The present disclosure, in general, relates to a reinforcement bracket provided on a rear side of a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a reinforcement bracket connecting a rear end of a spare tire frame and a back panel of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In present scenario, in response to high fuel prices and environmental concerns, compressed natural gas (CNG) is used as fuel in most of the vehicle/s. In CNG based vehicles, a CNG cylinder is placed over a frame 102, provided at a rear end of a vehicle that is part of an assembly 100 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In viewing from inside of the vehicle, another frame 104 is provided at the back of the CNG cylinder frame 102 for holding a spare tire (not shown in FIG.). Generally, rear ends 104-R of the spare tire frame 104 is attached on a rear floor 110.
[0003] However, in some vehicles, due to space constraint in the rear side of the vehicle, one of the rear ends 104-R connection of the spare tire frame 104 cannot be mounted on the rear floor 110, and has to be connected to a back panel 108 of a vehicle through a reinforcement bracket 106 which is spot welded on the back panel 108. Moreover, during normal operation of the vehicle, the vehicle's loads are transferred from wheels to spare tire frame 104 via the rear floor 110 and also to the spare tire frame mounting reinforcement bracket 106. This conventional reinforcement bracket 106 is two-piece bracket in which a second part 106-S of the bracket
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106 is spot welded to the back panel 108 and a first part 106-F of the bracket 106 is spot welded over the second part 106-S for holding the one of the rear ends 104-R of the spare tire frame 104. In addition, the spare tire is placed inside the frame 104 in vertical orientation due to layout constraints
[0004] In this conventional arrangement of vehicle's rear end structure, cost of manufacturing two piece bracket is increased due to extra part and assembly cost as well as assembly time is also high.
[0005] Generally, in the existing CNG vehicles with vertical spare tire mounting provision, there is a two-piece bracket connected to spare tire frame along with back panel of the vehicle.
[0006] Therefore, there is requirement of providing a simple and cost effective solution to eliminate the aforementioned problems in the existing design.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0008] It is a general or primary object of the present disclosure to provide a reinforcement bracket connecting a rear end of a spare tire frame and a back panel of a vehicle; wherein the reinforcement bracket is fixed at the inner side of the rear panel of a vehicle.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the reinforcement bracket that helps in uniformly distributing loads around the mounting region on the back panel.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide the reinforcement bracket having low tool cost and also reduced weight.
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[0011] It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide the reinforcement bracket that facilitates better performance and reliability.
[0012] It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to provide the reinforcement bracket having a single-piece structure.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0014] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related a reinforcement bracket for mounting a rear end of a spare tire frame with a back panel of a vehicle and uniformly distributing loads around the mounting region on the back panel. 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.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a reinforcement bracket connecting a rear end of a spare tire frame and a back panel of a vehicle, the reinforcement bracket comprising a plurality of planar surfaces for connecting with the back panel of the vehicle, and a crooked beak shaped structure connected with the plurality of planar surfaces for being connected with the rear end of the spare tire frame, wherein the crooked beak shaped structure is provided with a variable radius.
[0016] In an aspect, the plurality of planar surfaces and the crooked beak shaped structure form a single-piece monocoque structure.
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[0017] In an aspect, one or more of the plurality of planar surfaces includes emboss and pencil shaped bead around spot welds.
[0018] In an aspect, the emboss is having a U-shape structure.
[0019] In an aspect, a stepped profile is formed between the plurality of planar surfaces.
[0020] In an aspect, the variable radius is provided in right corner of the crooked beak shaped structure.
[0021] 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 like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of assembly that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0023] FIG.1A illustrates a perspective view of an assembly provided at a rear end of the vehicle for holding the spare tire and the CNG cylinder and the structure of a conventional reinforcement bracket, that is used for connecting the rear end of the spare tire frame with the back panel in accordance with the state of the art;
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[0024] FIG.1B illustrates an exploded view of a conventional reinforcement bracket connected to a back panel of a vehicle in accordance with the state of the art;
[0025] FIG.2A illustrates a proposed reinforcement bracket connected with an assembly provided at the rear end structure of the vehicle for holding the spare tire and the CNG cylinder, in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG.2B illustrates an exploded view of a proposed reinforcement bracket connecting a rear end of a spare tire frame and a back panel, in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG.3A illustrates a top perspective view of the proposed reinforcement bracket including a plurality of planner surfaces and a crooked beak shaped structure in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0028] FIG.3B illustrates a side perspective view of the proposed reinforcement bracket including a plurality of planner surfaces and a crooked beak shaped structure in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0029] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for 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
[0030] 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
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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.
[0031] In order to overcome the problems associated with the structure of conventional reinforcement bracket that is used for connecting the rear end of the spare tire frame and the back panel in accordance with the prior art as illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the present disclosure proposes a reinforcement bracket 200 provided with an integrated crooked beak shaped structure 210 that helps in forming a single-piece monocoque structure. The proposed reinforcement bracket is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2A and 2B and different views in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0032] FIG. 2A illustrates a structural design of proposed reinforcement bracket 200 connected to the rear end of a spare tire frame 104 and a back panel 108 and also joining region of rear panel 108 of a vehicle. The proposed reinforcement bracket 200 is structurally designed in a single piece monocoque structure which facilitates the improved stiffness of the bracket 200 and uniformly distributes loads around the mounting region on the back panel 108. FIG. 2B illustrates detailed view of the proposed reinforcement bracket 200 and its configuration including different parts.
