EP3303053A1

EP3303053A1 - Mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: EP3303053A1
Application number: EP16724631.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christopher Brown; Timothy Case
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2015-05-26
Filing date: 2016-05-23
Publication date: 2018-04-11
Also published as: WO2016188942A1; GB201508954D0; GB2538734B; GB2538734A

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly comprising a bracket (12) having a first side (13a) and a second side (13b, the bracket being mountable to a vehicle panel (18) on the first side, and being mountable to an auxiliary component on the second side. The mounting assembly additionally comprises reinforcing means (14) arranged to abut the second side of the bracket. The bracket is deflectable away from the reinforcing means along a first direction and abutment between the second side of the bracket and the reinforcing means limits deflection of the bracket along a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Description

MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a bracket assembly. Aspects of the invention relate to a bracket assembly, to an assembly comprising a vehicle panel and a bracket assembly, and to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles often include handles (sometimes referred to as "grab handles") that are typically arranged close to doors of the vehicle to assist people in getting in and out of the vehicle. Known grab handles are often attached to a bracket that, itself, is fixed to a body panel of the vehicle.

Grab handles need to be readily accessible to the occupants of the vehicle to be used, for example, to aid their ingress into and egress out of the vehicle on a regular basis, and so grab handles are commonly secured to the interior of the vehicle roof or it supporting pillars. Thus, grab handles may be located close to each occupant seating position and as such, it may be desirable for the handle and/or bracket to be deformable to absorb energy and mitigate potential injury if the handle is struck by the vehicle occupant, for example in the event of a vehicle collision.

However, measures that are often taken to enhance the absorption of impact energy tend to compromise the structural integrity and load bearing abilities of the handle and bracket. It is an aim of embodiments of the invention to at least mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a bracket assembly, an assembly comprising a vehicle panel and a bracket assembly, and a vehicle including a bracket assembly.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket assembly comprising a bracket having a first side and a second side, the bracket being mountable to a vehicle panel on the first side, and being mountable to an auxiliary component on the second side. The assembly may comprise reinforcing means arranged to abut the second side of the bracket. The bracket may be deflectable away from the reinforcing means along a first direction and abutment between the second side of the bracket and the reinforcing means limits deflection of the bracket along a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket assembly for a vehicle grab handle comprising a bracket having a first side and a second side, the bracket being mountable to a vehicle panel on the first side, and being mountable to an auxiliary component on the second side. The assembly may comprise reinforcing means arranged to abut the second side of the bracket. The bracket may be deflectable away from the reinforcing means along a first direction and abutment between the second side of the bracket and the reinforcing means limits deflection of the bracket along a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

The bracket may extend axially along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, and has a first component mounting portion at the first end, a second component mounting portion at the second end, and a vehicle mounting portion disposed between the first component mounting portion and the second component mounting portion.

Each of the first component mounting portion and the second component mounting portion may be spaced from the vehicle mounting portion along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

In certain embodiments, the bracket may comprise a first material and the reinforcing means comprises a second material, wherein the first material and second material are dissimilar materials.

In certain embodiments, the second material may have a lower elasticity relative to the first material.

The reinforcing means may be affixed to the bracket. In certain embodiments, the reinforcing means may be affixed to the bracket by one of welding, adhesion, or bolting.

The bracket may include first holes for mounting the bracket to the vehicle panel.

The bracket may include second holes for securing the auxiliary component to the bracket. The bracket assembly may comprise an auxiliary component mounted to the bracket. In certain embodiments, the auxiliary component comprises a handle. The handle may be a vehicle grab handle. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket assembly as described above, wherein the reinforcing means comprises a reinforcing component. The reinforcing component may be a unitary or multi-part component.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a vehicle panel and the bracket assembly described above, wherein the bracket assembly is mounted to the vehicle panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle including the bracket assembly described above or the assembly described above.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a bracket assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the bracket assembly of Figure 1 , where the bracket is shown in a deflected position (broken line) and an undeflected position;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a bracket assembly 10 for a component for a vehicle such as a handle (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bracket assembly 10 includes a bracket 12 and reinforcing means in the form of a reinforcing component 14. The bracket 12 has a first side 13a, and a second side 13b, and is mounted to a vehicle panel 18 that is disposed adjacent to the first side 13a of the bracket. The bracket 12 extends generally along a longitudinal axis 100 between a first end 12a and a second end 12b.

