WO2005108164A1

WO2005108164A1 - Fog lamp attachment to fascia

Info

Publication number: WO2005108164A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/004988
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Leone Ganado; Michael J. J. Bedore; Volker Behr
Original assignee: Decoma International Inc.; Decoma (Germany) Gmbh
Priority date: 2004-05-07
Filing date: 2005-05-09
Publication date: 2005-11-17
Also published as: CA2565829A1

Abstract

A fog lamp and fascia assembly is provided, comprising a fog lamp with a retention clip; a front fascia for a motor vehicle having a pocket for reception of said fog lamp; with receiving structures provided in said pocket for receiving said retention clip for engagement and fixation of said fog lamp in said pocket to couple said fog lamp to said front fascia. Further, a method is provided for attaching a fog lamp to a front fascia of a motor vehicle. The fog lamp includes a rearwardly extending retention clip. The front fascia includes a pocket and a fascia plate disposed therewithin. The fascia plate includes an aperture and first and second receiving structures. The method includes the steps of: placing the fog lamp inside the pocket; inserting the retention clip through the aperture and into engagement with the first receiving structure; and snapping the retention clip into engagement with second receiving structure to couple the fog lamp to the front fascia.

Description

FOG LAMP ATTACHMENT TO FASCIA

Field of the Invention [0001] The invention relates to a fog lamp for a motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of attaching a fog lamp to a front fascia of a motor vehicle and a fog lamp front fascia assembly.

Description of the Related Art [0002] Driver visibility can be seriously impaired during motor vehicle operation in inclement weather, such as fog, snow, rain, or dust. Many motor vehicles include fog lamps to assist drivers in such inclement weather. Fog lamps are mounted along a front fascia to illuminate a roadway without causing glare for both the driver and the drivers of oncoming motor vehicles. Fog lamps include adjustable aiming mechanisms, which ensure correct aim regardless of variations in structure to which the fog lamp is mounted.

[0003] The attachment between the fog lamp and the front fascia may be effected in many ways. For example, the fog lamps may be attached to the front fascia using mounting brackets. Alternatively, each fog lamp may include outwardly extending ears that are inserted into apertures

BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE formed along the front fascia. But regardless of which attachment method is utilized, the attachment must be secure enough to withstand shaking or jarring of the motor vehicle as well as slight deformations of the front fascia, both of which may occur from time to time during motor vehicle operation or low speed impacts of the motor vehicle.

Summary of the Invention [0004] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for attaching a fog lamp to a front fascia of a motor vehicle. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a fog lamp attachment to a fascia, namely a motor vehicle fascia and a fog lamp fascia assembly.

[0005] The fog lamp according to the invention comprises a rearwardly extending retention clip. The front fascia comprises a pocket for reception of the fog lamp by way of insertion from the front side of the fascia. Further, the pocket includes receiving structures for receiving said retention clip for engagement and fixation of said fog lamp in said pocket to couple said fog lamp to said front fascia. The engagement might be a snap engagement.

[0006] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the front fascia pocket includes a fascia plate disposed therewithin. The fascia plate includes an aperture and first and second receiving structures. The method of inserting the fog lamp and attaching the same in the front fascia pocket includes the steps of : placing the fog lamp inside the pocket; inserting the retention clip through the aperture and into engagement with the first receiving structure; and snapping the retention clip into engagement with the second receiving structure to couple the fog lamp to the front fascia .

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided, in combination, a front fascia for a motor vehicle and a fog lamp coupled to the front fascia. The front fascia includes a pocket and a fascia plate disposed within the pocket. The fascia plate defines an aperture and first and second receiving structures extending out in opposite directions from the fascia plate adjacent the aperture. The fog lamp has an integrally formed retention clip extending in part through the aperture. The retention clip has a first segment for engaging the first receiving structure and a second segment snap engaging the second receiving structure to couple the fog lamp to the front fascia.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the receiving structure of the pocket is the edge (or flange) of the fascia pocket .

[0009] A further aspect of the invention provides for the retention clip of the fog lamp being designed to enter into engagement with the receiving structure of said fascia pocket in order to provide for a fixation of said fog lamp at least in the direction opposite the direction of insertion of said fog lamp into said fascia pocket .

