DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to an integrated fastening arrangement and a method for fastening a floor panel and at least one seat to a chassis of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a vehicle floor panel is a large sheet metal stamping that often incorporates several smaller welded stampings to form the floor of the vehicle. Conventional vehicles have monocoque floor panel construction, where the peripheral portion of the floor panel is connected along the interfacing portions of the chassis by spot welding which in turn incurs high cost due to higher number of welding operations. Further, connecting the floor panel to the chassis is complex and the process is tedious. Connecting the floor panel in particular to a hydro-form chassis is difficult and is one of the challengers posed to the OEM’s (original equipment manufacturers).
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for an integrated fastening arrangement and a method for fastening a floor panel and at least one seat to a chassis of a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an integrated fastening arrangement for fastening a floor panel and at least one seat to a chassis of a vehicle.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for fastening a floor panel and at least one seat to a chassis of a vehicle.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an integrated fastening arrangement for fastening a floor panel and at least one seat to a chassis of a vehicle, which enables easier assembly and dis-assembly of the floor panel and the seat with respect to the chassis.
[007] Yet, another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an integrated fastening arrangement for fastening a floor panel and at least one seat to a chassis of a vehicle, which incurs less cost and also eliminates the need for tool and/or fixtures.
[008] A further object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an integrated fastening arrangement for removably connecting a floor panel and at least one seat to a chassis of a vehicle.
[009] These and other objects 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 the 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 a top view of a floor panel being fastened to a chassis of a vehicle through an integrated fastening arrangement at a plurality of first fastening positions and a plurality of second fastening positions, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the floor panel being fastened to the chassis through a first fastener of the integrated fastening arrangement at the first fastening position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the floor panel and a seat being fastened to the chassis through a second fastener of the integrated fastening arrangement at the second fastening position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0014] Fig. 4 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method for fastening a floor panel and at least one seat to a chassis of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] 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.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve an integrated fastening arrangement and a method for fastening a floor panel and at least one seat to a chassis of a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] Fig. 1 depicts a top view of a floor panel F being fastened to a chassis C of a vehicle through an integrated fastening arrangement 100 at a plurality of first fastening positions P1 and a plurality of second fastening positions P2, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the integrated fastening arrangement 100 includes a plurality of first fasteners 102 (one of which is shown in fig. 2), a plurality of second fasteners 104 (one of which is shown in fig. 3), a plurality of nuts (not shown) and a plurality of washers (not shown). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the integrated fastening arrangement 100 is used for fastening the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C of a load carrying vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use the integrated fastening arrangement 100 for fastening a floor panel and a seat with respect to a chassis of a passenger vehicle or any other type of vehicle without otherwise deterring the intended function of the integrated fastening arrangement 100 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the plurality of first fasteners 102 (one of which is shown in fig. 2) are adapted to fasten the floor panel F to the chassis C at a plurality of first fastening positions P1. Each first fastener 102 is adapted to be received by corresponding each nut (not shown) and corresponding each first fastener receiving portion (not shown) provided in the floor panel F, the chassis C, the floor panel reinforcement bracket FR and the chassis reinforcement bracket CR to secure the floor panel F to the chassis C. An axis of each first fastener receiving portion (not shown) provided in the floor panel F, the chassis C, the floor panel reinforcement bracket FR and the chassis reinforcement bracket CR is co-axial with respect to the other. Each first fastener 102 is at least a bolt. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each first fastener 102 in form of any other type of fasteners without otherwise deterring the intended function of each first fastener 102 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the plurality of second fasteners 104 (one of which is shown in fig. 3) are adapted to fasten the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C at a plurality of second fastening positions P2. Each second fastener 104 is adapted to be received by corresponding each nut (not shown) and corresponding each second fastener receiving portion (not shown) provided in the seat S, the floor panel F, the chassis C, the floor panel reinforcement bracket FR and the chassis reinforcement bracket CR to secure the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C. Each second fastener receiving portion (not shown) provided in the seat S, the floor panel F, the chassis C, the floor panel reinforcement bracket FR and the chassis reinforcement bracket CR is co-axial with respect to the other. In an embodiment, each second fastener 104 is at least a bolt. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each second fastener 104 in form of any other type of fasteners without otherwise deterring the intended function of each second fastener 104 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Each nut (not shown) is used to receive corresponding each first fastener 102 and corresponding each second fastener 104 therethrough to secure the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C at corresponding each first fastening position P1 and corresponding each second fastening position P2. Each nut (not shown) is welded to the chassis C at corresponding each first fastening position P1 and corresponding each second fastening position P2. At least one washer (not shown) is provided between corresponding each first fastener 102 and the floor panel reinforcement bracket FR. Another at least one washer (not shown) is provided between corresponding each second fastener 104 and the seat S.
