[001]The present invention, in general, relates to reinforcement on front upper support member of a vehicle and, more particularly, to dual reinforcement on front upper support member of a vehicle to aid in offset crash resistance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Crashworthiness for a vehicle is the ability of a vehicle structure to protect its occupants during an impact. This is one of the crucial factors considered in the modeling and design of a vehicle and commonly tested when investigating the safety of vehicles.
[004] Generally, in existing models, strengthening requirement of the front upper support member is considered at model design concept stage itself; thereby ensuring required strength and rigidity in the front upper support member of a vehicle, at earlier stages itself. The same can be achieved, for example by increasing the thickness of the complete front upper support member, to inculcate sufficient strength.
[005] Moreover, in other existing models, the front end is housed with the engine assembly which acts as barrier for direct energy transfer to the passenger cabin occupant region. Reinforcements are provided in the member front upper part taking in consideration the crash energy that needs to be dissipated in the front upper support member itself so as to minimize the energy transfer in the passenger cabin further.
[006] However, still there remains need of a technical solution to ensures adequate strengthening for the front upper support member without need of increasing the thickness of the complete front upper support member.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[007] It is therefore the object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in prior systems.
[008] Another object of the present invention is to provide arrangement of two reinforcement brackets that overcomes the problem of the prior art.
[009] Another object of the present invention is to provide local strength zones for the front upper support member without need of increasing the thickness of the complete front upper support member, thereby avoiding the possibility of weight increment.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a first reinforcement bracket and a second reinforcement bracket, to provide additional strength and rigidity to the existing front structure of a vehicle.
[0011] Further, another object of the present invention is to provide arrangement of two reinforcement brackets to fulfil requirement of offset crash compliance in the existing running models of vehicles.
[0012] 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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] To attain the above objects, the present invention provides a dual reinforcement on front upper support member of a vehicle to aid in offset crash resistance. The dual reinforcement comprises a first reinforcement bracket and a second reinforcement bracket. The first reinforcement bracket is positioned on an offset area of the upper support member. The second reinforcement bracket is positioned under a hood latch engagement area of the upper support member. Each of the first reinforcement bracket and the second reinforcement bracket include a corrugated type surfaces. Each of the first reinforcement bracket and the second

