FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a vehicle construction and more particularly, relates to fuel lid mounting region in passenger vehicles.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] In general, a fuel lid assembly consists of fuel inlet box, lid fuel inlet, fuel lid reinforcement, male and female fuel filler hinge brackets. Fuel lid is mounted 10 on the side body of the vehicle through bolt connection, and the connections within the assembly are generally spot weld connections.
[003] However, there are disadvantages associated with the existing fuel lid assembly design. For example, fuel lid reinforcement in the fuel lid assembly cannot withstand the fuel lid functional loads due to low section modulus. Further, 15 the fuel lid reinforcement and a male fuel filler bracket joining area has low bending and torsional stiffness which leads to increased deflections making the spot welds at the joinery location highly prone to failure. The above-mentioned drawbacks cause functional issues under excessive loading that leads to higher warranty cost. 20
[004] United States Patent publication US7566089B2 provides a construction for a fuel door assembly in which one or more different spring members may be coupled to the same assembly to provide for different operational characteristics. A novel construction for a fuel door assembly in which a spring member is provided and incorporated as part of the assembly securing engaging the other 25 components assembly to prevent vibration and rattling.
[005] However, the United States prior art discloses a conventional design, wherein the joinery of the door 10 with the door side hinge bracket 14 are prone to
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high stress concentration. Further, the United States prior art does not provide a reinforcement solution that might enhance bending and torsional stiffness of the door 10 with the door side hinge bracket 14. Further, the assembly, shape, operation and location of the parts mentioned in the prior art are not similar to the present disclosure. 5
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[006] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel lid assembly with increased load bearing capacity that can withstand the fuel lid functional loads and make fuel lid assembly more durable. 10
[007] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a simple, cost effective, and efficiently designed fuel lid assembly that is distinct from all conventional designs, and overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with the conventional designs.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[008] The present invention relates to a fuel lid assembly for a vehicle. The fuel lid assembly includes a fuel inlet box; a fuel lid configured to cover an opening of the fuel inlet box, the fuel lid defining a mounting portion having a rectangular joggle with a plurality of embossed portions; a female fuel filler hinge bracket 20 provided in the fuel inlet box; and a male fuel filler hinge bracket having an engaging end configured to be secured to the female fuel filler hinge bracket, a mounting end configured to be secured on the mounting portion, an intermediate arcuate portion separating the engaging end and the mounting end, and a plurality of curved side flanges running across the engaging end, and the intermediate 25 arcuate portion and diverging at the mounting end.
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[009] In order 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 scope of the present subject matter.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the 10 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 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, 15 and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0011] Fig. 1 illustrate a perspective view of a fuel lid assembly for a vehicle (not shown) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] Fig. 2a illustrate an enlarged view of a mounting portion of the fuel lid of Fig. 1; 20
[0013] Fig. 2b illustrate a cross-sectional view about a section A-A passing through the mounting portion of Fig. 1;
[0014] Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate perspective views of a male fuel filler hinge bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] Fig. 4a illustrate an enlarged view of the mounting end of the male fuel 25 filler hinge bracket; and
[0016] Fig. 4b illustrate a cross-sectional view of the mounting end about a section B-B passing through the mounting end of Fig. 4a.
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[0017] 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. 5
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0018] The present disclosure presents embodiments for a fuel lid assembly for a vehicle. The fuel lid assembly includes a fuel inlet box; a fuel lid configured to cover an opening of the fuel inlet box, the fuel lid defining a mounting portion 10 having a rectangular joggle with a plurality of embossed portions; a female fuel filler hinge bracket provided in the fuel inlet box; and a male fuel filler hinge bracket having an engaging end configured to be secured to the female fuel filler hinge bracket, a mounting end configured to be secured on the mounting portion, an intermediate arcuate portion separating the engaging end and the mounting 15 end, and a plurality of curved side flanges running across the engaging end, and the intermediate arcuate portion and diverging at the mounting end.
[0019] 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 20 utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various 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 25 recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the 30
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present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0020] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be 5 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 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. 10
[0021] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fuel lid assembly (100) for a vehicle (not shown) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the fuel lid assembly (100) includes a fuel inlet box (102) provided on the vehicle. The fuel lid assembly (100) further includes a fuel lid (104) configured to cover an opening (106) of the fuel inlet box (102). 15
[0022] Fig. 2a illustrates an enlarged view of a mounting portion (108) of the fuel lid (104) of Fig. 1. Fig. 2b illustrates a cross-sectional view about a section A-A passing through the mounting portion (108) of Fig. 1. Referring to Figs. 1, 2a-2b collectively, the mounting portion (108) includes a rectangular joggle (110) with a plurality of embossed portions (112). In an example, the plurality of embossed 20 portions (112) are circular in shape. In an embodiment, provision of the rectangular joggle (110) along with the plurality of embossed portions (112) provides an improved stiffness against bending and torsional loads.
[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the fuel lid assembly (100) further includes a female fuel filler hinge bracket (114) provided in the fuel inlet box (102). In an 25 embodiment, the fuel lid assembly (100) further includes a male fuel filler hinge bracket (116) configured to be secured to the female fuel filler hinge bracket (114). Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate perspective views of the male fuel filler hinge bracket (116) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[0024] In an embodiment, the male fuel filler hinge bracket (116) defines an engaging end (118) configured to be secured to the female fuel filler hinge bracket (114). Further, the male fuel filler hinge bracket (116) includes a mounting end (120) configured to be secured on the mounting portion (108) of the fuel lid (104). The male fuel filler hinge bracket (116) further includes an intermediate arcuate 5 portion (122) separating the engaging end (118) and the mounting end (120). In an embodiment, the male fuel filler hinge bracket (116) further includes a plurality of curved side flanges (124) running across the engaging end (118) and the intermediate arcuate portion (122) and diverging at mounting end (120). In an example, the plurality of curved side flanges (124) maximizes bending and 10 torsional stiffness associated with the male fuel filler hinge bracket (116).
[0025] Fig. 4a illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting end (120) of the male fuel filler hinge bracket (116). Fig. 4b illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mounting end (120) about a section B-B passing through the mounting end (120) of Fig. 4a. Referring to Figs. 1, 2a-2b, 3a-3b, and 4a-4b collectively, the mounting 15 end (120) includes a plurality of mounts (126) separated by a bead (128). In an embodiment, a positioning of the mounting end (120) on the mounting portion (108) is such that the plurality of mounts (126) is placed over the plurality of embossed portions (112), and the bead (128) accommodates in a space separating the plurality of mounts (126). In an example, the plurality of mounts (126) are 20 spot welded to the plurality of embossed portions (112).
[0026] Referring back to Figs. 3a-3b, the male fuel filler hinge bracket (116) includes a semi-circular joggle (130) provided on the intermediate arcuate portion (122), the semi-circular joggle (130) being continuous with one of the plurality of curved side flanges (124). In an embodiment, the plurality of curved side flanges 25 (124) along with the semi-circular joggle (130) lead to uniform load distribution (depicted as arrows “L”) along the male fuel filler hinge bracket (116).
[0027] The fuel lid assembly (100) as described with respect to the aforementioned description and drawings can withstand the fuel lid functional loads. Further, the mounting portion (108) being joined with the mounting end 30
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(120), and provision of the plurality of curved side flanges (124) diverging at mounting end (120) along with the semi-circular joggle (130), has increased bending and torsional stiffness which leads to reduced deflections and thus prevents spot weld failure between the plurality of mounts (126) and the plurality of embossed portions (112), as the load is evenly distributed and is not getting 5 transferred directly to spot welds. Thus, the stress in the spot welds is reduced and the fuel lid assembly (100) can withstand the durability load acting on it.
[0028] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, 10 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 which fall within the scope of the present subject matter. 15

We claim:
1. A fuel lid assembly (100) for a vehicle, the fuel lid assembly (106) comprising:
a fuel inlet box (102);
a fuel lid (104) configured to cover an opening (106) of the fuel inlet 5 box (102), the fuel lid (104) defining a mounting portion (108) having a rectangular joggle (110) with a plurality of embossed portions (112);
a female fuel filler hinge bracket (114) provided in the fuel inlet box (102); and
a male fuel filler hinge bracket (116) defining:
an engaging end (118) configured to be secured to the female fuel filler hinge bracket (114),
a mounting end (120) configured to be secured on the mounting portion (108),
an intermediate arcuate portion (122) separating the engaging end 15 (118) and the mounting end (120), and
a plurality of curved side flanges (124) running across the engaging end (118) and the intermediate arcuate portion (122) and diverging at mounting end (120).
2. The fuel lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of 20 embossed portions (112) are circular in shape.
3. The fuel lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting end (120) includes a plurality of mounts (126) separated by a bead (128).
4. The fuel lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein a positioning of the mounting end (120) on the mounting portion (108) is such that the 25 plurality of mounts (126) are placed over the plurality of embossed portions (112), and the bead (128) accommodates in a space separating the plurality of mounts (126).
5. The fuel lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of mounts (126) are spot welded to the plurality of embossed portions (112).
6. The fuel lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the male fuel filler hinge bracket (116) includes a semi-circular joggle (130) provided on the intermediate arcuate portion (122), the semi-circular joggle (130) being 5 continuous with one of the plurality of curved side flanges (124).