Patent Publication Number: US-2017356329-A1

Title: Bracketing Systems for Ducts and Hoses in a Vehicle&#39;s Engine Compartment

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to securing ducts and hoses in the engine compartment of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern internal combustion engines have increasing specific power goals to meet customer expectations. These more highly rated engines move with respect to their neutral positions under conditions of rapid changes in torque. Engines are mounted to vehicle frames via engine mounts. If the engine mounts restrict the engine, the accelerations of the engine are communicated through the vehicle frame to occupants. Thus, the engine mounts locate the engine, while allowing some displacement of the engine. Fluids provided to the engine, e.g., engine coolant and air, pass through components that are hard mounted to the vehicle, such as the radiator and the air induction system, respectively. The tubes and ducts transporting these fluids are flexible enough to give slightly to accommodate the relative movement between the engine and the vehicle frame. It is desirable to have a bracketing system that allows such flexibility while keeping the tubes and ducts securely mounted. 
     In  FIG. 1 , an engine compartment  10 , from the perspective of looking down on a vehicle with the hood removed, shows a rough representation of some of the components under the hood. The opening of engine compartment  10  is affixed to frame components  12 . Engine  14  and transmission  16  are mounted to frame  12  via engine mounts  18 . The rear-wheel drive type configuration shown in  FIG. 1  with the output shaft  20  extending out toward the rear of the vehicle (not shown) has the engine rotating such that displacement of engine  10  with respect to frame  12  is primarily in the direction indicated by two-sided arrow  22 . In a more commonly found front-wheel drive configuration, the engine is mounted cross ways in the engine compartment and the movement of engine  14 , in response to high torque demand, is perpendicular to arrow  22 . Air filter  26  is mounted to engine compartment  10 . Air from the atmosphere is inducted through air filter  26  through a duct  28  into engine  14 . Radiator  3 o is coupled to engine compartment  10  and/or frame  12 , in some embodiments. A water pump  3   2  coupled to engine  14  provides pressurized coolant to engine  14 . Heated coolant comes out of engine  14  through a duct  3   6  into radiator  3 o and after cooling in radiator  3   0  through a duct  38  provided to pump  3   2 . Air filter box  26  and radiator  3 o are affixed to engine compartment  10  and/or frame elements  12 . Engine  14  and water pump  32  move together and coupled to frame  12  via engine mounts that allow a certain amount of movement of engine  14  and water pump  32  with respect to frame  12 . 
     SUMMARY 
     To overcome at least one problem in the prior art, a retention system for a vehicle includes an engine mounted to a vehicle frame via engine mounts, an air cleaner mounted to the vehicle frame, a duct fluidly coupling the air cleaner with the engine, a first bracket coupled to and wrapped around a portion of an engine component, and a second bracket coupled to the first bracket, the second bracket having a curved portion into which the duct engages. 
     The first bracket includes a tab extending outwardly from the engine component. The tab has an orifice through which a retention tie strap is laced and then wrapped around a coolant supply hose that is fluidly coupled to the engine. A second retention tie strap is laced through the orifice in the first bracket and wrapped around a coolant return hose. 
     In some embodiment, the first bracket also includes two tabs that extend in a direction away from the engine component to which the first bracket is coupled. The two tabs are provided on either side of a location on the first bracket where the second bracket is coupled thereto. The tabs prevent the second bracket from rotating. 
     The second bracket is coupled to the first bracket via a bolt or any suitable coupling system. 
     An engine retention system for retaining engine ducts includes: an engine cover, an engine bracket coupled to the engine cover wherein the engine bracket wraps around a portion of a periphery of the engine cover, at least two fasteners coupling the engine bracket to the engine cover, a rounded bracket coupled to the engine bracket, and a duct situated in the rounded bracket. The engine bracket has at least one tab with at least one orifice. The tab extends outwardly from the engine component. 
     The engine retention may further include a coolant duct and a retention tie strap threaded through the at least one orifice. The retention strap encircles the coolant duct. The retention system may further include a second coolant duct and a second retention tie strap threaded through the orifice, the second retention strap encircling the second coolant duct. 
     The second retention strap encircles the second coolant duct. 
     In some embodiments, the rounded bracket wraps around a portion of the periphery of the duct. 
     Also disclosed is a retention system for an engine compartment of a vehicle. The system has an engine mounted to a vehicle&#39;s frame via engine mounts. First and second engine components are mounted to the vehicle&#39;s frame. First and second ducts fluidly couple the engine with the first and second engine components, respectively. A first bracket is coupled to and wrapped around a portion of a cover affixed to the engine. A second bracket is coupled to the first bracket. The second bracket has a curved portion into which the first duct engages. At least one orifice is defined in an end of the first bracket and a retention tie strap is threaded through the at least one orifice and wrapped around the second duct. 
     The second bracket engages with the first duct around less than a half of a periphery of the first duct. 
     In some embodiments, the second bracket is integrally formed with the first bracket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a rough illustration of an engine mounted in an engine compartment according to the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a bracketing system according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the bracketing system of  FIG. 2  in the context of an assembly mounted in an engine compartment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features of the embodiments illustrated and described with reference to any one of the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other Figures to produce alternative embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize similar applications or implementations whether or not explicitly described or illustrated. 
     A bracketing system  50  has a first bracket  60  that is coupled to an engine cover  52  via at least two bolts  54 . First bracket  60  wraps around a portion of the periphery of engine cover  52 . A second bracket  70  couples to the first bracket via a bolt  72 . Alternatively, second bracket  70  couples to first bracket  60  by any suitable fastener or coupler, such as rivets, brazing, welding, snap closure, as some non-limiting examples. First bracket  60  has tabs  74  (only one of which is visible in  FIG. 2 ) that are provided to prevent bracket  70  from rotating. Second bracket  70  has at least one orifice through which a retention tie strap (not shown) can be threaded. 
     In  FIG. 3 , brackets  60  and  70  are shown installed within an engine compartment. A duct  80  engages with second bracket  70 . A first coolant hose  82  is secured to first bracket  60  via a first retention tie strap  90  and a second coolant hose  8   4  is secured to first bracket  60  via a second retention tie strap  92 . 
     In some embodiments, second bracket  70  is thinner than first bracket  60  such that first bracket flexes to allow some movement of duct  80  to make up for the relative movement of the engine to which first and second brackets  60  and  70  are coupled and the engine compartment to which one end of duct  80  is coupled. Similarly, retention straps  90  and  92  are not rigid and allow some movement of coolant hoses  82  and  84 . 
     While the best mode has been described in detail with respect to particular embodiments, those familiar with the art will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments within the scope of the following claims. While various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments with respect to one or more desired characteristics, as one skilled in the art is aware, one or more characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes include, but are not limited to: cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. The embodiments described herein that are characterized as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.