Description:A REINFORCED REAR FLOOR STRUCTURE OF A VEHICLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a reinforced rear floor structure of a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to structure of the rear floor with enhanced stiffness along with prevention of stress concentration near the spot welds and attachments.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent times, automotive industry in India is not only coming up with a host of new features in vehicles but also is taking measures in strengthening different structural components of the vehicle. Thus, it is very necessary to ensure that structure of different components of the vehicle are having enhanced stiffness and is able to withstand loads and bear stresses acting at different localized areas.
[0003] Typically, floor of the vehicle includes a rear floor structure and a front floor structure. The rear floor structure of the vehicle is subjected to various kinds of loads owing to weight of vehicle, weight of passengers and their belongings, impact of wheels on road while driving, sudden impact loads, etc. Therefore, structure of the rear floor of the vehicle should be such that it is able to provide adequate stiffness.
[0004] In view of this, in an existing arrangement, there is provided a flange at rear end of the rear floor structure (500) of the vehicle where the flange is spot welded with back panel of the vehicle and reinforcement rear towing hook. However, due to lack of suitable rigidity of these structures, a curved profile formed by a horizontal base surface and the lateral wall of the spare tire mounting well of the vehicle (as shown in Figure 1) experiences torsional and bending loads. In particular, region (502) near the flange in vicinity of a spare tire mounting well region and region (504) where additional components are mounted at bottom of the rear floor structure (500) experience high stresses and therefore, may result into spot failure at these regions.
[0005] To circumvent the above mentioned limitations, either thickness of the rear floor of the vehicle needs to be increased or additional reinforcements are necessary to enhance stiffness of the rear floor of the vehicle. However, these provisions increase overall weight and cost of the vehicle and therefore, a cost effective alternative is desirable that will not have an impact on weight of the vehicle.
[0006] Towards this direction, the present disclosure intends to propose a reinforced structure of the rear floor of the vehicle that is able to overcome the above mentioned limitations in a cost effective manner.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0008] It is an object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in the prior art systems and methods.
[0009] It is a significant object of the present disclosure to develop a rear floor structure of a vehicle that is having an enhanced rigidity in transverse as well as longitudinal directions.
[0010] It is another principal object of the present disclosure to develop the rear floor structure that can enhance strength of peripheral region of the spot welds such that spot weld failures are minimized.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to develop the rear floor structure that can increase bending and torsional stiffness of peripheral region of the spot welds.
[0012] It is another principal object of the present disclosure to develop the rear floor structure of the vehicle that is having enhanced stiffness/strength without increasing cost and overall weight of the vehicle.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taking into consideration with accompanied drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to rear floor structure of a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a rear floor structure of a vehicle. The rear floor structure comprises of a rear floor panel having a first surface, a second surface, and a spare tire mounting well provided in between the first surface and the second surface.
[0016] In an aspect, the spare tire mounting well defines a horizontal base surface connected with the first surface and the second surface by a lateral wall, where joinery of the horizontal base surface and the lateral wall define a curved profile.
[0017] In an aspect, there is provided a flange extending continuously upward from the first surface, the spare tire mounting well, and the second surface along width of the vehicle at rear end to attach with the rear panel of the vehicle.
[0018] In an aspect, the flange is having a B-profile bead structure at the curved profile provided between the horizontal base surface and the lateral wall of the spare tire mounting well, and an emboss shaped bead structure at the curved profile.
[0019] In an aspect, the flange is having a plurality of bootstrap shape bead structure extending from the flange to the horizontal base surface of the spare tire mounting well to provide stiffness to spot weld of the flange with the rear panel, wherein each of the plurality of bootstrap shape bead structure is provided on either side of the spot weld.
[0020] In an aspect, the emboss shaped bead structure is provided between the B-profile bead structure and the bootstrap shape bead structure.
[0021] In an aspect, the lateral wall provided between the second surface and the horizontal base surface is provided with a W-shaped emboss, wherein the W-shaped emboss is provided above a spot weld point defined to connect with a transverse cross support member of the vehicle.
