Grommet, wire harness with grommet and fitting structure of wire harness

Abstract

To provide technology capable of facilitating insertion of a wire harness into a grommet.SOLUTION: A grommet 10 comprises a cylinder part 12 into which a wire harness 82 is inserted. The cylinder part 12 comprises: a first cylinder part 14 formed with a fitting groove 16 into which a peripheral part of a hole of a vehicle body is fitted on the outer surface; and a second cylinder part 20 communicating with the first cylinder part 14. The second cylinder part 20 comprises a spiral bellows cylinder part 22 in which a bellows part having a trough part 24 and a crest part 26 spirally extends around an axis of the cylinder part 12. An inner diameter of the first cylinder part 14 is larger than an inner diameter of the spiral bellows cylinder part 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to grommets, wire harnesses with grommets, and attachment structures for wire harnesses.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automotive grommet including a pair of attachment portions and a bellows-shaped hollow cylindrical portion that integrally connects between the pair of attachment portions via bellows-shaped portions, respectively, and having a spiral portion with continuous ridges and valleys formed in the bellows-shaped hollow cylindrical portion. Such a grommet is attached between a door and a vehicle body. Further, the bellows-shaped hollow cylindrical portion is for improving the followability against the torsional action applied to the grommet when the door is opened and closed, and also for improving durability and waterproofness.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is desired that the insertion of a wire harness into a grommet is easy.

[0005] Therefore, an object is to provide a technique that can facilitate the insertion of a wire harness into a grommet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The grommet of the present disclosure includes a cylindrical portion through which a wire harness is passed. The cylindrical portion includes a first cylindrical portion having a fitting groove on its outer surface into which the peripheral edge of a hole in the vehicle body fits, and a second cylindrical portion communicating with the first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion includes a spiral bellows cylindrical portion in which a bellows having ridges and valleys extends in a spiral shape around the axis of the cylindrical portion. The inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion is larger than the inner diameter of the spiral bellows cylindrical portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it becomes easy to insert the wire harness into the grommet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The grommet, wire harness with grommet, and mounting structure of the wire harness of the present disclosure are as follows.

[0011] (1) A grommet including a cylindrical portion through which a wire harness is passed, the cylindrical portion including a first cylindrical portion having a fitting groove on an outer surface into which a peripheral edge portion of a hole in a vehicle body fits, and a second cylindrical portion communicating with the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion including a spiral bellows cylindrical portion in which a bellows portion having a mountain portion and a valley portion extends in a spiral shape around an axis of the cylindrical portion, and an inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion being larger than an inner diameter of the spiral bellows cylindrical portion.

[0012] (1) According to the grommet of (1), the spiral bellows cylindrical portion can be deformed with a change in inner diameter by being twisted along the circumferential direction. At this time, the spiral bellows cylindrical portion can be deformed to expand in diameter or contract in diameter according to the twisting direction. For example, when a wiring member in the wire harness or a connector at an end of the wiring member is the same as or thicker than the cylindrical portion, by deforming the spiral bellows cylindrical portion to expand in diameter, it becomes easier to pass the wire harness through the cylindrical portion. Also, for example, when the wiring member is thinner than the cylindrical portion, after passing the wiring member through the cylindrical portion, by deforming the spiral bellows cylindrical portion to contract in diameter, the spiral bellows cylindrical portion can be brought into close contact with the outer periphery of the wiring member. Further, since the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion is larger than the inner diameter of the spiral bellows cylindrical portion, it also becomes easy to pass the wire harness through the first cylindrical portion. From these, it becomes easy to insert the wire harness into the grommet.

[0013] (2) In the grommet of (1), the second cylindrical portion includes a connecting cylindrical portion connecting the first cylindrical portion and the spiral bellows cylindrical portion, and a circumferential groove may be formed on an outer surface of the connecting cylindrical portion.

