Resin member and assembly structure of resin member

Abstract

A resin member (10) in which a clip attachment part (11) to which a clip (40) is attached is erected, and which is attached to a vehicle body panel (50) by means of the clip (40) attached to the clip attachment part (11), wherein the clip attachment part (11) has: an attachment plate part (21) to which the clip (40) is attached from the distal end side; a locking hole (23) which is formed in the attachment plate part (21) and locks the clip (40); support wall parts (25, 27) which are provided on both edges of the attachment plate part (21); and an opening part (29) which is provided to the one of the support wall parts (25) and communicates with the locking hole (23).

Description

Resin member and assembly structure for resin member

[0001] The present invention relates to a resin member and an assembly structure for the resin member.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure for assembling a resin member to an object using a clip. As shown in Figures 11 to 13, this type of assembly structure includes an H-shaped clip mounting portion 5 erected on a resin member 7, the clip portion 5 having a flat mounting plate 1 and support walls 3 provided on both edges of the mounting plate 1. A clip 9 is attached to the mounting plate 1 of the clip mounting portion 5 and inserted into an attachment hole in the object, thereby engaging the clip 9 with the attachment hole and assembling the resin member 7 to the object.

[0003] Incidentally, it is necessary to form a locking hole 1a in the mounting plate 1 for locking the clip 9, but if there is a structure or the like opposite the mounting plate 1, it may be impossible to remove the mold in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate 1. In such a case, as shown in Patent Document 2, the mold for forming the locking hole 1a can be removed to one side along the surface direction of the mounting plate 1, thereby forming the mounting plate 1 having the locking hole 1a.

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 6282520 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-191032

[0005] 11 to 13, the support wall portion 3 on the mold removal side is cut out, and the mold removal direction is aligned with the surface direction of the mounting plate 1, reducing the strength of the clip mounting portion 5. Furthermore, if the mold removal direction is aligned with the surface direction of the mounting plate 1, the molding portion of the mold that forms the locking hole 1a will have an elongated shape aligned with the surface direction of the mounting plate 1, reducing rigidity.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a resin member and an assembly structure for resin members that have a clip attachment portion that ensures sufficient strength while suppressing a decrease in the rigidity of the mold.

[0007] The present invention has the following configurations: (1) A resin member having a clip attachment portion to which a clip is attached, the resin member being assembled to an attachment target by the clip attached to the clip attachment portion, the clip attachment portion having: an attachment plate portion to which the clip is attached from its tip side, a locking hole formed in the attachment plate portion for locking the clip, support walls provided on both edges of the attachment plate portion, and an opening provided in one of the support walls and communicating with the locking hole. (2) An assembly structure for a resin member, in which the above-mentioned resin member is assembled to the attachment target by the clip attached to the clip attachment portion.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a resin member and an assembly structure for resin members that include a clip attachment portion that ensures sufficient strength while suppressing a decrease in the rigidity of the mold.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a resin member according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clip attachment portion. FIG. 3 is a front view of the clip attachment portion. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the clip attachment portion. FIG. 5 is a side view viewed from one support wall portion where an opening of the clip attachment portion is formed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clip attachment portion with a clip attached. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clip attachment portion with a clip attached, viewed from one support wall portion where an opening of the clip attachment portion is formed. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the clip attachment portion assembled to a vehicle body panel. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along the surface direction of the attachment plate portion of the clip attachment portion assembled to the vehicle body panel. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the attachment plate portion of the clip attachment portion assembled to the vehicle body panel. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a clip attachment portion provided in a conventional resin member. FIG. 12 is a front view of a clip attachment portion provided in a conventional resin member. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional clip attachment portion with a clip attached.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a resin member 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a clip mounting portion 11. Fig. 3 is a front view of the clip mounting portion 11. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the clip mounting portion 11. Fig. 5 is a side view of the clip mounting portion 11 as viewed from one support wall portion 25 side where an opening 29 is formed.

[0011] 1 to 5, a resin member 10 according to this embodiment includes a clip attachment portion 11. The resin member 10 is attached to an object by a clip (described later) that is attached to the clip attachment portion 11. The resin member 10 is molded from resin. The clip attachment portion 11 is provided on the side of the base portion 10a of the resin member 10 that is to be attached to the object, and is molded integrally with and erected from the base portion 10a.

[0012] The resin member 10 is, for example, a resin interior component for a vehicle, such as an instrument panel, and this resin member 10 is to be attached to an attachment target, such as a vehicle body panel or the like.

[0013] The clip mounting portion 11 has a mounting plate portion 21 , a locking hole 23 , a pair of support walls 25 , 27 , and an opening 29 .

[0014] The mounting plate 21 is formed in a flat plate shape. The locking hole 23 is formed in the mounting plate 21. The locking hole 23 is a hole portion for locking a clip, and is formed so as to penetrate the mounting plate 21 from the front to the back.

[0015] The support walls 25, 27 are provided on both edges of the mounting plate 21. Like the mounting plate 21, the support walls 25, 27 are integrally molded and erected on the base 10a of the resin member 10. These support walls 25, 27 are tapered toward their respective tips, and the tips of these support walls 25, 27 protrude from the edge of the mounting plate 21 on the tip 21a side.

[0016] These support walls 25, 27 have a width greater than the thickness of the mounting plate 21. The support walls 25, 27 are each disposed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the mounting plate 21 and extend from both sides of the mounting plate 21. This gives the clip mounting portion 11 a generally H-shape when viewed from the tip end (see FIG. 4).

[0017] One support wall 25 has overhangs 31 on both widthwise sides of the base 10a side. These overhangs 31 have steps 31a against which the object to be attached abuts. Similarly, the other support wall 27 has overhangs 33 on both widthwise sides of the base 10a side. These overhangs 33 have steps 33a against which the object to be attached abuts. An example of the object to be attached is a vehicle body panel 50, and Figure 10 shows how the steps 33a and the vehicle body panel 50 can abut.

[0018] The opening 29 is provided in one of the support walls 25. This opening 29 communicates with the locking hole 23 formed in the mounting plate 21. As a result, the clip mounting portion 11 has the locking hole 23 that is open via the opening 29 on the side where the support wall 25 is provided.

[0019] The locking hole 23, which is connected to the opening 29 on the support wall 25 side, has an edge 23a on the tip 21a side of the mounting plate 21 that is parallel to the edge of the tip 21a of the mounting plate 21. As will be described later with reference to Figure 7, the edge 23a is the portion where the locking claw 41a of the clip 40 is locked. In contrast, the edge 23b of the locking hole 23 on the base end 21b side of the mounting plate 21 is gradually inclined toward the base end 21b as it approaches the opening 29. As a result, the width of the locking hole 23 in the erect direction of the mounting plate 21 (the width in the vertical direction in Figure 3) gradually increases as it approaches the opening 29.

[0020] In this way, the clip mounting portion 11 has an opening 29 in one of the support walls 25 that communicates with the locking hole 23 of the mounting plate 21. Therefore, even if the mounting plate 21 cannot be demolded in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate 21 because a structure or the like exists opposite the mounting plate 21, the mold M having the molding portion Mp that forms the locking hole 23 can be demolded from the side of the support wall 25 where the opening 29 is provided relative to the mounting plate 21 (see FIG. 3 ).

[0021] One support wall portion 25 in which the opening 29 is formed is made thicker than the other support wall portion 27. By making the thickness of one support wall portion 25 having the opening 29 thicker than the other support wall portion 27 in this way, the strength of one support wall portion 25 can be increased.

[0022] Furthermore, one support wall portion 25 has a thick portion 29a in which the thickness of the periphery of the opening 29 is thicker than the other portions. This thick portion 29a is provided around the entire periphery of the opening 29. In this example, the entire support wall portion 25 has the thick portion 29a except for a portion on the tip side. This increases the strength of the one support wall portion 25 in which the opening 29 is formed, and suppresses a decrease in strength due to the formation of the opening 29. Furthermore, the other support wall portion 27 has a reinforcing rib 27a formed in the center in the width direction to reinforce the support wall portion 27. This reinforcing rib 27a protrudes toward the opposite side from the mounting plate portion 21 and is molded integrally with the base portion 10a of the resin member 10.

[0023] The mounting plate 21 of the clip mounting part 11 has multiple (two in this example) ribs 35 on one surface. These ribs 35 are formed at intervals in the width direction of the mounting plate 21 along the erection direction of the mounting plate 21. By providing the ribs 35 in this way, the strength of the mounting plate 21 having the locking hole 23 can be increased. Furthermore, these ribs 35 serve as guides for guiding the clip attached to the mounting plate 21.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the clip mounting portion 11 to which the clip 40 is attached. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the clip mounting portion 11 to which the clip 40 is attached, viewed from one support wall portion 25 side where the opening 29 is formed. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the clip mounting portion 11 assembled to a vehicle body panel 50.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 , the clip 40 attached to the mounting plate 21 of the clip mounting portion 11 includes a fixed elastic piece 41, an engaging elastic piece 43, and a connecting portion 45. The clip 40 is formed from an elastic resin material or metal material. A pair of fixed elastic pieces 41 are provided in the center of the clip 40 in the width direction, with one end of each fixed elastic piece 41 connected to the connecting portion 45. The pair of fixed elastic pieces 41 are adjacent to each other and have locking claws 41a on their opposing surfaces. A pair of engaging elastic pieces 43 are provided on both sides of the fixed elastic piece 41 in the width direction of the clip 40, with one end of each engaging elastic piece 43 connected to the connecting portion 45. The engaging elastic pieces 43 have engaging portions 43a that bulge outward. Adjacent fixed elastic pieces 41 and engaging elastic pieces 43 are connected to each other at the other end by an end connecting portion 47.

[0026] The clip 40 is attached to the clip attachment portion 11 by pushing the attachment plate 21 into the clip attachment portion 11 while inserting the attachment plate 21 between the fixing elastic pieces 41 and between the engaging elastic pieces 43. When the clip 40 is pushed into the clip attachment portion 11, the locking claws 41a of the fixing elastic pieces 41 enter the locking holes 23 of the attachment plate 21 and are locked to the edge 23a of the locking holes 23 on the tip 21a side of the attachment plate 21. In this way, the clip 40 is attached to the attachment plate 21 of the clip attachment portion 11.

[0027] At this time, the clip 40 is guided by passing the fixed elastic piece 41 between the pair of ribs 35 on one surface of the mounting plate 21 of the clip mounting part 11, and the engaging elastic piece 43 is guided by passing outside the ribs 35. In this way, since the clip mounting part 11 has the ribs 35 on one surface of the mounting plate 21, the clip 40 can be attached to the mounting plate 21 while being guided by these ribs 35, improving the ease of attachment of the clip 40. Furthermore, the ribs 35 prevent the clip 40 attached to the mounting plate 21 of the clip mounting part 11 from shifting in position in the width direction of the mounting plate 21.

[0028] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the surface of the mounting plate 21 of the clip mounting portion 11 attached to the vehicle body panel 50. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate 21 of the clip mounting portion 11 attached to the vehicle body panel 50.

[0029] 9 and 10 , to assemble the resin member 10 to a vehicle body panel 50, which is an attachment target, the clip attachment portion 11 to which the clip 40 is attached is pressed into an attachment hole 51 formed in the vehicle body panel 50. Then, the engaging portion 43 a of the engaging elastic piece 43 of the clip 40 is pressed inward by the inner edge of the attachment hole 51 and elastically deformed. Further, by pressing the clip attachment portion 11 into the attachment hole 51, the vehicle body panel 50 passes over the engaging portion 43 a of the engaging elastic piece 43 and abuts against the stepped portions 31 a, 33 a formed on the support wall portions 25, 27 of the clip attachment portion 11, and the elastically deformed engaging elastic piece 43 returns to its original state, causing the engaging portion 43 a to bulge outward and engage with the edge of the attachment hole 51 in the vehicle body panel 50. As a result, the clip attachment portion 11 is engaged with the vehicle body panel 50 by the clip 40, and the resin member 10 is assembled to the vehicle body panel 50.

[0030] As described above, according to the resin member 10 of this embodiment, the opening 29 communicating with the locking hole 23 is provided in one of the support walls 25. Therefore, even in a situation where the mounting plate 21 cannot be demolded in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate 21 because of the presence of a structure or the like facing the mounting plate 21, the mounting plate 21 can be demolded from the side of the one of the support walls 25 where the opening 29 is provided. Furthermore, compared to a structure in which one of the support walls is cut out for demolding, the locking hole 23 can be easily formed while ensuring sufficient strength of the clip mounting portion 11.

[0031] Furthermore, the edge 23b of the locking hole 23 on the base end 21b side of the mounting plate 21 is gradually inclined toward the base end 21b as it approaches the opening 29, and the width of the mounting plate 21 in the erection direction gradually increases as it approaches the opening 29. Therefore, the molding portion Mp of the mold M, which is removed from one support wall 25 side to form the locking hole 23, can be made to have a shape that gradually widens as it approaches the removal direction (see FIG. 3). This prevents a decrease in rigidity of the molding portion Mp of the mold M, improving its strength and durability.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the assembly structure for assembling this resin member 10 to the vehicle body panel 50, which is the object to be attached, the resin member 10 has a clip attachment portion 11 that ensures sufficient strength, so that the resin member 10 can be firmly fixed to the vehicle body panel 50.

[0033] As such, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention also contemplates the mutual combination of the various components of the embodiments, as well as modifications and applications by those skilled in the art based on the description in the specification and well-known techniques, and these modifications and applications are included in the scope of protection sought.

