Description:AN INSTRUMENT PANEL MOUNTING BRACKET STRUCTURE

FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to an instrument panel (IP) mounting bracket of a vehicle and in particular, a single piece IP mounting bracket to mount the Instrument Panel to a steering support member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention.
[0003] In general, all vehicles comprise a dashboard/ instrument panel (IP) which is a control panel set within the central console of a vehicle. It usually located ahead of the driver seat, it displays instrumentations and controls for the vehicle's operation. The IP main is mounted on A-pipe, i.e., Steering Support Member with the help of brackets welded to the steering support member. In the existing structures the IP mounting bracket on driver side was designed in two piece which would be welded to each other. In the said structures, due to two-part design of bracket, the material overlapping was observed during unblanking. Further, the bracket was weak owing to the bends, size and shape of the bracket which lead to develop stress around the bends. Therefore, there is need to improve the existing design of IP main mounting bracket, and eventually provide higher stability and stiffness to cater the stresses generated on the IP main mounting bracket of the steering support member of vehicle.
[0004] Another technical problem of the existing IP mounting bracket structure is high cost and time for welding two parts together.
[0005] Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations of the existing provisions, there is need in the art to provide improved design of an IP main mounting bracket structure which can cater the stresses generated on it and can effectively provide stiffness and rigidity to the IP main and the steering support member.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] It is therefore the object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior system provide an improved design of an IP main mounting bracket structure that can provide a compact structure without compromising on the overall strength.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved design of an IP main mounting bracket structure that can cater the stress and spring back and wrinkles generated on the bracket due to its complex structure.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved design of an IP main mounting bracket structure that provide stiffness and rigidity to the instrument panel mounting bracket.
[0009] 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 OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This summary is provided to introduce an improved design of an IP main mounting bracket structure that can cater the stresses generated due to its complex structure.
[0011] 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] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure connecting with a steering support member pipe at one end and dashboard at other end of a vehicle. The IP mounting bracket structure comprising a first vertical straight portion is connected with the steering support member pipe at one end; a second longitudinal portion extending in vehicle length direction from the first vertical straight portion at an angle (a1); a third transverse portion extending in vehicle width direction from the second longitudinal portion at an angle (a2); a fourth longitudinal portion extending in parallel direction with the second longitudinal from the third transverse portion at an angle (a3); and a fifth transverse portion extending perpendicularly in vehicle width direction from the fourth longitudinal portion, the fifth transverse portion define a resting surface having a plurality of mounting holes to receive the dashboard.
[0013] In an aspect, the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure comprises a bend portion defined in between the fourth longitudinal portion and the third transverse portion.
[0014] In an aspect, the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure comprises a ‘Y’ shaped bead provided on adjacent region of the bend portion on the third transverse portion and the fourth longitudinal portion and covering the bend portion, where tong arms of the ‘Y’ shaped bead provided in the third transverse portion and single rear longitudinal portion provided in the fourth longitudinal portion.
[0015] In an aspect, the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure comprises an inclined cutout provided on the fourth longitudinal portion to facilitate bending of the fifth transverse portion, where the inclined cut-out starts from the bend portion and ends below the single rear longitudinal portion of the ‘Y’ shaped bead on the fourth longitudinal portion.
[0016] In an aspect, the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure comprises the fourth longitudinal portion defines a triangular shape profile.
[0017] In an aspect, the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure includes a main body face having opposite sides with flanges extending perpendicularly outward to provide structural rigidity to the IP mounting bracket structure, the flanges extending from the first vertical portion defines greater width as compared to the flanges extending from the second longitudinal portion, the third transverse portion, and the fourth longitudinal portion.
[0018] In an aspect, the fourth longitudinal portion define the flange at one side of the main body defining smaller width as compared to the flanges extending from the second longitudinal portion, the third transverse portion, and the fourth longitudinal portion.
[0019] In an aspect, the flanges of the first vertical portion define mounting hole for harness.
[0020] In an aspect, the IP mounting bracket structure is a single piece bracket structure.
[0021] In an aspect, the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure comprises a bend portion defined in between the fourth longitudinal portion and the fifth transverse portion along to lateral edge of triangular profile of the fourth longitudinal portion, the bend portion defines a plurality of bead structures to provide structural rigidity.
[0022] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
[0023] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[0024] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0026] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an IP main mounting bracket structure mounted on the steering support member and the Instrument panel of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] Fig. 2 illustrates Instrument Panel mounting bracket structure with harness and fuse box, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0029] Fig. 4 and 5 illustrate different views of the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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” 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] The present subject matter discloses an Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) connecting with a steering support member pipe (200) at one end and Instrument panel (300) at other end of a vehicle as shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 1, the IP mounting bracket structure (100) receives a mounting bracket (400) to receive the fuse box 500. Fig. 2 illustrate mounting of harness 600 on the Instrument panel mounting bracket structure (100) and mounting of the fuse box (500) on the instrument panel mounting bracket (100) and the mounting bracket (400) welded on the instrument panel mounting bracket (100).
[0036] Referring to Fig. 3, the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) comprises a first vertical straight portion (101) connected with the steering support member pipe (200) at one end and a second longitudinal portion (102) extending in vehicle length direction from the first vertical straight portion (101) at an angle (a1). A bend portion (103) is defined in between the a first vertical straight portion (101) and the second longitudinal portion (102). The angle (a1) and radius of the bend portion (103) can be tuned to provide desired strength in the structure. Further, the angle (a1) and the radius of the bend portion (103) depends on the placement of adjacent components, such as harness and fuse box. Furthermore, the angle (a1) and the radius of the bend portion (103) depends on internal layout of the instrument panel.
