DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle transmission systems, and more particularly, to a mounting arrangement for mounting a center bearing for a propeller shaft of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Conventionally, the center bearing mounting brackets are used to mount assembly center bearing brackets of two or multi-piece propeller shafts in automobiles. The center bearing mounting brackets give support to front and rear assembly propeller shaft to transmit the engine driven torque through assembly gear box to rear axle. The center bearing mounting brackets are designed to take care of torsional excitation, inertial coast excitations and the like. During transmitting the torque from the output of assembly gear box to the rear axle, one side of the front assembly propeller shaft is mounted to gear box with companion flange or yoke type. An opposite of the of the front assembly propeller shaft is fixed with center bearing assembly and mounted on the chassis frame structure. This mounting is firmly connected to a cross member of a chassis structure.

Typically, the propeller shaft includes a splined slip female part assembly (moving on the center bearing splined shaft) with a second universal joint welded to one side of rear tube, another side welded with third universal joint is fixed to rear axle assembly with companion flange or yoke type.

To maintain this drive line system in proper and safe working condition, drive line before this center bearing bracket is fitted on chassis with predetermined angles.

These predetermined angles are: 1: Engine, clutch and gear box with down side to rear side called “engine inclination.” 2: From gear box flange fixed with front propeller shaft to center bearing assembly.

Rear side of center bearing bracket is movable from rear assembly propeller shaft fixed at rear joint with rear axle differential assembly and rear wheels.

This rear axle differential pinion axis is having predetermined fixed angle with ground in all condition of chassis height (i.e. in bump, laden, unladen, rebound)

Only rear assembly propeller shaft is changing angle every time as per vehicle running condition.

To maintain this angle articulation in all condition of vehicle running in within allowable equivalent beta angle. (i.e. within 3 degree) predetermined fixed angles plays more important role in this driveline system. These angles are optimized by proper design of center bearing mounting location and orientation such that the NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) and durability of system are met by considering the following system variations such as various drive options (e.g. 4x2 and 4x4), power trains options (Petrol, Diesel, CNG etc.), Vehicle wheel bases options, Axle pinion offset, Suspension types (e.g. under slung, over slung with different spring rates).

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
The objective of disclosure is to provide a reliable, cost effective, easy to manufacture, and simple single center bearing mounting bracket that overcomes or obviates the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a center bearing mounting bracket wherein all of the above mentioned variations are considered by satisfying the NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) performance and durability requirements.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a center bearing mounting bracket that can be made in single manufacturing operation.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to reduce the complexity in manufacturing and service of the chassis frame and center bearing mounting.

Further objects and features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The disclosure relates to a arrangement/bracket for mounting a center bearing on a chassis of a vehicle, the bracket includes a first arm capable of carrying a center bearing; a second arm opposite to the first arm, the second arm also capable of carrying a center bearing; and, an intermediate portion connecting the first arm and the second arm, the intermediate portion is capable of being connected to a cross member of the chassis of the vehicle whereby both the first arm and the second arm are in a predetermined position with respect to the cross member of the chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig.1 shows side view center bearing mounting bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig.2 shows isometric view center bearing mounting bracket of Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig.3 shows assembly of center bearing mounting bracket of Fig. 1 with cross member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig.4 shows an isometric view of a chassis having the integrated center bearing mounting bracket of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the disclosure only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 illustrates schematic views of an arrangement 100. The arrangement 100 (also referred to as “bracket 100”) is adapted to be mounted on a chassis 102 of a vehicle (not illustrated). The bracket 100 may be also referred to as a “single piece integrated center bearing mounting bracket.” The bracket 100 enables mounting of center bearing on the chassis 102 of the vehicle.

The bracket 100, as best shown in FIG. 1 through 3, includes a first arm 1. The first arm is capable of carrying a center bearing (not illustrated). Further, the bracket 100 includes a second arm 2 opposite to the first arm. The second arm 2 is also capable of carrying a center bearing.

The bracket 100 further includes an intermediate portion 3 connecting the first arm and the second arm. The intermediate portion 3 is capable of being connected to a cross member 104 of the chassis 102 of the vehicle, whereby both the first arm 1 and the second arm 2 are in a predetermined position with respect to the cross member 104 of the chassis 102.

Each of the first arm 1 and the second arm 2 of the bracket 100, as best shown in FIG. 1 through 3, includes downwardly extending portions 4 and 5 respectively. The downwardly extending member 4 and the intermediate surface 3 define a space for receiving a cross member 104 of a chassis 102. The downwardly extending portion facilitates mounting of the bracket on the chassis. The downwardly extending portions 4 and 5 are to be welded to the cross member 104.

The intermediate portion 3 of the bracket 100 includes a groove 6, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for indicating the direction of the first and the second arm with respect to the vehicle chassis. The groove 6 may also be the form of a notch. The notch at one side of cross member 104 maintains poka-yoke so that bracket 100 will be placed or takes its place only at one position only.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate surface 3 further includes a cut portion (also referred to as a pocket). The pocket, best visible in FIG. 2, is provided for weight reduction purposes.

