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 COMPLIANT SUPPORT SYSTEM
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
MR. SHAMANTH HAMPALI, MR. DEEPAK SHARMA
and MR. ABHISHEK ATAL all are Indian Nationals of
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay house,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.
PREAMBLE OF THE INVENTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to field of automobile engineering. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a compliant support system for connecting vehicle body to an anti-roll bar of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
An Anti-roll Bar (ARB) is fitted in the suspension of a vehicle and increases the stability of the vehicle, especially when cornering. The Anti-roll Bar (ARB) results in reduction of body lean during cornering and the Anti-roll Bar (ARB) also tunes the handling balance (under-steer or over-steer) of the vehicle. FIG. 1 illustrates an Anti-roll Bar (ARB) 110 with conventional bearing support system 10 for connecting a vehicle body to the anti-roll bar 110. The Anti-roll bar 110 is also referred as sway bar or stabilizer bar, is a torsion spring connected through stabilizer links 04a and 04b to the struts 02a and 02b respectively of the suspension system.
Generally, the conventional bearing support system connects the vehicle body to the anti-roll bar of the vehicle. The conventional bearing support system 10 includes a pair of bushes/ bearing elements 06a and 06b, wherein each of the hearing elements 06a includes a polymer bush 07a disposed inside a steel bracket 8a. The polymer bush 07a receives and supports the anti-roll bar 110. The bearing elements 06a and 6b are then secured on the vehicle body "F". FIG. 1 illustrate the front view of a typical suspension system of a vehicle body comprising of the anti-roll bar 110 and it's conventional bearing support system 10 . Also is illustrated an enlarged view depicting the anti-roll bar 110 supported between the bushes 06a, 06b of the conventional bearing support system 10. Further, enlarged view of one of the bearing elements 06a configured of the polymer bush 07a disposed inside the steel bracket 8a is also illustrated. The conventional bearing support system 10 typically utilizes polymer bushes. The bushes 06a and 06b are fixed into its place using steel brackets 08a and 08b respectively. Such configuration, provides low resistance to the rotation of ARB 110 during the transfer of cornering loads. However, there are various drawbacks associated with the use of rubber bushes, specifically, the

rubber is prone to energy loss due to hysteresis in rubber, material properties of rubber change with regular use and change in temperature. With conventional bearing support system 10 utilizing rubber bushes, there is limited control over critical parameter such as torsional stiffness and radial stiffness. Further, rubber bushes (06a, 06b) creates squeaking noise after prolonged use thereof. Still further, conventional bearing support system 10 with rubber bushes (06a, 06b) face other problems due to friction, backlash, and wear and accordingly, exhibits reduced service life. Further, the rubber bushes (06a, 06b) of the conventional bearing support system 10 are manufactured for a specific diameter of the Anti-roll Bearing (ARB) and the same bushes (06a, 06b) cannot be installed on multiple diameters of ARB, i.e. the rubber bushes (06a, 06b) cannot adjust based on the diameter of the Anti-roll Bearing (ARB).
To overcome the drawback of the conventional bearing support system 10, a compliant bracket support system for connecting a vehicle body to an anti-roll bar of the vehicle that eliminates rubber bushes is proposed.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a compliant bracket support system for connecting a vehicle body to an anti-roll bar of the vehicle that eliminates rubber bushes that are typically used in conventional bearing arrangement, thereby eliminating the drawbacks that are inherent with use of rubber bushes.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compliant support system that obviates the drawbacks associated with conventional bearing arrangement utilizing rubber bushes, such as energy loss due to hysteresis in rubber, change in material properties of rubber with regular use and change in temperature, limitation of controlling torsional stiffness and radial stiffness.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compliant support system for connecting vehicle body to the Anti-roll bearing in automotive applications that provide

