Description:A BATTERY MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR ACCOMMODATING BATTERY OF A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to mounting of battery in engine room of a vehicle. The present invention, in particular, relates to a battery mounting structure for accommodating battery in the engine room of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] An engine room is provided under the front hood of the vehicle. In the engine room engine is fixedly mounted. Apart from engine, many other components such as electronic control unit, harness, battery, CNG pressure regulator etc. are also fixedly mounted. The components in the engine room are tightly placed. Often times the components in the engine room are in close vicinity with each other.
[0003] In the event of front impact of vehicle, situation may arise that results in different components of vehicle entering into territory of adjacent component. This may lead to unfavorable consequences.
[0004] Referring to FIG. 1a illustrating arrangement of various components inside the engine room, in event of front impact, of a vehicle as per the existing art. In the existing engine room, a battery 101 is mounted over a battery mounting structure 100. On one edge of the battery mounting structure 100 a bracket 102 is fixed which is adapted to accommodate electronic control unit 103. CNG gas regulator 104 is provided in the vicinity of the electronic control unit 103. In the event of front impact, the electronic control unit 103 may hit the CNG gas regulator 104. This may lead to gas leakage which may eventually result in fire.
[0005] Referring to FIG. 1b illustrating a battery mounting structure of a vehicle in accordance with the existing art. The battery mounting structure 100 is fixed over a bracket (not shown), welded over long member 105 of a vehicle, present in the engine room. The battery mounting structure 100 is fixed over the bracket welded over the long member 105, using fasteners 106 such as bolts. In the assembled state, head of the bolts lies in the surface of the battery mounting structure 100 which makes the placement of battery 101 over the surface difficult. To overcome this problem, a large rectangular emboss 107 is provided.
[0006] Generally, battery mounting structure 100 is adapted to accommodate batteries of various sizes. The battery 101 is mounted over the rectangular emboss 107. Presence of this rectangular emboss 107 in the battery mounting structure 100 results in decreased resting space on the surface of the battery mounting structure 100. Provision is provided on the sides of the battery mounting structure 100 to fix the battery 101 over the battery mounting structure 100.
[0007] When the vehicle is in motion and the vehicle is running over rough roads, vibrations are generated in the battery mounting structure 100. These vibrations cause the battery 101 of smaller sizes, to displace over the surface of the battery mounting structure 100 and fall into the rectangular emboss 107. This results in looseness, slackness or gap in the structure that holds the battery 101 which is an unwanted phenomenon.
[0008] In addition to the above-mentioned problems, one more problem exist in the existing battery mounting structure 100. Periphery of the battery mounting structure 100 has integrally extending vertical walls 108. In event of leakage of liquid (acid or water) from the battery 101, there is no provision provided in the existing battery mounting structure 100 to drain the accumulated liquid without harming the other components in the vicinity. In the existing battery mounting structure 100, liquid may get accumulated around the battery 101 until the liquid overflows from the vertical walls 108 on the outer periphery. The leakage of this liquid from the battery mounting structure 100 damages other components in the vicinity. For example, leakage of acid from the battery 101 may lead to corrosion of metallic components in the vicinity.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a battery mounting structure which is capable of preventing any collision of components in the engine room of a vehicle, in the event of front impact. Further, there is a need for a battery mounting structure which is capable of strongly holding the batteries of various sizes. Furthermore, there is a need of a battery mounting structure which is capable of draining liquid accumulated over the surface of the battery mounting structure, resulting from leakage in battery, without damaging any component in the vicinity of the battery.

SUMMARY
[0010] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a battery mounting structure 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.
[0011] The present disclosure relates to a battery mounting structure for accommodating battery of a vehicle. The battery mounting structure comprises a battery tray adapted to accommodate battery of a vehicle. The battery tray has a base and an adjunct. The base has a first short edge, a second short edge, a first long edge and a second long edge. The adjunct is integrally extending from the first short edge and the first long edge adapted to accommodate a vertical bracket to fixedly attach electronic control unit. The base is provided with an emboss in the shape of quatrefoil.
[0012] In an aspect, a plurality of beads is provided on the adjunct to enhance rigidity of the adjunct.
[0013] In an aspect, a plurality of holes is provided in the emboss to facilitate fastening of the battery mounting structure with a bracket fixedly attached to long member of the vehicle.
[0014] In an aspect, an outlet hole is provided in the emboss which act as a passage to drain liquid accumulated in the battery tray.
[0015] In an aspect, an aqueduct is provided connecting the outside of the emboss with the base of the emboss, to direct liquid towards the outlet hole in the emboss and strengthen the structure.
[0016] In an aspect, a wall integrally extending vertically from the outer periphery of the battery mounting structure is provided to restrict movement of the battery.
[0017] In an aspect, the vertical bracket comprises a base and an extension. The base is adapted to get attached with the edge of the adjunct extending from the first long edge of the base. The extension is adapted to get attached with the edge of the adjunct extending from the first short edge of the base.
[0018] In an aspect, the lower end of the vertical bracket is welded to the adjunct of the battery mounting structure (200) to accommodate the electronic control unit.
[0019] In an aspect, plurality of holes are provided on the vertical bracket to facilitate fastening of the electronic control unit using fasteners.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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
[0022] 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:
[0023] FIG. 1a illustrates arrangement of various components inside the engine room, in event of front impact, of a vehicle as per the existing art;
[0024] FIG. 1b illustrates a battery mounting structure of a vehicle in accordance with the existing art;
[0025] FIG. 2 top view of an exemplary battery mounting structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates top view of the emboss of battery mounting structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates isometric view of the battery mounting structure in installed state in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 5a illustrates isometric view of the bracket used to mount the electronic control unit in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 5b illustrates isometric view of the bracket used in installed state in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
[0030] 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
[0031] 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
[0032] 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.
[0033] “Front Impact” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as an event in which the car is collided with an object.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0034] 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.
[0035] The existing battery mounting structure is adapted to hold battery and electronic control unit in engine room of a vehicle. In event of front impact, situation may arise in which the components mounted over the battery mounting structure collide with the adjacent components and damage them. Further, front impact may lead to failure in strongly holding the battery over surface of the existing battery mounting structure. Furthermore, after front impact, battery may start leaking fluid and existing battery mounting structure may fail to safely drain leaked liquid from the battery mounting structure.
[0036] To solve the problems, a battery mounting structure, is disclosed.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates top view of an exemplary battery mounting structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The battery mounting structure 200 comprises a battery tray 201 adapted to accommodate battery of a vehicle. The battery tray 201 has a base 202 and an adjunct 203. The base 202 has a first short edge 202a, a second short edge 202b, a first long edge 202c and a second long edge 202d. The first short edge 202a, the second short edge 202b, the first long edge 202c and the second long edge 202d defines the resting area of the battery over the surface of the battery tray 201.
[0038] The adjunct 203 is integrally extending from the first short edge 202a and the first long edge 202c of the battery tray 201. The adjunct 203 is in the same plane as the base 202. The adjunct 203 provides a surface to mount electronic control unit 204. In an aspect, the electronic control unit 204 is mounted to the adjunct 203 through a vertical bracket 205. The vertical bracket 205 is welded over the edge of the adjunct 203 and the electronic control unit 204 is mounted over the vertical bracket 205 using fasteners. Since the electronic control unit 204 is mounted over the edge of the adjunct 203, extra rigidity is required in the adjunct area. To enhance rigidity of the adjunct 203, a plurality of beads 206a, 206b are provided in the adjunct 203.
[0039] A wall 211 is provided in the battery mounting structure 200 to restrict movement of battery. The wall 211 integrally extends vertically from the outer periphery of the battery mounting structure 200 covering the first short edge 202a, the second short edge 202b, the first long edge 202c, the second long edge 202d and edges of the adjunct 203.
[0040] The battery mounting structure 200 is fixed over long member 207 of the engine room of the vehicle. To fix the battery mounting structure 200, the battery tray 201 is fixed over a bracket (not shown) fixedly attached to the long member 207. The bracket is welded to the long member 207. The battery tray 201 is fixed over the bracket using fasteners. In an aspect, the battery tray 201 is fixed over the long member 207 using nut and bolt. The head of the bolts lies on the surface of the battery tray 201. To provide better resting surface to the battery, an emboss 208 is provided on the battery tray 201. The emboss 208 is in the shape of a quatrefoil. The quatrefoil shape of the emboss 208 ensures that battery get more resting surface over the surface of the battery tray 201 of the battery mounting structure 200. Due to the emboss 208 shape, battery of various sizes can be fixed over the battery tray 201 without falling into the emboss 208 due to the quatrefoil shape.
[0041] In the emboss 208, plurality of holes 209 is provided to facilitate fixing of the battery mounting structure 200 using fasteners. In an aspect, bolts are used to fix the battery mounting structure 200 over the long member 207 of the vehicle.
[0042] In addition to the plurality of holes 209 provided for accommodating fasteners, an outlet hole 210 is provided in the emboss 208 which act as a passage to drain liquid collected in the battery tray 201 due to leakage in battery. In an aspect, the outlet hole 210 is provided in the middle of base of the emboss 208 to efficiently remove the liquid leaking from the battery. The drainage of accumulated liquid in the battery tray 201 is discussed with detail in FIG. 3 below:
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates top view of the emboss of battery mounting structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In the event of leakage of liquid from the battery, liquid gets accumulated in the battery tray 201. To efficiently drain the liquid from the battery tray, an aqueduct 301 is provided which connects the outside of the emboss 208 with the base of the emboss 208. Accumulated liquid on the battery tray 201 flow through the aqueduct 301 into the emboss 208 and exits from the battery mounting structure 200 through the outlet hole 210. In addition, the aqueduct 301 strengthens the structural integrity of the battery tray 201.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates isometric view of the battery mounting structure in installed state in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The battery mounting structure 200 is mounted over the bracket fixedly attached to the long member 207 using fasteners. A battery fastening assembly 401 is provided on the battery mounting structure 200 to tightly secure the battery over the emboss 208. The battery fastening assembly 401 comprises a band 402 and a pair of J-bolts 403. To facilitate fixing of the battery over the battery tray 201, a plurality of holes are provided to fix the pair of J-bolts 403 over the long edges of the wall 211. The pair of J-bolts are fixed over the wall 211 in the vicinity of the emboss 208. The band 402 is provided at the top end of the J-bolts 403 to fix the movement of the battery on the battery tray 201. The band 402 is height adjustable over the J-bolts to hold batteries with different sizes.