[0014] (3) In the grommet of (2), a protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral side portion of the end surface of the first cylindrical portion on the connecting cylindrical portion side is provided. The connecting cylindrical portion has a shape lacking a portion overlapping with the protrusion, and the helical bellows cylindrical portion may be provided on the inner peripheral side of the protrusion. By providing the helical bellows cylindrical portion on the inner peripheral side of the protrusion, even when the protrusion is provided, interference between the protrusion and the helical bellows cylindrical portion can be suppressed.

[0015] (4) In any one of the grommets of (1) to (3), the helical bellows cylindrical portion has an end cylindrical portion located at the end on the first cylindrical portion side and a main body cylindrical portion continuous with the end cylindrical portion. The peaks and valleys of the end cylindrical portion may extend wider to the outer peripheral side while following the axial direction of the cylindrical portion than the peaks and valleys of the main body cylindrical portion. Thereby, when deforming the helical bellows cylindrical portion, it is easy to deform the main body cylindrical portion intensively.

[0016] (5) In any one of the grommets of (1) to (4), a wiring fixing portion provided at the end of the helical bellows cylindrical portion opposite to the end on the first cylindrical portion side is provided. The wiring fixing portion includes a plurality of extending pieces separated from each other along the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion, and each of the plurality of extending pieces may protrude from the helical bellows cylindrical portion. Thereby, for example, by binding the wiring member passed through the grommet and the wiring fixing portion, the portion extending from one end of the grommet of the wiring member and the wiring fixing portion can be fixed. Since the wiring fixing portion includes a plurality of extending pieces separated from each other along the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion, compared with the case where the wiring fixing portion is cylindrical, it is easy to twist and deform the helical bellows cylindrical portion together with the wiring fixing portion. Also, since each of the plurality of extending pieces protrudes from the helical bellows cylindrical portion, when the helical bellows cylindrical portion is squeezed, it deforms so that the inner surfaces of the extending pieces approach each other.

[0017] (6) In any one grommet of (1) to (5), the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion where the inner diameter of the helical bellows cylindrical portion is the smallest may be the smallest. As a result, the portion having the smallest inner diameter in the cylindrical portion becomes the helical bellows cylindrical portion, making it easier to expand the portion having the smallest inner diameter in the cylindrical portion and easier to pass a wire harness through the cylindrical portion.

[0018] (7) In any one grommet of (1) to (6), the axial direction of the cylindrical portion may be along a single straight line from one end to the other end of the cylindrical portion. As a result, the grommet has a simple structure that only penetrates through a single hole, making it easier to insert the wire harness into the grommet.

[0019] (8) Further, the wire harness with a grommet of the present disclosure is a wire harness with a grommet, comprising any one grommet of (1) to (7) and a wire harness passed through the grommet.

[0020] (9) In the wire harness with a grommet of (8), the wire harness includes a wiring member passing through the grommet and at least one connector provided at an end portion of the wiring member on one end side of the grommet. The inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion may be larger than the outer dimension of the largest connector among the at least one connector. As a result, even without expanding the first cylindrical portion, the largest connector can also be passed through the first cylindrical portion.

[0021] (10) In the wire harness with a grommet of (8) or (9), the helical bellows cylindrical portion may be held in a state of diameter reduction deformation. As a result, the helical bellows cylindrical portion can be in close contact with the wiring member of the internal wire harness.

[0022] (11) Further, the mounting structure of the wire harness of the present disclosure includes the grommet-equipped wire harness according to any one of (8) to (10), and a dash panel in which a mounting hole is formed, and a peripheral portion of the mounting hole fits into the fitting groove of the first cylindrical portion of the grommet. This is a mounting structure of a wire harness. Thereby, after the vehicle is arranged, the grommet can be easily attached to the wire harness that is usually the engine room harness that does not move.

[0023] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the grommet, the grommet-equipped wire harness, and the mounting structure of the wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0024] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the grommet 10, the grommet-equipped wire harness 80, and the mounting structure 100 of the wire harness according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the grommet 10 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the grommet 10. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the grommet 10. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the grommet 10. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 2 to 7, the wire harness 82 is shown by a virtual line. Note that FIG. 7 shows a state where the wire harness 82 is being inserted into the grommet 10. Further, in FIGS. 4 to 7, the vehicle body panel 102 is shown by a virtual line.

[0025] The grommet 10 includes a cylindrical portion 12 through which the wire harness 82 passes. In the present embodiment, the grommet 10 includes a protrusion 40, a first wiring fixing portion 50, and a second wiring fixing portion 60. One or more of the protrusion 40, the first wiring fixing portion 50, and the second wiring fixing portion 60 may be omitted. The grommet 10 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, for example. The grommet 10 is, for example, an injection molded product using a mold.

[0026] The cylindrical portion 12 includes a first cylindrical portion 14 and a second cylindrical portion 20 that communicate with each other. A part of the cylindrical portion 12 along the axial direction is the first cylindrical portion 14, and the other part is the second cylindrical portion 20. The first cylindrical portion 14 is a portion attached to the vehicle body. A fitting groove 16 is formed on the outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 14. The peripheral edge of the hole in the vehicle body panel fits into the fitting groove 16. The first cylindrical portion 14 protects the portion of the wire harness 82 that passes through the hole in the vehicle body panel from the peripheral edge of the hole. The second cylindrical portion 20 protects the portion of the wire harness 82 that extends from the hole in the vehicle body panel. In the present embodiment, only one first cylindrical portion 14 is provided. The first cylindrical portion 14 forms one end of the cylindrical portion 12, and the second cylindrical portion 20 forms the other end of the cylindrical portion 12. In the present embodiment, the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 12 is along a single straight line from one end to the other end of the cylindrical portion 12. The cylindrical portion 12 is formed linearly.

[0027] The second cylindrical portion 20 includes a spiral bellows cylindrical portion 22 and a connecting cylindrical portion 34. The spiral bellows cylindrical portion 22 is a cylindrical portion 12 in which a bellows portion having peaks 24 and valleys 26 extends in a spiral around the axis of the cylindrical portion 12. In the present disclosure, the portion that is convex on the outer peripheral surface is defined as the peak 24, and the portion that is concave on the outer peripheral surface is defined as the valley 26. On the inner peripheral surface, the concavo-convex relationship of the peaks 24 and valleys 26 on the outer peripheral surface is reversed. That is, on the inner peripheral surface, the peaks 24 are concave, and the valleys 26 are convex. The connecting cylindrical portion 34 connects the first cylindrical portion 14 and the spiral bellows cylindrical portion 22. The connecting cylindrical portion 34 is not provided with a spiral bellows portion. A circumferential groove 36 is formed on the outer surface of the connecting cylindrical portion 34.

[0028] The helical bellows tube portion 22 has an end tube portion 30 located at the end on the first tube portion 14 side and a main body tube portion 32 connected to the end tube portion 30. The main body tube portion 32 is continuous to the end on the side opposite to the side where the end tube portion 30 is located. The main body tube portion 32 forms the end of the tube portion 12. The peaks 24 and valleys 26 of the end tube portion 30 extend outward in the outer peripheral side while following the axial direction of the tube portion 12 more than the peaks 24 and valleys 26 of the main body tube portion 32. The extending direction of the peaks 24 and valleys 26 of the end tube portion 30 is closer to being parallel to the axial direction of the tube portion 12 than the extending direction of the peaks 24 and valleys 26 of the main body tube portion 32.

[0029] In the helical bellows tube portion 22, a plurality of sets of peaks 24 and valleys 26 are continuously arranged in a helical shape parallel to each other. For example, the number of sets of the peaks 24 and valleys 26 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 5 to 25 sets. Here, 15 sets of peaks 24 and valleys 26 extend in a helical shape around the tube portion 12 parallel to each other, forming the helical bellows tube portion 22. As shown in FIG. 5, in the cross section of the helical bellows tube portion 22, the 15 sets of peaks 24 and valleys 26 are arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0030] The number of turns that the peaks 24 and valleys 26 make around the tube portion 12 from one end to the other end of the helical bellows tube portion 22 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 1 turn or more and 3 turns or less. Here, from one end to the other end of the helical bellows tube portion 22, the number of turns of the peaks 24 and valleys 26 is about one and a half turns.

