Description:A COVER STRUCTURE TO PROTECT ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS MOUNTED ON FLOOR PANEL OF A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a cover structure in interior of a vehicle. The present invention, in particular, relates to a cover structure to protect electronic components mounted on floor panel of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, floor console region is located between driver seat and front passenger seat. In the floor console region, various electronic components are provided. In particular, the floor console region of the floor panel at least has an airbag controller and a body control module unit. The airbag controller and the body control module unit are mounted on the floor panel of the vehicle. To cover the airbag controller and the body control module unit in the floor console region of the floor panel a cover structure is utilized to prevent damage to the airbag controller and the body control module unit.
[0003] Vehicles have different types of designs based on the position of engine. Accordingly, vehicle can either have engine front mount type configuration or engine center mount type configuration or engine rear mount type configuration. In vehicles with engine front mount type configuration and engine rear mount type configuration the floor panel in the floor console region is substantially planar and various electronic components can be positioned on same plane. To cover these electronic components, a unified cover structure could be provided. Contrary to this, in engine center mount type configuration, engine is mounted below the seat of driver and front passenger. Accordingly, the floor panel of the vehicle is not planar and a unified cover structure is not possible for this type of configuration.
[0004] FIG. 1a and 1b illustrates an exemplary cover structure in engine center mount type configuration of a vehicle in accordance with existing art. In the engine center mount type configuration, the floor panel 101 has a first member 101a and a second member 101b. The first member 101a is fixedly attached perpendicularly from the second member 101b of the floor panel 101. In this configuration, various electronic components are placed in second member 101b of the floor panel 101. The cover structure 103 is positioned in the second member 101b region of the floor panel 101. The cover structure 103 is completely isolated from the first member 101a of the floor panel 101 in this type of configuration.
[0005] In the engine center mount type configuration of a vehicle, the cover structure 103 is mounted over the second member 101b of the floor panel 101. The cover structure 103 is fixedly attached with the second member 101b of the floor panel 101 at three mounting spots 104a, 104b, 104c including two side mounting spots 104b, 104c. However, no mounting spot lie on the first member of the floor panel 101. Since, the cover structure 103 is not attached with the first member 101a of the floor panel 101, the airbag controller cover 103 may experience dangling problems. To overcome the dangling problems, the cover structure 103 is attached on the first member 101a of the floor panel 101. The assembly of cover structure over the first member of the floor panel may create some openings. In the event of spillage of liquid in floor console region of the floor panel, the liquid may percolate towards the electronic components through the openings. This may result in damage to the electronic components.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a solution to provide a cover structure to protect electronic components mounted on the floor panel of the vehicle from accidental spillage of liquid.

SUMMARY
[0007] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a cover structure to protect electronic components mounted on the floor panel of the vehicle from accidental spillage of liquid. 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.
[0008] The present subject matter relates to a cover structure to protect electronic components mounted on floor panel of a vehicle. The cover structure comprises a front portion, a rear portion and an extended portion. The front portion has a leading end and a back end. The front portion is adapted to cover airbag controller mounted on second member of the floor panel. The rear portion has a leading end and a back end with the leading end of the rear portion integrally extending from the back end of the front portion of the cover structure. The rear portion is adapted to cover body control module unit mounted on the second member of the floor panel. The extended portion is integrally extending from top corners of back end of the rear portion to facilitate attachment of the cover structure over first member of the floor panel. A passage is provided along the back end of the rear portion to prevent percolating of liquid towards the body control module unit present under the rear portion.
[0009] In an aspect, the passage is in the form of a depression with curved profile.
[0010] In an aspect, a flange integrally extending from back end of the passage is provided, in between the extended portions, to prevent percolating of liquid towards the body control module unit present under the rear portion.
[0011] In an aspect, the passage has downward slant profile at both ends to prevent liquid from amassing in the passage.
[0012] In an aspect, mounting holes are provided on the extended portion to facilitate attachment of the cover structure on the first member of the floor panel.
[0013] In an aspect, the passage has a U-shaped profile throughout the length of the passage.
[0014] In an aspect, the depth of the passage in the middle is more than the depth of the passage at both ends.
[0015] In an aspect, the passage is positioned at the at the junction of rear portion of the curved structure and extended portions of the curved structure.
[0016] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0018] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1a and 1b illustrates an exemplary interior structure in engine center mount type configuration of a vehicle in accordance with existing art;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates top view of an exemplary cover structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates top view of an exemplary rear portion of the cover structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates A-A sectional view of an exemplary rear portion of the cover structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates isometric view of passage of the rear portion in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The passage has a U-shaped profile; and
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates movement of liquid in the passage in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0025] 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 methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0027] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0028] In the engine center mount type configuration of a vehicle, the floor panel comprises a second member and a first member. The first member is fixedly attached perpendicularly from the second member. Thus, the first member and the second member are not in a plane. Electronic components are mounted over the second member of the floor panel. Cover structure is positioned over second member of the floor panel to cover the electronic components. The cover structure is attached with the first member of the floor panel. This creates opening in the attachment region through which liquid can percolate towards electronic components in the event of accidental spillage.
[0029] In order to prevent percolating of liquid towards the electronic components, a cover structure may be utilized. The cover structure is described in more detail below.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates top view of an exemplary cover structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The cover structure 200 comprises a front portion 201, a rear portion 202 and an extended portion 203. The front portion 201 of the cover structure 200 is adapted to cover airbag controller mounted on second member 204b of the floor panel 204. The front portion 201 has a leading end 201a and a back end 201b. The front portion 201 is positioned over the airbag controller in second member 204b region of the floor panel 204. Dimensions of the front portion 201 of the cover structure 200 is proportional to the dimensions of the airbag controller. Accordingly, the front portion 201 of the cover structure 200 is capable of entirely covering the airbag controller, thus, preventing any damage.
