House-shaped structure of movable hinge for vehicle ornament
The house-like structure, with its hinged connections and rib joints, solves the problem of mold complexity in existing technologies, enabling efficient installation and stable fixation of vehicle trim parts and reducing production costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411263946.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-07-17
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-20
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the house-like structure of vehicle trim parts requires the use of complex and expensive sliding core tools during the molding process, which increases the complexity and cost of the mold.
The house-like structure, connected by hinges, uses multiple ribs to engage with the base, achieving structural positioning and fixation, simplifying mold design and avoiding the use of sliding core tools.
It achieves precise positioning and fixation of the house-like structure, reduces mold complexity and cost, and maintains the installation stability and aesthetics of the decorative parts.
Smart Images
Figure CN121361418A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicles, and more particularly to installing trim to a vehicle structure. BACKGROUND
[0002] Vehicle trim is typically a molded plastic article and is secured to a body panel by fasteners, such as clips, screws, etc. A structure, often referred to as a "house," is formed on the trim to receive the fasteners. The clip is installed to the house prior to installing the trim and clip assembly to the body panel.
[0003] The house structure typically protrudes from a rear side of the trim and is formed during the molding process using a slide or other assist of the mold. The use of the assist of the mold to form these structures greatly increases the complexity of the mold. SUMMARY
[0004] In one example embodiment, a trim assembly of a vehicle includes a trim panel and a house structure connected to the trim panel by a hinge. The house structure is movable about the hinge from a molding position to an assembled position. The house structure includes a base positioned at the trim panel when in the assembled position and a cover spaced apart from the base and receivable of a fastener. A plurality of ribs protrude from the trim panel and engage the base to position and secure the house structure relative to the trim panel in the assembled position.
[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, at least one rib of the plurality of ribs engages at least one base slot defined in the base.
[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, at least one rib of the plurality of ribs engages a lateral end of the base.
[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, at least two ribs of the plurality of ribs engage opposite lateral ends of the base.
[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, a locking rib is positioned at the trim panel extending parallel to a hinge axis of the hinge. A locking channel is positioned at the house structure and is engageable with the locking rib.
[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, the house structure is formed as a single unitary component with the trim panel.
[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, the fastener is installed into an opening in the cover.
[0011] In another example embodiment, a vehicle includes a body and a trim assembly mounted to the body. The trim assembly includes a trim panel and a house-like structure connected to the trim panel by a hinge. The house-like structure is movable about the hinge from a molded position to an assembled position. The house-like structure includes a base positioned at the trim panel when in the assembled position and a cover spaced apart from the base and receivable of a fastener. A plurality of ribs project from the trim panel and engage the base to position and secure the house-like structure relative to the trim panel in the assembled position. The fastener is mounted in the cover and engages a corresponding fastener opening in the body.
[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, at least one rib of the plurality of ribs engages at least one base slot defined in the base.
[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, at least one rib of the plurality of ribs engages a lateral end of the base.
[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, at least two ribs of the plurality of ribs engage opposite lateral ends of the base.
[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, a locking rib is positioned at the trim panel and extends parallel to a hinge axis of the hinge. A locking channel is positioned at the house-like structure and is engageable with the locking rib.
[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, the house-like structure is formed with the trim panel as a single unitary component.
[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, the fastener is mounted in a trim fastener opening in the cover.
[0018] In yet another example embodiment, a method of mounting a trim assembly to a vehicle includes forming a trim assembly including a trim panel and a house-like structure formed integrally with the trim panel as a unitary component. The house-like structure includes a base positioned at the trim panel when in an assembled position and a cover spaced apart from the base and receivable of a fastener. The house-like structure is moved about a hinge defined between the trim panel and the house-like structure from a molded position toward the assembled position. The base engages a plurality of ribs projecting from the trim panel to position the house-like structure relative to the trim panel and retain the house-like structure in the assembled position.
[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, the fastener is mounted into the cover.
[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the fastener is mounted into a body opening in the vehicle to secure the trim assembly to the vehicle.
[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, at least one rib of the plurality of ribs engages at least one base slot defined in the base.
[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, at least one rib of the plurality of ribs engages a lateral end of the base.
[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, at least two ribs of the plurality of ribs engage opposite lateral ends of the base.
[0024] The above features and advantages of the present disclosure, and other features and advantages, are readily apparent from the following detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] Other features, aspects, and details are described below with reference to the drawings. The foregoing information and the detailed description below can be understood in conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle;
[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trim assembly of a vehicle;
[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a house-like structure of a trim assembly;
[0029] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a house-like structure in a molding position; and
[0030] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a house-like structure in an assembled position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
[0032] According to exemplary embodiments, Figure 1An embodiment of a vehicle 10 is shown. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 that defines a passenger cabin 14. The vehicle 10 also includes a powertrain 16 that provides energy for propulsion and power for operation of vehicle systems. A plurality of wheels 18 are operatively connected to the powertrain 16, and at least two of the wheels 18 are steerable. An instrument panel 20 is located in the passenger cabin 14, and a steering assembly 22 extends from the instrument panel 20 into the passenger cabin 14. The vehicle 10 also includes one or more trim pieces that are mounted to the vehicle body 12, for example, one or more rocker moldings 24 that are mounted to the exterior of the vehicle body 12 below the passenger doors 26 of the vehicle 10. While the present description and drawings refer to the rocker moldings 24 of the vehicle 10, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the present disclosure can be readily applied to other exterior and interior trim pieces of the vehicle 10.
[0033] Reference is now made to Figure 2 The rocker molding 24 includes a panel 28 having a first molded side 30 that at least partially defines an exterior surface of the vehicle 10 and a second molded side 32 opposite the first molded side 30. A plurality of fasteners, for example, clips 34, are arranged along a molded length 36 of the rocker molding 24. The clips 34 are configured to be mounted into complementary body openings (not shown) in the vehicle body 12 to secure the rocker molding 24 to the vehicle body 12.
[0034] The clips 34 are each retained in a house-like structure 38 secured at the second molded side 32 of the panel 28 to define a rocker molding assembly 40 for mounting to the vehicle body 12. Reference is made to Figures 3-5 The house-like structure 38 is described in more detail. In the installed position, as shown in Figure 3 The house-like structure 38 includes a base 42 at the second molded side 32 and a sidewall 44 extending from the base 42 and away from the second molded side 32. A cover 46 is located at a distal end of the sidewall 44 at a selected height 48 from the base 42. The cover 46 includes an opening 50 that is configured for mounting a clip 34 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 50 is U-shaped having an open end 52 at a first end of the cover 46 and a closed end 54 opposite the open end 52. The clip 34 is mountable into the opening 50 in a mounting direction 56 from the open end 52 toward the closed end 54. In some embodiments, the cover 46 includes one or more retention features, for example, a protrusion 58 (shown in Figure 3 the opening 50, for example, a friction fit. While a U-shaped opening 50 is shown and described herein, other embodiments can include other opening 50 shapes, for example, a circular opening 50 shape.
[0035] The house-like structure 38 is formed as a unitary article with the panel 28 and is connected to the panel 28 via a hinge 60 that is integrally formed with the panel and the house-like structure. The rocker molding 24, including the panel 28, the house-like structure 38, and the hinge 60, is formed together by, for example, injection molding. The house-like structure 38 is shown in a molded state in Figure 4 . Once molded, the house-like structure 38 is moved to an assembled state, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 5 . To do so, the house-like structure 38 is moved about a hinge axis 62 of the hinge 60. The panel 28 and the house-like structure 38 include features that position and secure the house-like structure 38 to the panel 28 in the assembled state.
[0036] A plurality of positioning ribs 64 are formed in the panel 28 and protrude from the second panel side 32. At least two of the positioning ribs 64 are located at opposite lateral base ends 65 of the base 42. The base ends 65 are located between the positioning ribs 64 when the house-like structure 38 is rotated about the hinge axis 62 to properly position the house-like structure 38 on the second panel side 32. Additionally, one or more intermediate base ribs 66 can be formed on the second panel side 32 and are received in complementary base slots 68 when the house-like structure 38 is moved to the assembled position to help position the house-like structure 38 and, in some embodiments, to help secure the house-like structure 38 in the assembled position. Further, in some embodiments, the panel 28 can include lateral locking ribs 70 that extend parallel to the hinge axis 62 along the second panel side 32. The house-like structure 38 includes complementary locking channels 72 that engage the lateral locking ribs 70 to lock the house-like structure 38 in the assembled position, as shown in Figure 5 .
[0037] The house-like structure 38 and the hinge 60 disclosed herein allow the house-like structure 38 to be formed via a core-cavity structure of a molding tool without the need for complex and expensive sliding core tools. Further, the rib structure aligns and secures the house-like structure 38 in place for installation to the vehicle body 12.
[0038] The term “a” does not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather is used to mean that “at least one” of the referenced item is present. Unless otherwise clearly indicated, the term “or” means “and / or.” Reference throughout this specification to “aspect” means that a particular element described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein and can or can not be present in other aspects. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the described elements can be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects.
[0039] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements can also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present.
[0040] The term "about" is intended to encompass a degree of error with respect to the particular quantity based on the equipment being used to make the measurement and the limitations of the measurements system itself. For example, "about" can include a range of ± 8% of a given value.
[0041] Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.
[0042] While the foregoing disclosure has been described in reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the central scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A trim assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a trim panel; a house-shaped structure connected to the trim panel by a hinge, the house-shaped structure movable about the hinge from a molded position to an assembled position, the house-shaped structure comprising: a base disposed at the trim panel when in the assembled position; and a cover spaced apart from the base and receivable of a fastener; and a plurality of ribs projecting from the trim panel and engaged with the base to position and secure the house-shaped structure relative to the trim panel in the assembled position.
2. The trim assembly of claim 1, wherein, at least one rib of the plurality of ribs is engaged with at least one base slot defined in the base.
3. The trim assembly of claim 1, wherein, at least one rib of the plurality of ribs is engaged with a lateral end of the base.
4. The trim assembly of claim 3, wherein, at least two ribs of the plurality of ribs are engaged with opposite lateral ends of the base.
5. The trim assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a locking rib disposed at the trim panel extending parallel to a hinge axis of the hinge; and a locking channel disposed at the house-shaped structure engageable with the locking rib. the house-shaped structure is formed as a single unitary component with the trim panel.
6. The trim assembly of claim 1, wherein, 7. The trim assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fastener opening in the cover, the fastener mounted in the fastener opening.
8. A method of installing a vehicle trim assembly to a vehicle, comprising: forming a vehicle trim assembly, the vehicle trim assembly comprising: a vehicle trim panel; and a house-shaped structure integrally formed as a unitary component with the vehicle trim panel, the house-shaped structure comprising: a base disposed at the vehicle trim panel when in an assembled position; and a cover spaced apart from the base and receivable of a fastener; moving the house-shaped structure about a hinge defined between the vehicle trim panel and the house-shaped structure from a molded position toward an assembled position; engaging the base with a plurality of ribs projecting from the vehicle trim panel to position the house-shaped structure relative to the vehicle trim panel and retain the house-shaped structure in the assembled position.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising mounting a fastener into the cover.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising mounting the fastener into a body opening in the vehicle to secure the vehicle trim assembly to the vehicle.