higher radial stiffness greater than 2KN/mm and lower torsion stiffness of 1 Nm/degree as per requirement.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compliant support system that eliminates the drawbacks of conventional support system such as friction, backlash, and wear accordingly, exhibits improved service life.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compliant support system that reduces Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels, enhances performance and service life of the anti-roll bar (ARB).
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compliant support system that is easy to manufacture and install.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compliant support system that requires less maintenance as lubrication requirement is eliminated.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compliant support system that can be easily retrofitted in existing vehicles.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compliant support system that is adjustable to cater to anti-roll bars of different dimensions, thus saving tooling costs.
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 compliant support system (100) for connecting a vehicle body to an anti-roll bar of the vehicle is disclosed. The compliant support system (100) includes a clamp (112) and a first and second compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) formed by bending a monolithic compliant strip. The clamp (112) receives and grips an anti-roll bar (110) of the vehicle. The cross section of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) varies along length thereof, an operative top end of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) is secured to the clamp (112) and operative bottom end of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) is secured to the frame "F" of the vehicle, further, each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) has at least a pair of bends configured thereon, wherein a first bend (116a, 116b) configured at a first section of the compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) acts as a torsional spring and a second bend (118a, 118b) configured along a second section of the compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) acts as a linear spring to achieve a particular radial stiffness and torsion stiffness combination.
Typically, the clamp (112) includes a pair of gripping portions that move relative to each other and are held together by at least a pair of nut and bolt arrangements (113a, 113b) to define gripping configuration thereof.
Generally, the compliant strip is bended about center thereof to configure symmetrical first and second compliant strip portions (114a, 114b).
Further, the compliant support system (100) includes a spacer element "S" disposed between gripping portions of the clamp (112) and the anti-roll bar (110) received in the clamp (112), wherein thickness of the spacer element can be changed to facilitate gripping of anti-roll bar (110) of different dimensions by the clamp (112).
Typically, the first bend (116a, 116b) is configured along a narrower section of the compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) acts as torsional spring and the second bend (118a, 118b) configured along a wider section of the compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) acts as a linear spring, thereby achieving higher radial stiffness greater than 2KN/mm and lower torsion stiffness of less than 1 Nm/degree.

Specifically, the operative bottom end of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) are secured to the frame "F" of the vehicle by using nut and bolt elements, with a reliever element (Ra, Rb) disposed between bolt head and respective compliant strip portions (114a, 114b).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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. 1 illustrate a front view of a typical suspension system of a vehicle body, also is illustrated an enlarged view depicting the anti-roll bar supported between the rubber bushes of the conventional bearing support system, further, enlarged view of one of the bearing elements configured of the polymer bush disposed inside the steel bracket is also illustrated;
FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b illustrate an isometric view and a front view of a compliant support system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure for connecting a vehicle body to an anti-roll bar of the vehicle;
FIG. 3a illustrate a top view and an exploded view of the compliant support system of FIG 2a and FIG. 2b;
FIG. 4 illustrates a compliant strip bended to configure a first and second compliant strip portions of the compliant support system of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b; and

FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b illustrates isometric views of the compliant support system of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, with different thickness spacer elements disposed between gripping portions of a clamp and the anti-roll bar received in the clamp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 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 compliant support system (100) for connecting a vehicle body to an anti-roll bar of the vehicle that eliminates the need for rubber bushes that are typically used in conventional bearing arrangement for supporting the anti-roll bar (ARB), thereby eliminating the drawbacks that are inherent with use of rubber bushes.
FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a typical suspension system of a vehicle body comprising of anti-roll bar 110 and its conventional bearing support system 10, also is illustrated an enlarged view depicting the anti-roll bar 110 supported between the rubber

