Claims:We claim:
1. An engine side bracket (102) to connect an engine (108) in an automobile to a body frame of the automobile, the engine side bracket (102) comprising:
a lower plate (202) defining,
a first end (302) and a second end (304), wherein the first end (302) of the lower plate (202) is connected to the engine (108) of the automobile; and
a base portion (306) and flange portions (308) along the edge of the base portion (306) to define a U-shape, wherein the flange portions (308) extend beyond the base plate (306) at the second end (304), wherein the base portion (306) comprises:
a first base portion (402); and
a second base portion (404), wherein the second base portion (404) is at a depressed level than the first base portion (402); and
an intermediate base portion (406) that transitions from the first base portion (402) to the second base portion (404), wherein the width of the flange portions (308) is greater along the edges of the second base portion (404) than along the edges of the first base portion (402), wherein the base portion (306) defines a base protrusion (408) along the length of the lower plate (202), wherein,
the base protrusion (408) encompasses the second base portion (404), the intermediate base portion (406) and at least a portion of the first base portion (402); and
the base protrusion (408) protrudes opposite to the direction of the flange (308).

2. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an upper plate (204), wherein the upper plate (204) comprises a first portion (502), a second portion (504), a third portion (506) and a fourth portion (508), wherein,
the first portion (502), the second portion (504) and the third portion (506) define a U-shape;
the third portion (506) and the fourth portion (508) defines an L-shape such that the fourth portion (508) is away from the first portion (502);
the second portion (504) is configured to rest on the first base portion (402) of the lower plate (202); and
the fourth portion (508) is configured to rest on the flange portions (308) that are adjacent to the second base portion (404), wherein the fourth portion (508) is wider than the second base portion (404).

3. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first base portion (402) defines a plurality of engine mounting holes (410) configured to mount the engine side bracket (102) to the engine (108) of the automobile.

4. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second portion (504) defines a plurality of engine mounting holes (510) that are coaxial to the engine mounting holes (410) defined by the first base portion (402).

5. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fourth portion (508) of the upper plate (204) defines a through hole (602) such that the edges (604) of the through hole (602) protrude away from the lower plate (202).

6. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein intersection of the second portion (504) and the third portion (506) defines a first emboss (606), such that the first emboss (606) protrudes away from the lower plate (202).

7. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein intersection of the third portion (506) and the fourth portion (508) defines a second emboss (608), such that the second emboss (608) protrudes towards the lower plate (202).

8. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper plate (204) is a single structure.

9. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engine side bracket (102) is connected to a body frame side bracket such that,
the engine side bracket (102) is connected to the body frame side bracket; and
the body frame side bracket is in contact with the body frame of the automobile.

10. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rubber mount (106) is held between the flange portions (308) that extend beyond the base plate (306) at the second end (304).

11. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange portions (308) that are adjacent to the second base portion (404) define a bead (310) that protrudes outward.

12. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bead (310) is cuboidal in shape.

13. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base portion (306) and the flanges (308) taper from the first end (302) to the second end (304).

14. The engine side bracket (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower plate (202) is a single structure.

