SPOUT

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a nozzle comprising: a main body, the main body comprising: a side wall defining a channel, wherein a plurality of openings are provided on the side wall; a collar arranged at a head end of the side wall; and a plurality of arms connected to the side wall at the plurality of openings by their proximal ends, each of which is located away from the collar, wherein a gap is provided between an edge of each of the arms and an edge of a corresponding opening; and a seal comprising at least a plurality of first sealing sections, wherein each of the first sealing sections connects an edge of a corresponding arm to an edge of a corresponding opening to fill the gap between them, while allowing the at least one arm to deflect with respect to the side wall.The nozzle of the present disclosure has a complete edge structure, thereby achieving improved anti-rotation properties. The inner and outer surfaces of the nozzle are not in contact, thus enabling a good sealing effect.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA The present disclosure relates to the technical field of the assembly of vehicle components, in particular a grommet for mounting a vehicle component on a body panel. STATE OF THE ART During vehicle manufacturing and assembly, it is often necessary to use various grommets to securely mount vehicle components (e.g., trim panels) to the body panels at specific locations, thus completing the assembly of the various components into a finished vehicle. These grommets must provide both a secure fastening and a good seal for specific sections of the vehicle to meet the requirements of vehicle assembly. Therefore, there is a need for a grommet that itself offers a good seal and helps an assembly worker to attach a component to the vehicle body panels easily, quickly, and reliably. SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION The currently used grommet is injection-molded in one piece, with no internal connection between the grommet and its exterior. By incorporating arm structures at specific locations on the grommet (for example, at the edges of the ribs), the grommet can be snapped into place on a vehicle body panel after insertion, thus securing vehicle components to the body and ensuring a good seal at the installation point. However, incorporating these arm structures on the grommet's edges damages the original edge structure, resulting in insufficient anti-rotation protection of the grommet after insertion into the vehicle body panel. Consequently, the grommet can rotate in the installed position, reducing its fastening effect and sealing performance. Accordingly, there is a need for a grommet that incorporates appropriate arm structures without damaging the grommet's edge structure, allowing the grommet to be easily snapped and secured to the vehicle body paneling while ensuring a good sealing performance to prevent foreign dust, rainwater, and the like from penetrating the interior of the vehicle body paneling through its installation position. In order to at least partially solve the aforementioned technical problems, a nozzle is provided according to a first aspect of the present application, comprising: a main body, the main body having: a side wall defining a channel, wherein a plurality of openings are provided on the side wall; a collar arranged at a head end of the side wall; and a plurality of arms connected to the side wall at the plurality of openings by their proximal ends, each of which is located away from the collar, wherein a gap is provided between an edge of each of the arms and an edge of a corresponding opening;and a seal comprising at least a plurality of first sealing sections, each of the first sealing sections connecting an edge of a corresponding arm to an edge of a corresponding opening to fill the gap between them, while allowing the at least one arm to deflect with respect to the side wall. In some embodiments, the edge of each of the arms comprises a first arm edge and a second arm edge opposite each other, the edge of each of the openings comprises a first opening edge and a second opening edge opposite each other, and at least one of the first arm edge, the second arm edge, the first opening edge and the second opening edge is provided with at least one boundary structure; and the first sealing section comprises bounded structures that are each positively interlocked with the boundary structures at the first arm edge, the second arm edge, the first opening edge and the second opening edge. In some embodiments, the limiting structure is a dovetail groove, and the bounding structure is a dovetail block. In some embodiments, the edge of each arm further comprises a third arm edge at a distal end of the arm, wherein the third arm edge includes an uneven arm connection surface and the first sealing section includes a sealing connection surface that is positively interlocking with the arm connection surface of the third arm edge. In some embodiments, a stepped engagement surface is provided on one outside side of each of the arms. In some embodiments, a drive ramp is further provided on the outside of each of the arms, wherein the drive ramp is connected to the engagement surface and is arranged between the engagement surface and a foot end of the side wall; wherein the drive ramp extends obliquely outwards in the direction of the engagement surface. In some embodiments, the at least one arm comprises an arm body and a projection section arranged on an outside of the arm body, the projection section forming the engagement surface and the drive ramp; wherein the arm body is arranged within the corresponding opening when the at least one arm is in a non-displaced state. In some embodiments, the side wall has an outer surface shaped as a prism, and the side wall comprises a first wall section and a second wall section opposite each other, as well as a third wall section and a fourth wall section opposite each other; wherein the opening is formed on the first wall section and the second wall section respectively; and the plurality of arms comprises a pair of arms, wherein the pair of arms is connected to the first wall section and the second wall section respectively. In some embodiments, the seal further comprises a second sealing section that at least partially covers the collar and forms a sealing lip facing the side wall. In some embodiments, the main body is made of a relatively stiff material, the seal is made of an elastomer material, and the main body and the seal are formed in one piece by a two-component injection molding process. Additional aspects and advantages of the present application are partly set out in the description below, partly arise from the description, or can be learned through the practical application of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a nozzle 100 of the present disclosure. Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E are each a perspective view, a side view, a cross-sectional view, a bottom view, and a top view of a main body 200 of the nozzle 100 shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are each a perspective view, a side view, a bottom view, and a top view of a seal 300 of the nozzle 100 shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are each a side view, a cross-sectional view, a bottom view, and a top view of the nozzle 100 shown in Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXECUTION FORMS Various embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the drawings, which form part of the present application; however, the present application is not limited by this. It is understood that, although directional terms such as "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "left," and "right" are used in the present application to describe the orientation of various exemplary structural parts and elements, these terms are used here only to simplify the description and are determined on the basis of the exemplary orientations shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments of the present application can be arranged in various directions, these directional designations serve only descriptive purposes and are not to be interpreted as limiting.Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, or the like, used in this application are used solely to distinguish between different objects and do not imply any particular order or sequence between these objects. The term “featuring” and its derivatives are intended to mean “including, but not limited to”. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “assemble”, “couple”, and “connect” should be interpreted broadly, for example, as including mechanical or electrical connections, internal communication between two elements, direct or indirect connections via an intermediate medium, as understood by those skilled in the art in the field, taking into account the specific context. Where possible, the same or similar reference numerals used in this application refer to the same components. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a nozzle 100 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the nozzle 100 comprises a main body 200 and a seal 300. The main body 200 and the seal 300 are formed in one piece by a two-component injection molding process. During injection molding, the main body 200 and the seal 300 are made of different materials. The main body 200 must be made of a relatively rigid material to provide an anti-rotation function. The seal 300 must be made of a relatively flexible material to provide a sealing function. For example, the main body 200 is made of a plastic material and the seal 300 is made of an elastic rubber material. In some other embodiments, the main body 200 and the seal 300 may be made of other suitable materials, provided they fulfill the corresponding fastening and sealing functions.A chemical adhesive is used between the main body 200 and the seal 300 to ensure a strong bond between them. The two-component injection molding process reduces the installation space and the number of components, thereby lowering development costs. Additionally, the grommet 100 exhibits higher quality and strength due to the chemical bonding between the main body 200 and the seal 300. Various vehicle components are attached to the vehicle's body panel (not shown) using the grommet 100. Fig. 2A , Fig. 2B , Fig. 2C , Fig. 2D and Fig. 2E are each a perspective view, a side view, a cross-sectional view, a bottom view and a top view of a main body 200 of the nozzle 100 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2A, the main body 200, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, has a collar 210 and a side wall 220 extending from the collar 210, wherein a head end of the side wall 220 is connected to the collar 210 and a foot end of the side wall is designed to be inserted into a receiving structure (e.g., a square opening) provided on the body panel until the collar 210 abuts a surface of the body panel. As shown in Figs. 2A and 2E, the collar 210 is shaped as a disk, with a plurality of circular through-openings provided along an outer edge of the disk to create a better connection with the seal 300 to be described later and thereby improve the strength of the connection.Furthermore, two pairs of projections 212, 213 and 214, 215 are arranged on a side surface of the collar 210 and are designed to be positively interlocking with corresponding structures on the seal 300 to be described later, wherein the projections 212 and 213 are arranged semicircularly and opposite each other and the projections 214 and 215 are arranged opposite each other and between the projections 212 and 213. As shown in Figs. 2A, 2B, and 2D, the other side surface of the collar 210 is connected to the head end of the side wall 220, and the side wall 220 has a prism-shaped outer surface with four complete edges 221, 222, 223, and 224. The side wall 220 comprises a first wall section 251 and a second wall section 252 (not shown), which are opposite each other, as well as a third wall section 253 and a fourth wall section 254 (not shown), which are opposite each other. The four wall sections define a channel 229. An opening 226 is provided in each of the first wall section 251 and the second wall section 252, and an arm 230 is provided in the opening 226. Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B illustrate only the opening 226 in the first wall section 251. Experts in the field should understand that the number of openings and arms can be determined according to actual requirements.As shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the arm 230 has a proximal end located away from the collar 210 and a distal end located close to the collar 210. The arm 230 is connected to the first wall section 251 at its proximal end at the opening 226, and the distal end of the arm is a free end that is elastically deflectable with respect to the first wall section 251. As shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the arm 230 comprises an arm body 238 and a projecting section 239 provided on an outer surface of the arm body 238. An edge of the arm body 238 comprises a first arm edge 234 and a second arm edge 235, which are axially opposite each other. An edge of the opening 226 comprises a first opening edge 227 and a second opening edge 228, which are axially opposite each other. The first arm edge 234, the second arm edge 235, the first opening edge 227, and the second opening edge 228 are each provided with a plurality of limiting structures 236. In one embodiment, the limiting structures 236 are dovetail grooves. The boundary structures 236 at the first opening edge 227 and the second opening edge 228 are only formed on the outer surface of the side wall 220 and are not connected to the channel 229 inside the side wall 220.Experts in the field should understand that the number and specific shape of the limiting connecting sections can be adapted according to the actual requirements. The edge of the arm body 238 further includes a third arm edge 233 at the distal end of the arm 230, and the third arm edge 233 includes an uneven arm connecting surface 237. When the arm 230 is in a non-displaced state, the arm body 238 is located within the opening 226. The arm body 238 has an outer surface that projects outward to form the projection section 239. The projection section 239 comprises a drive ramp 231, which is formed by extending obliquely outwards from a position near the proximal end of the arm 230, and a step-shaped engagement surface 232, which is connected to the drive ramp 231 and is formed by extending inwards towards the distal end of the arm 230.The drive ramp 231 is designed to drive the arm 230 so that it deflects relative to the side wall 220 during the insertion of the grommet 100 into the square opening in the body panel, and the engagement surface 232 is designed to bear against an edge of the square opening when the grommet 100 is inserted into the square opening in the body panel. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive ramp 231 has a width that is less than that of the arm body 238 in order to reduce the risk of flash formation in the subsequent two-component injection molding process. As shown in Figs. 2A, 2B, and 2D, a guide section 225 is provided at the foot end of the side wall 220, designed to guide the insertion of the grommet 100 into the square opening of the body panel. During the insertion of the grommet 100 into the square opening of the body panel, the guide section 225 first comes into contact with the square opening, and then the edge of the square opening abuts the drive chamfer 231 of the arm 230. As the grommet 100 is further inserted, the drive chamfer 231 of the arm 230 is compressed radially inward under a contact force, causing the entire arm 230, in particular its distal end (the free end), to deform radially inward.When the edge of the square opening slides over the highest point of the projecting section 239 of the arm 230, the arm 230 rebounds under elastic tension radially outward by a certain stroke until the engagement surface 232 abuts the edge of the square opening. As shown in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement surface 232 has a three-stage engagement section, the stages being successively radially inward-contracting to accommodate different sheet thicknesses. Those skilled in the art should understand that the number of stages of the engagement surface 232 can be adapted according to specific requirements; for example, it can be a single-stage, two-stage, or multi-stage engagement section.When the grommet 100 is inserted into the square opening of the body panel, the four edges 221, 222, 223, and 224 of the side wall 220 are each positively connected to the four corners of the square opening to prevent the grommet 100 from rotating within the square opening, thus achieving the anti-rotation function of a fastener. Finally, a screw is inserted into the channel 229 defined by the side wall 220 and tightened, thereby fixing a component to be attached to the collar 210 to form a fastening. Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C and Fig. 3D are each a perspective view, a side view, a bottom view and a top view of a seal 300 of the nozzle 100 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 2A, 2B, and 2C, a gap formed between an edge of the arm 230 and a corresponding edge of the opening 226 allows the connection between the interior and exterior of the main body 200. To achieve a watertight seal, the seal 300 must be filled into the gap. As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the seal 300 has a pair of first sealing sections 310 and a second sealing section 320, which is essentially annular. The first sealing sections 310 are connected to the second sealing section 320 and are formed by axially extending the second sealing section 320. Each first sealing section 310 comprises a first sealing strip 311, which is connected to a gap between the first arm edge 234 and the opening 226 shown in Fig.The first opening edge 227 shown in Fig. 2B is positively interlocked with a second sealing strip 313, which is positively interlocked with a gap between the second arm edge 235 and the second opening edge 228 shown in Fig. 2B, and a sealing connection surface 312, which is positively interlocked with the arm connection surface 237 of the third arm edge 233 shown in Fig. 2B. The first sealing strip 311 and the second sealing strip 313 are each formed with bounded structures 314, which are positively interlocked with the plurality of bounding structures 236 shown in Fig. 2B. Since the majority of the bounding structures shown in the embodiment of Fig. 2B are dovetail grooves, the bounded structures here are positively interlocking dovetail blocks with the dovetail grooves.The first sealing section 310 connects an edge of a corresponding arm 230 with an edge of a corresponding opening 226 to fill the gap between them, while allowing the arm 230 to deflect relative to the side wall 220. Experts in the field will understand that the number and positioning of the first sealing sections 310 can be determined according to the actual requirements, as long as they are positively interlocked with the arms 230 provided on the main body 200 to achieve the connection and sealing effect. The second sealing section 320 at least partially covers the collar 210 of the main body 200 and forms a sealing lip 330 facing the side wall 220. As shown in Fig. 3D, opening structures on an upper surface of the second sealing section 320 are positively interlocked with the two pairs of projections 212, 213 and 214, 215 shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 3D.2E are shown, connected, which allows the seal 300 and the main body 200 to be firmly mounted. Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 4C and Fig. 4D are each a side view, a cross-sectional view, a bottom view and a top view of the nozzle 100 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, when the main body 200 and the seal 300 are formed in one piece by the two-component injection molding process to form the nozzle 100, the seal 300 and the main body 200 are joined by a chemical adhesive, and since the arm 230 deflects elastically when the nozzle 100 is inserted into the metal sheet, the seal 300 connected to the arm 230 is thus pulled to deform together. In this case, the limiting structures provided on the edges of the opening 226 and the arm 230 (e.g. the dovetail grooves 236 in Fig. 2B) and the limiting structures formed on the seal 300 (e.g. the dovetail blocks 314 in Fig. 3A) fit precisely, thereby improving the strength of the connection between the main body 200 and the seal 300 and preventing the arm 230 from detaching from the seal 300 during deformation.Experts in the field should understand that no limiting structures can be provided on the edges of the opening 226 and the arm 230, and that no limiting structures can be provided on the seal 300, as long as the requirement of a tight connection between the main body 200 and the seal 300 is met. Furthermore, the third arm edge 233 formed at the free end of the arm 230, as shown in Fig. 2C, is also embedded in a corresponding structure of the seal 300, which further prevents the main body 200 from separating from the seal 300, while simultaneously reducing the risk of flash formation in the two-component injection molding process. When the main body 200 is in a design fit with the seal 300, the inside and outside of the nozzle 100 are not in contact, thus achieving a good sealing effect. The nozzle of the present disclosure has the following advantages. In the prior art, an arm structure is provided on one edge of the grommet, which can interrupt the original edge structure. This leads to insufficient torsional rigidity after the grommet is inserted into the body panel and causes the grommet to rotate in its mounting position, thereby reducing the fastening and sealing effect. According to the grommet 100 of the present disclosure, an arm structure is provided on the side wall 220 of the main body 200, which allows the grommet 100 to have a complete edge structure, thus achieving a better anti-rotation function. Additionally, in the present disclosure, when the main body 200 is in a design fit with the seal 300, the inside and outside of the grommet 100 are not in contact, thus enabling a good sealing effect. Although the present application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments in the preceding overview, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or equivalents, whether known or invented now or in the future, will be obvious to the person skilled in the art. Furthermore, the technical effects and / or problems described in the present application are exemplary and not limiting; accordingly, the disclosure of the present application can be applied to solve other technical problems and achieve other technical effects and / or be applied to solve other technical problems. The embodiments of the present application illustrated above are therefore to be understood as illustrative rather than limiting. Various modifications can be made without departing from the fundamental idea or scope of the present application.Accordingly, the present application shall include all known or previously developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or equivalents.

