GB2583761A

GB2583761A - Component mount and method of mounting a component

Info

Publication number: GB2583761A
Application number: GB1906608.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Jamieson Philip; Fratucello Lara
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-10
Filing date: 2019-05-10
Publication date: 2020-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-10
Also published as: GB201906608D0; GB2583761B

Abstract

The present invention provides a component mount 100 for securing a component (5, figure 1) to a structure 10 of a vehicle, the mount comprising a body 110, the body comprising: a gripping portion 122, 132 configured to receive the component to be mounted and to grip and retain the component; and a coupling portion, wherein the mount is configured to be at least partially inserted into an aperture (12, figure 3) in the structure of the vehicle; and the coupling portion comprises at least one deformable member 116A,B configured to deform to permit insertion of the mount into the aperture in the structure, and to at least partially return to a non-deformed state and engage with at least one engagement feature of the structure to retain the mount within the aperture when the mount is in an engagement configuration within the aperture. The mount may be formed from a resilient flexible or compressible plastics material. The component may be an electrical module. A method of releasably securing a component to a structure of a vehicle is also described.

Description

COMPONENT MOUNT AND METHOD OF MOUNTING A COMPONENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a mount for mounting a component such as an electrical module to a vehicle, and a method of mounting a component to a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to at least a component mount, vehicle with a component mounted thereto and a method.

BACKGROUND

It is known to mount electrical components of a vehicle such as electrical modules to the body of a motor vehicle by means of a tooled steel mount (which may also be referred to as a bracket). The mount is attached to the body of the motor vehicle (such as to a body panel) by means of mechanical fixings such as screws or bolts. The electrical module is in turn attached to the mount by means of mechanical fixings such as screws. There is a weight and cost penalty associated with the use of such a mount, due at least in part to the cost of the materials from which the mount is made and the labour cost associated with installing the mount in the vehicle and attaching the electrical module. The mechanical fixing elements may also become loose when subject to mechanical vibrations and mechanical stresses to which the body of the vehicle may be subject.

FIG. 1(a) is a 3D view of an internal body panel 10 of a known motor vehicle 1 (FIG. 1(b)). An electrical module 5 (such as a low frequency (LF) antennal module) is secured to the body panel 10 by means of a mount 20 having a substantially U-shaped portion within which the module 5 may be placed. The mount 20 is itself secured to the panel 10 by means of a pair of substantially L-shaped bracket elements 22 comprised by the mount, and which are welded to the substantially U-shaped portion. The mount 20 is secured to the body panel by means of a pair of mechanical fixing elements in the form of bolts 24 that are insertable into holes formed in the panel 10. Only one bolt 24 is shown in FIG. 1, the second being obscured. The electrical module 5 has a lug 5L projecting from one side edge. The lug 5L has a hole formed therethrough to permit the module 5 to be mechanically fixed to the mount 20 by means of a bolt 5B.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more disadvantages associated with

the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a component mount for securing a component to a structure of a vehicle, the vehicle having a component mount and a method of mounting a component to a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a component mount for securing a component to a structure of a vehicle, the mount comprising a body, the body comprising: a gripping portion configured to receive the component to be mounted and to grip and retain the component; and a coupling portion, wherein the mount is configured to be at least partially inserted into an aperture in the structure of the vehicle; and the coupling portion comprises at least one deformable member configured to deform to permit insertion of the mount into the aperture in the structure, and to at least partially return to a non-deformed state and engage with at least one engagement feature of the structure to retain the mount within the aperture when the mount is in an engagement configuration within the aperture.

Embodiments of the present invention have the advantage that the component mount may be secured to the motor vehicle structure without a requirement for additional mechanical or other fixings, such as screws, bolts, adhesive or any other fixing means.

Embodiments of the invention have the further advantage that the component may be held by the component mount also without a requirement for additional mechanical or other fixings, such as screws, bolts, adhesive or any other fixing means.

The component may be an electrical module or any other suitable component such as a cable or portion thereof.

Optionally, a compressive force is exerted on the gripping portion by the structure of the vehicle when the mount is at least partially inserted into the aperture causing the gripping portion to exert a compressive force on the component to grip and retain the component.

