A mounting bracket for an air-conditioner compressor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an AC compressor mounting bracket (100) that connects with side rail (160) and used as a single isolation AC compressor bracket for better NVH The mounting bracket (100) includes a middle portion (10) having a plurality of first fastening holes (12) for fastening the mounting bracket (100) to a side rail (160) inside the hood assembly and a plurality of second fastening holes (14) for fastening the AC compressor (150) on the mounting bracket (100). The AC compressor (150) of the present invention is not in direct contact with the powertrain thereby eliminating direct transfer of vibrations. Air circulation for heat dissipation around the AC compressor (150) also becomes efficient.

Description

[0001] AMOUNTING BRACKET FOR AN AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a mounting bracket for an air-conditioner compressor for vehicle and more particularly to, an electrical vehicle.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The Air-Conditioner (AC) used in the vehicles, is divided into two parts while mounting the AC in the vehicle. The evaporator is located inside the passenger compartment and the AC compressor is located at the front of the engine. In current state of art, the compressor is mounted on Electric Power Train (EPT) motor with multiple rigid brackets as shown in FIG. 1.

[0005] Use of the multiple brackets for mounting the AC compressor increases cost and weight of the vehicle. Further, as the AC compressor is directly connected to the powertrain, the EPT vibrations get transferred to the compressor and surrounding components. Multiple brackets used for mounting the compressor, complicate the mounting process that potentially increase the labor time and costs. Air circulation for heat dissipation around the compressor also becomes difficult due to multiple mountings.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a means for mounting AC compressor that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a mounting bracket for mounting an AC compressor of the vehicle. The mounting bracket includes a middle portion having concave shape matching with the outer body of the AC compressor and a plurality of first fastening holes are configured below the surface of the middle portion for fastening the mounting bracket to a side rail inside the hood assembly of the vehicle. A pair of side portions extending from top and bottom of the middle portion. A plurality of second fastening holes protruding from the side portion for fastening the AC compressor on the mounting bracket. A plurality of insulators is positioned through the first fastening holes from back side of the mounting bracket for restricting movement of the AC compressor. A plurality of stopper plates are fixed on the first fastening holes for eliminating the rotation of the insulators and axial movement of the mounting bracket. The bracket has a heart-like shape. The middle portion having a concave profile at middle, two top side portions protruding from the middle portion for the second fastening holes and a triangular bottom portion extending from the bottom of the middle portion. The middle portion has four first fastening holes configured on side portions of the middle portion.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates brackets for mounting the AC compressor to the engine powertrain of the vehicle with respect to the prior art;FIG. 2 illustrates perspective view of the engine assembly having a mounting bracket for mounting AC compressor to the engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates the mounting bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 3;

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an insulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates steps of mounting an AC compressor to the side rails inside the hood of the vehicle by using the mounting bracket of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the AC compressor mounted on the mounting bracket of FIG. 3; and

[0014] FIG. 8 shows graphical representation of the NVH analysis obtained when the AC compressor was mounted on the mounting bracket of the present invention.

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made within the scope of the embodiments.

[0017] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments.

[0018] The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0019] In general aspect, the present invention is directed to unique design of AC compressor mounting bracket that connects with body rail and uses single isolation AC compressor bracket for better NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness). The Ac compressor of the present invention is not in the direct contact with the powertrain thereby eliminating direct transfer of vibrations. Use of multiple brackets for mounting the compressor and the labor time and costs is avoided. Air circulation for heat dissipation around the AC compressor also becomes efficient.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, an engine assembly (200) having a mounting bracket (100) for mounting an AC compressor (150) (for HVAC-Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) on a side rail (160) of the vehicle is shown. The mounting bracket(100) is used for mounting the AC compressor (150) on the desired element inside the hood assembly of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the mounting bracket (100) is mounted on the side rail (160) inside the hood assembly. The AC compressor (150) is directly mounted on the mounting bracket (100). The AC compressor (150) is positioned behind the crush zone considering the packaging requirements.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting bracket (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In accordance with an embodiment, the mounting bracket (100) has a heart shape that includes a middle portion (10) and a pair of side portions (15A and 15B). The middle portion (10) has a concave profile. The side portions (15A, 15B) extend from the upper and lower side of the middle portion (10). There are four first fastening holes (12) configured through the middle portion (10) portion of the mounting bracket (100). In an embodiment, the first fastening holes (12) are configured below (at lower height) the surface of the middle portion (10). The first fastening holes (12) are configured on side surface of the middle portion (10). The first fastening holes (12) are slightly depressed on the surface of the side surfaces.

[0022] In accordance with this embodiment, the mounting bracket (100) further includes a second plurality of fastening holes (14) configured on the outer side portion (15) of the middle portion (10). In this embodiment, there are three second fastening holes (14) configured through the side portion (15A, 15B) of the middle portion (10). Two fastening holes (14) are configured on the upper side portion (15 A) and one fasteninghole (14) is configured on the lower / bottom triangular side portion (15B) of the middle portion (10). The second fastening holes (14) are used for fastening the AC compressor (150) on the mounting bracket (100). It is to be noted here that the second fastening holes (14) match the corresponding fastening holes of the AC compressor (150).

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in accordance with an embodiment, the insulators (20) are fixed from back side of the mounting bracket. The plurality of insulators (20) are secured by a plurality of stopper plates (30). Each fastening hole (12) receives one insulator (20) and one stopper plate (30). The stopper plate (30) is preferably made of Steel. In accordance with the present invention, the stopper plate (30) has a circular profile with two wing shaped projections (32) configured at 180° apart from each other.

