FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and Rule 13]
TITLE: “A DEVICE FOR SECURING A WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR AND A SYSTEM
THEREOF”
NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT:
TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya, Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE, Fort, Mumbai City, Maharashtra, 400 001.
NATIONALITY: Indian.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively the present disclosure relates to wire harnesses and wiring harness connectors in the vehicles. Further, embodiments of the disclosure discloses a device for securing the wire harness connectors of the vehicle and a system thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
In general, vehicles include an array of electronic devices which includes a lot of wiring looms and wiring harness. These electronic devices and plurality of electrical circuits including one or more wires may be interconnected using at least one wire harness connector. These wire and wire harness connectors are provided throughout the entire vehicle to connect various electronic components within the vehicle.
Conventionally, these wire harness connectors are packed by wrapping materials such as flower clips, rubber boots, cable ties or foam sheets and the like around the wire harness connectors. Usually, the wire harness connectors tied with cable ties, rubber boots are loosely packed such that these packed wire harness connectors are suspended freely, causing irritant rattle or squeak noises during operation of the vehicles. Additionally, wire harness connectors packed with flower clips and concealed using foam sheets are susceptible to breakage and loosen up over a time period, which results in rattling and generation of noise. Thus, these conventional wire harness connectors cannot be concealed and properly secured within a vehicle body such as a sunroof/moon roof/wind roof panel, window panels, lighting fixture etc., due to space or access constraints. Furthermore, these loosely packed wire harness connectors require frequent maintenance and replacement, which leads to increase in operational and maintenance cost. Additionally, loosely packed wires tend to create rattling noise causing inconvenience to the occupants within the vehicle cabin, thereby compromising on noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) parameters of the vehicle.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more above limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of system of 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.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a device for securing a wire harness connector. The device comprises a base plate and a plurality of ribs are defined on a central portion of the base plate. Each rib of the plurality of ribs is tapered about the base plate and is configured to receive the wire harness connector. Further, a pair of retainers is defined on the base plate and protrudes on either side of the plurality of ribs such that each retainer of the pair of retainers are configured to receive the wire harness connector. The device comprises at least one stopper which is defined on one edge of the base plate and is configured to abut and restrict lateral movement of the wire harness connector.
In an embodiment, each retainer of the pair of retainers are defined with a pair of legs protruding from the base plate and a beam connecting the pair of legs. The pair of legs and the beam forms an opening.
In an embodiment, the pair of legs of each of the retainers are formed at a predetermined inclination angle relative to an axis of the base plate.
In an embodiment, each of the rib of the plurality of ribs are defined in a spaced apart configuration.
In an embodiment, each of the retainer of the pair of retainers are spaced apart from each other and each of the retainer is disposed transversally along each side of the plurality of ribs.
The present disclosure further comprises a system for securing a wire harness connector. The system comprises a wire harness connector including a housing defined by a pair of side walls opposing each other. Each of the side wall of the pair of side walls comprises a pair of latches projecting outwardly from the side walls and each latch defined with a hook portion. The pair of side walls includes a tab projecting outwardly from each of the side wall such that the pair of latches and the tab are configured to removably secure the wire harness connector with each of the retainer. The system further includes a device comprising a base plate and a plurality of ribs are defined on a central portion of the base plate. Each rib of the plurality of ribs is tapered about the

base plate and is configured to receive the wire harness connector. Further, a pair of retainers is defined on the base plate and protrudes on either side of the plurality of ribs such that each retainer of the pair of retainers are configured to receive the wire harness connector. The device comprises at least one stopper which is defined on one edge of the base plate and is configured to abut and restrict lateral movement of the wire harness connector.
In an embodiment each retainer of the pair of retainers are defined with a pair of legs protruding from the base plate and a beam connecting the pair of legs. The pair of legs and the beam forms an opening to accommodate and support the tab of the housing. Further, the pair of legs of each of the retainers is adapted to be snap lockingly engageable by the hook portion of the housing.
In an embodiment, the housing of the wire harness connector comprises a first end defining a first receptacle for receiving a terminal of a first wire. Further, the housing includes a second end defining a second receptacle for receiving a terminal of a second wire, such that the first and the second receptacle overlap for mating the terminals of the first wire and the second wire.
In an embodiment, the at least one stopper abuts at least one of top wall and a bottom wall of the housing of wire harness connector.
In an embodiment, the device is connectable to a body frame of a vehicle.
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 together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
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 THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. 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:
Figure 1a illustrates a top perspective view of a device for securing a wire harness connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1b illustrates a side view of the device of Figure 1a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a system to secure wire harness connector with the device of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the system of Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily 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
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 forms 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 mechanism 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 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.
In the present disclosure, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a setup, device, or process that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or process. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
Generally, vehicles include an array of electronic devices which includes a lot of wiring looms and wiring harness. Typically, these wire harness connectors are packed by flower clips, rubber boots, cable ties or foam sheets and are suspended freely, causing irritant rattle or squeak noises during operation of the vehicles. Further, wire harness connectors are loosely packed using cable ties, rubber boot. Moreover, the wire harness connectors concealed and packed with flower clips and foam sheets are susceptible to breakage and loosen up thereby leading to rattling and generation of continuous noise. Additionally, securing these wire harness connectors within a vehicle body such as a sunroof/moon roof/wind roof panel, window panels, lighting fixture etc., is critical due to space or access constraints. Moreover, loosely packed wires tend to create rattling noise causing