Optionally, the gripping portion comprises a pair of jaws configured to cooperate with one another to grip the component when the compressive force is exerted on the gripping portion, the compressive force being exerted when the gripping portion is at least partially inserted into the aperture.

Optionally, the gripping portion may comprise more than two jaws, for example three jaws, five jaws, six jaws or any other suitable number of jaws configured to grip the component.

Optionally, the coupling portion and the gripping portion are integrally formed with the body.

The coupling portion and the gripping portion may be integrally formed with the body by injection moulding, additive manufacturing or by working of a single piece of a starting material.

Other fabrication methods may be useful in some embodiments.

Optionally, each jaw comprises a side wall.

Optionally, the body comprises a tray portion, the tray portion comprising the pair of side walls and a base.

Optionally, the mount comprises at least one aperture to permit drainage of liquid from the mount under gravity and/or circulation of air.

Circulation of air may be helpful in assisting cooling of the mount.

Optionally, the mount comprises a rim portion carried by the body portion, the rim portion being configured to limit an extent to which the mount may be inserted into the aperture in the structure.

Optionally, the rim portion is configured to substantially abut the structure when the mount is in the engagement configuration within the aperture.

Optionally, the rim portion is configured to cooperate with the coupling portion to prevent detachment of the mount from the structure.

It is to be understood that the rim portion may prevent detachment by preventing the mount from passing through the aperture in the direction of insertion of the mount into the aperture.

Similarly, the coupling portion may prevent detachment by preventing the mount from being withdrawn from the aperture against the direction of insertion.

Optionally, the gripping portion is configured to releasably grip and retain the component.

Optionally, the at least one deformable member is configured to releasably engage with the at least one engagement feature of the structure to releasably retain the mount within the aperture when the mount is in the engagement configuration within the aperture.

Optionally, the mount is formed from a resilient flexible plastics material.

Optionally, the mount is formed from a resilient compressible plastics material.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a component assembly comprising a component mount for securing a component to a structure in combination with the component, the component being received by the gripping portion.

In a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the component assembly of another aspect, wherein the mount of the assembly is provided in the engagement configuration within the aperture in the structure of the vehicle.

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of releasably securing a component to a structure of a motor vehicle, comprising: receiving the component by means of a gripping portion of a component mount; and at least partially inserting the component mount into an aperture in the structure of the vehicle whereby the mount assumes an engagement configuration with the aperture, the method comprising inserting the mount into the aperture such that a coupling portion of the mount comprising at least one deformable member deforms to permit insertion of the mount into the aperture, the coupling portion at least partially returning to a non-deformed state and engaging with at least one engagement feature of the structure to retain the mount within the aperture when the mount is in the engagement configuration within the aperture, whereby in the engagement configuration the mount grips and retains the component.

Optionally, the method comprises causing a compressive force to be exerted on the gripping portion by the structure of the vehicle when the mount is at least partially inserted into the aperture, causing the gripping portion to exert a compressive force on the component to grip and retain the component.

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of releasably securing a component to a structure of a motor vehicle, comprising: providing a component mount; introducing the component to a gripping portion of the mount configured to receive the component to be mounted; and introducing a coupling portion of the mount to an aperture on the motor vehicle structure to releasably couple the mount to the structure, whereby the gripping portion cooperates with the coupling portion such that a compressive force exerted on the mount when the coupling portion is introduced to the aperture causes the gripping portion to exert a compressive force on the component to grip and retain the component.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of releasably securing a component to a structure of a motor vehicle, comprising: providing a component mount; introducing the component to a gripping portion of the mount configured to receive the component to be mounted; and introducing a coupling portion of the mount to an aperture to releasably couple the mount to the aperture, whereby the gripping portion cooperates with the coupling portion such that a compressive force exerted on the mount when the coupling portion is introduced to the aperture causes the gripping portion to exert a compressive force on the component to grip and retain the component.

In a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a component mount for securing a component to a structure of a motor vehicle, comprising: a coupling portion configured to releasably couple the mount to a motor vehicle structure defining an aperture in the structure when the coupling portion is introduced to the aperture; and a gripping portion configured to receive the component to be mounted, the gripping portion being configured to exert a compressive force on the component to releasably grip and retain the component.

It is to be understood that the mount may be configured to secure the component to the structure without a requirement for the use of mechanical fixing elements such as screws or bolts.

