DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a body side outer panel of a vehicle. Particularly but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a tail lamp assembly configured to the body side outer panel of the vehicle. Further embodiments of the disclosure relates to the body side outer panel for reducing a dead (non-illumination) zone in the tail lamp assembly of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Conventionally, tail lamps are provided at the rear end of the vehicles in order to indicate stopping, turning, hazard indication lamps, reversing lamp and various other essential signals for commuters trailing behind a vehicle. Tail lamps, at times, are split into sections due to space constraints associated with the design of the body side outer panel. Generally, a tail lamp panel or mounting panel is spot welded to the body side outer panel in order to mount the tail lamp assembly. Along with spot welding, the sealant application is also done between the tail lamp panel and body side outer panel in order to provide water ingress protection. Due to such assembly of tail lamp panel on to the body side outer panel, the tail lamp assembly is associated with dead (non-illumination) zones around the edges of the body side outer panel. The dead (non-illumination) zone prevents reflection of light from edges of the tail lamp assembly, thereby reducing the total illumination area of the tail lamp assembly.

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional tail lamp assembly. The tail lamp assembly is mounted in a rear body structure of vehicle. The method of assembling the tail lamp assembly in conventional method is by fastening the tail lamp assembly to at least one tail lamp panel. Further, due to the conventional method of forming the Body side panel and tail lamp panel, dead (non-illumination) zone (X) is formed. The dead (non-illumination) zone (X) is translucent in nature and does not allow light to pass through it easily. Hence, due to presence of dead (non-illumination) zone (X) in the tail lamp assembly, area available for illumination in the tail lamp assembly is reduced. Moreover, the aesthetical appearance of the tail lamp assembly becomes poor due to blockage of light within the tail lamp assembly.

In view of the above, there is a need to develop an improved body structure for mounting a tail lamp of vehicle to eliminate one or more limitations stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a mechanism and assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the mechanism and assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, rear body structure for reducing dead (non-illumination) zone in a tail lamp assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The rear body structure comprises a body side outer panel mounted on a structural body of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the body side outer panel is profiled form a cavity of predetermined shape. At least one flange is fixed to an inner periphery of the body side outer panel, wherein at least a portion of peripheral edge of the body side outer panel accommodating the flange is configured with a cam profile shape. Further, at least one tail lamp housing is configured within the cavity, and is connected to the at least one flange, wherein, the at least one tail lamp housing is configured to support the tail lamp assembly such that, in the tail lamp assembly dead (non-illumination) zone is reduced.

In an embodiment of present disclosure, the at least one tail lamp housing has plurality of mounting means for mounting the tail lamp assembly.

In an embodiment of present disclosure, the tail lamp assembly configured in the cavity has a transitional fit to mitigate vibration produced in the tail lamp assembly.

In an embodiment of present disclosure, the body side outer panel is assembled on the structural body by at least one of welding, brazing, fastening and riveting.

In an embodiment of present disclosure, the at least one tail lamp housing is manufactured using at least one of wood, steel, aluminium, copper, plastic and fibre reinforced plastic.

In an embodiment of present disclosure, the dead (non-illumination) zone is translucent.

In an embodiment of present disclosure, a light emitted from light source is blocked in the dead (non-illumination) zone.

In an embodiment of present disclosure, the intensity of the light from the light source is reduced by the dead (non-illumination) zone.

In another non-limiting embodiment of present disclosure, a method of assembling a tail lamp assembly in the rear body structure of a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises mounting a body side outer panel on a structural body of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the body side outer panel is profiled to form a cavity of predetermined shape. Further, fixing at least one flange to an inner periphery of the body side outer panel, wherein at least one portion of a peripheral edge of the body side outer panel is configured with a cam profile shape. Also, configuring at least one tail lamp housing within the cavity, wherein, the at least one tail lamp housing is configured to support the tail lamp assembly such that, dead (non-illumination) zone in the tail lamp assembly is reduced.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a tail lamp assembly of the prior art.

Figure 2 illustrates a line diagram of a rear body structure with a tail lamp assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates perspective view of the rear body structure without the tail lamp assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates side view of the rear body structure without tail lamp assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the rear body structure with tail lamp assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily 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

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or mechanism.

In order to overcome one or more limitations stated in the background, the present disclosure provides an assembly which may be employed in the rear body structure of the vehicle to mount the tail lamp assembly. The assembly broadly comprises a body side outer panel mounted on a structural body of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the body side outer panel is profiled to form a cavity of predetermined shape. At least one flange is fixed to an inner periphery of the body side outer panel, wherein at least a portion of peripheral edge of the body side outer panel accommodating the flange, is configured with a cam profile shape. Further, at least one tail lamp housing is configured within the cavity, and is connected to the at least one flange, wherein, the at least one tail lamp housing is configured to support the tail lamp assembly such that, in the tail lamp assembly dead (non-illumination) zone is reduced.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 2 to 5. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the assembly and the method as disclosed in the present disclosure can be used in any vehicle including but not liming to a car, a moped, heavy vehicle, light duty vehicles or any other vehicle.

