Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mounting bracket for mounting electrical/electronic components in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] The automotive industry has seen robust growth with tremendous advancements in technology over the past few decades, and the trend is expected to continue in the coming years. These technological advances have played a significant role in improving the ergonomics, safety, efficiency, and overall performance of vehicles. One of the most significant advances in automotive technology has been the development of electric and hybrid vehicles. Other advances in automotive technology include the development of advanced safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-view cameras, as well as the integration of advanced connectivity features, such as smartphone integration and wireless charging, etc.
[003] To perform such advanced features, vehicles require various electrical/electronic components such as module, relay, fuse, sensor, actuator, motor, electronic control unit, switch, socket, port, terminal, regulator, rectifier, power inverter, power controller, battery, wiring etc. Nowadays, vehicles are designed based on customer preferences or requirements. If the customers require more features, the vehicle will generally be sold as a higher variant of the same vehicle, whereas if they require a basic version, it will be sold as a base variant. To accommodate more features, variants are assembled with arranging or mounting additional electrical/electronic components.
[004] In existing configuration, generally mounting brackets are used for mounting electrical components in a vehicle at a location being suitable and convenient for operation of such electrical/electronic component. It has been observed that a separate mounting bracket is required for mounting each additional electrical component moving from one variant of the vehicle to the other. Due to existing configuration or structural limitations, such mounting brackets cannot be used in other variants for mounting multiple additional electrical/electronic components as required thereof. In other words, the existing mounting bracket is designed specifically for one version of the vehicle and cannot be used for other versions due to differences in structure and/or configuration of the electrical /electronic components. This results in the need for separate mounting brackets, which increases costs and weight of the vehicle, and affects the compact packaging of the parts of the vehicle. Further, due to space constraints of the vehicle, it remains a huge challenge in disposing additional mounting brackets inside the vehicle.
[005] In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a mounting bracket for mounting multiple electrical/electronic components in a vehicle which solve at least one of the aforesaid problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect of the invention, a mounting bracket for mounting electrical /electronic components in a vehicle is disclosed. The mounting bracket includes a first portion and a second portion extending away from the first portion. The first portion is configured to be attached to a frame of the vehicle. The second portion includes a plurality of mounting arms disposed spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of mounting arms is configured to individually mount at least one electrical /electronic component and collectively mount the one or more electrical/electronic components.
[007] In an embodiment, the plurality of the mounting arms are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.
[008] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of mounting arms includes an inner side edge, an outer side edge and a distal end. The outer side edge is formed opposite to the inner side edge. The distal end is extending between the inner side edge and the outer side edge. Inner side edges of the plurality of the mounting arms are configured to collectively form a U-shaped depression.
[009] In an embodiment, a portion of outer side edges of each of the plurality of mounting arms being a rounded edge shape.
[010] In an embodiment, each of the distal ends having one or more protruded portions. The protruded portions are configured to engage with a portion of the electrical/electronic component to lockably secure the electrical/electronic component with the mounting bracket.
[011] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of mounting arms is disposed in a same plane.
[012] In an embodiment, the mounting bracket includes a central portion extending between the first portion and the second portion. The central portion includes an upper portion and a lower portion.
[013] In an embodiment, the lower portion of the central portion having a width greater than a width of the upper portion. The width of the upper portion is greater than the predetermined distance between the plurality of mounting arms of the second portion.
[014] In an embodiment, the lower portion of the central portion includes a stepped portion. The stepped portion is configured to dispose the first portion in a plane being different from the plane of the mounting arms of the second portion. The plane of the first portion is parallel to the plane of the mounting arms of the second portion.
[015] In an embodiment, the stepped portion being a rounded edge shape.
[016] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of mounting arms is configured to be received inside an attachment member of at least one of the electrical /electronic components. Each of the plurality of mounting arms having a width corresponding to a width of at least one of the attachment portions of the electrical/electronic components.
[017] In another aspect of the invention, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a frame structure, one or more electrical /electronic components and at least one mounting bracket for mounting the electrical /electronic components. The mounting bracket includes a first portion and a second portion extending away from the first portion. The first portion is configured to be attached to the frame structure. The second portion includes a plurality of mounting arms disposed spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of mounting arms is configured to individually receive at least one electrical / electronic component and collectively receive one or more electrical / electronic components.
[018] In an embodiment, each of the electrical /electronic components includes an attachment member having an elongated slot. The elongated slots are configured to receive at least one of the plurality of mounting arms.
[019] In an embodiment, the plurality of the mounting arms are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Each of the plurality of mounting arms having a width corresponding to a width of at least one of the elongated slots of the attachment members.
[020] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of mounting arms includes an inner side edge, an outer side edge formed opposite to the inner side edge, and a distal end extending between the inner side edge and the outer side edge.
[021] In an embodiment, each of the distal ends includes one or more protruded portions. The protruded portions being configured to engage with a portion of the attachment member to lockably secure the electrical/electronic component with the mounting bracket.
[022] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of mounting arms is disposed in a same plane.
[023] In an embodiment, the mounting bracket includes a central portion extending between the first portion and the second portion. The central portion includes an upper portion attached to the second portion of the mounting bracket and a lower portion attached to the first portion of the mounting bracket.
[024] In an embodiment, the lower portion having a width greater than a width of the upper portion. The width of the upper portion is greater than the predetermined distance between the plurality of mounting arms.
[025] In an embodiment, the lower portion of the central portion includes a stepped portion. The stepped portion is configured to dispose the first portion in a plane being different from the plane of the mounting arms of the second portion. The plane of the first portion is parallel to the plane of the mounting arms of the second portion. The stepped portion being a rounded edge shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting bracket for mounting electrical/electronic components in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a mounting configuration of electrical /electronic components on the mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates another mounting configuration of electrical /electronic components on the mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates width parameters of the mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first electrical/electronic component illustrating the elongated slot configuration of the first electrical/electronic component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second electrical/ electronic component illustrating the elongated slot configuration of the second electrical/electronic component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the third electrical/ electronic component illustrating the elongated slot configuration of the third electrical/electronic component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates plane configuration(s) of the first portion and the second portion of the mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[026] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[027] The present invention relates to a mounting bracket for mounting multiple electrical/electronic components in a vehicle.
[028] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting bracket 100 for mounting electrical/electronic components in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mounting bracket 100 includes a first portion 110, a second portion 130 extending away from the first portion 110 and a central portion 120 extending between the first portion 110 and the second portion 130. The first portion 110 is configured to be rigidly attached to a frame (not shown) or any other rigid part of the vehicle through attachment means (not shown). The attachment means includes fasteners, rivets, screws, nut, bolt etc. Alternatively, the first portion 110 may be attached to the frame or part of the vehicle through welding means. The second portion 130 includes mounting arms 132a, 132b. The mounting arms 132a, 132b are disposed spaced apart from each other. Each of the mounting arms 132a, 132b is configured to individually mount at least one electrical /electrical component 200 (shown in Figure 2). The mounting arms 132a, 132b are configured to collectively mount one or more electrical/electronic components 200. Each of the mounting arms 132a, 132b has an inner side edge 135, an outer side edge 136 formed opposite to the inner edge 135 and a distal end 133 extending between the inner side edge 135 and the outer side edge 135. As shown, a lower portion of both the outer side edges 136 of the mounting arms 132a, 132b which is in proximity to the central portion 120 being a rounded edge shape. The inner side edges 135 of the mounting arms 132a, 132b are configured to collectively form a U-shaped depression. The distal end 133 having one or more protruded portions 134. The protruded portions 134 extend in a width wise direction of the mounting bracket 100. The protruded portions 134 are configured to lockably secure the electrical/electronic component 200 with the mounting bracket 100. Each of the mounting arms 132a, 132b is disposed in a same plane. The central portion 120 includes a stepped portion 125. The stepped portion 125 is configured to dispose the first portion 110 in a plane being different from the plane of the mounting arms 132a, 132b of the second portion 130. As shown, the mounting arms 132a, 132b form a prong-like structure and may include other shapes and/or profiles. The mounting bracket 100 may include plurality of mounting arms 132a, 132b in accordance with the mounting requirements of the electrical/electronic components 200 and the space requirements of the vehicle.
