FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a reinforcement for improved lateral stiffness of front
strut of vehicle.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART
Currently, vehicle particularly medium to large vehicle is provided with a
reinforcement in the form of a bracket to resist lateral force experienced by the
occupant while cornering/changing lane during driving the vehicle.
The provision of reinforcement improves lateral stiffness of front strut of
vehicle. Now, reference may be made to fig. 1 indicating mounting of the
reinforcement (R) in the front of vehicle. Said reinforcement (R) is placed
between A-pillar (A) of vehicle and side members (1, 2, 3) of apron (4). It is
bolted to A-pillar (A) and spot welded (S) to the connecting members as shown
in fig. 2.
The reinforcement is bigger is size occupying more space. Therefore, the same
can't be accommodated in a small car due to space constraint. However to
achieve stiffness, in case a smaller size reinforcement is provided, performance
is not upto required level.
The drawbacks associated with the above can be listed hereinbelow:-
- Bigger in size.
- Very expensive.
- Heavy weight.
- More fasteners such as bolt, spot weld with the connecting members.
- Occupies more space which is not adjustable in small car.
- Les fuel efficiency of vehicle.
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Reference may be made to EP 990577A2 that relates to a front body structure
of a vehicle having a front pillar, a front bulkhead and a front wheel apron
comprising a first reinforcement member on which a reinforcement structure
such as beads is provided and welded to the front pillar, the front bulkhead
and the front wheel apron. Further, the front body structure comprises a
second reinforcement member having a closed cross section, covering at least
part of the first reinforcement member and welded to the first reinforcement
member.
None of the above cited arts fulfill requirements of the present invention.
Hence, an optimized reinforcement is required to be developed. So that, the
same can be suitably placed in a vehicle to improve lateral stiffness of front
strut irrespective of vehicle size. Therefore the present invention proposes a
reinforcement for improved lateral stiffness of front strut of vehicle.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Primary object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement for
improved lateral stiffness of front strut of vehicle which overcomes
disadvantages associated with the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement for
improved lateral stiffness of front strut of vehicle which is optimized.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement for
improved lateral stiffness of front strut of vehicle which is suitable for vehicles
of all size.
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Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement for
improved lateral stiffness of front strut of vehicle which is efficient and reliable.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement for
improved lateral stiffness of front strut of vehicle which is cost effective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a reinforcement for improved
lateral stiffness of front strut of vehicle comprising a longitudinal member
integrally provided with a bead, which is located in proximity to front strut of
vehicle to improve lateral stiffness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: conventional reinforcement for lateral stiffness according to prior
art.
Fig. 2 shows: mounting of conventional reinforcement on vehicle.
Fig. 3 shows: reinforcement for improved lateral stiffness in accordance with
the present invention.
Fig. 4 shows: mounting of reinforcement of present invention on the vehicle.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention discloses a reinforcement for improved lateral stiffness of
front strut of vehicle. Now, reference may be made to fig. 3, wherein the
reinforcement comprises a longitudinal member (1) provided with bead (2). The
member is metallic preferably made of steel without restricting scope of the
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invention to the same. The bead is atleast one in number, which is integral to
the longitudinal member. This prevents lateral load from acting on the vehicle
while cornering/changing lane.
The optimized beads help in improving stiffness of front strut in the direction in
which maximum loads act during cornering/lane changing, thereby improving
handling performance.
Further, the longitudinal member is having an opening (3) to house washer
tank as it is located adjacent to cowl (C, fig. 4) of vehicle. Thus, the longitudinal
member (1) with bead (2) and opening (3) constitutes reinforcement of present
invention.
The reinforcement of invention as discussed hereinabove is mounted on a
member thereunder by means of spot welding (S). The surface of the
reinforcement may be provided with a curvature for matching with the surface
of mating part thereunder for mounting.
As shown in fig. 4, the reinforcement is also connected to a number of apron
side members/reinforcement (1, 2, 3). The reinforcement of invention is placed
in proximity to A-pillar and front strut of vehicle. As there is no connectivity
between the reinforcement and A-pillar, therefore bolting is avoided.
The reinforcement is preferably boomerang in shape. So that, it can be
comfortably accommodated in the congested area near the front strut, thereby
meeting packaging and layout constrsiints.
Advantageous Features
- Reduction in number of spot welds.
- Very cost effective.
- Improvement in ride and handling performance of vehicle.
- Avoids bolting.
- Reduction in size thereby making the reinforcement compact.
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- Maintaining same strain energy contours like prior art.
- Occupies less space in vehicle.
- Easy assembly.
- Higher improvement in lateral stiffness.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:-

WE CLAIM:
1. A reinforcement for improved lateral stiffness of front strut of vehicle
comprising a longitudinal member integrally provided with a bead, which
is located in proximity to front strut of vehicle to improve lateral stiffness.
2. A reinforcement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal member
is provided with alteast one bead.
3. A reinforcement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal
member is having an opening to accommodate washer tank.
4. A reinforcement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the
reinforcement is located adjacent to cowl and in proximity to A-pillar of
vehicle.
5. A reinforcement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the
reinforcement is connected to a plurality of apron side members and spot
welded to a mating part thereunder for mounting.
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2 8 FEB 20U
ORIGINAL
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6. A reinforcement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, is associated
with the advantageous features such as herein described.
7. A reinforcement for improved lateral stiffness of front strut of vehicle
substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.