FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF INVENTION
MOUNTING SCHEME OF TRIMS ON FRAME/CRADLE FOR NVISIBILITY
OF CNG CYLINDERS IN PASSENGER VEHICLES
APPLICANTS
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
INVENTORS
ABHYANKAR UMESH L, PATIL T A, KAMBLE GANPATI RAMA,
and NIKAM PRAVIN M
All are Indian Nationals of TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
an Indian company having its registered office
at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner
in which it is to be performed.
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FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder assembly in
an automotive vehicle. The present invention more particularly relates to a CNG
cylinder mounting arrangement for supporting and coupling a CNG cylinder to a
vehicle seat.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Currently, most vehicles are operated using liquid hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline
or diesel fuel. However, these types of fuels have certain drawbacks. One of the main
drawbacks of these types of fuels is that these types of fuels are limited in supply
throughout the world and are concentrated in certain areas of the world. Another
drawback of such liquid hydrocarbon fuels is that the exhaust emissions from the
vehicles can produce an adverse effect on the environment. Moreover, since the
number of vehicles being operated in this world is continuing to increase, it is needed
to take an increased concern regarding worldwide air pollution from vehicles. In order
to control this air pollution problem from the vehicles, the exhaust emissions are
regulated from vehicles in many countries.
In fact, the exhaust emissions standards are constantly becoming stricter in every year.
In view of the increasingly stricter emissions requirement, vehicle manufacturers are
starting to develop alternative methods of powering vehicles, i.e. electric powered
vehicles. However, the electric powered vehicles have several drawbacks compared to
the conventional gasoline or diesel powered fuels. These electric powered vehicles
typically exhibit a very limited range of travel before its batteries need to be
recharged. Additionally, the battery tends to have a very short useful life before
requiring expensive refurbishing. Moreover, the electric vehicles lack to provide the
performance of conventional gasoline or diesel fuel powered vehicles.
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In addition, another alternative form of transportation is a natural gas vehicle. Natural
gas vehicles provide many advantages over liquid hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline
and diesel, in that it is cheaper to run as well as cleaner to operate. Moreover, the
natural gas is readily available and used to operate the internal combustion engines
with certain modifications thereto. Unlike electric vehicles, the natural gas vehicles do
not significantly differ in performance from the gasoline and diesel type vehicles. In
fact, most gasoline vehicles can be retrofitted to become a natural gas vehicle.
Due to the relative ease of retrofitting the existing gasoline vehicles and due to the
cheaper cost of operating the natural gas vehicle over the gasoline type vehicle, the
fleet of vehicles is converted from gasoline to natural gas. While converting the
existing gasoline vehicle to the natural gas vehicle, the mounting of the compressed
natural gas cylinder to the vehicle is quite complex because of heavy weight, safety
during collision and maximum volume occupied by the cylinder and other practices
for the fitment of CNG cylinder. In particularly, the framing of the vehicle must often
be cut to accommodate the natural gas cylinder, where the cutting of frame of the
vehicle comprises the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Furthermore, the installation of CNG cylinder on the vehicle has its own constraints
due to heavy weight and space occupied by the CNG cylinder at the front or rear side
of the vehicles, which results in high axles weights. It is easy to convert the
commercial vehicle on CNG due to large availability of space for mounting the CNG
cylinders, but it equally difficult in case of passenger vehicles due to space and weight
distribution constraints. Such CNG cylinders should be installed at the safe position
where there is a possibility of minimum damage to the CNG assembly at the time of
crash. Hence, additional heavy supports or protecting bars need to be installed for
protecting the CNG cylinder, which may increase the weight and decrease the fuel
economy of Vehicle. Accordingly, various mounting assemblies are developed for
mounting the natural gas cylinder to the vehicle.
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According to the fitment norms, it is required that leakage of gas should not happen
inside the passenger's compartment, while fitting the CNG cylinder assembly inside
the passenger vehicle. Moreover, the driving conditions (driver seat adjustment) of the
vehicle should not be hindered when the CNG cylinder is placed behind the driver
seat. According to code of practices for fitment of the CNG cylinder on the vehicle,
the cylinder should be away with the specific distance from extremities of vehicle and
protected to minimize the possibility of damage due to collision, over turning and
loose metal or object being thrown up from the road. It is also necessary that the
cylinder should be away from the exhaust system by the distance mentioned in fitment
norms of the CNG cylinder and should not affect the ground clearance value.