[0031] The rear portion 202 of the cover structure has a leading end 202a and a back end 202b. The leading end 202a of the rear portion 202 integrally extends from the back end 201b of the front portion 201 of the cover structure 200. The rear portion 202 of the cover structure 200 is adapted to cover body control module unit mounted on second member 204b of the floor panel 204. The rear portion 202 is positioned over the body control module unit in second member 204b region of the floor panel 204. Dimensions of the rear portion 202 of the cover structure 200 is proportional to the dimensions of the body control module unit. Accordingly, the rear portion 202 of the cover structure 200 is capable of entirely covering the body control module unit, thus, preventing any damage. In an aspect, the dimensions of the front portion 201 of the cover structure 200 are different from the dimensions of the rear portion 202 of the cover structure 200.
[0032] The extended portion 203 of the cover structure 200 integrally extends from top corners of the back end 202b of the rear portion 202 to facilitate attachment of the cover structure 200 over first member 204a of the floor panel 204. Mounting holes are provided on the extended portion 203 of the cover structure 200 to facilitate attachment of the cover structure 200 over the first member 204a of the floor panel 204 through fasteners.
[0033] A passage 205 is provided along the back end 202b of the rear portion 202 to prevent percolating of liquid towards the electronic component (body control module unit).
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates top view of an exemplary rear portion of the cover structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The extended portions 203 with mounting holes 301 is shown in the figure. The passage 205 is provided along the back end 202b of rear portion 202. In an aspect, the passage 205 is positioned at the junction of rear portion 202 of the curved structure 200 and extended portions 203 of the curved structure 200. The passage 205 is in the form of a depression with curved profile. Thus, depth of the passage 204 in the middle is less that the depth of the passage 205 toward the ends. The depression prevent liquid from seeping through the opening towards the electronic component (body control module unit). Apart from preventing liquid from seeping through opening towards the electronic component, the passage 205 strengthens the extended portions 203 of the cover structure 200. In the assembled condition, the passage 205 bear stress, generated due to cantilever force originating at the extended portions 203 of the cover structure 200.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates A-A sectional view of an exemplary rear portion of the cover structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. A-A sectional view is a side section view of the rear portion 202 of the cover structure 200 as discussed in FIG. 3. The side section view clearly illustrates the depth of passage 205 present at the junction of rear portion 202 of the curved structure 200 and extended portions 203 of the curved structure 200. The body control module unit 401 is present under the passage 205.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates isometric view of passage of the rear portion in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The passage 205 has a U-shaped profile. This U-shaped profile is maintained throughout the length of the passage 205. Apart from the passage 205 in the rear portion 202 of the cover structure 200, a flange 501 is also provided to prevent percolating of liquid towards the electronic components. The flange 501 integrally extends from back end of the passage 205, in between the extended portions 203 of the cover structure 200. In event of excess liquid in the passage 205, the flange 501 ensures water does not seep through the opening to damage the electronic component (body control module unit).
[0037] To prevent amassing of liquid in the passage 205, the profile of passage at the ends are maintained at downward slant profile. This ensures that liquid in the passage is directed to the vents (both ends of the passage 205).
[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates movement of liquid in the passage in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As, the passage 205 has less depth in the middle and more depth in the ends, both ends of the passage act as vent to remove the liquid from the passage 205. The downward slant profile at the ends ensures that water exit from the vents preventing amassing of liquid in the passage 205. The flange 501 ensures liquid does not percolate through the opening and damage the electronic component (body control module unit).
ADVANTAGES
[0039] The proposed cover structure prevents percolating of liquid towards the electronic components present under the cover structure. Further, the cover structure ensures that water does not amass in the passage. Furthermore, the cover structure is robust and prevent any kind of damage to the electronic components present under it.
[0040] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0041] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0042] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0043] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A cover structure (200) to protect electronic components mounted on floor panel of a vehicle, the cover structure (200) comprises:
a front portion (201), having a leading end (201a) and a back end, (201b) adapted to cover airbag controller mounted on second member (204b) of the floor panel (204);
a rear portion (202) having a leading end (202a) and a back end (202b) with the leading end (202a) of the rear portion (202) integrally extending from the back end (201b) of the front portion (201) of the cover structure (200), wherein the rear portion (202) is adapted to cover body control module unit mounted on the second member (204b) of the floor panel (204); and
an extended portion (203) integrally extending from top corners of back end (202b) of the rear portion (202) to facilitate attachment of the cover structure (200) over first member (204a) of the floor panel (204), wherein a passage (205) is provided along the back end (202b) of the rear portion (202) to prevent percolating of liquid towards the body control module unit present under the rear portion (202).
2. The cover structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passage (205) is in the form of a depression with curved profile.
3. The cover structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flange (501) integrally extending from back end of the passage (205) is provided, in between the extended portions (203), to prevent percolating of liquid towards the body control module unit present under the rear portion (202).
4. The cover structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passage (205) has downward slant profile at both ends to prevent liquid from amassing in the passage (205).
5. The cover structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein mounting holes (301) are provided on the extended portion (203) to facilitate attachment of the cover structure (200) on the first member (204a) of the floor panel.
6. The cover structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passage (205) has a U-shaped profile throughout the length of the passage (205).
7. The cover structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the depth of the passage (205) in the middle is less than the depth of the passage (205) at both ends.
8. The cover structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passage (205) is positioned at the at the junction of rear portion (202) of the curved structure (200) and extended portions (203) of the curved structure (200).