Fastener and fastening structure

Abstract

A fastener having a pin and a fastening component, which is attached to a vehicle body and comprises a base portion having an opening into which the pin is inserted, and an insertion portion which projects from a peripheral portion of the opening of the base portion and is insertable into a fastening hole provided in the vehicle body, and which is elastically deformable toward a radially outer side of the pin, thereby securing it in the fastening hole when the pin is inserted into the opening.The fastening member includes an annular sealing portion that protrudes outward from a peripheral portion of the base portion and that seals a gap between the vehicle body and the base portion by contacting the vehicle body in a state where the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole; and a protruding portion that protrudes from the peripheral portion of the insertion portion of the base portion and has a part that overlaps the sealing portion in the insertion direction of the pin, and that contacts the vehicle body in the secured state.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening element and a fastening structure. Background of the invention

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-166650 A discloses a structure in which a clip is provided on a bumper bracket (fastening member), comprising: a thin flange (sealing portion) disposed on the lower side of a lower portion (base portion) of a bracket, the thin flange being elastically pressed against a body panel (vehicle body) to seal; and a pair of stoppers (contacts) in contact with the body panel to prevent the thin flange from being destroyed. In this structure, the pair of stoppers are arranged one-to-one on the left and right sides across the thin flange and extend linearly in the vertical direction. Summary of the inventionTechnical problem

[0003] According to the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP 2016-166650 A, in which the bumper bracket is fixed to the body panel, the pair of stoppers maintains the posture of the bumper bracket. However, depending on the load on the body panel, the bumper bracket may tilt upward or downward (pitch) relative to the body panel. Therefore, from the perspective of maintaining posture, such a pair of stoppers tends to be elongated in the vertical direction, making it difficult to reduce the size of the lower part of the bracket.

[0004] An aspect of the present invention is to provide a technique that makes it possible to reduce the size of the base portion in a configuration in which a protruding portion for contacting a vehicle body is provided at a base portion of a fastening member to be fastened to the vehicle body. Solution to the problem

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fastening element comprises a pin; and a fastening member for attachment to a vehicle body, the fastening member comprising: a base portion having an opening through which the pin is inserted; an insertion portion protruding from the base portion around the opening and configured to be inserted into a fastening hole of the vehicle body, the insertion portion being elastically deformed outward in the radial direction of the pin by the pin inserted into the opening so as to be secured in the fastening hole;an annular sealing portion, the sealing portion protruding from the base portion around the insertion portion and sealing between the vehicle body and the base portion by contacting the vehicle body in a state where the insertion portion is secured in the mounting hole; and a protruding portion protruding from the base portion around the insertion portion and overlapping with the sealing portion in the insertion direction of the pin, the protruding portion contacting the vehicle body in a state where the insertion portion is secured in the mounting hole.

[0006] According to the fastener of the first aspect, the insertion portion of the fastening member is inserted into the fastening hole of the vehicle body, and then the pin is inserted into the opening of the base portion, the insertion portion being inserted into the fastening hole, so that the insertion portion elastically deforms outward in the radial direction of the pin due to the inserted pin to be secured in the fastening hole. When the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole, the sealing portion seals between the vehicle body and the base portion in contact with the vehicle body. When the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole, the portion protruding from the base portion contacts the vehicle body.

[0007] In the fastener, the protruding portion that contacts the vehicle body includes the overlap with the sealing portion in the pin insertion direction. For example, compared to a configuration in which the entire protruding portion is located on the outer periphery of the sealing portion (i.e., radially outward), the size of the base portion of the fastener component can be reduced.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fastening member according to the first aspect, a part where the projecting portion contacts the vehicle body is arranged radially outside the sealing portion.

[0009] According to the fastening member of the second aspect, the part where the protruding portion contacts the vehicle body is located radially outside the sealing portion. Thus, the fastening member attached to the vehicle body can be prevented from tilting due to a larger distance from the center of the opening of the base portion to the part where the protruding portion contacts the vehicle body.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fastening member according to the first or second aspect, the sealing portion is a plate-shaped portion capable of elastically deforming and has a diameter gradually increasing from a base of the plate-shaped portion to a front end of the plate-shaped portion.

[0011] According to the fastening member of the third aspect, the sealing portion includes the plate-shaped portion capable of elastic deformation and whose diameter gradually increases from the base of the plate-shaped portion to the front end of the plate-shaped portion, in other words, a suction cup-shaped portion, so that the sealing effect between the vehicle body and the base portion can be easily ensured.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fastening member according to any one of the first to third aspects, the overlap of the projecting portion has an inclined surface in which the height of a projection with respect to the base portion gradually decreases radially inward.