[0031] In the axial direction of the tube portion 12, the length dimensions of the first tube portion 14, the second tube portion 20, the helical bellows tube portion 22, and the connecting tube portion 34 are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. For example, in the axial direction of the tube portion 12, the helical bellows tube portion 22 may be longer than the first tube portion 14 and the connecting tube portion 34. For example, in the axial direction of the tube portion 12, the helical bellows tube portion 22 may occupy more than half of the length of the tube portion 12.

[0032] The protruding portion 40 protrudes from the outer peripheral side portion of the end face on the connecting cylinder portion 34 side of the first cylinder portion 14. The connecting cylinder portion 34 has a shape lacking the portion overlapping with the protruding portion 40. The spiral bellows cylinder portion 22 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the protruding portion 40.

[0033] The use of the protruding portion 40 is not particularly limited. For example, the protruding portion 40 may be gripped by an operator when attaching and detaching the grommet 10, or may be used for positioning the grommet 10 or the like. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the inside of the protruding portion 40 may be hollow. In this case, by cutting off the tip of the protruding portion 40, a wire such as a hood opener may be passed through the inside of the protruding portion 40, or a tubular protruding portion 40 may be used for connecting a tube such as a washer hose. The tubular protruding portion 40 may penetrate through a hole in the vehicle body panel.

[0034] The first wiring fixing portion 50 is provided at one end of the cylinder portion 12. The first wiring fixing portion 50 includes a plurality (here, a pair) of first extending pieces 52. The plurality of first extending pieces 52 are separated from each other along the circumferential direction of the first cylinder portion 14. The plurality of first extending pieces 52 protrude axially from the tip of the first cylinder portion 14. The base end portion of the first extending piece 52 is thicker than the tip end portion. The interval between the base end portions of the pair of first extending pieces 52 gradually narrows toward the tip end portion. The interval between the tip end portions of the pair of first extending pieces 52 is constant.

[0035] The second wiring fixing part 60 is provided at the other end of the cylindrical part 12. The second wiring fixing part 60 is provided at the end of the helical bellows cylindrical part 22 on the side opposite to the end on the first cylindrical part 14 side. The second wiring fixing part 60 includes a plurality (here, a pair) of second extending pieces 62. The plurality of second extending pieces 62 are separated from each other along the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical part 20. Each of the plurality of second extending pieces 62 protrudes axially from the tip of the helical bellows cylindrical part 22. The thickness of the second extending piece 62 is substantially constant from the base end part to the tip end part. The interval between the pair of second extending pieces 62 is substantially constant from the base end part to the tip end part. The second extending piece 62 is not provided with a bellows part, and the inner surface and the outer surface of the second extending piece 62 are formed in a circumferential surface shape. A notch 28 is provided in the portion between the pair of second extending pieces 62 at the end of the helical bellows cylindrical part 22.

[0036] For example, in a state where the wiring member 84 of the wire harness 82 is passed through the grommet 10, by winding a bundling member such as an adhesive tape or a binding band around the wiring member 84 and the pair of first extending pieces 52, the wiring member 84 and one end of the grommet 10 are fixed. Similarly, by winding a bundling member such as an adhesive tape or a binding band around the wiring member 84 and the pair of second extending pieces 62, the wiring member 84 and the other end of the grommet 10 are fixed.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, the inner diameter of the first cylindrical part 14 is larger than the inner diameter of the helical bellows cylindrical part 22. It is preferable that the inner diameter of the portion of the first cylindrical part 14 where the fitting groove 16 is formed is larger than the inner diameter of the helical bellows cylindrical part 22. The inner diameter of the helical bellows cylindrical part 22 is the smallest among the inner diameters of the cylindrical part 12.

