Fastener and clamping structure of automobile trim panel and metal plate
By designing the guide and holding structure of the fasteners, the problem of connecting the body sheet metal and plastic trim panels was solved, achieving robust and reliable assembly and reducing maintenance costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423239238.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-27
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, it is difficult to form clips between the body sheet metal and plastic trim panels, resulting in the use of 3M tape for connection and fixation, which is costly, unreliable, and difficult for after-sales maintenance.
Design a snap fastener, including a horizontal base plate, a vertical guide wall and a retaining wall, forming an insertion space. The guide wall and the retaining wall are provided with guide parts and retaining parts for inserting and retaining sheet metal.
It improves the assembly firmness and reliability of the trim panels and sheet metal, reduces after-sales maintenance costs, and the fasteners can be repeatedly disassembled and reassembled without damage.
Smart Images
Figure CN223494446U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive technology, and in particular to a snap-fit component and a snap-fit structure for automotive trim panels and sheet metal. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, plastic trim panels are needed in certain areas of the vehicle's body panels to conceal unsightly edges and improve the vehicle's appearance. However, due to constraints in body panel forming processes and space constraints, it's difficult to create snap-fit connections for these plastic trim panels in some situations. Therefore, many plastic trim panels rely on pre-installed 3M tape for attachment. However, 3M tape is expensive per unit, and its bonding process is demanding. When the bonding area is small or in low-temperature environments, the bond is weak, leading to a risk of delamination and low reliability. Furthermore, 3M tape bonding is a one-time fixation method; parts with the tape removed are often unusable during later repairs and must be replaced, resulting in high after-sales maintenance costs.
[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new technical solution to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Utility Model Content
[0004] Based on this, this application provides a snap-fit component and a snap-fit structure for automotive trim panels and sheet metal, which can improve the firmness and reliability of assembly and reduce after-sales maintenance costs when the trim panel and sheet metal are not well matched due to their own structural differences.
[0005] Therefore, this application adopts the following technical solution: a fastener, the fastener comprising a horizontally extending base plate, and a guide wall and a holding wall extending longitudinally from the base plate, wherein an insertion space is formed between the guide wall and the holding wall for inserting one end of a sheet metal piece, wherein the guide wall is provided with a guide portion protruding toward the insertion space, and the holding wall is provided with a holding portion protruding toward the insertion space.
[0006] In some embodiments, the guide portion includes a plurality of ribs, the upper end of which is provided with a first guide slope extending obliquely from the holding upright into the insertion space.
[0007] In some embodiments, the upper end of the retaining wall is provided with a second guide slope extending obliquely into the insertion space.
[0008] In some embodiments, the retaining portion is located below the second guide ramp, the retaining portion has a side facing the guide wall and a bottom surface facing the base plate, the side extending obliquely to form a third guide ramp, and the bottom surface forming an end face with the sheet metal retainer.
[0009] In some embodiments, the retaining wall is an elastic arm that can elastically deform away from the guide wall when the sheet metal is inserted into the insertion space by the compression of the sheet metal.
[0010] In some embodiments, a material reduction groove is provided on the base plate, and the material reduction groove is provided at the connection between the base plate and the clamping upright.
[0011] In some embodiments, the fastener further includes a supporting and limiting rib, which is disposed between the holding wall and the guide wall.
[0012] In some embodiments, the supporting limiting ribs connect the clamping upright and the guide upright on both sides of the clamping upright and the guide upright.
[0013] In some embodiments, adhesives are attached to the bottom surface of the base plate.
[0014] This application also achieves this through the following technical solution: a snap-fit structure for automotive trim panels and sheet metal, comprising a trim panel, sheet metal, and a snap-fit component as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the end of the sheet metal includes a bent edge portion, the base plate of the snap-fit component is attached to and fixed to the trim panel, the end of the sheet metal is inserted into the insertion space, and the bent edge portion is snap-fitted and fixed to the snap-fit portion.
[0015] The fastener provided in this application includes a horizontally extending base plate, and a guide wall and a retaining wall extending longitudinally from the base plate. An insertion space is formed between the guide wall and the retaining wall, allowing one end of the sheet metal to be inserted. The guide wall is provided with a guide portion protruding into the insertion space, and the retaining wall is provided with a retaining portion protruding into the insertion space. Thus, the fastener can be installed on the trim panel as needed, thereby improving the firmness and reliability of the assembly when the trim panel and the sheet metal do not fit well due to their own structure, and reducing after-sales maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description
[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fastener of this application.
[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the fastener connecting the trim panel and sheet metal in this application.
[0019] Figure 3 For along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along line AA in the middle.
[0020] The component labels are as follows:
[0021] 1. Fastener; 101. Insertion space; 11. Base plate; 110. Material reduction groove; 12. Guide wall; 121. Guide part; 13. Holding wall; 131. Second guide slope; 132. Holding part; 14. Support limiting rib; 2. Decorative panel; 3. Sheet metal; 31. Folded edge part; 4. Adhesive component. Detailed Implementation
[0022] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.
[0023] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application's specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.
