The present disclosure relates generally to a fender lining structure. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a fender lining structure to prevent entry of water in cabin of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Fender lining is a barrier between a wheel house area components and tire of a vehicle. Generally, the fender lining is made up of plastic and is fitted on the periphery of the wheels. The fender lining is provided to protect body panel areas of the vehicle from mud or water splash or stone hitting. In addition, the fender lining is also provided for NVH purpose and clean aesthetics.
[0003] FIG. la illustrates side view of a fender lining, in assembled state, provided on front tire right side of a vehicle as per the existing art. The fender lining structure 101 is provided above the front tire 102 of the vehicle. In conventional fender lining structure 101, if a gap between body panels and fender lining is more, then during waterlogging conditions, when the vehicle 100 is in motion the front tire 102 of the vehicle 100 pushes the water towards the rear side of vehicle and may generate a pathway for water entry into cabin from the gaps between the body panels and the fender lining.
[0004] FIG. lb illustrates section A-A of the side view of fender lining (as shown in FIG. la), in assembled state, provided on front tire right side of a vehicle as per the existing art. In the existing art, there is a gap present between the fender lining structure 101 and dash panel 103 of the vehicle. During water logging conditions, when the vehicle is in motion, the front tire 102 of the vehicle pushes water with high pressure towards the fender lining structure 101. This creates a

pathway for water entry into the cabin from the gap created between the fender lining structure 101 and the dash panel 103.
[0005] Generally, a seal 104 is provided between side door panel 105 and side body outer panel 106 on both sides of the vehicle. However, once the water with high pressure enters through the gap between the fender lining structure 101 and the dash panel 103, it deflects the seal 104 provided between side door panel 105 and side body outer panel 106 and enters into the cabin.
[0006] Since the gap between the fender lining structure 101 and the dash panel 103 may vary due to production variations, one of the solutions provided is to reduce the pressure of water entering through the gap by reducing the gap between the fender lining structure 101 and the dash panel 103.
[0007] To reduce the gap between the fender lining structure 101 and the dash panel 103, the fender lining structure is modified for minimum gap possible. However, in most of the vehicles, there is some shape or design constraint during assembly of the fender lining structure 101 which prohibit modification in fender lining structure 101.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a fender lining structure to prevent the entry of water in cabin of a vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0009] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a fender lining structure to prevent water entry in cabin of a 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.
[0010] The present disclosure relates to a fender lining structure to prevent entry of water in cabin of a vehicle. The fender lining structure comprises a curved base portion, a front extension portion and a rear extension portion. The curved base portion is provided to cover top of wheel. The front extension portion integrally

extends from front end of the curved base portion towards the front of the vehicle. The rear extension portion integrally extends from rear end of the curved base towards the rear of the vehicle. The rear extension portion of the fending lining structure is provided with a protective barrier to reduce the gap between the fender lining and body panels. The protective barrier divides entry point of water into two sections creating a first water passage and a second water passage. The protective barrier is provided with a plurality of obstruction ribs to obstruct flow of water in the first water passage and the second water passage.
[0011] In an aspect, the protective barrier creates the first water passage between body panels of the vehicle and the protective barrier.
[0012] In an aspect, the protective barrier creates the second water passage between fender lining of the vehicle and the protective barrier.
[0013] In an aspect, the protective barrier is mounted using various means on the rear extension portion of the fender lining structure.
[0014] In an aspect, the various means include snap-fit connection, ultrasonic welding, etc.
[0015] In an aspect, at least one obstruction rib is provided, on the protective barrier, in the first water passage at the entry point of the water.
[0016] In an aspect, at least one obstruction rib is provided, on the protective barrier, in the first water passage at the exit point of water.
[0017] In an aspect, at least one obstruction rib is provided, on the protective barrier, in the second water passage at the entry point of the water.
[0018] In an aspect, at least one obstruction rib is provided, on the protective barrier, in the second water passage at the exit point of the water.
[0019] In an aspect, the protective barrier has an extension part integrally extending from edge of the protective barrier, diverting the flow of water escaping from the exit point of the second water passage away from the flow of water escaping from the first water passage.

