Clip structure

The clip structure integrates clip and clip seat with a deformable remaining portion, addressing assembly challenges and costs while ensuring precise and interference-free attachment to the vehicle body.

JP7752381B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-10TOYODA GOSEI CO LTD +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021198901
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-12-07
Publication Date
2025-10-10
Estimated Expiration
2041-12-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing clip structures for vehicle interior parts face challenges with increased labor and costs due to separate assembly of clips and clip seats, and reduced shape and arrangement freedom when clips are integrally molded with the main body part, leading to potential assembly misalignment and interference.

Method used

A clip structure where the clip and clip seat are integrally molded with a remaining portion that deforms during assembly, accommodated in a recess of the clip seat, ensuring precise positioning and reducing assembly steps and costs.

Benefits of technology

The solution simplifies assembly, reduces part count, maintains shape and arrangement freedom, and prevents interference, ensuring reliable attachment to the vehicle body structure.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a clip structure which can regulate a position of a remaining part which remains as a mark of the integral molding of a clip and a clip seat in a state that the clip and the clip seat are assembled to each other.SOLUTION: A clip structure 1 comprises a clip seat 10 arranged at a vehicle interior component 3, a clip 20 inserted into the clip seat 10, and assembled thereto, and a remaining part 30 which is in a state that the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are continuously connected to each other at molding, and remains at the clip 20 as a mark indicating the continue connection of the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 by being deformed in a process that the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10. The clip seat 10 has a recess 15 for accommodating the remaining part 30 in a state that the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clip structure for a vehicle interior part. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, clip structures applied to vehicle interior parts (i.e., attachment objects) that are attached to vehicle body structures (i.e., attachment objects) are known (for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1). The clip structure described in Patent Document 1 has a clip assembled to a clip seat of the vehicle interior part. In this clip structure, the clip seat and the clip are molded separately, and then the clip is assembled to the clip seat, and the clip assembled to the clip seat is inserted into the vehicle body structure.

[0003] Furthermore, the clip structure described in Non-Patent Document 1 includes a clip integrated with a resin component that is integrated with a main body component. The clip integrated with a resin component is molded integrally with the main body component, primarily by injection molding, in which resin is injected into a mold. The clip integrated with a resin component is then used in its integrally molded state with the main body component and attached to a vehicle body structure. This clip integrated with a resin component is less likely to shift position relative to the main body component, allowing for accurate attachment to the vehicle body structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-330011 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Masanori Kato, "Development of a High-Strength Plastic Part Integrated Clip," CALSONIC KANSEI TECHNICAL REVIEW vol.10 2013 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the clip structure described in Patent Document 1, the clip seat and the clip of the vehicle interior part are separate. Therefore, the greater the number of clips to be assembled to the clip seat, the greater the total number of parts, resulting in increased labor and costs required for the assembly work. Furthermore, in the clip structure described in Non-Patent Document 1, the clip is integrated with the main body part in its as-molded state and used. Therefore, unlike a configuration in which the clip and the main body part are separate, the assembly work between the clip and the main body part is unnecessary. However, if one attempts to ensure a strong engagement between the clip and the vehicle body structure while using the clip in its as-molded state, the degree of freedom in the shape and arrangement of the clip is reduced, and there are many constraints on the integral molding of the clip and the main body part. This constraint becomes particularly pronounced as the number of clips increases.

[0007] Therefore, as a method for overcoming the above-mentioned constraints while ensuring a strong engagement between the clip and the vehicle body structure, a clip structure can be considered in which the clip is connected to a main body part and integrally molded with the main body part, and then the clip is deformed after the integral molding and assembled to the clip seat of the main body part. In this clip structure, the connecting portion necessary for integrally molding the clip and the clip seat remains as a trace after the clip is deformed.

