Abstract:
A fascia fixture interposed between an extended-directional end portion of a fascia and an auto body. The fascia fixture is interposed in such a way as to be extended in the extended direction of the fascia. The extended-directional end portion of the fascia is mounted on the auto body in such a way as to comprise a part of a wheel house.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a system for coupling a fascia component to a vehicle body. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Conventionally, an automotive fender panel is formed of an outer plate of a fascia, coupled together via a fascia bracket made of resin to a substructure. This fascia bracket is typically mounted to the fender panel by using a bolt or a clip, or the like. Typically, a fastener component is provided at an end part of the fascia that fits into a groove which is provided in this fascia bracket so as to couple the fender panel to the fascia. Such a structure improves the workability concerning mounting and demounting of the fascia in addition to securing the coupling strength between the fender panel and the fascia. 
     Moreover, conventionally, when simultaneously coating the fender panel made of resin and the vehicle body frame in a vehicle assembly line, heat softens and deforms the fender panel. In order to restrict the deformation in a desired direction, the fender panel is mounted to the vehicle body frame using a dedicated sliding clip, washer, or the like. 
     When the plurality of members is used, it is difficult to secure parts accuracy and the alignment at the joint part between the fender panel and the fascia becomes poor. Furthermore, in a case where the fender panel is formed of resin, the rigidity at an edge is decreased as compared to its interface member made of sheet metal. As a result, this portion will deform easily, and this deformation needs to be suppressed. This problem occurs in a case where an aligning portion with the fascia, at a front part of the fender panel, is located distant from the vehicle body frame. Accordingly, the present teachings are intended to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to provide a fender panel structure capable of mounting a fascia to a fender panel accurately while improving the alignment at a body fascia interface. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     A first aspect of the present teachings includes a fascia fixture interposed between an extended-directional end portion of a fascia and an auto body. The fascia fixture is interposed in such a way as to be extended in an extended direction of the fascia. The extended-directional end portion of the fascia is mounted on the auto body in such a way as to form a portion of a wheel house. On one end of the extended-directional end portion, a mounting portion for mounting an extended-directional outer end wall of the fascia is formed. The mounting portion is configured so as to be elastically deformed by a load with more than a predetermined load to engage the wheel well. 
     Another aspect of the teachings includes a fascia mounting structure having a fascia fixture interposed between the extended-directional end portion of the fascia and the auto body. The fascia fixture is generally L-shaped having a deformable portion between a pair of perpendicular legs. In addition, the fascia fixture is configured to mount the extended-directional end portion of the fascia to the auto body in such a way as to comprise a pair of perpendicular surfaces in a part of the wheel house, 
     According to the second aspect, either a locked portion or a lockable portion is provided on one side of the width direction of the fascia fixture in order to lock into another side of either the locked portion or the lockable portion formed in one side of the width direction of the fascia. Either the locked portion or the lockable portion may be set to slide, relative to the extended direction of the fascia. 
     According to yet another aspect of the teachings, the mounting portion can be elastically deformed by the load more than the predetermined load is formed on one of the extended-directional ends of the fascia fixture. The extended-directional outer end wall of said fascia is mounted on the fascia fixture, so that the fascia fixture according to the first aspect can solidly mount the extended-directional end portion of the fascia on the auto body. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fascia attachment clip used to mount a rear fascia of an automobile; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded drawing of a rear fascia mounted on an auto body using the clip according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the clip according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rearview drawing of the clip in  FIG. 2  viewed from a rear side of a back face; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the clip in  FIG. 2  viewed from an inside back face side; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a mounting portion of the clip body coupled to the fascia according to the clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another mounting portion wherein the clip main body is mounted on the depression longitudinal wall (the side wall of the auto body); 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective exploded view illustrating a rear fascia mounted on the depression longitudinal wall (the side wall of the auto body) by a locking piece; 
         FIG. 9  is an internal view of the coupling of the fascia and clip to the sheet metal; 
         FIG. 10  represents a sectional view of the clip being coupled to the fascia component; 
         FIG. 11  represents a sectional view of the clip being coupled to the vehicle component; and 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  represent front and rear views of the clip according to the present teachings. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     According to the present teachings and generally shown in  FIGS. 1-13 , a fascia attachment clip  20  is provided for attaching and fixing a fascia component  22  to a vehicle body  24 . The fascia attachment clip  20  has first  26  and second  28  sections, and an elastic portion  30  situated there between. The elastic portion  30  is elastically deformable between the first and second sections so as to allow relative movement between the first  26  and second  28  sections. Functionally, attachment parts  32  formed on the first and second sections are positioned to facilitate attaching the fascia component  22  to the vehicle body. As will be described in detail below, the attachment parts  32  are polygonal flange members which are inserted into attachment holes provided on the vehicle body  24 . Optionally, the attachment parts  32  can be fixed by screws in attachment holes  40  provided on the vehicle body. 
     Generally, the elastic portion  30  is constituted by a pair of curved plate-shaped bodies  34 ,  36 , which are curved so as to position the first section  26  generally perpendicular to the second section  28 . The elastic section  30 , disposed between the first  26  and second  28  sections, is also elastically deformable so as to allow the relative rotation between the first and second sections  26 ,  28  to allow for the coupling of the fascia component to the vehicle body  24 . Further, when the first section  26  is coupled to the vehicle body  24 , the elastic section  30  can function as a spring to bias the fascia into proper position with respect to an interface with the vehicle. 
     The pair of deformable planar bodies  34 ,  36  define an aperture  38  there between. Generally, the elastic portion  30  comprises a pair of curved plate-shaped bodies which can have an L-shaped cross-section. In addition to rotation, the aperture  38  of the elastic portion  30  is configured to allow the first and second sections  26  and  28  to translate relative to one another to compensate for dimensional variations in at least one of a fascia component  22 , a vehicle body  24 , and a fascia attachment clip  20 . 
       FIG. 2  represents an exploded perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . The vehicle body  24  has a coupling flange  42  which is generally L-shaped. The coupling flange  42  is formed of a first portion  44  which is disposed at an acute angle with respect to a second flange  46 . The first portion  44  can have a first coupling feature  48  configured to accept a fastener associated with the first section  26  of the fascia attachment clip  20 . The second flange portion  46  has a plurality of coupling features  48  configured to accept the attachment parts  32  associated with the second section  28  of the fascia attachment clip  20 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the fascia component  22  has a generally perpendicular flange  50 . The flange  50  has a plurality of tab structures  52  defining a coupling aperture  54 . These coupling apertures  54  are aligned generally with corresponding apertures  40 ,  41  in the sheet metal and the vehicle body  24 . When assembled, the flange  50  is snapped into a plurality of snap locking elements  56  disposed on an upper surface  58  of the second section  28 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the attachment part  32  associated with the second section  28  of the coupling member can be an associated plurality of coupling flanges  60 . These coupling flanges  60  can be polygonal and have an angle of symmetry  62  which is at a non-perpendicular angle  63  relative to the second section  28 . These polygonal flanges  60  are configured to be disposed through the plurality of apertures  41  defined in the vehicle&#39;s sheet metal. The apertures  41  defined in the sheet metal can be associated with and congruent to the plurality of apertures  40  defined in the vehicle body  24 . The non-perpendicular angle allows the fascia subassembly to be inserted at an angle which prevents component lock during assembly. Disposed about the coupling flange  60  and between the fascia attachment clip  20  can be an elastic grommet  61  which can function to reduce noise caused by vibration. 
       FIG. 5  represents an interior vehicle view of the coupling of the components. The coupling aperture  64  on the first portion  26  of the fascia attachment clip  20  accepts a fastener. The fastener allows the final coupling of the assembly to the bumper system. Shown is the insertion of the fascia attachment clip  20  along the non-perpendicular angle  63 . Also shown is the alignment of the attachment holes in the sheet metal and the vehicle body. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  represent the first step in the coupling of the fascia component  22  to the vehicle body  24 . Disposed along an interior edge  71  of the fascia attachment clip  20  is the plurality of snap clip elements  56 . These elements  56  are configured to engage and lock onto the plurality of coupling tab structures  52  defined on the fascia component  22 . 
     Associated with the plurality of snap clip elements  56  is a deformable tooth member  70  which is elastically deformable so as to allow it to engage the aperture  54  defined within the coupling flange  50 . The locking tooth  70  can have a ramped surface  72  and a generally perpendicular locking surface  74  which engages a locking surface  76  in the aperture  54 . The coupling apertures  54  are sized so as to allow relative translation of the fascia attachment clip  20  with respect to the fascia component  22 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  represent the coupling of the coupling component/trim fascia subassembly to the vehicle. The sheet metal apertures  41  are aligned with the apertures  40  defined in the vehicle body  24 . The polygonal coupling attachment parts  32  are aligned with the apertures  40 ,  41 . The trim fascia attachment clip  20  is then translated along the line of symmetry  62  of the polygon  32  coupling members. This sandwiches a sheet metal trim flange between the fascia component  22  and the vehicle body  24 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the fascia component  22 , fascia attachment clip  20  subassembly. Shown is the second portion  28  which can be a hollow box section. Also shown is the snap locking element  56 . This feature has a cantilevered locking flange  80  having a stiffening rib  82 . Coupled to the cantilevered locking flange  80  is the locking member  70  having the ramped surface  72 . Also shown is the perpendicular locking surface  74 . This locking surface  74  is configured to engage the locking surface  76  in the coupling aperture  54  of the fascia tab structure  52 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts the coupling of the fascia component  22  fascia attachment clip  20  subassembly with the vehicle body  24 . Shown is polygonal attachment flange  32  disposed through the sheet metal and vehicle body apertures,  41  and  40 , respectively. The polygonal coupling flange  32  has a locking snap flange  86  configured to deform upon insertion and engage a portion of the vehicle body  24  upon relaxation. As shown, disposed between the fascia attachment clip  20  and the vehicle body  24  is the sheet metal portion  39  of the vehicle. Spacing between the fascia component  22  and the sheet metal portion  39  is controlled by a coupling groove  90  defined in the fascia attachment clip  20 . 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  represent first and second sections  26 ,  28  being generally positioned at an acute angle with respect to each other. Disposed between the first and second sections  26 ,  28  is the elastic portion  30  defined by the pair of deformable bodies  34 ,  36 . At a first end  92  of the second section  28  is a coupling fastener configured to couple the fascia attachment clip  20  to a wheel well component. 
     Also shown is the plurality of snap locking elements  56  which function to couple the fascia component  22  to the fascia attachment clip  20 , and the polygon attachment flanges  32  disposed on the top surface of the fascia attachment clip  20  at the non-perpendicular angle  63 . 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.