阅读说明：本技术 用于汽车车辆面板的附接方法 (Attachment method for automotive vehicle panels ) 是由 J·D·泰勒 M·西莫宁 于 2021-03-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种组装汽车车辆的方法包括：提供具有上表面和下表面的面板。该方法还包括：提供从上表面延伸穿过下表面的孔。该方法附加地包括：在上表面处提供贴片,其中该贴片在上表面处绕孔的外周延伸并且具有与面板不同的材料成分。该方法还包括：将衬垫材料粘附到上表面,其中该衬垫材料叠置在贴片上方并粘附到贴片。(A method of assembling an automotive vehicle comprising: a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface is provided. The method further comprises the following steps: an aperture is provided extending from the upper surface through the lower surface. The method additionally comprises: a patch is provided at the upper surface, wherein the patch extends around a periphery of the aperture at the upper surface and has a different material composition than the panel. The method further comprises the following steps: a backing material is adhered to the upper surface, wherein the backing material overlies and is adhered to the patch.)

1. A method of assembling an automotive vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface;

providing a hole extending from the upper surface through the lower surface;

providing a patch at the upper surface, the patch extending around a periphery of the aperture at the upper surface and having a different material composition than the panel; and

a backing material is adhered to the upper surface, the backing material overlying and adhered to the patch.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the patch comprises a strip of polyester film.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the gasket material comprises an elastomer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein adhering a gasket material comprises spraying the gasket material onto the upper surface and curing the gasket material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a sheet metal material.

6. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising: providing a template having one or more indicators corresponding to the location of the holes.

7. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising: securing a fastener to the lower surface, the fastener aligned with the aperture.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the fastener is a weld nut.

9. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

removing the backing material and the patch from the aperture; and

securing an accessory member to the aperture.

10. A vehicle, the vehicle comprising:

a panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a hole extending from the upper surface through the lower surface;

a patch disposed on the upper surface, the patch extending around a periphery of the aperture at the upper surface and having a different material composition than the panel; and

a backing material adhered to the upper surface, the backing material overlying and adhered to the patch.

Technical Field

Introduction to the design reside in

The present disclosure relates generally to methods of assembly, and more particularly to methods of assembling accessories to automotive vehicle panels.

Background

Small trucks (pick-up) and utility vehicles are often provided with a rack (bed) or bin for transporting goods. A variety of accessories are available for utilizing cargo space. For example, the shelf dividers can be purchased as after-market items. Other storage and organization items are also commercially available, such as ladder racks and bicycle racks. Further, it may be desirable to secure some items (such as a tool box or generator) to the vehicle. Such accessories must be secured to the vehicle for transportation and are typically secured to the shelf.

Disclosure of Invention

A method of assembling an automotive vehicle according to the present disclosure includes: a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface is provided. The method further comprises the following steps: an aperture is provided extending from the upper surface through the lower surface. The method additionally comprises: a patch is provided at the upper surface, wherein the patch extends around a periphery of the aperture at the upper surface and has a different material composition than the panel. The method further comprises the following steps: a backing material is adhered to the upper surface, wherein the backing material overlies and is adhered to the patch.

In an exemplary embodiment, the patch includes a strip of polyester film. In the method, the gasket material comprises an elastomer.

In an exemplary embodiment, adhering the gasket material includes spraying the gasket material on the upper surface and curing the gasket material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the panel comprises a sheet metal material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method additionally comprises: a template is provided having one or more indicators corresponding to the locations of the holes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method additionally comprises: a fastener is secured to the lower surface with the fastener aligned with the hole. The fastener may be a weld nut.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises: removing the liner material and the patch from the hole; and securing the accessory member to the aperture.

A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a hole extending from the upper surface through the lower surface. The vehicle also includes a patch disposed on the upper surface, wherein the patch extends around a periphery of the aperture at the upper surface and has a different material composition than the panel. The vehicle also includes a padding material adhered to the upper surface, wherein the padding material overlies and is adhered to the patch.

