Description:A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET FOR BACKDOOR LATCH AREA OF A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to stress distribution in backdoor latch area of a vehicle. The present invention, in particular, relates to a reinforcement bracket for stress distribution in backdoor latch area of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] In a vehicle, a backdoor is provided to access the trunk of a vehicle from the outside. Top edge of the backdoor is usually pivotally mounted through hinges on the top of the vehicle rear body. Bottom edge of the backdoor is free to move and rest on outer trunk bumper frame of the vehicle. The backdoor has an inner panel and an outer panel. The backdoor has a latch assembled at center of the bottom edge of the inner panel of the backdoor. A corresponding striker is provided, on the top of the outer trunk bumper frame, to engage with the latch of the backdoor when the door is closed. The latch and striker assembly is adapted to secure the backdoor against the outer trunk bumper frame to prevent the door from unintentional opening. To facilitate engagement of latch and striker, a latch mounting slot is provided on the inner panel of the backdoor in latch area.
[0003] Latch area is a vibration hotspot. When the backdoor rest on the outer trunk bumper frame, the engagement of backdoor with the outer trunk bumper frame occur in this region. Consequently, when the backdoor is slammed for closing purpose, the impact of collision is absorbed by the latch area. Also, vibrations are generated in the latch area which deteriorate NVH performance of the vehicle.
[0004] A reinforcement bracket is provided in the latch area to make the area more robust. The reinforcement bracket has an aperture provided in the middle to facilitate engagement of latch with striker. A plurality of beads are provided on the periphery of top and bottom edges of the reinforcement bracket. The reinforcement bracket is spot welded and fastened on the inner panel of the backdoor in the latch area. The top and bottom edges of the reinforcement bracket is spot welded on the inner panel of the backdoor in the latch area. A plurality of holes is provided in the vicinity of the aperture to accommodate fasteners to facilitate attachment of backdoor latch. The plurality of holes are stress hotspot owing to the lower stiffness of this region. The reinforcement bracket is usually made up of sheet metal. Consequently, the reinforcement bracket and the inner panel of the backdoor has stiffness variations. These stiffness variation cause stress on the spot welding points on the inner panel of the backdoor. Further, spot welds are performed on the top and bottom edges of the reinforcement bracket in the vicinity of beads. This result in excess stress in the area. Stress in the inner panel of the backdoor is an unwanted condition. During opening and closing of the backdoor, impact of backdoor on the outer trunk bumper frame generates vibrations in the latch area of the backdoor. The existing reinforcement bracket is not capable of distributing these vibrations effectively in the reinforced region. This creates booming noise in the vehicle. The lack of effective distribution of vibration and generation of booming noise deteriorate the NVH performance of the vehicle.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a reinforcement bracket for uniform stress distribution in backdoor latch area of a vehicle to improve NVH performance of the vehcile.

SUMMARY
[0006] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a reinforcement for stress distribution. 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.
[0007] The present subject matter relates to a reinforcement bracket for backdoor latch area of a vehicle. The reinforcement bracket comprises a base, a top flange and a bottom flange. The base has an aperture in middle to provide access to latch mounting slot in the latch area on inner panel of the backdoor. The top flange integrally extends perpendicularly from top edge of the base. The bottom flange integrally extends perpendicularly from bottom edge of the base. A U-shaped bead is provided around the aperture, covering side edges and bottom edge of the base.
[0008] In an aspect, the aperture on the base has dimensions proportional to dimensions of the latch mounting slot on the inner panel of the backdoor.
[0009] In an aspect, a plurality of holes are provided on the base of the reinforcement bracket around the periphery of the aperture to accommodate fastening means to facilitate attachment of the backdoor latch.
[0010] In an aspect, the top flange of the reinforcement bracket is spot welded to the inner panel of the backdoor.
[0011] In an aspect, the bottom flange of the reinforcement bracket has an annex portion to facilitate attachment of the reinforcement bracket with the inner panel of the backdoor.
[0012] In an aspect, the annex portion of the bottom flange is spot welded to the inner panel of the backdoor.
[0013] In an aspect, the side edges of the base maintain a gap with the inner panel.
[0014] In an aspect, the U-shaped bead is a continuous bead.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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 FIGURES
[0017] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure 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 devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0018]
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates isometric view of an exemplary backdoor that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates isometric view of an exemplary reinforcement that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates reinforcement bracket in installed state that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates section view of the reinforcement bracket in installed state in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates distribution of vibration in the reinforcement bracket in installed state in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] 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
[0025] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0026] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0027] “Latch Area” may be defined as the area around the periphery of the latch provided on bottom edge of the inner panel of the backdoor.
