A PLASTIC BRACKET STRUCTURE FOR DAMPER FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to Mac-pherson type strut assembly in vehicle, and, in particular, relates to a plastic bracket structure to 5 hold the ABS sensor hose and brake hose in the strut assembly of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Generally, vehicle has suspension systems which are connected with the wheel and provide good road handling of the vehicle. Further, the suspension system absorbs shock and damp vibration generated in the vehicle during motion. 10 The suspension system also reduces noise in the vehicle and protects the vehicle from wear and tear. The suspension system provides comfortable ride to the passenger and driver of the vehicle. Further, the Macpherson style strut assemblies are well known in the automotive industry. Such assemblies typically comprise a strut which extends upward from the steering knuckle of the wheel and terminates 15 in a top mount attached to the chassis of the vehicle. The strut includes a hydraulic cylinder and a spring for absorbing movement and bounce of the vehicle. The joint between the top mount and the strut contains a strut bearing.
[003] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate a conventional Mac-pherson strut or strut having knuckle bracket and ABS sensor and brake cable brackets. The Mac-20 pherson strut (herein after it may be referred as strut) 100 has cylindrical damper outer tube 101, a knuckle bracket 102, ABS sensor cable bracket 104, and brake hose bracket 105. The Knuckle bracket 102 is welded at lower portion of the cylindrical damper outer tube 101 to connect the strut with base of the vehicle. The ABS sensor cable bracket 104 and the brake hose bracket 105 are welded on 25 the cylindrical damper outer tube 101. The ABS sensor cable bracket 104 and the brake hose bracket 105 are used to hold the ABS sensor and brake hose cables which are connected with wheel of the vehicle. These brackets clamp/hold the
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cables and avoid fouling of the cables with the strut and wheel of the vehicle during turning of the vehicle.
[004] The ABS sensor cable bracket 104 is welded on the cylindrical damper outer tube 101 and lower cable bracket or brake hose bracket 105 is welded on the knuckle bracket 103. As these brackets are welded, therefore, welding of brackets 5 generates high stresses on the cylindrical damper outer tube 101 and the knuckle bracket 103. In order to weld the ABS sensor cable bracket 104 and the brake hose bracket 105, the cylindrical damper outer tube 101 and the knuckle bracket of high thickness metal sheet is required. Requirement of high thickness of metal sheet adds extra weight in the strut assembly. Further, it also increases the cost 10 and weight of the vehicle.
[005] US patent publication US 8196942 B2 relates to a corner assembly includes a suspension module and a wheel assembly. In order to compensate for tolerance stack up in relation to a specified height of the corner assembly, the attachment between a damper of the suspension module and a knuckle of the 15 wheel assembly is adjusted. The amount of adjustment is determined by measuring the assembled length of the suspension module, comparing the measured length to a standard length and determining an amount of adjustment necessary. This subject matter does not explain how cost and weight of the strut can be reduced. 20
[006] Therefore, drawbacks of the prior arts is that cable housing brackets are welded on the cylindrical damper outer tube and knuckle brackets for which high thickness of the damper tube and knuckle bracket is required. High thickness of the damper tube and knuckle brackets add extra weight and cost in the strut assembly. Considering very less load coming on the brake cable mounting 25 brackets, these brackets can be optimized to achieve light weight of the strut assembly. The known systems do not provide any structure which reduces the requirement of high thickness sheet metal of strut assembly. Further, the existing known systems are costly and heavy. Therefore, a simple and inexpensive bracket
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mounting structure is required which provide required strength and support to the brake cables.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a plastic bracket structure which can be clamp fitted or press fitted with strut assembly. 5
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a plastic bracket structure which can hold ABS sensor cable and brake cable effectively.
[009] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a bracket in which welding of mounting brackets are not required.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, light 10 weight and low cost bracket for mounting ABS sensor cable and brake cable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0011] The present subject matter disclosed herein relates to a plastic bracket structure for holding ABS sensor hose and brake hose in strut assembly of a vehicle. The plastic bracket structure has a cylindrical structure which inserts in 15 strut damper outer tube. The plastic bracket structure has an integrated bracket structure which comprises an ABS sensor hose bracket and brake hose bracket to hold ABS sensor hose and brake hose. The ABS sensor hose bracket and the brake hose bracket are integrated with each other. Further, the integrated bracket structure connected with the cylindrical structure. The cylindrical structure has at 20 least one vertical extension which mounts the plastic bracket structure on knuckle bracket of the strut assembly.