In a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a component mount for securing a component to a structure of a motor vehicle, the mount comprising a body, the body comprising: a gripping portion configured to receive the component to be mounted and to releasably grip and retain the component; and a coupling portion for releasably coupling the mount to the motor vehicle structure, wherein the gripping portion is configured to be inserted into an aperture in the structure of the motor vehicle, wherein a compressive force exerted on the gripping portion when the gripping portion is inserted into the aperture causes the gripping portion to exert a compressive force on the component to grip and retain the component.

In a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of releasably securing a component to a structure of a motor vehicle, comprising: providing a component mount; introducing the component to a gripping portion of the mount configured to receive the component to be mounted; inserting the gripping portion into an aperture in the structure of the motor vehicle, whereby a compressive force is exerted on the gripping portion when the gripping portion is inserted into the aperture to cause the gripping portion to exert a compressive force on the component to grip and retain the component; and releasably coupling the mount to the motor vehicle structure by means of a coupling portion.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 (a) is a schematic illustration of an electrical module coupled to a motor vehicle panel by means of known module mount and (b) a schematic illustration of the motor vehicle in which the motor vehicle panel is provided; FIGURE 2 is a 3D schematic illustration of a mount according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a 3D schematic illustration of the mount of FIG. 2 installed in an aperture in a motor vehicle panel; FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mount of FIG. 2 along line A-A; FIGURE 5 is a 3D schematic illustration of a mount according to a further embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 6 is a 3D schematic illustration of the mount of the embodiment of the FIG. 5 in an upturned condition; FIGURE 7 is a 3D schematic illustration of a mount according to a further embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 8 shows (a) a cross-sectional view of the mount of FIG. 7 along line A-A, (b) a plan view of the mount of FIG. 7 before installation and (c) a plan view of the mount of FIG. 7 after installation; FIGURE 9 is a flow diagram describing attachment of an electrical module to a motor vehicle panel by means of the mount of the embodiment of FIG. 2 and subsequent removal of the module from the panel; and FIGURE 10 is a flow diagram describing (a) attachment of an electrical module to a motor vehicle structure such as a panel by means of the mount of the embodiment of FIG. 2 and (b) subsequent detachment of the module from the structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A component mount 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the component mount 100, which is configured to secure a component such as the electrical module 5 of FIG. 1 to a portion of a structure of a motor vehicle 1 such as a body panel 10. FIG. 3 shows the mount 100 of FIG. 2 coupled to a body panel 10 of the motor vehicle 1 of FIG. 1(b).

The mount 100 is in the form of a unitary piece of injection moulded plastics material. In the present embodiment the plastics material is expanded polypropylene (EPP) although other materials may be useful in alternative embodiments, particularly resiliently flexible plastics materials. The mount 100 may be considered to be in the form of a substantially race-track shaped tray although other shapes may be useful in alternative embodiments. The mount 100 has a body portion 110 having a pair of opposed longitudinal external side walls 112 (having respective inner surfaces 1128 that face one another) and opposed semi-cylindrical end walls 112E. The body portion 110 is open at opposed curved end walls 112E to allow access to an internal cavity 100C, defined by the mount 100, for an electrical conduit or the like. The external shape and size of the body portion 110 corresponds to the size and shape of an aperture 12 formed in the body panel 10 of the vehicle 1 to which it is desired to attach the mount 100.

In addition to the body portion 110, the mount 100 has a discontinuous rim provided by two discrete rim portions 122, 132 each of which is continuous with a respective side wall 112 of the body portion 110. The rim portions 122, 132 are discontinuous at the opposed end walls 112E in order to provide the access as described above. Each of the rims 122, 132 projects laterally in a direction away from the other rim 132, 122. A portion of the rim 122 adjoining one side wall 112 has a laterally extended tab portion 124 spanning a mid-point of the rim 122 and projecting laterally away from the opposite rim 132 by a greater amount than the remaining portion of that rim 122, whilst the portion of the rim 132 on the opposite side wall has a cut-out portion 134 spanning the mid-point of that rim 132 and extending a lesser amount from the side wall 112 than the remainder of the rim 132. The purpose of the tab portion 124 and the cut-out portion 134 is to assist a user in gripping the mount 100 by means, respectively, of (say) a thumb (e.g. on the tab portion 124) and fingers (in the cut-out portion 134) and applying a pinching or squeezing pressure to the mount 100 to squeeze the opposing rims 122, 132 and therefore opposing side walls 112 towards one another. This enables a user to conveniently remove or decouple the mount 100 from the body panel 10 as will be described further below.

