Description:A BRACKET FOR MOUNTING AN ENGINE HARNESS

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a bracket for securing an engine harness in an automobile. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a cantilever bracket for mounting the engine harness to support heavy load of the engine harness at one end.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic components such as fuel injection nozzles, alternators, and other sensors are commonly found in engines. These electric components are connected by a wire harness, which bundles power lines for transmitting electric power or signal lines for transmitting signals into a wiring path-friendly format.
[0003] Power lines like fuel injection nozzles, and various sensors in the power lines and signal lines are categorised according to functions in the engine, and are designated a distinct wire harness.
[0004] However, because each wire harness is attached to an arbitrary shape and is fixed to the engine, there are variations in the bundling process and mounting position. As a result, it is possible that each wire harness may easily get in contact with the peripheral parts of the engine.
[0005] Moreover due to the downsizing of the engine in order to provide a light weight vehicle, the arrangement between the engine and its counterparts inside the engine cabin has become more compact. Simultaneously, arranging the various holders near its periphery has become difficult as well.
[0006] Conventionally, a bracket is used in an engine room for supporting the engine harness. Earlier there were limited number of sensors that were used in the engine harness. Therefore, the harnesses that were used in the engine room were also less in number. Now the number of sensors have increased and so is the number of harnesses. When the engine is in running condition, due to dynamic movement, the engine harnesses get in peripheral part or the engine harnesses come in contact with the surface of the engine if they are not supported properly. Since there is not much space inside the engine room, if these harnesses are not supported properly at more than one point or if they are just supported at one point, there may be chances that the harness will get in contact with each other. Moreover, some malfunction may occur in the engine harnesses due to dynamic movement of engine harness with respect to each other.
[0007] Therefore there is a need to provide some mounting in the engine room that can support the harness and also be adjusted in the limited space of the engine room.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] It forms an object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks/limitations in the existing solutions available in the form of related prior arts.
[0009] It is a primary object of the present disclosure to provide a cantilever bracket that can be supported at a single point.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the cantilever bracket that can sustain in high vibrations inside the engine room and provide enough support to the engine harness as well.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the cantilever bracket that can support heavy loads due to its shape.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the cantilever bracket that requires a limited space to be mounted.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY
[0014] A solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0015] The present disclosure offers a solution in the form of cantilever bracket to mount a harness base of an engine harness clamp, including a center member having a first leg and a second leg at a first side of the center member, and a third leg at a second side of the center member. The first leg and the second leg are bent downward from the top surface of the center member. Further, a bending radius of the protruded first leg is different from a bending radius of the second leg. The first leg and the second leg are different in length and width, and the third leg is bent upward from the top surface of the center member. Furthermore, a hole is provided on the third leg.
[0016] In an aspect of the invention, the center member has at least three curved surfaces, and ribs are provided on the curved surface in a direction vertically upward to top surface of the center member.
[0017] In an aspect of the invention, ribs are provided on two sides of the third leg.
[0018] In an aspect of the invention, a hole is provided on the center member.
[0019] In an aspect of the invention, the hole provided on the third leg is of triangle shape.
[0020] 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 ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0021] 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 considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure 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:
[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a prespective view of the present disclosure;
[0023] Fig. 2 illustrates a bottom view according to the present disclosure;
[0024] Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view according to the present disclosure.
[0025] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for 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 OF INVENTION
[0026] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to 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 spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0027] 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, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0028] 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 be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0029] 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 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.
[0030] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0031] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] The present invention relates to providing a cantilever bracket in an engine room to mount the harness base of an engine harness. The cantilever bracket is mounted in a limited space and has different curving radius in order to support heavy load of the engine harness.
[0033] The cantilever bracket is made of a center member that has a first side and a second side. The first side on the cantilever bracket has a first leg and a second leg. The second side on the cantilever bracket has a third leg. The cantilever bracket has a second hole that is provided on its center. The third leg also has a first hole provided on its surface. The cantilever bracket has ribs that are provided along the sides of the first side and the second side.