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to an engine mounting system that is used to connect the engine in an automobile to the body frame of the automobile. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to the engine side bracket of the engine mounting system.
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] The engine of an automobile is connected to the body frame of the automobile using an engine mounting system. The engine mounting system comprises an engine side bracket and a body frame side bracket. The engine side bracket is connected to the engine and the body frame side bracket is connected to the body frame. The engine side bracket and the body frame side bracket are connected to each other to form the engine mounting system.
[004] Due to displacement of the engine, there are changes made to the engine mounting system and because of this the inclination and the overhang of the engine side bracket is increased. The increased overhang and inclination of the engine side bracket leads to unfavourable conditions such as undamped vibrations, reduced load bearing capacity, reduced strength, among others.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[005] 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.
[006] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose an engine side bracket that compensates for the increased overhang and inclination.
[007] It is another object of the present disclosure to propose an engine side bracket for better distribution of stress flow from the engine to the body frame of the automobile.
[008] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to propose an engine side bracket with increased load bearing capacity.
[009] It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to propose an engine side bracket that damps vibrations to a body side panel in an efficient manner.
[0010] 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
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an engine side bracket of the engine mounting system in 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.
[0012] The present disclosure relates to an engine side bracket to connect an engine in an automobile to a body frame of the automobile. The engine side bracket comprises a lower plate defining a first end, a second end, a base portion and flange portions. The first end of the lower plate is connected to the engine of the automobile. The flange portions are provided along the edge of the base portion to define a U-shape. The flange portions extend beyond the base plate at the second end. The base portion comprises a first base portion, a second base portion and an intermediate base portion. The second base portion is at a depressed level than the first base portion. The intermediate base portion transitions the first base portion to the second base portion. The width of the flange portions is greater along the edges of the second base portion than along the edges of the first base portion. Further, the base portion defines a base protrusion along the length of the lower plate where the base protrusion encompasses the second base portion, the intermediate base portion and at least a portion of the first base portion. The base protrusion protrudes opposite to the direction of the flange.
[0013] 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
[0014] 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:
[0015] FIG. 1 discloses an engine mounting system to connect an engine in an automobile to a body frame of the automobile, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 2 discloses an isometric view of an engine side bracket of the engine mounting system, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0017] FIGs. 3 and 4 disclose different isometric views of a lower plate of the engine side bracket, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 5 discloses an isometric view of an upper plate of the engine side bracket, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0019] FIG. 6 discloses an enlarged view of the upper plate and the lower plate of the engine side bracket, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0020] 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
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, disclosed is an engine mounting system 100 that may be configured to connect an engine 108 in an automobile (not shown) to a body frame (not shown) of the automobile. The engine mounting system 100 may comprise an engine side bracket 102, a body frame side bracket and a rubber mount 106. The engine side bracket 102 may be in contact with the engine 108 and the body frame side bracket may be in contact with the body frame of the automobile. The body frame side bracket and the engine side bracket 102 are may be connected to each other using the rubber mount 106.
[0028] In an embodiment, the engine vibrations may be transferred to the body frame of the automobile using the engine mounting system 100. The rubber mount 106 may be configured to dampen the vibrations.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, disclosed is an isometric view of the engine side bracket 102 of the engine mounting system 100. The engine side bracket 102 may comprise a lower plate 202 and an upper plate 204.
[0030] Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, the lower plate 202 of the engine side bracket 102 may define a first end 302 and a second end 304. The first end 302 of the lower plate 202 may be connected to the engine 108 of the automobile and the second end of the lower plate 202 may be connected to the body frame side bracket using the rubber mount 106.
[0031] The lower plate 202 further may define a base portion 306 and flange portions 308. The flange portions 308 may be defined along the edge of the base portion 306, such that the flange portions 308 along with the base portion 306 may define a U-shape.
[0032] In an embodiment, the flange portions 308 may extend beyond the base plate 306 at the second end 304 of the lower plate 202.
[0033] In an embodiment, the rubber mount 106 of the engine mounting system 100 may be held between the flange portions 308 that may extend beyond the base plate 306 at the second end 304. Each of the extended flange portions 308 may define a through hole 412 for the connecting means to pass through, so that the rubber mount 106 may be connected to the lower plate 202. The connecting means may be the one that are conventionally used in the art, such as nut and bolt, screws, among others.