[0012] In order 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 25 only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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[0013] 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, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number 5 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 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: 10
[0014] Fig. 1 illustrates a Mac-pherson strut assembly as known in the art;
[0015] Fig. 2 illustrates exploded view of the lower part of the Mac-pherson strut assembly as known in the art;
[0016] Fig. 3 illustrates bracket structure for holding ABS sensor hose and brake hose, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; 15
[0017] Fig. 4 illustrates slots in the knuckle bracket to receive the bracket structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0018] Fig. 5a and 5b illustrate the exploded view of extension present in the bracket structure and slot in the knuckle bracket respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and 20
[0019] Fig. 6 illustrates mounting of the bracket structure on strut damper outer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] 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 25 methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
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[0021] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a plastic bracket structure for holding ABS sensor hose and brake hose in strut assembly. The present plastic bracket structure includes a cylindrical structure and an integrated bracket structure having ABS sensor hose bracket and brake hose bracket. The integrated bracket structure attached to the cylindrical structure of the plastic bracket 5 structure. The ABS sensor hose bracket and the brake hose bracket are in circular hook shape at end to receive the circular ABS sensor hose and brake hose. The ABS sensor hose bracket is provided at upper side and the brake hose bracket is provided at lower side of the strut assembly. Further, the cylindrical structure has at least one vertical extension which is fitted in at least one vertical slot of knuckle 10 bracket. The at least one vertical extension has narrow vertical slit along the vertical length of the at least one vertical extension. The vertical slit allows compression in the at least one vertical extension for press fitting in at least one vertical slot of knuckle bracket. The knuckle bracket has at least one vertical slot to receive the at least one vertical extension of the plastic bracket structure. The 15 engagement of the at least one vertical extension with the at least one vertical slot restricts movement and displacement of the plastic bracket structure in the strut damper outer tube. The plastic bracket is mounted on the knuckle bracket with the help of the at least one vertical extension. Therefore, welding of the brackets for ABS sensor hose and brake hose is not required in the present subject matter. 20
[0022] Conventionally, cable hosing brackets are welded on the cylindrical damper outer tube and knuckle brackets. To weld the cable housing brackets high thickness of the cylindrical damper outer tube and knuckle bracket is required. Accordingly, high thickness of the cylindrical damper outer tube and knuckle bracket add extra weight and cost in the strut assembly. 25
[0023] According to present subject matter, a plastic bracket structure is provided for holding ABS sensor cable hose and brake cable hose in strut assembly. The present plastic bracket structure includes a cylindrical structure and an integrated bracket structure having ABS sensor hose bracket and brake hose bracket. The integrated bracket structure attached to the cylindrical structure of the plastic 30
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bracket structure. Further, the cylindrical structure has at least one vertical extension which fitted in at least one vertical slot of knuckle bracket. The at least one vertical extension has vertical narrow slit along its vertical length and wider lower portion. Once the at least one vertical extension is engaged with the at least one vertical slot of the knuckle bracket, the plastic bracket does not move and 5 displace from its position in respect to the cylindrical strut damper outer tube. The plastic bracket is mounted on the knuckle bracket with the help of two vertical extensions. Therefore, requirement for welding of the brackets for ABS sensor hose and brake hose is not required in the present subject matter.
[0024] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the 10 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 arrangements that, although not 15 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 20 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 25 figures.
[0025] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise 30
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various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates bracket structure for holding ABS sensor hose and brake hose, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The present bracket structure is made of engineering plastic which provides necessary 5 strength and stability. The plastic bracket structure 300 has a cylindrical structure 301 and an integrated bracket structure 302. The integrated bracket structure 302 is fixed with the cylindrical structure 301. The complete plastic bracket structure 300 is made through a single mold. The integrated bracket structure 302 has two integrated brackets, i.e., one for ABS sensor hose bracket 303 and another for 10 brake hose bracket 304. The ABS sensor hose bracket 303 is integrated with the brake hose bracket 304 and connected with the cylindrical structure 301. The ABS sensor hose bracket 303 is provided at upper side of the strut assembly to receive the ABS sensor hose in vertical direction. While the brake hose bracket 304 is provided at lower side of the strut assembly to receive the brake hose. Both the 15 ABS sensor hose bracket 303 and the brake hose bracket 304 has circular hook shape structure at the end to receive the circular hoses of ABS sensor and brake cable.
[0027] Further, the cylindrical structure 301 has at least one vertical extension 305. The at least one vertical extension 305 may be one, two, three, and N 20 numbers around the circumference of the cylindrical structure 301. For the best use and explanation of the present invention, two vertical extensions are used as shown in the figures. But it should not be considered that vertical extension can be only two in number. It may be more than two or less than two. The at least one vertical extension 305 has wider lower portion as compare to upper portion which 25 is fixed to the cylindrical structure 301. Further, the lower portion of the at least one vertical extension 305 is in tapered shape and has a step for snap or press fitting of the plastic bracket structure. The at least one vertical extension 305 has narrow vertical slit cut along the length of the at least one vertical extension 305.
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Due to the vertical slit, the at least one vertical extension 305 can be press fitted inside vertical slots (as shown in figure 4 and 5b) of the knuckle bracket.