inconvenience to the occupants within the vehicle cabin, thereby compromising on noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) parameters of the vehicle. Accordingly, a device for securing a wire harness connector of the present disclosure is configured to overcome the problems associated with the existing devices. The device of the present disclosure comprises a base plate and a plurality of ribs being defined on the base plate such that each rib of the plurality of ribs is tapered about the base plate and is configured to receive the wire harness connector. Further, a pair of retainers is defined on the base plate and protrudes on either side of the plurality of ribs to receive the wire harness connector. Also, at least one stopper which is defined on one edge of the base plate which is configured to abut and restrict lateral movement of the wire harness connector. Therefore, the device of the present disclosure is suitable to securely receive and restrict a movement of the wire harness connector within the vehicle.
Referring to Figures 1a to 2 which are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating a device (100) for securing a wire harness connector (200) [“wire harness connector (200)” is interchangeably referred as “WHC (200)”].
The device (100) comprises a base plate (10) to receive and secure the wire harness connecter (200). The base plate (10) comprises a plurality of ribs (20) defined on a central portion (CP) of the base plate (10). The plurality of the ribs (20) are tapered about a primary axis (A-A) of the base plate (10). Each of the rib (20) of the plurality of ribs (20) are substantially wedge-shaped structure with a ridge surface adapted to accommodate the wire harness connector (200). Further, each rib (20) of the plurality of ribs (20) is defined in a spaced apart configuration. The plurality of ribs (20) may be defined in a spaced apart configuration along a secondary axis (B-B) of the base plate (10), thereby restricting movement of the WHC (200) along a vertical axis (C-C) of the base plate (10). In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs (20) can be connected to the base plate (10) by at least one of mechanical, thermal or adhesive means or the ribs (20) can be formed integrally on the base plate.
The device (100) further includes a pair of retainers (30) defined on the base plate (10) to securely receive the WHC (200). The pair of retainers (30) protrudes on either sides of the plurality of ribs (20). Each retainer (30) of the pair of retainers (30) protrudes from the base plate (10) and are formed on either side of the plurality of ribs (20) such that each of the retainer (20) are spaced

apart from each other and are disposed transversally along each side of the plurality of ribs (30). In an embodiment, each retainer (30) extends along the secondary axis (B-B) of the base plate (10), as shown in Figures 1a- 1b. Further, each retainer of the pair of retainers (30) are defined with a pair of legs (32) protruding from the base plate (10). Further, each leg of the pair of legs (32) is an elongated member protruding from the base plate (10) along the vertical axis (C-C) such that, ends of each leg (32) is connected to a beam (34). This configuration of the pair of legs (32) and the beam (34) forms an opening (36) to allow engagement of the WHC (200) with the pair of retainers (30). In an embodiment, the pair of legs (32) may be formed at a predetermined inclination angle relative to the primary axis (A-A) of the base plate (10) as shown in Figure 1b. The predetermined inclination angle may be varied based on the dimensions of the WHC (200). The pair of retainers (30) defined on the base plate (10) is configured to restrict a movement of the WHC (200) along the primary axis (A-A) and the vertical axis (C-C), thereby preventing any generation of the noise when the vehicle is operational and subjected to vibrations. In an embodiment, the base plate (10) may be formed separately to support the wire harness connector (200) or integrally formed on a vehicle body. The base plate (10) may be configured with rectangular, square, parallelogram or any polygonal substantially flat structure to accommodate the wire harness connector (200).
The device comprises at least one stopper (40) which is defined on one edge (10a) of the base plate (10) and is configured to abut the WHC (200). The at least one stopper (40) projects away from the base plate (10) along the vertical axis (C-C) of the base plate (10) and is configured adjacent to the ends of the ribs (20). The at least one stopper (40) is configured to restrict lateral movement of the WHC (200) i.e., to restrict the movement of the WHC (200) along the secondary axis (B-B) of the base plate (10). Further, at least one stopper (40) may be provided on either edge (10a) of the base plate (10) i.e., the stopper (40) may be defined along the primary axis (A-A) of the base plate (10).
Further, the present disclosure discloses a system (300) for securing the wire harness connector (200). The system (300) comprises the wire harness connector (200) including a housing (202). The housing (202) of the WHC (200) is defined by a top wall (202a), a bottom wall (202b), a front wall (202c), a rear wall (202d) and a pair of side walls (202e) opposing each other connected to form an space to accommodate one or more wires.. Further, each of the side wall of the pair of