In an exemplary embodiment, the patch has a second aperture and the backing material has a third aperture extending therethrough, wherein the third aperture and the second aperture are aligned with the aperture. In such an embodiment, the vehicle further comprises: an accessory disposed proximate to the panel; and a fastener coupling the accessory to the panel via the aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture.

In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle further includes a fastener secured to the lower surface, the fastener aligned with the hole. The fastener may be a weld nut.

Scheme 1. a method of assembling an automotive vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface;

providing a hole extending from the upper surface through the lower surface;

providing a patch at the upper surface, the patch extending around a periphery of the aperture at the upper surface and having a different material composition than the panel; and

a backing material is adhered to the upper surface, the backing material overlying and adhered to the patch.

Scheme 2. the method of scheme 1, wherein the patch comprises a strip of polyester film.

Scheme 3. the method of scheme 1, wherein the gasket material comprises an elastomer.

Scheme 4. the method of scheme 1, wherein adhering a gasket material comprises spraying the gasket material onto the upper surface and curing the gasket material.

Scheme 5. the method of scheme 1, wherein the face sheet comprises a sheet metal material.

Scheme 6. the method of scheme 1, further comprising: providing a template having one or more indicators corresponding to the location of the holes.

Scheme 7. the method of scheme 1, further comprising: securing a fastener to the lower surface, the fastener aligned with the aperture.

Scheme 8. the method of scheme 7, wherein the fastener is a weld nut.

Scheme 9. the method of scheme 1, further comprising:

removing the backing material and the patch from the aperture; and

securing an accessory member to the aperture.

An arrangement 10. a vehicle, comprising:

a panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a hole extending from the upper surface through the lower surface;

a patch disposed on the upper surface, the patch extending around a periphery of the aperture at the upper surface and having a different material composition than the panel; and

a backing material adhered to the upper surface, the backing material overlying and adhered to the patch.

The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the patch has a second aperture and the backing material has a third aperture extending therethrough, the third and second apertures being aligned with the aperture, the vehicle further comprising: an accessory disposed proximate to the panel; and a fastener coupling the accessory to the panel via the aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture.

The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a fastener secured to the lower surface, the fastener aligned with the hole.

The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the fastener is a weld nut.

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a number of advantages. For example, the present disclosure provides a method of assembly in which accessory attachment points can be provided on a panel while meeting various aesthetic and performance requirements.

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

Drawings

The disclosed examples will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an automotive vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart representation of an assembly method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are schematic representations of an assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combination of features illustrated provides a representative embodiment for a typical application. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Certain terminology may be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and is therefore not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as "above" and "below" refer to directions referenced in the drawings. Terms such as "front," "rear," "left," "right," "rear," and "side" describe the orientation and/or position of portions of a component or element within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference as made clear by reference to the text and associated drawings describing the component or element in question. Moreover, terms such as "first," "second," "third," and the like may be used to describe individual components. Such terms may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a vehicle assembly 10 is shown. The vehicle assembly 10 includes an automotive vehicle 12 having a cargo compartment 14 for transporting cargo, which may alternatively be referred to as a rack or rear bay (tonneau). The cargo compartment 14 is defined by a plurality of side walls 16 and a floor panel 18. An enclosure (not shown in fig. 1) may be pivotally coupled to the cargo compartment 14 to selectively provide access to the cargo compartment 14 from outside the vehicle 12. An accessory 20 is disposed in the cargo compartment 14 and secured to the floor panel 18, as will be described in further detail below with respect to fig. 2 and 3.

Conventionally, a cargo area in a vehicle includes a sheet metal base upon which a cushioning material is disposed. However, such arrangements present various challenges with respect to attachment of the accessory. If a consumer drills holes through the gasket material and the sheet metal to secure the accessories, the consumer may adversely affect the corrosion resistance of the sheet metal. Alternatively, the manufacturer may provide pre-drilled holes through the liner and sheet metal (to which the accessories may be secured). However, such holes may adversely affect the aesthetic qualities of the vehicle if not required, and may additionally permit the ingress of debris.

