fastener

Abstract

To improve manufacturing costs of a fastener composed of a pin and a body.SOLUTION: A fastener is equipped with a pin, and a body configured to insert the pin therein. The pin has a pin flange, and a pin shaft portion extending from the pin flange in a vertical direction. The body has a bottom portion, an opening portion that is formed on the bottom portion so as to insert the pin, an attached member locking portion that is vertically formed from the bottom portion along the opening portion so as to lock to an attached member, a pin flange temporarily holding portion that temporarily attaching the pin flange at a first position on the opposite side to the attached member locking portion with respect to the bottom portion before being attached to the attached member, and a pin flange locking portion that locks the pin flange at a second position closer to the bottom portion than the first position while being attached to the attached member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 24

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener used to attach a mounting member such as a bumper retainer, a protector, or an interior part to a mounting member such as an automobile panel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fastener that fastens by pushing a pin into a body. [Background technology]

[0002] Fasteners (clips) are commonly used to attach components such as bumper retainers, protectors, and interior parts to workpieces such as automobile panels. These clips are often made up of a pin and a grommet, with the pin pressed into the opening of the body, and the locking claws on the body expand to lock into the mounting hole in the workpiece. With these clips, the member can be easily attached to the workpiece by simply pushing the pin into the hollow of the body.

[0003] In conventional technology, as in Patent Document 1, a structure for temporarily holding and locking the pin to the main body is provided at the tip of the pin, but because the structure creates an undercut portion, it is necessary to provide a slide core in the mold, and there was a need to improve manufacturing costs. On the other hand, there is also a demand for improving the quality of fasteners while reducing manufacturing costs. For example, the sealing between the pin and the body is not sufficient, making them unsuitable for use in areas that require waterproofing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2011-231850 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the manufacturing cost of a fastener composed of a pin and a body. Another object of the present invention is to improve the quality of the fastener, such as its waterproof performance, while improving the manufacturing cost of the fastener. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this object, a first aspect of the present invention provides: A fastener comprising a pin and a body configured to receive the pin, The pin is Pin flange and a pin shank extending perpendicularly from the pin flange, The body includes: The bottom and an opening formed in the bottom for inserting the pin; a mounting member engaging portion formed vertically from the bottom portion along the opening portion for engaging with the mounting member; a pin flange temporary holding portion for temporarily fastening the pin flange at a first position opposite the attachment workpiece locking portion with respect to the bottom portion before attachment to the attachment workpiece; The fastener has a pin flange locking portion for locking the pin flange at a second position closer to the bottom than the first position when attached to the workpiece.

[0007] In the fastener, preferably, the main body further has a side wall extending from the periphery of the bottom portion to the opposite side of the attached member engaging portion, and the pin flange engaging portion and the pin flange temporary holding portion are formed on the side wall.

[0008] In the fastener, preferably, the pin flange temporary holding portion is formed as a pair of holding claws at opposing positions on the side wall, and the pin flange locking portion is formed as a pair of locking claws at opposing positions on the side wall.

[0009] In the fastener, preferably, the main body further has a ring-shaped main body-side annular portion extending from the bottom on the opposite side of the attached member engaging portion and having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the opening, and the pin further has a ring-shaped pin-side annular portion extending from the pin flange toward the tip of the pin, and when attached to the attached member, the outer surface of the main body-side annular portion and the inner surface of the pin-side annular portion are in surface contact.

[0010] In the fastener, preferably, the main body further includes a pin shank support portion that extends vertically from the bottom along the opening to a position different from the attachment member engaging portion, and that supports the pin shank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the manufacturing cost of a fastener composed of a pin and a main body, and also improve the quality of the fastener, such as its waterproof performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the main body of a fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body of FIG. 1 as seen from below. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the main body of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the main body of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main body of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the main body of FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of FIG. 2 taken along line AA of FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of FIG. 2 taken along line BB in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a pin of a fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pin of FIG. 9 from below. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a top view of the pin of FIG. 9. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a front view of the pin of FIG. 9. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the pin of FIG. 9. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the pin of FIG. 9. [Figure 15] 10 is a perspective view of the fastener from above in a state where the main body of FIG. 1 and the pin of FIG. 9 are provisionally engaged. [Figure 16] 10 is a perspective view of the fastener from below in a state in which the main body of FIG. 1 and the pin of FIG. 9 are provisionally engaged. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a top view of the fastener of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the fastener of FIG. 16. [Figure 19] FIG. 17 is a front view of the fastener of FIG. 16. [Figure 20] FIG. 17 is a right side view of the fastener of FIG. 16. [Figure 21] 17 is a cross-sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 16 taken along line AA of FIG. 16. [Figure 22] 17 is a cross-sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 16 taken along line BB of FIG. 16. [Figure 23] 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same cross section as line AA in FIG. 16 in a fully engaged state. [Figure 24] 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same cross section as line BB in FIG. 16 in a fully engaged state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a synthetic resin body 100 shown in Figures 1 to 8 and a synthetic resin pin 200 shown in Figures 9 to 14. The pin 200 is pushed into the opening of the body 100 and stored in the provisionally engaged state shown in Figures 15 to 22. The provisionally engaged fastener 10 is inserted into the mounting hole of the workpiece 500, and the pin 200 is further pushed into the body 100 to achieve the fully engaged state shown in Figures 23 and 24, and the fastener 10 is attached to the workpiece 500.

[0014] Fastener 10 is used to attach a mounting member such as a bumper retainer, protector, protective cover, or bracket to a mounting member 500 such as an automobile body panel. Main body 100 of fastener 10 may be configured as a part of the bumper retainer, or main body 100 may be configured as a separate part from the bumper retainer and fixed to the bumper retainer.

[0015] [Main unit] The main body 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main body 100 of the fastener 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from above, and Figure 2 is a perspective view as seen from below. Figure 3 is a top view, Figure 4 is a bottom view, Figure 5 is a front view, and Figure 6 is a right side view. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 2.

[0016] 1 and 2, the main body 100 has a bottom 170 having a substantially square outer shape and side walls 190 extending upward from each end of the bottom 170. The top surface of the bottom 170 is surrounded by four side walls 190.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the body 100 is integral with a bumper retainer (not shown), which extends laterally from the sidewall 190. The shape of the sidewall 190 can vary depending on the shape of the bumper retainer. For example, the bottom 170 may be circular, in which case the sidewall may also be cylindrical.

[0018] 3 and 4, an opening 115 for accommodating a pin 200 (described later) is provided in the center of the bottom 170. A ring-shaped main body-side annular portion 160 is provided around the opening 115 on the top surface of the bottom 170. The outer surface of the main body-side annular portion 160 is configured to be in surface contact with the inner surface of a pin-side annular portion 230 of the pin 200 (described later) when attached to the workpiece. This configuration brings the main body 100 and the pin 200 into close contact, making it possible to prevent moisture that has penetrated inside the side wall 190 of the main body 100 from penetrating into the pin shank 270 of the pin 200.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a pin flange temporary holding portion 120 is formed on the side wall 190 to temporarily fasten a pin flange 220, which will be described later, in a temporary engagement state before attachment to an attached member. In addition, in order to lock the pin flange 220 in the fully engaged state when attached to the workpiece, the pin flange locking portion 140 is formed in the side wall 190 at a position closer to the bottom 170 than the pin flange temporary holding portion 120.

[0020] In this embodiment, the pin flange temporary holding portion 120 is formed as a pair of holding claws at opposing positions on the side wall 190, and the pin flange locking portion 140 is similarly formed as a pair of locking claws at opposing positions on the side wall 190. In this regard, the holding claws of the pin flange temporary holding portion 120 and the locking claws of the pin flange locking portion 140 may each be composed of three or more claws, and for example, three claws can be arranged at equal intervals on each side wall 190. Furthermore, the pin flange temporary holding portion 120 and the pin flange locking portion 140 can be configured to be arranged in two tiers, upper and lower, close to each other.

