Elongate trim
Elongate trim pieces with differential thermal expansion management maintain consistent panel gaps by aligning at specific temperatures, addressing thermal expansion issues and enabling material diversity in vehicle body panels.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Vehicle body panels with elongate trim face issues due to differential thermal expansion, leading to disruption of panel gaps and obstruction when materials with different thermal properties are used, affecting aesthetic and functional continuity.
The use of elongate trim pieces with varying coefficients of thermal expansion, where one piece is fixed at a location remote from the edge and another piece is adjacent, allowing alignment and overlap at specific temperatures to maintain consistent panel gaps without expansion into adjacent panels.
This arrangement enables the use of different materials for trim and main body, providing flexibility in cost and aesthetics while preventing thermal expansion into panel gaps, ensuring consistent boundary alignment across varying temperatures.
Smart Images
Figure EP2026050451_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] ELONGATE TRIM
[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present disclosure relates to elongate trim. Aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle body panel with elongate trim, to a vehicle body and to a vehicle.
[0004] BACKGROUND
[0005] Vehicle body panels frequently comprise trim as part of the body-finishing. The main body of the body panel will typically be made of a material, such as metal, chosen for its structural properties. The material for the trim will typically be chosen to reflect aesthetic preferences. These materials will likely have different thermal properties.
[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle body panel, a vehicle body, and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.
[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle body panel comprising an elongate trim and a main body. The elongate trim has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the main body. The elongate trim comprises a first trim piece and a second trim piece. The first trim piece at least partially overlies the second trim piece. The first trim piece is fixedly located at a first location on the main body and extends towards a first edge of the main body and has a first terminating edge with a positional relationship to the first edge of the main body that varies with temperature. The second trim piece is fixedly located at a second location on the main body and extends at least to the first edge of the main body and has a first terminating edge with a positional relationship to the first edge of the main body that is substantially invariant with temperature. The first and second trim pieces are arranged so that: below a first temperature, the first terminating edges of the first and second trim pieces are unaligned and the first trim piece only partially overlies the second trim piece; and, at the first temperature, the first terminating edges of the first and second trim pieces are aligned and the first trim piece fully overlies the second trim piece.
[0009] An advantage of this arrangement of the elongate trim is that the elongate trim can extend to, and form part of, a boundary of the vehicle body panel and yet avoid disruption to this boundary and consequent obstruction of a gap between adjacent vehicle body panels even as there is differential thermal expansion between the elongate trim and the main body of the vehicle body panel. This enables the elongate trim and the main body to be made of different materials, thus providing greater flexibility in terms of cost and aesthetic vision.
[0010] Optionally, the first temperature is greater than or equal to 70°C, 75°C, 80°C, 85°C or 90°C. Optionally, the first temperature is less than or equal to 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C or 100°C. Optionally, the first temperature is 80 to 90 °C. This temperature may be representative of a maximum temperature that the elongate trim would reach during an intended range of vehicle operating conditions and thus ensures that the aforementioned advantage is achieved across the full intended range of vehicle operating conditions.Optionally, below the first temperature, the second trim piece extends beyond the first terminating edge of the first trim piece.
[0011] Optionally, below the first temperature, the first trim piece terminates, at its first terminating edge, short of the first terminating of the second trim piece.
[0012] At the first temperature, the first terminating edges of the first and second trim pieces are aligned so that the first terminating edge of the first trim piece overlies the first terminating edge of the second trim piece.
[0013] Optionally, at the first temperature, the first terminating edges of the first and second trim pieces are aligned so that there is no offset between the first terminating edges along a longest axis of the first trim piece.
[0014] Optionally, the first terminating edge of the second trim piece is arranged to align with the first edge of the main body.
[0015] Optionally, the first edge of the main body comprises a major portion and a minor portion, the minor portion being inset towards the first location, and the second trim piece extends over and beyond the minor portion of the first edge of the main body, and the first terminating edge of the second trim piece is substantially aligned with the major portion of the first edge of the main body.
[0016] Optionally, the first terminating edge of the second trim piece forms a visual continuation of the major portion of the first edge of the main body.
[0017] Optionally, the vehicle body panel may comprise a first four-way locator of the first trim piece and the main body at the first location.
[0018] Optionally, the vehicle body panel may comprise one or more first two-way locators of the first trim piece and the main body, positioned between the first location and the first edge of the main body, wherein the one or more first two-way locators are dimensioned to constrain the relative degrees of freedom between the first trim piece and main body to a single degree of freedom along a line between the first location and the first edge of the main body.
[0019] Optionally, the second trim piece comprises at least one aperture through which at least one of the following extends: at least one of the one or more first two-way locators; or at least one first fastener between the first trim piece and the main body, wherein the at least one first fastener is dimensioned to prevent separation of the first trim piece from the main body in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first trim piece. This enables mounting support for the first trim piece to continue closer to its first terminating edge, even though the second trim piece is interposed between the first trim piece and the main body at this point.
[0020] Optionally, the first location is remote from the first edge of the main body and the second location is adjacent to the first edge of the main body.Optionally, the second trim piece is shorter than the first trim piece. Optionally, the second trim piece extends from the second location towards the first location and terminates, at a second terminating edge, short of the first location both at and below the first temperature. Thus, the second trim piece can freely expand beneath the first trim piece, neither interfering with the fixing of the first trim piece at the first location on the main body, nor resulting in buckling which may press the first trim piece outwards.
