Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A rollover protection structure (100) for a vehicle, for protecting the driver of the vehicle in the event of a rollover, said rollover protection structure (100) comprising:
a. a first hoop member (105) having an inverted U-shape and spanning over the driver’s seat;
b. a second hoop member (110) positioned operatively on the rear side of said first hoop member (105), said second hoop member (105) having a second pair of vertical arms (106);
c. a roof element (115a) of said first hoop member (105) spanning in a horizontal direction and perpendicular to the length of the vehicle, said roof element (115a) being shared by said second hoop member (110);
d. a cross member (115b) parallel to said roof element (115a) and connected between said second pair of vertical arms (111) of said second hoop member (110); and
e. a plurality of braces provided between said first hoop member (105) and said second hoop member (110).
2. The rollover protection structure (100) for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rollover protection structure (100), includes:
a. a first set of braces (125a) provided between said cross member (115b) and said roof element (115a) in the central portion of said roof element (115a) and said cross member (115b);
b. a second set of braces (125b) provided between said first hoop member (105) and said second hoop member (110) at a central portion along the vertical arms (106, 111) of said hoop members (105, 110); and
c. a third set of braces (125c) provided between said first hoop member (105) and said second hoop member (110) at a lower portion of said hoop members (105, 110).
3. The rollover protection structure (100) for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein hollow pipes with circular cross-section are used for manufacturing said first hoop member (105), said second hoop member (110), and said braces.
4. The rollover protection structure (100) for vehicles as claimed in claim 2, wherein the material of said first hoop member (105), said second hoop member (110), and said first and second set of braces (125a and 125b) is high strength low alloy steel HSLA 460.
5. The rollover protection structure (100) for vehicles as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer diameter of the hollow pipes is different for said first hoop member (105), said second hoop member (110), and said braces.
6. The rollover protection structure (100) for vehicles as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thickness of the hollow pipes of said second hoop member (110) is less than the thickness of the hollow pipes of said first hoop member (105).
7. The rollover protection structure (100) for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said first and second hoop members (105 and 110) is 2mm while the outer diameter is 60mm, thereof.
8. The rollover protection structure (100) for vehicles as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thickness of each of said first, second, and third sets of braces (125a, 125b, and125c) is 3mm while the outer diameter is 20mm, thereof.
9. The rollover protection structure (100) for vehicles as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thickness of the hollow pipes is different for said first hoop member (105), said second hoop member (110), and said braces.
10. The rollover protection structure (100) for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the material of bottom members (135) connecting the bottom ends of said first and second hoop members (105 and 110) is ST52 steel, while the outer diameter and thickness are 40mm and 12 mm, respectively.
, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of rollover protection structures for vehicles.
Definitions
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
HSLA460: The term “HSLA” refers to a High Strength Low Alloy steel that provides enhanced weldability and choice of coatings.
ST52: The term “ST52” refers to steels having a low alloy, high strength structural steel which can be readily welded to other weldable steel.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, rollover protective structures (ROPS) are used in vehicles, particularly in off-road vehicles such as agricultural tractors to protect occupants in case of accidents involving a vehicle rollover. An efficient design of the ROPS is required to offer sufficient stiffness against loads for protecting the occupants, and at the same time the design should be flexible enough to absorb the impact energy during a rollover.
Conventional rollover protective structures are bulky and over-designed, which adds to the weight, cost, and complexity of the structure. Further, the rollover protective structures currently available in the market use pipes with square and rectangular cross-sections, which increase the weight of the structure. With increasing competition, manufacturers are trying to reduce the weight and the cost of various components without compromising on the safety of users.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a rollover protective structure for a vehicle that alleviates the above mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a rollover protective structure for a vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rollover protective structure for a vehicle, which is lighter than conventional structures.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rollover protective structure for a vehicle, which is simple in construction.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a rollover protective structure for a vehicle, which is cost effective due to the reduction in the use of material.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a rollover protection structure (ROPS) for vehicles, for protecting the driver of the vehicle in the event of a rollover. The rollover protection structure (ROPS) comprises a first hoop member in the form of an inverted U-shape and spanning over the driver’s seat and a second hoop member positioned operatively on the rear side of the first hoop member. A first roof element of the first hoop member spans in a horizontal direction and is perpendicular to the length of the vehicle. The first roof element is shared by the second hoop member, wherein a cross member parallel to the first roof member is connected between second pair of vertical arms of the second hoop member. A plurality of braces is provided between the first hoop member and the second hoop member.
In an embodiment, the rollover protection structure (ROPS) includes a first set of braces provided in the central portion of the roof elements, a second set of braces provided at a central portion of the vertical arms of the hoop members, and a third set of braces provided at a lower portion of the hoop members.
In an embodiment hollow pipes with circular cross-section are used for manufacturing the first hoop member, the second hoop member, and the braces.
In an embodiment the material of the first hoop member, the second hoop member, and the first and second set of braces is a high strength low alloy steel HSLA 460.
In an embodiment, the thickness of the hollow pipes is different for the first hoop member, the second hoop member, and the braces.
In an embodiment, the thickness of the first and second hoop members is 2mm while their outer diameter is 60mm.
