DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to rear rail extensions of vehicles.
DEFINITION
Rear rail extension: The term ‘rear rail extension’ refers to the part of the chassis that is configured to extend out from the operative rear side of the chassis.
Crush box: The term ‘crush box’ refers to an energy absorbing device fitted on the chassis. The crush box is configured to deform in case of low-speed vehicle collisions.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Conventionally, a rear rail extension of a vehicle is configured with the same cross-section throughout its length, and is provided with a rear crush box which provides relief against low speed crash impact by crush the rear rail completely. The rear rail extension is spaced apart from the crush box, and is attached to the crush box with thelp of three brackets.
However, the packaging and the aesthetic constraints do not allow movement of the crush box in Z-axis to align the crush box with the rear rail extension. Further, stringent weight norms prevent addition of any additional reinforcements for balancing the stiffness of the rail extension generated due to the offset of the rail extension with the crush box.
There is therefore felt a need for a rear rail extension of a vehicle that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a rear rail extension of a vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rear rail extension of a vehicle, which facilitates alignment of a rear crush box with the rear rail extension.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rear rail extension of a vehicle that allows addition of additional reinforcements for balancing the stiffness of the rail extension generated due to the offset of the rail extension with the crush box.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rear rail extension of a vehicle that can withstand low speed impact and crush properly to absorb energy during high speed crash.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a rear rail extension of a vehicle. The rear rail extension comprises a U-shaped body defined by a base and a pair of arms extending from operative lateral edges of the base. The base is configured to taper from a first transverse edge of the base, to an operative middle portion of the base, and is further configured to be substantially linear from the operative middle portion to a second transverse edge of the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A rear rail extension, of the present disclosure, of a vehicle will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a conventional rear rail extension;
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of the conventional rear rail extension of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a rear rail extension, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of the rear rail extension of Figure 3.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
10 conventional rear rail extension
12 bracket
15 crush box
16 offset between conventional rear rail extension and crush box
20 rear rail extension of the present disclosure
22 base of the rear rail extension
23 arm of the rear rail extension
24 first transverse edge of the base of the rear rail extension
25 operative middle portion of the rear rail extension
27 second transverse edge of the base of the rear rail extension
30 flange
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being “attached to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element.
Terms such as ‘between’ and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
A conventional rear rail extension (10) of a vehicle is provided with a rear crush box (15) (as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2) which is configured to crush the rear rail extension (10) and provide relief against low speed crash impact. The rear rail extension (10) has a base and a pair of arms extending therefrom. The base has a linear configuration from one end to the other end. Reinforcements such as brackets (12) are attached to the extension (10) to balance the stiffness of the rail extension generated due to the offset of the rail extension (10) with the crush box (15). At least three brackets (12) are provided on either operative sides of the rear rail extension (10) to reinforce the rear rail extension (10) with the crush box (15), thereby increasing the weight of the extension (10). However, the packaging and the aesthetic constraints do not allow movement of the crush box (15) in Z-axis to align the crush box (15) with the rear rail extension (10) because of the reinforcements. More specifically, as seen in Figure 2, an offset (16) is seen between the rear rail extension (10) and the crush box (15) instead of abutment of the crush box (15) with the extension (10). As a result, in times of collision, the rear rail extension is deformed easily due to the transfer of stress directly by the brackets.
There is therefore required a rear rail extension that can alleviate the aforementioned drawbacks.
A rear rail extension (20), the present disclosure, of a vehicle will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4.
The rear rail extension (20), of the present disclosure, aims at generating a balanced stiffness between the crush box (15) and the rear rail extension (20) to withstand low speed impact and crush the rear rail extension (20) to absorb energy during high speed crash, for a desired weight requirement along with fulfilling packaging and styling constraints.
The rear rail extension (20) comprises a U-shaped body defined by a base (22) and a pair of arms (23) extending from operative lateral edges of the base (22). The base (22) has a variable cross-sectional area. More specifically, as seen in figures 3 and 4, the base (20) is configured to taper from a first transverse edge (24), of the base, to an operative middle portion (25) of the base, and is further configured to be substantially linear from the operative middle portion (25) to a second transverse edge (27) of the base.
