FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to garnish structure at back door of vehicle, and, in particularly, to a garnish and garnish support structure having improved rigidity.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] A prior art will be described referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating garnish 1.1 and garnish support member 1.2 mounted on back door of a vehicle. Figure 1 illustrates a mounting location of the garnish 1.1 at the back door of the vehicle. Figure. 2 illustrates a cross section view along R1-R1 / R2-R2 of the garnish 1.1 and the garnish support member 1.2 of an existing design at the back door of the vehicle. The support member 1.2 is mounted on Back Door outer panel 1.4, and then garnish 1.1 is fitted over the back door outer panel 1.4 with the help of double sided adhesive tape 1.5 and bolts.
[003] When the garnish 1.1 is subjected to a force F as shown in Fig. 2 , there results a moment about center O (contact point of the garnish 1.1 and the outer panel 1.4). This creates tension in the adhesive tape 1.5 which stretches the tape 1.5 resulting in an increase in gap between the outer panel 1.4 and the garnish 1.1. Though a pad 1.3, provided between the garnish 1.1 and the support member 1.2, is only able to provide a resistance in vertical direction (z – direction) and would help in load transfer to the support member 1.2, but it will not be able to restrict the tendency of the garnish 1.1 to rotate about the point O.
Also, if there is any variation of an edge E of the garnish 1.1 in +Z and –Z direction during molding process, the same will be visible after the assembly of the part as there is no mechanism to restrict the warping that will be there in individual part.
[004] Japanese Patent Publication JP6055747 provides a back door garnish. The patent provides: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a back door garnish which improves design flexibility and secures high rigidity. SOLUTION: In a back door garnish 1, a garnish body 13 is fixed to an outer panel 50a through first fixing parts 25a to 25g and the garnish body 13 is fixed to a support part 15b of a support member 15 through second fixing parts 27. The structure allows the support member 15 to support the garnish body 13 at both sides in a width direction in the back door garnish 1. Thus, in the back door garnish 1, even if all of the first fixing parts 25a to 25g are not formed at a regular interval, the rigidity of the garnish body 13 is secured when the garnish body 13 is fixed to the outer panel 50a. The support part 15b can support a load applied from the upper side of a vehicle 3 to the garnish body 13 by using support surfaces 150a to 150c.
[005] However, the assembly, shape, operation and location of the parts mentioned in the prior art are not similar to the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[006] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a combination of structures in garnish and garnish support and their mountings including a door panel to which the garnish support is fixed; a plurality of wedge shapes and a plurality of snap structures integrated with the garnish; and a plurality of rib structures and a plurality of slots integrated with the garnish support, wherein, the garnish is disposed on the garnish support such that the plurality of wedge shapes overlaps the plurality of rib structures, and the plurality of snap structures engages with the plurality of slots.
[007] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to structure of garnish and garnish support structure. Further, the present subject matter relates to a combination of structures to control the waviness of a molded part shaped like a spoiler that is introduced due to part geometry or uneven process parameters and also to provide a temporary retention during assembly of the part on production line. This combination is intended to remove any waviness that may be there in individual part not to appear after assembly of component parts viz. garnish and support.
[008] According to the present subject matter, there is provided a wedge shape in the form of a cantilever and a snap shape integrated in the garnish part in the inside surface of the garnish. The wedge shape has corresponding negative structure in the support part that allows for insertion of wedge into a cavity and a rib structure on the cavity of support that allows for surface to surface matching over a limited contact area. The snap shape has corresponding locking area in the support part which provides a retention force on the garnish helping it to be in place during assembly of the part on assembly line.
[009] Further, the number and length of the wedges can be varied as per the length of the garnish and the position of snap can be arranged where there is greater requirement of retention as per part geometry. In the present invention a snap is placed between two wedges so that the surrounding differences in waviness can be minimized, and another set of snap is placed at the ends of garnish where retention requirement is more due to part deflection after molding. These places can be identified by mold flow simulations and the resulting deflection values at different regions. Also the cantilever length of the wedge shape has to be taken care depending on material and basic thickness so that significant waviness is not introduced in the cantilever itself.