[0021] Optionally, the vehicle body panel may comprise a second four-way locator of the second trim piece and the main body at the second location.
[0022] Optionally, the vehicle body panel may comprise one or more second two-way locators of the second trim piece and the main body, positioned between the second location and the second terminating edge of the second trim piece, wherein the one or more second two-way locators are dimensioned to constrain the relative degrees of freedom between the second trim piece and main body to a single degree of freedom along a line between the second location and the second terminating edge.
[0023] Optionally, the vehicle body panel is an exterior body panel.
[0024] Optionally, the vehicle body panel is a fender, the first location on the main body of the vehicle body panel is a location on a headlamp-adjacent edge of the fender, and the first edge of the main body of the vehicle body panel is a door-adjacent edge of the fender.
[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle body comprising the aforementioned vehicle body panel, an adjacent vehicle body panel, and a panel gap therebetween. The panel gap is dimensioned to enable swing of the adjacent vehicle body panel with respect to the vehicle body panel.
[0026] Optionally, the panel gap has a consistent width along its length.
[0027] Optionally, the first terminating edge of the second trim piece is aligned with the first edge of the main body of the vehicle body panel to maintain a consistent boundary to the panel gap.
[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the aforementioned vehicle body panel or the aforementioned vehicle body.
[0029] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle body panel comprising an elongate trim and a main body. The elongate trim and the main body are configured to undergo differential thermal expansion. The elongate trim comprises a first trim piece and a second trim piece. The first trim piece at least partially overlies the second trim piece. The first trim piece is fixedly located at a first location on the main body and extends towards a first edge of the main body and has a first terminating edge with a positional relationship to the first edge of the main body that varies with temperature. The second trim piece is fixedly located at a second location on the main body and extends at least to the first edge of the main body and hasa first terminating edge with a positional relationship to the first edge of the main body that is substantially invariant with temperature. The first and second trim pieces are arranged so that: below a first temperature, the first terminating edges of the first and second trim pieces are unaligned and the first trim piece only partially overlies the second trim piece; and, at the first temperature, the first terminating edges of the first and second trim pieces are aligned and the first trim piece fully overlies the second trim piece.
[0030] Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.
[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0033] FIG 1 schematically illustrates an example of a vehicle;
[0034] FIG 2 schematically illustrates examples of neighbouring vehicle body panels;
[0035] FIGs 3A and 3B schematically illustrate an example of a vehicle body panel;
[0036] FIGs 4A to 4D schematically illustrate an example of a vehicle body panel; and
[0037] FIGs 5A to 5E schematically illustrate an example of a vehicle body panel.
[0038] The figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and views of the figures can be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures.
[0039] In certain figures, axes of a Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, and Z) are shown to aid explication.
[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] A vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying FIG 1. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle 10 is a passenger vehicle, also referred to as a passenger car or as an automobile. In other examples, embodiments of the invention can be implemented for other applications, such as commercial vehicles.
[0042] The vehicle 10 comprises a vehicle body 12 having a plurality of vehicle body panels 14, 14’ as schematically illustrated in FIG 2.At least one of the plurality of vehicle body panels 14, 14 comprises, in addition to a main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14, an elongate trim 30. The elongate trim 30 overlies the main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14. The elongate trim 30 has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the main body 20. Accordingly, the elongate trim 30 and the main body 20 undergo differential thermal expansion with variations in temperature, for example as caused by variations in ambient temperature or exposure to varying intensities of sunlight.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG 2, the vehicle body panel 14 with the elongate trim 30 is arranged with a panel gap 16 (the boundaries of which are depicted with the longer dashed lines) between it and an adjacent vehicle body panel 14’. The present disclosure is concerned with technically facilitating an aesthetic vision where the elongate trim 30 extends up to but not into the panel gap 16. In some, but not necessarily all, examples of the present disclosure, this aesthetic vision may also comprise a visual continuation of the elongate trim 30 onto the adjacent vehicle body panel 14’, as depicted by the shorter dashed lines used in FIG 2.
[0044] The present disclosure is concerned with preventing the elongate trim 30 from thermally expanding into the panel gap 16 whilst nevertheless extending, in a range of temperature conditions, upto the panel gap 16. That is, the present disclosure is concerned with, in the range of temperature conditions, aligning a first terminating edge 32 of the elongate trim 30 with an edge 22 of the vehicle body panel 14 to maintain a consistent boundary 18 to the panel gap 16. Consistency of the boundary 18 here refers to consistency of the shape of the line defining the boundary 18 rather than consistency of location of the boundary 18.
[0045] Depending on the vehicle body panels 14, 14’ in question, the panel gap 16 may, for example, be dimensioned to enable swing of the adjacent vehicle body panel 14’ with respect to the vehicle body panel 14. Thermal expansion of the elongate trim 30 into the panel gap 16, thus distorting the boundary 18 of the panel gap 16 and contracting the width of the panel gap 16, would therefore obstruct the intended relative movement between these neighbouring vehicle body panels 14, 14’.
[0046] In some examples, the elongate trim 30 may be entirely ornamental or decorative. In other examples, the elongate trim 30 may also serve a technical function, for example and without limitation: sealing; water drainage or guiding; or guarding, for example against scratching of or minor impacts on the main body 20.
[0047] FIGs 3A and 3B schematically illustrate an example of a problem faced when using elongate trim 30 which extends up to a first edge 22 of the main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14, this first edge 22 of the main body 20 defining, along with a first terminating edge 32 of the elongate trim 30, the boundary 18 of the panel gap 16 depicted in FIG 2.
