FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]
TITLE: “A PROTECTION COVER FOR A DRIVE COMPONENT OF A VEHICLE”
Name and address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay
House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.
Nationality: INDIAN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates in general to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a protection cover for drive components of a vehicle. Further embodiments of the disclosure, disclose the protection cover having phase change material for absorbing temperature, dampening noise, and vibrations from the components of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, vehicles include a number of components (also referred to as driving components and structural components) such as motors, pumps, engine, gearbox, timing drive systems and the like, which may generate noise and vibrations during operation or during engagement with other components, which causes inconvenience to operator residing inside the vehicle. Further, the components in the vehicle also generate heat during operation. This heat is often transmitted to adjacent components in the vehicle and may cause malfunctioning or breakdown of the adjacent components including electrical components or electrical systems.
Conventionally, metallic covers are used to enclose the driving components in the vehicle to dampen noise and vibrations from the components. The metallic covers are poor dampeners of noise due to the solid nature of the metallic covers. Since sound travels through solid surfaces, the dampening of sound in conventional metallic covers is often insignificant. Further, the solid metallic covers are also inadequate at absorbing the vibrations transmitted by the drive components through structural components. Consequently, the conventional metallic covers for dampening noise and vibrations are of lower efficiency in preventing the noise and vibrations from being transmitted to the cabin of the vehicle. Further, the metallic covers directly transmit vibrations from the drive components through structural components to the other parts of the vehicle, affecting performance of such parts which is undesired. Consequently, the durability or the operational life of the components in the vehicle are severely hampered. Further, the components may have to be prematurely repaired or replaced due to components being damaged by vibrations which further increases the maintenance cost of the vehicle.
Further, the metallic covers are mounted onto structural components that accommodate heat generating components such as motors, pumps, engine, gearbox, timing drive systems and the like. The heat generated from these components is often directly transmitted to the metallic

covers. The conventional metallic covers have low thermal energy storage capacity. Consequently, the metallic covers are also heated to high temperatures. Therefore, the overall operational temperatures of components increase to a high extent in a significantly short time period and the same get transferred to components adjacent to the drive components. Further, the vehicle’s cooling systems may be overburdened as the cooling systems may have to be operated for a prolonged period due to lower thermal energy storage capacity of the metallic covers. Consequently, the overall operational efficiency of the vehicle is reduced. Further, the increase in overall operational temperatures of components may cause the surrounding/neighboring electrical components to malfunction or breakdown.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above, or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the conventional system or device are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the protection cover as claimed in the present disclosure.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a protection cover for a drive component of a vehicle is disclosed. The protection cover includes a first plate and a second plate. The protection cover also includes a dampening structure and the same is sandwiched between the first plate and the second plate. The dampening structure is defined with a plurality of pockets and each of the plurality of pockets is filled with a phase change material. In an embodiment, the plurality of pockets are defined by a plurality of walls. In an embodiment, the above configuration of the protection cover with the phase change material absorbs high temperatures, noise, and vibrations from the drive components in the vehicle and improves the driving ergonomics of the vehicle.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first plate and the second plate of the protection cover are coupled to the dampening structure by at least one of a mechanical joining means or a thermal joining means.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the plurality of pockets in the protection cover are at least one of a pentagonal shape, square shape, rectangular shape and of a hexagonal shape.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first plate and the second plate of the protection cover are manufactured by one of plastic, aluminum, steel and their alloys.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the dampening structure of the protection cover is made of plastic, aluminum, steel, and its alloy or composite.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the phase change material of the protection cover undergoes transition from a solid state to a semi solid state when temperature of the drive component exceeds a threshold temperature to reduce at least one of the temperature, noise, and vibration from the drive component.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the drive component is at least one of motors, pumps, engine, gearbox, timing drive systems, transmission units, and drive units.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the phase change material is crystalline solid hydrocarbons from the class of poly-alcohols and the phase change material is at least one of pentaerythritol, pentaglycerine and neopentyl-glycol.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a protection cover for a drive component of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 is a side view of the protection cover of Figure 1 positioned adjacent to the drive component of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the protection cover being disassembled from a timing drive system in an engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the protection cover assembled onto a timing drive system in an engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figure depicts embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the protection cover of the vehicle illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other assemblies for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to its organization, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
In the present document, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings 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.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such mechanism. In other words, one or more elements in the device or mechanism proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the mechanism.
The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 and 2. In the figures, the same element or elements which have the same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that the vehicle is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the protection cover disclosed in the present disclosure may be employed in any vehicles that employs/includes powertrain, where such vehicle may include, but not be limited to, light duty vehicles, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and the like. Further, the person skilled in the art would appreciate that the protection covers as disclosed in the present disclosure may be employed in any vehicles including but not limited to vehicles driven internal combustion engines and electric motors.
In an embodiment, the word “drive component” and “structure component” may be any part in the vehicle that generates noise, vibrations, or heat or both. In an embodiment, the engine or the power source of the vehicle may generate heat and may reach high temperatures. The engine may also generate noise and vibration due to the movement of various parts within the engine. In an embodiment, parts of the vehicle including but not limited to motors, pumps, engine, gearbox, transmission unit, timing drive systems etc. may be rendered as drive components.
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a protection cover (100) for a drive component (5) of a vehicle and Figure 2 is a sectional view of the protection cover (100) enclosing the drive component (5) of the vehicle. As seen from Figure 2, the protection cover (100) may be configured to enclose the drive component (5). In an embodiment, the protection cover (100) may be defined with a plurality of slots and the protection cover (100) may be

