Overmolded compression limiter

Abstract

A system includes a component including a top surface defining a top slot and a bottom surface defining a bottom slot, the top slot and the bottom slot each permitting access from opposite directions through a first central cavity of the entire component, and a compression limiter overmolded to the component, the compression limiter including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a first surface, the second surface defining a second surface, the second surface defining a second surface, the second surface defining a second surface, and the third surface defining a third surface. The compression limiter includes an upper portion defining an upper slot coincident with the top slot and a lower portion defining a lower slot coincident with the bottom slot, each allowing access from opposite directions into a second central cavity coincident with the first central cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this section, and aspects that may not be eligible as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor implicitly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to overmolded compression limiters. Specifically, the compression limiters described herein can be used to provide and maintain the bolted connection integrity of components. Background Art

[0003] Compression limiters can be designed to protect components from the compression loads generated when bolts are tightened to their recommended tightening torques, thereby ensuring that the joints remain intact throughout the life of the components.

[0004] Single-use compression limiters are expensive due to the material costs and processing associated with replacing them after a single use. Therefore, there is room for improvement in compression limiters. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for a vehicle that includes a component having a top surface defining a top slot and a bottom surface defining a bottom slot, the top slot and the bottom slot each allowing entry from opposite directions into a first central cavity extending through the entire component. The system also includes a compression limiter overmolded (co-molded) onto the component and including an upper portion having a U-shape and a lower portion having a U-shape, the upper portion defining an upper slot that coincides with the top slot, and the lower portion defining a lower slot that coincides with the bottom slot, the upper slot and the lower slot each allowing entry from opposite directions into a second central cavity that coincides with the first central cavity.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the compression limiter is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0007] The component may be formed of either plastic or metal.

[0008] The compression limiter may be configured to receive a fastener. The fastener may be a bolt.

[0009] The upper portion of the compression limiter may include a curved portion connected to two legs extending away from the curved portion in parallel directions. The lower portion of the compression limiter may include a curved portion connected to two legs extending away from the curved portion in parallel directions. The upper portion and the lower portion of the compression limiter may be substantially the same in size, shape, and material.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a system that includes a component having a top surface defining a top slot and a bottom surface defining a bottom slot, with the top slot and the bottom slot each allowing entry from opposite directions into a first central cavity extending through the entire component. The system further includes a compression limiter overmolded onto the component, the compression limiter including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining an upper slot coinciding with the top slot, and the lower portion defining a lower slot coinciding with the bottom slot, with the upper slot and the lower slot each allowing entry from opposite directions into a second central cavity coinciding with the first central cavity.

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the compression limiter is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0012] The component may be formed of either plastic or metal.

[0013] The compression limiter may be configured to receive a fastener. The fastener may be a bolt.

[0014] The upper portion of the compression limiter may include a curved portion connected to two legs extending away from the curved portion in parallel directions. The lower portion of the compression limiter may include a curved portion connected to two legs extending away from the curved portion in parallel directions. The upper portion and the lower portion of the compression limiter may be substantially the same in size, shape, and material.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a compression limiter for overmolding onto a component, the compression limiter including an upper portion having a U shape, a lower portion having a U shape, the upper portion defining an upper slot, the lower portion defining a lower slot, with the upper slot and the lower slot each allowing entry from opposite directions into a central cavity extending through the compression limiter.

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the compression limiter is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0017] The component may be formed of either plastic or metal.

[0018] The compression limiter may be configured to receive a bolt.

[0019] Details of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following drawings and description. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only for the selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary compression limiter in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 1B is Figure 1A a top plan view of the exemplary compression limiter of

[0023] Figure 1C is Figure 1A a bottom plan view of the exemplary compression limiter of

[0024] Figure 1D is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary compression limiter of Figure 1B taken along line 1D-1D in Figure 1A ;

[0025] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary compression limiter of Figure 1A overmolded with exemplary components; and

[0026] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary compression limiter of Figure 1A overmolded with exemplary components including exemplary bolts.

[0027] In all the drawings, corresponding reference numerals represent corresponding components. Detailed Description

[0028] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the example configurations may be embodied in many different forms and that specific details and example configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0029] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a", "an" and "the" may also be intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "including" and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the particular order discussed or illustrated unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0030] When an element or layer is referred to as "on another element or layer", "engaged to", "connected to", "attached to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on the other element or layer, directly engaged, connected, attached or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly on another element or layer", "directly engaged to", "directly connected to", "directly attached to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, intervening elements or layers may not be present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0031] The terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or portions. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or portion from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply an order or sequence. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or portion discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or portion without departing from the teachings of the exemplary configuration.

[0032] Reference Figures 1A - 1D , generally shows a compression limiter 100. The compression limiter 100 can be used to provide and maintain the bolted connection integrity of a plastic assembly or component (such as Figures 2 - 3 the exemplary component 200 shown in

[0033] The compression limiter 100 may include an upper portion 102 that is generally U-shaped. The upper portion 102 includes a curved portion 104 that is connected to two legs 106 that extend away from the curved portion 104 in a generally parallel configuration. The curved portion 104 and the legs 106 may be integrally formed with each other. Each leg 106 includes a distal surface 106a. The upper portion 102 defines an inner surface 108 and an outer surface 110. That is, the inner surface 108 of one of the legs 106 faces the inner surface 108 of the opposite leg 106.

[0034] The compression limiter 100 may include a lower portion 112 that is generally U-shaped and is integrally formed with the upper portion 112. The lower portion 112 may be substantially the same in shape, size, and material as the upper portion 102. The upper portion 112 includes a curved portion 114 that is connected to two legs 116 that extend away from the curved portion 114 in a generally parallel configuration. The curved portion 114 and the legs 116 may be integrally formed with each other. Each leg 116 includes a distal surface 116a. The upper portion 112 defines an inner surface 118 and an outer surface 120. That is, the inner surface 118 of one of the legs 116 faces the inner surface 118 of the opposite leg 116.

[0035] The legs 106 of the upper portion 102 define an upper slot 122, and the legs 116 of the lower portion 112 define a lower slot 124. The slots 122, 124 allow entry into a central cavity 126 defined by a portion of the curved portions 104, 114 and the legs 106, 116 from opposite directions. As shown, the legs 106 of the upper portion 102 extend in a direction opposite to the legs 116 of the lower portion 112 such that the legs 106, 116 extend away from each other. Additionally, the distance between the legs 106 and the distance between the legs 116 may be substantially equal and may also include substantially the same length. Finally, the central cavity 126 may be generally cylindrical, such as Figure 1B and 1C the generally oval shape shown in

[0036] Referring to Figure 2, generally shows an exemplary component 200, which includes a compression limiter 100 overmolded to the component 200. The component 200 can be used for any suitable application, such as a component for a vehicle or an automobile. The compression limiter 100 can be injection molded and formed from a flexible rubber-like material (such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)) or any other suitable material. The component 200 can be manufactured by a molding process, in which the compression limiter 100 is inserted into an injection molding press. In such a configuration, the component 200 is formed around the compression limiter 100. Thus, the finished component 200 (including the compression limiter 100 overmolded to the component 200) is completed in a single step, without the need to fix the compression limiter 100 to the component 200 after molding the component 200. Such a process also eliminates the need to incorporate additional actions (such as sliders) into the injection molding press.

[0037] The component 200 includes a top surface 202 and a bottom surface 204 opposite the top surface 202. The top surface 202 defines a top slot 206 that coincides with the upper slot 122. The bottom surface 204 defines a bottom slot 208 that coincides with the lower slot 124. The slots 206, 208 allow access to the central cavity 210 of the component 200 from opposite directions. The central cavity 200 coincides with the central cavity 126 of the compression limiter 100. The component 200 can be formed from any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, etc.

[0038] Reference Figure 3 , the component 200 can receive a fastener 250, which can be a bolt or any other suitable fastening device. The fastener 250 can include a head 252, a collar 254, and a shaft 256. The head 252 can receive a tool for twisting the fastener 250. The diameter of the collar 254 can be greater than the diameter of the central cavity 126, such that the collar 254 rests on top of the upper portion 102 of the compression limiter 100. The diameter of the shaft 256 can be less than the diameter of the central cavity 126, such that the shaft 256 extends through the central cavity 126. The fastener 250 can include a nut (not shown) or any other suitable component to secure the fastener 250 to the component 200. In such a configuration, the nut can be disposed directly adjacent to the lower portion 112 of the compression limiter 100.

[0039] Numerous embodiments have been described. However, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0040] The foregoing description is provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. It can also vary in many ways. Such variations should not be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A system for a vehicle, comprising: a component including a top surface defining a top slot and a bottom surface defining a bottom slot, the top slot and the bottom slot each allowing access from opposite directions to a first central cavity extending through the entire component; as well as A compression limiter is overmolded to the component, the compression limiter comprising an upper portion having a U-shape and a lower portion having a U-shape, the upper portion defining an upper slot coincident with the top slot, and the lower portion defining a lower slot coincident with the bottom slot, the upper slot and the lower slot each allowing access from opposite directions to a second central cavity coincident with the first central cavity.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The compression limiter is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The components are formed from one of plastic or metal.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The compression limiter is configured to receive a fastener.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: The fastener is a bolt.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The upper portion of the compression limiter includes a curved portion connected to two legs extending away from the curved portion in parallel directions.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein: The lower portion of the compression limiter includes a curved portion connected to two legs extending away from the curved portion in parallel directions.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein: The upper portion and the lower portion of the compression limiter are substantially identical in size, shape and material.

9. A system comprising: a component including a top surface defining a top slot and a bottom surface defining a bottom slot, the top slot and the bottom slot each allowing access from opposite directions to a first central cavity extending through the entire component; as well as A compression limiter is overmolded to the component, the compression limiter including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining an upper slot that coincides with the top slot, the lower portion defining a lower slot that coincides with the bottom slot, the upper slot and the lower slot each allowing access from opposite directions to a second central cavity that coincides with the first central cavity.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein: The compression limiter is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer.

Images