GB2584705A

GB2584705A - Fixation systems for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2584705A
Application number: GB1908433.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Buechner Jens; Gregory Jonathan; Christopher Hodges Richard; John Willson Bernard; Norman Adam; John Murray Andy; Craven Richard
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2019-06-12
Filing date: 2019-06-12
Publication date: 2020-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-12
Also published as: GB201908433D0; GB2584705B

Abstract

A system for attaching an accessory (e.g. shelving 200, fig 2) to a motor vehicle body panel comprising an inner panel 12 and an outer panel 14, involves passing a fixation plate 100 through an access hole 30 in the inner panel 12, aligning a fixation feature with a clearance hole 20, and coupling a fastener to the fixation plate 100 through the clearance hole 20. The fixation feature may clip into the fixation plate (fig 3) or formed in the plate (fig 5b). The plate can have, multiple fixation features, cut outs (610, fig 6a), and permanent clips or temporary fasteners to the inner panel 12. A kit of parts includes alignment tools (1210, fig 12) which can be rods with coupling features.

Description

Fixation systems for motor vehicles

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fixation systems for motor vehicles and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with fixation systems for motor vehicles that provide increased flexibility of fixation points for attaching accessories to motor vehicle interiors.

Background

Users of motor vehicles, such as light commercial vehicles, may customise the interiors of their vehicles to facilitate the storage of items, such as tools, equipment and materials, within the vehicle interior. For example, a user may attach aftermarket racking to a wall of the motor vehicle body for storing the items.

However, attaching an aftermarket accessory, such as racking, to the wall of a motor vehicle body can be problematic, as a fitter of the accessory needs to find suitable locations for fixing the accessory and provide suitable fixation features for coupling the accessory to. In particular, the fitter may use self-tapping screws, rivnuts or pushnut in order to attach the accessory to the body panel. However, these can be time consuming to fit and may not achieve a satisfactory result. Furthermore, drilling through a protective coating on the body panel to provide the fixation points may be undesirable.

One solution is for a manufacturer of the motor vehicle to provide a plurality of fixation points, such as threaded holes, in the body panels forming the walls of the vehicle body so that accessories can be coupled to the fixation points. However, forming large numbers of fixation points on the body panels that are suitable for attaching multiple different accessories can be expensive and time consuming, and may increase the cost and weight of the motor vehicle. This is undesirable, particularly because some users may not make use of the fixation points.

Statements of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a motor vehicle body structure fixation system, for attaching an accessory to a body structure of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: a motor vehicle body panel for forming a wall of a motor vehicle body, the body panel comprising an inner panel part and an outer panel part spaced apart from one another, wherein one or more clearance holes are formed in the inner panel part for receiving fasteners for attaching the accessory to the body panel, and wherein one or more access holes are formed in the inner panel part for providing access into a space between the inner and outer panel parts; and a fixation plate to be arranged between the inner and outer panel parts, the fixation plate comprising one or more fixation features to be aligned with the clearance holes, the fixation features for coupling the fasteners to the fixation plate, for example, the fixation features may comprise one or more of weldnuts, threaded portions of the fixation plate and rivnuts, wherein the access hole is sized to provide access for the fixation plate to be inserted between the inner and outer panel parts such that the one or more fixation features are aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes.

The inner and outer part may be held in the spaced apart arrangement to form the body panel.

The fixation plate may comprise a plate portion extending about the fixation features, the plate portion being shaped for engaging an area of the inner panel part around the fixation feature. The plate portion may be substantially planar. The plate portion may comprise one or more stiffening features such as ribs, webs and or swages. The stiffening features may extend between fixation features of the fixation plate.

The fixation plate may comprise one or more friction welded bosses. The fixation features may be formed in the friction welded bosses. For example, the fixation feature may comprise a threaded hole formed in the friction welded boss. Alternatively, the fixation features may comprise features created by flow, friction or form drilling.

The fixation plate may comprise a plurality of fixation features spaced apart on the fixation plate such that the plurality of fixation features can be aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes formed in the inner panel part, e.g. at the same time.

The fixation plate may comprise a coupling feature for coupling the fixation plate to the inner panel part. The coupling features may be separate from the fixation features.

The coupling feature may be configured to couple to an edge of one of the clearance holes. For example, the coupling feature may comprise a flange depending from the plate portion of the fixation plate in a direction with a component perpendicular to a plane of the plate portion. When the fixation feature is aligned with the clearance hole, the flange may be received within the clearance hole. The flange may be resilient and may be resiliently biased against the edge of the clearance hole when the fixation feature is aligned with the clearance hole.

Alternatively, a portion of the coupling feature may be configured to pass through an opening in the inner panel part and engage an opposite side of the inner panel part to the plate part of the fixation plate in order to hold the fixation plate against the inner panel part The coupling feature may comprise a portion configured to engage an inner surface of the inner panel part to hold the fixation part against the inner panel. For example, the coupling feature may comprise a clip. The clip may comprise a clip portion to be passed through a clip opening formed in the inner panel part. The clip portion may be urged against the inner surface of the inner panel part, e.g. by virtue of the resilient of the clip, to couple the fixation plate to the inner panel part.

