Description:A HOOD CUSHION MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE
[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to a hood mounting assembly in a vehicle, in particular, the present subject matter relates to a hood cushion mounting structure for the vehicle.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Traditionally, in current SUV styled vehicles, a front hood of the SUV vehicle is heavier. Due to the front hood being heavier, the impact loads generated at the mounting are higher which makes it necessary for the hood cushion mounting structure to be rigid. However, the existing hood cushion mounting structures are not able to withstand higher hood impact load and prone to failure during hood slam.
[0003] Thus, there is a need for a solution to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed below.
[0005] It is a general or primary object of the present subject matter to provide a hood cushion mounting structure with sufficient rigidity and durability for withstanding a hood impact load.
[0006] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the hood cushion mounting structure that provides a support to the inner hood panel.
[0007] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a hood cushion mounting structure for a vehicle. The hood cushion mounting structure includes a cushion stay structure configured to provide a support to an inner hood panel of the vehicle, and a C-shaped bracket connected to the cushion stay structure, configured to withstand a hood impact load.
[0009] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the cushion stay structure (304) has a leaning profile towards a vehicle front.
[0010] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the cushion stay structure comprises a first portion connected to the C-shaped bracket, and a second portion with a through hole, configured to be attached to the hood inner panel through a cushion with an upper portion and a lower portion. The through hole allows a passage of the lower portion and the upper portion is connected to the hood inner panel.
[0011] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the first portion is a S-shaped portion with the leaning profile comprising a top end, and a bottom end with a first end and a second end, spot welded with the C-shaped bracket through a plurality of second joining points forming an L-shaped connection at the second end.
[0012] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the C-shaped bracket comprises a first section with a front portion, a rear portion away from the front portion, a left portion, and a right portion. The first section is a reverse podium shaped section, comprising a first depression at a center to endure the hood impact load received by the C-shaped bracket at the first section from the inner hood panel connected to the cushion stay structure and a lamp assembly. The C-shaped bracket comprises a second section with an inner surface, and an outer surface, extending vertically downwards from the rear portion. The outer surface is connected to a cushion stay structure through a plurality of first joining points located beneath the first section forming an L-shaped connection at the outer surface. The C-shaped bracket comprises a third section with an outer portion, an inner portion, a left end, and a right end, attached to the second section through the inner portion. The outer portion is extending away from the inner portion between the left end and the right end.
[0013] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the plurality of first joining points are aligned with a plurality of second joining points on the cushion stay structure for spot welding the cushion stay structure with the C-shaped bracket.
[0014] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the second section comprises an emboss surface protruding out of the outer surface, having a joining point amongst the plurality of first joining points placed at an inclined angle with respect to other joining points amongst the plurality of first joining points.
[0015] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the third section comprises a second depression alongside a wheel arch shaped running fillet.
[0016] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the second section comprises a step structure extending between the rear portion of the first section and the inner portion of the third section.
[0017] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the cushion stay structure includes a first pair of flanges along a length of the cushion stay structure and the C-shaped bracket includes a second pair of flanges along a length of the C-shaped bracket.
[0018] 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
[0019] 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:
[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a perspective view of a vehicle front, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0021] Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram depicting a cushion which is connected with an inner hood panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0022] Fig. 3 illustrates diagram depicting a side view of a hood cushion mounting structure, as seen from vehicle engine side, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0023] Fig. 4 illustrates diagram depicting a perspective view of a cushion stay structure, as seen from vehicle outside, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0024] Fig. 5 illustrates a diagram depicting a perspective view of a C-shaped bracket, in accordance with the embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0025] Fig. 6 illustrates a diagram depicting a side view of a leaning profile of the cushion stay structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0026] Fig. 7 illustrates a diagram depicting a hood cushion mounting structure attached to an inner hood panel, as seen from vehicle engine side, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0027] Fig. 8 illustrates a diagram depicting a top perspective view of the hood cushion mounting structure attached