ASSEMBLY MEANS FOR PLACING COMPONENTS IN A VEHICLE

Abstract

ASSEMBLY MEANS FOR PLACING ELEMENTS IN A VEHICLE An assembly means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for placing elements (402) in a vehicle is described. The assembly means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) may comprise one or more support members (102) having predefined shapes suitable for integration with each other. Furthermore, each support member having the predefined shape may retain an element configured to provide functionality in the vehicle. (To be published with [Fig. 6])

Description

Title of the invention: ASSEMBLY MEANS FOR PLACING ELEMENTS IN A VEHICLE

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to assembly means for placing elements in vehicles and, in particular, relates to the provision of scalable assembly means for receiving required elements of a vehicle.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Car manufacturers produce different variants of a vehicle, such as a low-end variant, a mid-range variant, and a high-end variant. A high-end variant has more features than a mid-range variant. Similarly, a mid-range variant has more features than a low-end variant. To provide a feature, a suitable functional element such as an electrical element, an electronic element, or an electromechanical element is used in a vehicle. Therefore, the number of functional elements increases as the number of features provided in a vehicle increases.

[0003] The functionalities present in a vehicle depend on a version or model of the vehicle. The functional elements responsible for providing the functionalities are usually fixed in predefined spaces during the assembly of a vehicle. Generally, after a vehicle has been assembled in an assembly line, functionalities cannot be retrofitted or incorporated. The main reason for such a gap is the lack of space and provisions to support the inclusion of a physical element or physical elements required to provide a particular functionality.For example, it may not be possible to incorporate a 3D camera system into a vehicle that has a single rear view camera at the time of purchase because slots for positioning the multiple cameras required to provide a 3D view, channels or spacing for positioning wiring connecting the multiple cameras, and an area for positioning a processing unit will not be present in the vehicle.

[0004] Placing additional functional elements at unspecified positions within a vehicle may introduce multiple attachment points into a vehicle body. Furthermore, additional functional elements are typically mounted to a vehicle body by drilling. Drilling into a vehicle body may result in a negative impact on its performance. This may not only compromise the structural integrity and strength of a vehicle but also negatively affect the vehicle's noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) rating.

[0005] Thus, there is a need to provide a simpler and more efficient way of incorporating required functionalities into a vehicle, which addresses the aforementioned shortcomings.

[0006] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A general objective of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for retrofitting or adding features / functionalities in a vehicle.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly means for placing elements required for modernizing or adding features / functionalities in a vehicle.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to use as few attachment points as possible for installing elements on the body of a vehicle.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to minimize the complexity of wiring used for connecting components required for retrofitting or adding features / functionality in a vehicle.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Before the present methods, systems and hardware facilitations are described, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular systems and methodologies described, and there may be multiple possible embodiments of the present invention that are not expressly illustrated in this disclosure. It is also understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which shall be limited only by the appended claims.

[0011] This summary is provided to introduce aspects relating to an assembly means for placing elements in a vehicle, and the aspects are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine or limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0012] The present invention relates to the assembly means for placing the elements in the vehicle. The assembly means may comprise one or more support members having predefined shapes suitable for integration with each other. Each support member having a predefined shape may retain an element configured to provide functionality in a vehicle. The one or more support members may be made of metal or alloy. Alternatively, the one or more support members may be made of plastic.

[0013] In one aspect, the element may be an electronic element, an electrical element, or an electromechanical element selected from a group consisting of a BIM / USM housing, a BFR H housing, a BF AV housing, a fuse box, and an insulated relay box.

[0014] In one aspect, the one or more support members may be mounted to a hood section of the vehicle. The one or more support members may be positioned proximate a battery unit of the vehicle. The one or more support members may be mounted by welding or using one or more of screws, rivets, and nuts and bolts.

[0015] In one aspect, the one or more support members may include a support member for providing strength to an adjacent support member. The one or more support members may be integrated with each other by welding or using one or more of screws, rivets, and nuts and bolts.