[0008] However, if the remaining portion as the above-mentioned trace is deformed after the clip is integrally molded with the main body part and is able to move freely when it is assembled to the clip seat or while it is assembled, there is a risk that the remaining portion will interfere with the clip seat or the clip in an unexpected position, causing inconveniences such as the clip and clip seat not being assembled in the correct position.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a clip structure that can regulate the position of the remaining part that remains as a trace of when the clip and clip seat were connected together when the clip and clip seat are assembled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a clip structure comprising: a clip seat provided in a vehicle interior accessory; a clip that is inserted into and assembled to the clip seat; and a remaining portion that connects the clip seat and the clip together during molding and that remains on at least one of the clip and the clip seat as a trace of the connection between the clip seat and the clip due to deformation of the clip during the process of assembling the clip to the clip seat, wherein at least one of the clip seat and the clip has a recess that accommodates the remaining portion when the clip is assembled to the clip seat.

[0011] With this configuration, the clip and clip seat are connected during molding, and the clip deforms during the process of assembling it to the clip seat, and the remaining portion that remains on the clip or clip seat after assembly is accommodated in the clip seat or the recess of the clip, so that when the clip and clip seat are assembled, it is possible to regulate the position of the remaining portion that remains as a trace of the connection between the clip and clip seat. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state before a clip in a clip structure according to one embodiment is assembled into a clip seat. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state after the clip in the clip structure of the embodiment has been assembled to the clip seat; [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before a clip in a clip structure according to an embodiment is assembled to a clip seat. [Figure 4]10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state after the clip in the clip structure of the embodiment has been assembled to the clip seat. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a clip assembled to a clip seat in a clip structure according to an embodiment is inserted into a vehicle body structure. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a clip seat and a clip in a clip structure according to an embodiment are molded using a mold during a manufacturing process. [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the mold is opened during the process of manufacturing the clip seat and the clip in the clip structure of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a clip is assembled to a clip seat during a process of manufacturing the clip seat and the clip in the clip structure of the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Specific embodiments of the clip structure according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0014] A clip structure 1 according to one embodiment is a structure applied to attach a vehicle interior part 3 (see FIGS. 6 to 8) to a vehicle body structure 2 (see FIG. 5). The vehicle body structure 2 is, for example, a vehicle body frame. The vehicle interior part 3 is, for example, an instrument panel, a side panel, a back panel, a molding, etc. Hereinafter, the vehicle interior part 3 is assumed to be formed in a panel shape.

[0015] The clip structure 1 is configured to enable a vehicle interior accessory 3 to be attached to a vehicle body structure 2 with a single touch. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the clip structure 1 includes a clip seat 10 and a clip 20.

[0016] The clip seat 10 is a mounting seat portion to which the clip 20 is attached. The clip seat 10 is integrally molded with the vehicle interior part 3. The clip seat 10 is formed so as to protrude in a plate shape from the panel surface of the vehicle interior part 3. Note that the clip seat 10 may be provided in multiple locations on the peripheral portion of the vehicle interior part 3. The clip seat 10 has a base portion 11 and a pair of side plate portions 12.

[0017] The substrate portion 11 is a portion that contacts the clip 20 for assembly. The substrate portion 11 protrudes in a plate shape from the panel surface of the vehicle interior part 3. The substrate portion 11 may be formed so that its plate thickness gradually decreases (linearly or stepwise) from the panel surface of the vehicle interior part 3 to the tip.

[0018] The base plate 11 has an engagement hole 13 and a recess 15. The engagement hole 13 is a hole for engaging the clip 20. The engagement hole 13 is provided midway through the base plate 11 body so as to penetrate the base plate 11 body. As will be described later, the engagement hole 13 is engaged with the engagement portions 21a of the clamping plate portions 21 of the clip 20 from both sides of the engagement hole 13. Note that the engagement hole 13 may not be a through-hole penetrating the base plate 11, but may be a recessed groove formed in the surface of the base plate 11.

[0019] The recess 15 is a portion that accommodates all or part (particularly the tip portion) of the remaining portion 30 remaining in the clip 20, which will be described in detail later. The recess 15 is formed in a portion midway through the main body of the base plate 11, corresponding to the position where the remaining portion 30 is formed in the clip 20. Before the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10, the clip structure 1 has the engagement portion 21a, the remaining portion 30, the engagement hole 13, and the recess 15 arranged in this order from the clip 20 side to the clip seat 10. The number of recesses 15 provided is the same as the number of remaining portions 30 in the clip 20. For example, if two remaining portions 30 remain in the clip 20, two recesses 15 are provided in the base plate 11. The formation positions of these recesses 15 correspond to the remaining positions of the remaining portions 30 when the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10.

