DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mounting structure for automotive vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to a mounting structure for mounting multiple components of an automotive vehicle in a space saving manner. More particularly, the present invention relates to a single mounting bracket for mounting multiple components in automotive vehicle for saving space therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the rapidly growing automobile industry, all major automobile manufacturers are constantly required to add new features and components to meet the modern needs and luxuries demanded by the customers in their vehicles. In order to ensure that automobile is equipped with all kinds of electrical equipment and that is has low vibration and a very compact space packaging for these multiple components.

Previously, there was not any single structure in the vehicle which could provide mounting of multiple components simultaneously.

For example, a rack and pinion wiper mechanism was provided in the vehicle to be mounted separately on body, however it could not meet the customer’s higher expectations.

A link type wiper mechanism was also designed, which required a mounting structure therefor.

There were separate brackets for relay mounting and fuse box mounting, occupying substantial space in the passenger compartment, which was also not ergonomically good.

There was no structure for supporting the suspended pedal assembly, which caused vibrations on the steering column and thereby irritating the customer.

PRIOR ART

CN104249668 discloses a mounting structure of an automobile electric appliance fuse box. The mounting structure comprises a fuse box bracket and a suspension connecting plate, wherein one side of the suspension connecting plate is connected to an engine suspension, and the other side is connected to an automobile body wheel hub unit; the fuse box bracket is connected to the suspension connecting plate; a mounting hole for mounting the electric appliance fuse box is formed in the fuse box bracket; and one side of the electric appliance fuse box is connected to the automobile body wheel hub unit, and the other side is mounted on the fuse box bracket through the mounting hole. The mounting structure can reduce the shake of the comparatively large and heavy electric appliance fuse box in the automobile driving process, so that the mounting is firmer and more stable.

This document provides for mounting only two components, i.e. the suspension bracket and connecting fuse box attached to the side of the engine mounting.

US5259646A discloses a multipurpose, lightweight, sheet metal bracket having a U-shaped cross-section is provided with tab-like extensions of the sides of the U-shape for attachment thereto of other vehicle components. The sheet metal bracket itself can be spot-welded at a number of points to correspondingly disposed portions of an automobile internal structure for strong, rigid, permanent location to provide strong support to the steering column assembly and the brake support bracket of the automobile. Space above the sides of the U-shaped cross-section of the bracket provides safe passage for wiring between elements in the instrument panel assembly and cooperating elements in the engine compartments. In the event of a collision experienced by the automobile, reactive movement of the steering column assembly, both in translation and in rotation in a manner as would affect the driver of the automobile, is controlled and limited, with portions of the support bracket undergoing controlled deformation at deliberately provided bend zones, with limited movement between the support bracket and the steering column assembly allowed by attachment at elongate apertures in the bracket.

This document also provides for mounting only two components, i.e. the steering column and support brake pedal.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

However, the problem with the conventional mechanisms is that there is no single mounting structure available in modern vehicles, which could facilitate simultaneous mounting of multiple components. The existing mounting structures for accommodating multiple components in modern vehicles require a lot of space and therefore pose space constraints with ever increasing number of components and/or sub-assemblies to be packaged in a compact manner.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for mounting a plurality of components and/or sub-assemblies of automobiles in a space-saving manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for automobiles which eliminates the need for a separate structure for mounting individual components and/or sub-assemblies.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for automobiles to substantially reduce overall cost of manufacture of automobiles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for automobiles components, which is easy to assemble and dismantle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for automobile components/sub-assemblies, which reduces overall weight of the automobile.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for automobiles to save assembly time for assembly of the components and/or sub-assemblies therein.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are however not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a multipurpose mounting structure for mounting multiple components and/or sub-assemblies in an automobile, wherein the mounting structure comprises a profiled tubular structure for mounting and/or welding a plurality of brackets thereon for attaching the said components and/or sub-assemblies.

Typically, the profiled tubular structure is an elongated hollow stay-tube attached to the “A” pillar assembly of the automobile.

Typically, the stay tube is provided with a plurality of profiled brackets and/or structures for mounting and/or welding different components and/or sub-assemblies of the automobile thereon.

Typically, the stay tube is a profiled stay-tube having a slot configured at one of the ends thereof for attaching it to the “A” pillar assembly of the automobile and the other thereof preferably configured with another slot for suspending the pedal assembly therefrom.

