Grommet Assembly

Abstract

The objective is to provide a grommet assembly that can suppress a decrease in sealing performance even when the number of fasteners is reduced. [Solution] The grommet assembly 1 of the present invention comprises a grommet 2 that holds a long member C and is pressed against a fixed portion PF provided around a through hole PO to seal the through hole PO, and a retainer 3 that presses the grommet 2 against the fixed portion PF, wherein the retainer 3 is configured to press one surface 2a of the grommet 2 toward the fixed portion PF by a fastener F, and the retainer 3 comprises a fastening portion 31 on which a seat surface 31s on which the fastener F sits, and a peripheral portion 32 connected to the fastening portion 31 and extending along the periphery 3e of the retainer 3, wherein the fastening portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 are formed to protrude in the opposite direction to the pressing direction PD on one surface 3a of the retainer 3 in the opposite direction to the pressing direction PD in which the retainer 3 presses the grommet 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to grommet assemblies.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle body such as an automobile, when, for example, a control cable is routed between the inside and the outside of the vehicle, a through-hole is provided in a body panel that separates the inside and the outside of the vehicle, and the control cable is routed through the through-hole. At this time, in order to suppress the intrusion of water or the like from the outside of the vehicle into the inside of the vehicle through the through-hole, for example, a grommet assembly as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used. The grommet assembly of Patent Document 1 includes a grommet that seals a through-hole provided in a body panel and guides a control cable between the inside and the outside of the vehicle, and a retainer that fixes the grommet to the body panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The retainer presses the grommet against the body panel via a fastener such as a bolt to fix the grommet to the body panel. At this time, from the viewpoint of cost reduction by reducing the number of parts and the assembly man-hours, it is desirable to reduce the number of fasteners as much as possible. For example, the retainer of Patent Document 1 fixes the grommet to the body panel with two fasteners. However, when the number of fasteners is reduced as in the retainer of Patent Document 1, a difference in the pressing force by the retainer occurs between the portion where the fastener is provided and the portion where the fastener is not provided, and in the portion where the fastener is not provided, the pressing force may decrease and the sealing performance may decrease.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a grommet assembly that can suppress a decrease in sealing performance even when the number of fasteners is reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The grommet assembly of the present invention is a grommet assembly for attaching a long member to an object to be mounted such that the long member is inserted through a through hole provided in the object to be mounted, the grommet assembly comprising: a grommet that holds the long member and is pressed against a fixed portion provided around the through hole to seal the through hole; and a retainer that is fixed to the fixed portion by sandwiching the grommet, thereby pressing the grommet against the fixed portion, the retainer in contact with one surface of the grommet The retainer is configured to be pressed toward the fixed portion by a fastener for fixing the retainer to the fixed portion, wherein the retainer comprises a fastening portion having a seating surface on which the fastener sits, and a peripheral portion connected to the fastening portion and extending along the periphery of the retainer, wherein the fastening portion and the peripheral portion are formed to protrude in the opposite direction to the pressing direction in which the retainer presses the grommet, on one surface of the retainer opposite to the pressing direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a grommet assembly that can suppress a decrease in sealing performance even when the number of fasteners is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a grommet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the grommet assembly. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a top view of the grommet assembly, with the grommet's sealing and groove portions indicated by concealed lines (dotted lines). [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a bottom view of the grommet assembly. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the VV line. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the deformation of the grommet assembly's sealing portion when it is pressed against the object it is attached to. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A grommet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples, and the grommet assembly of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

[0010] In this specification, "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions shall not refer only to directions that are perfectly perpendicular to A, but shall also include directions that are approximately perpendicular to A. Furthermore, in this specification, "parallel to B" and similar expressions shall not refer only to directions that are perfectly parallel to B, but shall also include directions that are approximately parallel to B. Furthermore, in this specification, "C-shape" and similar expressions shall not refer only to perfect C-shapes, but shall also include shapes that visually resemble a C-shape (approximate C-shapes).

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the grommet assembly 1 of this embodiment is used to attach a long member C, such as a control cable, to a mounting target P, so that the long member C is inserted through a through hole PO provided in the mounting target P. The grommet assembly 1 attaches the long member C to the mounting target P and seals the through hole PO of the mounting target P. In this embodiment, the mounting target P to which the long member C is attached is a vehicle body panel that separates the interior and exterior of a vehicle. However, the mounting target P is not limited to a vehicle body panel, and any member can be used that has a through hole PO through which the long member C can be inserted, and that is used in a manner in which the long member C is attached while inserted through the through hole PO. In this embodiment, the long member C attached to the mounting target P is a control cable. However, the long member C is not limited to a control cable, and any long member such as a wire harness can be used that is used in a manner in which it is attached to the mounting target P while inserted through the through hole PO of the mounting target P.