[0016] The present invention further relates to an arrangement of a vehicle. The arrangement may comprise at least one bar, in particular a longitudinal bar, at least one electronic element or electromechanical element, and at least one assembly means comprising one or more support members having predefined shapes suitable for integration with each other. Each support member has a predefined shape for retaining the at least one electronic element or electromechanical element.

[0017] The present invention further relates to a vehicle comprising at least one assembly means or arrangement, as described above.

[0018] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, are best understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For purposes of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and system disclosed. The above aspects and many advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated by being better understood with reference to the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. [Fig.l] illustrates an exploded view of an assembly means for placing several elements in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Fig.2] illustrates an exemplary implementation of an assembly means comprising three support members integrated with each other, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 3] illustrates a front perspective view of an assembly means for placing several elements in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Fig.4] illustrates an exemplary implementation of an assembly means for retaining a single element in a vehicle, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Fig.5] illustrates an exemplary implementation of an assembly means for retaining two elements in a vehicle, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Fig.6] illustrates an exemplary implementation of an assembly means for retaining multiple members in a vehicle, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The detailed description presented below in connection with the accompanying drawings is intended to be a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the present invention may be applied. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided only as an example or illustration of the present invention, and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of ensuring a full understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be applied without such specific details.

[0021] The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "comprising," and other forms thereof, are intended to have equivalent meanings and are non-limiting in that an item or items following any of these words are not intended to be an exhaustive list of such an item or items, or intended to be limited only to the listed item or items.

[0022] It should also be noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in applying or testing embodiments of the present invention, preferred systems and methods are now described.

[0023] [Fig.l] illustrates an exploded view of an assembly means 100 for placing a plurality of elements in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly means 100 may comprise one or more support members, for example, the support members 102-1 to 102-7 (collectively referred to as support members 102) for receiving the elements in the vehicle. Each of the support members 102 may have a predefined shape suitable for retaining an element. Each element may be configured to provide functionality in the vehicle. For example, an element configured to provide a 3D camera view may be received by a support member. The element may be an electronic element, an electrical element, or an electromechanical element.For example, the element may be an electronic control unit (ECU), a ground terminal, a connection plug, and integration structures, such as shelves and covers. Furthermore, the predefined shape of the support members 102 may allow their integration with each other. The support members 102 may be integrated with each other using screws, rivets, and nuts and bolts. Alternatively, the support members 102 may be integrated with each other by welding.

[0024] The support members 102 may be made of metal or alloy to provide strength to the joining means 100. Further, the durability and heat dissipation capability of the joining means 100 may increase by using metal or alloy for manufacturing the support members 102. Alternatively, the support members 102 may be made of plastic. The use of plastic for manufacturing the support members 102 may reduce an overall cost of the joining means 100.

[0025] [Fig.2] illustrates an exemplary implementation of a means assembly 200 comprising three support members 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 integrated with each other, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The three support members 102-1, 102-2, 102-3 may be integrated with each other using arrangements. The arrangements may include means for enabling the integration of the support members 102 with each other, such as welded holes and bolts. When the holes of two support members overlap each other, they may be fixed to each other using nuts and bolts. As illustrated in [Fig.2], a second support member 102-2 may be fixed to a first support member 102-1 by means of arrangements 206-1 and 206-2. Furthermore, the second support member 102-2 may be integrated with a third support member 102-3 via an arrangement 208. The third support member 102-3 may have provisions 210-1 and 210-2 for integration with other support organs.

[0026] One or more of the support members 102 may be configured to provide strength to the assembly means 200. For example, the second support member 102-2 may provide rigidity to the first support member 102-1 and thus provide strength to the assembly means 200. After assembly of support members, the assembly means 200 may enable placement of elements in a vehicle. The placement of the elements using the assembly means 200 has been explained successively with reference to [Fig. 4], [Fig. 5] and [Fig. 6]. The elements may be connected to each other or to other components of the vehicle by wiring. The wiring may be provided to transfer power and data to and from the elements. One or more of the support members 102 may have provisions for supporting the wiring, i.e., a wiring harness.For example, the first support member 102-1 may have a provision 204 for supporting wiring between certain elements.

[0027] [Fig. 3] illustrates a front perspective view of an assembly means 300 (similar to the assembly means 100) for placing several elements in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the support members described as being present in the assembly means 200, the assembly means 300 comprises other support members. The integration and function of such support members are described below. The first support member 102-1 may be integrated with a fourth support member 102-4 by means of a provision 302. The fourth support member 102-4 may have provisions 304-1 and 304-2, for example an anti-rotation stop for the elements.

[0028] Furthermore, the first support member 102-1 may be integrated with a fifth support member 102-5. The fifth support member 102-5 may have a provision 306 for supporting the wiring of the elements, i.e., a wiring harness. Furthermore, the first support member 102-1 and the fifth support member 102-5 may be integrated with a sixth support member 102-6. The sixth support member 102-6 may have provisions 308-1 and 308-2 for mounting the elements. The sixth support member 102-6 may have a provision 308-3 for securing the wiring of the elements. The sixth support member 102-6 may be integrated with a seventh support member 102-7. The seventh support member 102-7 may act as an additional structure for securing the wiring.

[0029] [Fig. 4] illustrates an exemplary implementation of an assembly means 400 for retaining a single element in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly means 400 may be formed by integrating two support members, e.g. example the first support member 102-1 and the fourth support member 102-4. The single element, for example a first element 402-1, may be integrated on the assembly means 400 by means of the arrangements 304-1 and 304-2 present on the fourth support member 102-4. The first element 402-1 may be configured to provide a first functionality in the vehicle. For example, the first element 402-1 may be a processing module configured to provide a 3D camera view in the vehicle.

[0030] [Fig. 5] illustrates an exemplary implementation of an assembly means 500 for retaining two elements in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the first element 402-1 described as being integrated into the assembly means 400, the assembly means 500 provides support for the placement of an additional element, for example a second element 402-2. The manner in which the two elements are integrated and their function are described below. The assembly means 500 may be formed by integrating four support members, for example the first support member 102-1, the second support member 102-2, the fourth support member 102-4 and the fifth support member 102-5. The second element 402-2 may be integrated using the fifth support member 102-5. The second element 402-2 may be configured to provide a second functionality in the vehicle.For example, the second element 402-2 may be a BIM housing or an underhood switch module (USM) housing. The BIM housing may provide a harness for interconnection between a battery and an engine of the vehicle. Alternatively, the BIM housing may enclose a family of vehicle body harnesses. The USM housing may enclose relays and switches configured for various functionalities in the vehicle.

[0031] [Fig. 6] illustrates an exemplary implementation of an assembly means 600 (similar to assembly means 100 and assembly means 300) for retaining a plurality of elements in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the first element 402-1 and the second element 402-2 described as being integrated in the assembly means 400 and the assembly means 500, the assembly means 600 allows for the placement of additional elements, for example, a third element 402-3, a fourth element 402-4, and a fifth element 402-5. The manner in which the plurality of elements are integrated and their function are described below. The assembly means 600 may include the support members 102 as illustrated in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 3]. The third element 402-3 can be integrated on the fifth support member 102-5 by means of the arrangement 306.The third element 402-3 may be configured to provide a third functionality in the vehicle. For example, the third . Item 402-3 may be a BFR H box configured to enclose fuses and relays associated with various vehicle systems, such as microphones and multimedia systems.

[0032] The fourth element 402-4 may be integrated onto the assembly means 600 via the arrangements 210-2 and 210-3 present on the third support member 102-3. The fourth element 402-4 may be configured to provide a fourth functionality in the vehicle. For example, the fourth element 402-4 may be an AV BF box configured to enclose fuses associated with devices present at a front portion of the vehicle, such as a headlight and a fog light.