[0034] Fig. 1 shows the cantilever bracket (100) that is connected to the intake manifold stiffener (110). The cantilever bracket (100) has a center member (101) and the center member (101) is divided into two sides. One is a first side (104) which is in contact with the intake manifold stiffner (110) and the other side is the second side (106) which is free and is used for mounting a projection provided on the engine harness base (301).
[0035] The first side (104) of the cantilever bracket (100) has a set of two legs, namely the first leg (102) and the second leg (103). The the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) are connected to the outer surface of the intake manifold stiffener (110). The first leg (102) and the second leg (103) are bent and extended vertically downwards from the top surface of the center member (101).
[0036] Further, the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) have a defined gap between them to distribute the load imposed on the cantilever bracket (100) accordingly. The second leg (103) has a wider aspect ratio than the first leg (102). Moreover, the bending curve radius of the first leg (102) and the bending curve radius of the second leg (103) are different.
[0037] The different bending curve radius is provided on the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) in order to mount the legs on either a tapered surface or a planar surface. In the exemplary embodiment as depicted in Fig. 1, the legs (102, 103) are mounted on the tapered surface of the intake manifold stiffener (110). The first leg (102) and the second leg (103) act as a support for the cantilever bracket (100).
[0038] The load of the harness base is distributed over the legs (102, 103). The first leg (102) which has less width, restricts any rotational movement around fixed point that is present due to the overhang of the cantilever bracket (100). The second leg (103) that has a wider width, is located adjacent to a second hole (109) provided on the center member (101) to support the engine harness since the major mass of the wire harness is concentrated over the second leg (103).
[0039] Further, one side of the first side (104) of the center member (101) has the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) and other side of the first side (104) has a bending curve radius (113) near the corner. The center member (101) has the second hole (109) at its planar surface. The second hole (109) is threaded in order to assemble the harness base (301). Basically, the harness base (301) is mounted to the second hole (109) by a fastener. The fastener such as a nut and a bolt is directed through the second hole (109) of the cantilever bracket (100) to engage the engine harness and secure the same against the center member (101) of the cantilever bracket (100).
[0040] The second side (106) of the center member (101) is adjoined and in continuation to the first member. The second side (106) curvedly moves towards the opposite direction in respect to the first leg (102) and the second leg (103). Since the present invention is a cantilever bracket (100), one of its end is fixed or supported and the other end is free. Here, the second side (106) is towards the free end.
[0041] The second side (106) has two bending radius. One bending radius (111) is bigger than the other bending radius (112). The bending radius (111) that is in continuation from the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) of the first side (104) has a larger curving radius than the bending radius (112) that is coming from the other side.
[0042] After the bending radius (111, 112), a straight path is given. The straight part comes at a halt after a distance and moves upwards at that point forming the third leg (105). The third leg (105) is bent in an upwards direction from the top surface of the center member (101).
[0043] The third leg (105) is bent perpendicular with respect to the second side (106). The third leg (105) runs at a defined distance. The third leg (105) has a bending curve radius at the connection where the straight part of the second side (106) ends. Also, the third leg (105) has the first hole (107) of a trinagle shape that is provided at an angle of 90 degrees with repect to the center member (101). The shape is not limited to triangle shape and can be of any other shape as well. The first hole (107) is used as a locking mechanism for snap fitting a projection coming from the engine harness base (301) to prevent the movement and rotation of the harness base (301), since there is maximum movement of the engine in that direction due to vibrations.
[0044] The curved surface (113) on the first side (104) and the curved surface (111, 112) the second side (106) has ribs (108). The first side (104) has ribs (108) provided only at its curved surface (113) that is located in the opposite direction to the legs (102, 103). While the ribs (108) cover all of the second side (106) including the curved surface (111, 112), the straight surface continuing to the third leg (105).
[0045] . The ribs (108) are extended at a defined distance in the top direction with respect to the center member (101). The ribs (108) ends like a slope on the third leg (105). The ribs (108) are provided to restrict the movement of the harness base (301) in the lateral direction and provide strength. Moreover, the ribs (108) along with the triangle shape slot (109), restrict the lateral movement of the engine harness (301).
[0046] In an embodiment, the first and seond legs (102, 103) are attached on the outside wall of the intake manifold stiffener (110) by any suitable means.
[0047] Referring to Fig. 2, the cantilever bracket (100) from the bottom view is shown. The cantilever bracket (100) has the center member (101) that acts as a base. The center member (101) is further divided into the first side (104) and the second side (106). In order to make the bracket (100) cantilever, the set of two legs mainly the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) are given.
[0048] The first leg (102) and the second leg (103) are projected vertically in a downward direction. The width of the first leg (102) is smaller than the width of the second leg (103). Moreover the length of the first leg (102) also differ from the second leg (103) where the second leg (103) is longer than the first leg (102).
