Member insertion grommet

Abstract

To make it possible to prevent a decorative surface from deforming, at a member inserting grommet with a decorative surface recognizable from outside.SOLUTION: A member insertion grommet 1 mounted while holding a plate material, along with the insertion of cable Y, comprises a tubular part 2 having an insertion hole 2a through which the cable Y is inserted, a flange part 3 provided at one end in the axial direction of the tubular part 2 and having a design surface 3a that is visible from the outside, and an elastic deformation part 4 provided on the other end side in the axial direction of the tubular part 2 than the flange part 3 and holding the plate material together with the flange part 3 in an elastically deformed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to grommets for inserting members.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a grommet for a cable penetration portion. The grommet for a cable penetration portion disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a cylindrical portion and two annular protrusion portions. The grommet for a cable penetration portion disclosed in Patent Document 1 is attached to a wall by sandwiching the wall with the two annular protrusion portions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, it is conceivable to install a grommet for inserting a member in a vehicle and insert a cable or the like therethrough. However, in the grommet for a cable penetration portion disclosed in Patent Document 1, one of the annular protrusion portions is elastically deformable, and this annular protrusion portion is attached to the wall in a state where it is elastically deformed. The elastically deformable annular protrusion portion is disposed on the front side of the wall. When such a grommet for a cable penetration portion disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used as a grommet for inserting a member installed in a vehicle, the elastically deformed annular protrusion portion will be visible from the vehicle interior. The elastically deformed annular protrusion portion is bent. When such an annular protrusion portion is visible from the vehicle interior, it will cause a deterioration in the appearance impression.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to enable prevention of deformation of a design surface in a grommet for inserting a member having a design surface visible from the outside.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following configuration.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a grommet for inserting a member, which is attached in a state of sandwiching a plate material while allowing another member to be inserted therethrough. The grommet includes a cylindrical portion having an insertion hole through which the other member is inserted, a flange portion provided at one axial end of the cylindrical portion and having a design surface visible from the outside, and an elastic deformation portion provided on the other end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion with respect to the flange portion and sandwiching the plate material together with the flange portion in an elastically deformed state.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, adopts a configuration in which the elastic deformation portion is provided inclined with respect to the axial direction so as to proceed toward the flange portion as it goes toward the outside in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, adopts a configuration in which, in a state where the elastic deformation portion is not elastically deformed, the amount of protrusion of the elastic deformation portion from the cylindrical portion toward the outside in the radial direction is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the flange portion from the cylindrical portion toward the outside in the radial direction.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, adopts a configuration in which the elastic deformation portion has an inner inclined surface directed toward the cylindrical portion side and an outer inclined surface directed toward the side opposite to the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion has a chamfered portion that is flush with the outer inclined surface and is connected to the end surface on the other end side of the cylindrical portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, an elastic deformation part different from a flange part having a design surface is provided. Therefore, when attached to a plate material, the elastic deformation part elastically deforms to sandwich the plate material. Such a present invention can be attached even when the thickness dimension of the plate material changes. Further, according to the present invention, since the flange part having a design surface does not need to elastically deform, the design surface does not bend. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the design surface from deforming in a grommet for inserting a member having a design surface visible from the outside.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, one embodiment of a grommet for inserting a member according to the present invention will be described.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a grommet 1 for inserting a member of the present embodiment. Note that FIG. 1 also shows a pillar cover X to which the grommet 1 for inserting a member of the present embodiment is attached. Further, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the grommet 1 for inserting a member of the present embodiment.

[0015] The grommet 1 for member insertion according to this embodiment is attached to a part of the pillar cover X. At least the part of the pillar cover X to which the grommet 1 for member insertion is attached is formed in a plate shape. That is, the attachment portion X1 of the pillar cover X for the grommet 1 for member insertion is made of a plate material. One surface (hereinafter referred to as the front surface X2) of this attachment portion X1 is exposed inside the vehicle compartment. Also, the other surface (hereinafter referred to as the back surface X3) of the attachment portion X1 is disposed opposite to, for example, a metal pillar with a gap therebetween, and is a surface that cannot be visually recognized from inside the vehicle compartment.

[0016] An opening X4 into which the grommet 1 for member insertion according to this embodiment is fitted is formed in the attachment portion X1. The grommet 1 for member insertion according to this embodiment is fitted into the opening X4 and sandwiches the attachment portion X1, thereby being fixed to the pillar cover X. Such a grommet 1 for member insertion according to this embodiment has another member, a cable Y, inserted therethrough. The cable Y connects an electronic device provided inside the vehicle and a display device installed inside the vehicle compartment.

[0017] However, the plate material to which the grommet 1 for member insertion is attached is not limited to the attachment portion X1 of the pillar cover X. The grommet 1 for member insertion can be attached to a plate material whose one surface is visible and the other surface is not visible. Also, the member inserted through the grommet 1 for member insertion is not limited to the cable Y, and any member that can be inserted is acceptable.

[0018] The grommet 1 for member insertion according to this embodiment is formed of resin and includes a cylindrical portion 2, a flange portion 3, and an elastic deformation portion 4. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the boundary line between the cylindrical portion 2 and the flange portion 3 and the boundary line between the cylindrical portion 2 and the elastic deformation portion 4 are shown by virtual lines. However, the cylindrical portion 2, the flange portion 3, and the elastic deformation portion 4 are integrally formed. For this reason, the above boundary lines are not visible.

[0019] The cylindrical portion 2 is a portion formed in a cylindrical shape with the central axis L as the axis. The cylindrical portion 2 has an insertion hole 2a that penetrates in the direction along the central axis L. The cross-sectional shape of this insertion hole 2a perpendicular to the central axis L is circular. However, the cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole 2a is not limited to a circle. Here, the direction along the central axis L is referred to as the axial direction, and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is referred to as the radial direction. That is, the insertion hole 2a is formed so as to penetrate the cylindrical portion 2 in the axial direction.

[0020] The cylindrical portion 2 has two end faces (end face 2b and end face 2c) in the axial direction. One end face 2b is exposed in the passenger compartment. The other end face 2c is directed toward the outside of the vehicle. Also, as shown in FIG. 1 for example, the cylindrical portion 2 is provided with a chamfered portion 2d connected to the other end face 2c. This chamfered portion 2d is a tapered surface portion formed by cutting the corner portion on the end face 2c side of the cylindrical portion 2.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, this chamfered portion 2d is inclined with respect to the central axis L so as to face radially inward as it goes toward the end face 2c in the axial direction. Also, the chamfered portion 2d is provided in an annular shape around the central axis L when viewed from the direction along the axial direction. By providing such a chamfered portion 2d, the cylindrical portion 2 is formed in a shape that reduces in diameter as it goes toward the end face 2c.

[0022] Also, the chamfered portion 2d is connected flush with the outer inclined surface 4b of the elastic deformation portion 4 described later in a state where the elastic deformation portion 4 is not elastically deformed. That is, the chamfered portion 2d and the outer inclined surface 4b of the elastic deformation portion 4 are arranged on the same tapered surface.

[0023] The flange portion 3 is provided at one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 2 (the end on the end face 2b side). The flange portion 3 is provided so as to bulge radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2 and is formed in an annular shape when viewed from the direction along the axial direction. That is, when viewed from the direction along the axial direction, the flange portion 3 is continuously provided over the entire circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 2.

[0024] The flange portion 3 is formed in a plate shape when viewed from a direction along the radial direction. One end face in the axial direction is the design surface 3a, and the other end face in the axial direction is the contact surface 3b. The design surface 3a is a surface directed toward the side opposite to the elastic deformation portion 4, and is visible from the passenger compartment with the grommet 1 for member insertion attached to the attachment portion X1. As shown in FIG. 1, this design surface 3a is connected to be flush with the end face 2b of the cylindrical portion 2. The contact surface 3b is a surface directed toward the elastic deformation portion 4, and contacts the attachment portion X1 with the grommet 1 for member insertion attached to the attachment portion X1.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic deformation portion 4 is provided on the other end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 2 (one end side on the end face 2c side) rather than the flange portion 3. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where the grommet 1 for member insertion is attached to the attachment portion X1. As shown in this figure, the elastic deformation portion 4 is elastically deformed in a state where the grommet 1 for member insertion is attached to the attachment portion X1. Such an elastically deformed elastic deformation portion 4 sandwiches the attachment portion X1 together with the flange portion 3.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic deformation portion 4 is formed so as to bulge radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2. Further, the elastic deformation portion 4 is provided to be inclined with respect to the axial direction (that is, the central axis L) so as to proceed toward the flange portion 3 as it goes radially outward. In the present embodiment, the elastic deformation portion 4 is continuously provided over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 2 when viewed from a direction along the axial direction. Such an elastic deformation portion 4 is formed in an annular shape when viewed from a direction along the axial direction.