to a rear end of hood mounting assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram 100 depicting a perspective view of a vehicle front, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0031] Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram 200 depicting a cushion which is connected with an inner hood panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0032] Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram 300 depicting a side view of a hood cushion mounting structure 302, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The hood cushion mounting structure 302 may be attached at a rear end of a hood mounting assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the hood mounting assembly may include the hood cushion mounting structure 302 on the rear end of a hood of the vehicle and a hood front-end mounting structure (not shown). The hood cushion mounting structure 302 may be configured to provide a support for carrying an inner hood panel of the hood. The inner hood panel may be attached to the hood cushion mounting structure 302 via a cushion attached to the inner hood panel. The cushion may be received by the hood cushion mounting structure 302 for connecting the inner hood panel with the hood cushion mounting structure 302. One end of the cushion is connected to the inner hood panel while the other end of the cushion is received by the hood cushion mounting structure 302. The hood cushion mounting structure 302 may be configured to provide a rigidity and durability for withstanding high hood impact loads.
[0033] Continuing with the above embodiment, the hood cushion mounting structure 302 may include a cushion stay structure 304 and a C-shaped bracket 306. The cushion stay structure 304 may be permanently attached to the C-shaped bracket 306 via spot welding. The cushion stay structure 304 and the C-shaped bracket 306 each may include a plurality of joining points that may be spot-welded with one another for permanently attaching the cushion stay structure 304 and the C-shaped bracket 306. A plurality of embossed regions is provided on the plurality of the joining points in the cushion stay structure 304 and the C-shaped bracket 306. The cushion stay structure 304 may be configured to endure a load associated with the inner hood panel while the C-shaped bracket 306 may be configured to endure a load associated with a lamp assembly, the cushion stay structure 304, and the inner hood panel. The cushion stay structure 304 may be of a leaning profile towards a vehicle front and may further configured to provide a support to the inner hood panel of the vehicle. To that understanding, the C-shaped bracket 306 may be configured to provide stiffness and enhance the durability of the hood cushion mounting structure 302.
[0034] Fig. 4 illustrates a diagram 400 depicting a perspective view of the cushion stay structure 304, as seen from vehicle outside, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The cushion stay structure 304 may be of a leaning profile towards a vehicle front and may further configured to provide a support to an inner hood panel of the vehicle. The inner hood panel is mounted to one end of a cushion and the other end of the cushion is being received by the cushion stay structure 304. The leaning profile may indicate that the cushion stay structure 304 is of a curved shape and curved towards the vehicle front. Furthermore, the cushion stay structure 304 may be a one-piece structure. The cushion stay structure 304 may be a component of the hood cushion mounting structure 302, configured to provide a support to the inner hood panel of a vehicle. The cushion stay structure 304 may be fixed at a rear end of a vehicle hood to be able to support the inner hood panel. The cushion stay structure 304 may be supporting the inner hood panel from one end while being permanently attached to a C-shaped bracket 306 from another end such that the C-shaped bracket 306 also provides a support to the inner hood panel.
[0035] Continuing with the above embodiment, the cushion stay structure 304 may include a first portion 402 and a second portion 404. The cushion stay structure 304 may be permanently attached to the C-shaped bracket 306 through the first portion 402. The first portion 402 may be a S-shaped portion leaning towards the vehicle front. The first portion 402 may include a top end 406, and a bottom end 408. The bottom end 408 may include a first end 408a and a second end 408b. The bottom end 408 may be spot-welded with the C-shaped bracket 306 through a plurality of joining points. The plurality of emboss surfaces is provided on the plurality of the joining points in the second end 408b. The plurality of emboss surfaces may be present in an L-shaped orientation with another forming a L-shaped connection at the second end 408b.
[0036] To that understanding, the second portion 404 may be configured to be connected to the hood inner panel via a cushion. The cushion may include an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion may be connected to the inner hood panel and the lower portion may be connected to the second portion 404 of the cushion stay structure 304. In a preferred embodiment, the second portion 404 may include a through hole 414 that may be configured to allow passage of the lower portion of the cushion.
[0037] Moving forward, the cushion stay structure 304 may also include a first pair of flanges 410a, 410b along a length of the cushion stay structure 304. The first pair of flanges 410a, 410b increases rigidity of the cushion stay structure 304.
[0038] Fig. 5 illustrates a diagram 500 depicting a perspective view of the C-shaped bracket 306, in accordance with the embodiment of the present subject matter. The C-shaped bracket 306 may be a component of a hood cushion mounting structure 302 as referred in the fig. 3. The C-shaped bracket 306 may be permanently attached to a cushion stay structure 304 for forming the hood cushion mounting structure 302. The hood cushion mounting structure 302 may be configured to provide stiffness, rigidity and durability to the hood cushion mounting structure 302 for withstanding a hood impact load. The hood cushion mounting structure 302 may also be configured to provide a support to an inner hood panel connected to the cushion stay structure and a lamp assembly.
