U.S. patent application number 10/434690 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-08 for high strength fastening system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lear Corporation. Invention is credited to Matthew J. Baekelandt, Iris C. Drew, Derek Fraser, Gerald O. Morrison.
Application Number | 20060117535 10/434690 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36572531 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060117535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fraser; Derek ; et
al. |
June 8, 2006 |
High strength fastening system
Abstract
A fastening system for a vehicle is provided. The fastening
system includes a metal clip which is easily inserted and removed
from a polymeric doghouse. The doghouse is integrally molded with a
vehicle interior trim component. After the clip is inserted into
the doghouse, the trim component may be snapped into place over a
structural pillar by inserting the clip into an aperture and the
pillar. The fastening system is designed such that it will not
fail, and the trim component will remain in place, when an air bag
adjacent to the trim component is deployed. If desired, the trim
component can be easily removed from the support pillar by sliding
the trim component, and the attached doghouse, away from the clip.
The clip can then be removed from the pillar, a new one inserted
into the doghouse, and the trim component can be reused.
Inventors: |
Fraser; Derek; (Harrow,
CA) ; Baekelandt; Matthew J.; (Pontiac, MI) ;
Drew; Iris C.; (Berkley, MI) ; Morrison; Gerald
O.; (Beverly Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C. / LEAR CORPORATION
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075-1238
US
|
Assignee: |
Lear Corporation
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
36572531 |
Appl. No.: |
10/434690 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/289 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/0664 20130101;
F16B 5/0657 20130101; Y10T 24/30 20150115; B60R 2013/0287 20130101;
B60R 13/0206 20130101; F16B 21/086 20130101; F16B 21/075
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/289 |
International
Class: |
E04F 19/02 20060101
E04F019/02 |
Claims
1. A fastening system for a vehicle having a support member and a
structure to be fastened to the support member, the fastening
system comprising: a fastener component including a base and an
attachment feature connected to the base, the attachment feature
being configured for attachment to the support member, the base
including a rib portion for resisting a bending moment applied to
the base; and a fastener retaining component configured for
attachment to the structure to be fastened, and further configured
to receive and retain the fastener component.
2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the fastener retaining
component includes a first slot configured to receive the base, and
a second slot configured to receive a portion of the attachment
feature; and wherein the rib portion is configured to provide an
interference fit between the base and the first slot.
3. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the fastener retaining
component includes two outer legs and an inner leg disposed between
the outer legs, each of the legs being integrally molded with the
structure to be fastened, and at least the inner leg being
configured to inhibit deflection of the fastener retaining
component.
4. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the support member is
an automotive vehicle structural pillar, and the structure to be
fastened is a pillar trim component.
5. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the fastener component
and the fastener retaining component are configured to accept at
least 100 pounds of pull-out force without failure.
6. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the fastener component
is a unitary structure comprising a spring steel material, and the
fastener retaining component comprises a polymeric material.
7. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the fastener retaining
component includes a compression member configured to contact the
support member when the fastener component is inserted into the
support member, and to deflect upon contact with the support
member, thereby inhibiting movement of the fastener retaining
component relative to the support structure.
8. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the fastener retaining
component further includes a generally planar surface disposed
generally perpendicular to the legs and configured for contact with
at least a portion of the base when the fastener component is
received by the fastener retaining component.
9. The fastening system of claim 8, wherein the fastener retaining
component further includes an outboard support member configured
for attachment to the structure to be fastened, the outboard
support member being disposed adjacent a leg.
10. A fastening system for a vehicle having a support member and a
structure to be fastened to the support member, the fastening
system comprising: a fastener component including a generally
planer base and an attachment feature connected to the base and
configured for attachment to the support member, the base including
a plurality of rib portions for resisting bending moments applied
to the base; and a fastener retaining component including a
fastener component receiving portion and a plurality of legs
configured for attachment to the structure to be fastened, the
fastener retaining component further including a compression member
configured to contact the support member when the fastener
component is inserted into the support member, and to deflect upon
contact with the support member, thereby inhibiting movement of the
fastener retaining component relative to the support structure.
11. The fastening system of claim 10, wherein the fastener
component receiving portion is configured to replaceably receive
the base, and at least one of the rib portions is configured to
provide an interference fit between the fastener component
receiving portion and the base.