fixedly coupled to the structural component by means including but not limited to fasteners, welding, snap fit mechanism etc. for enclosing the drive component (5). The constructional configuration of the protection cover (100) is described below.
As seen in Figure 1, the protection cover (100) may include a first plate (2a) and a second plate (2b). The first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) may be made of any material including but not limited to aluminum and steel. In an embodiment, the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) made of steel or aluminum imparts improved the noise and vibration dampening. Further, the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) made of steel or aluminum also improves the overall thermal absorption capacity/heat transfer capacity of the protection cover (100). In an embodiment, the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) may be made of material including but not limited to plastic, steel, aluminum etc. In an embodiment, the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) may be manufactured by methods including but not limited to casting, molding, rolling to manufacture sheets, forming, etc. In an embodiment, the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) may be made of different materials. That is, the first plate (2a) may be made of aluminum and the second plate (2b) may be made of steel or vice versa. In an embodiment, the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) may be defined with a symmetrical profile of equal dimensions. Further, the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) may be defined with a shape that conforms to the shape of the drive component (5) for enclosing the drive component (5).
In an embodiment, as apparent from Figure 1, the protection cover (100) may include a dampening structure (3). The dampening structure (3) may be sandwiched between the first plate and the second plate. In an embodiment, the dampening structure (3) may be made of material including but not limited to aluminium. In an embodiment, the dampening structure (3) may be manufactured by methods including but not limited to three-dimensional printing, casting, metal forming and the like as an individual component. In another embodiment, the dampening structure (3) may be integrally manufactured on one of the first plate (2a) or the second plate (2b) though suitable manufacturing techniques. In an embodiment, one of the three-dimensional casting, printing and the laser sintering process of manufacturing enables the manufacturing of dampening structure (3) with intricate shapes. Consequently, drive components (5) with complex shapes can be easily enclosed by manufacturing the protection cover (100) of required shapes. In an embodiment, the dampening structure (3) may be

sandwiched between the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) by at least one of thermal or mechanical joining means including but not limited to adhesives, welding, fasteners, etc.
Referring further to Figure 1, the dampening structure (3) may be defined with a plurality of walls (3a) [hereinafter referred to as the walls (3a)]. The walls (3a) may be structured to define a plurality of pockets (4) [hereinafter referred to as the pockets]. The pockets (4) may define spacings between the plurality of walls (3a). Further, the walls (3a) may be oriented with different shapes including but not limited to a hexagonal shape. In an embodiment, the walls (3a) may be structured to define pockets (4) that are of hexagonal shape. In an embodiment, the walls (3a) may be structured to define various shapes including but not limited to a pentagonal shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape etc. In another embodiment, the overall shape of the dampening structure (3) may be of a square shape or a rectangular shape. In an embodiment, the walls (3a) may be casted as an integral part of one of the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b). The overall shape of the dampening structure (3) must not be considered as a limitation and the same may be of any shape including but not limited to a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape etc.
In an embodiment, the pockets (4) of the dampening structure (3) may be filled with a phase change material (1). The phase change material (1) may be materials including but not limited to crystalline solid hydrocarbons from the class of poly-alcohols. In an embodiment, the phase change material is at least one of pentaerythritol, pentaglycerine and neopentyl-glycol. The phase change material may be configured to absorb the heat from the drive component (5). As the phase change material (1) absorbs heat form the drive components (5), the phase change material (1) may change its state from the solid state to a semi solid or a gel like state. The transition of the phase change material (1) from the solid state to the semi-solid state ensures that the heat from the drive component (5) is absorbed and not transferred outside the protection cover (100). In an embodiment, the phase change material (1) may be configured to transition from the solid state to the semi solid state at a pre-determined threshold temperature. In an embodiment, the pre-determined threshold temperature may be configured to be equivalent to a operating temperature that the drive component (5) may attain during its operation. Further, the semi solid state of the phase change material (1) ensures that the noise and vibrations from the drive components (5) are dampened. In other words, the semi solid state of the phase change material (1) absorbs the vibration and noise, and thus prevents the vibration and the noise from being emitted out of the drive component (5). Consequently, the noise and vibrations are