The opposed side walls 112 are each provided with a pair of latch elements 116A, 1168 on the exterior surface thereof that project laterally outwardly from the side walls 112 away from the side walls 112 and which are located directly below the respective rim portion 122, 132. The latch elements 116A, 116B are located below an underside of the rim portions 122, 132 a sufficient distance such that, when the mount 100 is introduced into an aperture 12 formed in a body panel 10 (see FIG. 3) and placed with the rim portions 122, 132 abutting the panel 10 around the aperture 12, the latches 116A, 116B are located on and are in contact with an opposite side of the panel 10 to the rim portions 122, 132, facing their respective rim portion 122, 132. The latches 116A, 1168 thus serve to resist withdrawal of the mount 100 from the aperture 112 due to interference with the body panel 10.

It is to be understood that, as the user introduces the body portion 110 of the mount 100 further and further into an aperture 12, the side walls 112 (which have a slight inward taper from the upper edges adjacent the rim portions 122, 132 to a base 1108 of the body portion 110) flex progressively inwardly, towards one another, and insertion/withdrawal of the mount 100 is increasingly resisted. As the latches 116A, 116B encounter the aperture 12, the latches 116A, 1168 may deform (by compression) as they pass through the aperture 12 before expanding again due to their foamed structure.

In use, with an electrical module 5 placed in the internal cavity 100C of the mount 100, an upper edge of the module 5 is located below a level of the rims 124, 134. As the mount 100 is inserted progressively further and further into the aperture 12 in the body panel 10 the side walls 112 and rims 124, 134 are squeezed together, as noted above, and grip the module 5 more and more firmly. Compression of the foamed material of the mount 100 may also occur as the module 5 is gripped by the mount 100. The side walls 112 may be considered to be a gripping portion that grips the module 5. The pair of side walls 112 may be considered to be a pair or jaws or jaw elements that cooperate to grip and retain a module 5.

Once the latches 116A, 116B have passed through the aperture 12, the latches 116A, 116B move and expand laterally to secure the mount 100 in the aperture 12 in a 'snap-fit action, albeit the latches 116A, 116B may expand relatively slowly following compression once they have passed through the aperture 12. The latches 116A, 116B may be considered to be coupling portions of the mount 100 since they assist in coupling the mount 100 to the panel, causing the mount 100 to be retained in the aperture 12.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the module of FIG. 2 along line A-A of FIG. 2. The location of an electrical module 5 is shown in-situ in dotted outline. As shown in FIG. 4, the rims 112, 114 also have respective lip portions 122L, 132L that project laterally inwardly toward one another. The lip portions 122L, 132L are sized so as to allow an electrical module 5 to be inserted into the internal cavity 100C of the mount 100 before the mount 100 is introduced to an aperture 12. In some embodiments, depending on the size of the module 5 outward flexing of the side walls 112 (and therefore rims 122, 132) may be necessary to allow the module 5 to be inserted into the cavity 100C.

As the mount 100 is introduced into the aperture 12 and the sidewalls 112 become squeezed toward one another by the aperture 12 to grip the module 5, the lip portions 122L, 132L also move towards one another and overlie a portion of an upper surface of the module 5 when the mount 100 is latched securely within the aperture 12. A combination of a gripping action of the side walls 112 of the mount 100 and the presence of the overlying lip portions 122L, 132L prevents the module 5 from detaching from the mount 100 and therefore the panel 10 even if the mount 100 is inserted into an aperture 12 in the underside of a panel 10 so that the cavity 100C faces substantially downwardly. It is to be understood that in the present embodiment the lip portions 122L, 132L are arranged to be in line contact with the module 5, i.e. in contact with the module 5 along a line of contact rather than a single discrete point of contact, thus enhancing grip of the module 5 by the mount 100 and reducing the risk of damage to the module 5 by application of force at a single point of contact. The mount 100 may be in contact with the module 5 along an edge of the module along substantially the whole of the edge. The mount 100 in combination with an electrical module 5 gripped by the mount 100 may be referred to as a component assembly 180.