[0028] “Stress Hotspots or Hotspots” may be defined a colorful representation of magnitude of stress existing at any region of the latch area or reinforcement bracket. The color red depicts that magnitude of stress at that particular spot is more than the maximum stress allowed. The color green depicts that magnitude of stress at that particular spot is less than maximum stress allowed.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0029] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 illustrating isometric view of an exemplary backdoor 100 that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The backdoor 100 comprises an inner panel 101 and an outer panel (not shown). The inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100 has a latch area 102 provided to accommodate a latch adapted to engage with a striker. The latch area 102 on the inner panel 101 has a vertical member 102a, a top horizontal member 102b and a bottom horizontal member 102c. The top horizontal member 102b and the bottom horizontal members 102c are integrally extending from the vertical member 102a of the inner panel 101. The vertical member 102a of the inner panel 101 has a latch mounting slot 103 provided to facilitate engagement of the latch with the striker. In addition to the latch mounting slot 103, a plurality of holes 104 are provided in the periphery of the latch mounting slot 103 to facilitate fastening of a reinforcement bracket over the latch area 103.
[0031] During opening and closing of the backdoor 100, the impact of the backdoor 100 on outer trunk bumper frame creates a low frequency booming noise. In the automobile industry, noise, vibration and harshness are quantitative parameters to determine the NVH performance of the vehicle. The low frequency booming noise in the backdoor 100 of a vehicle deteriorate the NVH performance.
[0032] To solve the problem, a reinforcement bracket for stress distribution in latch area 102 of the backdoor 100, is required.
[0033] In order to achieve this goal of efficient distribution of vibration in the backdoor 100 of a vehicle, a reinforcement bracket may be utilized. The reinforcement bracket is described in more detail below:
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates isometric view of an exemplary reinforcement bracket 200 that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The reinforcement bracket 200 comprises a base 201, a top flange 202 and a bottom flange 203. The base 201 is adapted to cover the vertical member 202a of the inner panel 100 of the vehicle. In the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200, an aperture 204 is provided in the middle. This aperture 204 facilitates access to the latch mounting slot 103 on the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100. Dimensions of the aperture 204 on the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200 is made proportional to the dimension of the latch mounting slot 103 on the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100. In addition to the aperture 204, a plurality of holes 205 are provided in the vicinity of the aperture 204 to facilitate fastening of the reinforcement bracket 200 over the latch area 102 of the backdoor 100. A U-shaped bead 206 is provided on the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200 for better stress distribution and to enhance stiffness/rigidity of the base 201. The U-shaped bead 206 is provided around the aperture 204 covering side and bottom edges of the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200. The U-shaped bead 206 has a continuous profile. Hence, there is no discontinuity in the U-shaped bead 206 on the bottom corners of the base 201. This facilitates uniform stress distribution in the bottom edge region of the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200.
[0035] The top flange 202 is integrally extended perpendicularly from top edge of the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200. The top flange 202 of the reinforcement bracket 200 is adapted to get attached with the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100. No bead is provided on the top flange 202 of the reinforcement bracket 200. In an aspect, the top flange 202 is spot welded on the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100.
[0036] The bottom flange 203 is integrally extended perpendicularly from top edge of the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200. The bottom flange 203 has an annex portion 203a which is an extra portion provided to the bottom flange 203 to facilitate attachment of the reinforcement bracket 200 with the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 200. No bead is provided on the bottom flange 203 of the reinforcement bracket 200. In an aspect, the annex portion 203a of the bottom flange 203 is spot welded on the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100.
[0037] In an aspect, the reinforcement bracket 200 is made up of sheet metal.
[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates the reinforcement bracket 200 in installed state that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The reinforcement bracket 200 is installed over the latch area 102 of the backdoor 100 of the vehicle. The profile of the reinforcement bracket 200 is fabricated to match with the profile of the latch area 102 of the backdoor 100. In an aspect, the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200 is adapted to attach with the vertical member 102a of the latch area 102 of the backdoor 100. The base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200 is attached to the vertical member 102a of the latch area 102 of the backdoor 100 with a spot weld. The plurality of holes 205 provided on the base 200 corresponds to the plurality of holes 104 provided on the vertical member 102a of the latch area 102. These holes 104, 205 are adapted to accommodate fastening means to facilitate attachment of latch to the base are of inner panel and the reinforcement.
