Wire protector

The wire protector addresses the issue of liquid ingress by using a grommet body with drainage holes and divided corrugated tubes to discharge liquid externally, ensuring effective liquid containment.

JP2026007134APending Publication Date: 2026-01-16YAZAKI CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024106688
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-07-02
Publication Date
2026-01-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional grommets do not effectively prevent the movement of liquid that has entered the corrugated tube, potentially leading to liquid ingress into the vehicle compartment.

Method used

A wire protector with a grommet body formed from a hard resin, featuring an inner tube with drainage holes and corrugated tubes divided to allow communication with separated spaces, and a base portion that includes a drainage hole to discharge liquid from the corrugated tube to the exterior.

Benefits of technology

Prevents the movement of liquid within the corrugated tube by discharging it to the exterior, thereby inhibiting liquid ingress into the vehicle compartment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide an electric wire protector which suppresses the movement of a liquid entering the inside of a corrugated tube.SOLUTION: With the grommet 1, which is an electrical wire protector, the grommet main body 10 includes the inner tube 11 that holds, on the inner side thereof, the two corrugated tubes 20 in which the drainage holes 112 that pass through between the inside and the outside are formed and that are divided such that the separation space S2 in the regions that are separated from each other at least partially communicates with the drainage holes 112, and the base portion 14 that includes a portion of the inner tube 11 and passes through the electrical wire through-hole Pa when the grommet main body 10 is attached to the vehicle body panel P. The drainage hole 112 is formed in the inner tube 11 so as to be open to the vehicle exterior ER, which is a space on the side opposite to the space on the vehicle interior R side where the base portion 14 is exposed when the grommet main body 10 is attached to the vehicle body panel P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire protector. [Background technology]

[0002] In a conventional vehicle, a wiring material such as an electric wire is inserted through a through hole provided in an object to be inserted such as a body panel, thereby drawing the wiring material from one space separated by the object to another space. For this reason, a grommet is attached to the object to protect the wiring material from the periphery of the through hole and to close the gap between the through hole and the wiring material to prevent liquid from entering the gap.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a grommet that includes a base member, an annular water-stopping member, and a retention mechanism that holds the base member and the water-stopping member against a tubular portion that defines a through-hole in an object to be inserted, in order to ensure both waterproofness and retention. In this grommet, a corrugated tube 20 with a wiring material inserted therethrough is placed inside the tubular body of the base member. At this time, multiple annular protrusions on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body are fitted into multiple annular valleys in the corrugated tube, preventing the passage of liquids such as water through gaps between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body and the corrugated tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-88457 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The grommet disclosed in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement because it does not provide any measures to deal with the unlikely event that liquid gets inside the corrugated tube.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wire protector that inhibits the movement of liquid that has entered the interior of a corrugated tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a wire protector that is attached to an insertion target member having a wire through hole through which an electric wire can be inserted so as to block the wire through hole to protect the electric wire, and includes a grommet body formed from a hard resin having electrical insulation properties and through which an electric wire can be inserted, the grommet body having an inner tube that holds two corrugated tubes on the inside, the two corrugated tubes having drainage holes that penetrate the inside and outside and that are divided so that the separated spaces in mutually spaced regions are at least partially connected to the drainage holes, and a base portion that includes a part of the inner tube and is inserted into the wire through hole when the grommet body is attached to the insertion target member, and the drainage hole is formed in the inner tube so as to open to a space on the opposite side to the space on the side where the base portion is exposed when the grommet body is attached to the insertion target member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wire protector that inhibits the movement of liquid that has entered the inside of a corrugated tube. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a grommet before it is attached to a vehicle body panel. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the grommet after it has been attached to the vehicle body panel. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the grommet corresponding to the line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the grommet corresponding to the IV-IV portion in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the grommet as viewed from one side. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the grommet as seen from the other side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a wire protector according to one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a grommet 1 as a wire protector according to this embodiment before it is attached to a vehicle body panel P. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the grommet 1 after it has been attached to the vehicle body panel P. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the grommet 1 corresponding to the section III-III in Fig. 2. The cut surface in Fig. 3 is an imaginary plane that includes the central axis of the cylindrical grommet body 10 and cuts through two engagement portions 143 formed on the base portion 14 of the grommet body 10.