dampened. Further, the drivability and ergonomics of the vehicle is also improved. The semi solid state of the phase change material (1) also absorbs the vibrations from the drive components (5) in the vehicle. Therefore, damage to the drive components (5) in the vehicle due to vibrations is restricted and premature repair or replacement of the drive components (5) in the vehicle is averted. Thus, the maintenance cost of the vehicle is reduced. In an embodiment, the phase change material (1) also absorbs the temperature or the heat from the drive components (5) in the vehicle. Consequently, the overall thermal absorption capacity of the protection cover (100) is improved. Therefore, the overall operational temperatures around the protection cover (100) are sustained or are maintained at lower levels. Further, the absorption of heat by the protection cover (100) also ensures that the burden on the cooling system of the vehicle is reduced which further improves the operational efficiency of the vehicle. The absorption of heat by the protection cover (100) also ensures that the electrical components around the drive components (5) do not malfunction or breakdown due to exposure to high operating temperatures.
In an operational embodiment, referring to Figure 2 to 4, the drive component (5) is configured with the protection cover (100). As seen from the Figure 2, the protection cover (100) may be configured to surround or encompass the drive component (5). The protection cover (100) may thus absorb noise, vibrations and heat that is emitted from the drive component (5). Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4, in an operational embodiment, the drive component (5) may be a timing drive system (5). The timing drive system (5) may be a part of the engine block and the protection cover (100) may be fixedly coupled to the engine block such that the protection cover (100) surrounds or encompasses the timing drive system (5). As the vehicle is operated, various parts in the drive component (5) or the timing drive system (5) generate noise, vibrations, and heat. The phase change material (1) in the protection cover (100) may initially absorb the heat from the timing drive system (5) and the phase change material (1) may transform from the solid state to the semi-solid state. The phase change material (1) along with the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) may absorb the noise and vibrations from the timing drive system (5). The semi solid state of the phase change material (1) ensures that the noise and vibrations from the timing drive system (5) are absorbed to a greater extent. The phase change material (1) also absorbs the heat generated by the timing drive system (5). Consequently, the timing drive system (5) is maintained at operational temperatures and the burden on the cooling system of the vehicle is reduced ad described above. Further, the

absorption of heat by the protection cover (100) ensures that the electrical components around the drive components (5) do not malfunction or breakdown.
Equivalents
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, 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 description 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

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 5 alternative terms, whether in the description, 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."
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and 0 embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the description.
Referral Numerals:

Referral numeral Description
1 Phase change material
2a First plate
2b Second plate
3 Dampening structure
3a Walls
4 Pockets
5 Drive Component/Timing drive system
100 Protection cover

I/We Claim:
1. A protection cover (100) for a drive component (5) of a vehicle, the protection cover
(100) comprising:
a first plate (2a);
a second plate (2b); and
a dampening structure (3) sandwiched between the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b), wherein, the dampening structure (3) comprises a plurality of pockets (4) and each of the plurality of pockets (4) is filled with a phase change material (1).
2. The protection cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pockets (4) are defined by a plurality of walls (3a).
3. The protection cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) are joined to the dampening structure (3) by at least one of a mechanical joining means or a thermal joining means.
4. The protection cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pockets (4) are at least one of a pentagonal shape, square shape, rectangular shape and of a hexagonal shape.
5. The protection cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plate (2a) and the second plate (2b) are manufactured by one of plastic, aluminium, steel, and its alloys or composite.
6. The protection cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dampening structure (3) is made of at least one of plastic, aluminium, and steel composite matrix.
7. The protection cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phase change material (1) undergoes transition from a solid state to a semi solid state when temperature of the drive component (5) exceeds a threshold temperature to reduce at least one of the temperature, noise, and vibration from the component (5).
8. The protection cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the phase change material (1) is crystalline solid hydrocarbons from the class of poly-alcohols and the phase

change material (1) is at least one of pentaerythritol, pentaglycerine, and neopentyl-glycol.
9. The protection cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive component (5) is at least one of motors, pumps, engine, gearbox, timing drive systems, transmission units, and drive units.
10. A vehicle comprising the protection cover (100) as claimed in claim 1 for enclosing the drive component (5) of the vehicle.