[0012] In this embodiment, the control cable C, exemplified as a long member C, is a member routed between an operating part and an operated part to transmit the operating force of the operating part to the operated part. For example, when the mounting target P is a vehicle body panel, the operating part is a shift lever or brake pedal located on the interior side of the vehicle, and the operated part is a transmission or brake located on the exterior side of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, the control cable C is attached to a grommet assembly 1 and then attached to the mounting target P via the grommet assembly 1. The control cable C is routed through a through hole PO between one side of the mounting target P (the upper side of the mounting target P in Figure 1, for example, the interior side of the vehicle) and the other side (the lower side of the mounting target P in Figure 1, for example, the exterior side of the vehicle). The control cable C is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the operating force of the operating part to the operated part, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, it comprises an inner cable C1 and an outer casing C2 through which the inner cable C1 is inserted.

[0013] The inner cable C1 has one end directly or indirectly connected to the operating part and the other end directly or indirectly connected to the operated part, and transmits the operating force generated by the pushing or pulling operation of the operating part to the operated part. The inner cable C1 is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the operating force of the operating part to the operated part, and for example, known push-pull cables or pull cables can be used.

[0014] The outer casing C2 has openings at both ends and a hollow section connecting the openings at both ends, and the inner cable C1 is slidably housed in the hollow section. The outer casing C2 is routed from the operating section side through the through hole PO of the mounting target P to the operated section side, and guides the inner cable C1 along the routing path. The outer casing C2 is not particularly limited as long as the inner cable C1 can be inserted through it, and known outer casings can be used.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the grommet assembly 1 comprises a grommet 2 for holding the elongated member C, and a retainer 3 that is fixed to the mounting target P by sandwiching the grommet 2 between the grommet 2 and the mounting target P. The grommet assembly 1 attaches the elongated member C to the mounting target P by sandwiching the grommet 2 for holding the elongated member C between the mounting target P and the retainer 3.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the grommet 2 is attached to the mounting target P, thereby holding the elongated member C relative to the mounting target P. The grommet 2 is attached to the mounting target P by being pressed by the retainer 3 against the fixing portion PF (see Figure 2) provided around the through hole PO of the mounting target P. The grommet 2 seals the through hole PO by being pressed against the fixing portion PF. Here, "sealing the through hole PO" means at least preventing foreign matter such as water and dust from passing through the through hole PO between one side and the other side of the mounting target P. While sealing the through hole PO, the grommet 2 guides the elongated member C through the through hole PO between one side and the other side of the mounting target P. In this embodiment, the grommet 2 is attached to the vehicle body panel (mounting target P) so as to seal the through hole PO, preventing foreign matter such as water and dust from entering the interior (one side of mounting target P, the upper side of mounting target P in Figure 1) from the exterior (the other side of mounting target P, the lower side of mounting target P in Figure 1), and guiding the control cable C (long member C) through the through hole PO between the interior and exterior of the vehicle.

[0017] The sealing structure of the grommet 2 is not particularly limited, and any known sealing structure can be used, as long as it is configured to seal the through hole PO of the mounting target P when it is pressed by the retainer 3 and attached to the mounting target P. In this embodiment, the grommet 2 has a sealing structure as shown in Figures 4 and 5, on the other surface 2b of the grommet 2 opposite to one surface 2a that is pressed by the retainer 3, a sealing portion 21 that protrudes in the pressing direction PD in which the retainer 3 presses the grommet 2, and a groove portion 22 adjacent to the sealing portion 21 that is recessed in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the seal portion 21 is provided so as to project in the pressing direction PD with respect to the main surface 23 provided on the other surface 2b of the grommet 2. As can be understood from FIGS. 2 to 4, the seal portion 21 is annularly provided so as to extend over the entire circumference on the radially outer side of the outer periphery of the through-hole PO in a state where the grommet 2 is attached to the attachment target P. As shown in FIG. 6, when the grommet 2 is attached to the attachment target P, the seal portion 21 comes into contact with the attachment target P (the fixed portion PF) and is pressed against the attachment target P (the fixed portion PF). When the seal portion 21 is pressed against the attachment target P (the fixed portion PF), the seal portion 21 seals between the side on the through-hole PO side (right side in FIG. 6) and the side opposite to the through-hole PO (left side in FIG. 6) with the seal portion 21 interposed therebetween, thereby sealing the through-hole PO.

