Description: A BATTERY SUPPORT STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure in general relates to an engine room of an automobile. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a battery support structure for supporting a battery with respect to a vehicle body in an engine room of an automobile.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Automotive industry in India is one of the main pillars of the economy. With strong backward and forward linkages, it is a key driver of growth. In addition, automotive industry has always been known to be very competitive as far as its design and material usage are concerned. Therefore, the automotive industry is always facing greater market pressure to develop high quality products more quickly with different variants of a particular vehicle model in order to cater different segments of end users.
[0003] Nowadays, rising awareness of the emissions, has led the regulatory bodies to implement stringent emission regulations. The rising stringency in emission norms for vehicles is forcing OEMs to manufacture hybrid and electric vehicles. Hybrid vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gases than gasoline and diesel vehicles. Hybrid vehicles helps in lowering emission limits to decrease the greenhouse gas effect and are also focusing on improving the fuel economy of vehicles.
[0004] In general, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a type of hybrid vehicle that are powered by an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, which uses energy stored in batteries. In certain vehicles, battery of the hybrid electric vehicle is charged by plugging it in to main power supply unit. Moreover, the battery is also charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine. The extra power provided by the electric motor can potentially allow for a smaller engine. The battery can also power auxiliary loads and reduce engine idling when stopped. Together, these features result in better fuel economy without sacrificing performance.
[0005] In a hybrid electric drive vehicle, there is a low-voltage auxiliary battery that provides electricity to start the car before the traction battery is engaged. The low voltage auxiliary battery also powers vehicle accessories. The low –voltage auxiliary battery is mounted over a battery plate attached over a battery support structure in an engine room of an automobile.
[0006] In an HEV variant as shown in FIG.1A, there are two major constraints while designing the battery support structure.
• The conventional battery tray placed over the conventional battery support structure obstructs the position of motor assembly as shown in FIG.1B
• The following were the layout constraints which need to be addressed while designing the new battery support structure as shown in FIG.1C:
a. Vehicle front longitudinal positioning is restricted due to frontal crash vulnerability.
b. Vehicle rearward positioning is restricted due to engine mounting structure.
c. Lateral inside positioning is restricted due to motor assembly.
d. Lateral outside positioning is not possible due to engine room size constraint
e. Vertical position has been optimized to prevent the battery from becoming a hard object below hood, thus, compromising pedestrian safety.
[0007] To avoid the obstruction between the battery tray 106 with the motor assembly 104, the height of the battery support structure is increased in comparison to the conventional battery support structure. Due to increase in height of the battery support structure with respect to the vehicle body 110, the position of the center of gravity of the battery support structure shifts upward in vertical direction. In addition, there is also a need of a robust battery support structure that improves overall stiffness of battery mounting in static as well as dynamic conditions of the vehicle
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary objective of the present subject matter is to provide a battery support structure that avoids the chances of obstruction between the battery tray and a motor assembly.
[0009] It is another objective of the present subject matter to provide the battery support structure having enough strength and robustness.
[0010] It is yet another objective of the present subject matter to provide the battery support structure which addresses various layout constraints.
[0011] It is further objective of the present subject matter to provide the battery support structure having better load bearing capacity.
[0012] It is yet further objective of the present subject matter to provide the battery support structure that is easy to assemble and can be attached at any position.
[0013] Furthermore, another objective of the present subject matter is to provide battery support structure that improves the overall space requirement, leading to lesser complexity.
SUMMARY
[0014] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a battery support structure for supporting a battery with respect to a vehicle body in an engine room of an automobile. 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.
[0015] The present disclosure relates to a battery support structure for mounting a battery in an engine room of an automobile, the structure comprising a first bracket including a top surface and a vertical surface extending downward from a front side of the top surface, wherein a flange extending outward from a lower side of said vertical surface including multiple mounting holes; a second bracket attached inside the top surface of the first bracket, wherein the second bracket includes a vertical surface with an emboss in center and a flange extending outward from a top side and a right side of the vertical surface; a third bracket attached on a right side of the first bracket, wherein the third bracket includes a vertical surface with a bead running from a top side to bottom side, and a bead formed on a right section of a bottom side of the vertical surface with a mounting hole; and a fourth bracket attached on a back side of the first bracket, wherein the fourth bracket includes a vertical surface having a flange with a mounting hole extending outwards from a top and a bottom side of the vertical surface.
[0016] In an aspect, the multiple holes formed on the flange of the first bracket fixes the structure on body of the vehicle.
