Mounting structure

To obtain a mounting structure capable of being applied to mount an object to be mounted by absorbing a central position variation between a pin and a female mounting member in more directions.A cap pin 26 is formed with a long hole shaped male side fitting portion 36 so as to rotate in an arrow R1 direction with respect to a pin 28 and to relatively move slide in a sliding axis X2 direction. Even if a pin axis X1 of the pin 28 and a central axis X4 of a clip 24 are deviated, the cap pin 26 is rotated and slid; and accordingly, the pin 28 may be inserted and fitted to the male side insertion portion 36.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to mounting structures. More particularly, the invention relates to a mounting structure which is used for mounting a member to be mounted serving as the other of objects to be mounted to a panel of a vehicle body, for example, serving as one of the objects to be mounted.

BACKGROUND ART

As a structure for mounting an exterior trim part to a vehicle body of an automobile, there is an example shown in Patent Document 1. In the structure shown in Patent Document 1, a fixing screw having an axial portion smaller in diameter than a threaded portion is passed through a long hole shaped screw pass-through hole of a lamp device and is mounted thereto; at the same time, a grommet for fixing the screw, which is provided with an inner grommet slidable in a direction intersecting with a long axis direction of the long hole in an outer grommet, is mounted to a rear panel of the vehicle body. Thus, center alignment is performed by positional adjustment between the fixing screw and the inner grommet with respect to a center deviation, and then, the fixing screw is screwed.

As described above, in the above structure, since the inner grommet slides in a long axis direction of the long hole, the center alignment in this direction is possible; however, it is desired to provide a structure capable of mounting by absorbing central position variations in directions other than this direction.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In consideration of the above-described facts, it is an object of the present invention to obtain a mounting structure capable of mounting an object to be mounted by absorbing central position variations between a pin and a female mounting member in a plural direction.

Means for Solving Problem

According to the invention of claim1, there is provided a mounting structure which includes: a female mounting member to be mounted on one of objects to be mounted; a female side fitting portion provided on the female mounting member; a male mounting member to be rotatably fitted to the female side fitting portion; and a male side fitting portion to which a pin provided in the male mounting member and formed on the other of the objects to be mounted is fitted, and in which the male mounting member is rotatable around the pin and slidable with respect to a direction perpendicular to a pin axis direction in a state where the pin is fitted.

Therefore, the male mounting member in which the pin is fitted to the male side fitting portion is rotatably fitted to the female side fitting portion of the female mounting member mounted on one of the object to be mounted, and the objects to be mounted are mounted. In this case, the male side fitting portion fixes the male mounting member rotatably around the pin and slidably with respect to the direction perpendicular to the pin axis direction. Then, the male mounting member is constituted to be rotatable to the female mounting member. That is, in the case where the centers of the pin and the female side fitting portion are deviated, the deviation may be absorbed by the rotation and slide of the male mounting member with respect to the pin.

As described above, the central position variation of the female mounting member in any direction perpendicular to the pin axis direction is absorbed by performing not only the slide in a mere one direction but also the rotation and slide, and the objects to be mounted may be mounted each other.

According to the invention of claim2, in the invention of claim1, the male mounting member is provided with a guide rib which comes into contact with an inner surface of the female side fitting portion when the male mounting member is fitted to the female side fitting portion, and rotates the male mounting member in the direction perpendicular to the pin axis direction by a reaction force acting at the contact.

According to the invention of claim3, in the invention of claim1, the male mounting member is formed with an engaging portion which locks the pin by engaging with a narrow portion of the fitted pin.

According to the invention of claim3, in the invention of claim1, the male mounting member is formed with an engaging portion which locks the pin by engaging with a fitted the.

According to the invention of claim4, in the invention of claim1, the male mounting member has a tip portion which is tapered off.

