Locating and retention pin

A method of assembly includes providing a panel. The method also includes providing a locating member with a first portion and a second portion, and securing the first portion to the panel. The second portion is releasably engaged with the first portion. The method additionally includes providing a component with an orifice for receiving a locating member, and disposing the second portion in the orifice to locate the panel in a desired position relative to the component. The method further includes securing the panel to the component, and disengaging the second portion from the first portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a locating and retention pin. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle assembly having a locating and retention pin for retaining a panel, such as a pane of glass, in a desired location.

INTRODUCTION

Locator pins may be used to aid assembly of a vehicle panel by locating and retaining the panel in a desired position during at least one assembly step. Vehicle panels refer to a variety of generally flat planar components, including automotive window glass. As an example, locator pins may be used to retain the panel in a desired position while an adhesive agent applied to the panel cures.

SUMMARY

A method of assembly according to the present disclosure includes providing a panel. The method also includes providing a locating member with a first portion and a second portion, and securing the first portion to the panel. The second portion is releasably engaged with the first portion. The method additionally includes providing a component with an orifice for receiving a locating member, and disposing the second portion in the orifice to locate the panel in a desired position relative to the component. The method further includes securing the panel to the component, and disengaging the second portion from the first portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the panel includes a pane of window glass.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method additionally includes disposing an adhesive on the panel. In such an embodiment, securing the panel to the component includes curing the adhesive.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion has a first mechanical feature and the second portion has a second mechanical feature, with the second mechanical feature being engageable with the first mechanical feature to mechanically engage the second portion to the first portion. In such an embodiment, disengaging the second portion from the first portion includes mechanically disengaging the second feature from the first feature. In such an embodiment, the first mechanical feature may include a protrusion and the second mechanical feature may include a recess, with the protrusion being engageable with the recess. In such an embodiment, mechanically disengaging the second feature from the first feature includes disengaging the protrusion from the recess. The second portion may be an elongate portion with a long axis, and the recess may be oriented generally orthogonal to the long axis, and wherein disengaging the protrusion from the recess includes rotating the second portion relative to the first portion. In a variation, the first mechanical feature may include a recess and the second mechanical feature may include a protrusion, with the protrusion being engageable with the recess, and mechanically disengaging the second feature from the first feature may include disengaging the protrusion from the recess. In such a variation, the second portion may be an elongate portion having a long axis, the recess may be oriented generally orthogonal to the long axis, and disengaging the protrusion from the recess may include rotating the second portion relative to the first portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method additionally includes reusing the second portion by engaging the second portion to a subsequent first portion to define a subsequent locating member, which is couplable to a subsequent panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second portion has a first cross-sectional profile. In such an embodiment, disengaging the second portion from the first portion includes providing a tool with a socket having a second cross-sectional profile, inverse to the first cross-sectional profile, disposing the tool about the second portion, and applying a torque to the tool to rotate the second portion relative to the first portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method additionally includes disposing a cover on the orifice after the disengaging.

An assembly according to the present disclosure includes a component with a surface and a receiving orifice on the surface. The assembly additionally includes a panel disposed proximate the component. The assembly further includes a locating member. The locating member has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is secured to the panel, and the second portion is disposed at least partially in the orifice. The first portion has a first mechanical feature, the second portion has a second mechanical feature, and the second mechanical feature is releasably engaged with the first mechanical feature.

In an exemplary embodiment, the panel includes a pane of window glass.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first mechanical feature includes a protrusion and the second mechanical feature includes a recess, with the protrusion being engaged with the recess. In such an embodiment, the second portion may be an elongate portion with a long axis, the recess may be oriented generally orthogonal to the long axis, and the second portion may be rotatable relative to the first portion to disengage the protrusion from the recess.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first mechanical feature includes a recess and the second mechanical feature includes a protrusion, with the protrusion being engaged with the recess. In such an embodiment, the second portion may be an elongate portion with a long axis, the recess may be oriented generally orthogonal to the long axis, and the second portion may be rotatable relative to the first portion to disengage the protrusion from the recess.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second portion includes at least one arm member for retaining the panel relative to the component.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion includes a generally planar base and the second portion is an elongate portion having a long axis, with the long axis being generally orthogonal to the base.

An automotive vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a frame for receiving window glass. The frame has a mating surface and a receiving orifice on the mating surface. The vehicle also includes a pane of window glass disposed proximate the frame. The vehicle additionally includes a locating pin. The locating pin has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is secured to the pane of window glass. The second portion is disposed at least partially in the orifice. The first portion has a first mechanical feature and the second portion has a second mechanical feature. The second mechanical feature is releasably engaged with the first mechanical feature.

Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a number of advantages. For example, a locating pin assembly according to the present disclosure may be used to temporarily retain a panel in place, and subsequently easily removed for aesthetic improvement without requiring additional trim components.

The above advantage and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, an automotive vehicle assembly10according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The vehicle assembly10includes at least one panel12. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the panels12include fixed sheets of window glass, e.g. a windshield and a rear window. In other embodiments, the at least one panel may include other sheets of fixed glass such as a fixed sunroof, or panels made of other materials such as plastics.

At least one locator pin14is associated with each panel12. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, locator pins14are disposed at respective corners of each panel12. However, in other embodiments, a different number of pins14may be provided, the location of the pins14may be other than as illustrated, or both. The configuration of the pins14will be discussed in further detail below.

The vehicle assembly10also includes at least one frame16having a mating surface18. The mating surface18is shaped to interface with a corresponding surface of the panel12. The mating surface18is provided with at least one orifice20. The orifice or orifices20correspond in number, size, and location to the pin or pins14, such that insertion of the pin or pins14into the corresponding orifice or orifices20aligns the panel12into a desired position relative to the frame16. The panel12may thus be maintained in a desired position until secured to the mating surface18, e.g. by curing an adhesive disposed between the panel12and the mating surface18.

After the panel12has been secured to the mating surface18, the pins14are not necessary for structural integrity of the vehicle assembly10. In conventional assemblies, similar pins would be left in place after manufacture. This may result in undesirable aesthetic appearance in the final assembly, necessitate the inclusion of additional trim pieces to cover the pins, or both.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A and 2B, a pin assembly14′ according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The pin assembly14′ includes a base portion22and a pin portion24. The base portion22and the pin portion24are distinct and separable pieces, as illustrated inFIG. 2A, but may be mechanically engaged with one another, as illustrated inFIG. 2B.

The base portion22has a mounting portion26. The mounting portion26is adapted to be secured to a panel, e.g. as illustrated inFIG. 1. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 2A and 2Bthe mounting portion is generally flat and planar. However, in other embodiments the mounting portion26may have other shapes, e.g. contoured to interface with a curved panel.

The base portion22also includes a receptor28for receiving the pin portion24. In this embodiment, the receptor28is generally shaped as an annular cylinder. However, in other embodiments, the receptor28may take other shapes in correspondence with a shape of the pin portion24. The receptor28is provided with at least one mechanical feature for engaging with the pin portion24. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 2A and 2B, the mechanical features include tabs30protruding from a sidewall of the receptor28toward the interior of the receptor28, and additionally include notches32extending at least partially through the sidewall of the receptor28. Additional notches34may also be provided to accommodate deflection of arm members of the pin portion24, as will be discussed in further detail below.

The pin portion24includes an elongate body36extending along a central axis38from a proximal end40to a distal end42. At least one resilient arm member44extends from the body36between the proximal end40and the distal end42. The arm member or members44are configured to deflect toward the body36during insertion into an orifice, and to return to an undeflected position after insertion to thereby retain the pin portion in the orifice.

The proximal end40is provided with at least one mechanical feature for engaging with the base portion22. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 2A and 2B, the mechanical features include a detent46for engaging with the notches32of the base portion22. In addition, the mechanical features include grooves48for engaging with the tabs30of the base portion22. Each respective groove48has a first portion extending parallel to the central axis38and a second portion extending circumferentially about a portion of the body36.

To engage the pin portion24and base portion22, the tabs30of the base portion22are aligned with the grooves48of the pin portion24. The pin portion24is inserted into the receptor28in a direction generally parallel to the central axis38, and subsequently pivoted about the central axis38to engage the detent46of the pin portion24with the notches32of the base portion22. The pin portion24is thereby engaged with the base portion24, as illustrated inFIG. 2B.

For assembly of a panel to a frame, e.g. a pane of automotive glass to a vehicle frame, the mounting portion26may be secured to a panel such that the pin portion24protrudes from the panel in the fashion illustrated inFIG. 1. This may be performed by application of adhesive between the mounting portion26and the panel, or by other appropriate means as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In various embodiments, the pin portion24may be engaged with the base portion22before or after securing the mounting portion26to a panel.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2Bthe receptor28is generally orthogonal to the mounting portion26, such that the central axis38of the pin portion24will extend in a direction generally orthogonal to a surface of a panel to which the mounting portion26is secured. However, in other embodiments the receptor28may be canted at an angle relative to the mounting portion26such that the central axis38extends in a direction other than orthogonal to the surface of the panel.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a view of a panel assembly according to the present disclosure is shown. A pin portion47of a pin assembly49, which is preferably configured generally similar to the pin assembly14′ ofFIGS. 2A and 2B, is inserted into an orifice50of a mating surface52. A base portion of the pin assembly49, not shown in this view, is secured to a panel which is thereby retained against the mating surface52.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A and 4B, a pin removal tool54is illustrated. The pin removal tool54is arranged as a socket having a first end56and a second end58. The second end has a fitting60for receiving a driving tool, which may be any conventional rotary driver. The first end56has a recessed opening62. The recessed opening62has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to, e.g. the inverse of, a cross-sectional shape of the pin portion of a pin assembly according to the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the recessed opening62is generally cross-shaped, corresponding to the cross-shaped cross-section of the pin portion24illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B. However, in other embodiments the recessed opening62may take other shapes according to pin design.

As illustrated inFIG. 4B, the removal tool54may be fitted about a pin portion64of a pin assembly66. The removal tool54may be pivoted to disengage the pin portion64from a base portion68, and subsequently withdrawn to remove the pin portion64from the base portion68.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a view of a panel assembly after pin removal is illustrated. A cap70is disposed to cover the aperture in the mating surface52.

Referring now toFIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of a pin assembly72is illustrated. The pin assembly72includes a base portion74and a pin portion76. The base portion74includes a receptor78for receiving the pin portion76. The receptor78is provided with at least one mechanical feature for engaging with the pin portion76. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, the mechanical features include a groove80extending at least partially through the sidewall of the receptor78. The groove has a first portion extending generally parallel to a central axis of the receptor78and a second portion extending generally circumferentially about the receptor78.

The pin portion76includes an elongate body82extending from a proximal end84to a distal end86. The proximal end84is provided with at least one mechanical feature for engaging with the base portion74. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, the mechanical features include at least one tab88projecting outward from the body82.

To engage the pin portion76and base portion74, the tabs88of the pin portion76are aligned with the grooves80of the base portion74. The pin portion76is inserted into the receptor74, and subsequently pivoted. The pin portion76is thereby engaged with the base portion74, as illustrated inFIG. 6.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a method of assembly according to the present disclosure is illustrated in flowchart form. The method begins at block100with providing a panel, a locating member, and a component. The locating member has a first portion and a second portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the locating member is configured generally similar to the pin assembly ofFIGS. 2A and 2B, or ofFIG. 6. The component has an orifice for receiving a locating member.

The first portion is secured to the panel, e.g. by applying an adhesive between the first potion and the panel and curing the adhesive, as illustrated at block102.

The second portion is disposed in the orifice to locate the panel in a desired position relative to the component, as illustrated at block104.

The panel is secured to the component, e.g. by applying an adhesive between the component and the panel and curing the adhesive, as illustrated at block106.

The second portion is disengaged from the first portion, e.g. by use of a tool as described above, as illustrated at block108.

The second portion may be reused for a subsequent assembly, e.g. by engaging the second portion to a subsequent first portion to define a subsequent locating member, as illustrated at block110.

A cap is then disposed over the orifice, as illustrated at block112.

As may be seen, the present disclosure provides a system and method for assembling a panel, such as a pane of glass, to a frame component. Systems and methods according to the present disclosure enable removal and covering of a locator pin after assembly without requiring additional trim pieces, and thereby avoid locator pins being visible after assembly.