[0001] The present disclosure described herein, in general, relates to a mounting structure used for holding gas cylinder frame in a vehicle and in particular, relates to the mounting structure having a configuration that effectively supports the gas cylinder frame structure which is required for holding a gas cylinder and fixing the mounting structure to a side body and rear floor of vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hybrid vehicles are relatively popular in the market due to clean energy, low pollution, and low cost of use. Such hybrid vehicles, unlike petrol or diesel vehicles, require a gas cylinder, such as a compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder, to be mounted at the rear side, i.e., in the boot space area, of the vehicle. To achieve a firm installation and mounting stability of the gas cylinder, a cylinder frame or structure is usually installed on the floor in the boot space area of the vehicle. By mounting the gas cylinder on the cylinder frame that is placed over the mounting structure prevents the gas cylinder from falling off due to body twisting, braking, bumping, and collision of the vehicle. At the same time, the mounting structure can effectively hold the cylinder frame.
[0003] However, there are numerous technical problems associated with the existing mounting structure that is used for mounting the cylinder frame that holds the gas cylinder. For instance, the existing mounting structure frame is heavy and complex in structure and requires many sub-parts to tackle high weight of CNG cylinder. Moreover, in the existing vehicles, numerous mounting bracket are used to bear the loads that occurred during the acceleration/deceleration/cornering/bump of a vehicle and produces vibration.
[0004] Furthermore, in vehicles that are used nowadays, the packaging of the CNG Cylinder for a given specification on the rear floor is governed by space availability along the width of the vehicle. If the packaging space along the vehicle width is adequate, the CNG cylinder can be laid very close to the Rear floor, thus the Centre of Gravity (CG) of the CNG cylinder lies very close to the mounting points on the rear floor & that makes the structure stable, however in the case where the packaging space along the vehicle width is insufficient due to vehicle construction, the CNG cylinder of given specification needs to be lifted to a height where its packaging is feasible. As a result, there is an increase in CG measured from mounting points on the rear floor. To counter the moment generated from increased CG, the mounting structure has to be made more rigid.
[0005] Further, the existing gas cylinder frame is made of metal pipes having complex structures which increases the weight of the frame, thereby increasing the weight of the vehicle. Further, since the height of the cylinder frame is more with respect to the floor of the vehicle, a plurality of fasteners, for example, six or eight bolts are required for securing the gas cylinder frame to the vehicle rear floor. Overall, the structure of the existing mounting brackets requires a connecting link between the left side and right side mounting brackets, hence increases the weight of the overall structure and complexity of structures in manufacturing and during assembling.
[0006] In view of the above, there is a need to have a mounting structure that is light in weight and rigid in a configuration that can effectively support the cylinder placed in the frame mounted over it and does not affect vehicle performance. Moreover, there is also a need in the art to provide a mounting structure that is more simple, inexpensive, contains less number of components and which can easily be accommodated in the existing vehicle to eliminate the existing above-mentioned problems.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0008] It is a general object of the present disclosure to provide a mounting structure that tightly holds a gas cylinder frame accommodating a gas cylinder, where the mounting structure is lightweight and still provides required structural reinforcement for holding the gas cylinder.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mounting structure that prevents the high stresses imparted from CNG frame in a transverse direction.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mounting structure made of metal or alloy pipes with proper stiffness and rigidity.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mounting structure that can bear high stress generated due to the weight of the CNG or gas cylinder under normal vehicle use and vehicle crash condition.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a uniform mounting structure for any type of vehicle to mount a gas cylinder with minimal modification or changes in the vehicle frame.
[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mounting structure that can easily be accommodated either at a large space or at a small space provided at the boot space of the vehicle.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mounting structure which utilizes side body of the vehicle for stress distribution which is imparted on CNG cylinder.
[0015] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mounting structure that is simple, inexpensive, and easy to mount on the vehicle chassis.
[0016] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0017] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a mounting structure that holds a gas cylinder frame which is required for holding a gas cylinder in a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0018] The present disclosure disclosed herein relates to a mounting structure for holding a cylinder frame that accommodates the gas cylinder in a vehicle.
[0019] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a mounting structure for holding a gas cylinder frame in a vehicle. The mounting structure includes a floor bracket fastened to a floor of the vehicle, a U-shaped pipe having an in-built mounting unit at its both ends for establishing a connection with a holder bracket affixed to the longitudinal end of the gas cylinder frame, and a horizontal bracket connecting both ends of the U-shaped pipe.
[0020] In an aspect, the mounting structure includes fixing brackets welded to side body, and the brackets have a protruding stud (mounting provision) towards inner direction of the vehicle.
[0021] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides the mounting structure in which the front mounting end and the rear mounting end of the floor bracket are fixed to the rear floor of the vehicle.
[0022] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides the mounting structure in which the horizontal bracket is connected between the inner sides of the U-shaped pipe.
[0023] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides the mounting structure in which the horizontal bracket is provided with a through-hole to receive a protruding stud mounted on a side body of the vehicle.
[0024] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides the horizontal bracket is provided with a through-hole to receive a stud mounted on a fixing bracket which is welded on a side body of the vehicle.
[0025] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides the mounting structure with a mounting unit bracket mounted on the top end of the U-shaped pipe such that the mounting unit bracket is facing angularly upward towards outside.
[0026] The present disclosure provides a mounting structure that supports the cylinder frame used for holding the cylinder.
[0027] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0028] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the subject matter may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the present disclosure as claimed herein, wherein:
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a gas cylinder frame attached with the mounting structure in accordance with the prior art;
[0031] FIG. 2A illustrates a lower assembly structure placed at both the ends of the vehicle and in combination form a mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 2B illustrates a fixing bracket placed at both the ends of the vehicle and in combination form a mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates the enlarged view of the lower assembly structure of the gas cylinder frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates the mounting of the exemplary gas cylinder over the frame supported by the mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] The figures depict embodiments of the present disclosure for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0037] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0039] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0041] Embodiments described herein relate to a mounting structure that is used to hold the gas cylinder frame accommodating the gas cylinder that is preferably to be mounted at a rear side of a vehicle. Although the design of the mounting structure is in such a way that it can easily be incorporated at the rear side of a vehicle in the vehicles, the mounting structure along with the frame can also be installed at the front side of the vehicle in which the boot space is provided at the front end of the vehicle without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a gas cylinder frame along with the mounting structure 100 for holding a gas cylinder in a vehicle and in particular to hold a compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder in a CNG vehicle as per the prior art.
[0043] As per the prior art, the existing CNG frame along with the mounting structure is mounted at four locations on vehicle rear floor. The two locations 102A, 102B are on the right side and the two locations 104A,104B are on the left side. Due to this, the connection 106 is required between the right side 102B and left side 104B of the frame for distributing the stresses induced during Acceleration/Deceleration, Cornering & Bump between all the four mountings. The connection between the right side & left side of the structure increases the structure weight and increases complexity.
[0044] FIGS. 2A and 2B disclose a mounting structure 200 which overcome the problem associated with the above-mentioned prior art. The mounting structure 200 comprises a first lower assembly structure 200A and a second lower assembly structure 200B placed at the left and the right side of the rear side of the vehicle having the same configuration and in combination forms a mounting structure 200 used to support the frame structure holding the CNG gas Cylinder. Further, the mounting structure 200 comprises of a first fixing bracket 200C and a second fixing bracket 200D welded at the left and the right side of the side body of the vehicle having a protruding stud fixed to each of the fixing brackets.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the lower assembly structure 200A and the fixing bracket 200C. Here, the lower assembly structure 200A includes a U-shaped pipe 202 welded at the center of a floor bracket 204. The floor bracket 204 has a front mounting end 204A and a rear mounting end 204B that are fixed to the rear floor of the vehicle.
