Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to a vehicle rear body structure. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to uniformly distributing stress developed at the rear lamp house outer panel of the vehicle rear body structure.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Referring to FIG. 1, disclosed is a first conventional rear body structure 100 at a lower back area of an MUV (multi utility vehicle) type automobile. The conventional rear body structure 100 comprises a rear lamp house outer panel 102, a back panel 104, and a tail end member 106. The rear lamp house outer panel 102 is configured to house the tail lamp (not shown) of the automobile. The tail end member 106 forms a part of a horizontal beam which defines the loading lip of the back door. The back panel 104 is configured to connect the tail end member 106 to the rear lamp house outer panel 102. One end of the back panel 104 is affixed to the tail end member 106 along a line 110 and other end of the back panel 104 is affixed to the rear lamp house outer panel 102 along a line 108. In vehicles with lower loading lip, distance “D” between the line 110 and the line 108 is significantly larger. This larger distance allows for the uniform distribution of stresses developed in the rear lamp house outer panel 102.
[004] Referring to FIG. 2, disclosed is a second conventional rear body structure 200 at a lower back area of a hatchback automobile with an increased loading lip for SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) design styling. The increase in the luggage loading lip reduces the distance between the line 110 and the line 108. Additionally in SUV type design, the size and weight of back door increases considerably due to additional trim garnish, styling requirements and bigger opening on rear side. This heavier back door results in higher vibration thereby affecting the torsional rigidity of the vehicle. In order to improve NVH and to reduce lateral vibrations of the back door, additional stopper is required on the rear body structure of vehicle, generally on the rear lamp house outer panel. However, the attachment of the shut stopper mounting to the rear lamp house outer panel 102 requires substantial changes in the geometry of the rear lamp house outer panel 102. The structural changes thus made along with the reduced distance between the lines 110 and 108 increases the stress concentration around the line 108 reducing the vehicle strength and twist performance which may lead to failure.
[005] In view of the above technical problem, there is a need for a new design that reduces stress concentration and uniformly distributes the stress developed at the rear lamp house outer panel of the automobile with increased loading lip.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[006] 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.
[007] It is an object of the present disclosure to uniformly distribute stress developed at the rear lamp house outer panel of the automobile.
[008] It is another object of the present disclosure to prevent failure of the rear lamp house outer panel of the automobile.
[001] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.