The clearance holes in the inner panel part may be substantially square, rectangular or hexagonal.

The fixation plate may comprise one or more opening. The inner panel part may comprise one or more panel coupling portions to be received within the openings formed in the fixation plate in order to couple the fixation plate to the inner panel part.

The panel coupling portion may comprise a portion of the plate portion arranged parallel to a remaining portion of the plate portion and displaced from a plane of the remaining portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the remaining portion.

The fixation plate may comprise a moulded polymer component. The fixation features may be formed be metallic components moulded, e.g. injection moulded, into the 35 moulded polymer component.

The system may further comprise one or more temporary fasteners couplable to the fixation plate for temporarily coupling the fixation plate to the inner panel part. The temporary fasteners may comprise a threaded connector portion to be coupled to the fixation feature of the fixation plate. The temporary fasteners may comprise an interference fit connector portion, such as a fir-tree connector, for coupling to the clearance holes in the inner panel part by virtue of an interference fit.

The temporary fastener may further comprise a driver engagement feature to be engaged by a driver for enabling the threaded connector portion to be decoupled from the fixation feature. The interference connector may be decoupled from the clearance hole as the threaded connector portion is decoupled from the fixation feature due to the threaded connector portion being driven by the driver and displacing the interference connector portion.

The driver engagement feature may be formed on an opposite end of the interference connector portion from the threaded connector portion.

The temporary fastener may comprise a shoulder for engaging the inner panel part to clamp the fixation plate against the inner panel part. The temporary fastener may further comprise a handle portion to be gripped by a user in order to couple the first threaded portion to the fixation plate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fixation plate for the above-mentioned fixation system. The fixation plate comprises one or more fixation features for coupling the fasteners to the fixation plate, the fixation plate to be inserted through the access hole into the space between the inner and outer panel parts, such that the one or more fixation features are aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes in the inner panel part.

A kit of parts for attaching an accessory to a body panel of a motor vehicle may comprise the above-mentioned fixation plate and one or more alignment tools. The alignment tools may comprise an elongate body having a coupling portion formed at a first end of the elongate body. The coupling portion may be configured to couple to the fixation plate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provide a method of attaching an accessory to a motor vehicle body panel forming a wall of a motor vehicle body, wherein the body panel comprises an inner panel part and an outer panel part spaced apart from one another, wherein one or more clearance holes are formed in the inner panel part, and wherein one or more access holes are formed in the inner panel part for providing access into a space between the inner and outer panel parts, wherein the method comprises: arranging a fixation plate between the inner and outer panel parts, the fixation plate comprising one or more fixation features to be aligned with the clearance holes, fixation features for coupling the fasteners to the fixation plate; aligning the fixation features of the fixation plate with the clearance holes on the inner panel part; and coupling the accessory to the body panel by passing one or more fasteners though the clearance holes in the inner panel part and coupling the fasteners to the fixation features of the fixation plate.

The fixation plate may further comprise one or more coupling features. The method may further comprise coupling the fixation plate to the inner panel part using the one or more coupling features.

The method may further comprise coupling the fixation plate to the inner part using one or more temporary fasteners configured to couple to the fixation features and engage the inner panel part at the corresponding clearance hole.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures la and lb are a schematic perspective views of a fixation system for a motor vehicle according to arrangements of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an accessory coupled to wall of a motor vehicle using the fixation system shown in Figures la and lb; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a fixation feature for a fixation plate of the fixation system; Figure 4 is a schematic, cross-sectional view through the fixation feature depicted in Figure 3; Figure 5a and 5b are front and rear perspective views of a fixation plate, according to arrangements of the present disclosure, respectively; Figure 6a is a front view of a fixation plate according to another arrangement of the present disclosure; Figure 6b is a detail view showing fixation and coupling features of the fixation plate depicted in Figure 6a Figure 7a is a front view of a fixation plate according to another arrangement of the present disclosure; Figure 7b is a detail view showing fixation and coupling features of the fixation plate depicted in Figure 7a; Figure 7c is a cross-sectional view through the coupling feature of the fixation plate depicted in Figure 7a; Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a fixation system comprising the fixation plate depicted in Figure 7a; Figure 9a and 9b are schematic, cross-sectional views of a fixation system according to

another arrangement of the present disclosure;

Figure 9c is a schematic front view of the fixation system shown in Figures 9a and 9b; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a coupling feature according to arrangements of the present disclosure; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a coupling feature according to another arrangement of the present disclosure; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a kit of parts for attaching an accessory to a motor vehicle body; and Figure 13 is a flow chart depicting a method of attaching an accessory to a motor vehicle body, according to arrangements of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figures la and 1 b, a fixation system 2, for attaching an accessory to a body structure of a motor vehicle, comprises a motor vehicle body panel 10 and a fixation plate 100.

