FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970 (as amended) [39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A COMMON MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR PETROL AND DIESEL
POWERTRAINS
APPLICANT
TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001,
Maharashtra, India
INVENTORS
(1) Mr. Vikas Vasantrao Kolage
of Tata Motors Limited, Bombay house,
24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001,
Maharashtra, India An Indian National
(2) Mr. Aniket Palasgaonkar of Tata Motors Limited, Bombay house,
24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001,
Maharashtra, India An Indian National
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure generally relates to field of mounting system. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a common engine mounting system that can be used for different powertrain configurations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An engine mount is a part that holds an engine to a body or to an engine cradle (subframe) of a vehicle. Typically, the engine and transmission are bolted together and held in place by three or four mounts. The mount that holds the transmission is called a transmission mount, others are referred to as engine mounts. To reduce the engine vibration felt inside the vehicle, engine mounts are filled with rubber bushes so that there is no direct metal-to-metal contact between the engine and the vehicle body. Specifically, the engine mounts are used to prevent the engine vibrations from reaching the passenger compartment.
However, different petrol and diesel powertrains need different stiffness mounts to prevent engine vibrations from reaching the passenger compartment. With increasing customer demand for highly comfortable vehicles that provide comfortable rides to the occupants, designers are aiming at achieving desired vibration isolation in vehicles. For achieving desired vibration isolation, selection of correct stiffness of mount is crucial. Mount stiffness selection depends on input of powertrain weight and inertia properties and max engine torque. Specifically, mount stiffness varies for petrol and diesel powertrains depending on input weight and inertia property of powertrain. Different stiffness is achieved by changing the rubber bush shape and geometry or diameter of bush. So conventionally different engine mounts are used for the diesel and petrol powertrain to accommodate different sizes of the bushes and the engine mount configuration has to be changed with change in powertrain configuration. However, using different engine mounts has certain drawbacks associated therewith. Each time the powertrain configuration changes, the engine mount configuration has to be changed accordingly. Lot of time, cost and resources are involved in the development of the new engine mounts as per changes in powertrain configuration. Further, the use of different engine mounts based on powertrain configuration also causes problems in assembly line. Specifically in the
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assembly line, the worker has to select different engine mounts for different engine power train configurations. The problem is more crucial, if a single assembly line is there for assembling vehicles with different power train configuration. The assembly of the different engine mounts for different power train configurations is inconvenient, time consuming and prone to errors, thereby substantially increasing assembly time and lowering production rates. In order to avoid confusion, inconvenience and chances of error during assembly and in order to enhance production rates, separate dedicated assembly lines for assembling different engine power train configurations is also proposed but such option is infeasible and expensive. Further, with the conventional engine mounts large inventory of engine mounts respectively for the diesel and petrol powertrains or other different powertrain configuration is required to be maintained. Further, development costs are more for development of the different mounts for the different powertrain configurations.
To ease out the stated situation, there is a need for a common engine mount system that can be used for different engine power train configurations.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a common mounting system for either engine or transmission that overcomes the drawbacks associated with the conventional systems.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a common mounting system that eliminates the need for developing an altogether new engine mount for a specific powertrain configuration.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a common mounting system that has common part irrespective of the powertrain configuration for which the mounting system is used, thereby easing the assembly of the mounting system over the vehicle.
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Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a common mounting system that eliminates the need for maintaining huge inventory for different mounts for the different powertrain configuration.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a common mounting system that prevents inconvenience, confusion, while assembling the engine mounts for different powertrain configurations and also eases the assembly of the engine mounts for different powertrain configurations.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a common mounting system that can be easily retrofitted in the present vehicles, without much modification.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a common mounting system that is simple in construct and easy to assemble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through 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 an embodiment of the present disclosure a common mounting system is disclosed. The system includes a common bottom flange with either one of a first top flange and a second top flange assembled to the common bottom flange. Specifically, either one of the first top flange and the second top flange is assembled to the common bottom flange, so as to asymmetrically compliment the common bottom flange to define a either one of a first closed contour and a second closed contour for respectively receiving either one of a first dimension bush of a first powertrain configuration and a second dimensioned bush of a second powertrain configuration.
Typically, the first powertrain configuration is a petrol powertrain.
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Typically, the second powertrain configuration is a diesel powertrain.
Generally, the common bottom flange, the first top flange and the second top flange has apertures configured thereon.
Specifically, either one of the first top flange and the second top flange is disposed over the common bottom flange and assembled thereto, such that apertures on either one of the first top flange and the second top flange matches with the apertures on the common bottom flange to facilitate assembly there-between.
Further, the common mounting system includes bolts that pass through matched apertures configured on either one of said first top flange and the second top flange and the common bottom flange to facilitate assembly there-between.
Typically, the common bottom flange (10) is mounted on a base frame structure.
Alternatively, the common bottom flange (10) is integral to a base frame structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
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:
FIG. 1a illustrates an assembled common engine mount system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first top flange asymmetric to a common bottom flange is complimentarily assembled thereto for configuring a first closed contour for receiving a first dimension bush of a diesel powertrain configuration;
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FIG. 1b illustrates the assembled common engine mount system of FIG.la wherein a second top flange instead of the first top flange is complementarily assembled to the common bottom flange for configuring a second closed contour for receiving a second dimension bush of a petrol powertrain configuration;
FIG 2a illustrates an exploded view of the common engine mount system of FIG la; and
FIG 2b illustrates an exploded view of the common engine mount system of FIG lb. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure generally relates to a common engine mounting system that can be used for different powertrain configurations. Particularly, the present disclosure generally relates to a common engine mounting system that can be used for diesel power train as well as petrol power train. Although, the present disclosure explains the common mounting system for use as bush type engine mounts, however,
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the same is applicable for use in any other application in both automotive and nonautomotive applications.