In addition to this, it is desired that the visibility of the CNG cylinder assembly to the
passenger is eliminated. Therefore for the aesthetic point of view, concealment of
cylinders from passengers within the vehicle is desired. Notwithstanding such
concealment of cylinders from passengers, provision shall be provided to enable
operation of the cylinder, as and when required.
In view of the above noted problems with existing liquid hydrogen vehicles and with
retrofitting of such vehicles with the natural gas cylinder, there exists a need for an
effective CNG mounting assembly. Hence, it is essential to provide a CNG cylinder
mounting arrangement for supporting and coupling a CNG cylinder on a passenger
vehicle, which eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks. Moreover, the CNG
cylinder mounting arrangement is especially designed for retrofitting a vehicle with a
CNG cylinder such that it provides additional rigidity to the vehicle.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a CNG cylinder mounting
arrangement, which provides easy fitment of the CNG cylinder to a vehicle seat
without affecting the driving functionality of the vehicle.
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Another object of the present invention is to provide a CNG cylinder mounting
arrangement, which is capable of providing safety during collision, overturning and
protection against loose metal or object being thrown up from the road.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a CNG cylinder mounting
arrangement, which achieves packaging of the CNG cylinder within the less space
available in the vehicle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a CNG cylinder mounting
arrangement, which is capable of protecting passenger from leakage of gas in the
CNG cylinder.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a CNG cylinder mounting
arrangement, which is capable of providing fitment of the CNG cylinder away from an
exhaust system without affecting the ground clearance value.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a CNG cylinder mounting
arrangement, which avoids the need of additional heavy members to support the load
of cylinders and unbalance of axle weight of the vehicle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an enclosing system for a
CNG cylinder mounting assignment.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the enclosing system having a
plurality of trims adapted to be engaged to the CNG cylinder mounting assignment.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to one aspect, the present invention, which achieves the objectives, relates
to a CNG cylinder mounting arrangement for a vehicle comprises a mounting frame
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that is assembled with horizontal frame members and vertical frame members. The
mounting frame is integrated to the vehicle seat and fastened to long members of the
vehicle. At least one CNG cylinder is fixed and covered with the horizontal frame
members and the vertical frame members of the mounting frame. The CNG cylinder is
secured to the mounting frame, which is disposed underside of the vehicle seat
without affecting the driving functionality of the vehicle. Such mounting arrangement
provides safety during collision, overturning and protection against loose metal or
object being thrown up from the road.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will be discussed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying
Figures.
FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a structural frame for supporting and tightening of
a CNG cylinder, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the CNG cylinder tightened over the structural
frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the structural frame with the CNG cylinder
assembly supported on long members of the vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the CNG cylinder assembly with safety
arrangement, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a seat assembly over the structural frame
supporting driver and co-driver seats with all seats functionality along with a CNG
cylinder assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
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FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the position of CNG cylinder assembly on the
structural frame integrated with a front seat of a vehicle, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of a plurality of cylinder trims engaged with the
structural frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the plurality of cylinder trims, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of a cylinder trim along with a portion of the
structural frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of a cylinder trim along with a portion of the
structural frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of a cylinder trim along with a portion of the
structural frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 12 illustrates a partially cut isometric view of a cylinder trim engaged with a
portion of the structural frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a structural frame (1) for supporting and
tightening of a CNG cylinder, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The structural frame (1) can be configured in the form of vehicle
seating arrangement. The structural frame (1) is constructed using horizontal frame
members (1a) and vertical frame members (1b). Such structural frame (1) is an
integral part of the vehicle seat, on which CNG cylinders (2) are mounted and
supported, as shown in FIG. 2, which illustrates a detailed view of the CNG cylinder
(2) tightened over the structural frame (1), in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
Furthermore, the CNG cylinders (2) are tightened on the horizontal frame members
(1a) and the vertical frame members (1b) by means of adjustable tightening belts (3).