[0012] (Overall grommet configuration) As an example, grommet 1 is a wire protector according to this embodiment that is attached to a vehicle body panel P, which serves as an insertion target member that separates an exterior area ER, such as an engine compartment, from the interior of the vehicle compartment R, so as to block a wire through hole Pa. By being assembled into the wire through hole Pa of the vehicle body panel P, grommet 1 protects wires W, such as a wire harness, routed inside grommet 1.

[0013] In the following description, the up-down direction of the grommet 1 is defined as the up-down direction of the grommet 1 when the grommet 1 is attached to the vehicle body panel P so that the engine compartment is located below and the vehicle interior R is located above.

[0014] The grommet 1 includes a grommet body 10 through which an electric wire W can be inserted. The grommet body 10 is formed using a hard resin having electrical insulation properties.

[0015] The grommet 1 also includes an annular O-ring 30 as a waterproofing member that is assembled to the grommet body 10. The O-ring 30 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber.

[0016] The grommet 1 is assembled to the vehicle body panel P by inserting and holding the grommet body 10, to which the O-ring 30 is attached, into the electric wire through hole Pa of the vehicle body panel P. At this time, the O-ring 30 fills the gap between the grommet body 10 and the vehicle body panel P. In this way, the grommet 1 is attached to the vehicle body panel P so as to close the electric wire through hole Pa, and the electric wire W inserted inside the grommet body 10 is protected.

[0017] In this embodiment, an annular protrusion Pb that protrudes into the vehicle compartment R is formed on the periphery of the electric wire through hole Pa in the vehicle body panel P by performing processing such as burring. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the grommet body 10 to which the O-ring 30 is attached is inserted and held in the electric wire through hole Pa, the O-ring 30 is pressed against the inner surface of the annular protrusion Pb. This prevents water outside the vehicle compartment ER from entering the vehicle compartment R through a gap formed between the grommet body 10 and the vehicle body panel P.

[0018] Furthermore, the grommet 1 includes a corrugated tube 20, and the corrugated tubes 20 are attached to both the upper and lower sides of the grommet body 10. By inserting the electric wire W into the inside of the grommet body 10 and the inside of the corrugated tube 20, the electric wire W is protected by the grommet body 10 and the corrugated tube 20.

[0019] In this way, the grommet 1 is formed with an electric wire insertion hole 1a that is formed to penetrate vertically into the inside of the grommet body 10 and the inside of the corrugated tube 20, and through which the electric wire W can be inserted.

[0020] (Grommet body configuration) The grommet body 10 has a cylindrical shape that allows the electric wire W to be routed inside, and is made of a synthetic resin material, such as a hard resin having electrical insulation properties, such as plastic, etc. This makes it possible to form a grommet body 10 that is not easily elastically deformed by external forces.

[0021] The grommet body 10 includes an inner tube 11 having a through-hole 10a formed therein that penetrates vertically and through which an electric wire W is inserted. The grommet body 10 also includes a flange 12 extending radially outward from the middle of the inner tube 11 in the vertical direction, and an outer tube 13 connected to the outer peripheral edge of the flange 12 and extending downward.

[0022] A plurality of ridges 111 are formed on the inner periphery of the inner tube 11 so as to protrude radially inward. The corrugated tube 20 is assembled to the grommet body 10 by inserting the ridges 111 into recesses 21 formed on the outer surface of the corrugated tube 20.

[0023] The outer diameter of the inner tube 11 is smaller than the opening diameter D of the electric wire through hole Pa in the vehicle body panel P, and the outer diameter D1 of each of the flange 12 and the outer tube 13 is larger than the opening diameter D of the electric wire through hole Pa. As a result, when the inner tube 11 is inserted into the electric wire through hole Pa from the outside ER side of the vehicle compartment, the flange 12 abuts against the vehicle body panel P, and the grommet body 10 does not slip out of the electric wire through hole Pa.

[0024] A space A having an opening Aa that opens downward is formed between the inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 13 so as to extend in the circumferential direction. The space A is divided into multiple spaces by reinforcing ribs 15 that connect the outer surface of the inner cylinder 11 and the inner surface of the outer cylinder 13.

[0025] The grommet body 10 also includes a base portion 14 that is inserted into the wire through hole Pa when the inner tube 11 is inserted into the wire through hole Pa from the vehicle exterior ER side. That is, the outer diameter D2 of the base portion 14 is set smaller than the opening diameter D of the wire through hole Pa. The base portion 14 is connected to the flange 12 on the opposite side from the outer tube 13 so as to include a portion of the inner tube 11; that is, the base portion 14 is formed so as to be located radially outward of the inner tube 11 and above the flange 12. By engaging an engaging portion 143 formed on the base portion 14 with the vehicle body panel P, the grommet body 10 is prevented from slipping out of the wire through hole Pa.

[0026] The base portion 14 includes a peripheral wall 141 extending radially from the flange 12 and rising upward, and a top wall 142 extending from the upper end of the peripheral wall 141 to the upper end of the inner tube 11 .

[0027] The peripheral wall 141 is formed so that its outer diameter is slightly smaller than the opening diameter D of the wire through hole Pa. The peripheral wall 141 is formed with an accommodating recess 1411 that is recessed radially inward and opens upward and radially outward. An engaging portion 143 is formed within the accommodating recess 1411 so as to accommodate the locking piece 1431 while causing at least a portion of the locking claw 1432 to protrude radially outward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 141.

[0028] The engaging portion 143 includes a locking piece 1431 that is provided on the base portion 14 so as to rise upward from the flange 12 side and is elastically deformable radially inward, and a locking claw 1432 that is formed so as to protrude radially outward from the tip of the locking piece 1431. When the grommet body 10 is attached to the vehicle body panel P, the engaging portion 143 sandwiches a part of the annular protrusion Pb between the locking claw 1432 and the flange 12. The lower end of the locking claw 1432 is locked with the upper end of the annular protrusion Pb, thereby preventing the grommet body 10 from slipping out of the wire through hole Pa. At this time, an O-ring 30 is attached to the peripheral wall 141 below the locking claw 1432. When the grommet 1 is attached to the vehicle body panel P, the O-ring 30 comes into close contact with the locking piece 1431 and the annular protrusion Pb of the vehicle body panel P, thereby sealing the gap between the grommet body 10 and the annular protrusion Pb around the entire circumference.

[0029] (Drainage structure for corrugated tubes) Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of grommet 1 corresponding to section IV-IV in Fig. 2. The cut surface in Fig. 4 is an imaginary plane that includes the central axis of grommet body 10, which has a cylindrical shape, and cuts two drainage holes 112 formed in base portion 14 of grommet body 10.

[0030] A drain hole 112 is formed in the approximate center in the vertical direction of the inner tube 11, facing the inner surface of the outer tube 13 and penetrating from the inside to the outside of the inner tube 11. In this embodiment, two drain holes 112 are formed at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis of the inner tube 11.

[0031] 6, the space between the divided inner tube 41 and the divided outer tube 43 is divided into multiple spaces by the reinforcing ribs 45. Therefore, one drain hole 112 is formed so as to open between two adjacent reinforcing ribs 45.

[0032] Meanwhile, the corrugated tube 20 is divided into two pieces in advance. The tip of one of the corrugated tubes 20 is held in the inner tube 11 so that the other portion of the corrugated tube 20 is exposed to the exterior ER of the vehicle. The tip of the other corrugated tube 20 is held in the inner tube 11 so that the other portion of the corrugated tube 20 is exposed to the interior R of the vehicle. Furthermore, one end 22 of one of the corrugated tubes 20 and one end 22 of the other corrugated tube 20 are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction, i.e., the axial direction of the inner tube 11, within the inner tube 11. Hereinafter, the space provided between the two corrugated tubes 20 within the inner tube 11 is referred to as a separation space S2. The two corrugated tubes 20 are held in the inner tube 11 so that at least a portion of the separation space S2 communicates with the drain hole 112.

