DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
39 OF 1970
&
THE PATENT RULES 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTIONS 10 & RULE 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION

A MOUNTING ASSEMBLY HAVING A CLIP TOWER ON HALF DOGHOUSE STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE
2. APPLICANTS (S)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS

MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LIMITED

Indian
Maruti Suzuki India Limited
1, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj,
New Delhi - 110070
India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

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

A MOUNTING ASSEMBLY HAVING A CLIP TOWER ON HALF DOGHOUSE STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to mounting assembly having a clip tower on half doghouse structure for a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the floating half doghouse structure to support the clip tower in the vehicle in order to allow efficient mounting of a panel meter cluster on an instrument panel in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Typically, in a vehicle, a panel meter cluster (104) is situated in an instrument panel (102) (as shown in Figure 1) and it covers the speedometer which is considered as one among of a few mediums through which the vehicle communicates with a user.
[0003] The panel meter cluster (104) is the last fitment part on the instrument panel of the vehicle. Consequently, being the last fitted part and due to lack of effective provisions for mounting, the panel meter cluster (104) is very much prone to damage and may fly off from the instrument panel (102) during an event of collision.
[0004] In view of this, it is evident that the panel meter cluster (104) must be effectively fixed with the instrument panel (102) of the vehicle through suitable provisions. However, since the panel meter cluster (104) is visible to the user, it is not advisable to mount the panel meter cluster (104) with the help of screws as such screws remain visible to the user and interfere with the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[0005] The existing arrangement to support the panel meter cluster (104) include application of a clip tower (202) where the clip tower (202) may be directly connected to part base thickness of the panel meter cluster (104) (as shown in Figure 1 (a)) or the clip tower (206) may be accompanied by a full dog-house structure (208) (as shown in Figure 2 (b)). However, direct connection of the clip tower is not feasible where more height is required. This is because extension of the clip tower (206) in such circumstances would result into formation of visible sink marks (204) on surface of the panel meter cluster (104). Though this issue may be addressed by the clip tower (206) with the full dog-house (208) type arrangement, but the full dog house structure (208) cannot be accommodated due to space constraint in the region of interest (106-1, 106-2).
[0006] Towards this direction, there is a pressing need of design and development of a suitable structure that is able to support the panel meter cluster (104) efficiently thereby preventing its flying off from the instrument panel (102) during an event of crash or collision.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0008] It is an object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in the prior art systems and methods.
[0009] It is a significant object of the present disclosure to provide a structure that is capable of preventing panel meter cluster from fly-off during an event of crash of a vehicle.
[0010] It is another principal object of the present disclosure to provide the structure that is capable of supporting a clip tower in the vehicle.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the structure that is aesthetically appealing and do not form any sink mark across joinery.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the structure that is capable to adhere by the space constraints in an instrument panel of the vehicle.
[0013] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide the structure that is capable of uniform distribution of stress in a region of interest.
[0014] It is even another object of the present disclosure to provide the structure that is compact and rigid.
[0015] 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 taking into consideration with accompanied drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a mounting assembly to facilitate mounting of a panel meter cluster in a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a mounting assembly to facilitate mounting of a panel meter cluster in a vehicle. The mounting assembly comprises of an upper portion and a lower portion.
[0018] In an aspect, the lower portion is a half doghouse structure having a base, a first leg and a second leg, extending from each of the two lateral ends of the base, where length of the first leg is unequal to that of the second leg, and where the first leg and the second leg are angularly inclined to a panel meter cluster.
[0019] In an aspect, the upper portion is a clip tower supported on top of the base of the half doghouse structure, having a first side face extending longitudinally towards the base in a continuous manner, a second side face, extending longitudinally towards the base with a portion provided in between an upper end and a base end of the second side face forming an angle while extending towards the base. Herein, rear corners of the clip tower are partially resting on edge of the panel meter cluster.
[0020] In an aspect, in the mounting assembly, angles (? and a) formed by the first leg and the second leg, respectively, to panel meter cluster ranges from 90 degrees to 135 degrees.
[0021] In an aspect, in the mounting assembly, angle formed by the portion of the second side face ranges from 0 degree to 45 degrees from neutral axis.
[0022] In an aspect, in the mounting assembly, the clip tower is in overhang position with a cavity of the instrument panel provisioned for mounting of the panel meter cluster.
[0023] In an aspect, in the mounting assembly, the base of the half doghouse structure is provided with a notch to facilitate joining of the clip tower with the half doghouse structure.
[0024] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0025] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING(S)
[0026] 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 invention 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
[0027] Figure 1 (a)-(b) depicts a panel meter cluster of a vehicle;
[0028] Figure 2 (a)-(b) depicts an existing arrangement of a clip tower for mounting the panel meter cluster in a vehicle;
