FIELD OF INVENTION:

[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a rear body structur5 e
for improving rear shock vibration performance of a vehicle, in particularly relates
to, a bracket structure at the rear body structure that locks rear wheel housing
inner panel, rear wheel housing outer panel, rear floor extension panel, and side
body outer extension panel together to improve rear shock vibration performance
10 and noise transfer function (NTF).

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:

[002] In general, body structure of rear section of a vehicle has rear wheel
housing that comprises rear wheel housing inner panel and rear wheel housing
outer panel. The rear wheel housing inner panel and the rear wheel housing outer
15 panel join with each other to define an arch shape profile to house a portion of
wheel in the vehicle body. The rear wheel housing inner panel extend toward
vehicle inward direction and the rear wheel housing outer panel extend toward
vehicle outward direction in vehicle width direction. The rear wheel housing
receives rear suspension of the vehicle due to which the rear wheel housing is
20 prone to vibrations when the vehicle is in motion. The rear suspension transfers
vibrations in vertical direction that leads to more increase in Noise, Vibration, and
Harshness (NVH).
[003] In the rear body structure, the rear wheel housing inner panel, the rear
wheel housing outer panel, the rear floor extension panel, and side body extension
25 panel are weakly connected with each other, therefore, each panel has a relative
motion with respect to other panel. The relative motion of the rear wheel housing
inner panel with respect to the rear wheel housing outer panel creates noise and
vibrations. Similarly, the relative motion between the rear floor extension panel
and side body extension creates noise and vibration.
3
[004] Technical objective: There is requirement to restrict relative motion of
each panel with respect to other panel to reduce the noise and vibrations.
[005] To overcome above mentioned technical problem of vibrations in rear
wheel housing, a bulk head is added at rear portion of the rear wheel housing to
reduce the vibrations. The bulk head is provided to dampen vibrations occurred 5 ccurred in
local area. In another embodiment, thickness of rear wheel housing is increased to
withstand the high shock vibrations in the rear wheel housing during motion of
the vehicle. Reinforcement additions are also done to provide more stiffness to the
rear wheel housing which consequently decrease the vibration in rear wheel
10 housing.
[006] Conventional practices disclosed above are not effective in retaining the
shape of rear wheel housing. The conventional solutions provided above to damp
vibrations in rear body structure of vehicle are expensive and add extra weight, as
more material is used to damp vibrations. Addition of weight increases weight of
15 the vehicle and reduces fuel economy of the vehicle. At the rear body structure,
fabrication of component in the conventional solutions are quite complex.
[007] Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide solution that is simple,
inexpensive and easy to implement to reduce the vibrations and NVH in rear body
structure of the vehicle.
20 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[009] The principal object of the present invention is to reduce vibrations and
NVH in rear body structure of a vehicle.
25 [0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket at the rear
body structure of a vehicle to improve rear shock vibration performance of the
vehicle.
[0011] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a bracket with
hat shaped cross section to restrict relative motion between rear wheel inner
4
housing panel, rear wheel outer housing panel, rear floor extension panel, and side
body outer extension panel.
[0012] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a bracket with
hat shaped cross section to restrict relative motion between rear wheel housing
and rear floor extension pan5 el.
[0013] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a bracket with
hat shaped cross section to restrict relative motion between rear wheel housing
and the side body outer extension panel.
[0014] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide a bracket
10 with hat shaped cross section to restrict relative motion between the rear floor
extension panel and the side body outer extension panel.
[0015] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide a bracket
with hat shaped cross section to reduce vibrations due to rear shocker or rear
suspension.
15 [0016] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when
reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0017] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a rear body
structure of a vehicle to improve rear shock vibration performance and noise of
20 the 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.
[0018] The present subject matter relates to bracket structure to be mounted in
25 rear body structure of a vehicle to join rear wheel housing inner panel, rear wheel
housing outer panel, rear floor extension panel, and side body outer extension
panel with each other to improve noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
performance. The bracket structure includes two vertical side members that are
spaced apart from each other by a distance (D) and joined by a joining member
5
along longitudinal direction (X) to define a U-shape cross section profile. Further,
the bracket structure has two horizontal members extending perpendicularly away
from bottom end of the vertical side members along the longitudinal direction (X).
The vertical side members define an annexed portion at front end where the
annexed portion has an aperture to join the rear wheel housing inner panel and 5 nd the
rear wheel housing outer panel together.