[0020] 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.
[0021] 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
[0022] 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:
[0023] FIG. la illustrates side view of fender lining, in assembled state, provided on front tire right side of a vehicle as per the existing art.;
[0024] FIG. lb illustrates section A-A of the side view of fender lining, in assembled state, provided on front tire right side of a vehicle as per the existing art;
[0025] FIG. 2 exploded view of an exemplary fender lining structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates assembled view of an exemplary rear extension portion of the fender lining structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 4a illustrates rear view of an exemplary protective barrier that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0028] FIG. 4b illustrates B-B sectional view of an exemplary fender lining structure in assembled state that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] 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
[0030] 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.
Definitions
[0031] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0032] "Entry Point' may be defined as the point of entry of water in the gap existed between the dash panel and the fender lining structure.
[0033] "Exit Point' may be defined as the point from where the water in the first water passage and the second water passage escapes towards the cabin of the vehicle.
EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS

[0034] 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.
[0035] Fender lining is a plastic cover part (flexible) fitted on the periphery of
the wheel. Fender lining of a vehicle is designed to be flexible. If a gap between body panels and the fender lining is more, then during the vehicle drive in water logging condition or water waded road, it may generate a pathway for water and the water pushes the fender lining, deflecting the fender lining and creating a passage of water towards the cabin. Further, no provision in existing art is provided to reduce the flow of water in the passage.
[0036] To solve the problem, a fending lining structure is required which prevent entry of water in cabin of a vehicle.
[0037] In order to achieve this goal of preventing entry of water in cabin of a vehicle, a fender lining structure may be utilized. The structural features of the fender lining structure is described in more detail below.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates exploded view of an exemplary fender lining structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The fender lining structure 200 comprises a curved base portion 201, a front extension portion 202 and a rear extension portion 203. The curved base portion 201 is provided to cover top of wheel. The curvature of the curved base portion 201 is maintained in confirmation with the curvature of the wheel. In assembled condition, a gap is maintained between the curved base portion 201 and the wheel. The front extension portion 202 integrally extends from front end of the

curved base portion 201 towards front end of the vehicle. The front extension portion maintains the curvature of the curved base portion 201 in forward direction. The front extension portion 202 is provided behind the bumper of the vehicle. The rear extension portion 203 integrally extends from rear end of the curved base portion 201 towards rear end of the vehicle. The rear extension portion 203 also maintains the curvature of the curved base portion 201 in backward direction. The rear extension portion 203 is provided to cover the body panel parts of the vehicle. Together, the curved base portion 201, the front extension portion 202 and the rear extension portion 203 maintains a gap with the wheel.
[0039] The rear extension portion 203 along with the curved base portion 201 and the front extension portion 202 are responsible to protect body panel parts from mud, water and stones flung up by the wheel. To enhance functioning of the rear extension portion 203 of the fender lining structure 200 a protective barrier 204 is provided in this region.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates assembled view of an exemplary rear extension portion 203 of the fender lining structure 200 that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The protective barrier 204 can be fixed on the rear extension portion 203 of the fender lining structure 200 through any type of fixation method including welding, riveting, clip mounting, etc. In an aspect, the protective barrier 204 is joined to the rear extension portion 203 of the fender lining structure 200 using ultrasonic welding process.
[0041] To reduce the pressure of water entering the gap between the fender lining structure 200 and the body panel parts (such as the dash panel 103), the rear extension portion 203 is provided with a protective barrier 204. The protective barrier 204 reduces the gap between Fender lining 101 and the body panels. The protective barrier 204 divides the entry point of water into two sections. These two sections create a first water passage and a second water passage. Accordingly, pressure of the water entering from the entry point get reduced due to creation of two water passages.

