Grommet and assembly method of grommet

Abstract

To provide a grommet reducing manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: A grommet has a body having a flexibility, an annular water cut-off part inserted into a penetrating hole formed on an attachment panel and cutting off water, and a cylinder part penetrated into an annular inner part of the water cut-off part to be provided and into which a wiring member is inserted, and an annular pressing part inserted into an annular inside of the water cut-off part with respect to the body and pressing the water cut-off part toward an inner edge of the penetrating hole. With respect to the body, one of a plural kinds of pressing parts whose outer diameters are different can be inserted into the inside of the water cut-off part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a grommet and a method for assembling a grommet. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional grommet mounted on a vehicle is, for example, described in Patent Document 1. The grommet described in Patent Document 1 includes a main body having a water stop portion and a tubular portion, and a pressing portion that is inserted inside the water stop portion relative to the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-061679 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the grommet of Patent Document 1, the water-stopping part of the main body is attached to a through hole of the mounting panel of the vehicle, and the wiring material is inserted and held in the tubular part. In this case, since the water-stopping part is attached to the through hole to stop water, the outer diameter of the water-stopping part needs to be manufactured with high precision relative to the inner diameter of the through hole. In addition, since the inner diameter of the through hole of the mounting panel differs depending on the outer diameter of the wiring material, multiple types of grommets with different outer diameters are required for multiple types of through holes with different inner diameters, which increases the manufacturing cost.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a grommet that reduces manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the grommet of the present invention comprises a flexible main body having an annular water-stopping portion that is inserted into a through hole formed in a mounting panel to stop water flow, and a tubular portion that penetrates the annular interior of the water-stopping portion and through which a wiring material is inserted, and an annular pressing portion that is inserted into the inside of the annular interior of the water-stopping portion relative to the main body and presses the water-stopping portion toward the inner edge of the through hole, and the main body allows one of multiple types of pressing portions having different outer diameters to be inserted inside the water-stopping portion.

[0007] In addition, a method for assembling a grommet according to the present invention comprises a main body having a flexible annular water-stopping portion which is inserted into a through hole formed in a mounting panel to stop water flow, and a tubular portion which penetrates the annular interior of the water-stopping portion and through which a wiring material is inserted, and an annular pressing portion which is inserted into the annular inside of the water-stopping portion relative to the main body and presses the water-stopping portion toward the inner edge of the through hole, and includes selecting one of a plurality of types of pressing portions having different outer diameters that corresponds to the inner diameter of the through hole, and inserting the selected pressing portion inside the water-stopping portion to expand the outer diameter of the water-stopping portion and fit the water-stopping portion into the through hole. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The grommet and grommet assembly method of the present invention have a flexible main body having a water-stopping portion and a tubular portion, and a ring-shaped pressing portion that presses the water-stopping portion toward the inner edge of the through hole, and one of multiple types of pressing portions with different outer diameters can be inserted inside the water-stopping portion, so that the main body can be used for through holes with different inner diameters, thereby achieving the effect of reducing manufacturing costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a grommet according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the grommet. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the main body. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the pressing portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressing portion of different dimensions. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a grommet having pressing parts of different dimensions attached to the main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that are replaceable and easy for a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a grommet according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the grommet.

[0012] <Wire harness> As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the grommet 1 is incorporated in a wire harness WH. Here, the wire harness WH is wired in a vehicle or the like. The wire harness WH is, for example, a bundle of wiring materials W used for power supply and signal communication for connection between devices mounted in a vehicle, and is configured to connect the wiring materials W to each device using a connector or the like. The wire harness WH includes a wiring material W having conductivity and a grommet 1 provided on the wiring material W and through which the wiring material W is inserted. The wire harness WH may further include various components such as exterior members such as a corrugated tube, a resin tape, and a protector, an electrical connection box, and a fixing device. The wiring material W is, for example, configured by a metal rod, an electric wire, a bundle of electric wires, etc. The metal rod is a rod-shaped member having conductivity, the outside of which is covered with an insulating covering portion. An electric wire is a conductor (core) made of multiple conductive metal wires covered with an insulating coating. A wire bundle is a bundle of such electric wires. A wire harness WH bundles and aggregates multiple wiring materials W, and various devices are electrically connected via connectors or the like provided at the ends of the bundled wiring materials W.

