Description:A BALANCER REINFORCEMENT BRACKET FOR BACK DOOR OF A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, generally, relates to a reinforcement for back door of a vehicle. The present disclosure, in particular, relates to a balancer reinforcement for back door of a vehicle capable of enduring stress generated due to opening and closing of back door and movement of the vehicle during running condition.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Back door of a vehicle provides access to cargo area of a vehicle. Types of back door includes, hatchback type configuration, in which back door swings upwards, in a flip-up movement, to provide the user access to the cargo area. Generally, a window frame is provided in the back door to accommodate a window. The window in the back door is fixed and immovable.
[0003] Top end of the back door is attached to vehicle body though hinges. These hinges facilitate swinging upward and downward movement of the back door. In addition, balancers are used to facilitate flip-up movement of the back door. The balancers are gas dampers with extendible rod. Each of the balancer is mounted on inner panel of the back door in balancer mounting region. Generally, the balancer mounting region is between the window frame and the side edge.
[0004] When the back door is opened, pressure of the gas in the balancers is applied in the direction in which the rod extends, so that back door remains open. To close the back door, user has to push the back door down against the force of the balancers which results from the pressure of the gas in the balancers. Oftentimes, the user pushes the back door down with plentiful force, which may lead to high stress in the balancer mounting region when the back door impacts with the vehicle body. Apart from the stresses generated during opening and closing of the back door, additional stresses are generated in the balancer mounting region during vehicle running condition.
[0005] One of the solutions, to the problem of high stress, is to change the layout of balancer by changing the mounting region on the inner panel of the back door. The balancer mounting region on back door could be shifted to a position where strength and rigidity of inner panel of the back door is high. However, the solution is not always feasible due to vehicle styling and layout constraint in the inner panel of the back door.
[0006] Other solution, to the problem of high stress, is to provide a large reinforcement bracket in the balancer mounting region of the back door. Existing reinforcement brackets are large in size to endure high amount of stresses generated in the balancer mounting region. Owing to their large size, existing brackets are costly and add up to the weight of the vehicle. Also, large size reinforcement brackets may obstruct the path of wiring harness in the back door. In addition, the reinforcement brackets are spot welded on the inner panel of the back door, at multiple attachment points. The region, in the vicinity of these multiple attachment points, may weaken over time due to repeated stresses, caused due to opening and closing of back door and vehicle running on rough road. Thus, the region, in the vicinity of these multiple attachment points, on the reinforcement bracket may get ruptured.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a balancer reinforcement bracket for back door of a vehicle capable of enduring stresses generated due to closing of the back door and movement of the vehicle during running conditions.

SUMMARY
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a balancer reinforcement bracket for back door of a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0009] The present subject matter relates to a balancer reinforcement bracket. The balancer reinforcement bracket comprises an attachment member and a base member. The attachment member is adapted to get attached on window frame in window region of the back door. The base member is integrally extending angularly from the attachment member. The base member is adapted to get attached to balancer mounting region of the back door. A cavity having a cut-out is provided on the base member to facilitate balancer in accessing balancer mounting point. A first continuous bead is provided originating on the attachment member in the window region and terminating on periphery of the cavity on the base member. A second continuous bead is provided along an edge, originating on the attachment member in the window region and terminating at an end of the base member.
[0010] In an aspect, the attachment member is attached on the window frame in the window region by spot welding at multiple attachment points.
[0011] In an aspect, the base member is attached on the balancer mounting region by spot welding at multiple attachment points.
[0012] In an aspect, a plurality of circular emboss is provided in vicinity of the attachment point on the base member.
[0013] In an aspect, a third continuous bead is provided originating on the attachment member in the window region and terminating at the emboss on the base member.
[0014] In an aspect, the attachment member comprises a main portion and an annex portion. The main portion is adapted to form the first continuous bead, the second continuous bead and the third continuous bead. The annex portion is adapted to accommodate spot welds for attachment of the attachment member on the window frame in the window region of the back door.
[0015] In an aspect, the base member integrally extends perpendicularly from the attachment member.