Typically, the stay tube is profiled as an elongated hollow stay-tube having a tubular central portion and configured flat at either end with a respective slot made as mounting point thereon.

Typically, the stay tube is provided with a respective profiled bracket and/or structure for mounting different components and/or sub-assemblies of the automobile, preferably a bracket for attaching relay; a fuse box bracket; a wiper motor bracket; and a bracket for attaching wiper motor bracket to the stay tube; wherein the brackets are attached to the stay-tube preferably by welded joints.
Typically, the bracket for mounting relay is configured L-shaped and disposed adjacent the slotted end and welded on top side of the stay-tube.

Typically, the fuse box bracket is configured L-shaped and welded to the lower side of the stay-tube and disposed away from the relay mounting bracket welded on the stay-tube.

Typically, the wiper motor is mounted on a L-shaped bracket, which in turn is welded between the fuse box bracket and the relay mounting bracket welded on the stay-tube.

Typically, the wiper motor is connected to a wiper link mechanism for operating the same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a mounting structure for an automotive vehicle, a multiple horizontal stay tube includes the relay mounting bracket, fuse box and link type wiper mechanism mounting bracket and connected on one side to the suspended pedal assembly, and the other side thereof is connected to ‘A’ pillar assembly of the body. This structure occupies less space in the body by mounting multiple components on a single stay tube.

The main part of this mounting structure is a multiple horizontal stay tube crimped at the two corner ends and the relay, fuse box and link type wiper mechanism mounting brackets are welded on this stay tube structure.

Further, the relay is mounted on the bracket connected to the stay tube on top the side and the fuse box in the bottom side thereof.

Wiper motor mounting bracket is connected to the bracket by welding on the stay tube and is disposed between the relay mounting bracket and fuse box mounting bracket on the top side to provide further support to the wiper link mechanism and the wiper motor.
The mounting structure configured in accordance with the present invention imparts sturdiness to the suspended pedal for reducing the effect of vibration on the vehicle performance and thereby satisfies customer expectation of a smooth running of the vehicle.

This mounting structure also provides support to a plurality of components, thereby reduces the number of brackets to be fitted in the automobile body.

Therefore, this compact mounting structure lowers the overall weight and manufacturing cost of the automotive vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the multipurpose mounting structure for an automotive vehicle configured in accordance with the present invention, and depicted after the installation of a horizontal stay tube on the vehicle body.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram depicting various components just before mounting them on the multipurpose mounting structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the mounting structure of Figure 1, depicted with various brackets for mounting different components on stay tube.

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the stay tube of Figure 1 depicted with the relevant brackets in dismantled condition to depict the individual brackets to be welded on the stay tube.

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the stay tube structure of Figure 2 in an assembled condition and depicting the welding positions of the brackets on the mounting structure of Figure 1.

DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the multipurpose mounting structure 100 for an automotive vehicle (not shown) configured in accordance with the present invention, and depicted after the installation of a substantially horizontally disposed stay tube 10 on vehicle body B.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the mounting structure 100 of Figure 1, depicted with various brackets for mounting different components on stay tube 10. These components and sub-assemblies include the suspended pedal assembly 22 to be mounted on a bracket 20, a relay 32 to be mounted on a bracket 30, wiper motor 80 to be mounted on a mounting bracket 82 which in turn is to be welded on a bracket 40 mounted on the stay tube 10 and the fuse box 52 to be mounted on a bracket 50. One end 20 of the stay tube 10 is used for mounting the pedal assembly 22 to be suspended thereon and the other end 60 of the stay tube 10 is to be fastened on the ‘A’ pillar assembly 90 of the vehicle body B. The wiper motor 80 is connected to wiper (not shown) via wiper link assembly 70.

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram depicting the various components 22, 32, 42, 52 and 82 described in Figure 2 and depicted after mounting at their respective mounting positions on the multipurpose mounting structure 100.

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the stay tube 10 of Figure 1 depicted with the relevant brackets 30, 40, 50 in dissembled condition, thereby depicting the individual brackets to be welded on the stay tube 10 having end 20 for mounting the pedal assembly 22 to be suspended thereon and end 60 for fastening to the stay tube 10 on the ‘A’ pillar assembly 90 of the vehicle body B.

