge axis and allows the rear of the storage tank to lift away from the load support surface.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more mounting brackets together are configured to secure the storage tank more strongly thereto than any further attachments connecting the storage tank to the vehicle.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rear of the storage tank is free to lift away from the load support surface of the vehicle in use.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the storage tank is mounted to the one or more mounting brackets at the front of the storage tank.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the storage tank is mounted to the one or more mounting brackets at a lower surface of the storage tank.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second portion of the hinge connection is provided on the storage tank.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second portion of the hinge connection is defined by an opening defined by a housing of the storage tank.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first portion of the hinge connection defines a first hinge pin guide, the second portion of the hinge connection defines a second hinge pin guide and wherein the hinge connection further comprises a hinge pin to engage with the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide to secure the first portion of the hinge connection to the second portion of the hinge connection via the hinge pin.

9. A method of mounting a storage tank, having a liquid storage capacity of at least 100 litres, to a motor vehicle, the vehicle having a front and a rear, the storage tank having a front and a rear to face towards the respective front and the rear of the vehicle when the storage tank is mounted in the vehicle, the method comprising:

mounting one or more mounting brackets to the vehicle, the mounting brackets providing at least a first portion of a hinge connection, the hinge connection defining a hinge axis, the first portion of the hinge connection defining a first hinge pin guide; and mounting the storage tank to the mounting brackets to secure the storage tank thereto via a second portion of the hinge connection, the second portion defining a second hinge pin guide, wherein mounting the storage tank to the mounting brackets comprises:

aligning coaxially the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide; and inserting a hinge pin within the first hinge pin guide and the second hinge pin guide to secure the first portion of the hinge connection to the second portion of the hinge connection via the hinge pin.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the hinge pin is formed from a metal bar.

11. A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the hinge pin is to be removable from the first portion of the hinge connection and the second portion of the hinge connection to release the storage tank from the one or more mounting brackets.

12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the method is a method of removably mounting the storage tank to the vehicle.

13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more mounting brackets are mounted directly to a vehicle frame of the vehicle.

14. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more mounting brackets are two mounting brackets, to be mounted to the vehicle in a spaced arrangement along the hinge axis.

15. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a length of the storage tank in a direction between the front and the rear of the storage tank is at least 150 centimetres.

16. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a width of the storage tank in a direction along the hinge axis of the storage tank is less than 180 centimetres.

17. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a height of the storage tank in a direction transverse to the hinge axis and to a direction between the front and the rear of the storage tank is less than 100 centimetres.

18. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the liquid storage capacity of the storage tank is at least 350 litres.

19. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an upper surface of the storage tank is provided with a mounting point for the attachment of a further component on the upper surface of the storage tank, and wherein the method further comprises mounting the further component to the upper surface of the storage tank.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the further component is a hose reel.

21. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the steps of the method are carried out in that order.

22. A kit of parts for carrying out the method of any preceding claim, the kit of parts comprising the storage tank and the one or more mounting brackets and for use with the motor vehicle each as described in any preceding claim.

23. A kit of parts for carrying out the method of claim 8 or claim 9 or any of claims 10 to 21 dependent thereon, the kit of parts comprising the one or more mounting brackets and the hinge pin and for use with the motor vehicle each as described in claim 8 or claim 9 or any of claims 10 to 21 dependent thereon.

24. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, further comprising a set of instructions for carrying out the method of any preceding claim.

25. A storage tank for mounting in a motor vehicle as described in any of claims 6 to 9 or any of claims 10 to 21 dependent thereon.

26. A motor vehicle comprising:

a passenger cabin facing a front of the vehicle;

a support frame; and a storage tank provided rearward of the passenger cabin and for storage of at least

100 litres of liquid and having a front arranged to face towards the front of the vehicle, and a rear opposite the front of the storage tank, wherein the storage tank is hingedly mounted to the support frame of the vehicle such that a crash of the vehicle causes the storage tank to rotate about a hinge axis substantially transverse to the direction of travel, and allows the rear of the storage tank to lift away from the support frame in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of

5 travel and the hinge axis.