[0001]The present subject matter described herein, relates to a structure formed on quarter panel inner of a vehicle. More particularly, to a structure formed on quarter panel inner of a vehicle for reinforcement.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Generally, quarter panel inner is manufactured through the stamping process as per the design requirement to provide spaces for accommodation of various components and to facilitate in welding of the same. So, the surface of the quarter panel inner includes a lot of uneven and contoured surfaces depending on the design requirement and for strength purposes.
[0004] Technical Problem: Referring to the figure 1, the quarter panel inner 100 is formed as the quarter panel inner lower 102 and the quarter panel inner upper 104 attached to each other. The quarter panel inner 100 is surrounded by a wheel housing inner 200 on its bottom side and a D-pillar 500 on its right side. A seat belt mounting is provided at a location 104(a) of the quarter panel inner upper 104, a rear seat striker mounting structure is provided at a location 102(a) of the quarter panel inner lower 102 and a shock absorber mounting is provided at a location 200(a) of the wheel housing inner 200. The locations (104(a), 102(a) and 200(a)) are subjected to loads due to relative motion at the respective locations and the stresses will get distributed across the quarter panel inner 100.
[0005] As shown in the figure 2(a), the pockets of stress concentration on the quarter panel inner 100 are indicated. This results in lack of structural strength not only on the quarter panel inner 100 but also at the location of spot welds. The

profile of the quarter panel inner lower 102 along the line A-A has a flat surface 102(b) as shown in the figure 2(b).
[0006] One solution for the above mentioned technical problem disclosed in the prior art CN105235749 is as follows: The quarter panel inner is formed as an open structure leaving a plurality of gaps there between. This solution provides less rigid structure and noise issue.
[0007] Another solution for the above mentioned technical problem generally followed in automotive industry is as follows: The quarter panel inner is formed as a closed structure wherein a reinforcement panel welded thereon extends from the wheel housing inner to either the D-pillar or the rail section or both establishing an energy flow connection to absorb stresses emerging from various mountings of the quarter panel inner. This solution provides better NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) performance when compared to the first solution.
[0008] Existing solutions or structures provides information on currently available solutions for structural rigidity of the quarter panel inner, but each has its own drawbacks and limitations. These known systems do not provide solution to strengthening of the quarter panel inner without increase in cost and weight of the vehicle.
[0009] Therefore, a simple and in-expensive solution is required for increasing the structural rigidity of the quarter panel inner.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0010] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0011] The principal object of the present invention is to increase the structural rigidity of quarter panel inner.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to increase the strength at the location of spot welds on quarter panel inner.

[0013] One more object of the present invention is to modify the structure of quarter panel inner.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0015] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to strengthening of quarter panel inner. 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.
[0016] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a plurality of channelled sections seamlessly formed on quarter panel inner adjoining the pockets of stress concentration to strengthen the quarter panel inner as well as areas of spot welds. The channelled sections resembles a spline shape and follows a predetermined path.
[0017] 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
[0018] 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 devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of location of quarter panel inner according to the prior art;

[0020] Figure 2(a) illustrates a perspective view of pockets of stress concentration on quarter panel inner lower of figure 1;
[0021] Figure 2(b) illustrates a sectional view of quarter panel inner lower of figure 2(a) along the line A-A;
[0022] Figure 3(a) illustrates a perspective view of quarter panel inner, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0023] Figure 3(b) illustrates a sectional view of quarter panel inner lower of figure 3(a) along the line D-D.
[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] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein 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 scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0026] 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 present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0027] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As