[0013] According to the fastener of the fourth aspect, the overlap with the seal portion in the insertion direction of the pin in the protruding portion has an inclined surface. Thus, when the base portion, the insertion portion, the seal part, and the protruding portion are integrally injection-molded, a removal direction for a slide mold for injection-molding the seal part and the protruding portion can be ensured. Furthermore, according to the fastener, a thickness can be ensured for the part that the slide mold has to form the inclined surface, so that the slide mold can be prevented from being damaged.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the projecting portion of the fastening member according to any one of the first to fourth aspects includes a groove portion extending in a direction away from the center of the opening.

[0015] According to the fastener of the fifth aspect, the protruding portion, which includes the overlap with the sealing portion in the direction of pin insertion, includes the groove portion extending away from the center of the opening. Thus, when the base portion, the insertion portion, the sealing portion, and the protruding portion are integrally injection-molded, a thickness for forming the groove portion can be ensured for the part of a sliding mold for injection-molding the sealing portion and the protruding portion, so that the sliding mold cannot be damaged.

[0016] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fastening member according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a plurality of projecting portions are provided at intervals around the insertion portion.

[0017] According to the fastening member of the sixth aspect, the projecting portions are provided at intervals around the insertion portion in the base portion, so that the fastening member attached to the vehicle body can be prevented from inclining.

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fastening member according to any one of the first to third aspects, first projecting portions projecting around the insertion portion and second projecting portions, like the projecting portion, are arranged at intervals around the insertion portion, the first projecting portions being arranged radially outwardly of the sealing portion to face each other as a pair across the sealing portion, and the second projecting portions being arranged between the first projecting portions adjacent to the second projecting portions to face each other as a pair across the sealing portion.

[0019] According to the fastening member of the seventh aspect, the pair of first protruding portions are arranged to face each other across the sealing portion, and the pair of second protruding portions are arranged between the first protruding portions adjacent to the second protruding portions to face each other across the sealing portion. For example, compared with a configuration in which two second protruding portions are arranged adjacent to the first protruding portions, the first protruding portions and the second protruding portions are mutually spaced apart, so that a further improvement in the effect of preventing the inclination of the fastening member attached to the vehicle body due to the first protruding portions and the second protruding portions is achieved.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the fastening member according to the seventh aspect, in a case where the base portion is viewed opposite to the insertion direction of the pin, the pair of first projecting portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second projecting portions.

[0021] According to the fastening member according to the eighth aspect, the pair of first protruding portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions. For example, compared to a configuration in which the pair of first protruding portions are arranged at positions non-orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions, a further improvement is achieved in the effect of preventing the fastening member attached to the vehicle body from tilting due to the first protruding portions and the second protruding portions.

[0022] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the fastening member according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the second projecting portions each include a groove portion extending in a direction away from the center of the opening, and the overlap of all the second projecting portions is an inclined surface in which the height of a projection with respect to the base portion gradually decreases radially inward.

[0023] According to the fastener of the ninth aspect, the overlap that the second protruding portions each have with the sealing portion in the insertion direction of the pin is the inclined surface. In this way, when the base portion, the insertion part, the sealing part, and the second protruding portions are integrally injection-molded, a withdrawal direction for each sliding mold for injection-molding the sealing part and the second protruding portion can be ensured. Furthermore, according to the fastener, a thickness for forming the inclined surface can be ensured for the part that each sliding mold has, so that each sliding mold can be prevented from being damaged. According to the fastener, the second protruding portions each include the groove portion extending in the direction away from the center of the opening.Thus, in the sliding mold for injection molding the seal portion and the second protruding portion, a thickness for forming the groove portion can be ensured, so that each sliding mold can be protected from damage.

[0024] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the fastening element according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the fastening member is a bracket for fastening a bumper.

[0025] According to the fastening element of the tenth aspect, the bracket, as the fastening member fixed to the vehicle body, can be prevented from tilting. That is, the bumper fixed to the vehicle body by the bracket can be prevented from tilting.

[0026] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a fastening structure comprises the vehicle body including the fastening hole; and the fastening member according to the eighth aspect, wherein the fastening member fastens the fastening member to the vehicle body, wherein the pair of second protruding portions oppose each other via the sealing portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle and contact the vehicle body.