12. The fastening system of claim 11, wherein the fastener
component receiving portion is defined by a generally planar
surface and a pair of retaining members disposed opposite the
generally planar surface.
13. The fastening system of claim 10, further comprising a
plurality of compression members configured to reduce the movement
of the fastener retaining component relative to the support
structure.
14. The fastening system of claim 10, wherein the fastener
retaining component is integral with the structure to be
fastened.
15. The fastening system of claim 10, wherein the support member is
an automotive vehicle structural pillar, and the structure to be
fastened is a pillar trim component.
16. The fastening system of claim 10, wherein the fastener
component and the fastener retaining component are configured to
accept at least 100 pounds of pull-out force without failure.
17. A fastening system for fastening an interior trim component to
a support member in a vehicle having a deployable air bag adjacent
the trim component, the fastening system comprising: a fastener
component including a base and an attachment feature connected to
the base, the attachment feature being configured for attachment to
the support member, the base including a rib portion for resisting
a bending moment applied to the base; and a fastener retaining
component integrally molded with the trim component and configured
to removably receive the fastener component, thereby facilitating
attachment of the trim component to the support member, the
fastener retaining component including two outer legs and an inner
leg, each of the legs being integrally molded with the trim
component, and at least the inner leg being configured to inhibit
deflection of the fastener retaining component when the trim
component is fastened to the support member and the air bag
deploys.
18. The fastening system of claim 17, wherein the attachment
feature is configured to remain attached to the support member, and
the base is configured to remain attached to the fastener retaining
component when the trim component is fastened to the support member
and the air bag deploys.
19. The fastening system of claim 17, wherein the attachment
feature is configured for insertion into an aperture in the support
member, thereby facilitating snap-fit attachment of the trim
component to the support member after the fastener component is
received by the fastener retaining component.
20. The fastening system of claim 19, wherein the trim component is
slidably removable from the support member, thereby facilitating
removal of the fastener component from the support member after the
air bag deploys, and further facilitating subsequent reattachment
of the trim component to the support member with a different
fastener component.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a high strength fastening
system.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Traditionally, automotive vehicle interior trim components
are attached to sheet metal body panels by screws or barbed
Christmas tree fasteners. Screws are problematic during
installation on a quickly moving assembly line since the power
screw drivers often inadvertently disengage the screw head and
irreparably mar the adjacent trim panel or bezel. This leads to
poor quality or costly removal and scrapping of the expensive trim
panel. In addition, insertion of multiple screws is time consuming.
Moreover, the installed screws are typically considered to be
unattractive and are sometimes hidden by extraneous caps,
especially for luxury vehicles. Christmas trees are more
aesthetically pleasing and easy to install but are rarely reusable
once removed, and are generally not suitable for resisting large
pull-out loads.
[0005] The proliferation of air bags in vehicles has added a new
design consideration that needs to be addressed by designers and
manufacturers of trim components. In particular, it is important
that trim components do not detach from their support structure
when an air bag deploys; otherwise, they may be hurtled toward
vehicle occupants. Although the use of screws to secure a trim
component to a pillar or roof rail may provide the desired
retention strength, the disadvantages of screw attachments are
many. In addition, solutions that have been proposed for instrument
panel air bags--e.g., tethers attached to the air bag door--may not
be suitable for the close confines of a trim component
attachment.
[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a fastening system that can be
used to attach a trim component to a support structure in a vehicle
that will provide for fast assembly, while still providing the
retention strength necessary to maintain attachment of the trim
component to the support structure when an adjacent air bag
deploys, and further provides for ease of serviceability, and does
not use threaded fasteners to facilitate the attachment of the trim
component to the support structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, a fastening system is provided that can be used
to attach a trim component to a support structure in a vehicle. The
fastening system facilitates fast assembly, and provides the
retention strength necessary to maintain attachment of the trim
component to the support structure when an adjacent air bag
deploys; the fastening system further provides for ease of
serviceability, and does not rely on threaded fasteners to
facilitate attachment of the trim component to the support
structure.
[0008] The invention further provides a fastening system for a
vehicle having a support member and a structure to be fastened to
the support member. The fastening system comprises a fastener
component including a base and an attachment feature connected to
the base. The attachment feature is configured for attachment to
the support member. The base includes a rib portion for resisting a
bending moment applied to the base. A fastener retaining component
is configured for attachment to the structure to be fastened, and
further configured to receive and retain the fastener
component.
