Description:A SUNROOF MOUNTING BRACKET
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a sunroof mounting bracket, and more particularly to the sunroof mounting bracket for mounting a sunroof assembly through sunroof rail.
BACKGROUND

[0002] In existing vehicle design, a single continuous bracket is used to mount sunroof, wherein the sunroof gets mounted at multiple locations on the single continuous bracket.
[0003] Fig. 1a illustrates an image 100a depicting a single continuous bracket for mounting sunroof, in accordance with an existing prior art. Single continuous bracket leads to increase in weight of the overall structure, apart from the difficulty observed during assembly, as a single continuous bracket is more susceptible to twisting while being assembled with the sunroof components at multiple points. Further, individual adjustment of all the mounting faces is difficult with single continuous bracket.
[0004] Fig. 1b illustrates image 100b depicting the single continuous bracket mounting on a sunroof panel, in accordance with an existing prior art.
[0005] Further, since sunroof is a heavy assembly mounted at several locations around the roof of vehicle body, loads transferred to the different mountings varies as per the movement of sunroof glass assembly. During closed condition of sunroof glass and center of gravity of sunroof being towards the front, the front mountings experience higher loads and vice versa. However, as the overhang of sunroof rail is more towards the rear, the rear mountings also tend to experience high deformation, resulting from the high stress. Therefore, design of rear brackets becomes extremely critical.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for a solution to overcome above mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0008] It is a general or primary object of the present subject matter to provide a sunroof mounting bracket for mounting a sunroof assembly and a sunroof rail.
[0009] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a highly strengthened mounting bracket to cater to the high loads of the sunroof assembly.
[0010] It is another object of the present subject matter to transfer an overall load from a sunroof rail area or sunroof assembly to the side body structure.
[0011] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY
[0012] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a sunroof mounting bracket. 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.
[0013] The present disclosure provides a sunroof mounting bracket for mounting a sunroof assembly. The sunroof mounting bracket comprises a base surface having a first side with a first datum hole, a second side, and a third side. The first side is raising vertically around the first datum hole and defining a fillet on each end of the first side. The sunroof mounting bracket comprises a hoop structure vertically extending between the first side, the second side, and the third side from the base surface for transferring a load towards a rear end of the mounting bracket comprising a first hoop side, a second hoop side, a third hoop side, and a top hoop surface. The top hoop surface includes a bolt and a datum hole point for mounting the sunroof assembly and the sunroof rail, and an oblong bead structure surrounding the bolt and the datum hole point for providing strength to the sunroof mounting bracket.
[0014] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the hoop structure further includes an open end, opposite to the first hoop side, defined by the top hoop surface, the second hoop side and the third hoop side, having a pair of vertical flanges attached to the second hoop side and the third hoop side. The pair of vertical flanges transfer a load from the sunroof assembly.
[0015] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the sunroof mounting bracket includes a fourth hoop side, opposite to the first hoop side, vertically extending in a downward direction from the top hoop surface between the second hoop side, and the third hoop side. The fourth hoop side comprises a step structure at a bottom of the fourth hoop side, configured to enhance a rigidity of the sunroof mounting bracket.
[0016] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the first hoop side is vertically extending in a slanting orientation from the first side, the second hoop side, and the third hoop side are vertically extending from the second side and the third side, the top hoop surface is between the first hoop side, the second hoop side, and the third hoop side.
[0017] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the sunroof mounting bracket is spot welded at a plurality of locations on a sunroof panel and a sunroof is mounted on the sunroof mounting bracket from one side.
[0018] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the second hoop side and the third hoop side are of a similar height and the first hoop side is smaller in height with respect to the second hoop side and the third hoop side.
[0019] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the top hoop surface is extending from the first hoop side in a slanting orientation.
[0020] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the pair of vertical flanges transfer the load through the fillet on each end of the first side.
[0021] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the first side is raising vertically around the first datum hole to increase a stiffness around the first datum hole and transfer the load from a mounting location of the mounting bracket towards a plurality of spot welds.
[0022] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the hoop structure increases strength of the sunroof mounting bracket around a datum hole point for transferring the load from a mounting point of the sunroof mounting bracket to a rear side of the sunroof assembly through the pair of vertical flanges via the fillet on each end of the first side.