[0046] Also, the U-shaped pipe 202 of the lower assembly structure 200A includes a pluraility of in-built mounting unit 206 at the upper ends of the U-shaped pipe 202 that are used to attach the holder brackets provided at the longitudinal ends of the upper assembly structure (not shown). Although the in-built mounting unit 206 is provided with a flange nut including a washer that helps in building a strong connection between the upper assembly structure and the lower assembly structure 200A, the in-built mounting unit 206 can be any other mounting unit without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0047] Moreover, in the lower assembly structure 200A, a horizontal bracket 208 is provided in between the inner sides of the U-shaped pipe 202. This horizontal bracket 208 connects the parallel tubes of the U-shaped pipe 202. The horizontal bracket 208 is also provided with a through-hole 210 to receive a stud fixed on the fixing bracket 200C which is welded on the side body of the vehicle, so as to restrict the transverse movement of the frame 200. Further, the connection of the lower assembly structure 200A with the side body through the fixing bracket 200C provides the necessary rigidity and strength to the mounting structure 200. This connection helps to distribute the stresses induced during acceleration or deceleration, cornering and bump. The three point connection provided on each side of the mounting structure 200, i.e., two connection on the vehicle rear floor and one connection with the vehicle side body. Hence, the need for additional connection between the two lower assembly mounting structures is eliminated.
[0048] Furthermore, the lower assembly structure 200B and the fixing bracket 200D also have a configuration similar to the lower assembly structure 200A and the fixing bracket 200C and in combination forms a mounting structure 200.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 4 that illustrates a frame 402 mounted inside a vehicle supported by the mounting structure 200 comprising the lower assembly structures 200A and 200B, and the fixing brackets 200C and 200D and receives an exemplary gas cylinder 404.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0050] The present disclosure provides a mounting structure for supporting the gas cylinder frame that holds a gas cylinder in a vehicle which can bear high pressure of CNG or gas cylinder under normal vehicle use and vehicle crash condition.
[0051] The present disclosure provides a mounting structure for supporting the gas cylinder frame that holds a gas cylinder in a vehicle which can be mounted in any type of vehicle with minimal modification or changes in the frame.
[0052] The present disclosure provides a mounting structure for supporting the gas cylinder frame that holds a gas cylinder in a vehicle which is light in weight, rigid in structure, simple and inexpensive, and easy to mount on the vehicle chassis or rear floor.
[0053] The present disclosure provides a mounting structure for supporting the gas cylinder frame that holds a gas cylinder in a vehicle that prevents the torsional deformation of the frame in the transverse direction.
[0054] The present disclosure provides a mounting structure for supporting the gas cylinder frame that holds a gas cylinder in a vehicle that counters the fluctuation in loads that occurred during Acceleration / Deceleration/Cornering & Bump of a vehicle and makes it stable structure.
[0055] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present disclosure when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims:1. A mounting structure (200) for holding a gas cylinder frame (402) in a vehicle, the mounting structure (200) comprising:
a floor bracket (204) fastened to a floor of the vehicle;
a U-shaped pipe (202) having an in-built mounting unit at its both ends for establishing a connection with holder bracket affixed to a longitudinal end of the gas cylinder frame (402);
a fixing bracket (200C) with a stud welded to side body of vehicle; and
a horizontal bracket (208) connecting both ends of the U-shaped pipe (202).

2. The mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front mounting end (204A) and the rear mounting end (204B) of the floor bracket (204) are fixed to the rear floor of the vehicle.

3. The mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal bracket (208) is connected between inner sides of the U-shaped pipe (202).

4. The mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal bracket (208) is provided with a through-hole (210) to receive a stud mounted on a side body of the vehicle.

5. The mounting structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal bracket (208) is provided with a through-hole (210) to receive a stud mounted on the fixing bracket (200C) which is welded on a side body of the vehicle.