[0033] In this embodiment, the grommet body 10 is formed by assembling a plurality of divided bodies 40 together with the joining surfaces 40b that face each other in the circumferential direction butting against each other.

[0034] (Configuration of division body) Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the grommet 1 as viewed from one side. Specifically, Fig. 5 shows the grommet 1 as viewed from the side that is visible outside the vehicle compartment ER when attached to the vehicle body panel P. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the grommet 1 as viewed from the other side. Specifically, Fig. 6 shows the grommet 1 as viewed from the side that is visible inside the vehicle compartment R when attached to the vehicle body panel P.

[0035] In this embodiment, the grommet body 10 is formed by, for example, assembling two divided bodies 40. In this embodiment, the two divided bodies 40 have the same shape, and assembling the two divided bodies 40 together forms the grommet body 10 having a substantially annular shape with a through hole 10a in the center through which the electric wire W is inserted.

[0036] Each divided body 40 includes a divided inner cylinder 41 having a semicircular arc-shaped divided through-hole 40a that penetrates vertically. The divided body 40 also includes a divided flange 42 that extends radially outward from the middle of the divided inner cylinder 41 in the vertical direction, and a divided outer cylinder 43 that is connected to the divided flange 42 and extends downward from the outer periphery of the divided flange 42. When two divided bodies 40 are assembled together, each divided through-hole 40a forms a through-hole 10a, each divided inner cylinder 41 forms an inner cylinder 11, and each divided outer cylinder 43 forms an outer cylinder 13.

[0037] A plurality of dividing ridges 411 are formed on the inner periphery of the divided inner tube 41 so as to protrude radially inward, and when the two divided bodies 40 are assembled together, the dividing ridges 411 form the ridges 111. In this embodiment, one drainage hole 412 is formed in the center in the up-down direction of the divided inner tube 41. When the two divided bodies 40 are assembled together, each drainage hole 412 functions as the drainage hole 112 of the grommet body 10.

[0038] A space with an opening that opens downward is formed between the split inner cylinder 41 and the split outer cylinder 43 so as to extend in the circumferential direction. The space is divided into multiple spaces by reinforcing ribs 45 that connect the outer surface of the split inner cylinder 41 and the inner surface of the split outer cylinder 43.

[0039] The reinforcing rib 45 includes a joint surface reinforcing rib 451 that is connected to the joint surface 40b of the split inner cylinder 41 in the split body 40, the joint surface 40b of the split flange 42, and the joint surface 40b of the split outer cylinder 43. The end surface of the joint surface reinforcing rib 451 that is exposed to the outside forms part of the joint surface 40b.

[0040] The divided body 40 also includes a divided base portion 44. When the two divided bodies 40 are assembled together, the divided base portions 44 form the base portion 14.

[0041] The divided base portion 44 includes a divided peripheral wall 441 that is connected to the divided flange 42 so as to rise upward from midway in the radial direction, and a divided top wall 442 that connects the upper end of the divided peripheral wall 441 to the upper end of the divided inner cylinder 41. When the two divided bodies 40 are assembled together, the divided peripheral walls 441 form the peripheral wall 141, and the divided top walls 442 form the top wall 142.

[0042] A recess 4411 that is recessed radially inward and opens upward and radially outward is formed in the peripheral wall partition 441. An engagement portion 443 is formed inside the recess 4411.

[0043] The engaging portion 443 is formed to rise upward from the split flange 42 and includes a locking piece 4431 that is elastically deformable radially inward, and a locking claw 4432 that is formed to protrude radially outward from the upper part of the locking piece 4431.

[0044] When the two divided bodies 40 are assembled together, each recess 4411 functions as an accommodating recess 1411 of the grommet body 10. In addition, each engagement portion 443, which is a combination of a locking piece 4431 and a locking claw 4432, functions as an engagement portion 143 of the grommet body 10.

