TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a rear seat striker mounting structure of a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a reinforcement structure connecting an inner wheel housing with an inner part of a rear pillar of the vehicle where the reinforcement structure facilitates further increase in the width of rear seats to provide additional comfort to passengers without increasing overall width of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In today's world, the use of a vehicle is not only limited to regular commuting to offices and other necessary places, but is also extensively used for going on a vacation, a road trip, or a long distance highway drive. While going on a vacation or other long distance rides, a passenger travelling in a car primarily looks for three factors in the car viz., comfort, safety and security.
[0003] Taking into consideration of above three factors, the primary objective of any automobile manufacturers are to provide enhanced comfort to the passengers without causing a compromise on their safety and security. Towards this direction, the existing reinforcement structure for a rear seat striker providing mounting to the moving portion of a rear seat of the vehicle does not include the provision of subsequently widening of the rear seat without increasing the overall width of the vehicle. However, there is a limitation to increase the width of the vehicle as it involves additional cost and re-designing of the vehicle structure.
[0004] In view of the above constraints, there is a need of a new reinforcement structure associated with the rear seat of the vehicle such that the reinforcement can provide support to widen the rear seat without increasing an overall width of the vehicle.

OBJECTS OF DISCLOSURE
[0005] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the art, some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0006] It is a significant object of the present disclosure to provide comfort to passengers along with enhanced safety and rigidity.
[0007] It is a principal object of the present disclosure to design a reinforcement structure for a rear seat striker of a vehicle such that it can accommodate wider seat as compared to existing seat without increasing overall width of the vehicle.
[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the reinforcement structure such that it can improve torsional rigidity of the vehicle.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide the reinforcement structure in order to achieve enhanced durability for loads in a rear suspension.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide the reinforcement structure such that it can reduce localized stresses occurring at a mounting face of the rear seat striker.
[0011] It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide the reinforcement structure in order to make it robust and persistent with loads acting on it.
[0012] 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 INVENTION
[0013] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a reinforcement structure for a rear seat striker connecting an inner wheel housing with an inner part of a rear pillar of 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.
[0014] The present disclosure relates to a reinforcement structure for supporting a rear seat striker in a vehicle. The reinforcement structure includes a lower portion having a bend face to be attached on an inner wheel housing panel of the vehicle. Further, an upper portion is extending perpendicularly upward from the lower portion, wherein the upper portion having a front longitudinal side with a straight lower side and an angled upper side tapering from a top side of the lower side towards a rear longitudinal side. Yet further, an extended portion is formed between the upper side of the front longitudinal side and a top side of the upper portion, where the extended portion being attached to an emboss formed on a rear pillar inner panel.
[0015] In an aspect, the upper portion includes a downward bend flange on the front longitudinal side and a flat flange on the rear longitudinal side as well as the top side for being attached on the rear pillar inner panel.
[0016] In an aspect, corresponding flanges of the extended portion, the rear longitudinal side, and the top side are attached to the rear pillar inner panel through spot welding.
[0017] In another aspect, a top portion of the extended member of the reinforcement structure has a curvature, resembling shape of a dome.
[0018] In another aspect, the upper portion of the reinforcement structure includes a mounting face for the rear seat striker with the mounting face including at

least one emboss planted between two upper mounting points of the rear seat striker.
[0019] Additionally, in another aspect, the mounting face includes at least one horizontal bead between upper and lower mounting points of the rear seat striker.
[0020] 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.
[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 ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0022] 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:
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional reinforcement structure for a rear seat striker connecting an inner wheel housing with an inner part of a rear pillar of a vehicle;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary layout of a reinforcement structure for a rear seat striker connecting an inner wheel housing with a rear pillar inner panel of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the reinforcement structure for a rear seat striker connecting the inner wheel housing with the rear pillar inner panel of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an emboss formed on the rear pillar inner panel of a vehicle in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0027] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrates different perspective views of the reinforcement structure for a rear seat striker in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0028] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrates the reinforcement structure for a rear seat striker in different orientations for mounting on left and right side of the rear pillar inner panel of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] 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 [0030] 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.