Claims

Nozzle (100) comprising: a main body (200), the main body (200) comprising: a side wall (220) defining a channel (229), wherein a plurality of openings (226) are provided on the side wall (220); a collar (210) arranged at a head end of the side wall (220); and a plurality of arms (230) connected to the side wall (220) at the plurality of openings (226) by their proximal ends, each of which is located away from the collar (210), wherein a gap is provided between an edge of each of the arms (230) and an edge of a corresponding opening (226);and a seal (300) comprising a plurality of first sealing sections (310), each of the first sealing sections (310) connecting an edge of a corresponding arm (230) with an edge of a corresponding opening (226) to fill the gap between them, while allowing the at least one arm (230) to deflect with respect to the side wall (220). A nozzle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the edge of each of the arms (230) has a first arm edge (234) and a second arm edge (235) opposite each other, the edge of each of the openings (226) has a first opening edge (227) and a second opening edge (228) opposite each other, and at least one of the first arm edge (234), the second arm edge (235), the first opening edge (227) and the second opening edge (228) is provided with at least one limiting structure (236); and the first sealing section (310) has limiting structures (314) that are each positively interlocking with the limiting structures (236) at the first arm edge (234), the second arm edge (235), the first opening edge (227) and the second opening edge (228). Grommet (100) according to claim 2, wherein the limiting structure (236) is a dovetail groove, and the limited structure (314) is a dovetail block. Nozzle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the edge of each of the arms (230) further comprises a third arm edge (233) at a distal end of the arm (230), the third arm edge (233) has an uneven arm connection surface (237), and the first sealing section (310) has a sealing connection surface (312) which is positively interlocking with the arm connection surface (237) of the third arm edge (233). Nozzle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a stepped engagement surface (232) is provided on an outer side of each of the arms (230). nozzle (100) according to claim 5, wherein a drive ramp (231) is provided on the outside of each of the arms (230), wherein the drive ramp (231) is connected to the engagement surface (232) and is arranged between the engagement surface (232) and a foot end of the side wall (220); wherein the drive ramp (231) extends obliquely outwards in a direction towards the engagement surface (232). Nozzle (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the at least one arm (230) has an arm body (238) and a projection section (239) arranged on an outside of the arm body (238), the projection section (239) forming the engagement surface (232) and the drive ramp (231); wherein, when the at least one arm (230) is in a non-displaced state, the arm body (238) is arranged within the corresponding opening (226). A nozzle (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the side wall (220) has an outer surface shaped as a prism, and the side wall (220) has a first wall section (251) and a second wall section (252) opposite each other, and a third wall section (253) and a fourth wall section (254) opposite each other; wherein the opening (226) is formed on each of the first wall section (251) and the second wall section (252); and the plurality of arms comprises a pair of arms (230, 240), wherein the pair of arms (230, 240) is each connected to the first wall section (251) and the second wall section (252). Nozzle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the seal (300) further comprises a second sealing section (320), the second sealing section (320) at least partially covers the collar (210) and forms a sealing lip (330) which faces the side wall (220). Nozzle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the main body (200) is made of a relatively stiff material, the seal (300) is made of an elastomer material and the main body (200) and the seal (300) are formed in one piece by a two-component injection molding process.

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