DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to an inner roof lining area of a vehicle and in particular, a crash absorber at the inner roof lining area for reducing side crash impact in a passenger vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention.
[0003] In general, all vehicles especially automobiles comprise crash absorber at the inner roof lining area of the vehicle. The crash absorber is device designed as a framing over the inner roof lining area of the vehicle that come in role in case of any side crash of vehicle. The crash absorber is provided to protect the head of sitting person during an event of any crash by absorbing the impact of crash on person’s head by crash absorber and mitigating it gradually.
[0004] The existing structures do not efficiently counter the impact due to void structure of crash absorber. The rib structures disclosed in the existing crash absorber is provided with void portions which do not provide stiffness and rigidity and may results in easy cracking of the inner roof lining area of the vehicle. Therefore, the existing design of the crash absorber requires changes in styling surfaces to counter the crash impact, and eventually provide higher stability and stiffness around the inner roof lining area of the vehicle.
[0005] Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations of the existing provisions, there is need in the art to provide a crash absorber that can effectively counter the crash impact during any side crash incident of the vehicle and thereby providing stiffness and rigidity to the inner roof lining area of the vehicle.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] It is therefore the object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior system provide an improved design of the crash absorber that can efficiently absorb the impact of crash and can effectively provide protection at the inner side roof lining area of the vehicle.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved design of crash absorber that can provide stiffness and rigidity to the inner roof lining area of the vehicle.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved design of crash absorber that can efficiently protect the head of person sitting in the vehicle by gradually mitigating the impact of crash.
[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This summary is provided to introduce an improved design of the crash absorber at the inner roof lining area of the vehicle to counter the impact acting on the inner roof lining during an event of any crash of the vehicle.
[0011] 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.
[0012] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to the crash absorber at the inner roof lining area of the vehicle. The inner roof lining area of the vehicle is provided with a grab handle mounting. The crash absorber is provided adjacent to the grab handle mounting at the inner roof lining area of the vehicle. The crash absorber at inner roof lining area of the vehicle is provided to absorb head impact force. The crash absorber comprises a front mounting portion and a rear mounting portion to mount the crash absorber at the inner roof lining area. A longitudinal portion provided in between the front mounting portion and the rear mounting portion. The longitudinal portion have an upper portion and a lower portion where the upper portion runs parallel to the lower portion. A plurality of vertical rib structures connects the upper portion with the lower portion along the longitudinal portion.
[0013] In an embodiment, at least three rib structures are joined by a horizontal rib to form a cross rib like structure on the longitudinal portion. The cross rib like structure is covered with a cover plate at one end of the crash absorber. A middle rib structure among the at least three rib structure extends outward in vehicle width direction to define a curve portion on the cover plate to divide the cover plate in upper curve plate and lower curve plate.
[0014] In an aspect, the upper curve portion connects to lower curve portion at an angle.
[0015] In an aspect, the plurality of rib structure has a plurality of slits along width, the plurality of slits facilitates the breaking of crash absorber during head impact.
[0016] In an aspect, the crash absorber comprises two mounting holes at the first and last compartments of crash absorber.
[0017] In an aspect, in the cross rib like structure, the width of the vertical ribs is more than width of the horizontal rib.
[0018] 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.
[0019] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[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 DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of 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 and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a crash absorber of the roof lining area of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the crash absorber indicating the longitudinal portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of the crash absorber facing towards the roof lining area of vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] Fig. 4 illustrates a rear view of the crash absorber of the roof lining area the of vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0026] Fig. 5a and 5b illustrates back and front view of a curved plate respectively attached to the crash absorber of the inner roof lining area of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] 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 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 spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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 the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “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 or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0030] 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 sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0031] 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.
[0032] The present subject matter discloses an inner roof lining area of a vehicle, in particular, a crash absorber at the inner roof lining area of the vehicle that can absorb the impact of crash over the head of passenger sitting in the vehicle during an event of any vehicle accident. The present subject matter has been developed to effectively counter impact of crash on the inner roof lining area and to improve the rigidity at the inner roof lining area of the vehicle. The crash absorber (100) is provided at the inner roof lining area (not shown in Figure) of the vehicle. The crash absorber (100) is sandwiched in between the inner panel of the roof lining and roof lining of the vehicle.
[0033] The inner roof lining region of the vehicle generally faces high impact and high stress in case of any side crash of the vehicle, due to direct hitting of head of person sitting in vehicle. Due to direct hitting of person’s head, the inner roof lining area may result in cracking of said region. The present structure of the crash absorber (202) provides numeral advantages; such as mitigates the high stresses developed at the inner roof lining area and thereby preventing cracking of the inner roof lining area.
[0034] The inner roof lining area comprises a grab handle (not shown in Figure) to provide handling grip to person sitting in the vehicle. The crash absorber (100) also is provided at the inner sides roof lining area (not shown in figure) of the vehicle. The crash absorber (100) is mounted adjacent to the grab handle or mounting location of the grab handle at the inner sides roof lining area of the vehicle.
[0035] As shown in figure 1, the present subject matter discloses a crash absorber (100) having two mounting portions, a front mounting portion (205a) and a rear mounting portion (205b). The two mounting portions (205a, 205b) are provided to mount the crash absorber at the inner roof lining area of the vehicle. The present invention provides a longitudinal portion (300) extending in the vehicle length direction.
[0036] As shown in figure 2, the longitudinal portion (300) is provided in between the front mounting portion (205a) and the rear mounting portion (205b). The longitudinal portion (300) is having an upper portion (302a) and a lower portion (302b). The upper portion (302a) of the longitudinal portion (300), runs parallel to the lower portion (302b) of the longitudinal portion (300) creating a closed compact design between the front mounting portions (205a) and rear mounting portions (205b).
[0037] The present subject matter discloses a plurality of vertical rib structures (203a) along the longitudinal portion (300). The plurality of vertical rib structures (203a) connects the upper portion (302a) with the lower portion (302b) creating plurality of compartments along the longitudinal portion (300).
[0038] As shown in figure 3, the longitudinal portion (300) of the crash absorber (100) further comprises at least three rib structures (203a”) joined by a horizontal rib (203c). The horizontal rib (203c) is provided between the two rib structures in such a manner that it intersects a middle rib structure (203a’) among the at least three rib structure (203a”) at the centre. The intersection of the middle rib structure (203a’) by the horizontal rib (203c) at the centre forms a cross rib like structure (203b) on the longitudinal portion (300).
[0039] The cross rib like structure (203b) is a void structure of intersecting ribs. In order to provide strength to the said void cross rib like structure (203b), a cover plate (204) is provided. The cover plate (204) covers the cross rib like structure at the front side.
[0040] Referring to figure 4, the curved plate (204) is provided at the front side of the cross absorber (100) covering the at least three rib structure (203a”). The middle rib structure (203a’) among the at least three rib structure (203a”) is extending outward in vehicle width direction (X) to define a curve portion on the cover plate (204). The curved portion divides the cover plate (204) in two portions, an upper curve plate (204a) and a lower curve plate (204b).
[0041] The upper curve plate (204a) is an extended steep portion with respect to lower curve portion (204b).
[0042] The width (d) of the middle rib structure (203a’) is extending outwardly in order to provide more area to absorb impact of crash.
[0043] The curved angled (204c) is the area where the head of a person makes the first contact during side crash. Therefore, the curved angle (204c) formed due to extended width (d) of the middle rib (203a’) provides extended area to mitigate the force received from person head during hitting with crash absorber. The curved angle (204c) ensure that the forces during crash is distributed gradually at the cross ribs (203b).
[0044] Referring to figure 5a and 5b, the cross rib like structure (203b) are provided with a plurality of slits (206) at the bottom of rib structures (203a), particularly provided at the legs of the ribs structures (203a). More particularly, the plurality of slits (206) are provided along the width of rib structure (203a). The plurality of slits (206) are the thin portions along the width of ribs structures (203a) which is provided to directs the breaking of crash absorber. The plurality of slits (206) are provided to make that portion weaker so that breaking of crash absorber begin with breaking of plurality of slits (206). The breaking of plurality of slits (206) at that portion ensures that impact can be absorbed gradually over the head of the passenger to the crash absorber and thereby preventing the head of passenger sitting in the vehicle.
[0045] The present subject matter discloses the crash absorber (202) the cross rib like structure (203b), the width of the vertical ribs (203a) is more than width of the horizontal rib (203b). The difference in the width of the vertical ribs (203a) and width of the horizontal rib (203b) is provided to enhance the mounting ability of crash absorber at the uneven inner roof lining portion and thereby providing more stiffness and rigidity to the inner roof lining portion.
[0046] Thus, the crash absorber (100) of the inner roof lining area of the vehicle with curved plate (204) attached to the cross ribs like structure (203b) provided with plurality of slits (206) at bottom of ribs is provided to counter the side crash impact and improves the stiffness to the ribs structure.
Technical advantages:
[0047] With the present disclosure, the impact received during the side crash of vehicle are countered effectively and reduces the impact to the roof lining of the vehicle.
[0048] It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the discussion herein, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving,” or “determining,” or “retrieving,” or “controlling,” or “comparing,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of an electronic control unit, or similar electronic device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the control unit’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the control unit memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.