[0038] The interval between the plurality of first extending pieces 52 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical part 14. The plurality of first extending pieces 52 are separated from each other in the circumferential direction and are not cylindrical, so they are more likely to expand in diameter than the first cylindrical part 14. Similarly, the interval between the plurality of second extending pieces 62 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical part 14. The plurality of second extending pieces 62 are separated from each other in the circumferential direction and are not cylindrical, so they are more likely to expand in diameter than the first cylindrical part 14.

[0039] <Wire harness 80 with grommet> The wire harness 80 with grommet includes the above-mentioned grommet 10 and a wire harness 82 passed through the grommet 10.

[0040] The wire harness 82 includes a wiring member 84 and at least one connector 86 provided at an end of the wiring member 84. The wiring member 84 is, for example, an electric wire for transmitting electricity or an optical cable for transmitting light. Usually, a plurality of transmission members are bundled to form the wiring member 84. The wiring member 84 passes through the grommet 10. The grommet 10 is attached to the middle part of the wiring member 84. Hereinafter, the part of the wiring member 84 to which the grommet 10 is attached is referred to as the grommet attachment part. At least one connector 86 is provided at an end of the wiring member 84 on one end side rather than the grommet attachment part.

[0041] For example, the wire harness 82 is passed through the grommet 10 from one end side rather than the grommet attachment part. At this time, the connector 86 on one end side of the wire harness 82 rather than the grommet attachment part needs to pass through from one end to the other end of the grommet 10. At this time, if the inner diameter of the cylindrical part 12 is smaller than the outer dimension of the connector 86, it is necessary to expand the diameter of the grommet 10.

[0042] When there are a plurality of connectors 86 on one end side of the wire harness 82 rather than the grommet attachment part, if the outer dimension of the connector 86 and the inner diameter of the grommet 10 are set so that the largest connector 86 among the plurality of connectors 86 can pass through the grommet 10, the connectors 86 other than the largest connector 86 among the plurality of connectors 86 can also pass through the grommet 10. Note that since the other end side of the wire harness 82 rather than the part attached to the grommet 10 is not passed through the grommet 10, there is no need to consider the size of the connector 86.

[0043] Here, the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14 may be larger than the outer dimension of the largest connector 86 among at least one connector 86. The outer dimension of the connector 86 is the largest dimension in the cross-section of the connector 86. For example, when the connector 86 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, it is the dimension connecting two opposite corners among the four corners. The outer dimension of the connector 86 in this case is indicated by, for example, the dimension D in FIG. 2. Thus, if the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14 is larger than the outer dimension D of the largest connector 86 among at least one connector 86, the first cylindrical portion 14 does not need to be expanded in diameter when the connector 86 is inserted. Similarly to the first cylindrical portion 14, it is preferable that the connecting cylindrical portion 34 also has a size such that diameter expansion deformation is not required when the connector 86 is inserted.

[0044] The outer dimension D of the connector 86 may be larger than the inner diameter of the helical bellows tube portion 22. In this case, the helical bellows tube portion 22 is expanded in diameter when the connector 86 passes through it. For example, the helical bellows tube portion 22 is expanded in diameter by the tip being twisted in the direction of the arrow A1 in FIG. 1.

[0045] The insertion of the wire harness 82 into the grommet 10 may be performed with the grommet 10 not attached to the vehicle body, or may be performed with the grommet 10 attached to the vehicle body. In the latter case, the wire harness 82 is inserted into the grommet 10 with the peripheral edge of the hole in the vehicle body panel fitted into the fitting groove 16. In this case, since the peripheral edge of the hole in the vehicle body panel is fitted into the fitting groove 16 in the portion of the first cylindrical portion 14 where the fitting groove 16 is formed, it is difficult to expand the diameter. Even in this case, since the inner diameter of the portion of the first cylindrical portion 14 where the fitting groove 16 is formed is larger than the outer dimension of the largest connector 86 passed through the grommet 10, the wire harness 82 can be passed through the first cylindrical portion 14 with almost no diameter expansion.

