, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] This invention is directed to a structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle. The structure connects roof of vehicle with the rail.
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BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART
[002] Roof rail constitutes a longitudinal member which is generally provided in a pair on both right hand side and left hand side of vehicle in the longitudinal direction thereof. For the same reference 15 may be made to fig. 1 indicating one side rail (R). The roof rail serves the following purpose:
- To improve vehicle appearance by acting as aesthetic part.
- To mount roof carriers (as Accessory or as an OEM fit part). 20
[003] Hence, roof rail needs to be devised in order to cater to the above requirements. Mounting of rail on roof of vehicle is carried out by means of a mounting structure, which is atleast two in number for each side rail. 25
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[004] Some roof rail mounting structures have been suggested in the prior art, which will be discussed one after another hereinbelow.
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[005] According to one prior art, an attachment of a railing on a vehicle roof forms a single piece for mounting of rail on roof. This structure includes a plurality of curvatures along its length with flat part for resting against roof and side body panel of vehicle during assembly. The structure is secured to vehicle inner surface. 10
[006] Here, the studs (S) on the flat part of attachment in contact with roof panel are tilted as best seen in fig. 1A. Here, the studs need to be tilted, so that the same can be disposed in a direction perpendicular to the roof curvature. Further, the roof bore to receive 15 the stud is required to be bigger for passage of the tilted stud therethrough. Accordingly to cover the stud in the bore, a bigger cap is needed following sealing.
[007] Disadvantages associated with the above can be listed 20 hereinunder:-
- During welding of the main body, assembly of roof panel with side body is cumbersome.
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- For effecting the above assembly, holes in roof panel need to be larger in size to accommodate the tilted stud.
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- Bigger hole size gives rise larger sealing area to prevent water 5 entry. The additional sealing area incurs extra cost.
- Precision of the part (cap to cover the hole) is uncontrollable owing to bigger roof hole size. Due to this, shape and size of roof rail and cap needs to be bigger in this particular area so as 10 to avoid any degradation in visual appearance. This ultimately leads to change in styling of rail and additional cost.
[008] Still in accordance with another known art, a rail mounting 15 structure currently in existence constitutes a bracket (B) as shown in fig. 2 for mounting on side body of vehicle. So that, rail can be assembled on the side body subsequently.
[009] Thus, the rail can be mounted on the roof or side body of 20 vehicle with the help of roof rail mounting structure.
[0010] However, in both the situations the mounting structure needs to remain connected to side body of vehicle for the required rigidity 25 (strength) from said side body for mounting.
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[0011] This is due to the fact that, exterior roof panels in weld body 5 are low thickness panels of 0.6 or 0.65mm. Hence, these panels are weak to bear the overall load of part like roof rail. To increase the load bearing capacity, increase in panel thickness is not advisable considering the weight and cost impact of the vehicle.
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[0012] In view of the above, present invention has been devised so as to address shortcomings of known technologies. The present invention focuses on roof rail mounting structure in a vehicle for mounting rail on roof of vehicle.
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OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle which obviates drawbacks of prior arts. 20
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle which is simple in design.
[0015] Further object of the present invention is to provide a structure 25 for roof rail mounting in a vehicle which is cost effective and serves the purpose more efficiently.
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SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0016] According to this invention there is provided a structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle comprising a bracket connected to side body inner surface, which is secured to another bracket with stud 10 resting against inner surface of roof panel, wherein the stud is orthogonal to said another bracket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
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[0017] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments of invention and wherein:
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Fig. 1 shows: Rail on the roof of vehicle.
Fig. 1A shows: Tilted position of studs in conventional roof rail mounting structure.
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Fig. 2 shows: A bracket for mounting rail on vehicle side body in prior art.
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Fig. 3 shows: A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle according to present invention. 5
Fig. 4 shows: Welding of side body bracket of roof rail mounting structure of invention with side body.
Fig. 5 shows: Welding of roof bracket of roof rail mounting 10 structure of invention with roof panel and welding of both the brackets with roof panel.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 15
[0018] The instant invention makes a disclosure in respect of roof rail mounting structure in automobile for mounting rail on vehicle roof. The structure involves a plurality of brackets to establish contact with side body and roof panel of motor vehicle. 20
[0019] The description hereinbelow will explain more specifically and precisely solely the roof rail mounting structure comprising of a bracket connected to side body inner surface, which is secured to another bracket with stud resting against inner surface of roof panel, 25 wherein the stud is orthogonal to said another bracket without illustrating further constructional details of the vehicle side body and roof panel.
