The present disclosure, in general, relates to side body structure of a vehicle and, particularly, to mounting of a fuel box at side body structure of the vehicle. More particularly, supporting the fuel box having at least two pipes by a bracket on wheel house. The bracket supports the fuel box from bottom side and by-pass a second fuel pipe to vehicle cabin from the wheel house.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In vehicles, ISO standard specifies the quality characteristics of the NOx reduction agent AUS 32 (aqueous urea solution) which is needed to operate converters with selective catalytic reduction, so-called SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) converters, in motor vehicles, specifically, with diesel engines. The SCR converters are particularly suitable for selectively reducing the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of diesel engines.
[0004] The aqueous urea solution is required to store in a tank which is placed in the vehicle cabin area. Further, a continuous refilling is required of the aqueous urea solution, therefore, convenient location for refilling is required.
[0005] One solution is to provide the SCR (Urea) tank in the vehicle cabin area or luggage area and refilling the SCR (Urea) tank from the vehicle door. This solution is not feasible as vehicle back door has to be open while refilling the SCR (Urea) tank. Another disadvantage associated with this refilling method is that splashing or drops of aqueous Urea reacts with metal part of the floor of the vehicle and damage the floor. Yet another disadvantage is that luggage has to remove from the refilling path to refill the SCR (urea) tank.

[0006] Another technical objective is to provide refilling mechanism of aqueous urea solution in the SCR (Urea) tank in the existing structure of the vehicles with low cost.
[0007] To solve the above mentioned technical problems, a solution is required where the aqueous urea solution in the SCR (Urea) tank can be filled from outside of the vehicle by placing the SCR (Urea) tank in the vehicle cabin or along the fuel tank outside the vehicle floor.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0009] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a side body structure with a plastic fuel box that can support receptacle for aqueous urea solution along with receptacle for fossil fuel.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket that can be mounted on the wheel house outer panel to support the fuel box with at least two receptacles.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a side body structure with facility to refuel the aqueous urea solution from the fuel box without modifying the structure and layout of the vehicle outer side panel and wheel house outer and inner panel.
[0012] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0013] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to side body structure of vehicle to mount a plastic fuel box having receptacle for aqueous urea solution. 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.
[0014] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a side body structure for a vehicle to accommodate at least two fuel pipes on a side portion opening. The side body structure comprises a fuel box structure having atleast two pipe cutouts on bottom surface and mounted on the side portion opening. Further, a bracket is mounted adjacent to first fuel pipe opening provided on wheel house outer panel to support the fuel box structure at the bottom surface to support the plastic fuel box. The bracket comprises a top surface defining an opening to receive a second fuel pipe and a first supporting side member is extending perpendicularly from side of the top surface and defines a mounting flange at distal end for mounting on the wheel house outer panel. Further, the bracket comprises a second supporting side member extending perpendicularly from side of the top surface and defining a mounting flange at distal end for mounting on the wheel house outer panel and a third supporting side member extending perpendicularly from side of the top flat surface and positioned adjacently to the wheel house outer panel.
[0015] In an aspect, the top surface of the bracket matches with bottom surface with bottom surface of the fuel box structure.
[0016] In an aspect, a first pipe cutout from at least two pipe cutouts of the fuel box structure in-line with the first fuel pipe opening of the wheel house outer panel to allow passage of first fuel pipe to fuel tank of the vehicle.
[0017] In an aspect, a second pipe cutout from at least two pipe cutouts of the fuel box structure in-line with the opening of the bracket to mount second fuel pipe and route the second fuel pipe to fuel tank placed in cabin of the vehicle.
[0018] In an aspect, the second fuel pipe being routed on rear side of the wheel house outer panel to the fuel tank placed in the cabin of the vehicle.
[0019] In an aspect, the top surface comprises at least two mounting holes to join the bottom surface of the fuel box structure with the bracket.