[0017] In an aspect, at least three mounting holes are formed on the top surface of the first bracket.
[0018] In an aspect, at least one mounting hole among the three mounting holes are formed on a respective edge of the top surface of the first bracket.
[0019] In an aspect, the mounting hole formed on the flange extending outward from the top side of the vertical surface of the fourth bracket coincides with the mounting hole formed on the edge of the top surface of the first bracket.
[0020] In an aspect, the mounting hole formed on the flange extending outwards from the bottom end of the vertical surface of the fourth bracket fixes the structure on body of the vehicle.
[0021] In an aspect, the mounting holes formed on edges of the top surface of the first bracket are configured for mounting the battery tray.
[0022] In an aspect, the mounting holes formed on a right and left bottom side of the third bracket fixes the structure on body of the vehicle.
[0023] In an aspect, the first, second, third, and fourth brackets are attached with one another through spot welding.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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
[0026] 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:
[0027] FIG.1A illustrates an assembly of a conventional battery support structure and a battery in accordance with a prior art; It also illustrates a conventional battery support structure used for mounting a battery in accordance with the prior art;
[0028] FIG.1B illustrates the obstruction caused by an existing battery support structure to a motor assembly in accordance with the prior art;
[0029] FIG.1C illustrates the layout constraints that need to be taken into consideration while designing the battery support structure in accordance with the prior art;
[0030] FIG.2A illustrates an assembly of a proposed battery support structure and a battery in accordance with a present disclosure;
[0031] FIG.2B illustrates a proposed battery support structure used for mounting a battery in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG.2C illustrates a view of the proposed battery support structure on vehicle body used for mounting a battery in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG.3 also illustrates an enlarged view of the proposed battery support structure used for mounting a battery in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG.4 illustrates an enlarged view of a first bracket of the proposed battery support structure used for mounting a battery in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG.5 illustrates an enlarged view of a second bracket of the proposed battery support structure used for mounting a battery in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG.6 illustrates an enlarged view of a third bracket of the proposed battery support structure used for mounting a battery in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG.7 illustrates an enlarged view of a fourth bracket of the proposed battery support structure used for mounting a battery in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0038] 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
[0039] 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.
EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0040] 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.
[0041] To solve the problem, the present disclosure proposes a battery support structure 200 for mounting a battery 102 in an engine room of an automobile. The proposed battery support structure 200 on the vehicle body is shown in FIG.2C. The present battery support structure 200 comprising a first bracket 202, a second bracket 204, a third bracket 206, a fourth bracket 208 that are connected to one another through spot welding. Each of these brackets are designed such that they constraint one or two directions for easier positioning and bolting of the battery support structure 200. FIG.3 depicts an enlarged view of the battery support structure 200. It also depicts a multiple spot-welding points by the black colored spots
[0042] An enlarged view of the first bracket 202 of the battery support structure 200 is illustrated in FIG.4. It includes a top surface 202-T and a vertical surface 202-V extending downward from a front side 202-TF of the top surface 202-T. It further comprises a flange 202-F that extends outward from a lower side 202-VL of said vertical surface 202-V. This flange comprises multiple mounting holes 202-H1,202-H2,202-H3 used for fixing the battery support structure 200 over the vehicle body.
[0043] The top surface 202-T of the first bracket 202 includes three mounting holes 202-H4,202-H5,202-H6 provided on respective edges 202-E1,202-E2,202-E3. The mounting holes 202-H4,202-H5,202-H6 formed on edges 202-E1,202-E2,202-E3 of the top surface 202-T of the first bracket 202 are configured for mounting the battery tray 106. In addition, the mounting hole 202-H4 formed on the edge 202-E1 coincides with a mounting hole 208-H1 formed on the flange 208-F1 extending outward from the top side 208-T of the vertical surface 208-V of the fourth bracket 208 that is clearly depicted in FIG.7 as the enlarged view of the fourth bracket is shown in FIG.7.
[0044] The battery support structure 200 further comprises a second bracket 204 attached inside the top surface 202-T of the first bracket 202. The second bracket 204 includes a vertical surface 204-V with an emboss 204-E in a center and a flange 204-F1,204-F2 extending outward from a top side 204-T and a right side 204-R of the vertical surface 204-V of the first bracket. The enlarged view of the second bracket is illustrated in FIG.5. It also comprises two location holes 204-H1,204-H2 near the top side that are used for building up the positive connection between the first bracket 202, and the second bracket 204. The second bracket 204 constraints the longitudinal position of the fourth bracket 208.
