T-shaped snap joint
By adjusting the rib height in the mold using a T-shaped bayonet connector, the problems of unstable joints and difficult adjustments in the assembly of automotive trim parts are solved, achieving efficient and low-cost alignment and stable connection of trim parts.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
In the assembly of automotive trim parts, it is difficult to achieve stable, adjustable joint features to adapt to manufacturing variations, and existing joining methods are costly and prone to degradation.
Using a T-type bayonet connector, alignment adjustments are achieved by adjusting the rib height of the convex and concave parts in the mold, including upper/lower, inner/outer, or torsional fine adjustments, to ensure precise fit of the decorative parts.
It provides cost-effective, adjustable joining features, reduces assembly line adjustment needs, improves the flushness and stability of trim pieces, and lowers assembly costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN115917166B_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Cross-references to related applications
[0002] This application is the national phase of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT / US2021 / 036178, filed June 7, 2021, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 062,864, filed August 7, 2020. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] This invention relates to joining two vehicle trims and accessories using a connecting component. Background Technology
[0004] In automotive assembly and manufacturing, the tolerances and details of the final fit of a vehicle are of paramount importance. Long trim pieces are used to provide finished surfaces around the vehicle's windows and doors. In some areas, trim pieces may require end-to-end butt joints. Aligning these areas of the trim pieces and maintaining the desired proper fit can be challenging. Inconsistent fits due to variations in the manufactured parts are a common problem in this type of assembly.
[0005] Therefore, the objective of the art is to provide a robust joining feature that is adjustable and capable of accommodating variations in the assembly of decorative and accessory parts.
[0006] One way to provide a better fit is through connecting plates. These form a secure fit that forces non-standard parts into place. However, this type of fit is expensive because it adds extra components to the joining system, and the fit can deteriorate over time.
[0007] Therefore, the objective of the art is to provide a robust joining feature that is adjustable and capable of accommodating variations in the assembly of decorative and accessory parts.
[0008] Another objective is to provide an adjustable connection that can be adjusted during part manufacturing, thereby reducing or eliminating final assembly line adjustments. Summary of the Invention
[0009] A flange connector assembly for attaching a trim piece to a vehicle, wherein an end portion of a first convex portion is connected to a first trim piece, and a second concave portion is connected to the end portion of the trim piece to be attached to the first trim piece. The first convex portion has a connecting portion with a T-shaped cross-section, and the second portion has a second connecting portion with a T-shaped cavity. The first convex connecting portion and the second concave connecting portion cooperate to precisely engage with each other and hold the trim piece to be attached. The protruding T-shaped portion includes an adjustment surface and is capable of maintaining up / down, inside / outside positioning or torsional fine-tuning to provide alignment adjustment of the trim piece.
[0010] The shape of the T-jaw allows for adjustment in all directions to drive the nominal fit of the joint, but it can be directly molded into the part, making it cost-effective.
[0011] The bayonet is designed in a T-shape to provide an adjustment surface for each direction and torsion.
[0012] The T-shaped hole in the receiver clamp is used to pull the engaged extruder into place. This allows the extruder to be mounted on the bayonet using an insert, thereby creating the desired engagement fit as the bayonet enters the receiver.
[0013] According to a method aspect of the invention, a method for providing assembly adjustment for a mating flange connector is provided. The steps include first providing a mold for manufacturing a T-shaped flange connector. The T-shaped flange connector includes a first convex portion and a second concave connecting portion, the end of the first convex portion being attached to a first decorative portion, and the second concave connecting portion being attached to the end of a second decorative portion to be attached to a first device portion. The first convex portion has a connecting portion with a T-shaped cross-section, and the second concave portion has a second connecting portion with a T-shaped cavity, wherein the first convex portion and the second concave connecting portion mate to precisely engage with each other and hold the decorative portion to be attached. The convex portion includes an adjusting flange surface and is capable of maintaining up / down, inner / outer positioning or torsional fine-tuning to provide alignment adjustment of the decorative element. The first convex connector is fitted into the concave connecting flange, and the connection is evaluated to make necessary fit corrections. The fit is corrected by adjusting the height of the adjusting flange surface by adding or removing material on the molding surface of the mold to adjust the flange height. Subsequently, the convex portion is remolded, and one or more of the convex portion connectors are remolded to provide a precise fit for the final adjusted connection.
[0014] Other applicable areas of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, they are intended for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0015] The invention will be more fully understood through a detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a typical decorative area using decorative component connectors;
[0017] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the decorative component connector taken from line 2-2;
[0018] Figure 3This is a perspective view showing the convex side of the T-shaped bayonet protrusion of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of a T-shaped bayonet with a concave T-shaped connector shown in dashed lines, illustrating the engagement of two connecting parts;
[0020] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing a concave section having a T-shaped cross-section for receiving a T-shaped bayonet portion;
[0021] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view showing the T-shaped bayonet portion engaged in the concave T-shaped opening;
[0022] Figure 7 This is an end view illustrating the adjusting ribs that regulate the movement of the inner and outer sides;
[0023] Figure 8 This is an end view illustrating the ribs that require up / down adjustment; and,
[0024] Figure 9 This is an end view illustrating the adjustment rib for adjusting the torsional fit of the workpiece. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The following description of preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or its use.
[0026] The flange connector assembly 10 is shown in general as 10. The flange connector assembly 10 is used to connect trim pieces 12 and 14 of the vehicle 16. Each trim piece 12 and 14 has longitudinal cavities 18 and 20, respectively.
[0027] The flange connector assembly 10 includes a first portion 22 and a second portion 26. The first portion 22 is molded into a cavity 18 at its end 24 on a first side, and the second portion 26 is molded into or fitted into a cavity 20 of the decorative portion 14 to be attached at its end 28. The first portion 22 has a bayonet connection portion 30 with a T-shaped cross-section, and the second portion 26 has a concave second connection portion 32. The first connection portion 30 and the second connection portion 32 provide alignment adjustment and hold their positions in the adjusted positions. In a preferred embodiment, the convex and concave portions are molded into place during the molding of the decorative piece itself. This eliminates the step of attempting to manually fit each joint along the assembly line when assembling each joint. Using this method, a one-time change to the mold improves the fit along the assembly line. Alternatively, if a metal shell type decorative piece is used, the convex and concave portions can be inserted into the ends of the decorative strip before assembly.
[0028] The first part 22 has a convex T-shaped protrusion 34, and the second part 26 has a T-shaped groove 32 for receiving the T-shaped protrusion 30.
[0029] Now refer to Figure 5 The T-shaped protrusion 34 has inclined surfaces 34 and 36. The T-shaped protrusion has a long leg 38 and a second shorter leg 40. The leg 40 extends from the leg 38 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees along its length. The leg 38 has a series of longitudinally extending contact ribs 46, 48, 50, and 52 on its flat sides 42 and 44. The T-shaped portion, in conjunction with the contact ribs 46, 48, 50, and 52, itself serves to adjust and align the decorative elements 12 and 14 during fastening. Furthermore, the shorter leg has adjustable contact ribs 54 and 56, which allow for up / down adjustment of the design. At least one of the ribs is configured to extend at a 90-degree angle to the long leg. Preferably, multiple ribs 54 and 56 are provided along the length of the second shorter leg 40. The T-shaped bayonet connection assembly allows adjustment of the fit between the outer strap and the accessory using the adjusting ribs in the engagement clip, allowing for up / down, inside / outside, or torsional fine adjustments.
[0030] Regarding the method of adjusting the fit and adjustability of flanges according to the present invention: If the alignment of two components requires correction to achieve better flushness, the height of the rib features can be reduced or increased to induce twisting and / or translation in a certain direction for better alignment of the two components. These ribs are easily "adjusted" in the die tooling, thereby allowing for a rapid response time to improve the fit. They also directly and effectively adjust the direction affecting flushness in relation to T-slot alignment.
[0031] Now refer to Figure 7 If adjustment is desired in the inward or outward direction, ribs 46, 48, 50 and 52 can be adjusted higher or lower in the mold as needed to change the final alignment.
[0032] Now refer to Figure 8 If up / down movement is required to align the part, adjust the height of ribs 54 and 56 in the mold. Figure 9 As seen in the diagram, if twisting is required during alignment, the height of all ribs is adjusted to allow for proper movement. Therefore, the parts are tested for fit, adjusted and measured, the ribs are adjusted in the mold, and the parts are molded to ensure final assembly alignment.
[0033] In the next molding cycle where one or more ribs need adjustment, the molding cavity defining these ribs must be modified. This modification is done by machining or grinding the mold cavity in a very localized and defined area of the rib. This can be done easily and quickly compared to a ribless bayonet feature. Without ribs, the entire shape profile of the bayonet would have to be modified, potentially involving more extensive modifications to the mold cavity. Another important aspect of ribs is that engineers can quickly flatten the ribs and / or add tape shims to build them to determine the degree of variation in the fit adjustment. Once adjusted, the part with scraped or stacked ribs can have its rib height variations measured and easily translated into the required variations in the mold cavity. Essentially, the information returned to the mold manufacturer will be a single value for the depth or shortening of each rib. Without ribs, the bayonet feature may require surface variations along its supporting surface. This can be difficult to measure the degree of variation because it may vary within the cross-section of the bayonet and is therefore prone to some degree of error when modifying the mold. These joints require a scale accuracy of 0.25 mm, so eliminating errors is important and related to making changes quickly.
[0034] The advantage of this method is that it excludes the assembly line operator from influencing the flatness (good or bad) of the joints. Using this method, rib height controls the quality of the joints.
[0035] The description of this invention is merely exemplary in nature, and therefore, variations that do not depart from the essence of the invention are intended to fall within its scope. These variations should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A flange connector assembly for connecting trim pieces having longitudinal cavities in a vehicle, the flange connector assembly comprising: The first convex portion, the end of the first convex portion being attached to the end of the first decorative portion; The first convex portion has a first convex connecting portion with a T-shaped cross-section, and the second concave portion has a second concave connecting portion with a T-shaped cavity. The first convex connecting portion and the second concave connecting portion cooperate to precisely engage and hold the decorative portion to be attached. The first convex connecting portion has a first leg and a second leg, the second leg extending offset from the first leg at approximately 90 degrees along the length of the first leg. The T-shaped cavity has a first portion that accommodates the first leg and a second portion that accommodates the second leg. The first leg has a first flat side on the outward side of the first leg and a second flat side on the opposite inward side of the first leg. A first contact rib extends outward from the first flat side and is arranged to engage the second concave portion located within the second decorative portion. A second contact rib extends outward from the second flat side and is arranged to engage the second concave portion located within the second decorative portion.
2. The flange connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first convex connecting portion has at least one inclined portion for assisting positioning during assembly.
3. The flange connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first leg has two first contact ribs located on the first flat side and two second contact ribs located on the second flat side.
4. The flange connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The first contact rib on the first flat side is positioned on the lateral end of the first leg, and the second contact rib on the second flat side is positioned on the lateral end of the first leg.
5. The flange connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first convex connecting portion is made of polymer material, and the first convex connecting portion will maintain its setting when adjusting the connection between the first decorative portion and the second decorative portion.
6. The flange connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The first convex connecting portion is made of polymer material, and the first convex connecting portion will maintain its setting when adjusting the connection between the first decorative portion and the second decorative portion.
7. The flange connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, At least the first convex connecting portion is integrally molded in the end of the first decorative portion.
8. The flange connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, At least the second concave connecting portion is integrally molded with the second decorative portion.
9. The flange connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The second leg has at least one laterally extending adjustment flange.
10. The flange connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The second leg is provided with multiple laterally extending adjustment flanges.
11. The flange connector assembly of claim 10, wherein, The laterally extending adjustment flange extends from the second leg at a 90-degree angle to the direction in which the first contact rib and the second contact rib extend from the first leg.
12. The flange connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The laterally extending adjustment flange extends outward on each side of the second leg.
13. A flange connector assembly for connecting trim pieces having longitudinal cavities in a vehicle, the flange connector assembly comprising: The first convex portion, the end of the first convex portion being attached to the end of the first decorative portion; The first convex portion has a first convex connecting portion with a T-shaped cross-section, and the second concave portion has a second concave connecting portion with a T-shaped cross-section cavity. The first convex connecting portion and the second concave connecting portion cooperate to precisely engage with each other and hold the decorative portion to be attached. The first convex connecting portion has a first leg and a second leg, and the second leg is offset along the length of the first leg and attached to the first leg. The first leg has an outwardly oriented... A first contact rib extends outward from the first leg and is arranged to engage the second concave portion located within the second decorative portion. The first leg has a second contact rib in an inward direction. The second contact rib extends outward from the first leg and is arranged to engage the second concave portion located within the second decorative portion. The second leg has a contact rib extending outward in an upward direction and a contact rib extending outward in a downward direction, wherein the outward direction and the inward direction form a 90-degree angle with the upward direction and the downward direction.
14. The flange connector assembly of claim 13, wherein, The first convex connecting portion has at least one inclined portion for assisting positioning during assembly.
15. The flange connector assembly of claim 13, wherein, The first leg has a first flat side portion including the first contact rib, and the first leg has a second flat side portion including the second contact rib.
16. A method for providing assembly adjustment for mating flange connectors, the method comprising the steps of: a. A mold is provided for manufacturing a T-flange connector, the T-flange connector comprising: a first convex portion, an end of the first convex portion being attached to an end of the first decorative portion; and a second concave connecting portion, the second concave connecting portion being attached to an end of a second decorative portion to be attached to the first decorative portion, the first convex portion having a first connecting portion having a T-shaped cross-section, and the second concave portion having a second connecting portion having a T-shaped cavity, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion cooperate to precisely engage with each other and retain the second decorative portion, wherein the first connecting portion has a first leg and a second leg, the first connecting portion including an adjusting flange surface extending outwardly from the first leg and the second leg; and b. Fit the first connecting portion into the second connecting portion such that the adjusting flange surfaces of both the first and second legs engage with the T-cavity located within the second decorative portion, and correct any necessary upper / lower, inner / outer, or torsion-type fit issues by adjusting the height of the adjusting flange surfaces in the mold and remolding the first connecting portion, in order to provide a precise fit for the final adjustable connection.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The adjusting flange surface also includes at least one elongated flange extending outward from the surface of the first connecting portion.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein: The second leg extends from the first leg at a substantially 90-degree angle, wherein an elongated adjusting flange is provided extending longitudinally at a 90-degree angle from either side of the first leg, and at least one laterally extending adjusting flange is provided on either side of the second leg.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, At least one pair of longitudinally extending elongated adjustment flanges are present on either side of the first leg.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The heights of the elongated adjusting flange on the first leg and the adjusting flange on the second leg are adjusted to fine-tune and adjust the fit.