[0020] In an aspect, the first fuel pipe is a fossil fuel pipe and the second fuel pipe is a UREA fuel pipe.
[0021] In an aspect, at least one bead structure is provided on the first supporting member and the second supporting member, the at least one bead structure extending from the top surface to the first supporting member and the second supporting member.
[0022] In an embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a bracket structure to support a second fuel pipe in a plastic fuel box structure mounted on side portion of a vehicle. The bracket structure comprises a top surface defining an opening to receive the second fuel pipe and a first supporting side member extending perpendicularly from side of the top surface and defining a mounting flange at distal end, the mounting flange is extending perpendicularly away from the first supporting side member for mounting on a wheel house outer panel. The bracket further comprises a second supporting side member extending perpendicularly from side of the top surface and defining a mounting flange at distal end, the mounting flange is extending perpendicularly away from the second supporting side member for mounting on a wheel house outer panel; and a third supporting side member extending perpendicularly from side of the top flat surface and positioned adjacently to the wheel house outer panel.
[0023] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter 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
[0024] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter 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 subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0025] Fig. 1 illustrates cross section view of side structure showing passage of fuel pipe through wheel house to vehicle cabin as known in the art;
[0026] Fig. 2 illustrates a fuel box with at least two pipe cut-outs on bottom surface, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] Fig. 3 illustrates side body structure of vehicle with the fuel box, wheel house outer panel and bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates the side body structure of vehicle with the wheel house outer panel and bracket of fig. 3; and
[0029] Fig. 5 illustrates routing of second fuel pipe to the vehicle cabin directly through the wheel house inner panel of fig. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0030] Fig. 6 illustrates structure of bracket to support the fuel box of fig. 2 in the side body structure.
[0031] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter 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
[0032] 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 scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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 clearly 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.
[0035] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present description are used for the purpose of description only, and to distinguish between similar elements and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative sequential importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0036] 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, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0037] 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.
[0038] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0039] In one solution, a receptacle 109 for the aqueous urea solution can be provided along with fuel receptacle in fuel box 104, as shown in fig. 1. The fuel box 104 is mounted on outer side body panel 101 of the vehicle and supported by the wheel house outer panel 102 from the bottom side. A refilling pipe 105 connects the receptacle 109 to the SCR (Urea) tank 108 placed on floor 107 of the vehicle cabin. Providing the receptacle 109 for the aqueous urea solution in existing structure of the fuel box 104 has several technical problems:
[0040] 1. Urea application in automobiles requires compatible material of fuel box 104. Conventional mild steel fuel box 104 can develop corrosion due to contact with aqueous urea solution. To overcome this plastic fuel box needed to be designed.
[0041] 2. For refilling the aqueous urea solution, a urea refilling nozzle is to be coupled with the receptacle 109 provided in the plastic fuel box. The urea refilling nozzle applies vertical load on the receptacle 109, therefore, the receptacle 109 must meet strength requirement of at least 500N vertical load applied 160 mm away from the receptacle 109. Therefore, mounting surface of urea receptacle 109 requires to satisfy the mentioned strength requirement.

[0042] 3. The plastic fuel box 104 cannot meet the above strength requirement. Also, if wheel house to act as the required reinforcement for the urea receptacle (similar to fuel receptacle), greater modifications ought to be done in existing part, which would require higher investment and changes in the structure of the vehicle part.
[0043] 4. For a SCR (Urea) tank 108 placed inside cabin, the urea pipe 105 requires to route through wheel house where the urea pipe 105 once go out of the outer panel of the wheel house and then enter again in the wheel house inner panel. Routing the urea pipe 105 inside the vehicle cabin from the wheel house keep the urea pipe expose to environment, therefore, high strength material is required for the urea pipe which increase cost and length of the urea pipe. Further, it increases assembly of the urea pipe 105 as it goes out from the wheel house outer panel and moves along the arc of the wheel house and re-enters the wheel house inner panel 103 to reach the vehicle cabin.
[0044] To solve the technical problems and to provide economic solution, the present subject matter discloses an improved side body structure for a vehicle. [0045] Fig. 2 illustrates fuel box 200 having atleast two pipe cut-outs 201, 202 on bottom surface 203, 204 to mount atleast two fuel receptacles 205a, 206a where one for fossil fuel and other for aqueous urea solution fuel. The fuel box 200 is in cuboidal shape where top surface is open which is covered by a lid, for example, fuel box lid and bottom surface is supported by the wheel house outer panel. Further, the bottom surface 204 of the fuel box 200 may be a two layered surface 203, 204 where one pipe cut-out is provided on each layered surface. The two fuel receptacles 205a, 206a are coupled with the corresponding pipes 205, 206 for transferring the corresponding received liquid to the SCR (Urea) tank 600 and the fuel tank. The fuel box 200 can be made of any material selected from plastic material, composite material, and any other material which is non-reactive with the aqueous urea solution.
[0046] Fig. 3 illustrates improved side body structure 300 for the vehicle to accommodate at least two fuel pipes 205, 206. The side body structure 300 comprises an outer side panel 301 having a side portion opening 301a to receive