bushes (06a, 06b) of the conventional bearing support system 10. Further, an enlarged view of the enlarged view of one of the bearing elements 06a configured of the polymer bush 07a disposed inside the steel bracket 8a is also illustrated. The conventional bearing support system 10 provides low resistance to the rotation of ARB 110 during the transfer of cornering loads. However, there are various drawbacks associated with the use of rubber bushes, specifically, the rubber is prone to energy loss due to hysteresis in rubber, material properties of rubber change with regular use and change in temperature. With conventional bearing support system 10 utilizing rubber bushes, there is limited control over critical parameter such as torsional stiffness and radial stiffness. Further, rubber bushes (06a, 06b) creates squeaking noise after prolonged use thereof. Still further, conventional bearing support system 10 with rubber bushes (06a, 06b) face other problems due to friction, backlash, and wear and accordingly, exhibits reduced service life. Further, the rubber bushes (06a, 06b) of the conventional bearing support system 10 are manufactured for a specific diameter of the Anti-roll Bearing (ARB) and the same bushes (06a, 06b) cannot be installed on multiple diameters of ARB, i.e. the rubber bushes (06a, 06b) cannot adjust based on the diameter of the Anti-roll Bearing (ARB). Further, the conventional bearing support system 10 utilizing rubber bushes fail to meet the functional requirement for the Anti-Roll Bar (ARB) support system. Specifically, the functional requirement for the Anti-Roll Bar (ARB) support system is high radial stiffness greater than 2KN/mm and low torsional stiffness less than INm/deg. Although, the rubber bushes (06a, 06b) achieve high radial stiffness in the range of 8-12 KN/mm, however, the rubber bushes provide torsional stiffness in the range of 2-3 Nm/deg. And accordingly fail to meet the functional requirement.
A compliant bracket support system for connecting a vehicle body to an anti-roll bar of the vehicle that eliminates the rubber bushes and thereby eliminates the drawbacks that are inherent with use of rubber bushes is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The compliant bracket support system also achieves the functional requirement of high radial stiffness greater than 2KN/mm and low torsional stiffness less than INm/deg.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a compliant support system (100) for connecting a vehicle body to an anti-roll bar 110 of the vehicle is disclosed. FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b illustrate an isometric view and a front view of the compliant support system (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure for connecting a vehicle body to the anti-roll bar (110) of the vehicle. FIG. 3a illustrate a top view and an exploded view of the compliant support system. The compliant support system (100) includes a clamp (112) and a first and second compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) formed by bending a monolithic compliant strip. Generally, the compliant strip is bended about center thereof to configure symmetrical first and second compliant strip portions (114a, 114b). FIG. 4 illustrates the compliant strip bended to configure the first and second compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) of the compliant support system (100). In accordance with an embodiment, the compliant strip is of spring steel material. The clamp (112) receives and grips an anti-roll bar (110) of the vehicle. The clamp (112) includes a pair of gripping portions that can be moved relative to each other and that are held together by at least a pair of nut and bolt arrangements (113a, 113b) to define gripping configuration thereof.
The cross section of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) varies along length thereof, an operative top end of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) is secured to the clamp (112) and operative bottom end of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) is secured to the frame "F" of the vehicle, further, each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) has at least a pair of bends configured thereon, wherein a first bend (116a, 116b) configured at a first section of the compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) acts as a torsional spring and a second bend (118a, 118b) configured along a second section of the compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) acts as a linear spring to achieve a particular radial stiffness and torsion stiffness combination. Typically, the first bend (116a, 116b) is configured along a narrower section of the compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) acts as torsional spring and the second bend (118a, 118b) configured along a wider section of the compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) acts as a linear spring, thereby achieving higher radial stiffness greater than 2KN/mm and lower torsion stiffness of less than 1

Nm/degree. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular configuration and placement of the bends on the compliant strip portion (114a, 114b).
Further, the compliant support system (100) includes a spacer element "S" disposed between gripping portions of the clamp (112) and the anti-roll bar (110) received in the clamp (112), wherein thickness of the spacer element can be changed to facilitate gripping of anti-roll bar (110) of different dimensions by the clamp (112). FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b illustrates isometric views of the compliant support system 100, with different thickness spacer elements S1 and S2 disposed between gripping portions of the clamp (112) and the anti-roll bar (110) received in the clamp (112).
Specifically, the operative bottom end of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) are secured to the frame "F" of the vehicle by using nut and bolt elements, with a reliever element (Ra, Rb) disposed between bolt head and respective compliant strip portions (114a, 114b). With such configuration stress concentration at the operative bottom end of the respective compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) is reduced.
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.
Advantages:
The present disclosure provides a compliant support system that:
• acts as a bearing arrangement for connecting a vehicle body to an anti-roll bar of the vehicle and eliminates the need for rubber bushes that are typically used in conventional bearing arrangement, thereby eliminating the drawbacks that are inherent with use of rubber bushes;
• obviates the drawbacks associated with conventional bearing arrangement utilizing rubber bushes, such as energy loss due to hysteresis in rubber, change in

