Description:A MOUNTING BRACKET AND A VEHICLE THEREOF
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a mounting bracket and a vehicle, and more particularly, relates to a mounting bracket for steering assembly of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND 5
[0002] Conventionally, vehicles have a steering assembly comprising steering column and a mounting bracket. However existing steering assembly and its mounting arrangements poses a challenge in protecting the steering column from dirt, dust, mud splash etc. When the vehicle is in running condition, it gets exposed to lot of external elements along with oncoming air. 10 These external elements include dirt, dust, mud splash and other impurities which further cause damage, rusting and therefore deteriorate the quality and performance of the vehicle. Over the time, these impurities get accumulated in the vehicle and the steering assembly is packaged in such a way that it is a challenge to clean and get rid of these impurities. Further, these impurities also 15 adversely affect the durability and life span of the vehicle.
[0003] In existing vehicles, the mounting bracket which is often used has open ends which does not cover the steering column and therefore does not protect the steering column from these oncoming impurities. Thus, these impurities have become an unavoidable challenge and therefore there arises a 20 need to have a mounting bracket and a vehicle having the mounting bracket which can overcome above mentioned problems.
SUMMARY
[0004] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be 25 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.
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[0005] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure provides a mounting bracket for a steering assembly of a vehicle. The mounting bracket comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member. The second member comprises a first opening configured to accommodate a head tube of the steering assembly of the vehicle. The third member comprises a
5 pocket. Herein, the first member, the second member and the third member are integrally attached to each other, and the pocket is facing towards the first member.
[0006] In an embodiment, the first member has a predefined shape forming an opening to accommodate the second member at a pre-defined inclination. 10
[0007] In an embodiment, the first member is dividing the second member into two parts: dust cover top and dust cover bottom. Herein surface area of the dust cover bottom is greater than surface area of the dust cover top.
[0008] In an embodiment, the first member is provided with a front surface and a rear surface, and the front surface is lying in the dust cover top and the 15 rear surface is lying in the dust cover bottom.
[0009] In an embodiment, the pocket is facing towards the dust cover top and the pocket is interacting with the dust cover bottom and making a predefined first angle. Herein the predefined first angle is in a range of 35 to 70 degrees and a length of the dust cover top is in a predefined range of 12 to 20 16mm.
[00010] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure provides a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the vehicle comprises at least one front rotating member mounted on a frame of the vehicle using a suspension system and a steering 25 assembly. Herein at least a portion of the steering assembly is mounted with a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member. The second member comprising a first opening configured to accommodate a steering column of the steering assembly of the vehicle. The third member comprises a pocket. Herein, the first member, the 30
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second member and the third member are integrally attached to each other, and the pocket is facing towards the first member. [00011] In an embodiment, the mounting bracket is located above the at least one front rotating member and underneath the front cowl of the vehicle.
[00012] In an embodiment, the first member is dividing the second member, 5 into two parts: dust cover top and dust cover bottom herein surface area of the dust cover bottom is greater than surface area of the dust cover top and the first member of the mounting bracket is physically connected to a front cowl of the vehicle.
[00013] In an embodiment, the pocket is facing towards the dust cover top 10 and the pocket is interacting with the dust cover bottom and making a predefined first angle, herein the predefined first angle is in a range of 35 to 70 degrees and a length of the dust cover top is in a predefined range of 12 to 16mm.
[00014] In an embodiment, the mounting bracket is configured to 15 accommodate a head tube of the steering assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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[00015] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention.
[00016] The detailed description is described with reference to the 25 accompanying figures, which is related to a movable load-carrying device which can be a multi wheeled vehicle being one embodiment of the present subject matter. However, the present subject matter is not limited to the depicted embodiment(s). In the figures, the same or similar numbers are used throughout to reference features and components. 30
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[00017] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00018] Fig. 2 illustrates side views of the mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00019] Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of a front portion of the vehicle, in 5 accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00020] Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of the front portion of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION 10
[00021] The present disclosure may be best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the methods and systems 15 may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented, and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. 20
[00022] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “preferred embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular 25 feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[00023] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in 30 many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments
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set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. [00024] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely 5 illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. 10
[00025] Various features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. It is contemplated that the concepts of the present subject matter may be applied to any kind of vehicle within the spirit and scope of this subject matter. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the 15 present subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places.