[0045] In addition, it comprises a third bracket 206 attached on a right side 202-R of the first bracket 202. The third bracket 206 includes a vertical surface 206-V with a bead 206-B1 running from a top side 206-T to bottom side 206-B, and a bead 206-B2 formed on a right section 206-BR of a bottom side 206-B of the vertical surface 206-V with a mounting hole 206-H1. It further comprises amounting hole 206-H2 formed on the left 206-BL bottom side of the third bracket 206. These mounting holes 206-H1, 206-H2 are used for fixing the battery support structure 206 on body 110 of the vehicle. The enlarged view of the third bracket 206 is illustrated in FIG.6. The third bracket 206 and its bolting location 206-H1, 206-H2 constraints the vertical and lateral position of the battery support structure 200.
[0046] Furthermore, it comprises a fourth bracket 208 attached on a back side 202-B of the first bracket 202. The fourth bracket 208 includes a vertical surface 208-V having a flange 208-F1,208-F2 with a mounting hole 208-H1,208-H2 extending outwards from a top 208-T and a bottom 208-B side of the vertical surface 208-V. The enlarged view of the fourth bracket 208 is illustrated in FIG.7.
[0047] As mentioned above, the mounting hole 208-H1 formed on the flange 208-F1 extending outward from the top side 208-T of the vertical surface 208-V of the fourth bracket 208 coincides with the mounting hole 202-H4 formed on the edge 202-E1 of the top surface 202-T of the first bracket 202. The mounting hole 208-H1 of the fourth bracket and the mounting hole 202-H4 of the first bracket helps in building up the positive connection between one another.
[0048] The mounting hole 208-H2 provided on the bottom 208-B side of the vertical surface 208-V is used for fixing the battery support structure 200 over the vehicle body 110. In addition, the fourth bracket 208 and its bolting location 208-H2 constraints longitudinal and lateral position of the battery support structure 200.
The proposed battery bracket structure supports the battery weight while optimizing the thickness of individual brackets.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0049] The proposed battery support structure avoids the chances of obstruction between the battery tray and a motor assembly. In addition, the proposed battery support structure has good strength and robustness. Moreover, the proposed battery support structure addresses the layout constraints. Furthermore, the proposed battery support structure has better load bearing capacity. In addition, the proposed battery support structure is easy to assemble and can be attached at any position.
[0050] Furthermore, the proposed battery support structure improves the overall space requirement, leading to lesser complexity.
[0051] In addition, the multiple beads and emboss provided on the various brackets of the proposed battery support structure increases the strength and robustness of the battery support structure.
[0052] Moreover, the proposed battery bracket structure supports the battery weight while optimizing the thickness of individual brackets.
[0053] 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, skilled in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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 support structure (200) for mounting a battery (102) in an engine room of an automobile, the structure (200) comprising
a first bracket (202) including a top surface (202-T) and a vertical surface (202-V) extending downward from a front side (202-TF) of the top surface (202-T), wherein a flange (202-F) extending outward from a lower side (202-VL) of said vertical surface (202-V) including multiple mounting holes (202-H1,202-H2,202-H3);
a second bracket (204) attached inside the top surface (202-T) of the first bracket (202), wherein the second bracket (204) includes a vertical surface (204-V) with an emboss (204-E) in a center and a flange (204-F1,204-F2) extending outward from a top side (204-T) and a right side (204-R) of the vertical surface (204-V);
a third bracket (206) attached on a right side (202-R) of the first bracket (202), wherein the third bracket (206) includes a vertical surface (206-V) with a bead (206-B1) running from a top side (206-T) to bottom side (206-B), and a bead (206-B2) formed on a right section (206-BR) of a bottom side (206-B) of the vertical surface (206-V) with a mounting hole (206-H1); and
a fourth bracket (208) attached on a back side (202-B) of the first bracket (202), wherein the fourth bracket (208) includes a vertical surface (208-V) having a flange (208-F1,208-F2) with a mounting hole (208-H1,208-H2) extending outwards from a top (208-T) and a bottom (208-B) side of the vertical surface (208-V).
2. The battery support structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multiple holes (202-H1,202-H2,202-H3) formed on the flange (202-F) of the first bracket (202) fixes the structure on body of the vehicle.
3. The battery support structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least three mounting holes (202-H4,202-H5,202-H6) are formed on the top surface (202-T) of the first bracket (202).

4. The battery support structure (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one mounting hole among the three mounting holes (202-H4,202-H5,202-H6) are formed on a respective edge (202-E1,202-E2,202-E3) of the top surface (202-T) of the first bracket (202).

5. The battery support structure (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mounting hole (208-H1) formed on the flange (208-F1) extending outward from the top side (208-T) of the vertical surface (208-V) of the fourth bracket (208) coincides with the mounting hole (202-H4) formed on the edge (202-E1) of the top surface (202-T) of the first bracket (202).

6. The battery support structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting hole (208-H2) formed on the flange (208-F2) extending outwards from the bottom end (208-B) of the vertical surface (208-V) of the fourth bracket (208) fixes the structure on body of the vehicle.

7. The battery support structure (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mounting holes (202-H5,202-H6) formed on edges (202-E2,202-E3) of the top surface (202-T) of the first bracket (202) are configured for mounting the battery tray (106).

8. The battery support structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting holes (206-H1,206-H2) formed on a right (206-BR) and left (206-BL) bottom side of the third bracket (206) fixes the structure on body of the vehicle.

9. The battery support structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first (202), second (204), third (206), and fourth brackets (208) are attached with one another through spot welding.