Figure 2 illustrates is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a rear body structure (100) configured with a tail lamp assembly (1). The rear body structure (100) is a portion of a structural body (3) of a vehicle, wherein the rear body structure (100) is designed to house a tail lamp assembly (1). The tail lamp assembly (1) is accommodated in the rear body structure (100). A body side outer panel (2) is assembled with the body structure (3) of the vehicle [as shown in Figure 2]. A peripheral edge (5) of at least a portion of the body side outer panel (2) is configured over the structural body (3) of the vehicle to provide shape and aesthetic appeal to the vehicle. The peripheral edge (5) of the at least one portion of the body side outer panel (2) is machined to form a cam profile shape (6). The cam profile shape (6) enables the peripheral edge (5) to extend into the inner periphery of the body side outer panel (2). At least one flange (4) is fixed to inner periphery of peripheral edge (5) of the body side outer panel (2) to accommodate the tail lamp assembly (1). In an embodiment of present disclosure, the tail lamp assembly (1) is fixed to the rear body structure (100) by accommodating an at least one tail lamp housing (7) in the cavity (8). In an embodiment, the tail lamp housing (7) is made of plastic.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the structural body (3) is manufactured by at least one of casting, sheet metal forming, 3D printing or any other techniques that serves the purpose.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the body side outer panel (2) is manufactured of sheet metals and sheet metal forming to design the requisite shape for enhancing the aerodynamic characteristics and the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the body side outer panel (2) sheet metals are at least one of aluminium, titanium, carbon fibre, plastic, fibre-reinforced plastic and any other material that serves the purpose.

In an embodiment of present disclosure, the cam profile shape (6) produced on the at least one portion of the peripheral edge (5) of the body side outer panel (2) formed by at least one of camming, trimming, bending, grinding, lapping and any other technique that serves the purpose.

In an embodiment of present disclosure, the body side outer panel (2) is mounted on the structural body (3) by at least one of welding, brazing, fastening, riveting and by any other method that serves the purpose.

Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates perspective view of the rear body structure (100) without the tail lamp assembly (1). The peripheral edge (5) of the at least one portion of the body side outer panel (2) is machined to form a cam profile shape (6). The cam profile shape (6) enables the peripheral edge (5) to extend into the inner periphery of the body side outer panel (2). The at least one flange (4) is fixed to the peripheral edge (5) of the body side outer panel (2) at a predefined angle. The predefined angle is obtuse in nature wherein, the predefined angle provided to the peripheral edge (5) inclines the at least one flange (4) to secure and fix the tail lamp assembly (1) in the cavity (8). However, the predefined angle is measured with respect to the cam profile shape (6) of the peripheral edge (5) for fixing the at least one flange (4) to the peripheral edge (5).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one flange (4) is manufactured by at least one of blanking-piercing method, forging, casting, welding, brazing and any other technique that serves the purpose.

The at least one flange (4) and the tail lamp assembly (1) are fixed to form a transitional fit to mitigate vibration of the tail lamp assembly (1) within the cavity (8), of the vehicle. In an embodiment of present disclosure, the at least one flange (4) and the tail lamp assembly (1) are fixed by at least one of fastening, riveting, clamping and any other method that serves the purpose.

Figure 4 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a side view of the rear body structure (100) without the tail lamp assembly (1). The rear body structure (100) is configured with the body side outer panel (2) and the at least one tail lamp housing (7) such that, a cavity (8) of predefined shape is formed between the body side outer panel (2) and the at least one tail lamp housing (7). The predefined shape of the cavity (8) aids in positioning and securing the tail lamp assembly (1) to the vehicle. The at least one tail lamp housing (7) is provided with plurality of mounting means (9) wherein, the plurality of mounting means (9) receive the electrical connections for actuating the light source (10) of the tail lamp assembly (1) and the at least one flange (4) supports the tail lamp assembly (1) in the cavity (8). The at least one flange (4) and the tail lamp assembly (1) are fixed to mitigate vibration of the tail lamp assembly (1) during movement of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of mounting means (9) is at last one of a cavity, a hole, a projection support and any other means that serve the purpose.