[029] Figure 2 illustrates a mounting configuration of electrical/electronic components 200 of different shape/size mounted on the mounting bracket 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, each of the electrical/electronic components 200 includes an attachment member 210 integrally formed with a body of the electrical component 200. The attachment member 210 is disposed on a side of the electrical/electronic component 200 facing the side of the mounting bracket 100. The attachment member 210 is having an elongated slot 212. The elongated slot 212 is configured to receive at least one of the plurality of mounting arms 132a, 132b. In an embodiment, the elongated slot 212 includes an upper opening 213 and a lower opening 214. During assembly, the mounting arms 132a, 132b enters inside the elongated slot 212 through the lower opening 214 and pass through the upper opening 213 and provide a rigid mounting support to the electrical /electronic component 200. The elongated slot 212 having a width corresponding to the width of at least one of the mounting arms 132a, 132b to rigidly/firmly receive the mounting arms 132a, 132b inside the elongated slots 212. While mounting, the protruded portions 134 of the distal ends 133 of the mounting arms 132a, 132b engage with peripheral edges 211 of the attachment member 210 of the electrical/electronic component 200 to lockably secure the electrical/ electronic component 200 with the mounting bracket 100. In a non-limiting example, the elongated slot 212 of the electrical/electronic component 200 may include locking means configured to lock the movement of the mounting arms 132a, 132b.
[030] Figure 3 illustrates another mounting configuration of electrical/electronic components 200 mounted on the mounting bracket 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the central portion 120 includes an upper portion 122 integrally attached to the second portion 130 of the mounting bracket 100 and a lower portion 124 integrally attached to the first portion 100 of the mounting bracket 100.
[031] In an embodiment, the central portion 120 has a width varying across a length of the central portion 120 being taken from the upper portion 122 and towards the lower portion 124 i.e., the lower portion 124 has a width greater than a width of the upper portion 122. The lower portion 124 includes the stepped portion 125 extending slantwise along the width of the lower portion 124. The stepped portion 125 is configured to dispose the first portion 110 of the mounting bracket 100 in a plane being different from the plane of the mounting arms 132a, 132b of the second portion 130. The stepped portion 125 being a rounded edge shape. Due to such configuration of the stepped portion 125, the electrical/electronic components 200 may be easily and conveniently mounted on the mounting bracket 100.
[032] Figure 4 illustrates width parameters of the mounting bracket 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the mounting arm 132a has a width (W1) and the mounting arm 132b has a width (W2). In this way, the width (W1) is configured to correspond with the width of one of the elongated slots 212 (as shown in Figure 2) of the electrical/electronic components 200 being mounted on the mounting bracket 100. Similarly, the width (W2) of the mounting arm 132b is configured to correspond with the width of one of the elongated slots 212 of second electrical/electronic component 200 being mounted on the mounting bracket 100. Both the mounting arms 132a, 132b are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance (D) being taken along the widthwise direction of the mounting bracket 100. In other words, the predetermined distance (D) is the distance between the corresponding inner side edges 135 of the mounting arms 132a, 132b. The predetermined distance (D) between the mounting arms 132a, 132b depends upon the size and/or dimensions of electrical/electronic components 200 including the distance or gap between two electrical/electronic components 200 being adjacently mounted on the mounting bracket 100.
[033] In an embodiment, the central portion 120 is configured to have the width less than an overall width of the mounting bracket 100 i.e., W1+ W2+D. Whereas, the upper portion 122 of the central portion 120 has a width (W3) greater than the predetermined distance (D) between the mounting arms 132a, 132b. The lower portion 124 of the central portion 120 has a width (W4) greater than the width (W3) of the upper portion 122. Such width configuration provides a better rigidity to the mounting bracket 100 and extends secure and firm mounting support and stability to the electrical/electronic components 200 being mounted on the mounting bracket 100.