Referring now to fig. 2 and 3, an assembly according to the present disclosure is schematically illustrated. Although the assembly will be described with respect to the floor panel 18, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the assembly may be performed with any suitable panel, such as one of the side walls 16, other panels of the vehicle 12, or indeed with a non-automotive panel.

Assembly of the floor panel 18 begins by providing a panel having a hole therethrough, as illustrated at block 100. As can be seen in fig. 3a, the panel 22 is a generally planar body having an aperture 24 extending through the entire panel 22. Although only one aperture 24 is depicted in fig. 3a, in various embodiments, a plurality of apertures 24 may be provided. In the exemplary embodiment, panel 22 includes a sheet metal material, such as steel, having a thickness between 0.75 and 0.85 inches. However, in other embodiments, the panel 22 may comprise other metallic or non-metallic materials. The holes 24 may be provided via stamping, punching or any other suitable method of providing holes in the panel 22. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 3a, the first fastener 26 is coupled to a lower surface of the panel 22. Such an embodiment may be advantageous when the aperture 24 is disposed in a position where access to the lower surface of the panel 22 is to be inhibited. The first fastener 26 may be a nut welded to the lower surface of the panel 22, or any other suitable fastener attached to the lower surface of the panel 22. However, in other embodiments, the first fastener 26 may be provided at a later assembly step, as will be discussed in further detail below.

A patch is provided over the aperture, as illustrated at block 102. As can be seen in fig. 3b, patch 28 is coupled to panel 22, for example via an adhesive, and extends around the periphery of aperture 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the patches 28 comprise strips of polyester film (e.g., Mylar @) or other film having an adhesive lower surface. In other embodiments, patch 28 may be formed of any suitable material to which the backing material discussed below is capable of adhering.

A backing material is then applied over the patch and panel, as illustrated at block 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the gasket material includes a polymer, for example, an elastomer (such as polyurea). The liner material may be applied by any suitable means, for example, as a sprayable or roll-on material that may be subsequently cured. As can be seen in fig. 3c, the backing material 30 extends across the upper surface of the panel 22 and the patches 28. In an exemplary embodiment, the backing material 30 has a thickness between 3 and 4 mils. The backing material 30 may optionally be locally thickened, for example, to between 4 and 6 mils, adjacent the patch 28. In embodiments in which the backing material 30 is applied via spraying, the additional backing material 30 may be applied by slowing the movement of the sprayer about the patch 28 to achieve local thickening.

As can be seen in fig. 3c, after the application of the underlayment material 30, the floor panel 18 has a continuous upper surface with no visible holes. However, the lower panel 22 is provided with holes 24 for subsequent attachment of accessories.

When a consumer or retailer desires to install an accessory via fastening to the floor panel 18, the padding material 30 and the patch 28 are removed over the aperture 24, as illustrated at block 106. This may be performed via punching, drilling, cutting or any other suitable method. To facilitate removal of the gasket material 30 at the appropriate location, a template may be provided that indicates the location of the hole(s) 24 beneath the gasket material 30. Alternatively, the gasket material 30 itself may be provided with guide markings (such as indentations or other indicators) to signal the location of the hole(s) 24.

The accessory 20 is then positioned in the desired location proximate the aperture 24, as illustrated at block 108. The accessory is then secured to the panel 18 via the aperture 24, as illustrated at block 110 and in fig. 3 d. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 3d, a second fastener 32 (e.g., a bolt) is inserted through the hole 24 into a hole in the accessory 20 and coupled to the first fastener 26. In other embodiments (e.g., embodiments with easy access to the underside of the panel 22), the first fastener 26 may be provided separately rather than welded to the panel 22. Alternatively, in some embodiments, other fastener configurations may be used, such as screws, nails, clips, or other fasteners.

As can be seen, the present disclosure provides a method of assembly in which accessory attachment points can be provided on a panel while meeting various aesthetic and performance requirements.

As previously described, features of the various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the particular application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, and the like. Thus, embodiments described as less desirable with respect to one or more characteristics than other embodiments or prior art implementations are not outside the scope of the present disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.