The body panel 10 is for forming a wall of the motor vehicle body and comprises an inner panel part 12 having an inner surface 12a, which may provide an interior surface of the motor vehicle body, and an outer panel part 14 having an outer surface 14a which may form an exterior surface of the motor vehicle body.

As depicted, at least portions of the areas of the inner and outer panel parts 12, 14 are spaced apart from one another forming a space 16 between the panel parts 12, 14. The inner and outer panel parts of the body panel 10 may be maintained in the spaced apart arrangement, by a structure of the body panel. For example, the body panel 10 may comprise one or more structural members (not shown) for coupling together the inner and outer panel parts 12, 14 in the spaced apart arrangement. Alternatively, edge portions of the inner and outer panel parts 12, 14 may be configured to be coupled to one another, whilst central portions of the inner and outer panels remain spaced apart. An outer surface 12b of the inner panel part may face into the space 16 and an inner surface 14b of outer panel part.

One or more clearance holes 20 are formed in the inner panel part 12 of the body panel. The clearance holes may be for receiving fasteners for attaching an accessory to the body panel, as described below. The clearance holes 20 may be configured such that, when the fasteners are received though the clearance holes, a clearance is provided between a shank of the fastener and the edge of the clearance hole 20. The clearance holes 20 may be unthreaded.

As depicted, the clearance holes 20 may be rectangular in shape. In other arrangements, the clearance holes 20 may be any other desirable shape. For example, the clearance holes 20 may be round, e.g. circular or oval, or may be square, hexagonal or any other regular or irregular polygonal shape. Further, different ones of the clearance holes 20 may be different shapes.

The body panel 10 may further comprise one or more access holes 30 for providing access into the space 16 between the inner and outer panel parts 12, 14. The access holes 30 may be formed in the inner panel part 12. As depicted, the access hole 30 may be rectangular and may comprise rounded corners. The access hole 30 is sized to enable the fixation plate 100 to be inserted into the space 16 through the access hole and may provide sufficient hand access to enable the fixation plate to be positioned within the space 16, e.g. by hand. In other arrangements, the access hole 30 may be any other desirable shape, e.g. selected in order to provide access into the space 16 for a desired tool or to perform a desired task.

The fixation plate 100 may comprise a substantially rectangular plate portion. As depicted, the fixation plate 100 may be elongate, extending principally in a longitudinal direction of the fixation plate between first and second ends 100a, 100b of the fixation plate 100.

The fixation plate 100, e.g. the plate portion, may be substantially planar. The fixation plate 100 may be shaped such that the plate portion conforms to the outer surface 12b of the inner panel part 12.

The fixation plate 100 comprises one or more fixation features 110, such as rivnuts, weldnuts and/or threaded holes. In the arrangement shown, the fixation features 110 comprise friction welded bosses formed on the fixation plate and having threaded bores formed through the bosses. When the fixation plate 100 comprises a plurality of fixation features 110, the spacing of the fixation features 110 along the fixation plate may correspond to the spacing of the clearance holes 20 in the inner panel part 12. The plate portion of the fixation plate may extend around and/or between the fixation features 110.

As depicted, the fixation plate 100 may comprise one or more stiffening features 120, such as ribs, webs and/or swages. The stiffening features 120 may extend between the fixation features 110, in order to resist bending of the fixation plate between the fixation features 110, e.g. in a bending direction perpendicular to a direction extending between the fixation features 110.

As depicted in Figure lb, the fixation plate 100 may be inserted into the space 16 through the access hole 30 and arranged between the inner and outer panel parts 12, 14, such that the fixation features 110 are aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes 20.

With reference to Figure 2, an accessory 200 may be coupled to the body panel 10 in order to be mounted on the motor vehicle, e.g. within an interior of the motor vehicle. In the arrangement shown in Figure 2, the accessory 200 comprises a shelving unit for storing tools, equipment and/or materials on. However, in other arrangements, the accessory 200 may be any other accessory that a user of the motor vehicle wishes to mount on the body panel.

The accessory 200 is mounted on the body panel by passing fasteners through the clearance holes 20 formed in the inner panel part 12 to couple to the fixation plate 100.

The fasteners act to clamp the accessory 200 and the fixation plate to the inner and outer surfaces 12a, 12b of the inner panel part respectively, thereby securing the accessory to the inner panel part 12.

As shown in Figure 2, a further fixation plate 101 may be provided within the fixation system 2 for attaching the accessory 200 at a further position on the body panel 10. For example, the fixation plate 100 and further fixation plate 101 may be for attaching the accessory 200 at position on the body panel 10 spaced apart from one another across the height and/or width of the body panel 10. The further fixation plate 101 may be similar to the fixation plate 100. Alternatively, the further fixation plate may differ from the fixation plate 100. For example, a spacing of fixation features on the further fixation plate 101 may differ from the spacing of fixation features 110 on the fixation plate 100. In particular, the spacing of fixation features on the further fixation plate 101 may correspond to a spacing of clearance holes 20 in the inner panel part 12 at the further position on the body panel 10.

