[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a bezel fitment structure.
[0002] In particular, the present subject matter relates a vehicle door with a bezel fitment structure having a hook structure molded with a bezel and fastened with a mating part in a vehicle door trim to control the gap and level difference between the bezel and the mating part.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Currently, electrical switches are used in armrests, console controls, and other interior trim components. Such electrical switches in some cases run through an aperture in a bezel that passes through an aperture in the door trim. Such electrical switches may be either fixed to the bezel or connected to the same structure that is connected to the door trim.
[0004] The bezel supported in the door trim is the most accessed part of the door trim by a user as the bezel holds power window switches, center locking switches, outside rearview mirror controls, and the like. Because of the frequent accessing of the bezel or during bezel assembly with door trim, the bezel may move from its intended position.
[0005] Several known techniques in the state of art have provided techniques related to improving the appearance quality by avoiding the occurrence of clearance and a step height in a butting part between an end part of a bending wall of an interior trim body and one end part of a design member on the bending wall side. The known techniques furnish structure with a snap shaped locking structure provided in a bezel for connecting to a mating part formed in the door trim. In such structures, the gap between the bezel and the mating part is controlled by a snap, and the level difference (LD) is controlled by a zero-touch rib formed on a back side of the snap and a slant face of the snap. However, the direction of insertion of bezel is from upward-downward direction.
[0006] In the automotive industry, the tight bezel fitment structure became a long felt unresolved need. The automotive designers have provided a tight fitment structure between a bezel and a mating part formed in the door trim. In such structures, the mating part is provided with embossing and a slant face. The bezel is provided with an inclined face that rests on a slant face and a snap is provided to lock the bezel with the mating part. The level difference (LD) is controlled in these structures. However, these structures do not provide any solution to control the gap between the bezel and the mating part formed in the door trim. With the gaps prominently present, the fitment of the bezel is not proper and hence degrades aesthetics of the door trim.
[0007] In view of the above discussed industrial applications, a prevalent technical problem is explicitly understood, i.e. lack of a tight fitment bezel structure. The known structures available in the industry, specifically are deficient in terms of providing a structure that maintains the zero gap and the level difference between the bezel and the mating part formed on the door trim in a situation where the bezel is inserted from vehicle outside to inside direction.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an invention which provides a technically advanced structure for controlling gap and level difference between the bezel and the mating part formed on the door trim in a situation where the bezel is inserted from vehicle outside to inside direction to improve aesthetics and touch feel of door trim.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] It is therefore the object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior method/product/apparatus.
[0010] It is a primary object of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle door with a structure that controls the gap and the level difference between a bezel and a mating part formed on door trim.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle door with a structure that uses a hook type mechanism to fit the bezel within the mating part.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle door with a structure without significantly adding to the manufacturing costs and labor costs for such constructions in lower-end automobiles.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide bezel fitment in a vehicle door such that touch feel and aesthetics of door trim are improved.
[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle door with a structure that reduces noise level due to less surface contact between a bezel and a mating part.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0016] Solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0017] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door with a bezel fitment structure, comprising a hook structure formed at a bottom surface of a bezel; and a cut-out opening formed on a mating part of the door trim, the cut-out opening being formed to receive the hook structure. The cut-out opening at an end region includes a longitudinal slit having a plurality of ribs on one side for engaging the hook structure.
[0018] In an aspect, the hook structure has two side walls that extended perpendicularly in the downward direction from the bottom surface of the bezel.
[0019] In an aspect, the side walls include a longitudinal side wall extending along a longitudinal side of the hook structure and a side wall extending along a rear-traverse side of the hook structure.
[0020] In an aspect, the hook structure is disposed slidable towards the longitudinal slit for locking the longitudinal sidewall of the hook structure in the longitudinal slit through the plurality of ribs.
[0021] In an aspect, when the longitudinal sidewall of the hook structure is engaged in the longitudinal slit, a hook portion of the hook structure is at zero-touch with a bottom surface of the mating part.
[0022] In an aspect, the plurality of ribs includes a formation of crests and troughs.
[0023] In an aspect, the mating part is formed on a base structure of the door trim.
[0024] In an aspect, the bezel and the mating part are assembled such that there is zero-gap between the bezel and the mating part.
