Pins and mold-in grommets for mounting parts on vehicles

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system for mounting parts on vehicles. The system may include a bracket coupled to a panel of a vehicle body. The bracket may include a plurality of mold-in grommets and a plurality of pins. Each pin may be located within each mold-in grommet. Each combination of pin and mold-in grommet may be aligned with an opening in the body panel. In response to being pushed toward the body panel, each pin may cause each mold-in grommet to engage the bracket with the body panel and lock the bracket to the body panel.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Claim of priority

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 621,506 by Yongquan, filed on January 16, 2024, with the title of the invention “Pin and mold-in grommet for mounting parts on a vehicle,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] During the assembly and manufacturing process of vehicles, brackets are frequently used to mount parts, particularly large parts, onto the vehicle for later use. For example, brackets can be connected to the car body (a stage of manufacturing where only the frame exists, before painting and other processes are performed). These brackets can allow components such as wheel liners, rocker panels, lamps, trims, bumpers, etc., to be attached to or otherwise connected to the body.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for mounting parts on vehicles comprises a bracket coupled to a body panel of a vehicle body, the bracket comprising a plurality of mold-in grommets; and a plurality of pins, each pin positioned within a respective mold-in grommet. Each combination of pins and mold-in grommets may be aligned with an opening in the body panel and, in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each pin causes the respective mold-in grommet to engage the bracket with the body panel and lock the bracket to the body panel. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of pins may comprise an umbrella. In some embodiments, the umbrella may be configured to contact the mold-in grommet to form a water-sealed connection.

[0005] In some embodiments, the mold-in grommet may include a snap feature. In some embodiments, the snap feature may include at least one finger and at least one corner. In some embodiments, in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each finger may extend until it engages with each corner. In some embodiments, the body panel may include at least one of a rocker panel, a side body for a rear door, a side body for a rear wheel liner, a side body for a trunk, a side body for a tail lamp, or a side body for a rear bumper.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for mounting parts on a vehicle comprises the steps of: coupling a bracket to a body panel of a vehicle body, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of mold-in grommets; inserting a plurality of pins into the plurality of mold-in grommets, wherein each pin is positioned within each mold-in grommet, and each combination of pin and mold-in grommet is aligned with an opening in the body panel; and pushing the plurality of pins toward the body panel, wherein each pin causes each mold-in grommet to engage the bracket with the body panel and lock the bracket to the body panel.

[0007] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of pins may include an umbrella. In some embodiments, the umbrella may be configured to contact a mold-in grommet to form a water-sealed connection. In some embodiments, the mold-in grommet may include a snap feature. In some embodiments, the snap feature may include at least one finger and at least one corner. In some embodiments, in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each finger may extend until the finger engages with each corner. In some embodiments, the body panel may include at least one of a rocker panel, a side body for a rear door, a side body for a rear wheel liner, a side body for a trunk, a side body for a tail lamp, or a side body for a rear bumper. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0008] The various purposes, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully recognized by referring to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered in relation to the following drawings, wherein similar reference numerals identify similar elements. FIGS. 1a through 1i illustrate a pin and mold-in grommet system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle body having exemplary arrangements of a pin and mold-in grommet system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale or include all elements of the system; instead, emphasis is generally placed on illustrating the concepts, structures, and technologies to be protected in this specification. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0009] The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the claimed invention or the fields of application of its use.

[0010] Brackets commonly used during the manufacturing phase to facilitate connections between a vehicle's Body-in-Wash (BIW) and components suffer from various disadvantages, such as poorly optimized insertion and retention performance, insufficient water sealing capabilities, and being excessively heavy and therefore difficult to handle. In addition, the pins inserted into the brackets are typically pre-installed as a single assembly. That is, the pins and brackets form a single assembly, which limits operability, flexibility, and reusability. Furthermore, these single assemblies also require tooling for insertion and removal, which is undesirable.

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure thus relate to a pin and mold-in grommet bracket system that can be used to mount parts onto a vehicle, such as large plastic parts including wheel liners, rocker panels, bumpers, tail lamp brackets, etc. For example, the disclosed pin and mold-in grommet can be used to assemble external plastic shells to a vehicle body during assembly. The bracket may comprise grommets formed as a single unit (i.e., mold-in grommets). After the brackets are attached to the vehicle body, a pin can be inserted into each of the mold-in grommets (but not locked). The pin can be held by the grommet so that it does not move or come loose, but is not completely locked in place. Once the vehicle having the installed brackets and pins is received at a specific stage of manufacturing, the pins can be simply pushed out by a person, causing them to lock and thus reinforcing the connection between the bracket and the vehicle body. The mold-in grommet may include a snap feature and is specifically configured to allow the pin to be pushed out and engage with a locked assembly. In addition, a driver can subsequently be used to force the pin out of the grommet and push it out, thereby allowing the bracket to be removed. The disclosed pin and mold-in grommet bracket system has various benefits such as improved insertion and retention performance, water sealing capabilities, and avoidance of tooling processes.