In other arrangements, any desirable number of fixation plates may be provided within the fixation system 2. When further fixation plates 101 are provided, further access holes may be provided in the inner panel part 12 for inserting the further fixation plates. Alternatively, the further fixation plates 101 may be inserted into the space 16 through the same access hole 30 as the fixation plate 100.

With reference to Figure 3, in some arrangements, the fixation plate 100 may comprise a plate portion 300 and one or more clips 310 couplable to the plate portion 300. The plate portion 300 may comprise one or more openings 302 for receiving portions of the respective clips 310. The clips 310 may couple to the plate portion 300 at the openings 302.

The clips 310 may comprise a body portion 312 and one or more flanges 314 projecting from the body portion 312, e.g. in planes substantially perpendicular to a plane of the body portion 312. The flanges 314 may be resilient and may be to engage edges of the openings 302 in the plate portion 300 for coupling the clips 310 to the plate portion 300.

The clips 310 may comprise clip fixation features 316 provided on the body portions 312 of the clips. For example, the clips may comprise rivnuts or weldnuts coupled to the body portions. Alternatively, the body portion 312 may comprise a threaded friction welded boss 312a which forms the clip fixation feature 316. The clip fixations features may form the fixation features 110 of the fixation plate 100, when the clips 310 are coupled to the plate portion 300.

With reference to Figure 4, when the clip 310 is coupled to the plate portion 300, the flanges 314 may extend though the opening 302. When the fixation plate 100 is installed between the inner and outer panel parts 12, 14, such that the fixation features 110 are aligned with the clearance holes 20, the flanges 314 may be capable of engaging edges of the clearance hole 20 to couple the fixation plate to the inner panel part 12. The clips 310 may thereby act to couple the fixation plate 100 to the body panel, e.g. to the inner panel part, prior to the accessory 200 being coupled to the body panel 10.

As shown in Figure 5a and 5b, in other arrangements, flanges 500 for engaging edges of the clearance holes in the inner panel part 12 may be formed integrally with the fixation plate 100. As depicted, the flanges 500 may be formed, e.g. stamped, from the material of the fixation plate either side of the fixation feature 110.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4, a pair of flanges 314 are formed on the clips 310 to engage opposite edges of the same clearance hole 20. Similarly, in the arrangement shown in Figures 5a and 5b, a pair of flanges 500 are formed integrally with the fixation plate for engaging opposite edges of the same clearance hole, e.g. either side of the fixation feature 110 aligned with the clearance hole 20.

In other arrangements, e.g. as depicted in Figures 6a and 6b, the flanges provided on the fixation plate may be to engage edges of different clearance holes in the inner panel plate to couple the fixation plate 100 to the body panel 10.

As shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the fixation plate 100 may comprise flanges 600 that extend from the fixation plate 100 at the first and second ends 100a, 100b of the plate respectively. The flanges 600 may extend from a plane of the fixation plate 100, e.g. substantially perpendicular to the fixation plate. The fixation plate 100 may comprise a first fixation feature 110a at the first end 100a and a second fixation feature 110b at the second end 100b, and the flanges 600 may be arranged adjacent to the fixation features, so that the flanges 600 engage the clearance holes 20 aligned with first and second fixation features 110a, 110b respectively.

The fixation plate 100 may further comprise one or more fixation features 110 arranged between the first and second ends 100a, 100b of the fixation plate.

In some arrangements, the fixation plate 100 may comprise one or more clearance cutouts 610 for providing clearance between the fixation plate 100 and one or more components that may be arranged in the space 16 between the inner and outer panel parts 12, 14. The clearance cut-outs 610 may be formed in the plate portion.

With reference to Figures 7a, 7b and 7c, in addition or as an alternative to comprising flanges 500, 600, the fixation plate 100 may comprise one or more clips 700 for clipping the fixation plate to the inner panel part 12.

The clips 700 include base portions 702, coupled to the fixation plate 100 and clip portions 710 coupled to the base portion by a living hinge 712 of the clip 700. The living hinge 712 is resiliently deformable to enable the clip portion 710 to be deflected relative to the base portion 702 and passed through a clip opening 800 formed in the inner panel part 12, as depicted in Figure 8.

Due to the resilience of the living hinge 712, the clip porfion 710 is urged against the inner surface 12a of the inner panel part, thereby coupling the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel part 12.

The clips 700 may be provided on the fixation plate 100 in any desirable locations, e.g. corresponding to the positions of the clip openings 800 in the inner panel part 12. For example, the clips 700 may be provided adjacent to one or more of the fixation features 110 and/or between the fixation features.

With reference to Figures 9a, 9b and 9c. in another arrangement of the disclosure, the inner panel part 12 may comprise a panel coupling feature 900 for coupling the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel part 12, e.g. prior to the fasteners being install through the clearance holes.

As depicted, the panel coupling feature 900 may comprise a portion 920 that is arranged to pass through an opening 910 formed in the fixation plate 100 and engage an opposite side of the fixation plate, thereby preventing the fixation plate from moving away from the inner panel part 12.

The panel coupling feature 900 may be formed integrally with the inner panel part 12.

For example, the panel coupling feature 900 may be a stamped feature of the inner panel part. The portion 920 of the inner panel part forming the panel coupling feature 900 may be arranged parallel to and spaced apart from a remaining portion 930 of the inner panel part 12. In particular, the portion 920 may be spaced apart from the remaining portion 930 of the inner panel part by a distance approximately equal to a thickness of the fixation plate, so that the fixation plate can be held between the portion 920 and the remaining portion 930.

The portion 920 may be partially disconnected from the remaining portion of the inner panel part 12, e.g. on three side of the portion 920, so that the portion 920 can pass through the opening 910 in the fixation plate, as shown in Figure 9b, to engage the opposite side of the fixation plate 100.

The clearance holes 20 formed in the inner panel part 12 may be formed adjacent, e.g. on either side of the portion 920. For example, the clearance holes 20 may be formed in the remaining portion 930 of the inner panel part 12.

In the arrangements depicted in Figures 1 to 9 and described above, the fixation plate is formed from a metal material, such as steel or aluminium. However, it is equally envisaged that the fixation plate 100, e.g. the plate portion, may be formed from a polymer material, such as polyethene, polypropylene, polystyrene, e.g. high density polystyrene or nylon. For example, the fixation plate 100 may be formed from a moulded, e.g. injection moulded, polymer material. In such arrangements, the fixation features may comprise metal components moulded into the polymer plate portion.

With reference to Figure 10, the fixation system 2 may comprise one or more temporary fasteners 1000 for coupling, e.g. temporarily coupling, the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel part 12 prior to the accessory 200 being coupled to the body panel 10. The temporary fasteners 1000 may be decoupled from the fixation plate 100 and inner panel part 12 prior to, or after, one or more fasteners for attaching the accessory are coupled to the fixation features 110 of the fixation plate 100.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 10, the temporary fastener 1000 comprises a first fastener portion 1010 couplable to the fixation feature 110 of the fixation plate.. The first fastener portion 1010 may form a first end 1000a of the temporary fastener. The first fastener portion 1010 may comprise a threaded portion of the temporary fastener. For example, the first fastener portion 1010 may be threaded into the fixation feature, to couple to temporary fastener 1000 to the fixation plate 100.

The temporary fastener 1000 further comprises a second fastener portion 1020 for coupling to the inner panel part 12. The second fastener portion 1020 may form a second end 1000b of the temporary fastener opposite to the first end 1000a. The second fastener portion 1020 may comprise an interference fit connector, such as a fir-tree connector, for coupling to the clearance holes in the inner panel part by virtue of an interference fit.

In use of the fixation system 2, one or more of the temporary fasteners 1000 may be coupled to respective ones of the fixation features 110 of the fixation plate by their first fastener portions 1010. The fixation plate 100 may then be inserted into the space 16 and arranged such that the fixation features are aligned within the clearance holes 20 in the inner panel part 12. The fixation plate 100 may then be coupled to the inner panel part 12 using the second fastener portions 1020 of the temporary fasteners.

Prior to attaching the accessory 200 to the body panel 10, one or more of the temporary fasteners 1000 may be removed. The temporary fasteners 1000 may comprise a driver feature 1030, such as a slot for engaging the blade of a flat head screw driver. As depicted, the driver feature 1030 may be formed on the second end 1000b of the temporary fastener, such that the driver feature protrudes though the inner panel part 12 when the fixation plate is coupled to the body panel 10 and is accessible from within the interior of the vehicle. The driver feature 1030 may be formed on an opposite end of the second fastener portion from the first fastener portion.

The first fastener portion 1010 of the temporary fastener may be decoupled from the fixation feature 110 of the fixation plate 100 by unscrewing the temporary fastener 1000 using a tool engaged with the driver feature 1030. The act of decoupling the first fastener portion 1010 from the fixation feature 110 may force the second fastener portion 1020 through the clearance hole 20, thereby decoupling the second fastener feature from the inner panel part 12.

In some arrangements, the accessory 200 may be at least partially coupled to the body panel 10, e.g. by fasteners coupling to one or more of the fixation features 110 of the fixation plate that are not coupled to temporary fasteners 1000, prior to the temporary fasteners 1000 being removed. The temporary fasteners 1000 may be removed, e.g. as described above, after the accessory 200 has been at least partially coupled to the body panel 10, e.g. so that additional fasteners can be coupled to the fixation features that were previously coupled to the temporary fasteners 1000.

With reference to Figure 11, in another arrangement of the disclosure, a temporary fastener 1100 for temporarily coupling the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel part may comprise a first fastener portion 1110 at a first end 1100a of the temporary fastener.