SUMMARY
[009] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to uniformly distributing the stresses developed in the rear lamp house outer panel of an automobile. 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.
[0010] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle rear body structure. The vehicle rear body structure comprises a rear lamp house outer panel. The rear lamp house outer panel comprises a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, a fourth portion and a bead. The second portion extends transversely from the first portion. The third portion extends transversely from the second portion. The third portion extends away from the first portion. The fourth portion is formed by converging the first portion, the second portion and the third portion. The bead is provided in the fourth portion.
[0011] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 discloses a first conventional rear body structure 100 at a lower back area of an Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV) type automobile;
[0014] FIG. 2 discloses a second conventional rear body structure 200 at a lower back area of a hatchback automobile with an increased loading lip for SUV design styling;
[0015] FIG. 3 discloses a vehicle rear body structure 300 for uniformly distributing stress developed at a rear lamp house outer panel 302 of an automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 discloses different components of the rear lamp house outer panel 302 of the vehicle rear body structure 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 discloses a bead 308, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 6 discloses a sectional view of the bead 308, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] 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
[0020] 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 spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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”, “consisting” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, 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.
[0023] 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, 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.
[0024] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be 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.
[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific 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 formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, discloses is a vehicle rear body structure 300 for uniformly distributing stress developed at a rear lamp house outer panel 302 of an automobile. The vehicle rear body structure 300 comprises the rear lamp house outer panel 302, a back panel 304, and a tail end member 306. The rear lamp house outer panel 302 is configured to house the tail lamp (not shown) of the automobile. The tail end member 306 forms a part of a horizontal beam which defines the loading lip of the back door. The back panel 304 is configured to connect the tail end member 306 to the rear lamp house outer panel 302. One end of the back panel 304 is affixed to the tail end member 306 and other end of the back panel 304 is affixed to the rear lamp house outer panel 302. However, due to increased loading lip, the distance between the joint where the tail end member 306 is affixed to the back panel 304 and the joint where the back panel 304 is affixed to the rear lamp house outer panel 302 is significantly less. This reduced distance increases stress concentration near the joint between the back panel 304 and the rear lamp house outer panel 302, leading to failure of the panels.
[0027] Referring to FIGs. 4 and 5, disclosed are different components of the rear lamp house outer panel 302 of the vehicle rear body structure 300. The rear lamp house outer panel 302 comprises a first portion 402, a second portion 404, a third portion 406, a fourth portion 408 and a bead 308 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0028] In an embodiment, the second portion 404 extends transversely from the first portion 402. The third portion 406 extends transversely from the second portion 404. The third portion 406 extends away from the first portion 402.
[0029] In an embodiment, the first portion 402, the second portion 404 and the third portion 406 define a cross section that is substantially in the shape of “Z”. This shape of the rear lamp house outer panel 302 is required to accommodate a shut stopper mounting 310 (also shown in FIG. 3).
[0030] In an embodiment, the first portion 402, the second portion 404 and the third portion 406 converge to form the fourth portion 408. The fourth portion 408 may be defined as a portion of the rear lamp house outer panel 302 closer to the back panel 304, wherein the first portion 402, the second portion 404 and the third portion 406 are located at various planes.
[0031] In an embodiment, the fourth portion 408 may be a curvilinear portion.
[0032] In an embodiment, a bead 308 is provided in the fourth portion 408 closer to the joint between the back panel 304 and the rear lamp house outer panel 302.
[0033] In an embodiment, the bead 308 may protrude from the fourth portion 408 away from vehicle cabin.
[0034] In another embodiment, the bead 308 is longitudinal-shaped in vehicle width direction.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 6, the bead 308 comprises a top surface 600, a first side 602 and a second side 604. In an embodiment, the top surface 600 of the bead 308 is at an elevated height compared to the fourth portion 408.
[0036] In an embodiment, the first side 602 is closer to the first portion 402 and the second side 604 is closer to the third portion 406.
[0037] In an embodiment, the first side 602 may be taller than the second side 604 so that the top surface 600 of the bead 308 slants from the first side 602 to the second side 604. In another embodiment, the first side 602 is shorter than the second side 604 so that the top surface 600 of the bead 308 slants from the second side 604 to the first side 602.
[0038] In an embodiment, the bead 308 is a rectangular box like structure.
[0039] In an embodiment, the bead 308 is configured to distribute the stress accumulated at the fourth portion 408, thereby prolonging the life of the rear lamp house outer panel 302. The bead 308 also helps in countering twist load and providing torsional rigidity to the fourth portion 408.
[0040] In an embodiment, the top surface 600 of the bead 308 is flat.
[0041] In an embodiment, the rear lamp house outer panel 302 defines an extension 410 (shown in FIG. 4) below the bead 308 which is directed towards the back panel 304. The extension 410 is spot welded to the back panel 304. This additional spot welding of the extension to the back panel 304 further increases the stress distribution and the rigidity of the rear lamp house outer panel 302.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[0042] The present disclosure proposes a vehicle rear body structure to uniformly distribute stress developed at the rear lamp house outer panel of the automobile.
[0043] The present disclosure proposes a system to prevent failure of the rear lamp house outer panel of the automobile.
[0044] Furthermore, 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0047] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0048] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure 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.
[0049] The term “automobile” and “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “automobile” and “vehicle” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.

Claims:

We claim:
1. A vehicle rear body structure (300), the vehicle rear body structure (300) comprising:
a rear lamp house outer panel (302) comprising:
a first portion (402);
a second portion (404) extending transversely from the first portion (402);
a third portion (406) extending transversely from the second portion (404), wherein the third portion (406) extends away from the first portion (402);
a fourth portion (408) formed by converging the first portion (402), the second portion (404) and the third portion (406); and
a bead (308) provided in the fourth portion (408).

2. The vehicle rear body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bead (308) comprises a top surface (600), wherein the top surface (600) is flat.

3. The vehicle rear body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bead (308) comprises a first side (602) closer to the first portion (402) and a second side (604) closer to the third portion (406).

4. The vehicle rear body structure (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first side (602) is taller than the second side (604) so that a top surface (600) of the bead (308) slants from the first side (602) to the second side (604).

5. The vehicle rear body structure (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first side (602) is shorter than the second side (604) so that a top surface (600) of the bead (308) slants from the second side (604) to the first side (602).

6. The vehicle rear body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bead (308) is a rectangular box like structure.

7. The vehicle rear body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a back panel (304).

8. The vehicle rear body structure (300) as claimed in claim 7, comprising a tail end member (306), wherein the back panel (304) is configured to connect the tail end member (306) to the rear lamp house outer panel (302).

9. The vehicle rear body structure (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rear lamp house outer panel (302) defines an extension (410) below the bead (308) towards the back panel (304).

10. The vehicle rear body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bead (308) is longitudinal-shaped in vehicle width direction.