DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202241032380 filed on 6-Jun-2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a body-in white of vehicles and more particularly, to a vehicle front-end structure without wheel housing panels, which reduces overall weight and cost of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a front-end structure of a vehicle provides mounting features for various vehicle components including body panels, hoods, engine components and other components located within an engine compartment of the vehicle. Further, the front-end structure is the front most portion of the vehicle which is used to absorb impact energy (collision energy) in an event of frontal impact (frontal collision) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle. Structural integrity and stiffness of the front-end frame structure form fundamental factors to the vehicle's crash worthiness. Critical parameters considered during crash are the occupant safety parameters, which have to be below the specific legal limits. Further, weight reduction in the body in white (BIW) leads to better performance in crash tests and also improves fuel economy of the vehicle.
[003] Conventional front-end frame structure (FS) (as shown in fig. 1), includes a right wheel housing panel (RWH) and a left wheel housing panel (LWH), each of which extends between a dash panel (DP) and a front-end of the front-end structure (FS), and is connected to corresponding shotgun (SA, SB) and is located above an upper portion of the corresponding wheel. An air filter (AF) (as shown in fig. 2) and a de-gassing tank (not shown) are mounted onto the right wheel housing panel (RWH). A battery tray (BT) (as shown in fig. 2) and a brake hydraulic unit or an anti-lock braking system (ABS) (not shown) are mounted onto the left wheel housing panel (LWH). Further, the left and right wheel housing panels (RWH, LWH) may also increase an overall weight of the vehicle. Thus, the increase in the overall weight of the vehicle may lead to an increase in fuel consumption. In addition, when the size of the wheels is significant, the weight of the wheel housing panels may undesirably increase. Thus, the additional weight of the wheel housing panels also leads to an increase in the material cost, tooling cost, and manufacturing cost of the vehicle. Further, each wheel housing panels comprises a liner, which is made of expensive materials such as, but not limited to, alloys, recycled plastic, plastics, polymers, or other suitable materials. Therefore, the material cost for manufacturing the wheel housing panels and liners could be undesirably increased based on the type and configuration of the vehicle.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a vehicle front-end structure which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a vehicle front-end structure without wheel housing panels, which reduces overall weight and cost of the vehicle.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of mounting components located within an engine compartment of the vehicle.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of mounting wheel splash shields in the vehicle.
[008] These and other objects of embodiments will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a conventional front-end structure with a right wheel housing panel and a left wheel housing panel;
[0011] Fig. 2 illustrates an air filter and a de-gassing tank mounted onto the right wheel housing panel, wherein a battery tray and a brake hydraulic unit or an anti-lock braking system (ABS) are mounted onto the left wheel housing panel;
[0012] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a front-end frame structure without wheel housing panels, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 4 illustrates an air filter mounted onto a first shotgun through a first mounting bracket, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 5 depicts another perspective view of the front-end frame structure without wheel housing panels, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 6 illustrates a battery tray mounted onto a second shotgun through a plurality of second mounting brackets, wherein an anti-lock brake module is directly mounted onto the second shotgun, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 7 illustrates enlarged view of the battery tray and the anti-lock brake module mounted onto the second shotgun, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 8 illustrates the plurality of second mounting brackets fastened to reinforcement members disposed between a second shotgun inner panel and a second shotgun outer panel, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 9 illustrates a right wheel suspension tower and the first shotgun, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 10 illustrates a right wheel splash shield affixed to the first shotgun, the right wheel suspension tower and a right-side chassis longitudinal member, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0020] Fig. 11 illustrates a left wheel suspension tower and the second shotgun, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0021] Fig. 12 illustrates a left wheel splash shield affixed to the second shotgun, the left wheel suspension tower and a left-side chassis longitudinal member, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0022] Fig. 13 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method of mounting components located within an engine compartment of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0023] Fig. 14 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method of mounting wheel splash shields in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0025] The embodiments herein achieve a vehicle front-end structure without wheel housing panels, which reduces overall weight and cost of the vehicle. Referring now to fig. 3 through fig. 14, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0026] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a front-end frame structure (100) without wheel housing panels, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the front-end structure (100) includes a first shot gun (101), a first mounting bracket (102), a second shotgun (103), a plurality of second mounting brackets (104) (as shown in fig. 6 to fig. 8), a third mounting bracket (106), a plurality of reinforcement members (107) (as shown in fig. 8), a plurality of studs (108) (as shown in fig. 8) and a plurality of fasteners (not shown). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the front-end frame structure (100) without wheel housing panels is explained below reference to a body on frame passenger vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/ practice the front-end frame structure (100) without wheel housing panels in a pickup truck or heavy-duty vehicles or any other vehicles without otherwise deterring the intended function of the front-end frame structure (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0027] The first shotgun (101) and the second shotgun (103) extend between A-pillars (109) (only one of which is shown in fig. 3) and a front-end (100F) (as shown in fig. 3) of the vehicle front-end structure (100). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the first shotgun (101) is considered to be a right-side shotgun, and the second shotgun (103) is considered to be a left-side shotgun. A right wheel splash shield (40) (as shown in fig. 10) is affixed to the first shotgun (101), a right wheel suspension tower (200RS) (as shown in fig. 9) and a right-side chassis longitudinal member (200CA) (as shown in fig. 10). For example, the right wheel splash shield (40) is removably connected to the first shotgun (101), the right wheel suspension tower (200RS) and the right-side chassis longitudinal member (200CA) by using fasteners (not shown). Further, the right wheel splash shield (40) can be connected to the right-side chassis longitudinal member (200CA) through a mounting bracket by using fasteners. A left wheel splash shield (50) (as shown in fig. 12) affixed to the second shotgun (103), a left wheel suspension tower (200LS) (as shown in fig. 11), and a left-side chassis longitudinal member (200CB) (as shown in fig. 12). For example, the left wheel splash shield (50) is removably connected to the second shotgun (103), the left wheel suspension tower (200LS), and the left-side chassis longitudinal member (200CB) by using fasteners (not shown). Further, the left wheel splash shield (50) can be connected to the left-side chassis longitudinal member (200CB) through a mounting bracket by using fasteners.
[0028] The first mounting bracket (102) is mounted onto the first shotgun (101). The first mounting bracket (102) is adapted to mount an air filter (10) (as shown in fig. 4) thereon to facilitate mounting of the air filter (10) onto the first shotgun (10). The first mounting bracket (102) is mounted onto a first shotgun inner panel (101A) (as shown in fig. 3) of the first shotgun (101). The first mounting bracket (102) includes a base (102A, 102B) and a vertical portion (102C) (as shown in fig. 3). The base (102A, 102B) is connected to the first shotgun inner panel (101A). The vertical portion (102C) transversely extends from the base (102A, 102B) and is connected to the first shotgun inner panel (101A). The vertical portion (102C) of the first mounting bracket (102) and the third mounting bracket (106) are adapted to mount the de-gassing tank thereon.
[0029] The base (102A, 102B) of the first mounting bracket (102) includes a first portion (102A) and a second portion (102B). The first portion (102A) of the base (102A, 102B) is connected to the first shotgun inner panel (101A) and extends along a lengthwise direction of the vehicle. The second portion (102B) transversely extends from the first portion (102A). The second portion (102B) extends along a widthwise direction of the vehicle. The first portion (102A) and said second portion (102B) of the first mounting bracket (102) are adapted to mount the air filter (10) thereon by using fasteners (not shown).
[0030] The second shotgun (103) is adapted to mount one of an anti-lock brake module (30) (as shown in fig. 6 and fig. 7) or an electronic stability module or an electronic controller unit thereon.
[0031] The second mounting bracket (104) is mounted onto the second shotgun (103). The second mounting bracket (104) is adapted to mount a battery tray (20) (as shown in fig. 6 to fig. 8) thereon to facilitate mounting of the battery tray (20) to the second shotgun (20).
[0032] The third mounting bracket (106) is adapted to be mounted onto a plenum panel (105). For example, the third mounting bracket (106) is welded to the plenum panel (105). It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the third mounting bracket (106) to the plenum panel (105) by using any other temporary joints or any other permanent joints. The first mounting bracket (102) and the third mounting bracket (106) are adapted to mount a de-gassing tank (not shown) thereon.
[0033] The plurality of reinforcement members (107) are adapted to be disposed between a second shotgun inner panel (103A) (as shown in fig. 7) and a second shotgun outer panel (103B) (as shown in fig. 8) of the second shotgun (103). The second mounting brackets (104) are mounted onto the second shotgun inner panel (103A) by securing the second mounting bracket (104) to the reinforcement members (107) by using fasteners (not shown). The studs (108) are adapted to mount one of the anti-lock brake module (30) or the electronic stability module or the electronic controller unit onto the second shotgun inner panel (103A).
[0034] Fig. 13 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method (300) of mounting components located within an engine compartment (500) (as shown in fig. 4) of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (302), the method (500) includes mounting, by a first mounting bracket (102), an air filter (10) onto a first shotgun inner panel (101A). At step (304), the method (300) includes mounting, by a plurality of4) second mounting bracket (104), a battery tray (20), onto a second shotgun inner panel (103A). At step (306), the method (300) includes mounting, by the second shotgun inner panel (103A), one of an anti-lock brake module (30) or an electronic stability module or an electronic controller unit thereon. At step (308), the method (300) includes mounting, by the first mounting bracket (102) and a third mounting bracket (106), a de-gassing tank onto the first shotgun inner panel (101A) and a plenum panel (105) respectively.
[0035] Fig. 14 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method (400) of mounting wheel splash shields (40, 50) in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (402), the method (400) includes affixing a right-side wheel splash shield (40) to a first shotgun (101), a right wheel suspension tower (200RS) and a right-side chassis longitudinal member (200CA) by using fasteners. At step (404), the method (400) includes affixing a left wheel splash shield (50) to a second shotgun (103), a left wheel suspension tower (200LS), and a left-side chassis longitudinal member (200CB) by using fasteners.
[0036] The technical advantages of the front-end structure (100) are as follows. The front-end structure (100) eliminates the wheel housing panels which in turn reduces overall cost and weight of the vehicle.
[0037] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A vehicle front-end structure (100) without wheel housing panels, said vehicle front-end structure (100) comprising:
a first mounting bracket (102) mounted onto a first shotgun (101), wherein said first mounting bracket (102) is adapted to mount an air filter (10) thereon to facilitate mounting of said air filter (10) onto said first shotgun (101); and
a second mounting bracket (104) mounted onto a second shotgun (103), wherein said second mounting bracket (104) is adapted to mount a battery tray (20) thereon to facilitate mounting of said battery tray (20) to said second shotgun (20).