[0042] To further decrease the pressure of water in the created first water passage and the second water passage, a plurality of obstruction ribs are provided to obstruct flow of water in the first water passage and the second water passage. In the first water passage, dimensions (such as height and length) of the plurality of obstruction ribs are constructed based on the proximity with the neighboring body panels. In an aspect, the plurality of obstruction ribs, in the first water passage, are provided adjacent to the neighboring body panels to provide maximal obstruction to the flow of water. In the second water passage, dimensions (such as height and length) of the plurality of obstruction ribs are constructed based on the proximity with the fender lining structure 200. In an aspect, the plurality of obstruction ribs, in the second water passage, are provided adjacent to the fender lining structure 200 to provide maximal obstruction to the flow of water.
[0043] FIG. 4a illustrates rear view of an exemplary protective barrier that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The rear part of the protective barrier 204 faces the body panels in the assembled state. The obstruction ribs 401, 402, 403 are provided on the protective barrier 204 to further obstruct the flow of water in the first water passage created between the body panels and the protective barrier 204.
[0044] FIG. 4b illustrates B-B sectional view of an exemplary fender lining structure in assembled state (of the FIG. 4a) that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The section view clearly shows formation of two water passages by the protective barrier 204 deployed between the body panels and the fender lining structure 200 to reduce the gap. For the sake of simplicity, the first water passage is shown with solid arrows and the second water passage is shown as dashed arrows. The protective barrier 204 creates the first water passage between body panels of the vehicle and the protective barrier 204. The protective barrier 204 creates the second water passage between fender lining structure 200 of the vehicle and the protective barrier 204. The obstruction ribs (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407) are provided on the protective barrier 204

to further obstruct the flow of water in the first water passage and the second water passage.
[0045] In an aspect, at least one obstruction rib 401, 402 is provided on the protective barrier 204 in the first water passage at the entry point of the water. For the sake of simplicity, two obstruction ribs 401, 402 are shown in the figure at the entry point of first water passage. Similarly, at least one obstruction rib is provided, on the protective barrier 204, in the second water passage at the entry point of the water. For the sake of simplicity, two obstruction ribs 404, 407 are shown in the figure at the entry point of second water passage. The obstruction ribs 401, 402, 404, 407 provided at the entry point of the water in the first water passage and the second water passage reduces the amount of water entered in the first water passage and the second water passage. Further, the obstruction ribs 401, 402, 404, 407 provided at the entry point of the water in the first water passage and the second water passage substantially reduce the pressure of the water entered through the entry point.
[0046] In an aspect, at least one obstruction rib is provided on the protective barrier 204 in the first water passage at the exit point of water. For the sake of simplicity, only one obstruction rib 403 is shown in the figure at the exit point of first water passage. Similarly, at least one obstruction rib is provided on the protective barrier 204 in the second water passage at the exit point of the water passage. For the sake of simplicity, two obstruction ribs 405, 406 are shown in the figure one obstruction rib 406 at the exit point of the second water passage and other one 405 in the vicinity of the other. Further, the obstruction ribs 403, 406, 405 provided at the exit point of the water in the first water passage and the second water passage further reduce the pressure of the water coming from the entry point.
[0047] At the edge 413 of the protective barrier 204, the obstruction ribs 403, 406 are provided in both the first water passage and the second water passage. There is a possibility that after flowing through the protective barrier 204 the two water streams escaping from the first water passage and the second water passage may merge together. To eliminate this possibility, the edge 413 of the protection barrier

