Claims:We Claim:
1. A glow plug rear holder assembly (100) comprising:
a dual brackets (4,5) coupled together each including;
a plurality of substantially circumferential cantilevered locking-catch (6) projecting outwardly from a side of the bracket in aligned spaced relation to one another,
a receptacle portion (7) positioned in alignment to the locking-catch of opposite bracket, for receiving the locking-catch (6) of opposite bracket;
a gripping profile (3) positioned at a vertex end (1) of the bracket.
2. The glow plug rear holder assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle portion (7) is positioned between a pair of longitudinal rib (9) formed on the bracket (4,5).
3. The glow plug rear holder assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of longitudinal rib (9) receives the locking-catch (6) circumferentially.
4. The glow plug rear holder assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket forming a protruding bulge (8) towards a basal end (2) of the bracket.
5. The glow plug rear holder assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the protruding bulge (8) is mounted on a glow plug connector of a vehicle.
6. The glow plug rear holder assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of ribs formed on the gripping profile (3).
7. The glow plug rear holder assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping profile (3) is structured in a slant formation with steep-side towards the vertex end and the elevated side towards the basal end of the bracket.
8. The glow plug rear holder assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertex end (1) provides opening to insert a wiring harness.

Description:A GLOW PLUG REAR HOLDER ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a glow plug connector structure for an engine of an automobile. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a rear holder for a glow plug connector for easy assembly.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Glow plugs are resistance heating elements that are used in diesel engines to assist in starting. They are located in the combustion chamber of the engine. To increase the temperature in the combustion chamber and encourage easier and full combustion of the fuel, these glow plug assemblies are given. The compression ratio in a diesel engine is high enough to put the compressed air temperature above the ignition temperature of the injected fuel, so that no igniter is needed during normal operation, but a relatively small glow factor can start a flame that propagates through the compressed mixture in the combustion chamber when the engine starts cold. During cold engine operations, the glow plugs are especially useful.
[0003] Most typical glow plugs are sealed style glow plugs in which a heating wire made of Ni-Cr alloy or similar material is wound in the form of a coil and placed in a sheath made of a heat and corrosion-resistant alloy such as stainless steel, one end of which is closed, and an insulating material such as stainless steel is filled with the inner portion of the sheath around the heating wire.
[0004] In a conventional state of art, the glow plug is positioned axially. The glow plug comprises of a rod-shaped heating element at the front, a cylindrical metal shell covering the heating element and retaining it and a connection terminal also known as glow plug connector attached to the heating element. The rear part of the glow plug connector comprises of connector cover, which serves as guide for taking in the wire. The wire is attached to the circuitry such that the heating element of the glow plug gets heated when the vehicle is turned on. The glow plug connector connects the heating element of the glow plug to the external circuit electrically.
[0005] In the recent years, as more and more features are being introduced into the vehicle, the effective packaging of components in limited space is becoming more challenging. Therefore, the current connector cover used in glow plug connector in the available state-of-art is not suitable for application in restricted space. There are issues of hand access, and visibility during connector fitment. Also, there is absence of gripping profile to allow removal of connector cover from glow plug, in event of malfunction.
[0006] Further, in some prior arts, the glow plug structure is positioned in the axial direction. The heating element and the connection terminal of the glow connector are connected to the rear end side. A connector cover is attached to the glow connector to its other end to guide wiring harness to the circuit.
[0007] The disadvantage in the prior art is that the glow plug connector cover is short in size and has a little or no space to hold it from the rear end in order to take it out. It makes the glow plug inaccessible to the operator. This eventually leads to breakage of wires or parts within its periphery. Moreover, no information related to the improvement of the connector cover given in the prior arts.
[0008] It is thereby required to maintain an additional working length with a single axis structure of the connector cover for ease of assembly and to ensure reliability in the vibration prone area.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] It is therefore the object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior product/apparatus.