[0052] Reference Numerals
Reference Numeral Description
100 Crash absorber
203a Plurality of ribs
203a” At least three rib structures
203a’ Middle rib structure
203b Crossed ribs
203c Horizontal rib
204 Curved plate
204a Upper curved plate
204b Lower curved plate
204c Curve angle of plate
205a A front mounting portion
205b A rear mounting portion
206 Plurality of slits
300 Longitudinal portion
302a An upper portion
302b A lower portion
d Width of the middle rib structure
X Vehicle length direction
Y Vehicle height direction
Z Vehicle width direction

,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A crash absorber (100) at inner roof lining area of a vehicle to absorb head impact force, the crash absorber (100) comprising:
a front mounting portion (205a) and a rear mounting portion (205b) to mount the crash absorber (100) at the roof lining area;
a longitudinal portion (300) provided in between the front mounting portion (205a) and the rear mounting portion (205b), the longitudinal portion (300) having an upper portion (302a) and a lower portion (302b) where the upper portion (302a) runs parallel to the lower portion (302b);
a plurality of vertical rib structures (203a) connects the upper portion (302a) with the lower portion (302b) along the longitudinal portion (300);
characterized in that
at least three rib structures (203a”) joined by a horizontal rib (203c) to form a cross rib like structure (203b) on the longitudinal portion (300);
the cross rib like structure (203b) covered with a cover plate (204) at one end;
a middle rib structure (203a’) among the at least three rib structure (203a”) extending outward in vehicle width direction (X) to define a curve portion on the cover plate (204) to divide the cover plate (204) in upper curve plate (204a) and lower curve plate (204b).

2. The crash absorber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper curve portion (204a) connects to lower curve portion (204b) at a curved angle (204c).

3. The crash absorber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of rib structure (203a) have a plurality of slits (206) along width, the plurality of slits (206) directs breaking of crash observer during head impact.

4. The crash absorber as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the cross rib like structure (203b), the width of the vertical ribs (203a) is more than width of the horizontal rib (203b).