[0009] The invention also provides a fastening system for a vehicle
having a support member and a structure to be fastened to the
support member. The fastening system comprises a fastener component
including a generally planar base and an attachment feature
connected to the base and configured for attachment to the support
member. The base includes a plurality of rib portions for resisting
bending moments applied to the base. A fastener retaining component
includes a fastener component receiving portion and a plurality of
legs configured for attachment to the structure to be fastened. The
fastener retaining component further includes a compression member
configured to contact the support member when the fastener
component is inserted into the support member. The compression
member is further configured to deflect upon contact with the
support member, thereby inhibiting movement of the fastener
retaining component relative to the support structure.
[0010] The invention further provides a fastening system for
fastening an interior trim component to a support member in a
vehicle having a deployable air bag adjacent the trim component.
The fastening system comprises a fastener component including a
base and an attachment feature connected to the base. The
attachment feature is configured for attachment to the support
member. The base includes a rib portion for resisting a bending
moment applied to the base. A fastener retaining component is
integrally molded with the trim component and configured to
removably receive the fastener component, thereby facilitating
attachment of the trim component to the support member. The
fastener retaining component includes two outer legs and an inner
leg, each of which is integrally molded with the trim component. At
least the inner leg is configured to inhibit deflection of the
fastener retaining component when the trim component is fastened to
the support member and the air bag deploys.
[0011] The above objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an assembly view of a fastening system in
accordance with the present invention, the fastening system
including a fastener and a doghouse configured to receive the
fastener;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial fragmentary sectional view of the
fastener taken through line 2-2 in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the base of the fastener
being subjected to a number of bending moments;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial fragmentary view of a vehicle interior
trim component having the doghouse integrally molded thereto;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a portion of a vehicle
interior, including a structural pillar having the interior trim
component attached thereto;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial fragmentary sectional view of the trim
component and structural pillar taken through line 6-6 in FIG. 5;
and
[0018] FIG. 7 is an assembly view of the fastener base and a number
of attachment features which can be used with the base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a fastening system 10 in accordance with the
present invention. The fastening system 10 includes a fastener
component, or fastener 12, and a fastener retaining component,
commonly called a doghouse 14. The fastener 12 includes a generally
planar base 16 and an attachment feature, in this embodiment a clip
18, connected to the base 16. The base 16 includes rib portions, or
ribs 20, 22, 24. As explained more fully below, and in particular
with reference to FIG. 7, the fastener 12 may include any of a
number of different attachment features--e.g., differently
configured clips or barbed studs.
[0020] The ribs 20, 22, 24 extend below a surface 26 of the base
16. This is shown in FIG. 2, which is a sectional view of the base
16 taken through line 2-2 in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1, the fastener 12, including the base 16 and the clip 18, is
a one-piece stamped metal component. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, the
rib 20 includes a concave portion 28 extending into the surface 26
of the base 16, and a convex portion 30 extending out from a second
surface 32 of the base 16. The other ribs 20, 24, shown in FIG. 1
are similarly configured.
[0021] The addition of ribs, such as the ribs 20, 22, 24, help
improve the strength of a fastener base, such as the base 16. In
particular, the addition of ribs may increase the resistance of an
otherwise flat base to bending moments resulting from various
loading conditions. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates three bending
moments M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3 applied to the base 16. In the
example shown in FIG. 3, each of the ribs 20, 22, 24 help resist a
different bending moment experienced by a different portion of the
base 16. Of course, the rib configuration shown in FIG. 3
represents only one of many possible rib configurations that could
be used to strengthen a fastener base, such as the base 16. For
example, more or less than three ribs could be used, or the ribs
may have a different shape. As seen in FIG. 2, the rib 20, also
representative of ribs 24, 26, has a generally arcuate
cross-section extending into the surface 26 and out of the surface
32. A base, such as the base 16, may be manufactured in such a way
that a rib has a convex portion extending out of a surface of the
base, but does not have a concave portion, such as the concave
portion 28, extending into a surface. Moreover, ribs may be
configured with non-arcuate shaped cross-sections, for example,
they may have rectangular or square cross-sections, just to name
two.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the doghouse 14 is configured to receive
the fastener 12 in a fastener component receiving portion, or first
slot 34. Specifically, the first slot 34 is configured to receive
the base 16 of the fastener 12. The doghouse 14 also includes a
second slot 36 which is configured to receive a portion of the clip
18. In addition to providing increased strength to the base 16, the
ribs 20, 22, 24 are also configured to provide an interference fit
between the first slot 34 and a base 16.
