TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Present disclosure relates to a field of automobile engineering. Particularly,
but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a floor structure of a vehicle.
5 Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a reinforcement structure
of the floor structure of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
10 [002] The information in this section merely provides background information
related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s) for the present
disclosure.
[003] Conventionally, a floor structure of a vehicle body in a vehicle such as an
15 automobile includes a main floor panel and a rear floor panel that are provided along
a vehicle longitudinal direction. A front portion of the rear floor panel is joined to
a rear portion of the main floor panel. At a front side of the rear floor panel, a
vertical wall that extends upward is formed, and on an upper portion of the rear
floor panel located at a rear side of the vertical wall, a rear seat is installed.
20
[004] In the floor structure as disclosed above, a 2-panel joinery is provided
consisting of a floor riser and a reinforcement structure. However, this
configuration is not capable of handling the increased load and stresses associated
with the vehicle constructional requirements. The increased chair height in the
25 vehicle configuration necessitates a robust and reliable structural layout to ensure
proper weight distribution and support the load from the occupants. Furthermore, a
seat may require different mounting points and configurations, which can further
impact the structural integrity of the vehicle. The existing configuration, which are
not intended to accommodate these new requirements, falls short in terms of
30 meeting the necessary standards for vehicle-body rigidity in twist and bending, as
well as rear seat mounting point durability.
3
[005] To overcome these limitations, there is a need for an improved structural
configuration that can effectively withstand the increased load and stresses
associated with the vehicle’s requirements. This improved configuration should
provide enhanced rigidity, durability, and flexibility in accommodating different
5 seat concepts and mounting points, while ensuring overall safety and performance
of the vehicle.
[006] One way of addressing the above-described problem, is by incorporating
advanced materials, geometries, and reinforcement techniques to enhance the
10 overall strength, rigidity, and durability of the vehicle structure. Further, such type
of solution must ensure proper weight distribution, improved load-bearing capacity,
and increased resistance to twisting and bending forces, thereby providing enhanced
vehicle-body rigidity and durability. Accordingly, there is an immense need in the
art to provide a solution that can overcome the one or more limitations stated above
15 or any other limitations associated with the prior art.
[007] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations
stated above or any other limitations associated with the prior art.
20 SUMMARY
[008] One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the
system/assembly as claimed, and additional advantages are provided through the
provision of the system/assembly/method as claimed in the present disclosure.
25 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 and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
[009] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a floor structure
30 of a vehicle is disclosed. The floor structure comprises a first floor panel and a
second floor panel provided along a vehicle longitudinal direction. The floor
structure further comprises a third floor panel having a first section and a second
4
section. The first section is connected to the first floor panel and the second section
is connected to the second floor panel. A cross member is extending along a vehicle
width direction and connected to underside of the third floor panel. A reinforcement
structure is connected to the third floor panel. The reinforcement structure
5 comprises a reinforcement member extending along the vehicle width direction and
having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the first section of
the third floor panel, and the second end is connected to the second section of the
third floor panel to form a closed structure. A plurality of brackets is positioned
inside the reinforcement member and connected to the reinforcement member and
10 the third floor panel.
[010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reinforcement member
defines a plurality of cavities adapted to provide access to one or more of the
15 plurality of brackets inside the reinforcement member.
[011] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reinforcement member
defines a plurality of vertical beads that extends vertically between two adjacent
cavities.
20
[012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reinforcement member
defines a plurality of horizontal beads on its upper surface.
[013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reinforcement member
25 defines a bead structure along a periphery of the one or more of the plurality of
cavities.
[014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the plurality of
brackets has a substantially trapezoidal shaped cross-section and defines a ridge
30 section along its periphery.
5
[015] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the plurality of
brackets is connected to the reinforcement member and the third floor panel by a
thermal joining process.
5 [016] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the first
section of the third floor panel is thermally joined to the first floor panel, and at
least a portion of the second section of the third floor panel is thermally joined to
the second floor panel.
10 [017] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of brackets
positioned inside the reinforcement member is configured to provide additional
structural support to the reinforcement member.
[018] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure
15 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.
[019] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any
20 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 FIGURES
25
[020] The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the
description. 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 description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction
30 with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like
reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
6
[021] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a floor structure of a vehicle body,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[022] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a reinforcement structure connected
5 to a third floor panel and a cross member, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[023] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of brackets positioned on the third floor
panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
10
[024] Figure 4 illustrates the schematic view of the reinforcement member
connected to the third floor panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
15 [025] Figure 5 illustrates a rear schematic view of the cross member connected to
the third floor panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[026] Figure 6 illustrates the schematic view of a reinforcement member, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
20
[027] Figure 7 illustrates the schematic view of the bracket, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[028] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated
25 for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the
dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to
other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present
disclosure.
30 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
7
[029] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the
FIGS. 1 to 7 and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however
that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but
5 on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended
claims.
[030] Before describing detailed embodiments, it may be observed that the
10 novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure resides
in a reinforcement structure connected to floor of a vehicle. It is to be noted that a
person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure and modify
the various constructions of the reinforcement structure to improve the
reinforcement of a floor structure of the vehicle. However, such modification
15 should be construed within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the
drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding
the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with
details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit
of the description herein.