One end of the tightening belts (3) is firmly secured between hinges (7) using a bolt
(8) and a clip (9) in order to fasten the tightening belts (3) to the frame (1). The
tightening belts (3) are wrapped around the outer surface of the CNG cylinder (2),
where both ends of the belts (3) are connected by inserting a pin (5) of the belts (3)
into a hole provided in a supporting bracket (4). After insertion of the pin (5), an antilocking
nut (6) is tightened to the pin (5) until the CNG cylinder (2) is firmly secured
to the frame (1). A rubber support (10) can be placed between the frame (1) and the
CNG cylinder (2), which avoids slippage of the CNG cylinder (2).
Referring to FIG. 3, an isometric view of the structural frame (1) with the CNG
cylinder assembly supported on long members (11, 12) of the vehicle is illustrated, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The structural
frame (1) is firmly secured to long members (11, 12) of the vehicle to restrict
movement of the CNG cylinders (3). Since the rigid structural frame (1) is supported
on the side and center long members (11, 12) of the vehicle, entire assembly weight
can effectively be disturbed without requirement of any additional reinforcement,
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which results in saving of cost and weight over additional reinforcement for
supporting the CNG cylinders (2).
Referring to FIG. 4, an isometric view of the CNG cylinder assembly with safety
arrangement is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The CNG cylinder assembly is provided with a vapor box (13) and
a corrugated pipe (14), which are configured for easy removal and venting of gas
directly to the atmosphere from the down side of vehicle for safety of passengers,
especially at the time of gas leakage from the CNG cylinders (2). Moreover, the CNG
cylinders (2) are placed near to the vehicle door (not illustrated), which helps easy
escape of the gas to the atmosphere by opening the door at the time of emergency. It
also avoids the need of separate sub-compartment for the fitment of assembly to vent
the gas during emergency.
Referring to FIG. 5, an isometric view of a seat assembly over the structural frame (1)
supporting driver and co-driver seats with all seats functionality along with the CNG
cylinder assembly is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The structural frame (1) is integrated with seat structures (15, 16) of
the vehicle. Since the CNG cylinder assembly (2) is mounted underside of the seat
structures (15, 16), thus it does not affect the functionality of the driver seat and the
co-driver seat such as sliding, reclining and rising mechanism of a vehicle seat (17).
Referring to FIG. 6, a side view of the position of CNG cylinder assembly on the
structural frame (1) integrated with a front seat (17) of a vehicle, in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Mostly passenger vehicles are
assembled with either rear or front engine. In case of front engine passenger vehicle,
the fitment of CNG cylinder assembly (2) is done in the luggage compartment or
behind the rear seat where there is a provision of spare wheel. Hence, the fitment of
CNG cylinder (2) can be achieved either in the rear side or in the underside of the
vehicle seat (17). The CNG cylinder assembly can permanently be fitted within the
less available space and filled in the same position.
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Similarly, in case of rear engine passenger vehicle, it is difficult to install the CNG
cylinder (2) on rear side of the vehicle due to less space available there, which causes
unbalance of vehicle weight and near to the exhaust system on rear side. Also, it could
not be installed toward the front side of the vehicle, which is not safe from crash point
of view. Hence, the proposed fitment of the CNG cylinders (2) is the most appropriate
position for installation of the CNG cylinder (2), which is safe during collision and
over turning of vehicle. The CNG cylinders (2) are mounted above the vehicle firewall
in order to protect the CNG cylinder assembly against impact and damage from loose
metal and other objects being thrown up from the road and also avoid impact of the
ground clearance value.
Moreover, the CNG cylinders (2) are fixed and covered with the horizontal and
vertical members (1a, 1b) of the structural frame (1) at the centre of vehicle, which
protects the CNG cylinders (2) and provides safety for passengers during collision
from the front and rear side of the vehicle. At the same time, the CNG cylinders (2)
are covered by B-Pillar and the long members (11, 12) of the vehicle, which protects
the CNG cylinders (2) against left and right side collision. In addition, weight of the
CNG cylinders (2) is distributed equally toward the front and rear sides of the vehicle,
since the fitment position of the CNG cylinder assembly is arranged at the center of
the vehicle. Therefore, it avoids performance degradation of the vehicle due to
unbalance of vehicle axle weight and is also far away from the exhaust system.