[0027] Further, the elastic deformation portion 4 inclined with respect to the central axis L in this way has an inner inclined surface 4a directed toward the cylindrical portion 2 side and an outer inclined surface 4b directed toward the side opposite to the cylindrical portion 2. These inner inclined surface 4a and outer inclined surface 4b are tapered surfaces centered on the central axis L. As shown in FIG. 1, the inner inclined surface 4a is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2 at an acute angle. Further, the outer inclined surface 4b is connected to the cylindrical portion 2 so as to be flush with the chamfered portion 2d of the cylindrical portion 2.

[0028] Further, in a state where the elastic deformation portion 4 is not elastically deformed, the amount of protrusion D1 of the elastic deformation portion 4 radially outward from the cylindrical portion 2 is smaller than the amount of protrusion D2 of the flange portion 3 radially outward from the cylindrical portion 2. That is, the elastic deformation portion 4 is formed to have a smaller amount of protrusion in the radial direction than the flange portion 3.

[0029] In addition, the tip of the elastic deformation portion 4 is formed to be hemispherical in a cross section parallel to the central axis L as shown in FIG. 1. By forming the tip of the elastic deformation portion 4 into a hemispherical shape, the contact area between the tip and the mounting portion X1 can be increased.

[0030] When attaching the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment to the attachment portion X1 of the pillar cover X, the end face 2c of the cylindrical portion 2 is inserted into the opening X4 from the surface X2 side of the attachment portion X1. At this time, as described above, the cylindrical portion 2 is formed in a shape with a reduced diameter toward the end face 2c. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 2 can be easily inserted into the opening X4.

[0031] Furthermore, when the grommet 1 for inserting a member is pushed in, the cylindrical portion 2 enters to the inner part of the opening X4 while the chamfered portion 2d of the cylindrical portion 2 and the outer inclined surface 4b of the elastic deformation portion 4 slide on the inner wall surface of the opening X4. At this time, the elastic deformation portion 4 is elastically deformed so that the tip faces toward the cylindrical portion 2 side and passes through the opening X4. In addition, by repeatedly inserting the grommet 1 for inserting a member while rotating it in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 2 (the circumferential direction centered on the central axis L), the elastic deformation portion 4 is discharged from between the cylindrical portion 2 and the inner wall surface of the opening X4 to the back surface X3 side of the attachment portion X1.

[0032] The elastic deformation portion 4 discharged to the back surface X3 side of the attachment portion X1 is pressed against the back surface X3 of the attachment portion X1 as it tries to restore to its original shape. At this time, the elastic deformation portion 4 does not completely restore to its original shape and comes into contact with the back surface X3 of the attachment portion X1 in an elastically deformed state as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the attachment portion X1 is sandwiched between the flange portion 3 and the elastic deformation portion 4, and the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment is fixed to the attachment portion X1. That is, the elastic deformation portion 4 sandwiches the attachment portion X1 together with the flange portion 3 in an elastically deformed state.

[0033] Incidentally, when the thickness dimension of the mounting portion X1 (the dimension in the above-described axial direction) is large, the amount of deformation of the elastic deformation portion 4 becomes larger as compared with the case where the thickness dimension of the mounting portion X1 is small. On the other hand, when the thickness dimension of the mounting portion X1 is small, the amount of deformation of the elastic deformation portion 4 becomes smaller as compared with the case where the thickness dimension of the mounting portion X1 is large. That is, even when the thickness dimension of the mounting portion X1 is different, the grommet 1 for member insertion according to the present embodiment can sandwich the mounting portion X1 between the flange portion 3 and the elastic deformation portion 4 by changing the amount of deformation of the elastic deformation portion 4.

[0034] The grommet 1 for member insertion according to the present embodiment as described above is attached in a state where the cable Y is inserted and the mounting portion X1 is sandwiched. The grommet 1 for member insertion according to the present embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 2, a flange portion 3, and an elastic deformation portion 4. The cylindrical portion 2 has an insertion hole 2a through which the cable Y is inserted. The flange portion 3 is provided at one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 2 and has a design surface 3a that can be visually recognized from the outside. The elastic deformation portion 4 is provided on the other end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 2 rather than the flange portion 3 and sandwiches the mounting portion X1 together with the flange portion 3 in an elastically deformed state.