[0013] The grommet 1 is applied to the through hole 101 formed in the mounting panel 100 to be mounted, when wiring a wiring material W across two spaces partitioned by the mounting panel 100 as a boundary. The mounting panel 100 is, for example, a metal plate constituting a vehicle body, and the through hole 101 penetrates the mounting panel 100 in a ring shape along the plate thickness direction. The two spaces partitioned by the mounting panel 100 are typically an interior space (e.g., a cabin) and an exterior space (e.g., an engine compartment). Here, the plate thickness direction of the mounting panel 100, the direction through which the through hole 101 penetrates, is referred to as the axial direction. A center line O passing through the center of the through hole 101 is perpendicular to the plate surface of the mounting panel 100 and extends along the axial direction. In other words, the axial direction is the direction in which the center line O extends. The direction perpendicular to the center line O is referred to as the radial direction, the side away from the center line O is referred to as the radially outward direction, and the side approaching the center line O is referred to as the radially inward direction.

[0014] The grommet 1 is assembled into the through hole 101 with the wiring material W of the wire harness WH inserted therethrough and sheathed around the wiring material W. Therefore, the grommet 1 protects the wiring material W passing through the through hole 101 and also waterproofs the through hole 101. The grommet 1 has functions such as dustproofing and soundproofing in addition to waterproofing the through hole 101.

[0015] <Grommet> The grommet 1 comprises a main body 10 and a pressing portion 20 .

[0016] The main body 10 has a water-stopping portion 11, a closing portion 12, and a tubular portion 13. The pressing portion 20 has a pressing tubular portion 21, a flange portion 22, and a hook portion 23.

[0017] <Main body> FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the main body.

[0018] 2 and 3, the water-stopping portion 11 is a sealing member that is inserted into the through-hole 101 of the mounting panel 100 and seals the gap between the through-hole 101 and the water-stopping portion 11. The water-stopping portion 11 is formed in an annular shape to match the annular shape of the through-hole 101. The through-hole 101 is formed in a circular shape, and the outer periphery of the water-stopping portion 11 is also formed in a circular shape. Note that when the through-hole 101 is formed in an elliptical shape, the outer periphery of the water-stopping portion 11 is also formed in an elliptical shape.

[0019] The water stopper 11 has a groove-shaped recess 31 formed on the outer circumferential surface. The recess 31 opens radially outward. The recess 31 has a first protruding portion 31a protruding toward one surface 102 of the mounting panel 100 and a second protruding portion 31b protruding toward the other surface 103 of the mounting panel 100. The recess 31 also has a bottom 31c, and the first protruding portion 31a and the second protruding portion 31b are connected to the bottom 31c. The first protruding portion 31a and the second protruding portion 31b form a ring shape. The first protruding portion 31a and the second protruding portion 31b protrude in a direction approaching each other, so that the width of the recess 31 narrows toward the radially outward direction. In the waterproof portion 11, the inner edge of the through hole 101 of the mounting panel 100 fits into the recess 31, so that the first protrusion 31a abuts against one surface 102 and elastically deforms, and the second protrusion 31b abuts against the other surface 103 and elastically deforms. Therefore, the first protrusion 31a and the second protrusion 31b function as a waterproof lip portion for the mounting panel 100.

[0020] The closure portion 12 is provided contiguous to one axial side of the water-stopping portion 11 (the right side in FIG. 3). The closure portion 12 is configured as a partition that closes one axial side of the water-stopping portion 11. The closure portion 12 extends radially inward and in one axial direction from the second protruding portion 31b of the recess 31 in the water-stopping portion 11, forming a substantially conical dome shape that juts out toward the side away from the water-stopping portion 11. Therefore, the closure portion 12 closes one axial side of the water-stopping portion 11. The closure portion 12 is formed so that the outer diameter gradually decreases from the water-stopping portion 11.

[0021] A locking recess 32 is provided between the water stop portion 11 and the closing portion 12. The locking recess 32 is provided on the inner periphery of the portion where the water stop portion 11 and the closing portion 12 are continuous. The locking recess 32 opens radially inward. The hook portion 23 of the pressing portion 20 fits into the locking recess 32. The locking recess 32 has a first locking surface 32a and a second locking surface 32b that contact the hook portion 23 of the pressing portion 20. The first locking surface 32a and the second locking surface 32b are annular. In addition, the first locking surface 32a and the second locking surface 32b extend in directions away from each other toward the center line O, so that the locking recess 32 becomes wider radially inward.

[0022] The tubular portion 13 is provided to penetrate the closure portion 12, and the wiring material W is inserted therethrough. The tubular portion 13 is provided to extend in the axial direction and is provided to penetrate the center of the closure portion 12 with the center line O as the center. One axial end of the tubular portion 13 is connected to the closure portion 12, and the other end away from the closure portion 12 is open. The tubular portion 13 has approximately the same outer diameter and inner diameter from one end to the other end. The tubular portion 13 is provided with an inner peripheral protrusion 33 at the other axial end. The inner peripheral protrusion 33 is annular. In addition, since the wiring material W is inserted inside the tubular portion 13, the inner peripheral protrusion 33 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the wiring material W and elastically deforms. Therefore, the inner peripheral protrusion 33 functions as a water-stopping lip portion for the wiring material W.

[0023] The main body 10 is formed of an insulating elastic resin material (e.g., ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM)) having low rigidity and high flexibility, such as rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. The main body 10 is formed as an elastic body by integrating a water-stopping part 11, a closing part 12, and a tubular part 13.

[0024] <Pressing part> The pressing portion 20 is inserted into the main body 10, inside the water-stopping portion 11 and the closing portion 12, and presses the water-stopping portion 11 toward the inner edge of the through hole 101. The pressing tube portion 21 has a cylindrical shape and is formed in an annular shape that continues in the circumferential direction about the center line O. The annular outer peripheral surface of the pressing tube portion 21 faces and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the water-stopping portion 11. The pressing tube portion 21 has an inner diameter Da1 and an outer diameter Db1. The outer diameter Db1 of the pressing tube portion 21 is larger than the inner diameter of the water-stopping portion 11.

[0025] The flange portion 22 has a perforated disk shape extending radially outward from one axial end of the pressing tube portion 21. The flange portion 22 is formed in an annular shape that continues in the circumferential direction about the center line O. The annular flat surface of the flange portion 22 on the pressing tube portion 21 side faces and contacts the end face of the water-stopping portion 11.

[0026] The hook portion 23 has a ring shape extending radially outward from the other axial end of the pressing tube portion 21. The hook portion 23 is formed in a ring shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction about the center line O. The hook portion 23 has a tapered shape in which the axial thickness gradually decreases radially outward. The hook portion 23 is fitted into and locked in the locking recess 32 in the main body 10. At this time, the hook portion 23 contacts the first locking surface 32a and the second locking surface 32b, and is sandwiched in the thickness direction by the locking recess 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the hook portion 23 has a plurality of split hooks 23a (eight in this embodiment) that are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the pressing portion 20. Each of the split hooks 23a is formed by a plurality of slits 23b, and the tip portion is elastically deformable in the radial direction.

[0027] The pressing portion 20 is made of a material harder than the main body 10, for example, a synthetic resin material or a metal material.

[0028] <How to install the grommet> 1 and 2, in the grommet 1, the internal space of the main body 10 and the pressing portion 20 functions as the insertion space 30. The insertion space 30 is a space into which the wiring material W is inserted, and is continuous from one side of the main body 10 and the pressing portion 20 to the other side along the axial direction. In the grommet 1, the wiring material W is inserted into the insertion space 30 along the axial direction. After the grommet 1 is attached to the wiring material W such that the wiring material W is inserted into the insertion space 30, the grommet 1 is inserted into the through hole 101 together with the end of the wiring material W from the tube portion 13 side.

[0029] Specifically, the grommet 1 is arranged along the axial direction from one side to the other in the order of the mounting panel 100, the main body 10, and the pressing portion 20. The main body 10 has the tubular portion 13 facing the mounting panel 100 side in the axial direction, the pressing portion 20 facing the water stop portion 11 of the main body 10, and the flange portion 22 is arranged on the other side in the axial direction. With this arrangement, the wiring material W is passed through the water stop portion 11, the closing portion 12, the tubular portion 13, and the pressing portion 20 of the main body 10.

[0030] Thereafter, the grommet 1 inserts the main body 10 together with the end of the wiring material W into the through hole 101 of the mounting panel 100 from the tubular portion 13 side, and the inner edge of the through hole 101 fits into the recess 31 of the water stop portion 11. Then, the grommet 1 inserts the pressing portion 20 into the annular inside of the water stop portion 11, and pushes in until the flange portion 22 abuts against the axial end of the water stop portion 11. Then, the grommet 1 is locked with the hook portion 23 of the pressing portion 20 fitting into the locking recess 32 of the main body 10.