[0046] The thickness of the wiring member 84 is usually smaller than the outer dimension D of the connector 86. Therefore, if the grommet 10 has a size that allows the connector 86 to be inserted, the wiring member 84 can also be inserted. The wiring member 84 may be branched. In this case, it may be necessary to pass a part of the branched wire of the wiring member 84 and a part of the connector 86 through the grommet 10 at the same time. In this case, for example, the inner diameter of the portion of the first cylindrical portion 14 where the fitting groove 16 is formed may be equal to or greater than the sum of the thickness of the branched wire of the wiring member 84 to be passed through at the same time and the dimension of the short side of the connector 86. Thereby, without expanding and deforming the portion of the first cylindrical portion 14 where the fitting groove 16 is formed, a part of the branched wire of the wiring member 84 and a part of the connector 86 can be passed through the grommet 10 at the same time.

[0047] The thickness of the grommet mounting portion of the wiring member 84 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22. In this case, in the wire harness 80 with a grommet, the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22 may be held in a state of being reduced in diameter and deformed. For example, the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22 is reduced in diameter and deformed by twisting the tip portion in the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 1. For example, in a state where the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22 is reduced in diameter and deformed, the second wiring fixing portion 60 is fixed to the wiring member 84, so that the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22 may be held in a state of being reduced in diameter and deformed. The inner surface (the inner surface of the valley portion 26) of the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22 may be in close contact with the grommet mounting portion.

[0048] <Wire harness mounting structure 100> The wire harness mounting structure 100 includes the above-described wire harness 80 with a grommet and a vehicle body panel in which a mounting hole 104 is formed. In this example, an example in which the vehicle body panel is the dash panel 102 will be described. The vehicle body panel may be a panel other than the dash panel 102. The peripheral edge of the mounting hole 104 formed in the dash panel 102 is fitted into the fitting groove 16 of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the grommet 10.

[0049] The dash panel 102 is a panel that separates the passenger compartment from the engine room located in front of the passenger compartment. The dash panel 102 extends generally along a plane including the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction. The grommet 10 penetrates the dash panel 102. At this time, the orientation of the grommet 10 may be such that the helical bellows tube portion 22 is disposed in the engine room, or may be an orientation disposed in the passenger compartment. In the former case, the wire harness 82 and the helical bellows tube portion 22 may be bent and arranged so as to bridge a narrow gap in the engine room. In the latter case, the wire harness 82 and the helical bellows tube portion 22 may be bent and arranged so as to bridge a narrow gap between the dash panel 102 and the instrument panel in the passenger compartment.

[0050] <Effects, etc.> According to the grommet 10, the wire harness 80 with the grommet, and the mounting structure 100 of the wire harness configured as described above, the helical bellows tube portion 22 can be deformed with a change in the inner diameter by being twisted or the like along the circumferential direction. At this time, the helical bellows tube portion 22 can be expanded or contracted according to the direction of twisting. For example, when the wiring member 84 in the wire harness 82 or the connector 86 at the end of the wiring member 84 is the same as or thicker than the tube portion 12, by expanding the diameter of the helical bellows tube portion 22, it becomes easier to pass the wire harness 82 through the tube portion 12. Also, for example, when the wiring member 84 is thinner than the tube portion 12, after passing the wiring member 84 through the tube portion 12, by contracting the diameter of the helical bellows tube portion 22, the helical bellows tube portion 22 can be brought into close contact with the outer periphery of the wiring member 84. Further, since the inner diameter of the first tube portion 14 is larger than the inner diameter of the helical bellows tube portion 22, it also becomes easy to pass the wire harness 82 through the first tube portion 14. From these, it becomes easier to insert the wire harness 82 into the grommet 10.

[0051] Further, the second tube portion 20 includes a connecting tube portion 34 that connects the first tube portion 14 and the helical bellows tube portion 22, and a circumferential groove 36 is formed on the outer surface of the connecting tube portion 34. Thereby, the force for deforming the helical bellows tube portion 22 by twisting is less likely to be transmitted to the first tube portion 14.