side walls (202e) is provided with a pair of latches (204). The pair of latches (204) project outwardly from each of the side walls (202e) and a free end of each latch (204) is defined with a hook portion (206). Each latch of the pair of latches (204) are spaced apart from each other, such that, the hook portion (206) of the of the pair of latches (204) are configured opposite to each other. Additionally, the pair of side walls (202e) includes a tab (208) that projects outwardly from each of the side wall (202e) along the primary axis (A-A). The tab (208) may be an elongated member disposed between pair of latches (204). The housing (202) further includes a first end defining a first receptacle (203a) for receiving a terminal of a first wire [not shown in figures] and a second end defining a second receptacle (203b) for receiving a terminal of a second wire (203). The first and the second receptacle (203a, 203b) overlap for mating the terminals of the first wire and the second wire (203). The first and the second receptacle (203a, 203b) may be formed in the front (202c) and rear wall (202d) of the housing (202), respectively.
In order to removably secure the WHC (200) to the device (100), the housing (202) of WHC (200) is placed above the plurality of ribs (20) defined in the central portion (CP) of the base plate (10). Referring to Figure 2, the bottom wall (202b) of the housing (202) abuts the plurality of ribs (20) and the pair of side walls (202) having the pair of latches (204) and the tab (208) are removably secured to the WHC (200) with each of the retainer (30). In an embodiment, the pair of legs (32) of each of the retainers (30) is adapted to engage with the hook portion (206) of the housing (202) by a snap lock or snap fit, and the tab (208) is accommodated within the opening (36) formed by the pair of legs (32) and the beam (34). This configuration of the WHC (200) with the pair of retainers (30) and the plurality of ribs (20) restricts the movement of the WHC (200) along the primary axis (A-A) and the vertical axis (C-C) of the base plate (10). More specially, the plurality of ribs (20) are configured to accommodate WHC (200) in a particular inclination with respect the base plate (10) such that WHC (200) is supported in a preloaded condition against the pair of retainers (30). In this preloaded condition, the movement of the housing (202) is restricted along the primary axis (A-A) and the vertical axis (C-C) of the base plate (10), as the tab (208) of the housing (202) is confined within the opening (36) of the each of the retainer (30). Further, the at least one stopper (40) defined on one edge (10a) of the base plate (10), abuts at least one front and rear walls (202c, 202d) of the housing (202) to restrict the lateral movement of the WHC (200) i.e., along the secondary axis (B-B) of the base plate (10). Thus, the present system (300) facilities

improved engaging and disengaging of the WHC (200) with the device (100), thereby eliminating any need of fastening or wrapping components to securely accommodate the WHC (200).
In an embodiment, the device (100) the housing (202) may be manufactured by at least one of a metal, non-metal, composite material, and any other suitable material.
In an embodiment, the device (100) is connectable to a body frame [not shown in Figures] of a vehicle [not shown in Figures]. In another embodiment, the plurality of ribs (20), the pair of retainers (30) and the at least one stopper (40) may be integrally formed on the body frame or any component based on the placement of the WHC (200). In an example, the device (100) can be mounted to a vehicle body such as a sunroof/moon roof/wind roof panel, window panels, lighting fixture etc., particularly at spaces or gaps having constraints with limited or restricted access.
In an embodiment, the size, configuration of the components of device (100) and the system (300) may be varied according to the application requirement.
In an embodiment, the device (100) according to present disclosure provides a cost-effective solution for controlling movement of the WHC (200) when the device (100) is mounted to any component or the vehicle body.
In an embodiment, the device (100) of the present disclosure prevents generation of the noise within the vehicle during operation, as the WHC (200) is securely mounted to the base plate (10) and movement of WHC (200) is completely prevented.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