[0029] Figure 3 (a)-(b) depicts a perspective view of the proposed structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of the angle formed by the legs of the half doghouse structure with the instrument panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0031] Figure 5 (a-c) illustrates a comparison between cross section of the existing arrangement and the proposed structure of clip tower in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of 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] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have 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 alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0035] 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.
[0036] The present disclosure relates to a mounting assembly to facilitate mounting of a panel meter cluster (104) in a vehicle. The mounting assembly comprises of a clip tower positioned on a half doghouse structure in order to mount a panel meter cluster (104) of a vehicle. This is performed to prevent fly-off the panel meter cluster (104) during an event of crash of the vehicle. The structural attributes of the invention as disclosed in the present subject matter has been detailed in subsequent sections.
[0037] Figure 3 (a)-(b) depicts a perspective view of the proposed mounting assembly (300) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mounting assembly (300) comprises of an upper portion (308) and a lower portion (302), respectively.
[0038] In an aspect, the lower portion (302) is a half doghouse structure and the upper portion (308) is a clip tower. It may be observed from the figures that the clip tower is resting on a half doghouse structure unlike a full doghouse structure (208) as mentioned in the existing arrangements (shown in Figure 2(b)). Herein, the half doghouse structure is proposed in order to mitigate the concern due to lack of space in the mounting area of the panel meter cluster (104).
[0039] In an aspect, the half dog house structure is mounted in an inclined fashion forming an angle in the range from 90 degrees to 135 degrees with the panel meter cluster (104). Therefore, such inclined mounting enhances surface area and provides strength to the overall structure (300).
[0040] In an aspect, the half doghouse structure comprises of a base (302-B) and two legs viz., a first leg (302-F) and a second leg (302-S). The first leg (302-F) and the second leg (302-S) are extending from each of the two lateral ends of the base (302-B) with length of the first leg (302-F) and the second leg (302-S) being unequal in nature.
[0041] In an aspect, the first leg (302-F) and the second leg (302-S) are angularly inclined to the panel meter cluster (104) forming an angle (?) and (a), respectively, in the range from 90 degrees to 135 degrees (also shown in Figure 4). However, the best results can be achieved keeping the angle to 90 degrees. This is pursued in order avoid localization of stress acting on a region of interest and to allow uniform distribution of load in such less space.
[0042] In an aspect, the base (302-B) of the half doghouse structure is provided with a notch (304) before joining with both corners of the clip tower. The notch (304) is a slightly weaker region and therefore eliminates possibility of having a sink mark at the joinery unlike the existing arrangements.
[0043] However, it is to be mentioned in this context that due to customization in the length of the first leg (302-F) and the second leg (302-S) and also due to presence of the notch (304), the half doghouse structure is capable of providing similar strength as that of the full doghouse structure (208) in the existing arrangements.
[0044] In an aspect, as shown in Figure 3 (a), the clip tower is supported on top of the base (302-B) of the half doghouse structure. The clip tower is placed in a manner such that rear corners (312) of the clip tower are partially resting on edge of the panel meter cluster (104).
[0045] In an aspect, precisely, the clip tower is in overhang position with a cavity for attachment of the panel meter cluster (104) provided in the instrument panel (102) and is resting on the base (302-B) of the half doghouse structure such that to cater to a requirement of uniform distribution of load. The notch (304) present in the base (302-B) of the half doghouse structure facilitate joining of the clip tower with the half doghouse structure.
[0046] In an aspect, as shown in Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 (b), the clip tower is having a first side face (308-S1) and a second side face (308-S2), respectively. The first side face (308-S1) of the clip tower is extended longitudinally in a continuous manner towards the base (302-B). However, the second side face (308-S2) is extending longitudinally towards the base (302-B) having a portion (310) provided in between an upper end (314) and a base end (316) of the second side face (308-S2) forming an angle while extending towards the base (302-B).
[0047] In an aspect, the second side face (308-S2) is inclined at an angle in the range from 0 degree to 45 degrees. This is due to the fact that inclination of the second side face (308-S2) of the clip tower helps to sustain load and provide a broader angle for assembly of clip into the half doghouse structure.
[0048] Referring to Figure 5 (a-c), cross section of the resulting forked clip tower enhances buckling strength of the clip tower as compared to a rectangular cross section present in the existing arrangement. The forked structure of the clip tower as proposed in the present disclosure is having a higher moment of inertia as compared to the rectangular cross section present in the existing design. This increases the buckling load required for same amount of deflection experienced due to application of assembly force over the parts. Consequently, such forked structure of the clip tower may be employed wherever there is space constraint for the clip tower packaging in critical parts.
[0049] Technical Advantages
All in all, the invention described in the present disclosure is having the following advantages:
a) The present structure (300) prevents the panel meter cluster (104) from fly-off during crash of the vehicle
b) The present structure (300) allows uniform distribution of load at the joinery in the panel meter cluster (104).
c) The present structure (300) is compact and requires less space
d) The present structure (300) is able to sustain more loads due to forked nature of the clip tower
e) The present structure (300) is rigid and robust in nature
[0050] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that 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 subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various systems that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, 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.
[0051] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to package features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0052] 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.”
[0053] 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 invention 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 invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention 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 invention. The present invention 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.