[0033] The fifth element 402-5 may be integrated via the arrangements 308-1 and 308-2 present on the sixth support member 102-6. The fifth element 402-5 may be configured to provide a fifth functionality in the vehicle. For example, the fifth element 402-5 may be an electronic control unit (ECU) used as a preheat control unit for activating and controlling glow plugs in a cylinder head of the vehicle.

[0034] A number of support members to be integrated into the assembly means 600 may depend on a number of elements to be integrated to provide desired functionalities in the vehicle. For example, the first element 402-1 may be present in a low-end variant of the vehicle. Similarly, the first element 402-1, the second element 402-2 and the third element 402-3 may be present in a medium variant of the vehicle. Furthermore, several elements 402-1 to 402-5 may be present in a high-end variant of the vehicle. The assembly means 600 may be used to integrate additional elements into low-end variants and medium variants and may facilitate the modernization of the vehicle, i.e. for the modernization or inclusion of a function(s).

[0035] The assembly means may be any of the aforementioned means 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600. The assembly means may be selected based on the features to be incorporated into the vehicle. The assembly means may be mounted at a particular position of the vehicle. For example, the assembly means 100 may be integrated into a hood section of the vehicle, near a battery unit.

[0036] The present invention relates to an assembly means for placing elements of a vehicle. The assembly means is formed by integrating a plurality of support members. Each support member has a predefined shape suitable for retaining a corresponding element of the vehicle. Each support member is configured to provide functionality in the vehicle. The predefined shape of the support members allows their easy integration with each other. Thus, the means assembly allows the integration of additional elements into the vehicle and therefore facilitates the retrofitting or inclusion of features into vehicles. In addition, the assembly means provides support for the wiring used to connect the elements. In addition, some of the support members provide strength to an overall structure of the assembly means, to resist the load of the elements.

[0037] In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. However, such description should not be considered as any limitation on the scope of the present invention. The structure thus designed in the present description is capable of being subject to numerous modifications and variations, and all details may further be replaced by elements having technical equivalence.

[0038] Any combination of the above features and functionalities may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments. In the above description, embodiments have been described with reference to numerous specific details which may vary from implementation to implementation. The description and drawings should, therefore, be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what applicants intend to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the whole as claimed in the claims arising from this application, in the specific form in which such claims arise therefrom, including any subsequent emendations.

Claims

Claims

1. An assembly means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for placing elements (402) in a vehicle, the assembly means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) comprising: one or more support members (102) having predefined shapes suitable for integration with each other, each support member having a predefined shape retaining an element configured to provide functionality in a vehicle, the one or more support members (102) comprising a support member for providing strength to an adjacent support member.

2. A joining means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more support members (102) are made of metal or alloy.

3. A joining means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more support members (102) are made of plastic.

4. An assembly means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the element is an electronic element or an electrical element or an electromechanical element selected from a group consisting of a BIM / USM housing, a BFR H housing, a BF AV housing, a fuse box and an insulated relay housing.

5. A joining means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more support members are mounted on a hood section of the vehicle.

6. An assembly means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more support members (102) are positioned proximate a battery unit of the vehicle.

7. A joining means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more support members (102) are mounted by welding or using one or more of screws, rivets, and nuts and bolts.

8. A joining means (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support members (102) are integrated with each other by welding or using of one or more of screws, rivets, and nuts and bolts.

9. Arrangement of a vehicle, comprising: at least one bar, in particular a longitudinal bar; at least one electronic element or one electromechanical element; and at least one assembly means according to one of claims 1 to 8, the assembly means comprising one or more support members having predefined shapes suitable for integration with each other, each support member having a predefined shape allowing the at least one electronic element or electromechanical element to be retained.

10. Vehicle comprising at least one assembly means according to claims 1 to 8 or an arrangement according to claim 9.

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