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[0020] Now, reference may be made to fig.3 indicating roof rail mounting structure of invention connected to side body (D) of vehicle. 5 This structure includes two brackets (1, 2) fixedly secured to each other. Out of the two brackets, one bracket (1) can be called as side body bracket (1) and another bracket (2) as roof bracket (2) to bring clarity in understanding.
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[0021] The side body bracket (1) forms a single structural piece having substantially a stepped configuration. It comprises first portion (1A) having substantially S-section, which is integrally connected to second portion (1B) by means of a fillet (F). Said second portion (1B) comprises an elongated feature having rectilinear profile. 15
[0022] The first portion (1A), a face of which resting on the vehicle side body is provided with a slot (T). On both sides of the slot, the first portion is fixedly connected to inner surface of vehicle side body.
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[0023] In addition to the above, a plurality of beads (3) are provided along the curvature (4) in proximity to the connecting location of the first part to vehicle side body. Further, multitude of beads (5) are provided at the joint i.e. along the joining line (6) of the first portion with the second portion. 25
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[0024] The roof bracket (2) comprises an elongated and rectilinear part with a stud (7) next to each end thereof as illustrated for mounting on to the roof inner surface, wherein the studs are employed for roof rail 5 mounting. The second part of bracket (1B) is positioned between the two studs.
[0025] The brackets of the structure can be made of sheet metal by 10 the method of blanking and banding without limiting scope of the invention to the same. Thus, other materials and methods readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are understood to be within purview of invention.
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[0026] The beads are directed towards occupants of the vehicle/outside and the slot (T) in the bracket (1) are provided to maintain clearance from the adjacent parts of vehicle and also to provide the strength. 20
[0027] According to another embodiment of invention, the bracket (1) can be designed without the slot and beads in case absence of the same does not cause interference with the adjacent parts and at the same time meet the strength requirements. 25
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[0028] Mounting of roof rail mounting structure is conducted as follows: 5
- Welding of side body bracket (1) with inner surface of vehicle side body at two points. (P,fig. 4)
[0029] This bracket is preferably connected to inner surface of rear 10 most part (or layer) of multilayered structure of the side body to avoid change in profile of any of the layers of said side body to accommodate different vehicle variations (with and w/o roof rail variation).
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- Welding of roof bracket (2) with inner surface of roof panel at one point (P1, Fig. 5).
- Welding of roof bracket (2) and side body bracket (1) with roof panel at two points (P2, P3, Fig. 5). 20
[0030] In the prior art, the studs need to be tilted, so that the same can be aligned in a direction orthogonal to the roof curvature as the assembly is carried out from inner surface to outer surface of the roof. 25
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[0031] In contrast to the above, studs of the roof mounting structure of the proposed application are perpendicular to the bracket (2) 5 surface because for mounting of the roof rail, process steps begins from outer surface towards inner surface of the roof. That’s why the studs need not to be tilted unlike prior art but at the same time such design of the mounting structure caters to the requirement of placing the studs perpendicularly to the roof curvature. 10
[0032] In view of the above provision, the drawbacks due to tilted position of the studs are overcome.
This gives rise the following advantageous features:- 15
[0033] - No concern of assembly of roof panel with side body during the main body welding.
- Smaller bores in roof panel. Therefore less sealing area to avoid 20 water entry, which gives rise vehicle with improved quality.
- Accuracy of part (cap to cover the hole) is controllable due to welding of the bracket with studs directly on roof panel inner surface. 25
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- Involvement of only welded parts (with no assembly parts) having economic significance. 5
[0034] 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 10 invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-

Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle comprising a 5 bracket connected to side body inner surface, which is secured to another bracket with stud resting against inner surface of roof panel, wherein the stud is orthogonal to said another bracket.
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2. A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bracket connected to side body forms a single structural piece having substantially a steped configuration.
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3. A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein said bracket comprises first portion having substantially S-section, which is integrally connected to second portion by means of a fillet, in which said second portion comprises an elongated part having rectilinear profile. 20
4. A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of beads are provided along the curvature in proximity to the connecting location of the first portion to vehicle side body. 25
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5. A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein multitude of beads are 5 provided along the joint of the first portion with the second portion.
6. A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the roof bracket comprises an 10 elongated and rectilinear part with a stud next to each end thereof.
7. A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims mounting of which includes steps of:- 15
- Welding of side body bracket with inner surface of vehicle side body,
- Welding of roof bracket with inner surface of roof panel,
- Welding of roof bracket and side body bracket with roof panel. 20
8. A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims is associated with the advantageous features such as herein described.
9. A structure for roof rail mounting in a vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.