FIG. 1a illustrates an assembled common engine mount system 100p in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first top flange 20a asymmetric to a common bottom flange 10 is complimentarily assembled thereto for configuring a first closed contour for receiving a first dimension bush 30a of a first powertrain configuration. The first power train configuration is a petrol powertrain. The bush 30a has dimension / diameter BDp. The common bottom flange 10 is mounted on a base frame structure or the chassis of the vehicle. In accordance with another embodiment, the common bottom flange 10 is integrally configured on the base frame structure or the chassis of the vehicle. The common bottom flange (10), the first top flange (20a) and the second top flange (20b) has apertures configured thereon. Either one of the first top flange (20a) and the second top flange (20b) is disposed over and assembled to the common bottom flange (10), such that apertures on either one of the first top flange (20a) and the second top flange (20b) matches with the apertures on the common bottom flange (10) to facilitate assembly therebetween. The system (100) further includes bolts that pass through matched apertures configured on either one of the first top flange (20a) and the second top flange (20b) and the common bottom flange (10) to facilitate assembly there-between. Instead of bolts other fasteners can be used for assembling either one of the first top flange (20a) and the second top flange (20b) on the common bottom flange (10). Typically, the common bottom flange (10) is mounted on a base frame structure. Alternatively, the common bottom flange (10) is integral to a base frame structure.
FIG. 1b illustrates the assembled common engine mount system 100d in accordance with another embodiment, wherein a second top flange 20b instead of the first top flange 20a is complementarily assembled to the common bottom flange 10 for configuring a second closed contour for receiving a second dimension bush 30b of a second powertrain configuration. The second power train configuration is a diesel powertrain. The bush 30b has dimension BDd. With such configuration of the engine mount system, using the common bottom flange 10 and assembling either one of first top flange 20a and second top flange 20b thereto, different closed contours for accommodating different diameter bushes BDp and BDd can be configured. With
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different diameter of bushes, the engine mount system exhibits different stiffness as required for the different power train configurations. Specifically, either one of the first top flange 20a and the second top flange 20b can be assembled to the common bottom flange 10, so as to asymmetrically compliment the common bottom flange 10 to define either one of a first closed contour and a second closed contour for respectively receiving either one of a first dimension bush BDp of a first powertrain configuration and a second dimensioned bush BDd of a second powertrain configuration. The bushes are of elastomeric material. In accordance with an embodiment, the bushes are of rubber material.
Such configuration of the engine mount system eliminates the need for maintaining huge inventory for different mounts for the different powertrain configurations. Such configuration of the common mounting system eliminates the need for developing an altogether new engine mount for a specific powertrain configuration and the same common bottom flange can be used for different powertrain configurations. Specifically, such configuration of the common mount system involves common part irrespective of the powertrain configuration for which the mounting system is used, thereby easing the assembly of the mounting system over the vehicle. The modular configuration of the mounting system enables rectification at will. More specifically, as the lower mount 10 is mounted on the base frame structure or chassis of the vehicle, if in case a wrong top flange is assembled on the common bottom flange, the top flange can be changed anytime. Such configuration of the engine mount system provides flexibility of configuring different engine mounts based on mount location with respect to vehicle coordinate system, mount stiffness for petrol and diesel powertrains and mount angle of orientation. Such configuration of the engine mount system will assist in reducing packaging and development time for developing different mounts for different powertrain configurations, as only top flange has to be developed as per layout requirement and as per different powertrain configurations.
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.
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Advantages:
The present disclosure provides a common engine mount system for a vehicle, that:
• overcomes the drawbacks associated with the conventional systems;
• eliminates the need for developing an altogether new engine mount for a specific powertrain configuration;
• has common part irrespective of the powertrain configuration for which the mounting system is used, thereby easing the assembly of the mounting system over the vehicle;
• eliminates the need for maintaining huge inventory for different mounts for the different powertrain configurations;
• prevents inconvenience, confusion, while assembling the engine mounts for different powertrain configurations and also eases the assembly of the engine mounts for different powertrain configurations;
• can be easily retrofitted in the present vehicles, without much modification; and
• is simple in construct and easy to assemble.
Referral Numerals:
Reference Number
Description
(100)
a common mounting system;
(10)
a common bottom flange;
(20a)
a first top flange;
(20b)
a second top flange;
(30a)
a first dimension bush;
(30b)
a second dimensioned bush;
BDp
diameter of bush 30a;
BDd
Diameter of bush 30b; and
“B”
Bolts
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WE CLAIM
1. A common mounting system (100) comprising:
• a common bottom flange (10); and
• either one of a first top flange (20a) and a second top flange (20b) adapted to be assembled to said common bottom flange, so as to asymmetrically compliment said common bottom flange (10) for defining either one of a first closed contour and a second closed contour for respectively receiving either one of a first dimension bush (30a) of a first powertrain configuration and a second dimensioned bush (30b) of a second powertrain configuration.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first powertrain configuration is a petrol powertrain.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second powertrain configuration is a diesel powertrain.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said common bottom flange (10), said first top flange (20a) and said second top flange (20b) has apertures configured thereon.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, either one of said first top flange (20a) and said second top flange (20b) is adapted to be disposed over and assembled to said common bottom flange (10), such that apertures on either one of said first top flange (20a) and said second top flange (20b) matches with the apertures on said common bottom flange (10) to facilitate assembly therebetween.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising bolts adapted to pass through matched apertures configured on either one of said first top flange (20a) and said second top flange (20b) and said common bottom flange (10) to facilitate assembly there-between.
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7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said common bottom flange (10) is adapted to be mounted on a base frame structure.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said common bottom flange (10) is integral to a base frame structure.