[0027] According to the fastening structure of the eleventh aspect, the pair of second protruding portions face each other across the sealing portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the pair of first protruding portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions. Thus, in a case where the fastening member is attached to the vehicle body, the fastening member is prevented from tilting with respect to the vehicle body. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0028] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a configuration in which a protruding portion contacting a vehicle body is provided at a base portion in a fastening member to be fastened to the vehicle body, the size of the base portion can be reduced. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a bumper bracket to which a fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the Fig. 1 fastening element shown; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the Fig. 2 fastening element shown; Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the fastener opposite to the view of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a front view of the fastener of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a side view of the fastener of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a section along the line 7X-7X of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the Fig. 2 shown fastening element with a pressed-in pin; Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the fastener in contrast to the view of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a side view of the fastener of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the fastener of Fig. 10 (a section view of a part corresponding to the section view along the line 7X-7X of Fig. 5); Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the fastener and the slider molds; Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the slider molds of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14X-14X of Fig. 13; and Fig. 15 is a front view of a fastener according to another embodiment of the present invention. Description of the embodiments

[0029] In the following, a fastening element and a fastening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to Fig. 1 to 11 described. Fastening element 20

[0030] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a fastening element 20 of the present embodiment comprises a pin 30 and a fastening component 40. Pen 30

[0031] As in the Fig. 2, Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the pin 30 serves as a member inserted into an opening 45 provided on a fastening member 40, which will be described later. In response to the insertion of the pin 30 into the opening 45, a pair of leg portions 52 included in the fastening member 40, which will be described later, elastically deform and open.

[0032] The pin 30 includes a shaft portion 32, a flange portion 34, a first engaging portion 36, and a second engaging portion 38. The flange portion 34 corresponds to a part that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the pin 30 from the end of the shaft portion 32 on a side opposite to the insertion direction of the pin 30. The first engaging portion 36 corresponds to a recess provided at the end of the shaft portion 32 on a side corresponding to the insertion direction of the pin 30, and which engages with corresponding claws 53 provided on the pair of leg portions 52 described later. The second engaging portion 38 corresponds to a recess provided on the shaft portion 32 and located closer to the side opposite to the insertion direction of the pin 30 than the first engaging portion 36, and engages with corresponding claws 55 of a pair of leg portions 54.It should be noted that the fastening element 20 of the present embodiment is supplied with the fastening component 40 having the pair of leg portions 52 whose claws 53 engage with the first engagement portion 36 of the pin 30. Fastening component 40

[0033] As in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 11, the fastening member 40 serves as a member that is fastened to a vehicle body (e.g., a body panel) 100. In the present embodiment, the fastening member 40 is a bracket for fastening a bumper (not shown) as an exemplary vehicle component to the vehicle body 100 (bumper fastening bracket). Note that the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and therefore, the fastening member 40 may have any configuration, provided that a vehicle component can be fastened to the vehicle body 100. Examples of such a vehicle component include exterior vehicle parts, interior vehicle parts, and brackets (including retainers) for fastening components to a vehicle body.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the fastening member 40 is a bracket as described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the fastening member 40 and a bracket may be detachably attached to each other, and the bracket may be fixed to the vehicle body 100 by the fastening member 40 being attached to the bracket.

[0035] It should be noted that the fastening component 40 of the present embodiment is a one-piece injection-molded plastic product.

[0036] As in the Fig. 2 to 11, the fastening component 40 comprises a base portion 44, an insertion portion 50, a sealing portion 60 and a projecting portion 70. Since the fastening component 40 of the present embodiment is a bracket, as shown in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 8, a plurality of fixing portions 42, each including the base portion 44, the insertion portion 50, the sealing portion 60 and the protruding portion 70, are provided on a base body 41.

[0037] The base portion 44 corresponds to a flat head of a projection formed by pushing out in the thickness direction to one side of the base body 41 (to the left side in Fig. 7). Located in the center of the base portion 44 is the opening 45 into which the pin 30 is inserted. Note that in the present embodiment, the base portion 44 corresponds to the flat head of the protrusion, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, a flat part may be formed as the base portion 44 on a part of the main body 41.

[0038] The base portion 44 has a flat surface 44A. Note that the surface of the base portion 44 here refers to the top surface of the protrusion. When the fastening component 40 is attached to the vehicle body 100, the surface of the base portion 44 faces the surface of the vehicle body 100 (in other words, the outer surface of the vehicle body 100).

[0039] The insertion portion 50 includes a pair of leg portions 52 arranged around the opening 45 and projecting from the base portion 44. Specifically, the pair of leg portions 52 project from the edge of the opening 45 of the base portion 44 (in other words, the edge of the opening 45 on the side where the surface 44A is located) in the insertion direction of the pin 30. The pair of leg portions 52 are arranged to oppose each other.

[0040] The insertion portion 50 is inserted into a mounting hole 102 provided on the vehicle body 100. That is, the pair of leg portions 52 are inserted into the mounting hole 102.

[0041] When the pin 30 is inserted into the opening 45, the insertion portion 50 elastically deforms outward in the radial direction of the pin 30. When the pin 30 is inserted into the opening 45, the pair of leg portions 52 are pushed radially outward due to the pin 30 and open (also called spreading).

[0042] In this case, when the pair of leg portions 52 are inserted into the mounting hole 102, the pin 30 spreads the pair of leg portions 52, so that the pair of leg portions 52 are secured in the mounting hole 102. Specifically, the outer part of each leg portion 52 is clamped at the edge of the mounting hole 102.

[0043] As in the Fig. 2, Fig. 7 and Fig. 11, the sealing portion 60 is disposed around the insertion portion 50 and protrudes from the base portion 44. Specifically, the sealing portion 60 surrounds the pair of leg portions 52 and protrudes radially from the surface 44A of the base portion 44 in a direction identical to the extending direction of the leg portions 52. Specifically, the sealing portion 60 includes a plate-shaped portion capable of elastic deformation and having a diameter that gradually increases from its base toward the front end, and that seals between the vehicle body 100 and the base portion 44 in contact with the vehicle body 100.More specifically, the sealing portion 60 includes a suction cup-shaped portion provided on the surface 44A of the base portion 44 and surrounding the pair of leg portions 52, and sealing between the vehicle body 100 and the base portion 44 in close contact with the periphery of the mounting hole 102 of the vehicle body 100.

[0044] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, with the leg pairs 52 secured in the mounting opening 102, the sealing portion 60 provides a seal between the vehicle body 100 and the base portion 44 in contact with the vehicle body 100.

[0045] Three or more protruding portions 70 are provided at intervals around the insertion portion 50 in the base portion 44. Specifically, the protruding portions 70 protrude from the surface 44A of the base portion 44 in a direction identical to the extending direction of the leg portions. The protruding portions 70 are arranged at regular intervals. Note that, in the present embodiment, four protruding portions 70 are provided at regular intervals on the surface 44A of the base portion 44, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Three, five, or more protruding portions 70 may be provided on the surface 44A of the base portion 44.

[0046] The protruding portions 70 each have an upper surface 70A that serves as a flat surface. The upper surface 70A of each protruding portion 70 is designed to contact a flat surface around the mounting hole 102 of the vehicle body 100. That is, the upper surface 70A of each protruding portion 70 can be considered a part that the protruding portion 70 must contact with the vehicle body 100.

[0047] In the present embodiment, four protruding portions 70 are provided on the base portion 44. The four protruding portions 70 include a pair of first protruding portions 72 and a pair of second protruding portions 74.

[0048] The pair of first protruding portions 72 are arranged radially outwardly of the sealing portion 60 and oppose each other across the sealing portion 60. Note that the first protruding portions 72 of the present embodiment are each an exemplary first protruding portion of the present invention.

[0049] The pair of second protruding portions 74 are disposed between the first protruding portions 72 adjacent thereto and oppose each other across the sealing portion 60. Note that the second protruding portions 74 of the present embodiment are each an exemplary second protruding portion of the present invention or an exemplary protruding portion.

[0050] In a case where the base portion 44 is viewed opposite to the insertion direction of the pin 30, the pair of first protruding portions 72 are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions 74.

[0051] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the pair of second projecting portions 74 are arranged to oppose each other across the seal portion 60 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0052] Of the four protruding portions 70, at least one protruding portion 70 overlaps the sealing portion 60 in the insertion direction of the pin 30. In the present embodiment, two of the four protruding portions 70 facing each other each overlap the sealing portion 60 in the insertion direction of the pin 30. In particular, the pair of second protruding portions 74 each has the overlap described above.

[0053] As in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 8, the above-described overlap of every second projecting portion 74 has an inclined surface 71 in which the height of a projection with respect to the base portion 44 gradually decreases inward in the radial direction of the sealing portion 60.

[0054] The second protruding portions 74 each include a groove portion 76 extending in a direction away from the center C of the opening 45 of the base portion 44. Specifically, the groove portion 76 extends in a direction away from the center C along the radial direction of the sealing portion 60.

[0055] The protruding portions 70 of the present embodiment contact the vehicle body 100 when the insert part 50 is secured in the mounting hole 102. Specifically, the respective upper surfaces 70A of the four protruding portions 70 contact the vehicle body 100.

[0056] The fastening member 40 of the present embodiment includes the pair of leg portions 54 at positions rotated by an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the positions of the pair of leg portions 52. The pair of leg portions 54 are inserted into the fastening hole 102 together with the pair of leg portions 52. By inserting the pair of leg portions 52 and the pair of leg portions 54 into the fastening hole 102, play is prevented from occurring in the fastening member 40. The two leg portions 54 are provided at their front ends with corresponding claws 55 that protrude in directions in which the claws 55 face each other. The claws 55 engage with the second engagement portion 38 of the pin 30.