[00026] It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting bracket for a vehicle at a location which can cover the steering column and protect the steering assembly from oncoming impurities like dirt, dust and mud splash 20 when vehicle is in running condition. It is also an object of the present invention to improve the performance of the vehicle by protecting the vehicle from accumulation of these impurities. It is another object of the present invention to enhance the life span and durability of the steering assembly of the vehicle. It is another object of the present invention to prevent the downtime of the vehicle 25 and to provide less servicing and cleaning time by preventing the accumulation of the impurities and protecting the steering column from being exposed to the impurities like dirt, dust, mud splash etc. It is also an object to install the mounting bracket in such a way that it does not cause any interference issue with other components of the vehicle and covering the steering column 30 appropriately to prevent exposure to impurities.
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[00027] The present subject matter along with all the accompanying embodiments and their other advantages would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following paragraphs.
[00028] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely 5 illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. 10
[00029] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting bracket (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The mounting bracket (100) comprises a first member (110), a second member (120) and a third member (130). The second member (120) comprising a first opening (120o), the first opening (120o) is configured to accommodate a head tube 15 (shown in Fig. 3) of the steering assembly (shown in Fig. 3) of the vehicle (300). The third member (130) comprises a pocket (140). The first member (110), the second member (120) and the third member (130) are integrally attached to each other. The pocket (140) is facing towards the first member (110). In an embodiment, the first member has a pre defined shape which includes but not 20 limited to a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, and the like.
[00030] In a preferred embodiment, the first member (110) has an elliptical shape. The first member (110) has an opening (110o) to accommodate the second member (120). In an embodiment, the second member (120) is placed in the opening (110o) at a predefined inclination. In an embodiment, the first 25 member (110) is dividing the second member (120), into two parts: dust cover top (110t) and dust cover bottom (110b) wherein surface area of the dust cover bottom (110b) is greater than surface area of the dust cover top (110t). In an embodiment, the second member (120) comprising plurality of hollow concentric circles to receive at least a portion of steering assembly (310) (as 30 shown in Fig. 3). The second member (120) is secured at the pre defined
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inclination so that it can accommodate the steering column without any obstacle. The third member (130) is attached to the first member (110). The first member (110) has a front surface (110f) and a rear surface (110r). The front surface (110f) is lying in the dust cover top (110t) and the rear surface (110r) is lying in the dust cover bottom (110b). In an embodiment, the pocket (140) is 5 facing towards the dust cover top (110t) and the pocket (140) is interacting with the dust cover bottom (110b) and making a predefined first angle (??), herein the predefined first angle (??) is in a range of 35 to 70 degrees and a length of the dust cover top (110t) is in a predefined range of 12 to 16mm. The mentioned range allows optimum steering without causing any interference with other 10 components of the vehicle (100). Fig. 1 also illustrates an axis AA’ passing along the first member (110) and an axis BB’ passing along the third member ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????alpha angle ranges from 35 to 70 degrees. [00031] Fig. 2 illustrates side views of the mounting bracket (100), in 15 accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The left and right-side views of the mounting bracket (100) show the first member (110) a sleek line, the second member (120) as a triangular shape attached to the sleek line of the first member (110). The third member (130) is shown to be attached to the first member (110), opposite to the second member (120). In an 20 embodiment, the first member (110) is provided with a front surface (110f) (as shown in Fig. 1) and a rear surface (110r). The rear surface (110r) faces towards the internal environment of the vehicle (300). In an embodiment, the first member (110) has an upper portion (110u) and the lower portion (110l), herein, the second member (120) is extending along the first member (110) from the 25 upper portion (110u) to the lower portion (110l). In an embodiment, the third member (130) is attached to the lower portion (110l) of the front surface (110f) of the first member (110). The third member (130) has a U shape structure which acts as a shield to cover the steering column and to protect the steering assembly from oncoming impurities. The third member (130) is shown as a 30 parallelogram shape according to the side view. The third member (130) is
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connected to the front surface because the impurities come from the front surface which is exposed to the external environment. [00032] Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of front portion (300f) of the vehicle (300), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (300) has the front portion (300f) and a rear portion (not shown). 5
[00033] In an embodiment, the front portion (300f) of the vehicle (300) comprising at least one front rotating member (320) mounted on a frame of the vehicle (300) using a suspension system and a steering assembly (310), herein at least a portion of the steering assembly (310) is mounted with a mounting bracket (100). The mounting bracket (100) comprises the first member (110), 10 the second member (120), and the third member (130). The second member (120) comprising a first opening (120o) to accommodate a headtube (310h) of the steering assembly (310) of the vehicle (300). The third member (130) comprises a pocket (140). The first member (110), the second member (120) and the third member (130) are integrally attached to each other and the pocket 15 (140) is facing towards the first member (110).