[0048] FIG 3A schematically illustrates the vehicle body panel 14 with the elongate trim 30 at a nominal temperature T_0. The nominal temperature T_0 may be a temperature within the range of temperatures that the elongate trim 30 would reach during an intended range of vehicle operating conditions, but below a maximum expected temperature in said vehicle operating conditions. For example, when operating in a hot climate with exposure to intense sunlight, the temperature of the elongate trim 30 may be expected to reach up to 90 °C, whereas incold climates without direct sunlight, the temperature of the elongate trim 30 may be expected to drop to -20 °C. Further variations in the temperature that the elongate trim 30 may be expected to reach may result from its location on the vehicle 1 and the orientation of its surface, with horizontal surfaces expected to experience greater thermal loading from direct sunlight than vertical surfaces and surfaces shielded from direct sunlight experiencing still lower thermal loading. Still further variations in the temperature that the elongate trim 30 may be expected to reach may result from the proximity of the elongate trim 30 to heat sources which are integral with the vehicle. Still yet further variations in the temperature that the elongate trim 30 may be expected to reach may result from the surface colour of the elongate trim 30, with for example white coloured elongate trim 30 absorbing less heat from sunlight than black coloured elongate trim 30. Therefore, the above values are for illustration only and will differ depending on the materials used to form the elongate trim 30, the location of the elongate trim on the vehicle and on the intended range of vehicle operating conditions.
[0049] The elongate trim 30 is fixedly located at a first location 26 on the on the main body 20, remote from the first edge 22 of the main body 20 and optionally at or adjacent another edge of the main body 20. The elongate trim 30 then extends, along its longest axis, towards the first edge 22 of the main body 20. At the nominal temperature T_0, the first terminating edge 32 of the elongate trim 30 overlies with the first edge 22 of the main body 20 or else forms a visual continuation 24 of a major portion 22_1 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20.
[0050] FIG 3B schematically illustrates the vehicle body panel 14 with the elongate trim 30 at a higher temperature than the nominal temperature T_0. At this higher temperature, the elongate trim 30 expands more than the main body 20 and so the first terminating edge 32 of the elongate trim 30 extends beyond its previously aligned configuration with respect to the first edge 22 of the main body 20 or the visual continuation 24 of a major portion 22_1 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20. Accordingly, the elongate trim 30 will protrude into any panel gap 16 between this vehicle body panel 14 and any panel placed adjacent to it.
[0051] With regards to the main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14, in some examples its first edge 22 comprises a major portion 22_1 and a minor portion 22_2. The major portion 22_1 may be shaped to maintain a consistent gap width, along its length, to an adjacent vehicle body panel 14’. The minor portion 22_2 is an inset portion, for example with respect to the boundary 18 of the panel gap 16. That is, another edge of the vehicle body panel 14 (such as the first terminating edge 32 of the elongate trim 30) defines the boundary 18 in conjunction with the major portion 22_1 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20 and the minor portion 22_2 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20 does not play a role in defining the boundary 18.
[0052] The elongate trim 30 extends over and beyond the minor portion 22_2 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20 and, at the nominal temperature T_0, its first terminating edge 32 is substantially aligned with the major portion 22_1 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20.
[0053] In the FIGs, the dimensions of minor portion 22_2 are exaggerated compared to the width (in Z) of the elongate trim 30 such that first terminating edge 32 of elongate trim 30 is shown to be aligned but discontinuous with the major portion 22_1 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20; however, it should be appreciated that, in atleast some examples, the minor portion 22_2 is substantially obscured by the overlying elongate trim 30 and the first terminating edge 32 of the elongate trim 30 forms a visual continuation of the major portion 22_1. In some examples, at the nominal temperature T_0, the first terminating edge 32 of the elongate trim 30 continues the line of the major portion 22_1 in a manner that maintains a constant width of the panel gap 16 along the length of the panel gap 16.
[0054] FIGs 4A to 4D schematically illustrate a vehicle body panel 14 in which, in a range of temperature conditions, the elongate trim 30 is able to consistently extend all the way up to a panel gap 16 without thermally expanding into the panel gap 16.
[0055] FIGs 4A and 4C schematically illustrate the vehicle body panel 14 in a same temperature condition from different perspectives. FIG 4A schematically illustrates a spatial extent of the vehicle body panel 14 in X and Z. FIG 4C schematically illustrates a spatial extent of the vehicle body panel 14 in X and Y.
[0056] FIGs 4B and 4D schematically illustrate the vehicle body panel 14 in a same temperature condition from different perspectives. FIG 4B schematically illustrates a spatial extent of the vehicle body panel 14 in X and Z. FIG 4D schematically illustrates a spatial extent of the vehicle body panel 14 in X and Y.
[0057] The temperature conditions for FIGs 4A and 4C and for FIGs 4B and 4D differ. FIGs 4B and 4D schematically illustrate the vehicle body panel 14 at a first temperature whereas FIGs 4A and 4C schematically illustrate the vehicle body panel 14 below the first temperature. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the first temperature is 80 to 90 °C. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the first temperature corresponds to maximum expected temperature that the elongate trim 30 would reach in an intended range of operating conditions of the vehicle 10, for example with the hottest ambient temperature and highest intensity of sunlight that would be expected in conditions that the vehicle 1 is intended to operate in.