[0022] In an aspect, the lateral wall provided between the second surface and the horizontal base surface is provided with a U-shaped emboss having a bean shaped flat surface, where the bean shaped flat surface has a plurality of spot weld points to connect the rear floor structure with a reinforcement which is connected to a longitudinal support member of the vehicle.
[0023] In an aspect, the U-shaped emboss is provided on the lateral wall from the second surface to the curved profile.
[0024] In an aspect, plane of alignment of the bean shaped flat surface is different from plane of the U-shaped emboss.
[0025] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0026] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING(S)
[0027] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which
[0028] Figures 1 (a, b) depicts perspective views of rear floor structure of a vehicle in accordance with an existing prior art;
[0029] Figures 2 (a, b) depicts perspective views of rear floor structure of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] Figure 3 (a, b) depicts a detailed view of a flange and associated structures present in the rear floor of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0031] Figure 4 (a, b) depicts detailed structural layout of a lateral wall of a spare tire mounting well present in the rear floor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0035] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0036] The present disclosure provides a rear floor structure of a vehicle where the structure has been designed and developed in a manner so that it is able to provide enhanced strength and rigidity. Moreover, the proposed rear floor structure prevents failure of spot welds of the rear floor panel of the vehicle without having an impact on overall weight and cost of the vehicle.
[0037] Figure 2 (a, b) depicts perspective views of a rear floor structure of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It can be observed from Figure 2, that the rear floor structure (100) of the vehicle comprises of a rear panel, which in turn comprises of a first surface (102), a second surface (106), and a spare tire mounting well (104).
[0038] In an aspect, the spare tire mounting well (104) is provided in between the first surface (102) and the second surface (106). The spare tire mounting well (104) resembles a U-shaped profile and define a horizontal base surface (104-1), where the horizontal base surface (104-1) is connected with the first surface (102) and the second surface (106) by a lateral wall (104-2).
[0039] In an aspect, joinery formed by the horizontal base surface (104-1) and the lateral wall (104-2) of the spare tire mounting well (104) defines a curved profile. This curved profile is subjected to different types of torsional and bending loads acting on the region. Therefore, this region requires to have an enhanced value of strength and rigidity to avoid such failure.
[0040] In an aspect, it may be seen from the figure that there is also provided a flange (108) extending continuously upward from the first surface (102), the spare tire mounting well (104), and the second surface (106) in an upward direction along width of the vehicle at the rear end. The flange (108) is spot welded with the rear panel (not shown in figures) of the vehicle. Herein, the flange (108) is equipped with certain structural attributes that adds into rigidity and strength of the overall rear floor structure of the vehicle. These are discussed with respect to Figure 3 as detailed below.
[0041] Figure 3 (a, b) depicts a detailed view of the flange (108) and associated structures present in the rear floor of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0042] In an aspect, the flange (108) is having a B-profile bead structure (202) present at the curved profile between the horizontal base surface (104-1) and the lateral wall (104-2) of the spare tire mounting well (104).
[0043] In an aspect, there is also provided an emboss shaped bead structure (204) at the curved profile.
[0044] In an aspect, it may be observed from Figure 3, that the flange is having a plurality of bootstrap shape bead structures (206-1, 206-2), extending from the flange (108) to the horizontal base surface (104-1) of the spare tire mounting well (104) in order to prevent stress concentration at spot weld of the flange (108) with the rear panel. Herein, each of the plurality of bootstrap shape bead structures (206-1, 206-2) is provided on either side of the spot weld.
[0045] As shown in Figure 3 (b), the emboss shaped bead structure (204) is provided between the B-profile bead structure (202) and the bootstrap shape bead structure (206-1).
[0046] Figures 4 (a, b) depicts detailed structural layout of a lateral wall of a spare tire mounting well present in the rear floor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0047] In an aspect, the lateral wall (104-2) provided between the second surface (106) and the horizontal base surface (104-1) is provided with a W-shaped emboss (306). The W-shaped emboss (306) is provided above a spot weld point (306-1) defined to connect with a transverse cross support member (304) of the vehicle.