[00034] The mounting bracket (100) (as shown in Fig. 1) is present in the front portion (300f) as the steering assembly (310) is also present in the front portion (300f) of the vehicle (300). Fig. 3 also illustrates the front rotating member (320). In an embodiment, the mounting bracket (100) is located above 20 the at least one front rotating member (320) and underneath the front cowl (410) of the vehicle (300). In an embodiment, the front rotating member (320) is a front wheel attached to front suspension system comprising the steering assembly (310). The oncoming air flow along with impurities like dirt, dust, mud splash is also depicted as dashed line in Fig. 3. The dashed line clearly 25 indicates that the third member (130) of the mounting bracket (100) is acting as a shield to cover the steering assembly (310) and thus diverted the impurities downwards towards earth and therefore protecting the vehicle from exposure to the impurities. Thus, enhancing the life span, durability and performance of the vehicle. The mounting bracket (100) also prevents prolonged duration of 30 downtime while servicing and cleaning of the vehicle.
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[00035] Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of the front portion (300f) of the vehicle (300), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The front portion (300f) from the front view illustrates the front rotating member (320) and the front view of the mounting bracket (100). An enlarged view is also illustrated for better understanding. The enlarged view illustrates the 5 mounting bracket (100) is connected to a front cowl (410) of the vehicle (300).
In an embodiment, the steering assembly (310) can be turned to 45 degrees left and 45 degrees right without causing any interference with other components of the vehicle (300). In an embodiment, the mounting bracket (100) is press fitted in the front cowl (410) of the vehicle (300). In one embodiment, the first 10 member (110) is dividing the second member (120), into two parts: dust cover top (110t) and dust cover bottom (110b) wherein surface area of the dust cover bottom (110b) is greater than surface area of the dust cover top (110t) and the first member (110) of the mounting bracket (100) is physically connected to a front cowl (410) of the vehicle (300). In an embodiment, the pocket (140) is 15 facing towards the dust cover top (110t) and the pocket (140) is interacting with ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????35 to 70 degrees and a length of the dust cover top (110t) is in a predefined range of 12 to 16mm. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket (100) is configured to accommodate a head 20 tube (310h) of the steering assembly (310).
[00036] The vehicle (300) may be a three-wheeled vehicle and may also be a multi-axled vehicle in different embodiments, the present invention is applicable in different types of vehicles, wherever there is a need of mounting bracket which can protect the vehicle (300) from oncoming impurities. In one 25 of the embodiments of the present disclosure the vehicle (300) may be an Electric Vehicle (EV), a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based vehicle and have components suitable for traction. The vehicle (300) is provided with a floorboard which is disposed on the frame assembly of the vehicle (300). The front portion (300f) is located in 30 front side of the vehicle (300). The rear portion (not shown) is located at a rear
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side of the vehicle (300). In one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, in case of three wheeled passenger vehicle a passenger seat assembly (not shown) is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle (300) for providing a seating space to the passengers of the three wheeled passenger vehicle (300). In one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, in case of three wheeled cargo 5 vehicle a cargo deck assembly is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle (300) for providing space for accommodating cargo in the three wheeled cargo vehicle (300).
[00037] The present subject matter may be implemented in any multi wheeled vehicle. However, for the purpose of explanation and by no limitation, 10 the present invention, and corresponding additional advantages and features are described through the following embodiments depicting a multi wheeled vehicle.
[00038] Thus, the present subject matter offers an advantage of providing a mounting bracket for the vehicle which can protect the vehicle from oncoming 15 impurities including dirt, dust and mud splash when the vehicle is in running condition. Another advantage of the present subject matter is to have the mounting bracket at a location which provides a covering member to prevent the accumulation of these impurities over a period of time. Another advantage of the present subject matter is prevention of deterioration of the vehicle 20 performance by providing a mounting bracket to cover the steering assembly to prevent entry of external elements such as dust, dirt, mud splash etc. Another advantage of the present subject matter is prevention of frequent servicing maintenance requirements by preventing the entry of water, mud, dirt, and dust by having a third member for additional protection. Another advantage of the 25 present subject matter is providing a more robust mounting bracket having structural strength and integrity along with a more aesthetic look. Thus, the mounting bracket and the vehicle will also look strong and aesthetically appealing. Another advantage of the present subject matter is the specific location of the mounting bracket which prevents the entry of water, mud, dirt, 30 stone hitting and dust during vehicle running condition.
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[00039] While certain features of the claimed subject matter have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the claimed subject matter.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A mounting bracket (100) for a steering assembly (310) of a vehicle (300), the mounting bracket (100) comprising: 5
a first member (110);
a second member (120), the second member (120) comprising a first opening (120o), the first opening (120o) being configured to accommodate a head tube (310h) of the steering assembly (310) of the vehicle (300); and
a third member (130), the third member (130) comprising a pocket 10 (40);
wherein, the first member (110), the second member (120) and the third member (130) being integrally attached to each other, and the pocket (140) is facing towards the first member (110).
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2. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first member (110) being a predefine shape forming an opening (110o) to accommodate the second member (120) at a pre defined inclination.
3. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the first member (110) is dividing the second member (120), into two parts: dust 20 cover top (110t) and dust cover bottom (110b) wherein surface area of the dust cover bottom (110b) is greater than surface area of the dust cover top (110t).
4. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the first member (110) being provided with a front surface (110f) and a rear surface 25 (110r) and the front surface (110f) is lying in the dust cover top (110t) and the rear surface (110r) is lying in the dust cover bottom (110b).
5. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the pocket (140) is facing towards the dust cover top (110t) and the pocket (140) is interacting ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????30
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wherein the predefined first angle (??) is in a range of 35 to 70 degrees and a length of the dust cover top (110t) is in a predefined range of 12 to 16mm.
6. A vehicle (300), the vehicle (300) comprising:
a front portion (300f) and a rear portion, the front portion (300f) of 5 the vehicle (300) comprising at least one front rotating member (320) mounted on a frame of the vehicle (300) using a suspension system and a steering assembly (310), wherein at least a portion of the steering assembly (310) being mounted with a mounting bracket (100) wherein the mounting bracket (100) comprising: 10
a first member (110);
a second member (120), the second member (120) comprising a first opening (120o), the first opening (120o) is configured to accommodate a headtube (310h) of the steering assembly (310) of the vehicle (300); and 15
a third member (130), the third member (130) comprising a pocket (140);
wherein, the first member (110), the second member (120) and the third member (130) being integrally attached to each other and the pocket (140) is facing towards the first member (110). 20
7. The vehicle (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, the mounting bracket (100) being located above the at least one front rotating member (320) and underneath the front cowl (410) of the vehicle (300).
8. The vehicle (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, the first member (110) is dividing the second member (120), into two parts: dust cover top (110t) and 25 dust cover bottom (110b) wherein surface area of the dust cover bottom (110b) is greater than surface area of the dust cover top (110t) and the first member (110) of the mounting bracket (100) being physically connected to a front cowl (410) of the vehicle (300).
9. The vehicle (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, the pocket (140) is facing 30 towards the dust cover top (110t) and the pocket (140) is interacting with
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the dust cover bottom (110b) and making a predefined first angle (??), wherein the predefined first angle (??) is in a range of 35 to 70 degrees and a length of the dust cover top (110t) is in a predefined range of 12 to 16mm. 10.The vehicle (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, the mounting bracket(100)is configured to accommodate a head tube (310h) of the steering 5 assembly (310).