Claims:We claim:
1. A cradle assembly (100) for mounting an engine and a radiator (112) in a vehicle, said cradle assembly (100) comprising:
a cradle shaft (102) having at least two ends;
a first cradle mounting bracket (108) connected to one end of the cradle shaft (102);
a second cradle mounting bracket (110) connected to another end of the cradle shaft (102);
a radiator mounting bracket (106) connected to the cradle shaft (102); and
an engine mounting bracket (104) connected to the cradle shaft (102).

2. The cradle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cradle shaft (102) is having a circular cross section.

3. The cradle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cradle mounting bracket (108) is of L-shaped provided with plurality of mounting holes for mounting on to a chassis of the vehicle.

4. The cradle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second cradle mounting bracket (110) is of L-shaped provided with plurality of mounting holes for mounting on to chassis of the vehicle.

5. The cradle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiator mounting bracket (106) defines at least one mounting hole adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to facilitate mounting the radiator (112) thereon.

6. The cradle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engine mounting bracket (104) adapted for mounting the engine through an insulator (114); and
the engine mounting bracket (104) is integrally formed on the cradle shaft (102.
7. The cradle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engine mounting bracket (104) and the radiator mounting bracket (106) are positioned opposite to each other at the center of the cradle shaft (102); and
the first and second cradle mounting brackets (108, 110) are adapted for mounting the cradle assembly (100) with the engine and the radiator (112) onto the long members (116, 118) of chassis of the vehicle.

8. The cradle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engine is a rear mounted engine; and
the vehicle is at least a three wheeled vehicle.

9. A method (200) of mounting a cradle assembly (100) with an engine and a radiator (112) in a vehicle, the method (200) comprising:
pre-assembling an engine onto an engine mounting bracket (104) of the cradle assembly (100) through an insulator (114);
pre-assembling a radiator (112) onto a radiator mounting bracket (106) of the cradle assembly (100);
fixing a first cradle mounting bracket (108) onto one end of a cradle shaft (102) of the cradle assembly(100);
fixing a second cradle mounting bracket (110) onto another end of the cradle shaft (102); and
mounting the first and second cradle mounting brackets (108, 110) onto long members (116, 118) of the vehicle thereby mounting the cradle assembly (100) with engine and radiator (112) onto the long members (116, 118) of the vehicle.