The cam profile shape (6) formed at the peripheral edge (5) of a portion of body side outer panel (2) enables the tail lamp assembly (1) to have ample exposure to emit and reflect the light emitted from the tail lamp assembly (1). Hence, the tail lamp assembly (1) is provisioned to emit and reflect the light at an efficient angle, in comparison with that of the tail lamp assembly illustrated in Figure 1. Furthermore, the light emitted from the light source (10) of the tail lamp assembly (1) does not lose its intensity as the area of dead (non-illumination) zone (X) in the tail lamp assembly (1) is reduced. Lastly, the area available for emitting and reflecting light in the tail lamp assembly (1) is improved.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one flange (4) and the tail lamp assembly (1) are fixed by at least one of fastening, riveting, snap-fitting, press fitting and any other means that serves the purpose.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one tail lamp housing (7) is manufactured using at least one of wood, steel, aluminium, copper, plastic, fibre reinforced plastic and any other material that serves the purpose.

Figure 5 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a perspective view of the rear body structure (100) with a tail lamp assembly (1). The tail lamp assembly (1) is assembled in the cavity (8) by using at least one flange (4). By using the at least on flange (4), the tail lamp assembly (1) is configured to the body side outer panel (2) such that, the tail lamp assembly (1) has reduced dead (non-illumination) zone (X). Moreover, the dead (non-illumination) zone (X) is translucent in nature and does not allow light to pass through it. Further, due to formation of dead (non-illumination) zone (X) in the tail lamp assembly (1), light emitted from the light source (10) is blocked in the dead (non-illumination) zone (X) and the intensity of the light is reduced.

In comparison with the prior art and conventional systems [as shown in Figure 1], the area of the dead (non-illumination) zone (X) in the tail lamp assembly (1) is reduced. Hence, due to reduction in area of the dead (non-illumination) zone (X) in the tail lamp assembly (1), area available for illumination zone (I) in the tail lamp assembly (1) is improved. Likewise, intensity of light emitted and reflected from the illumination zone (I) in the tail lamp assembly (1) is improved.

ADVANTAGES

In an embodiment, fixing the tail lamp assembly with the at least one flange and at least one tail lamp housing secures the tail lamp assembly and mitigates the tail lamp assembly from vibration.

In an embodiment, the dead (non-illumination) zone in the tail lamp assembly is reduced, thus enabling greater intensity of light emitted from the tail lamp assembly.

In an embodiment, the aesthetical appearance of the tail lamp assembly is improved as the dead (non-illumination) zone is reduced.

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS

Referral Numerals Description
100 Rear body structure
1 Tail lamp assembly
2 Body side outer panel
3 Structural body
4 Flange
5 Peripheral edge
6 Cam profile shape
7 Tail lamp housing
8 Cavity
9 Mounting means
10 Light source
I Illumination Zone
X Dead (non-illumination) zone
,CLAIMS:1. A rear body structure (100) for reducing dead (non-illumination) zone (X) in a tail lamp assembly (1) of a vehicle, comprising:
a body side outer panel (2) mounted on a structural body (3) of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the body side outer panel (2) is profiled to form a cavity (8) of predetermined shape;
at least one flange (4) fixed to an inner periphery of the body side outer panel (2), wherein at least a portion of peripheral edge (5) of the body side outer panel (2) accommodating the flange (4) is configured with a cam profile shape (6); and
at least one tail lamp housing (7) configured within the cavity (8), and is connected to the at least one flange (4), wherein the at least one tail lamp housing (7) is configured to support the tail lamp assembly (1).

2. The rear body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one tail lamp housing (7) has plurality of mounting means (9) for mounting the tail lamp assembly (1).

3. The rear body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tail lamp assembly (1) configured in the cavity (8) has a transitional fit to mitigate vibration produced in the tail lamp assembly (1).

4. The rear body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body side outer panel (2) is assembled on the structural body (3) by at least one of welding, brazing, fastening and riveting.

5. The rear body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one tail lamp housing (7) is manufactured using at least one of wood, steel, aluminium, copper, plastic and fibre reinforced plastic.

6. The rear body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dead (non-illumination) zone (X) is translucent.

7. The rear body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein light emitted from light source (10) is blocked in the dead (non-illumination) zone (X).

8. The rear body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intensity of the light from the light source (10) is reduced by the dead (non-illumination) zone (X).

9. A method of assembling a tail lamp assembly (1) in a rear body structure (100) of a vehicle, said method comprising:
mounting a body side outer panel (2) on a structural body (3) of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the body side outer panel (2) is profiled to form a cavity (8) of predetermined shape;
fixing at least one flange (4) to an inner periphery of the body side outer panel (2), wherein at least one portion of a peripheral edge (5) of the body side outer panel (2) is configured with a cam profile shape (6); and
configuring at least one tail lamp housing (7) within the cavity (8), wherein, the at least one tail lamp housing (7) is configured to support the tail lamp assembly (1) such that, dead (non-illumination) zone (X) in the tail lamp assembly (1) is reduced.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 comprises act of assembling the body side outer panel (2) on the structural body (3) by at least one of welding, brazing, fastening and riveting.