[0021] In this embodiment, the pin flange temporary holding portion 120 and the pin flange locking portion 140 are formed on the side wall 190, but they may be formed above the bottom portion 170 of the main body 100 and may have other configurations. The pin 200, which will be described later, has a higher manufacturing cost than a tapping screw, and cost reduction has been desired. Therefore, as in the present invention, the pin flange temporary holding portion 120 and the pin flange locking portion 140 are formed on the main body 100 rather than on the pin 200 as in the conventional case, thereby simplifying the configuration of the pin 200 and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0022] The locking portion 130 for engaging with the workpiece extends downward from the opening 115 formed in the bottom portion 170 along the opening 115. The locking portion 130 is composed of a pair of locking claws, which can be opened by being pushed by the riding surface 260 of the pin 200. Opening refers to the tip ends of the pair of locking claws of the locking portion 130 moving apart. When attached to the workpiece, the bases of the locking claws of the locking portion 130 engage with the mounting holes in the workpiece. The opened locking claws allow the locking portion 130 to be held to the workpiece. In this embodiment, the locking portion 130 is composed of a pair of locking claws, but other locking structures may be used as long as they are configured to be able to engage with the workpiece between the locking portion 130 and the bottom portion 170.

[0023] Furthermore, the support portion 150 for supporting the pin 200 extends downward from the opening 115 formed in the bottom portion 170 along the opening 115 to a position different from that of the locking portion 130. For example, the support portion 150 can be formed as a pair of support legs between a pair of locking claws of the locking portion 130. As shown in FIG. 8, one of the support legs has approximately the same length as the locking claws of the locking portion 130. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer surfaces of the pair of support legs of the support portion 150 are approximately flat, and the lateral center portion of the inner surface has an arc-shaped cross section to fit the pin shank 270 of the pin 200. In the embodiment of the present invention, the shapes of the one support leg and the other support leg are different, but the shape of the support legs is not limited to that shown in the embodiment. The shape of the support legs may be any shape as long as the support legs can be inserted into a mounting hole in the workpiece and the pin shank 270 can be guided inside the pair of support legs.

[0024] Furthermore, four attachment member abutment sections 110 are formed on the underside of the bottom section 170 so that they can be placed on the attachment member at the edges of the bottom section 170. The height of the four attachment member abutment sections 110 is uniform so that they can be attached to the attachment member with high precision and stability. Gaskets 300, which will be described later, can be placed between the attachment member abutment sections 110 located at the edges of the bottom section 170 when attaching to the attachment member.

[0025] 1 and 3, a pair of opposing pin release ribs 180 are provided between the inside of the main body side annular portion 160 and the opening 115. The pin release ribs 180 are higher than the main body side annular portion 160 and extend toward the center of the main body side annular portion 160. The pin release ribs 180 are used to return the pin 200 from the fully engaged state to the provisionally engaged state.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the cross-sectional outline of the pair of locking claws of the locking portion 130 and the pair of support legs of the support portion 150 combined is approximately rectangular and is formed to fit the mounting hole of the workpiece 500, so that the pair of locking claws and the pair of support legs can be inserted into the mounting hole of the workpiece 500.

[0027] Furthermore, opening 115 of main body 100 is a space surrounded by a pair of locking claws of locking portion 130 and a pair of support legs of support portion 150. Pin shaft portion 270 of pin 200 is guided within opening 115 of main body 100.

[0028] The distance between the pair of support legs of the support portion 150 is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pin shaft portion 270, and the pair of support legs are configured to be able to support the pin shaft portion 270 from the outside.

[0029] [pin] The pin 200 will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 14. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the pin 200 of the fastener 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from above, and Figure 10 is a perspective view as seen from below. Figure 11 is a top view, Figure 12 is a front view, Figure 13 is a bottom view, and Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view.

[0030] The pin 200 has an upper disc-shaped pin flange 220, a ring-shaped pin-side annular portion 230 extending downward from the outside of the pin flange 220, and a pin shank portion 270 extending downward from the center of the pin flange 220.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 9, a cross groove 210 is formed on the upper surface of the center of the pin flange 220. The tip of a screwdriver can be inserted into the cross groove 210 to rotate the pin 200 and return it from the fully engaged state to the provisionally engaged state. The cross groove 210 may be formed deep enough to reach the riding surface 260 of the pin shank 270, as shown in Fig. 14.

