[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a vehicle construction and more particularly, relates to a fuel pump.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] It is known to provide a fuel tank for a vehicle to hold fuel to be used by an engine of the vehicle. Modern fuel delivery systems for automotive vehicles with engines having fuel injectors have utilized an electrically driven fuel pump in the vehicle main fuel tank. Such fuel pumps generally have a fuel pump flange, with one or more fuel feed valves or ports along with one or more auxiliary connections / components.
[003] In certain vehicle types, the fuel tanks, and in turn the fuel pumps, are provided in rear bottom portions of the vehicle floor, with the top portion of the fuel pump being in close proximity of the vehicle floor. During a rear collision like scenario, there is a possibility of bending of the vehicle floor, and the floor being further making contact with the top portion of the fuel pump, might damage the fuel feed valves or ports and the auxiliary connections / components. Such a scenario is undesirable.
[004] Japanese Patent publication JP4945492B2 provides - nipple part protection structure 1 for the fuel pump 20 comprises: a fuel tank 10 having a fuel pump attachment opening formed thereon; the fuel pump 20 including a fixing flange 22 inserted into the fuel tank from the fuel pump attachment opening and fixed on the fuel pump attachment opening; the nipple part 30 provided at an upper part of the fuel pump and connecting the fuel pump and a fuel pipe 40 arranged at an upper part of the fuel tank; and a protection cover 50 including an input surface part 51a installed on a connection part 41 of the fuel pipe and the nipple part and receiving load from the upper part, and a leg part 53 transmitting load from the fixing flange to an outside fuel tank upper surface part.

[005] However, the assembly, shape, operation and location of the parts mentioned in the prior art are not similar to the present disclosure.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[006] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide an integrated crash guard structure for a fuel pump for preventing damage to the fuel pump components during a rear collision like scenario.
[007] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a simple, cost effective, and efficiently designed crash guard structure that is distinct from all conventional designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[008] The present invention relates to an integrated crash guard structure for a fuel pump. The integrated crash guard structure includes a vertical member extending vertically upwards from a fuel pump flange towards a vehicle floor, the vertical member includes a height (H); an angular member extending angularly from the vertical member towards the vehicle floor; and a slit / notched region intermediately provided between the vertical member and the angular member, the slit / notched region being provided proximal to the height (H) of the vertical member.
[009] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the

accompanying figures. 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 or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0011] Fig. la provides a conventional layout of a fuel tank with an included fuel pump is provided on a rear bottom portion of a vehicle (not shown) proximal to a vehicle floor;
[0012] Fig. lb provides an enlarged view of a portion of the conventional layout of Fig. la;
[0013] Fig. 2a depicts a rear crash like scenario associated with Fig. la;
[0014] Fig. 2b provides an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2a;
[0015] Fig. 3a illustrate a perspective view of an integrated crash guard structure for a fuel pump in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] Fig. 3b provides a side view of the integrated crash guard structure for the fuel pump of Fig. 3a;
[0017] Fig. 4a illustrate a perspective view of the integrated crash guard structure for the fuel pump in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] Fig. 4b provides a side view of the integrated crash guard structure for the fuel pump of Fig. 4a;
[0019] Fig. 5a depicts a rear crash like scenario associated with Fig. 3a;
[0020] Fig. 5b provides an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 5a;
[0021] Fig. 6a depicts a rear crash like scenario associated with Fig. 5a; and
[0022] Fig. 6b provides an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 6b.

[0023] 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.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0024] The present disclosure presents embodiments for an integrated crash guard structure for a fuel pump. The integrated crash guard structure includes a vertical member extending vertically upwards from a fuel pump flange towards a vehicle floor, the vertical member includes a height (H); an angular member extending angularly from the vertical member towards the vehicle floor; and a slit / notched region intermediately provided between the vertical member and the angular member, the slit / notched region being provided proximal to the height (H) of the vertical member.
[0025] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the