Removal of the mount 100 may be effected by pinching together the rims 122, 132 of the mount 100 as described above and then urging the mount 100 from the panel 10. It is to be understood that some deformation of the latch elements 116A, 116B may take place as they are withdrawn from the aperture 12. However, the composition of the EPP material and dimensions of the module 100 are such that the EPP forming the latch elements 116A, 116B expands following any compression during withdrawal and resumes substantially its original shape.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 a channel portion 132R is provided in one of the rims 132 to allow the securing of a cable, wiring harness or line such as a fluid line (gas or liquid) to the mount 100. The channel portion 132R is open in an upper region thereof as may be seen in FIG. 2. A sidewall of the channel portion 132R is arranged to wrap around a cable or other member placed therein by in excess of 180 degrees of a circle of revolution around the cable or other member over at least a portion of a length of the channel portion 132R. This is so as to allow for retention of the cable or other member. It is to be understood that reversible deformation of the material from which the mount 100 is made may occur when introducing the cable or other member into the channel portion 132R. The channel portion 132R of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is arranged to close around the cable or other member lying in the channel portion 132R in a pinching action as the mount 100 is introduced into an aperture 12 in a body panel 10 so as to retain the cable or other member in the channel portion 132R more securely. In some embodiments the cable or other member may be substantially surrounded by material of the mount 100 with the mount 100 in an installed condition (FIG. 3). In alternative embodiments the channel portion 132R of the mount 100 does not fully close around the cable or other member, to fully surround the cable or other member over 360 degrees of a circle of revolution, but remains an open channel portion 132R along substantially the whole of its length.

FIG. 5 is a 3D view of a module 200 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Like features of the module 200 of the embodiment of FIG. 5 to those of the module 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 are shown with like reference signs incremented by 100.

As may be seen from the 3D view of FIG. 5 and the 3D view of FIG. 6 (in which the module 100 is shown upturned), cut-out portions 212C are provided at opposite ends of side walls 212, separating the side walls 212 from end walls 212E. The cut-out portions 212C enhance flexure of the side walls 212, permitting greater movement and reducing the force required to cause a given amount of flexure.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6 a single, substantially continuous latch element 216 is provided along one side wall 212 (as shown in FIG. 5 & 6) whilst two discrete latches are provided along the other (as shown in FIG. 5). In the embodiment shown, the amount by which the latch elements 216 protrudes outwardly from the one side wall is less than that of the discrete latch elements 116A, 116B on the other side wall 212. Other arrangements may be useful in some alternative embodiments.

The mount 200 of the embodiment of FIG. 5 is also provided with apertures 210BA in the base 210B to permit air cooling of a module 5 installed in the mount 200. The presence of the apertures 210BA also reduces the amount of EPP required to produce the mount 100, thereby reducing cost and weight.

FIG. 7 is a 3D view of a component mount 300 according to a further embodiment of the invention. Like features of the mount 300 of the embodiment of FIG. 7 to those of the mount of the embodiment of FIG. 2 are shown with like references signs incremented by 200.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 2 at least in part by the provision of a module retention lip 312L on the interior face of each sidewall 312 below rim portions 322, 332 instead of a lip 122L, 132L as an extension of the rim portions 322, 332. The positioning of the lips 312L on the sidewalls 312, below the rim portions 322, 332 permits the module 5 to be located lower down in the body portion 310 mount 300, although in this case for a given size of module 5 the body portion 310 must be made deeper in order to accommodate the module 5. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the rim portions 322, 332 are of substantially equal lateral width, in contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 2 where a tab portion 124 and cut-out (recessed) portion 134 are provided on respective opposed rim portions 122, 132.

