DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
39 OF 1970
&
THE PATENT RULES 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTIONS 10 & RULE 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION

A CRASH GUARD TO PROTECT AIRBAG SENSOR OF A VEHICLE
2. APPLICANTS (S)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS

MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LIMITED

Indian
Maruti Suzuki India Limited
1, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj,
New Delhi - 110070
India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

A CRASH GUARD TO PROTECT AIRBAG SENSOR OF A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a crash guard to protect an airbag sensor of a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the crash guard that is capable of preventing bending and crumpling during an event of crash thereby protecting the air bag sensor from being dysfunctional.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent times, owing to an increase in number of vehicles on roads, safety has become a major concern and therefore, automobile manufacturers are coming up with first-hand safety features in the vehicle that can protect an occupant of the vehicle from fatal damages.
[0003] Automobile manufacturers have come up with a feature of airbag in every passenger car in order to protect the occupant from fatal damages during an accident. Typically, the air bag sensors are mounted on a lamp support member of these vehicles such that they are able to provide input to an air bag control unit (A.C.U) for taking necessary course of action. During a crash, on hitting, the vehicle starts to decelerate in a very rapid fashion thereby loosing speed. The rapid change in speed is detected by the air bag sensors and the corresponding information is being transmitted to the airbag control unit (A.C.U). The airbag control unit (A.C.U) allows passage of an electric current to a heating element of the air bag, which in turn ignites a harmless chemical explosive. The air bag expands quickly due to burning of this chemical explosive and inflates in front of the driver and the other passengers thereby protecting them from severe injuries.
[0004] However, during an event of severe crash, it has been observed that the barrier hits the vehicle and damages the air bag sensor before it can send enabling signal to the air bag control unit (ACU) for activation of an airbag. Consequently, this refrains air bag from being inflated and as a result, occupant may get severely injured.
[0005] In view of circumventing the above mentioned challenges, a flat plate (102) (as shown in Figure 1) is welded to the lamp support member (104) and positioned before the air bag sensor (502). This is pursued so that the flat plate (102) is able to prevent direct contact between the barrier and the air bag sensor. However, in some cases, the flat plate (102) may itself get bend and touch the air bag sensor thereby interfering with functionalities of the air bag sensor.
[0006] Towards this direction, it is evident that a full proof solution and an arrangement is required such that the air bag sensor can be protected so that it is able to prevent the occupants from severe injury in case of any crash or collision.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0008] It is an object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in the prior art systems and methods.
[0009] It is a significant object of the present disclosure to provide a guard in a vehicle that is able to protect the air bag sensor from getting damaged.
[0010] It is another principal object of the present disclosure to provide the guard that is capable of having an enhanced rigidity and robustness.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide the guard that is capable of having an enhanced stiffness in order to withstand the impact caused as a result of collision.
[0012] It is even another object of the present disclosure to provide the guard that facilitates easy assembly of the air bag sensor.
[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 taking into consideration with accompanied drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a crash guard that is employed to protect an airbag sensor of the vehicle. 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.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided the crash guard, where the crash guard is attached to a lamp support member of the vehicle and is employed to protect the air bag sensor of the vehicle.
[0016] In an aspect, the crash guard comprises an upper portion with a first lateral end and a second lateral end extending continuously from a starting point to an ending point defining a rectangular shape.
[0017] In an aspect, there is provided a flange protruded away perpendicularly from a first end of the upper portion the crash guard, where the flange is extending continuously from the first lateral end of the upper portion.
[0018] In an aspect, the crash guard comprises a lower portion with a first lateral end angularly inclined from the ending point of the first lateral end of the upper portion and a second lateral end extending in a continuous straight manner from the ending point of the second lateral end of the upper portion.
[0019] In an aspect, in the crash guard, the upper portion is provided with a S-shaped stepped profile starting from the first lateral end till the second lateral end of the upper portion of the crash guard.
[0020] In an aspect, in the crash guard, the S-shaped stepped profile creates a level difference between the upper portion and the lower portion.
[0021] In an aspect, the upper portion of the crash guard is provided with a circular emboss to support mounting of a harness bracket.
[0022] In an aspect, the upper portion and the lower portion of the crash guard is provided with a plurality of embosses, respectively, for welding the crash guard with the lamp support member of the vehicle.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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 numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING(S)
[0025] 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 invention 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
[0026] Figure 1 depicts an existing arrangement of protecting an air bag sensor of a vehicle;
[0027] Figure 2 (a)-(b) depicts different isometric views of a crash guard, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] Figure 3 (a)-(b) depicts a front surface of the crash guard showing a step profile in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] Figure 4 depicts an assembly of a harness bracket with the crash guard in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0030] Figure 5 depicts fitment of the crash guard in a body of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] 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
[0032] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered 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.
[0033] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0034] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0035] The present disclosure relates to a crash guard employed to protect an air bag sensor of a vehicle. The proposed crash guard protect the air bag sensor from damage during an event of crash of the vehicle. This enables the air bag sensor to be functional during collision thereby protecting occupant from fatal damages.
[0036] Figure 2 depicts different isometric views of the crash guard, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The crash guard is mounted on a lamp support member (shown in Figure 5) in front of the air bag sensor (shown in Figure 5). It may be observed from Figure 2, that the crash guard (200) is having a flat surface. The flat surface may be said to comprise an upper portion (202-U) and a lower portion (202-L).
