Claims:We claim:

1. An integrated floor structure for the seat mounting for reducing vibrations in a vehicle, wherein the floor structure comprises:

- a plurality of intersections of cross-members;

- a plurality of long-members;

- a plurality of intersections configured between the cross-members and long-members, each intersection for supporting at least one seat leg thereon;

wherein the cross-members, long-members and intersections therebetween are configured an integrated floor structure with a reinforcement structure embedded underneath each intersection for secure fastening of seat legs via a respective seat-leg housing by means of a respective fastening mechanism.

2. Integrated floor structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-members and long-members are configured to extend on either side of the intersections.

3. Integrated floor structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-members are configured to extend on only one side of the intersections.

4. Integrated floor structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises an I-section disposed underneath each intersection and configured with both flanges thereof disposed parallel to the integrated floor.

5. Integrated floor structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises an I-section disposed underneath each intersection and configured with the web thereof disposed parallel to the integrated floor.

6. Integrated floor structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a C-section disposed underneath each intersection and configured with the web thereof disposed parallel to the integrated floor and congruent with the intersection.

7. Integrated floor structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat-leg housing is configured with a pocket for receiving a respective seat-leg and with at least one horizontal extension for additional support on the intersection.

8. Integrated floor structure as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 7, wherein each intersection is provided with at least one through hole for inserting at least one fastener therethrough to secure at least one seat leg and/or seat housing thereon.

9. Integrated floor structure as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 8, wherein a four-legged bracket provides box-section additionally disposed underneath or above the respective intersection and configured parallel to the vehicle-floor for further improving the section modulus.

10. Integrated floor structure as claimed in claims 1 to 8, wherein the four-legged bracket is provided with a respective seat-height adjustment means for reducing or optimizing the seat height by position the four-legged bracket above the intersection face.

Dated: this day of 25th December, 2015. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT , Description:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a floor structure for motor vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a floor structure for motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a floor structure with an I-section bracket for seat mounting in small sized motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Seating system in an automobile vehicle is one of the very important systems, which scores a direct customer satisfaction point. The seating assembly is connected to the floor members. Therefore, the performance of the seating system in a complete vehicle (such as the natural frequency) is one of the important parameter for the tactile vibration. For improving the natural frequency, the section modulus of automobile floor plays a very important role.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

Traditionally, for the obtaining better section modulus, advanced materials such as composite are considered for the cross members or/and long members for connecting the seating system to the floor. But these necessitate additional assembly processes and also add extra weight and thereby cost substantially higher.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide an integrated floor structure of seat mountings for reducing vibrations in motor vehicles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated floor structure of seat mountings, which meets the stringent frequency values in the small segment vehicles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated floor structure of seat mountings, which substantially reduces the weight thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated floor structure of seat mountings, which eliminates additional cross/long members.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an integrated floor structure of seat mountings, which simplifies manufacturing/assembly process.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an integrated floor structure of seat mountings, which substantially improves the section modulus.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an integrated floor structure of seat mountings, which can also be used for non-symmetrical floor structures.

One more object of the present invention is to provide an integrated floor structure of seat mountings, which can be adopted for any type of floor mounting applications.

One more object of the present invention is to provide an integrated floor structure of seat mountings (such as Fuel Tank, Seats, Battery, Spare wheel etc.) which is low-cost yet effective.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Section modulus is a geometrical property for a given cross-section used in the design of beams or flexural members. Other geometrical properties used in vehicle design include area for tension and shear, radius of gyration for compression, and Young's Modulus and Shear Modulus for stiffness.

The following methodology is used for the developing the integrated floor structures of seat mountings in accordance with the present invention. The equation of Motion is represented by:
m x + f (K) x = 0,
where, m is the mass of the system, and K is the stiffness of the system.

Natural frequency,

Therefore, the natural frequency of the system can be increased by increasing the value of K.

The present invention makes use of improving the sectional modulus by configuring a unique integrated floor with additional clamping brackets, such as I-section and C-section brackets, for increasing stiffness of the system.

Since meeting regulatory NVH values for the small segment vehicles is a very challenging task. The natural frequency of seating system in a small vehicle is, in particular, one of the most important parameters for controlling tactile vibrations.

Thus, there is also a need to improve the natural frequency of seating system in small vehicles, particularly without any substantial weight addition.

