CLIAMS:We claim:

1. A mounting assembly (100) for supporting an exhaust fan (F) in an engine compartment of a vehicle, the assembly (100) comprising:
at least two brackets comprising: a first bracket (101a) and a second bracket (101b) spaced apart by a predetermined distance, wherein one end of each of the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) is mounted on a cross member (102) of the vehicle; and
at least one provision (103) is provided in each of the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) to connect a frame (106) of the exhaust fan (F) to the first bracket (101a) and second bracket (101b) through a plurality of mounting members (111).

2. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of mounting members (111) are at least one of pin (104) and a mounting lug (107) .

3. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one pin (104) is provisioned in first side (106a) of the frame (106) of the exhaust fan (F).

4. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one pin (104) resides in the at least one provision (103) provided in at least one of the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b).

5. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting lug (107)comprises a through hole (107a) is provisioned in second side (106b) of the frame (106) of the exhaust fan (F).

6. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one mounting lug (107) with through holes (107a) is used to connect the second side (106b) of frame (106) with at least one of the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) through a fastening member (105).

7. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises at least one polymer grommet (108) provisioned in at least one provision (103) provided in the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) to facilitate damping.

8. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a third bracket (109) for interconnecting the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b).

9. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein third bracket (109) is fixed to free ends of the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b).

10. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises an air duct (110) mounted on the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) to channelize air from the engine compartment onto the exhaust fan (F).

11. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein cross member (102) extends laterally between longitudinal members of a vehicle.

12. The mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) extends vertically downwards from the cross member (102).

13. A rear engine vehicle comprising a mounting assembly (100) for supporting an exhaust fan (F) in an engine compartment as claimed in claim 1.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to field of automobile engineering. Particularly but not exclusively present disclosure relates to mounting assembly for supporting components in engine compartment of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a mounting assembly for supporting exhaust fan in the engine compartment of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

All automotive vehicles consists of an internal combustion engine in which combustion of fuel takes place to impart force on mechanical components - typically a piston; whose movement results in conversion of chemical energy into useful mechanical energy. In the process, considerable amount of energy is lost as heat and to increase the efficiency of an engine, heat loss is to be reduced.

Internal combustion engine uses either air or a liquid to remove the excess heat from engine compartment; air cooling is used for a relatively simple system and liquid-cooled engines for a more complex system. In the case of rear engine vehicles, engine is installed in rear part of a vehicle body and because of space and manufacturing limitations or design constraints radiator is located at front part of the vehicle body. The main drawbacks of a rear engine vehicle include over steering and effective cooling of engine and its components. In the vehicles where radiator is located at a distance from the engine, length of piping connection required between the radiator and engine increases, more amount of coolant will be required, and also cooling will be less effective. Hence, there is a need to reduce the temperature in rear engine compartment and prevent parts in engine compartment from reaching critical temperature. If the engine compartment reaches critical temperature, it affects the engine performance and also affects the durability of various parts in the engine compartment. Thus, it is important to provide a cooling system in rear part of a vehicle near the engine to make sure the engine compartment does not reach critical temperature.

Conventionally, one or more cooling fans are provided in the engine compartment which draws hot air from the engine compartment and expel the hot air to atmosphere. Such cooling fans are supported in the vehicles using a mounting assembly comprising a plurality of brackets. In the conventional vehicles, the mounting assembly is connected to at least one of longitudinal members, reinforcement members and the like. However, in such arrangements vibrations generated by the cooling fan is directly sent to the vehicle body through longitudinal members or reinforcement members. In addition, to support the mounting assembly conventional reinforcement members are provided with additional support to withstand the forces generated by the cooling system. Thus, results in requirement of additional components to assemble the mounting assembly. This increases complexity in design, assembly and overall cost of the vehicle. Further, to withstand the forces and weight of the cooling fans the mounting assembly is made heavy, thus supports the cooling fan in the vehicle. However, adding of heavy mounting members increases the curb weight of the vehicle and thereby results in loss of fuel efficiency.

In light of the foregoing discussion, it is necessary to develop an improved mounting assembly for supporting an exhaust fan in the engine compartment of a vehicle to overcome one or more limitations stated above.

OBJECTIVE OF THE DISCLOSURE

One non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a mounting assembly which comprises a plurality of polymeric dampers in the provisions which dampens structural vibration and noise during working of exhaust fan.

One non-limiting object of the present disclosure is to provide a mounting assembly for an exhaust fan in engine compartment of a vehicle which is simple in construction and has less weight.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by an assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of assembly 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 disclosure there is provided a mounting assembly for supporting an exhaust fan in an engine compartment of a vehicle. The assembly comprises of at least two brackets comprising: a first bracket and a second bracket spaced apart by a predetermined distance. One end of each of the first bracket and the second bracket is mounted on a cross member of the vehicle. Further, at least one provision is provided in each of the first bracket and the second bracket to connect a frame of the exhaust fan to the first bracket and the second bracket through a plurality of mounting members.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of mounting members are at least one of pin and a fastening member.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one pin is provisioned in first side of the frame of the exhaust fan. The at least one pin resides in the at least one provision provided in at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one member with a through hole is provisioned in second side of the frame of the exhaust fan. The at least one member with through holes is used to connect the second side of frame with at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket through a fastening member.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting assembly comprises at least one polymer grommet provisioned in at least one provision provided in the first bracket and the second bracket to facilitate damping.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting assembly comprises a third bracket for interconnecting the first bracket and the second bracket and the third bracket is fixed to free ends of the first bracket and the second bracket.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting assembly comprises an air duct mounted on the first bracket and the second bracket to channelize air from the engine compartment onto the exhaust fan.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, cross member extends laterally between longitudinal members of a vehicle.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first bracket and the second bracket extends vertically downwards from the cross member.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure there is provided a vehicle comprising mounting assembly for an exhaust fan in engine compartment as explained in previous paragraphs.

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.

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 perspective view of the mounting assembly for supporting an exhaust fan in engine compartment of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates perspective view of the exhaust fan mounted in the engine compartment, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates perspective view of the mounting assembly brackets with plurality of provisions to support the exhaust fan, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates exploded view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 1.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 mechanism 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 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 one or more drawbacks mentioned in the background, the present disclosure provides an improved mounting assembly for supporting an exhaust fan in engine compartment of a vehicle. The mounting assembly is mainly used to support an exhaust fan and also helps in damping the vibrations generated by various parts in the engine compartment. Since radiator cooling alone is not enough to prevent the engine compartment from reaching critical temperatures in a rear engine vehicle, an additional exhaust fan is provided in the engine compartment to drive out the hot air. In doing so, engine performance improves and durability of engine parts increases. The mounting assembly comprises of at least two brackets spaced apart by predetermined distance, one end of the brackets is supported by an engine cross member. The brackets extend vertically downwards from the cross member. Further, a third bracket is used to interconnect the two vertical brackets at its free end to offer structural support at the bottom of exhaust fan. Furthermore, the brackets comprises of a plurality of provisions to support the frame of an exhaust fan through a plurality of mounting members.

The terms such as downwards, sides, bottom, rear, front are used with respect to particular orientation of the assembly as shown in the figures of the present disclosure. Hence, such words should not be construed as limitation to the present disclosure, as the same may be varied depending on the orientation of the assembly.

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.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of figures of a mounting assembly to support the exhaust fan in a rear engine vehicle. 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. Further, it is to be noted that the mounting assembly is used in the engine compartment for exhaust fan. However for the purpose of simplicity the vehicle is not illustrated in the figures of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates perspective view of a mounting assembly (100) for supporting an exhaust fan (F) in the engine compartment of a vehicle. The mounting assembly (100) supports the exhaust fan (F) and serves the purpose of damping vibrations and noise generated by the exhaust fan (F). The mounting assembly (100) comprises of a plurality of brackets for supporting the exhaust fan (F) in the engine compartment. At least two brackets of the plurality of brackets are the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) spaced apart by predetermined distance. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined distance between the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) is configured based on width of the exhaust fan (F). Further, one of the ends of the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) are connected to a cross member (102) of the vehicle. The cross member (102) is a horizontal member which extends laterally between the longitudinal members of a vehicle and the cross member (102) used is rigid enough to support the brackets (101a and 101b). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) are joined to the cross member (102) by permanent methods of joining such as welding or temporary joining through fasteners is adopted. The first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) are configured such that they extend vertically downwards from the cross member (102) i.e. hangs from the cross member (102).