[0057] Note that in the present embodiment, a region surrounding the opening 45 on the surface 44A of the base portion 44 is located higher than the other region thereon, thus serving as a base. The base has a seat 44B on which the pair of leg portions 52, the pair of leg portions 54, the sealing portion 60, and the four protruding portions 70 are disposed. Mounting structure

[0058] As in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 11, a fastening structure S of the present embodiment serves as a structure for fastening the fastening component 40 to the vehicle body 100. Specifically, the fastening structure S includes the vehicle body 100 and the fastening component 40 fastened to the vehicle body 100.

[0059] In the fastening structure S, the pair of second protruding portions 74 are in contact with the vehicle body 100 while facing each other in the vehicle vertical direction via the sealing portion 60. Note that the pair of first protruding portions 72 are in contact with the vehicle body 100 opposite to the insertion direction of the pin 30 while facing each other via the sealing portion 60 in the left-right direction orthogonal to the vehicle vertical direction along which the pair of second protruding portions 74 are arranged.

[0060] The functions and effects of the fastening element 20 and the fastening structure S of the present embodiment will be described below.

[0061] According to the fastening element 20 of the present embodiment, the pair of leg portions 52 included in the insertion portion 50 of the fastening component 40 are inserted into the fastening hole 102 of the vehicle body 100. After inserting the pair of leg portions 52, the pin 30 is inserted into the opening 45 of the base portion 44. Specifically, the pin 30 is further pushed into the opening 45 when the leg portions 52 engage with the claws 53 in the first engagement portion 36 of the pin 30 (e.g., the pin 30 is pushed in until a change from the state of Fig. 7 on the condition of Fig. 11). Thus, due to the inserted pin 30, the pair of leg portions 52 are pushed outward in the radial direction of the pin 30 to elastically deform. In other words, the pair of leg portions 52 are spread apart to be secured in the mounting hole 102. When the pair of leg portions 52 are secured in the mounting hole 102, the sealing portion 60 provides sealing between the vehicle body 100 and the base portion 44, which is in contact with the vehicle body 100. In addition, when the pair of leg portions 52 are secured in the mounting hole 102, three or more protruding portions 70 (for example, the four protruding portions 70 in the present embodiment) arranged at intervals around the pair of leg portions 52 and protruding from the base portion 44 each contact the vehicle body 100.

[0062] The fastening element 20 is secured with the pair of leg portions 52 in the fastening opening 102. In other words, it is fastened to the vehicle body 100 with the fastening component 40, and the four protruding portions 70 each contact the vehicle body. For example, in the fastening element 20, compared to a configuration in which two protruding portions 70 oppose each other across the pair of leg portions 52, each of which is in contact with the vehicle body 100, the tilting of the fastening component 40 fastened to the vehicle body 100 can be prevented. In other words, incorrect fastening can be prevented.As mentioned above, since the fastening member 40 is prevented from being incorrectly fastened to the vehicle body 100, for example, a reduction in the workload in fastening the fastening member 40 can be achieved.

[0063] According to the fastening member 20, the second protruding portions 74 each overlap with the sealing portion 60 in the insertion direction of the pin 30. For example, according to the fastening member 20, compared to a configuration in which each entire second protruding portion 74 is disposed on the outer periphery of the sealing portion 60 (radially outside the sealing portion 60), a reduction in the size of the seat 44B (socket portion) in the fastening member 40 can be achieved, resulting in a reduction in the size of the base portion 44. In this way, the fastening member 40 can be miniaturized.

[0064] According to the fastening member 20 of the present embodiment, the part that each second protruding portion 74 needs to contact with the vehicle body 100 is located radially outside the sealing portion 60. Due to the increased distance between the center C of the opening 45 of the base portion 44 and each second protruding portion 74, the fastening member 40 attached to the vehicle body 100 can thus be further prevented from tilting.

[0065] According to the fastening element 20 of the present embodiment, the overlap with the sealing portion 60 in the insertion direction of the pin 30 in the second projecting portion 74 has the inclined surface 71. Thus, as shown in the Fig. 12 to 14, in the integral injection molding of the base portion 44, the pair of leg portions 52, the pair of leg portions 54, the seal portion 60, and the second protruding portions 74, a withdrawal direction for each slide mold 110 for injection molding the seal portion 60 and the second protruding portion 74 can be ensured. Moreover, according to the fastening member 20, a thickness can be ensured for the part that each slide mold 110 has to form the inclined surface 71. Thus, due to a structure for providing the inclined surface 71 to the fastening member 20, each slide mold 110 can be prevented from being damaged. According to the fastening member 20, the second protruding portions 74 each include the groove portion 76 extending in the direction away from the center C of the opening 45.Thus, when injection molding the seal portion 60 and a second protruding portion 74, a thickness can be ensured for the part that each sliding mold 110 has to form the groove portion 76, so that each sliding mold 110 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0066] According to the fastening member 20 of the present embodiment, the pair of first protruding portions 72 are arranged to face each other across the sealing portion 60. Furthermore, the pair of second protruding portions 74 are arranged between the first protruding portions 72, adjacent to them, and opposed to each other across the sealing portion 60. For example, compared with a configuration in which two second protruding portions 74 are arranged between the adjacent first protruding portions 72, the first protruding portions 72 and the second protruding portions 74 are arranged at intervals from each other. In this way, a further improvement in the effect is achieved, so that the fastening member 40 attached to the vehicle body 100 is prevented from tilting due to the first protruding portions 72 and the second protruding portions 74.