[0058] In this example, the elongate trim 30 comprises two overlapped trim pieces 40, 50. Both the first trim piece 40 and the second trim piece 50 overlie the main body 20 and the first trim piece 40 at least partially overlies the second trim piece 50. The extent to which the first trim piece 40 overlies the second trim piece 50 varies with temperature.
[0059] The first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are shown in FIGS 4A and 4C as slightly offset in Z for the ease of identifying their spatial extent and not because they are necessarily in fact offset in Z.
[0060] The first trim piece 40 is fixedly located at a first location 26 on the main body 20 and extends towards a first edge 22 of the main body 20. A first terminating edge 42 of the first trim piece 40 has a positional relationship to the first edge 22 of the main body 20 that varies with temperature. This is due, at least in part, to the first location 26 being remote from the first edge 22 of the main body 20.
[0061] Fixedly locating a first trim piece 40 at the first location 26 on the main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14 comprises fully constraining, at the first location 26, relative translational degrees of freedom between the firsttrim piece 40 and the main body 20. Translational movement of the first trim piece 40 relative to the main body 20 is prevented at the first location 26. Fixedly locating the first trim piece 40 at the first location 26 on the main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14 does not imply that relative rotational degrees of freedom between the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 are fully constrained. At least relative rotation about Y may be possible. However, in some examples, rotation of the first trim piece 40 relative to the main body 20 about the first location 26 may be prevented by suitable means 44 for fixedly locating the first trim piece 40 at the first location 26 on the main body 20.
[0062] While means 44 for fixedly locating the first trim piece 40 at the first location 26 on the main body 20 are depicted as being located at the first location 26 in FIG 4B, it should be appreciated that the means 44 may be not be wholly at the first location 26 or may be distributed around the first location 26 in a manner that resolves into the aforementioned constraint of the degrees of freedom at the first location 26. Examples of the means 44 for fixedly locating the first trim piece 40 at the first location 26 on the main body 20 are described in relation to FIGs 5A to 5E.
[0063] The second trim piece 50 is fixedly located at a second location 28 on the main body 20 and extends at least to the first edge 22 of the main body 20. A first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50 has a positional relationship to the first edge 22 of the main body 20 that is substantially invariant with temperature. This is due, at least in part, to the second location 28 being adjacent or proximate to the first edge 22 of the main body 20.
[0064] In some examples, the positional relationship between the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50 and the first edge 22 of the main body 20 is substantially invariant with temperature in comparison to the positional relationship between the first terminating edge 42 of the first trim piece and the first edge 22 of the main body 20. In such examples the variation with temperature is at least an order of magnitude less for the positional relationship between the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50 and the first edge 22 of the main body 20 than for the positional relationship between the first terminating edge 42 of the first trim piece and the first edge 22 of the main body 20.
[0065] The second location 28 on the main body 20 may be at least an order of magnitude closer to the first edge 22 of the main body 20 than the first location 26 is to the first edge 22 of the main body 20.
[0066] The second location 28 on the main body 20 may be at least an order of magnitude closer to the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50 than the first location 26 is to the first terminating edge 42 of the first trim piece 40.
[0067] Fixedly locating a second trim piece 50 at the second location 28 on the main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14 comprises fully constraining, at the second location 28, relative translational degrees of freedom between the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20. Translational movement of the second trim piece 50 relative to the main body 20 is prevented at the second location 28. Fixedly locating the second trim piece 50 at the second location 28 on the main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14 does not imply that relative rotational degrees of freedom between the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 are fully constrained.At least relative rotation about Y may be possible. However, in some examples, rotation of the second trim piece 50 relative to the main body 20 about the second location 28 may be prevented by suitable means 56 for fixedly locating the second trim piece 50 at the second location 28 on the main body 20.
[0068] While means 56 for fixedly locating the second trim piece 50 at the second location 28 on the main body 20 are depicted as being located at the second location 28 in FIG 4B, it should be appreciated that the means 56 may be not be wholly at the second location 28 or may be distributed around the second location 28 in a manner that resolves into the aforementioned constraint of the degrees of freedom at the second location 28. Examples of the means 56 for fixedly locating the second trim piece 50 at the second location 28 on the main body 20 are described in relation to FIGs 5A to 5E.
[0069] The second trim piece 50 is shorter than the first trim piece 40. The second trim piece 50 extends, along its longest axis, from the second location 28 on the main body 20 towards the first location 26 on the main body 20 and terminates, at a second terminating edge 54, short of the first location 26 both at and below the first temperature. The positional relationship between the second terminating edge 54 of the second trim piece 50 and the first location 26 on the main body 20 varies with temperature, getting closer as the temperature approaches the first temperature. There may still be a significant separation between the second terminating edge 54 and the first location 26 at the first temperature however.
[0070] In examples where the first edge 22 of the main body 20 comprises a major portion 22_1 and a minor portion 22_2, the minor portion 22_2 being inset towards the first location 26, the second trim piece 50 extends over and beyond the minor portion 22_2 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20. The first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50, in such examples, is substantially aligned with the major portion 22_1 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20. In some such examples, the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50 forms a visual continuation of the major portion 22_1 of the first edge 22 of the main body 20.
[0071] In examples where there is not a minor portion 22_2 of the first edge 22 inset towards the first location 26, the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50 is arranged to overlie the first edge 22 of the main body 20.