[0020] The recess 15 is a through-hole that penetrates the base plate 11 or a recessed groove formed on the surface of the base plate 11. The opening of the recess 15 has a width corresponding to the width of the remaining portion 30 (i.e., the length of the remaining portion 30 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction), and has a length in the insertion direction that is greater than the thickness of the remaining portion 30. The recess 15 extends along the insertion direction in the base plate 11, in which the clip 20 is inserted into the clip seat 10 when the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10. The tip of the remaining portion 30 is fitted into the recess 15. The recess 15 is connected to the engagement hole 13, and the base plate 11 may have a single through-hole or recessed groove that includes the recess 15 and the engagement hole 13.

[0021] The side plate portions 12 are portions that assist in assembling the clip 20 to the base plate portion 11 and restrict movement of the clip 20 after the assembling. The pair of side plate portions 12 are arranged to sandwich the base plate portion 11 between its side surfaces.

[0022] The clip 20 is an attachment part that is assembled by engaging with the clip seat 10. The clip 20 is formed so that it can clamp the base plate portion 11 of the clip seat 10 and can be inserted into the attachment hole 2a (see FIG. 5) of the vehicle body structure 2. The clip 20 is molded integrally with the clip seat 10. The clip 20 has a pair of clamping plate portions 21 and a pair of insertion plate portions 22.

[0023] The pair of clamping plate portions 21 are plate portions for clamping the base plate portion 11 of the clip seat 10 to assemble the clip 20 to the clip seat 10. The pair of clamping plate portions 21 are formed in a bifurcated shape so that the base plate portion 11 of the clip seat 10 can be inserted between them. The pair of insertion plate portions 22 are plate portions for attaching the vehicle interior part 3 to the vehicle body structure 2 by being inserted into the mounting hole 2a of the vehicle body structure 2 when the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10. The pair of insertion plate portions 22 are formed in a bifurcated shape so that they can be inserted into the mounting hole 2a of the vehicle body structure 2.

[0024] The pair of insertion plate portions 22 are integrally connected to each other at one end (i.e., the top portions). The pair of insertion plate portions 22 are configured to be elastically deformable with the top portions as a fulcrum so that the distance between the free ends on the other end side can be varied. The clip 20 is attached to the vehicle body structure 2 by inserting the pair of insertion plate portions 22 into the attachment holes 2a of the vehicle body structure 2.

[0025] Each of the pair of insertion plate portions 22 is formed to extend obliquely from its top with respect to the insertion direction of the clip 20. The pair of insertion plate portions 22 each have a claw portion 22a located at a position furthest from the other. The claw portion 22a protrudes outward from the other end of the outer surface of the insertion plate portion 22. The separation distance between the outer surfaces of the claw portions 22a of the pair of insertion plate portions 22 is normally set to be larger than the diameter of the mounting hole 2a. The pair of insertion plate portions 22 are inserted into the mounting hole 2a with the separation distance between the claw portions 22a on both sides reduced to equal to or smaller than the diameter of the mounting hole 2a. The separation distance is then returned to its original value, causing the clip 20 to be caught on the inner side of the mounting hole 2a of the vehicle body structure 2. This prevents the clip 20 from slipping out of the mounting hole 2a, thereby preventing the vehicle interior part 3 from coming off the vehicle body structure 2.

[0026] One of the pair of clamping plate portions 21 is connected to the inner surface of one of the pair of insertion plate portions 22. The other of the pair of clamping plate portions 21 is connected to the inner surface of the other of the pair of insertion plate portions 22. The pair of clamping plate portions 21 are configured to be elastically deformable so that the separation distance at the free end on the other end side can be changed, with the connection portion with insertion plate portion 22 as a fulcrum. The clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10 so that the base portion 11 of the clip seat 10 is inserted between the pair of clamping plate portions 21.

