Fastening system for a vehicle component housing

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a "fastening system for a vehicle component housing." A vehicle component housing, such as for an air filter assembly, includes a first housing having a fixture defining a retention feature and a second housing having a flange. A fastener has a hook region rotatably supported by the fixture and configured to selectively mate with the retention feature to retain the fastener in a disengaged position. The fastener has a locking member configured to mate with the flange to retain the fastener in an engaged position. The fastener can be a spring clip fastener.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments relate to fastening systems used with component housings in vehicles, including fastening systems for vehicle air filter housings. Background Technology

[0002] Fasteners such as spring clips can be used to close and lock housings, such as those for vehicle air filter elements or other vehicle components. For example, during a maintenance event, the clips may get caught, squeezed, or otherwise interfere with the closure of the housing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one embodiment, an air filter assembly for a vehicle includes an upper filter element housing having a mount defined by a post extending between a first flange and a second flange. The mount also defines a retaining feature. A lower filter element housing has a flange, and the upper and lower filter element housings engage via a compressible seal to close an internal region sized to receive an air filter element. A spring-loaded clamp has a curved member extending from an attachment portion to a locking portion. The attachment portion is rotatably engaged or suitably pushed into the post, such that the spring-loaded clamp is configured to rotate or push in between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The attachment portion is configured to engage with the retaining feature to hold the clamp in the disengaged position, and the locking portion engages the flange to hold the clamp in the engaged position.

[0004] In another embodiment, a vehicle component housing is provided with: a first housing having a fastener defining a retaining feature; and a second housing having a flange. The fastener has a hook-shaped region rotatably supported by the fastener and configured to selectively engage with the retaining feature to hold the fastener in a disengaged position. The fastener has a locking member configured to engage with the flange to hold the fastener in an engaged position.

[0005] Various embodiments of the present disclosure have associated non-limiting advantages. For example, vehicle component housings may need to be opened periodically, such as for routine vehicle maintenance or when internal components, such as filter elements or fuses, need to be replaced or inspected. To open the housing, fasteners must be moved from an engaged position E to a disengaged position D. The present disclosure provides a retaining feature on one of the housings that interacts with fasteners, such as spring clip fasteners, to hold the spring clip fasteners in the disengaged position D. In conventional systems, spring clip fasteners are positioned such that they are rotatably connected to a lower housing, and gravity acts on the spring clip fasteners to keep the fasteners away from the edges of the housing during maintenance. In various examples, and according to the present disclosure, the housing may be oriented or positioned within the vehicle such that gravity does not keep the spring clip fasteners away from the edges or act on the spring clip fasteners to move them toward the edges of the housing. For example, limited packaging space in a vehicle may require the assembly to have a specific mounting orientation. In this case, the spring clip fasteners may overlap with one or more edges of the housing and interfere with the closure of the housing. Previously, users or technicians had to hold or otherwise manage one or more fasteners when attempting to close the housing, which resulted in additional time needed to replace or maintain parts, and fasteners could get stuck between the housing and the sealing components, and / or general assembly errors. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 A perspective view of a vehicle component housing and assembly according to an embodiment is shown; Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the housing and assembly; Figure 3 It shows the example and with Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of fasteners and retaining fasteners used together with the assembly; Figure 4 It shows the example and with Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of fasteners and retaining fasteners used together with the assembly; Figure 5 It shows the example and with Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the fastener with retaining features used together with the assembly; Figure 6 It shows the example and with Figure 1 A perspective view of fasteners and retaining fasteners used together in the assembly; Figure 7 It shows the example and with Figure 1 A perspective view of fasteners and retaining fasteners used together in the assembly; Figure 8 It shows the example and with Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the fasteners and retaining fasteners used together in the assembly; and Figure 9 It shows the example and with Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the fasteners used in the assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0007] Detailed embodiments of this disclosure are provided herein as needed; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and may be embodied in various forms and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; some features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ this disclosure in different ways.

[0008] Figures 1 to 2 A perspective view of an assembly 100 used with a vehicle component or vehicle system is shown. In one example, assembly 100 is provided as an air filter assembly 102 for an air filtration system of a vehicle, such as an air filtration system associated with an intake system for an internal combustion engine or a cabin air intake system associated with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In another example, assembly 100 is provided as an electrical fuse box in an electrical system of a vehicle. Assembly 100 is described below with reference to vehicle air filter assembly 102 as a non-limiting example of an embodiment of this disclosure. In an air filtration system, unfiltered air flows into housing 104 through filter element 106, and filtered air exits housing 104.

[0009] Assembly 100 has a housing 104 having a first housing 110 and a second housing 112. Housing 104 defines various mounting points such that housing 104 can be mounted and positioned within a vehicle. In one example, the first housing 110 provides an upper filter element housing, and the second housing 112 provides a lower filter element housing, wherein when the assembly, for example along... Figure 1 When the orientation shown is positioned within a vehicle, the upper first housing 110 is positioned above the lower second housing 112. In other examples, the first housing 110 and the second housing 112 may be oriented in other ways relative to each other and relative to the vehicle.

[0010] First housing 110 and second housing 112 cooperate to define an interior region 114, the dimensions of which are configured to receive an air filter element 106 or another vehicle component or sub-component. First housing 110 and second housing 112 may define one or more holes or ports for connection to other vehicle components or systems, or for use with one or more vehicle sensors. For example, in the case of an air filtration system, the housing is provided with an air inlet port and an air outlet port. In another application, system 100 may serve as an electrical fuse box, and housing 104 is provided with at least one port associated with a conduit or wiring harness. In one example, a compressible seal 116 is positioned between first housing 110 and second housing 112 to prevent external debris or the like from entering the interior region 114 of the housing.

[0011] The first housing 110 and the second housing 112 may mate along their respective peripheral edges, and each edge 120, 122 may respectively include a flange extending axially outward from the inner region 114 to increase the mating surface area of ​​the associated housing. The flanged edges 120, 122 are configured to mate with each other or provide desired space between them to accommodate a seal and compress the seal by a predetermined amount. One or both of the flanged edges 120, 122 may be provided with grooves or other structures to position the sealing member or otherwise interact with the sealing member.

[0012] Before closing housing 104 and connecting the outer shells, seal 116 is positioned between edge 120 of the first outer shell 110 and edge 122 of the second outer shell 112. Seal 116 may be integrally formed with the filter element, as shown. In another example, seal 116 may be separately disposed from the filter element or other internal components for the housing. Seal 116 may be formed of a compressible material such as an elastomer, polyurethane, or felt, or may be a forming area of ​​the filter element itself.

[0013] The first housing 110 is connected to the second housing 112 via at least one fastener 130. The first housing 110 may be connected to the second housing 112 via a series of fasteners 130 circumferentially positioned around the outer periphery of the housing 104. In one example and as described below, each fastener 130 is provided by a spring clip fastener. In other examples, each fastener 130 may be provided by a rigid clip or other fasteners configured to be rotatably supported by the housing. Each of the fasteners 130 is configured to move between a disengaged position D and an engaged position E, wherein the fastener 130 moves in an inward direction relative to the housing 104 from the disengaged position D to the engaged position E. In the engaged position E, the fastener 130 engages with the housing 104 to close the housing 104 and apply a compressive load to the seal 116. With the fastener 130 in the disengaged position D, the first housing 110 and the second housing 112 can move separately from each other to open the housing 104 and access the interior region 114 of the housing.

[0014] In some examples, the first housing 110 is pivotally or rotatably connected to the second housing 112 using a hinge mechanism 124, and one or more spring clamps 130 are used to close the housing 104 and compress the seal 116. The number of spring clamps 130 required for use with the assembly 100 can be based on providing a uniformly distributed compressive load from the first housing 110 and the second housing 112 onto the seal 116 to uniformly compress the seal. The first housing 110, the second housing 112, and the spring clamps 130 may each be formed of plastic or plastic composite material. In one example, the spring clamp 130 includes at least one of PA, PBT, POM, PP, PET, PPS, and / or other suitable resins or composite materials. Additionally, the spring clamp 130 may also include a filler, such as 10% to 40% glass fiber filler, or another fibrous or particulate filler material. In other examples, the spring clamp 130 may be formed of another elastic material or metal.

[0015] The spring-clamp fastener 130 is formed by a curved member 132 extending from the attachment portion 134 to the locking portion 136. The fastener 130 may have additional features such as a lever 138 arranged adjacent to the locking portion 136 to allow a reduced force to lock or unlock the locking portion 136 relative to the flange 140. The various portions or regions of the fastener 130 may be provided with shapes and relative thicknesses such that the fastener has regions with a predetermined stiffness or spring constant to provide a predetermined compressive force between the upper first housing 110 and the lower second housing 112. The spring-clamp fastener 130 is configured such that it can elastically deform when engaging the flange 140 of the second housing 112.

[0016] The attachment portion 134 includes a hook or hook-shaped region 142. A curved member 132 extends from the post of the hook-shaped region 142 and forms a radial surface 144. The end of the hook 146 is spaced apart from the radius 144 and the curved member 132 to define a gap 148 between them. The attachment portion 134 is configured to be rotatably coupled to the first housing 110 such that the fastener 130 can rotate between a disengaged position D and an engaged position E. In various examples, the attachment portion 134 may be reversibly or removably coupled to the first housing 110, allowing the fastener 130 to be replaced.

[0017] The hook-shaped region 142 of the fastener can be reversibly connected to the retainer 150 formed on one of the housings. In one example, and as shown, the retainer 150 is formed on the upper first housing 110 or the upper housing. The retainer 150 has a post 152 or other features that allow the fastener 130 to rotate or pivot relative to the upper first housing 110 and between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

[0018] The fastener 150 includes two support flanges 154, 156, each extending outward from the upper first housing 110 and supporting the post 152 therebetween. In some embodiments, the fastener 150 has an additional third support flange 158 extending outward from the upper first housing 110, and segments of the post 152 are disposed between each set of adjacent flanges 154, 156, 158, such that the post 152 is divided into first and second segments. The central flange 158 may provide additional strength and / or support for the fastener 150. The first and second segments of the post 152 may be arranged along a common longitudinal axis 160. In another example, the fastener 150 may be provided with additional flanges. The hook-shaped region 142 of the fastener may be provided with a segmented design with a groove 162 to receive the central support flange 158.

[0019] The fastener 150 also includes a retaining feature. The retaining feature is described below. Figures 3 to 9 The following description is based on various examples of this disclosure. The attachment portion 134 of the fastener is configured to engage with a retaining feature to hold the fastener 130 in a disengaged position D, such that an external force from the user is required to move the fastener from the disengaged position toward the flange 140 and the engaged position E. In one example, the hook-shaped region 142 is rotatably supported by the retainer 150 and configured to selectively engage or engage with the retaining feature to hold the fastener 130 in the disengaged position.

[0020] The locking portion 136 or locking member has a locking arm 164 configured to engage a flange 140 on the second housing 112 to hold the fastener 130 in the engaged position E. When the fastener 130 is in the engaged position, the bending member 132 can elastically deform. In the engaged position, the locking arm 164 and the locking portion of the spring-loaded fastener 130 engage the flange 140 of the second housing, or another flange or surface of the second housing 112, such as a surface extending from the flange edge 122.

[0021] The locking arm 164 of the spring clip fastener may have a rounded edge or end region 166 for ease of operation, as it provides a single line of contact with the flange 140 and allows for easier sliding over the outer edge of the flange 140 on the second housing. The outer edge of the flange 140 may also be curved or rounded. The flange 140 may be provided with a notch 168 or a hole in which the locking arm 164 is positioned to better retain the fastener 130 when the fastener 130 is in the engaged position. Alternatively, the flange 140 may be provided with an undercut angled wall to better retain the locking arm 164 of the fastener in the engaged position. The locking member is configured to be spaced apart from the first housing 110 and the second housing 112 when the fastener is in the disengaged position D, wherein the curved member 132 extends away from the housing 104.

[0022] With the seal 116 uncompressed, the first housing 110 and the second housing 112 have a first distance d1 between the outer edges of the flange 140 on the post 152 and the second housing 112. In the disengaged position D, the fastener 130 has a second distance d2 between the attachment portion 134 and the locking portion 136, wherein the second distance d2 is less than the first distance d1. In the engaged position, the bending member 132 can extend and / or elastically deform to increase the distance between the attachment portion 134 and the locking portion 136. For example, in the disengaged position D, the bending member 132 has a first curvature, while in the engaged position E, the bending member has a second curvature, wherein the second curvature is less than the first curvature. In addition, the shape of the bending member 132 also causes stress to be distributed along the member and avoids local stress gradients.

[0023] Housing 104 may need to be opened periodically, for example, for routine vehicle maintenance, or when internal components such as filter element 106 or fuses need to be replaced or inspected. To open housing 104, spring clamps 130 must be moved from engaged position E to disengaged position D. Conventionally, spring clamps 130 are positioned such that they are rotatably connected to the lower second housing 112, and gravity acts on the spring clamps 130 to keep the clamps away from the edges of the first housing 110 and the second housing 112 during servicing. In various examples, and according to this disclosure, housing 104 may be oriented or positioned within the vehicle such that gravity does not keep the spring clamps 130 away from the edges or act on the spring clamps to move them toward the edges 120, 122. For example, limited packaging space in a vehicle may require the assembly to have a specific mounting orientation. In this case, spring clamps 130 may overlap with the edges 120, 122 of one or more of the first housing 110 and the second housing 112, interfering with the closure of housing 104. Previously, users or technicians had to hold or otherwise manage one or more fasteners 130 when attempting to close the housing, which resulted in additional time required to replace or maintain components, and the possibility that fasteners 130 might get stuck between the housing and the seal 116, and / or general assembly errors. This disclosure provides a retaining feature that interacts with the spring-clip fastener 130 to hold the spring-clip fastener in the disengaged position D.

[0024] The hook-shaped region 142 has an inner wall or inner surface 180 that engages with the fastener 150. The inner surface 180 may form a generally cylindrical shape or define a generally cylindrical space in its natural, uninstalled state, wherein the radius of the inner wall varies by 5% to 10% of the maximum distance measured across the inner wall of the hook.

[0025] Fastener 130 is reversibly mounted to post 152 of fastener 150 via gap 148 by attaching hook region 142 to post 152 via gap snap. Post 152 may be provided with one or more slotted regions or recesses 182 to facilitate attachment of fastener 130 to post. Thus, the inner surface 180 of hook region 142 is supported by post 152, such that fastener 130 is rotatably supported by fastener 150.

[0026] Figures 3 to 5 An example according to this disclosure is shown, wherein the post has an eccentric or oval cross-sectional shape 190, such that the eccentricity or oval shape is characterized. In this disclosure, the oval shape includes a non-circular and elongated rounded shape, and may include an ellipse, an oval, or other simple convex closed curve. Additionally, the oval shape may include various notches 182 that facilitate attachment of hooks to the post.

[0027] For example, in Figure 3 In this configuration, the inner surface 180 or inner wall of the hook can have a first diameter in a natural, stress-free state, and the oval shape 190 of the post 152 can be defined by a first diameter along the minor axis 192 and a second diameter along the major axis 194, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. When the fastener is in the disengaged position, the radius 144 of the hook-shaped region 142 rests on the outer region of the post 152, such that the oval shape of the post 152 prevents the fastener 130 from rotating further without additional downward force input to the fastener. Figure 4 As shown, the oval ramp section or eccentric section 196 may be provided on the outer surface of the column 152 so as to engage with the radius 144 of the fastener 130 only at the location associated with holding the fastener in the disengaged position D.

[0028] The eccentric segment 196 or eccentric feature can be formed along the width of the column, or it can be set as a convex part along only a certain segment of the column 152, such as... Figure 5 As shown. In Figure 5 In the middle, the post 152 is provided with an eccentric feature as a protrusion that extends outward from the post 152 to define a retaining feature. The protrusion may be positioned adjacent to one of a relief notch 182 or a notch provided on the post, wherein the notch or notch 182 is used to provide relief to the hook-shaped region 142 during snap-fit ​​installation onto the post 152.

[0029] Figure 6 An example according to this disclosure is shown, wherein the fastener provides at least one protrusion 200 or projection extending outward therefrom to provide a retaining feature, and the attachment portion 134 selectively interacts with at least one protrusion 200 to retain the fastener in a disengaged position.

[0030] exist Figure 6 In the first flange 154 and the second flange 156, there are protrusions 200 extending outwardly therefrom to define the retaining feature. In other examples, the retainer 150 may have only one protrusion 200 from one flange, or the protrusion 200 may alternatively or additionally be provided on the post 152. The hook-shaped region 142 is sized to interfere with the protrusion 200 in the disengaged position and spaced apart from the protrusion 200 in the engaged position. The sidewalls 202 of the hook-shaped region 142 may engage with the protrusion 200 for an interference fit; for example, the width of the hook-shaped region 142 may be greater than the width w1 between adjacent flanges and the protrusion, and the width of the hook may be less than the width w2 between adjacent flanges away from the protrusion.

[0031] exist Figure 7In the fastener 130, a central flange 158 is provided with a protrusion or projection 210 extending away from the post 152 and away from the flange edge 122 of the first housing 110. The hook-shaped region 142 of the fastener 130 is divided into a first hook-shaped portion and a second hook-shaped portion 212 separated by a recess 162, such that when the fastener is installed onto the post, the central flange 158 is positioned in the recess 162 between the first hook-shaped portion and the second hook-shaped portion 212. When positioned in the disengaged position D, the height h1 of the projection is greater than the length h2 of the recess, such that the recess 162 of the hook-shaped region is configured to snap onto the projection 210. Therefore, the projection 210 selectively engages the fastener 130 and holds it in the disengaged position, as shown.

[0032] like Figure 8 As shown, the retaining features are provided by a notch 220 and a rib 222 on the inner surface 180 of the post 152 and the hook-shaped region 142. One of the outer surface of the post 152 and the inner surface 180 of the hook-shaped region defines the rib 222, and the other defines the notch 220. The rib 222 is configured to be positioned within the notch 220 to selectively engage the fastener 130 and retain it in a disengaged position D, as shown. When the rib 222 is moved away from the notch 220, the distal region of the rib 222 rests on and slides over the surface of the opposing component. More than one rib 222 and / or more than one notch 220 may be provided on the post 152 and the hook-shaped region 142, such that the fastener 130 can be retained in one or more intermediate positions between the engaged position E and the disengaged position D. In other embodiments, post 152 may be provided with another cross-sectional shape, such as a triangle, square, hexagon, polygon or other shape; and hook region 142 is defined by a corresponding shape that mates with post 152 in engagement position E, and also mates with or otherwise engages with post 152 to selectively engage fastener 130 and hold it in disengaged position D.

[0033] exist Figure 9 In the diagram, the hook-shaped region 142 of the fastener 130 is schematically shown in dashed lines and is shown covering the fastener 150 in its natural, uninstalled state relative to the fastener 150 for comparative dimensional purposes. The outer diameter b1 of the post 152 may be larger than the diameter b2 of the inner surface 180 of the hook-shaped region 142, such that during installation, the hook-shaped region 142 extends onto the post 152. This results in the hook-shaped region 142 having an interference or friction fit with the post 152 regardless of its position, such that when placed there, the hook-shaped region will remain in the disengaged position D or any other position.

[0034] While exemplary embodiments have been described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of this disclosure. Rather, the language used in this specification is descriptive rather than limiting, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, features of various embodiments may be combined to form other embodiments of this disclosure.

[0035] According to the present invention, an air filter assembly for a vehicle is provided, the air filter assembly comprising: an upper filter element housing having a retainer defined by a post extending between a first flange and a second flange, the retainer further defining a retaining feature; a lower filter element housing having a flange, the upper and lower filter element housings engaging via a compressible seal to close an internal region sized to receive an air filter element; and a spring clamp fastener having a curved member extending from an attachment portion to a locking portion, the attachment portion being rotatably coupled to the post such that the spring clamp fastener is configured to rotate between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein the attachment portion is configured to engage with the retaining feature to hold the fastener in the disengaged position, and wherein the locking portion engages the flange to hold the fastener in the engaged position.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the attachment portion further includes a hook having an inner wall forming a generally cylindrical shape, wherein a gap is formed between the end of the hook and the bending member, wherein the hook is reversibly mounted to the post of the fixing member via the gap; and wherein the post has an oval cross-sectional shape, thereby providing a retaining feature.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the generally cylindrical shape of the inner wall of the hook is defined by a first diameter; wherein the oval cross-sectional shape of the column is defined by a first diameter along the short axis and a second diameter along the long axis; and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the attachment portion further includes a hook, wherein a gap is formed between the end of the hook and the bending member, wherein the hook is reversibly mounted to the post of the fastener via the gap; and wherein at least one of the post and the first flange defines a protrusion extending outward therefrom to provide a retaining feature, wherein the hook is sized to interfere with the protrusion in the disengaged position and to be spaced apart from the protrusion in the engaged position.

[0039] According to the present invention, a vehicle component housing is provided, the vehicle component housing having: a first housing having a fastener defining a retaining feature; a second housing having a flange; and a fastener having a hook-shaped region and a locking member, the hook-shaped region being rotatably supported by the fastener and configured to selectively engage with the retaining feature to retain the fastener in a disengaged position, the locking member being configured to engage with the flange to retain the fastener in an engaged position.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the first outer shell is the upper outer shell, and the second outer shell is the lower outer shell.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the locking member is configured to extend away from the first and second housings when the fastener is in a disengaged position.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the hook-shaped region has an interference fit with the retaining feature to hold the fastener in the disengaged position.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the fastener further defines a post; and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region defines a cylindrical space; and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region is supported by the post, such that the fastener is rotatably supported by the fastener.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the retaining feature is defined by an oval slope formed through the outer surface of the column.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the retaining feature is defined by a protrusion extending outward from the outer surface of the column.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the protrusion is adjacent to a notch formed in the post, which is configured to provide avoidance of the hook-shaped area during snap-fit ​​installation onto the post.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the fastener is further defined by a first support flange and a second support flange extending outward from the first housing, and the post extends between the first support flange and the second support flange.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the retaining feature is defined by a protrusion extending outward from the first support flange and adjacent to the post, the protrusion being configured to selectively engage the sidewall of the hook-shaped region and retain it in a disengaged position.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the protrusion is a first protrusion; and the retaining feature is further defined by a second protrusion extending outward from the second support flange and adjacent to the post, the second protrusion being configured to selectively engage the other sidewall of the hook-shaped region and retain it in a disengaged position.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the fastener defines a third support flange, a second support flange is positioned between the first and third support flanges, and a post of the fastener extends between the second and third support flanges; wherein the hook-shaped region is divided into a first hook-shaped portion and a second hook-shaped portion separated by a groove; and wherein the second support flange defines a protrusion extending away from the post, wherein the height of the protrusion is greater than the length of the groove, such that the groove of the hook-shaped region is configured to snap onto the protrusion, such that the protrusion selectively engages the fastener and holds it in a disengaged position.

[0051] According to an embodiment, a defining rib is defined in one of the outer surface of the post and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region; and another defining notch is defined in the outer surface of the post and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region; and the rib is configured to be selectively positioned within the notch to selectively engage the fastener and hold it in a disengaged position.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the rib is a first rib; wherein a second rib is defined by one of the outer surface of the post and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region; and wherein the second rib is configured to be selectively positioned within the notch to selectively engage the fastener and hold it in an intermediate position between a disengaged position and an engaged position.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the notch is a first notch; wherein another of the outer surface of the post and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region defines a second notch; and wherein the rib is configured to be selectively positioned within the second notch to selectively engage the fastener and hold it in an intermediate position between a disengaged position and an engaged position.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the maximum diameter of the post is greater than the minimum diameter of the inner surface of the hook-shaped region to provide an interference fit between the hook-shaped region and the post, so as to keep the fastener in the disengaged position.

Claims

1. A vehicle component housing, comprising: A first housing having a retaining member defining a retaining feature and a post, wherein the retaining member is further defined by a first support flange and a second support flange extending outwardly from the first housing, the post extending between the first support flange and the second support flange, wherein the retaining member defines a third support flange, the second support flange being positioned between the first support flange and the third support flange, and the post of the retaining member also extending between the second support flange and the third support flange; A second housing, the second housing having a flange; as well as A fastener having a hook-shaped region and a locking member, the hook-shaped region being rotatably supported by the retaining member and configured to selectively engage with the retaining feature to hold the fastener in a disengaged position, the locking member being configured to engage with the flange of the second housing to hold the fastener in an engaged position, wherein the inner surface of the hook-shaped region defines a cylindrical space, and wherein the inner surface of the hook-shaped region is supported by the column, such that the fastener is rotatably supported by the retaining member, wherein the hook-shaped region is divided into a first hook-shaped portion and a second hook-shaped portion separated by a groove; and The second support flange defines a protrusion extending away from the post, wherein the height of the protrusion is greater than the length of the groove, such that the groove of the hook-shaped region is configured to snap onto the protrusion, such that the protrusion selectively engages the fastener and holds it in the disengaged position.

2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first housing is an upper housing and the second housing is a lower housing; and wherein the locking member is configured to extend away from the first and second housings when the fastener is in the disengaged position.

3. The housing of claim 1, wherein the hook-shaped region has an interference fit with the retaining feature to hold the fastener in the disengaged position.

4. The housing of claim 1, wherein the retaining feature is defined by one of the following: an oval ramp formed by the outer surface of the pillar; and a protrusion extending outward from the outer surface of the pillar.

5. The housing of claim 4, wherein the retaining feature is the protrusion extending outward from the outer surface of the post, and wherein the protrusion extending outward from the outer surface of the post is adjacent to a notch formed in the post, the notch being configured to provide clearance from the hook-shaped area during snap-fit ​​installation onto the post.

6. The housing of claim 1, wherein the retaining feature is defined by a protrusion extending outward from the first support flange and adjacent to the post, the protrusion extending outward from the first support flange and adjacent to the post being configured to selectively engage the sidewall of the hook-shaped region and retain it in the disengaged position.

7. The housing of claim 6, wherein the protrusion extending outward from the first support flange and adjacent to the post is a first protrusion; and The retaining feature is further defined by a second protrusion extending outward from the second support flange and adjacent to the post, the second protrusion being configured to selectively engage another sidewall of the hook-shaped region and retain it in the disengaged position.

8. The housing of claim 1, wherein one of the outer surface of the pillar and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region defines a rib; and The other defining notch is located on the outer surface of the column and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region; and The rib is configured to be selectively positioned within the notch to selectively engage the fastener and hold it in the disengaged position.

9. The housing as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rib is a first rib; The second rib is defined by one of the outer surface of the column and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region; and The second rib is configured to be selectively positioned within the notch to selectively engage the fastener and hold it in an intermediate position between the disengaged and engaged positions.

10. The housing as claimed in claim 8, wherein the notch is a first notch; The second notch is defined in the outer surface of the column and the inner surface of the hook-shaped region; and The rib is configured to be selectively positioned within the second notch to selectively engage the fastener and hold it in an intermediate position between the disengaged and engaged positions.

11. The housing of claim 1, wherein the maximum diameter of the post is greater than the minimum diameter of the inner surface of the hook-shaped region to provide an interference fit of the hook-shaped region on the post to hold the fastener in the disengaged position.

12. An air filter assembly for a vehicle, the air filter assembly comprising: An upper filter element housing having a retainer defined by a post extending between a first flange and a second flange, wherein the post has an oval cross-sectional shape to provide a retaining feature, wherein the first flange and the second flange extend outwardly from the upper filter element housing, and wherein the retainer defines a third flange positioned between the first flange and the third flange, and the post also extends between the second flange and the third flange; The lower filter element housing has a flange, and the upper and lower filter element housings are fitted together by a compressible seal to close an internal region, the internal region being sized to receive an air filter element; as well as A spring-loaded fastener has a curved member extending from an attachment portion to a locking portion, the attachment portion being rotatably coupled to the post such that the spring-loaded fastener is configured to rotate between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein the attachment portion is configured to engage with a retaining feature to hold the spring-loaded fastener in the disengaged position, and wherein the locking portion engages with a flange of the lower filter element housing to hold the spring-loaded fastener in the engaged position, wherein the attachment portion further includes a hook having an inner wall forming a generally cylindrical shape, wherein a gap is formed between an end of the hook and the curved member, wherein the hook is reversibly mounted to the post of the fastener via the gap; The inner wall of the hook is supported by the post, such that the spring clamp is rotatably supported by the fastener, wherein the hook is divided into a first hook-shaped portion and a second hook-shaped portion separated by a groove; and The second flange defines a protrusion extending away from the post, wherein the height of the protrusion is greater than the length of the groove, such that the groove of the hook is configured to snap onto the protrusion, such that the protrusion selectively engages the spring clamp and holds it in the disengaged position.

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