[0019] In an aspect, the bracket structure defines a hat-shaped cross section.
[0020] In an aspect, the horizontal member is joined with the rear floor extension
panel. Similarly, the horizontal member is joined with the side body outer
10 extension panel.
[0021] In an aspect, the horizontal members are joined with the rear floor
extension panel and side body outer extension panel, respectively by means of
spot welding.
[0022] In an aspect, the horizontal members are joined with the rear floor
15 extension panel and side body outer extension panel, respectively by means of
adhesive.
[0023] In an aspect, the bracket structure joins the rear wheel housing inner panel
and the rear wheel housing outer panel by means of bolt mechanism.
[0024] In an aspect, the distance (D) is more than combined thickness of the rear
20 wheel housing inner panel and the rear wheel housing outer panel.
[0025] In an embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a rear body
structure having a rear wheel housing inner panel and a rear wheel housing outer
panel joined with the rear wheel housing inner panel to define a rear wheel
housing assembly. Further, the rear body structure comprises a rear floor
25 extension extending in inward direction of vehicle width and a side body outer
extension panel extending in outward direction of vehicle width. A hat shaped
cross section bracket structure having two vertical side members and two
horizontal members is mounted in the rear body structure. The two vertical
members defines an annexed portion at front end. The annexed portion having an
6
aperture to join the rear wheel housing inner panel and the rear wheel housing
outer panel.
[0026] In an aspect, one horizontal member is joined with the rear floor extension
panel.
[0027] In an aspect, the other horizontal member is joined with the side bod5 y
outer extension panel.
[0028] In an aspect, the horizontal members are joined with the rear floor
extension panel and side body outer extension panel, respectively by means of
spot welding.
10 [0029] In an aspect, the horizontal members are joined with the rear floor
extension panel and the side body outer extension panel, respectively by means of
adhesive.
[0030] In an aspect, the bracket structure joins the rear wheel housing inner panel
and the rear wheel housing outer panel by means of bolt mechanism.
15 [0031] In an aspect, the two vertical side members defines a distance (D) that is
more than combined thickness of the rear wheel housing inner panel and the rear
wheel housing outer panel.
[0032] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the
present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference
20 to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but
not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only
typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be
25 considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally
effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number
identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same
7
numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and
components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with
embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example,
and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0034] Fig. 1 illustrates structure of bracket structure, according to one of 5 the
embodiment of present subject matter;
[0035] Fig. 2 illustrates assembly of bracket according to present invention with
wheel housing inner and outer; and
[0036] Fig. 3 illustrates assembly of the bracket structure of figure 1 with rear
10 body structure of vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0037] 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
15 methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles
of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0038] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the
disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
20 should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to
clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided
herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended
25 claims.
[0039] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that,
although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the
present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects,
8
and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are
intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0040] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As
used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include th5 e
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be
further understood that the term “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or
“including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence
10 or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components and/or groups thereof.
[0041] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the
functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example,
two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may
15 sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts
involved.
[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific
terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further
20 understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should
be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the
context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0043] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be
25 described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be
noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject
matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise
various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the
principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
9
[0044] In the present description, arrow X indicates longitudinal direction that
may be vehicle length direction, arrow Y indicates transverse direction where
arrow Y indicate toward vehicle inward in vehicle width direction and arrow Y’
indicate vehicle outward direction in vehicle width direction.
[0045] Referring to fig. 1 that illustrates bracket structure for improving 5 ing rear
shock vibration performance of the vehicle. The bracket structure 100 is provided
to be mounted in rear body structure 200 (explained in figure 3) of a vehicle to
join rear wheel housing inner panel 201 (shown in figure 3), rear wheel housing
outer panel 202 (shown in figure 3), rear floor extension panel 203 (shown in
10 figure 3), and side body outer extension panel 204 (shown in figure 3) to improve
noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance.