204 is integrally extended forming an extension part 408. The extension part 408 diverts the flow of water escaping from the exit point of the second water passage away from the flow of water escaping from the first water passage. Thus, the extension part 408 delays the merging of the two water stream escaping from the first water passage and the second water passage.
[0048] The cumulative effect of formation of two water passages, the obstruction ribs 401-407 and the extension part 408 result in reduction of pressure of the water entered through the gap between the dash panel 409 and the fender lining structure 200. The resultant low pressure streams of water coming from the first water passage and the second water passage are unable to deflect the seal 410 provided between a side door panel 411 and a side body outer panel 412. Accordingly, the entry of water into the cabin is prevented.
WORKING OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0049] In the assembled condition, the protective barrier 204 is mounted over the rear extension portion 203 of the fender lining structure 200, resulting in reducing the gap between the dash panel 409 and the fender lining structure 200. In the water logging condition, when the vehicle is in motion, the front tires of the vehicle pushes the water with high pressure towards the gap between the dash panel 409 and the fender lining structure 200. Due to flexible nature of the fender lining structure 200 and gap present with respect to the body panels, the water enters into the gap between the dash panel 409 and the fender lining structure 200 creating an entry point. The protective barrier 204 provided in the gap between the dash panel 409 and the fender lining structure 200 reduces the gap between the fender lining and body panels. The protective barrier divides the entry point of water into two sections creating a first water passage and a second water passage.
[0050] Pressure of water entering from the entry point get reduced due to creation of two water passages. The water flows through both the first water passage and the second water passage. The water pressure is further reduced by the obstruction ribs 401-407 provided in the first water passage and the second water passage. After flowing through the first water passage and the second water

passage, the water from the first water passage escapes and move towards the cabin of the vehicle. However, the pressure of the water is reduced to levels that it won't be able to deflect the seal 410 provided between side door panel 411 and side body outer panel 412. Further, the extension part 408 provided at the edge 413 of the protective barrier 204 deflects the flow of water from the second flow passage away from the water escaping from the first water passage. The extension part 408 further reduces the pressure of the water flowing in the second water passage and delays the merging of the water flowing in the first water passage and the second water passage at the exit point. The resultant low pressure streams of water coming from the first water passage and the second water passage are unable to deflect the seal 410 provided between side door inner panel 411 and side body outer panel 412. Accordingly, the entry of water into the cabin is prevented.
ADVANTAGES
[0051] The fender lining structure 200 of the present disclosure prevents entry of water in cabin of a vehicle by reducing the gap between the dash panel 409 and the fender lining structure 200 and reducing the pressure of the water entered through the gap between the dash panel 409 and the fender lining structure 200.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.

We Claim:

1. A fender lining structure (200) to prevent entry of water in cabin of a
vehicle, the fender lining structure (200) comprises:
a curved base portion (201) to cover top of wheel;
a front extension portion (202) integrally extending from front end of the curved base portion (201) towards the front of the vehicle; and
a rear extension portion (203) integrally extending from rear end of the curved base portion (201) towards the rear of the vehicle;
characterized in that
the rear extension portion (203) of the fending lining structure (200) is provided with a protective barrier (204) to reduce the gap between the fender lining and body panels, dividing entry point of water into two sections creating a first water passage and a second water passage; and
the protective barrier (204) is provided with a plurality of obstruction ribs (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407) to obstruct flow of water in the first water passage and the second water passage.
2. The fender lining structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective barrier (204) creates the first water passage between body panels of the vehicle and the protective barrier (204).
3. The fender lining structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective barrier (204) creates the second water passage between fender lining structure (200) of the vehicle and the protective barrier (204).
4. The fender lining structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective barrier (204) is mounted using various means on the rear extension portion (203) of the fender lining structure (200).

5. The fender lining structure (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the various
means include snap-fit connection, ultrasonic welding, etc.
6. The fender lining structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one obstruction rib (401, 402) is provided on the protective barrier (204) in the first water passage at the entry point of the water.
7. The fender lining structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one obstruction rib (403) is provided, on the protective barrier, in the first water passage at the exit point of water.
8. The fender lining structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one obstruction rib (404, 407) is provided, on the protective barrier, in the second water passage at the entry point of the water.
9. The fender lining structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one obstruction rib (405, 406) is provided, on the protective barrier (204), in the second water passage at the exit point of the water.
10. The fender lining structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective barrier (204) has an extension part (408) integrally extending from edge (413) of the protective barrier (204), diverting the flow of water escaping from the exit point of the second water passage away from the flow of water escaping from the first water passage.