Claims:CLAIMS
We claim:

1. A latching system (300) to latch elements arranged at a front end module of a vehicle, the latching system (300) comprising:
a first element (302) adapted to be latched to a second element (304), the first element (302) having one or more latching elements (306A, 306B), each latching element (306A, 306B) comprising,
an elongate member (308) comprising a base portion (308A) secured to the first element (302), a latch portion (308B) adapted to engage with the second element (304), a connector portion (308C) extends between the latch portion (308B) and the base portion (308A), and
a protruding member (310) extends from a first side surface (314) of the elongate member (308), wherein the protruding member (310) extends substantially from a middle portion of the first side surface (314) of the elongate member (308),
wherein the latch portion (308B) is adapted to engage with the second element (304) when the first element (302) is moved relative to the second element (304) in a latching direction “L”, the protruding member (310) is adapted to bridge gap between the elongate member (308) and the second element (304).

2. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the latching elements (306A, 306B) is made of semi flexible material.

3. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the protruding member (310) extends substantially from a distal portion of the elongate member (308).

4. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the latch portion (308B) extends laterally from the first side surface (314).

5. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the protruding member (310) comprises a fillet member (312) at interface of a base of the protruding member (310) and the elongate member (308)

6. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the first element (302) being a cover and the second element (304) being a frame of an active grille shutter (AGS) assembly (200) having an opening 316 to receive the cover therein.

7. The system (300) of claim 6 and claim 1, wherein the one or more latching elements (306A, 306B) comprises at least a pair of latching element (306A, 306B), the pair of latching elements (306A, 306B) spaced apart from one another and extends from a peripheral portion of the cover.

8. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the latching element (306A, 306B) is a press-fit type latching element.

9. The system (300) of claim 1, wherein the protruding member (310) along length is either orthogonal or angularly oriented with respect to the elongate member (308) and the direction of latching "L".

10. An active grille shutter (AGS) assembly (200) comprising a latching system (300) of claim 1 to latch a first element (302) to a second element (304), wherein the first element (302) is a frame connected to a portion of a vehicle adapted to support an actuator and the second element (304) being a cover member that covers a front side of the actuator by being latched to the frame.
, Description:LATCHING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE FRONT END ELEMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a latching system for vehicles, more particularly to a latching system adapted to latch with a front end module of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional latching system 100 used to mount components on a vehicle, for example, used to securely mount an actuator-cover 104 on an active grille shutter (AGS) frame 102 includes a pair of latch elements 106. The latch elements 106 are formed as a part of the cover 104 and adapted to engage with a retainer opening formed at place where the actuator is held by the frame 102. The actuator-cover 104 engages with the frame 102 so as to cover the front side of the actuator. Each latch element 106 includes an elongate member 108. The elongate member 108 includes a base portion 108A and a latch portion 108C connected by a connector portion 108B. The elongate members 108 are flexed inward and moved relative to the opening of the frame 102 in a direction depicted by arrow ‘A’, until the latch portion 108C reaches and engages a portion of the frame 102 to form a latched configuration. Thereby, the latch elements 106 press fit locks the cover 104 to the frame 102. Here, an inherent clearance is formed between the elongate member 108 and the frame 102, depicted by reference ‘G’. During operation of the vehicle or when the system is subjected to vibration, the clearance gap ‘G’ causes the latch element 106 to move in a direction orthogonal to the latching direction ‘A’. The unrestricted movement results in rattling noise and may even cause disengagement of the cover 104.

One would think of increasing the width ‘W’ of the connector portion 108B to reduce the clearance ‘G’. However, the elongate member 108 need to be flexed more inwards compared to the configuration explained with respect to FIG. 1. This could cause more stress and may even result in breakage of the elongate member 108. Further, the clearance gap ‘G’ cannot be avoided in press fit type latching system and to satisfy mechanical tolerance.

Referring to FIG. 2, as another solution, a rib 110 is provided at the elongate member 108. The rib 110 extends axially from the base portion 108A to at least a portion of length of the connector portion 108B. The rib 110 is provided to fill in the inherent clearance ‘G’ between the frame 102 and the elongate member 108. The addition of rib 110 to the latch elements 106 causes high stress concentration. Generally, a fillet 112 is provided at the interface of the rib 110 and the cover member 104. However, the fillet 112 causes additional gap ‘Ga’ between the connector portion 108B of the latch element 106 and the frame 102 and defeats the purpose of providing the rib 110 to bridge inherent clearance "G" to address the rattling noise issues.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a latching system adapted to latch with elements arranged at a front end module of a vehicle while bridging the clearance gap.

SUMMARY

In the present description, some elements or parameters may be indexed, such as a first element and a second element. In this case, unless stated otherwise, this indexation is only meant to differentiate and name elements, which are similar but not identical. No idea of priority should be inferred from such indexation, as these terms may be switched without betraying the invention. Additionally, this indexation does not imply any order in mounting or use of the elements of the invention.