The first fastener portion 1110 may comprise a threaded portion. The temporary fastener 1100 may further comprise a handle feature 1120, at a second end 1110b of the temporary fastener, to be griped by a user to couple the first fastener portion 1110 to the fixation plate 100, e.g. to one of the fixation features 110.

A shoulder 1130 is formed between the first fastener portion 1110 and the handle portion. The shoulder 1130 is configured such that, when the temporary fastener is inserted through a clearance hole 20 in the inner panel part 12 and coupled to the fixation plate 100, the inner panel part is clamped against the fixation plate 100 by the shoulder 1130, thereby temporarily coupling the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel part 12.

The temporary fastener 1100 may be decoupled from the fixation plate, e.g. by unscrewing the temporary fastener 1000 using the handle feature 1120, prior to attaching the accessory 200 to the body panel 10, or after the accessory 200 has been at least partially coupled to the body panel.

In addition or as an alternative to coupling the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel 12 part prior to attaching the accessory 200 using the flanges 314, 500, 600, or the temporary fasteners 1100, 1200, the fixation plate may be coupled to the inner panel part using an adhesive. For example, the adhesive may be applied to the plate portion of the fixation plate, e.g. which conforms to the outer surface 12b of the inner panel part. Once the fixation plate 100 has been arranged within the space 16, the fixation plate 100 may be maintained in position, e.g. such that the fixation features 100 are aligned with the clearance holes 20, due to the adhesive adhering the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel part 12.

With reference to Figure 12 in one or more arrangements, the fixation plate 100 may be arranged in a desired position, e.g. such that the fixation features 110 are aligned with the clearance holes 20 by using one or more alignment tools 1210.

The alignment tool 1210 may comprise a resilient, elongate rod 1212 having a first end 1212a and a second end 1212b. A coupling feature 1220 may be formed at the first end 1212a for coupling to the fixation plate 100. The coupling features 1220 may be configured to couple to the fixation features 110. In some arrangements, e.g. as depicted in Figure 12, the fixation plate 100 may comprise one more alignment tool coupling points 1230, such as bores or threaded bores, for the alignment tool to couple to the fixation plate. The coupling feature 1220 may be couplable to the fixation plate 100 using a threaded connector or an interference fit. For example, the coupling feature 1220 may be a fir-tree connector.

The first ends 1212a of the alignment tool rods 1212 may be coupled to the fixation plate 100 prior to the fixation plate being inserted through the access hole 30 into the space 16. The user may grip the alignment tool 1210, e.g. at or towards a second end 1212b of the rod, and may manipulate the alignment tool in order to guide the fixation plate 100 into a desired position. The coupling features 1220 may protrude though the fixation plate 100. When the fixation plate 100 is positioned in a desirable position, the protruding parts of the coupling portion may pass through the clearance holes 20, or other holes formed in the inner panel part 12.

A kit of parts 1200, for attaching an accessory to a body panel of a motor vehicle, may comprise a fixation plate 100 and may comprise one or more alignment tools 1210. The kit of parts 1200 may comprise one or more further fixation plates. Fixation features on the further fixation plates may be spaced apart by different distances than the fixation features on the fixation plate 100 and/or on the others of the further fixation plates. For example, the fixation features of the further fixation plate may be configured to align with different ones of the clearance holes 20 in the inner panel part, when the further fixation plate is arranged within the space 16.

With reference to Figure 13, a method 1300 of attaching an accessory 200 to a motor vehicle body panel will now be described. The method comprises a first step 1302 in which the fixation plate 100 is arranged between the inner and outer panel parts 12, 14 of the body panel 10. The fixation features 110 of the fixation plate may be aligned with the clearance holes 20 on the inner panel part 12.

The method 1300 may further comprise a second step 1304 in which the accessory 200 is coupled to the body panel 10 by passing one or more fasteners though the clearance holes 20 in the inner panel part and coupling the fasteners to the fixation features 110 of the fixation plate.

As described above, the fixation plate 100 may comprise one or more coupling features, such as flanges 314, 500, 600, for coupling the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel part 12 when the fixation plate is arranged within the space 16. Additionally, temporary fasteners may be provided for temporarily coupling the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel part, e.g. between the first and second steps 1302, 1304. The first step 1302 may comprise coupling the fixation plate 100 to the inner panel part 12 using the coupling features or the temporary fasteners.

The following additional, numbered statements of invention are also included within the specification and form part of the present disclosure: Statement 1. A motor vehicle body structure fixation system, for attaching an accessory to a body structure of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: a motor vehicle body panel for forming a wall of a motor vehicle body, the body panel comprising an inner panel part and an outer panel part spaced apart from one another, wherein one or more clearance holes are formed in the inner panel part for receiving fasteners for attaching the accessory to the body panel, and wherein one or more access holes are formed in the inner panel part for providing access into a space between the inner and outer panel parts; and a fixation plate to be arranged between the inner and outer panel parts, the fixation plate comprising one or more fixation features to be aligned with the clearance holes, the fixation features for coupling the fasteners to the fixation plate, wherein the access hole is sized to provide access for the fixation plate to be inserted between the inner and outer panel parts such that the one or more fixation features are aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes.

