CLIAMS:We claim:
1. A mounting assembly (100) for supporting a reservoir (101) in a vehicle body having a bracket (102) connectable to the vehicle body, wherein the bracket (102) is adapted to support the reservoir (101), the mounting assembly (100) comprising:
at least one polymer grommet (103) comprising a first provision (103a) to accommodate at least one protrusion (101a) extending from at least one surface of the reservoir (101), wherein the at least one polymer grommet (103) is configured between the reservoir (101) and at least one second provision (102a) provided on the bracket (102) to facilitate damping between the reservoir (101) and the bracket (102).

2. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least one polymer grommet (103) comprises a collar (103b) extending radially from upper surface of the at least one first provision (103a).

3. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion (101a) extends from a bottom surface of the reservoir (101).

4. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket (102) is configured in “L” shape.

5. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one third provision (102b) is provided on first section of the bracket (102) to join the bracket (102) with the vehicle body using a first fastening member (104).

6. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 4, wherein at least one second provision (102a) is provided on a second section of the bracket (102).

7. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir (101) comprises at least one flange (101b) for joining to at least one of the bracket (102) and the vehicle body using a second fastening member (105).

8. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one flange (101b) is provided in top surface of the reservoir (101).

9. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises at least one damping member (107) provisioned between the bracket (102) and the vehicle body.

10. A method for mounting a reservoir (101) in a vehicle body having a bracket (102) connectable to the vehicle body, wherein the bracket (102) is adapted to support the reservoir (101), the method comprising acts of:
connecting at least one polymer grommet (103) comprising a first provision (103a) onto at least one protrusion (101a) extending from at least one surface of the reservoir (101); and
configuring the at least one polymer grommet (103) between the reservoir (101) and at least one second provision (102a) provided on the bracket (102) to facilitate damping between the reservoir (101) and the bracket (102).

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bracket (102) is connected to the vehicle body through at least one third provision (102b) provided in the bracket (102) using a first fastening member (105).

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the reservoir (101) is connected to at least one of the bracket (102) and the vehicle body through at least one flange (101b) using a second fastening member (105).

13. A vehicle comprising mounting assembly (100) for supporting a reservoir (101) in a vehicle body as claimed in claim 1.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a field of automotive engineering. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a mounting assembly used in vehicles. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose the mounting assembly for supporting a reservoir in a vehicle body.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In most of the automobiles such as but not limiting to passenger vehicles including but not limiting to cars, sport utility vehicles, multi utility vehicles, Tempo Travellers, goods carrying vehicles, there is provision of one or more reservoirs to carry various fluid required/used during operation of the vehicle. In general, fluids including but not limiting to windshield solution, coolant oil, and oil for power steering will be stored and carried in the reservoirs for use in respective applications during vehicle operation.

As an example, one such particular type of fluid which is commonly used in virtually all automotive vehicles is windshield wiper fluid. Typically, a windshield wiper fluid reservoir is placed within the engine compartment wherever space is available. The windscreen washing liquid from the reservoir will be supplied to one or more spray nozzles which are provided proximal to front windscreen or rear windscreen and combination of front and rear windscreen. The reservoir is generally a container or small tank of semi-rigid plastic, housed inside the engine bay. But in most of the vehicles room available inside the engine bay will be mostly occupied by the engine components and other drive mechanisms and hence the free space available in the engine bay for mounting additional accessories is very little. Also, due to the presence of various accessory devices, and installing a container which is of rather big size, especially if it must washing liquid, for both front and rear windscreen. Thus, mounting of such reservoir/container within the limited space available becomes very curtail.

Conventionally, the reservoirs which are carrying windshield wash solutions are mounted onto crash guard or near to a front bumper portion in the vehicle engine bay through suitable fasteners and flanges. In such arrangements there are high chances that of the flanges holding the reservoirs fails due to heavy weight of the reservoir. The flanges may also fail during assembling and disassembling for maintenance of such reservoirs if the operator over tightens the fastener. In order to overcome such problems few attempts were made in the state of art by designing mounting arrangements to support the reservoirs in the vehicle body. The conventional mounting arrangements includes a clamp which is fixed to the crash guard using suitable fastening mechanism, and the reservoir is fixed to the clamp using suitable mechanism such as fastening, flaring, and clamping. However, in most of the conventional clamping arrangements these reservoirs will make contact with the clamp, which results in generation of noise due to hard-part to hard-part contact, for example metal to plastic contact. Hence, rattling noise will be generated in the engine bay of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle due to various factors like engine vibration, road conditions, etc. This, rattling noise which is generated due to metal to plastic contact of the reservoir mounting arrangement becomes unpleasant to user of the vehicle, and hence affects comfort level of the user in the vehicle.