The integrated floor configured in accordance with the present invention offers substantial weight savings of the order of approximate 3.1 to 2.4kg in comparison to the existing floor designs. Moreover, the floor design configured according to the present invention (particularly in embodiment 1 and 2 here) is unique by configuring I or C sections in the vehicle floor itself.

With this new floor configuration, the section modulus is sufficient to hold the complete seating system. A uniform floor thickness is used for these integrated floor designs. There is no need for conventionally required cross-members to improve the sectional modulus close to seating system.

With this improved sectional modulus in the vehicle floor in conjunction with I or C section brackets, the natural frequency of the system is significantly improved in embodiments 1 and 2. In particular, the embodiment 2 can also be used for the non-symmetrical vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an integrated floor structure for the seat mounting for reducing vibrations in a vehicle, wherein the floor structure comprises:

- a plurality of intersections of cross-members;
- a plurality of long-members;
- a plurality of intersections configured between the cross-members and long-members, each intersection for supporting at least one seat leg thereon;

wherein the cross-members, long-members and intersections therebetween are configured an integrated floor structure with a reinforcement structure embedded underneath each intersection for secure fastening of seat legs via a respective seat-leg housing by means of a respective fastening mechanism.

Typically, the cross-members and long-members are configured to extend on either side of the intersections.

Typically, the cross-members are configured to extend on only one side of the intersections.

Typically, the reinforcement structure comprises an I-section disposed underneath each intersection and configured with both flanges thereof disposed parallel to the integrated floor.

Typically, the reinforcement structure comprises an I-section disposed underneath each intersection and configured with the web thereof disposed parallel to the integrated floor.

Typically, the reinforcement structure comprises a C-section disposed underneath each intersection and configured with the web thereof disposed parallel to the integrated floor and congruent with the intersection.

Typically, the seat-leg housing is configured with a pocket for receiving a respective seat-leg and with at least one horizontal extension for additional support on the intersection.

Typically, each intersection is provided with at least one through hole for inserting at least one fastener therethrough to secure at least one seat leg and/or seat housing thereon.

Typically, a four-legged bracket provides box-section additionally disposed underneath or above the respective intersection and configured parallel to the vehicle-floor for further improving the section modulus.

Typically, the four-legged bracket is provided with a respective seat-height adjustment means for reducing or optimizing the seat height by position the four-legged bracket above the intersection face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include:

Figures 1a to 1c show the different views of the conventional configuration of a BIW showing the vehicle floor for seat mounting.

Figures 2a to 2d show the different view of the conventional vehicle floor for seat mounting shown in Figures 1a to 1c.

Figures 3a to 3e show the different view of the first embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor for seat mounting in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 4a to 4e show the different view of the second embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor for seat mounting in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 shows the first embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor with I-section for seat mounting in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 shows the second embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor with I-section for seat mounting in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7a to 7e show the different views of the seat mounted on the third embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor with I-section in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 8a to 8e shows the seat mounted on the fourth embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor with C-section in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9a to 9e shows the seat mounted on the fifth embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor with four-legged bracket in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1a shows a perspective view of the Body-In-White (BIW) 10 with a conventional configuration of a vehicle floor 30. It shows two parallel disposed cross-members 12 to be used for seat mounting thereon.

Figure 1b shows perspective view of the BIW 20 of the conventional configuration of a vehicle floor 30. It also shows two parallel disposed cross-members 12 to be used for seat mounting thereon.

Figure 1c shows the view of the conventional configuration of the vehicle floor 30 for seat mounting thereon. Both the cross-member 12 and long-member 14 are clearly visible here.

Figure 2a shows a conventional vehicle floor 30 shown in Figures 1a to 1c. The floor includes cross-members 12 and long members 14 for mounting the seat thereon by means of suitable fastening means, e.g. bolting tightened through respective holes provided on floor reinforcement members 12, 14.

Figure 2b shows the seat 40 mounted on the conventional vehicle floor 30 by means of seat-legs 42 supported on cross-members 12 and long-members 14.

Figure 2c shows the conventional structure for mounting seat 40 on the vehicle floor 30. A section line x – x is marked for showing further structural details of the vehicle floor 30 to be discussed in the following.

