WO2013035042A1

WO2013035042A1 - A front passenger compartment of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2013035042A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/054573
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kedar JOSHI; Pratap DAPHAL; Ranjit PANDHARE
Original assignee: Tata Motors Limited
Priority date: 2011-09-07
Filing date: 2012-09-05
Publication date: 2013-03-14

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a front passenger compartment of a vehicle. The front passenger compartment comprises a control mounting bracket mounted on a firewall of the vehicle for mounting a vehicle control pedals and a steering mounting bracket mounted on a cross car beam of the vehicle for mounting a steering column. A restraining bracket of predetermined shape mounted on top side of the control mounting bracket with predetermined distance from a bottom end of the steering mounting bracket to restrain intrusion of the fire wall and the control mounting bracket during frontal crash of the vehicle.

Description

A FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a passenger compartment of a vehicle, more particularly embodiments relate to a restraining bracket mounted in front passenger compartment of the vehicle to restrain, intrusion of a fire wall and a control mounting bracket, during frontal crash of the vehicle. BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE

Injuries are caused to the occupants in the event of crash due to the intruding structures such as firewall, steering column etc. Stiff structure reduces the intrusions but increase the vehicle decelerations whereas soft structure results in higher intrusions with less deceleration. Higher decelerations cause internal organ injuries wherein intrusions cause injuries on account of trapping or piercing. Therefore it is necessary to balance the level of intrusion & the decelerations.

In offset frontal impacts, firewall and control pedal (accelerator, brake, clutch) intrusions are observed to be very high. The effective distance between the structure and the occupant reduce because of this intrusion and hence the survival space decreases. This is undesirable for lower extremity injuries for a driver occupant. Further the control mounting bracket pushes the steering column and steering wheel more rearwards leading to injuries to the upper extremities of a driver and/or occupant.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional passenger compartment of a vehicle. The passenger compartment comprises a control mounting bracket, mounted on a firewall of the vehicle, for mounting a plurality of vehicle control pedals and a steering mounting bracket attached to the cross car beam of the vehicle for mounting a steering column. In the conventional passenger compartment, it is observed that during frontal crash firewall deforms rear words. This in turn pushes the control mounting bracket rearwards. Intrusions of the control pedals result into the bodily injury to the driver occupant. If the said firewall intrudes further, the control mounting bracket contacts the said steering column mounting bracket and leads intrusions of the said steering wheel towards the driver and/or occupant and injures the driver and/or occupant.

In light of forgoing discussion, it is necessary to provide a front passenger compartment which has a restraining bracket to restrain intrusion of a fire wall and a control mounting bracket during frontal crash of the vehicle.