[0046] As shown in figure 1, the bracket structure 100 includes two vertical side
members 101, 102 extend in longitudinal direction ‘X’ where the two vertical side
members 101, 102 are spaced apart from each other by a distance ‘D’. The two
15 vertical side members 101, 102 are joined by a joining member 103 at top end
101a, 102a along longitudinal direction ‘X’ to define a U-shape cross section
profile. Further, a horizontal member 104 extend perpendicularly away from
bottom end 101b of the vertical side member 101 in transvers direction ‘Y’ along
length of the vertical side member 101. Similarly, another horizontal member 105
20 extend perpendicularly away from bottom end 102b of the vertical side member
102 in transvers direction Y’ along length of the vertical side member 102. The
two vertical members 101, 102, the joining member 103, two horizontal members
104, 105 defines a Hat-shaped cross section profile that can couple or join with
four panels of the rear body structure 200.
25 [0047] Referring figure 1, the vertical side members 101, 102 define an annexed
portion 101c, 102c at front end 100a. There is no joining member 103 in the
annexed portion 101c, 102c to receive the rear wheel housing inner panel 201 and
the rear wheel housing outer panel 202 in longitudinal direction X. Further, the
annexed portion 101c, 102c defines an aperture 101d, 102d that are in line with
30 the holes provided in the rear wheel housing inner panel 201 and the rear wheel
10
housing outer panel 202. The rear wheel housing inner panel 201 and the rear
wheel housing outer panel 202 are sandwiched in between the annexed portion
101c, 102c of the bracket structure 100 and locked by nut and bolt mechanism.
[0048] Further, the horizontal member 104 joined with the rear floor extension
panel and the horizontal member 105 joined with the side body extension 5 ension panel.
Accordingly, the bracket structure 100 restrict relative movement of all panels in
the rear body structure of the vehicle.
[0049] The distance ‘D’ in between the vertical side members 101, 102 is more
than combined thickness of the rear wheel housing inner panel 201 and the rear
10 wheel housing outer panel 202. The bracket structure 100 is made of a material
selected from sheet metal and composite material.
[0050] Referring to figure 2 and 3 together, the rear body structure 200 of the
vehicle includes with rear wheel housing inner panel 201 and a rear wheel housing
outer panel 202 extending in vehicle length direction or longitudinal direction X.
15 The rear wheel housing inner panel 201 and the rear wheel housing outer panel
202 joined each other to define a rear wheel housing assembly to accommodate a
portion of rear wheel. Further, the rear body structure 200 comprises a rear floor
extension panel 203 that is extending in inward direction, i.e., transverse direction
Y of vehicle width. A side body outer extension panel 204 is extending in outward
20 direction, i.e., transverse direction Y’ of vehicle width. The rear wheel housing
inner panel 201, the rear wheel housing outer panel 202, the rear floor extension
panel 203, and the side body outer extension panel 204 combine with each other
and define the rear body structure 200 of the vehicle. In the present description,
the rear body structure 200 means combination of above four panels.
25 [0051] As shown in the figure 2 and3, a hat shaped cross section bracket structure
100 (hereinafter can be referred as bracket structure 100) explained in figure 1 is
provided to restrict relative motion among all four panels. The bracket structure
100 has two vertical side members 101, 102 that are joined by a joining member
103 and two horizontal members 104, 105 that are extending from bottom end of
11
the respective vertical side members 101, 102 to define a hat-shaped cross section
profile.
[0052] The two vertical members 101, 102 defines an annexed portions 101c,
102c at front end 100a to receive a portion of the rear wheel housing inner panel
201 and the rear wheel housing outer panel 202. The annexed portions 101c, 5 01c, 102c
have apertures 101d, 102d that are in line with through holes provided on the
portion of the rear wheel housing inner panel 201 and the rear wheel housing
outer panel 202. The rear wheel housing inner panel 201 and the rear wheel
housing outer panel 202 are sandwiched in between the annexed portions 101c,
10 102c of the two vertical side members 101, 102 and locked by a nut-bolt
mechanism to restrict relative motion in between the rear wheel housing inner
panel 201 and the rear wheel housing outer panel 202. The two vertical side
members 101, 102 defines a distance ‘D’ that is more than combined thickness of
the rear wheel housing inner panel 201 and the rear wheel housing outer panel
15 202.
[0053] The horizontal members 104, 105 that are extending in transverse direction
Y and Y’ is joined with the rear floor extension panel 203 and the side body outer
extension panel 204 respectively. The horizontal member 104 and the horizontal
member 105 are joined with the rear floor extension panel 203 and side body
20 outer extension panel 204, respectively by means of spot welding.