[0039] Continuing with the above embodiment, the C-shaped bracket 306 may include a first section 502, a second section 504, and a third section 506. The first section 502 may be a horizontal section shaped as a reverse podium. The first section 502 may be configured to endure the load of lamp assembly and vehicle front fender, both mounted on the first section 502. The first section 502 may include a front portion 502a, a rear portion 502b extending away from the front portion 502a, a left portion 502c, and a right portion 502d. The first section 502 may further include a first depression 502e at a center to separate the mounting planes of lamp assembly and vehicle fender assembly. The first depression 502e may be configured to distribute the load across the first section 502 between the left portion 502c and the right portion 502d.
[0040] Moving forward, the second section 504 may be a vertical section extending downwards from the rear portion 502b towards the third section 506. The second section 504 may include an inner surface 504a and an outer surface 504b. The outer surface 504b may be permanently connected to the cushion stay structure 304 through a plurality of first joining points 508. The plurality of first joining points 508 may be forming an L-shaped connection at the outer surface 504b and may be located beneath the first section 502. A plurality of emboss surfaces are provided on the plurality of first joining points 508 in the second section 504. The plurality of emboss surfaces may be present in an L-shaped orientation with one another forming an L-shaped connection at the second section 504. Spotwelding may be performed on the plurality of second joining points 508 of the cushion stay structure 304 and a plurality of first joining points of the C-shaped bracket 306 aligned with one another so as to connect the cushion stay structure 304 with the C-shaped bracket 306.
[0041] Subsequently, the plurality of emboss surfaces in the second section 504 may include a first emboss surface 510 containing a joining point from the plurality of first joining points 508. The first emboss surface 510 may be protruding out of the outer surface 504b such that the joining point is placed at an inclined angle with respect to other joining points amongst the plurality of first joining points 508. The placement of the joining point on the first emboss surface 510 may provide greater rigidity due to the inclined orientation. The second section 504 may further include a step structure 512. The step structure 512 may be extending between the rear portion 502b of the first section 502 and the third section 506. The step structure 512 may be configured to provide the rigidity to the C-shaped bracket 306.
[0042] Continuing with the above embodiment, the third section 506 may be a horizontal section parallel to the first section 502. The third section 506 may include an outer portion 506a, an inner portion 506b, a left end 506c, and a right end 506d. The outer portion 506a may be extending away from the inner portion 506b between the left end 506c and the right end 506d. The second section 504 may be extending downwards from the rear portion 502b towards the inner portion 506b of the third section 506 so as to form the C-shaped bracket 306. The third section 506 may include a second depression 514 alongside a wheel arch shaped running fillet. The second depression 514 may be configured to maximize the stiffness of the C-shaped bracket 306 structure and enhance the durability of the hood cushion mounting structure.
[0043] Moving forward, the C-shaped bracket 306 structure may also include a second pair of flanges 516a, 516b along a length of the C-shaped bracket 306 structure. The second pair of flanges 516a, 516b increases rigidity of the C-shaped bracket 306.
[0044] Fig. 6 illustrates a diagram 600 depicting a side view depicting a leaning profile of the cushion stay structure 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The leaning profile may indicate that the cushion stay structure 304 is curved in shape. The cushion stay structure 304 may be leaning towards a vehicle front. The cushion stay structure 304 may include a plurality of emboss regions provided on the second plurality of the joining points 602 in the second end 408b. The plurality of emboss regions 604 may be present in an L-shaped orientation with another forming a L-shaped connection at the second end 408b. Spotwelding may be performed on the second plurality of the joining points 602 and the plurality of the joining points of a C-shaped bracket 306 aligned with one another so as to permanently connect the cushion stay structure 304 with the C-shaped bracket 306.
[0045] Fig. 7 illustrates a diagram 700 depicting the hood cushion mounting structure 302 attached to an inner hood panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The hood cushion mounting structure 302 may be attached to inner hood panel via the cushion stay structure 304 as referred in the fig. 3. The cushion stay structure 304 may be configured to receive a cushion that may further be receiving the inner hood panel when a hood of a vehicle is slammed down.
[0046] Fig. 8 illustrates a diagram 800 depicting a top perspective view of the hood cushion mounting structure 302 attached to a rear end of hood mounting assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The hood cushion mounting structure 302 may be configured to endure an impact load of an inner hood panel.
[0047] 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 hood cushion mounting structure (302) for a vehicle, the hood cushion mounting structure (302) comprising:
a cushion stay structure (304) configured to provide a support to an inner hood panel of the vehicle; and
a C-shaped bracket (306) connected to the cushion stay structure (304), configured to withstand a hood impact load.

