DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to vehicular body structure and more particularly, but not exclusively to front-end frame assembly in vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a front-end frame assembly of a vehicle is the front most portion of body in white (BIW) providing packaging and mounting to headlamps, CRFM (condenser, radiator and fan module), bumper, hood latch, engine encapsulation, bump stop, resonator mounting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) tube mounting, washer bottle mounting and so on.
[003] Further, in addition to the aforementioned, the front-end frame assembly needs to meet clearance requirements with engine rocking envelope, headlamp removal envelope and engine decking. The functional requirement of modal frequency trimmed and untrimmed, durability requirements like CRFM load cases and slam, crash requirements are to be met by the front-end frame assembly.
[004] For adopting the characteristic of a SUV (sports utility vehicle) in a small car, there are several challenges such as high overhang of top cross member compared to conventional design, flow rate for CRFM unit should be maintained, durability and crash requirements should be met, engine decking requirements and serviceability requirements should be met. Further, the overall weight of the vehicle and manufacturing cost should not increase.
[005] Therefore, there exists a need for a front-end frame assembly for a vehicle, which meets SUV characteristic, overcome the challenges posed and obviate the existing drawbacks in the conventional assemblies.

OBJECT
[006] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a front-end frame assembly for a vehicle, which meets the packaging parameters.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a front-end frame assembly for a vehicle, which eliminates the central vertical member thereby decreasing an overall weight of the vehicle and increasing the air flow to the CRFM.
[008] A further object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a front-end frame assembly for a vehicle, which is durable and which meets crash requirements.
[009] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the 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
[0010] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a front-end frame assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the front-end frame assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a longitudinal member of the front-end frame assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the longitudinal member of the front-end frame assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a front view of a portion of the front-end frame assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 6 depicts a top view of a second cross member of the front-end frame assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a first cross member of the front-end frame assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a reinforcement member of the front-end frame assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0019] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a mounting bracket of the front-end frame assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0020] FIG. 10a depicts a cross-sectional view of the longitudinal member along the line L-L of fig. 4, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0021] FIG. 10b depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the front-end frame assembly along the line B-B of fig. 5, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0022] FIG. 10c depicts a cross-sectional view of the second cross member of the front-end frame assembly along the line S-S of fig. 6, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0023] FIG. 10d depicts a cross-sectional view of the first cross member of the front-end frame assembly along the line F-F of fig. 7, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0024] FIG. 10e depicts a cross-sectional view of the reinforcement member of the front-end frame assembly along the line R-R of fig. 8, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed 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.
[0026] The embodiments herein achieve a front-end frame assembly for a vehicle, which facilitates effective packaging and mounting of front components of the vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 10e, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a front-end frame assembly 100 for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the front-end frame assembly 100 includes a plurality of longitudinal members 102 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 3 and fig. 4), a first cross member 104 (as shown in fig 1, fig. 2, fig. 5 and fig. 7), a second cross member 106 (fig. 1, fig. 2 and fig. 6), at least one reinforcement member 108 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 5 and fig. 8), a bracket latch 110 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2 and fig. 5), a plurality of mountings brackets 112 (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 9) and may include other standard components/elements as present in standard front-end frame structure of standard vehicle.
[0028] In an embodiment, each longitudinal member 102 includes a first portion 102a (as shown in fig. 2, fig. 3 and fig. 4) and a second portion 102b (as shown in fig. 2, fig. 3 and fig. 4). The first portion 102a of each longitudinal member 102 is connected to the first cross member 104 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the first portion 102a of each longitudinal member 102 to the first cross member 104 by any other means. In an embodiment, the first portion 102a is disposed away from the second portion 102b of each longitudinal member 102. In an embodiment, the first portion 102a of each longitudinal member 102 includes at least one fastener receiving portion 102c (a shown in fig. 2) adapted to receive fastener (not shown) therein to facilitate mounting of a CRFM (condenser, radiator and fan module) to each longitudinal member 102. The second portion 102b of each longitudinal member 102 is removably connected to the second cross member 106. In an embodiment, the second portion 102b of each longitudinal member 102 includes at least one fastener receiving portion 102d (as shown in fig. 3) adapted to receive fastener (not shown) therein to removably connect the second portion 102b of each longitudinal member 102 to the second cross member 106. In an embodiment, an overhang of each longitudinal member 102 is at least 404 mm. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other overhang dimensions for each longitudinal member 102. In an embodiment, a cross-sectional geometry of each longitudinal member 102 defines substantially a U-shaped configuration (as shown in fig. 10a). Further, for the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the fastener receiving portion 102c of the first portion 102a of each longitudinal member 102 is considered to be an opening or hole or slot and the fastener receiving portion 102d of the second portion 102b of each longitudinal member 102 is considered to be an opening or hole or slot. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other means for connecting each longitudinal member 102 to the second cross member 106.
[0029] The first cross member 104 is connected to the first portion 102a of each longitudinal member 102. In an embodiment, a longitudinal length of the first cross member 104 is lesser than a longitudinal length of the second cross member 106. In an embodiment, a cross-sectional geometry of the first cross member 104 defines substantially a U-shaped configuration (as shown in fig. 10d).
[0030] The second cross member 106 is removably connected to the second portion 102b of each longitudinal member 102. The second cross member 106 includes a plurality of first fastener receiving portion 106a (as shown in fig.6) and a plurality of second fastener receiving portion 106b (as shown in fig. 6). The first fastener receiving portion 106a is adapted to receive fasteners (not shown) therein to removably connect the second cross member 106 to each longitudinal member 102. The second fastener receiving portion 106b is adapted to receive fasteners (not shown) therein to facilitate mounting of CRFM to the second cross member 106. The plurality of first fastener receiving portion 106a and the plurality of second fastener receiving portion 106b of the second cross member 106 is an opening or hole or slot. In an embodiment, a cross-sectional geometry of the second cross member 106 defines substantially a U-shaped configuration (as shown in fig. 10c), thereby facilitating mounting and packaging of CRFM to the second cross member 106, meeting ramp angles and ground clearance requirements of the vehicle.
[0031] In an embodiment, the reinforcement member 108 is adapted to provide stiffness to each longitudinal member 102 and the first cross member 104. In an embodiment, the reinforcement member 108 is connected to the first portion 102a of each longitudinal member 102 and the first cross member 104 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the reinforcement member 108 to each longitudinal member 102 and the first cross member 104 by any other means. In an embodiment, a cross-sectional geometry of the reinforcement member 108 defines substantially a L-shaped configuration (as shown in fig. 10e).
[0032] The bracket latch 110 is connected to the first cross member 104 by welding. It is also within the scope o f the invention to connect the bracket latch 110 to the first cross member 104 by any other means. In an embodiment, the bracket latch 110 includes at least one fastener receiving portion 110a (as shown in fig. 5) adapted to receive fastener (not shown) to facilitate mounting of the CRFM to the bracket latch 110. The fastener receiving portion 110a of the bracket latch 110 is an opening or hole or slot. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other means to facilitate mounting of CRFM to the bracket latch 110. The bracket 110 is also used to mount the bracket latch hood.
[0033] In an embodiment, the plurality of mounting brackets 112 is adapted to mount the second portion 102b of each longitudinal member 102 to the second cross member 106 therein to removably connect each longitudinal member 102 to the second cross member 106. In an embodiment, each mounting bracket 112 is connected to each longitudinal member 102 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect each mounting bracket 112 to each longitudinal member 102 by any other means. In an embodiment, each mounting bracket 112 includes at least one fastener receiving portion 112a (as shown in fig. 9) adapted to receive fastener (not shown) to secure each longitudinal member 102 to the second cross member 106. Each bracket 112 is a L shaped bracket. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of mounting brackets irrespective of shape and size without otherwise deterring the intended function of each mounting bracket 112 as can be deduced from the description.
[0034] Further, the cross-sectional geometry of a portion of the first cross member 104, reinforcement member 108 and the bracket latch 110 in assembled condition defines substantially a semi-box shape configuration (as shown in fig. 10b) thereby facilitating slam requirements of a hood of the vehicle.
[0035] The aforementioned front-end frame assembly 100 provides higher overhang for the vehicle thereby meeting styling and functional requirements of a SUV characteristic, maintaining clearances with engine components, slam requirements of the vehicle hood, better air flow to the CRFM, engine decking clearances, lesser overhang to be protected in platform, meeting ramp angles, ground clearances requirements of the vehicle and crash protection requirements for the vehicle. Further, the aforementioned front-end frame assembly 100 provides mounting and packaging of CRFM, bumper, hood latch, engine encapsulation, bump stop, resonator mounting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) tube mounting and washer bottle mounting.
[0036] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal 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.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A front-end frame assembly 100 for a vehicle, said front-end frame assembly 100 comprising:
a first cross member 104;
a second cross member 106;
a bracket latch 110 connected to said first cross member 104;
a plurality of longitudinal members 102, each of said longitudinal member 102 having a first portion 102a connected to said first cross member 104 and a second portion 102b removably connected to said second cross member 106;
at least one reinforcement member 108 connected to each of said longitudinal member 102 and said first cross member 104; and
a plurality of mounting brackets 112, each of said mounting bracket 112 connected to the second portion 102b of each of said longitudinal member 102,
wherein
the first portion 102a is disposed away from the second portion 102b of each of said longitudinal member 102; and
each of said mounting bracket 112 adapted to mount the second portion 102b of each of said longitudinal member 102 to said second cross member 106 therein to removably connect each of said longitudinal member 102 to said second cross member 106.
2. The front-end frame assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional geometry of a portion of said first cross member 104, said reinforcement member 108 and said bracket latch 110 in assembled condition defines substantially a semi-box shape configuration thereby facilitating slam requirements of a hood of the vehicle.
3. The front-end frame assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional geometry of said second cross member 106 defines substantially a U-shaped configuration thereby facilitating packaging of a vertical CRFM, meeting ramp angles and ground clearance requirements of the vehicle.
4. The front-end frame assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein an overhang of each of said longitudinal member 102 is at least 404 mm.
5. The front-end frame assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional geometry of each of said longitudinal member 102 defines substantially a U-shaped configuration.
6. The front-end frame assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a longitudinal length of said first cross member 104 is lesser than a longitudinal length of said second cross member 106.
7. The front-end frame assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional geometry of said reinforcement member 108 defines substantially a L-shaped configuration.