[0032] As shown in Figures 10 and 13, four pin release pieces 240 are formed at equal intervals around the pin shank 270 below the pin flange 220. Each pin release piece 240 has a constant thickness in the radial direction of the pin flange 220, its outer surface is a right-angled triangle, and its lower surface is a slope. The slope gradually decreases in height in a clockwise direction. When the pin 200 is rotated to return from the fully engaged state to the provisionally engaged state, the slope of the pin release piece 240 slides on the pin release rib 180 of the main body 100, pushing the pin 200 up.

[0033] 12, a pin shank 270 extends along the central axis of the pin 200 below the central portion of the pin flange 220. The pin shank 270 includes a pin rotation position restriction rib 250 that restricts the rotation of the pin 200, and a riding-up surface 260 that allows the tip of the locking portion 130 of the main body 100 to spread and ride up.

[0034] The pin 200 has a ring-shaped pin-side annular portion 230 that extends from the outside of the pin flange 220 toward the tip of the pin 200. As will be described later, the pin-side annular portion 230 is configured so that, in the fully engaged state in which the fastener 10 is attached to the workpiece 500, the outer surface of the body-side annular portion 160 of the main body 100 and the inner surface of the pin-side annular portion 230 are in surface contact. This configuration brings the main body 100 and the pin 200 into close contact in the fully engaged state, making it possible to prevent moisture from entering the pin shank 270 of the pin 200 from the outside.

[0035] 12 and 14, the pin 200 does not have an undercut shape at the tip of the pin. In the prior art, in the structure for temporarily holding and locking the pin to the main body, an undercut portion is formed at the tip of the pin, which required the provision of a slide core in the mold. In contrast, in the present invention, the structure for temporarily holding and locking the pin 200 to the main body 100 is formed in the main body 100, which eliminates the undercut portion in the structure of the pin 200, eliminating the need to provide a slide core in the mold and enabling reductions in manufacturing costs.

[0036] [Temporary engagement state] According to the fastener 10 of the present invention, before fastening the fastener 10 to the workpiece, the fastener 10 is stored in a state in which the main body 100 and the pin 200 are assembled and temporarily engaged, and is then delivered to an assembly department for attachment to the workpiece. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the fastener 10 seen from above with the main body 100 and the pin 200 temporarily engaged, and Fig. 16 is a perspective view seen from below. Fig. 17 is a top view, Fig. 18 is a bottom view, Fig. 19 is a front view, and Fig. 20 is a right side view. Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 16, and Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 16.

[0037] As shown in Figures 15 and 22, in the temporarily engaged state, the pin flange 220 of the pin 200 is temporarily secured by a pair of claws of the pin flange temporary holding portion 120 of the main body 100, and the pin 200 can be stored while held by the main body 100.

[0038] In the provisionally engaged state, the tip of pin 200 is located above locking portion 130 of main body 100, and the pair of locking claws are not spread apart, as shown in Fig. 21. Furthermore, the pair of support legs of support portion 150 of main body 100 support pin shaft portion 270 of pin 200, as shown in Fig. 22.

[0039] [Fully engaged state] From the provisionally engaged state shown in Figures 15 to 22, the fastener 10 can be attached to the workpiece 500 by aligning the mounting hole of the workpiece 500 with the opening 115 formed in the bottom 170 of the main body 100 and then pushing the pin 200 downward, thereby achieving a fully engaged state.

[0040] Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same cross section as line AA in Figure 16, showing the state in which fastener 10 has been attached to workpiece 500 and fully engaged. Also, Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same cross section as line BB in Figure 16, showing the state in which fastener 10 has been fully engaged.

[0041] By pushing the pin 200 downward from the provisionally engaged state, the pin flange 220 held by the pin flange provisional holding portion 120 moves downward and is locked by a pair of locking claws of the pin flange locking portion 140, as shown in Figure 24, thereby entering the actual engaged state.

[0042] In this engaged state, as shown in Figure 23, the tip of the pin 200 protrudes from between the pair of locking claws of the locking portion 130, causing the pair of locking claws to spread apart, and the base of the spread pair of locking claws of the locking portion 130 is configured to lock onto the attached member 500.

[0043] In addition, in this engaged state, the pair of support legs of the support portion 150 of the main body 100 supports the pin shaft portion 270 of the pin 200, as shown in FIG.

[0044] In this engaged state, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, the inner surface of the ring-shaped pin-side annular portion 230 of the pin 200 is configured to be in surface contact with the outer surface of the ring-shaped body-side annular portion 160 of the main body 100. This configuration brings the main body 100 and the pin 200 into close contact, preventing moisture from entering the pin 200 from above in the figure. Conventional fasteners do not fully consider watertightness, and are configured such that a flexible thin flange on the pin side is in line contact with the main body side. In contrast, in the present invention, the pin-side annular portion 230 and the main body-side annular portion 160 are in surface contact, increasing the area of ​​the contact portion 320 and improving watertightness. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 24, when there is surface contact at the contact portion 320, the pin-side annular portion 230 is configured to cover the opening of the body-side annular portion 160. Therefore, in order for moisture that has infiltrated near the pin flange 220 to penetrate into the inside of the pin 200, the moisture must enter the surface contact portion from the lower end side of the pin-side annular portion 230 in the figure, and then move upward through the surface contact portion in the figure, which creates an infiltration path that makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate, thereby improving the waterproof effect.

[0045] In the present invention, as described above, the pin 200 is structurally free of any undercut portions, and in order to improve watertightness, it has a ring-shaped pin-side annular portion 230 that extends from the pin flange 220 toward the tip of the pin 200. In other words, the pin 200 has a simple structure with no undercuts, while also having the function of improving watertightness, which contributes to both reducing the manufacturing cost of the fastener and improving its functionality.

[0046] In addition, the inside of the attachment part contact portion 110 has a gasket 300 that contacts the attachment part 500, and the gasket 300 prevents moisture from entering from the outside of the fastener on the attachment part 500, improving water-tightness.

[0047] As described above, the present invention can reduce manufacturing costs by eliminating the undercut shape at the pin tip. In this regard, the present invention solves the problem of temporary retention and locking at the pin tip by eliminating the undercut shape, by providing a two-stage pin flange temporary retention portion 120 and pin flange locking portion 140 on the main body 100 side. Furthermore, the present invention increases the contact area by bringing the pin flange and the main body into surface contact, thereby improving watertightness. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Fasteners 100 units 110 Mounting member contact portion 115 Opening 120 Pin flange temporary holding part 130 Locking part 140 Pin flange locking part 150 Support part 160 Main body side annular part 170 Bottom 180 Pin release rib 190 Side wall 200 pins 210 Cross groove 220 pin flange 230 Pin side annular part 240 Pin release piece 250 Pin rotation position control rib 260 Riding surface 270 Pin shaft 300 packing 500 Mounting member

Claims

1. A fastener comprising a pin and a body configured to receive the pin, The pin is Pin flange and a pin shank extending perpendicularly from the pin flange, The body includes: The bottom and an opening formed in the bottom for inserting the pin; a mounting member engaging portion formed vertically from the bottom portion along the opening portion for engaging with the mounting member; a pin flange temporary holding portion for temporarily holding the pin flange at a first position opposite the attachment workpiece locking portion with respect to the bottom portion before attachment to the attachment workpiece; a pin flange locking portion for locking the pin flange at a second position closer to the bottom than the first position when the pin flange is attached to the workpiece, The main body further has a side wall extending from the periphery of the bottom portion to a side opposite to the attachment member locking portion, The pin flange engaging portion and the pin flange temporary holding portion are formed on the side wall.

2. The pin flange temporary holding portion is formed as a pair of holding claws at opposing positions on the side wall, The fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the pin flange engaging portion is formed as a pair of engaging claws at opposing positions on the side wall.

3. The main body further includes a ring-shaped main body annular portion extending from the bottom on the opposite side of the attachment member locking portion with respect to the bottom, the ring-shaped main body annular portion having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the opening, The pin further has a ring-shaped pin-side annular portion extending from the pin flange toward the tip of the pin, The fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an outer surface of the main body-side annular portion and an inner surface of the pin-side annular portion are in surface contact with each other when the fastener is attached to the workpiece.

4. 4. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the main body further includes a pin shank support portion that extends vertically from the bottom along the opening to a position different from the attachment engagement portion, and that supports the pin shank.

Images