Each of the first arm 1 and the second arm 2 include a set of holes for enabling mounting of the center bearing thereon. The center bearing resting face (also referred to as the first arm 1 and second arm 2) at both side (front and rear) have the set of holes (slots) of size about 23X13mm to compensate minimum manufacturing variation of chassis 102 while assembly of center bearing mounting on this bracket 100.

When the bracket 100 is mounted on the chassis 102, upon aligning the groove 6 thereon, the first arm 1 thereof is positioned towards the front the chassis 102 (and therefore the vehicle) and the second arm 2 is positioned towards the rear of the chassis 102 (and therefore the vehicle).

Fig.4 illustrates an isometric view of a chassis 102 having the integrated center bearing mounting bracket 100 of the present disclosure.

Depending on the vehicle type to be made on the chassis 102, center bearing, which supports the propeller shaft, may be mounted on either of the first arm 1 or the second arm 2. Specifically, the propeller shaft supported by the center bearing may be carried by the first arm 1 when the propeller shaft is in a first orientation thereof corresponding to a first vehicle type. The first orientation of the propeller shaft for a first vehicle type which may be a four by four vehicle (4 X 4), Petrol Diesel or CNG vehicle, etc.

Likewise, the propeller shaft supported by the center bearing may be carried by the first arm 2 when the propeller shaft is in a second orientation thereof corresponding to a second vehicle type. The second orientation of the propeller shaft for a second vehicle type which may be a four by two vehicle (4 X 4), Petrol Diesel or CNG vehicle, etc.

The first arm 1 and the second arm 2 of the bracket 100 are positioned at a predetermined orientation with respect to the chassis 102. Therefore, the first arm 1 and the second arm 2 of the bracket 100 enable mounting of the propeller shaft centre mounting bracket at the predetermined orientation on the chassis 102.

Advantageously, the bracket 100 of the present disclosure enables the use of a same chassis such as the chassis 102, to be used for various variants of a vehicle such as vehicle different in various drive options (e.g. 4x2 and 4x4), power trains options (Petrol, Diesel, CNG etc.), vehicle wheel bases options, axle pinion offset, Suspension types etc.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the front face of the first arm 1 of the bracket 100 is parallel to a longitudinal axis of propeller shaft with predetermined angle for 4x2 assembly and rear mounting face of the second arm 2 is parallel to the axis of propeller shaft with predetermined angle for 4x4 assembly for same wheel base of vehicle. Thus we can avoid chassis variety for 4x2 and 4x4 application in same wheel base of vehicle.
The foregoing description provides specific embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that these embodiment are described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous other alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the disclosure as claimed or the equivalents thereof.

Referral Numerals Description
100 Arrangement (“Bracket 100”)
102 Chassis
1 First Arm
2 Second Arm
3 Intermediate Portion
104 Cross Member
4, 5 Downwardly Extending Portions
6 Groove

,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. An arrangement (100) for mounting a center bearing on a chassis (102) of a vehicle, the arrangement (100) comprising:
a first arm (1) capable of carrying a center bearing;
a second arm (2) opposite to the first arm (1), the second arm (2) also capable of carrying a center bearing; and,
an intermediate portion (3) connecting the first arm (1) and the second arm (2), the intermediate portion (3) is capable of being connected to a cross member (104) of the chassis of the vehicle whereby both the first arm (1) and the second arm (2) are in a predetermined position with respect to the cross member (104) of the chassis (102).

2. The arrangement (100) for mounting a center bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein a propeller shaft is supported by the center bearing carried by the first arm (1) when the propeller shaft is in a first orientation thereof corresponding to a first vehicle type.

3. The arrangement (100) for mounting a center bearing as claimed in claim 2, wherein the propeller shaft is supported by the center bearing carried by the second arm (2) when the propeller shaft is in a second orientation thereof corresponding to a second vehicle type.

4. The arrangement (100) for mounting a center bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first arm (1) and the second arm (2) includes a downwardly extending portion (4, 5).

5. The arrangement (100) for mounting a center bearing as claimed in claim 4, wherein the downwardly extending portion (4, 5) facilitates mounting of the bracket on the chassis.

6. The arrangement (100) for mounting a center bearing as claimed in claim 1 wherein intermediate member (3) include a groove (6) for indicating the direction of the first arm (1) and the second arm (2) with respect to the vehicle chassis (102).

7. The arrangement (100) for mounting a center bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate member (3) includes a cut portion.

8. The arrangement (100) for mounting a center bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first arm (1) and the second arm (2) include a set of holes for enabling mounting of the center bearing thereon.

Dated this 25th day of March, 2014
P.H.D.RANGAPPA
IN/PA-1538
OF K & S PARTNERS
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT