DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of the mounting arrangement of vehicle components. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to the field of arrangements in a vehicle for protecting a fuel filter and fuel lines in the event of a crash.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
It is observed that during a severe crash, a fuel filter and fuel lines associated with the fuel filter get damaged due to the shock generated due to the sudden impact. As a result, the fuel may start leaking from a damaged fuel filter and the fuel lines. The leaked fuel may interact with the hot engine, and consequently, pose a hazard. This can be a disastrous consequence in the event of a collision or accident.
Therefore, there is felt a need of an arrangement that prevents a fuel filter and fuel lines from damage in the event of a collision of a vehicle.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
A primary object of the present disclosure is to an arrangement that protects a fuel filter and the fuel lines connected thereto, of a vehicle, from damage in the event of a collision of the vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement that is easy to assemble and mount in a vehicle.
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 fuel filter securing arrangement for securing a vehicle fuel filter and fuel lines connected thereto. The securing arrangement comprises a jacket and a first mounting appendage. The jacket is configured to envelop and hold the fuel filter and absorb a shock in an event of a collision of the vehicle to protect the fuel filter against damage. The first mounting appendage is attached to the jacket and is configured to be fixed to the body of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the jacket is a three-piece component comprising a tubular portion, a lip portion fixed at an operative top edge of the cylindrical tube and a bottom cover fixed at an operative bottom edge of the tubular portion. The first mounting appendage is configured to be attached to the tubular portion.
In an embodiment, the securing arrangement includes a second appendage attached to the jacket and configured to be fixed to the body of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the second appendage is configured to secure a fuel line Venturi. In an embodiment, the second mounting appendage is configured to be attached to the bottom cover.
In a preferred embodiment, the operative inner surface of the jacket is lined with a damping liner. In another embodiment, the jacket is made of a damping material.
In an embodiment, the jacket is provided with a top cover at the operative top opening thereof. Further, the jacket is provided with a top locking strap adapted to secure the top cover. In an embodiment, the jacket is provided with a gasket configured to be fitted below the top cover. The top cover is provided with openings for allowing fuel lines to pass therethrough.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A fuel filter securing arrangement, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the fuel filter securing arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates another isometric view of the fuel filter securing arrangement, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 fuel filter securing arrangement
200 body of the vehicle
201 seat
10 jacket
11 tubular portion
12 lip portion
13 bottom cover
14 damping liner
20a first mounting appendage
20b second mounting appendage
21 mounting plate
22 top locking strap
23 top cover
24 gasket
25 lateral extension
26a, 26b, 26c fasteners
27 holder plate
30 fuel line
31 fuel line Venturi
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, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “attached to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, attached, 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.
The present disclosure envisages an arrangement to safeguard a fuel filter and fuel lines 31 connected thereto, of a vehicle, in the event of a collision or an accident. A fuel filter securing arrangement 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, is now described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2.
The fuel filter securing arrangement 100, comprising a jacket 10, is fitted to the body 200 (also termed as ‘body-in-white’ (BIW)) of the vehicle as shown in Figure 2. In an embodiment, the jacket 10 is fitted to the body 200 by means of a mounting plate 21 with the help of fasteners 26a. The jacket 10 is configured to envelop and hold the fuel filter and absorb a shock in an event of a collision of the vehicle to protect the fuel filter against damage. The securing arrangement 1000 is provided with a first mounting appendage 20a that is attached to the jacket 10. The first mounting appendage 20a is fitted to the mounting plate 21 by means of fasteners located in holes, or the first mounting appendage 20a or can otherwise be secured to the mounting plate 21 by welding or brazing. The first mounting appendage 20a is attached to the jacket 10 typically by welding or brazing or by other mounting means or a combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the first mounting appendage 20a is a bracket. In another embodiment, the first mounting appendage 20a is a strap.