[0010] It is a primary object of the present disclosure is to increase the holding distance of the glow plug connector cover from the glow plug connector.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide better visibility, easy positioning and assembly of the glow plug connector.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a balanced rib profile with elevation at the harness side of the connector cover for firm grip and providing anti-slipping mechanism during insertion of the glow plug connector.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to improve the visibility of the glow plug connector rear holder for easy removal.
[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a twin locking profile of the connector cover comprising of two similar bracket parts.
[0015] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide steps on both side of the bracket to restrict movement.
[0016] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide twin locking profile at edge of both end to avoid slitting and opening during assembly.
[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY
[0018] Solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0019] The present disclosure offers a solution in the form of a glow plug rear holder assembly comprising of a dual bracket coupled together.
[0020] Each bracket includes a plurality of substantially circumferential cantilevered locking-catch projecting outwardly from a side of the bracket in aligned spaced relation to one another, a receptacle portion positioned in alignment to the locking-catch of opposite bracket, for receiving the locking-catch and a locking profile positioned at a vertex end of the bracket.
[0021] In an aspect of the invention, the receptacle portion is positioned between a pair of longitudinal rib formed on the bracket.
[0022] In an aspect of the invention, the pair of longitudinal rib receives the locking-catch circumferentially.
[0023] In an aspect of the invention, the bracket forming a protruding bulge towards a basal end of the bracket.
[0024] In an another aspect of the invention, the protruding bulge is mounted on a glow plug connector of a vehicle.
[0025] In an aspect of the invention, a plurality of ribs is formed on the locking profile.
[0026] In an another aspect of the invention, the locking profile is structured in a slant formation with steep-side towards the vertex end and the elevated-side towards the basal end of the bracket.
[0027] In yet another aspect of the invention, the vertex end provides opening to insert a wiring harness.
[0028] 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 DRAWINGS
[0029] 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 present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, 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 or structure 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:
[0030] Fig. 1 is an illustration of a glow plug rear holder assembly;
[0031] Fig. 2 is a side view of the glow plug rear holder assembly.
[0032] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for 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
[0033] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0034] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0035] Referring to Fig.1 a glow plug rear holder assembly (100) is illustrated. As mentioned above, the present invention forms an extended rear holder for the glow plug connector. The present invention is mounted on the glow-plug connector in the vehicle, thereby acting as an elongated arm providing the user an ease of access to operate the glow plug. Thus, the present invention referred to as the glow plug rear holder assembly (100) comprises of a dual bracket (4,5) coupled together to form one unit or the rear holder.
[0036] The rear holder is in one-single axis structure without any bends. Such structure ensures adoptability in multiple models & efficient transfer of insertion force. Additionally, by the virtue of the length of this rear handle, it provides the user an ease of access to the glow plug operations. The rear holder is formed by coupling of two similar mirror image brackets. The brackets (4,5), for the purpose of illustrations are the left hand side (LHS) bracket (5) and the right hand side (RHS) bracket (4) coupled together.
[0037] The dual brackets (4,5) further includes, a plurality of substantially circumferential cantilevered locking-catch (6) projecting outwardly from a side of the bracket in aligned spaced relation to one another. The locking-catch (6) originates from one of the bracket in formation of a protruding latching mechanism with a cavity formed in between the locking-catch (6) structure meant to clutch to a beam or a structure that can be received in the cavity holding the locking catch (6) with an opposing force.
[0038] The locking-catch (6) are arranged on each of the bracket in an aligned manner such that upon making the mirror-image of one bracket the locking-catch (6) of the LHS bracket is opposite and adjacent to the RHS bracket locking-catch (6). The bracket is the single-axis, three walled structure, and the locking-catch (6) originates preferably from the lateral walls of the bracket in a perpendicular direction to provide a firm clutching with the opposite bracket.
[0039] As disclosed in the invention, a receptacle portion (7) positioned in alignment to the locking-catch (6) is formed on the bracket. The receptacle portion (7) acts a beam structure capable to receive the locking-catch (6) such it is inserted into the cavity of the locking-catch thus imparting an opposing force necessary to introduce a locking mechanism. Such a structure, with the locking-catch clasping to the receptacle portion (7) provides a firm coupling to the bracket of the glow plug rear holder assembly. Such coupling prevents the dual brackets (4,5) from getting detached.