[0027] Each of the pair of clamping plates 21 has an engaging portion 21a that engages with the engaging hole 13 of the base plate 11 from the outside of the engaging hole 13. The engaging portion 21a is provided so as to protrude inward from the other end side of the inner surface of the clamping plate 21. The separation distance between the inner surfaces of the engaging portions 21a of the pair of clamping plates 21 is set to be smaller than the distance between both ends of the engaging hole 13 in the base plate 11 (i.e., the hole depth of the engaging hole 13) in a normal state. The pair of clamping plates 21 generate a biasing force that clamps the base plate 11 when each engaging portion 21a is engaged with the engaging hole 13 as shown in FIG.

[0028] In the clip structure 1, the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 of the vehicle interior part 3 are integrally molded by, for example, injection molding, to be connected to each other. This integral molding is performed so that the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are in a state before they are assembled, specifically, so that the base plate 11 and the clamping plate 21 are separated in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the clamping plate 21 into the base plate 11, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 .

[0029] The clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are formed from a resin such as polypropylene resin (PP) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS). After the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are integrally molded, the clip structure 1 is ready to be attached to the vehicle body structure 2 by assembling the clip 20 to the clip seat 10.

[0030] The clip structure 1 also includes a remaining portion 30. The remaining portion 30 is a portion that remains as a trace of the connection between the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 after the clip 20 is attached to the clip seat 10 when the vehicle interior part 3 is molded, and is made of the same material as the clip seat 10 and the clip 20. The clip seat 10, the clip 20, and the remaining portion 30 are integrally formed by pouring resin into a mold by injection molding or the like, as described below. The resin is poured into the mold through a gate 4 (see FIGS. 6 to 8) provided on the vehicle interior part 3 side, and then flows in the order of the clip seat 10, the remaining portion 30, and the clip 20.

[0031] The remaining portion 30 is a runner that connects the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 in the intermediate molded product at the manufacturing stage when the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are integrally molded, and remains on at least the clip 20 when the clip 20 is inserted into the clip seat 10 and assembled. Hereinafter, the remaining portion 30 in the intermediate molded product before the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10 will be referred to as the runner portion 30A as appropriate.

[0032] The runner portion 30A is formed so that one end is connected to the tip of the base plate portion 11 of the clip seat 10 and the other end is connected to the tip of the free end of the insertion plate portion 22 of the clip 20. In other words, the runner portion 30A is formed so as to be interposed between the tip of the base plate portion 11 of the clip seat 10 and the tip of the free end of the insertion plate portion 22 of the clip 20. The runner portion 30A has a dimension within a range of 1 mm to 5 mm, for example.

[0033] The connection point between the clip seat 10 and the runner portion 30A and the connection point between the clip 20 and the runner portion 30A are each located at a different position from the engagement point between the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 (specifically, the point where the engagement portion 21a of the clamping plate portion 21 engages with the engagement hole 13 of the clip seat 10).

[0034] In order to properly insert the base portion 11 of the clip seat 10 between the pair of clamping plates 21 of the clip 20 during the process of assembling the clip 20 to the clip seat 10, it is preferable that the distance between the joint portion and the engagement portion be large enough so that the presence of the runner portion 30A does not interfere with the insertion or engagement between the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 during the assembling process. For example, the distance between the joint portion and the engagement portion in the insertion direction of the clip 20 is desirably 5 mm or more, 10 mm or more, and 20 mm or less, or preferably 1.0 times or more, 2.0 times or more, and 3.0 times or less the length of the runner portion 30A in the insertion direction of the clip 20.

[0035] The runner portion 30A is provided so as to be connected to the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 so that the phases of the clip 20 side and the clip seat 10 side are shifted, thereby reducing restrictions on the mold-removal direction. For example, the runner portion 30A is provided so as to be connected to the outer edge (preferably, the outer edge corner) of the clip 20. The runner portion 30A is provided in multiple locations (for example, four or two locations). The multiple runner portions 30A are arranged in parallel between the clip seat 10 and the clip 20. For example, one runner portion 30A is provided on each of the pair of insertion plate portions 22 of the clip 20, and is provided so as to be connected to both corners of the free end of each insertion plate portion 22.