In addition, a configuration which is for inserting the pin to the male side fitting portion is not particularly limited, for example, as described in claim5, it may be configured that the male mounting member is provided with a lateral inserting portion which enables the pin to be inserted to the male side fitting portion from the direction perpendicular to the pin axis direction; or it may be configured that the male mounting member is provided with an enlargable portion which enables the pin to be inserted in the pin axial direction by enlarging the male side fitting portion. In the case where a space is limited in the pin axis direction around the pin depending on a shape or the like of the object to be mounted, it is preferable to be the configuration of claim5. In the above configuration, as described in claim6, the lateral insertion portion may have a frontage which is formed smaller than a portion corresponding to the frontage of the pin when the pin is inserted to the lateral insertion portion. Furthermore, in the case where a space is limited in the direction perpendicular to the pin axis direction, it is preferable to have the configuration with the male mounting member having an enlargable portion. In the above configuration, as described in claim8, the enlargable portion may serve as a slit formed in the male mounting member.

Effect of the Invention

The present invention has the above mentioned configuration; and therefore, it may be applied to mount an object to be mounted by absorbing a central position variation between a pin and a female mounting member in more directions.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 4show a mounting structure22of the present invention.FIG. 5shows a panel12of a vehicle body and a lamp unit18, serving as one example of an object to be mounted, which is mounted by the mounting structure22. In the example shown in this case, the lamp unit18constitutes a rear lamp of an automobile, and the lamp unit18is mounted to the panel12by the mounting structure22.

The panel12is provided with at least one reference hole14and a round hole16formed at a predetermined position on the basis of the reference hole14. The lamp unit18is mounted at the reference hole14by, for example, a bolt and a nut (both are not shown in the drawing). Then, the lamp unit18is mounted and fixed by the mounting structure22at the round hole16on the basis of the position of the reference hole14. The round hole16is a round shape larger in diameter than the reference hole14; and a clip24(to be described later) is fitted and fixed thereto. In addition, if required, mounting holes such as sub-reference holes are formed in addition to the reference hole14, and the lamp units18are mounted to the panel12by the bolts and the nuts through these mounting holes. Furthermore, these mounting holes are formed in a shape (for example, a long hole shape, or an idle hole shape) which may absorb positional deviations between the reference hole14and the bolts even after the positions of the lamp units18are set by the reference hole. Further, a configuration in which in place of the sub-reference hole a profile portion such as a side surface of the lamp unit18is brought into contact with a sub-reference surface of the panel12is possible, and the above configuration may provide an improved appearance in design. In any of the above configurations, if the reference hole14is only served as a reference, the lamp unit18is likely to be rotated around the reference hole14; and therefore, a sub-reference that can prevent the rotation is preferably disposed. For example, it is preferable to use a plurality of side surfaces of the panel unit18as the sub-reference.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting structure22has the clip24to be fitted to the round hole16and a cap pin26to be fitted to the clip24. A male side fitting portion36, to which a pin28protruded from the lamp unit18is fitted, is formed at the center (on a central axis X5) of the cap pin26.

As turned out fromFIG. 1, the pin28is made up of a tip portion30gradually decreased in diameter toward the tip, a narrow portion32smaller in diameter than the tip portion30on the lamp unit18side, and a base portion34gradually increased in diameter from the narrow portion32and having a constant diameter D2(seeFIG. 2A) in the middle. On the other hand, the cap pin26is in a substantially cylindrical shape; however, a part of a sidewall thereof is opened and a lateral insertion portion38, which enable the pin28to be inserted to the male side fitting portion36from a lateral direction (direction perpendicular to a pin axis X1), is formed. A frontage D1of the lateral insertion portion38is smaller than the diameter D2of the base portion34(portion corresponding to the frontage D1when the pin28is inserted) of the pin28; the frontage D1is pressed and enlarged when the pin28is inserted; however, the pin28is provided so as not to come off from the male side fitting portion36in the opposite direction of the inserting direction once the pin28is inserted into the male side fitting portion36.

Furthermore, an engaging portion40, which is locally decreased in diameter so as to be engaged with the narrow portion32, is formed in the male side fitting portion36of the cap pin26; and consequently, the pin28is not easily come off from the cap pin26in the direction of the pin axis X1. Further, in a fitted state, an inner circumferential shape of the male side fitting portion36is set in accordance with an outer circumferential shape of the pin28so as to remain a minimum slidable gap therebetween; and the cap pin26rotates with respect to the pin28as shown by an arrow R1; and thus, the cap pin26rotates with respect to the clip24as to be described later.