STATEMENT OF THE DISCLOSURE Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a front passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising: a control mounting bracket mounted on a firewall of the vehicle for mounting vehicle control pedals; a steering mounting bracket mounted on a cross car beam of the vehicle for mounting a steering column; characterized in that, a restraining bracket of predetermined shape mounted on top side of the control mounting bracket with predetermined distance from a bottom end of the steering mounting bracket to restrain intrusion of the fire wall and the control mounting bracket during frontal crash of the vehicle, and also provides for a method of assembling a restraining bracket in a front passenger compartment of a vehicle, said method comprising acts of: mounting a control mounting bracket on a firewall of the vehicle for mounting a vehicle control pedals; mounting a steering mounting bracket on a cross car beam of the vehicle for mounting a steering column; characterized in that, mounting the restraining bracket of predetermined shape on top side of the control mounting bracket with predetermined distance from a bottom end of the steering mounting bracket to restrain intrusion of the fire wall and the control mounting bracket during frontal crash of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of system and method as claimed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a front passenger compartment of a vehicle. The front passenger compartment comprises a control mounting bracket mounted on a firewall of the vehicle for mounting a vehicle control pedals and a steering mounting bracket mounted on a cross car beam of the vehicle for mounting a steering column. A restraining bracket of predetermined shape mounted on top side of the control mounting bracket with predetermined distance from a bottom end of the steering mounting bracket to restrain intrusion of the fire wall and the control mounting bracket during frontal crash of the vehicle. This is the purpose of the control mounting bracket.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the restraining bracket consists of first and second portions, said second portion is making an obtuse angle with respect to a first portion. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second portion of the restraining bracket is configured to receive the bottom end of the steering column up to predetermined extent, during frontal crash of the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the restraining bracket is provided with crush initiators, which crumples under a compressive force to absorb impact energy during a further frontal crash of the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a gap between the restraining bracket and the bottom end of the steering column is varied to control the magnitude of intrusion of the firewall.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of assembling a restraining bracket in a front passenger compartment of a vehicle. The method comprises fallowing steps; a control mounting bracket is mounted on a firewall of the vehicle for mounting a vehicle control pedals. Then a steering mounting bracket is mounting on a cross car beam of the vehicle for mounting a steering column. A restraining bracket of predetermined shape is mounted on top side of the control mounting bracket with predetermined distance from a bottom end of the steering mounting bracket to restrain intrusion of the fire wall and the control mounting bracket during frontal crash of the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the restraining bracket is mounted on control mounting bracket such that it receive the bottom end of the steering column up to predetermined extent of frontal crash of the vehicle and crumple under a compressive force to absorb impact energy during a further frontal crash of the vehicle.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

OBJECTIVES OF THE DISCLOSURE

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a passenger compartment of a vehicle which has which has a restraining bracket to restrain intrusion of a fire wall and a control mounting bracket during frontal crash of the vehicle. One object of the present disclosure is to provide a passenger compartment of a vehicle which has a restraining bracket to receive the bottom end of the steering column up to predetermined extent of frontal crash of the vehicle.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a passenger compartment of a vehicle which has a restraining bracket which crumples under a compressive force to absorb impact energy during a further frontal crash of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional front passenger compartment of a vehicle.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the front passenger compartment of a vehicle having the restraining bracket of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the front passenger compartment of a vehicle having the restraining bracket of the present disclosure.

FIGS 4a-4c illustrates a performance of the restraining bracket in the offset frontal impact of the vehicle. Fig. 5a illustrates a side view of conventional front passenger compartment indicating movement firewall during frontal crash of the vehicle.

Fig. 5b illustrates a side view of front passenger compartment of the present disclosure indicating movement of firewall during frontal crash of the vehicle.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front and perspective views of the restraining bracket of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily 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

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

To overcome the drawbacks mentioned in the background the present disclosure provides a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a restraining bracket mounted on the control mounting bracket to restrain intrusion of a fire wall and a control mounting bracket during frontal crash of the vehicle.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a perspective view of the front passenger compartment (100) of a vehicle having the restraining bracket (105) of the present disclosure. The vehicle front passenger compartment (100) consists of a fire wall (102) on the vehicle structure to separate the passenger compartment (100) from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The fire wall (102) acts as a heat resistant material and sound attenuating material for preventing the passage of heat and sound from the engine compartment to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The front passenger compartment (100) of the vehicle comprises a control mounting bracket (101) of predetermined shape mounted on the fire wall (102) of the vehicle. The control mounting bracket (101) accommodates plurality of vehicle control pedals (106, 107 and 108) at predefined positions for controlling the movement of vehicle. The vehicle control pedals are clutch pedal (106), brake pedal (107) and accelerator pedal (109). The clutch pedal (106) is used to engage and disengage the clutch for changing the gear in the vehicle. The brake pedal (107) is used to apply the brake for stopping or restraining the movement of the vehicle. And the accelerator pedal (109) is used to control the speed of the vehicle based on the requirement. The passenger compartment (100) further comprises, a steering column mounting bracket (103) mounted on a cross car beam (104) of the vehicle. The steering column mounting bracket (103) accommodates the steering wheel for controlling the vehicle.

A restraining bracket (105) of predetermined shape is mounted on top surface (101a) of the control mounting bracket (101) with predetermined distance from a bottom end (103a) of the steering mounting bracket (103) to restrain intrusion of the fire wall (102) and the control mounting bracket (101) during frontal crash of the vehicle. The restraining bracket (105) consists of first and second portions (105a and 105b) such that the second portion (105b) makes an obtuse angle with the first portion (105 a) as shown in FIG. 6. The restraining bracket (105) is mounted on the control mounting bracket (101) such that it receive the bottom end (103a) of the steering column (103) up to predetermined extent of frontal crash of the vehicle. Further, the restraining bracket (105) is made of crash absorbing material or the bracket can be provided with predetermined weaknesses, known as crush initiators, such that the restraining bracket (105) can crush under the compressive force and absorb energy. The energy absorption would further help to reduce the force on the said steering mounting bracket (103) and help in controlling the steering wheel intrusions.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a side view of the front passenger compartment (100) of a vehicle having the restraining bracket (105) of the present disclosure. The restraining bracket (105) is mounted with predetermined gap from the bottom end (103a) of the steering column mounting bracket (103). In the event of frontal crash of the vehicle, the firewall (102) is pushed rearwards which results in pushing the control mounting bracket (101) also rearward. The firewall (102) is allowed to be displaced rearwards till a gap is available between the said restraining bracket (105) and the said steering column mounting bracket (103). When the restraining bracket (105) touches the said steering column mounting bracket (103), the firewall (102) intrusion is resisted by the steering column mounting bracket (103). Thus the intrusion of the firewall (102) and the control pedals (107, 108 and 109) is restrained. This in turn results in preventing the steering column mounting bracket (103) to move towards driver and/or occupant of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, gap between the restraining bracket (105) and the bottom end of the steering column (103a) is varied to control the magnitude of intrusion of the firewall (102). FIGS. 4a-4c are exemplary embodiments illustrating performance of the restraining bracket (105) in the offset frontal impact of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 4a the restraining bracket (105) is mounted on the top surface (101a) of the control mounting bracket with predetermined gap from the bottom end (103a) of the steering column mounting bracket (103) to restrain the rearward movement of the control pedals and the fire wall (102). As shown in FIG. 4b during frontal crash of the vehicle the firewall (102) is allowed to be displaced rearwards till a gap is available between the restrain bracket (105) and the steering column mounting bracket (103). When the restrain bracket (105) touches the steering column mounting bracket (103), the firewall intrusion is resisted by the steering column mounting bracket (103). Thus, the intrusion of control pedals (107, 108 and 109) and steering column is restrained. As shown in FIG. 4c the restraining bracket (105) is made of crash absorbing material or the bracket can be provided with predetermined weaknesses, known as crush initiators, such that the restraining bracket (105) can crush under the compressive force and absorb energy during further frontal crash of the vehicle. The impact energy absorption by the restraining bracket (105) would further help to reduce the force on the steering mounting bracket (103) and help in controlling the steering wheel intrusions.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the energy absorption capacity of the restraining bracket (105) is varied by varying the design of the bracket (105). Further, by using additional crush initiators the energy absorption and intrusions of the fire wall, control pedals and steering column is restrained.

FIG. 5a is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a side view of conventional front passenger compartment indicating movement firewall during frontal crash of the vehicle. During frontal crash, rearward deformations of the said firewall results in rearward movement of the control mounting bracket. Consequently the control pedals are also pushed backwards & upwards. Intrusions of the control pedals result into the bodily injury to the driver occupant. If the said firewall intrudes further, the control mounting bracket contacts the said steering column mounting bracket and leads intrusions of the said steering wheel towards the driver occupant. In one embodiment, in the conventional passenger compartment intrudes as shown in FIG.5 a. This results in decrease in the survival space in front compartment, hence results in injuries to the driver and/or occupant.

FIG. 5b is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a side view of front passenger compartment (100) of the present disclosure indicating movement firewall (102) during frontal crash of the vehicle. The movement of the firewall (102) is restrained by the restraining bracket (105). The firewall (102) is allowed to be displaced rearwards till a gap is available between the restrain bracket (105) the steering column mounting bracket (103). When the restrain bracket (105) touches the steering column mounting bracket (103), the firewall intrusion is resisted by the steering column mounting bracket (103). Thus, the intrusion of control pedals (107, 108 and 109) and steering column is restrained. Hence, it prevents the injuries caused to the driver and/or the occupant of the vehicle.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a front and perspective views of the restraining bracket (105) of the present disclosure. The restraining bracket (105) consists of first and second portions (105a and 105b) such that the second portion (105b) makes an obtuse angle with the first portion (105a). The first portion (105a) is joined on top surface (101a) of the control mounting bracket and the second portion (105b) is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the first portion (105a). The second portion (105b) is a u-shaped portion to receive the bottom end of the steering column mounting bracket (103). In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the design of the restraining bracket (105) is varied to improve the impact energy absorption of the bracket (105). The shape of the bracket is selected from a group comprising but not limited to u-shaped channel or any other shape which serve the purpose. Equivalents

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals;

Reference Number Description

100 Front passenger compartment

101 Control mounting bracket

101a Top surface of the Control

mounting bracket

102 Fire wall

103 Steering mounting bracket

103a Bottom end of Steering

mounting bracket

104 Cross car beam

105 Restraining bracket

105a First portion of the Restraining bracket

105b Second portion of the

Restraining bracket

106 Clutch pedal

107 Brake pedal

108 Accelerator Pedal

Claims

We claim

1. A front passenger compartment (100) of a vehicle comprising:

a control mounting bracket (101) mounted on a firewall (102) of the vehicle for mounting a vehicle control pedals (106,107 and 108);

a steering mounting bracket (103) mounted on a cross car beam (104) of the vehicle for mounting a steering column;

characterized in that,

a restraining bracket (105) of predetermined shape mounted on top side (101a) of the control mounting bracket (101) with predetermined distance from a bottom end (103a) of the steering mounting bracket (103) to restrain intrusion of the fire wall (102) and the control mounting bracket (101) during frontal crash of the vehicle.

2. The passenger compartment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the restraining bracket (105) consists of first and second portions (105a and 105b), said second portion (105b) is making an obtuse angle with respect to a first portion (105a).

3. The passenger compartment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the restraining bracket (105) is made of crush initiators, which crumple under a compressive force to absorb impact energy during a further frontal crash of the vehicle.

4. The passenger compartment as claimed in claim 1, wherein a predetermined gap between the restraining bracket (105) and the bottom end of the steering column (103a) is provided to control the magnitude of intrusion of the firewall (102).

5. A method of assembling a restraining bracket (105) in a front passenger compartment of a vehicle (100), said method comprising acts of:

mounting a control mounting bracket (101) on a firewall (102) of the vehicle for mounting a vehicle control pedals (106,107 and 108);

mounting a steering mounting bracket (103) on a cross car beam (104) of the vehicle for mounting a steering column;

characterized in that, mounting the restraining bracket (105) of predetermined shape on top side (101a) of the control mounting bracket (101) with predetermined distance from a bottom end (103a) of the steering mounting bracket (103) to restrain intrusion of the fire wall (102) and the control mounting bracket (101) during frontal crash of the vehicle.

6. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the restraining bracket (105) is mounted on control mounting bracket such that it receive the bottom end (103a) of the steering column (103) up to predetermined extent of frontal crash of the vehicle and crumple under a compressive force to absorb impact energy during a further frontal crash of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle comprising a front passenger compartment as claimed in claim 1.

8. A front passenger compartment of a vehicle and a method of assembling a restraining bracket in a front passenger compartment of a vehicle are substantially as herein above described and as illustrated in accompanying drawings.