[0024] In accordance with the present invention, the articulation of the AC compressor (150) along with bracket (100) is controlled by the linearity of the insulator (20). The insulator (20) restricts the movement of the compressor (150) beyond a particular limit which is decided based on part level stiffness requirements and durability targets. It is understood here that the stiffness requirement is derived from vehicle level NVH and durability targets of the corresponding vehicle. As shown in FIG. 5, the required stiffness can be achieved by rubber profile design, rubber volume and the voids between the inner sleeve (21) and outer sleeve (22) of the insulator (20). Thestopper plate (30) eliminates the rotation of the insulators (20) and axial movement of the mounting bracket (100).

[0025] In accordance with an embodiment, the middle portion (10) of the mounting bracket (100) has a heart-like shape which corresponds with the outer body of the compressor (150). The middle portion (10) has a concave profile at middle, two top side portions (15 A, 15B) protrude from the middle portion (10) for second fastening holes (14) and a triangular bottom portion extending from the bottom of the middle portion (10). The middle portion (10) of the bracket (100) is slightly concave to match with the outer body of the AC compressor (150). In case, the diameter of the AC compressor (150) is increased, the height of the bracket (100) and depth of the concave profile may vary to fit the Ac compressor (150) therein.

[0026] In accordance with an embodiment, the middle portion (10) is made of Aluminum. One or more insulators (20) are fastened through the first fastening holes (12) of the bracket (100). The first fastening holes (12) facilitate fixing of the mounting bracket (100) with the side rails (160) through the fasteners (140). It is understood here that the side rails (160) include the holes (162) that match the number and location of the first fastening holes (12). Material used for insulators (20) are selected from the group of synthetic Rubber, Natural Rubber, Steel or Plastics.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, one insulator (20) is fitted through each of the first fastening holes (12). The insulators (20) are press-fitted on the bracket (100)from back side of the bracket (100). Further, stopper plates (30) are fastened to the first fastening holes (12) of the bracket (100). The mounting bracket (100) is mounted on the side rail (160) through the first fasteners (140). Furthermore, the mounting bracket (100) has one or more mounting points on a curved profile for coupling the compressor (150) on to the mounting bracket (100) fitted on the side rail (160). The AC compressor (150) is mounted on the mounting bracket (100) directly by a plurality of second fasteners (170) positioned through the second fastening holes (14). In another embodiments, AC compressor (150) may be mounted on other components like frame, EPT, etc. depending on the packaging requirements.

[0028] The present invention eliminates use of the multiple bracket manufacturing and fixing thereby facilitating maintaining the less weight and reduction of cost of the part, development and tooling cost. The vibrations transmitted from the vehicle / powertrain to the AC compressor (150) are reduced thereby reducing wear and tear and enhancing the longevity of the components. The mounting bracket (100) of the present invention ensures secure mounting of the AC compressor (150), maintaining alignment and preventing movement during operation. It allows for easier access to the AC compressor (150) for repairs or replacements. The single isolation feature of the present invention helps in reducing noise generated by the AC compressor (150), leading to a quieter cabin environment. The design of the mounting bracket (100) may be tailored to fit various vehicle models, ensuring versatility in installation.These aspects combine to enhance the overall efficiency and reliability of air conditioning systems in diverse applications.

[0029] EXAMPLE

[0030] When the AC compressor (150) was mounted on the mounting bracket (100) of the present invention in the vehicle; the following results were obtained. The graphical representation of the results is shown in FIG. 8.

[0031] In-cabin, the noise (1st order) was reduced about 5 to 8 dB(A) above 2000 rpm. The Steering vibration were reduced about 5 to 8 dB in critical speed zone. There was upto 2dB(A) noise reduction in high frequency noise throughout rpm.

[0032] The operating range / frequencies / RPM / Amplitude behavior of both the AC compressor and Engine Power Train are different from each other. The separated AC compressor from EPT brackets, may be controlled independently to meet performance requirement and can easily optimize the Vehicle NVH performance by tuning independently.

[0033] 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 andmodifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

[0034] It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, of the invention and not as a limitation. The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which these embodiments may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice the invention.

[0035] Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and / or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

Claims :

1. A mounting bracket (100) for mounting an AC compressor (150) for the vehicle, the mounting bracket (100) comprising:a middle portion (10) having concave shape matching with the outer body of the AC compressor (150) and a plurality of first fastening holes (12) configured below the surface of the middle portion (10) for fastening the mounting bracket (100) to a side rail (160) inside the hood assembly of the vehicle;a pair of side portions (15 A and 15B) extending from top and bottom of the middle portion (10), a plurality of second fastening holes (14) protruding from the side portion (15A, 15B) for fastening the AC compressor (150) on the mounting bracket (100);a plurality of insulators (20) positioned through the first fastening holes (12) from back side of the mounting bracket (100) for restricting movement of the AC compressor (150); anda plurality of stopper plates (30) fixed on the first fastening holes (12) for eliminating the rotation of the insulators (20) and axial movement of the mounting bracket (100).

2. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket has a heart-like shape, the middle portion (10) having a concave profile at middle,two top side portions (15A) protruding from the middle portion (10) for the second fastening holes (14) and a triangular bottom portion (15B) extending from the bottom of the middle portion (10).

3. The mounting bracket (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the middle portion (10) has four first fastening holes (12) configured on side surface of the middle portion (10).

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