In an embodiment, the thickness of each of the first, second, and third set of braces is 3mm while their outer diameter is 20mm.
In another embodiment, the outer diameter of the hollow pipes is different for the first hoop member, the second hoop member, and the braces.
In an embodiment, the thickness of the hollow pipes of the second hoop member is less than the thickness of the hollow pipes of the first hoop member.
In an embodiment, the material of bottom members connecting the bottom ends of the first and second hoop members is ST52, while the outer diameter and thickness are 40mm and 12 mm, respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The rollover protective structure (ROPS) for vehicles of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a rollover protective structure for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
100 – Rollover protective structure (ROPS)
105 – First hoop member
106 – First pair of vertical arms
110 – Second hoop member
111 – Second pair of vertical arms
115a – Roof element
115b – Cross member
125a – First set of braces
125b – Second set of braces
125c – Third set of braces
135 – Bottom members
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an”, and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, and “having”, are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components thereof.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Typically, the design of conventional rollover protection structures for vehicles involves the use of hollow pipes having a rectangular/square cross section. The mass per unit length of the rectangular/square pipes is greater than that of the pipe with a circular cross-section, for offering similar strength.
Designing of the rollover protection structure (ROPS) is subject to various constraints as mentioned below:
i. the average height of the user;
ii. the weight of the vehicle;
iii. packaging constraint due to the size of the cabin;
iv. packaging constraint due to the position of driver seat;
v. packaging constraint due to the presence of components such as gear shift lever, control levers, and steering wheel, to name a few;
vi. the amount of impact energy intended to be absorbed in case of rollover; and
vii. desired stiffness for protecting the user.
The rollover protection structure (ROPS) 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a first hoop member 105, a second hoop member 110, and multiple sets of braces provided at suitable locations between the first hoop member 105 and the second hoop member 110.
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the rollover protection structure (ROPS) 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first hoop member 105 is in the form of an inverted U-shape having a roof element 115a spanning in a horizontal direction and is perpendicular to the length of the vehicle. The second hoop member 110 is positioned operatively behind the first hoop member 105. The second hoop member 110 shares the roof element 115a of the first hoop member 105.
In accordance with an embodiment, a cross member 115b is provided between a second pair of vertical arms 111 of the second hoop member 110. The cross member 115b is operatively below the roof element 115a. The first hoop member 105 includes a first pair of vertical arms 106.
The first and second pair of vertical arms 106 and 111 comprise of an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion is inclined rearwards, while the upper portion forms an obtuse angle with the lower portion on the operative front side of the vehicle, such that the upper portions are approximately vertical.
A first set of braces 125a is provided between the cross member 115b and the roof element 115a, preferably in the central portion of the roof element 115a and the cross member 115b.
The second set of braces 125b is provided between the hoop members 105 and 110 at the central portion of the pair of vertical arms 106, 111 of the respective hoop members 105, 110. Further, the third set of braces 125c is provided between the first hoop member 105 and the second hoop member 110 at a lower portion of the hoop members 105, 110.
According to an embodiment, hollow pipes having circular cross-section are used for manufacturing the first hoop member 105, the second hoop member 110, and the braces. The reason for using circular pipes is that they have low weight per unit length and offer good strength. Further, the circular pipes are readily available in open-market.
According to another embodiment the material of the first hoop member 105, the second hoop member 110, and the first and second set of braces 125a, 125b is HSLA 460.
According to yet another embodiment, the outer diameter of the hollow pipes is different for the first hoop member 105, the second hoop member 110, and the braces. Further, the thickness of the hollow pipes of the second hoop member 110 is less than the thickness of the hollow pipes of the first hoop member 105.
According to yet another embodiment, the thickness of the first and second hoop members 105, 110 is 2mm while the outer diameter is 60mm, thereof. Further, the thickness of each of the first, second, and third sets of braces 125a, 125b, and 125c is 3mm while the outer diameter is 20mm, thereof. To minimize the weight of the overall ROPS 100 hollow pipes with different thickness are selected for the first hoop member 105, the second hoop member 110, and the braces. This helps is providing localized reinforcement to the structure wherever desired, and avoiding overdesigning of the whole ROPS 100.
The material of bottom members 135 connecting the bottom ends of the first and second hoop members 105, 110 is ST52, while the outer diameter and thickness are 40mm and 12 mm, respectively.
Conventional and readily available manufacturing processes such as bending, grinding, cutting, and welding are used to shape and join the various components of the ROPS 100.
According to an embodiment, the pairs of vertical arms 106, 111 of the hoops 105 and 110 are bent about lateral axes so as to cover the seating area of the driver.
The advantage of the ROPS 100 of the present disclosure is use of the tube structure design which is optimized for weight saving without compromising on the rigidness of the structure.
The ROPS 100 of the present disclosure is that around 50% of less in weight as compared to the conventional rollover protection structures. A minimal processing and production cost is achieved as the raw material with tube configuration is readily available.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHINCAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a rollover protection structure (ROPS) for a vehicle that:
• is light in weight;
• uses readily available circular tubes as a raw material; and
• is easy to manufacture.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.