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.”
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.
REFERRAL NUMERALS

Reference Number Description
100 Device
10 Base plate
10a one edge of base plate
20 Plurality of ribs
30 Pair of retainers
32 Pair of legs
34 beam
36 Opening
40 Stopper
200 Wire harness connector
202 housing
202a,202b Top wall, bottom wall
202c,202d Front wall, rear wall
202e Pair of side walls
204 Pair of latches
206 Hook portion
208 Tab
300 System
A-A Primary axis
B-B Secondary axis
C-C Vertical axis

We claim:
1. A device (100) for securing a wire harness connector (200), the device (100) comprising:
a base plate (10);
a plurality of ribs (00) defined on a central portion (CP) of the base plate (10), wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs (20) is tapered about the base plate (10) and configured to receive the wire harness connector (200);
a pair of retainers (30) defined on the base plate (10) and protruding on either side of the plurality of ribs (20), wherein each retainer (30) of the pair of retainers (30) are configured to receive the wire harness connector (200); and
at least one stopper (40) defined on one edge (10a) of the base plate (10), wherein the at least one stopper (40) is configured to abut and restrict lateral movement of the wire harness connector (200).
2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each retainer (30) of the pair of retainers
(30) are defined with:
a pair of legs (32) protruding from the base plate (10); and
a beam (34) connecting the pair of legs (32), wherein the pair of legs (32) and the beam (34) forms an opening (36).
3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of legs (32) of each of the retainers (30) are formed at a predetermined inclination angle relative to a primary axis (A-A) of the base plate (10).
4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the rib (20) of the plurality of ribs (20) are defined in a spaced apart configuration.
5. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in each of the retainer (30) of the pair of retainers (30) are spaced apart from each other and each of the retainer (30) is disposed transversally along each side of the plurality of ribs (20)

6. A system (300) for securing a wire harness connector (200), the system (300) comprising:
a wire harness connector (200) comprising:
a housing (202) defined by a pair of side walls (202e) opposing each other, wherein each of the side wall (202e) of the pair of side walls (202e) comprises:
a pair of latches (204) projecting outwardly from the side walls (202e), each defined with a hook portion (206); and
a tab (208) projecting outwardly from each of the side wall (202e),
wherein the pair of latches (204) and the tab (208) are configured to removably secure the wire harness connector (200) with each of the retainer (30); and
a device (100) comprising:
a base plate (10);
a plurality of ribs (20) defined on a central portion (CP) of the base plate (10), wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs (20) is tapered about the base plate (10) and configured to receive the wire harness connector (200);
a pair of retainers (30) defined on the base plate (10) and protruding on either side of the plurality of ribs (20), wherein each retainer (30) of the pair of retainers (30) are configured to receive the wire harness connector (200); and
at least one stopper (40) defined on one edge (10a) of the base plate (10), wherein the at least one stopper (40) is configured to abut and restrict lateral movement of the wire harness connector (200).
7. The system (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each retainer (30) of the pair of retainers
(30) is defined with:
a pair of legs (32) protruding from the base plate (10); and
a beam (34) connecting the pair of legs (32), wherein the pair of legs (32) and the beam (34) forms an opening (36) to accommodate and support the tab (208) of the housing

(202), and wherein the pair of legs (32) of each of the retainers (30) is adapted to be snap lockingly engageable by the hook portion (206) of the housing (202).
8. The system (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pair of legs (32) of each retainer (30) form a predetermined inclination angle relative to the base plate (10).
9. The system (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the housing (202) of the wire harness connector (200) comprises:
a first end defining a first receptacle (203a) for receiving a terminal of a first wire; and
a second end defining a second receptacle (203b) for receiving a terminal of a second wire (203), wherein the first and the second receptacle (203a, 203b) overlap for mating the terminals of the first wire and the second wire (203).
10. The system (300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one stopper (40) abuts at least one of top wall (202a) and a bottom wall (202b) of the housing (202) of wire harness connector (200).
11. The system (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the device (100) is connectable to a body frame of a vehicle.