Non-limiting Definitions
[0031] 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.
[0032] "Reinforcement structure" can be defined as a structural support incorporated to enhance the strength of the supported element. The reinforcement structure in a vehicle may include any structure supporting one or more elements in the vehicle.
[0033] "Rear pillar" also termed as a "C-pillar" can be defined as vertical structure present behind the rear door of the vehicle. The rear pillar is present in different types of automobile vehicle, such as, for example, a hatchback, a sedan, a wagon, a truck, or a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and likes.
[0034] "Rear seat striker" may be defined as the striker mechanism positioned on the reinforcement structure and is used to lock the foldable type rear seat. The rear seat striker is present in different types of automobile vehicle, such as, for example, a hatchback, a wagon, a truck, or a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and likes.
[0035] In this context, it is to be noted that in the following embodiments, "front direction/end" refers to the course assumed, when the car is moving forward.
Overview
[0036] A conventional reinforcement structure 100 for a rear seat striker, connecting an inner wheel housing 102 with a rear pillar inner panel 104 of a vehicle, is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional reinforcement structure 100 includes a lower portion 106 having a bend face to be attached on the wheel housing panel 102 of the vehicle. The conventional reinforcement structure 100 further includes an upper portion 108 extending perpendicularly upward from the

lower portion 106. The upper portion 108 having aflat flange on a front longitudinal side, a rear longitudinal side, and a top side for being attached on the rear pillar inner panel 104.
[0037] In the conventional reinforcement structure 100, the front longitudinal side and the rear longitudinal side are generally parallel to each other. Because of such configuration, a space is not available for accommodating a wider rear seat.
[0038] In order to provide a required space for accommodating the wider rear seat, the conventional reinforcement structure is needed to be trimmed in an upper portion of the front longitudinal side. However, such trimming alone hampers the stiffness and rigidity of the reinforcement structure. Moreover, the trimmed reinforcement structure is also not capable to withstand the rear suspension loads.
[0039] Therefore, in view of the above limitations, the present disclosure provides a reinforcement structure with presence of emboss and mounting beads in order to ensure an improved torsional stiffness and rigidity. Further, the proposed design of the reinforcement structure, in the upper portion of the front longitudinal side, is having a width less than that of the conventional one, thereby allows accommodation of the wider rear seat.
Exemplary Implementations /Embodiments
[0040] 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 coverall modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0041] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context

clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0042] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0043] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0044] Various embodiments are further described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures relate to exemplary embodiments and should not be construed as a limitation to the subject matter of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Yet further, for the sake of brevity, operation or working principles pertaining to the technical material that is known in the technical field of the present disclosure have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a reinforcement structure 200 capable of supporting a rear seat striker in a vehicle. In an aspect, referring to FIG. 2 and considering the bottom up approach, the reinforcement structure 200 includes three portions, namely, the lower portion 106, the upper portion 108, and an extended portion 202.
[0046] The lower portion 106 includes a bend face for attachment with the wheel housing panel 102 of the vehicle. In an example, the lower portion 106 has an L-shape profile.
[0047] From the lower portion 106, the upper portion 108 is extending vertically upwards from the lower portion 106 in perpendicular direction. The upper portion 108 is designed in such a manner that the upper portion 108 may include a front longitudinal side with a straight lower side 108-L and an angled upper side 108-U.
[0048] In an example, the upper side 108-U is angled or tapered from a top side of the lower side 108-L towards a rear longitudinal side. For the sake of brevity, "front" is referred to a side which is facing towards a front side of the vehicle, while "rear" is referred to a side which is facing towards a rear side of the vehicle.
[0049] In an aspect, the upper side 108-U is designed in such manner that it is not positioned inline to the lower side 108-L as in the conventional reinforcement structure 100 and is formed at a predefined angle ranging from 0 to 90 degrees. As a result, the upper side 108-U of the front longitudinal side becomes narrower than the lower side 108-L and facilitates a required space for accommodating the wider rear seat.
[0050] In an aspect, the upper portion 108 includes a mounting face 204 for the rear seat striker. The mounting face 204 is additionally provided with at least one horizontal bead 206 between upper mounting points 208 and a lower mounting point 210 of the rear seat striker. In this connection, it is to be mentioned that the mounting face 204 may include at least one emboss 212 present between the two upper mounting points 210 of the rear seat striker. Such arrangement of the horizontal

