3
The packaging space in the
plastic part
assembly is due to height of doghouse
102.
Figure 2 also illustrates the structure of the doghouse
200
which is
manufactured by the injection molding using slide
r.
The doghouse base 201 has a
slot 202 to receive head of the clip. Further, the side walls 203 are integral with
the body of the
plastic part
. Further, the doghouse 200 has height
204
of about
5
5mm from the base of the
plastic part
.
[004]
There is minimum 9mm o
f space from the
inner surface of
plastic part
to
the
body
panel of the vehicle.
This space creates packaging space problem in
mounting of
plastic part
s.
The packaging space issue is created by the height of
doghouse.
10
[005]
US patent publication
20040139584 A1
discloses a
resilient clip for
engaging a structure and having a body portion with a pair of top flanges, a pair of
fastening members and a pair of abutting flanges. Each of the fastening members
has a base portion that is coupled to an associated one of t
he top flanges. Each of
the abutting flanges has a locking fingers which engages the mounting structure.
15
Finger flange portions are configured to engage a first side of a mounting flange
on an interior trim componen
t. This solution does not reduce packagin
g space for
mounting. Further, this solution is very expensive and complex due to clip and
flange arrangement at the panel.
[006]
In order to
eliminate the packaging space problem
on the
assembled plastic
20
part on the vehicle, a doghouse structure is
required wh
ich
reduce the height of the
doghouse and eliminate the requirement of slider to make the doghouse in the
plastic part
. The doghouse structure should be inexpensive, reliable, simple in
manufacturing, and don’t create sound vibration. Further, the doghouse
structure
should provide enough strength to hold the clip and provide easy assembly of the
25
clip and
plastic part
on the vehicle body.
T
here
fore, there
is a need in the art to
provide a
doghouse in the
plastic part
to assemble the
plastic part
on the vehic
le
body without any packaging space issue.
4
O
BJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007]
T
he principal objective of the present invention is to
provide
a
plastic part
with packaging space of about 4.5 mm.
[008]
Another object of the present subject matter is to
provide
a
metal p
late
doghouse structure with height about 2.5 mm.
5
[009]
Another object of the present subject matter is to
provide
a
metal plate
doghouse structure with sleek design.
[0010]
Yet another object of the present subject matter is to
eliminate the
requirement of slider to
create doghouses at inner surface of the
plastic part
.
[0011]
Yet another object of the present subject matter is
to
provide a simple
,
10
effective,
and cost efficient
doghouse structure
which
reduces the packaging space
in mounting of
plastic part
on the vehicle
body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0012]
The
subject matter disclosed herein relates to
a
plastic part
structure
having a plurality of metal plate doghouses to decrease overall packaging space,
15
i.e., gap between the styling surface and the vehicle body. The
plasti
c part
has a
plurality of doghouses at inner surface of the panel. Each doghouse from the
plurality of doghouses has a metal plate with a centrally low raised profile to
receive head of clip fastener. The centrally low raised profile has width according
to
diameter of the head of the clip fastener. Further, height of the centrally low
20
raised profile depends on width of the head of the clip fastener. Furthermore, the
centrally low raised profile has height about 2.5 mm. The metal plate has a width
about 1 mm
. The metal plate has two holes at sides of the centrally low raised
profile to receive vertical lugs of the
plastic part
. Once the metal plate is engaged
with the vertical lugs, the plastic vertical lugs are ultrasonically welded to fix the
25
metal plate on
the
plastic part
. Once the metal plate with centrally low raised
profile is fixed, the centrally low raised profile act as a doghouse to receive the
head of the clip fastener. The centrally low raised profile has a keyhole shaped
slot to receive the head
of the clip fastener. The present metal plate doghouse
5
reduces the mounting projection height and packaging space of the
plastic part
on
the vehicle body. Further, the present metal plate doghouse reduces the packaging
space from 9 mm to 4.5 mm.