[0036] Runner portion 30A is formed in a shape that guides clip 20 relative to clip seat 10 during the process of assembling clip 20 to clip seat 10, and assists in inserting base portion 11 of clip seat 10 between a pair of clamping plate portions 21 of clip 20. In other words, runner portion 30A is formed so that misalignment between clip seat 10 and clip 20 is unlikely to occur during the above-mentioned assembling process, and runner portion 30A deforms into a desired shape when the assembling direction is correct, but does not deform into the desired shape when the assembling direction is incorrect.

[0037] The runner portion 30A extends in a direction that facilitates the insertion between the clip seat 10 and the clip 20, and is provided in a location that facilitates the insertion. The runner portion 30A is also formed to be thinner than the clip seat 10 and the clip 20. For example, the runner portion 30A is formed so that its cross-sectional shape is flat on the inner surface and semicircular on the outer surface.

[0038] The runner portion 30A is deformed during the process of assembling the clip 20 to the clip seat 10 so that the base plate portion 11 of the clip seat 10 is inserted between the pair of clamping plates 21. Note that the deformation of the runner portion 30A may be any shape change, and may include bending in two about a bending point while the clip 20 and the clip seat 10 remain connected, or breaking into two pieces due to the pressing force associated with assembling. The deformation of the runner portion 30A is performed so that the remaining portion 30 after deformation does not prevent the base plate portion 11 of the clip seat 10 from being inserted between the pair of clamping plates 21 of the clip 20, and does not prevent the vehicle interior part 3 with the clip 20 assembled to the clip seat 10 from being attached to the vehicle body structure 2.

[0039] In order to facilitate the above-mentioned deformation, the runner portion 30A may have an easily deformable portion in which a notch or the like is formed on the inner surface of a predetermined portion in the insertion direction of the clip 20.

[0040] Furthermore, the runner portion 30A may break in the middle of the runner portion 30A of the intermediate molded product so that the remaining portion 30 remains on both the clip seat 10 side and the clip 20 side. In this case, the runner portion 30A may break closer to the clip 20 of the runner portion 30A so that a relatively large amount of the remaining portion 30 remains on the clip seat 10 side, but it is preferable to have the runner portion 30A break closer to the clip seat 10 of the runner portion 30A or at the boundary with the clip seat 10 so that a relatively large amount of the remaining portion 30 remains on the clip 20 side, in order to prevent the remaining portion 30 from interfering with the engagement between the clip seat 10 and the clip 20. Furthermore, to make this breakage more likely, the runner portion 30A may have an easily breakable portion formed by a notch or the like at a predetermined position in the insertion direction of the clip 20.

[0041] All or part of the remaining portion 30 remaining on the clip 20 enters and is accommodated in the recess 15 of the clip seat 10 during the process of assembling the clip 20 to the clip seat 10. This remaining portion 30 on the clip 20 side extends in the opposite direction from the end of the clip 20 in the insertion direction into the clip seat 10 when the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10, i.e., when the remaining portion 30 is accommodated in the recess 15. In other words, this remaining portion 30 on the clip 20 side has a folded portion 31 that extends in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the clip 20 into the clip seat 10 when accommodated in the recess 15. The folded portion 31 is provided at the tip portion including the terminal end of the remaining portion 30.

[0042] Before the clip 20 and the clip seat 10 are assembled, the folded portion 31 may extend from the clip 20 side in the direction of insertion of the clip 20 into the clip seat 10 and be connected to the clip seat 10. In this case, the remaining portion 30 on the clip 20 side breaks off from the clip seat 10 during the process of inserting the clip 20 into the clip seat 10 and assembling it, and the end of the folded portion 31 gets caught on the surface of the base portion 11 of the clip seat 10, causing the folded portion 31 to deform and extend in the direction opposite to the insertion direction.

[0043] The clip structure 1 described above is manufactured by a manufacturing apparatus 50 (see FIGS. 6 to 8). The manufacturing apparatus 50 automatically integrally molds the clip seat 10, clip 20, and remaining portion 30 of the clip structure 1 onto the vehicle interior part 3, i.e., molds the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 in a state where they are connected by the remaining portion 30, and then assembles the clip 20 to the clip seat 10. The manufacturing apparatus 50 includes a molding die 51 and a pushing device 52. The molding die 51 and the pushing device 52 are provided for each pair of clip seat 10 and clip 20 to be molded.

[0044] The molding die 51 is a die for integrally molding the clip seat 10, clip 20, and remaining portion 30 of a desired shape. The molding die 51 is configured to have the shape, arrangement, and number required to achieve this. The molding die 51 includes, for example, a fixed die, a movable die that slides relative to the fixed die in the same direction as the insertion direction of the base portion 11 into the clamping plate portion 21, and a movable die that slides in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The movable die is configured to be slidable by a moving device (not shown). The outer surface side of the top of the pair of insertion plate portions 22 of the clip 20 may be molded by either the fixed die or the movable die.

[0045] The pushing device 52 is a device that pushes the clip 20 toward the clip seat 10 so that the base portion 11 of the clip seat 10 is inserted between the pair of clamping plate portions 21 of the clip 20 after the clip seat 10, the clip 20, and the remaining portion 30 have been integrally molded. The pushing device 52 is arranged so as to be built into the molding die 51.

[0046] The pushing device 52 has a pushing rod 52a. The pushing rod 52a is a rod member that pushes the clip 20 toward the clip seat 10 with its tip abutting against the outer surface of the top of the clip 20. The tip of the pushing rod 52a is formed in a shape that allows it to abut against the outer surface of the top of the clip 20 and push the clip 20 in. The pushing rod 52a is provided so that it can be housed and slid in a hole 51a formed in the molding die 51. The pushing rod 52a is configured to be slidable relative to the molding die 51 by a moving device (not shown). The pushing rod 52a is housed in the hole 51a of the molding die 51 until injection molding is completed, and after injection molding is completed, the pushing rod 52a is slid by the moving device in the insertion direction of the clip 20 into the clip seat 10 and protrudes from the hole 51a.

[0047] Next, a method for manufacturing the clip structure 1 using the manufacturing device 50 will be described. First, as shown in Fig. 6, a molding die 51 is prepared and clamped to allow injection molding. In this state, resin is poured into the mold from the gate 4, so that the main body of the vehicle interior part 3, the clip seat 10, the clip 20, and the runner portion 30A are integrally molded. At this time, if the vehicle interior part 3 is provided with multiple sets of clip seats 10 and clips 20, these multiple sets are molded collectively. At this time, the clip seats 10 and clips 20 are molded in a state where they are connected via the runner portion 30A.

[0048] Then, when the above-mentioned injection molding is completed, the molding die 51 is opened as shown in Fig. 7. When the molding die 51 is opened, a space necessary for assembling the clip 20 to the clip seat 10 without hindrance is formed around the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 for each pair of the clip seat 10 and the clip 20.

[0049] After the molding die 51 is opened, for each set of clip seat 10 and clip 20, as shown in Fig. 8, the pusher rod 52a of the pushing device 52 slides along the insertion direction of the clip 20 into the clip seat 10 and protrudes from the hole 51a. When the pusher rod 52a protrudes from the hole 51a of the molding die 51, the tip of the pusher rod 52a abuts against the outer surface of the top of the clip 20, and the pusher rod 52a presses the clip 20 in the insertion direction toward the clip seat 10. When this pressing occurs, the base plate portion 11 of the clip seat 10 is inserted between the pair of clamping plate portions 21 of the clip 20, thereby assembling the clip 20 to the clip seat 10. This assembly of the clips 20 into the clip seat 10 is performed for all sets substantially simultaneously.

[0050] The above-described assembly of the clip 20 into the clip seat 10 is performed while the runner portion 30A is deforming. At this time, the runner portion 30A guides the relative movement between the clip 20 and the clip seat 10 while deforming, thereby assisting the base portion 11 of the clip seat 10 to be inserted between the pair of clamping plate portions 21 of the clip 20. This allows the clip 20 to be assembled into the clip seat 10 with high precision.

[0051] After the assembly of the clip 20 to the clip seat 10 described above is completed, the remaining portion 30 in which the runner portion 30A is deformed remains on at least the clip 20 out of the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 as a trace that the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 were integrally molded.

[0052] In this way, in the clip structure 1, the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are integrally molded in a state in which they are connected via the remaining portion 30, and then the clip 20 is pushed into the clip seat 10, whereby the remaining portion 30 is deformed and the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10.

[0053] According to the above-described clip structure 1, the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are integrally molded, which reduces the total number of parts and facilitates handling of the clip 20 compared to a structure in which the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are molded separately. This reduces the number of steps and costs required for assembling the clip 20 to the clip seat 10, and simplifies the work.

[0054] Furthermore, after clip seat 10 and clip 20 are integrally molded using mold 51, clip 20 is assembled to clip seat 10 using push rod 52a housed in mold 51. In this configuration, clip 20 and clip seat 10 can be assembled by pushing clip 20 into clip seat 10 without removing the intermediate molded product immediately after integral molding of clip seat 10 and clip 20. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the intermediate molded product is removed after integral molding, clip 20 can be prevented from coming off and being lost before being assembled to clip seat 10. This makes it possible to manufacture a vehicle interior part in which clip 20 is reliably assembled to clip seat 10.

[0055] Furthermore, the integral molding of the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 is performed so that the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are connected via the runner portion 30A, and is performed in a state different from the state in which the clip 20 has been completely assembled to the clip seat 10. In other words, the clip 20 is not used in the state in which it is integrally molded with the clip seat 10, but is used after being integrally molded with the clip seat 10 and its position is changed in accordance with deformation of the runner portion 30A, and it is assembled to the clip seat 10. Therefore, restrictions on the degree of freedom in the shape and arrangement of the clip 20 are avoided when integrally molding the clip seat 10 and the clip 20, and restrictions on the integral molding are alleviated.

[0056] Therefore, according to the clip structure 1, the work of assembling the clip 20 to the clip seat 10 can be simplified without impeding the degree of freedom in the shape and arrangement of the clip 20.

[0057] Furthermore, even if the vehicle interior part 3 has a large number of pairs of clip seats 10 and clips 20, these pairs are molded together, and then the clips 20 are assembled to the clip seats 10 in each pair approximately simultaneously. This improves the workability of assembling the clips 20 to the clip seats 10 in a vehicle interior part 3 in which a large number of pairs of clip seats 10 and clips 20 are prepared.

[0058] Furthermore, in the clip structure 1, the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 are assembled together in a state in which the engaging portion 21a of the clip 20 fits into and engages with the engaging hole 13 of the clip seat 10. In this configuration, a biasing force is generated that clamps the base plate portion 11 of the clip seat 10 between the pair of clamping plate portions 21 of the clip 20, ensuring close contact between the clip seat 10 and the clip 20 in the assembled state. Furthermore, because the engaging portion 21a fits into and engages with the engaging hole 13, it is possible to prevent the clip 20 from being pulled out of the clip seat 10 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction into the clip seat 10.

[0059] Furthermore, in the clip structure 1, the clip seat 10 has a recess 15 that accommodates the remaining portion 30 remaining on the clip 20. In this configuration, the remaining portion 30 of the clip 20 is accommodated in the recess 15 of the clip seat 10 during and after the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10. Therefore, after the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10, the position of the remaining portion 30 remaining on the clip 20 can be restricted relative to the clip seat 10. In particular, movement of the remaining portion 30 relative to the clip seat 10 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction can be restricted.

[0060] Therefore, according to the clip structure 1, after the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10, the remaining portion 30, which is not positionally restricted, can be prevented from getting in the way, preventing, for example, the assembly posture of the clip 20 and the clip seat 10 or the attachment of the vehicle interior part 3 to the vehicle body structure 2 from being in an appropriate state.

[0061] Furthermore, in the clip structure 1, after the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10, the remaining portion 30 remaining on the clip 20 has, while housed in the recess 15, a folded portion 31 extending from the end side of the clip 20 in the insertion direction into the clip seat 10 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction.