[0067] According to the fastening member 20 of the present embodiment, the pair of first protruding portions 72 are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions 74. Compared with a configuration in which the pair of first protruding portions 72 are arranged at positions non-orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions 74, for example, a further improvement is achieved in the effect of preventing the fastening member 40 attached to the vehicle body 100 from tilting due to the first protruding portions 72 and the second protruding portions 74.

[0068] According to the fastening element 20 of the present embodiment, the fastening member 40 is a bracket for fastening a bumper. Thus, the bumper, which is fastened to the vehicle body 100 by the fastening member 40, can be prevented from tilting.

[0069] According to the fastening structure S of the present embodiment, the pair of second protruding portions 74 face each other across the seal portion 60 in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the pair of first protruding portions 72 are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions 74. Thus, in a case where the fastening member 40 is fastened to the vehicle body 100, the fastening member 40 is prevented from tilting with respect to the vehicle body 100.

[0070] According to the embodiment described above, the protruding portions 70 include the first protruding portions 72 and the second protruding portions 74, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Like the protruding portions 70, only a plurality of second protruding portions 74 may be provided.

[0071] According to the embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 5, the protruding portions 70 (in other words, the first protruding portions 72 and the second protruding portions 74) are provided around the insertion portion 50 in the base portion 44, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. As shown in Fig. 15, for example, a fastening element 120 may be provided in which an annular protruding portion 122 is provided around an insertion portion 50 (including the leg portions 52 and the leg portions 54) in a base portion 44 and surrounds the insertion portion 50. According to the fastening element 120 including the annular protruding portion 122 as described above, a fastening component attached to a vehicle body 100 can be prevented from tilting. In other words, faulty fastening can be prevented, similar to the fastening element 20 described above. Fig. 15, reference numeral 124 denotes a groove portion. The annular protruding portion 122 may include a C-shaped protruding portion that is partially discontinuous, in addition to a protruding portion having a continuous shape.

[0072] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above description. Thus, various changes may be made in addition to the above description without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0073] Preferred aspects of the present invention are explained below. Note 1

[0074] Fastening element comprising: a pen; and a fastening component for attachment to a vehicle body, the fastening component comprising: a base portion having an opening through which the pin is inserted; an insertion portion protruding from the base portion around the opening and configured to be inserted into a mounting hole of the vehicle body, the insertion portion being elastically deformed outward in the radial direction of the pin by the pin inserted into the opening so as to be secured in the mounting hole; an annular sealing portion, the sealing portion protruding from the base portion around the insertion portion and sealing between the vehicle body and the base portion by contacting the vehicle body in a state where the insertion portion is secured in the mounting hole; and three or more protruding portions arranged at intervals around the insertion portion and protruding from the base portion, the protruding portions contacting the vehicle body in a state where the insertion portion is secured in the mounting hole.

[0075] According to the fastener of Note 1, the insertion portion of the fastening member is inserted into the fastening hole of the vehicle body, and then the pin is inserted into the opening of the base portion. The insertion portion is inserted into the fastening hole, so that the insertion portion elastically deforms outward in the radial direction of the pin due to the inserted pin to be secured in the fastening hole. When the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole, the sealing portion seals between the vehicle body and the base portion in contact with the vehicle body. In addition, when the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole, the three or more protruding portions arranged at intervals around the insertion portion and protruding from the base portion contact the vehicle body.

[0076] In the fastener, the three or more protruding portions contact the vehicle body when the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole, that is, when the fastening component is fastened to the vehicle body. For example, compared to a configuration in which two protruding portions oppose each other across the insertion portion and each contact the vehicle body, tilting of the fastening component fastened to the vehicle body can be prevented, that is, incorrect fastening can be prevented. Note 2

[0077] The fastener according to Note 1, in which the projecting portions are arranged radially outwardly of the sealing area.

[0078] In the fastening member according to Note 2, the protruding portions are arranged radially outside the sealing portion. For example, compared to a configuration in which the protruding portions are arranged radially inside the sealing portion, the distance from the center of the opening of the base portion to each protruding portion is longer, so that the fastening component attached to the vehicle body can be further prevented from tilting. Note 3

[0079] The fastener according to note 2, wherein the sealing portion is a plate-shaped portion capable of elastic deformation and has a diameter gradually increasing from the base of the plate-shaped portion to a front end of the plate-shaped portion, and wherein at least one of the projecting portions has an overlap with the sealing portion in the insertion direction of the pin.

[0080] According to the fastener of Note 3, at least one of the protruding portions includes an overlap with the sealing portion in the pin insertion direction. For example, compared to a configuration in which all protruding portions are entirely located on the outer periphery of the sealing portion, the size of the base portion in the fastener component can be reduced. This allows the fastener component to be miniaturized. Note 4

[0081] In the fastener according to Note 3, the overlap of the projecting portions is an inclined surface in which the height of the projection relative to the base portion gradually decreases radially inwards.

[0082] According to the fastener of Note 4, the protrusion in the protruding portion with the sealing portion in the insertion direction of the pin is the inclined surface. Thus, when the base portion, the insertion part, the sealing part, and the protruding portions are integrally molded, a removal direction for a sliding mold for molding the sealing part and at least one of the protruding portions can be ensured. Furthermore, according to the fastener, a thickness can be ensured for the part of the sliding mold for forming the inclined surface, so that the sliding mold can be prevented from being damaged. Note 5

[0083] In the fastener according to Note 3 or 4, at least one of the projecting portions including the overlap comprises a groove portion extending in a direction away from the center of the opening.

[0084] According to the fastener of Note 5, the at least one of the protruding portions including the overlap with the sealing portion in the insertion direction of the pin includes the groove portion extending in the direction away from the center of the opening. Thus, when the base portion, the insertion portion, the sealing portion, and the protruding portions are integrally injection-molded, a thickness for forming the groove portion can be ensured for the part, so that a sliding mold for injection-molded the sealing portion and the at least one of the protruding portions is integrally formed, so that the sliding mold can be protected from damage. Note 6

[0085] The fastener according to note 2, wherein the protruding portion comprises a pair of first protruding portions and a pair of second protruding portions, the pair of first protruding portions being arranged radially outwardly of the sealing portion and facing each other across the sealing portion, and the pair of second protruding portions being arranged between the adjacent first protruding portions, facing each other across the sealing portion, and each overlapping the sealing portion in the insertion direction of the pin.

[0086] According to the fastening member of Note 6, the pair of first protruding portions are arranged to face each other across the sealing portion, and the pair of second protruding portions are arranged between the first protruding portions adjacent to each other and facing each other across the sealing portions. For example, compared with a configuration in which two second protruding portions are arranged between the first protruding portions adjacent thereto, the first protruding portions and the second protruding portions are mutually spaced apart, so that a further improvement is achieved in the effect of preventing the inclination of the fastening member attached to the vehicle body due to the first protruding portions and the second protruding portions. Note 7

[0087] A fastener according to note 6, wherein, in a case where the base portion is viewed opposite to the insertion direction of the pin, the pair of first projecting portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second projecting portions.

[0088] According to the fastening member of Note 7, the pair of first protruding portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions. For example, compared to a configuration in which the pair of first protruding portions are arranged at positions non-orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions, a further improvement in the effect is achieved, so that the fastening member attached to the vehicle body is prevented from tilting due to the first protruding portions and the second protruding portions. Note 8

[0089] The fastener according to note 6 or 7, wherein the second projecting portions each have a groove portion extending in a direction away from the center of the opening, and wherein the overlap of all the second projecting portions has an inclined surface in which the height of the projection with respect to the base portion gradually decreases radially inward.

[0090] According to the fastener of Note 8, in the second protruding portions, the overlap with the sealing portion in the insertion direction of the pin is the inclined surface. Thus, when the base portion, the insertion portion, the sealing portion, and the second protruding portions are integrally injection-molded, a withdrawal direction for each sliding mold for injection-molding the sealing portion and the second protruding portion can be ensured. Furthermore, according to the fastener, a thickness for forming the inclined surface can be ensured for the part that each sliding mold has, so that each sliding mold can be prevented from being damaged. According to the fastener, the second protruding portions each include the groove portion extending in the direction away from the center of the opening.In this way, a thickness for forming the groove portion can be ensured for the part that each sliding mold has for injection molding the seal portion and the second protruding portion, so that each sliding mold can be protected from damage. Note 9

[0091] The fastener according to any one of notes 1 to 8, wherein the fastening component is a bracket for securing a bumper.