[0052] Further, the helical bellows tube portion 22 is provided on the inner circumferential side of the protrusion portion 40. Thereby, even when the protrusion portion 40 is provided, interference between the protrusion portion 40 and the helical bellows tube portion 22 can be suppressed.

[0053] Also, the peak portion 24 and the valley portion 26 of the end tube portion 30 extend outward in the radial direction while following the axial direction of the tube portion 12, more than the peak portion 24 and the valley portion 26 of the main body tube portion 32. Thereby, when deforming the helical bellows tube portion 22, the main body tube portion 32 is likely to be deformed intensively.

[0054] Also, each of the plurality of extending pieces in the wiring fixing portion protrudes from the helical bellows tube portion 22. Thereby, for example, by binding the wiring member 84 passed through the grommet 10 and the wiring fixing portion, the portion of the wiring member 84 extending from one end of the grommet 10 and the wiring fixing portion can be fixed. Since the wiring fixing portion includes a plurality of extending pieces that are separated from each other along the circumferential direction of the second tube portion 20, compared with the case where the wiring fixing portion is cylindrical, it is easier to twist and deform the helical bellows tube portion 22 together with the wiring fixing portion. Also, since each of the plurality of extending pieces protrudes from the helical bellows tube portion 22, when the helical bellows tube portion 22 is compressed, the inner surfaces of the extending pieces are deformed so as to approach each other.

[0055] Also, the inner diameter of the helical bellows tube portion 22 is the smallest among the inner diameters of the tube portion 12. Thereby, by making the portion having the smallest inner diameter of the tube portion 12 the helical bellows tube portion 22, it becomes easier to expand the portion having the smallest inner diameter of the tube portion 12, and it becomes easier to pass the wire harness 82 through the tube portion 12.

[0056] Also, the axial direction of the tube portion 12 follows a single straight line from one end to the other end of the tube portion 12. Thereby, the grommet 10 has a simple structure that only penetrates through one hole, and it becomes easy to insert the wire harness 82 into the grommet 10.

[0057] Also, according to the grommet-equipped wire harness 80, the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 14 is larger than the outer dimension of the largest connector 86 among at least one connector 86. Thereby, even without expanding the first cylindrical portion 14, the largest connector 86 can be passed through the first cylindrical portion 14.

[0058] Also, when the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22 is held in a state of being reduced in diameter and deformed, the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22 can be in close contact with the wiring member 84 of the internal wire harness 82.

[0059] Also, according to the mounting structure 100 of the wire harness, the peripheral edge of the mounting hole 104 formed in the dash panel 102 is fitted into the fitting groove 16 of the first cylindrical portion 14 of the grommet 10. Thereby, after the vehicle is arranged, the grommet 10 can be easily attached to the wire harness 82, which is usually an engine room harness that does not move.

[0060] [Appendix] With the first cylindrical portion 14 attached to the vehicle body, the wire harness 82 can be passed through the grommet 10 by deforming the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22 by twisting or the like. Such a manufacturing method can be regarded as a manufacturing method of the mounting structure 100 of the wire harness.

[0061] Also, with the wire harness mounting structure 100 in place, a wiring member 84 with or without a connector 86 can be added by deforming the helical bellows cylindrical portion 22 by twisting or the like. Such a method can be regarded as a method for adding the wire harness 82.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing grommet 110 according to the first modification. Grommet 110 is different from the above-described grommet 10 in that the protrusion 40 is omitted. In grommet 110, the configuration other than the point where the protrusion 40 is omitted and the points associated therewith has the same configuration as that of the above-described grommet 10. In grommet 110, the same components as those of the above-described grommet 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The same applies to the following modifications. When the protrusion 40 is omitted as in grommet 110, the connecting cylinder portion 34 may have a complete circular shape.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing grommet 210 according to the second modification. Grommet 210 is different from the above-described grommet 10 in that the first cylinder portions 14 are provided at both ends of the second cylinder portion 20. In grommet 210, the two first cylinder portions 14 are respectively attached to the panels. The panels to which the two first cylinder portions 14 are attached are, for example, different panels in a vehicle. In this case, the second cylinder portion 20 is stretched between the two panels. For example, one of the two first cylinder portions 14 may be attached to the door panel, and the other first cylinder portion 14 may be attached to the body panel. In this case, the second cylinder portion 20 may be deformed when the door is opened and closed. Only one of the two first cylinder portions 14 is provided with the first wiring fixing portion 50. The two first cylinder portions 14 may both be provided with the first wiring fixing portion 50.