The bracket 12 has a first handle mounting portion 22 at the first end 12a, a second handle mounting portion 24 at the second end 12b and a vehicle mounting portion 26 disposed between the first handle mounting portion 22 and the second handle mounting portion 24. Additionally, intermediate portions 28 of the bracket 12 are disposed between the vehicle mounting portion 26 and each of the first handle mounting portion 22 and the second handle mounting portion 24. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, each of the vehicle mounting portion 26, the first handle mounting portion 22, and the second handle mounting portion 24 lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 100, whereas the intermediate portions 28 are each inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 100. As a result, the first handle mounting portion 22 and the second handle mounting portion 24 are each spaced from the vehicle mounting portion 26 along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 100. Each of the first handle mounting portion 22 and the second handle mounting portion 24 is arranged to mount to a handle (not shown) disposed adjacent to the second side 13b of the bracket 12. In alternative embodiments, the bracket 12 may take on any other suitable form.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bracket assembly 10 includes first holes 36 for receiving nut and bolt assemblies 20 for affixing the bracket assembly 10 to the vehicle panel 18. In other embodiments, any suitable fixing means may be employed for attaching the bracket assembly 10 to the vehicle panel 18. Examples of suitable alternative fixing means include but are not limited to fixed threaded studs and nuts, fixed nut and bolt, rivets, spot welds, and projection welds. Additionally, a fixing 16 affixes the bracket 12 to the reinforcing component 14. The fixing 16 may be or include a welding, an adhesive, or a nut and bolt in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, the fixing 16 may be provided by the bolt assemblies 20 or other fixing means that attaches the bracket assembly 10 to the vehicle panel 18. That is, a single type of fixing means may affix the bracket 12 to the reinforcing component 14, and the bracket assembly 10 (comprising the bracket 12 and reinforcing component 14) to the vehicle panel 18. For example, Figure 3 shows a bracket assembly 10 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which bolt assemblies 20 provide a fixing means for affixing the bracket assembly to a vehicle panel and for affixing the reinforcing component 14 to the bracket 12.

When attached to the vehicle panel 18, the first handle mounting portion 22 and second handle mounting portion 24 are each spaced from the vehicle panel 18. The bracket 12 is arranged such that at least a portion of the bracket 12 may deflect towards the vehicle panel 18 along a first direction 200. Controlled deflection of the bracket 12 is used to absorb energy and thus mitigate potential for injury in the event that the handle, secured to the bracket 12, is struck by an occupant, for example, in the event of a vehicle collision. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first handle mounting portion 22 and second handle mounting portion 24 are each able to deflect along the first direction 200 towards the vehicle panel 18.

The reinforcing component 14 is arranged to abut the bracket 12 at one or more points so as to limit or prevent deflection of the bracket along a second direction 300 that is opposite the first direction 200 upon loading. Loading of the bracket 12 in this direction may result when a user pulls on the handle, for example, to aid their ingress into or egress from the vehicle. In the specific embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reinforcing component 14 is a generally curved strut that has a central portion 32 that is flush with a portion of the vehicle mounting portion 26, and end portions 30 that are flush with a portion of the intermediate portions 28. Linking the end portions 30 to the central portion 32, the reinforcing component 14 includes bridging portions 34 that are neither parallel to the intermediate portions 28 nor the vehicle mounting portion 26. In alternative embodiments, the reinforcing component 14 may take on other forms. For example, in certain embodiments, the reinforcing component 14 may generally follow the contours of the second side 13b of the bracket 12 (as shown in Figure 3, for example). The reinforcing component 14 may resist deformation of the bracket 12 along the second direction 300 by virtue of the material of the reinforcing component 14 relative to the material of the bracket 12, and/or by virtue of the structure of the reinforcing component 14 relative to the structure of the bracket 12. In certain embodiments, the reinforcing component 14 may be made of a dissimilar material to the bracket 12. In certain embodiments, the reinforcing component 14 may have a lower elasticity and/or greater strength relative to the bracket 12. In certain embodiments, the reinforcing component 14 may be a unitary component or may include a plurality of parts. Figure 2 demonstrates potential movement of the bracket 12 relative to the reinforcing component 14 when the bracket assembly 10 is affixed to the vehicle panel 18. The broken lines indicate a potential position of the bracket 12 relative to the reinforcing component 14 when a force directed along first direction 200 has impacted upon the bracket 12. In particular, the first mounting portion 22 and intermediate portion 28 have deflected (i.e. moved) along the first direction 200. Such a movement may occur by pivoting of the first mounting portion 22 and intermediate portion 28 about a point where the intermediate portion 28 connects to the vehicle mounting portion 26. For reference, the whole bracket 12 is shown in an undeflected position in Figure 2, also (in unbroken lines). In practice, deflection of the bracket along the first direction 200 may be caused by a force that is transmitted to the bracket 12 via a handle attached to the bracket 12. For example, such a force may occur in the event of a vehicle collision, where an occupant may unintentionally contact a grab handle secured to the bracket assembly 10.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a bracket assembly 10' in which it can be seen that the first handle mounting portion 22 and the second handle mounting portion 24 may each include a second hole 38 for facilitating fixing of a handle to the bracket 10 (e.g. by bolting). In alternative embodiments, additional second holes 38, or any alternative fixing means (e.g. clipping features), may be utilised for fixing the handle to the bracket 12. The bracket assembly 10' of Figure 3 additionally has a second vehicle mounting portion 27 disposed at a third end 12c of the bracket 12 which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 100 via an additional intermediate component 28. The second vehicle mounting portion 27 includes an open slot 39 that may further facilitate the fixing of the bracket 12 to the vehicle panel 18. For example, a bolt may pass through the open slot 39 to secure the bracket 12 to the vehicle panel 18, where the open slot 39 may permit some small amount of movement of the bracket 12 relative to the vehicle panel 18 during assembly. In other embodiments, fixing features other than the open slot 39 may be provided. The third end 12c introduces an asymmetry and may additionally serve as a poka- yoke feature to ensure that the bracket assembly 10' is fitted on the correct side of a vehicle and/or that it is fitted in the correct orientation. In certain embodiments, intermediate components may be present between the bracket 12 and the handle. The use of a bracket 12 to mount the handle to the vehicle panel 18 provides more potential for adjusting the position of the handle during installation. In contrast, if the bracket 12 was not used, the handle would need to be mounted directly to the vehicle panel 18. If, however, a form modification was required to achieve acceptable performance of the handle, it would be very costly, and potentially unfeasible, to modify the vehicle panel 18 itself. Similarly, if a material specification or thickness change was required to provide the required load bearing properties, it would be unfeasible to modify the vehicle panel 18. By using an intermediate bracket 12, the properties and dimensions of the bracket can be specified (and cost effectively modified if required) to provide the desired properties for a particular application.

When affixed to the bracket 12, the handle may be loaded by the user pulling on the handle, for example to aid their ingress into and/or egress from the vehicle, thereby loading the bracket 12 with a force directed along the second direction 300. The presence and form of the reinforcing component 14 limits or prevents deflection of the bracket 12 along the second direction 300 such that the user will feel little or no movement of the handle along the second direction 300. That is, the bracket 12 may provide a strong load bearing structure that deflects little or substantially not at all along the second direction 300. In certain embodiments, the bracket assembly 10 may withstand forces of at least 100 N along the second direction 300 without significant deflection of the bracket 12 along the second direction 300.

In contrast, loading of the bracket 12 in the first direction 200 (e.g. by contact with an occupant in the event of a vehicle collision), may cause the bracket 12 to deflect along the first direction 200 (absorbing energy in the process) thereby mitigating any potential injuries to the vehicle occupants.

Figure 4 shows a vehicle 400 that may include a bracket assembly 10 according to any above-described embodiment. In certain embodiments of the present invention, any suitable bracket 12 and reinforcing means 14 may be utilised where the reinforcing means 14 is arranged to abut the second side 13b of the bracket 12 such that the bracket 12 is deflectable away from the reinforcing means 14 along the first direction 200 and abutment between the second side 13b of the bracket 12 and the reinforcing means 14 limits deflection of the bracket 12 along a second direction 300 that is opposite the first direction 200.

It is envisaged that the bracket assembly described above may be adapted to secure other auxiliary components within a vehicle and is not limited to use with grab handles. In particular, it is envisaged that a variation of the bracket assembly described above may additionally or alternatively be used to support auxiliary components such as sunroof assemblies in a vehicle roof. In such an application, the second vehicle mounting portion 27 or intermediate portion 28 may further include additional mounting formations (not shown) arranged to secure at least part of the sunroof assembly to the vehicle in use. In certain embodiments, more than one auxiliary component may be mountable to the bracket. For example, a handle and a further auxiliary component, such as a part of a sunroof assembly, may be mountable to the bracket. In certain embodiments, the above-described handle mounting portions may, more generally, be component mounting portions for mounting the one or more auxiliary components to the second side of the bracket.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A bracket assembly comprising:

a bracket having a first side and a second side, the bracket being mountable to a vehicle panel on the first side, and being mountable to an auxiliary component on the second side; and

reinforcing means (14) arranged to abut the second side of the bracket;

wherein the bracket is deflectable away from the reinforcing means along a first direction and abutment between the second side of the bracket and the reinforcing means limits deflection of the bracket along a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

The bracket assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bracket extends axially along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, and has a first component mounting portion at the first end, a second component mounting portion at the second end, and a vehicle mounting portion disposed between the first component mounting portion and the second component mounting portion.

The bracket assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the first component mounting portion and the second component mounting portion is spaced from the vehicle mounting portion along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The bracket assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket comprises a first material and the reinforcing means comprises a second material, wherein the first material and second material are dissimilar materials.

The bracket assembly of claim 4, wherein the second material has a lower elasticity relative to the first material.

The bracket assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the reinforcing means is affixed to the bracket.

The bracket assembly of claim 6, wherein the reinforcing means is affixed to the bracket by one of welding, adhesion, or bolting.

The bracket assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket includes first holes for mounting the bracket to the vehicle panel.

9. The bracket assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket includes second holes for securing the auxiliary component to the bracket.

10. The bracket assembly of any preceding claim, comprising an auxiliary component mounted to the bracket.

1 1 . The bracket assembly of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary component comprises a handle.

12. The bracket assembly of claim 1 1 , wherein the handle is a vehicle grab handle.

13. An assembly comprising a vehicle panel and the bracket assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket assembly is mounted to the vehicle panel.

14. A vehicle including the bracket assembly of any of claims 1 to 12 or the assembly of claim 13.

15. A bracket assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.