In light of the foregoing discussion, it is necessary to develop an improved mounting arrangement for supporting the reservoir in the vehicle body to overcome the one or more problems stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of assembly and a method as claimed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided a mounting assembly for supporting a reservoir in a vehicle body having a bracket connectable to the vehicle body, wherein the bracket is adapted to support the reservoir. The mounting assembly comprises at least one polymer grommet comprising a first provision to accommodate at least one protrusion extending from at least one surface of the reservoir. The at least one polymer grommet is configured between the reservoir and at least one second provision provided on the bracket to facilitate damping between the reservoir and the bracket.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the at least one polymer grommet comprises a collar extending radially from upper surface of the at least one first provision.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one protrusion extends from a bottom surface of the reservoir.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the bracket is configured in “L” shape, wherein at least one third provision is provided on first section of the bracket to join the bracket with the vehicle body using a first fastening member. Further, the at least one second provision is provided on a second section of the bracket.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the reservoir comprises at least one flange for joining to at least one of the bracket and the vehicle body using a second fastening member. The at least one flange is provided in top surface of the reservoir.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting arrangement comprises at least one damping member provisioned between the bracket and the vehicle body.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for mounting a reservoir in a vehicle body having a bracket connectable to the vehicle body, wherein the bracket is adapted to support the reservoir. The method comprises acts of firstly connecting at least one polymer grommet comprising a first provision onto at least one protrusion extending from at least one surface of the reservoir. Then, configuring the at least one polymer grommet between the reservoir and at least one second provision provided on the bracket to facilitate damping between the reservoir and the bracket.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

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.

OBJECTIVE OF THE DISCLOSURE

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a mounting arrangement for supporting a reservoir in vehicle body which prevents rattling noise in the engine bay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of mounting arrangement for supporting a reservoir in a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view of the mounting arrangement for supporting a reservoir in a vehicle body of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrates perspective view and sectional front view of a rubber grommet used in mounting arrangement according some embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates perspective view a bracket used in mounting arrangement according to some embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5a-5c illustrates schematic representations of engine bay of the vehicle body in supporting a reservoir which is mounted using a mounting arrangement of FIG.1 according to some embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily 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
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the 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 disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, 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. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

To overcome the drawbacks mentioned in the background, the present disclosure provides a mounting arrangement for supporting a reservoir such as but not liming to reservoir which holds windscreen solution in the vehicle body. The mounting arrangement broadly comprises a bracket and a polymer grommet. The bracket is configured in predetermined shape, and is adapted to secure/hold the reservoir securely/firmly in the vehicle body for example in an engine bay. The bracket will be secured to at least one of crash guard or wheel arch in the vehicle engine bay through at least one provision provided in first section of the bracket using one or more first fastening member. Further, the bracket is configured to accommodate the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is connected to the first section of the bracket through at least one flange provided in the reservoir using at least one second fastening member. The mounting arrangement further includes a polymer grommet alternatively referred as a rubber grommet comprising a first provision to accommodate at least one protrusion extending from at least one surface of the reservoir. The at least one polymer grommet also comprises a collar extending from top surface of the at least one first provision, and is configured between the reservoir and at least one second provision provided on the bracket. The provision of the polymer grommet between the bracket and the reservoir facilitate damping between the reservoir and the bracket, and thereby eliminates the rattling noise during the vehicle operation. Thus, improves customer comfort level for the user in the vehicle.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