In an embodiment, the first transverse edge (24) is configured to taper towards the operative middle portion (25) at an angle ranging from 159° to 176°.
In another embodiment, the ratio of the distance from the first transverse edge (24) to the operative middle portion (25) and the distance from the operative middle portion (25) to the operative second transverse edge (27) ranges from 0.5 to 3.
In an embodiment, a flange (30) is configured on the operative first portion (24) of the rear rail extension (20) to facilitate fastening of the rear rail extension (20) with the crush box (15).
The configuration of the rear rail extension (20) along with the flange (30) compensates for both the conventional rear rail extension (10) and the additional supporting brackets (12).
As a result, additional parts, more specifically the brackets (12), which were used along with conventional rear rail extensions (10), are done away with. In an embodiment, the overall thickness of the rail extension (20) is reduced from 1.4mm, of the conventional extension, to 1.2mm. Consecutively, both the factors reduce the overall weight of the rail extension (20). In an embodiment, the rear rail extension (20) facilitates reduction of the overall weight of a vehicle by approximately 0.45 kg.
Further, the stiffness (that is caused in the conventional extension due to the offset between the rear rail extension and the crush box) is balanced by the reduced weight and the additional reinforcements (i.e., the flange) provided with the rear rail extension. Addiotionally, space and inventory that were used to store the auxiliary components are reduced.
Further, the rear rail extension (20) is supplemented with crash beads that along with the specified tapered configuration of the rear rail extension (20) ensure that not only are the low speed test requirements (ECE R-42, RCAR) are met, but also contribute to meeting the high-speed test requirements (ECE R-32/34, KSR 091) of the rear rail extension (20).
Moreover, decreased number of parts simplifies the configuration and improves the assembly time during the manufacturing process, and facilitates space management and inventory control.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a rear rail extension of a vehicle,:
• facilitates alignment of a rear crush box with the rear rail extension;
• which has a configuration that combines auxiliary elements and does not require further elements to supplement its function, and hence saves space and limits the inventory;
• that has relatively reduced weight of around 0.45 kg, as additional parts that were required by the conventional rear rail extensions are eliminated by the configuration of the rear rail extension, of the present disclosure, and the cross-sectional thickness of the extension has been reduced from 1.4mm to 1.2mm;
• whose stiffness (that is caused due to the offset between the rear rail extension and the crush box) is balanced by the reduced weight and the additional reinforcements (i.e., the flange) provided with the rear rail extension; and
• whose tapered configuration and simple design requires relatively lesser time for being assembled, and meets global standards of low speed (ECE R-42, RCAR) and high-speed test requirements (ECE R-32/34, KSR 091).
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A rear rail extension (20) of a vehicle, said rear rail extension (20) comprising a U-shaped body defined by a base (22) and a pair of arms (23) extending from operative lateral edges of said base (22), wherein said base (22) is configured to taper from a first transverse edge (24) of said base to an operative middle portion (25) of said base, and further configured to be substantially linear from said operative middle portion (25) to a second transverse edge (27) of said base.
2. The rear rail extension (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first transverse edge (24) is configured to taper towards said operative middle portion (25) at an angle ranging from 159° to 176°.
3. The rear rail extension (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio of the distance from said first transverse edge (24) to said operative middle portion (25) and the distance from said operative middle portion (25) to said operative second transverse edge (27) ranges from 0.5 to 3.
4. The rear rail extension (20) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a flange (30) configured on said first transverse edge (24) of said body, said flange (30) being configured to facilitate fastening of said rear rail extension (20) with a crush box of the vehicle.
5. The rear rail extension (20) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a plurality of crash beads provided on said body, said crash beads being configured to collapse on impact.
Dated this 09th day of August, 2022

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
of R.K.DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant