FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a vehicle construction and more particularly, relates to design of a front-end structure for towing and shipping loads. 5
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Many vehicles, such as cars, trucks, vans, etc. include a bumper assembly with a bumper beam and a receiver nut fixed thereto. The receiver nut can removably receive a towing bolt or other towing hook member, and the towing bolt can act as a temporary fixture for towing the vehicle and/or for tying down 10 the vehicle during shipping, etc.
[003] In existing designs, the towing bolt is inserted in a towing nut and the towing nut is welded to the long member outer, and a towing bracket. But the towing nut is not connected directly with long member inner. On applying the towing and shipping loads, the loads are transferred from towing bolt to towing 15 nut, and then to long member outer and towing bracket. But the towing bracket is not efficiently able to transfer the loads to long member inner which makes the existing structure weak, and the entire load is taken by long member outer only. As the long member outer alone cannot withstand such high load, which makes the existing design incapable for the current loading conditions. There is also 20 localized buckling of the structure, due to which high stresses are observed.
[004] Also, due to localized buckling, there is high deflection of the towing bolt. As the towing bolt passes through a hole in the bumper, the high deflection in towing bolt will damage the bumper. The long members will also be deformed permanently causing damage to radiator. Further, the long members in the 25 conventional designs were of high grade material to withstand the towing and shipping loads. Thus, this problem would have a severe impact on the outer appearance and strength performance of the vehicle.
3
[005] Chinese Patent Publication CN203358242U discloses an Installation structure for towing hook. The utility model relates to an automobile body, in particular to an installation structure for a towing hook, and the installation structure is arranged in the automobile body. The installation structure of the towing hook comprises a tail end beam, a tail end beam inner plate, a towing hook 5 support, a towing hook nut, a rear towing hook sleeve support and a rear towing hook sleeve, wherein the towing hook support is connected with the tail end beam and the tail end beam inner plate, the towing hook support is connected with the rear towing hook nut, and the rear towing hook sleeve is connected with the rear towing hook sleeve support. The installation structure for the towing hook has the 10 advantages that guiding and positioning can be conducted through the rear towing hook sleeve, the towing force of the towing hook is distributed to the tail end beam and the tail end beam inner plate through the towing hook support, a connecting face is enlarged through the towing hook support, therefore, the connection strength is enhanced, and the phenomenon of unhooking is avoided. 15
[006] However, the assembly, shape, operation and location of the parts mentioned in the prior art are not similar to the present disclosure.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a front-end towing structure that efficiently transfers towing and shipping loads without 20 getting deformed under localized buckling.
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a simple, cost effective, and efficiently front-end towing structure that is distinct from all conventional designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: 25
[009] The present invention relates to a front-end towing structure for a vehicle. The front-end towing structure includes a long member inner; a long member outer configured to be secured with the long member inner; and a towing hook reinforcement bracket configured to be secured between the long member inner
4
and the long member outer. The towing hook reinforcement bracket includes an intermediate arcuate receptacle configured to receive a towing nut, an upper flange extending upwards from the intermediate arcuate receptacle, the upper flange configured to be secured to the long member inner and the long member outer, and a lower flange extending downwards from the intermediate arcuate 5 receptacle, the lower flange defining a z-shaped profile having a base configured to be secured with the long member inner, and a top configured to be secured to the long member outer.
[0010] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with 10 reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only 15 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, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same 20 numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods 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:
[0012] Fig. 1 illustrates a front structure of a vehicle (not shown) having a front-25 end towing structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] Figs. 2a and 2b illustrates a detailed view of the front-end towing structure of Fig. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
5
[0014] Fig. 3a illustrates another detailed view of the front-end towing structure of Fig. 1 showing the towing hook reinforcement bracket;
[0015] Fig. 3b illustrates a detailed view of the towing hook reinforcement bracket of Fig. 3b in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] Fig. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the towing hook reinforcement bracket 5 about a plane A-A’ shown in Fig. 3b; and
[0017] Fig. 5a-5b illustrates another view of the front-end towing structure showing a towing load transfer path when the vehicle is being towed through the front-end towing structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 10
[0018] 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. 15
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0019] The present disclosure presents embodiments for a front-end towing structure for a vehicle. The front-end towing structure includes a long member inner; a long member outer configured to be secured with the long member inner; and a towing hook reinforcement bracket configured to be secured between the 20 long member inner and the long member outer. The towing hook reinforcement bracket includes an intermediate arcuate receptacle configured to receive a towing nut, an upper flange extending upwards from the intermediate arcuate receptacle, the upper flange configured to be secured to the long member inner and the long member outer, and a lower flange extending downwards from the intermediate 25 arcuate receptacle, the lower flange defining a z-shaped profile having a base configured to be secured with the long member inner, and a top configured to be secured to the long member outer.
6
[0020] 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 5 skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements 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 10 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 15 following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0021] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject 20 matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a front structure 100 of a vehicle not shown having a front-end towing structure 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the present 25 disclosure. In an embodiment, the front-end towing structure 105 is efficiently designed to withstand towing and shipping loads.
[0023] Figs. 2a and 2b illustrates a detailed view of the front-end towing structure 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the front-end towing structure 105 includes a long member inner 30
7
110, and a long member outer 115 configured to be secured with the long member inner 110. The front-end towing structure 105 further includes a towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 configured to be secured between the long member inner 110 and the long member outer 115. In an example, the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 is configured to withstand towing and shipping loads. 5 Further, a design associated with the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 allows absorption, and further transfer of the towing and shipping loads to the long member inner 110 and the long member outer 115 so that localized buckling is prevented and strains are minimized.
[0024] Fig. 3a illustrates another detailed view of the front-end towing structure 10 105 showing the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120. Fig. 3b illustrates a detailed view of the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 about a plane A-A’ shown in Fig. 3b. Referring to Figs. 1-4 collectively, in an embodiment, the towing hook 15 reinforcement bracket 120 includes an intermediate arcuate receptacle 125 configured to receive a towing nut 130, wherein the towing nut 130 defines a receptacle 132 for receiving a towing bolt 155. In an example, the towing nut 130 is arc welded with the intermediate arcuate receptacle 125.
[0025] The towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 further includes an upper 20 flange 135 extending upwards from the intermediate arcuate receptacle 125. In an embodiment, the upper flange 135 is configured to be secured to the long member inner 110 and the long member outer 115. In an example, the upper flange 135 is spot welded to the long member inner 110 and the long member outer 115. In an embodiment, the long member inner 110 and the long member outer 115 includes 25 a rectangular cross section of reducing width.
[0026] The towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 further includes a lower flange 140 extending downwards from the intermediate arcuate receptacle 125. In an embodiment, the lower flange 140 defines a z-shaped profile having a base 145 configured to be secured with the long member inner 110, and a top 150 30
8
configured to be secured to the long member outer 115. In an example, the base 145 of the lower flange 140 is welded to the long member inner 110 through a plurality of spot welds. Further, the top 150 of the lower flange 140 is bolted to the long member outer 115 through a plurality of bolts 160.
[0027] In an embodiment, the base 145 of the towing hook reinforcement bracket 5 120 further includes an emboss feature 165 proximal to a bolting location configured to receive the plurality of bolts 160 for securing with the long member outer 115. Further in an embodiment, the base 145 of the lower flange 140 of the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 includes an intermediate step feature 170.
[0028] In operation, i.e., during a vehicle towing and/or shipping condition, the 10 towing and/or shipping loads get transferred to the long member outer 115 through the plurality of bolts 160, and long member inner 110 through the spot welds. Further, the emboss feature 165 provides strength such that localized twisting of the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 can be prevented. Further, the step feature 170 strengthens the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 and 15 the spot welds. Further, the design and positioning of the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120 in the front-end towing structure 105 prevents twisting during angular loading conditions.
[0029] Figs. 5a-5b illustrates another view of the front-end towing structure 105 showing a towing load transfer path, depicted with arrows “F”, when the vehicle 20 is being towed through the front-end towing structure 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figs. 5a-5b, the towing load is transferred from the towing bolt 155 to the towing nut 130. Further, the towing load is transferred from the towing nut 130 to the towing hook reinforcement bracket 120. Further, the towing load is transferred from the towing hook 25 reinforcement bracket 120 to the long member inner 110 and the long member outer 115. Thus, an effective distribution of the towing load is achieved through the front-end towing structure 105.
[0030] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present 30
9
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/component 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 5 which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. A front-end towing structure (105) for a vehicle, the front-end towing structure (105) comprising:
a long member inner (110);
a long member outer (115) configured to be secured with the long 5 member inner (110); and
a towing hook reinforcement bracket (120) configured to be secured between the long member inner (110) and the long member outer (115), the towing hook reinforcement bracket (120) including:
an intermediate arcuate receptacle (125) configured to receive a 10 towing nut (130),
an upper flange (135) extending upwards from the intermediate arcuate receptacle (125), the upper flange (135) configured to be secured to the long member inner (110) and the long member outer (115), and
a lower flange (140) extending downwards from the intermediate 15 arcuate receptacle (125), the lower flange (140) defining a z-shaped profile having a base (145) configured to be secured with the long member inner (110), and a top (150) configured to be secured to the long member outer (115).
2. The front-end towing structure (105) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the 20 towing nut (130) is arc welded with the intermediate arcuate receptacle (125).
3. The front-end towing structure (105) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper flange (135) is spot welded to the long member inner (110) and the long member outer (115). 25
4. The front-end towing structure (105) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (145) of the lower flange (140) is welded to the long member inner (110) through a plurality of spot welds.
11
5. The front-end towing structure (105) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top (150) of the lower flange (140) is bolted to the long member outer (115) through a plurality of bolts (160).
6. The front-end towing structure (105) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the top (150) includes an emboss feature (165) proximal to a bolting location 5 configured to receive the plurality of bolts (160).
7. The front-end towing structure (105) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base (145) of the lower flange (140) includes an intermediate step feature (170).
8. The front-end towing structure (105) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the long 10 member inner (110) and the long member outer (115) includes a rectangular cross section of reducing width.