[0064] In addition, the respective configurations described in the above-described embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0065] 10, 110, 210 Grommets 12 Cylinder portion 14 First cylinder portion 16 Fitting groove 20 Second cylinder portion 22 Helical bellows cylinder portion 24 Ridge portion 26 Valley portion 28 Notch 30 End cylinder part 32 Body cylinder part 34 Connecting cylinder part 36 Circumferential groove 40 Protrusion part 50 First wiring fixing part 52 First extension piece 60 Second wiring fixing part 62 Second extension piece 80 Wire harness with grommet 82 Wire harness 84 Wiring member 86 Connector 100 Mounting structure of wire harness 102 Dash panel 104 Mounting hole

Claims

1. A grommet comprising a cylindrical portion through which a wire harness is passed, wherein the cylindrical portion includes a first cylindrical portion having a fitting groove on an outer surface thereof into which a peripheral edge portion of a hole in a vehicle body fits, and a second cylindrical portion communicating with the first cylindrical portion, wherein the second cylindrical portion includes a helical bellows cylindrical portion in which a bellows having ridges and valleys extends helically around the axis of the cylindrical portion, wherein an inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion is larger than an inner diameter of the helical bellows cylindrical portion.

2. The grommet according to claim 1, wherein the second cylindrical portion includes a connecting cylindrical portion connecting the first cylindrical portion and the helical bellows cylindrical portion, wherein a circumferential groove is formed on an outer surface of the connecting cylindrical portion.

3. The grommet according to claim 2, comprising a protrusion protruding from an outer peripheral side portion at an end surface on the connecting cylindrical portion side of the first cylindrical portion, wherein the connecting cylindrical portion has a shape lacking a portion overlapping with the protrusion, wherein the helical bellows cylindrical portion is provided on an inner peripheral side of the protrusion.

4. The grommet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the helical bellows cylindrical portion has an end cylindrical portion located at an end on the first cylindrical portion side and a main body cylindrical portion continuous with the end cylindrical portion, wherein the ridges and valleys of the end cylindrical portion extend outward in the circumferential direction along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion more than the ridges and valleys of the main body cylindrical portion.

5. The grommet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a wiring fixing portion provided at an end of the helical bellows cylindrical portion opposite to the end on the first cylindrical portion side, wherein the wiring fixing portion includes a plurality of extending pieces spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion, wherein each of the plurality of extending pieces protrudes from the helical bellows cylindrical portion.

6. The grommet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an inner diameter of the helical bellows cylindrical portion is the smallest among inner diameters of the cylindrical portion.

7. The grommet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an axial direction of the cylindrical portion extends along a single straight line from one end to the other end of the cylindrical portion.

8. A wire harness with a grommet, comprising the grommet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a wire harness passed through the grommet.

9. The wire harness with a grommet according to claim 8, The wire harness includes a wiring member passing through the grommet and at least one connector provided at an end of the wiring member on one end side of the grommet. The wire harness with a grommet, wherein the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion is larger than the outer dimension of the largest connector among the at least one connector.

10. The wire harness with a grommet according to claim 8, The wire harness with a grommet, wherein the spiral bellows cylindrical portion is held in a state of diameter reduction deformation.

11. The wire harness with a grommet according to claim 8, A dash panel in which a mounting hole is formed, Comprising: A mounting structure of the wire harness, wherein a peripheral portion of the mounting hole is fitted into the fitting groove of the first cylindrical portion of the grommet.

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