[0034] As described above, this specification discloses the following: (1) A resin member having a clip attachment portion to which a clip is attached, the resin member being assembled to an object by the clip attached to the clip attachment portion, the clip attachment portion having: an attachment plate portion to which the clip is attached from its tip side; a locking hole formed in the attachment plate portion to lock the clip; support walls provided on both edges of the attachment plate portion; and an opening provided in one of the support walls and communicating with the locking hole. According to this resin member, an opening communicating with the locking hole is provided in one of the support walls. Therefore, even in a situation where the attachment plate portion cannot be demolded in a direction perpendicular to the attachment plate portion because a structure or the like is present opposite the attachment plate portion, the resin member can be demolded from the side of the one support wall portion where the opening is provided relative to the attachment plate portion when forming the locking hole. In addition, one of the support wall portions has a structure having an opening that communicates with the locking hole, so compared to a structure in which the support wall portion is cut out for molding, the locking hole can be easily formed while ensuring sufficient strength of the clip attachment portion.

[0035] (2) The resin member according to (1), wherein the width of the locking hole in the erection direction of the mounting plate portion gradually increases toward the opening. With this resin member, the molded portion of the mold that is removed from one support wall portion to form the locking hole can be shaped to gradually widen toward the removal direction, thereby suppressing a decrease in rigidity of the molded portion that forms the locking hole and improving strength and durability.

[0036] (3) The resin member according to (1) or (2), wherein the edge of the locking hole on the base end side of the mounting plate portion is gradually inclined toward the base end as it approaches the opening. With this resin member, the molded portion of the mold that is removed from one support wall portion to form the locking hole can be made to have a shape that gradually widens as it approaches the removal direction, thereby suppressing a decrease in rigidity of the molded portion that forms the locking hole and improving strength and durability.

[0037] (4) The resin member according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the support wall portion on one side of which the opening is formed has a thickness at least around the periphery of the opening that is thicker than other portions around the entire periphery of the opening. According to this resin member, the thickness at least around the periphery of the opening is thicker than other portions around the entire periphery of the opening, thereby increasing the strength of the support wall portion having the opening.

[0038] (5) The resin member according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein one of the support walls having the opening is thicker than the other of the support walls. With this resin member, the strength of one of the support walls can be increased by making the thickness of the one of the support walls having the opening thicker than the other of the support walls.

[0039] (6) The resin member according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the mounting plate has a rib on at least one surface thereof extending along the vertical direction. With this resin member, the strength of the mounting plate having the locking hole for locking the clip can be increased by the rib.

[0040] (7) The resin member according to (6), wherein the rib is a guide for guiding the clip attached to the mounting plate. With this resin member, the clip can be attached to the mounting plate while being guided by the rib, improving the workability of attaching the clip. In addition, the rib can prevent the clip from shifting in position in the width direction of the mounting plate.

[0041] (8) An assembly structure for a resin member, in which the resin member according to any one of (1) to (7) is assembled to the object by the clip attached to the clip attachment portion. According to this assembly structure for a resin member, the resin member has a clip attachment portion that ensures sufficient strength, so that the resin member can be firmly fixed to the object.

[0042] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Resin member 11 Clip mounting portion 21 Mounting plate portion 21b Base end 23 Locking hole 23b Base end side edge portion 25, 27 Support wall portion 29 Opening 29a Thick portion 35 Rib 40 Clip 50 Vehicle body panel (mounting object)

Claims

1. A resin component having an upright clip mounting section to which a clip is attached, the resin component being assembled to an object by the clip mounted on the clip mounting section, the clip mounting section having: a mounting plate section to which the clip is attached from its tip side; a locking hole formed in the mounting plate section for locking the clip; support walls provided on both edges of the mounting plate section; and an opening provided in one of the support walls that communicates with the locking hole.

2. The resin member according to claim 1, wherein the width of the locking hole in the erect direction of the mounting plate portion gradually increases toward the opening.

3. The resin member according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the locking hole on the base end side of the mounting plate portion is gradually inclined toward the base end as it approaches the opening.

4. The resin member according to claim 1, wherein the support wall portion on one side where the opening is formed has a thickness that is thicker at least around the periphery of the opening than in other portions over the entire periphery of the opening.

5. The resin member according to claim 1, wherein one of the support walls having the opening is thicker than the other of the support walls.

6. The resin member according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate portion has a rib on at least one surface thereof extending in the vertical direction.

7. The resin member according to claim 6, wherein the rib is a guide for guiding the clip attached to the mounting plate portion.

8. A resin member assembly structure in which the resin member according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is assembled to the object by the clip attached to the clip mounting portion.

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