[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates at least one vertical slot in the knuckle bracket to receive at least one vertical extension of the plastic bracket structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The knuckle bracket 400 is mounted 5 on lower base of the strut assembly. Further, the knuckle bracket 400 mounts the strut assembly to the vehicle body. The knuckle bracket 400 has two parts, i.e., inner part 402 and outer part 404. The knuckle bracket 400 has a cylindrical hole to receive the strut outer damper tube. The inner part 402 of the knuckle bracket 400 has at least one vertical slot 406 to receive the at least one vertical extension 10 305 of the plastic bracket structure 300.
[0029] In the figure 5a exploded view of the at least one vertical slot 406 is shown. End portion 406b of the at least one vertical slot 406 is wider than the upper portion 406a. Further, the end portion 406b has a tapered structure and a step to receive the tapered structure of the at least one vertical extension 305. In 15 the figure 5b exploded view of the at least one vertical extension 305 is shown. The at least one vertical extension 305 has wider lower portion 305b as compare to upper portion 305a which is fixed to the cylindrical structure 301. Further, the lower portion 305b of the at least one vertical extension 305 is in tapered shape and has a step for snap or press fitting of the plastic bracket structure 300 with the 20 knuckle bracket 400. The at least one vertical extension 305 has narrow vertical slit 305c cut along the length of the at least one vertical extension 305. Due to the vertical slit 305c, the at least one vertical extension 305 can be press fitted inside at least one vertical slot 406 of the knuckle bracket 400. The at least one vertical extension 305 of the bracket structure 300 is compressed and then inserted in the 25 at least one vertical slot 406 of the knuckle bracket 400 for mounting. Due to the vertical slit 305c, the at least one vertical extension 305 is compressed while press fitting of the plastic bracket structure 300, and the at least one vertical extension expands when the tapered and step portion of the at least one vertical extension 305 matched with the tapered and step portion of the at least one vertical slot 406 30
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of the knuckle bracket 400. When the at least one vertical extension 305 is completely engaged with the at least one vertical slot 406, the plastic bracket structure 300 is mounted on the knuckle bracket 400. The engagement of the at least one vertical extension 305 with the at least one vertical slot 406 restricts rotation of the plastic bracket structure 300 around the cylindrical damper outer 5 tube. Further, the slit and tapered step portion in the at least one vertical extension 305 provide strong mounting and restrict displacement of the plastic bracket structure 300. Furthermore, the slit and tapered step portion restrict the looseness of the plastic bracket structure 300 with the knuckle bracket 400.
[0030] Fig. 6 illustrates mounting of the bracket structure on strut damper outer, 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The bracket structure 300 is mounted on the knuckle bracket 400 using engagement of the at least one vertical extension 305 of the bracket structure 300 with the at least one vertical slot 406 of the knuckle bracket 400. The plastic bracket structure 300 is press fitted on the knuckle bracket 400. In the present subject matter, mounting 15 type has been changed from the welding to clamp or press fitting type along with integration of ABS sensor hose bracket and brake hose bracket in a single bracket. Therefore, the present subject matter eliminates the requirement of heavy or high thickness sheet metal in the strut cylindrical damper outer tube.
[0031] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described 20 in language specific to structural 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/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is 25 intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. A plastic bracket structure (300) for holding ABS sensor hose and brake hose in strut assembly of a vehicle, the plastic bracket structure (300) comprising:
a cylindrical structure (301); and 5
an integrated bracket structure (302) having ABS sensor hose bracket (303) and brake hose bracket (304) to hold ABS sensor hose and brake hose, wherein the integrated bracket structure (302) connected with the cylindrical structure (301).
2. The plastic bracket structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the 10 cylindrical structure (301) has at least one vertical extension (305) to mount the plastic bracket structure (300) in knuckle bracket (400).
3. The plastic bracket structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical structure (301) has at least one vertical extension (305), wherein 15 lower portion (305b) of the at least one vertical extension (305) is wider than upper portion (305a) which is connected with the cylindrical structure (301).
4. The plastic bracket structure (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lower 20 portion (305b) of the at least one vertical extension (305) is in tapered shape and has a step for press fitting.
5. The plastic bracket structure (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one vertical extension (305) has narrow vertical slit along the length 25 the at least one vertical extension (305), wherein the narrow vertical slit allow compression in the at least one vertical extension (305) for press fitting of the plastic bracket structure (300) in the knuckle bracket (400).
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6. The plastic bracket structure (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one vertical extension (305) of the cylindrical structure (301) engaged with at least one vertical slot (406) of the knuckle bracket (400) to restrict rotation of the plastic bracket structure (300).
7. The plastic bracket structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ABS 5 sensor hose bracket (303) is provided at upper side of the strut assembly to receive the ABS sensor hose in vertical direction and the brake hose bracket (304) is provided at lower side of the strut assembly to receive the brake hose.
8. The plastic bracket structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ABS 10 sensor hose bracket (303) and the brake hose bracket (304) has circular hook shape structure at the end to receive the circular hoses of ABS sensor and brake cable.
9. The plastic bracket structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic bracket structure (300) mounted on knuckle bracket (400) of the strut 15 assembly.
10. The plastic bracket structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic bracket structure (300) is made of high strength engineering plastic.