In view of forgoing, the present invention discloses a latching system to latch with elements arranged at a front end module of a vehicle. The latching system comprises a first element including one or more latching elements that are adapted to latch with a second element. Each latching element comprises an elongate member. The elongate member includes a base portion secured to the first element, a latch portion adapted to engage with the second element and a connector portion extends between the latch portion and the base portion. Each latching element further comprises a protruding member that extends from a first side surface of the elongate member. The latch portion is adapted to engage with the second element when the first element is moved relative to the second element in a latching direction ‘L’. The protruding member is adapted to bridge an inherently formed gap ‘G’, discussed in the background section, between the elongate member and the second element. Thereby, the protruding member of the latching system limits the lateral movement of the first element, which in turn reduces rattling noise.

In one embodiment, the protruding member extends substantially from a middle portion of the first side surface of the elongate member.

In another embodiment, the protruding member extends substantially from a distal portion of the elongate member. The protruding member along length is either orthogonally or angularly oriented with respect to the elongate member and the direction of latching ‘L’.

In one embodiment, the latching elements are made of semi flexible material.

Further, the protruding member comprises a fillet member at interface of a base of the protruding member and the elongate member to reduce the stress concentration.

In one embodiment, the first element is a cover and the second element is a frame of an active grille shutter having an opening to receive the cover therein.

In one embodiment, the one or more latching element incudes at least a pair of latching element. The pair of latching elements spaced apart from one another and extends from a peripheral portion of the cover. The pair of latching elements adapted to latch the cover onto the frame. In one embodiment, the latching element is a press-fit type latching element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention can be inferred from the description of the invention hereunder. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a prior art latching system adapted to latch with elements at a front end of the vehicle.

FIG. 2 is the prior art latching system including a rib.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a latching system adapted to latch with elements at the front end of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a first element, where the latching element includes a protruding member extending orthogonally with respect to the elongate member.

FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates the first element, where the protruding member extends angularly with respect to the elongate member.

FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates the first element and the second element in an unlatched configuration.

FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates the first element latched to the second element, where the protruding member extends orthogonally with respect to the elongate member.

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates the first element latched to the second element, where the protruding member extends angularly with respect to the elongate member.

It must be noted that the figures disclose the invention in a detailed enough way to be implemented, said figures helping to better define the invention if needs be. The invention should however not be limited to the embodiment disclosed in the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention discloses a latching system to latch with elements arranged at a front end module of a vehicle. The latching system comprises a first element including one or more latching elements that are adapted to latch with a second element. Each latching element comprises an elongate member. The elongate member includes a base portion secured to the first element, a latch portion adapted to engage with the second element and a connector portion extends between the latch portion and the base portion. Each latching element further comprises a protruding member that extends from a first side surface of the elongate member. The latch portion is adapted to engage with the second element when the first element is moved relative to the second element in a latching direction ‘L’. The protruding member is adapted to bridge an inherently formed gap ‘G’, discussed in the background section, between the elongate member and the second element. Thereby, the protruding member of the latching system limits lateral movement of the first element, which in turn reduces the rattling noise.

Referring to FIG.3, the latching system 300 is adapted to latch elements arranged at a front end module of a vehicle. The latching system 300 comprises a first element 302 and a second element 304. The first element 302 is latched to the second element 304 via one or more latching elements (306A, 306B). Referring to FIG. 4, the first element 302 comprises one or more latch elements (306A, 306B) that are adapted to latch with the second element 304. Each latch element (306A, 306B) includes an elongate member 308 and a protruding member 310. The elongate member 308 has a substantially rectangular shape, including, a base portion 308A defining a base section, a latch portion 308B defining a top section and a connector portion 308C defining a middle section. The elongate member 308 may have any shapes, such as but not limited to the rectangular shape as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The base portion 308A, the connector portion 308C and the latch portion 308B are integrally connected and formed as a single piece of component. The connector portion 308C extends between the base portion 308A and the latch portion 308B. The elongate member 308, specifically the connector portion 308C, has a protruding member 310 that extends outwardly from a first side surface 314 of the elongate member 308. The first side surface 314 defines a side surface area of the elongate member 308 that engages the second element 304 while latched with the first element 302. The base portion 308A, the connector portion 308C, the latch portion 308B and the protruding member 310 are all formed by a single step molding process.