[0013]
In order
to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of
the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with
5
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative
only but not used to limit scope
of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014]
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only
typical embodiments of
the present subject matter
and are therefore not to be
10
considered for limiting of its scope, fo
r the invention may admit to other equally
effective embodiments.
The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left
-
most digit(s) of a reference number
identifies the figure in which the reference nu
mber first appears. The same
numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and
15
components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with
embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example,
and wit
h reference to the accompanying figures, in which
:
[0015]
Fig.
1
illustrates
assembly of doghouse and clip with packaging space
about 9mm
as known in the art;
20
[0016]
Fig.
2
illustrates
structure of the doghouse created by slider during inject
molding as known in the ar
t;
[0017]
Fig.
3
illustrates
structure of metal plate for creating doghouse
,
in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter
;
[0018]
Fig.
4
i
llustrate
s
cross section of the
assembly
of
clip with doghouse
,
in
25
accordance with an embodiment
of the present s
ubject matter;
and
[0019]
Fig.
5 illustrates
cross section of welded metal plate to create doghouse on
the
plastic part
,
in accordance with an embodiment
of the present subject matter
.
6
[0020]
The
figures
depict embodiments of the
present subject matter
for
the
purposes
of illustration only.
A person
skilled in the art will
easily
recognize from
the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and
methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles
of the disclosure des
cribed herein.
5
DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0021]
The
subject matter disclosed herein relates to
a
plastic part
having a
plurality of metal plate doghouses to decrease overall packaging space, i.e., gap
between the styling surface and the vehicle b
ody.
The
plastic part
has a plurality
of doghouses at inner surface of the panel. Each doghouse from the plurality of
10
doghouses
has a metal plate with a centrally low raised profile to receive head of
clip fastener. The centrally low raised profile has wid
th according to diameter of
the head of the clip fastener. Further, height of the centrally low raised profile
depends on width of the head of the clip fastener
. Furthermore, the centrally low
raised profile has height about 2.5 mm.
The metal plate has a w
idth about 1 mm.
15
The metal plate has two holes at sides of the centrally low raised profile to receive
vertical lugs of the
plastic part
. Once the metal plate is engaged with the vertical
lugs, the plastic vertical lugs are ultrasonically welded to fix the
metal plate on the
plastic part
.
Once the metal plate with centrally low raised profile is fixed, the
centrally low raised profile act as a doghouse to receive the head of the clip
20
fastener.
The centrally low raised profile has a keyhole shaped slot to re
ceive the
head of the clip fastener.
The present metal plate doghouse reduces the mounting
projection height and packaging space of the
plastic part
on the vehicle body.
Further, the present metal plate doghouse reduces the packaging space from 9 mm
to 4.5
mm.
25
[0022]
It
should
be
noted
that the description and figures merely illustrate the
principles of the present subject
matter
. It should be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily
utilized as a ba
sis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the
same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those
30
7
skilled in the art that by devising various
assembly
that, although not explicitly
described or shown h
erein, embody the principles of the present subject matter
and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited
herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the
reader in understanding the princ
iples of the present subject matter and the
5
concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be
construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and
conditions. The novel features which are believed to be
characteristic of the
present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the
10
following description when considered in connection with the accompanying
fi
gures.
[0023]
These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be
described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be
noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject
15
matter. It will
thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise
various
arrangements
that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the
principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0024]
Fig. 3
illustrates
structu
re of metal plate for doghouse on the
plastic part
,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
The
metal plate
20
300 is in rectangular shape with centrally low raised profile 303 or center area is
raised upto 1.5 mm. The metal plate 300
has two mounting holes 301 and a
keyhole shaped slot 302. The centrally low raised profile 303 with height in range
1 mm to 3 mm, specifically 1.5 mm. The metal plate 300 has shape of doghouse.
The doghouse has a metal plate 300 with a centrally low raised
profile 303 to
25
receive head of clip fastener. The centrally low raised profile 303 has width
according to diameter of the head of the clip fastener. Further, height of the
centrally low raised profile depends on width of the head of the clip fastener.