[0025] In an aspect, the bezel and the mating part are assembled such that a constant level difference is maintained between the bezel and the mating part.
[0026] In an aspect, the mating part on top surface includes a plurality of ribs patterned to reduce the contact surface between the bezel and the mating part.
[0027] In an aspect, the hook structure has an upward protruded portion patterned to reduce the contact surface between the hook structure and the mating part.
[0028] In an aspect, the hook structure has a chamfer formed for smooth insertion in the cut-out opening of the mating part.
[0029] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] 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 present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, 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 or structure 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:
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle door with a bezel fitment structure having a bezel and a door trim in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of a bezel with a hook structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of a bezel with a hook structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 2C illustrates an isometric view of the hook structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric view of a cut-out portion in a mating part of the door trim in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 3B illustrates ribs in the cut-out portion of the mating part in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of an assembled state of the bezel and the mating part in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an assembled state of the bezel and the mating part in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0039] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the cross-sectional views of assembly of bezel with the mating part with zero gap and constant level difference in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0042] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle door 100 having a bezel fitment structure. The vehicle door 100 includes a bezel 102 that is mounted on a door trim 104. In an aspect, the door trim 104 may include a mating part on which the bezel 102 is mounted.
[0044] The bezel 102 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view and elongates in a vehicle front-rear direction. The bezel 102 is placed at an arm rest of the vehicle (side) door 100. The bezel 102 houses power window switches, center locking switches, outside rearview mirror controls, and the like.
[0045] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different views of the bezel 102 along with a hook structure 202 and FIG. 2C illustrates an isometric view of the hook structure 202. The hook structure 202 is injection molded in the bezel 102.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2C, the hook structure 202 is having a hook portion 202a formed at a bottom surface of the hook structure 202 and is protruding upwards from the bottom surface, or base, of the hook structure 202.
[0047] Further, as can be seen from FIGS. 2B and 2C, the hook structure 202 has two side walls 202b, 202c that extend perpendicularly in the downward direction from the bezel 102. One side wall 202b extends along a longitudinal side of the hook structure 202, while another side wall 202c extends along a rear-traverse side of the hook structure 202. The hook structure 202 is purposely structured in such a way that engaging of the hook structure 202 with a mating part 302 (FIG. 3A) formed on the door trim 104 is done smoothly. Further, a chamfer (202d) is provided in the hook structure 202 for smooth insertion in the cut-out opening 304 (FIG. 3A) of the mating part 302. Further, the hook structure 202 has an upward protruded portion 202e patterned to reduce the contact surface of the hook structure 202 with the mating part 302.
[0048] In an aspect, the mating part 302 on top surface includes a plurality of ribs 302a, 302b patterned to reduce the contact surface between the bezel 102 and the mating part 302.
[0049] In an aspect, the hook structure 202 has a zig-zag surface to reduce contact area with the mating part 302. The zig-zag surface forms the contour structure of the hook structure 202 such that the zig-zag surface forms specific touchpoints when engaged within the mating part 302 formed on the door trim 104.
[0050] The mating part 302 formed on the door trim 104 is shown FIG. 3A. The mating part 302 is formed to engage the hook structure 202 of the bezel 102. To incorporate the hook structure 202, a cut-out opening 304 is formed on the mating part 302.
[0051] In an aspect, the mating part 302 includes at least two cut-out openings 304a, 304b to receive and engage the two hook structures 202-1, 202-2 (collectively referred as 202) of the bezel 102. Although the present subject matter is described with respect to two hook structures and corresponding two cut-out openings, there can be any number of hook structures and corresponding cut-out openings based on design requirement.
[0052] Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, each of the cut-out openings 304, at the end region, includes a longitudinal slit 306. In an aspect, the width and length of the longitudinal slit 306 correspond to the width and length of the longitudinal sidewall 202b of the hook structure 202. Further, one side of the longitudinal slit 306 is formed with a plurality of ribs 308 for engaging and locking the longitudinal sidewall 202b of the hook structure 202. The ribs 308 have a series of crests and troughs pattern formations on its one side. The crests and troughs pattern formation is provided to reduce the contact surface between the bezel 102 and the mating part 302.
[0053] The plurality of ribs 308 provides a locking mechanism as the hook structure 202 is inserted inside and fastened with the cut-out opening 304. That is, when the hook structure 202 is received in the cut-out opening 304, the hook structure 202 is slided towards the longitudinal slit 306 to lock the longitudinal sidewall 202b of the hook structure 202 in the longitudinal slit 306 through the plurality of ribs 308.
[0054] Also, while the longitudinal sidewall 202b of the hook structure 202 is engaged in the longitudinal slit 306, the hook portion 202a of the hook structure 202 engages with the bottom surface of the mating part 302. FIG. 4A and 4B show different views of an assembled state of the bezel 102 and the mating part 302, after engagement of the hook structure 202 in the cut-out opening 304.
[0055] FIGS. 5A and 5B represent different touch points between the bezel 102 and the mating part 302, in the assembled state about A-A vertex as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0056] Further, FIG. 5A represents a zero gap and constant level difference (LD) between the bezel 102 and the mating part 302, thus providing better fitment between the bezel 102 and the mating part 302. Also, FIG. 5B illustrates the hook structure 202 fastened with mating part 302 at the cut-out opening 304 at a first area 502 and a second area 508 to maintain a zero gap between the bezel 102 and the mating part 302.
[0057] Further, the hook structure 202 is fastened with the cut-out opening 304 at a third area 506 and a fourth area 504 to maintain a constant level difference (LD) between the bezel 102 and the mating part 302.
[0058] The zero-gap and constant level difference (LD), between the bezel 102 and the mating part 302, improve aesthetics of the door trim and provide premium touch feel to the user of the vehicle.
[0059] In the present disclosure, the contour structure of the hook structure 202 when fastened with the cut-out opening 304 forms a minimum surface contact arrangement, such that the bezel 102 has reduced surface contact with the mating part 302. Thus, the present subject matter imparts a sturdy fitment of the bezel 102 with the mating part 302 formed on the door trim 104 while reducing unwarranted structural noise generated during vehicle running condition.
[0060] The advantageous aspects of the present disclosure are well clarified throughout the specification described herein, i.e., the gap and level difference (LD) between the bezel 102 and the mating part 302 is maintained. The subject matter described herein is successful in providing a proper fitment of the bezel 102 in the door trim 104. Another technical effect provided by the present disclosure is an improvement in touch feel and aesthetic appearance of the door trim 104.
[0061] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0062] 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 disclosure 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 disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure 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 disclosure. The present disclosure 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.

Claims:1. A vehicle door (100) with a bezel fitment structure comprising:
a hook structure (202) formed at a bottom surface of a bezel (102); and
a cut-out opening (304) formed on a mating part (302) of a door trim (104), the cut-out opening (304) being formed to receive the hook structure (202);
wherein the cut-out opening (304) at an end region includes a longitudinal slit (306) having a plurality of ribs (308) on one side for engaging the hook structure (202).
2. The vehicle door (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook structure (202) has two side walls (202b, 202c) that extend perpendicularly in the downward direction from the bottom surface of the bezel (102).
3. The vehicle door (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the side walls (202b, 202c) include a side wall (202b) extending along a longitudinal side of the hook structure (202) and a side wall (202c) extending along a rear-traverse side of the hook structure (202).
4. The vehicle door (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hook structure (202) is disposed slidable towards the longitudinal slit (306) for locking the longitudinal sidewall (202b) of the hook structure (202) in the longitudinal slit (306) through the plurality of ribs (308).
5. The vehicle door (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the longitudinal sidewall (202b) of the hook structure (202) is locked in the longitudinal slit (306), a hook portion (202a) of the hook structure (202) engages with a bottom surface of the mating part (302).
6. The vehicle door (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs (308) comprises a formation of crests and troughs.
7. The vehicle door (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mating part (302) is formed on a base structure of the door trim (104).
8. The vehicle door (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mating part (302) on top surface includes a plurality of ribs (302a, 302b) patterned to reduce the contact surface between the bezel (102) and the mating part (302).
9. The vehicle door (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook structure (202) includes an upward protruded portion (202e) patterned to reduce the contact surface between the hook structure (202) and the mating part (302).
10. The vehicle door (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook structure (202) has a chamfer (202d) formed for smooth insertion in the cut-out opening (304) of the mating part (302).