support bracket for vehicle
FIELD. OF PBTWENTIION
5 [!dB11 This invention relates to radiator support bracket for vehicle.
. , BACKGRBUMDIPRIBR ART
. . [002] Radiator support bracket is known to be provided in vehicle. In
this regard, reference may be made to fig 1, wherein the bracket
comprises a single piece including, two horizontal members (1,2)
10 joined by means of a perpendicularly placed vertical member (3). Thc
members (1,2) are located with a.leve1 difference therebetween. All the
members (1, 2, 3) are flat members., One member surface (1) is
employed to mount radiator and another member surface (2) is . ,
implemented to be bolted with hood lock member of vehicle.
15
1004 Thus, radiator assembly of an automobile is bolted to its frame,
with the help of rubber mounts and radiator support'brackets. These
I rubber mounts are snap fitted into radiator support brackets which
are bolted to hood lock member of vehicle.
[MI41 A vehicle in a running condition experiences lateral,
I 1 longitudinal and bending loads. These loads are transferred from
I
i radiator assembly to the automobile body.
25 [OOS) The currently available support brackets as discussed herein
are highly susceptible to transfer vibrations to vehicle body due to
less dynamic stiffness. These brackets are also vulnerable to bending
according to load conditions. ,
[006] The vibrations transferred to the body depend upon the
5 stiffness offered by the bracket, which inturn is dependent on the
profile (shape) of the bracket.
COO71 Hence, the radiator bracket is required to be devised in such a I
I
way that the vibrations transferring .to the vehicle body' are
10 minimized. The vibrations can be minimized by improving dynamic
stiffness of the brackets.
[008] A prior art is known to be available relating to automobile and
radiator assembly suspension support thereof. . The support
comprises first and second mounting plate with an intermediate plate
therebetween connected together 'forming a single piece and
maintaining an angle of 1 , to 179" between intermediate and
first/second plate. The first and second plate is employed to be
connected with radiator assembly and automobile body.
(0091 In conjunction with the above, there is provided multitude of
ribs across the support.
(0010j The shortcomings associated with the above can be listed
25 hereinunder:
- Chances of failure due to provision of ribs
' - Expensive
- Involves additional step of manufacturing ribs.
5 [0011] Thus, these available teachings can't serve the purpose for
. . which the invention has be'en designed.
[OOB2] Therefore, the pfiesent invention introduces a novel radiator
support bracket for vehicle which is stiffened enough so as to address
10 prior issues.
OBJECTS OF THE IWEHTIOH . .
[0013] An object of this invention is to radiator support.
15 bracket for vehicle which overcomes drawbacks of known art.
[0tlB4] Another object of this invention is to propose radiator support
bracket for vehicle which is simple in construction.
. .
20 [B)OBS]~Furtheor bject of this invention is to propose radiator suppcrt
bracket for vehicle with enhanced dynamic stiffness.
25 [00P6] According to this invention, there is provided radiator support
bracket for vehicle comprising a single .structure including two
substantially horizonta.1 members with a curved member
therebetween maintaining difference in level between said horizontal
members with mounting holes.
[0017] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more
. .
apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments and
wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: Conventional radiator support bracket for
. .
vehicle.
Fig.. 2A and 2B shows: Side view and isometric' view of radiator
support bracket for vehicle in accordance
15 ,with present invention.
Fig. 3 shows: Radiator assembly with hood lock member
and bracket(s) of invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH
I
1 20 REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPAWfING DRAWINGS
I
, [OOl$] The present invention makes a disclosure in respect of a
technology directed to a. novel radiator support bracket for vehicle.
25 [0.019] In this regard, reference may be made to fig. 2A and 28. The
bracket constitutes a single piece of sheet metal. Said bracket
includes two members (l', 2') with level difference therebetween
joined by means of a curved member (3').
[CI(G20] The curved joining member (3') is placed at an angle other than
90" with respect to the members (l', 2') as illustrated in the figure2~.
Thus, the included angle of the curved mernber and any of the
5 horizontal members is an acute/obtuse angle.
[0021] Said members (l', 2') are substantially flat. The curved member
is curved in both longitudinal and transverse direction thereof as best
seen in enlarged view of the bracket in fig. 2B.
10
100221 The curvature of the curved member should satisfy the
manufacturing feasibility and also meet design and simulation
. criteria. The curved member is joined .with the substantially flat
member at top and bottom position by means'of a fillet (Fl., F2) as'in
1s fig. 2B.
[00231 Flange (F) is provided throughout along the edge of said
bracket. Further, .the horizontal members (l', 2') are having mounting
holes with a projection (H) as shown.'~he member (1') is mounted
20 with radiator assembly a.nd the horizontal member (2') is utilized for
mounting hood lock member.
[0024] Now reference may be made to fig. 3 indicating radiator
assembly (1A) mounted to hood lock member (1B) with the help of
25 brackets (1C).
[0025] The newly .designed radiator support bracket leads to
improvement in dynamic stiffness of bracket while adhering to
existing boundary conditions, thereby being less affected to bending
too.
5.
[0026] This results in reduction in transfer of vibrations from radiator
assembly to the automobile body. Novel radiator support brackets
designed under specified boundary condition showed a maximum of
75% improvement in dynamic stiffness.
[0027] Thus, the above newly devised bracket can be implemented to
accomplish maximum of 75% improvement in stiffness. In order to
achieve stiffness beyond 75%, thickness needs to be increased.
15 [0028) Method of manufacturing radiator support bracket involves the'
following steps: -
- Blanking
20 - Flange bending
- Bending to form bracket
- Punching on both the horizontal members for mounting on
2 5 radiator assembly and hood lock member.
[0029] The bracket can be made of steel by the method of blanking
without restricting scope of the invention tb the same. Thus, other
materials and methods readily apparent to a person skilled in the art
are understood to be within purview of the invention. . '
Advantageous Featnrtes
[0030] - Improvement in dynamic stiffness of bracket.
- Resistant to bending under loads.
10 - Reduction in transfer of vibra.tions from radiator assembly to
thi automobile body
[0031] It is to be noted that the Present inventi n is susceptible to
modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art.
is . Such varian.t ' embodiments employing ,the. concepts and features .of
, this invention are intended to be within the-scope of the present
invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-

claim
1. Radiator support bracket for vehicle comprising a single
structure including two substantially horizontal members
with a curved member. therebetween maintaining difference
in level between said horizontal members with mounting
. .
holes.
2. Radiator support bracket for vehicle as claimed in claim 1,
10 wherein the included angle of the curved member and any of
the horizontal members is an acute/obtuse angle.
. .
Radiator support bracket for vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or
2, wherein said curved member is curved in both
longitudinal and transverse direction thereof.
Radiator support bracket for vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims wherein the curvature of the 'curved
member should satisfy the manufacturing feasibility and
also meet design and simulation criteria.
Radiator support bracket for vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims is associated with the advantageous
features such as herein described.
6. Radiator support bracket for vehicle substantially as herein,
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.