Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

MOUNTING MECHANISM;

MAHINDRA ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE LIMITED, A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT, 2013, HAVING ADDRESS AT MAHINDRA TOWER, PANDURANG BUDHKAR MARG, NR. DOORDARSHAN KENDRA, WORLI, MUMBAI-400018, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[1] The present invention relates to a mounting mechanism for a wheel of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[2] As per the new amendments from central motor vehicles rules (CMRV), the vehicle manufacturers no longer need to put a spare wheel in the boot space of a vehicle. If the vehicle falls in the M1 category that is specified by the CMVR and the same vehicle fitted with tubeless wheels along with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), then it is exempted from having a spare wheel within the vehicle. In addition, a spare wheel is an additional deadweight which one carries especially for electric vehicles (EV). Sometimes, the spare wheel provided by the vehicle manufacturers is in a smaller size which can reach limited maximum speed and can be driven only for short distances when replaced with the punctured wheel. Further, if the spare wheel is fitted in any vehicle such as an EV or an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, then it reduces the available boot space/underbody of the vehicle.
[3] Presently, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of electric vehicles are trying to accommodate bigger size battery (which can be stored in the boot and underbody of the vehicle) to get a better range. In order to increase the range of the EV vehicles, it is necessary to reduce the dead weight. Referring to figure 1, a rear subframe (112) is mounted below the underbody floor (111) and the rear subframe (112) holds the rear motor (not shown in drawing). The tool kit storage bin (115) is mounted on the underbody floor (111) behind the rear seat (114) and in front of the tailgate door (116) and in front of tail gate trim (116a). The spare wheel (113) is mounted behind the rear subframe (112) with the winch mechanism (7) under the underbody floor (111) which increases the dead weight.
[4] Additionally, since the wheel is circular in shape and when placed on the flat surface of the tool kit storage bin, the wheel will rotate along the axis. Hence, additional fixing rope or fixing arrangement is required to arrest the movement of the wheel.
[5] Therefore, there is a need to provide a mounting mechanism for a wheel of a vehicle that overcomes the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[6] The present invention provides a mounting mechanism for a wheel of a vehicle which facilitates self-positioning of the wheel and prevents movement of the wheel in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction.
[7] The mounting mechanism of the present invention comprises a tool kit storage bin positioned between a rear row seat and a tailgate of a vehicle. The tool kit storage bin has a plurality of tools placed therein. The tool kit storage bin has a curved profile located at a centre portion thereof. The curved profile is configured to facilitate self-positioning of the wheel thereon. The curved profile is configured to restrict movement of the wheel in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction. The curved profile has a contour radius “R”, a contour depth “H”, a width “W” and a curvature diameter “D”, such that the following conditions are satisfied:
R = D x 0.5;
W = R; and
H = R x 0.134.
[8] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the rear row seat and the tailgate prevent movement of the wheel in the longitudinal direction.
[9] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the curvature diameter “D” is same as that of a diameter of the wheel.
[10] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the width (W) is a minimum width required to locate and arrest the lateral movement of the wheel.
[11] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the depth “H” is a minimum depth required to locate the wheel on the curved profile.
[12] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the curved profile eliminates the need for manual adjustments or additional securing mechanisms for placement of the wheel on the tool kit storage bin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
[13] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
Figure 1 is a side view of a rear end of a vehicle showing that the spare wheel is mounted under body of the vehicle by winch mechanism in the prior art;
Figure 2 is a side view of a rear end of a vehicle showing that wheel is mounted between a rear row seat and a tailgate of the vehicle in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of a curved profile of the tool kit storage bin in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the tool kit storage bin showing tools contour in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the tool kit storage bin showing different tools located in the tool contour in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 6 is a perspective view showing positioning of the wheel on the tool kit storage bin in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 7 is a partially expanded view of the portion of the mounting mechanism in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[14] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention as defined by the description. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[15] The terms and words used in the following description are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of the present invention is provided for illustration purpose only.
[16] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[17] The present invention discloses a mounting mechanism for a wheel of a vehicle which facilitates self-positioning of the wheel and prevents movement of the wheel in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction.
[18] Referring to Figures 2-7, according to an aspect, the present invention discloses a mounting mechanism (100) for a wheel (118) of a vehicle. A tool kit storage bin (115) is positioned between a rear row seat (114) and a tailgate (116) of a vehicle. The tool kit storage bin (115) includes a plurality of tools (119). The tool kit storage bin (115) has a curved profile (115a) that is located at a centre portion thereof. The curved profile (115a) has a contour radius “R”. The curved profile (115a) has a contour depth “H”. The curved profile (115a) has a width “W”. The curved profile (115a) has a curvature diameter “D”. The curved profile (115a) is designed such that the following conditions are satisfied:
R = D x 0.5;
W = R; and
H = R x 0.134.
[19] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the curved profile (115a) is configured to facilitate self-positioning of the wheel (118) thereon. The curved profile (115a) is configured to restrict movement of the wheel (118) in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction. In particular, the rear row seat (114) and the tailgate (116) prevent movement of the wheel (118) in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the present invention eliminates the need to provide any extra mechanism for mounting the wheel (118).
[20] Referring to figures 3-5, the tool kit storage bin (115) has a plurality of tools (119) placed therein and covered with the tool kit tray (not shown). The curved profile (115a) is located at a centre portion of the tool kit storage bin (115). The tool kit storage bin (115) has a plurality of tool contours (115b) configured to accommodate a respective plurality of tools (119). The tool contours (115b) of tool kit storage bin (115) advantageously hold all the important tools/ items positioned therein in a compact and immovable manner. The tools can include screw jack, toe hook, wheel spanner, screwdriver, first aid kit and the like, but are not limited thereto.
[21] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the various parameters associated with the mounting mechanism (100) of the present invention are provided herein below Table 1.
Table 1: Parameters associated with the mounting mechanism (100)
Wheel Size Overall diameter (D) of the Wheel Curved profile radius (R) Curved profile width (W) Curved profile depth (H)
235/75 R17 798 399 399 53.5
235/60 R17 726 363 363 48.6
255/70 R18 829 414.5 414.5 55.5
235/60 R18 751 375.5 375.5 50.3
235/55 R19 751 375.5 375.5 50.3
235/55 R20 776 388 388 52.0
275/55 R20 822 411 411 55.1