the fuel box 200. The fuel box 200 further supported by the wheel house outer panel 302 with a fuel box supporting structure 302b. Conventionally, the wheel house outer panel 302 define a first pipe opening 302a to allow passage of first fuel pipe 205 from the fuel box 200 to the fuel tank. To provide support to the fuel box 200 with two receptacles, structure of the wheel house outer panel has to be modify that will increase the cost.
[0047] To avoid cost increment and to support the fuel box 200 from the second receptacle 206a and the second layered surface 204 on the wheel house outer panel 302, a bracket 400 is provided, as shown in fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Referring to fig. 4, the bracket 400 is mounted adjacently to the fuel box supporting structure 302b having the first fuel pipe opening 302a of the wheel house outer panel 302 to support the second layer 204 of the fuel box 200 having the second cut-out to allow mounting of the receptacle 206a of the aqueous urea solution. The bracket 400 is spot welded on the wheel house outer panel 302. [0048] Referring to fig. 4, fig. 5, and fig. 6 together, the bracket 400 comprises a top surface 401 including an opening 401a to support the receptacle 206a for aqueous urea solution on the fuel box 200. Further, the opening 401a allows passage of second fuel pipe 206 to a wheel house inner panel 303 without exiting from the wheel house outer panel 302. The bracket 400 further comprises a first supporting side member 402 extending perpendicularly from side 401b of the top surface 401 and defining a mounting flange 403 extending away from the first supporting side member 402 at distal end for mounting on the wheel house outer panel 302. The bracket 400 comprises a second supporting side member 404 extending perpendicularly from side 401c of the top surface 401 and defining a mounting flange 405 extending away from the second supporting side member 404 at distal end for mounting on the wheel house outer panel 302. The bracket 400 comprises a third supporting side member 406 extending perpendicularly from side 401d of the top surface 401. The third supporting side member 406 is positioned adjacently to the fuel box supporting structure 302b of the wheel house outer panel 302. Each of the mounting flange 403 and 405 are strengthen by corresponding bead structure 407. The bead structure 407 is extending in upward

direction from the mounting flanges 403, 405. Further, edge portion of the third supporting side member 406 bends inwardly toward the first supporting side member 402 to provide rigidity. At least one bead structure 408 is provided on the first supporting side member 402 and the second supporting member 404. The at least one bead structure 408 extends from the top surface 401 to the first supporting side member 402 and the second supporting side member 404. [0049] Referring fig. 6, profile of the top surface 401 of the bracket 400 matches with profile of the bottom surface of the fuel box 200. In an embodiment, the top surface 401 of the bracket 400 is inclined surface. The top surface 401 comprises the opening 401a to receive the receptacle 206a of the aqueous urea solution. The opening 401a in-line with the cut-out of the receptacle 202 provided in the fuel box 200. The bracket 400 with the opening 401a allows routing of the second fuel pipe 206 to the SCR (urea) tank 600 positioned in vehicle cabin. [0050] The top surface 401 comprises at least two mounting holes 401aa, 40 lab to join the bottom surface 204 of the fuel box 200 with the bracket 400. The mounting flanges 403, 405 are spot welded with the wheel house outer panel 302. In an embodiment, the third supporting side member 406 may be spot welded with the fuel box supporting structure 302b.
[0051] Referring to fig. 5, the fuel box 200 is supported by existing and conventional the fuel box supporting structure 302b for first fuel pipe 205 and by the bracket 400 on the wheel house outer panel 302. The bracket 400 is mounted over the wheel house outer panel 302, therefore, does not pass the wheel house outer panel 302. The second fuel pipe 206 passes through the wheel house inner panel 303 and routes to the SCR (Urea) tank 600 positioned at the vehicle cabin. [0052] In an embodiment, the first fuel pipe 205 is a fossil fuel pipe, such as diesel or petrol.
[0053] In an embodiment, the second fuel pipe 206 is aqueous urea solution pipe.
[0054] The term "vehicle" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants or goods and is powered by any form of energy. The term