[0016] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0017] 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 FIGURES
[0018] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure 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 processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates isometric view of an exemplary balancer reinforcement bracket that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates top view of a balancer reinforcement bracket that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates rear view of a balancer reinforcement bracket that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates implementation of the balancer reinforcement bracket in the balancer mounting region of the back door, according to an implementation of the present disclosure
[0023] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0025] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0026] “Window Region” may be defined as the region on the inner panel of the back door where window frame is formed. Back door window is installed on the window frame formed in the window region.
[0027] “Balancer Mounting Region” may be defined as the region on the inner panel of the back door where the balancer is planned to be attached. The balancer mounting region is a high stress region.
[0028] “Balancer Mounting Point” may be defined as an exact location on the balancer mounting region where the balancer is planned to be attached.
[0029] “Attachment Points” may be defined as the exact location on the balancer reinforcement bracket where spot welds are provided to attach the balancer reinforcement bracket with the inner panel of the back door.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0030] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0031] Back door of a vehicle has a window region in which a window frame is provided to install a back window. In addition, back door has balancer mounting region where balancers are mounted to facilitate flip up movement of the back door. Stresses are generated in the window region and the balancer mounting region of the back door during closing of the back door and during vehicle running conditions. To endure the stress, a balancer reinforcement bracket is used in the balancer mounting region. However, it is intended to reduce the size of the bracket and increase the rigidity and strength of the bracket to endure high stress in the balancer mounting region of the back door.
[0032] In order to achieve this goal of enduring high stress in the balancer mounting region, a balancer reinforcement bracket with increased rigidity and strength may be utilized. The balancer reinforcement bracket is described in more detail below.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates isometric view of an exemplary balancer reinforcement bracket that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The balancer reinforcement bracket 100 comprises an attachment member 101 and a base member 102. The attachment member 101 is adapted to get attached on the window frame in the window region of the back door. The attachment member 101 has an annex portion 101a and a main portion 101b. The annex portion 101a of the attachment member 101 is provided to facilitate joining of the attachment member 101 on the window frame of the back door. In an aspect, the attachment member 101 is spot welded on the window frame in the window region of the back door. The spot welds are formed on the annex portion 101a of the attachment member 101.
[0034] The base member 102 integrally extends angularly from the attachment member 101. In an aspect, the base member 102 extends perpendicularly from the attachment member 101. The base member 102 is adapted to get attached on balancer mounting region of the back door. The base member 102 is provided to endure stress in the balancer mounting region resulting from opening and closing of the back door and during vehicle running condition. A cavity 103 with a cut-out 103a is provided on the base member 102. The cut-out 103a in the cavity 103 facilitate the balancers to gain access to the balancer mounting point present in the balancer mounting region.
[0035] Size of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 is curtailed by reducing the size of the attachment member 101 and the base member 102. However, the strength and rigidity to endure high stress in the balancer mounting region is increased by providing continuous beads 104, 105 over the attachment member 101 and the base member 102 of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100.
[0036] A first continuous bead 104 is provided to enhance strength and rigidity of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 in the vicinity of the balancer mounting point. The first continuous bead 104 originates on the attachment member 101 in the window region and terminates on periphery of the cavity 103 on the base member 102. In an aspect, the first continuous bead 104 is not provided on the annex portion 101a of the attachment member 101. The first continuous bead 104 originates on the main portion 101b of the attachment member 101.
[0037] A second continuous bead 105 is provided to enhance strength and rigidity around edges 102a, 102b of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100. Accordingly, the second continuous bead 105 is provided along first edge 102a of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100. The second continuous bead 105 originates on the attachment member 101 in the window region and terminates at an end of the base member 102. In an aspect, the second continuous bead 105 is not provided on the annex portion 101a of the attachment member 101. The second continuous bead 105 originates on the main portion 101b of the attachment member 101.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates top view of a balancer reinforcement bracket that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The base member 102 of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 is attached over the balancer mounting region by spot welding. The spot welds are provided, on multiple attachment points, on the outer periphery of the base member 102. The spot welds on the outer periphery of the base member 102 may get weakened over time due to repeated impact on back door and may eventually rupture. Accordingly, enhancement of rigidity and strength of the base member 102 in this region is desired. To achieve the enhancement of rigidity and strength in the region of the multiple attachment points, a plurality of embosses 201, 202 is provided. To further enhance rigidity and strength in the region of the multiple attachment points and for stress distribution, a third continuous bead 203 is provided. The third continuous bead 203 originates on the attachment member 101 in the window region and terminates at the emboss 201 on the base member 102. The high stress generated in the region of multiple attachment points is distributed by the third continuous bead 203.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates rear view of a balancer reinforcement bracket that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The first continuous bead 104, the second continuous bead 105 and the third continuous bead 203 are provided alongside each other in the main portion 101b of the attachment member 101. The first continuous bead 104, the second continuous bead 105 and the third continuous bead 203 are not extended on the annex portion 101a of the attachment member 101.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates implementation of the balancer reinforcement bracket in the balancer mounting region of the back door, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The balancer reinforcement bracket 100 is fixedly attached on inner panel 400 of the back door. The attachment member 101 of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 is attached to the window frame 401 in the window region. The base member 102 of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 is attached in the balancer mounting region. The contour of the attachment member 101 and the base member 102 of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 corresponds to the contour of the inner panel 400 of the back door in the window region and the balancer mounting region.
[0041] The balancer reinforcement bracket 100 is attached to the inner panel 400 using spot welding. The annex portion 101a of the attachment member 101 is spot welded, on multiple attachment points 402, to the window frame 401 in the window region. The outer periphery of the base member 102 is spot welded, on multiple attachment points 403, to the inner panel 400 in the balancer mounting region. Strength and rigidity of the base member 102 of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 is enhanced by providing the embosses 201, 202 in the vicinity of the spot welds. The first continuous bead 104 is provided in middle of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 originating from the main portion 101b of the attachment member 101 and terminating on the base member 102 in vicinity of the cavity 103. The second continuous bead 105 is provided along an edge 101a of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 originating from the main portion 101b of the attachment member 102 and terminating on the base member 102 at the end of the edge 101a. The third continuous bead 203 is provided in the vicinity of the other edge 102b of the balancer reinforcement bracket 100 originating from the main portion 101b of the attachment member 101 and terminating in the vicinity of the emboss 201.
ADVANTAGES
[0042] The balancer reinforcement bracket of the present disclosure ensures that the rigidity and strength in high stress region of the bracket is always maintained to endure the generated stress. Further, the balancer reinforcement bracket is smaller in size from the existing brackets which provides economic as well as weight benefits. As the size of the balancer reinforcement bracket is optimized, it is now easier to insert wiring harness and access wiring harness during service. Furthermore, the spot weld region of the balancer reinforcement bracket is also protected from rupture due to repeated impact of the back door.
[0043] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0044] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0045] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0046] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A balancer reinforcement bracket (100) for back door of a vehicle, the balancer reinforcement bracket (100) comprises:
an attachment member (101) adapted to get attached on window frame in window region of the back door; and
a base member (102), integrally extending angularly from the attachment member (101), adapted to get attached to balancer mounting region of the back door, wherein:
a cavity (103), having a cut-out (103a), is provided on the base member (102) to facilitate balancer in accessing balancer mounting point;
a first continuous bead (104) is provided originating on the attachment member (101) in the window region and terminating on periphery of the cavity (103) on the base member (102); and
a second continuous bead (105) is provided along an edge (102a), originating on the attachment member (101) in the window region and terminating at an end of the base member (102).
2. The balancer reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment member (101) is attached on the window frame (401) in the window region by spot welding at multiple attachment points (402).
3. The balancer reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base member (102) is attached on the balancer mounting region by spot welding at multiple attachment points (403).
4. The balancer reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein a plurality of circular embosses (201, 202) is provided in vicinity of the multiple attachment points (403) on the base member (102).
5. The balancer reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 4, wherein a third continuous bead (203) is provided originating on the attachment member (101) in the window region and terminating at the emboss (201) on the base member (102).
6. The balancer reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment member (101) comprises:
a main portion (101b) adapted to form the first continuous bead (104), the second continuous bead (105) and the third continuous bead (203); and
an annex portion (101a) adapted to accommodate spot welds for attachment of the attachment member (101) on the window frame in the window region of the back door.
7. The balancer reinforcement bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base member (102) integrally extends perpendicularly from the attachment member (101).