FIG. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the mount 300 of the embodiment of FIG. 7 as viewed along line A-A. FIG. 8(b) is a plan view of the mount 300 in an as-delivered condition with a module 5 provided in the mount 300 and before a process of insertion of the mount 300 into an aperture 12 in a motor vehicle panel 10. As may be seen in FIG. 8(b), the side walls 312 of the mount 300 are arranged to taper outwardly upwardly from the base 310B at a steeper angle than end portions 312E such that the rim portions 322, 323 of the respective side walls are discontinuous with corresponding rim portions 322ER of the end portions 322E prior to the mount 300 being installed in an aperture 12. However, when the mount 300 is fully inserted into a corresponding aperture 12 and the latch elements 316 have passed through the aperture 12 and are fulfilling their retaining function, as illustrated in FIG. 8(a), the mount 300 is arranged such that the side walls 312 are deflected laterally inwardly towards one another sufficiently to cause the rim portions 322, 323 of the respective side walls 312 to align with the corresponding rim portions 322ER of the end portions 322E as shown in FIG. 8(c). The alignment of the rim portions provides a helpful indication of correct installation of the mount 300 to a motor vehicle panel 10. Thus, the design of the mount 300 provides for automatic confirmation of correct installation of the mount 300 to a panel 10.

It is to be understood that the mounts 100, 200, 300 are formed from a relatively simple core and cavity expanded polypropylene (EPP) material, the mounts being arranged to close securely around an electrical module 5. The mounts have features (latches 116A, 11613, 216A, 21613, 216, 316) on an outside surface thereof that retain the mount within an automotive body aperture 12. As noted above, other materials may be useful for mount production. Furthermore, in some embodiments the mounts may be made by assembly of a plurality of components rather than as a single integral component in which each portion is integrally formed with the others in a single injection moulding (or other moulding) operation.

In an embodiment, the mounts 100, 200, 300 are formed from a splash mould tool (15-20mm wall thickness) which has been machined to provide the 'A' surface condition desired. The method may include the step of "crack-filling" the core and cavity of the mould tool by 'cracking open' the tool and filling the cavity of the tool with polypropylene (PP) beads. Steam is then passed through the beads to cause expansion of the beads. Finally the "crack" in the tool is closed (causing final compression of the beads). The process may take around 1-2 minutes depending on the size and complexity of the mould tool. It is to be understood that live hinges and undercuts (which typically require sliders in injection moulding) may take slightly longer to form. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention provide a mount 100, 200, 300 that is shaped to permit removal from the mould tool without a requirement to employ sliders in the injection moulding process.

It is to be understood that, during vehicle assembly, an electrical module 5 may be placed within the mount 100, 200, 300 (which may also be referred to as a 'carrier') prior to fitting to the vehicle 1. The electrical module mount 100, 200, 300 enables a line operator to place the electrical module 5 within the mount 100, 200, 300 (in-situ on the production line or prior to be being delivered to the production line), locate the mount 100, 200, 300 in an aperture 12 and push it, with minimal force, into the aperture 12. The mount 100, 200, 300 is thus self-securing and self-locating. The use of a mount 100, 200, 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention reduces the time required in production to fit the module 5 to the vehicle 1. If the electrical module 5 was secured by a bracket such as in the arrangement of FIG. 1(a), the assembly process would require specific tooling and fasteners (fastening elements) to be used. The mount 100, 200, 300 described herein does not require any separate fasteners to be provided in order to fit the mount 100, 200, 300 (and the module 5) to the vehicle 1.

With reference to the mount 100 of FIG. 2, as noted above the mount 100 has open ends 112E which facilitate electrical harness management and ease of connection to the mount 100. It is to be understood that in some motor vehicle production methodologies there is a general assembly requirement that defines a minimum distance that an electrical harness must be managed over to keep it in its desired location and ensure its alignment for connection to modules and components. This is usually done with zip ties and fasteners. A mount according to the present invention provides an opportunity for harness retention features to be moulded into the mount and offer both reduced part count reduction and reduced assembly complexity. In contrast, conventional brackets for mounting electrical modules 5 provide no cable securing functionality and therefore additional provision must be made for cable management.

As described above, removal of the mount 100 (and mounts 200, 300) is ameliorated by a simple squeeze-release solution enabled at least in part by the inherent compression qualities associated with the EPP material. This allows for servicing of the module if required during the life time of the vehicle as well as end of life disassembly of the vehicle 1 in a convenient manner.