20
[031] In the present disclosure, the term “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.
25
[032] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device that comprises a
list of components does not include only those components but may include other
components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words,
30 one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does
8
not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional
elements in the system or apparatus.
[033] Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs
5 with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the figures, the same element or elements which
have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that,
the vehicle is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled
in the art would appreciate that the system and assembly as disclosed in the present
disclosure can be used in any vehicle including, but not liming to, passenger cars,
10 heavy motor vehicles, light motor vehicles or any other vehicle capable of being
propelled with two or more fuels being supplied to an engine of such vehicle.
[034] Hereafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described
specifically referring to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1-7 show a floor
15 structure (100) of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure. In an embodiment, the floor structure (100) described in the present
disclosure is constructed for use in vehicles with a ladder frame structure (not
shown), which is a common type of vehicle body construction, without limiting the
scope of the present disclosure. The ladder frame structure comprises two parallel
20 longitudinal rails, or "rails," that are connected by cross members.
[035] Referring to Figure 1, the floor structure (100) comprises a first floor panel
(102) and a second floor panel (104) that are positioned along a longitudinal
direction of the vehicle, typically running from the front to the rear of the vehicle.
25 To enhance the structural integrity and strength of the floor structure (100), a third
floor panel (106) having a first section (112) and a second section (114) is provided.
The first section (112) of the third floor panel (106) is connected to the first floor
panel (102) and the second section (114) of the third floor panel (106) is connected
to the second floor panel (104). in accordance with the present disclosure. In an
30 embodiment, at least a portion of the first section (112) of the third floor panel (106)
is connected to the first floor panel (102) by a thermal joining process, and at least
a portion of the second section (114) of the third floor panel (106) is connected to
9
the second floor panel (104) by the thermal joining process. In an embodiment, the
thermal joining process is spot welding.
[036] Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 5, the floor structure (100)
5 includes a cross member (108) which is extending along a vehicle width direction.
The cross member (108) is connected to underside of the third floor panel (106) as
shown in Figure 5. In an embodiment, the cross member (108) is configured to
provide additional support to the floor structure (100).
10 [037] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the floor structure (100) comprises a
reinforcement structure (110) connected to the third floor panel (106) in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The reinforcement structure (110)
comprises a reinforcement member (118), and a plurality of brackets (116). The
reinforcement member (118) extends along the vehicle width direction and is
15 having a first end (118a) and a second end (118b). The first end (118a) is connected
to the first section (112) of the third floor panel (106) and the second end (118b) is
connected to the second section (114) of the third floor panel (106) to form a closed
structure. The plurality of brackets (116) is positioned inside the reinforcement
member (118) and connected to the reinforcement member (118) and the third floor
20 panel (106).
[038] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 7, the plurality of brackets (116a, 116b,
116c, 116d, 116e) connected to the reinforcement member (118) and the third floor
panel (106) are five in number, although any number of brackets can be connected
25 based on the requirement. In an embodiment, the plurality of brackets (116a, 116b,
116c, 116d, 116e) are connected to the reinforcement member (118) and the third
floor panel (106) by a thermal joining process, such as welding or brazing. In an
embodiment, the thermal joining process is spot welding. In an embodiment, the
material of the plurality of brackets (116) can be selected but is not limited to, from
30 a group of lightweight materials such as aluminum, carbon fiber, or high-strength
10
steels, which can help to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, improving fuel
efficiency and performance.
[039] Referring again to Figure 7, the plurality of brackets (116) has a
5 substantially trapezoidal shaped cross-section. However, other cross-sectional
shapes of the plurality of brackets (116) may also be selected, without departing
from the scope of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the plurality of brackets (116)
defines a ridge section (128) along its periphery. The ridge section (128) of the
plurality of brackets (116) is configured to further enhance the structural integrity
10 of the plurality of brackets (116) and provide additional support to the
reinforcement structure (110). In an embodiment, the plurality of brackets (116)
positioned inside the reinforcement member (118) is configured to provide
additional structural support to the reinforcement member (118). The plurality of
brackets (116) may further help to distribute loads more evenly across the floor
15 structure (100), reducing stress concentrations and enhancing the overall strength
and stability of the floor structure (100).
[040] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 6, the reinforcement member (118) is
disclosed which extends along the width direction of the vehicle and is configured
20 to cover at least a portion of the cross member (108) and the third floor panel (106).
In an embodiment, the reinforcement member (118) defines a plurality of cavities
(120) configured to provide access to one or more of the plurality of brackets (116)
positioned inside the reinforcement member (118). The provision of providing the
plurality of cavities (120) may also be considered for material saving as well as
25 providing access to the plurality of brackets (116) that are positioned inside the
reinforcement member (118). This provision can facilitate the installation,
adjustment, or maintenance of the plurality of brackets (116) without the need for
additional disassembly or removal of the reinforcement structure (110).
