Vehicle grommet device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a grommet device for a vehicle comprising a main body portion fixed to a panel of a vehicle body, an insertion portion extending on both sides of the main body portion into which a cable unit is inserted, and a sealing portion that prevents foreign objects from entering the gap between the insertion portion and the cable unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention discloses a grommet device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, vehicles are equipped with complex and sophisticated devices and accessories, and cable units such as wire harnesses are used to supply electrical signals or power required to drive these devices and accessories.

[0003] Grommets are attached to the vehicle body panel that separates the engine compartment from the interior space. The grommets support the cable unit that passes through the panel and also block noise and foreign objects generated by the engine compartment from entering the interior space.

[0004] However, conventional grommets can easily come off the vehicle body panel if the cable unit is subjected to excessive angular change. Therefore, there is no means to block foreign matter from entering the cable unit, and foreign matter such as moisture and dust can easily enter the internal space.

[0005] The background art of the present invention is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (registered on November 25, 2013, title of invention: Grommet for Wire Harness). Grommets are also described in US Pat. No. 5,399,623, US Pat. No. 5,499,633, US Pat. No. 5,499,623 and US Pat. No. 5,523,634. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent No. 10-1335080 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 101543 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 154819 [Patent Document 4] German Patent Application Publication No. 102020004934 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a grommet device for a vehicle which has improved bonding strength with a panel and improved foreign object blocking performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle grommet device comprises a main body portion fixed to a panel of the vehicle body, an insertion portion extending on both sides of the main body portion and into which a cable unit is inserted, and a sealing portion extending from the insertion portion and preventing foreign objects from entering the gap between the insertion portion and the cable unit.

[0009] The support member includes a first support member connected to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and extending toward one end of the insertion portion, and a second support member extending from the first support member toward the other end of the insertion portion and connected to the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion.

[0010] The first support member is formed so that the gap between its inner end and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion gradually widens toward one end of the insertion portion.

[0011] The second support member is formed so that the gap between its outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion gradually decreases toward the other end of the insertion portion.

[0012] The sealing portion includes a sealing member that protrudes from an inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion toward an outer peripheral surface of the cable unit.

[0013] The sealing member is provided so as to be elastically deformable.

[0014] The sealing member extends in a circumferential direction of the insertion portion so as to form a closed curve.

[0015] The multiple sealing members are arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion.

[0016] The sealing member is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the radial direction of the insert.

[0017] The sealing member is inclined in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the cable unit.

[0018] The vehicle grommet device also includes a support member that is deformably attached between the main body and the insertion portion, the support member being linked to an angle change of the cable unit, thereby changing the attachment angle of the insertion portion.

[0019] Furthermore, the first support member and the second support member extend at a predetermined angle with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion and the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion, respectively.

[0020] The vehicle grommet device also includes a reinforcing portion that is provided between the main body portion and the support portion and that limits the deformation range of the support portion.

[0021] The reinforcing portion further includes a plurality of reinforcing members arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the support portion. Effect of the Invention

[0022] The vehicle grommet device disclosed in the present invention includes a sealing member on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion that protrudes toward the outer circumferential surface of the cable unit, thereby more reliably preventing foreign matter from entering the gap between the insertion portion and the cable unit.

[0023] Furthermore, the sealing member is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the radial direction of the insertion portion in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the cable unit. When the cable is inserted, the sealing member is deformed more and comes into closer contact with the cable unit.

[0024] In addition, the reinforcing member limits excessive deformation of the support portion caused by angle changes of the cable unit, thereby preventing damage to the support portion and the main body portion from coming off the panel hole. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an installation state diagram that shows a schematic installation state of a vehicle grommet device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view that shows a schematic configuration of a vehicle grommet device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the vehicle grommet device according to the embodiment of the present invention at a point in time different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic configuration of a vehicle grommet device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a schematic configuration of a fixing portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating a schematic configuration of a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an assembly process of the vehicle grommet device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an assembly process of the vehicle grommet device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an assembly process of the vehicle grommet device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an assembly process of the vehicle grommet device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a grommet device for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] In this process, it should be noted that the thickness of lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for the sake of clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, the terms described below are defined in consideration of the functions in the present invention, and may change depending on the intention or practice of users and workers. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

[0028] In addition, in this specification, when a member is "connected (or joined)" to another member, this includes not only the case where the member is "directly connected (or joined)" to another member, but also the case where the member is "indirectly connected (or joined)" via another component therebetween. In this specification, when a member "includes (or comprises)" a component, this does not mean that the member excludes other components, but rather that the member can further "include (or comprise)" the other components, unless otherwise specified.

[0029] In addition, the same reference numbers may refer to the same components throughout this specification. The same or similar reference numbers may be described based on other drawings even if they are not mentioned or described in a particular drawing. In addition, even if a particular drawing includes elements that are not labeled with a reference number, these elements may be described based on other drawings. Furthermore, details such as the number, shape, size, and relative differences of the components included in the drawings of this application are provided for ease of understanding and are not intended to limit the embodiments that may be implemented in various forms.

[0030] FIG. 1 is an installation state diagram that generally shows the installation state of a vehicle grommet device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an oblique view that generally shows the configuration of the vehicle grommet device, FIG. 3 is another oblique view that generally shows the configuration of the vehicle grommet device at a point in time different from that in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view that generally shows the configuration of the vehicle grommet device.

[0031] 1 to 4, a vehicle grommet device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body portion (100), an insertion portion (200), a support portion (300), a reinforcing portion (400), and a sealing portion (500).

[0032] The panel (P), which will be described later, can be shown as a partition wall separating the engine room from the interior space of the vehicle. The panel (P) also has a panel hole (H) through which the cable unit (C) passes to supply power to various electronic devices installed in the vehicle.

[0033] The main body portion (100) forms the overall outline of the exterior of the vehicle grommet device (1), and generally supports the insertion portion (200), the support portion (300), the reinforcing portion (400), and the sealing portion (500). The main body portion (100) is fixed to a panel (P) that separates the engine compartment from the interior space of the vehicle, and more specifically, is fixed to a panel hole (H) formed in the panel (P).

[0034] The main body (100) according to the embodiment of the present invention can be formed to have a conical shape with a diameter gradually decreasing toward the front (left side in FIG. 4). The main body (100) has a hollow structure that is open on both the front and rear sides. A fixing portion (110) is formed at the rear (right side in FIG. 4) of the main body (100) for fixing the main body (100) to a panel hole (H) formed in a panel (P).

[0035] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a schematic configuration of the fixing portion.

[0036] 1 to 5, a fixing portion (110) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fixing groove (111), a first flange (112) and a second flange (113).

[0037] The fixing groove (111) is recessed into the main body (100), and the edge of the inner peripheral surface of the panel hole (H) is inserted into the fixing groove. The fixing groove (111) is formed to have a groove shape recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the main body (100) in the inner radial direction of the main body (100). The fixing groove (111) may be formed to extend in the circumferential direction of the main body (100) and to have a substantially ring shape. The width of the fixing groove (111) is formed to have a size corresponding to the thickness of the panel (P) so that the inner peripheral edge of the panel hole (H) can be inserted into the fixing groove.

[0038] The first flange (112) and the second flange (113) extend from the main body (100), and when the inner peripheral edge of the panel hole (H) is inserted into the fixing groove (111), the first flange (112) and the second flange (113) are in close contact with both sides of the panel (10). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first flange (112) and the second flange (113) can be formed to have a protrusion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the main body (100) in the radial direction of the main body (100). The first flange (112) and the second flange (113) are disposed with the fixing groove (111) therebetween, and their inner surfaces face each other with a predetermined distance between them. The first flange (112) and the second flange (113) are in contact with both sides of the panel (P) when the inner peripheral edge of the panel hole (H) is inserted into the fixing groove (111). The first flange (112) and the second flange (113) are formed to be elastically deformable. In this case, the ends of the first flange (112) and the second flange (113) may be inclined toward the inside of the fixing groove (111). In this way, the first flange (112) and the second flange (113) are able to adhere closely to both sides of the panel (P) by their own elastic restoring force, and to prevent foreign matter such as moisture and dust from entering the gap between the main body portion (100) and the panel hole (H).

[0039] The insertion section (200) extends on both sides of the main body section (100), and the cable unit (C) is inserted into the insertion section (200). The insertion section (200) can be attached to the main body section (100) so that the angle can be adjusted via the support section (300) described below. In this way, the insertion section (200) firmly supports the cable unit (C) that passes through the panel hole (H), and at the same time, the attachment angle of the insertion section (200) relative to the main body section (100) can be freely changed according to the extension angle of the cable unit (C).

[0040] The insert portion (200) may be formed to have a hollow cylindrical shape. The insert portion (200) is attached to the inside of the main body portion (100) and is arranged so that the central axis is coaxial with the central axis of the main body portion (100). The insert portion (200) is arranged so that its outer circumferential surface is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion (100). Thus, the insert portion (200) can provide a space in which the support portion (300) described below can be attached between the insert portion (200) and the main body portion (100). Both ends of the insert portion (200) pass through the panel hole (H) and protrude forward and backward, respectively, of the main body portion (100). In this way, both ends of the insert portion (200) are located in different spaces separated by the panel (P). The inner diameter of the insert portion (200) may be formed to be the same as the outer diameter of the cable unit (C) or to have a size smaller than the outer diameter of the cable unit (C). In this case, the insertion part (200) may be made of an elastically deformable material, whereby the inner peripheral surface of the insertion part (200) first comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cable unit (C) inserted into the insertion part (200), thereby blocking the intrusion of foreign matter such as moisture and dust, and preventing the cable unit (C) from moving in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part (200).

[0041] The support part (300) is provided between the main body part (100) and the insertion part (200), and connects the main body part (100) and the insertion part (200), which are arranged apart from each other. The support part (300) is formed to be elastically deformable, and changes the mounting angle of the insertion part (200) in conjunction with the changing angle of the cable unit (C). As a result, the support part (300) absorbs the angle of the cable unit (C) or an external force generated when the vehicle vibrates by its own elastic deformation, and prevents the main body part (100) from coming off the panel hole (H). The support part (300) may be formed to have a thickness thinner than that of the main body part (100) in order to facilitate elastic deformation.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support (300) comprises a first support member (310) and a second support member (320).

[0043] The first support member (310) forms the exterior of one side of the support portion (300) and is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion (200). The first support member (310) may be formed as a film extending from the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion (200) toward one end (the right end in FIG. 4) of the insertion portion (200). The first support member (310) extends at a predetermined angle with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion (200). More specifically, the first support member (310) is formed so that the gap between its inner end and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion (200) gradually expands toward one end of the insertion portion (200). This makes it possible to prevent the first support member (310) from interfering with the insertion portion (200) when the angle of the insertion portion (200) changes. The first support member (310) is formed so as to entirely surround the periphery of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion (200).

[0044] The second support member (320) forms the exterior of the other side of the support portion (300) and is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion (100). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second support member (320) may be formed as a film extending from an end of the first support member (310) toward the other end (the left end in FIG. 4) of the insertion portion (200). The second support member (320) extends at a predetermined angle with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion (100). More specifically, the second support member (320) is formed such that the gap between its outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion (100) gradually decreases toward the other end of the insertion portion (200). In this case, the first support member (310) and the second support member (320) are formed to form a substantially "U"-shaped or "V"-shaped cross-sectional shape. This allows the second support member (320) to provide a space in which a reinforcing portion (400), described below, can be attached between the second support member (320) and the main body portion (100). The second support member (320) is formed so as to entirely surround the periphery of the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion (100).

[0045] The reinforcing portion (400) is located between the main body portion (100) and the support portion (300), and reinforces the strength of the support portion (300) by limiting the deformation range of the support portion (300). In other words, the reinforcing portion (400) limits the deformation of the support portion (300) when the angle of the cable unit (C) changes, thereby preventing the support portion (300) from being damaged or the main body portion (100) from coming off the panel hole (H).

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing portion (400) includes a reinforcing member (410).

[0047] The reinforcing member (410) may be formed in the shape of a rib, both sides of which are integrally connected to the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion (100) and the outer peripheral surface of the second support member (320). A plurality of reinforcing members (410) may be installed and arranged at regular intervals along the circumference of the support portion (300). In this manner, the plurality of reinforcing members (410) may limit the deformation range of the support portion (300) in all deformation directions of the support portion (300). The reinforcing member (410) may be made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicone, that allows elastic deformation. In this manner, the reinforcing member (410) effectively linearly adjusts the magnitude of the elastic force acting on the support portion (300) in proportion to the deformation amount of the support portion (300), thereby inducing smooth deformation of the support portion (300) in a small deformation range and effectively limiting the deformation of the support portion (300) in a large deformation range.

[0048] The sealing portion (500) extends from the insertion portion (200) and prevents foreign matter such as moisture and dust from entering the gap between the insertion portion (200) and the cable unit (C). Therefore, the sealing portion (500) can prevent damage to the electronic device that may be caused by foreign matter.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing portion (500) may comprise a sealing member (510).

[0050] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating a schematic configuration of the sealing member.

[0051] 1 to 6, the sealing member (510) can be formed to have a protrusion protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion (200). The sealing member (510) extends in a circumferential direction of the insertion portion (200) to form a closed curve. The sealing member (510) is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cable unit (C) whose end is inserted into the insertion portion (200). In this case, the sealing member (510) can be formed of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone that allows elastic deformation. As a result, the sealing member (510) is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cable unit (C) to prevent foreign matter such as moisture and dust from entering the gap between the insertion portion (200) and the cable unit (C). A plurality of sealing members (510) can be installed and arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion (200). As a result, the sealing member (510) can secure a plurality of points in the longitudinal direction of the cable unit (C) that block foreign matter.

[0052] The sealing member (510) is disposed at an inclination at a predetermined angle with respect to the radial direction of the insertion portion (200). More specifically, the sealing member (510) is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the radial direction of the insertion portion (200) in the direction opposite to the insertion direction (A) of the cable unit (C). As a result, when the cable unit (C) is inserted, the sealing member (510) interferes with the outer peripheral surface of the cable unit (C) and deforms in the direction opposite to the initial arrangement direction, thereby increasing the magnitude of deformation and firmly adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the cable unit (C).

[0053] The assembly process and operation of the vehicle grommet device 1 will now be described in detail.

[0054] 7 to 10 are diagrams that diagrammatically show an assembly process of the vehicle grommet device.

[0055] 7 to 10, the main body (100) is inserted into the panel hole (H) so that the front of the inclined surface (upper side in FIG. 7) faces the panel (P).

[0056] When the main body portion (100) is inserted a predetermined distance or more into the panel hole (H), the edge of the inner circumferential surface of the panel hole (H) is inserted into the fixing groove (111).

[0057] The first flange (112) and the second flange (113), which face each other at a predetermined distance across the fixing groove (111), are attached to both sides of the panel (10). In this case, the first flange (112) and the second flange (113) elastically deform in parallel with the panel (10) and can be firmly attached to both sides of the panel (10) by their own elastic restoring forces.

[0058] Thereafter, the cable unit (C) is inserted into the insertion portion (200).

[0059] The insertion portion (200) mainly prevents the cable unit (C) from moving by closely contacting its inner surface with the outer surface of the cable unit (C), while at the same time preventing foreign matter from entering the gaps between the cable units (C).

[0060] While the cable unit (C) is being inserted into the insertion portion (200), the sealing member (510), which is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the radial direction of the insertion portion (200) in the opposite direction to the insertion direction (A) of the cable unit (C), deforms toward the insertion direction (A) of the cable unit (C) when the sealing member (510) interferes with the outer peripheral surface of the cable unit (C).

[0061] Finally, since the sealing member (510) has an elastic restoring force proportional to the amount of deformation, it adheres closely to the outer peripheral surface of the cable unit (C), thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the gap between the cable unit (C) and the insertion portion (200).

[0062] Thereafter, when the angle of the cable unit (C) changes depending on the position of the electronic device or the vibration of the vehicle, the attachment angle of the insertion portion (200) changes together with the cable unit (C) relative to the main body portion (100).

[0063] The support portion (300) absorbs the change in the insertion portion (200) by its own elastic deformation.

[0064] If the support portion (300) is deformed excessively beyond a certain range, the reinforcing member (410) limits the deformation range of the support portion (300) by applying an elastic restoring force in a direction that offsets the deformation of the support portion (300).

[0065] While the invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiment in the drawings, it is understood that this is by way of example only and that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible, as those skilled in the art will recognize.

[0066] Therefore, the scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Vehicle grommet device 100 Main body 110 Fixed part 111 Fixed groove 112 First flange 113 Second flange 200 Insertion part 300 Support part 310 First support member 320 Second support member 400 Reinforcement 410 Reinforcement members 500 Sealing part 510 Sealing member P Panel H Panel hole C Cable unit

Claims

1. A main body portion fixed to a panel of a vehicle body; an insertion portion extending on both sides of the main body portion and into which a cable unit is inserted; A grommet device for a vehicle comprising: a sealing portion extending from the insertion portion and preventing foreign matter from entering a gap between the insertion portion and the cable unit.

2. The vehicle grommet device according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion includes a sealing member protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion toward an outer peripheral surface of the cable unit.

3. The grommet device for a vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the sealing member is elastically deformable.

4. The grommet device for a vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the sealing member extends in a circumferential direction of the insertion portion so as to form a closed curve.

5. 3. The grommet device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of sealing members are disposed and spaced apart at predetermined intervals along a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion.

6. 3. The grommet device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a radial direction of the insertion portion.

7. 7. The grommet device for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the sealing member is inclined in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the cable unit.

8. 2. The vehicle grommet device according to claim 1, wherein the support portion is characterized in that it can be deformably attached between the main body portion and the insertion portion, and the support portion can change the attachment angle of the insertion portion in accordance with an angle change of the cable unit.

9. The first support member is (i) a first support member connected to an outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion and extending toward one end of the insertion portion; 9. The grommet device for a vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising: (ii) a second support member extending from the first support member toward the other end of the insertion portion and connected to an inner circumferential surface of the main body portion.

10. The vehicle grommet device according to claim 9 , wherein the first support member and the second support member extend at a predetermined angle with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion and the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion, respectively.

11. The grommet device for a vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing portion is provided between the main body portion and the support portion and limits a deformation range of the support portion.

12. 12. The grommet device for a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of reinforcing members are disposed and spaced apart at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of the support portion.

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