It is to be understood that the mounts 100, 200, 300 of the embodiments of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 enable installation of a component such as an electrical module 5 in a two-step process described in the flow diagram of FIG. 9. The installation process is described by reference to the mount 100 of FIG. 2 but it is to be understood that the description applies equally to the mounts 200, 300 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7.

At step S101 the module 5 is inserted into the cavity 110C in the mount 100, during which step respective lips 122L, 132L or rims 122, 132 move laterally outwardly to permit insertion of the module 5. Following insertion, the lips 122L, 132L move laterally inwardly again to at least partially cover a top surface of the module 5, preventing the module 5 from falling out if the mount 100 is inverted. In some alternative embodiments the lips 122L, 132L may not overlie the module 5 until the mount 100 has been at least partially inserted into an aperture 12 in a panel 10.

At step S103 the mount 100 is gradually inserted into the aperture 12 in a motor vehicle panel 10. As the mount 100 is inserted, sidewalls 12 are urged together, gripping the module 5 and preventing movement of the module 5 within the cavity 100C.

At step S105 the mount 100 is fully inserted into the aperture 12, at which point a snap-fit is achieved, in which latches 116A, 1168 now sit on an opposite side of the panel 10 to the rims 122, 132 of the mount 100, retaining the mount 100 within the aperture even if the panel 10 is inverted, i.e. placed in a condition with the cavity 100C facing substantially vertically downwardly with base 1108 above the module 5 and rims 112, 132.

The mount 100 may subsequently be removed by gripping the rims 122,132 and squeezing them together (step S107) followed by withdrawal of the mount 100 by pulling (step S109). Once the mount 100 has been removed from the aperture 12, then at step S111 the module 5 may be removed from the cavity 100C of the mount 100 by pulling from mount 100.

The mount 100 may provide a haptic response when properly inserted into an aperture 12 by providing at least one of an audible sound such as a 'click' when the latches 116A, 116B flex outwardly following passing through the aperture 12. A vibratory response to the outward flexing of the latches 116A, 116B may be felt by a user in some embodiments, following pushing of a mount 100 fully into an aperture 12.

It is to be understood that, if an operator fails properly to install a mount 100 in a panel 10, a quality control operative may be able readily to rectify the oversight without requiring access to tooling such as a wrench or screwdriver, by manually completing the task of mount insertion 100, for example by pushing the mount 100 into the aperture to complete the installation.

The mounts 100, 200 may also be described as enjoying a 'press fit' to the motor vehicle panel by insertion into the aperture 12.

FIG. 10 (a) illustrates a method of releasably securing a component 5 to the structure 10 of the vehicle 1 of FIG. 1(b), such as to a body panel 10, by means of the component mount 100 of FIG. 2.

At step S201 the component 5 is received by the gripping portion 112, 112B of the component mount 100.

At step S203 the component mount 100 is at least partially inserted into an aperture 12 in the structure 10 of the vehicle 1.

At step S205, as the mount 100 is inserted into the aperture 12 a coupling portion 116A, 116B of the mount 100 comprising at least one deformable member deforms to permit insertion of the mount 100 into the aperture 12.

At step S207, the coupling portion 116A, 116B is allowed to at least partially return to a non-deformed state and engage with at least one engagement feature of the structure 10 to retain the mount 100 within the aperture 12 when the mount 100 is in an engagement configuration within the aperture 12, whereby in the engagement configuration the mount 100 grips and retains the component 5. The mount 100 is shown in the engagement condition, gripping and retaining the component 5, in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10(b) illustrates a method of releasing the component 5 from the structure 10 of the vehicle 1.

At step S301 the coupling portion 116A, 1168 is deformed, for example by manual pinching of the module 100, to permit removal of the mount 100 from the aperture 12.

At step S303 the mount 100 is withdrawn from the aperture 12.

At step S305 the component 5 is released from the component mount 100.

It is to be understood that the precise size and shape of the mount 100, 200, 300 may be determined relatively late in the process of design of a vehicle 1 in order to ensure that packaging constraints are met. A motor vehicle designer may for example package protect for a given minimum mount size, and finalise the size and shape of the mount 100, 200, 300 (and therefore of a corresponding mould tool if the mount is to be made by moulding, for example by injection moulding).