[0037] The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) further comprises a third transverse portion (105) extending in vehicle width direction from the second longitudinal portion (102) at an angle (a2) and a fourth longitudinal portion (107) extending in parallel direction with the second longitudinal portion (102) from the third transverse portion (105) at an angle (a3). A bend portion (104) is defined in between the second longitudinal portion (102) and the third transverse portion (105). The angle (a2) and radius of the bend portion (104) can be tuned to provide desired strength in the structure. A bend portion (106) is defined in between the third transverse portion (105) and the fourth longitudinal portion (107). The angle (a3) and radius of the bend portion (106) can be tuned to provide desired strength in the structure. Further, the angle (a2) and the radius of the bend portion (104) depends on the placement of adjacent components, such as harness and fuse box.
[0038] The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) comprises a fifth transverse portion (109) extending perpendicularly in vehicle width direction from the fourth longitudinal portion (107), the fifth transverse portion (109) define a resting surface having a plurality of mounting holes (109a) to receive the instrument panel (300). The fourth longitudinal portion (107) defines a triangular shape profile.
[0039] A bend portion (108) defined in between the fourth longitudinal portion (107) and the fifth transverse portion (109) along to lateral edge of triangular profile of the fourth longitudinal portion (107), the bend portion (108) defines a plurality of bead structures (108a) to provide structural rigidity.
[0040] In an aspect, the bend angle between each portion can be tuned as per desired strength or to increase or decrease strength of the mounting bracket.
[0041] Referring Fig. 4, the Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) defined a bend portion (106) in between the fourth longitudinal portion (107) and the third transverse portion (105). To cater stress generated on the IP mounting bracket structure (100), a ‘Y’ shaped bead (110) is provided on adjacent region of the bend portion (106) on the third transverse portion (105) and the fourth longitudinal portion (107) and covering the bend portion (106). The ‘Y’ shaped bead (100) defines two arms extend at an angle away from each other defining tong arms (110a) and one single rear longitudinal arm or portion (110b). The tong arms (110a) of the ‘Y’ shaped bead (110) is provided in the third transverse portion (105) and the single rear longitudinal portion (110b) provided in the fourth longitudinal portion (107). The Y” shaped bead (110) is provided at the bend portion (106) and adjacent to the bend portion (106) the Instrument panel is mounted and to avoid stress concentration in that area a notch (111) or cutout is provided adjacent to the mounting plane of Instrument panel, i.e., fourth longitudinal portion.
[0042] The inclined cutout (111) is provided on the fourth longitudinal portion (107) to facilitate bending of the fifth transverse portion (109) in transverse direction avoiding wrinkles and stress concentration at that area, where the inclined cut-out (111) starts from the bend portion (106) and ends below the single rear longitudinal portion (110b) of the ‘Y’ shaped bead (110) on the fourth longitudinal portion (107).
[0043] Referring to fig. 4 and 5 together, the IP mounting bracket structure (100) includes a main body face (100a) having opposite lateral sides with flanges (100b) extending perpendicularly outward to provide structural rigidity to the IP mounting bracket structure (100). The flanges (100b) extending from lateral sides of the first vertical portion (101) defines greater width as compared to the flanges (100b) extending from lateral sides of the second longitudinal portion (102), the third transverse portion (105), and the fourth longitudinal portion (107). Further, width of the flanges (100b) can be tuned to achieve required strength in the mounting bracket structure (100). Furthermore, the main body face (100a) may have holes in circular or oblong shape to receive harness. The provision of holes may be provided to tune strength of the structure. The first vertical straight portion (101) defines steering support member pipe mounting flanges (101a) from main body face (100a) and the side flanges (100b) extending angularly outward and welded with the steering support member pipe (200).
[0044] The fourth longitudinal portion (107) define the flange (100b) at one side of the main body (100a) only. The flange (100b) fourth longitudinal portion (107) has smaller width as compared to the flanges (100b) extending from the second longitudinal portion (102) and the third transverse portion (105).
[0045] In an embodiment, the flanges (100b) of the first vertical portion (101) has a plurality of mounting holes (101b) to receive harness. In another embodiment, flanges (100b) of other portions may have holes or notches to receive the harness or to tune strength of the structure.
[0046] In an embodiment, the IP mounting bracket structure (100) is a single piece bracket structure.
Technical advantages:
[0047] With the present disclosure, an improved IP main mounting bracket structure can cater the stresses generated on it and can effectively provide stiffness and rigidity to the IP main on the steering support member.
[0048] The present disclosure discloses a IP mounting bracket structure designed to make the overall structure compact without compromising on the overall strength.
[0049] The present IP mounting bracket structure has multiple bend structure for attaching and packaging the fuse box mounting bracket and harness mounting clip.
[0050] To cater the spring back and wrinkles generated on the IP mounting bracket structure, “Y” shaped bead and notch is provided.
[0051] The “Y” shaped bead is provided at the bend where the Instrument Panel is mounted and to avoid stress concentration in that area notch is provided adjacent to the mounting plane of Instrument Panel.
[0052] It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the discussion herein, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving,” or “determining,” or “retrieving,” or “controlling,” or “comparing,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of an electronic control unit, or similar electronic device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the control unit’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the control unit memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0053] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the 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.
[0054] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
[0055] 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.
, Claims:We claim:
1. An Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) connecting with a steering support member pipe (200) at one end and Instrument panel (300) at other end of a vehicle, the IP mounting bracket structure (100) comprising:
a first vertical straight portion (101) connected with the steering support member pipe (200) at one end;
a second longitudinal portion (102) extending in vehicle length direction from the first vertical straight portion (101) at an angle (a1);
a third transverse portion (105) extending in vehicle width direction from the second longitudinal portion (102) at an angle (a2);
a fourth longitudinal portion (107) extending in parallel direction with the second longitudinal portion (102) from the third transverse portion (105) at an angle (a3); and
a fifth transverse portion (109) extending perpendicularly in vehicle width direction from the fourth longitudinal portion (107), the fifth transverse portion (109) define a resting surface having a plurality of mounting holes (109a) to receive the instrument panel (300).