[0039] In an aspect, the top flange 202 of the reinforcement bracket 200 is adapted to get attached with the top horizontal member 102b of the latch area 102 of the backdoor 100. The top flange 202 of the reinforcement bracket 200 is spot welded on the top horizontal member 102b of the latch area 100 of the backdoor 100.
[0040] In an aspect, the bottom flange 203 of the reinforcement bracket 200 is adapted to get attached with the bottom horizontal member 102c of the latch area 102 of the backdoor 100. The annex portion 203a of the bottom flange 203 of the reinforcement bracket 200 is spot welded on the bottom horizontal member 102c of the latch area 102 of the backdoor 100.
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates section view of the reinforcement bracket 200 in installed state in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The reinforcement bracket 200 is installed over the latch area 102 of the backdoor 100 in such a way that side edges of the base 201 where U-shaped bead 206 is provided, maintains a gap 401 with the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100. This gap 401 eliminates any possibility of transfer of vibration from the reinforcement bracket 200 to the inner panel 101 in the latch region 102.
WORKING OF THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKET IN INTALLED STATE
[0042] The reinforcement bracket 200 has a continuous profile created by the base 201, the top flange 202 and the bottom flange 203. The distribution of vibration by the reinforcement bracket 300 is discussed with reference to FIG. 6 below.
[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates distribution of vibration in the reinforcement bracket 200 in installed state in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The vibrations generated in the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket 200 travels towards the U-shaped bead 206 provided on the outer periphery of the base 201 covering side and bottom edges. As the U-shaped bead 206 is continuous without any discontinuity, the vibration can be evenly distributed. As directed by the arrows, most of the vibrations originating from the base 201 of the reinforcement bracket travels towards the bottom flange 203 of the reinforcement bracket 200 due to the presence of U-shaped bead 206. Further, some of the vibrations originating from the base 202 of the reinforcement bracket 200 travels towards the top flange 202 of the reinforcement bracket 200. Since a gap 401 is maintained between side edges of the reinforcement bracket 200 and the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100 in latch area 102, no vibration distribution is occurring from the reinforcement bracket 200 to the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100.
[0044] In addition, after installing the reinforcement bracket 200 on the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100, ED coating is provided on the assembly to avoid corrosion. Since a gap 401 is maintained between side edges of the reinforcement bracket 200 and the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100, the ED coating penetrates through the gap 401 in between the reinforcement bracket 200 and the latch area 102 and provide overall protection from corrosion in latch area 102 of the inner panel 101 of the backdoor 100.
ADVANTAGES
[0045] The proposed reinforcement bracket ensures unifrom stress distribution in backdoor latch area of a vehicle and improve NVH performance of the vehcile. Further, the proposed reinforcement has a continuous U-shaped bead which enhances the stiffness/robustness of the base of the reinforcement bracket. Furthermore, side edges of the proposed reinforcement bracket maintains a gap with the inner panel which eleminate transfer of vibration from the reinforcement bracket to the inner panel in latch region. Also, gap between the side edges of proposed reinforcement bracket and the inner panel in the latch region, ensures good ED coating in this region to avoid corrosion.
[0046] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0047] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0048] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0049] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A reinforcement bracket (200) for backdoor latch area (102) of a vehicle, the reinforcement bracket (200) comprises:
a base (201) having an aperture (204) provided in middle to provide access to latch mounting slot (103) in the latch area (102) on inner panel (101) of the backdoor (100);
a top flange (202) integrally extended perpendicularly from top edge of the base (201); and
a bottom flange (203), integrally extended perpendicularly from bottom edge of the base (201), wherein a U-shaped bead (206) is provided around the aperture (204), covering side edges and bottom edge of the base (201).
2. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture (204) on the base (201) has dimensions proportional to dimensions of the latch mounting slot (103) on the inner panel (101) of the backdoor (100).
3. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of holes (205) are provided on the base (201) of the reinforcement bracket (200) around the periphery of the aperture (204) to accommodate fastening means to facilitate attachment of the backdoor latch.
4. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top flange (202) of the reinforcement bracket (200) is spot welded to the inner panel (101) of the backdoor (100).
5. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom flange (203) of the reinforcement bracket (200) has an annex portion (201) to facilitate attachment of the reinforcement bracket (200) with the inner panel (101) of the backdoor (100).
6. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the annex portion (203a) of the bottom flange (203) is spot welded to the inner panel (101) of the backdoor (100).
7. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side edges of the base (201) maintains a gap (401) with the inner panel (101.
8. The reinforcement bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the U-shaped bead (206) is a continuous bead.