following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0026] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be 5 noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0027] Fig. 1a provides a conventional layout of a fuel tank (90) with an included 10 fuel pump (92) is provided on a rear bottom portion of a vehicle (not shown) proximal to a vehicle floor (94). Fig. 1b provides an enlarged view of a portion of the conventional layout of Fig. 1a, wherein a fuel feed port (96) of the fuel pump (92) is in close proximity with the vehicle floor (94).
[0028] As mentioned earlier, Fig. 2a depicts a rear crash like scenario wherein 15 after an impact, the vehicle floor (94) bends towards the fuel pump (92). Fig. 2b provides an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2a, wherein after the rear impact, the vehicle floor (94) makes contact with the fuel feed port (96), and further damages the fuel feed port (96).
[0029] Fig. 3a illustrate a perspective view of an integrated crash guard structure 20 (100) for a fuel pump (102) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3b provides a side view of the integrated crash guard structure (100) for the fuel pump (102) of Fig. 3a. In an embodiment, the integrated crash guard structure (100) includes a vertical member (104) extending vertically upwards from a fuel pump flange (106) towards a vehicle floor (108), the vertical 25 member (104) being proximal to a fuel feed port (114) of the fuel pump (102). In an example, the vertical member (104) includes a height (H). In an embodiment, the height (H) of the vertical member (104) is slightly / marginally greater than a height (h) of the fuel feed port (114).
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[0030] The integrated crash guard structure (100) further includes an angular member (110) extending angularly from the vertical member (104) towards the vehicle floor (108). Further, the integrated crash guard structure (100) includes a slit / notched region (112) intermediately provided between the vertical member 5 (104) and the angular member (110). In an embodiment, the slit / notched region (112) is provided proximal to the height (H) of the vertical member (104).
[0031] In an embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3a-3b, the vertical member (104) and the angular member (110) defines a parallelepiped structure of uniform or variable thickness. Further in an embodiment, the vertical member (104) is provided with a
10 stiffening rib (116), the stiffening rib (116) being coupled to both the vertical member (116) and the fuel pump flange (106). In an example, a profile of the stiffening rib (116) is right angled triangle. Alternatively, the stiffening rib (116) may include any regular or irregular geometrical profile. In an example, the stiffening rib (116) provides additional strength to the integrated crash guard
15 structure (100).
[0032] Fig. 4a illustrate a perspective view of the integrated crash guard structure (100) for the fuel pump (102) in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4b provides a side view of the integrated crash guard structure (100) for the fuel pump (102) of Fig. 4a. As shown, in another 20 embodiment, the vertical member (104) and the angular member (110) defines a frustum structure of uniform or variable thickness. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the angular member (110) may include parallelepiped structure, and the vertical member (104) may include frustum structure, of uniform or variable thickness.
25 [0033] Fig. 5a depicts a rear crash like scenario wherein after an impact, the vehicle floor (108) bends towards the fuel pump (102). Fig. 5b provides an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 5a, wherein after the rear impact, the vehicle floor (108) makes contact with the angular member (110) of the integrated crash guard structure (100). As the load is transferred from the vehicle floor (108) to the
30 integrated crash guard structure (100), the angular member (110) breaks about the
7

slit / notched region (112), as shown in Fig. 6a. Fig. 6b provides an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 6b, wherein after the breaking of the angular member (110) about the slit / notched region (112), the movement of the vehicle floor (108) is restricted by the vertical member (104). Such a restriction by the vertical member (104) having the height (H) slightly / marginally greater than the height (h) of the fuel feed port (114), prevents transfer of the impact load from the vehicle floor (108) towards the fuel pump flange (106), and safeguards the fuel pump flange (106) and the fuel feed port (114) from getting damaged by the vehicle floor (108). In other words, the vertical member (104) provides a clearance between the vehicle floor (108) and the fuel feed port (114) after a rear collision like impact. The clearance being defined as a difference in height (H) of the vertical member (104) and the height (h) of the fuel feed port (114).
[0034] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described with reference to one integrated crash guard structure (100), different embodiments may employ a plurality of integrated crash guard structures (100). Further, embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:

An integrated crash guard structure (100) for a fuel pump (102), the integrated crash guard structure (100) comprising:
a vertical member (104) extending vertically upwards from a fuel pump flange (106) towards a vehicle floor (108), the vertical member (104) includes a height (H);
an angular member (110) extending angularly from the vertical member (104) towards the vehicle floor (108); and
a slit / notched region (112) intermediately provided between the vertical member (104) and the angular member (110), the slit / notched region (112) being provided proximal to the height (H) of the vertical member (104).
The integrated crash guard structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the vertical member (104) is proximal to a fuel feed port (114) of the fuel
pump (102).
The integrated crash guard structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the height (H) of the vertical member (104) is greater than a height (h) of the
fuel feed port (114).
The integrated crash guard structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the vertical member (104) defines a parallelepiped structure of uniform or
variable thickness.
The integrated crash guard structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the vertical member (104) defines a frustum structure of uniform or variable
thickness.
The integrated crash guard structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the angular member (110) defines a parallelepiped structure of uniform or
variable thickness.
The integrated crash guard structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the angular member (110) defines a frustum structure of uniform or variable
thickness.

The integrated crash guard structure (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vertical member (104) is provided with a stiffening rib (116), the stiffening rib (116) being coupled to both the vertical member (116) and the fuel pump flange (106).
The integrated crash guard structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angular member (110) is configured to break about the slit / notched region (112) under a load from the vehicle floor (108) during an impact like scenario.