[0040] The locking-catch (6) coupling with the receptacle portion (7) eventually leading to the coupling of the dual bracket is considered as a snap-fit mechanism.
[0041] Further, in the invention, a gripping profile (3) is positioned at a vertex end (1) of the bracket. The vertex end (1) is to be understood as the area forming a top surface of the rear holder. The vertex end allows the wiring harness to be inserted through a cavity and is by far the nearest point of access for the user. The gripping profile (3) thus is a slant structure with a steep-side towards the extreme vertex end and forming an elevated structure. This gripping profile (3) structure provides the user an ease to operate the rear holder assembly while mounting it on the glow plug connecter. The gripping profile (3) containing ribs or protruding scales acting an anti-slip profiles gripping surface for the user. The structural configuration of the locking profile enables the user to impart a uniform downward force while mounting the rear holder assembly on the glow plug connector.
[0042] Now, when the user imparts downward force on the rear holder assembly (100) by holding at the anti-slip profiles in form of ribs shaped on the gripping profiles, the snap-fit arrangement of the locking-catch (6) and the receptacle portion (7) prevents the misfit or does not let either bracket shift downward in comparison to other. Thus the entire assembly uniformly is mounted on the glow plug connector.
[0043] Further, adding to the glow plug rear holder assembly, and improving the entire snap-fit arrangement, the receptacle portion (7) is positioned between a pair of longitudinal rib (9) formed on the bracket (4,5). The longitudinal rib (9) are in pair arranged at an equal distance on the left-side and right-side of the receptacle portion (7) such that they are able to receive the circumference of the locking-catch (6) of opposite bracket. The structural arrangement is to be understood as the longitudinal rib (9) provides opposing force to the periphery of the snap-fitted locking-catch (6) in a transverse direction. The locking-catch (6), have a plurality of protruding arms (10) extended on the lateral sides. The protruding arms (10) comes into contact with the longitudinal ribs (9) counter-acting as the opposing force required for locking mechanism. This opposing force provides the snap-fit arrangement a perpendicularly supporting structure and prevents the movement of the rear holder assembly in transverse upward or downward direction.
[0044] As the rear holder assembly is mounted on the glow plug connector, a protruding bulge (8) structure is provided towards a basal end (2) of each bracket (4,5). The protruding bulge (8) structure provides a round opening cavity which is akin or is directly proportional to the glow plug connector structural configuration on which the rear holder assembly is mounted. The protruding bulge (8) structure provides added advantage to the structure of the rear holder assembly. While the downward force is applied by the user on the vertex end of the rear holder the basal end mounts on the glow plug connector., The protruding bulge (8) structure absorbs an excessive force and provides a uniform mounting and prevents the tearing of the basal end of the rear holder assembly.
[0045] Therefore, the present invention has following advantageous features:
(1) Additional Working length of the rear holder assembly for ease of assembly of glow plug connector in vehicle;
(2) Single axis structure of the brackets of the rear holder assembly with no bending, ensures adoptability in multiple models & efficient transfer of insertion force;
(3) The additional length provided by the rear holder assembly improves the visibility for connector fitment;
(4) The locking-catch and its coupling with the receptacle portion restrict undesired movement;
(5) The longitudinal rib at edge of both end to avoid slitting and opening during assembly;
(6) The ribbed profile provides firm grip, also acting as anti-slip during insertion.
[0046] Referring to the Figures of the present invention, the following reference numeral table depict the elements of the invention:
100 Glow plug rear holder assembly
4 LHS bracket
5 RHS bracket
6 Locking-catch
7 Receptacle Portion
3 Gripping profile
1 Vertex end
9 Longitudinal rib
2 Basal end
8 Protruding Bulge

[0047] 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 disclosures 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. Also, 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 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 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.”
[0048] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.