DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to mounting structure in vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to front-end components mounting assembly in vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicle will have many components mounted at the front-end of the vehicle. In the conventional vehicles, wiring harness, radiator and front bumper are usually mounted to a front panel assembly and a floor panel assembly directly by providing multiple brackets. In this type of mounting arrangement, any modification, change, removal, re-fitment of any components at the front-end of the vehicle is difficult. The mounting structures are either part of body or chassis of the vehicle and also maintaining the dimensional and appearance accuracy is difficult. Regulatory structures will not have any mountings.
[003] Further, since conventional mounting structures require separate brackets with different structures to secure each individual front-end component, there is an increase in overall weight of the vehicle and the manufacturing process of the mounting structures is complex.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a front-end components mounting assembly for a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a front-end components mounting assembly for a vehicle, which facilitates mounting of vehicle front-end components such as radiator, front-end beam, front bumper assembly, vacuum pipe and wiring harness.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a front-end components mounting assembly for a vehicle, which enables easier assembling, servicing, accessibility, removal, replacement and maintainability of vehicle front-end components.
[007] 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
[008] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out 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:
[009] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a front-end components mounting assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a portion of the front-end components mounting assembly in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the portion of the front-end components mounting assembly with a radiator in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the front-end components mounting assembly with the radiator and a front-end beam in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a portion of the front-end components mounting assembly with vacuum pipe in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts a front view of the front-end components mounting assembly with the radiator, the front-end beam and a front bumper assembly in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a first mounting bracket of the front-end components mounting assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a second mounting bracket of the front-end components mounting assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 9 depicts a right side view of the second mounting bracket of the front-end components mounting assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a third mounting bracket of the front-end components mounting assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0019] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a fourth mounting bracket of the front-end components mounting assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0020] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a fifth mounting bracket of the front-end components mounting assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] 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.
[0022] The embodiments herein achieve a front-end components mounting assembly for a vehicle, which facilitates mounting of vehicle front-end components such as radiator, front-end beam, front bumper assembly, vacuum pipe and wiring harness. Further, embodiments herein achieve a front-end components mounting assembly for a vehicle, which enables easier assembling, servicing, accessibility, removal, replacement and maintainability of vehicle front-end components. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 12, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0023] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a front-end components mounting assembly 100 for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the vehicle includes a front-end components mounting assembly 100 (as shown in fig. 1, fig.2, fig. 3, fig. 4, fig. 5 and fig. 6), a plurality of crash boxes C (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2), a front-end beam B (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4), a heat exchanger R (as shown in fig. 3, fig. 4 and fig. 6), a vacuum pipe V (as shown in fig. 5), a front bumper assembly F(as shown in fig. 6), a front panel P, a plurality of radiator mounting brackets M, wiring harness (not shown), chassis (not shown), a plurality of fasteners (not shown) and may include other standard systems and components as present in standard vehicle. In an embodiment, the vehicle is a load carrying vehicle. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the front-end components mounting assembly 100 to any other type of vehicle.
[0024] The front-end components mounting assembly 100 is used to facilitate mounting of the heat exchanger R, the front-end beam B, the front bumper assembly F, the vacuum pipe V and wiring harness (not shown). In an embodiment, the front-end components mounting assembly 100 includes a plurality of first mounting brackets 102 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 3 and fig. 7), at least one second mounting bracket 104 (as shown in fig.1, fig. 2, fig. 4, fig. 5, fig. 8 and fig. 9), at least one third mounting bracket 106 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2 and fig. 10), a plurality of fourth mounting brackets 108 (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 11) and a plurality of fifth mounting brackets 110 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 6 and fig. 12).
[0025] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a first mounting bracket 102 of the front-end components mounting assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Each first mounting bracket 102 is used to facilitate mounting of the heat exchanger R and the wiring harness (not shown). In an embodiment, the first mounting bracket 102 includes a first portion 102a and a plurality of second portions 102b. In an embodiment, the first portion 102a of each first mounting bracket 102 is used to facilitate mounting of the heat exchanger R. In an embodiment, the first portion 102a of each first mounting bracket 102 defines a locking element 102c, wherein the locking element 102c is a hole adapted to receive a fastener (not shown) therein to removably connect the heat exchanger R to each first mounting bracket 102. In another embodiment, the locking element of each first mounting bracket 102 can be a protrusion transversely extending from the first portion 102a of each first mounting bracket 102 thereby facilitating mounting of the heat exchanger R. Each second portion 102b of each first mounting bracket 102 extends from corresponding ends of first portion 102a of each first mounting bracket 102 substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of corresponding first portion 102a. Each second portion 102b of each first mounting bracket 102 is connected to corresponding crash box C by welding thereby connecting each first mounting bracket 102 with corresponding crash box C. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the second portion 102b of each first mounting bracket 102 with corresponding crash box C by fastening, riveting or any other means. In an embodiment, one of the second portions 102b of each first mounting bracket 102 defines a locking element 102d, wherein the locking element 102d is a hole adapted to removably connect the wiring harness (not shown) to the first mounting bracket 102. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of locking element to the second portion 102b of each first mounting bracket 102 to mount the wiring harness (not shown). The first portion 102a and each second portion 102b of each first mounting bracket 102 defines an opening 102e adapted to receive a portion of corresponding crash box C thereby facilitating assembling of each first mounting bracket 102 with corresponding crash box C.