material properties of rubber with regular use and change in temperature, limitation of controlling torsional stiffness and radial stiffness;
• can be configured based on requirement to achieve desired parameters such as torsional stiffness and radial stiffness;
• provide higher radial stiffness greater than 2KN/mm and lower torsion stiffness of 1 Nm/degree as per requirement of compliant support system for connecting vehicle body to the Anti-roll bearing in automotive applications;
• eliminates the drawbacks of conventional support system such as friction, backlash, and wear accordingly, exhibits improved service life;
• reduces Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels, enhances performance and service life of the anti-roll bar (ARB);
• exhibits better control of torsional stiffness and radial stiffness;
• is easy to manufacture and install;
• requires less maintenance as lubrication requirement is eliminated;
• can be easily retrofitted in existing vehicles; and
• is adjustable to cater to anti-roll bars of different dimensions, thus saving tooling costs.
Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
(100) a compliant support system;
(112) a clamp;
(114a, 114b) a pair of compliant strips;
(116a, 116b) a first bend configured on compliant strips (114a, 114b) respectively;
(118a, 118b) a second bend configured on compliant strips (114a, 114b) respectively;
"S" a spacer element;
(113a, 113b) nut and bolt arrangements for holding together gripping portions of the clamp (112)
(N,B) nut and bolt arrangements for securing operative bottom end of each compliant strips (114a, 114b) to the frame "F" of the vehicle

(Ra, Rb)
a reliever element (Ra, Rb) disposed between bolt head and respective compliant strips (114a, 114b)
"P" frame of the vehicle

We Claim:
1. A compliant support system (100) for connecting a vehicle body to an anti-roll bar
of the vehicle, said compliant support system (100) comprising:
• a clamp (112) adapted to receive and grip an anti-roll bar (110) of the vehicle; and
• a first and second compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) formed by bending a monolithic compliant strip, cross section of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) varies along length thereof, an operative top end of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) is secured to said clamp (112) and operative bottom end of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) is secured to the frame "F" of the vehicle, further, each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) has at least a pair of bends configured thereon, wherein a first bend (116a, 116b) configured at a first section of said compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) adapted to act as a torsional spring and a second bend (118a, 118b) configured along a second section of said compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) adapted to act as a linear spring to achieve a particular radial stiffness and torsion stiffness combination.

2. The compliant support system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamp (112) comprises a pair of gripping portions adapted to be move relative to each other and held together by at least a pair of nut and bolt arrangements (113a, 113b) to define gripping configuration thereof.
3. The compliant support system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said compliant strip is bended about center thereof to configure symmetrical first and second compliant strip portions (114a, 114b).
4. The compliant support system (100) as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a spacer element "S" disposed between gripping portions of said clamp (112) and said anti-roll bar (110) received in said clamp (112), wherein thickness of spacer element can be changed to facilitate gripping of anti-roll bar (110) of different dimensions by said clamp (112).
5. The compliant support system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first bend (116a, 116b) configured along a narrower section of said compliant strip portion

6. The compliant support system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first bend (116a, 116b) configured along a narrower section of said compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) is adapted to act as torsional spring and said second bend (118a, 118b) configured along a wider section of said compliant strip portion (114a, 114b) is adapted to act as a linear spring, thereby achieving higher radial stiffness greater than 2KN/mm and lower torsion stiffness of less than 1 Nm/degree.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein operative bottom end of each compliant strip portions (114a, 114b) are secured to the frame "F" of the vehicle by using nut and bolt elements, with a reliever element (Ra, Rb) disposed between bolt head and respective compliant strip portions (114a, 114b).