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (200) comprises,
connecting the engine mounting bracket (104) and the radiator mounting bracket (106) at center of the cradle shaft (102), where the engine mounting bracket (104) is positioned opposite to the radiator mounting bracket (106).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to an engine mounting system in a vehicle and more particularly, to a cradle assembly for mounting an engine and a radiator in a three wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[002] Engine is a key component of the vehicle which aids in the mobility. Typically, the engine is mounted either on the front or on the rear end of the vehicle. However, the engine mounting comes as a challenge with some engines of larger size and weight. Conventional packaging arrangement of mounting the engine in three-wheeled vehicle on the cross member is not possible due to the structural constraints. The other option to increase the structural stiffness of the cross member is also not possible due to larger distance between the cross member and the engine mount area.
[003] Hence, there is a need in the art for a cradle assembly which can mount a radiator and an engine, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
[005] An object of embodiments herein is to provide a cradle assembly for mounting an engine and a radiator in a three-wheeled vehicle.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the cradle assembly which is light weight.
[007] Yet another object of embodiments herein is to provide the cradle assembly which is simple in construction.
[008] Yet another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cradle assembly for use in three-wheeled vehicles, which facilitate mounting of the engine and radiator without any packaging constraints.
[009] A further object of embodiments herein is to provide a cradle assembly for use in three-wheeled vehicles, which reduces engine packaging constraints in three-wheeled vehicle having large sized engine.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cradle assembly for use in three-wheeled vehicles, which reduces the overall weight of the assembly and reducing the overhang of engine mounting bracket.
[0011] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0013] Figure 1 represents the perspective view of a cradle assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Figure 2 represents the perspective view of the cradle assembly with radiator mounted thereon, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Figure 3 represents the perspective view of the cradle assembly with an insulator mounted onto an engine mounting bracket according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Figure 4 represents the perspective view of the cradle assembly mounted to the long members of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0017] Figure 5 represents the method of mounting the engine and radiator to the cradle assembly of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
[0019] Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to a 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.
[0020] The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining an 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.
[0021] When an element is referred to as being "mounted on”, “engaged to”, "connected to”, or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element.
[0022] 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, or section from another component, region, 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] The embodiments herein achieve a cradle assembly. Further, embodiments herein achieve a cradle assembly for use in three-wheeled vehicles, which facilitate mounting of the engine and radiator without any packaging constraints. Referring now to the drawings Figures 1 to 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0025] Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of the cradle assembly (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of the cradle assembly (100) with radiator (112) mounted thereon, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the cradle assembly (100) comprises a cradle shaft (102), an engine mounting bracket (104), a radiator mounting bracket (106), a first cradle mounting bracket (108) and a second cradle mounting bracket (110). In an embodiment, the engine mounting bracket (104) and the radiator mounting bracket (106) are positioned at the center of the cradle shaft (102). In another embodiment, the engine mounting bracket (104) and the radiator mounting bracket (106) are positioned at the left or right side of the cradle shaft (102). In an embodiment, the cradle assembly (100) is mounted on the rear end of the vehicle (not shown). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the cradle assembly (100) is explained herein below with reference to be used in a three-wheeled vehicle to facilitate packaging of the engine and radiator in a compact space. However, it is also within the scope of embodiments herein to use the cradle assembly (100) in four-wheeled vehicles or pick-up trucks or any other vehicles.
[0026] In an embodiment of the invention as represented in Figure 1, the cradle assembly (100) is provided with the first cradle mounting bracket (108) at one end of the cradle shaft (102), and the second cradle mounting bracket (110) at the other end of the cradle shaft (102). Each cradle mounting bracket (108, 110) defines an L shape with mounting holes provided for mounting the cradle assembly (100) to the long members (116, 118) of chassis of the vehicle as shown in Figure 4. The center of the cradle shaft (102) is provided with two mounting brackets (104) and (106) one on each side of the cradle shaft. The engine mounting bracket (106) is positioned opposite to the radiator mounting bracket (106). In an embodiment, the engine mounting bracket (104) is integrally formed on the cradle shaft (102). The engine mounting bracket (104) is provided at the front side of the cradle assembly (100). In an embodiment, the radiator mounting bracket (106) is integrally formed to the cradle shaft (102). The radiator mounting bracket (106) is provided at the rear side of the cradle assembly (100). Each of the engine mounting bracket (104) and the radiator mounting bracket (106) is provided with mounting hole.
[0027] In an embodiment of the invention as depicted in Figure 3, wherein an insulator (114) is mounted onto the engine mounting bracket (106). The rear end of the engine (not shown) is mounted on top of the insulator (114). The insulator (114) provided to ensure that the heat of the engine is not transferred to the cradle assembly (100). The engine is a rear mounted engine in which the engine is mounted at rear end of the vehicle by mounting the cradle assembly (100) onto the rear long members (116, 118) of the chassis.
[0028] In an embodiment of the invention as depicted in Figure 4, wherein the cradle assembly (100) is mounted to the vehicle long members (116, 118) through the first and second cradle mounting brackets (108, 110) at the rear end of the vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to mount the cradle assembly (100) with the long members at the front end of the vehicle. In an embodiment of the invention, the cradle assembly is mounted to the rear end of the vehicle.
[0029] In an embodiment of the invention as depicted in Figure 5, In an embodiment of the invention, the method (200) of assembling the cradle assembly (100) for mounting the cradle assembly (100) with engine and radiator to the vehicle is as follows. The first step involves pre-assembling an engine onto an engine mounting bracket (104) of the cradle assembly (100) through an insulator (114); pre-assembling a radiator (112) onto a radiator mounting bracket (106) of the cradle assembly (100); fixing a first cradle mounting bracket (108) onto one end of a cradle shaft (102) of the cradle assembly(100); fixing a second cradle mounting bracket (110) onto another end of the cradle shaft (102); and mounting the first and second cradle mounting brackets (108, 110) onto long members (116, 118) of the vehicle thereby mounting the cradle assembly (100) with engine and radiator (112) onto the long members (116, 118) of the vehicle.
[0030] Further, the method (200 includes, connecting the engine mounting bracket (104) and the radiator mounting bracket (106) at center of the cradle shaft (102), where the engine mounting bracket (104) is positioned opposite to the radiator mounting bracket (106).
[0031] The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a cradle assembly, that allows at least for: Reducing engine packaging constraints in three-wheeled vehicle having large sized engine; Reducing the overall weight of the assembly; and Reducing the overhang of engine mounting bracket.
[0032] 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.
[0033] The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
[0034] 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.
[0035] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed 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.
[0036] Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
[0037] Any discussion of devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application. The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
[0038] 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 embodiments 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.