[0045] FIG. 5a illustrates isometric view of the vertical bracket used to mount the electronic control unit in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The vertical bracket 205 comprises a base 501 and an extension 502. The base 501 is adapted to accommodate electronic control unit 204. Plurality of holes 503 are provided on the base 501 to facilitate mounting of the electronic control unit 204 using fasteners. The extension 502 integrally extends perpendicularly from the base 501.
[0046] FIG. 5b illustrates isometric view of the vertical bracket used in installed state in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The base 501 is adapted to get attached with the edge of the adjunct extending from the first long edge 202c of the base 202. The extension 502 is adapted to get attached with the edge of the adjunct extending from the first short edge 202a of the base 202. In an aspect, the base 501 and the extension 502 is welded over the adjunct 203.
WORKING OF THE BATTERY MOUNTING STRUCTURE IN INTALLED STATE
[0047] In the installed state, the battery mounting structure 200, is fixed over the bracket welded over the long member 207, using fasteners. Fasteners secure the battery mounting structure 200 over the load member 207 by using the plurality of holes 209. Lower end of the vertical bracket 205 is welded to the adjunct 203 of the battery mounting structure 200. On the vertical bracket 205, the electronic control unit 204 is fixed using fasteners. Fasteners secure the electronic control unit 204 over the vertical bracket 205 using the plurality of holes 503. The beads 206a, 206b are provided on the adjunct 203 to provide necessary rigidity in the adjunct 203 region. The adjunct 203 ensures that in the event of front impact, the electronic control unit 204 does not hit CNG gas regulator.
[0048] Battery is mounted over the emboss 208 region of the battery tray 201. The emboss 208 is provided with a quatrefoil shape to facilitate mounting of batteries of various sizes without any possibility of sliding of the battery into the emboss 208. Battery fastening assembly is provided to fasten the battery over the battery tray 201. The battery fastening assembly ensures that the battery is tightly fasten to the battery tray 201 of the battery mounting structure.
[0049] In the event of leakage of liquid from the battery, the liquid gets accumulated on the battery tray 201 around the battery. The aqueduct 301 provides a passage to the liquid to flow towards the outlet hole 210 and drain out of the battery mounting structure. This eliminates the possibility of corrosion in the metal components due to leakage of acid from the battery.
ADVANTAGES
[0050] The proposed battery mounting structure is capable of preventing any collision of components in the engine room of a vehicle, in the event of front impact. Further, the battery mounting structure is capable of strongly holding the batteries of various sizes. Furthermore, the battery mounting structure is capable of draining liquid accumulated over the surface of the battery mounting structure, resulting from leakage in battery, without damaging any component in the vicinity of the battery.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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 battery mounting structure (200) for accommodating battery of a vehicle, the battery mounting structure (200) comprises:
a battery tray (201) adapted to accommodate battery of a vehicle, having:
a base (202) having a first short edge (202a), a second short edge (202b), a first long edge (202c) and a second long edge (202d); and
an adjunct (203) integrally extending from the first short edge (202a) and the first long edge (202c) adapted to accommodate a vertical bracket (205) to fixedly attach electronic control unit (204), wherein the base (202) is provided with an emboss (208) in the shape of quatrefoil.
2. The battery mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of beads (206a, 206b) are provided on the adjunct (203) to enhance rigidity of the adjunct (203).
3. The battery mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of holes (209) are provided in the emboss (208) to facilitate fastening of the battery mounting structure (200) with a bracket fixedly attached with long member (207) of the vehicle.
4. The battery mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outlet hole (210) is provided in the emboss (208) which act as a passage to drain liquid accumulated in the battery tray (201).
5. The battery mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an aqueduct (301) is provided connecting the outside of the emboss (208) with the base of the emboss (208) to direct liquid towards the outlet hole (210) in the emboss (208) and strengthens the structure.
6. The battery mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wall (211) integrally extending vertically from the outer periphery of the battery mounting structure (200) is provided to restrict movement of the battery.
7. The battery mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical bracket (205) comprises:
a base (501) adapted to get attached with the edge of the adjunct (203) extending from the first long edge (202c) of the base (202); and
an extension (502) adapted to get attached with the edge of the adjunct (203) extending from the first short edge (202a) of the base (202).
8. The battery mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower end of the vertical bracket (205) is welded to the adjunct (203) of the battery mounting structure (200) to accommodate the electronic control unit (204).
9. The battery mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of holes (503) are provided on the vertical bracket (205) to facilitate fastening of the electronic control unit (204) using fasteners.
10. The battery mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery fastening assembly comprises:

a pair of J-bolts fixed over the long edges of the wall (211) in the vicinity of the emboss (208); and
a band movably attached to the top of the pair of J-bolts, wherein the band is adapted to slidably move over the pair of J-bolts to adjust height in accordance with size of the battery.