Statement 2. The fixation system of statement 15 wherein the fixation plate further comprises a plate portion extending about the fixation features, the plate portion being shaped for engaging an area of the inner panel part around the fixation feature.

Statement 3. The fixation system of statement 2, wherein the fixation plate comprises one or more friction welded bosses, wherein the fixation features are formed in the friction welded bosses.

Statement 4. The fixation system of any of the preceding statements, wherein the fixation plate comprises a plurality of fixation features spaced apart on the fixation plate such that the plurality of fixation features can be aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes formed in the inner panel part.

Statement 5. The fixation system of any of the preceding statements, wherein the fixation plate comprises a coupling feature for coupling the fixation plate to the inner panel part.

Statement 6. The fixation system of statement 5, wherein the coupling feature is configured to couple to an edge of one of the clearance holes.

Statement 7. The fixation system of statement 5 or 6, wherein the coupling feature comprises a clip provided on the fixation plate for coupling to the inner panel part.

Statement 8. The fixation system of any of statements 5 to 7 when depending on statement 2, wherein the coupling feature comprises a flange depending from the plate portion of the fixation plate in a direction with a component perpendicular to a plane of the plate portion.

Statement 9. The fixation system of any of the preceding statements, wherein the clearance holes in the inner panel part are substantially square, rectangular or hexagonal.

Statement 10. The fixation system of any of the preceding statements, wherein the fixation plate comprises one or more openings and wherein the inner panel part comprises one or more panel coupling portions to be received within the openings formed in the fixation plate in order to couple the fixation plate to the inner panel part.

Statement 11. The fixation system of statement 10, wherein the panel coupling portion comprises a portion of the plate portion arranged parallel to a remaining portion of the plate portion and displaced from the plane of the remaining portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the remaining portion.

Statement 12. The fixation system of any of the preceding statements, wherein the fixation plate comprises a moulded polymer component, and wherein the fixation features are formed on metallic components moulded into the moulded polymer component.

Statement 13. The fixation system of any of the preceding statements, wherein the system further comprises one or more temporary fasteners couplable to the fixation plate for temporarily coupling the fixation plate to the inner panel part.

Statement 14. The fixation system of statement 13, wherein the temporary fasteners comprise a threaded connector portion to be coupled to the fixation feature of the fixation plate, and an interference fit connector portion for coupling to the clearance holes in the inner panel part by virtue of an interference fit.

Statement 15. The fixation system of statement 14, wherein the temporary fastener further comprises a driver engagement feature to be engaged by a driver for enabling the threaded connector portion to be decoupled from the fixation feature.

Statement 16. The fixation system of statement 16, wherein the driver engagement feature is formed on an opposite end of the interference connector portion from the threaded connector portion.

Statement 17. The fixation system of statement 13, wherein the temporary fastener comprises a shoulder for engaging the inner panel part to clamp the fixation plate against the inner panel part and a handle portion to be gripped by a user in order to couple the first threaded portion to the fixation plate.

Statement 18. A fixation plate for the fixation system of any of statement 1 to 17, wherein the fixation plate comprises one or more fixation features for coupling the fasteners to the fixation plate, the fixation plate to be inserted through the access hole into the space between the inner and outer panel parts, such that the one or more fixation features are aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes in the inner panel part.

Statement 19. A kit of parts for attaching an accessory to a body panel of a motor vehicle, the kit of parts comprise the fixation plate according to statement 18 and one or more alignment tools, wherein the alignment tools comprise an elongate body having a coupling portion formed at a first end of the elongate body, wherein the coupling portion is configured to couple to the fixation plate.

Statement 20. A method of attaching an accessory to a motor vehicle body panel forming a wall of a motor vehicle body, wherein the body panel comprises an inner panel part and an outer panel part spaced apart from one another, wherein one or more clearance holes are formed in the inner panel part, and wherein one or more access holes are formed in the inner panel part for providing access into a space between the inner and outer panel parts, wherein the method comprises: arranging a fixation plate between the inner and outer panel parts, the fixation plate comprising one or more fixation features to be aligned with the clearance holes, fixation features for coupling the fasteners to the fixation plate; aligning the fixation features of the fixation plate with the clearance holes on the inner panel part; and coupling the accessory to the body panel by passing one or more fasteners though the clearance holes in the inner panel part and coupling the fasteners to the fixation features of the fixation plate.

Statement 21. The method of statement 20, wherein the fixation plate further comprises one or more coupling features, wherein the method further comprises: coupling the fixation plate to the inner panel part using the one or more coupling features.

