DESC:MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR SPARE WHEEL AND FUEL CYLINDER IN BI-FUEL VEHICLE

Field of the invention:

The present invention generally relates to a bi-fuel vehicle and more particularly, to an arrangement for mounting different fuel tanks and a spare wheel in a limited boot space of the bi-fuel vehicle.

Background of the invention:

A bi-fuel vehicle is a vehicle with an engine capable of running on two fuels. In bi-fuel vehicles, one of the two fuels is a gasoline or diesel and the other is an alternate fuel such as natural gas (CNG), LPG or hydrogen. The two fuels are stored in separate tanks. In these vehicles, the gasoline cylinder, CNG cylinder and a spare wheel are arranged in the rear part which eats up almost all storage space. The spare wheel is usually mounted in the underbody of the vehicle, which is detrimental to the fuel tank integrity in rear crash conditions. The boot space is reduced or removed entirely as the fuel storage tank occupies the room. Fitting CNG cylinder mass in the boot space also deteriorates the performance of frontal, side and rear impact of crash, vehicle durability, crashworthiness and stiffness performance and noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) performance of the vehicle. Modifying the existing vehicle structure for fitting the spare wheel and CNG cylinder in the boot space would result in huge investment cost apart from reducing the competitiveness and timelines.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a redesigned rear underbody structure and load paths without affecting the process line, for arrangement of mounting gasoline tank, CNG cylinder and spare wheel to improve crashworthiness and stiffness performance.

Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for mounting a spare wheel and a fuel cylinder in a limited boot space of a bi-fuel vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide system for mounting a spare wheel in a bi-fuel vehicle that will have accessibility to the user.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide system for mounting a fuel tank in a bi-fuel vehicle without affecting the crash impact performance, vehicle durability and NVH performance.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for mounting gasoline tank, CNG cylinder and spare wheel to improve crashworthiness and stiffness performance.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a mounting arrangement for a spare wheel and a fuel cylinder in a bi-fuel vehicle. The mounting arrangement comprises at least four mounting brackets, a cradle, a fifth mounting bracket, a floor panel and a spare wheel bracket.

The at least four mounting brackets are positioned inside rail sections of the bi-fuel vehicle for mounting the cradle thereon. The cradle is adapted to mount the fuel cylinder thereon. The fuel cylinder is secured on the cradle using a pair of straps. The fifth mounting bracket is positioned on a cross member section of the bi-fuel vehicle. The fifth mounting bracket transfers the load directly to a load path and restricts a pitching motion of the fuel cylinder. The floor panel includes a bead design and a local depression to lower a center of gravity of the fuel cylinder. The spare wheel bracket is provided near the fuel cylinder in an inclined manner in a rear underbody of the bi-fuel vehicle. The cradle pipes are pushed out to bring the fuel cylinder and the center of gravity down.

The design of the cradle for mounting the fuel cylinder improves the cylinder mounting stiffness and passenger safety. The mounting arrangement provides a unique crash load path ensuring the integrity of the fuel cylinder.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein
Figure 1a and 1b show a side view and a top view of a rear underbody arrangement of a bi-fuel vehicle for mounting of a spare wheel, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2a and 2b show a detailed perspective view of a mounting arrangement for a fuel cylinder in a rear boot space of the bi-fuel vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3a and 3b show a unique bead design for effective center of gravity point reduction with a depression on a floor panel, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4a and 4b show a detailed perspective view of the mounting arrangement for different types of fuel cylinders in a rear boot space of a bi-fuel vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5a, 5b and 5c show modularity in the architecture for different vehicle variants, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 6 shows a crash load path, in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a mounting arrangement for a spare wheel and a fuel cylinder in a rear space of a bi-fuel vehicle. The mounting arrangement does not affect the vehicle durability and NVH performance or crash impact. A deflector bracket provided in the mounting arrangement protects the fuel tank from a direct contact with the spare wheel and also serves the purpose of distributing the impact load to the remaining load path.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1 to 5c, a mounting arrangement (not numbered) for a spare wheel (20) and a fuel cylinder (10) in a rear space of a bi-fuel vehicle (100) in accordance with the present invention is disclosed.

The mounting arrangement includes at least four cradle mounting brackets (1, 2, 3 and 4), a fifth mounting bracket/deflector bracket (5), a cradle (30), a floor panel (60) and a spare wheel bracket (50).