In one embodiment, the protruding member 310 extends substantially from a middle portion of the first side surface 314 of the elongate member 308. In another embodiment, the protruding member 310 extends substantially from a distal portion of the first side surface 314 of the elongate member 308. The protruding member 310 along the length is orthogonally oriented with respect to the elongate member 308 and the latching direction L. In one embodiment, the protruding member 310 has a square shape. In another embodiment, the protruding member 310 has a rectangular shape. In yet another embodiment, the protruding member 310 may have any shape, such as but not limited to the square shape as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, the protruding member 310 further comprises a fillet member 312 at interface of a base of the protruding member 310 and the elongate member 308. The fillet member 312 extends around the entire periphery of the base of the protruding member 310 and adjoins at the interface of the protruding member 310 and the elongate member 308. Further, as the fillet member 312 is provided at the interface of the protruding member 310 and the elongate member 308, the fillet member 312 does not add additional gap ‘Ga’ discussed in the conventional latching system 100. Further, the latch portion 308B of the elongate member 308 extends laterally from the first side surface 314. The latch portion 308B is adapted to engage with the second element 304 on latching the second element 304 with the first element 302. The protruding member 310 is dimensioned to bridge the clearance gap ‘G’ discussed in the conventional latching system 100. In one embodiment, the protruding member 310 having dimension of 6mm in width, 3mm in height and 1.5mm in thickness may be used to bridge the clearance gap ‘G’ of 1.6mm.

In one embodiment, the present invention further discloses the active grille shutter (AGS) assembly or airflow control system (ACS) 200, as shown in FIG. 3, incorporated with the latching system (300). The system (300) is adapted to latch the first element (302) to the second element (304). The first element (302) is a frame connected to a portion of the vehicle adapted to support the actuator and the second element (304) being a cover member that covers a front side of the actuator by being affixed to the frame.

FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration 400 of the latching element (306A, 306B) where the protruding member 310 along the length is angularly oriented with respect to the elongate member 308 and the latching direction L. The protruding member 310 may have any shape, such as but not limited to the rectangular shape as illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates the first element 302 and the second element 304 in an unlatched configuration. According to this embodiment, the first element 302 being a cover and the second element 304 being a frame of an active grille shutter (AGS) assembly 200. An actuator is disposed at the frame to control the fins of the shutter. The cover includes one or more latching elements (306A, 306B) that are adapted to latch onto a portion 318 of the frame enclose the opening 316 and the actuator. One or more latching elements (306A, 306B) includes at least a pair of latching element (306A, 306B). The pair of latching element (306A, 306B) includes a first latching element 306A and a second latching element 306B. The first latching element 306A is spaced apart from the second latching element 306B and is extended from a peripheral portion of the cover. The latching elements (306A, 306B) is a press-fit type latching element adapted to lock the cover at the opening 316 of the active grille shutter 200.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first element 302 latched to the second element 304, where the protruding member 310 along length extends orthogonally with respect to the elongate member 308. The latch elements (306A, 306B) are flexed inwards and urged to pass through the opening 316 of the frame, in the latching direction ‘L’. During which, the protruding member 310 extending from the latch elements (306A, 306B) passes while abutting the portion 318 of the frame extending orthogonally from the opening 316. The latch elements (306A, 306B) are moved in the latching direction L until the latch portion 308B reaches and engages the second element 304. Precisely, the latch elements (306A, 306B) are moved until the latch portion 308B engages and locks with the retainer portion 320 of the frame opening 316. Generally, an inherent clearance may be formed between the frame and the latch elements that may result in rattling noise due to unrestricted movement of the latch element in a direction orthogonal to the latching direction and unintentional disengagement of the latching system 300. However, the protruding member 310 provided in the present invention bridges an inherently formed clearance between the latch elements (306A, 306B) and the frame, and firmly press fits the second element 304 to the first element 302. Thereby, the first element 302 is locked with the second element 304 and addresses the shortcomings of the conventional latching system 100.

Referring to FIG. 8, the first element 302 is latched to the second element 304, where the protruding member 310 extends angularly with respect to the elongate member 308. Regardless of the shape and orientation of the protruding member 310, the provision of the protruding member 310 adapted to bridge clearance between the latch elements (306A, 306B) and the frame. Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the width of the protruding member 310 is dimensioned such that it prevents movement of the latch element (306A, 306B) in a direction orthogonal to the latching direction and sufficient to move pass the opening 316 of the frame without causing additional stress while flexing the latch element (306A, 306B) for latching onto the second element 304. Further, the protruding element 310 is so formed that flexing capability of the elongate member 308 is least affected. In one embodiment, the thickness of the protruding member 310 is lesser than the clearance between the latch elements (306A, 306B) and the frame. In an example, if the clearance gap (C) is 5mm and 3mm of length (LL) of the latch portion 308B engages the frame, the protruding member 310 of thickness (Tp) of 4.9 mm may be used to bridge the clearance between the latch elements (306A, 306B) and the frame.

In any case, the invention cannot and should not be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, as other embodiments might exist. The invention shall spread to any equivalent means and any technically operating combination of means.