Referring now to another embodiment of the present invention, best illustrated in
figure 7 through figure 12, the cylinder mounting arrangement further includes a
plurality of cylinder trims (20). More specifically, the plurality of cylinder trims (20)
is removably mounted on the structural frame (1). The plurality of cylinder trims (20)
when engaged with the structural frame (1), cover the CNG cylinder assembly
mounted within the structural frame (1).
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As best illustrated in FIG. 7 the plurality of cylinder trims (20) includes trim one (22),
trim two (24), trim three (26), trim four (28), trim five (30), trim six (32), trim seven
(34), trim eight (36), trim nine (38) and trim ten (40). All of the said trims are suitably
engaged with the structural frame (1).
In the present embodiment as best shown in Fig. 8, the trim one (22) is an assembly
trim hand brake cover CNG front, the trim two (24) is an assembly trim hand brake
cover CNG rear, the trim three (26) is an assembly trim cover CNG Front LH, trim
four (28) is an assembly trim cover CNG Front RH, trim five (30) is assembly trim
cover CNG front LH, trim six (32) is an assembly trim cover CNG rear RH, trim
seven (34) assembly trim cover CNG side LH, trim eight (36) is an assembly trim
cover CNG side RH, trim nine (38) is assembly CNG console and the trim ten (40) is
parking brake cable cover CNG. It may herein be noted that the plurality of cylinder
trims (20), in alternative embodiments, may have fewer or more number of trims,
without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. In one embodiment of the
present invention, the plurality of cylinder trims (20) may be composed of plastic
material.
The engagement of each of the plurality of trims with the structural frame (1) is done
through a clipping arrangement 44. Such engagement arrangement of the plurality of
trims enables quick and easy engagement of the plurality of trims with the structural
frame (1). As shown in Fig. 9, the trim eight (36) i.e. the assembly trim cover CNG
side RH, is adapted to be engaged with the structural frame (1). As shown in Fig. 10,
the trim four (28) i.e. the assembly trim cover CNG Front RH, is adapted to be
engaged with the structural frame (1). Likewise as shown in FIG. 11, the trim three
(26) i.e. the assembly trim cover CNG Front LH, is adapted to be engaged with the
structural frame (1). Figure 12 illustrates a partial cut view of the clipping
arrangement. As shown the horizontal and vertical members (1a, 1b) of the structural
frame (1) includes holes, and the clipping arrangement 44 may include projecting tabs.
Portions of the projecting tabs are inserted into the respective the horizontal and
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vertical members (1a, 1b) of the structural frame (1), thereby connecting respective
trim with the structural member (1).
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It
should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration
only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is
intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come
within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.
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WE CLAIM
1. A compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder mounting arrangement for a vehicle,
comprising:
a mounting frame assembled with a plurality of horizontal frame members and
a plurality of vertical frame members, said at least one mounting frame is integrated to
the vehicle seat; and
at least one CNG cylinder fixed and covered with said plurality of horizontal
frame members and said plurality of vertical frame members of said mounting frame,
and said at least one CNG cylinder is secured to the said mounting frame which is
disposed underside of the vehicle seat.
2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one CNG cylinder
comprises a vapor box coupled with at least one corrugated pipe.
3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said vapor box and said at
least one corrugated pipe are configured for venting of gas to the atmosphere, at the
time of gas leakage from said at least one CNG cylinder.
4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one CNG cylinder
is secured to said mounting frame by means of adjustable belts, anti-locking nuts and
bolts.
5. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one CNG cylinder
is placed above a vehicle firewall.
6. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting frame is
fastened to one or more long members of the vehicle in order to restrict movement of
said at least one CNG cylinder.
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7. A compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder mounting arrangement for a vehicle
substantially as hereinabove described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
cylinder trims, adapted to be removable engaged with the mounting frame.
9. The arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein the each of the plurality of
plurality of cylinder trims includes a set of engagement tabs adapted to be removably
received within respective holes on the horizontal and vertical, thereby engaging the
plurality of cylinder trims with the mounting frame.