Claims:
1) A heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle comprises:
a first section (202) and a second section (204) provided with a profiled section configured for mounting and accommodating on outer surface profile of a steering knuckle (218) for preventing rotation of said heat shield (200); and
a third section (206) configured to prevent transfer of heat from a disc brake (224) to a rubber boot (222) of said lower arm ball joint (220).

2) The heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first section (202) and said second section (204) provided with plurality of flanges (208) extending along the longitudinal edges of said first section (202) and said second section (204) are configured to accommodate, interlock and increase surface contact with the side portion of said steering knuckle (218) for preventing rotation of said heat shield (200).

3) The heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first section (202) provided with a hole (210) is configured to be mounted on said steering knuckle (218) through a bolt (216).

4) The heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second section (204) is configured to incline towards said disc brake (224) and away from said steering knuckle (218).

5) The heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second section (204) and said third section (206) are configured to be integrally embossed (212) to increase stiffness against deformation and reduce thickness along with weight of said heat shield (200).

6) The heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer lateral edge (214) of said third section (206) is configured to be hemmed to prevent cutting of rubber boot (222) of said lower arm ball joint (222).

7) The heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat shield (200) is manufactured using a press machine.

8) The heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first section (202) is provided with a protrusion (203) for securing said heat shield (200) on said steering knuckle (218).

9) The heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third section (206) is configured to be located towards said disc brake (224) and away from said steering knuckle (218).

10) The heat shield (200) for a lower arm ball joint (220) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third section (206) is configured to shield said rubber boot (222) from heat emitted by said disc brake (224).
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A HEATSHIELD FOR A LOWER ARM BALL JOINT OF A VEHICLE

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400001,
Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a heat shield for a steering knuckle of a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a heatshield for a lower arm ball joint of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] On vehicle suspension and steering systems it is common to make use of ball joints to interconnect components in such a way that they facilitate the angular variations that take place in the relative movement between these components.
[0003] It is observed that suspension ball joints are located in close proximity to a brake disc. When the disc brakes are operated for braking action, tremendous amount of heat is generated, which is transmitted to the ball joint. The ball joint normally incorporates a rubber boot filled with grease, wherein the operating temperature of the grease ranges from -50 to 180° C. On the other hand, disc brakes, may easily reach a temperature of 400° C, which may alter the properties of the grease filled in the rubber boot, thereby impairing its function. Further, the rubber boot may also deteriorate on account of high heat. As a result, the ball joint is bound for failure in a relatively short time. Hence, there is a requirement of a device which will minimize the heat transfer from the brake disc to the rubber boot of the ball joint. The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above and any other limitations associated with the prior arts.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Main object of the present disclosure is to provide a heatshield for a lower arm ball joint of a vehicle configured to interlock and increase surface contact with surface of steering knuckle to prevent rotation of said heat shield during assembly.
[0005] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a heatshield with integral embossing to increase stiffness against deformation.
[0006] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a heatshield with integral embossing to reduce thickness and weight of said heatshield.
[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a heatshield hemmed at an outer lateral edge for preventing cutting of rubber boot during assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Before the present a heatshield for a lower arm ball joint of a vehicle, is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to a particular a heatshield for a lower arm ball joint of a vehicle, as there may be multiple possible embodiments, which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular implementations, versions, or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a heatshield for a lower arm ball joint of a vehicle. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0009] In one embodiment, a heat shield for a lower arm ball joint of a vehicle is disclosed. The heat shield comprises a first section and a second section provided with a profiled section configured for mounting and accommodating on outer surface profile of a steering knuckle for preventing rotation of said heat shield. Further, a third section configured to prevent transfer of heat from a disc brake to a rubber boot of said lower arm ball joint.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present subject matter, an example of construction of the present subject matter is provided as figures; however, the present subject matter is not limited to the specific a heatshield for a lower arm ball joint of a vehicle disclosed in the document and the figures.
[0011] The present subject matter is described in detail 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 numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.
[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a heat shield, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates a heat shield mounted on a steering knuckle, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0014] Figure 3 illustrates a steering knuckle assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter are now described.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any a heatshield for a lower arm ball joint of a vehicle and, similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, a heatshield for a lower arm ball joint of a vehicle is now described.
[0016] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described but is to be accorded the widest scope consist in this regard, in a generic sense.
[0017] Figures 1-3 are now described using the reference numbers stated in the below table.
Reference Numeral Description
200 Heat shield
202 First section
204 Second section
206 Third section
208 Flanges
210 Hole
212 Embossing
214 Hemming
216 Bolt
218 Steering knuckle
220 Lower arm ball joint
222 Rubber boot
224 Disc brake
226 Steering knuckle assembly