[0026] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a second mounting bracket 104 of the front-end components mounting assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The second mounting bracket 104 is used to facilitate mounting of the front-end beam B and the vacuum pipe V. In an embodiment, the second mounting bracket 104 includes a first portion 104a, a second portion 104b and a third portion 104c. In an embodiment, the first portion 104a of the second mounting bracket 104 is used to facilitate mounting of a first portion B1 (as shown in fig. 4) of the front-end beam B. In an embodiment, the first portion 104a of the second mounting bracket 104 defines a locking element 104d, wherein the locking element 104d is a hole adapted to receive a fastener (not shown) therein to removably connect the first portion B1 of the front-end beam B to the second mounting bracket 104. In another embodiment, the locking element of the second mounting bracket 104 is a protrusion transversely extending from the first portion 104a of second mounting bracket 104 thereby facilitating mounting of the first portion B1 of the front-end beam B. The second portion 104b is extending from the first portion 104a of the second mounting bracket 104 substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of the first portion 104a. The second portion 104b of the second mounting bracket 104 is connected to corresponding crash box C by welding thereby connecting the second mounting bracket 104 to corresponding crash box C. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the second portion 104b of the second mounting bracket 104 with corresponding crash box C by fastening, riveting or by using any other means. The third portion 104c is extending from the second portion 104b of the second mounting bracket 104 in a direction away from corresponding crash box C and substantially parallel to a longitudinal plane of the second portion 104b. The third portion 104c of the second mounting bracket 104 is used to facilitate mounting of the vacuum pipe V. In an embodiment, the third portion of the second mounting bracket 104 defines a locking element 104e (as shown in fig. 9), wherein the locking element 104e is a hole adapted to receive a fastener (not shown) therein to removably connect the vacuum pipe V to the second mounting bracket 104. In another embodiment, the locking element of the second mounting bracket 104 is a protrusion transversely extending from the third portion 104c of the second mounting bracket 104 thereby facilitating mounting of the vacuum pipe V.
[0027] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a third mounting bracket 106 of the front-end components mounting assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The third mounting bracket 106 is used to facilitate mounting of the front-end beam B. In an embodiment, the third mounting bracket 106 includes a first portion 106a and a second portion 106b. In an embodiment, the first portion 106a of the third mounting bracket 106 is used to facilitate mounting of a second portion B2 (a shown in fig. 4) of the front-end beam B. In an embodiment, the first portion 106a of the third mounting bracket 106 defines a locking element 106c, wherein the locking element 106c is a hole adapted to receive a fastener (not shown) therein to removably connect the second portion B2 of the front-end beam B to the third mounting bracket 106. In another embodiment, the locking element is a protrusion transversely extending from the first portion 106a of the third mounting bracket 106 thereby facilitating mounting of the second portion B2 of the front-end beam B. The second portion 106b is extending from the first portion 106a of the third mounting bracket 106 substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of the first portion 106a. The second portion 106b of the third mounting bracket 106 is connected to corresponding crash box C by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the second portion 106b of the third mounting bracket 106 with corresponding crash box C by fastening, riveting or any other means.