[0048] In an aspect, additionally, the lateral wall (104-2) is also provided with a U-shaped emboss (308) having a bean shaped flat surface (310). The bean shaped flat surface (310) is having a plurality of spot weld points to connect the rear floor structure (100) with a reinforcement (312) which is connected to a longitudinal support member (302) of the vehicle. Herein, as can be also seen from the figure, the U-shaped emboss (308) is provided on the lateral wall (104-2) from the second surface (106) to the curved profile.
[0049] In an aspect, the bean shaped flat surface (310) is integrated in the U-shaped emboss (308) to increase localized stiffness. However, it may also be noted that plane of alignment of the bean shaped flat surface (310) is different from plane of the U-shaped emboss (308).
[0050] In this manner, by certain structural incorporations in the flange (108) and lateral wall (104-1) of the spare tire mounting well (104), overall structure of the rear floor of the vehicle is made rigid enough to endure large amount stress acting on it. Moreover, since the proposed changes involve no ancillary structures, they do not impact on overall weight and cost of the vehicle.
Technical Advantages
[0051] All in all, the invention described in the present disclosure is having the following advantages:
a) The present structure (100) is capable of providing enhanced rigidity in transverse as well as longitudinal directions.
b) The present structure (100) is capable of enhancing strength, bending stiffness and torsional stiffness of peripheral region of the spot welds present in the rear floor panel of the vehicle.
c) The present structure (100) is light and do not result into increase in overall weight of the vehicle.
d) The present structure (100) is cost effective to implement.

Equivalents
[0052] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various systems that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0053] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to package features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0054] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0055] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A rear floor structure (100) of a vehicle, comprising:
a rear floor panel having
a first surface (102);
a second surface (106);
a spare tire mounting well (104) provided in between the first surface (102) and the second surface (106), the spare tire mounting well (104) defines a horizontal base surface (104-1) connected with the first surface (102) and the second surface (106) by a lateral wall (104-2), wherein joinery of the horizontal base surface (104-1) and the lateral wall (104-2) define a curved profile; and
a flange (108) extending continuously upward from the first surface (102), the spare tire mounting well (104), and the second surface (106) along width of the vehicle at rear end to attach with the rear panel of the vehicle, the flange (108) is having:
a B-profile bead structure (202) at the curved profile provided between the horizontal base surface (104-1) and the lateral wall (104-2) of the spare tire mounting well (104), and
an emboss shaped bead structure (204) at the curved profile.

2. The rear floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange (108) further includes a plurality of bootstrap shape bead structure (206-1, 206-2) extending from the flange (108) to the horizontal base surface (104-1) of the spare tire mounting well (104) to prevent stress concentration at spot weld of the flange (108) with the rear panel, wherein each of the plurality of bootstrap shape bead structure (206-1, 206-2) is provided on either side of the spot weld.
3. The rear floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the emboss shaped bead structure (204) is provided between the B-profile bead structure (202) and the bootstrap shape bead structure (206-1).
4. The rear floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral wall (104-2) provided between the second surface (106) and the horizontal base surface (104-1) is provided with a W-shaped emboss (306), wherein the W-shaped emboss (306) is provided above a spot weld point (306-1) and defined to connect with a transverse cross support member (304) of the vehicle.
5. The rear floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral wall (104-2) provided between the second surface (106) and the horizontal base surface (104-1) is provided with a U-shaped emboss (308) having a bean shaped flat surface (310), wherein the bean shaped flat surface (310) has a plurality of spot weld points to connect the rear floor structure (100) with a reinforcement (312) which is connected to a longitudinal support member (302) of the vehicle.
6. The rear floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the U-shaped emboss (308) is provided on the lateral wall (104-2) from the second surface (106) to the curved profile.
7. The rear floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein plane of alignment of the bean shaped flat surface (310) is different from plane of the U-shaped emboss (308).