2. The vehicle front-end structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicle front-end structure (100) includes a third mounting bracket (106) adapted to be mounted onto a plenum panel (105),
wherein
said first mounting bracket (102) and said third mounting bracket (106) are adapted to mount a de-gassing tank thereon.

3. The vehicle front-end structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second shotgun (103) is adapted to mount one of an anti-lock brake module (30) or an electronic stability module or an electronic controller unit thereon.

4. The vehicle front-end structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first mounting bracket (102) is mounted onto a first shotgun inner panel (101A) of said first shotgun (101), wherein said first mounting bracket (102) includes,
a base (102A, 102B) connected to said first shotgun inner panel (101A); and
a vertical portion (102C) transversely extending from said base (102A, 102B) and is connected to said first shotgun inner panel (101A), wherein said vertical portion (102C) of said first mounting bracket (102) and said third mounting bracket (106) are adapted to mount said de-gassing tank thereon.

5. The vehicle front-end structure (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said base (102A, 102B) includes,
a first portion (102A) connected to said first shotgun inner panel (101A) and extends along a lengthwise direction of a vehicle; and
a second portion (102B) transversely extending from said first portion (102A), wherein said second portion (102B) extends along a widthwise direction of the vehicle, wherein said first portion (102A) and said second portion (102B) are adapted to mount said air filter (10) thereon by using fasteners.

6. The vehicle front-end structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said vehicle front-end structure (100) includes a plurality of reinforcement members (107) adapted to be disposed between a second shotgun inner panel (103A) and a second shotgun outer panel (103B) of said second shotgun (103); and
a plurality of studs (108) connected to said second shotgun inner panel (103A),
wherein
said second mounting brackets (104) are mounted onto said second shotgun inner panel (103A) by securing said second mounting bracket (104) to said reinforcement members (107) by using fasteners;
said studs (108) is adapted to mount one of said anti-lock brake module (30) or said electronic stability module or said electronic controller unit onto said second shotgun inner panel (103A);
said first shotgun (101) is a right-side shotgun; and
said second shotgun (103) is a left-side shotgun.

7. A vehicle front-end structure (100) without wheel housing panels, said vehicle front-end structure (100) comprising:
a right wheel splash shield (40) affixed to a first shotgun (101), a right wheel suspension tower (200RS) and a right-side chassis longitudinal member (200CA); and
a left wheel splash shield (50) affixed to second shotgun (103), a left wheel suspension tower (200LS) and a left-side chassis longitudinal member (200CB).

8. The vehicle front-end structure (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said right wheel splash shield (40) is removably connected to said first shotgun (101), said right wheel suspension tower (200RS) and said right-side chassis longitudinal member (200CA) by using fasteners; and
said left wheel splash shield (50) is removably connected to said second shotgun (103), said left wheel suspension tower (200LS), and said left-side chassis longitudinal member (200CB) by using fasteners.

9. A method (300) of mounting components located within an engine compartment (500) of a vehicle, said method (300) comprising:
mounting, by a first mounting bracket (102), an air filter (10) onto a first shotgun inner panel (101A);
mounting, by a plurality of second mounting bracket (104), a battery tray (20), onto a second shotgun inner panel (103A);
mounting, by the second shotgun inner panel (103A), one of an anti-lock brake module (30) or an electronic stability module or an electronic controller unit thereon; and
mounting, by the first mounting bracket (102) and a third mounting bracket (106), a de-gassing tank onto the first shotgun inner panel (101A) and a plenum panel (105) respectively.

10. A method (400) of mounting wheel splash shields (40, 50) in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle front-end structure (100) without wheel housing panels, said method (400) comprising:
affixing a right-side wheel splash shield (40) to a first shotgun (101), a right wheel suspension tower (200RS) and a right-side chassis longitudinal member (200CA) by using fasteners; and
affixing a left wheel splash shield (50) to a second shotgun (103), a left wheel suspension tower (200LS), and a left-side chassis longitudinal member (200CB) by using fasteners.