The brackets - first bracket (101a) and second bracket (101b) along with the cross member (102) are used for mounting an exhaust fan (F). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the exhaust fan (F) comprises of a plurality of fins to draw out the air from the engine compartment. The exhaust fan (F) comprises of a frame (106) along its periphery. The first bracket (101a), and the second bracket (101b) comprises a plurality of provisions (103) for connecting the exhaust fan to the mounting assembly (100). Further, the mounting assembly (100) comprises of an air duct (110) connected to the first bracket (101a), and the second bracket (101b). The air duct (110) is also supported by an additional bracket (112) which is provided on the cross member (102). The air duct (110) is configured to direct hot air from the engine compartment on to the exhaust fan (F) to drive out the hot air. The air duct (110) prevents the hot air going away from the exhaust fan (F), thus channelizing the air from engine compartment on to the exhaust fan (F). The air duct (110) is a rectangular shaped welded assembly which increases the effectiveness of exhaust fan (F) and improves the air flow directivity, thereby optimizing the temperature of the engine compartment. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the air duct (110) is connected to the first and second brackets (101a and 101b) through a permanent joining technique such as welding, or a temporary joining technique such as fastening.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure which illustrates perspective view of exhaust fan (F) and the mounting assembly (100). The exhaust fan (F) comprises of a frame (106) along the periphery of the exhaust fan (F). The frame (106) further comprises of first side (106a) and second side (106b) for mounting the exhaust fan (F) onto the first and second brackets (101a and 101b). The first side of the frame (106a) comprises of at least two locating pins (104) which are configured to accommodate the provisions (103) provided in at least one of the first bracket (101a) or the second bracket (101b) [shown in FIG. 3] to connect the first side (106a) of the frame (106) to the brackets (101a and 101b). The second side of the frame (106b) comprises plurality of mounting lugs (107), and each of the mounting lugs comprises at least one through hole (107a). The plurality of mounting lugs (107) provided in second end (106b) of the frame (106) is configured to accommodate at least one fastening member (105) to connect the second end (106a) of the frame (106) with at least one of the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) through a plurality of provisions (103) [shown in FIG. 3]. This, arrangement helps to support the exhaust fan (F) in the engine compartment.

The mounting assembly (100) further comprises a plurality of polymer grommets (108) [shown in FIG. 3], wherein at least one polymer grommet is provisioned in each of the plurality of provisions (103) provided on the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b). The polymer grommets (108) are used to dampen the structural vibration as well as noise during working of the exhaust fan (F). This prevents generation of rattling noise during the vehicle running condition and fan operating condition. Thereby, prevents the entry of noise to the vehicle cabin. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of polymer grommets (108) are made of materials such as but not limiting to rubber, or any polymeric material. Further, the mounting assembly (100) [shown in FIG. 4] comprises of a third bracket (109) which interconnects the first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b). The third bracket (109) also offers support to the exhaust fan (F) at the bottom of the mounting assembly (100). The first bracket (101a) and the second bracket (101b) have provisions for fastening the third bracket (109). The third bracket (109) is connected to the first and second brackets (101a and 101b) by at least one of permanent joining method such as welding or temporary joining method such as fastening.

Accordingly, the present disclosure facilitates structural packaging of exhaust fan in rear engine compartment for better air flow optimization with the help of exhaust fan and air duct. Further, the present disclosure facilitates structure packaging of cooling fan in engine compartment so as to maintain acceptable temperature in engine compartment.

It is to be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art would design the mounting assembly in any shape, dimension and configuration to support the exhaust fan in engine compartment of a vehicle without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Also, various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Advantage:

The present disclosure provides a mounting assembly for an exhaust fan in engine compartment of a vehicle, which is rigid and dampens structural vibration as well as noise during working of exhaust fan.

The present disclosure provides a mounting assembly for an exhaust fan in engine compartment of a vehicle, which optimizes air flow requirement in engine compartment of a vehicle and prevents engine components from reaching critical temperature.

The present disclosure provides a mounting assembly for an exhaust fan in engine compartment of a vehicle, which increases engine components performance and increase the durability of parts in engine compartment.

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 assembly
101a First bracket
101b Second bracket
102 Cross member
103 Provisions on the bracket
104 Pins
105 Fastening member
106 Frame
106a First side of the frame
106b Second side of the frame
107 Mounting lugs
107a Through hole
108 Polymer grommet
109 Third bracket
110 Air duct
111 Mounting members
112 Bracket
F Exhaust Fan