[0072] Referring back to FIG 2, because of the placement of the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece and its substantially invariant positional relationship with respect to the first edge 22 of the main body, the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50 maintains, in conjunction with the first edge of the main body 20, a consistent boundary 18 of the panel gap 16 at temperatures up to the first temperature.
[0073] The first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are arranged so that, below the first temperature, the first terminating edges 42, 52 of the first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are unaligned and the first trim piece 40 only partially overlies the second trim piece 50 as depicted in FIGs 4A and 4C.
[0074] Below the first temperature, the second trim piece 50 extends beyond the first terminating edge 42 of the first trim piece 40.Below the first temperature, the second trim piece 50 extends, to its first terminating edge 52, beyond the first terminating edge 42 of the first trim piece 40.
[0075] Below the first temperature, the first trim piece 40 terminates, at its first terminating edge 42, short of the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50.
[0076] The first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are arranged so that, at the first temperature, the first terminating edges 42, 52 of the first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are aligned and the first trim piece 40 fully overlies the second trim piece 50 as depicted in FIGs 4B and 4D.
[0077] At the first temperature, the first terminating edges 42, 52 of the first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are aligned so that the first terminating edge 42 of the first trim piece 40 overlies the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50.
[0078] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, at the first temperature, the first terminating edges 42, 52 of the first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are aligned so that there is no offset between the first terminating edges 42, 52 along a longest axis of the first trim piece 40.
[0079] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, at the first temperature, the first terminating edges 42, 52 of the first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are parallel and their offset is exclusively perpendicular to a local orientation of one or more of: a surface of the main body 20, a surface of the second trim piece 50, or a surface of the first trim piece 40.
[0080] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, since the first terminating edge 52 of the second trim piece 50 defines part of the boundary 18 of the panel gap 16, it may have a chamfer to enable or provide greater clearance for swing of adjacent vehicle body panel 14’ with respect to the vehicle body panel 14.
[0081] Though not shown in FIGs 4A to 4D, a reinforcing structure may be interposed between the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 in order to provide additional support to the first trim piece 40. Such additional support may comprise bracing against forces applied directions perpendicular to a surface of the first trim piece 40 (in Y). The reinforcing structure and the second trim piece 50, which are both arranged between the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20, do not overlap and a tolerance gap is provided therebetween to accommodate thermal expansion of each without resulting in contact or overlap.
[0082] Although illustrated as having planar surfaces in FIGs 4A to 4D, any or all of the main body 20, first trim piece 40, and second trim piece 50 may have curved surfaces. In such examples, the curved surfaces will still be substantially parallel surfaces. References to directions parallel to a surface should therefore be understood more broadly as references to direction parallel to a local orientation of that surface or directions tangent to a local orientation of that surface. Likewise, references to directions perpendicular to a surface should thereforebe understood more broadly as references to direction perpendicular to a local orientation of that surface or directions radial to a local orientation of that surface.
[0083] Relative thicknesses (in Y) of the main body 20, first trim piece 40, and second trim piece 50 with respect to their other dimensions (in X and Z) are exaggerated in FIGs 4B and 4D.
[0084] The extent of the thermal expansion of the first trim piece 40 and the second trim piece 50 with respect to their lengths along their longest axis (X) is also exaggerated in FIGs 4A to 4D.
[0085] FIGs 5A to 5E schematically illustrate an example of how the first and second trim pieces 40, 50 may be fixedly located with respect to the main body 20.
[0086] FIG 5A schematically illustrates an example of the vehicle body panel 14 from its reverse - that is, viewed from the perspective where the first and second trim pieces 40, 50 underlie the main body 20. The whole of the main body 20 is not shown; rather the illustration is limited to a relevant section of the main body 20 overlying the first and second trim pieces 40, 50. The positions of the underlying first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are outlined in dashed lines. The first and second trim pieces 40, 50 are shown in FIG 5A as slightly offset in Z for the ease of identifying their spatial extent and not because they are necessarily in fact offset in Z.
[0087] FIG 5B to 5D respectively schematically illustrate the main body 20 from FIG 5A in isolation, the second trim piece 50 from FIG 5A in isolation, and the first trim piece 40 from FIG 5A in isolation.
[0088] FIG 5E schematically illustrates a cross-section of the vehicle body panel 14 from FIG 5A along the line between E and E’.
[0089] In the example of FIGs 5A to 5E, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle body panel 14 comprises a first four-way locator 45 of the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 at the first location 26.
[0090] The first four-way locator 45 locates the first trim piece 40 with respect to the first location 26 on the main body 20 and locates the first location 26 on the main body 20 with respect to the first trim piece 40. The first fourway locator 45 acts between the first location 26 on the main body and a corresponding location on the first trim piece 40 to prevent relative movement therebetween along two axes (X and Z) of a plane parallel to the surface of the first trim piece 40. The first four-way locator 45 ensures alignment of the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 in two dimensions (X and Y) at the first location 26. It provides a datum for part tolerances and the differential thermal expansion therebetween.
[0091] As seen in FIGs 5A to 5E, one of the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 may comprise a locator pin 45_2, the other of the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 may comprise a correspondingly dimensioned hole 45_1 , and the first four-way locator 45 is formed of the locator pin 45_2 and hole 45_1. Whichever of the locator pin 45_2 and hole 45_1 is part of the main body 20 is positioned at the first location 26 on the mainbody 20. In the illustrated example, the first trim piece 40 comprises a locator pin 45_2 and the main body 20 comprises a correspondingly dimensioned hole 45_1 positioned at the first location 26 on the main body 20. The hole 45_1 is corresponding dimensioned to the locator pin 45_2 in both of the axes (X and Z) in which relative movement is to be prevented.
[0092] The locator pin 45_2 may have any suitable cross-section including but not limited to, for example, a plusshape (as illustrated), a circle, a square, an H-shape, a U-shape, or an L-shape.
[0093] The first four-way locator 45 may in some, but not necessarily all, examples allow movement of the first trim piece 40 with respect to the main body 20 along the third axis (Y) i.e., perpendicular the surface of the first trim piece 40. In such examples, one or more first fasteners 46 are additionally provided, the one or more first fasteners 46 being dimensioned to prevent separation of the first trim piece 40 from the main body 20 along the third axis (Y) i.e., in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first trim piece 40.
[0094] As seen in FIGs 5A to 5E, the one or more first fasteners 46 may utilise a snap-fit configuration. For example, and as illustrated, a first fastener 46 may comprise an insertable part 46_2 having resilient, hook- or barb- like protrusions 46_3 which compress to enable insertion through a hole 46_1 in the main body 20 and snap open once through the hole 46_1 so as to catch on the reverse of the main body 20 when attempts are made to separate the first trim piece 40 from the main body 20 along the third axis (Y).
[0095] Where the one or more fasteners 46 are positioned other than at the first location 26, in order to accommodate differential thermal expansion between the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 with respect to the first location 26, the one or more first fasteners 46 are dimensioned to provide at least one relative degree of freedom between the first trim piece 40 and main body 20 in a direction in which movement is constrained by the first four-way fastener 45 i.e., in a direction parallel to the surface of the first trim piece 40. For example, the one or more fasteners 46 may allow float of the first trim piece 40 with respect to the main body 20 in one or both of X and Z.
[0096] In some other, but not necessarily all other, examples a first fastener 46 may double as the first four-way locator 45. This can be accomplished by positioning a first fastener 46 at the first location 26 and dimensioning the hole 46_1 in the main body 20 to correspond to the insertable part 46_2 in both of the axes (X and Z) in which relative movement is to be prevented.
[0097] The first trim piece 40 is an elongate trim piece and the first location 26 on the main body 20, at which it is fixedly located, is remote from the first edge 22 of the main body, to which its first terminating edge 42 is closely positioned. The first trim piece 40 is oriented with its longest axis substantially aligned with a line between the first location 26 and the first edge 22 of the main body 20. In order to provide extra mounting support along the longest axis of the first trim piece 40, one or more first two-way locators 47 of the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 are positioned between the first location 26 and the first edge 22 of the main body 20. The one or more first two-way locators 47 are dimensioned to constrain the relative degrees of freedom between the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 to a single degree of freedom along a line between the first location26 and the first edge 22 of the main body 20 or along a longest axis (X) of the first trim piece 40. The retention of this single degree of freedom accommodates differential thermal expansion between the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 with respect to the first location 26.
[0098] As seen in FIGs 5A to 5E, a first two-way locator can be comprised of a locator pin 47_2 on one of the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 and an oversized hole 47_1 in the other of the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20. The oversized hole 47_1 is oversized compared to the locator pin 47_2 in the axis (X) in which relative movement, due to differential thermal expansion, is to be permitted and is corresponding dimensioned to the locator pin 47_2 in the axis (Z) in which relative movement is to be prevented, for example to prevent rotation of the first trim piece 40 with respect to the main body 20.
[0099] Reference to the one or more first two-way locators 47 being dimensioned to constrain the relative degrees of freedom between the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 to a single degree of freedom assumes that one or more first fasteners 46 are used to prevent movement of the first trim piece 40 with respect to the main body 20 in a direction perpendicular the surface of the first trim piece 40. The one or more first two-way locators 47 do not necessarily prevent this movement. However, in some, but not necessarily all, examples, one or more first fasteners 46 may double as one or more first two-way locator 47. This can be accomplished by positioning one or more first fasteners 46 between the first location 26 and the first edge 22 of the main body 20 and dimensioning respective holes 46_1 in the main body such that they are oversized compared to respective insertable parts 46_2 in the axis (X) in which relative movement, due to differential thermal expansion, is to be permitted and are corresponding dimensioned to the respective insertable parts 46_2 in the axis (Z) in which relative movement is to be prevented.
[0100] Further implementations of a first two-way locator 47 are feasible. For example, if the first trim piece 40 is set into a groove along the main body 20 so that a substantially flush finish between the surfaces of the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 is achieved, the walls of the groove can function as a first two-way locator 47, permitting longitudinal movement i.e., movement along the direction of the longest axis (X) of the first trim piece 40 whilst constraining lateral movement i.e., movement in Z.
[0101] Multiple first two-way locators 47 of different types and designs may be used in combination.
[0102] In the example of FIGs 5A to 5E, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle body panel 14 comprises a second four-way locator 57 of the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 at the second location 28.
[0103] The second four-way locator 57 locates the second trim piece 50 with respect to the second location 28 on the main body 20 and locates the second location 28 on the main body 20 with respect to the second trim piece 50. The second four-way locator 57 acts between the second location 28 on the main body and a corresponding location on the second trim piece 50 to prevent relative movement therebetween along two axes (X and Z) of a plane parallel to the surface of the second trim piece 50. The second four-way locator 57 ensures alignment of the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 in two dimensions (X and Y) at the second location 28. It provides a datum for part tolerances and the differential thermal expansion therebetween.As seen in FIGs 5A to 5E, one of the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 may comprise a locator pin 57_2, the other of the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 may comprise a correspondingly dimensioned hole 57_1 , and the second four-way locator 57 is formed of the locator pin 57 _2 and hole 57_1. Whichever of the locator pin 57 _2 and hole 57_1 is part of the main body 20 is positioned at the second location 28 on the main body 20. In the illustrated example, the second trim piece 50 comprises a locator pin 57 _2 and the main body 20 comprises a correspondingly dimensioned hole 57_1 positioned at the second location 28 on the main body 20. The hole 57_1 is corresponding dimensioned to the locator pin 57 _2 in both of the axes (X and Z) in which relative movement is to be prevented.
[0104] The locator pin 57_2 may have any suitable cross-section including but not limited to, for example, a plusshape (as illustrated), a circle, a square, an H-shape, a U-shape, or an L-shape.
[0105] The second four-way locator 57 may in some, but not necessarily all, examples allow movement of the second trim piece 50 with respect to the main body 20 along the third axis (Y) i.e., perpendicular the surface of the second trim piece 50. In such examples, one or more second fasteners 58 are additionally provided, the one or more second fasteners 58 being dimensioned to prevent separation of the second trim piece 50 from the main body 20 along the third axis (Y) i.e., in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the second trim piece 50.
[0106] As seen in FIGs 5A to 5E, the one or more second fasteners 58 may utilise a snap-fit configuration. For example, and as illustrated, a second fastener 58 may comprise an insertable part 58_2 having resilient, hook-or barb- like protrusions 58_3 which compress to enable insertion through a hole 58_1 in the main body 20 and snap open once through the hole 58_1 so as to catch on the reverse of the main body 20 when attempts are made to separate the second trim piece 50 from the main body 20 along the third axis (Y).
[0107] Where the one or more second fasteners 58 are positioned other than at the second location 28, in order to accommodate differential thermal expansion between the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 with respect to the second location 28, the one or more second fasteners 58 are dimensioned to provide at least one relative degree of freedom between the second trim piece 50 and main body 20 in a direction in which movement is constrained by the second four-way fastener 57 i.e., in a direction parallel to the surface of the second trim piece 50. For example, the one or more second fasteners 58 may allow float of the second trim piece 50 with respect to the main body 20 in one or both of X and Z.
[0108] In some other, but not necessarily all other, examples a second fastener 58 may double as the second fourway locator 57. This can be accomplished by positioning a second fastener 58 at the second location 28 and dimensioning the hole 58_1 in the main body 20 to correspond to the insertable part 58_2 in both of the axes (X and Z) in which relative movement is to be prevented.
[0109] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, one or more second two-way locators 59 of the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 are positioned between the second location 28 and the first edge 22 of the main body 20. The one or more second two-way locators 59 are dimensioned to constrain the relative degrees of freedombetween the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 to a single degree of freedom along a line between the second location 28 and the second terminating edge 54 of the second trim piece 50. The retention of this single degree of freedom accommodates differential thermal expansion between the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 with respect to the second location 28.
[0110] As seen in FIGs 5A to 5E, a second two-way locator 59 can be comprised of a locator pin 59_2 on one of the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 and an oversized hole 59_1 in the other of the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20. The oversized hole 59_1 is oversized compared to the locator pin 59_2 in the axis (X) in which relative movement, due to differential thermal expansion, is to be permitted and is corresponding dimensioned to the locator pin 59_2 in the axis (Z) in which relative movement is to be prevented, for example to prevent rotation of the second trim piece 50 with respect to the main body 20.
[0111] Reference to the one or more second two-way locators 59 being dimensioned to constrain the relative degrees of freedom between the second trim piece 50 and the main body 20 to a single degree of freedom assumes that one or more second fasteners 58 are used to prevent movement of the second trim piece 50 with respect to the main body 20 in a direction perpendicular the surface of the second trim piece 50. The one or more second two-way locators 59 do not necessarily prevent this movement. However, in some, but not necessarily all, examples, one or more second fasteners 58 may double as one or more second two-way locator 59. This can be accomplished by positioning one or more second fasteners 58 between the second location 28 and the first edge 22 of the main body 20 and dimensioning respective holes 58_1 in the main body such that they are oversized compared to respective insertable parts 58_2 in the axis (X) in which relative movement, due to differential thermal expansion, is to be permitted and are corresponding dimensioned to the respective insertable parts 58_2 in the axis (Z) in which relative movement is to be prevented.
[0112] Further implementations of a second two-way locator 59 are feasible. For example, if the first trim piece 50 is set into a groove along the main body 20 so that a substantially flush finish between the surfaces of the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 is achieved then the second trim piece 50 will also be set within this groove. Accordingly the walls of the groove, which can function as a first two-way locator 47, can also function as a second two way locator 59.
[0113] Multiple second two-way locators 59 of different types and designs may be used in combination.
[0114] In the example of FIGs 5A to 5E, but not necessarily all examples, the second trim piece 50 comprises at least one aperture 55 through which at least one of the following extends: at least one first two-way locators 47 or at least one first fastener 46. This enables mounting support for the first trim piece to continue closer to its first terminating edge 42, even though the second trim piece 50 is interposed between the first trim piece 40 and the main body 20 at this point.