[0049] The point at which the center member (101) divides itself into two legs, the curve bending radius is formed. The curve bending radius for the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) are also different, where the curve bending radius for the first leg (102) is smaller than the second leg (103). Due to the curve beding radius, the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) are supported at any surface such as tapered or plane of the intake manifold stiffener (110).
[0050] The opposite side of the first side (104) has the curve bending radius (113) on the corner where the ribs (108) are located on the sideways. The ribs (108) provide strength to the bracket (100) and prevents the sideways movement of the harness base (301).
[0051] The second side (106) continues from the first side (104) by creating a cantilever structure. The cantilever structure is formed by the two different curve bending radius (111, 112), where one curve is bigger (111) than the other curve radius (112). After the curve ends, the straight path is provided and the straight path bends in the vertical upward direction forming the third leg (105). The third leg (105) is perpendicular to the center member (101) and has the first hole (107). The first hole (107) has triangular shape for fitting the projection coming out from the harness base (301).
[0052] The ribs (108) are provided sidways on the second side (106). The ribs (108) start from the two curved radius (111, 112) of the second side (106) and continue to the straight path covering the third leg (105) as well. The ribs (108) provide strength and prevent the sideways movement of the harness base (301) in case of vibrations. The bottom surface of the center member (101) is fixed with a fastener (201) such as a bolt for engaging the nut received from the top, by connecting the harness base (301) with the cantilever bracket (100).
[0053] Referring to Fig. 3, it shows the fastening arrangement of the engine harness with the cantilever bracket (100). The harness base (301) is fastened to the center member (101) of the cantilever bracket (100). The engine harness is fastened by the means of the fastener such as the nut and bolt.
[0054] After, fixing the harness base (301) to the cantilever bracket (100) through the second hole (109), the engine harness is provided a first line of support. The second hole (109) on the center member (101) is provided near to the fixed support, i.e. the legs of the cantilever bracket (100) and specifically near the second leg (103) which is wider than the first leg (102) of the cantilever bracket (100) so that maximum support is attained by the engine harness due to being close to the fixed line of support.
[0055] The other line of support is provided by the first hole (107) that is provided on the third leg (105). The triangle shaped hole (107) is configured to lock the projection on the engine harness and to prevent movement of harness base (301) and further avoid rotation since engine movement is maximum in that direction.
[0056] The harness base (301) is fastened on the second hole (109) and the force gets distributed on the legs (102, 103) of the first side (104) and from there the force enters to the intake manifold stiffener (110), thereby providing support and distributing the remaining load to the intake manifold stiffener (110). Similarly, the first hole (107) takes in the projection from the harness base (301) to minimize the movement of harness base (301) and prevent rotation of the harness base (301) since the engine movement is maximum in that direction.
[0057] The ribs (108) are provided on one side of the first side (104) and the ribs (108) completely cover the entire second side (106) including the third leg (105). The ribs (108) provide strength to the cantilever bracket (100) and further locks the harness base (301) to avoid sideways movement that occur in case of engine movement during vibrations.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0058] With the help of the solution as proposed herein in the context of the present disclosure, the multiple mounting and longer harness routing, leading to unwanted harness movement is prevented.
[0059] The present disclosure is able to reduce multiple parts and improve the overall space in the engine room.
[0060] The present disclosure is able to prevent the rotational moment around fixed point due to the cantilever bracket overhang.
[0061] The cantilever bracket is able to be supported on a tapered as well as a planar surface.
[0062] 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 disclosures 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. Also, 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 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 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.”
[0063] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.

Claims:

We claim:
1. A cantilever bracket (100) to mount a harness base (301) of an engine harness, the bracket comprising:
a center member (101) having a first leg (102) and a second leg (103) at a first side (104) of the center member (101), and a third leg (105) at a second side (106) of the center member (101);
wherein the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) are bent downward from the top surface of the center member (101),
wherein a bending radius of the protruded first leg (102) is different from a bending radius of the second leg (103),
wherein the first leg (102) and the second leg (103) are different in length and width, and
wherein the third leg is bent upward from the top surface of the center member (101), wherein a first hole (107) is provided on the third leg (105).

2. The cantilever bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the center member (101) has at least three curved surfaces (111, 112, 113), and wherein ribs (108) are provided on the curved surface (111, 112, 113) in a direction vertically upward to top surface of the center member (101).

3. The cantilever bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein ribs (108) are provided on two sides of the third leg (105).

4. The cantilever bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second hole (109) is provided on the center member (101).

5. The cantilever bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hole (107) provided on the third leg (105) is of triangle shape.