[0031] At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the pressing portion 20 presses the inner peripheral surface of the water-stopping portion 11 radially outward, pressing the recessed portion 31 in the water-stopping portion 11 against the inner edge of the through hole 101. In addition, in the grommet 1, the first protruding portion 31a of the water-stopping portion 11 abuts against and presses one surface 102 of the mounting panel 100, and the second protruding portion 31b abuts against and presses the other surface 103 of the mounting panel 100. As a result, the water-stopping portion 11 of the grommet 1 is pressed against the inner edge of the through hole 101 to stop water.

[0032] In the present embodiment, grommet 1 allows one of a plurality of types of pressing parts 20, 20A having different outer diameters to be inserted inside water stop portion 11 of main body 10. When one of a plurality of types of pressing parts 20, 20A having different outer diameters is inserted inside water stop portion 11 of main body 10, grommet 1 elastically deforms, and the outer diameter of water stop portion 11 varies.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing pressing parts of different dimensions, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a grommet having pressing parts of different dimensions attached to a main body.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing portion 20 has a pressing cylinder portion 21, a flange portion 22, and a hook portion 23. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressing portion 20A has a pressing cylinder portion 21A, a flange portion 22A, and a hook portion 23A. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressing portion 20 and the pressing portion 20A have the same basic shape but different radial dimensions. That is, the pressing cylinder portion 21 has an inner diameter Da1 and an outer diameter Db1, while the pressing cylinder portion 21A has an inner diameter Da2 and an outer diameter Db2, and the relationship is such that inner diameter Da1 < inner diameter Da2 and outer diameter Db1 < outer diameter Db2. The pressing cylinder portion 21A of the pressing portion 20A has a larger diameter than the pressing cylinder portion 21 of the pressing portion 20. The pressing portion 20 and the pressing portion 20A are selected according to the inner diameters of the through holes 101, 101A of the mounting panel 100.

[0035] That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the inner diameter Dc1 of the through hole 101 of the mounting panel 100 is such, the pressing portion 20 is selected, and the pressing portion 20 is assembled to the main body 10 to form the grommet 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the inner diameter Dc2 of the through hole 101A of the mounting panel 100A is larger than the inner diameter Dc1 of the through hole 101 of the mounting panel 100, and the relationship is Dc1 < Dc2. Then, when the inner diameter Dc2 of the through hole 101A of the mounting panel 100A is large, the pressing portion 20A with a large outer diameter is selected, and the pressing portion 20A is assembled to the main body 10 to form the grommet 1A.

[0036] When the inner diameter Dc2 of the through hole 101A of the mounting panel 100A is large, instead of the pressing portion 20 having the inner diameter Da1 and the outer diameter Db1 of the pressing cylinder portion 21, the pressing portion 20A having the inner diameter Da2 and the outer diameter Db2 of the large-diameter pressing cylinder portion 21A is selected. When the pressing portion 20A is assembled to the main body 10, the water-stop portion 11 and the closing portion 12 of the main body 10 are elastically deformed radially outward. Therefore, similar to the grommet 1, the water-stop portion 11 of the grommet 1A is pressed against the inner edge of the through hole 101A to stop water.

[0037] In the above description, two types of pressing portions 20, 20A with different inner and outer diameters are prepared, but a plurality of types of pressing portions may be prepared according to the inner diameter of the through hole of the mounting panel.

[0038] <Effects of this embodiment> As described above, the grommet of this embodiment is flexible and comprises a main body 10 having an annular water-stopping portion 11 that is inserted into the through hole 101, 101A formed in the mounting panel 100, 100A to stop water, and a tubular portion 13 that penetrates the annular interior of the water-stopping portion 11 and through which the wiring material W is inserted, and annular pressing portions 20, 20A that are inserted into the inside of the annular shape of the water-stopping portion 11 relative to the main body 10 and press the water-stopping portion 11 toward the inner edge of the through hole 101, 101A, and one of several types of pressing portions 20, 20A having different outer diameters can be inserted inside the water-stopping portion 11 of the main body 10.

[0039] According to the grommet of this embodiment, the main body 10 is flexible and has the water stop portion 11 and the tubular portion 13, and the pressing portion 20, 20A can be inserted inside the water stop portion 11 to press the water stop portion 11 toward the inner edge of the through hole 101, 101A. At this time, one of a plurality of types of pressing portions 20, 20A with different outer diameters can be inserted inside the water stop portion 11, so the main body 10 can be used for the through holes 101, 101A with different inner diameters, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0040] In the grommet according to this embodiment, the outer diameter of the water stop portion 11 of the main body 10 varies as one of a plurality of types of pressing portions 20, 20A having different outer diameters is inserted inside the water stop portion 11. Therefore, the main body 10 can be used for through holes 101, 101A having different inner diameters.

