Claims:We Claim:
1. A mounting bracket (200) for absorbing energy, mounting bracket (200) comprising:
an L-shape structure (230) having a first leg (L1) fixed to a protective structure (210) and a second leg (L2) having a plurality of bolting holes (B); and
a plurality of stiffener plates (P) fixed on an inner side (235) of the L-shape structure (230), configured to absorb and transfer energy from the protective structure (210) to a vehicle (220) during rollover of the vehicle (220).

2. The mounting bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the L-shape structure (230) is formed from single plate.

3. The mounting bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first leg (L1) and the second leg (L2) of the L-shape structure (230) are at right angle with each other.

4. The mounting bracket (200) as claimed in one of preceding claims 1-3, wherein height of the first leg (L1) is shorter than height of the second leg (L2).

5. The mounting bracket (200) as claimed in one of preceding claims 1-4, wherein the second leg (L2) of the L-shape structure (230) has a radially inwardly extending cross sectional outer edge cut surface.
6. The mounting bracket (200) as claimed in one of preceding claims 1-5, wherein the bolting holes (B) are radially punched at predetermined selective positions in the second leg (L2), abutting said outer edge surface.

7. The mounting bracket (200) as claimed in one of preceding claims 1-6, wherein the stiffener plates (P) are single sided flat plates of predetermined sizes, horizontally positioned and welded on the inner side (235) of the L-shape structure (230) at predetermined selective positions, across length of the L-shape structure (230).

Dated this 06th day of May, 2020

For MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
By their Agent

GIRISH VIJAYANAND SHETH IN/PA- 1022
KRISHNA & SAURASTRI ASSOCIATES LLP
, Description:
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10, Rule 13]

MOUNTING BRACKET FOR ABSORBING ENERGY

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED, HAVING ADDRESS MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED, MAHINDRA RESEARCH VALLEY, MAHINDRA WORLD CITY, PLOT NO: 41/1, ANJUR P.O., CHENGALPATTU, TAMILNADU – 603004, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[1] The present invention relates to a mounting bracket for absorbing energy, during rollover of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[2] A vehicle such as a tractor is susceptible to sideway rollover, especially when the vehicle is manoeuvring along a steep gradient or a banking path. The vehicle may also rollover backside, especially when the vehicle is being driven backwards on a slope. Owing to rollover of the vehicle, the driver operating the vehicle is prone to life threatening injury and death in many cases.
[3] A protective structure called Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) is mounted above the driver seating area. The ROPS is fixed to vehicle such that it covers the driver seating area, thereby enabling protection of the driver in an event of rollover. The ROPS is fixed with the vehicle by a mounting bracket which is welded with the ROPS and the vehicle.
[4] The ROPS is designed to absorb energy from the weight of the vehicle during rollover of the vehicle. The mounting bracket used to fix the ROPS with the vehicle transfers energy from the ROPS to a vehicle frame of the vehicle. The welded mounting bracket is therefore required to be reinforced to withstand the transfer of energy, which adds to labour and the overall manufacturing cost of the vehicle.
[5] The accompanying Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a mounting bracket in the prior art. As seen in Figure 1, the mounting bracket (10) consists of oppositely facing flanges (20, 30) coupled with bolts (40, 50). This coupling with bolts (40, 50) has limitation leading to local slips near the bolts (40, 50), or results bolt failure in shear which is undesirable. Further, localized stresses near the vehicle frame requires additional embossing on the vehicle frame which further increases machining and manufacturing costs of the vehicle.
[6] In view of the above, there is a need for a solution that obviates at least one of the above drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[7] Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention discloses a mounting bracket for absorbing energy, said mounting bracket comprising an L-shape structure having a first leg fixed to a protective structure and a second leg having a plurality of bolting holes; and a plurality of stiffener plates fixed on an inner side of the L-shape structure, configured to absorb and transfer energy from the protective structure to a vehicle during rollover of the vehicle.
[8] According to an embodiment, the L-shape structure is formed from single plate.
[9] According to the embodiment, the first leg and the second leg of the L-shape structure are at right angle with each other.
[10] According to the embodiment, height of the first leg is shorter than height of the second leg.
[11] According to the embodiment, the second leg of the L-shape structure has a radially inwardly extending cross sectional outer edge cut surface.
[12] According to the embodiment, the bolting holes are radially punched at predetermined selective positions in the second leg, abutting said outer edge surface.
[13] According to the embodiment, the stiffener plates are single sided flat plates of predetermined sizes, horizontally positioned and welded on the inner side of the L-shape structure at predetermined selective positions, across length of the L-shape structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[14] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[15] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting bracket in the prior art;
[16] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a mounting bracket, according to an aspect of the present invention; and
[17] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view showing the rollover protective structure (ROPS) being fixed to the vehicle with the help of the mounting bracket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[18] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[19] Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[20] In general, the present invention claims a mounting bracket for absorbing energy, said mounting bracket comprising an L-shape structure having a first leg fixed to the protective structure and a second leg having a plurality of bolting holes; and a plurality of stiffener plates fixed on an inner side of the L-shape structure, configured to absorb and transfer energy from a protective structure to a vehicle during rollover of the vehicle.
[21] According to the present invention the mounting bracket enables efficient transferring energy from the ROPS or protective structure to the vehicle. Further, the mounting bracket aids in easy mounting of the ROP with the vehicle such that the manufacturing and labour cost of the vehicle can be lowered.
[22] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
[23] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[24] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, L-shape structure, first leg, second leg, diameter of bolting holes, bolting holes, stiffener plates, angles, heights, shape and configuration of radially inwardly extending cross sectional cut surface, outer edge, predetermined selective positions, punching, predetermined sizes, flat plates, horizontally positioned and welded, and shape and configuration of mounting bracket referred in the description for the purpose of the understanding and nowhere limit the invention.
[25] Figures discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged environment. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should be understood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding of the description, and that their use and definitions in no way limit the scope of the invention.
[26] Referring Figures 2-3 shows mounting bracket (200), protective structure (210), vehicle (220), L-shape structure (230), first leg (L1), second leg (L2), a plurality of bolting holes (B), a plurality of stiffener plates (P), and an inner side (235).
[27] Referring Figure 2, illustrates a mounting bracket (200) for transferring energy from a protective structure (210) to a vehicle (220) according to an aspect of the present invention. The mounting bracket (200) comprises: an L-shape structure (230) comprising a first leg (L1) fixed to the protective structure (210) and a second leg (L2) having a plurality of bolting holes (B), and a plurality of stiffener plates (P) fixed on an inner side (235) of the L-shape structure (230) configured to absorb and transfer energy from the protective structure (210) to the vehicle (220) during rollover of the vehicle (220). The second leg (L2) is configured to be fixed to the vehicle.
[28] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the L-shape structure (230) is a formed from single plate. The plate is formed in the L-shape structure (230) by known forming processes. According to the embodiment, the first leg (L1) and the second leg (L2) of the L-shape structure (230) are at right angle with each other and height of the first leg (L1) is shorter than height of the second leg (L2).
[29] According to the embodiment, the second leg (L2) of the L-shape structure (230) has a radially inwardly extending cross sectional outer edge cut surface.
[30] According to the embodiment, the bolting holes (B) are radially punched at predetermined selective positions in the second leg (L2), abutting said outer edge surface by known punching operation. According to the present invention, the predetermined selective positions of bolting holes (B) are determined as per requirement.
[31] According to the embodiment, the stiffener plates (P) are single sided flat plates of predetermined sizes, horizontally positioned and welded on the inner side (235) of the L-shape structure (230) at predetermined selective positions, across length of the L-shape structure (230). More particularly, the stiffener plates (P) or ribs are welded on inner surfaces of the legs (L1 & L2) at a point where the legs (L1 & L2) meet on the inner side (235) of the L-shape structure (230). L-shaped structure is an angle. According to the present invention, the predetermined selective positions and predetermined sizes of the stiffener plates (P) are based on load and energy transfer requirements of vehicle.
[32] Referring Figure 3 illustrates the protective structure (210) or the rollover protection structure (ROPS) fixed to the vehicle (220), i.e. the vehicle frame through the mounting bracket (200). Such fixing is achieved by known means such as bolting, riveting, welding, etc.
[33] The mounting bracket (200) with the stiffener plates (P) as per an embodiment of the present invention enables avoiding local slips which are observed with the bolts in the prior art. Further, localized stresses near the vehicle frame (220) is absorbed by the stiffener plates or ribs (P). Effectively, no additional embossing on the vehicle frame (220) is required which reduces machining and manufacturing cost of the vehicle. Also, the mounting bracket (200) with the stiffener plates (P) as per an embodiment of the present invention is enables easy mounting of the ROPS structure (210) with the vehicle frame (220), thereby further saving manufacturing and labour costs.