[0034] The base portion 306 of the lower plate 202 may comprise a first base portion 402, a second base portion 404 and an intermediate base portion 406. The second base portion 404 may be at a depressed level than the first base portion 402. The intermediate base portion 406 may be configured to transition the first base portion 402 into the second base portion 404. The width of the flange portions 308 along the edges of the second base portion 404 may be greater than the width of the flange portions 308 along the edges of the first base portion 402. This may provide a gradual increase in the width of the flange portions 308 from the first end 302 of the lower plate 202 towards the second end 304 of the lower plate 202.
[0035] In an embodiment, the first base portion 402 may define a plurality of engine mounting holes 410 that are configured to mount the engine side bracket 102 to the engine 108 of the automobile. The engine mounting holes 410 may are be configured to allow the connecting means to pass through, so that the engine side bracket 102 may be connected to the engine 108. The connecting means may be the one that are conventionally used in the art, such as nut and bolt, screws, among others.
[0036] In an embodiment, the flange portions 308 that are adjacent to the second base portion 404 may define a bead 310 that protrudes outward. In an embodiment, the bead 310 may be cuboidal in shape.
[0037] In an embodiment, the bead 310 may be configured to increase the section modulus of the lower plate 202.
[0038] In an embodiment, the bead 310 is configured to take support from the rubber mount 106 and facilitates stress flow from the flange portion 308 to the rubber mount 106 via a connecting means that passes through the through hole 412.
[0039] In an embodiment, the base portion 306 of the lower plate 202 may define a base protrusion 408 along the length of the lower plate 202. The base protrusion 408 may encompass the entire second base portion 404 and the entire intermediate base portion 406. In addition, the base protrusion 408 may encompass at least a portion of the first base portion 402.
[0040] In an embodiment, the base protrusion 408 may protrude opposite to the direction of the flange 308.
[0041] In an embodiment, the base protrusion 408 is configured to obtain support from the first base portion 402 to make the second base portion 404 and the intermediate base portion 406 rigid. The base protrusion 408 facilitates better stress flow from the engine 108 towards the flange 308.
[0042] In an embodiment, the base protrusion 408 provides support to the flange 308 in the region where there is gradual increase in the width of the flange portions 308 adjacent to the second base portion 404 and the intermediate base portion 406.
[0043] In an embodiment, the base portion 306 and the flanges 308 may taper from the first end 302 towards the second end 304.
[0044] In an embodiment, the lower plate 202 may be a single structure.
[0045] In an embodiment, the second base portion 404, the intermediate base portion 406, and the portions of the flanges 308 adjacent to the second base portion 404 and the intermediate base portion 406 provide smooth load transfer, better stress distribution from the engine 108 to the body frame of the automobile. The instant structural configuration also provides extra load bearing capacity to the engine side bracket 102.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 5, disclosed is an isometric view of the upper plate 204 of the engine side bracket 102, in accordance with an embodiment. The upper plate 204 may comprise a first portion 502, a second portion 504, a third portion 506 and a fourth portion 508. The first portion 502, the second portion 504 and the third portion 506 may jointly define a U-shape. The third portion 506 and the fourth portion 508 may define an L-shape such that the fourth portion 508 is away from the first portion 502. The second portion 504 may be configured to rest on the first base portion 402 of the lower plate 202.
[0047] In an embodiment, the second portion 504 may define a plurality of engine mounting holes 510 that are coaxial to the engine mounting holes 410 defined by the first base portion 402. The engine mounting holes 510 along with the plurality of engine mounting holes 410 may be configured to mount the engine side bracket 102 to the engine 108 of the automobile. The engine mounting holes 510 may be configured to allow the connecting means to pass through, so that the engine side bracket 102 may be connected to the engine 108. The connecting means may be the one that are conventionally used in the art, such as nut and bolt, screws, among others.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 6, the fourth portion 508 of the upper plate 204 may define a through hole 602 such that the edges 604 of the through hole 602 may protrude away from the lower plate 202. In an embodiment, the edges 604 may reduce the deflection in the upper plate 204.
[0049] In an embodiment, the through hole 602 dissipates the stress away from the upper plate 204, whereby minimum stress concentration is attained at the centre of the fourth portion 508.
[0050] The fourth portion 508 may be configured to rest on the flange portions 308 that are adjacent to the second base portion 404. The fourth portion 508 of the upper plate 204 may be wider than the second base portion 404.
[0051] In an embodiment, the fourth portion 508 may be welded to the flanges 308 to restrict the opening of the upper plate 204.
[0052] In an embodiment, the through hole 602 aids in diverting the stress to the welded part of the fourth portion 508 and through it to the first base portion 402.
[0053] In an embodiment, intersection of the second portion 504 and the third portion 506 may define a first emboss 606. The first emboss 606 may protrude away from the lower plate 202.
[0054] In an embodiment, intersection of the third portion 506 and the fourth portion 508 may define a second emboss 608. The second emboss 608 may protrude towards the lower plate 202.
[0055] In an embodiment, the upper plate 204 may be a single structure.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[0056] The present disclosure proposes an engine side bracket that compensates for the increased overhang and inclination.
[0057] The present disclosure proposes an engine side bracket for better distribution of stress flow from the engine to the body frame of the automobile.
[0058] The present disclosure proposes an engine side bracket with increased load bearing capacity.
[0059] The present disclosure proposes an engine side bracket that damps vibrations to a body side panel in an efficient manner.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] The term “automobile” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving automobile that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “automobile” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.