Member assembly

A member assembly includes a first member and a second member joined to the first member. The first member includes an engagement piece provided with an engaged portion. The second member includes an engaging portion to be engaged relative to the engaged portion, and a hook allowing a tip of the engagement piece to be inserted therein. The hook permits the engagement piece to move in a direction intersecting with an inserting direction of the engagement piece. The engaging portion permits the engaged portion to move by a certain distance in the direction intersecting with the inserting direction of the engagement piece.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a member assembly that includes a first member and a second member joined to this first member.

BACKGROUND

Resin-molded members are adopted to various applications. When the resin-molded member is large and long in size, a mold becomes large in size, and thus the costs for the mold increase. Moreover, according to the large and long resin-molded member, a deformation at the time of molding is noticeable, and thus the costs for well-finishing a product increase.

Hence, a large and long component is divided into multiple pieces, and each piece is formed individually. A technology of joining the obtained resin-molded members is disclosed in, for example, JP 2003-13918 A.

The technology disclosed in JP 2003-13918 A relates to a front spoiler placed at the front section of a vehicle. This front spoiler includes a spoiler left-half member and a spoiler right-half member. The spoiler left-half member is obtained by resin molding, and the spoiler right-half member is also obtained by resin molding. The two obtained resin-molded members are joined to each other.

Meanwhile, the spoiler left-half member and the spoiler right-half member inevitably involve respective dimensional errors. In order to address this technical problem, according to the technology disclosed in JP 2003-13918 A, a displacement margin by a certain length is provided in an engaged portion between the spoiler left-half member and the spoiler right-half member. Since the spoiler right-half member can be moved by a certain distance in a vehicle widthwise direction relative to the spoiler left-half member, the dimensional error can be eliminated.

Meanwhile, vehicles are used in both a summer season at which an external temperature reaches several ten degrees and a winter season at which the external temperature becomes equal to or lower than a freezing point. When the displacement margin for the spoiler left-half member and the spoiler right-half member is a length corresponding to the dimensional error only, if a thermal expansion is applied to the dimensional error, the displacement margin becomes insufficient, and a so-called uplift occurs. If the displacement margin is increased, the exterior appearance decreases.

Hence, a structure having a thermal expansion and contraction taken into consideration is disclosed in, for example, JP 2002-193051 A.

The structure disclosed in JP 2002-193051 A relates to a hood garnishment, and a gap to eliminate a thermal expansion is provided between a left garnishment body and a right garnishment body.

Since the gap is provided, the hood garnishment is allowed to expand and contract in the vehicle widthwise direction.

However, when external force is applied in a direction (a vehicle lengthwise direction) that intersects the vehicle widthwise direction, the right garnishment body is relatively displaced to the left garnishment body in the vehicle lengthwise direction, and the external appearance decreases. Note that the intersection involves an intersection at a right angle or at a substantially right angle (the same is true of the following description).

Regarding the components of a vehicle, a structure which suppresses a displacement in the vehicle lengthwise direction but which allows an expansion and contraction in the vehicle widthwise direction is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a member assembly which suppresses a displacement in a vehicle lengthwise direction but which allows an expansion and contraction in a vehicle widthwise direction regarding, for example, the components of a vehicle.

According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a member assembly is provided which includes:

a first member; and

a second member joined to the first member,

wherein the first member includes an engagement piece provided with an engaged portion;

wherein the second member includes an engaging portion to be engaged relative to the engaged portion, and a hook allowing a tip of the engagement piece to be inserted therein;

wherein the hook permits the engagement piece to move in a direction intersecting with an inserting direction of the engagement piece; and

wherein the engaging portion permits the engaged portion to move by a certain distance in the direction intersecting with the inserting direction of the engagement piece.

When the inserting direction of the engagement piece is a vehicular lengthwise direction and a direction intersecting with the inserting direction is a vehicular widthwise direction, according to the present disclosure, the second member is prevented from moving in the vehicle lengthwise direction relative to the first member, but is allowed to move by a certain distance in the vehicle widthwise direction. This certain distance is designed as a margin capable of eliminating a total of a thermal expansion and contraction and a dimensional error.

As described above, regarding, for example, the components of a vehicle, a member assembly which suppresses a displacement in the vehicle lengthwise direction but which allows an expansion and contraction in the vehicle widthwise direction is provided.

The same advantageous effects in the case of the components of a vehicle are achievable when the member assembly according to the present disclosure is applied to general-purpose components other than the components of a vehicle.

In addition, a plurality of elements can be placed on the same cross section or at the nearby locations, achieving a space saving.

Preferably, the engaging portion is an engagement hole provided in the second member and the engaged portion is an engagement pawl to be engaged with the engagement hole.

The engagement hole is formed in the second member, and the engagement pawl is formed integrally with the first member. To join the second member to the first member, it is unnecessary to provide additional components, such as bolts and tapping screws.

Preferably, the first member includes a holder that holds the second member.

By inserting the first member to the hook, and holding the second member by the holder, the first member and the second member can be firmly joined to each other.

Preferably, the first member and the second member are both covered by an elongated decorative member.

Even if the engagement hole and the engagement pawl are noticeable, those can be hidden by the decorative member. Hence, the engagement hole and the engagement pawl can be designed freely in shape. Since the engagement hole and the engagement pawl can be designed freely in shape, the degree of freedom for designing the first member and the second member is enhanced.

Preferably, the hook includes an L-shaped cross section. The L-shaped cross section simplifies the structure of the hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7, and a modified example will be described with reference toFIGS. 8 to 11. The description will be given first toFIGS. 8 to 11that are easy to understand a structure.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, a member assembly10includes a first member20that is a resin-molded member, and a second member30that is also a resin-molded member.

To facilitate understanding, the first member20is illustrated upside down in such a way that an upper surface21is located at the lower side and a lower surface22is located at the upper side. Similarly, the second member30is also illustrated upside down in such a way that an upper surface31is located at the lower side and a lower surface32is located at the upper side.

The first member20includes a first plate23, an L-shaped engagement piece24that is extended from the lower surface22of the first plate23, and a holder25that is extended from the lower surface22of the first plate23.

This holder25includes, for example, a standing-upright portion25athat stands upright from the lower surface22, a horizontal portion25bthat horizontally extends from the tip of this standing-upright portion25a, and an inclined portion25cthat extends obliquely and upwardly from the tip of this horizontal portion25bin the figure. The inclined portion25cserves as a guide.

Conversely, the engagement piece24includes an engagement pawl27as an engaged portion26. Since the engagement pawl27has three sides surrounded by a substantially rectangular slit28, this engagement pawl is capable of swinging up and down in the figure.

The second member30includes a second plate33, a stepwise portion34provided at one end of this second plate33, an engagement hole37as an engaging portion36provided in this stepwise portion34, and a hook38provided on the upper surface35(a surface at the lower side in the figure) of the stepwise portion34. This hook38includes a standing-upright portion38aextended from the upper surface35, and a horizontal portion38bextended horizontally from the tip of this standing-upright portion38a, thus being in an L-shape.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the hook38has a longer width in the horizontal direction than that of the engagement hole37.

Moreover, first ribs41are provided on the upper surface35of the stepwise portion34. The respective first ribs41extend in the depthwise direction of the figure. The first ribs41are provided at the right and left sides of the engagement hole37.

Second ribs42extended in the depthwise direction of the figure are provided on the lower surface (a surface at the upper side in the figure) of the horizontal portion38bof the hook38.

InFIG. 8, in order to join the second member30to the first member20, the second member30is moved from “back” to “front” as indicated by an arrow (1) relative to the first member20. Alternatively, the first member20is moved from “front” to “back” as indicated by an arrow (2) relative to the second member30.

A form after the second member30is joined to the first member20will be described with reference toFIGS. 10A and 10B.

As illustrated inFIG. 10A, the engagement piece24is held between the first rib41and the second rib42. The second member30is further moved forwardly in this state, and the front end of the second member30is inserted in the holder25that has an L-shaped cross section. Such a front end abuts a third rib43that is provided on the holder25, and is stopped.

As illustrated inFIG. 10B, the engagement pawl27is engaged with the engagement hole37. This engagement causes the engagement pawl27to prevent the second member30from moving backwardly.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, an aperture width of the engagement hole37is designed so as to be (W+δ2+δ3) that is obtained by adding a clearance δ2and a clearance δ3to a width W (a width in a lateral direction in the figure) of the engagement pawl27. Moreover, a gap between the front-end surface of the first member20and the second member30is set to δ1. Although δ1is basically the same as δ2, δ1may differ therefrom.

The clearances δ1to δ3are decided in consideration of the dimensional errors and thermal expansion and contraction amounts of the first and second members20and30.

The member assembly10is capable of eliminating the dimensional error and the thermal expansion and contraction in the horizontal direction.

InFIG. 10A, the second member30is prevented from moving in the vertical direction and also in the forward direction relative to the first member20.

InFIG. 10B, since the engagement pawl27is engaged with the engagement hole37, the second member30is prevented from moving in the backward direction relative to the first member20.

That is, relative to the first member20, the second member30is prevented from moving in the vertical direction and the back-and-forth direction, but is allowed to move in the depthwise direction of the figure (lateral direction in theFIG. 11).

Regarding, for example, the components of a vehicle, the member assembly10which is prevented from being displaced in the vehicle lengthwise direction (the back-and-forth direction) but which is allowed to expand and contract in the vehicle widthwise direction (the horizontal direction) is provided.

Note that inFIG. 8, the engagement piece24may be provided with the engagement hole37, and the stepwise portion34may be provided with the engagement pawl27. Hence, the engaged portion26that is provided on the engagement piece24is not limited to the engagement pawl27. Similarly, the engaging portion36is not limited to the engagement hole37.

Moreover, the holder25may be formed in, for example, an F-shape in addition to the L-shape, and it is appropriate as long as the shape is capable of holding the second member30.

A specific example in which the member assembly10according to the present disclosure is applied to vehicular components will be described below with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7. Note that the back-and-forth, horizontal and vertical directions are defined with reference to a driver.

Moreover, the same reference numeral will be given to the common element inFIGS. 8 to 11.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a vehicle50includes a windshield51that covers the front space of the driver, an engine hood52that covers an engine room, right and left front fenders53that cover respective front wheels, a grill54that covers the front part of the engine room, and a front bumper55placed along the lower edge of the grill54.

Moreover, side cowl top covers56are placed along the respective front fenders53. Each side cowl top cover56covers an end of the windshield51.

Moreover, a garnishment body57is placed along the front edge of the engine hood52.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, a center member61is placed on the grill54, and the garnishment body57is fastened to this center member61by fasteners62like screws. A sealing member63is placed on the rear part of such a garnishment body57, and the front end of the engine hood52is placed on this sealing member63.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, a left member64and a right member65are separable from the center member61.

Moreover, such center member61, left member64, and right member65are collectively covered by the garnishment body57. This garnishment body57is an exterior member, and is an elongated decorative member.

The first member20and the second member30will be described as the right member65and the center member61, respectively, below. Note that the first member20may be the left member64.

A part of the center member61and a part of the right member65will be referred to as a part4, andFIG. 4illustrates this part4inverted as indicated by an arrow.

Since it is inverted, a bottom surface can be seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, and the right side and the left side are turned over, and, the upper side and the lower side are inverted inFIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the right member65that is the first member20includes the engaged portion26that is the engagement piece24with the engagement pawl27, and the holder25. In addition, a second engagement pawl67adjacent to this holder25is provided.

Moreover, the center member61that is the second member30includes the engaging portion36that is the engagement hole37, and the hook38, and includes a through-hole68corresponding to the second engagement pawl67.

In order to join the right member65to the center member61, the center member61is moved from “back” to “front” as indicated by an arrow (3) relative to the right member65. Alternatively, the right member65is moved from “front” to “back” as indicated by an arrow (4) relative to the center member61.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the right member65is joined to the center member61.

As illustrated inFIG. 6A, the first ribs41and the second ribs42are provided on the hook38of the center member61, and the engagement piece24of the right member65is relatively inserted between the first rib41and the second rib42.

Moreover, the center member61is inserted in the holder25of the right member65. The center member61abuts the third rib43, and is stopped.

As illustrated inFIG. 6B, the engagement pawl27is engaged with the engagement hole37.

When an attempt is made to move the center member61relative to the right member65, a movement in the vertical direction is prevented by the first rib41, the second rib42, and the holder25. A forward movement is prevented by the third rib43. A backward movement is prevented by the engagement pawl27.

Therefore, the center member61is prevented from moving in the vertical direction and in the back-and-forth direction relative to the right member65.

InFIG. 5, a width of the engagement pawl27in the horizontal direction (the vehicle widthwise direction) is set to W, and an aperture width of the engagement hole37in the horizontal direction (the vehicle widthwise direction) is set to (δ2+W+δ3). The right member65is movable in the vehicle widthwise direction within the range of δ2or δ3relative to the center member61. This movability permits dimensional error and thermal expansion and contraction of the center member61and of the right member65.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the second engagement pawl67at the right-member-65side is engaged with the through-hole68at the center-member-61side. A backward movement of the center member61relative to the right member65is prevented.

Although the second engagement pawl67is not always necessary, inFIG. 5, when only the engagement pawl27is provided, the center member61is likely to rotate horizontally relative to the right member65. In this point, by additionally providing the second engagement pawl67that is placed so as to be sufficiently apart from the engagement pawl27, the relative rotation is preventable.

InFIG. 6B, the engagement hole37as the engaging portion36may be provided in the right member65, and the engagement pawl27as the engaged portion26may be provided on the center member61.

Moreover, inFIG. 6A, the center member61is inserted in the holder25of the right member65, and this center member61contacts plane by plane with the upper surface (a surface at the lower side in the figure) of the holder25, a rib may be provided on the upper surface of the holder25, and this rib may be caused to contact the center member61. That is, the center member61may contact line by line to the upper surface of the holder25by the rib. This is also applicable to the structure inFIG. 10. The above-described plane by plane contact means that a surface contacts a surface, and the above-described line by line contact means that a line contacts a line.

Moreover, the rib43may be provided in the hook38. This is also applicable to the structure inFIG. 10A.

Note that the member assembly10may be, in addition to an assembly in which the two members20and30are joined to each other as illustrated inFIG. 8, an assembly in which three members20,30, and20are joined together as illustrated inFIG. 3. That is, it is appropriate if a plurality of members is joined, and the number thereof is optional as long as it is equal to or greater than two.

Moreover, the member assembly10according to the present disclosure is suitable for a garnishment of a vehicle, but is also applicable to other vehicular components and other general-purpose components.

Furthermore, although the hook in the embodiment is formed in an L-shape, may be formed in other optional shapes, such as a substantially L-shape and a J-shape. However, the L-shaped cross section simplifies a structure in comparison with other shapes, thus being more suitable.

The present disclosure is suitable for a garnishment of a vehicle.