[0023] 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 like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0025] Fig. 1a illustrates an image depicting a single continuous bracket for mounting sunroof, in accordance with an existing prior art; and
[0026] Fig. 1b illustrates an image depicting the single continuous bracket mounting on a sunroof panel, in accordance with an existing prior art;
[0027] Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram depicting a sunroof mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0028] Fig. 3 illustrates a line diagram depicting a direction of transfer of a load from the sunroof mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0029] Fig, 4 illustrates a diagram depicting the sunroof mounting bracket attached to a sunroof panel of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0030] Fig. 5 illustrates a line diagram depicting the sunroof mounting bracket attached to a sunroof panel of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0031] Fig. 6 illustrates a diagram depicting a side view of the sunroof mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0032] Fig. 7 illustrates a diagram depicting a top view of the sunroof mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0033] Fig. 8 illustrates a diagram depicting the sunroof mounting bracket with a fourth hoop side, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] 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 scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0035] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0036] Fig. 2 illustrates diagram 200 depicting a sunroof mounting bracket 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The sunroof mounting bracket 202 may be configured for mounting a sunroof assembly. In an embodiment, the sunroof mounting bracket 202 may also be referred as one or more a hat shaped sunroof mounting bracket 202, and a hoop shaped sunroof mounting bracket 202. The sunroof mounting bracket 202 may be configured to transfer a load from a sunroof rail area of the sunroof structure to a rear side structure of the sunroof mounting bracket 202. The rear side structure may be a side body structure. The side body structure may be a highly stiff area. The sunroof mounting bracket 202 may be spot welded from a number of locations on a sunroof panel. In particular, the sunroof mounting bracket 202 may be receiving a sunroof assembly to be mounted on the sunroof mounting bracket 202 from one side.
[0037] Continuing with the above embodiment of the present subject matter, the sunroof mounting bracket 202 may include a base surface 204, and a hoop structure 206. The hoop structure 206 may be configured to transfer the load from the mounting location to the side body structure. The base surface 204 may include a first side 204a with a first datum hole 204b, a second side 204c, and a third side 204d. The first side 204a may be raising vertically around the first datum hole 204b and defining a fillet 204e on each end of the first side 204a. In a preferred embodiment, the first side 204a may be raised vertically around the first datum hole 204b to increase stiffness around the first datum hole 204b and transfer the load from the mounting location of the sunroof mounting bracket 202 towards a number of spot welds where the sunroof mounting bracket 202 is welded.
[0038] Furthermore, the hoop structure 206 may be vertically extending between the first side 204a, the second side 204c, and the third side 204d from the base surface 204. The hoop structure 206 may be designed in such a way for transferring a load towards the rear end of the mounting bracket.
[0039] Subsequently, the hoop structure 206 may have a first hoop side 206a vertically extending in a slanting orientation from the first side 204a, a second hoop side 206b vertically extending from the second side 204c, and a third hoop side 206c vertically extending from the third side 204d. The hoop structure 206 may further include a top hoop surface 206d. The top hoop surface 206d may be between the first hoop side, the second hoop side, and the third hoop side 206c. Furthermore, the top hoop surface 206d may include a bolt and a datum hole point 206e.To that understanding, in a preferred embodiment, the second hoop side 206b, and the third hoop side 206c may be of a similar height. Furthermore, the first hoop side 206a may be smaller in height with respect to the second hoop side, and the third hoop side.
[0040] Moving forward, the top hoop surface 206d may be extending from the first hoop side 206a in a slanting orientation. The hoop structure 206 may also have an open end 206f, opposite to the first hoop side 206a, defined by the top hoop surface 206d, the second hoop side 206b and the third hoop side 206c. The open end 206f may include a pair of vertical flanges 208 attached to the second hoop side 206b and the third hoop side 206c along with a horizontal flange attached to the top hoop surface 206d. The pair of vertical flanges 208 may transfer the load from the sunroof assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the pair of vertical flanges 208 may transfer the load through the fillet on each end of the first side. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the hoop structure 206 may include a fourth hoop side standing opposite to the first hoop side 206a. The fourth hoop side may be vertically extending in a downward direction from the top hoop surface 206d between the second hoop side 206b, and the third hoop side 206c such that the hoop structure 206 is a closed structure. Moving ahead, the fourth hoop side may include a step structure at a bottom of the fourth hoop side . The step structure may be configured to enhance a rigidity of the sunroof mounting bracket 200.
[0041] In an embodiment, the hoop structure 206 may increase strength of the sunroof mounting bracket 202 around a datum hole point 206e for transferring the load from a mounting point of the sunroof mounting bracket 202 to a rear side through the pair of vertical flanges 208 via the fillet 204e on each end of the first side 204a. The top hoop surface 206d may also include an oblong bead structure 206g surrounding the bolt and the datum hole point 206e. The oblong bead structure 206g may be configured to provide strength to the sunroof mounting bracket 202.
[0042] Fig. 3 illustrates a line diagram 300 depicting a direction of transfer of load from the sunroof mounting structure 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The load may be transferred from a sunroof mounting structure, specifically, from a mounting point of the sunroof mounting bracket 202 to a rear side of the sunroof assembly through the pair of vertical flanges 208 via the fillet 204e as referred in the fig. 2.
[0043] Fig, 4 illustrates diagram 400 depicting the sunroof mounting bracket 202 attached to a sunroof panel of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The sunroof mounting bracket 202 may be spot welded on the sunroof panel. In a preferred embodiment, the sunroof mounting bracket 202 may be spot welded at a number of locations on the on the sunroof panel.
[0044] Fig. 5 illustrates a line diagram 500 depicting the sunroof mounting bracket 202 attached to a sunroof panel of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0045] Fig. 6 illustrates diagram 600 depicting a side view of the sunroof mounting bracket 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In a preferred embodiment, load may be transferred from a mounting point towards a rear side of the sunroof mounting bracket 202
[0046] Fig. 7 illustrates a diagram 700 depicting a top view of the sunroof mounting bracket 202, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, an open side of the sunroof mounting bracket 200 may be closed with an extension of a first side, a second side, and a third side of the hoop structure. Further, the sunroof mounting bracket 200 may also include a step structure at a bottom of a closed side formed by extension of first, second and third side of the hoop structure 206 to enhance a rigidity of the sunroof mounting bracket 200.
[0047] Fig. 8 illustrates a diagram 800 depicting the sunroof mounting bracket 200 with a fourth hoop side 802, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The sunroof mounting bracket 200 may include the fourth hoop side 802 standing opposite to the first hoop side 206a. The fourth hoop side 802 may be vertically extending in a downward direction from the top hoop surface 206d between the second hoop side 206b, and the third hoop side 206c such that the hoop structure is a closed structure. Moving ahead, the fourth hoop side 802 may include a step structure 804 at a bottom of the fourth hoop side 802. The step structure 804 may be configured to enhance a rigidity of the sunroof mounting bracket 200.
[0048] While the detailed description describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A sunroof mounting bracket (202) for mounting a sunroof assembly and a sunroof rail, the sunroof mounting bracket (202) comprising:
a base surface (204) having a first side (204a) with a first datum hole (204b), a second side (204c), and a third side (204d), wherein the first side (204a) is raising vertically around the first datum hole (204b) and defining a fillet (204e) on each end of the first side (204a);
a hoop structure (206) vertically extending between the first side (204a), the second side (204c), and the third side (204d) from the base surface (204) for transferring a load towards a rear end of the mounting bracket (202) comprising a first hoop side (206a), a second hoop side (206b), a third hoop side (206c), and a top hoop surface (206d) comprising:
a bolt and a datum hole point (206e) for mounting the sunroof assembly; and
an oblong bead structure (206g) surrounding the bolt and the datum hole point (206e) for providing strength to the sunroof mounting bracket (202).
2. The sunroof mounting bracket (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hoop structure (206) further comprising:
an open end (206f), opposite to the first hoop side, defined by the top hoop surface (206d), the second hoop side (206b) and the third hoop side (206c), having a pair of vertical flanges (208) attached to the second hoop side (206b) and the third hoop side (206c), wherein the pair of vertical flanges (208) transfer a load from the sunroof assembly.
3. The sunroof mounting bracket (202) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a fourth hoop side (802), opposite to the first hoop side (206a), vertically extending in a downward direction from the top hoop surface (206d) between the second hoop side (206b), and the third hoop side (206c), wherein the fourth hoop side (802) comprises a step structure (804) at a bottom of the fourth hoop side (802), configured to enhance a rigidity of the sunroof mounting bracket (200).
4. The sunroof mounting bracket (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hoop side (206a) is vertically extending in a slanting orientation from the first side (204a), the second hoop side (206b), and the third hoop side (206c) are vertically extending from the second side (204c) and the third side (204d), the top hoop surface (206d) is between the first hoop side (206a), the second hoop side (206a), and the third hoop side (206c).
5. The sunroof mounting bracket (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sunroof mounting bracket (202) is spot welded at a plurality of locations on a sunroof panel and a sunroof is mounted on the sunroof mounting bracket (202) from one side.
6. The sunroof mounting bracket (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second hoop side (206b) and the third hoop side (206c) are of a similar height and the first hoop side (206a) is smaller in height with respect to the second hoop side (206b) and the third hoop side (206c).
7. The sunroof mounting bracket (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top hoop surface (206d) is extending from the first hoop side (206a) in a slanting orientation.
8. The sunroof mounting bracket (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of vertical flanges (208) transfer the load through the fillet (204e) on each end of the first side (204a).
9. The sunroof mounting bracket (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first side (204a) is raising vertically around the first datum hole (204b) to increase a stiffness around the first datum hole (204b) and transfer the load from a mounting location of the mounting bracket (202) towards a plurality of spot welds.
10. The sunroof mounting bracket (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hoop structure (206) increases strength of the sunroof mounting bracket (202) around a datum hole point for transferring the load from a mounting point of the sunroof mounting bracket (202) to a rear side of the sunroof assembly through the pair of vertical flanges (208) via the fillet (204e) on each end of the first side (204a).