[0062] In this configuration, even if a force is applied to pull the clip 20 from the clip seat 10 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the clip 20 after the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10, the tip of the folded portion 31 of the remaining portion 30 comes into contact with a wall surface formed around the periphery of the recess 15 of the clip seat 10 (particularly the wall surface facing the insertion direction of the clip 20 into the clip seat 10), thereby restricting the pulling out. Therefore, the clip 20 can be prevented from being pulled out of the clip seat 10 after it has been assembled to the clip seat 10.

[0063] Furthermore, in the clip structure 1, the remaining portions 30 are provided at multiple locations on the outer edge of the clip 20, and the same number of recesses 15 are provided in the clip seat 10 as the number of remaining portions 30, corresponding to the positions of the remaining portions 30 when the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10. This makes it possible to strengthen the prevention of the clip 20 being pulled out after assembly to the clip seat 10. Also, it is possible to reduce restrictions on the mold-removal direction due to a phase misalignment between the clip 20 side and the clip seat 10 side.

[0064] [Transformation] In the above embodiment, the remaining portion 30 remains in at least the clip 20 out of the clip seat 10 and the clip 20, and the clip seat 10 has a recess 15 in which the remaining portion 30 on the clip 20 side is accommodated when the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the remaining portion 30 may remain in at least one of the clip seat 10 and the clip 20, and at least one of the clip 20 and the clip seat 10 may have a recess in correspondence with the remaining portion 30 in which the remaining portion 30 is accommodated when the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10.

[0065] Furthermore, in this modified embodiment, in a structure in which the remaining portion 30 remains in the clip seat 10 and a recess is provided in the clip 20, the remaining portion 30 may have a folded portion that extends in the insertion direction from the end side in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the clip 20 in the clip seat 10 while being housed in the recess. Even in this configuration, the folded portion of the remaining portion 30 can prevent the clip 20 from being pulled out of the clip seat 10 after the clip 20 has been assembled to the clip seat 10.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, particularly in the structure in which the runner portion 30A breaks when the clip 20 is assembled to the clip seat 10, releasing the connection between the clip seat 10 and the clip 20, if the vehicle interior accessory 3 with the clip 20 assembled to the clip seat 10 is attached to the vehicle body structure 2 and then the attachment is released, there is a risk that the clip 20 will come off the clip seat 10 and be lost.

[0067] Therefore, in the configuration of this modified embodiment, when molding the vehicle interior part 3 including the clip seat 10 and the clip 20, a spare clip 20 connected to the vehicle interior part 3 may be molded at the same time. When needed, this spare clip 20 is detached from the vehicle interior part 3 and assembled to the clip seat 10 in place of a lost clip 20.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1: clip structure, 2: body structure, 3: vehicle interior part, 10: clip seat, 15: recess, 20: clip, 30: remaining part, 30A: runner part, 31: folded part, 50: manufacturing device, 51: molding die, 52: pressing device.

Claims

1. a clip seat provided on the vehicle interior accessory; a clip that is inserted into the clip seat and assembled; a remaining portion that remains on at least one of the clip and the clip seat as a trace of the connection between the clip seat and the clip, the remaining portion being in a state in which the clip seat and the clip are connected together during molding, and being deformed in the process of assembling the clip to the clip seat; Equipped with A clip structure, wherein at least one of the clip seat and the clip has a recess that accommodates the remaining portion when the clip is assembled to the clip seat.

2. The remaining portion remains on the clip, The recess is provided in the clip seat, The clip structure according to claim 1, wherein the remaining portion has a folded portion that extends in a direction opposite to the insertion direction from an end side of the clip in a direction in which the clip is inserted into the clip seat when the remaining portion is housed in the recess.

3. The remaining portions are provided at a plurality of locations on the outer edge of the clip, 3. The clip structure according to claim 1, wherein the number of recesses provided on the clip seat is the same as the number of remaining portions, and the recesses correspond to the positions of the remaining portions when the clip is assembled to the clip seat.

Citation Information

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