[0054] In another embodiment, the horizontal member 104 and the horizontal
member 105 are joined with the rear floor extension panel (203) and side body
outer extension panel 204, respectively by means of adhesive.
[0055] With the present bracket structure 100 or hat shaped cross section bracket
25 structure 100, the relative motion between the rear wheel housing inner panel and
the rear wheel housing outer panel is restricted by the vertical side members.
Similarly, the relative motion in between the rear floor extension panel and the
side body outer extension panel is restricted by the horizontal members.
Therefore, the present subject matter restricts relative motion among all the four
30 panels. The present bracket structure damped shock vibration in rear wheel
12
housing assembly which consequently improves the rear shock vibration
performance as well as rear shock NTF performance of the vehicle. Further, the
bracket structure 100 is light weight therefore it does not add weight into the
vehicle and it is economical to add the present bracket structure 100 than
increasing thickness of rear body structure components or reinforcement addition5 .
[0056] 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
10 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
15 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
20 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,
25 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
30 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
13
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 leas5 t
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
10 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.”
[0057] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other
15 and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from
the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims
that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions
or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art
to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge
20 available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

We claim:

1. A bracket structure (100) to be mounted in rear body structure (200) of a
vehicle to join rear wheel housing inner panel (201), rear wheel housing
outer panel (202), rear floor extension panel (203), and side body outer
extension panel (204) to improve noise, vibration and harshness 5 (NVH)
performance, the bracket structure (100) comprises:
two vertical side members (101, 102) spaced apart from each other
by a distance (D);
a joining member (103) joins the two vertical members (101, 102)
10 at top end (101a, 102a) along longitudinal direction (X) to define a Ushape
cross section profile;
a horizontal member (104) extending perpendicularly away from
bottom end (101b) of the vertical side member (101); and
a horizontal member (105) extending perpendicularly away from
15 bottom end (102b) of the vertical side member (102);
characterized in that
the vertical side members (101, 102) define an annexed portion
(101c, 102c) at front end (100a), the annexed portion (101c, 102c) having
an aperture (101d, 102d) to join the rear wheel housing inner panel (201)
20 and the rear wheel housing outer panel (202) together.
2. The bracket structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket
structure (100) defines a hat-shaped cross section.
3. The bracket structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal
member (104) is joined with the rear floor extension panel (203).
25 4. The bracket structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal
member (105) is joined with the side body outer extension panel (204).
5. The bracket structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, where the horizontal
member (104) and the horizontal member (105) are joined with the rear
15
floor extension panel (203) and side body outer extension panel (204),
respectively by means of spot welding or adhesive.
6. The bracket structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, where the bracket
structure (100) joins the rear wheel housing inner panel (201) and the rear
wheel housing outer panel (202) by means of bolt mechanism5 .
7. The bracket structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance (D)
is more than combined thickness of the rear wheel housing inner panel (201)
and the rear wheel housing outer panel (202).
8. A rear body structure (200) comprising:
10 a rear wheel housing inner panel (201);
a rear wheel housing outer panel (202) joined with the rear wheel
housing inner panel (201) to define a rear wheel housing assembly;
a rear floor extension (203) extending in inward direction of vehicle
width;
15 a side body outer extension panel (204) extending in outward direction
of vehicle width; and
characterized in that
a hat shaped cross section bracket structure (100) having two vertical
side members (101, 102) and two horizontal members (104, 105), the two
20 vertical members (101, 102) defines an annexed portion (101c, 102c) at
front end (100a), the annexed portion (101c, 102c) having an aperture
(101d, 102d) to join the rear wheel housing inner panel (201) and the rear
wheel housing outer panel (202).
9. The rear body structure (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the horizontal
25 member (104) is joined with the rear floor extension panel (203).
10. The rear body structure (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the horizontal
member (105) is joined with the side body outer extension panel (204).
11. The rear body structure (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the horizontal
member (104) and the horizontal member (105) are joined with the rear
30 floor extension panel (203) and side body outer extension panel (204),
respectively by means of spot welding or adhesive.
16
12. The rear body structure (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bracket
structure (100) joins the rear wheel housing inner panel (201) and the rear
wheel housing outer panel (202) by means of bolt mechanism.
13. The bracket structure (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the two vertical
side members (101, 102) defines a distance (D) that is more than combin5 ed
thickness of the rear wheel housing inner panel (201) and the rear wheel
housing outer panel (202).