Embodiments of the present invention also permit the accommodation of modules 5 of different sizes. Size variations may be accommodated, for example, by forming the cavity 100C of a given mount 100, 200, 300 to be of a size corresponding to the particular module 5 to be accommodated. In some embodiments one or more spacer or 'packing' elements may be employed, for example one or more pieces of material formed from the same or a different material, to fill space between the module 5 and one or both side walls 112, 212, 312 and/or end portions 112E, 212E, 312E of the mount 100, 200, 300 in order to ensure that, when the mount 100, 200, 300 is introduced into an aperture 12 and the side walls 112, 212, 312 are squeezed together, the side walls 112, 212, 312 grip the module 5, optionally via the one or more spacers/packing elements.

It is to be understood that the shape of the mount 100, 200, 300 may be optimised for removal of a formed mount 100, 200, 300 from a mould tool, for example following an injection moulding operation.

The motor vehicle panel may be a 'body in white' panel. A body in white panel is a panel, typically formed from steel or aluminium, forming part of the body of a vehicle and is normally joined to one or more other panels by welding or riveting although other methods may be used.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A component mount for securing a component to a structure of a vehicle, the mount comprising a body, the body comprising: a gripping portion configured to receive the component to be mounted and to grip and retain the component; and a coupling portion, wherein the mount is configured to be at least partially inserted into an aperture in the structure of the vehicle; and the coupling portion comprises at least one deformable member configured to deform to permit insertion of the mount into the aperture in the structure, and to at least partially return to a non-deformed state and engage with at least one engagement feature of the structure to retain the mount within the aperture when the mount is in an engagement configuration within the aperture.
2. A mount according to claim 1 wherein a compressive force is exerted on the gripping portion by the structure of the vehicle when the mount is at least partially inserted into the aperture causing the gripping portion to exert a compressive force on the component to grip and retain the component.
3. A mount according to claim 2 wherein the gripping portion comprises a pair of jaws configured to cooperate with one another to grip the component when the compressive force is exerted on the gripping portion, the compressive force being exerted when the gripping portion is at least partially inserted into the aperture.
4. A mount according to claim 3 wherein each jaw comprises a side wall.
5. A mount according to claim 4 wherein body comprises a tray portion, the tray portion comprising the pair of side walls and a base.
6. A mount according to any preceding claim wherein the coupling portion and the gripping portion are integrally formed with the body.
7. A mount according to any preceding claim comprising at least one aperture to permit drainage of liquid from the mount under gravity and/or circulation of air.
8. A mount according to any preceding claim comprising a rim portion carried by the body portion, the rim portion being configured to limit an extent to which the mount may be inserted into the aperture in the structure.
9. A mount according to claim 8 wherein the rim portion is configured to substantially abut the structure when the mount is in the engagement configuration within the aperture.
10. A mount according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the rim portion is configured to cooperate with the coupling portion to prevent detachment of the mount from the structure.
11 A mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the gripping portion is configured to releasably grip and retain the component.
12. A mount according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one deformable member is configured to releasably engage with the at least one engagement feature of the structure to releasably retain the mount within the aperture when the mount is in the engagement configuration within the aperture.
13. A mount according to any preceding claim formed from a resilient flexible plastics material.
14. A mount according to any preceding claim formed from a resilient compressible plastics material.
15. A component assembly comprising a component mount for securing a component to a structure in combination with the component. the component being received by the gripping portion.
16. A vehicle comprising the component assembly of claim 15, wherein the mount of the assembly is provided in the engagement configuration within the aperture in the structure of the vehicle.
17. A method of releasably securing a component to a structure of a motor vehicle, comprising: receiving the component by means of a gripping portion of a component mount; and at least partially inserting the component mount into an aperture in the structure of the vehicle whereby the mount assumes an engagement configuration with the aperture, the method comprising inserting the mount into the aperture such that a coupling portion of the mount comprising at least one deformable member deforms to permit insertion of the mount into the aperture, the coupling portion at least partially returning to a non-deformed state and engaging with at least one engagement feature of the structure to retain the mount within the aperture when the mount is in the engagement configuration within the aperture, whereby in the engagement configuration the mount grips and retains the component.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein a compressive force is exerted on the gripping portion by the structure of the vehicle when the mount is at least partially inserted into the aperture causing the gripping portion to exert a compressive force on the component to grip and retain the component.