reinforcement bracket include a plurality of localized emboss on a horizontal surface to facilitate three-side spot welding.
[0014] The first reinforcement bracket is assembled on the front upper support member of a vehicle forming a C-in-C type structure. The second reinforcement bracket is assembled inside the front upper support member of a vehicle forming a C-in-C type structure.
[0015] The first reinforcement bracket is spot welded on a top surface of the front upper support member. The second reinforcement bracket spot welded on an inside surface of the front upper support member.
[0016] A gap between the front upper support member and the first reinforcement bracket facilitates ED paint flow. A gap between the front upper support member and the second reinforcement bracket facilitates ED paint flow.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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 the following detailed description.
[0020] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0021] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0022] Figure-la and lb illustrates structure of a first reinforcement bracket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Figure-2a and 2b illustrates structure of a second reinforcement bracket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Figure-3 illustrates exploded view of assembly of the first reinforcement bracket and the second reinforcement bracket with a front upper support member of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Figure-4a and 4b illustrates the first reinforcement bracket assembled on the front upper support member, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Figure-5 illustrates C-in-C type structure of cross section of assembly of the first reinforcement bracket and the front upper support member at section AA, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Figure-6 illustrates C-in-C type structure of cross section of assembly of the first reinforcement bracket and the front upper support member at section BB, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] Figure-7 illustrates C-in-C type structure of cross section of assembly of the first reinforcement bracket, second reinforcement bracket and the front upper support member at section CC, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily 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 5 herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be 10 understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alterative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0031] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a", "an", and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly 15 dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0032] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those 20 components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to the system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more ele ments in a syste m or device proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system, apparatus or device.
25 [0033] Referring to figure 1a, which illustrates structure of a first reinforcement bracket (100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. A part of the first reinforcement bracket has C-type cross-section with two vertical surface- a front vertical surface (107) and a rear vertical surface (110), and a horizontal sur face
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(104) and a part of the first reinforcement bracket has L–type cross-section with the front vertical surface (107) and a horizontal surface (104). The first reinforcement bracket (100) has a corrugated type surface with a plurality of emboss (105, 108) and matching surface (106, 109) on the front vertical surface (107) and the rear 5 vertical surface (110), respectively. Also, the first reinforcement bracket (100) has a plurality of localized depression (103) a plurality of matching surface (102) and a plurality of emboss (101) on a horizontal surface (104), and a corrugated type surface with a plurality of emboss (108) and matching surface (109) on a rear vertical surface (110) (shown in figure 1b) to facilitate three-side spot welding, i.e.-10 besides two vertical surfaces (i.e. front and rear vertical surfaces (107, 110)) of the first reinforcement bracket (100), spot welding is also provided at the horizontal surface of the first reinforcement bracket (100). The spot welding provided at the horizontal surface (104) of the first reinforcement bracket (100), which is absent in any of the prior arts, enhances strength of the assembly [shown in figure-4a, 4b] of 15 the first reinforcement bracket (100) and the front upper support member (300) of the vehicle. The spot welding joints are provided on the matching surfaces (102, 106, 109) and the localized depression (103) of the first reinforcement bracket (100).
[0034] Referring to figures 2a and 2b, which illustrates structure of a second
20 reinforcement bracket (200) viewing the perspective front view and rear view,
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second reinforcement
bracket (200) has a corrugated type surface, and a plurality of localized emboss
(201) on a horizontal surface (202) to facilitate three-side spot welding, i.e.- besides
two vertical surfaces (front vertical surface (203), rear vertical surface (204)) of the
25 second reinforcement bracket (200), spot welding is also provided at the localized
emboss (201) at the horizontal surface (202) of the second reinforcement bracket
(200). The spot welding provided at the horizontal surface (202) of the second
reinforcement bracket (200), which is absent in any of the prior arts, enhances
strength of the assembly of the second reinforcement bracket (200) and the front
30 upper support member (300) [shown in figure-3] of the vehicle.
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[0035] Referring to figure 3, which illustrates exploded view of assembly the first reinforcement bracket (100) and the second reinforcement bracket (200) with front upper support member (300) of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first reinforcement bracket (100) is positioned on an offset area (301)
5 of the front upper support member (300) and the second reinforcement bracket (200) is positioned under a hood latch engagement area (302) of the front upper support member (300). The first reinforcement bracket (100) is spot welded on a top surface of the front upper support member (300) and the second reinforcement bracket (200) is spot welded on an inside surface of the front upper support member
10 (300). Arrow 1 and 2 indicate towards a location of the assembling of the first reinforcement bracket (100) and the second reinforcement bracket (200) with the front upper support member (300).
[0036] Referring to figures 4a and 4b, which illustrate the first reinforcement bracket (100) assembled on the front upper support member (300) and the second 15 reinforcement bracket (200) assembled in the front upper support (300), according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the first reinforcement bracket (100) and the second reinforcement (200) are spot welded on a top surface and on an inside surface of the front upper support member (300) respectively.
[0037] Referring to figure 5 to 7, which illustrates C-in-C type structure of cross 20 section of assembly of the first reinforcement bracket (100) and the front upper support member (300) at section AA, BB and CC [sections AA, BB and CC as shown in figures 4a and 4b] respectively according to an embodiment of the present invention. Cross sections (100a), (100b) and (100c) are cross sections of the first reinforcement bracket (100) at section AA, BB and CC, respectively. Cross section 25 (200a) is cross section of the second reinforcement (200) at section CC. The gap between the front upper support member (300) and the first reinforcement bracket (100), as illustrated, facilitates ED (Electrophoretic Deposition) paint flow. Similarly, the gap between the front upper support member (300) and the second reinforcement bracket (200) also facilitates ED paint flow.
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[0038] This way, a first reinforcement bracket and a second reinforcement bracket is provided, to achieve additional strength and rigidity to the existing front structure of a vehicle to fulfil requirement of offset crash compliance in the existing running models of vehicles.
5 [0039] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes are 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
10 "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims
[0040] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or 15 application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[0041] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be
20 interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent
25 is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles, ‘a', or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim
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recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use 5 of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
10 [0042] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
15 [0043] 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,
20 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.
[0044] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial 25 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.
[0045] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various
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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.

We claim:

A dual reinforcement on front upper support member (300) of a vehicle to
aid in offset crash resistance, the dual reinforcement comprising:
- a first reinforcement bracket (100) positioned on an offset area (301) of the upper support member (300); and
- a second reinforcement bracket (200) positioned under a hood latch engagement area (302) of the upper support member (300),
wherein each of the first reinforcement bracket (100) and the second reinforcement bracket (200) include a plurality of corrugated type surface,
wherein the first reinforcement bracket (100) includes a plurality of localized depression (103) and a plurality of matching surface (102) on a horizontal surface (104) to facilitate three-side spot welding joint to mount the first reinforcement bracket (100) on an offset area (301) of the front upper support member (300), and
wherein the second reinforcement bracket (200) includes a plurality of localized emboss (201) on a horizontal surface (202) to facilitate three-side spot welding joint to mount the second reinforcement bracket (200) under a hood latch engagement area (302) of the front upper support member (300).
2. The dual reinforcement on front upper support member (300) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first reinforcement bracket (100) is assembled on the front upper support member (300) of a vehicle forming a C-in-C type structure.
3. The dual reinforcement on front upper support member (300) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second reinforcement bracket (200) is assembled

inside the front upper support member (300) of a vehicle forming a C-in-C type structure.
4. The dual reinforcement on front upper support member (300) of a vehicle
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first reinforcement bracket (100) spot welded on
a top surface of the front upper support member (300).
5. The dual reinforcement on front upper support member (300) of a vehicle
as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the second reinforcement bracket (200) spot welded
on an inside surface of the front upper support member (300).
6. The dual reinforcement on front upper support member (300) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a gap between the front upper support member (300) and the first reinforcement bracket (100) facilitates ED paint flow.
7. The dual reinforcement on front upper support member (300) of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a gap between the front upper support member (300) and the second reinforcement bracket (200) facilitates ED paint flow.