The jacket 10 for the fuel filter is a three-piece component comprising a tubular portion 11, a lip portion 12 and a bottom cover 13. The fuel filter (not shown in figures) is inserted within the tubular portion 11 and rests on the inner surface of the bottom cover 13. The lip portion 12 of the tubular portion 11 is provided to accommodate lateral extensions 25. The first mounting appendage 20a is attached to the tubular portion 11.
In an embodiment, the inner wall of the tubular portion 11 is lined with a damping liner 14, which may be pads of rubber contouring the inner walls of the tubular portion 11 or in one embodiment may be a full sleeve. In another embodiment, the tubular portion 11 is made of a damping material such as rubber.
In an embodiment, the tubular portion 11 is cylindrical. The tubular portion 11 is configured to envelope the outer surface of the fuel filter.
In an embodiment, a top cover 23 (seen in Figure 2) is provided for mounting over the operative top opening of the jacket 10, i.e., the opening at the lip portion 12. A gasket 24 is placed under the top cover 23. The top cover 23 is secured in place by means of fasteners 26c (as seen in Figure 2). Preferably, the top cover 23 is securely held in place by means of a top locking strap 22. The top locking strap 22 is also secured to the lateral extensions 25 of the lip portion 12 by means of fasteners 26b.
The top cover 23 is provided with openings for allowing fuel lines 30 to pass therethrough.
In an embodiment, a second mounting appendage 20b, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, is secured to the bottom cover 13 to enable a fuel line Venturi 31 to be mounted and secured with respect to the jacket 10 by means of a holder plate 21.
In an embodiment, the second mounting appendage 20b is a bracket. In another embodiment, the second mounting appendage 20b is a strap.
As seen in Figure 2, the fuel filter securing arrangement 100 of the disclosure is supported on a seat 201 formed inside the side panel of the engine compartment.
The fuel filter securing arrangement 100 ensures that the fuel filter is kept intact and also prevents damage of the fuel filter and the fuel lines in the event of a sudden impact. The effectiveness of the securing arrangement 100 has been validated through a frontal deformable barrier test and through head on collision tests in both left hand drive (LHD) and right hand drive (RHD) vehicles.
There are various advantages of the fuel filter securing arrangement 100 of the present disclosure, such as –
• lends protection to fuel filter and fuel lines against damage caused due to a head-on collision of the vehicle; and
• prevents leakage of fuel from fuel lines in case of collision or crash.
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.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of the realization of a fuel filter securing arrangement that:
• protects fuel filter and components connected thereto in the event of a collision; and
• is easy to assemble and mount in a vehicle.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal 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.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A fuel filter securing arrangement (100) for securing a vehicle fuel filter and fuel lines connected thereto, said securing arrangement (100) comprising:
a. a jacket (10) configured to envelop and hold said fuel filter and absorb a shock in an event of a collision of the vehicle to protect said fuel filter against damage; and
b. a first mounting appendage (20a) attached to said jacket (10) and configured to be fixed to the body (200) of the vehicle.
2. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said jacket (10) is a three-piece component comprising a tubular portion (11), a lip portion (12) fixed at an operative top edge of said tubular portion (11) and a bottom cover (13) fixed at an operative bottom edge of said tubular portion (11).
3. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first mounting appendage (20a) is configured to be attached to said tubular portion (11).
4. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said securing arrangement (100) includes a second mounting appendage (20b) attached to said jacket (10) and configured to be fixed to the body (200) of the vehicle.
5. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second mounting appendage (20b) is configured to secure a fuel line Venturi (31).
6. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second mounting appendage (20b) is configured to be attached to said bottom cover (13).
7. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operative inner surface of said jacket (10) is lined with a damping liner (14).
8. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein material of said jacket (10) is a damping material.
9. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said jacket (10) is provided with a top cover (23) at the operative top opening thereof.
10. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein said top cover (23) is provided with openings for allowing fuel lines (30) to pass therethrough.
11. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein said jacket (10) is provided with a top locking strap (22) adapted to secure said top cover (23).
12. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein said jacket (10) is provided with a gasket (24) configured to be fitted below said top cover (23).