DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of chassis assemblies of vehicles.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Chassis frames are generally, of two types, i.e., ladder frame chassis and monocoque chassis. The ladder frame chassis comprises a pair of symmetrical rails running through the length of an automobile, and several transverse cross-members welded to the symmetric rails. The mechanical components of the vehicle like engines and drive trains are thereafter attached to the ladder frame chassis. Although, the conventional ladder frame chassis is simple in design and cost-effective, it offers poor resistance to warping. Further, it is challenging to maintain the hard point variations in such vehicles, thereby increasing the failure rate of the welded cross-members.
On the other hand, monocoque chassis employs a cradle structure to support engine and other systems of the vehicle. The monocoque chassis reduces the overall weight of the vehicle. Further, the monocoque chassis facilitates distribution of the tensile and compressive forces across the surface of the vehicle. However, the monocoque chassis frame results in the enlargement of the overall structure of the vehicle. Further, employing the monocoque chassis increases the design costs and the manufacturing costs of the vehicles.
There is therefore, felt a need of a hybrid chassis frame assembly that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a hybrid chassis frame assembly.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a hybrid chassis frame assembly that controls hard point variations in a vehicle.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a hybrid chassis frame assembly that reduces weight of a vehicle.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a hybrid chassis frame assembly that is easily serviceable.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a hybrid chassis frame assembly that contributes to the reduction of the design costs and manufacturing costs of a vehicle.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a hybrid chassis frame assembly. The assembly comprises a ladder frame chassis and a cradle mounting. The ladder frame chassis is defined by a pair of symmetrical beams running along the length of the vehicle, and a plurality of transverse cross-members connecting the beams. The cradle mounting is configured to be fastened to the ladder frame chassis to form the hybrid chassis frame assembly. The cradle mounting is configured to support various mechanical components thereon.
In an embodiment, the cradle mounting is welded to the ladder frame chassis.
In another embodiment, the cradle mounting is fastened to the ladder frame chassis with the help of fasteners.
In yet another embodiment, fastening holes are configured on operative ends of the cradle mounting and on the ladder frame chassis. The fastening holes are configured to receive the fasteners therein and affixing the cradle mounting on the chassis.
In still another embodiment, the cradle mounting includes resilient members attached thereto. The resilient members are configured to dampen vibrations.
In one embodiment the cradle mounting is of aluminum.
In another embodiment the cradle mounting is manufactured by casting process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A hybrid chassis frame assembly of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a hybrid chassis frame assembly;
Figure 2A illustrates a zoom in view of the hybrid chassis frame assembly of Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2B illustrates a sectional view of the hybrid chassis frame assembly of Figure 2A along axis B-B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of cradle mountings of the hybrid chassis frame assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 4A illustrates a schematic top view of the hybrid chassis frame assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 4B illustrates a schematic bottom view of the hybrid chassis frame assembly of Figure 1;
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Assembly
110 – Ladder frame
120 – Cradle mounting
130 – Fastener
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," and “including,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," it may be mounted directly on the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
A hybrid chassis frame assembly (100) of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with respect to Figure 1 through Figure 4B.
The chassis frame of a vehicle can be differentiated as ladder frame chassis and monocoque chassis. The ladder frame chassis provides high ground clearance and strength to the vehicle, whereas the monocoque chassis has a cradle mounting attached thereto, on which engine components are mounted while reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. However, the ladder frame chassis offers poor resistance to torsion, and the monocoque chassis enlarges the overall structure of the vehicle.
The hybrid chassis frame assembly (100), of the present disclosure, is configured to combine the advantages of the ladder frame chassis (110) and the cradle mounting (120) of the monocoque chassis.
The hybrid chassis frame assembly (100) comprises a ladder frame chassis (110) and a cradle mounting (120). The ladder frame chassis (110) is defined by a pair of symmetrical beams (not specifically shown in figures) and a plurality of transverse cross-members (not specifically shown in figures). The pair of symmetrical beams is configured to run along the length of the vehicle. The plurality of transverse cross-members is configured to connect the beams. The cradle mounting (120) is configured to be fastened to the ladder frame chassis (110) to form the hybrid chassis frame assembly (100). The cradle mounting (120) is configured to support various mechanical components such as engine, drivetrain, or suspension thereon.
In an embodiment, the cradle mounting (120) is welded to the ladder frame chassis (110).
In another embodiment, the cradle mounting (120) is fastened to the ladder frame chassis (110) with the help of fasteners (130). For affixing the cradle mounting (120) on the ladder frame chassis (110), fastening holes (not specifically shown in figures) are configured on operative ends of the cradle mounting (120) and on at strategic locations on the chassis (110) such that the fastening holes of the ladder frame chassis (110) align with the fastening holes of the ladder frame chassis (110). The fastening holes are configured to receive the fasteners (130) therein. Further, the cradle mounting (120), when fastened to the ladder frame chassis (110), is equipped with resilient members like rubber bushings or springs to dampen vibration.
The cradle mounting (120) is of a light-weight, anti-corrosive material that reduces the weight of the cradle mounting (120). In an embodiment, the cradle mounting (120) is of aluminum. In one embodiment, the cradle mounting (120) is manufactured by casting process. In another embodiment, the cradle mounting (120) is casted by gravity die casting process.
In another embodiment, the assembly (100) is used on body-on-frame (BOF) architecture of front wheel drive multi-utility vehicles. The assembly (100) further facilitates consistency in riding and handling the vehicle.
Employing the hybrid chassis frame assembly (100) reduces the overall weight of the vehicle and the surface area of the overall structure, and further provides high ground clearance to the vehicle. Further, the design of the hybrid chassis frame assembly (100) reduces the design costs, and manufacturing costs of the vehicle. Moreover, the hybrid chassis frame assembly (100) can be easily serviced.
The hybrid chassis frame assembly (100) is configured to provide better structural stiffness to the vehicle body. Further, the hybrid chassis frame assembly (100) is configured to support critical and functional joints like steering joint, lower control arm joint and engine isolator support joint. Further, the hybrid chassis frame assembly (100) is configured to facilitate ease in control of hard point variations.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a hybrid chassis frame assembly, that:
• controls hard point variations in a vehicle;
• reduces weight of the vehicle;
• is easily serviceable; and
• contributes to the reduction of the design costs and manufacturing costs of the vehicle.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals 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 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 the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or group of elements, but not the exclusion of any other element or group of elements.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of materials, apparatus, articles or 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 these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments 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 changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A hybrid chassis frame assembly (100) comprising:
• a ladder frame chassis (110) defined by a pair of symmetrical beams running along the length of said vehicle, and a plurality of transverse cross-members connecting said beams; and
• a cradle mounting (120) configured to be fastened to said ladder frame chassis (110) to form said hybrid chassis frame assembly (100), said cradle mounting (120) configured to support various mechanical components thereon.
2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cradle mounting (120) is welded to said ladder frame chassis (110).
3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cradle mounting (120) is fastened to said ladder frame chassis (110) with the help of fasteners (130).
4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein fastening holes are configured on operative ends of said cradle mounting (120) and on said ladder frame chassis (110), said fastening holes are configured to receive said fasteners (130) therein and affixing said cradle mounting (120) on said ladder frame chassis (110).
5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said cradle mounting (120) includes resilient members attached thereto to dampen vibrations.
6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cradle mounting (120) is of aluminum.

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cradle mounting (120) is manufactured by casting process.