The at least four cradle mounting brackets (1, 2, 3 and 4) are positioned inside rail sections of the bi-fuel vehicle (100). The cradle (30) is mounted on the at least four cradle mounting brackets (1, 2, 3 and 4). The fuel cylinder (10) is mounted on the cradle (30) and secured with a pair of straps (40). However, it is understood here that any number of straps (40) may be used as per the types of fuel cylinders in other alternative embodiments of the mounting arrangement. The cradle pipes are pushed out to bring the fuel cylinder/tank (10) and the center of gravity down.

The fifth mounting bracket (5) is positioned on a cross member section to transfer the load directly to the load path. The fifth mounting bracket (5) improves the pitching mode of the fuel tank (10) thereby helping in improving a global BIW (Body-in White) torsion mode with filled fuel tank (10). Specifically, the fifth mounting bracket (5) restricts the pitching motion of the fuel cylinder (10).

The floor panel (60) is provided with a unique bead design and a local depression. The local depression is given to the floor panel (60) to lower the center of gravity of the fuel cylinder (10). In an embodiment, the unique bead design with depression lowers the center of gravity of a complete CNG assembly by 15 mm. However, is understood here that the floor panel (60) can be designed to lower the center of gravity as per the type of the vehicle in other alternative embodiments of the mounting arrangement. The fuel cylinder weighing up to 95 kg adversely affects the crash performance of the vehicle. Hence, the floor bed pattern with depression is designed to lower the center of gravity of the complete CNG assembly and a CNG kit is fitted on a specially designed cradle on a modular platform provided. It is understood here that the modular platform could be a floor or a complete fitting structure.

The spare wheel bracket (50) is provided near the fuel cylinder (10) in an inclined manner in a rear underbody of the bi-fuel vehicle (100). With the spare wheel bracket (50), the spare wheel (20) acts as additional load member.

The fifth mounting bracket (5)/deflector bracket provided in the mounting arrangement protects the fuel tank (10) from a direct contact with the spare wheel (20) and also serves the purpose of distributing the impact load to the remaining load path as shown in figure 6.
In accordance with the present invention, the spare wheel (20) is mounted over the inclined cradle (30) with one point pivoted to an upper side of the underbody and the other point is hooked to a tail end of the vehicle (100). For removing the spare wheel (20) from the cradle (30), the hook is unhooked that in turn makes the spare wheel (20) to be separated from the spare wheel cradle (30).

Referring to figures 5a-5c, modularity in the architecture for different vehicle variants in accordance with the present invention is shown. The modularity is about the variation in the geometry of the arrangement for different vehicle segments.

Advantages of the invention:

1. The design of the cradle (30) for mounting the fuel cylinder (10) improves the cylinder mounting stiffness and passenger safety.
2. The mounting arrangement provides a unique crash load path ensuring the integrity of the fuel cylinder (10).
3. The mounting of the spare wheel (20) in the rear underbody ensures the integrity of the fuel tank/cylinder (10).
4. Building unique BIW for the fuel cylinder (10) mounting is not required because of the modular platform of the present invention. This reduces the huge investment cost.
5. The modular platform can be adapted for the conventional fuel vehicle and the bi-fuel vehicle.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A mounting arrangement for a spare wheel (20) and a fuel cylinder (10) in a bi-fuel vehicle (100), the mounting arrangement comprising:
at least four mounting brackets (1, 2, 3, 4) positioned inside rail sections of the bi-fuel vehicle (100) for mounting a cradle (30) thereon, the cradle (30) adapted to mount the fuel cylinder (10) thereon;
a fifth mounting bracket (5) positioned on a cross member section of the bi-fuel vehicle (100);
a floor panel (60) having a bead design and a local depression to lower a center of gravity of the fuel cylinder (10); and
a spare wheel bracket (50) provided near the fuel cylinder (10) in an inclined manner in a rear underbody of the bi-fuel vehicle (100),
wherein, cradle pipes are pushed out to bring the fuel cylinder (10) and the center of gravity down.

2. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel cylinder (10) is secured on the cradle (30) using a pair of straps (40).

3. The mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fifth mounting bracket (5) transfers the load directly to a load path and restricts a pitching motion of the fuel cylinder (10).

Dated this 30th day of March, 2019

Prafulla Wange
(Agent for Applicant)
(IN/PA/2058)