[0092] According to the fastener of Note 9, the bracket, as the fastening component attached to the vehicle body, can be prevented from tilting. That is, the bumper attached to the vehicle body by the bracket can be prevented from tilting. Note 10

[0093] A fastener comprising: a pin; and a fastening member for attachment to a vehicle body, the fastening member comprising: a base portion having an opening through which the pin is inserted; an insertion portion protruding from the base portion around the opening and configured to be inserted into a fastening hole of the vehicle body, the insertion portion being elastically deformed outward in the radial direction of the pin by the pin inserted into the opening so as to be secured in the fastening hole; an annular sealing portion, the sealing portion protruding from the base portion around the insertion portion and sealing between the vehicle body and the base portion by contacting the vehicle body in a state where the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole;and an annular protruding portion, the protruding portion protruding from the base portion around the insertion portion, the protruding portion surrounding the insertion portion and contacting the vehicle body in a state where the insertion portion is secured in the mounting hole;

[0094] According to the fastening component of Note 10, the insertion portion of the fastener is inserted into the fastening hole of the vehicle body, and then the pin is inserted into the opening of the base portion, whereby the insertion portion is inserted into the fastening hole, so that the insertion portion elastically deforms outward in the radial direction of the pin due to the inserted pin to be secured in the fastening hole. When the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole, the sealing portion seals between the vehicle body and the base portion in contact with the vehicle body. Moreover, the protruding portion, which is annular and surrounds the insertion portion of the base portion, contacts the vehicle body when the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole.

[0095] In the fastening element, the annular protruding portion contacts the vehicle body when the insertion portion is secured in the fastening hole, that is, when the fastening component is fastened to the vehicle body. For example, compared to a configuration in which two protruding portions opposing each other across the insertion portion contact the vehicle body, the fastening component fastened to the vehicle body can be prevented from tilting, that is, it can prevent faulty fastening from occurring. Note 11

[0096] A fastening structure comprising: the vehicle body having the fastening hole; and the fastening member according to note 7, wherein the fastening member fastens the fastening component to the vehicle body, wherein the pair of second protruding portions face each other via the sealing portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle and contact the vehicle body.

[0097] According to the fastening structure of Note 11, the pair of second protruding portions across the sealing portion face each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the pair of first protruding portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second protruding portions. Thus, in a case where the fastening member is attached to the vehicle body, the fastening member is prevented from tilting relative to the vehicle body.

[0098] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2022-193015, filed on December 1, 2022, is incorporated in the present application by reference in its entirety.

[0099] All references, patent applications and technical standards described herein are incorporated by reference into this application, provided that individual references, patent applications and technical standards are expressly and individually identified as being incorporated by reference. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2016-166650 A [0002, 0003] JP 2022-193015

[0098]

Claims

[1] Fastening element comprising: a pen; and a fastening component for attachment to a vehicle body, the fastening component comprising: a base portion having an opening through which the pin is inserted; an insertion portion protruding from the base portion around the opening and configured to be inserted into a mounting hole of the vehicle body, the insertion portion being elastically deformed outward in the radial direction of the pin by the pin inserted into the opening so as to be secured in the mounting hole; an annular sealing portion, the sealing portion protruding from the base portion around the insertion portion and sealing between the vehicle body and the base portion by contacting the vehicle body in a state where the insertion portion is secured in the mounting hole; and a protruding portion protruding from the base portion around the insertion portion and overlapping with the sealing portion in the insertion direction of the pin, the protruding portion contacting the vehicle body in a state where the insertion portion is secured in the mounting hole. [2] A fastener according to claim 1, wherein a part where the projecting portion contacts the vehicle body is located radially outside the sealing portion. [3] The fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing portion is a plate-shaped portion which is elastically deformable and has a diameter which gradually increases from a base of the plate-shaped portion to a front end of the plate-shaped portion. [4] A fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the overlap of the protruding portion is an inclined surface in which the height of the projection gradually decreases radially inward toward the inside. [5] A fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the projecting portion has a groove portion extending in a direction away from the center of the opening. [6] A fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of said projecting portions are provided at intervals around said insertion portion. [7] Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein first projecting portions project around the insertion portion and second projecting portions are arranged as a projecting portion at intervals around the insertion portion, wherein the first projecting portions are arranged radially outwardly of the sealing portion and oppose each other as a pair across the sealing portion, and wherein the second projecting portions are arranged between the first projecting portions adjacent to the second projecting portions so as to oppose each other as a pair across the sealing portion. [8] The fastener according to claim 7, wherein, in a case where the base portion is viewed opposite to the insertion direction of the pin, the pair of first projecting portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to the pair of second projecting portions. [9] Fastening element according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second projecting portions each have a groove portion extending in a direction away from the center of the opening, and the overlap of all second projecting portions is an inclined surface in which the height of a projection relative to the base portion gradually decreases radially inward. [10] Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fastening component is a bracket for fastening a bumper. [11] Mounting structure comprising: a vehicle body with a mounting hole; and a fastening element according to claim 8, wherein the fastening element fastens the fastening component to the vehicle body, wherein the pair of second projecting portions contact the vehicle body in a state where they oppose each other across the sealing portion along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

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