[0010] When the garnish and support structures are assembled the wedge shape also functions as a means to arrest the moment that is generated when a force value is applied on the garnish by application of customer hands or some other accidental means. In doing so the overall stability of the part is improved upon at all places.
[0011] 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
[0012] 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:
[0013] Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate mounting of garnish and cross section of mounted garnish at the back door of vehicle as known in the art;
[0014] Fig. 3 illustrates mounting process of the garnish structure with garnish support member and backdoor panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0015] Fig. 4 and 5 illustrate cross section of the mounted garnish structure with support structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0016] Fig. 6 illustrates Garnish structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0017] Fig. 7 illustrates inside view of the garnish structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0018] Fig. 8 illustrates structure of the garish support member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0019] Fig. 9 illustrates garnish structure with rib shape support and wedge shape for mounting and rigidity, 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] 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 arrangements 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] Figure 3 illustrates an overall mounting concept wherein a garnish 5.7 is disposed on door panel 5.4. The door panel 5.4 includes a plurality of square or circular holes for receiving plastic nuts 5.3. Further, a support 5.6 is aligned to the plurality of holes, and is fixed to the door panel 5.4 with the help of self tapping screws 5.2. Further, the garnish 5.7 is provided with a plurality of clips 5.1 into dog-house structures made in the garnish 5.7. The plurality clips 5.1 are aligned with the plurality of holes, and approached to the support 5.6 for fitting the garnish 5.7 directly on to the door panel 5.4. After engagement of the garnish 5.7 and support 5.6, release paper from adhesive tape 6.7 provided on the door panel 5.4 is removed, and the garnish 5.7 is pressed against the door panel 5.4. The assembly is completed by using bolts 5.5 which engage with nuts molded in the support 5.6.
[0024] Figures 4 and 5 illustrates cross section views of the garnish 5.7, similar to the sections R1-R1 and R2-R2 of Fig. 1, mounted on the back door panel 5.4 with the support 5.6, in accordance with the present subject matter. As shown, a wedge shape 6.4 integrated into the garnish 5.7 which comes in contact with a rib structure 6.2 integrated in the support part 5.6 and provides a small contact area A where a small overlap is given, which allows for control of molding deformation or waviness that can be introduced in the garnish 5.7 in +Z and/or –Z direction (See Fig. 2) that will be directly visible to customer or occupant.
[0025] The support 5.6 is fixed to the door panel 5.4 with the help of the screws (5.2 in Fig. 3). The garnish 5.7 is assembled over support 5.6 with the help of the adhesive tape 6.7 provided to the door panel 5.4 and the bolts (5.5 in Fig. 3). When a force value F is applied on to the garnish 5.7 (See Fig. 4) the moment that would result about point O will be arrested by the interaction of the wedge shape 6.4 and the rib structure (6.2). The wedge shape 6.4 being integrated with the garnish 5.7 will also try to rotate about O, but a reaction force from the rib structure 6.2 through the contact area A will prevent this rotation as the support 5.6 itself is fixed with respect to the door panel 5.4. As the relative rotation of the garnish 5.7 is restricted with respect to the door panel 5.4, so a more controlled gap value is achieved at the top edge of the garnish 5.7. By arresting the moment about point O, improvement in load transfer from the garnish 5.7 to the support 5.6 is also achieved, making the garnish 5.7, the support 5.6, and the door panel 5.4 more interconnected and rigid.
[0026] As shown in figure 5, the present arrangement further provides a snap structure 4.2 which is provided at corner locations where deflection value is large so as to provide retention after assembly of the garnish 5.7. During the assembly of the garnish 5.7 part, the integrated snap structure 4.2 is made to enter slots (8.3/8.5 in Fig. 8) incorporated in the support 5.6. The slots 8.3/8.5 provides a place for the snap structure 4.2 to lock, providing a retention force which helps in minimizing the gap between the door panel 5.4 and the garnish 5.7 at the top edge which is critical from aesthetic view point. After molding of the garnish 5.7 there may be warpage and waviness introduced in the part due to non-uniform cooling. The snap structure 4.2 provides a means to minimize surrounding difference in warpage. The retention force value can be adjusted by changing the angle of locking face of the snap structure 4.2 to counter the deflection introduced by manufacturing methods. It is thus a combination of the wedge shape 6.4 and the snap structure 4.2 that overcomes the difficulties faced in conventional structure (Fig. 2).
[0027] Figure 6 and 7 illustrates the inside view of the garnish 5.7, in the accordance with the present subject matter. As shown in Figure 7, inner side of the garnish 5.7 has several wedge shapes 6.4, and snap structures 4.2 to mount the garnish 5.7 with the support 5.6. The wedge shapes 4.2 are inserted in corresponding holes 8.2 (See Fig. 8) to mount the upper side of the garnish 5.7 on the support 5.6. Further, the snap structures 4.2 are inserted in corresponding holes for snap fitment of the garnish 5.7 structure on the support 5.6. The combination of the wedge shapes 6.4 and the corresponding holes restrict relative rotation between the garnish 5.7 and the support 5.6. Further, the combination of the snap structures 4.2 and the corresponding holes guides the garnish 5.7 for mounting and restrict falling of the garnish 5.7 from the support 5.6. Further, it also restricts rotation of the garnish 5.7 on the support 5.6.
[0028] Figure 8 illustrates the support 5.6 in detail in accordance with the present subject matter. The support 5.6 member has an EPT pad 8.1, insertion holes 8.2 for receiving the wedge shapes 6.4 of the garnish 5.7, the snap slots 8.3 / 8.5 for receiving the snap structures 4.2 for snap fitment, EPDM foam pad 8.4, and nut molded 8.6 in the support 5.6 for mounting the garnish 5.7 from lower side.
[0029] Figure 9 illustrates several mounting or assembly conditions of the wedge shape 6.4 in the assembly of the garnish 5.7 and support 5.6. The rib structure 6.2 is provided on the support 5.6 to maintain a limited contact area with the wedge shape 6.4 of the garnish 5.7. Further, the rib structure 6.2 is for preventing through contact and ensures that the contact area between the wedge shape 6.4 and the support 5.6 is less. This is to prevent the manufacturing inaccuracies harming the relation of the wedge shape 6.4 and the support 5.6. Further another rib 9.3 is provided on the wedge shape 6.4 on the garnish 5.7 to provide rigidity to the wedge shape 6.4.
[0030] 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.

We claim:
1. A combination of structures in garnish (5.7) and garnish support (5.6) and their mountings comprising:
a door panel (5.4) to which the garnish support (5.6) is fixed;
a plurality of wedge shapes (6.4) and a plurality of snap structures (4.2) integrated with the garnish (5.7); and
a plurality of rib structures (6.2) and a plurality of slots (8.3/8.5) integrated with the garnish support (5.6),
wherein, the garnish (5.7) is disposed on the garnish support (5.6) such that the plurality of wedge shapes (6.4) overlaps the plurality of rib structures (6.2), and the plurality of snap structures (4.2) engages with the plurality of slots (8.3/8.5).
2. The combination of structures as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door panel (5.4) includes a plurality of holes to which the garnish support (5.6) is aligned, and the garnish support (5.6) is fixed to the door panel (5.4) with the help of self tapping screws (5.2).
3. The combination of structures as claimed in claim 2, wherein the garnish (5.7) includes a plurality of clips (5.1) that are aligned with the plurality of holes, and the garnish (5.7) approached to the garnish support (5.6) for fitting the garnish (5.7) directly on to the door panel (5.4).
4. The combination of structures as claimed in claim 3, wherein an adhesive tape (6.7) is provided on the door panel (5.4) for affixing the garnish (5.7).
5. The combination of structures as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of wedge shapes (6.4) and the plurality of snap structures (4.2) restricts rotation of the garnish (5.7) relative to the garnish support (5.6) and the door panel (5.4) about a point of contact (O) under a force (F).
6. The combination of structures as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of wedge shapes (6.4) includes another rib (9.3) to improve rigidity of the plurality of wedge shapes (6.4).