[0018] Figure 1, 2 and 3, illustrating a heat shield 200, a heat shield 200 mounted on a steering knuckle 218 and a steering knuckle assembly 226 respectively, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter are now described. The heat shield 200 comprises a first section 202, a second section 204 and a third section 206. The second section 204 is configured to incline be concave towards said disc brake 224 and away from said steering knuckle 218. The heat shield 200 is secured to a steering knuckle 218 by a bolt 216. The bolt 216 is configured to pass through a hole 210 provided on said first section 202. Further, plurality of flanges 208 are provided to extend along the longitudinal edges of said first section 202 and said second section 204. The first section 202 and the second section 204 provided with a profiled section is configured for mounting and accommodating on outer surface profile of a steering knuckle 218 for preventing rotation of said heat shield 200. The third section 206 is mounted in front of the lower arm ball joint 220 and configured to prevent transfer of heat from a disc brake 224 to a rubber boot 222 of said lower arm ball joint 220. The plurality of flanges 208 extending along the longitudinal edges of said first section 202 and said second section 204 are configured to accommodate, interlock and increase surface contact with the side portion of said steering knuckle 218 for preventing rotation of said heat shield 200.
[0019] As the heat shield 200 is secured through the bolt 216 to the steering knuckle 218 and the surface profile of the heat shield 200 is interlocked with the surface profile of the steering knuckle 218 to increase the surface contact, the rotation of heat shield 200 about the bolt 216 is prevented/arrested. Hence, the heat shield 200 protects a lower arm ball joint 220 by preventing transfer of heat from a disc brake 224 to the lower arm ball joint 220.
[0020] The outer lateral edge 214 of the third section 206 is hemmed to prevent cutting of rubber boot 222 of the lower arm ball joint 222 during assembly of steering knuckle 218 with the lower arm ball joint 222. The second section 204 and the third section 206 are integrally embossed 212 to increase its stiffness against deformation. As the second section 204 and the third section 206 are integrally embossed 212, thickness and weight of the heat shield 200 is reduced.
[0021] The first section 202 is provided with a protrusion 203, wherein the protrusion 203 interlocks with the corresponding profile of said steering knuckle 219. Further, the third section 206 is configured to be located towards said disc brake 224 and away from said steering knuckle 218. Also, the third section 206 covers/shields the complete area so that the heat generated by the disc brake 224 is prevented from being transmitted to the rubber boot 222 of the lower arm ball joint 220.
[0022] A heat shield 200 for a lower arm ball joint 220 of a vehicle comprises a first section 202 and a second section 204 provided with a profiled section configured for mounting and accommodating on outer surface profile of a steering knuckle 218 for preventing rotation of said heat shield 200. Further, a third section 206 configured to prevent transfer of heat from a disc brake 224 to a rubber boot 222 of said lower arm ball joint 220.
[0023] Said first section 202 and said second section 204 provided with plurality of flanges 208 extending along the longitudinal edges of said first section 202 and said second section 204 are configured to accommodate, interlock and increase surface contact with the side portion of said steering knuckle 218 for preventing rotation of said heat shield 200.
[0024] Said first section 202 provided with a hole 210 is configured to be mounted on said steering knuckle 218 through a bolt 216. Said second section 204 is configured to incline towards said disc brake 224 and away from said steering knuckle 218 third section 206. Said second section 204 and said third section 206 are configured to be integrally embossed 212 to increase stiffness against deformation and reduce thickness along with weight of said heat shield 200. An outer lateral edge 214 of said third section 206 is configured to be hemmed to prevent cutting of rubber boot 222 of said lower arm ball joint 222 during assembly of said steering knuckle 218 with said lower arm ball joint 222. Said heat shield 200 is manufactured using a press machine configured to be a stamped metal sheet.
[0025] Said first section 202 is provided with a protrusion 203 for securing said heat shield 200 on said steering knuckle 218. Said third section 206 is configured to be located towards said disc brake 224 and away from said steering knuckle 218. Said third section 206 is configured to shield said rubber boot 222 from heat emitted by said disc brake 224.
[0026] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following.
[0027] Some embodiments of the present subject matter discloses a heat shield configured to prevent rotation so that rubber boot of lower arm ball joint is protected against heat emitted from a disc brake.
[0028] Some embodiments of the present subject matter disclose a heat shield hemmed at an outer lateral edge to prevent cutting of rubber boot of lower arm ball joint during assembly.
[0029] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provides a heat shield provided with integral embossing to increase its stiffness against deformation and reduce its thickness and weight.