Statement 22. The method of statement 20 or 21, wherein the method further comprises: coupling the fixation plate to the inner part using one or more temporary fasteners configured to couple to the fixation features and engage the inner panel part at the corresponding clearance hole.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example, with reference to one or more exemplary examples, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and that alternative examples could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A motor vehicle body structure fixation system, for attaching an accessory to a body structure of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: a motor vehicle body panel for forming a wall of a motor vehicle body, the body panel comprising an inner panel part and an outer panel part spaced apart from one another, wherein one or more clearance holes are formed in the inner panel part for receiving fasteners for attaching the accessory to the body panel, and wherein one or more access holes are formed in the inner panel part for providing access into a space between the inner and outer panel parts; and a fixation plate to be arranged between the inner and outer panel parts, the fixation plate comprising one or more fixation features to be aligned with the clearance holes, the fixation features for coupling the fasteners to the fixation plate, wherein the access hole is sized to provide access for the fixation plate to be inserted between the inner and outer panel parts such that the one or more fixation features are aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes.
2. The fixation system of claim 1, wherein the fixation plate further comprises a plate portion extending about the fixation features, the plate portion being shaped for engaging an area of the inner panel part around the fixation feature.
3. The fixation system of claim 2, wherein the fixation plate comprises one or more friction welded bosses, wherein the fixation features are formed in the friction welded 25 bosses.
4. The fixation system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixation plate comprises a plurality of fixation features spaced apart on the fixation plate such that the plurality of fixation features can be aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes formed in the inner panel part.
5. The fixation system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixation plate comprises a coupling feature for coupling the fixation plate to the inner panel part.
6. The fixation system of claim 5, wherein the coupling feature is configured to couple to an edge of one of the clearance holes.
7. The fixation system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the coupling feature comprises a clip provided on the fixation plate for coupling to the inner panel part.
8. The fixation system of any of claims 5 to 7 when depending on claim 2, wherein the coupling feature comprises a flange depending from the plate portion of the fixation plate in a direction with a component perpendicular to a plane of the plate portion.
9. The fixation system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the clearance holes in the inner panel part are substantially square, rectangular or hexagonal.
10. The fixation system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixation plate comprises one or more openings and wherein the inner panel part comprises one or more panel coupling portions to be received within the openings formed in the fixation plate in order to couple the fixation plate to the inner panel part.
11. The fixation system of claim 10, wherein the panel coupling portion comprises a portion of the plate portion arranged parallel to a remaining portion of the plate portion and displaced from a plane of the remaining portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the remaining portion.
12. The fixation system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixation plate comprises a moulded polymer component, and wherein the fixation features are formed on metallic components moulded into the moulded polymer component.
13. The fixation system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises one or more temporary fasteners couplable to the fixation plate for temporarily coupling the fixation plate to the inner panel part.
14. The fixation system of claim 13, wherein the temporary fasteners comprise a threaded connector portion to be coupled to the fixation feature of the fixation plate, and an interference fit connector portion for coupling to the clearance holes in the inner panel part.
15. The fixation system of claim 14, wherein the temporary fastener further comprises a driver engagement feature to be engaged by a driver for enabling the threaded connector portion to be decoupled from the fixation feature.
16. The fixation system of claim 16, wherein the driver engagement feature is formed on an opposite end of the interference connector portion from the threaded connector portion.
17. The fixation system of claim 13, wherein the temporary fastener comprises a shoulder for engaging the inner panel part to clamp the fixation plate against the inner panel part and a handle portion to be gripped by a user in order to couple the first threaded portion to the fixation plate.
18. A fixation plate for the fixation system of any of claim 1 to 17, wherein the fixation plate comprises one or more fixation features for coupling the fasteners to the fixation plate, the fixation plate to be inserted through the access hole into the space between the inner and outer panel parts, such that the one or more fixation features are aligned with respective ones of the clearance holes in the inner panel part.
19. A kit of parts for attaching an accessory to a body panel of a motor vehicle, the kit of parts comprising the fixation plate according to claim 18 and one or more alignment tools, wherein the alignment tools comprise an elongate body having a coupling portion formed at a first end of the elongate body, wherein the coupling portion is configured to couple to the fixation plate.
20. A method of attaching an accessory to a motor vehicle body panel forming a wall of a motor vehicle body, wherein the body panel comprises an inner panel part and an outer panel part spaced apart from one another, wherein one or more clearance holes are formed in the inner panel part, and wherein one or more access holes are formed in the inner panel part for providing access into a space between the inner and outer panel parts, wherein the method comprises: arranging a fixation plate between the inner and outer panel parts, the fixation plate comprising one or more fixation features to be aligned with the clearance holes, fixation features for coupling the fasteners to the fixation plate; aligning the fixation features of the fixation plate with the clearance holes on the inner panel part; and coupling the accessory to the body panel by passing one or more fasteners though the clearance holes in the inner panel part and coupling the fasteners to the fixation features of the fixation plate.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the fixation plate further comprises one or more coupling features, wherein the method further comprises: coupling the fixation plate to the inner panel part using the one or more coupling features.
22. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein the method further comprises: coupling the fixation plate to the inner part using one or more temporary fasteners configured to couple to the fixation features and engage the inner panel part at the corresponding clearance hole.