[0037] In an aspect, as it can be seen from Figure 2, the upper portion (202-U) is having a first lateral end (202-UL1) and a second lateral end (202-UL2), and is extending continuously from a starting point (208-1) to an ending point (208-2). The upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200) therefore may be said to define a rectangular profile and same can be evidenced from Figure 2.
[0038] In an aspect, a first lateral end of the lower portion (202-L) is angularly inclined from the ending point (208-2) of the first lateral end (202-UL1) of the upper portion (202-U). However, a second lateral end of the lower portion (202-L) is extending continuously in a straight manner from the ending point of the second lateral end (202-UL2) of the upper portion (202-U).
[0039] In an aspect, the upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200) is provided with a flange (204) protruded away perpendicularly from a first end of the upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200). The flange (204) extends continuously from the first lateral end (202-UL1) of the upper portion (202-U); precisely from the starting point (208-1) to the ending point (208-2) of the first lateral end (202-UL1) of the upper portion (202-U).
[0040] In an aspect, the flange (204) protrudes towards front side of the vehicle. The flange (204) enhances rigidity of the crash guard (200) and also simultaneously prevents bending of the crash guard (200) during crash of the vehicle. Additionally, the flange (204) provides an ease of assembly of the air bag sensor (502) (shown in Figure 5) on the vehicle by elimination of sharp edge contact thereby minimizing risk of injury to the operator during assembly.
[0041] In an aspect, the upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200) further comprises a plurality of embosses (206-1, 206-2). The circular emboss (206-1) is formed in the upper portion (202-U) in order to support mounting of a harness bracket (402) (shown in Figure 4). The lower portion (202-L) of the crash guard (200) comprises an emboss (206-3). The embosses (206-2, 206-3) are provided for assembly of the crash guard with the lamp support member through spot welding.
[0042] Referring to Figure 3, it may be observed that the upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200) is provided with a S-shaped step profile (302) to enhance rigidity of the crash guard (200). Herein, the S-shaped step profile (302) is starting from the first lateral end (202-UL1), where the flange (204) is present and is extending till the second lateral end (202-UL2) of the upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200).
[0043] In an aspect, referring to sectional view of the S-shaped stepped profile (302) as shown in Figure 3 (b), the S-shaped stepped profile (302) creates a level difference between the upper portion (202-U) and the lower portion (202-L) of the crash guard (200).
[0044] In an aspect, the S-shaped step profile (302) also increases stiffness of the crash guard (200) and prevents it from getting crumpled or bended in an event of crash of the vehicle.
[0045] Figure 4 and Figure 5 depict mounting of the harness bracket (402) and overall fitment of the crash guard (200) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] In an aspect, the harness bracket (402) is welded to the circular emboss (206-1) formed in the upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200). The harness bracket (402) is implemented for mounting harness for horn of the vehicle.
[0047] Figure 5 depicts overall positioning of the crash guard (200) and the airbag sensor (502) in the vehicle. As already mentioned, the air bag sensor (502) is placed at a close proximity to the first end of the upper portion (202-U) and is safe guarded by the flange (204).
[0048] It is also evident from Figure 5, that the crash guard (200) is welded to a front lamp support member (104) of the vehicle. This enables the crash guard (200) to act as a barrier and prevent direct contact with the air bag sensor (502) during crash of the vehicle.
[0049] Technical Advantages
All in all, the invention described in the present disclosure is having the following advantages:
a) The crash guard is capable of protecting the air bag sensor during an event of crash of the vehicle.
b) The flange present in the present crash guard helps in increasing rigidity of the crash guard.
c) The S-shaped step profile present in the present crash guard enhances stiffness of the crash guard.
d) The present crash guard is robust in nature.
e) The present crash guard is easy to assemble.
[0050] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that 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 subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various systems that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, 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.
[0051] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to package features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0052] 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 inventions 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. In addition, 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 a 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 a 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.”
[0053] 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 invention 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 invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention 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 invention. The present invention 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 crash guard (200) attached to a lamp support member (104) of a vehicle to protect an air bag sensor (502) of the vehicle, the crash guard (200) comprising:
- an upper portion (202-U) with a first lateral end (202-UL1) and a second lateral end (202-UL2) extending continuously from a starting point (208-1) to an ending point (208-2) defining a rectangular shape;
- a flange (204) protruded away perpendicularly from a first end of the upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200), wherein the flange (204) is extending continuously from the first lateral end (202-UL1) of the upper portion (202-U); and
- a lower portion (202-L) with a first lateral end angularly inclined from the ending point (208-2) of the first lateral end (202-UL1) of the upper portion (202-U) and a second lateral end extending in a continuous straight manner from the ending point of the second lateral end (202-UL2) of the upper portion (202-U).

2. The crash guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (202-U) is provided with a S-shaped stepped profile (302) starting from the first lateral end (202-UL1) till the second lateral end (202-UL2) of the upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200).

3. The crash guard (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the S-shaped stepped profile (302) creates a level difference between the upper portion (202-U) and the lower portion (202-L).

4. The crash guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (202-U) of the crash guard (200) is provided with a circular emboss (206-1) to support mounting of a harness bracket (402).

5. The crash guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (202-U) and the lower portion (202-L) of the crash guard (200) is provided with a plurality of embosses (206-2) and (206-3), respectively, for welding the crash guard (200) with the lamp support member (104) of the vehicle.
Dated this 21st day of July, 2022

AMIT JAIN
PATENT AGENT
IN/PA – 2189
OF L. S. DAVAR & CO.,
APPLICANT’S AGENT