[0115] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the vehicle body panel 14 described in the foregoing is part of a vehicle exterior. The vehicle body panel 14 may be an exterior body panel. The main body 20, the first trim piece 40, and, below the first temperature, the second trim piece 50 provide an A-surface of a vehicle 10.The main body 20 may be formed from a metal material such as, for example and without limitation, aluminium.
[0116] It may be possible to obviate the problem with which the present disclosure is concerned by judicious choice of material for the elongate trim 30 (e.g., a material with a similar coefficient of thermal expansion to the main body material) such that negligible differential thermal expansion results; however, the choice of material for the elongate trim 30 is more often practically constrained by additional factors such as cost and aesthetic vision. Therefore, in reality, the first trim piece 40 may be formed from a plastic material such as, for example and without limitation, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a polycarbonate / polyethylene terephthalate (PC-PET). These plastics may have preferential thermal properties to certain other candidate plastic materials such as Polycarbonate / Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC-ABS), Polypropolyne (PP), polyamide Nylon (PA), or Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT); however, any of the aforementioned plastic materials are suitable and the choice of material for the first trim piece 40 should not be understood as limited to a selection amongst these either.
[0117] The second trim piece 50 may also be formed from a plastic material. It may be formed from the same material as the first trim piece 40. However, as it is mostly obscured for view by the first trim piece 40 and because it may have greater room to thermally expand towards the first location 26 behind the first trim piece 40 than the first trim piece 40 has to thermally expand towards the panel gap 16, other materials with a lower quality aesthetic finish and / or less preferential thermal properties may be chosen.
[0118] In an example use case for the present disclosure, the vehicle body panel 14 is a fender, the first location 26 on the main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14 is a location on, adjacent, or proximate to a headlamp-adjacent edge of the fender, and the first edge 22 of the main body 20 of the vehicle body panel 14 is a door-adjacent edge of the fender. The first trim piece 40 therefore extends backwards from a location adjacent to the vehicle headlamp, over the wheel arch, to a door gap. The second trim piece 50 extends forwards from a location adjacent a door but may not extend so far as to extend over the wheel arch.
[0119] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.
[0120] Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A vehicle body panel comprising an elongate trim and a main body, the elongate trim having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the main body,wherein the elongate trim comprises a first trim piece and a second trim piece,wherein the first trim piece at least partially overlies the second trim piece,wherein the first trim piece is fixedly located at a first location on the main body and extends towards a first edge of the main body and has a first terminating edge with a positional relationship to the first edge of the main body that varies with temperature,wherein the second trim piece is fixedly located at a second location on the main body and extends at least to the first edge of the main body and has a first terminating edge with a positional relationship to the first edge of the main body that is substantially invariant with temperature, andwherein the first and second trim pieces are arranged so that:below a first temperature, the first terminating edges of the first and second trim pieces are unaligned and the first trim piece only partially overlies the second trim piece; and,at the first temperature, the first terminating edges of the first and second trim pieces are aligned and the first trim piece fully overlies the second trim piece.
2. The vehicle body panel of claim 1 , wherein the first temperature is 80 to 90 °C.
3. The vehicle body panel of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein below the first temperature, the second trim piece extends beyond the first terminating edge of the first trim piece.
4. The vehicle body panel of any preceding claim, wherein at the first temperature, the first terminating edges of the first and second trim pieces are aligned so that there is no offset between the first terminating edges along a longest axis of the first trim piece.
5. The vehicle body panel of any preceding claim, wherein the first edge of the main body comprises a major portion and a minor portion, the minor portion being inset towards the first location, andthe second trim piece extends over and beyond the minor portion of the first edge of the main body, and the first terminating edge of the second trim piece is substantially aligned with the major portion of the first edge of the main body.
6. The vehicle body panel of any preceding claim, comprising a first four-way locator of the first trim piece and the main body at the first location.
7. The vehicle body panel of any preceding claim, comprising one or more first two-way locators of the first trim piece and the main body, positioned between the first location and the first edge of the main body, wherein the one or more first two-way locators are dimensioned to constrain the relative degrees of freedom between the first trim piece and main body to a single degree of freedom along a line between the first location and the first edge of the main body.
8. The vehicle body panel of claim 7, wherein the second trim piece comprises at least one aperture through which at least one of the following extends:at least one of the one or more first two-way locators; orat least one first fastener between the first trim piece and the main body, wherein the at least one first fastener is dimensioned to prevent separation of the first trim piece from the main body in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first trim piece.
9. The vehicle body panel of any preceding claim, wherein the first location is remote from the first edge of the main body and the second location is adjacent to the first edge of the main body.
10. The vehicle body panel of any preceding claim, wherein the second trim piece extends from the second location towards the first location and terminates, at a second terminating edge, short of the first location both at and below the first temperature.11 . The vehicle body panel of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle body panel is an exterior body panel.
12. A vehicle body comprising the vehicle body panel of any preceding claim, an adjacent vehicle body panel, and a panel gap therebetween, wherein the panel gap is dimensioned to enable swing of the adjacent vehicle body panel with respect to the vehicle body panel.
13. The vehicle body of claim 12, wherein the panel gap has a consistent width along its length.
14. The vehicle body of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first terminating edge of the second trim piece is aligned with the first edge of the main body of the vehicle body panel to maintain a consistent boundary to the panel gap.
15. A vehicle comprising the vehicle body panel of any of claims 1 to 11 or the vehicle body of any of claims 12 to 14.