FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970 [39 OF 1970] & The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
TITLEOF THE INVENTION
"BODY IN WHITE SYSTEM FOR ACCOMODATING FOUR BAR HINGE ASSEMBLY IN TRUNK CHANNEL ZONE"
APPLICANT
TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street, Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, INDIA.
INVENTORS
Mr. RAJESH DEVRAM HOLE, of Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody
Street, Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India,
Mr. PANKAJ MAHAMUNKAR, of Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody
Street, Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India,
Mr. TUKARAM PANCHAL, of Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India, All are Indian Nationals of
TATA MOTORS LIMITED
and
MR. JOHN SULLIVAN, of Bombay house,
24 Homi Mody Street, Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India,
an Australian National of
TATA MOTORS LIMITED
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to Body In White (BIW) system for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to Body In White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone of a sub-four meter sedan vehicle or a compact sedan vehicle.
Definitions;
Trunk: Storage compartment configured on a rear portion of a sedan vehicle;
Trunk lid: A hinged cover that permits selective access to an interior of a trunk of a sedan vehicle;
Trunk lid outer: Exterior panel configuring a trunk lid of a sedan vehicle, wherein the trunk lid outer is outside facing and is visible from outside of the vehicle;
Trunk lid inner: Interior panel configuring a trunk lid of a sedan vehicle, wherein the trunk lid inner is facing interior boot space region of a trunk;
Water drain channel/ trunk channel zone: Is a channel configured around an sealing arrangement disposed along an opening of a trunk of a sedan vehicle, the water drain channel is configured by joining a plurality of formed Body In White (BIW) panels / components;
BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
In case of a sedan vehicle, a storage compartment is configured at a rear portion thereof, wherein an interior of the storage compartment or trunk is accessible by moving a hinged trunk lid away from a rear vehicle body. More specifically, the trunk lid remains locked to the rear vehicle body to restrict access to the storage compartment. The trunk lid is unlocked, lifted and swiveled away from the rear vehicle body to provide access to the

interior of the storage compartment. Generally, a hinge assembly is used for facilitating swiveling of the trunk lid away from the rear vehicle body. The hinge assembly can be a swan neck type hinge assembly or a four bar linkage hinge assembly. The hinge assembly further includes counterbalancing torsion spring(s) or pneumatic cylinders to assist gradual opening of the trunk lid.
The swan neck type hinge assembly used for configuring hinged connection between the trunk lid and the rear vehicle body is bulky, does not collapse to a compact configuration when the trunk lid is closed. As such the swan-neck hinges intrude into the cargo space when the trunk lid is closed, thereby substantially decreasing the effective boot space of the storage compartment. To overcome such drawbacks, the swan neck type hinge assembly is replaced by compact, collapsible hinge assembly such as the four bar linkage hinge assembly. The four bar assembly moves from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration as the trunk lid is moved from open configuration to closed configuration. In the collapsed configuration of the four bar linkage, the four bar linkage is accommodated in an interface space configured between a trunk lid inner and a water drain channel configured on a trunk channel zone that is part of the Body In White. In case of a sedan vehicle with vehicle length more than 4000 mm, the Body In White section, particularly, the trunk channel zone accommodates the four bar linkage assembly when trunk lid is in closed configuration. However, that is not the case with sub-four meter sedan vehicles in which the trunk channel zone that is part of the Body In White (BIW) is incapable of accommodating the four bar linkage assembly when trunk lid is in closed configuration.
Accordingly, there is a need for Body In White (BIW) System / joinery for configuring a BIW for a sub-four meter sedan vehicle, particularly, for configuring a trunk channel zone for a sub-four meter sedan that can accommodate a four bar linkage assembly. Further, there is a need for a BIW system for configuring trunk channel zone of BIW such that interface space configured between a trunk lid inner and a water drain channel accommodates a four bar linkage assembly, when a trunk lid is in closed configuration. Furthermore, there is a need for Body In White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk

channel zone that accommodates and permits unhindered operation of a four bar linkage assembly. Still further, there is a need for a BIW system for configuring a trunk channel zone that accommodates a four bar linkage assembly without compromising with styling and the aesthetic appeal.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a Body In White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone for a sub-four meter sedan that accommodates a four bar linkage assembly.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a Body In White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone such that interface space configured between a trunk lid inner and a water drain channel accommodates a four bar linkage assembly, when a trunk lid is in closed configuration.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone that accommodates and permits unhindered operation of a four bar linkage assembly.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a BIW system for configuring a trunk channel zone that accommodates a four bar linkage assembly without compromising with styling and the aesthetic appeal.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a BIW system for configuring a trunk channel zone that eases manufacturing, assembly and enhances production rate.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the

disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure a Body In White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone for a Body In White (BIW) of a vehicle is disclosed. The trunk channel zone is defined by a water drain channel and a trunk lid. The water drain channel is configured by joining a plurality of formed panels. The trunk lid is formed of a trunk lid inner and a trunk lid outer. An operative front face defining an operative front portion of the water drain channel and a trunk lid split line is so configured that interface space configured between the trunk lid inner and the water drain channel of a vehicle accommodates a hinge assembly in a collapsed configuration thereof when the trunk lid is in a closed configuration.
In accordance with an embodiment, the operative front face defining the operative front portion of the water drain channel forms a negative angle in Z-direction.
Typically, the negative angle formed by the operative front face with the Z-direction is in the range of 0 to 17 degrees.
In accordance with another embodiment, the trunk lid split line is configured ahead of a lower curved edge of a backlight glass in vehicle front direction.
Typically, the trunk lid split line is at least 140mm ahead of the lower curved edge of the backlight glass.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, the side face of the water drain channel forms a negative angle in Z-direction.
In accordance with another embodiment, at least a portion of the water drain channel is connected to a link of the four bar linkage assembly and at least a portion of the trunk lid is connected to another link of the four bar linkage assembly to facilitate movement of

the four bar assembly from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration as the trunk lid is moved from an open configuration to a closed configuration.
Typically, the hinge assembly is a four bar linkage hinge assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
FIG. la illustrates a schematic representation of a conventional BIW section at a trunk channel zone configured by a conventional Body In White (BIW) system , wherein a front face of a water drain channel forms an open angle in tooling direction;
FIG. lb illustrates a schematic representation of a BIW section at a trunk channel zone configured by a Body In White (BIW) system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a front face of a water drain channel forms a negative angle in Z direction;
FIG. lc illustrates a schematic representation depicting additional interface space available between a trunk lid inner and the water drain channel due to negative angle configuration of the operative front face of the water drain channel in case of the trunk channel zone of FIG. lb;
FIG. 2a illustrates a schematic representation of the trunk channel zone configured by the conventional Body In White (BIW) system , wherein a trunk lid split line is configured before a lower edge of backlight glass;

FIG. 2b illustrates a schematic representation depicting a trunk channel zone configured by a Body In White (BIW) system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein additional space is available due to a trunk lid split line configured ahead of a lower curved edge of a backlight glass;
FIG. 3a illustrates a schematic representation depicting a four-bar linkage in an extended configuration supporting the trunk lid away from rear vehicle body to define open configuration of the trunk lid; and
FIG. 3b and FIG. 3c illustrate a top view and an isometric view depicting a four-bar linkage in collapsed configuration and accommodated in interface space configured between a trunk lid inner (not illustrated) and a water drain channel of the trunk channel zone of FIG. 2b and FIG lb, when the trunk lid is in a closed configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the 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 disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, 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. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