[0024] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0025] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0027] Please see Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this application provides a fastener 1. The fastener 1 can be used to connect an automotive trim panel 2 and a sheet metal 3. The fastener 1 includes a laterally extending base plate 11, and a guide wall 12 and a retaining wall 13 extending longitudinally from the base plate 11. An insertion space 101 is formed between the guide wall 12 and the retaining wall 13, allowing one end of the sheet metal 3 to be inserted. The guide wall 12 is provided with a guide portion 121 protruding into the insertion space 101, and the retaining wall 13 is provided with a retaining portion 132 protruding into the insertion space 101. The fastener 1 can be fixed to the trim panel 2. When the sheet metal 3 is inserted into the insertion space 101, it is guided by the guide portion 121 and finally retained and fixed by the retaining portion 132, thereby realizing the connection between the trim panel 2 and the sheet metal 3.
[0028] The snap-fit component 1 provided in this application can be installed on the trim panel 2 as needed and form a snap-fit connection with the sheet metal 3, thereby improving the assembly's firmness and reliability when the trim panel 2 and sheet metal 3 have insufficient structural fit. Furthermore, since the snap-fit component 1 and sheet metal 3 are snap-fitted together, they can be repeatedly disassembled and reassembled without damage, which reduces after-sales maintenance costs compared to directly bonding the sheet metal 3 and trim panel 2 with 3M tape.
[0029] Please see Figure 1As shown, in this embodiment, the fastener 1 is a plastic part, for example, made of PP material, i.e., polypropylene. The base plate 11 is generally a rectangular plate; of course, in other embodiments, the base plate 11 can also be a circular, trapezoidal, or other shaped plate. The bottom surface of the base plate 11 is used to connect and fix it to the decorative panel 2. Please refer to the following: Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, an adhesive 4 is attached to the bottom surface of the base plate 11, and the fastener 1 is adhered to the decorative panel 2 via the adhesive 4. In some embodiments, the adhesive 4 is 3M adhesive. In other embodiments, the fastener 1 can also be connected and fixed to the decorative panel 2 by welding the base plate 11 to the decorative panel 2.
[0030] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, both the guide wall 12 and the retaining wall 13 extend upward from the top surface of the base plate 11. Both the guide wall 12 and the retaining wall 13 are generally plate-shaped and are arranged face-to-face. A gap exists between the guide wall 12 and the retaining wall 13, forming the insertion space 101.
[0031] The guide wall 12 faces the insertion space 101, that is, the side of the guide wall 12 facing the holding wall 13, and the guide portion 121 is provided thereon. In this embodiment, the guide portion 121 includes several ribs. The upper end of each rib is provided with a first guide slope extending obliquely from the holding wall 13 into the insertion space 101. When the sheet metal 3 is introduced into the insertion space 101 by the ribs, the edges of the multiple ribs form multiple strip-shaped contacts with the sheet metal 3, which can effectively compress and limit the sheet metal 3 within the insertion space 101.
[0032] The upper end of the retaining wall 13 is provided with a second guide slope 131 extending inclinedly into the insertion space 101. The first guide slope and the second guide slope 131 form a trumpet-shaped opening that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, facilitating the insertion of the sheet metal 3 into the insertion space 101. The retaining part 132 is located on the retaining wall 13 and below the second guide slope 131. The retaining part 132 has a side facing the guide wall 12 and a bottom surface facing the base plate 11. The side extends inclinedly to form a third guide slope, and the bottom surface forms an end face that retains the sheet metal 3. During the insertion process, the side of the sheet metal 3 that abuts against the guide wall 12 is guided by the first guide slope on the guide part 121, while the side that abuts against the retaining wall 13 is guided sequentially by the second guide slope 131 and the third guide slope on the retaining part 132, until it passes the third guide slope and is retained on the downward-facing end face of the retaining part 132.
[0033] In this embodiment, the retaining wall 13 is an elastic arm, which can elastically deform away from the guide wall 12 when the sheet metal 3 is inserted into the insertion space 101, under the pressure of the sheet metal 3. The retaining wall 13 is cantilever beam shaped, with a wall thickness of 2-3 mm, and is made of PP plastic. Due to its overall shape being a vertical thin plate, and the absence of reinforcing ribs or other structures at the connection with the base plate 11, the retaining wall 13 has a certain elastic deformation capability. In contrast, the guide wall 12 has several ribs on one side, with the lower ends of the ribs connected to the base plate 11 to form a reinforcing rib structure. Therefore, the guide wall 12 is more stable and can be understood as not undergoing elastic deformation when the sheet metal 3 is inserted, thus ensuring the reliability of the guidance. Furthermore, a material reduction groove 110 is provided on the base plate 11, and the material reduction groove 110 is located at the connection between the base plate 11 and the retaining wall 13. The material reduction groove 110 is designed to help eliminate stress and increase the elastic deformation capacity of the clamping wall 13.
[0034] Please continue reading. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the fastener 1 also includes a supporting and limiting rib 14, which is disposed between the holding wall 13 and the guide wall 12. In this embodiment, the supporting and limiting rib 14 connects the holding wall 13 and the guide wall 12 on both sides. The supporting and limiting rib 14 connects the holding wall 13 and the guide wall 12 into one unit, making the structure of the fastener 1 more compact and stable. In this embodiment, the end of the supporting and limiting rib 14 closer to the guide wall 12 is higher, and the end closer to the holding wall 13 is lower. This inclined arrangement provides better support for the sheet metal 3 while ensuring that it is fastened to the holding part 132. When the sheet metal 3 is inserted into the insertion space 101 and engages with the retaining part 132, the sheet metal 3 is supported on the supporting limiting rib 14. The sheet metal 3 has elastic deformation capability and can elastically compress and cooperate with the supporting limiting rib 14 to ensure that the sheet metal 3 is stably held on the retaining part 132, preventing the sheet metal 3 from shaking or accidentally disengaging. In one embodiment, the engagement amount between the sheet metal 3 and the retaining part 132 is designed to be no less than 1.6mm, and the gap between the supporting limiting rib 14 and the sheet metal 3 is no more than 0.2mm to ensure the firmness of the assembly.
[0035] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, this application also provides a snap-fit structure for an automotive trim panel 2 and a sheet metal 3, which includes a trim panel 2, a sheet metal 3, and a snap-fit member 1 as described in any of the above embodiments. The end of the sheet metal 3 includes a bent edge portion 31. The base plate 11 of the snap-fit member 1 is abutted and fixed to the trim panel 2. The end of the sheet metal 3 is inserted into the insertion space 101, and the bent edge portion 31 is snap-fitted and fixed to the retaining portion 132. In this embodiment, the bent edge portion 31 and the main body of the sheet metal 3 are approximately bent into a J-shape, and the trim panel 2 has an L-shaped cross-section. The side panels of the trim panel 2 that are not fixed to the snap-fit member 1 cover the snap-fit member 1, thereby concealing the edges of the snap-fit member and the sheet metal 3 and improving aesthetics.
[0036] In one embodiment, during assembly, the buckle 1 is attached to the trim panel 2 by the adhesive 4, the sheet metal 3 is vertically inserted into the insertion space 101 from top to bottom, and the folded edge 31, under the restriction and guidance of the guide wall 12 and the holding wall 13, finally abuts against the support limiting rib 14 and is held by the holding part 132, thus completing the assembly.
[0037] As can be seen from the above description of the specific embodiments, the buckle 1 provided in this application includes a horizontally extending base plate 11, and a guide wall 12 and a retaining wall 13 extending longitudinally from the base plate 11. An insertion space 101 is formed between the guide wall 12 and the retaining wall 13, which allows one end of the sheet metal 3 to be inserted. The guide wall 12 is provided with a guide portion 121 protruding into the insertion space 101, and the retaining wall 13 is provided with a retaining portion 132 protruding into the insertion space 101. Thus, the buckle 1 can be installed on the trim panel 2 as needed, so as to improve the firmness and reliability of the assembly when the trim panel 2 and the sheet metal 3 have insufficient fit due to their own structure, and can reduce after-sales maintenance costs.
[0038] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0039] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A fastener, characterized in that, The fastener includes a horizontally extending base plate, and a guide wall and a retaining wall extending longitudinally from the base plate. An insertion space is formed between the guide wall and the retaining wall for inserting one end of the sheet metal. The guide wall is provided with a guide portion protruding into the insertion space, and the retaining wall is provided with a retaining portion protruding into the insertion space.
2. The fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide portion includes several ribs, and the upper end of each rib is provided with a first guide slope extending obliquely from the holding upright wall into the insertion space.
3. The fastener according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper end of the retaining wall is provided with a second guide slope that extends inclined into the insertion space.
4. The fastener according to claim 3, characterized in that, The retaining part is located below the second guide slope. The retaining part has a side facing the guide wall and a bottom surface facing the base plate. The side extends obliquely to form a third guide slope, and the bottom surface forms the end face of the sheet metal retainer.
5. The snap-fit component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The retaining wall is an elastic arm that can elastically deform away from the guide wall when the sheet metal is inserted into the insertion space.
6. The snap-fit component according to claim 5, characterized in that, A material reduction groove is provided on the base plate, and the material reduction groove is provided at the connection between the base plate and the clamping upright.
7. The fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fastener also includes a supporting and limiting rib, which is disposed between the holding wall and the guide wall.
8. The snap-fit component according to claim 7, characterized in that, The supporting limiting ribs connect the clamping upright and the guide upright on both sides of the clamping upright and the guide upright.
9. The snap-fit component according to claim 1, characterized in that, An adhesive component is attached to the bottom surface of the base plate.
10. A snap-fit structure for automotive trim panels and sheet metal, characterized in that, The device includes a decorative panel, sheet metal, and a fastener as described in any one of claims 1 to 9. The end of the sheet metal includes a bent edge. The base plate of the fastener is attached to and fixed to the decorative panel. The end of the sheet metal is inserted into the insertion space. The bent edge is engaged and fixed with the retaining part.