[0019] In the present embodiment, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3 and the solid line in FIG. 4, the seal portion 21 includes an outer seal portion 21a provided annularly along the outer periphery of the grommet 2 adjacent to the outer periphery of the grommet 2, an inner seal portion 21b provided annularly inside the outer seal portion 21a (on the side of the through-hole PO), and an insertion-hole seal portion 21c provided annularly around an insertion hole 2h through which a fastener F to be described later is inserted. The seal portion 21 can provide more excellent sealing performance by having a double sealing structure including the outer seal portion 21a and the inner seal portion 21b with respect to the through-hole PO of the attachment target P. Further, the seal portion 21 can also seal the insertion hole 2h by having the insertion-hole seal portion 21c. However, the seal portion 21 only needs to be able to seal the through-hole PO, and in a state where the grommet 2 is attached to the attachment target P, it only needs to include at least one seal portion provided annularly so as to surround the through-hole PO.

[0020] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the groove 22 is provided so as to be recessed in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD relative to the main surface 23 provided on the other surface 2b of the grommet 2. As shown by the dotted line in Figure 3 and the solid line in Figure 4, the groove 22 is formed in an annular shape adjacent to the seal portion 21 and extending along the seal portion 21. By being provided adjacent to (continuous with) the seal portion 21, the groove 22 is configured to accommodate the seal portion 21 which deforms when pressed against the mounting target P (fixed portion PF) (see Figure 6). Therefore, when the seal portion 21 is pressed against the fixed portion PF, the deformed seal portion 21 can be retracted into the groove 22, for example, from the state of the dashed line in Figure 6 to the state of the solid line, making the seal portion 21 easier to deform. For example, even if the sealing portion 21 is at the same height as conventionally as the main surface 23, the sealing portion 21 will be longer (higher) by the depth of the groove portion 22, and as described above, it is easily deformable, so it is easy to deform to follow the shape of the mounting target P (for example, a wavy shape), and the load applied to the sealing portion 21 itself when it deforms is distributed. As a result, deformation of the main body portion of the grommet 2 is suppressed, and the lifting of the grommet 2 relative to the mounting target P can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the pressing force on the grommet 2 by the retainer 3 decreases in the parts where fasteners F are not provided by reducing the number of fasteners F described later, the lifting of the grommet 2 and retainer 3 relative to the mounting target P is suppressed, so a decrease in sealing performance is suppressed and good sealing performance can be obtained.

[0021] In the present embodiment, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3 and the solid line in FIG. 4, the groove portion 22 is provided adjacent to both the inner side (the through-hole PO side) and the outer side (the side opposite to the through-hole PO) of the annularly formed seal portion 21. Thereby, the seal portion 21 is more likely to deform, and the sealing performance is further improved. However, the groove portion 22 only needs to be provided adjacent to at least a part of the seal portion 21, and it may be provided adjacent to only one of the inner side and the outer side of the seal portion 21. Further, the groove portion 22 includes an outer groove portion 22a, an inner groove portion 22b, and an insertion hole groove portion 22c corresponding to the outer seal portion 21a, the inner seal portion 21b, and the insertion hole seal portion 21c, respectively. By providing the groove portions 22a, 22b, 22c corresponding to the respective seal portions 21a, 21b, 21c, the deformation of the respective seal portions 21a, 21b, 21c becomes easy, so that the sealing performance is further improved. However, the groove portion 22 only needs to be provided adjacent to at least a part of the seal portion 21, and for example, it may be provided adjacent to only one or two of the outer seal portion 21a, the inner seal portion 21b, and the insertion hole seal portion 21c.

[0022] Preferably, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the grommet 2 has a shape on one surface 2a that corresponds to the other surface 3b of the retainer 3. In this embodiment, the grommet 2 is provided with a rib 26 on one surface 2a that protrudes in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD, according to the shape of the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3, so as to abut against the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3 from the other surface 3b side of the retainer 3. By providing the grommet 2 with a rib 26 on one surface 2a that corresponds to the shape of the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3, the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3 can abut the grommet 2 in surface contact or near-surface contact, thereby pressing the grommet 2 more reliably and further improving sealing performance. Furthermore, since the ribs 26 of the grommet 2 are formed to correspond to the shapes of the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3, the retainer 3 can be easily aligned with the grommet 2 by fitting the ribs 26 of the grommet 2 onto the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as can be seen from Figures 3 and 5, a sealing portion 21 is provided on the other surface 2b of the grommet 2, corresponding to at least a portion of the location where the rib 26 described above is provided. In the main body portion of the grommet 2 where the rib 26 is provided, the thickness in the pressing direction PD is larger than in other parts, resulting in higher rigidity and suppressed deformation. As a result, the sealing portion 21 provided corresponding to the location where the rib 26 is provided is pressed with a high pressing force, further improving the sealing performance of the grommet 2. Moreover, although the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3 are arranged corresponding to the location where the rib 26 is provided, as will be described later, the rigidity of the portion of the retainer 3 where the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 are provided is high, and its deformation is suppressed. Therefore, the portion of the grommet 2 where the rib 26 is provided, and consequently the sealing portion 21, can be pressed with a high pressing force, further improving the sealing performance of the grommet 2.