2. The hood cushion mounting structure (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cushion stay structure (304) has a leaning profile towards a vehicle front.

3. The hood cushion mounting structure (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cushion stay structure (304) comprises:
a first portion (402) connected to the C-shaped bracket (306); and
a second portion (404) with a through hole (414), configured to be attached to the hood inner panel through a cushion with an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the through hole (414) allows a passage of the lower portion and the upper portion is connected to the hood inner panel.

4. The hood cushion mounting structure (302) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first portion (402) is a S-shaped portion with the leaning profile comprising:
a top end (406); and
a bottom end (408) with a first end (408a) and a second end (408b), spot welded with the C-shaped bracket (306) through a plurality of second joining points (602) forming an L-shaped connection at the second end (408b).

5. The hood cushion mounting structure (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the C-shaped bracket (306) comprises:
a first section (502) with a front portion (502a), a rear portion (502b) away from the front portion (502a), a left portion (502c), and a right portion (502d), wherein the first section (502) is a reverse podium shaped section, comprising a first depression (502e) at a center to endure the hood impact load received by the C-shaped bracket (306) at the first section (502) from the inner hood panel connected to the cushion stay structure (304) and a lamp assembly;
a second section (504) with an inner surface (504a) and an outer surface (504b), extending vertically downwards from the rear portion (502b), wherein the outer surface (504b) is connected to a cushion stay structure (304) through a plurality of first joining points (508) located beneath the first section (502) forming an L-shaped connection at the outer surface (504b); and
a third section (506) with an outer portion (506a), an inner portion (506b), a left end (506c), and a right end (506d), attached to the second section (504) through the inner portion (506b), wherein the outer portion (506a) is extending away from the inner portion (506b) between the left end (506c) and the right end (506d).

6. The hood cushion mounting structure (302) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of first joining points (508) are aligned with a plurality of second joining points (602) on the cushion stay structure (304) for spot welding the cushion stay structure (304) with the C-shaped bracket (306).

7. The hood cushion mounting structure (302) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second section (504) comprises an emboss surface (510) protruding out of the outer surface (504b), having a first joining point amongst the plurality of first joining points (508) placed at an inclined angle with respect to other joining points amongst the plurality of first joining points (508).

8. The hood cushion mounting structure (302) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the third section (506) comprises a second depression (514) alongside a wheel arch shaped running fillet.

9. The hood cushion mounting structure (302) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second section (504) comprises a step structure (512) extending between the rear portion (502b) of the first section (502) and the inner portion (506b) of the third section (506).

10. The hood cushion mounting structure (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cushion stay structure (304) comprises a first pair of flanges (410a, 410b) along a length of the cushion stay structure (304) and the C-shaped bracket (306) comprises a second pair of flanges (516a, 516b) along a length of the C-shaped bracket (306).