From the above table 1, it is evident that, the radius (R) and width (W) of the curved profile (115a) are same and constant and the height (H) of the curved profile (115a) is variable 0.134 times with respect to radius and width of the curved profile (115a). In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the curvature diameter “D” is same as that of a diameter of the wheel (118). In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the width (W) is a minimum width required to locate and arrest the lateral movement of the wheel (118). In accordance with still other embodiments of the present invention, the depth “H” is a minimum depth required to locate the wheel (118) on the curved profile (115a).
[22] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, out of three parameters of the mounting mechanism (100), two parameters can be made constant, and the other parameter will be varied with respect to the two constant parameters. In an alternative embodiment, the width (W) of the curved profile (115a) may vary with respect to the radius (R) and the height (H) of the curved profile (115a) when the radius (R) of the curved profile (115a) is constant with respect to the diameter (D) and height (H) of the curved profile (115a). In another alternative embodiment, the height (H) of the curved profile (115a) may vary with respect to the radius (R) and the width (W) of the curved profile when the radius (R) of the curved profile (115a) is constant with respect to the diameter (D) and the width (W) of the curved profile (115a). In still another alternative embodiment, the radius (R) of the curved profile (115a) may vary with respect to the diameter (D) and the height (H) of the curved profile (115a) when the radius (R) of the curved profile (115a) is constant with respect to the height (H) and the width (W) of the curved profile (115a).
[23] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the wheel (118) mounted thereon the curved profile (115a) is a punctured wheel. In another embodiment, the wheel (118) mounted thereon the curved profile (115a) is a spare wheel (113).
[24] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the curved profile (115a) eliminates the need for manual adjustments or additional securing mechanisms for placement of the wheel (118) on the tool kit storage bin (115).
[25] The mounting mechanism (100) has the advantage of self-positioning of the wheel (118). Further, the mounting mechanism (100) of the present invention prevents movement of the wheel (118) in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the self- positioning feature of the curved profile (115a) of the present invention reduces the time and effort required to store and retrieve the wheel (118) thereby enhancing overall convenience. Still further, the mounting mechanism (100) of the present invention eliminates the need for additional mounting or locking mechanisms by utilizing rear row seat and tailgate adjustments to prevent longitudinal movement of the wheel (118).
[26] The mounting mechanism (100) of the present invention can be used in any electric vehicles and internal combustion (IC) engine vehicles. Further, the mounting mechanism (100) of the present invention can be used behind the second row seat or the third row seat of the vehicle.
[27] The terms and words used in the following description are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of the system is for the purpose of understanding and nowhere limit the invention. The abovementioned parts nowhere limit the invention and are provided for understanding of the invention.
[28] Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[29]
100 Mounting mechanism
111 Underbody floor
112 Rear subframe
113 Spare wheel
114 Rear seat
115 Tool kit storage bin
115a Curved profile
115b Tools contour
116 Tailgate
116a Tailgate trim
117 Winch mechanism
118 wheel
119 Tools
R contour radius of the curved profile
D curvature diameter of the curved profile
W width of the curved profile
H contour depth of the curved profile

, Claims:
1. A mounting mechanism (100) for a wheel (118) of a vehicle, said mounting mechanism comprising:
a tool kit storage bin (115) positioned between a rear row seat (114) and a tailgate (116) of a vehicle, said tool kit storage bin (115) having a plurality of tools (119) placed therein, characterized in that,
said tool kit storage bin (115) having a curved profile (115a) located at a centre portion thereof, said curved profile (115a) configured to facilitate self-positioning of the wheel (118) thereon, said curved profile (115a) configured to restrict movement of the wheel (118) in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction, wherein a contour radius of said curved profile (115a) is “R”, a contour depth of said curved profile (115a) is “H”, a width of said curved profile (115a) is “W” and a curvature diameter of said curved profile (115a) is “D”, and the following conditions are satisfied:
R = D x 0.5;
W = R; and
H = R x 0.134.

2. The mounting mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear row seat (114) and said tailgate (116) prevent movement of said wheel (118) in the longitudinal direction.

3. The mounting mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curvature diameter “D” is same as that of a diameter of the wheel (118).

4. The mounting mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width (W) is a minimum width required to locate and arrest the lateral movement of the wheel (118).

5. The mounting mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the depth “H” is a minimum depth required to locate the wheel (118) on said curved profile (115a).

6. The mounting mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said curved profile (115a) eliminates the need for manual adjustments or additional securing mechanisms for placement of said wheel (118) on the tool kit storage bin (115).