[0028] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a fourth mounting bracket 108 of the front-end components mounting assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Each fourth mounting bracket 108 is used to facilitate mounting of the front bumper assembly F. Each fourth mounting bracket 108 is provided below the front-end beam B and in proximity of the corresponding first portion B1 and second portion B2 of the front-end beam B. In an embodiment, each fourth mounting bracket 108 includes a first portion 108a, a plurality of second portions 108b and a plurality of third portions 108c. In an embodiment, the first portion 108a of each fourth mounting bracket 108 is used to facilitate mounting of a portion (not shown) of the front bumper assembly F. In an embodiment, the first portion 108a of each fourth mounting bracket 108 defines a locking element 108d, wherein the locking element 108d is a hole adapted to receive a fastener (not shown) therein to removably connect the portion (not shown) of the front bumper assembly F to each fourth mounting bracket 108. In another embodiment, the locking element of each fourth mounting bracket 108 is a protrusion transversely extending from the first portion 108a of each fourth mounting bracket 108 thereby facilitating mounting of the front bumper assembly F. Each second portion 108b of each fourth mounting bracket 108 is extending from corresponding ends of the first portion 108a of each fourth mounting bracket 108 substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of corresponding first portion 108a. Each third portion 108c of each fourth mounting bracket 108 is extending from corresponding ends of the second portion 108b of each fourth mounting bracket 108 substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of corresponding second portion 108b. Each third portion 108c of each fourth mounting bracket 108 is connected to corresponding portion (not shown) of the front-end beam B by welding thereby connecting each fourth mounting bracket 108 to front-end beam B. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect each third portion 108c of each fourth mounting bracket 108 with the front-end beam B by fastening, riveting or any other means.
[0029] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a fifth mounting bracket 110 of the front-end components mounting assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Each fifth mounting bracket 110 is used to facilitate mounting of the front bumper assembly F. Each fifth mounting bracket 110 is provided below the front-end beam B and between the first portion B1 and B2 of the front-end beam B. In an embodiment, each fifth mounting bracket 110 includes a first portion 110a, a second portion 110b and a third portion 110c. In an embodiment, the first portion 110a of each fifth mounting bracket 110 is used to facilitate mounting of another portion (not shown) of the front bumper assembly F. In an embodiment, the first portion 110a of each fifth mounting bracket 110 defines a locking element 110d, wherein the locking element 110d is a hole adapted to receive a fastener (not shown) therein to removably connect the front bumper assembly F to the each fifth mounting bracket 110. The second portion 110b of each fifth mounting bracket 110 is extending from the first portion 110a of each fifth mounting bracket 110 substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of corresponding first portion 110a. The third portion 110c of each fifth mounting bracket 110 is extending from the second portion 110b of each fifth mounting bracket 110 substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of corresponding second portion 110b. The third portion 110c of each fifth mounting bracket 110 is connected to corresponding portion (not shown) of the front-end beam B by welding thereby connecting each fifth mounting bracket 110 to the front-end beam B. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the third portion 110c of each fifth mounting bracket 110 with the front-end beam B by fastening, riveting or any other means.
[0030] Each crash box C is removably connected to the front panel P and the chassis (not shown) of the vehicle. Each crash box C is adapted to absorb impact energy and distribute the impact energy to the vehicle body structure (not shown) and chassis (not shown) during frontal impact of the vehicle.
[0031] The front-end beam B is used to protect the heat exchanger R by absorbing the impact energy when the vehicle is involved in slow speed frontal impact. The front-end beam B is removably connected to the second mounting bracket 104 and the third mounting bracket 106.
[0032] The heat exchanger R is a radiator. The heat exchanger R is used to transfer the heat from the engine coolant to the air that is blown by the radiator fan (not shown) so as to provide cooled coolant to the engine (not shown) of the vehicle. The heat exchanger R is removably connected to each first mounting bracket 102. The heat exchanger R is removably connected to front panel P through each radiator mounting brackets M.
[0033] The vacuum pipe V is used to transfer vacuum from the intake manifold (not shown) of the vehicle to components such as vacuum advance, brake booster, PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve, heater control valve, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) controls, EGR (exhaust gas re-circulation) valve, etc.,. The vacuum pipe V is removably connected to the second mounting bracket 104.
[0034] The front bumper assembly F is removably connected to each fourth mounting bracket 108 and each fifth mounting bracket 110. The front bumper assembly F includes bumper, grille and other standard components as present in standard front bumper assembly.
[0035] Each radiator mounting brackets M is used to removably mount the heat exchanger R to the front panel P of the vehicle. Each radiator mounting brackets M is connected to the front panel P by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the radiator mounting brackets M to the front panel P by fastening, riveting or any other means.
[0036] The mounting arrangement of vehicle front-end components (vehicle front-end components such as the heat exchanger H, the front-end beam B, the vacuum pipe V, the front bumper assembly F and wiring harness) in the aforementioned mounting assembly 100 enables easier assembling, easier servicing, easier accessibility, easier removal, easier replacement and easier maintainability of vehicle front-end components.