[0010] According to still a further aspect of the invention, the fog lamp can comprise additional retention elements designed to provide for a fixation of the fog lamp in the direction of insertion of said fog lamp into said fas- cia pocket. In one possible embodiment, these additional retention elements can be designed as U-channel elements.

[0011] There might be provided additional positioning elements at the fog lamp for positioning the fog lamp in the pocket in the directions in a plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the fog lamp into the fascia pocket .

Brief Description of the Drawings [0012] Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 is a partially exploded, perspective view of a front fascia of a motor vehicle and a fog lamp for mounting thereto according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a side view of the fog lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 is a top view of the fog lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 is a rear view of the fog lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the attachment between the fog lamp and a fascia plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and [0018] Figure 6 is a top view, partially cut away, of the attachment between the fog lamp and fascia plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 7 is front view of the built-in fog lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 8 is back view of the built-in fog lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 9 is a side sectional view of the built-in fog lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 10 is a front sectional view of the built- in fog lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the back of the built-in fog lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the front of the fascia and the pocket according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the back of the fascia and the pocket showing an additional cover element covering the built-in fog lamp (not shown) according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [0026] In the following two preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. Both embodiments provide a solution for coupling a fog lamp in a fascia of a motor vehicle in an easy manner. This is done by providing a fog lamp comprising a retention clip and a fascia assembly comprising a pocket having receiving structures for receiving that retention clip.

[0027] The first embodiment is intended for use with a pocket completely surrounded by a fascia plate, herein referred to as a closed pocket. This means that a fascia plate is provided around the pocket in such a manner that, despite of small apertures in the fasica plate, a spectator could not look through the opening formed by the pocket in the fascia.

[0028] The second embodiment is intended for use with a pocket not completely surrounded by a fascia plate, herein referred to as an open pocket. This means that a fascia plate is provided around the pocket in such a manner that a spectator could easily look through the opening formed by the pocket in the fascia.

First preferred embodiment (closed pocket)

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, a fog lamp, generally indicated at 10, is provided for mounting along a front fascia 12 of a motor vehicle 14. The front fascia 12 includes a pocket 16 for receiving the fog lamp 10 therein. The pocket 16 may be formed at various locations along the front fascia 12. [0023] Referring to Figure 2, the fog lamp 10 includes a housing 18 extending between a front end 20 and a back end 22. A flange 24 is disposed along the front end 20 of the housing 18. A lens 26 is coupled to the housing 18 along the flange 24. The lens 26 is formed from plastic, glass, or any other suitable material that allows light to be transmitted therethrough. In addition, the lens 26 may be colored in order to decrease the light intensity of the fog lamp 10.

[0024] The housing 18 includes an outer surface 28 and an inner reflector surface 30. The inner reflector surface 30 is integrally formed with the housing 18. It is, however, appreciated that, in the alternative, a separate reflector may be mounted inside the housing 18.

[0025] Referring to Figures 2 through 4, a socket retainer 32 is integrally molded with the housing 18. The socket retainer 32 holds a light socket 34 in place along the back end 22 of the housing 18. The light socket 34 extends through an aperture 36.

[0026] An electric light source 38 is disposed within the housing 18, as shown in Figure 2. The light source 38 is coupled to the light socket 34. The light source 38 emits light rays that are reflected off of the inner reflector surface 30 before being transmitted forward in a beam pattern through the lens 26.

[0027] The housing 20 also includes an integrally formed adjustment mounting bracket 39 extending out from the outer surface 28. An adjuster 41 is coupled to the adjustment mounting bracket 39. The adjuster 41 is used to adjust the aim of the beam pattern produced by the light source 38.

[0028] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the housing 18 further includes a pair of integrally formed retention clips, generally indicated at 40, 42. The retention clips 40, 42 extend out rearwardly from the outer surface 28. Each of the retention clips 40, 42 includes an elongated first segment 44, a short second segment 46 parallel to the first segment 44, and a connecting segment 48 extending therebetween defining a generally J-shaped retention clip 40, 42. In a preferred embodiment, the second segment 46 has a teardrop shape, as best shown in Figure 2.

[0029] Referring back to Figure 1, a fascia plate 50 is disposed within the pocket 16. Although the fascia plate 50 is shown as being generally planar, it is appreciated that the fascia plate 50 could be a curved member. The fascia plate 50 includes a central aperture 52 for receiving the light socket 34 therethrough. The fascia plate 50 also includes a pair of spaced apart apertures 54, 56 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1) .

