FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention is related to reinforcement for cross member of vehicle. The
cross member is particularly of front suspension of four wheeler without
restricting scope of the invention to the same.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART
Reinforcement is known to be provided for mounting on a panel of cross
member. For understanding implementation of the reinforcement in cross
member, reference may be made to fig. 1 illustrating cross member of front
suspension in automobile.
The cross member of front suspension comprises an upper panel (1) and a
lower panel (2) with a reinforcement (3) welded to upper panel . Here, the upper
panel, reinforcement and lower panel are welded together with a pin (4)
through a boss (5) in a particular sequence, wherein the boss passes through
reinforcement and panel. Further, said upper panel is welded with a bracket (6,
7) on both sides.
Now particularly for reinforcement, reference may be made to fig. 2.The
reinforcement is provided with substantially a channel section with a through
hole (H) on its top surface (as in the figure) for passage of pin through boss.
There is depression (D) around the hole with two small apertures (Ai, A2).
Painting is carried out following welding of reinforcement with suspension
frame upper panel. However when the welded assembly of cross member is
dipped in paint during dip painting air entrapped in the depressed part can't
exit through apertures completely, hence the part can't be painted properly as
trapped air prevents the flow of paint in these areas.
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Thus in dip painting process, the chances of air-trap is high in current
reinforcement design. This results in localized unpainted surfaces in the
depressed part (D) which leads to rusting of component in the field usage.
Further, as the reinforcement is. placed under the upper panel, a welding
fixture is required to monitor position of spots for spot welding manually owing
to higher thickness of joined member consisting of upper panel and
reinforcement. This is because no specific areas are defined for spot welding.
Thus, the currently available reinforcement design involves certain
shortcomings which can be listed* hereinbelow:-
- Ineffective painting of the reinforcement leading to rusting with usage
- Necessitating welding fixture thereby adding to cost and assembly time,
and also rendering the manufacturing difficult.
This gives rise to requirement of a novel reinforcement which can address
aforementioned issues.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Primary object of the present invention is to provide reinforcement for cross
member of vehicle which overcomes drawbacks associated with the prior art(s).
Another object of the present invention is to provide reinforcement for cross
member of vehicle which is simple in construction.
f
Further object of the present invention is to provide reinforcement for cross
member of vehicle which ensures painting of whole reinforcement effectively.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide reinforcement for cross
member of vehicle which provides flow path for air and guides in locating spot
on the reinforcement for welding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a reinforcement for cross member
of vehicle comprising a single structure forming substantially a channel with a
through hole, which is provided with a plurality of embossed parts together
with slots.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
I?urther objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings of exemplary embodiments of invention and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: Exploded view of cross member of front suspension of vehicle
according to prior art.
Fig. 2 shows: Isometric view of conventional reinforcement.
Fig. 3 shows: Reinforcement from one side according to present invention.
Fig. 4 shows: Reinforcement from other side in accordance with present
invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention makes a disclosure in respect of reinforcement for cross
member of vehicle. Reference may be made to fig. 3 reflecting said
reinforcement which constitutes a. single structure of for example sheet metal.
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It is preferably manufactured by the method of stamping without restricting
scope of the invention to 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.
The reinforcement forms substantially a channel section in transverse direction
with a through hole (O) on its top surface as seen in the figure.
As illustrated in fig. 3, bodering area of the reinforcement on both sides in
transverse direction is provided with atleast two embossed parts with a slot
therebetween. The sides of the reinforcement are disposed in transverse
direction of the upper panel to be welded therewith.
The same may be detailed out hereinunder:-
Considering one side (Si), the bodering area is having two embossed parts (1',
2'). Each of the parts starts from an intermediate point and extends till the end
in transverse direction of the reinforcement. Both the embossed parts face each
other and are directed away from each other as shown with the slot (3')
therebetween. The slot forms flow path of.air for avoiding chances of trapping
of air in the course of painting procedure. This in turn helps to prevent air lock
during painting thereby ensuring complete painting of the whole reinforcement.
So that it leads to rust proof life of part.
The embossed parts (1', 2') guide operator to locate spots for welding in case of
manual welding unlike prior art. -
As thickness of the joined member including reinforcement and upper panel is
high, automatic (robotic) welding is not feasible. Hence manual hand jig
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welding is required to be adopted. In order to weld the existing reinforcement
with upper panel, special hand fixture is required to be handled by the
operator. This constitutes inconvenience for the operator to handle the fixture
and component on welding machine in prior art.
However, the present invention overcomes the aforesaid issues as the
embossed parts help in locating the. welding spots without need of fixture.
Thus operator is not required to implement the fixture for spot welding, which
results in ease of manufacturing.
The embossed parts, of the reinforcement are butt against the upper panel
during welding. Therefore the positioning of the embossed parts is determined
according to the location of the corresponding parts in the upper panel for
butting against each other for welding.
Similarly on other side (S2) of the reinforcement, embossed parts (4', 5') are
provided with a slot (6') therebetween as in fig. 3.
In addition to the above, there is an auxiliary embossed part (7' and 8')
between side embossed parts (2', 5' and l',4') as in fig. 3 and fig. 4 on cither
side of the hole. The auxiliary embossed part is located in longitudinal direction
of the reinforcement and upper (top) panel.
The spot welding is done between the upper panel and underlying
reinforcement at the indicated location (X) on each embossed part without
fixture.
The aforediscussed embossed structure of the reinforcement forms a rib
structure, which improves its strength.
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Thus, the present invention addresses all the shortcomings of the currently
available reinforcement, thereby serving the purpose more effectively.
Advantageous Features:
Avoids air lock during' painting, which results in rust proof
reinforcement.
- Guides in locating the position of spot on reinforcement for welding
- Elimination of welding fixture
- Less chances of spot mishandling
- Adds to strength of cross member
- Ease of manufacturing.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant 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:-

We Claim:
1. A reinforcement for cross member of vehicle comprising a single
structure forming .substantially a channel with a through hole, which is
provided with a plurality of embossed parts together with slots.
2, A reinforcement for cross member of vehicle as claimed in claim 1_
wherein bordering area of the reinforcement on both sides in transverse
direction is provided with atleast two embossed parts with a slot
therebetween, in which the sides are disposed in transverse direction of
upper panel to be fixedly secured therewith.
3. A reinforcement for cross member of vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2
wherein each of the parts starts from an intermediate point and extends
till the end in transverse direction of the reinforcement.
4. A reinforcement for cross member of vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims wherein both the embossed parts face each other and
are directed away from each other with the slot therebetween.
5. A reinforcement for cross member of vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims wherein the slot forms flow path of air for avoiding air
lock during painting thereby ensuring painting of the entire
reinforcement effectively.
6. A reinforcement for cross member of vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims comprising an auxiliary embossed part between two
side embossed parts in longitudinal direction of reinforcement and said
top panel.
A reinforcement for cross member of vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims wherein the embossed parts guide operator to locate
spots for welding in case of manual welding.
A reinforcement for cross member of vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims is associated with the advantageous features such as
herein described.
A reinforcement for cross member of vehicle substantially as herein
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.