Compression limiter having a drain
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsGarret Sankey Huff, Niamh Hosking
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle includes a body panel assembly including first and second panels. Each panel defines different materials, and the first and second panels are fastened at a joint using a fastener. A compression limiter is disposed at the joint and configured to reduce stress on the first and second panels due to the fastener. The compression limiter has a first ring to contact the first panel and a second ring to contact the second panel. The first ring defines a drain extending through the first ring to the second ring on an outer periphery of the first ring, and is oriented such that moisture between the first and second panels is wicked through the drain and removed from the panel assembly.
Claims18
A body panel assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- a first body panel composed of a first material;
- a second body panel composed of a second material, different from and joined to the first material;
- and
- a compression limiter configured to reduce joining stress on the first and second panels, and disposed between the first and second panels, the compression limiter having a first ring configured to contact the first panel defining a drain through the compression limiter, and the drain disposed on an outer periphery of the first ring oriented such that moisture is drained from an interface of the first and second panels.
A vehicle comprising:
- a body panel assembly including first and second panels, each panel defining different materials, and the first and second panels being fastened at a joint using a fastener;
- and
- a compression limiter disposed at the joint and configured to reduce stress on the first and second panels due to the fastener, the compression limiter having a first ring to contact the first panel and a second ring to contact the second panel, and the first ring defining a drain extending through the first ring to the second ring on an outer periphery of the first ring, and oriented such that moisture between the first and second panels is wicked through the drain and removed from the panel assembly.
A vehicle body panel assembly compression limiter comprising:
- a first ring to contact a first panel;
- a second ring to contact a second panel, and connected to the first ring by a sleeve, wherein first and second rings are disposed between and reduce stress on the panels;
- and
- a drain having an elliptical shape defined on the first ring to provide a fluid passageway through the sleeve, and oriented to wick moisture from between the panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.