[0018] The floor panel F is at least a rear floor panel. The floor panel F is removably connected to the chassis C through the plurality of first fasteners 102 at a plurality of first fastening positions P1 and the plurality of second fasteners 104 at a plurality of second fastening position P2. The seat S and the floor panel F are removably connected to the chassis C through the plurality of second fasteners 104 at the plurality of second fastening positions P2. The floor panel reinforcement bracket FR is used to reinforce the floor panel F. The chassis C is at least a rear chassis. The chassis reinforcement bracket CR is used to reinforce the chassis C. In one embodiment, the chassis C is a hydro-form chassis. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the chassis C in form of any other type of chassis.
[0019] Fig. 4 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method 200 for fastening a floor panel F and at least one seat S to a chassis C of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method 200 for fastening the floor panel F and at least one seat S to the chassis C is as follows. The method 200 comprising, fastening the floor panel F to the chassis C through a plurality of first fasteners 102 at a plurality of first fastening positions P1 (step 202) and fastening the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C through a plurality of second fasteners 104 at a plurality of second fastening positions P2 (step 204). Further, the method 200 comprises, providing a plurality of first fastener receiving portions (not shown) in the floor panel F, the chassis C, the floor panel reinforcement bracket FR and the chassis reinforcement bracket CR at corresponding plurality of first fastening positions P1, and providing a plurality of second fastener receiving portions (not shown) in the seat S, the floor panel F, the chassis C, the floor panel reinforcement bracket FR and the chassis reinforcement bracket CR at corresponding plurality of second fastening positions P2. Further, the method 200 comprises, connecting a plurality of nuts (not shown) to the chassis C at corresponding plurality of first fastening positions P1 and a plurality of second fastening positions P2 for receiving corresponding plurality of first fasteners 102 and the plurality of second fasteners 104 therethrough respectively to secure the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C. The method 200 comprises, providing at least one washer (not shown) between corresponding each first fastener 102 and the floor panel reinforcement bracket FR and providing another at least one washer (not shown) between corresponding each second fastener 104 and the seat S. Furthermore, the method 200 comprises, reinforcing the chassis C by connecting at least one chassis reinforcement bracket CR to the chassis C and reinforcing the floor panel F by connecting at least one floor panel reinforcement bracket FR to the floor panel F.
[0020] The technical benefits of the integrated fastening arrangement 100 are as follows. Common bolting location for the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C at the plurality of second fastening positions P2. Eliminates the spot welding type of joinery which requires around at least 50 number of spots to create a joinery between floor panel and chassis with additional welding stations and investments. Improved cycle time and reduced weight of the vehicle. The chassis can be commonized across various type of vehicles such as passenger vehicles and load carrier vehicles thereby maintaining the modularity and robustness of the design.
[0021] Therefore, an integrated fastening arrangement 100 and a method 200 for fastening a floor panel F and at least one seat S to a chassis C of a vehicle is provided.
[0022] 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 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:We claim,
1. An integrated fastening arrangement 100 for fastening a floor panel F and at least one seat S to a chassis C of a vehicle, said arrangement 100 comprising:
a plurality of first fasteners 102 adapted to fasten the floor panel F to the chassis C at a plurality of first fastening positions P1; and
a plurality of second fasteners 104 adapted to fasten the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C at a plurality of second fastening positions P2.
2. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first fastener 102 is at least a bolt.
3. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said second fastener 104 is at least a bolt.
4. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said first fastener 102 is adapted to be received by corresponding each nut and corresponding each first fastener receiving portion provided in the floor panel F and the chassis C to secure the floor panel F to the chassis C.
5. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said second fastener 104 is adapted to be received by corresponding each nut and corresponding each second fastener receiving portion provided in the seat S, the floor panel F and the chassis C to secure the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C.

6. The arrangement 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein the floor panel F is at least a rear floor panel; and
the chassis C is at least a rear chassis.
7. A method 200 for fastening a floor panel F and at least one seat S to a chassis C of a vehicle, said method 200 comprising:
fastening the floor panel F to the chassis C through a plurality of first fasteners 102 at a plurality of first fastening positions P1; and
fastening the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis through a plurality of second fasteners 104 at a plurality of second fastening positions P2.
8. The method 200 as claimed in claim 7 comprising, connecting a plurality of nuts to the chassis C at corresponding plurality of first fastening positions P1 and a plurality of second fastening positions P2 for receiving corresponding plurality of first fasteners 102 and the plurality of second fasteners 104 therethrough respectively to secure the floor panel F and the seat S with respect to the chassis C.
9. The method 200 as claimed in claim 8 comprising,
providing a plurality of first fastener receiving portions in the floor panel F and the chassis C at corresponding plurality of first fastening positions P1; and
providing a plurality of second fastener receiving portions in the seat S, the floor panel F and the chassis C at corresponding plurality of second fastening positions P2.

10. The method 200 as claimed in claim 9 wherein each first fastener 102 is at least a bolt; and
each second fastener 104 is at least a bolt.