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the assembled stay tube 10 of Fig. 2, depicting the welding positions of the brackets for relay 30, wiper motor mounting bracket 40 and fuse box 52. The stay tube 10 is also provided with an end 20 for suspending pedal assembly 22 and other end 60 having a slot for adjustment of the stay tube 10 on the ‘A’ pillar assembly 90 on vehicle body B.
WORKING OF THE INVENTION

The suspended pedal assembly 22 is mounted on bracket 20 at the first end of the stay tube structure 10, whereas the other end 60 of the stay tube 10 is mounted on ‘A’ pillar assembly 90 on vehicle body B as shown in Figure 2. Relay 32 is mounted on an ‘L’ shape bracket 30 and is welded on stay tube structure 10 on its upper side. Fuse box 52 is mounted on an ‘L’ shape bracket 50 and is welded on the stay tube structure 10 on the lower side thereof. The wiper link mechanism 70 and wiper motor 80 is mounted on a bracket 82, which in turn is welded on another ‘L’ shaped bracket 40 on stay tube structure 10 on the upper side thereof and disposed between brackets 30 and 50 for mounting relay 32 and fuse box 52 respectively. This way, a single stay tube 10 is used for mounting various components and sub-assemblies, e.g. suspended pedal assembly 22, relay 32, fuse box 52 and wiper motor 80 mounted on a bracket 82 in order to save scarcely available space therein and thereby reducing the overall weight of mounting structure 100 and time required for assembly thereof.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The mounting structure configured in accordance with the present invention has the following technical and economic advantages:

• Reduces vibrations on the steering column mounted on suspended pedal assembly.

• Improves the after-sales serviceability of the relay and fuse box.

• Provides additional support to link type of wiper mechanism by replacing the conventional rack & pinion wiper mechanism.

• Reduces overall weight and cost of mounting structure due to less number of brackets.

• Reduces assembly time on shop-floor during the manufacture of vehicles as well during the after-sales maintenance.

The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which this embodiment may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice this invention. The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration.

Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope & spirit of present invention.

While considerable emphasis has been placed on the specific features of the preferred embodiment described here, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art and they will not therefore be discussed in significant detail.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.

Also, any reference herein to the terms ‘left’ or ‘right, ‘up’ or ‘down, or ‘top’ or ‘bottom’ are used as a matter of mere convenience, and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing in its normal direction of travel.

Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail. When referring to the figures, like parts are numbered the same in all of the figures. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A multipurpose mounting structure for mounting multiple components and/or sub-assemblies in an automobile, wherein the mounting structure comprises a profiled tubular structure for mounting and/or welding a plurality of brackets thereon for attaching the said components and/or sub-assemblies.

2. Multipurpose mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said profiled tubular structure is an elongated hollow stay-tube attached to the “A” pillar assembly of the automobile.

3. Multipurpose mounting structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said stay tube is provided with a plurality of profiled brackets and/or structures for mounting and/or welding different components and/or sub-assemblies of the automobile thereon.

4. Multipurpose mounting structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said stay tube is a profiled stay-tube having a slot configured at one of the ends thereof for attaching it to the “A” pillar assembly of the automobile and the other thereof preferably configured with another slot for suspending the pedal assembly therefrom.

5. Multipurpose mounting structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said stay tube is profiled as an elongated hollow stay-tube having a tubular central portion and configured flat at either end with a respective slot made as mounting point thereon.

6. Multipurpose mounting structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said stay tube is provided with a respective profiled bracket and/or structure for mounting different components and/or sub-assemblies of the automobile, preferably a bracket for attaching relay; a fuse box bracket; a wiper motor bracket; and a bracket for attaching wiper motor bracket to the said stay tube; wherein the said brackets are attached to the said stay-tube preferably by welded joints.
7. Multipurpose mounting structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said bracket for mounting said relay is configured L-shaped and disposed adjacent the slotted end and welded on top side of the said stay-tube.

8. Multipurpose mounting structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said fuse box bracket is configured L-shaped and welded to the lower side of the said stay-tube and disposed away from the said relay mounting bracket welded on the said stay-tube.

9. Multipurpose mounting structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said wiper motor is mounted on a L-shaped bracket, which in turn is welded between the said fuse box bracket and the said relay mounting bracket welded on the said stay-tube.

10. Multipurpose mounting structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the said wiper motor is connected to a wiper link mechanism for operating the same.

Dated: this day of 30th September 2016. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT