TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to mounting brackets for holding electrical harnesses, pneumatic tubes, hoses and other media in relation to a vehicle frame. The invention can be applied in heavy duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment.

BACKGROUND

Heavy duty vehicles such as busses, trucks and semi-trailer vehicles comprise a large number of cables, pipes, and hoses connecting various vehicle parts such as hoses for pneumatic systems, electrical harnesses for electrical systems, and fuel lines for vehicle propulsion systems. This media often needs to be routed some distance along the vehicle frame, and therefore needs to be securely attached to the vehicle frame.

T raditionally, a variety of different mounting brackets are used for different media at different places in the vehicle, leading to a complex flora of parts to be kept track of. A redesign in, e.g., vehicle cable routing often means that the bracket flora must be updated, which drives both cost and design time.

US 2019/0143912 A1 discloses a mounting bracket adapted for securing media of a first or a second dimension by means of a knock-out portion. However, there is a continuing need for mounting brackets able to support a wider range of different media types and dimensions, which allow for cost efficient vehicle media routing.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide improved mounting brackets for use in media routing on vehicles.

This object is obtained by a modular mounting bracket for securing media to a vehicle frame. The bracket comprises a base plate arranged to be attached to the vehicle frame and a media holder configured to receive and to hold the media. The media holder is arranged to be attached to the base plate. The media holder is also selectable in dependence of a dimension of the media which is to be secured to the vehicle frame.

Vehicle media routing, such as pneumatic installations and vehicle electric system, often comprise multiple cables and hoses passing from outside the vehicle frame to the inner side and vice versa. The disclosed bracket allows for using the same base plate regardless of the media configuration to be secured, since the media holder is arranged separate from the base plate. The media holder is selected depending on which type of media that is to be secured to the vehicle frame and then attached to the base plate. This way, the same base plate is used for different media at different places in the vehicle, leading to a less complex flora of parts to be kept track of. A redesign in, e.g., vehicle cable routing or pneumatic system no longer necessarily means that the bracket flora must be updated, which is an advantage.

According to aspects, the base plate comprises a sheet metal bracket arranged to be attached to the vehicle frame. The sheet metal bracket is cost efficient and robust. The media holder can be press-fitted to the base plate or attached by some other means.

According to aspects, the base plate is arranged to be attached to the vehicle frame by one or more fasteners and respective through-holes formed in the base plate and in the vehicle frame. The through hole pattern is the same regardless of media configuration to be secured, since the base plate stays the same regardless of media, which is an advantage. If the media dimensions or configuration change, the same through holes can be re-used for securing the new media since only the media holder is changed, not the base plate.

According to aspects, the media holder is configured to hold media having at least two different dimensions. In general, the media holder can hold any number of different media dimensions, which is an advantage. The particular required configuration of media dimensions determines which media holder to select for attachment to the base plate. Customized media holders can easily and cost efficiently be manufactured, e.g., by molding plastics or the like.

According to aspects, the media holder is arranged to hold the media by elongated cut-out portions having cross-sections defined by major circle segments. This way media can be conveniently pressed into the holder, whereby the media is retained by the holder. The elongated cut-out portions may be shaped in straight lines or in arcuate forms to guide the media along different paths. The media is releasably held by the cut-out portions, meaning that the media can be easily removed from the media holder if needed, e.g., during servicing.

According to aspects, the media holder is arranged to be attached to the base plate by an interference-fit mechanism and/or a by a snap-fit mechanism. This way the media holder can be conveniently attached to the base plate without need for any additional fasteners, which is an advantage. Both snap-fit mechanisms and interference type retention means are cost efficient and allow for convenient fitting of the media holder, which is an advantage. Loose parts, such as fasteners and the like, are avoided.

According to aspects, the modular mounting bracket comprises a locking member pivotably attached to the base plate or media holder and configured to cover the media when received in the media holder. The locking member provides an additional robustness to the bracket, thereby holding the media in place even more securely.

There are also disclosed herein vehicles, methods, and kits of parts associated with the above-mentioned advantages.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilled person realizes that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples. In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle;

Figure 2 shows an example modular mounting bracket;

Figure 3 illustrates details of an example media holder;

Figures 4A-C illustrate example media holders for a modular mounting bracket; Figure 5 illustrates an example base plate;

Figure 6 shows a vehicle frame with an example modular mounting bracket;

Figure 7 schematically illustrates an example modular mounting bracket; and Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain aspects of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and aspects set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle 100 built around a vehicle frame 110 and powered by a power source 120, here shown as a combustion engine. The vehicle 100 comprises a large number of different systems for operating the vehicle. In addition to the power source 120 which requires fuel lines and control cabling, there are often pneumatic systems which require pneumatic hoses to be routed along the vehicle frame. The vehicle 100 also comprises an electrical system. The electrical system connects various electrical sources, such as batteries and generators, to power consumers, via electrical cabling such as electrical harnesses. Such connections are generally referred to herein as routing media, connection media, or just media.

Traditionally, a variety of different mounting brackets are used to secure these cables, hoses, and tubes to the vehicle frame. Each type of media, i.e. , cable, hose, tube, or pipe, often has a uniquely shaped mounting bracket associated with it, which cannot be re-used with other types of connection media, or with differently dimensioned media.

In pneumatic installations it is often seen that there are multiple cables passing from outside the vehicle frame 110 to the inner side of the frame & vice-versa. Conventionally when a set of cables are passing the frame 110 (mostly when more than 4) a customized support bracket is designed in order to support the media and enable smooth flow with natural bends. The cable bunch is then tied to the support bracket with the help of cable tie straps or the like. It is often the case that the design of the bracket is non-uniform across, e.g., a variety of trucks, leading to multiple designs and complex shapes difficult to manufacture.

To overcome this challenge, there is disclosed herein a universal modular mounting bracket. The bracket consists of two parts; a base plate common to all different media types and dimensions and a media holder arranged to be attached to the base plate and selectable in dependence of the media to be secured to the vehicle frame. The base plate may be made in, e.g., sheet metal, while the media holder can be produced in some plastic material or polyurethane. The media holder can easily be customized to hold different configurations of media, while the base plate stays the same. Figure 6 illustrates an example application where the proposed modular mounting bracket 200 is used to secure media 610 to a vehicle frame portion 110.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of this type of modular mounting bracket 200 which can be used for securing media 610 to the vehicle frame 110. The bracket 200 comprises a base plate 210 arranged to be attached to the vehicle frame 110 and a media holder 220 configured to receive and to hold the media 610, e.g., in grooves 225 of different dimensions. The base plate 210 is arranged separable from the media holder 220.

Notably, the media holder 220 is arranged to be attached to the base plate 210 and is selectable in dependence of a dimension and/or type of the media 610 which is to be secured to the vehicle frame 110. This way, when a particular type of media, e.g., some electrical harness or pneumatic hose, is to be secured to the vehicle frame 110, a base plate is attached to the frame and a suitable media holder is selected which fits the dimensions of the media. The media holder is then attached to the base plate, whereupon the media can be efficiently secured to the vehicle frame. By separating the media holder from the base plate, the media holder will absorb the different varieties of media holding needs, while the base plate stays the same. The media holders 220 can, for example, be made of plastic or polyurethane, which means that it can easily be moulded into different shapes.

The base plate 210 may comprise a sheet metal bracket arranged to be attached to the vehicle frame 110. For instance, the base plate 210 may be arranged to be attached to the vehicle frame 110 by one or more fasteners and respective through-holes 215 formed in the base plate 210 and in the vehicle frame 110. Figure 5 illustrates an example base plate 210 in detail. Notably, the base plate 210 comprises upper 520a, 520b and lower 510 media holder securing members for releasably securing the media holder 220. A media holder can be inserted in the slot formed between the upper and lower securing members and then snapped in place by the angled portions 521 on each securing member.

According to some aspects, the securing members are arranged as resilient members, thus better securing the holding member once snapped in place and preventing rattling of the holding member.

The upper securing members 520a, 520b, are arranged distanced from each other at a distance W corresponding to a width of the holding member 220. Figures 4A-C show some different examples of different media holders 220 for holding various dimensions of routing media, and various number of media. It is appreciated that the media holder can assume a large variety of different shapes. Indeed, this is a key feature of the proposed modular mounting bracket concept.

The media holder 220 can, for example, be configured to hold media 610 having at least two different dimensions. Figure 2 illustrates an example a modular mounting bracket 200 configured to hold four different dimensions of media. The media holder 220 exemplified in Figure 2 is arranged to hold the media by elongated cut-out portions 225A, 225B, 225C, 225D having cross-sections defined by major circle segments. The major circle segments provide a convenient press-fit arrangement whereby the media can be press-fitted into the grooves and retained by the media holder 220. Major circle segment 310 media holders are exemplified in Figure 3. A major circle segment 310 is a part of a disc where a segment has been cut away to one side of the centre line 320, leaving a section which closes the opening somewhat compared to if the cut away portion was at the centre of the circle where the opening is the widest. This section 330 acts to hold the media in place once the media has been pressed into the groove.

Pneumatic tubes are generally of four different sizes; 6, 8, 12, 16 mm (measures given in as cross-section diameter), therefore the media holder may be formed to comprise grooves configured to receive the media, i.e., the different sizes of media can be press fitted into respective grooves. In other words, the media holder 220 may be configured to hold elongated media having cross-section diameters selected from the dimensions 6 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, and 16 mm.

To guide the media along the vehicle frame 110, or along some other part of the vehicle 100, the grooves 225 or elongated cut-out portions may be configured with either straight shapes which guide the media along a straight line, or they may be formed in an arcuate shape or bend, which bends the media in a controlled manner to change direction of the media. This arcuate form groove can be useful when the media is bent around some object or otherwise changes routing direction.

According to some aspects, the media holder 220 is arranged to be attached to the base plate 210 by an interference-fit mechanism and/or by a snap-fit mechanism.

An interference-fit mechanism, also known as a press-fit or friction-fit mechanism is a fastening between two parts which is achieved by friction after the parts are pushed together, rather than by any other means of fastening. A snap-fit mechanism is an assembly method used to attach flexible parts to form the final product by pushing the parts' interlocking components together. There are a number of variations in snap-fits, including cantilever, torsional and annular. Snap-fits are an alternative to assembly using, e.g., threaded fasteners, and have the advantages of speed and cost efficiency.

The media is often robustly held in position in the media holder by, e.g., the major circle segment 310 cross-sectional shapes of the grooves 225. However, to further secure the media, the modular mounting bracket 200 may comprise an optional locking member 710 pivotably attached 725 to the base plate 210 or media holder 220 and configured to cover the media 610 when received in the media holder 220. A joint 720 allows the locking member to swing open, whereby the media 610 can be received by the grooves. Alternatively, a cable tie can be used to further secure the media in the media holder.

As mentioned above, the concept involving the modular mounting bracket may be best put to use by providing a kit of parts comprising the base plate 210 and a selection of different media holders for holding different dimension media according to the discussion above. This way, an assembly technician always mounts the same type of base plate, and the fastening method for attaching the base plate to the vehicle frame 110 stays the same regardless of media. The assembly technician then selects an appropriate media holder for the current media to be assembled onto the vehicle frame from the kit of parts. A re-design of vehicle media routing only means that the assembly technician changes the choice of media holder. There is often no need to change the configuration of holes in the vehicle frame, since the base plate remains the same.

Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating methods. In particular, there is shown a method for securing media 610 to a vehicle frame 110. The method comprises attaching S1 a base plate 210 to the vehicle frame 110, selecting S2 a media holder 220 in dependence of the media dimension to be secured to the vehicle frame, attaching S3 the media holder 220 to the base plate 210, and securing S4 the media 610 to the media holder 220, thereby securing the media 610 to the vehicle frame 110.