2. The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bend portion (106) defined in between the fourth longitudinal portion (107) and the third transverse portion (105).

3. The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a ‘Y’ shaped bead (110) provided on adjacent region of the bend portion (106) on the third transverse portion (105) and the fourth longitudinal portion (107) and covering the bend portion (106), where tong arms (110a) of the ‘Y’ shaped bead (110) provided in the third transverse portion (105) and single rear longitudinal portion (110b) provided in the fourth longitudinal portion (107).
4. The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) as claimed in claim 2 and 3, wherein an inclined cutout (111) provided on the fourth longitudinal portion (107) to facilitate bending of the fifth transverse portion (109), where the inclined cut-out (111) starts from the bend portion (106) and ends below the single rear longitudinal portion (110b) of the ‘Y’ shaped bead (110) on the fourth longitudinal portion (107).

5. The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fourth longitudinal portion (107) defines a triangular shape profile.

6. The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IP mounting bracket structure (100) includes a main body face (100a) having opposite sides with flanges (100b) extending perpendicularly outward to provide structural rigidity to the IP mounting bracket structure (100), the flanges (100b) extending from the first vertical portion (101) defines greater width as compared to the flanges (100b) extending from the second longitudinal portion (102), the third transverse portion (105), and the fourth longitudinal portion (107).

7. The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fourth longitudinal portion (107) define the flange (100b) at one side of the main body (100a) defining smaller width as compared to the flanges (100b) extending from the second longitudinal portion (102) and the third transverse portion (105).

8. The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flanges (100b) of the first vertical portion (101) defines mounting hole (101b) to receive harness.

9. The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IP mounting bracket structure (100) is a single piece bracket structure.
10. The Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket Structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bend portion (108) defined in between the fourth longitudinal portion (107) and the fifth transverse portion (109) along to lateral edge of triangular profile of the fourth longitudinal portion (107), the bend portion (108) defines a plurality of bead structures (108a) to provide structural rigidity.