[034] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first electrical/electronic component illustrating the elongated slot configuration of the first electrical/electrical component 200a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the electrical/electronic component illustrating the elongated slot configuration 200b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the electrical/electronic component illustrating the elongated slot configuration of the third electrical/electronic component 200c, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[035] As shown, each of the first electrical/electronic component 200a, the second electronic component 200b and the third electronic component 200c has a different shape/ configuration. The first electronic component 200a has an attachment member 210a which is integrally formed with the body of the first electronic component 200a. The attachment member 210a includes an elongated slot 212a having a width (Wa). The second electronic component 200b has an attachment member 210b which is integrally formed with the body of the electronic component 200b. The attachment member 210b includes an elongated slot 212b having a width (Wb). The third electronic component 200c has an attachment member 210c which is integrally formed with the body of the electronic component 200c. The attachment member 210c includes an elongated slot 212c having a width (Wc). The width of mounting arms 132a, 132b (shown in Figure 4) depends upon the size of the electrical/electronic components 200a, 200b, 200c including the width of their elongated slots i.e., 212a, 212b and 212c. The width (W1, W2) of each of mounting arms 132a, 132b corresponds to at least one of width (Wa, Wb) of the elongated slots (212a, 212b) of any of first electrical/electronic component 200a and second electrical/electronic component 200b. In such way, two electrical/electronic components 200a, 200b of different sizes can be mounted individually on each of mounting arms 132a, 132b of the mounting bracket 100 (as shown in Figure 2).
[036] In an embodiment, the mounting arms 132a, 132b are configured to collectively receive the third electronic component 200c having the elongated slot 212c of width (Wc) greater than the width of elongated slots 212a, 212b. The width (Wc) of the third electronic component 200c corresponds to the total width (W1+W2) of both the mounting arms 132a, 132b including the predetermined distance (D) formed therebetween.
[037] Figure 8 illustrates mounting plane configuration(s) of the first portion and the second portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the mounting arms 132a, 132b of the second portion 130 are disposed in a same plane (P1). The stepped portion 125 is configured to dispose the first portion 110 in a second plane (P2). The second plane (P2) is a plane being parallel to the first plane (P1) of the mounting arms 132a, 132b. Such orientation of planes (P1, P2) provide a rigid and stable mounting support to the mounting bracket 100 for mounting the electrical/electronic components 200 (shown in Figure 2).
[038] In an embodiment, the mounting bracket 100 is integrally formed structure made of metal or plastic.
[039] Advantageously, the present invention provides a mounting bracket for mounting electrical/electronic components in a vehicle. The mounting bracket includes a configuration of having a plurality of mounting arms being capable of mounting multiple electrical/electronic components. This configuration eliminates the need of separate mounting brackets as required in conventional vehicles and provide a single mounting bracket which can be used for all the variants of the same vehicle and configured to accommodate multiple electrical/electronic components as per the requirements of the vehicle. The structure of mounting bracket improves ease of mounting the electrical/electronic components in the vehicle and provide a rigid mounting support. Further, the present invention enables locating the additional electrical/electronic components in the same space and provide compact packaging of the electrical/electronic components inside vehicle. The structure of the mounting bracket is simple and can be manufactured easily. The present invention provides a mounting bracket which is simple in construction and usage.
[040] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
100 – Mounting Bracket
110 – First portion of the mounting bracket
120 – Central portion of the mounting bracket
122 – Upper portion of the central portion
124 – Lower portion of the central portion
125 – Stepped portion
130 – Second portion of the mounting bracket
132a, 132b – Plurality of mounting arms
133 – Distal end
134 – Protruded portion of the distal end
135 – Inner side edges of the mounting arms
136 – Outer side edges of the mounting arms
200 – Electrical/electronic components
200a – First electrical/electronic component
200b – Second electrical/electronic component
200c – Third electrical/electronic component
210 – Attachment member of the electrical/electronic component
210a – Attachment member of the first electrical/electronic component
210b – Attachment member of the second electrical/electronic component
210c – Attachment member of the third electrical/electronic component
211 – Peripheral portion of the attachment member
212 – Elongated slot
212a – Elongated slot of the first electrical/electronic component
212b – Elongated slot of the second electrical/electronic component
212c – Elongated slot of the third electrical/electronic component
213 – Upper opening of the elongated slot
214 – Lower opening of the elongated slot
D- Predetermined distance between the plurality of mounting arms
P1 – Plane of plurality of mounting arms of the second portion
P2 – Plane of the first portion
W1, W2 – Width of plurality of mounting arms
Wa – Width of elongated slot of the first electrical/electronic component
Wb – Width of elongated slot of the second electrical/electronic component
Wc – Width of elongated slot of the third electrical/electronic component
, Claims:1. A mounting bracket (100) for mounting electrical/electronic components (200) in a vehicle, the mounting bracket (100) comprising:
a first portion (110) configured to be attached to a frame of the vehicle; and
a second portion (130) extending away from the first portion (110), the second portion (130) comprises a plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) being disposed spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) being configured to individually mount at least one electrical/electronic component (200) and collectively mount the one or more electrical/electronic components (200).

2. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) comprises: an inner side edge (135); an outer side edge (136) formed opposite to the inner side edge (135); and a distal end (133) extending between the inner side edge (136) and the outer side edge (136).

3. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of the mounting arms (132a, 132b) being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance (D).

4. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner side edges (135) of the plurality of the mounting arms (132a, 13b) being configured to collectively form a U-shaped depression.

5. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the each of the outer side edges (136) of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) being a rounded edge shape.

6. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the distal ends (133) comprises one or more protruded portions (134), the protruded portions (134) being configured to engage with a portion of the electrical/electronic component (200) to lockably secure the electronic component (200) with the mounting bracket (100).

7. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) being disposed in a same plane.

8. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a central portion (120) extending between the first portion (110) and the second portion (130), the central portion (120) comprises an upper portion (122) and a lower portion (124).

9. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lower portion (124) is having a width (W4) being greater than a width (W3) of the upper portion (122).

10. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the width (W3) of the upper portion (122) being greater than the predetermined distance (D) between the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b).

11. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lower portion (124) of the central portion (120) comprises a stepped portion (125), the stepped portion (125) configured to dispose the first portion (110) in a plane (P2) being different from the plane (P1) of the mounting arms (132a, 132b) of the second portion (130).

12. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plane (P2) of the first portion (110) being parallel to the plane (P1) of the mounting arms (132a, 132b) of the second portion (130).

13. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the stepped portion (125) being a rounded edge shape.

14. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) being configured to be received inside an attachment member (210) of at least one of the electrical/electronic components (200).

15. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) having a width (W1, W2) corresponding to a width (Wa, Wb, Wc) of at least one of the attachment portions (210) of the electrical/electronic components (200).

16. A vehicle comprising:
a frame structure;
one or more electrical/electronic components (200); and
at least one mounting bracket (100) for mounting the electrical/electronic components (200), the mounting bracket (100) comprises: a first portion (110) configured to be attached to the frame structure of the vehicle; and a second portion (130) extending away from the first portion (110), the second portion (130) comprises a plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) disposed spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) configured to individually receive at least one electrical/electronic component (200) and collectively receive one or more electrical/electronic components (200).

17. The vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the electrical/electronic components (200) comprises an attachment member (210) having an elongated slot (212), the elongated slots (212) being configured to receive at least one of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b).

18. The vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) having a width (W1, W2) corresponding to a width (Wa, Wb, Wc) of at least one of the elongated slots (212) of the attachment members (210).

19. The vehicle as claimed in claim 16, the plurality of the mounting arms (132a, 132c) being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance (D).

20. The vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) comprises: an inner side edge (135); an outer side edge (136) formed opposite to the inner side edge (135); and a distal end (133) extending between the inner side edge (136) and the outer side edge (136).

21. The vehicle as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the distal ends (133) comprises one or more protruded portions (134), the protruded portions (134) being configured to engage with a portion of the attachment member (210) to lockably secure the electrical/electronic component (200) with the mounting bracket (100).

22. The vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b) being disposed in a same plane.

23. The vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the mounting bracket (100) comprises a central portion (120) extending between the first portion (110) and the second portion (130), the central portion (120) comprises an upper portion (122) and a lower portion (124).

24. The vehicle as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lower portion (124) having a width (W4) being greater than a width (W3) of the upper portion (122).

25. The vehicle as claimed in claim 24, wherein the width (W3) of the upper portion (122) being greater than the predetermined distance (D) between the plurality of mounting arms (132a, 132b).

26. The vehicle as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lower portion of the central portion (120) comprises a stepped portion (125), the stepped portion (122) being configured to dispose the first portion (110) in a plane being different from the plane of the mounting arms (132a, 132b) of the second portion (130).

27. The vehicle as claimed in claim 26, wherein the plane of the first portion (110) being parallel to the plane of the mounting arms (132a, 132b) of the second portion (130).

28. The vehicle as claimed in claim 26, wherein the stepped portion (125) being a rounded edge shape.