Patent ID: 8827588

Claim:
A fastening structure, comprising: a metal component comprising a flange having a hole disposed therein, the flange projecting from the metal component; a resin component comprising a coupling portion with an elongated hole formed therein, the coupling portion projecting from the resin component and being disposed in alignment with the flange; and a combined member comprising a fastening member and an elastic member, wherein the fastening member comprises: a fastening bolt having a head, a square neck extending from the head, and a shank, wherein a washer is secured between the neck and shank; and a nut configured to be screwed onto the shank of the fastening bolt; and wherein the elastic member comprises a plate spring folded to form a seat having a top surface configured to engage a lower surface of the washer and a bottom surface configured to engage the flange with a first U-shaped slot formed therein, the first U-shaped slot being shaped and configured to engage the shank of the fastening bolt; and a resilient pressing part attached to the seat and having a second U-shaped slot formed therein, the second U-shaped slot being shaped and configured to engage the square neck of the fastening bolt and prevent rotation thereof, wherein the combined member fastens the metal component to the resin component by inserting the shank of the fastening bolt into the hole in the flange and inserting the neck of the fastening bolt through the elongated hole formed in the coupling portion such that the seat is disposed between the flange and the washer and the pressing part is disposed between the coupling portion and the washer and applies a spring clamping force onto the coupling portion to clamp the head of the fastening bolt against the coupling portion, and screwing the nut onto the fastening bolt, and wherein the combined member permits relative displacement of the flange and the coupling portion along a longitudinal direction of the elongated hole, permits relative displacement of the flange and the coupling portion within a predetermined range along an axial direction of the fastening member through elastic deformation of the elastic member, and absorbs displacement of the resin component with respect to the metal component due to thermal expansion and contraction of the resin component.