used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be
further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or
“including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
5 steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence
or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0028] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the
functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example,
10 two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0029] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", and the like in the
present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be
15 construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly
indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific
20 terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further
understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should
be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the
context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
25 formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0031] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be
described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise
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various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0032] As shown in figure 3(a) and 3(b), there is provided a reinforcement
structure 400 on quarter panel inner 300 of a vehicle comprising a channelled
5 section 402 and an another channelled section 404.
[0033] The quarter panel inner 300 comprises quarter panel inner lower 302
and quarter panel inner upper 304. The quarter panel inner upper 304 is spot welded at a top portion 302(d) of the quarter panel inner lower 302.
[0034] The channelled section 402 is seamlessly formed through stamping
10 extending from a bottom portion 302(c) to the top portion 302(d) of the quarter
panel inner lower 302 adjoining a rear seat striker mounting structure location
302(a) provided on it. The channelled section 402 is further extended
continuously from a bottom portion 304(c) to a top portion 304(d) of the quarter
panel inner upper 304 adjoining a seat belt mounting location 304(a) provided on
15 it. The channelled section 402 on the quarter panel inner lower 302 starts proximal
to a shock absorber mounting location 200(a) of a wheel housing inner 200.
[0035] In an aspect, the channelled section 402 resembles a spline shape and
follows a predetermined path depending on the pockets of stress concentration.
[0036] In an aspect, the channelled section 402 is formed in between two
20 surfaces (302(e) and 302(f)) of the quarter panel inner lower 302 parallel to each
other.
[0037] The another channelled section 404 is seamlessly formed through
stamping extending from the bottom portion 302(c) to the top portion 302(d) of
the quarter panel inner lower 302 adjoining its one edge 302(g) adjacent to a D-
25 pillar 500.
[0038] In an aspect, the channelled section 404 resembles a spline shape and
follows a contoured path of the edge 302(g) of the quarter panel inner lower 302.
7

[0039] In an aspect, the channelled section 404 is formed in between two
surfaces (302(h) and 302(i)) of the quarter panel inner lower 302 angular to each other.
[0040] In an aspect, the width of the channelled sections (402 and 404) are
5 determined depending on the space constraints and the necessary strength
required.
[0041] In an aspect, the channelled sections (402 and 404) formed on the
quarter panel inner 300 establishes energy flow connections to absorb stresses emerging from various mounting locations (302(a), 304(a) and 200(a)).
10 [0042] In an aspect, the width of the channelled section 402 is larger than the
width of the channelled section 404.
[0043] Referring to the figure 3(b), the channelled section (402 and 404)
formed on the quarter panel inner 300 resembles the shape of a crest.
[0044] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used
15 herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended
claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should
be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be
interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as
“includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within
20 the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such
an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such
recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the
following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least
one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such
25 phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation
by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should
8

typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[0045] 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.

We claim:

A reinforcement structure (400) on quarter panel inner (300) of a vehicle, comprising:
a) a channelled section (402) seamlessly formed extending from a bottom portion (302(c)) to a top portion (302(d)) of quarter panel inner lower (302) of said quarter panel inner (300) adjoining a rear seat striker mounting structure location (302(a)) provided on said quarter panel inner lower (302), said channelled section (402) further extends continuously from a bottom portion (304(c)) to a top portion (304(d)) of quarter panel inner upper (304) of said quarter panel inner (300) adjoining a seat belt mounting location (304(a)) provided on said quarter panel inner upper (304); and
b) an another channelled section (404) seamlessly formed extending from said bottom portion (302(c)) to said top portion (302(d)) of said quarter panel inner lower (302) adjoining its one edge (302(g)).
The reinforcement structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channelled section (402) resembles a spline shape and follows a predetermined path.
The reinforcement structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channelled section (404) resembles a spline shape and follows a contoured path of said edge (302(g)) of said channelled section (404).
The reinforcement structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channelled section (402) is formed in between two surfaces (302(e) and 302(f)) of said quarter panel inner lower (302) parallel to each other.
The reinforcement structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channelled section (404) is formed in between two surfaces (302(h) and 302(i)) of said quarter panel inner lower (302) angular to each other.

The reinforcement structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of said channelled section (402) is larger than the width of said channelled section (404).
The reinforcement structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channelled section (402) and said channelled section (404) resembles the shape of a crest on said quarter panel inner (300).
The reinforcement structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channelled section (402) on said quarter panel inner lower (302) starts proximal to a shock absorber mounting location (200(a)) of a wheel housing inner (200).
The reinforcement structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channelled section (404) on said quarter panel inner lower (302) exists adjacent to a D-pillar (500).