30 [041] In an embodiment, the reinforcement member (118) defines a plurality of
vertical beads (122) that extends vertically between two adjacent cavities (120). The
reinforcement member (118) further defines a bead structure (123) along a
11
periphery of the one or more of the plurality of cavities (120). In an embodiment,
the plurality of vertical beads (122) and the bead structure (123) are configured to
provide additional strength and rigidity to the reinforcement member (118). In an
embodiment, the reinforcement member (118) further defines a plurality of
5 horizontal beads (124) on its upper surface (126). The plurality of horizontal beads
(124) is configured to enhance the structural integrity of the reinforcement member
(118) and improve its load-carrying capacity.
[042] According to the above disclosure and as shown in Figures 1 - 7, the floor
10 structure (100) for the vehicle is illustrated that includes the reinforcement structure
(110) comprising the reinforcement member (118), and the plurality of brackets
(116), which are configured to provide additional structural support to the floor
structure (100). The reinforcement structure (110) is configured to support a seat,
more particularly, a rear seat (not shown) of the vehicle. The reinforcement
15 structure (110), as disclosed, offers several advantages, including enhanced safety
by protecting passengers during rear-end collisions and reducing the risk of injury,
improved structural integrity that enhances the vehicle's crashworthiness, increased
durability and longevity of the rear seats, and constructional flexibility for
manufacturers to create innovative vehicle configuration. Thus, the floor structure
20 (100) of the present disclosure contributes to a safer, more durable, and betterperforming vehicle, providing increased protection for rear-seat passengers and
making the vehicle more crash worthy.
[043] The inventors have developed the invention, so that advantage can be
25 achieved in an economical, practical, and facile manner. While preferred aspects
and example configurations have been shown and described, it is to be understood
that various further modifications and additional configurations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. It is intended that the specific embodiments and
configurations herein disclosed are illustrative of the preferred nature of the
30 invention and should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the invention.
12
[044] The various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described
above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not
limited to the illustrated embodiments; rather, these embodiments are intended to
fully and completely disclose the subject matter of the disclosure to those skilled in
5 this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.
[045] Herein, the terms “attached”, “connected”, “interconnected”, “contacting”,
“mounted”, “coupled” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or
10 contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.
[046] Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for
brevity and/or clarity. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
15
[047] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. 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
20 understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or
“including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or
addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
25
[048] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular
features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be
made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without
departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in
30 the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood
13
that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the
disclosure and not as a limitation.
EQUIVALENTS:
5
[049] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details
thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the
description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are
omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples
10 used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the
embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art
to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be
construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
15 [050] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal
the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current
knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific
embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such
adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within
20 the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be
understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose
of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have
been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within
25 the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
[051] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like
that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a
context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of
30 these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge
14
in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date
of this application.
[052] The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters,
5 dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values
higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or
quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the
specification specific to the contrary.
[053] Reference numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 Floor structure
102 First floor panel
104 Second floor panel
106 Third floor panel
108 Cross member
110 Reinforcement structure
112 First section
114 Second section
116 Plurality of brackets
118 Reinforcement member
118a First end of reinforcement member
118b Second end of reinforcement member
120 Plurality of cavities
122 Vertical beads
123 Bead structure
124 Horizontal beads
126 Upper surface
128 Ridge section

We Claim:
1. A floor structure (100) of a vehicle comprising:
a first floor panel (102) and a second floor panel (104) provided along a
5 vehicle longitudinal direction;
a third floor panel (106) having a first section (112) and a second section
(114), wherein the first section (112) is connected to the first floor panel (102) and
the second section (114) is connected to the second floor panel (104);
a cross member (108) extending along a vehicle width direction and
10 connected to underside of the third floor panel (106);
a reinforcement structure (110) connected to the third floor panel (106), the
reinforcement structure (110) comprising:
a reinforcement member (118) extending along the vehicle width
direction and having a first end (118a) and a second end (118b), wherein the
15 first end (118a) is connected to the first section (112) of the third floor panel
(106) and the second end (118b) is connected to the second section (114) of
the third floor panel (106) to form a closed structure; and
a plurality of brackets (116) positioned inside the reinforcement
member (118) and connected to the reinforcement member (118) and the
20 third floor panel (106).
2. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement
member (118) defines a plurality of cavities (120) adapted to provide access to one
or more of the plurality of brackets (116) inside the reinforcement member (118).
25
3. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reinforcement
member (118) defines a plurality of vertical beads (122) that extends vertically
between two adjacent cavities (120).
16
4. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement
member (118) defines a plurality of horizontal beads (124) on its upper surface
(126).
5 5. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reinforcement
member (118) defines a bead structure (123) along a periphery of the one or more
of the plurality of cavities (120).
6. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the
10 plurality of brackets (116) has a substantially trapezoidal shaped cross-section and
defines a ridge section (128) along its periphery.
7. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of brackets (116) is connected to the reinforcement member (118) and the
15 third floor panel (106) by a thermal joining process.
8. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the
first section (112) of the third floor panel (106) is thermally joined to the first floor
panel (102), and at least a portion of the second section (114) of the third floor panel
20 (106) is thermally joined to the second floor panel (104).
9. The floor structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of brackets
(116) positioned inside the reinforcement member (118) is configured to provide
additional structural support to the reinforcement member (118).