In the following description the words such as top, bottom, front, rear which are used with respect to particular orientation of the assembly as illustrated in drawings of the present disclosure. The words are used to explain the aspects of the present disclosure and for better understanding. However, one should not construe such terms as limitation to the present disclosure, since the terms may interchange based on the orientation of the assembly.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of drawings of a mounting assembly used for supporting the wind screen wash solution reservoir in the vehicle body which is one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art can envisage various such embodiments without deviating from scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating exploded perspective view and assembled front view of the mounting arrangement (100) which is used for supporting reservoirs such as but not limiting to reservoirs (101) used for storing windshield was fluid in the vehicle body. The reservoir (101) is configured with an inlet port (101d) for filling windshield wash fluid into it, and is configured with a predetermined volume based on the requirement in the vehicle. As an example, for passenger vehicles such as cars the volume of the reservoir (101) ranges from about 1.5 litres to about 4 litres. Further, in one embodiment the windshield wash fluid which is stored in the reservoir (101) includes water and the wash solution, and is used to clean dust and dirt particles on the windshield to facilitate clear vision to a driver and/or passenger of the vehicle. In some modern vehicles the windshield wipers are provisioned on both front and rear windshields, and hence the windshield wash fluid/solution should be supplied to both of the front and rear windshields. To facilitate spraying of water onto at least one of front and rear windshield during wiping at least one motor is provided which is fluidly connected to an outlet port (101e) [shown in FIG. 5c] of the reservoir (101), and supplies a wash solution to at least one nozzle provisioned proximal to the windscreen. In order to store large amount of windscreen wash fluid (alternatively referred as windscreen wash solution) as the reservoir (101) is designed in predetermined shape such as but not limiting to square shape, rectangular shape, or any other shape which serve the purpose. Further, the reservoir (101) is made of suitable non-corrosive material to store the windshield wash solution. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reservoir is made of polymer material since it is non-corrosive and light in weight when compared to metal. In an exemplary embodiment, the reservoir (101) is made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) material. However, one should not construe such material as limitation to the present disclosure, since one can design the reservoir (101) with any other material which is known in the art.

Further as shown in FIG. 1 the reservoir (101) comprises at least one flange (101b) extending from at least one surface of the reservoir (101). The at least one flange (101b) is configured to join the reservoir with at least one of bracket (102) and the vehicle body [best shown in FIG. 5a]. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reservoir (101) comprises two flanges (101b) extending from a top end of the reservoir (101). Each of the flange (101b) comprises arm extending form at least one top edge of the reservoir(101), and at least one fourth provision (101c) in the top end of the flange for joining with at least one of the bracket (102) and the vehicle body using a second fastening element (105). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bracket (102) is made of metallic material due to requirement of high strength for holding the reservoir (101). However, one should not construe such material as limitation to the present disclosure, since one can design the bracket (102) with any other materials including but not limiting to high strength composite materials. Further, the reservoir (101) is provided with at least one protrusion (101a) extending from at least one surface of the reservoir (101). The at least one protrusion (101a) is adapted to be resided in a second provision (102a) provided in the bracket (102) to mount the reservoir (101) on to the bracket (102). In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one protrusion (101a) is provisioned in bottom surface of the reservoir (101). However, one should not construe such positioning of the protrusion (101a) as limitation to the present disclosure, since one can design the reservoir (101) with protrusion extending from any one of the surface such as side surface of the reservoir (101). This provision can then be provisioned in the bracket (102) by changing the bracket (102) design to suit the requirement.

The mounting arrangement (100) further comprises the bracket (102) for mounting the reservoir (101) in the vehicle body [shown in FIG. 5a]. The bracket (102) is adapted to support the reservoir (101) firmly inside the vehicle body, and thereby avoids free fall or bending of the reservoir (101) during operation of the vehicle. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bracket (102) is configured in predetermined shape so as to support at least one side face and the bottom surface of the reservoir (101). In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the bracket (102) is configured in “L” shape [best shown in FIG. 4] comprising a first section extending in vertical direction, and a second section extending horizontally from one end of the first section. However, one should not construe such shape of the bracket (102) as limitation to the present disclosure, since one can design the bracket (102) in any other shape which server the purpose. As shown in FIG.1 the bracket (102) comprises one or more third provisions (102b) in the first section to join the bracket (102) with at least one of the flange (101b) of the reservoir and the vehicle body using a first and second fastening elements (104 and 105) [best shown in FIG. 5a]. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first and second fastening members (104 and 105) are selected from at least one of nut and bolt, screw, rivet and the like Further, the bracket (102) comprises at least one second provision (102a) to accommodate at least one protrusion (101a) extending from the at least one surface of the reservoir (101). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second provision (102a) is provided in the second section of the bracket (102) to accommodate the protrusion (101a) provided at bottom surface of the reservoir (101) [best shown in FIG. 5b].

Further, the mounting arrangement (100) comprises at least one polymer grommet (103) [best shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b] configured between the at least one surface of the reservoir (101) and the bracket (102). The at least one polymer grommet (103) is configured to absorb the vibrations generated during the operation of the vehicle thereby facilitates damping between the bracket (102) and the reservoir (101). The polymer grommet (103) prevents the rattling noise occurrence in all three directions i.e. X, Y and Z during the movement of the vehicle. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one polymer grommet (103) comprises at least one first provision (103a) to accommodate the at least one protrusion provided in the reservoir (101). The at least one grommet (103) along with the at least one protrusion (101a) is resided in the second provision (102a) provided in the bracket (102) [best shown in FIG. 5b], thereby firmly holding the reservoir (101) in position within the vehicle body. Provision of polymer grommet (103) also acts as a damper between the at least one protrusion (101a) and the second provision (102a), thereby prevents hard part to hard part contact in this case metal to plastic contact. This eliminates the generation of rattling noise in the vehicle engine bay. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of polymer grommets (103) are equal to the number of protrusions (101a) provided in the reservoir (101).

The polymer grommet (103) also comprises collar (103b) of predetermined width extending radially from top side of the first provision (103a). The collar (103b) acts as a spacer between the reservoir (101) and the bracket (102), and thereby eliminates contact of hard part with the hard part i.e. the contact between metal and plastic part. This also aids to reduce the rattling noise generated during the operation of the vehicle, and thereby improves the comfort feeling of the user in the vehicle. The collar (103b) also helps to firmly grip the polymer grommet in the second provision (102a) of the bracket, and thereby eliminates the free fall of the polymer grommet through the second provision (102a) provided in the bracket (102) during operation of the vehicle. Further, the collar (103b) of the grommet (103) will not allow dislodging the grommet (103) in downward direction during to various forces of the vehicle. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the protrusion (101a) provided in the reservoir (101) will not allow to dislodge the grommet (103) in upward direction. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the grommet is made of polymer material since due to high damping characteristics. In an exemplary embodiment, the grommet (103) made of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) material. However, one should not construe such material as limitation to the present disclosure, since one can design the grommet (103) with any other material which is known in the art and which serve the purpose.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting arrangement (100) further comprises at least one damping member (106) [best shown in FIG. 5c] in between vehicle body and the bracket (102). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the damping member is provisioned between rear face of the bracket (102), and the vehicle body. The damping member (106) is configured as a spacer between the bracket (102) and the vehicle body, thereby eliminates contact of hard part with the hard part i.e. the contact between metal and metal part. This reduces, the rattling noise generated during the operation of the vehicle, and thereby improves the comfort feeling of the user in the vehicle. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the damping member (106) is foam, due to high damping characteristics. In an exemplary embodiment, the damping member made of polyurethane foam material. However, one should not construe such material as limitation to the present disclosure, since one can design the damping member with any other material which is known in the art and which serve the purpose.

Additionally, advantages of present disclosure are illustrated herein.
The present disclosure provides a mounting arrangement for supporting a reservoir in vehicle body which comprises a bracket to support the reservoir firmly in the vehicle body. This eliminates the bending of the reservoir due to weight after prolonged usage.

The present disclosure provides a mounting arrangement for supporting a reservoir in vehicle body which comprises a rubber grommet positioned in at least one connection point between the bracket and the reservoir to facilitate damping between the bracket and the reservoir. This eliminates the rattling sound generated during operation of the vehicle, thereby improves the customer stratification.

The present disclosure provides a mounting arrangement for supporting a reservoir in vehicle body which is simple in construction, and retrofittable.

Industrial applicability:
The mounting assembly as described can be used to support any reservoirs in the vehicles not limiting to reservoirs used for storing windshield wash solutions. For example the mounting assembly can be used for supporting power steering oil reservoir, coolant reservoir, and fuel accumulator, and the like.

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

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 inventions 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. In addition, 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 a 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 a 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.”

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Mounting arrangement
101 Reservoir
101a Protrusion
101b Flange
101c Fourth provision
101d Inlet port
101e Outlet port
102 Bracket
102a Second provision
102b Third provision
103 Polymer grommet
103a First provision
103b Collar
104 First fastening member
105 Second fastening member
106 Damping member