[0023] The doghouse 14 includes a number of legs 38, 40, 42, 44. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the legs 38, 44 may generally be
referred to as "outer" legs, and the legs 40, 42 may generally be
referred to as "inner" legs. The doghouse 14 also includes outboard
members 46, 48, 49. The outboard members 46, 48 are disposed
adjacent, and generally perpendicular to, the legs 38, 44,
respectively. The outboard members 46, 48, 49 provide additional
surface area for attaching the doghouse 14 to a structure, and
therefore, may increase the overall retention strength of the
doghouse 14. Of course, outboard members could have different
configurations to provide more or less attachment area, as desired.
Moreover, a doghouse, such as the doghouse 14, may have more or
less than three outboard members. As explained more fully below,
the fastening system 10 may be well suited for fastening any of a
number of different types of structures together. Thus, the legs
38, 40, 42, 44 and the outboard members 46, 48, 49 may be attached
to one structure, the fastener 12 inserted into the first slot 34,
and the clip 18 inserted into a second structure to fasten the two
structures together.
[0024] The doghouse 14 may be attached to a structure by any
convenient method, such as with an adhesive. In addition, the
doghouse 14 may be integrally formed with the structure to be
fastened. For example, FIG. 4 shows a portion of a vehicle interior
trim component 50 which may be used to cover a vehicle structural
support member, such as a pillar. As shown in FIG. 4, the doghouse
14 is integrally molded with the trim component 50. This form of
attachment may provide increased strength for the fastening system
10. Where the doghouse 14 is integrally molded with a trim
component, such as the trim component 50, it may be convenient to
use a single polymeric material for the trim component 50 and the
doghouse 14. For example, a polymeric material such as a
polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS) may provide
the desired properties for both the trim component 50 and the
doghouse 14. Of course, other types of polymeric materials may be
used, including other types of ABS materials or other polymers,
such as a thermoplastic olefin (TPO).
[0025] One consideration that may be taken into account when
choosing material for a doghouse, such as the doghouse 14, is the
required retention capability of the system 10 in extreme loading
conditions. For example, FIG. 5 shows a portion of the interior of
a vehicle 52. The trim component 50 is attached to a structural
support member, or A-pillar 54, which is hidden by the trim
component 50. Adjacent the trim component 50, and disposed along a
roof rail 56, is a passenger side air bag 58 which is covered by
trim components, and therefore not visible in FIG. 5. When an air
bag, such as the air bag 58, deploys after a vehicle impact, trim
components adjacent the air bag that are not well secured to
structural members, may be forcibly detached as the air bag
deploys.
[0026] The fastening system 10 may be configured to maintain
attachment of the trim component 50 to the A-pillar 54 even in the
event of air bag deployment. In particular, the fastening system 10
is configured to withstand at least 100 pounds of pull-out force
without failing. The term "without failing", as used here, implies
that neither the fastener 12, nor the doghouse 14, will
catastrophically fail, become separated from each other, or deform
to such an extent that the trim component 50 detaches from the
A-pillar 54. The retention strength of a fastening system, such as
the fastening system 10, may depend on a number of factors, such as
the materials used for the fastener and the doghouse, as well as
the configuration of each component. For example, the number and
location of legs and outboard members may affect the ability of the
doghouse to withstand pull-out loads. Similarly, the size and
location of ribs on a fastener base, and the thickness of the base,
may affect the ability of the fastener to withstand pull-out
loads.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a section of the A-pillar 54 and the fastening
system 10 taken through line 6-6 in FIG. 5. In order to illustrate
the attachment of the fastening system 10 to the A-pillar 54, the
trim component 50 has been removed for clarity. As can be readily
seen in FIG. 6, the fastening system 10 can be attached to a
structural member, such as the A-pillar 54, by inserting the clip
18 through an aperture 60. The clip 18 deflects slightly as it is
pushed through the aperture 60, and when fully inserted, wings 62
hold the clip 18 securely in the A-pillar 54. Of course, the clip
18 is but one of many different types of attachment features which
may be used with the base 16. For example, FIG. 7 is an exploded
view showing a group of attachment features 62, any one of which
may be used with the base 16. For example, clips 64, 66, 68, are
variations of the clip 18, which may be attached to, or integrally
formed with, the base 16. In addition, barbed studs 70, 72 may also
be used with the base 16. The choice of an appropriate attachment
feature may depend on a number of considerations, including the
desired retention strength and the ease by which the fastener
itself may be manufactured. For example, the clip 18 and the base
16 may be a unitary structure formed in a stamping process using a
spring steel material. Of course, a fastener, such as the fastener
12, need not be a unitary structure, but rather, may have a base
and an attachment feature connected in a secondary process.
[0028] As described above, a doghouse, such as the doghouse 14, may
be made from a polymeric material and integrally molded with a trim
component, such as the trim component 50. Although a doghouse used
with a fastening system, such as the fastening system 10, may have
any one of a number of configurations, the doghouse 14 may be
particularly well suited to the molding process. For example, each
of the legs 38, 40, 42, 44 and outboard members 46, 48, 49 have a
generally uniform thickness, which may be desirable in a molding
process. In addition, the first slot 34 includes a generally planar
surface 74 which is generally perpendicular to the legs 38, 40, 42,
44. The surface 74 is part of a horizontal (as oriented in FIG. 1)
member 76 which also has a thickness approximately the same as the
legs and outboard members. Moreover, the first slot 34 is at least
partially defined by the surface 74 and two retaining members 78,
80 disposed opposite the surface 74. The retaining members 78, 80
are also configured with a thickness that is the same, or nearly
the same, as the thickness of the other members of the doghouse
14.
[0029] It is worth noting that the number and general location of
the legs and outboard members may vary in different doghouse
configurations. For example, the legs 40, 42 help inhibit the
deflection of the horizontal member 76 when a pull-out load is
applied to the fastening system 10. In an application where more or
less deflection is allowable, fewer legs or more legs may be used,
as desired. The same is true for the outboard members, which may
also have different configurations, such as a smaller or greater
"footprint", thereby reducing or increasing the attachment area, as
desired.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the fastener 12 may be easily slid into
the slot 34 on the doghouse 14. Where the doghouse 14 is attached
to a trim component, such as the trim component 50, assembly of the
trim component to a structural support member is a simple matter of
pressing the clip 18 into an aperture, such as the aperture 60
shown in FIG. 6. Thus, assembly of the trim component to the
structural support member may be performed quickly and easily. The
fastening system 10 also provides for easy replacement of the trim
component or the fastener, if such replacement is needed. For
example, if the trim component becomes damaged, or it is desired to
replace the fastener after an air bag deploys, the trim component
may be easily removed for replacement, or to allow access to the
clip. In FIG. 6, it may be observed that moving the trim piece, and
subsequently the doghouse 14, in the direction of the arrow will
allow the doghouse 14 to be slidably removed from the base 16 of
the fastener 12. The clip 18 could then be removed from the
aperture 60 and a new clip used with the same trim component, or an
entirely new trim component and fastener may be employed.
[0031] Because a fastening system, such as the fastening system 10,
may be used to attach components in a vehicle, some consideration
may be given to the potential problem of buzz, squeak, and rattle
(BSR). To help ensure that a trim component, such as the trim
component 50, does not move against a support member, such as the
A-pillar 54, the doghouse 14 is provided with compression members
82, 84, see FIGS. 1 and 6. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and
6, the compression members 82, 84 are cantilevered structures
integrally molded with the doghouse 14. The compression members 82,
84 are disposed on either side of the second slot 36, and they
extend outward from the doghouse 14 generally in the direction the
clip 12 will be inserted into the A-pillar 54. The compression
members 82, 84 are configured to contact a support member, such as
the A-pillar 54, when the clip 12 is inserted through an aperture
in the support member. As seen in FIG. 6, the compression members
82, 84 deflect upon contact with the A-pillar 54 when the clip 12
is inserted through the aperture 60. The cantilever design of the
compression members 82, 84 facilitates spring-like movement which
helps to maintain contact between them and the A-pillar 54. This
type of contact reduces or eliminates movement of the doghouse
relative to the A-pillar 54, thereby addressing BSR issues. Of
course, additional compression members may be added, or a single
compression member may be used in different configurations of a
doghouse.
[0032] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *