Fixings

Abstract

A fixing member (10) formed of a metal material and used to assemble a part in an assembly hole of an assembly component comprises: a first leg (20a) and a second leg (20b) facing each other; and a connecting portion (22) connecting the base ends of the first leg (20a) and the second leg (20b). The first leg (20a) has: a first locking portion (28a) that is locked with the edge of the assembly hole; and a claw portion (24) that prevents the fixing member from being separated from the part. The claw portion (24) extends from the top side of the first leg (20a) and is inserted into a hole portion formed in a boss portion of the part. The second leg (20b) does not have a claw portion that is inserted into a hole portion formed in a boss portion of the part and prevents the fixing member from being separated from the part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing member for assembling a part to an assembly member. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fixture for attaching an operating panel to a vehicle's interior trim. The fixture comprises a pair of opposing leg pieces, a connecting portion that connects the leg pieces, and a locking portion that locks with the component. The locking portion is L-shaped when viewed from the side, with the top end of the locking portion positioned parallel to the direction in which the leg pieces face each other. The mounting portion is inserted between the leg pieces, and the top end of the locking portion bends upon contact with the mounting portion, allowing it to be inserted into the mounting hole of the mounting portion and locked.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-217377 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the leg piece and the locking portion are connected to the connecting portion, so they bend independently. The locking portion is shorter than the leg piece and is less likely to bend. Therefore, the locking portion is less likely to deform when assembled to the assembly portion, which may make assembly difficult.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device that can be easily assembled to a boss portion of a component.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a certain scheme of the present invention is a fixing part formed of a metal material, which is used to assemble a part into an assembly hole of an assembly component, and the fixing part comprises: a first leg and a second leg, which are opposite to each other; and a connecting portion, which connects the base ends of the first leg and the second leg to each other. The first leg has: a locking portion, which is locked with the edge of the assembly hole; and a claw portion, which prevents the fixing part from being separated from the part. The claw portion extends from the top side of the first leg and is inserted into the hole portion formed in the boss portion of the part. The second leg does not have a claw portion that is inserted into the hole portion formed in the boss portion of the part and prevents the fixing part from being separated from the part.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, a fixing device that can be easily mounted on a boss portion of a component can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the fixing part.

[0014] Figure 2 (a) is a side view of the fixing part, Figure 2 (b) is the main view of the fixing part.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the boss portion of the part.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a side view of the fixture when it is assembled to the parts and assembly components.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the fixing member to the boss portion.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the fixing member to the assembly member.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining the removal of the fastener from the assembly member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fixing member 10. In addition, Figure 2 (a) is a side view of the fixing member 10, Figure 2 (b) is a front view of the fixture 10. The fixture 10 is used to attach a component to a mounting member. The component can be an in-vehicle part such as an operating panel with a window opening / closing switch, or a decorative part with a design element such as a hood. Alternatively, the mounting member can be a decorative panel, a body panel, or the like.

[0021] The fixing member 10 is formed from a metal material by cutting and stamping a metal plate. Forming it from a metal material allows it to have a higher pull-out force than a resin material. The fixing member 10 includes a first leg 20a, a second leg 20b, a connecting portion 22, a first retaining portion 30a, and a second retaining portion 30b.

[0022] The first leg piece 20a and the second leg piece 20b are opposed to each other. The direction in which the first leg piece 20a and the second leg piece 20b (hereinafter referred to as "leg piece 20") face each other is referred to as the opposing direction. The first leg piece 20a and the second leg piece 20b can bend in the opposing direction, and can bend toward or away from each other.

[0023] The top end 21a of the first leg piece 20a is a free end, and the base end 21b of the first leg piece 20a is connected to the connecting portion 22. The connecting portion 22 connects the first leg piece 20a and the base end 21b of the second leg piece 20b. The first leg piece 20a has a claw portion 24 and a first locking portion 28a, and the second leg piece 20b has a guide portion 26 and a second locking portion 28b.

[0024] The first locking portion 28a is formed to bend outward in the opposing direction midway between the first leg piece 20a, and the second locking portion 28b is formed to bend outward in the opposing direction midway between the second leg piece 20b. The first locking portion 28a and the second locking portion 28b have inclined surfaces extending outward in the opposing direction, and these inclined surfaces engage with the inner edge of the mounting hole formed in the mounting member.

[0025] The first retaining portion 30a and the second retaining portion 30b extend from the base end 21b of the leg piece 20 toward the tip end 21a, approaching each other. They bend midway and then extend away from each other. The first retaining portion 30a and the second retaining portion 30b clamp the boss portion of the component. The first retaining portion 30a is shorter in the extending direction than the second retaining portion 30b. It should be noted that the first retaining portion 30a and the second retaining portion 30b may also extend from the connecting portion 22 instead of from the leg piece 20.

[0026] The claw portion 24 extends from the top end of the first leg piece 20a, forming a cantilevered piece extending from the first leg piece 20a. The first leg piece 20a and the claw portion 24 flex in conjunction with each other. The claw portion 24 includes a first extension portion 24a and a second extension portion 24b. The first extension portion 24a extends from the top end 21a of the first leg piece 20a toward the connecting portion 22. The second extension portion 24b bends from the first extension portion 24a and protrudes toward the second leg piece 20b. The provision of the first extension portion 24a increases the overall length of the claw portion 24 compared to a configuration consisting solely of the second extension portion 24b, making it easier to flex.

[0027] The second extension 24b is inclined relative to the facing direction of the leg piece 20 and extends toward the connecting portion 22, that is, toward the base end 21b. In other words, the second extension 24b extends slightly perpendicularly to the connecting portion 22, rather than extending parallel to the facing direction.

[0028] The second leg piece 20b has a guide portion 26 that guides the insertion of the boss portion of the component. The guide portion 26 has a guide surface 26a that extends from the tip 21a of the second leg piece 20b toward the base 21b. The guide surface 26a can be flat and extends uniformly from the tip 21a of the second leg piece 20b.

[0029] The second extension 24b of the claw 24 projects toward the guide 26. The second extension 24b and the guide 26 face each other, overlapping in the direction from the tip 21a to the base 21b. The claw 24 and the guide 26 are formed by hollowing out the first leg 20a and the second leg 20b.

[0030] The gap between the first leg piece 20a and the second leg piece 20b forms a path for inserting the boss portion of the component. The shortest distance C between the tip of the second extension portion 24b and the guide portion 26 is set to a length that allows the boss portion to pass through.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the boss portion 34 of the component 12. The component 12 includes a panel 32 and a boss portion 34. The panel 32 may be an operating panel exposed on the surface. A plurality of boss portions 34 are provided so as to hang down from the back of the panel 32.

[0032] The boss portion 34 includes a boss body 35, a hole 36, a tapered portion 38, and sidewalls 40. The boss body 35 is formed in a flat plate shape. The hole 36 is formed through the boss body 35 at approximately the center. The tapered portion 38 is formed to taper the top end of the boss body 35. A pair of sidewalls 40 are formed on either side of the boss body 35. The sidewalls 40 restrict movement of the fixing member 10 in the width direction.

[0033] Figure 4 It is a side view of the fixing part 10 in a state of being assembled to the part 12 and the assembly member 14. The fixing part 10, the part 12 and the assembly member 14 constitute an assembly structure. The assembly structure is a structure in which the part 12 is assembled to the assembly member 14 by the fixing part 10. The fixing part 10 is assembled to the boss portion 34 of the part 12 and then assembled to the assembly hole 14a of the assembly member 14. The fixing part 10 will not be removed from the boss portion 34, but in the event of a malfunction of the panel 32 of the part 12, the fixing part 10 can be pulled out of the assembly hole 14a. When the part 12 is lifted in a direction away from the assembly member 14 with a force greater than a specified force, the fixing part 10 will be pulled out of the assembly hole 14a without the need to move the pair of legs 20 closer together.

[0034] The first holding portion 30a and the second holding portion 30b hold the boss body 35 of the boss portion 34. Thus, even when the fixing tool 10 is transported in a state in which it is attached to the component 12, the attached posture of the fixing tool 10 can be stabilized.

[0035] The second extension 24b of the claw 24 is inserted into the hole 36 to prevent the fastener 10 from being separated from the component 12. The tip of the claw 24 is located closer to the second leg 20b than the center of the hole 36, and the claw 24 is fully inserted into the hole 36. As a result, the fastener 10 is mounted so as not to fall off the boss 34.

[0036] The first and second locking portions 28a, 28b engage the inner edge of the assembly hole 14a of the assembly member 14. This secures the fixture 10 to the assembly member 14. It should be noted that when the first and second leg pieces 20a, 20b flex toward each other, the locking of the first and second locking portions 28a, 28b is released. Therefore, when replacing the component 12, the fixture 10 can be removed from the assembly hole 14a.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining how the fixing member 10 is mounted on the boss portion 34 . Figure 5 Figure 2 shows the fastener 10 being assembled onto the boss 34. The operator aligns the tapered portion 38 of the boss 34 between the first leg 20a and the second leg 20b and presses the connecting portion 22. This inserts the boss 34 between the first and second legs 20a, 20b. When inserted between the first and second legs 20a, 20b, the boss 34 contacts the claw 24 and moves toward the guide 26, where it is guided by the guide surface 26a. The guide 26 brings the side surface of the boss body 35 into surface contact with the guide surface 26a.

[0038] The first leg piece 20a has claws 24, while the second leg piece 20b does not. This prevents the boss 34 from being inserted between the first and second leg pieces 20a, 20b, from experiencing increased insertion force compared to when claws are provided on both sides. Furthermore, the guide 26 formed on the second leg piece 20b facilitates guiding the boss 34 toward the connecting portion 22.

[0039] The top end 42 of the second holding portion 30b is located farther from the first leg piece 20a than a virtual line F extending the guide surface 26a when viewed from the side (when viewed in the width direction of the fixing member 10), that is, located closer to the second leg piece 20b than the virtual line F. That is, the top end 42 of the second holding portion 30b is located farther from the first leg piece 20a than the virtual line F ( Figure 5 (center right). Thus, the top end of the boss portion 34 can be configured so that it does not get caught on the top end 42 of the second retaining portion 30b during insertion, allowing for smooth assembly of the boss portion 34. It should be noted that the top end 42 of the second retaining portion 30b is located closer to the second leg piece 20b than the virtual surface formed by extending the guide surface 26a.

[0040] Figure 2The shortest distance C between the second extension 24b and the guide portion 26 shown in (a) is set to a distance greater than or equal to 80% and less than 100% of the thickness T of the boss portion 34. The thickness T of the boss portion 34 refers to the thickness of the plate excluding the tapered portion 38 at the tip, and also refers to the thickness of the plate around the hole portion 36, excluding the sidewall portion 40. It should be noted that the shortest distance C between the second extension 24b and the guide portion 26 refers to the distance in a free state when no external force is applied to the first leg piece 20a and the second leg piece 20b.

[0041] By setting the shortest distance C to less than 100% of the thickness T, at least the first leg piece 20a and the second leg piece 20b must bend to allow the boss body 35 to pass through, thereby preventing the claw portion 24 from falling out. Furthermore, by setting the shortest distance C to be greater than or equal to 80% of the thickness T, the insertion force on the boss portion 34 can be suppressed. It should be noted that, in order to suppress the insertion force on the boss portion 34, it is more preferable to set the shortest distance C to be greater than or equal to 90% of the thickness T.

[0042] Figure 6 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining how the fixing tool 10 is mounted on the mounting member 14. The fixing tool 10 is inserted into the mounting hole 14a of the mounting member 14 while being mounted on the boss portion 34 of the component 12.

[0043] At this time, the length of the fixing member 10 is set so that the top of the boss portion 34 contacts the connecting portion 22 and the top 21a of the leg piece 20 does not contact the back surface of the panel 32. As a result, the boss portion 34 and the fixing member 10 are pushed into the assembly hole 14a as a whole, making insertion easy.

[0044] The pair of leg pieces 20 come into contact with the inner surface of the assembly hole 14a and flex as they approach each other. At this time, the second extension 24b is pushed into the hole 36, but the second extension 24b is configured not to abut the hole 36. In other words, the shape of the second extension 24b is set so that when the top of the boss portion 34 abuts the connecting portion 22, the top of the second extension 24b does not contact the hole 36. Furthermore, the inner surface of the leg piece 20 is configured not to abut the side surface of the boss body 35. Thus, when the pair of leg pieces 20 approach, the second extension 24b can slide to the inner surface of the hole 36 without generating friction that would oppose the approach of the leg pieces 20. Furthermore, the inner surface of the leg piece 20 can abut the side surface of the boss body 35 without restricting the approach of the pair of leg pieces 20, thereby suppressing the insertion force into the assembly hole 14a.

[0045] Figure 7 14 is a diagram for explaining the removal of the fixing member 10 from the assembly member 14. Figure 4 When the boss portion 34 is pulled upward from the assembly hole 14a, Figure 7 The top end of the second extension 24b shown in (a) contacts the inner surface of the hole 36, and the second extension 24b is subjected to a pull-out load, and the fixing member 10 is pulled out together with the boss 34. As the boss 34 is lifted, the top end of the boss 34 is separated from the connecting portion 22.

[0046] The first and second locking portions 28a, 28b contact the inner edge of the assembly hole 14a, exerting an inward force in opposing directions. This causes the first and second leg pieces 20a, 20b to flex, moving closer together. This causes the claw 24 to move further into the hole 36. This allows the claw 24 to move along with the first leg piece 20a, even when inserted into the hole 36 to prevent it from detaching. At this point, the second extension 24b slides against the inner surface of the hole 36, generating friction that counteracts the approaching leg piece 20a, resulting in a higher extraction force.

[0047] When the boss portion 34 is further lifted upward, the inner surface of the hole portion 36 pushes the top end of the second extension portion 24b upward, and the top end of the second extension portion 24b is lifted. Figure 7 As shown in (b), the claw portion 24 deforms as the second extension 24b comes into surface contact with the inner surface of the hole 36. This is because the second extension 24b is tilted relative to the direction of contact with the leg piece 20 and droops toward the base end 21b of the leg piece 20. Therefore, the second extension 24b deforms in conjunction with the removal of the boss portion 34. This prevents the claw portion 24 from deflecting when the tip of the second extension 24b is embedded in the inner surface of the hole 36, preventing the first leg piece 20a from approaching the second leg piece 20b. This prevents the boss portion 34 from being forcibly lifted while the tip of the second extension 24b is embedded in the inner surface of the hole 36, thereby preventing damage to the boss portion 34 and the claw portion 24.

[0048] When the first leg piece 20 a and the second leg piece 20 b are smoothly brought closer due to the deformation of the claw portion 24 and the first locking portion 28 a and the second locking portion 28 b completely pass through the assembly hole 14 a , the boss portion 34 and the fixing member 10 can be removed from the assembly hole 14 a .

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications such as design changes may be added to the embodiments based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Such modified embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0050] Industrial applicability

[0051] The present invention relates to a fixing member for assembling a part to an assembly member.

[0052] Description of Reference Numerals

[0053] 10: Fixing member; 12: Part; 14: Assembly member; 14a: Assembly hole; 20a: First leg; 20b: Second leg; 21a: Top end; 21b: Base end; 22: Connecting portion; 24: Claw; 24a: First extension; 24b: Second extension; 26: Guide; 26a: Guide surface; 28a: First locking portion; 28b: Second locking portion; 30a: First retaining portion; 30b: Second retaining portion; 32: Panel; 34: Boss portion; 35: Boss body; 36: Hole portion.

Claims

1. A fixing member, formed of a metal material, used to assemble a part into an assembly hole of an assembly component, wherein the fixing member is characterized by having: The first leg piece and the second leg piece are opposite to each other; as well as a connecting portion connecting the base ends of the first leg piece and the second leg piece to each other, The first leg piece has: A locking portion, locked with the edge of the assembly hole; as well as The claw portion prevents the fixing member from being separated from the part. The claw portion extends from the top end side of the first leg piece and is inserted into the hole portion formed in the boss portion of the component. The second leg does not have a claw portion that is inserted into the hole portion formed on the boss portion of the component and prevents the fixing member from being separated from the component. The second leg piece has a guide portion including a guide surface extending from a distal end side of the second leg piece toward a proximal end side of the second leg piece.

2. The fixing member according to claim 1, characterized in that The claw portion has: a first extension portion extending from a top end side of the first leg piece toward the connecting portion; as well as The second extension portion is bent from the first extension portion and protrudes toward the second leg piece and is inserted into the hole portion. The second extension portion is inclined with respect to the opposing direction of the first leg piece and the second leg piece, and extends toward the base end side of the first leg piece.

3. The fixing member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The shortest distance between the claw portion and the guide portion is set to a distance that is equal to or greater than 80% and less than 100% of the thickness of the boss portion.

4. The fixing member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Also features: The first holding portion and the second holding portion can clamp the boss portion, The tip of the second holding portion formed on the second leg piece is provided closer to the second leg piece than a virtual line formed by extending the guide surface in a side view.

5. The fixing member according to claim 3, characterized in that Also features: The first holding portion and the second holding portion can clamp the boss portion, The tip of the second holding portion formed on the second leg piece is provided closer to the second leg piece than a virtual line formed by extending the guide surface in a side view.

6. A fixing member formed of a metal material and used to assemble a part into an assembly hole of an assembly component, wherein the fixing member is characterized by having: The first leg piece and the second leg piece are opposite to each other; a connecting portion connecting the base ends of the first leg piece and the second leg piece to each other; and The first holding portion and the second holding portion can clamp the boss portion of the part, The first leg piece has: A locking portion, locked with the edge of the assembly hole; as well as The claw portion prevents the fixing member from being separated from the part. The claw portion extends from the top end side of the first leg piece and is inserted into the hole portion formed in the boss portion of the component. The second leg does not have a claw portion that is inserted into the hole portion formed on the boss portion of the component and prevents the fixing member from being separated from the component. The second leg piece has a guide portion including a guide surface extending from the top end side of the second leg piece toward the base end side of the second leg piece. The first holding portion and the second holding portion are located closer to the connecting portion than the claw portion. The first holding portion has: a first portion extending from a base end side of the first leg piece toward the second leg piece; as well as The second portion extends from the first portion to the first leg piece via the first bent portion, and the second retaining portion has: a third portion extending from a base end side of the second leg piece toward the first leg piece; as well as The fourth portion extends from the third portion to the second leg piece via the second bent portion.

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