Elastic grommet with split grooves

Abstract

A grommet for securely engaging a component includes a resilient structure disposed along a longitudinal axis. The resilient structure includes an outer surface defined by grommet boundaries in a grommet front view. The grommet also includes a groove disposed on the outer surface. The recess is configured to receive a portion of the component therein to facilitate retaining the grommet on the component. The grommet also includes at least one slit configured to split at least a portion of the outer surface by extending into the groove in a grommet side view. The slits facilitate bending of the resilient structure at each respective slit to assist in mounting and / or removing the grommet into and / or from the component and minimize the risk of unintentional ejection of the grommet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a grommet having a split groove for interconnecting components. Background Art

[0002] A grommet is a ring or edge strip that is inserted into a hole (such as a perforation or U-shaped channel) in a thin portion of an object. Grommets often include a flared or collared portion to hold the grommet in place, and are made of materials such as metal, plastic, or rubber. Grommets can be used to prevent tearing or fraying of the host object material or to protect another object from abrasion, such as insulation on wires / cables and hydraulic pipes that are routed through a hole, and / or to cover the sharp edges of a hole. Grommets can be used in applications such as aircraft, road vehicles, medical devices, and household goods. Summary of the invention

[0003] A grommet for securely engaging a component includes a resilient structure arranged along a longitudinal axis. The resilient structure includes an outer surface defined by a grommet boundary in a front view of the grommet. The grommet also includes a groove arranged on the outer surface. The groove is configured to receive a portion of the component therein to facilitate retaining the grommet on the component. The grommet also includes at least one slit configured to split at least a portion of the outer surface by extending into the groove in a side view of the grommet. The slits facilitate bending of the resilient structure at each respective slit to assist in installing the grommet into and / or removing the grommet from the component and to minimize the risk of inadvertent pushout of the grommet.

[0004] The resilient structure may be constructed from EPDM.

[0005] The groove may extend around at least a portion of the perimeter of the grommet.

[0006] The grommet may also include a lubricant disposed in the groove.

[0007] The outer surface may include a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a third surface defining a grommet wall disposed between the first surface and the second surface. In such an embodiment, the groove may be disposed on the third surface.

[0008] The grommet may include a plurality of slits. Each slit may extend from the first surface to the second surface across the third surface. Alternatively, each slit may extend from the first surface or the second surface to the groove on the third surface.

[0009] The elastic structure may be a molded element and the slits may be molded together with or into the elastic structure. Alternatively, the slits may be cut into the elastic structure after the elastic structure has been molded.

[0010] The slits may terminate in rounded sections within the elastic structure to reduce the risk of tearing.

[0011] The circular portion may be pre-molded or perforated after molding.

[0012] The slits may be positioned perpendicular to the grooves.

[0013] The grommet is configured to be in contact with the fluid. In such an embodiment, the grommet material may be selected based on its chemical resistance to the fluid.

[0014] The fluid may be humidified air, hydrogen, and / or a glycol-based coolant.

[0015] Also contemplated are assemblies including a component defining an interface aperture (eg, an orifice or through-hole) and a grommet as described above configured to securely engage the component at the interface aperture.

[0016] Such an assembly may be a component subassembly of a motor vehicle.

[0017] The present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0018] 1. A grommet for securely joining components, the grommet comprising:

[0019] a resilient structure disposed along the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface defined by a grommet boundary in grommet elevation view;

[0020] a groove disposed on the outer surface and configured to receive a portion of the component therein to facilitate retaining the grommet on the component; and

[0021] At least one slit configured to split at least a portion of the outer surface by extending into the groove in a side view of the grommet to facilitate flexing of the resilient structure at each respective slit to assist in installing and / or removing the grommet from the component and minimize the risk of inadvertent push-out of the grommet.

[0022] 2. The grommet according to claim 1, wherein the elastic structure is composed of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM).

[0023] 3. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the groove extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the grommet.

[0024] 4. The grommet according to claim 1, further comprising a lubricant arranged in the groove.

[0025] 5. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the outer surface comprises a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a third surface defining a grommet wall disposed between the first and second surfaces, and wherein the groove is disposed on the third surface.

[0026] 6. The grommet of claim 5, wherein the at least one slit comprises a plurality of slits, and wherein each slit extends across the third surface from the first surface to the second surface.

[0027] 7. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the resilient structure is a molded element and each slit is molded into the resilient structure.

[0028] 8. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the resilient structure is a molded element and each slit is cut into the resilient structure after the resilient structure is molded.

[0029] 9. The grommet of claim 8, wherein each slit terminates in a circular portion within the elastic structure.

[0030] 10. The grommet of claim 9, wherein the circular portion is one of pre-molded and perforated after molding.

[0031] 11. A component assembly comprising:

[0032] A component defining an interface aperture; and

[0033] A grommet configured to securely engage the assembly at the interface aperture, the grommet comprising:

[0034] a resilient structure disposed along the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface defined by a grommet boundary in grommet elevation view;

[0035] a groove disposed on the outer surface and configured to receive a portion of the component therein to facilitate retaining the grommet on the component; and

[0036] At least one slit configured to split at least a portion of the outer surface by extending into the groove in a side view of the grommet to facilitate flexing of the resilient structure at each respective slit to assist in installing and / or removing the grommet from the component and minimize the risk of inadvertent pushout of the grommet.

[0037] 12. A component assembly according to embodiment 11, wherein the elastic structure is composed of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM).

[0038] 13. The component assembly of claim 11, wherein the groove extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the grommet.

[0039] 14. The component assembly according to claim 11 further includes a lubricant arranged in the groove.

[0040] 15. The component assembly of claim 11, wherein the outer surface comprises a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a third surface defining a grommet wall disposed between the first and second surfaces, and wherein the groove is disposed on the third surface.

[0041] 16. The component assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one slit comprises a plurality of slits, and wherein each slit extends across the third surface from the first surface to the second surface.

[0042] 17. The component assembly of claim 11, wherein the resilient structure is a molded element and each slit is molded into the resilient structure.

[0043] 18. The component assembly of claim 11, wherein the resilient structure is a molded element and each slit is cut into the resilient structure after the resilient structure is molded.

[0044] 19. The component assembly of claim 18, wherein each slit terminates in a rounded portion within the resilient structure, and wherein the rounded portion is one of pre-molded and post-molded perforated.

[0045] 20. A motor vehicle component subassembly comprising:

[0046] A motor vehicle component defining an access aperture; and

[0047] A grommet configured to securely engage a motor vehicle component at an interface hole, the grommet comprising:

[0048] a resilient structure disposed along the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface defined by a grommet boundary in grommet elevation view;

[0049] a groove disposed on the outer surface and configured to receive a portion of a motor vehicle component therein to facilitate retaining the grommet on the motor vehicle component; and

[0050] a plurality of slits configured to split at least a portion of the outer surface by extending into the groove in a side view of the grommet to facilitate flexing of the resilient structure at each respective slit to aid installation and / or removal of the grommet into and from the motor vehicle component and to minimize the risk of inadvertent pushout of the grommet;

[0051] in:

[0052] Each slit terminates in a rounded portion within the elastic structure;

[0053] The circular portion is one of pre-molded and perforated after molding;

[0054] The outer surface includes a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a third surface defining a resilient structural wall disposed between the first surface and the second surface; and

[0055] The groove is arranged on the third surface.

[0056] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the best mode for carrying out the described disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a representative component assembly according to the present disclosure, the representative component assembly including a first component defining an interface aperture, a grommet engaged with the first component at the aperture, and a second component for insertion into the grommet.

[0058] Figure 2 According to the present disclosure Figure 1 Schematic elevation view of a component assembly shown in , depicting the positioning of the grommet for engagement and disengagement with the first component.

[0059] Figure 3 According to the present disclosure Figure 2 Schematic side view of a component assembly shown in , particularly depicting a grommet groove having a slot for engaging and disengaging with a first component.

[0060] Figure 4 According to the present disclosure Figure 1-Figure 3 Schematic close-up partial elevation view of the grommet shown in , particularly depicting an elevation view of the slit extending into the groove and splitting the outer surface of the grommet.

[0061] Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a non-planar embodiment of a grommet according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The embodiments of the present disclosure described herein are intended to be used as examples. Other embodiments may take various forms and alternative forms. In addition, the drawings are generally schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain features may be enlarged or minimized to show the details of a particular component. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure in different ways.

[0063] For reference purposes, certain terms may be used in the following description and are therefore not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as "above" and "below" refer to directions in the referenced drawings. Terms such as "front", "rear", "first", "last", "left", "right", "rear" and "side" describe the orientation and / or position of the parts of a component or element in a consistent but arbitrary reference system. , It becomes clear by reference to the text and related drawings describing the component or element in question. In addition, terms such as "first", "second", "third" and the like may be used to describe separate components. Such terms may include the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words with similar meanings.

[0064] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts. Figure 1 A component assembly 10 is shown, which may be a subassembly of a motor vehicle. The component assembly 10 includes a first component 12, such as a bracket or wall partition, which defines an interface hole 12A, such as a through hole, an orifice, or other type of opening. The component assembly 10 also includes a grommet 16, which is configured to securely engage the component 12 at the interface hole 12A. In other words, the grommet 16 is installed in the hole 12A so as to be securely attached relative to the first component 12. The grommet 16 includes a resilient structure 18 arranged along the longitudinal axis X.

[0065] Grommet elastic structure 18 is generally a continuous strip of material that may have a generally rectangular, circular, oval or oblong profile in grommet elevation view (eg, Figure 2 ). Alternatively, the grommet 16 may have an irregular profile to match the available space in the component assembly 10 and / or the shape of the particular interface hole 12A. Additionally, the grommet 16 may be identified as a "unitary structure," referring to the fact that the resilient structure 18 is created from a uniform, uninterrupted block of a particular material, without having portions or segments of a different material affixed thereto.

[0066] The resilient structure 18 has an outer surface 20 defined by a boundary P in the grommet elevation view, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 Grommet 16 defines an aperture 16A that is sized to allow second member 22 (eg, Figure 1 The grommet 16 is a device that allows a second component 22 to pass through the hole 16A, such as a wiring harness, a fluid conduit, etc., from one side of the first component 12 to the other side. The resilient structure 18 of the grommet is configured to support and protect the second component 22 during insertion of the second component 22 through the grommet and during the service life of the component assembly 10. During construction of the component assembly 10, the grommet 16 can be pushed or pressed into the interface hole 12A before the second component 22 passes through the hole 16A.

[0067] Grommet 16 also includes an interface groove 24 disposed on outer surface 20 in a side view of the grommet, as shown in FIG. Figure 3The groove 24 may extend around at least a portion of the boundary P, such as a predefined portion of the boundary, such as Figure 3 As shown, or at depth D (as Figure 2 The outer surface 20 includes a first surface 20-1, an opposite second surface 20-2, and a third surface 20-3. As shown, the third surface 20-3 defines a grommet wall that is disposed between the first surface 20-1 and the second surface 20-2 and has sufficient thickness to produce a strong grommet structure. A groove 24 may be disposed on the third surface 20-3. The groove 24 is configured to receive at least a portion of the first component 12 therein, such as a portion 12B of the subject component surrounding the hole 12A, to facilitate interconnection with the grommet 16 and to retain the grommet 16 on the first component.

[0068] During the service life of the component assembly 10, the grommet 16 may come into contact with various fluids. In anticipation of such operating conditions, the grommet material can be selected based on its chemical resistance to such fluids. Such fluids can be, for example, humid air, hydrogen, or ethylene glycol-based coolants. In addition, the material of the grommet 16 can be selected to reliably withstand the expected temperature range. For example, at the interface between the first component 12 and the second component 22 of a motor vehicle structure or powertrain subassembly, the temperature range can be -30 to +110 degrees Celsius. An exemplary material for the elastic structure 18 that meets the above requirements is ethylene propylene diene monomer copolymer (EPDM).

[0069] The grommet 16 also includes one or more slits 26 configured to split the grommet wall from the third surface 20-3 to the groove 24. As a result, the resilient structure 18 is at least partially split by the slits 26 in each of the grommet front view and the grommet side view. Each slit 26 can be positioned substantially perpendicular to the groove 24. The number of adjacent slits 26 and the spacing between adjacent slits 26 can be selected based on the desired amount of force required to remove the grommet 16 from the first component 12. The resilient structure 18 can be a molded element such that the slits 26 are pre-molded with the structure of the grommet 16, i.e., molded into the structure of the grommet 16. Alternatively, the slits 26 can be applied (e.g., cut) into the resilient structure 18 after the grommet 16 is molded.

[0070] In embodiments of the grommet 16 having a plurality of slits 26, each slit may extend across the third surface 20-3, from the first surface 20-1 to the second surface 20-2, and thus across the groove 24, as shown. Figure 3 and 5 Alternatively, each slit 26 may extend from the first surface 20-1 or from the second surface 20-2 over a portion of the third surface 20-3 into the groove 24 and terminate in the groove (eg, Figure 1 24). The slits 26 may be positioned perpendicular to the grooves 24. The slits 26 facilitate flexure of the resilient structure 18 at each respective slit to aid in the installation and / or removal of the grommet 16 into the component 12 and to minimize the risk of the grommet being inadvertently pushed out. Each slit 26 may terminate in a rounded portion 26A within the resilient structure 18 (e.g. Figure 4 ). The rounded portion 26A at the end of the respective slit is intended to reduce the risk of tearing and expansion of the subject slit in the elastic structure 18. Such rounded portion 26A may be pre-molded, i.e. formed together with the elastic structure 18, or punched into the elastic structure after the elastic structure is molded.

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, in the grommet side view, the groove 24 can be configured to follow the contour of the first component 12. The slits 26 can then further facilitate the flexure of the elastic structure 18 and its compliance with the contour of the first component 12. The elastic structure 18 can also be characterized by including Figure 5 The irregular or non-planar shape 28 in the side view is shown. The non-planar shape 28 can be specifically formed to follow Figure 3 The profile of the first component 12 is shown. Figure 4 As can be seen in the close-up view of the portion 4-4 of the grommet shown, the groove 24 may also include rounded corners 30 to facilitate insertion of the grommet 16 into the first component 12. The component assembly 10 may also include a lubricant 32 applied to and disposed in the groove 24 to reduce friction and aid in mounting the grommet 16 to the first component 12. The lubricant 32 may be, for example, a P80 water-based emulsion.

[0072] In summary, the grommet resilient structure includes a slit 26 extending into the interface groove 24. The slit 26 is intended to cause the grommet wall to split from the outer surface of the grommet into the groove 24. Thus, the slit 26 is intended to facilitate flexing of the resilient structure during installation and removal of the grommet (e.g., installation into or removal from a mating component). The additional flexing of the grommet resilient structure also minimizes the risk of inadvertent pushout of the grommet when the component assembly performs its prescribed function. The slit 26 may include stress reducing features, such as rounded ends 26A, to minimize the risk of tearing the resilient structure during installation and removal of the grommet.

[0073] The detailed description and the accompanying drawings or figures are support and description of the present disclosure, but the scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the claims. Although some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed disclosure have been described in detail, there are various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims. In addition, the features of the embodiments shown in the drawings or the various embodiments mentioned in this specification are not necessarily to be understood as embodiments independent of each other. Instead, each feature described in one of the examples of an embodiment can be combined with one or more other desired features from other embodiments to obtain other embodiments that are not described in words or with reference to the drawings. Therefore, such other embodiments fall within the framework of the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A grommet for securely joining components, the grommet comprising: a resilient structure disposed along the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface defined by a grommet boundary in grommet elevation view; a groove disposed on the outer surface and configured to receive a portion of the component therein to facilitate retaining the grommet on the component; and At least one slit configured to split at least a portion of the outer surface by extending into the groove in a side view of the grommet to facilitate flexing of the resilient structure at each respective slit to assist in installing and / or removing the grommet from the component and minimize the risk of inadvertent pushout of the grommet.

2. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the resilient structure is comprised of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).

3. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the groove extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the grommet. The grommet of claim 1 , further comprising a lubricant disposed in the groove.

5. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the outer surface includes a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a third surface defining a grommet wall disposed between the first and second surfaces, and wherein the groove is disposed on the third surface.

6. The grommet of claim 5, wherein the at least one slit comprises a plurality of slits, and wherein each slit extends across the third surface from the first surface to the second surface.

7. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the resilient structure is a molded element and each slit is molded into the resilient structure.

8. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the resilient structure is a molded element and each slit is cut into the resilient structure after the resilient structure is molded.

9. The grommet of claim 8, wherein each slit terminates in a rounded portion within the resilient structure.

10. The grommet of claim 9, wherein the circular portion is one of pre-molded and perforated after molding.

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