[0033] The reinforcement bracket 200 includes a plurality of planar surfaces 202, 204, 206, 208 for connecting with the back panel 108 of the vehicle. Further, the reinforcement bracket 200 includes a crooked beak shaped structure 210, connected with the plurality of planar surfaces 202, 204, 206, 208, for being connected with a rear end 104-R of the spare tire frame 104. Further, the crooked beak shaped structure 210 is provided with a variable radius. The variable radius is provided in the right corner 210-C
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of the crooked beak shaped structure 210 to improve stiffness of the crooked beak shaped structure 210 in the right corner 210-C.
[0034] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the proposed reinforcement bracket 200 including the plurality of planar surfaces 202, 204, 206, 208 and the crooked beak shaped structure 210 forms a single-piece monocoque structure. Further, the reinforcement bracket provided with the integrated crooked beak shaped structure that provides improved stiffness during normal vehicle movement.
[0035] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more of the plurality of planar surfaces 202, 204, 206, 208 includes at least two emboss 212 and at least one pencil shaped bead 214 around spot welding regions. Further, the emboss 212 is having a U-shape structure. In addition, the U-shaped emboss 212 and the pencil shaped bead 214 are fabricated around the spot welds to improve stiffness in the local region.
[0036] Further, a stepped profile 216 is formed between the plurality of planar surfaces 202, 204, 206, 208, in particular between the planar surfaces 206 and 208. The stepped profile 216 is configured on two different planer surfaces of the reinforcement bracket 200 to enhance the stiffness of the bracket 200. The proposed reinforcement bracket 200 may be termed as bracket/reinforcement bracket.
[0037] Furthermore, the crooked beak shaped structure 210 has a flat surface at a top having a front hole for connecting the rear end 104-R of the spare tire frame 104 to the reinforcement bracket 200 and a rear hole for locating and assembling the bracket 200 in the vehicle.
[0038] FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate the perspective views of the proposed reinforcement bracket 200 in accordance with the present disclosure.
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[0039] Further FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate detailed structure of the reinforcement bracket 200. The reinforcement bracket 200 as claimed in the present disclosure that helps in connecting a rear end 104-R of the spare tire frame 104 and the back panel 108 of the vehicle provides enough strength and stiffness to the bracket 200 which in turn helps in solving the various technical problems of the state of the art. The proposed reinforcement bracket 200 includes a plurality of planar surfaces 202, 204, 206, 208 and the crooked beak shaped structure 210, which form a single-piece monocoque structure. One or more of the plurality of planar surfaces 202, 204, 206, 208 includes at least two emboss 212 and at least one pencil shaped bead 214 around spot welding regions. And, the emboss 212 is having a U-shape. In addition, the U-shaped emboss 212 and the pencil shaped bead 214 are fabricated around the spot welds to improve stiffness in the local region. A stepped profile is formed between the pluralities of planar surfaces 202, 204, 206, 208. The stepped profile 216 is configured on two different planar surfaces of the reinforcement bracket 200 to enhance the stiffness of the bracket 200.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0040] There is a plurality of features which are listed as technical advantages below:
[0041] The present disclosure provides a reinforcement bracket that helps in uniformly distributing loads around the mounting region on the back panel.
[0042] The present disclosure provides the reinforcement bracket which is configured with the stepped profile in between the different planar surfaces that facilitates in increasing stiffness of the bracket.
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[0043] The present disclosure provides the reinforcement bracket configured with U-shaped emboss and pencil shaped bead which imrpoves stiffness around the spot welds in the local region.
[0044] The present disclosure provides the reinforcement bracket that includes variable radius feature on the fright corner side, thereby improving stiffness of the bracket.
[0045] The present disclosure provides the reinforcement bracket that results in low tool cost and also reduces the overall weight.
[0046] The present disclosure provides the reinforcement bracket that provides better performance and reliability.
[0047] The present disclosure provides the reinforcement bracket having a single-piece structure.
Equivalents
[0048] Further, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its scope.
[0049] Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention 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. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.
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[0050] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
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WE CLAIM:

1. A reinforcement bracket (200) connecting a rear end (104-R) of a
spare tire frame (104) and a back panel (108) of a vehicle, the
reinforcement bracket (200) comprising:
a plurality of planar surfaces (202, 204, 206, 208) for connecting with the back panel (108) of the vehicle; and
a crooked beak shaped structure (210) connected with the plurality of planar surfaces (202, 204, 206, 208) for being connected with the rear end (104-R) of the spare tire frame (104), wherein the crooked beak shaped structure (210) is provided with a variable radius.
2. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of planar surfaces (202, 204, 206, 208) and the crooked beak shaped structure (210) form a single-piece monocoque structure.
3. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of planar surfaces (202, 204, 206, 208) includes emboss (212) and pencil shaped bead (214) around spot welds.
4. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the emboss (212) is having a U-shape structure.
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5. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stepped profile (216) is formed between the plurality of planar surfaces (202, 204, 206, 208).
6. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the variable radius is provided in right corner (210-C) of the crooked beak shaped structure (210).