EXAMPLE 1:
[34] A Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) Stress test is conducted on designs of mounting brackets from the prior art and the mounting bracket as per an embodiment of the present invention. The results of the test are as follows:
Sr. No. Designs Von mises Stress (Bolts), MPa
1. Mounting bracket from the prior art in which oppositely facing flanges which are connected with bolts that are sandwiched therebetween. 1833
2. A mounting bracket as per an embodiment of the present invention, with two (02) stiffener plates or ribs. 1265
3. A mounting bracket as per an embodiment of the present invention, with four (04) stiffener plates or ribs. 945
TABLE 1
[35] As seen from the above results in the TABLE 1, it is seen that the stress sustained by the mounting bracket which is as per embodiments of the present invention than the mounting bracket from the prior art. Therefore, the mounting bracket as per the embodiments of the present invention sustain lesser local stresses in operation as compared to the mounting bracket from the prior art.

EXAMPLE 2:
[36] Another Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) Stress test is conducted to ascertain the local stress sustained by certain components such as the Rear Axle Carrier (RAC) or Bolts. The results are as follows:
Stresses in the design from the prior art (MPa) Stresses in the design present invention (MPa) % Variation
RAC 348 145 58.3%
Bolts 1833 945 48.5%
TABLE 2
[37] As it is seen in the above TABLE 2, the stresses in the design involving the mounting bracket as per an embodiment of the present invention are lesser than as compared to that in the prior art. Therefore, effect of local stresses on various vehicle components such as the RAC or Bolts is addressed.
[38] The present invention has been described in the context of a mounting bracket for absorbing energy. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. The shape and configuration of the mounting bracket, and its components, numbers, angles, heights, lengths, known process disclosed, selective positions, hole diameters, welding, plates, predetermined sizes are only for reference and understating purpose of the invention and nowhere limit the invention and may vary accordingly as per requirement as well.
[39] In the foregoing detailed description of aspects embodiments of the invention, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description of aspects, embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
[40] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” is used as the plain-English equivalent of the respective term “comprising” respectively.