The male side fitting portion36is continued from the lateral insertion portion38and is formed in a long hole shape so that the pin28is relatively moved (slid) with the cap pin26in the same direction as the inserting direction (hereinafter, referred to as a sliding direction, and shown by a sliding axis X2).

The clip24is formed in a substantially tubular shape with a tip portion42being formed in a tapered shape; and an annular shaped flange portion44is formed on the rear end. Furthermore, an intermediate portion46of the clip24is larger in diameter than a hole diameter of the round hole16. When the clip24is inserted (press-fitted) to the round hole16from the tip portion42side until the flange portion44comes into contact with the panel12, the clip24is fixed in a fitted state to the round hole16so that the intermediate portion46is sandwiched by an inner surface of the round hole16.

The center of the clip24is a female side fitting portion48to which the cap pin26is inserted and fitted.

Also as shown inFIG. 4, a tip portion52of the cap pin26is formed in a tapered shape; and a pair of guide ribs50are formed on an outer circumference thereof. As shown inFIG. 8in detail, the guide rib50is formed so as to partially protrude outward in a radial direction at a slightly circumferentially offset position from a sliding orthogonal axis X3that is perpendicular to the sliding axis X2. By forming such guide ribs50, as shown inFIG. 8A, the tip of the guide rib50comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the female side fitting portion48when the cap pin26is inserted to the female side fitting portion48of the clip24in an arrow S1direction (seeFIG. 2); and consequently, the cap pin26receives a circumferential direction (arrow S2direction) force. Then, by this force, as shown inFIG. 8B, the cap pin26is relatively moved (or rotated) with respect to the clip24.

Next, a method of mounting the lamp unit18to the panel12and an operation of the mounting structure22will be described by using the mounting structure22of the exemplary embodiment.

In order to mount the lamp unit18to the panel12, the clip24is first fitted and fixed to the round hole16.

In the cap pin26, the pin28is inserted and fitted to the male side fitting portion36by pressing and enlarging the lateral insertion portion38from the lateral direction with respect to the pin axis X1. In the fitted state, the cap pin26is slidable in the sliding direction (arrow X2direction) with respect to the pin28, and is pivotable centered on the pin axis X1of the pin28. In addition, the frontage D1of the lateral insertion portion38is smaller than the diameter D2; and therefore, the cap pin26does not come off without discretion in the sliding axis direction. Furthermore, since the narrow portion32of the pin28engages with the engaging portion40of the cap pin26, the cap pin26does not also come off without discretion in the pin axis direction.

In this state, the bolt of the lamp unit18is inserted to the reference hole14and the pin28is inserted to the clip24at the same time, respectively; the pin28is fitted to the clip24; and the lamp unit18is temporarily fixed to the panel12. If required, bolts are further inserted to the sub-reference holes (not shown in the drawing). In addition, in the configuration in which the side surfaces of the lamp unit are used as the sub-reference, the side surfaces serving as the sub-reference are brought into contact with the sub-reference surfaces of the panel12side. In this case, for example, in a configuration in which the cap pin26is not rotatable and is not slidable with respect to the pin28, when a slight deviation Z1(seeFIG. 2) is generated between the pin axis X1of the pin28and the central axis X4of the clip24, the cap pin26may not be completely inserted to the female side fitting portion48of the clip24. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 6A to 6C, in the case where a direction of the deviation between the central axes X1and X4conforms to the sliding direction of the cap pin26, the centers are conformed by the sliding of the cap pin26; and therefore, the cap pin26may be slidable to the clip24.

Furthermore, even in the case where the direction of the deviation between the central axes X1and X4does not conform to the sliding direction of the cap pin26, the tip portion52of the cap pin26comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the female side fitting portion48in a state where the cap pin26is on the way of being inserted into the clip24, and the cap pin26is rotated and slid by its reaction force; accordingly, the central axis X5of the cap pin26may be conformed to the central axis X4of the clip24; and therefore, the cap pin26may be inserted to the clip24. That is, as shown inFIG. 7A, even in the case where a direction of a deviation between the central axis X1of the pin28and the central axis X4of the clip24does not conform, the cap pin26is rotated around the central axis X1of the pin28and slid, as shown inFIG. 7B. Then, the central axis X5of the cap pin26may be conformed to the central axis X4of the clip24, as shown inFIG. 7C.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 8A, in the case where the direction of the deviation between the central axes X1and X4is perpendicular to the sliding direction (arrow X2direction) and their central axes X1and X4are positioned on the sliding orthogonal axis X3perpendicular to the sliding direction, the above mentioned reaction force that is exerted when the cap pin26is inserted does not have a component which rotates the cap pin26. However, in this case, the guide ribs50come into contact with the inner circumference of the female side fitting portion48of the clip24, and the cap pin26is rotated in the arrow S2direction, as shown inFIG. 8B. Since this enables the cap pin26to be rotatable and slidable; then, the central axis X5of the cap pin26conforms to the central axis X4of the clip24by the rotation and slide, and the cap pin26may be inserted and fitted to the female side fitting portion48of the clip24. In doing so, the cap pin26is fitted and fixed to the clip24, and the bolt inserted to the reference hole14is similarly screwed by the nut (not shown in the drawing), and the lamp unit18is mounted to the panel12. As described above, a part of the structure which is for mounting and fixing the lamp unit18to the panel12is formed in a structure in which the cap pin26is merely inserted to the clip24; and accordingly, mounting work may be easily performed even in the case where a work space is narrow.

FIG. 9shows a cap pin76of a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. In a mounting structure72of the second exemplary embodiment, only the cap pin76is different from the first exemplary embodiment; however, except the cap pin76, the mounting structure72has the same configuration. Therefore, in the following, only different points will be described; the same reference numerals are given to those identical to constitutional elements and members in the first exemplary embodiment; and their detail description will be arbitrarily omitted.

The lateral insertion portion38(seeFIG. 1) is not formed in the cap pin76of the second exemplary embodiment, the pin28is inserted and fitted in the pin axis X1direction. One or a plurality (two at positions at a central angle of 180° in the present exemplary embodiment) of slits80are formed in a sidewall78of the cap pin76. As shown inFIG. 10, when the pin28is inserted to the cap pin76, the sidewall78is pressed and enlarged by the tip portion30of the pin28; and accordingly, the sidewall78is elastically deflected in a mutually separating direction. Then, after the pin28is fitted to the cap pin76, as shown inFIG. 11, the sidewall78is elastically restored in shape; and accordingly, the engaging portion40is engaged with the narrow portion32so as not to come off without discretion.

Furthermore, a pair of guide walls82facing toward the inner side are formed on the rear end of the cap pin76. The tips of these guide walls82are formed in parallel; and the pin28is guided by the guide walls82and may be slidable in the direction of the sliding axis X2.

As described above, even the cap pin76having a structure in which the pin28is inserted and fitted in the pin axis direction, the cap pin76is rotatable and slidable with respect to the pin28as in the first exemplary embodiment; and therefore, a deviation between the central axis X1of the pin28and the central axis X4of the clip24may be absorbed by the cap pin76and their axes may be conformed.

In this manner, the direction in which the pin28is inserted and fitted to the cap pin is not particularly limited. In an actual production line, there is also a case where a work space between the panel12and the lamp unit18is limited; and therefore, in view of this, the cap pin configuration of the first exemplary embodiment or the second exemplary embodiment may be applied from the view point of enhancing workability.

Furthermore, in the above mention, there is shown the example in which the clip24is fixed to the panel12of the vehicle body and the pin28is protruded from the lamp unit18; however, even if such a relation is reversed, the invention may be applied.

Further, in the above mention, as the example of the object to be mounted of the invention, there is shown the example of the panel12of the vehicle body and the lamp unit18to be mounted to the panel12; however, the object to be mounted is not also limited to this, but in the case where any two or more members are mounted, the invention may be applied.

Description of Reference Numerals

18Lamp unit (object to be mounted)

36Male side fitting portion

48Female side fitting portion

X4Central axis of clip

X5Central axis of cap pin