Figure la illustrates a schematic representation of a conventional BIW section 10 (illustrated with dashed lines) at a trunk channel zone configured by a conventional Body In White (BIW) mechanism, wherein an operative front face 14f defining an operative front portion of a water drain channel 14 of the BIW section 10 forms an open angle. More specifically, the operative front face 14f is substantially vertical. When a trunk lid 12 is in closed configuration, interface space configured between a trunk lid inner 12i and the water drain channel 14 accommodates a four bar linkage assembly (not illustrated in Figure) in collapsed configuration thereof, only in case of over 4m sedan vehicle. However, in case of a sub-four meter sedan, with such configuration, the interface space is not enough and fails to accommodate the four bar linkage assembly 16 in collapsed configuration thereof when the trunk lid 12 is in closed configuration.
FIG. lb illustrates a schematic representation of a BIW section 100 at a trunk channel zone configured by a Body In White (BIW) system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein an operative front face 114f of a water drain channel 114 forms a negative angle in Z direction. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the negative angle that the operative front face 114f forms with the Z-direction is in the range of 0 to 17 degrees. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular negative angle that the operative front face 114f forms with the Z-direction.
FIG. lc illustrates a schematic representation depicting additional interface space (shown as hatched region) available between a trunk lid inner 112i and the water drain channel 114 due to negative angle configuration of the operative front face 114f of the water drain channel 114 in case of the BIW section 100 at the trunk channel zone. More specifically, the FIG. lc illustrates a schematic representation depicting the BIW sections 10 and 100 at the trunk channel zones configured by conventional Body In White (BIW) system and Body In White (BIW) system in accordance with present disclosure respectively, wherein the BIW sections 10 and 100 at the trunk channel zones are illustrated overlapping each other only for depicting additional interface space available in case of the BIW section 100 as compared to the BIW section 10.

The present disclosure provides a Body In White (BIW) system for configuring the trunk channel zone 100 for a sub four meter sedan such that an interface space configured between the trunk lid inner 112i and the water drain channel 114 accommodates a four bar linkage hinge assembly 116 in collapsed configuration thereof, when a trunk lid 112 is in closed configuration. Particularly, the operative front face 114f defining an operative front portion of the water drain channel 114 and a trunk lid split line 118 is configured so as to accommodate a four bar linkage hinge assembly 116 in an collapsed configuration thereof when the trunk lid 112 is in closed configuration, due to the additional interface space (shown as hatched region) available. More specifically, the operative front face 114f defining the operative front portion of the water drain channel 114 forms a negative angle in Z-direction and the trunk lid split line 118 is configured ahead of a lower curved edge 120 of a backlight glass 122. With such configuration, additional interface space is available as compared to interface space in case of trunk channel zone configured by conventional Body In White (BIW) system and the additional interface space facilitates accommodation of the four bar linkage hinge assembly 116 in collapsed configuration thereof when the trunk lid 112 is in closed configuration, even in case of a sub four meter sedan vehicle. The additional interface space achieved by changing configuration of the operative front face 114f of the water drain channel 114 and configuring the trunk lid split line 118 ahead of a lower curved edge 120 of a backlight glass 122 can be utilized for accommodating any other hinge mechanism and is not limited to accommodating four bar linkage hinge assembly 116 only. The BIW mechanism of the present disclosure configures the trunk channel zone with additional interface space. The additional interface space is achieved by changing configuration of the operative front face 114f of the water drain channel 114 and configuring the trunk lid split line 118 ahead of the lower curved edge 120 of the backlight glass 122 and without compromising with styling and the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle at the trunk channel zone.
The Body In White (BIW) system of the present disclosure is not limited to configuring a BIW section 100 at a trunk channel zone with a specific configuration of operative front face defining an operative front portion of a water drain channel and a trunk lid split line