[0045] Furthermore, when the O-ring 30 is assembled to the grommet body 10, it is assembled below the locking claws 4432 on the peripheral wall division 441. When the O-ring 30 is assembled to the grommet body 10, the abutting mating surfaces 40b are pressed against each other by the O-ring 30. This prevents water from penetrating between the mating surfaces 40b into the grommet body 10. Here, the inside of the grommet body 10 refers to the side where the electric wire W is inserted.

[0046] Furthermore, a locking portion 46 is formed on the joint surface 40b of the divided body 40, which can engage and lock the divided bodies 40 together.

[0047] The locking portion 46 includes an engaging portion 461 that is connected to one circumferential end of the divided body 40 and protrudes circumferentially outward. The engaging portion 461 includes an engaging piece 4611 that is connected to one circumferential end of the divided body 40 and protrudes circumferentially outward, and an engaging hook 4612 that is provided on the tip side of the engaging piece 4611 and protrudes radially outward. The locking portion 46 also includes an engaging wall 462 that is formed on the other circumferential end of the divided body 40 and with which the engaging portion 461 engages.

[0048] The engagement wall 462 is formed to extend circumferentially at the other circumferential end of the divided body 40. An introduction opening S1a is formed to penetrate the divided body 40 in the circumferential direction adjacent to the engagement wall 462. The engagement piece 4611 is inserted into the introduction opening S1a, and the engagement hook 4612 is caught on the engagement wall 462, thereby locking the divided bodies 40 together.

[0049] In this embodiment, the space S1b that opens downward is formed to communicate with the introduction opening S1a, and by inserting a finger or a jig into the space S1b from below, the engagement between the engagement hook 4612 and the engagement wall 462 is released.

[0050] Furthermore, a water infiltration suppression portion 47 that suppresses water infiltration into the grommet body 10 is formed on the mating joint surfaces 40b of the segments 40. The water infiltration suppression portion 47 is composed of a recessed portion 472 and a protruding portion 471 that engage with each other. For example, the protruding portion 471 is formed to protrude in the normal direction of the mating joint surface 40b and has an L-shaped planar shape that is aligned with one side end of the split outer tube 43 and the end of one of the mating joint surface reinforcement ribs 451. In this case, the recessed portion 472 that corresponds in shape to the protruding portion 471 is formed in the mating joint surface reinforcement rib 451 that is joined to the mating joint surface reinforcement rib 451 on which the protruding portion 471 is provided. When the two segments 40 are assembled with their circumferentially opposing mating surfaces 40b butted together, the protruding portion 471 fits into and engages with the recessed portion 472.

[0051] Next, the function and effect of the grommet 1 as a wire protector will be described.

[0052] The grommet 1 is a wire protector that is attached to a vehicle body panel P, which serves as an insertion target member, so as to close the wire through hole Pa, through which an electric wire W can be inserted, to protect the electric wire W. The grommet 1 is made of an electrically insulating hard resin and includes a grommet body 10 through which the electric wire W can be inserted. The grommet body 10 has an inner tube 11 that has a drainage hole 112 that penetrates from the inside to the outside, and that holds two corrugated tubes 20 inside. The two corrugated tubes 20 are divided so that a separation space S2 in a spaced-apart region communicates at least partially with the drainage hole 112. The grommet body 10 also has a base portion 14 that includes a portion of the inner tube 11 and passes through the wire through hole Pa when the grommet body 10 is attached to the vehicle body panel P. The drainage hole 112 is formed in the inner tube 11 so as to be open to the outside of the vehicle compartment ER, which is the space on the opposite side to the space on the vehicle compartment R side, which is the side on which the base portion 14 is exposed when the grommet body 10 is attached to the vehicle body panel P.

[0053] Here, it is assumed that when the grommet 1 is attached to the vehicle body panel P, a liquid such as water enters the inside of the corrugated tube 20 that is routed on the exterior ER side of the vehicle compartment. For example, if the liquid that has entered the corrugated tube 20 gradually accumulates, the liquid may travel through the inside of the corrugated tube 20 and move into the vehicle compartment R.

[0054] In contrast, in the grommet 1, the corrugated tube 20 is divided inside the inner tube 11 to form a separated space S2, and the separated space S2 is in communication with the outside ER of the vehicle compartment through the drain hole 112. Therefore, liquid that attempts to flow from the outside ER side into the vehicle compartment R through the inside of the corrugated tube 20 is discharged to the outside ER side through the drain hole 112 as shown in FIG. 4, and as a result, the liquid is prevented from flowing into the vehicle compartment R.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, a wire protector that prevents the movement of liquid that has entered the corrugated tube 20 can be provided.

[0056] The wire protector according to the present embodiment may also include an O-ring 30 as an annular waterproofing member assembled to the grommet body 10. The grommet body 10 may have a flange 12 extending radially outward from the inner tube 11 and having an outer diameter D1 larger than the opening diameter D of the wire through hole Pa. The grommet body 10 may also have a plurality of engaging portions 143 each having an elastically deformable locking piece 1431 provided on the base portion 14 so as to rise from the flange 12, and a locking claw 1432 protruding radially outward from the tip of the locking piece 1431. The base portion 14 may be connected to the flange 12 so as to rise from the flange 12, and may have an outer diameter D2 smaller than the opening diameter D of the wire through hole Pa. The plurality of engaging portions 143 may also be arranged to pass through the wire through hole Pa. Here, when the grommet body 10 is attached to the vehicle body panel P, the multiple engagement portions 143 sandwich a part of the annular protrusion Pb, which is the peripheral portion of the vehicle body panel P that defines the electric wire through hole Pa, between the locking claws 1432 and the flange 12. Furthermore, the O-ring 30 may be assembled to the peripheral wall 141 of the base portion 14, and may be in close contact with the locking pieces 1431 and the annular protrusion Pb of the vehicle body panel P when the grommet body 10 is attached to the vehicle body panel P.

[0057] With the grommet 1 having the above-described configuration, when the grommet body 10 with the O-ring 30 attached to the base portion 14 is attached to the vehicle body panel P, the base portion 14 is first inserted into the wire through hole Pa. As the base portion 14 is inserted, the annular protrusion Pb of the vehicle body panel P eventually abuts against the locking claws 1432 of each engagement portion 143, and then elastically deforms each of the locking pieces 1431. Then, when the annular protrusion Pb passes all of the locking claws 1432, as shown in FIG. 3 , the shapes of all of the locking pieces 1431 are restored, and a portion of the annular protrusion Pb is sandwiched between the locking claws 1432 and the flange 12. This restricts movement of the grommet body 10 in both the insertion direction of the base portion 14 relative to the wire through hole Pa and the direction opposite to the insertion direction, so that the grommet 1 is suitably held in the vehicle body panel P.

[0058] On the other hand, when the grommet 1 is attached to the vehicle body panel P, the O-ring 30 comes into close contact with the peripheral wall 141 and the locking piece 1431 of the base portion 14 and the annular protrusion Pb of the vehicle body panel P. This prevents water from the exterior ER from entering the vehicle interior R through a gap formed between the grommet body 10 and the vehicle body panel P. In other words, the only component required to seal off water between the exterior ER and the vehicle interior R is a water-stopping component such as the O-ring 30. For example, not only is there no need for packings with complex special shapes, but there is also no need for retaining components for holding the packings to the grommet body 10. In other words, the grommet 1 can have a configuration that functions to hold the grommet 1 to the vehicle body panel P and to seal off water between the exterior ER and the vehicle interior R, and is completed with only two components: the grommet body 10 and the O-ring 30.

[0059] Therefore, the wire protector can achieve a holding function for the vehicle body panel P and a waterproofing function with a simple configuration.

[0060] Furthermore, in the wire protector according to this embodiment, grommet body 10 may include outer cylinder 13 connected to the outer peripheral edge of flange 12 so as to rise on the side opposite base portion 14. Drainage hole 112 may face the inner surface of outer cylinder 13.

[0061] With this wire protector, the front of the drain hole 112 is covered by the outer tube 13 without contact, so that, for example, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of the corrugated tube 20 from outside the vehicle cabin ER through the drain hole 112.

[0062] Furthermore, in the wire protector according to the present embodiment, the grommet body 10 may be made up of a plurality of divided bodies 40 that are assembled together with the joining surfaces 40b that face each other in the circumferential direction butting against each other.

[0063] With this wire protector, when inserting the wire W or the corrugated tube 20 that protects the wire W by passing it through it into the inner tube 11, this can be easily done by attaching the grommet body 10 so that the wire W or the corrugated tube 20 is sandwiched between the divided bodies 40.

[0064] Furthermore, in the wire protector according to this embodiment, the inner tube 11 may have a plurality of ridges 111 on its inner periphery that allow the corrugated tube 20 to pass through and be inserted into recesses 21 formed on the outer surface of the corrugated tube 20.

[0065] In this case, when the multiple segments 40 are assembled to the corrugated tube 20, the ridges 111 are engaged with the recesses 21 of the corrugated tube 20. Therefore, this wire protector can prevent the corrugated tube 20 from coming off the grommet body 10, and can also prevent liquids such as water from passing through the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube 11 and the corrugated tube 20.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the grommet body 10 is formed by assembling two divided bodies 40, but it is possible to form the grommet body 10 by assembling three or more divided bodies.

[0067] Although one embodiment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 grommet (wire protector) 10 Grommet body 11 Inner cylinder 12 flange 13 Outer cylinder 14 Base 141 Peripheral wall 1411 Receiving recess 143 Engagement part 1431 Locking piece 1432 Locking claw 20 Corrugated tube 30 O-ring (water-stopping material) 40 split body 40b Joint surface 111 Projection 112 Drain hole D Opening diameter of electric wire through hole D1 Flange outer diameter D2 Outer diameter of base P Body panel (object to be inserted) Pa Wire through hole Pb Annular protrusion (periphery) S2 Separate space W electric wire

Claims

1. A wire protector that is attached to an insertion target member having a wire through hole formed therein, through which an electric wire can be inserted, so as to close the wire through hole and protect the electric wire, a grommet body formed of an electrically insulating hard resin and through which the electric wire can be inserted; The grommet body is an inner cylinder that holds two corrugated tubes inside, each of which has a drainage hole formed therethrough from the inside to the outside and is divided so that a space in a spaced-apart region communicates at least partially with the drainage hole; a base portion including a part of the inner cylinder and inserted into the wire through hole when the grommet body is attached to the insertion target member, The drainage hole is formed in the inner tube so as to open to a space opposite to the space on the side where the base portion is exposed when the grommet body is attached to the insertion target member.

2. a ring-shaped waterproofing member attached to the grommet body; The grommet body is a flange extending radially outward from the inner cylinder and having an outer diameter larger than the opening diameter of the wire through hole; a plurality of engaging portions each having an elastically deformable locking piece provided on the base portion so as to rise from the flange side, and a locking claw protruding in the radially outward direction from a tip of the locking piece; the base portion is connected to the flange so as to rise from the flange side, and has an outer diameter set to be smaller than the opening diameter of the electric wire through hole, the plurality of engaging portions are arranged so as to pass through the wire through hole while sandwiching a part of a peripheral portion of the insertion target member that defines the wire through hole between the locking claw and the flange when the grommet body is attached to the insertion target member, 2. The wire protector according to claim 1, wherein the waterproofing member is assembled to a peripheral wall of the base portion, and when the grommet body is attached to the target member, the waterproofing member is in close contact with the locking piece and the peripheral edge portion of the target member.

3. The grommet body has an outer cylinder connected to an outer peripheral edge of the flange so as to rise on the opposite side from the base portion, The wire protector according to claim 2 , wherein the drainage hole faces an inner surface of the outer cylinder.

4. The wire protector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grommet body is composed of a plurality of divided bodies that are assembled together with circumferentially opposing joint surfaces butting against each other.

5. The wire protector according to claim 4 , wherein the inner tube has a plurality of ridges on an inner periphery thereof that are inserted into recesses formed on an outer surface of the corrugated tube while allowing the corrugated tube to pass therethrough.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Grommet and wire harness

    JP2023088457A