Structure for positioning a trim component on a vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsIrfan Sharif, Joseph A. Hickey, Michael Williams, Flondezi Godette, Michael Jon Gutowski, Robert T. Babcock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A component positioning device including at least one resilient structure that centers the component. For example, a spring that acts between a grille and a grille opening to center the grille within a grille opening. The spring generating a reaction force sufficient to self-adjust the grille within the grille opening wherein opposing springs are deployed on either side of the grill with the springs exerting a force on and moving the grill until the force exerted by the opposing springs reaches equilibrium.
Claims22
A component positioning device comprising:
- a first resilient structure;
- a second resilient structure;
- a first reaction surface, said first resilient structure engages said first reaction surface and exerts a first resilient structure force on said first reaction surface, said first resilient structure force operative to move said first resilient structure and said first reaction surface relative to one another;
- a second reaction surface, said second resilient structure engages said second reaction surface and exerts a second resilient structure force on said second reaction surface, said second resilient structure force operative to move said second resilient structure and said second reaction surface relative to one another;
- and
- movement between the first resilient structure and first reaction surface and second resilient structure and second reaction surface continuing until said first resilient structure force and said second resilient structure force reach equilibrium.
An assembly comprising:
- an automotive vehicle having a grille opening;
- a grille, having first and second opposite sidewalls, a first resilient structure, including a first cantilever member, located on said first sidewall and a second resilient structure, including a second cantilever member, located on said second sidewall;
- said first cantilever member having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end connected to said first sidewall and a distal end, said first cantilever member including an engagement surface;
- said second cantilever member having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end connected to said second sidewall and a distal end, said second cantilever member including an engagement surface;
- wherein a load acting on said engagement surface of said first cantilever member causes said distal end of said first cantilever member to move inwardly toward said first sidewall;
- and
- wherein a load acting on said engagement surface of said second cantilever member causes said distal end of said second cantilever member to move inwardly toward said second sidewall.
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(canceled)
A method of positioning a vehicle grille comprising the steps of:
- providing a vehicle body having a grille opening;
- placing a grille in the grille opening;
- providing a first resilient structure and a second resilient structure between the grille and the vehicle body;
- and
- using the first resilient structure and the second resilient structure to exert a force between the vehicle body in the grille, wherein the force centers the grille equidistantly from said vehicle body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.