in order to achieve additional interface space. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a Body In White (BIW) system configures a BIW section 100 at a trunk channel zone such that a side face of a water drain channel forms a negative angle in Z-direction in order to achieve additional interface space.
FIG. 2a illustrates a schematic representation of the trunk channel zone configured by the conventional Body In White (BIW) system, wherein a trunk lid split line 18 is configured before a lower edge 20 of backlight glass 22. FIG. 2b illustrates a schematic representation depicting a trunk channel zone configured by a Body In White (BIW) system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein additional space is available due to a trunk lid split line 118 configured ahead of a lower curved edge 120 of a backlight glass 122. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the trunk lid split line 118 is at least 140 mm ahead of the lower curved edge 120 of the backlight glass 122. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular distance for configuring the trunk lid split line 118 ahead of the lower curved edge 120 of the backlight glass 122. With such configuration, the interface space between the trunk lid 112 the water drain channel 114 accommodates the four bar linkage assembly (not illustrated in Figure) in collapsed configuration thereof, when the trunk lid 112 is in closed configuration.
FIG. 3a illustrates a schematic representation depicting the four-bar linkage hinge assembly 116 in an extended configuration supporting the trunk lid 112 away from rear vehicle body to define open configuration of the trunk lid 112. Specifically, at least a portion of the water drain channel 114 is connected to a link of the four bar linkage hinge assembly 116 and at least a portion of the trunk lid 112 is connected to another link of the four bar linkage hinge assembly 116 to facilitate swiveling movement of the trunk lid 112 between open and closed configuration as the four bar linkage hinge assembly 116 changes configuration from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration. FIG. 3b and FIG. 3c illustrate a top view and an isometric view depicting the four-bar linkage hinge assembly 116 in collapsed configuration and accommodated in interface space

configured between the trunk lid inner (not illustrated) and the water drain channel 114 of the trunk channel zone, when the trunk lid 112 is in a closed configuration.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
Advantages:
The present disclosure provides a Body In White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone for a sub-four meter sedan that accommodates a four bar linkage assembly. The present disclosure provides a Body In White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone such that interface space configured between a trunk lid inner and a water drain channel accommodates a four bar linkage assembly, when a trunk lid is in closed configuration. The present disclosure provides a White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone that accommodates and permits unhindered operation of a four bar linkage assembly. The present disclosure is to provide a BIW system for configuring a trunk channel zone that accommodates a four bar linkage assembly without compromising with styling and the aesthetic appeal. The present disclosure provides a BIW system for configuring a trunk channel zone that eases manufacturing, assembly and enhances production rate.
Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
10 a BIW section at a trunk channel zone configured by a conventional Body In White (BIW) system ;
12 a conventional trunk lid;
12i a trunk inner for the conventional trunk lid;
12o a trunk outer for the conventional trunk lid;

14
a conventional water drain channel;
14f a front face of conventional water drain channel;
100 a BIW section at a trunk channel zone configured by a Body In White (BIW) system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
112 a trunk lid of present disclosure;
112i a trunk inner for the trunk lid of present disclosure;
112o a trunk outer for the trunk lid of present disclosure;
114 a water drain channel of present disclosure;
114f a front face of the water drain channel of present disclosure;
116 a four bar linkage hinge assembly

4
We Claim:
1. A Body In White (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone for a Body
In White (BIW) of a vehicle, said trunk channel zone defined by,
• a water drain channel configured by joining a plurality of formed panels; and
• a trunk lid formed of a trunk lid inner and a trunk lid outer,
wherein an operative front face defining an operative front portion of said water drain channel and a trunk lid split line is configured such that interface space configured between said trunk lid inner and said water drain channel of trunk channel zone of a vehicle accommodates an hinge assembly in an collapsed configuration thereof when said trunk lid is in closed configuration.
2. The Body In white (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operative front face defining said operative front portion of said water drain channel forms a negative angle in Z-direction.
3. The Body In white (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone as claimed in claim 2, wherein said negative angle formed by said operative front face with said Z-direction is in the range of 0 to 17 degrees.
4. The Body In white (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein said trunk lid split line is configured ahead of a lower curved edge of a backlight glass.
5. The Body In white (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone as claimed in claim 4, wherein said trunk lid split line is at least 140 mm ahead of said lower curved edge of said backlight glass.
6. The Body In white (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein a side face of said water drain channel forms a negative angle in Z-direction.
7. The Body In white (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said water drain channel is adapted to be connected to a link of said four bar linkage assembly and at least a portion of said trunk lid is adapted to be connected to another link of said four bar linkage assembly to facilitate swiveling movement of said trunk lid between open and

closed configurations as the four bar linkage assembly changes configuration from an extended to a collapsed configuration. 8. The Body In white (BIW) system for configuring a trunk channel zone as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinge assembly is a four bar linkage hinge assembly.