[0012] In addition, the disclosed mold-in grommet bracket system may include various snap features on its exterior, which enables more desirable connection mechanisms for various components such as vehicle trims and plastic shells (e.g., rocker panels, wheel liners, etc.) and other unmachined castings. The disclosed mold-in grommet bracket system may include specific configurations of various channels, tuning rib gaps, and flatness tuning ribs to securely accommodate an exterior component being attached to a vehicle. These embodiments of the pin and mold-in grommet bracket system also provide various advantages such as improved serviceability (i.e., easy removal and reusability), improved ergonomic design for handling during production, improved controllability of gaps and flatness tolerances between exterior trims to maintain quality and appearance, reliability of the joints, cost reduction, and weight reduction.

[0013] FIGS. 1a through 1i illustrate a pin and mold-in grommet system (100) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The system (100) comprises a bracket (101), a plurality of pins (102) (referred herein collectively as “pins (102)” or individually as “pins (102)”), and a plurality of mold-in grommets (103) (referred herein collectively as “grommets (103)” or individually as “grommets (103)”). In some embodiments, the view of the system (100) illustrated in FIG. 1a is visible from outside the vehicle. That is, the visible side of the bracket (101) may be far from the BIW. In some embodiments, the pins (102) may be made of a plastic material. In addition, each of the pins may include an umbrella (105).

[0014] FIG. 1b illustrates a side view of a system (100) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the configuration of the system (100) in FIG. 1b may be referred to as a transfer state, wherein the bracket (101) is received in this configuration by an assembly team with the bracket (101) connected to the body panel (120). In FIG. 1b, the pin (102) is held by a mold-in grommet (103). However, the pin (102) is not engaged in this stage. The grommet (103) includes pin spreads (104) that enable the system (100) to engage with and lock onto the notches (180). An arrow indicates the direction in which the user pushes the pin (102) into the grommet (103) to create an engaged state. In FIG. 1c, after the pin (102) is pushed to the right by a sufficient distance, the bracket (101) is engaged or “locked.” As the pin (102) moves to the right, the pin spreads (104) curve outward, and their ends move inward toward the bracket (101). Eventually, the ends of each pin spread (104) move past each notch (180) until they are positioned below each notch (180). That is, each pair of pin spreads (104) and notches (180) forms a snap feature for snapping onto the body panel (120). The notches (180) prevent the pin spreads (104) from moving to the right again and returning to their initial positions, thereby keeping the system (100) in an engaged position. An enlarged view of the engaged configuration of the pin spreads (104) and notches (180) is shown in FIG. 1d. In addition, the umbrella (105) of the pin (102) interferes with the grommet (103), which can provide a water seal between the pin (102) and the grommet (103). In FIG. 1e, a screwdriver (106) can be used to forcibly move the pin (102) out of the grommet (103) and pull it out (e.g., by a user).The leftward force applied to the pin (102) by the driver (106) causes the pin spreads (104) and notches (180) to separate, thereby allowing the pin (102) to be easily removed from the grommet (103). Subsequently, the entire bracket (101) can be removed from the body panel (120).

[0015] FIG. 1f illustrates features of a disclosed pin and mold-in grommet system (100) that can be used to improve connections for various components such as vehicle trims and plastic shells. The bracket (101) may include tuning rib gaps (107a and 107b), flatness tuning ribs (108a and 108b), tuning ribs (109), and clips (110). In addition, the bracket (101) may include channels (130a and 130b) formed on each side of the ridge (140). In some embodiments, the ridge (140) may extend along the length of the bracket (101) and may be located at an intermediate point between the upper surface of the bracket (101) and the grommets (103) on the lower portion of the bracket (101). Various components (tuning rib gaps (107a and 107b), flatness tuning ribs (108a and 108b), tuning ribs (109), and clips (110)) are thus located within the channels (130a and 130b) and enable a more efficient and secure connection to the trim or other shell during vehicle assembly.

[0016] In some embodiments, each clip (110) may be a mold-in clip, meaning that the clip (110) is formed as part of the ridge (140). In some embodiments, the bracket (101) may include sections, each section having a specific arrangement of ribs, gaps, and clips. For example, as shown in FIG. 1f, the bracket (101) includes a left configuration and a right configuration. Each has four flatness tuning ribs (108), and a tuning rib gap (107) is formed between each of the flatness tuning ribs (108) and the ridge (140). The tuning rib gap is configured to receive a tuning rib from a trim or other component (see FIG. 1h through 1i). In some embodiments, each flatness tuning rib (108) is formed in one of the channels (130) and has another flatness tuning rib (108) formed in the opposite channel so that the two flatness tuning ribs (108) are aligned with each other. In addition, tuning ribs (109) are formed between two sets of flatness tuning ribs (108). Furthermore, a mold-in clip (110) may be positioned along a ridge (140) at an intermediate point between the flatness tuning ribs (108).