bead 206 and the emboss 212 on the mounting face 204 of the rear seat striker enhances the rigidity of the mounting face 204.
[0051] In an aspect, to increase the stiffness and rigidity of the tapered or trimmed upper portion 108, the upper side 108-U of the front longitudinal side may be formed with a downward bend flange 302, as can be seen from FIG. 3. The downward bend flange 302 bears the load exerted by a rear end of the rear seat.
[0052] Further, in an aspect of the present disclosure, the extended portion 202 is formed between the upper side 108-U of the front longitudinal side and a top side of the upper portion 108. The extended portion 202 is, in turn, attached to an emboss 402 (FIG. 4) formed on the rear pillar inner panel 104 in order to reduce localized stresses acting due to the presence of ancillary components in neighbourhood.
[0053] In an aspect, the reinforcement structure 200 is formed with multiple flanges for establishing connection with different portions of the rear pillar inner panel 104. In particular, as can be seen from FIG. 5B, the extended portion 202 includes a flat flange 502, the top side of the upper portion 108 includes a flat flange 504, and the rear longitudinal side includes aflat flange 506. The flanges 502, 504, 506 of the extended portion 202, the top side of the upper portion 108 and the rear longitudinal side are attached to the rear pillar inner panel 104 through spot welding 602 (FIG. 6A). FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrates different orientations of the reinforcement structure 200 designed for left side of vehicle body structure. Those skilled in the art can appreciate that all the features of the reinforcement structure for the right side rear seat striker will be same, and only the designing orientation is opposite.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 5A and FIG. 2, the flange 502 of the extended portion 202 is spot welded 214 with the emboss 402 formed on the rear pillar inner panel 104. In an aspect, the extended portion 202 of the reinforcement structure 200 is equipped with a curvature 508. The shape of the curvature 508 resembles that of a dome and is incorporated to provide enhanced rigidity to the extended portion 202 of the reinforcement structure 200.

[0055] Thus, with the subject matter disclosed herein, the present disclosure proposes the reinforcement structure 200 for a rear seat striker connecting the rear seat striker of the vehicle yielding a wider seat without extension of the vehicle's width. The improved reinforcement structure 200 with the emboss carved on the linkage between the extended portion 202 of the reinforcing structure 200 and the rear pillar inner panel 104 improves torsional rigidity of the vehicle and further increases endurance capacity of the vehicle for bearing rear suspension loads. Additionally, as the reinforcement structure 200 includes multiple emboss and beads in the region of striker mounting face of the vehicle, the local stiffness of that region is increased along with the reduced localized stresses acting due to suspension loads. The overall arrangement and positioning of the reinforcement structure 200 is depicted through FIG. 2.
Advantages of the invention
[0056] All in all, the reinforcement structure 200 described in the present disclosure is having the following advantages:
a) The principal advantage is that the reinforcement structure 200 discussed in the present disclosure is fundamentally smaller in size than the conventional reinforcement structure.
b) The smaller size of the reinforcement structure 200 proposed herein facilitates widening of the rear seats without comprehensively affecting the width of the vehicle.
c) Torsional stiffness of the vehicle is improved by the proposed reinforcement structure 200.
d) The reinforcement structure 200 proposed herein facilitates reduced localized stresses.

e) Rigidity and robustness of the vehicle is enhanced with the proposed reinforcement structure 200.
f) The customized design of the reinforcement structure 200 is cost effective.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.

WE CLAIM:

1. A reinforcement structure (200) for supporting a rear seat striker in a vehicle,
the reinforcement structure (200) comprising:
a lower portion (106) having a bend face to be attached on an inner wheel housing panel (102) of the vehicle;
an upper portion (108) extending perpendicularly upward from the lower portion (106), the upper portion (108) having a front longitudinal side with a straight lower side (108-L) and an angled upper side (108-U) tapering from a top side of the lower side (108-L) towards a rear longitudinal side; and
an extended portion (202) formed between the upper side (108-U) of the front longitudinal side and atop side of the upper portion (108), wherein the extended portion (202) being attached to an emboss (402) formed on a rear pillar inner panel (104).
2. The reinforcement structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (108) includes a downward bend flange (302) on the front longitudinal side.
3. The reinforcement structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (108) includes a flat flange on the rear longitudinal side as well as on the top side for being attached on the rear pillar inner panel (104).
4. The reinforcement structure (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein flanges (502, 504, 506) of the extended portion (202), the rear longitudinal side, and the top side are attached to the rear pillar inner panel (104) through spot welding (602).
5. The reinforcement structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a top portion of the extended member (202) comprises of a curvature (508).

6. The reinforcement structure (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein shape of the curvature (508) resembles a dome.
7. The reinforcement structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (108) comprises a mounting face (204) for the rear seat striker.
8. The reinforcement structure (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mounting face (204) includes at least one emboss (212) between two upper mounting points (208) of the rear seat striker.
9. The reinforcement structure (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein mounting face (204) includes at least one horizontal bead (206) between upper mounting points (208) and lower mounting point (210) of the rear seat striker.