[0035] According to the grommet 1 for member insertion of the present embodiment, an elastic deformation portion 4 different from the flange portion 3 having the design surface 3a is provided. For this reason, when attached to the mounting portion X1, the elastic deformation portion 4 elastically deforms to sandwich the mounting portion X1. The grommet 1 for member insertion according to the present embodiment can be attached even when the thickness dimension of the mounting portion X1 changes. Further, according to the grommet 1 for member insertion of the present embodiment, since the flange portion 3 having the design surface 3a does not need to elastically deform, the design surface 3a does not bend. Therefore, according to the grommet 1 for member insertion of the present embodiment, even when having a design surface 3a that can be visually recognized from the outside, deformation of the design surface 3a can be prevented.

[0036] Further, in the grommet 1 for inserting a member according to the present embodiment, the elastic deformation portion 4 is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction so as to proceed toward the flange portion 3 as it goes toward the outside in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 2.

[0037] According to the grommet 1 for inserting a member of the present embodiment, when the cylindrical portion 2 is inserted into the opening X4 of the mounting portion X1, it is possible to prevent the elastic deformation portion 4 from being caught by the surface X2 of the mounting portion X1. Further, after the grommet 1 for inserting a member of the present embodiment is attached to the attachment portion X1, it is possible to strongly press the elastic deformation portion 4 against the back surface X3 of the attachment portion X1. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the posture of the grommet 1 for inserting a member of the present embodiment.

[0038] Further, in the grommet 1 for inserting a member according to the present embodiment, in a state where the elastic deformation portion 4 is not elastically deformed, the amount of protrusion of the elastic deformation portion 4 from the cylindrical portion 2 toward the outside in the radial direction is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the flange portion 3 from the cylindrical portion 2 toward the outside in the radial direction.

[0039] According to the grommet 1 for inserting a member of the present embodiment, the amount of protrusion of the elastic deformation portion 4 from the cylindrical portion 2 can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the grommet 1 for inserting a member of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the elastic deformation portion 4 from being caught by the surface X2 of the mounting portion X1.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, after the grommet 1 for inserting a member of the present embodiment is attached to the attachment portion X1, the amount of protrusion of the elastic deformation portion 4 from the cylindrical portion 2 and the amount of protrusion of the flange portion 3 from the cylindrical portion 2 approach each other. For this reason, it is possible to stably sandwich the attachment portion X1 between the flange portion 3 and the elastic deformation portion 4.

[0041] Further, in the grommet 1 for inserting a member according to the present embodiment, the elastic deformation portion 4 has an inner inclined surface 4a directed toward the cylindrical portion 2 side and an outer inclined surface 4b directed toward the side opposite to the cylindrical portion 2. The cylindrical portion 2 has a chamfered portion 2d that is flush with the outer inclined surface 4b and is connected to the end surface 2c on the other end side of the cylindrical portion 2.

[0042] According to the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 2 has a shape in which the diameter is reduced toward the end face 2c. Therefore, it becomes easy to insert the cylindrical portion 2 into the opening X4. Furthermore, since no corner portion is formed at the boundary portion between the chamfered portion 2d and the outer inclined surface 4b, it becomes easy to insert the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment into the opening X4.

[0043] Also, in the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment, the elastic deformation portion 4 is provided continuously over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 2. According to the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment, after the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment is attached to the attachment portion X1, the elastic deformation portion 4 can be brought into contact with the back surface X3 of the attachment portion X1 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 2. Therefore, it becomes possible to stabilize the posture of the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment.

[0044] Also, in the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment, the flange portion 3 has a design surface 3a directed toward the side opposite to the elastic deformation portion 4. The design surface 3a is flush with the end face 2b on one end side of the cylindrical portion 2.

[0045] According to the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the boundary line between the design surface 3a of the flange portion 3 and the end face 2b of the cylindrical portion 2 from being visually recognized from the outside. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the external appearance impression of the grommet 1 for inserting a member of this embodiment as viewed from the interior of the vehicle.

[0046] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The various shapes and combinations of the respective constituent members shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0047] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the elastic deformation portion 4 is inclined with respect to the central axis L has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the elastic deformation portion 4 extends in the radial direction perpendicular to the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2.

[0048] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the protruding amount of the elastic deformation portion 4 from the cylindrical portion 2 is smaller than that of the flange portion 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the protruding amount of the elastic deformation portion 4 from the cylindrical portion 2 is larger than that of the flange portion 3.

[0049] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the chamfered portion 2d of the cylindrical portion 2 is provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the chamfered portion 2d is not provided on the cylindrical portion 2.

[0050] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the elastic deformation portions 4 are continuously provided in the circumferential direction as viewed from the direction along the axial direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of elastic deformation portions 4 are discretely provided in the circumferential direction.

[0051] Further, the present invention can adopt the configurations described in the following supplementary notes.

[0052] (Supplementary Note 1) A grommet for inserting other members, which is attached in a state of sandwiching a plate material while allowing the other members to be inserted therethrough, a cylindrical portion having an insertion hole through which the other member is inserted; a flange portion provided at one axial end of the cylindrical portion and having a design surface visible from the outside; and an elastic deformation portion provided on the other end side of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction with respect to the flange portion and sandwiching the plate material together with the flange portion in an elastically deformed state. A grommet for inserting a member, characterized by comprising the above.

[0053] (Appendix 2) The elastic deformation part is provided to be inclined with respect to the axial direction so as to proceed toward the flange part as it goes toward the outside in the radial direction of the cylindrical part, and the grommet for inserting a member according to Appendix 1 is characterized in that.

[0054] (Appendix 3) In a state where the elastic deformation part is not elastically deformed, the amount of protrusion of the elastic deformation part from the cylindrical part toward the outside in the radial direction is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the flange part from the cylindrical part toward the outside in the radial direction, and the grommet for inserting a member according to Appendix 2 is characterized in that.

[0055] (Appendix 4) The elastic deformation part has an inner inclined surface directed toward the cylindrical part side and an outer inclined surface directed toward the side opposite to the cylindrical part, The cylindrical part has a chamfered part that is connected flush with the outer inclined surface and is connected to the end surface on the other end side of the cylindrical part and the grommet for inserting a member according to Appendix 2 or 3 is characterized in that.

[0056] (Appendix 5) The elastic deformation part is provided continuously over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical part, and the grommet for inserting a member according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4 is characterized in that.

[0057] (Appendix 6) The flange part has the design surface directed toward the side opposite to the elastic deformation part, and the design surface is connected flush with the end surface on the one end side of the cylindrical part and the grommet for inserting a member according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5 is characterized in that.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0058] 1... grommet for member insertion, 2... cylindrical portion, 2a... insertion hole, 2b... end face, 2c... end face, 2d... chamfered portion, 3... flange portion, 3a... decorative surface, 3b... contact surface, 4... elastic deformation portion, 4a... inner inclined surface, 4b... outer inclined surface, L... central axis, X... pillar cover, X1... mounting portion (plate material), Y... cable (other member)

Claims

1. A grommet for inserting a member, which is inserted with another member and attached while sandwiching a plate material, comprising: a cylindrical portion having an insertion hole through which the other member is inserted; a flange portion provided at one axial end of the cylindrical portion and having a design surface visible from the outside; an elastically deformable portion provided on the other axial end side of the cylindrical portion relative to the flange portion, and sandwiching the plate material together with the flange portion in an elastically deformed state. The grommet for inserting a member is characterized by comprising the above.

2. The grommet for inserting a member according to claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable portion is provided inclined with respect to the axial direction so as to proceed toward the flange portion as it goes toward the outside in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion.

3. The grommet for inserting a member according to claim 2, wherein the amount of protrusion of the elastically deformable portion from the cylindrical portion to the outside in the radial direction in a state where the elastically deformable portion is not elastically deformed is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the flange portion from the cylindrical portion to the outside in the radial direction.

4. The elastically deformable portion has an inner inclined surface directed toward the cylindrical portion side and an outer inclined surface directed toward the side opposite to the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion has a chamfered portion connected flush with the outer inclined surface and connected to the end surface on the other end side of the cylindrical portion. The grommet for inserting a member according to claim 2 or 3 is characterized by the above.

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