[0041] In the grommet according to this embodiment, the pressing portion 20, 20A has a pressing cylinder portion 21, 21A that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the water stop portion 11 and extends in the axial direction, a ring-shaped flange portion 22, 22A that extends radially outward from one axial end of the pressing cylinder portion 21, 21A, and a ring-shaped hook portion 23, 23A that extends radially outward from the other axial end of the pressing cylinder portion 21, 21A, and the main body 10 has a locking recess 32 to which the hook portion 23, 23A is locked. Therefore, by locking the hook portion 23, 23A to the locking recess 32, the holding force of the pressing portion 20, 20A with respect to the main body 10 is increased, and the pressing portion 20, 20A can be appropriately assembled to the main body 10.

[0042] In the grommet according to this embodiment, the hook portion 23 has a plurality of split hooks 23a spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the pressing portion 20, 20A. Therefore, when the pressing portion 20, 20A is inserted into the inside of the main body 10, the plurality of split hooks 23a deform in the radial direction, thereby reducing the insertion force of the pressing portion 20, 20A into the main body 10 and improving the ease of assembly.

[0043] The method of assembling the grommet in this embodiment includes a main body 10 that is flexible and has an annular water-stopping portion 11 that is inserted into a through hole 101, 101A formed in a mounting panel 100, 100A to stop water flow, and a tubular portion 13 that penetrates the annular interior of the water-stopping portion 11 and through which a wiring material W is inserted, and annular pressing portions 20, 20A that are inserted into the annular inside of the water-stopping portion 11 relative to the main body 10 to press the water-stopping portion 11 toward the inner edge of the through hole 101, 101A, and one pressing portion 20, 20A that corresponds to the inner diameter of the through hole 101, 101A is selected from multiple types of pressing portions 20, 20A having different outer diameters, and the selected pressing portion 20, 20A is inserted inside the water-stopping portion 11 to expand the outer diameter of the water-stopping portion 11 and fit the water-stopping portion 11 into the through hole 101, 101A. Therefore, the main body 10 can be used for both the through holes 101 and 101A having different inner diameters, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0044] The grommet according to the embodiment of the present invention described above is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1,1A Grommet 10. Main Unit 11 Water stop section 12 Closing part 13 Cylinder part 20,20A Pressing part 21, 21A Pressing cylinder part 22, 22A Flange part 23, 23A Hook part 31 Recess 32 Locking recess 33 Inner circumferential protrusion W Routing material WH Wire harness

Claims

1. A main body having a ring-shaped water-stopping portion which is flexible and inserted into a through hole formed in the mounting panel to stop water, and a tubular portion which is provided to pass through the ring-shaped inside of the water-stopping portion and through which a wiring material is inserted; an annular pressing portion that is inserted into the annular inside of the water stopper portion with respect to the main body and presses the water stopper portion toward an inner edge of the through hole; Equipped with The main body is configured so that one of a plurality of types of the pressing parts having different outer diameters can be inserted inside the water stopping part. Grommet.

2. The outer diameter of the water stop portion of the main body varies when one of the pressing portions having different outer diameters is inserted inside the water stop portion. The grommet of claim 1 .

3. The pressing portion has a pressing tube portion extending in the axial direction in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the water stop portion, a ring-shaped flange portion extending radially outward from one end of the pressing tube portion in the axial direction, and a ring-shaped hook portion extending radially outward from the other end of the pressing tube portion in the axial direction, and the main body has a locking recess into which the hook portion is locked. The grommet according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The hook portion has a plurality of split hooks spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the pressing portion. The grommet according to claim 3.

5. A main body having a ring-shaped water-stopping portion which is flexible and inserted into a through hole formed in the mounting panel to stop water, and a tubular portion which is provided to pass through the ring-shaped inside of the water-stopping portion and through which a wiring material is inserted; an annular pressing portion that is inserted into the annular inside of the water stopper portion with respect to the main body and presses the water stopper portion toward an inner edge of the through hole; Equipped with one pressing portion corresponding to the inner diameter of the through hole is selected from among a plurality of types of pressing portions having different outer diameters, and the selected pressing portion is inserted into the inside of the water stop portion to expand the outer diameter of the water stop portion, thereby fitting the water stop portion into the through hole; How to assemble the grommet.

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