,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A mounting assembly (300) to facilitate mounting of a panel meter cluster (104) in a vehicle, the mounting assembly (300) comprising:
- an upper portion (308); and
- a lower portion (302), wherein the lower portion (302) is a half doghouse structure having
a base (302-B),
a first leg (302-F) and a second leg (302-S), extending from each of the two lateral ends of the base (302-B), wherein length of the first leg (302-F) is unequal to that of the second leg (302-S), and wherein the first leg (302-F) and the second leg (302-S) are angularly inclined to the panel meter cluster (104).

2. The mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (308) is a clip tower supported on top of the base (302-B) of the upper portion (302), having
- a first side face (308-S1) extending longitudinally towards the base (302-B) in a continuous manner; and
- a second side face (308-S2), extending longitudinally towards the base (302-B) with a portion (310) provided in between an upper end (314) and a base end (316) of the second side face (308-S2) forming an angle while extending towards the base (302-B),
- wherein rear corners (312) of the upper portion (308) are partially resting on edge of the panel meter cluster (104).

3. The mounting assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein angle formed by the first leg (302-F) and the second leg (302-S), respectively, to the instrument panel (102) ranges from 90 degrees to 135 degrees.

4. The mounting assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein angle formed by the portion (310) of the second side face (308-S2) ranges from 0 degree to 45 degrees w.r.t. neutral axis.
5. The mounting assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (308) is in overhang position with a cavity of the instrument panel (102) provisioned for mounting of the panel meter cluster (104).

6. The mounting assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (302-B) of the lower portion (302) is provided with a notch (304) to facilitate joining of the upper portion (308) with the lower portion (302).

Dated this 23rd day of July, 2022

AMIT JAIN
PATENT AGENT
IN/PA – 2189
OF L. S. DAVAR & CO.,
APPLICANT’S AGENT