Figure 2d shows an enlarged view the one of the seat legs 42 mounted on the vehicle floor 30 (not visible here). The seat leg 42 is supported on a box-type broadened sheet section 44 of the cross-member 12, preferably at its joint with the long-member 14, which is suitably broadened to completely support the seat leg 42. This configuration of seat mounting creates substantial vibrations.

Figure 3a shows the seat 140 mounted on the first embodiment of the vehicle floor 130 in accordance with the present invention. Here, the cross-member 132 and long-members 134 are configured integrated according to the positioning of the seat legs 142.

Figure 3b shows an enlarged view of the integrated vehicle floor 130 shown in Figure 3a, clearly depicting the integration of the cross-members 132 with the long-member 134, which extend throughout on the integrated floor 130.

Figure 3c shows the seat 140 mounted on the first embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 130 shown in Figure 3a, supported on the intersection 150 of the cross-member 132 and long-member 134.

Figure 3d shows an enlarged view of the seat leg 142 mounted on the intersection 150 of the first embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 130 along the section line x – x shown in Figure 3c. Seat leg 142 is fastened at the intersection 150 by fasteners 148 from below for firmly positioning seat leg 142 on the integrated floor 130 exactly above the I-section shown in yellow.

Figure 3e shows a perspective detailed view of the seat leg mounting on the intersection 150. Seat leg 142 is placed in a housing 146 fastened on the intersection 150 for firmly positioning the seat leg 142 on integrated floor 130.

Figure 4a shows the seat 240 mounted on the second embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 230 in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, instead of intersection of the cross-member 232 and the long-member 234, there is a T-joint (Figure 4b) with cross-member 232 merging into long-member 234. Therefore, the cross-members 232 do not extend beyond the long member 234 one of the side thereof (on RHS in Figure 4b).

Figure 4b shows an enlarged view of the second embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 230 clearly depicting the T-joint 250 of the cross-members 232 with the long-member 234.

Figure 4c shows the seat 240 mounted on the second embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 230 shown in Figure 4a, substantially supported on the T-joint 250 of the cross-members 232 with the long-member 234 and fastened by means of the fastening mechanism to be described in the following.

Figure 4d shows an enlarged view of the seat leg 242 mounted on the T-joint 250 of the second embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 230 along the section line x – x shown in Figure 4c. Seat leg 242 is fixed at the T-joint 250 and fastened by means of fastening mechanism including an I-section 248 (shown in Yellow) for firmly positioning seat leg 242 on the integrated floor 230 configured without the cross-member 232 on the RHS thereof.

Figure 4e shows a perspective detailed view of the seat leg mounting on T-joint 250. Seat leg 242 is placed in a housing 246 fastened on the T-joint 250 from below (Figure 4d) for firmly positioning the seat leg 242 on the integrated floor 230 by means of fastening mechanism.

Figure 5 shows the location of the seat mounting SM1 in the first embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 130 with I-section 150 (Figures 3a-3e) in accordance with the present invention. The detailed view of the seat mounting SM1 location just at the I-section 150 is also shown inset.

Figure 6 shows the location of the seat mounting SM1 in the second embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 230 with I-section 250 (Figures 4a-4e) in accordance with the present invention. The detailed view of the seat mounting SM2 location just at the T-joint 250 is also shown inset.

Figure 7a shows the seat 340 mounted on the third embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 330 configured with I-section in accordance with the present invention. However, in contrast to Figures 3d, here I-section (shown in Yellow here) is disposed laterally or rotated by 900 with respect to the position shown in Figure 3d.

Figure 7b shows an enlarged view of the third embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 330 as shown in Figure 7a. The plurality of cross-members 332 and long-members 334 make intersections 350 for supporting and mounting seat thereon. However, the I-section underneath is configured/laid differently here (Figure 7d).

Figure 7c shows I-section bracket 350 of the third embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 330 shown in Figure 7a. Section line x –x is marked for explaining the cross-sectional arrangement of I-section bracket 350 in Fig. 7d.

Figure 7d shows an enlarged view of the intersection 350 of the seat mounting on the integrated vehicle floor 330 with I-section. It is clear from the I-section (shown in yellow) that in contrast to Figures 1a to 1e, here I-section is disposed laterally or rotated by 900 with respect to position shown in Figure 3d.

Figure 7e shows a perspective detailed view of the seat leg mounting on I-section bracket 350 along section-line x – x shown in Figure 7c, which is configured/laid underneath the intersection 350.

Figure 8a shows the seat 440 mounted on the fourth embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 430 configured with C-section in accordance with the present invention. The remaining construction of the integrated floor 430 has cross-members 432, long-members 434 with intersections 450, which are same as shown in Figures 3a-3e, Figures 4a-4e and Figures 7a-7e of first, second and third embodiments of integrated floor according to the invention.

Figure 8b shows an enlarged view of the fourth embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 430 configured with a plurality of cross-members 432, long-members 434 with intersections 450 configured with C-section underneath thereof, as shown in Figure 8d below.

Figure 8c shows a section-line x – x for representing the cross-section of the C-section bracket of the fourth 450 embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 430 shown in Figures 8a and 8b.

Figure 8d shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of C-section bracket along x-x axis as shown in Figure 8c. Underneath the integrated vehicle floor 430 a C-section (shown in Yellow) is configured for mounting the seat 432 thereon.

Figure 8e shows a perspective view of the intersection 450 of the seat mounting location on the C-section underneath the integrated vehicle floor 450 as shown in Figure 8d. The intersection 450 is configured by the cross-members 432 and long-members 434 for seat mounting as discussed above.

Figure 9a shows the seat 540 mounted on the fifth embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 530 by cross-members 432 and long-members 434 for seat mounting as discussed above in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9b shows an enlarged view of the fifth embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 530 with four-legged bracket 560 as shown in Figure 9a. The cross-members 532 and long-members 534 configure the intersections 550 for seat mounting as discussed above. The bracket 560 is made from a single sheet metal piece by suitably shearing and cutting to obtain the desired seat housing for fixing the seat 540 therein.

Figure 9c shows fifth embodiment of the integrated vehicle floor 530 configured with four-legged bracket 560 supporting the seat leg 542 via seat bracket 546. A section-line x – x is marked to be discussed below.

Figure 9d shows an enlarged view of the four-legged bracket 560 for mounting the seat 540 on the integrated vehicle floor 530 as shown in Fig. 9c.

Figure 9e shows a perspective view of the four-legged bracket 560 supporting the seat leg 542, which is fastened thereon by means of a fastener 570 passing through hole 555 in the center of the four-legged bracket 560 (Fig.9d).

COMPARISON OF CONVENTIONAL AND INTEGRATED FLOOR VEHICLE

The table below illustrates the comparative values of the natural frequency measured while using a conventional vehicle floor and the integrated floor configured in accordance with the present invention:

First Frequency (Hz) Additional Weight (kg)
Plain Floor Design 11.5 (Lateral) 0
Traditional Design with additional/separate members 16.0 (Longitudinal) 3.8
Integrated floor Design
(1st Embodiment) 15.7 (Longitudinal) 0.7 to 1.4
Integrated floor Design
(2nd Embodiment) 15.2 (Longitudinal)
From above, it is clear that the 1st and 2nd embodiments of the integrated floor configurations meet the mandatory frequency values of 15 Hz without much weight addition, in fact there is a weight saving of 2.4 to 3.1 kg with respect to the conventional floor design.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The integrated floor structure for seat mounting in a small sized motor vehicle for reducing vibration configured in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages:

• Design meets the stringent regulatory frequency values in the small segment vehicles.
• Substantial weight saving of about 2.4kg~3.1kg.
• Eliminates additional cross/long members, thereby dispenses with their manufacturing and assembling processes.
• Improved section modulus increases natural frequency of the system to human sensitive range of 15Hz for imparting better tactile vibrations, by almost 50%.
• Can be used for non-symmetrical structures as well.
• Cam be adopted for any floor mounting applications, e.g. Fuel Tank, Seats, Battery, Spare wheel etc.
• Cost-effective design.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.

The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which this embodiment may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice this invention.

Although, only the preferred embodiments have been described herein, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize to apply these embodiments with any modification possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification.

Therefore, innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations may be made and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used may be devised to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies according to their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships.

The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration. The various features and advantageous details are explained with reference to this non-limiting embodiment in the above description in accordance with the present invention. The descriptions of well-known components and manufacturing and processing techniques are consciously omitted in this specification, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the specification.

While considerable emphasis has been placed on the specific features of the preferred embodiment described here, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention 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 invention and not as a limitation.