[0017] FIG. 1g illustrates a bracket (101) connected to a BIW (190) via pins (102) (details regarding the connection mechanism are described in relation to FIG. 1a through 1e). In FIG. 1g, the pins (102) are pushed into grommets (103) so that they are engaged as described above. FIG. 1h illustrates a system (100) in which the bracket (101) is attached to the BIW (190) along section A after various trims have been connected via the bracket (101). As shown in FIG. 1h, the bracket (101) is connected to and in contact with the BIW (190). Furthermore, the bracket (101) accommodates (and is thus connected to) the trims (111 and 112). The trim (111) has a tuning rib (113) that fits into the tuning rib gap (107a) between the flatness tuning rib (108a) and the ridge (140). In addition, the trim (112) has a tuning rib (114) that fits into the tuning rib gap (107b) between the flatness tuning rib (108b) and the ridge (140). FIG. 1i illustrates a system (100) in which various trims are connected through a bracket (101) and the bracket (101) is attached to the BIW (190) along section B. As illustrated in FIG. 1i, the trim (111) has a tuning rib (113) with a notch at its end. The trim (112) has a tuning rib (114) with a similar notch at its end. The notches of the tuning ribs (113 and 114) can be caught on the mold-in clip (110), which is part of the ridge (140), thereby providing a secure connection, preventing the trims from moving, and holding them in place.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle body (200) having exemplary arrangements of a pin and mold-in grommet system (100) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the vehicle body (200) may include a system (100a) for receiving a rocker panel, a system (100b) for receiving a side body for a rear door, a system (100c) for receiving a side body for a rear wheel liner, a system (100d) for receiving a side body for a rear bumper, a system (100e) for receiving a side body for a tail lamp, and a system (100f) for receiving a side body for a trunk.

[0019] Examples

[0020] Some examples of this disclosure include the following:

[0021] Example 1. A system for mounting parts on vehicles, wherein the system comprises a bracket coupled to a body panel of a vehicle body, the bracket comprising a plurality of mold-in grommets; and a plurality of pins, each pin positioned within each mold-in grommet; and each combination of pin and mold-in grommet aligns with an opening in the body panel and, in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each pin causes each mold-in grommet to engage the bracket with the body panel and lock the bracket to the body panel.

[0022] Example 2 includes the system of Example 1, and each of the plurality of pins includes an umbrella.

[0023] Example 3 includes the system of Example 2, and the umbrella is configured to contact each mold-in grommet to form a water-sealed connection.

[0024] Example 4 includes a system of any one of Examples 1 to 3, and each mold-in grommet includes a snap feature.

[0025] Example 5 includes the system of Example 4, and the snap feature includes at least one finger and at least one corner.

[0026] Example 6 includes the system of Example 5, and in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each finger extends until at least one finger engages with at least one corner.

[0027] Example 7 includes the systems of Examples 1 through 6, and the body panel includes at least one of a rocker panel, a side body for a rear door, a side body for a rear wheel liner, a side body for a trunk, a side body for a tail lamp, or a side body for a rear bumper.

[0028] Example 8. A method for mounting parts on vehicles, the method comprises the steps of coupling a bracket to a body panel of a vehicle body, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of mold-in grommets; inserting a plurality of pins into the plurality of mold-in grommets, wherein each pin is positioned within each mold-in grommet; wherein each combination of pins and mold-in grommets is aligned with an opening in the body panel; and pushing the plurality of pins toward the body panel, wherein each pin causes each mold-in grommet to engage the bracket with the body panel and lock the bracket to the body panel.

[0029] Example 9 includes the method of Example 8, and each of the plurality of pins includes an umbrella.

[0030] Example 10 includes the method of Example 9, and the umbrella is configured to contact each mold-in grommet to form a water-sealed connection.

[0031] Example 11 includes the method of any one of Examples 8 to 10, and each mold-in grommet includes a snap feature.

[0032] Example 12 includes the method of Example 11, and the snap feature includes at least one finger and at least one corner.

[0033] Example 13 includes the method of Example 12, and in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each finger is extended until at least one finger engages with at least one corner.

[0034] Example 14 includes the method of any one of Examples 8 to 13, and the body panel includes at least one of a rocker panel, a side body for a rear door, a side body for a rear wheel liner, a side body for a trunk, a side body for a tail lamp, or a side body for a rear bumper.

[0035] Example 15 includes a system for mounting parts on a vehicle, the system includes a bracket coupled to a body panel of a vehicle body, the bracket includes a plurality of mold-in grommets configured to receive a plurality of pins, and each combination of received pins and mold-in grommets is aligned with an opening in the body panel and, in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each pin causes each mold-in grommet to engage the bracket with the body panel and lock the bracket to the body panel.

[0036] Example 16 includes the system of Example 15, and each of the plurality of pins includes an umbrella.

[0037] Example 17 includes the system of Example 16, and the umbrella is configured to contact each mold-in grommet to form a water-sealed connection.

[0038] Example 18 includes a system of any one of Examples 15 to 17, and each mold-in grommet includes a snap feature.

[0039] Example 19 includes the system of Example 18, and the snap feature includes at least one finger and at least one corner.

[0040] Example 20 includes the system of Example 19, and in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each finger extends until at least one finger engages with at least one corner.

[0041] Although various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they are provided as examples and not to be limiting. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope. Indeed, after reading the description above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) that methods for implementing alternative embodiments may be provided. For example, different steps may be provided from the described flows, steps may be removed, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0042] In addition, it should be understood that arbitrary drawings highlighting functions and advantages are provided for illustrative purposes only. Each is sufficiently flexible and configurable so that the disclosed methodology and system can be utilized in ways different from those depicted.

[0043] Although the term "at least one" is frequently used in the specification, claims, and drawings, terms such as "a," "an," "the," "said," etc., mean "at least one" or "the above at least one" in the specification, claims, and drawings.

[0044] Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims containing the expression language of "means for doing" or "steps for doing" should be interpreted under 35 USC 112(f). Claims that do not explicitly include the phrases of "means for doing" or "steps for doing" should not be interpreted under 35 USC 112(f).

Claims

Claim 1 A system for mounting parts on vehicles, comprising: a bracket coupled to a body panel of a vehicle body, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of mold-in grommets; and a plurality of pins, wherein each pin is positioned within each mold-in grommet; wherein each combination of pin and mold-in grommet is aligned with an opening in the body panel; and wherein, in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each pin causes each mold-in grommet to cause the bracket to engage with the body panel and lock the bracket to the body panel. Claim 2 A system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pins comprises an umbrella. Claim 3 A system according to paragraph 2, wherein the umbrella is configured to contact each of the mold-in grommets to form a water-sealed connection. Claim 4 In claim 1, the system wherein each of the mold-in grommets comprises a snap feature. Claim 5 In paragraph 4, the system wherein the snap feature comprises at least one finger and at least one corner. Claim 6 In claim 5, a system in which, in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each finger extends until the at least one finger engages with the at least one corner. Claim 7 A system according to claim 1, wherein the body panel comprises at least one of a rocker panel, a side body for a rear door, a side body for a rear wheel liner, a side body for a trunk, a side body for a tail lamp, or a side body for a rear bumper. Claim 8 A method for mounting parts on vehicles, comprising the steps of: coupling a bracket to a body panel of a vehicle body, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of mold-in grommets; inserting a plurality of pins into the plurality of mold-in grommets, wherein each pin is positioned within each mold-in grommet; and each combination of pins and mold-in grommets is aligned with an opening in the body panel; and pushing the plurality of pins toward the body panel, wherein each pin causes each mold-in grommet to cause the bracket to engage with the body panel and lock the bracket to the body panel. Claim 9 In claim 8, a method wherein each of the plurality of pins comprises an umbrella. Claim 10 In claim 9, the method wherein the umbrella is configured to contact each of the mold-in grommets to form a water-sealed connection. Claim 11 In claim 8, the method wherein each of the above mold-in grommets comprises a snap feature. Claim 12 In claim 11, the snap feature comprises at least one finger and at least one corner, a method. Claim 13 In claim 12, in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each finger is extended until at least one finger engages with at least one corner. Claim 14 In claim 8, the body panel comprises at least one of a rocker panel, a side body for a rear door, a side body for a rear wheel liner, a side body for a trunk, a side body for a tail lamp, or a side body for a rear bumper. Claim 15 A system for mounting parts on a vehicle, comprising a bracket coupled to a body panel of a vehicle body, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of mold-in grommets configured to receive a plurality of pins; each combination of the received pin and the mold-in grommet is aligned with an opening in the body panel; and in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each pin causes each mold-in grommet to cause the bracket to engage with the body panel and lock the bracket to the body panel. Claim 16 In paragraph 15, a system in which each of the plurality of pins includes an umbrella. Claim 17 In paragraph 16, a system configured such that the umbrella contacts each of the mold-in grommets to form a water-sealed connection. Claim 18 In paragraph 15, each of the above mold-in grommets comprises a snap feature, in a system. Claim 19 In paragraph 18, the snap feature comprises at least one finger and at least one corner, in a system. Claim 20 In claim 19, a system in which, in response to being pushed toward the body panel, each finger extends until at least one finger engages with at least one corner.

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