"vehicle" is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.
[0055] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art can choose suitable manufacturing and design details. [0056] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0057] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0058] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

WE claim:

1.A side body structure (300) for a vehicle to accommodate at least two fuel
pipes (205, 206), the side body structure (300) comprising:
a fuel box structure (200) having atleast two pipe cutouts (201, 202) on bottom surface (203, 204) and mounted on the side portion opening (301a); and
a bracket (400) mounted adjacent to a fuel box supporting structure (302b) provided on a wheel house outer panel (302) to support the fuel box structure (200) from the bottom surface (204).
2. The side body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket
(400) comprises:
a top surface (401) defining an opening (401a) to receive a second fuel pipe (206);
a first supporting side member (402) extending perpendicularly from side (401b) of the top surface (401) and defining a mounting flange (403) at distal end for mounting on the wheel house outer panel (302);
a second supporting side member (404) extending perpendicularly from side (401c) of the top surface (401) and defining a mounting flange (405) at distal end for mounting on the wheel house outer panel (302); and
a third supporting side member (406) extending perpendicularly from side (40Id) of the top flat surface (401) and positioned adjacently to the fuel box supporting structure (302b) provided on a wheel house outer panel (302).
3. The side body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface
(401) of the bracket (400) is inclined surface and matches with bottom
surface (204) of the fuel box structure (200).
4. The side body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first pipe
cutout (201) from the at least two pipe cutouts (201, 202) of the fuel box

structure (200) in-line with the first fuel pipe opening (302a) of the wheel house outer panel (302) to allow passage of first fuel pipe (205) to fuel tank of the vehicle.
5. The side body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second pipe cutout (202) from at least two pipe cutouts (201, 202) of the fuel box structure (200) in-line with the opening (401a) of the bracket (400) to mount second fuel pipe (206) and route the second fuel pipe (206) to SCR (urea) tank (600) placed in cabin of the vehicle.
6. The side body structure (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second fuel pipe (206) being routed on rear side of the wheel house outer panel (302) to the SCR (urea) tank (600) placed in the cabin of the vehicle.
7. The side body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface (401) comprises at least two mounting holes (401aa, 40lab) to join the bottom surface (204) of the fuel box structure (200) with the bracket (400).
8. The side body structure (300) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first fuel pipe (205) is a fossil fuel pipe and the second fuel pipe (206) is a UREA fuel pipe.
9. The side body structure (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one bead structure (408) is provided on the first supporting side member (402) and the second supporting side member (404), the at least one bead structure (408) extending from the top surface (401) to the first supporting side member (402) and the second supporting side member (404).
10. A bracket structure (400) to support a second fuel pipe (206) in a plastic fuel box structure (200) mounted on side portion (301a) of a vehicle, the bracket structure (400) comprising:
a top surface (401) defining an opening (401a) to receive the second fuel pipe (206);
a first supporting side member (402) extending perpendicularly from side (401b) of the top surface (401) and defining a mounting flange (403) at distal end, the mounting flange (403) is extending perpendicularly away

from the first supporting side member (402) for mounting on a wheel house outer panel (302);
a second supporting side member (404) extending perpendicularly from side (401c) of the top surface (401) and defining a mounting flange (405) at distal end, the mounting flange (405) is extending perpendicularly away from the second supporting side member (404) for mounting on the wheel house outer panel (302); and
a third supporting side member (406) extending perpendicularly from side (40Id) of the top flat surface (401) and positioned adjacently to the wheel house outer panel (302).