Fur
thermore, the centrally low raised profile 303 has height about 2.5 mm. The
8
metal plate has a width about 1 mm. The metal plate has two holes at sides of the
centrally low raised profile to receive vertical lugs of the
plastic part
.
[0025]
Fig.
4 illustrates cros
s section of the assembly of clip with doghouse,
in
accordance with an embodiment
of the present subject matter.
The assembly 400
has a clip fastener 401 and a metal plate doghouse 402 (shown in figure 3 as 300).
5
The
plastic part
403 can be door garnish an
d trim door panel which are used to
increase aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. Further, the present
plastic part
403
is not restricted only to door garnish in the vehicles, it can be any part of the
vehicle which is mounted on the base panel with the cl
ip fasteners.
The clip
fastener 401 has a body part 401a and head part 402b. The body part 401a
is
10
engaged with the body panel of the vehicle. The head part 402b is engaged with
the metal plate doghouse of the
plastic part
403.
Further, dimensions of the c
lip
fa
stener 401 depend
on the design of the clip fastener and gap between the
plastic
part
and the mounting hole on the body panel of the vehicle.
I
n the figure 4, 401c
indicates the height of the body part 401a of the clip fastener 401 which is about
15
8mm
. There is gap 401d between the outer panel or body panel of the vehicle and
the doghouse
402. Further, thickness of the doghouse 402 is about 1 mm.
[0026]
The
plastic part
has a plurality of doghouses at inner surface. The metal
plate is in doghouse shape with
centrally low raised profile. The height of the
centrally low raised profile is about 1mm to 3 mm, specifically 1.5 mm.
The metal
20
plate 300 of two mounting holes to receive two vertical lugs 404 extending from
inner surface of the
plastic part
403.
Once th
e metal plate with centrally low raised
profile engaged with the vertical lugs 404 of the
plastic part
403, the vertical lugs
404 are ultrasonically welded to fix the metal plate to make the doghouse
structure, as 405 in the figure 5.
25
[0027]
Generally, the clip
head 401b has
width about 0.5mm. Once the metal
plate doghouse is assembled, the clip fastener 401 is clipped on the keyhole
shaped structure of the metal plate. The keyhole shaped slot has a narrow nec
k
to
restrict outgress of the clip fastener with less
force as compare to ingress force.
The keyhole shaped slot has
oblong
profile to
provide
mounting tolerance with the
30
9
clip
fastener
.
There is a clearance gap of about 0.5mm between the clip head and
the
plastic part
basic wall
403.
[0028]
The present metal plate d
oghouse reduces the mounting projection height
and packaging space of the
plastic part
on the vehicle body. Further, the present
metal plate doghouse reduces the packaging space from 9 mm to 4.5 mm. The
5
metal plate doghouse structure eliminates the require
ment of the slider to create
the doghouses. Due to low height of the doghouse, packaging space is less
plastic
part
.
Due to the present metal plate doghouses, it becomes possible to make parts
with sleek designs which are capable to mount on the vehicle bo
dy.
Hence, me
t
al
plate doghouse improves the aesthetic appearance by ensuring sleek design.
10
[0029]
It is easy to manufacture the present
metal plate doghouse on the
plastic
part
with simple process of welding and molding of vertical lugs.
The present
plastic part
with metal plate dog houses can be mounted on any part of the vehicle
where
packaging
space is a constraint.
[0030]
T
he term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the
15
claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or
more human
occupants and is powered by any
form of energy. The term “v
ehicle”
is a motor
vehicle which
includes, but is not limited to: car
s, trucks, vans, minivans,
hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs
.
[0031]
It will be further appreciated that functions or struct
ures of a plurality of
20
components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the
functions or structures of one
-
step or component may be split among plural steps
or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations.
Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures
depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other
25
dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present
invention may ha
ve been described in the context of only one of the illustrated
embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of
other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the
above that the fabrication of th
e unique structures herein and the operation thereof
30
10
also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present
invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the
practice of the methods herein. The use of “compr
ising” or “including” also
contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited
feature
.
5
[0032]
Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been
described
in
language specific to structural features, it is to be understo
od that the
present
subject matter
is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather,
the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present
subject matter.
Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system
/
co
mponent
10
of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is
intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations
which fall within
the
scope of
the present subject matter

Claims:We claim:
1. A plastic part (403) for receiving head (401b)of clip fastener (401), the plastic part (403) comprising:
a plurality of doghouses (402) at inner surface, wherein each doghouse (402) from the plurality of doghouses (402) comprises:
a metal plate (300) with centrally low raised profile (303), the centrally low raised profile (303) has a keyhole shaped slot (302) to receive head (401b) of the clip fastener (401).

2. The plastic part (403) as claimed in claim 1, wherein width of the centrally low raised profile (303) depends on diameter of the head (401b) of the clip fastener (401).

3. The plastic part (403) as claimed in claim 1, wherein height of the centrally low raised profile (303) depends on width of the head (401b) of the clip fastener (401).

4. The plastic part (403) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the centrally low raised profile (401) has height in range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

5. The plastic part (403) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal plate (300) has two mounting holes (301) at side of the centrally low raised profile (303) to receive two vertical lugs (404) of the plastic part (403).

6. The plastic part (403) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal plate (300) is ultrasonically welded with two vertical lugs (404) of the plastic part (403).

7. The plastic part (403) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal plate (300) has thickness in range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

8. The plastic part (403) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic part (403) is door garnish

9. The plastic part (403) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the keyhole shaped slot (302) has a narrow neck to restrict outgress of the clip fastener (401) and long oblong profile for mounting tolerance.

10. The plastic part (403) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of doghouses (402) reduces mounting projection height and packaging space of the plastic part (403) on base panel.
, Description:A PLASTIC PART WITH METAL PLATE DOGHOUSE
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a plastic part structure in vehicles, and, in particular, to a doghouse structure of the plastic part to receive head of clip to assemble the plastic part on body panel of the vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a doghouse structure with metal plate to reduce height of the doghouse and to decrease overall packaging space of mounting clip to increase aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Generally, plastic parts, such as front door garnish and back door garnish are mounted on the vehicle using resilient clips or screws. The mounting clips act as interface between the plastic part and the vehicle metal body. The mounting clip has head part and the body part. The head part of the clip engages with doghouse of the plastic part and the body part with mounting hole of the vehicle body. Generally, the doghouses are provided at inner surface of the plastic part. The doghouses are manufactured using injection molding process to support the clip head. During, manufacturing of the doghouse, 5 mm space is required for the slider to create hollow space in the doghouse. The mounting of plastic parts has technical problem of packaging space. Due to the packaging space, the decorative parts, such as back door garnish do not properly mount on the vehicle body and has space issues.
[003] Fig. 1 illustrates packaging space problem with doghouses of the plastic part as known in the art. Figure 1 show the doghouse and clip arrangement 100. The doghouse and clip arrangement 100 has clip 101 and doghouse 102. The doghouse 101 has dimensions which are based on the clip design. The clip 102 has head of height 101a about 8mm. There is a gap 101b between the outer panel and the dog house 102 is about 2 mm. The doghouse 102 has thickness 102c of about 2mm. The clip 101 has head 101d with thickness of about 2 mm. Due to slider during injection molding, the doghouse 102 has height 102b of about 5mm. The packaging space in the plastic part assembly is due to height of doghouse 102. Figure 2 also illustrates the structure of the doghouse 200 which is manufactured by the injection molding using slider. The doghouse base 201 has a slot 202 to receive head of the clip. Further, the side walls 203 are integral with the body of the plastic part. Further, the doghouse 200 has height 204 of about 5mm from the base of the plastic part.
[004] There is minimum 9mm of space from the inner surface of plastic part to the body panel of the vehicle. This space creates packaging space problem in mounting of plastic parts. The packaging space issue is created by the height of doghouse.
[005] US patent publication 20040139584 A1 discloses a resilient clip for engaging a structure and having a body portion with a pair of top flanges, a pair of fastening members and a pair of abutting flanges. Each of the fastening members has a base portion that is coupled to an associated one of the top flanges. Each of the abutting flanges has a locking fingers which engages the mounting structure. Finger flange portions are configured to engage a first side of a mounting flange on an interior trim component. This solution does not reduce packaging space for mounting. Further, this solution is very expensive and complex due to clip and flange arrangement at the panel.
[006] In order to eliminate the packaging space problem on the assembled plastic part on the vehicle, a doghouse structure is required which reduce the height of the doghouse and eliminate the requirement of slider to make the doghouse in the plastic part. The doghouse structure should be inexpensive, reliable, simple in manufacturing, and don’t create sound vibration. Further, the doghouse structure should provide enough strength to hold the clip and provide easy assembly of the clip and plastic part on the vehicle body. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a doghouse in the plastic part to assemble the plastic part on the vehicle body without any packaging space issue.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a plastic part with packaging space of about 4.5 mm.
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a metal plate doghouse structure with height about 2.5 mm.
[009] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a metal plate doghouse structure with sleek design.
[0010] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to eliminate the requirement of slider to create doghouses at inner surface of the plastic part.
[0011] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide a simple, effective, and cost efficient doghouse structure which reduces the packaging space in mounting of plastic part on the vehicle body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0012] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a plastic part structure having a plurality of metal plate doghouses to decrease overall packaging space, i.e., gap between the styling surface and the vehicle body. The plastic part has a plurality of doghouses at inner surface of the panel. Each doghouse from the plurality of doghouses has a metal plate with a centrally low raised profile to receive head of clip fastener. The centrally low raised profile has width according to diameter of the head of the clip fastener. Further, height of the centrally low raised profile depends on width of the head of the clip fastener. Furthermore, the centrally low raised profile has height about 2.5 mm. The metal plate has a width about 1 mm. The metal plate has two holes at sides of the centrally low raised profile to receive vertical lugs of the plastic part. Once the metal plate is engaged with the vertical lugs, the plastic vertical lugs are ultrasonically welded to fix the metal plate on the plastic part. Once the metal plate with centrally low raised profile is fixed, the centrally low raised profile act as a doghouse to receive the head of the clip fastener. The centrally low raised profile has a keyhole shaped slot to receive the head of the clip fastener. The present metal plate doghouse reduces the mounting projection height and packaging space of the plastic part on the vehicle body. Further, the present metal plate doghouse reduces the packaging space from 9 mm to 4.5 mm.
[0013] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0015] Fig. 1 illustrates assembly of doghouse and clip with packaging space about 9mm as known in the art;
[0016] Fig. 2 illustrates structure of the doghouse created by slider during inject molding as known in the art;
[0017] Fig. 3 illustrates structure of metal plate for creating doghouse, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0018] Fig. 4 illustrates cross section of the assembly of clip with doghouse, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0019] Fig. 5 illustrates cross section of welded metal plate to create doghouse on the plastic part, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0021] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a plastic part having a plurality of metal plate doghouses to decrease overall packaging space, i.e., gap between the styling surface and the vehicle body. The plastic part has a plurality of doghouses at inner surface of the panel. Each doghouse from the plurality of doghouses has a metal plate with a centrally low raised profile to receive head of clip fastener. The centrally low raised profile has width according to diameter of the head of the clip fastener. Further, height of the centrally low raised profile depends on width of the head of the clip fastener. Furthermore, the centrally low raised profile has height about 2.5 mm. The metal plate has a width about 1 mm. The metal plate has two holes at sides of the centrally low raised profile to receive vertical lugs of the plastic part. Once the metal plate is engaged with the vertical lugs, the plastic vertical lugs are ultrasonically welded to fix the metal plate on the plastic part. Once the metal plate with centrally low raised profile is fixed, the centrally low raised profile act as a doghouse to receive the head of the clip fastener. The centrally low raised profile has a keyhole shaped slot to receive the head of the clip fastener. The present metal plate doghouse reduces the mounting projection height and packaging space of the plastic part on the vehicle body. Further, the present metal plate doghouse reduces the packaging space from 9 mm to 4.5 mm.
[0022] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various assembly that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0023] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0024] Fig. 3 illustrates structure of metal plate for doghouse on the plastic part, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The metal plate 300 is in rectangular shape with centrally low raised profile 303 or center area is raised upto 1.5 mm. The metal plate 300 has two mounting holes 301 and a keyhole shaped slot 302. The centrally low raised profile 303 with height in range 1 mm to 3 mm, specifically 1.5 mm. The metal plate 300 has shape of doghouse. The doghouse has a metal plate 300 with a centrally low raised profile 303 to receive head of clip fastener. The centrally low raised profile 303 has width according to diameter of the head of the clip fastener. Further, height of the centrally low raised profile depends on width of the head of the clip fastener. Furthermore, the centrally low raised profile 303 has height about 2.5 mm. The metal plate has a width about 1 mm. The metal plate has two holes at sides of the centrally low raised profile to receive vertical lugs of the plastic part.
[0025] Fig. 4 illustrates cross section of the assembly of clip with doghouse, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The assembly 400 has a clip fastener 401 and a metal plate doghouse 402 (shown in figure 3 as 300). The plastic part 403 can be door garnish and trim door panel which are used to increase aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. Further, the present plastic part 403 is not restricted only to door garnish in the vehicles, it can be any part of the vehicle which is mounted on the base panel with the clip fasteners. The clip fastener 401 has a body part 401a and head part 402b. The body part 401a is engaged with the body panel of the vehicle. The head part 402b is engaged with the metal plate doghouse of the plastic part 403. Further, dimensions of the clip fastener 401 depend on the design of the clip fastener and gap between the plastic part and the mounting hole on the body panel of the vehicle. In the figure 4, 401c indicates the height of the body part 401a of the clip fastener 401 which is about 8mm. There is gap 401d between the outer panel or body panel of the vehicle and the doghouse 402. Further, thickness of the doghouse 402 is about 1 mm.
[0026] The plastic part has a plurality of doghouses at inner surface. The metal plate is in doghouse shape with centrally low raised profile. The height of the centrally low raised profile is about 1mm to 3 mm, specifically 1.5 mm. The metal plate 300 of two mounting holes to receive two vertical lugs 404 extending from inner surface of the plastic part 403. Once the metal plate with centrally low raised profile engaged with the vertical lugs 404 of the plastic part 403, the vertical lugs 404 are ultrasonically welded to fix the metal plate to make the doghouse structure, as 405 in the figure 5.
[0027] Generally, the clip head 401b has width about 0.5mm. Once the metal plate doghouse is assembled, the clip fastener 401 is clipped on the keyhole shaped structure of the metal plate. The keyhole shaped slot has a narrow neck to restrict outgress of the clip fastener with less force as compare to ingress force. The keyhole shaped slot has oblong profile to provide mounting tolerance with the clip fastener. There is a clearance gap of about 0.5mm between the clip head and the plastic part basic wall 403.
[0028] The present metal plate doghouse reduces the mounting projection height and packaging space of the plastic part on the vehicle body. Further, the present metal plate doghouse reduces the packaging space from 9 mm to 4.5 mm. The metal plate doghouse structure eliminates the requirement of the slider to create the doghouses. Due to low height of the doghouse, packaging space is less plastic part. Due to the present metal plate doghouses, it becomes possible to make parts with sleek designs which are capable to mount on the vehicle body. Hence, metal plate doghouse improves the aesthetic appearance by ensuring sleek design.
[0029] It is easy to manufacture the present metal plate doghouse on the plastic part with simple process of welding and molding of vertical lugs. The present plastic part with metal plate dog houses can be mounted on any part of the vehicle where packaging space is a constraint.
[0030] The term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “vehicle” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.
[0031] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
[0032] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.