[0037] 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 preferred 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:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A front-end components mounting assembly 100 for a vehicle, said mounting assembly 100 comprising:
a plurality of first mounting brackets 102, each of said first mounting bracket 102 having a first portion 102a adapted to facilitate mounting of a heat exchanger R of the vehicle and at least one second portion 102b adapted to facilitate mounting of a wiring harness of the vehicle, the second portion 102b of each of said first mounting bracket 102 adapted to be connected to corresponding crash box C of the vehicle;
at least one second mounting bracket 104 having a first portion 104a adapted to facilitate mounting of a first portion B1 of a front-end beam B of the vehicle, a second portion 104b adapted to be connected to corresponding crash box C and a third portion 104c adapted to facilitate mounting of a vacuum pipe P of the vehicle;
at least one third mounting bracket 106 having a first portion 106a adapted to facilitate mounting of a second portion B2 of the front-end beam B and a second portion 106b adapted to be connected to corresponding crash box C;
a plurality of fourth mounting brackets 108, each of said fourth mounting bracket 108 having a first portion 108a adapted to facilitate mounting of a front bumper assembly F of the vehicle, each of said fourth mounting bracket 108 adapted to be connected to the front-end beam B; and
a plurality of fifth mounting brackets 110, each of said fifth mounting bracket 110 having a first portion 110a adapted to facilitate mounting of the front bumper assembly F, each of said fifth mounting bracket 110 adapted to be connected to the front-end beam B.
2. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion 102a of each of said first mounting bracket 102 defines a locking element 102c, wherein the locking element 102c is a hole adapted to receive a fastener therein to removably connect the heat exchanger R to each of said first mounting bracket 102.
3. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heat exchanger R is at least a radiator.
4. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second portion 102b of each of said first mounting bracket 102 defines a locking element 102d, wherein the locking element 102d is a hole adapted to removably connect the wiring harness to each of said first mounting bracket 102.
5. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second portion 102b of each of said first mounting bracket 102 extends from the first portion 102 of each of said first mounting bracket 102 substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of corresponding first portion 102a.
6. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion 104a of said second mounting bracket 104 defines a locking element 104d, wherein the locking element 104d is a hole adapted to receive a fastener therein to removably connect the first portion B1 of the front-end beam B to said second mounting bracket 104.
7. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second portion 104b extends from the first portion 104a of said second mounting bracket 104 substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of the first portion 104a.
8. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third portion 104c extends from the second portion 104b of said second mounting bracket 104 substantially parallel to a longitudinal plane of the second portion 104b and in a direction away from corresponding crash box C.
9. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein the third portion 104c of said second mounting bracket 104 defines a locking element 104e, wherein the locking element 104e is a hole adapted to receive a fastener therein to removably connect the vacuum pipe P to the second mounting bracket 104.
10. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion 106a of said third mounting bracket 106 defines a locking element 106c, wherein the locking element 106c is a hole adapted to receive a fastener therein to removably connect the second portion B2 of the front-end beam B to said third mounting bracket 106.
11. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second portion 106b extends from the first portion 106a of said third mounting bracket 106 substantially transverse to the first portion 106a.
12. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion 108a of each of said fourth mounting bracket 108 defines a locking element 108d, wherein the locking element 108d is a hole adapted to receive fastener therein to removably connect the front bumper assembly F to each of said fourth mounting bracket 108.
13. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion 110a of each of said fifth mounting bracket 110 defines a locking element 110d, wherein the locking element 110d is a hole adapted to receive fastener therein to removably connect the front bumper assembly F to each of said fifth mounting bracket 110.
14. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least a load carrying vehicle.
15. A front-end components mounting assembly 100 for a vehicle, said mounting assembly 100 comprising:
a plurality of first mounting brackets 102, each of said first mounting bracket 102 having a first portion 102a adapted to facilitate mounting of a heat exchanger R of the vehicle and at least one second portion 102b adapted to facilitate mounting of a wiring harness of the vehicle, the second portion 102b of each of said first mounting bracket 102 adapted to be connected to corresponding crash box C of the vehicle;
at least one second mounting bracket 104 having a first portion 104a adapted to facilitate mounting of a first portion B1 of a front-end beam B of the vehicle, a second portion 104b adapted to be connected to corresponding crash box C and a third portion 104c adapted to facilitate mounting of a vacuum pipe P of the vehicle; and
at least one third mounting bracket 106 having a first portion 106a adapted to facilitate mounting of a second portion B2 of the front-end beam B and a second portion 106b adapted to be connected to corresponding crash box C.