[0030] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the fascia plate 50 further includes a front wall 58 and a back wall 60. A first receiving structure 62 extends out rearwardly from the back wall 60, and a second receiving structure 64 extends out forwardly from the front wall 58. Although the first 62 and second 64 receiving structures are shown disposed about one of the mounting apertures 54, it should be appreciated that the first 62 and second 64 receiving structures are also disposed about the other mounting aper- ture 56. The fascia plate 50 also includes an adjuster aperture 51, shown in Figure 1, for receiving the adjuster 41.

[0031] The first 62 and second 64 receiving structures disposed about each mounting aperture 54, 56 receive one of the retention clips 40, 42 to provide a snap fit attachment between the fog lamp 10 and the front fascia 12. The snap fit attachment between one of the retention clips 42 and the first 62 and second 64 receiving structures of the fascia plate 50 is depicted in Figures 5 and 6. It should be appreciated that although the attachment between one of the retention clips 42 and the first 62 and second 64 receiving structures disposed about one of the apertures 54 is described below, the following is equally applicable to the attachment between the other retention clip 40 and the first 62 and second 64 receiving structures disposed about the other mounting aperture 56. The retention clip 42 is inserted through the aperture 54 , as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 6. Upon further insertion of the retention clip 42, the first segment 44 and part of the connecting segment 48 engage the first receiving structure 62. The second segment 46 then snaps into engagement with the second receiving structure 64. The teardrop shape of the second segment 46 allows for some upward and downward swinging of the second segment 46 relative to the second receiving structure 64. As a result, the fog lamp 10 is coupled to the front fascia 12. At the same time, the attachment between the fog lamp 10 and the fascia plate 50 is stable such that deformation of the front fascia 12 will not decouple the fog lamp 10 and the front fascia 12. Second preferred embodiment (open pocket)

[0032] Referring to Figure 7, in the second preferred embodiment there is provided a front fascia 112 comprising a pocket 116 having a fascia plate 150. Additionally, there is provided a fog lamp 110 to be retained within the pocket 116 of the fascia 112.

[0033] Referring to figures 7 through 13, it will be described how the fog lamp 110 is retained and positioned. To fixedly secure the fog lamp 110 in the pocket 116 the fog lamp 110 has to be secured in both positive and negative directions of all three dimensions x,y, and z. In the following the direction in which the fog lamp 110 is inserted into the pocket 116 will be referred to as the negative x- direction (-x) . Thus, the directions in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the fog lamp 110 is inserted into the pocket 116 are the y- and z-direction.

[0034] When inserted into the pocket 116, the fog lamp 110 is guided by additional positioning elements 182. The additional positioning elements 182 are provided at the front wall 158 of the fascia plate 150 and provide a first positioning in the y- and z-direction without locking the fog lamp 110 in the pocket 116. Preferably, the additional positioning elements are made of rubber to support the fog lamp 110 slidably when it is entering the pocket 116. [0035] At the fog lamp 110 there is provided a generally j -shaped retention clip 142 with a connecting segment 148. As the fog lamp 110 is entered into the pocket 116 the connecting segment 148 of the retention clip 142 gets into engagement with a receiving structure 164 provided at the fascia plate 150 of the pocket 116. Preferably the receiving structure 164 is an edge of the fascia plate 150. This engagement locks the fog lamp 110 in positive x-direction.

[0036] To make sure that the fog lamp 110 is locked in negative x-direction as well, additional retention elements 170 are provided at the fascia plate 150. Preferably, the additional retention elements 170 form an abutment edge the fog lamp 110 abuts on when the fog lamp 110 is entered into the pocket 116 and the retention clip 142 engages with the receiving structure 164. Thus, the fog lamp 110 is locked in positive x-direction.

[0037] Additionally there are provided additional positioning elements 180 which are generally u-shaped. These additional positioning elements 180 come into sliding engagement with respective projections 184 provided at the fascia plate 150. As can be seen in Figure 10, due to their u-shaped form the additional positiong elements 180 provide positioning for the fog lamp 110 in both y- and z- directions . As can be seen in Figure 7, their end facing in positive x-direction is preferably formed shut, so that the projection 184 of the fascia plate 150 abuts on the shut end when the fog lamp 110 is entered into the pocket 116 to provide additional positioning in negative x-direction. [0038] Referring now to figure 12 and figure 13, preferably there is provided a cover element 190 for covering a possible gap between the periphery of the fog lamp 110 and the fascia plate 150.

[0039] For positioning the cover element 190 there is provided an additional flange 192 at the fascia 112 having flange apertures 194. These apertures are formed to receive cover retention elements 196 preferably formed integral with the cover element 190. Preferably, the cover retention elements 196 are clippingly engaging the flange apertures 194. Thus, when the fog lamp 110 is inserted into the pocket 116 a possible gap between the periphery of the fog lamp 110 and the fascia plate 150 can be covered by clipping the cover retention elements 196 of the cover element 190 in the flange apertures 194 and thereby covering the gap with the cover element 190.

[0040] In a method of attaching the fog lamp 10, 110 to the front fascia 12, 112 of the motor vehicle 14, the fog lamp 10, 110 is first placed inside the pocket 16, 116. The retention clips 40, 42, 140, 142 are then inserted in the respective receiving structures 64, 164 formed along the fascia plate 50, 150. As the retention clips 40, 42, 140, 142 are inserted in the receiving structures 64, 164, each retention clip 40, 42, 140, 142 snaps into engagement with one of the receiving structures 64, 164. Thus, the fog lamp 10, 110 is held in place inside the pocket 16, 116 by the receiving structures 64, 164. As a result, the fog lamp 10, 110 is coupled to the fascia plate 50, 150. [0041] In a further embodiment of the method described above an adjuster 41 is also inserted into an adjuster aperture 51.

[0042] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A fog lamp and fascia assembly, comprising a fog lamp with a retention clip; a front fascia for a motor vehicle having a pocket for reception of said fog lamp; with receiving structures provided in said pocket for receiving said retention clip for engagement and fixation of said fog lamp in said pocket to couple said fog lamp to said front fascia.

2. A fog lamp according to claim 1, wherein said front fascia further comprises a fascia plate disposed within said pocket, said fascia plate defining an aperture and first and second receiving structures extending out in opposite directions from said fascia plate adjacent said aperture; and wherein said retention clip extends in part through said aperture, said retention clip having a first segment for engaging said first receiving structure and a second segment snap engaging said second receiving structure to couple said fog lamp to the front fascia.

3. A fog lamp according to claim 2, wherein said retention clip is integrally formed with said fog lamp.

4. A fog lamp according to claim 1, wherein said retention clip is designed to enter into engagement with said receiving structure an edge of said fascia pocket in order to provide for a fixation of said fog lamp at least in the direction opposite the direction of insertion of said fog lamp into said fascia pocket .

5. A fog lamp according to claim 4, wherein said receiving structure is an edge of said fascia pocket.

6. A fog lamp according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said fog lamp comprises additional retention elements designed to provide for a fixation of said fog lamp in the direction of insertion of said fog lamp into said fascia pocket .

7. A fog lamp according to claim 6, wherein said additional retention elements are U-channel elements.

8. A fog lamp according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said fog lamps comprises additional positioning elements for positioning said fog lamp in said pocket in the directions in a plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion of said fog lamp into said fascia pocket.

9. A fog lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, said fog lamp further comprising at least one adjuster elements for adjusting the aim of the beam pattern produced by said fog lamp.

10. In combination, a front fascia for a motor vehicle and a fog lamp coupled to said front fascia: said front fascia having a pocket and a fascia plate disposed within said pocket, said fascia plate defining an aperture and first and second receiving structures extending out in opposite directions from said fascia plate adjacent said aperture; and said fog lamp having an integrally formed retention clip extending in part through said aperture, said retention clip having a first segment for engaging said first receiving structure and a second segment snap engaging said second receiving structure to couple said fog lamp to the front fascia.

11. A method for attaching a fog lamp, having a rearwardly extending retention clip, to a fascia plate, having an aperture and first and second receiving structures, disposed within a pocket of a front fascia, the method comprising the steps of: placing the fog lamp inside the pocket; inserting the retention clip through the aperture and into engagement with the first receiving structure; and snapping the retention clip into engagement with the second receiving structure to couple the fog lamp to the front fascia.

12. A method for attaching a fog lamp according to claim 11, further comprising the step of adjusting the aim of a beam pattern produced by said fog lamp my means of adjusters provided at said fog lamp.