[0024] The grommet 2 only needs to be able to hold the elongated member C and be attached to the mounting target P by being pressed by the retainer 3, thereby sealing the through hole PO of the mounting target P, and its structure is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the grommet 2 comprises a base portion 24 that holds the elongated member C and a pressed portion 25 that is pressed by the retainer 3.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base portion 24 is positioned in the through-hole PO of the mounting target P such that the elongated member C is inserted through the through-hole PO of the mounting target P when the grommet 2 is attached to the mounting target P. The base portion 24 is positioned inward relative to the pressed portion 25 in a plane perpendicular to the pressing direction PD and is sized to at least partially close the through-hole PO when the grommet 2 is attached to the mounting target P. The base portion 24 includes a holding portion 24a that connects the side facing the pressing direction PD with the side facing the pressing direction PD and has an insertion hole through which the elongated member C is inserted in order to hold the elongated member C. The holding portion 24a may be provided with a sealing structure that seals the space between the peripheral wall around the insertion hole of the holding portion 24a and the elongated member C when the elongated member C is inserted.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the base portion 24 is provided with an engaged portion 24b that engages with the retainer 3's engaging portion 37 (described later) in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD. By providing the engaged portion 24b on the base portion 24 of the grommet 2, the retaining force of the grommet 2 by the retainer 3 is increased, and as a result the pressing force from the retainer 3 on the mounting target P of the grommet 2 is further improved, further improving the sealing performance. In particular, by providing the engaged portion 24b on the base portion 24 that holds the long member C, lifting of the base portion 24 relative to the mounting target P is suppressed even when a load is applied to the grommet 2 from the long member C, compared to the case where the engaged portion 24b is provided on a part other than the base portion 24. By suppressing the lifting of the base portion 24 relative to the mounting target P, the lifting of the entire grommet 2 relative to the mounting target P is suppressed, further improving the sealing performance. In this embodiment, the engaged portion 24b is provided on the side of a raised portion that rises from the main surface 23 of the grommet 2 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. A recess is formed on the side of the raised portion, which is recessed inward in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing direction PD. The surface facing the recess, on the side facing the pressing direction PD, is substantially flush with the main surface 23 of the pressed portion 25, and the surface facing the recess, on the side opposite to the pressing direction PD, constitutes the engaged portion 24b.

[0027] The pressed portion 25 is pressed against the mounting target P (fixed portion PF) by the retainer 3. The pressed portion 25 is arranged to surround the outer circumference of the base portion 24 in a plane perpendicular to the pressing direction PD, and is formed to surround the through hole PO when the grommet 2 is attached to the mounting target P. As shown in Figure 5, the pressed portion 25 is provided with a sealing structure (in this embodiment, the seal portion 21 and groove portion 22 described above) on the other surface 2b. When the pressed portion 25 is pressed by the retainer 3, the sealing structure is pressed against the mounting target P (fixed portion PF), sealing the through hole PO of the mounting target P.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the pressed portion 25 is provided with the aforementioned rib 26 on one surface 2a, corresponding to the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3. By providing the rib 26 on one surface 2a of the pressed portion 25, the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3 can contact the pressed portion 25 with surface contact or near-surface contact, thereby more reliably pressing the pressed portion 25 and further improving sealing performance.

[0029] The grommet 2 only needs to be able to hold the elongated member C and be attached to the mounting target P by being pressed by the retainer 3, and to seal the through hole PO of the mounting target P, and its constituent material is not particularly limited. The grommet 2 can be made of, for example, an elastic material. Since the grommet 2 is made of an elastic material, it can be easily deformed to follow the shape of the mounting target P, thereby further improving the sealing performance of the grommet 2. Furthermore, since the grommet 2 can absorb vibrations, the transmission of vibrations from the elongated member C to the mounting target P via the grommet 2 can be suppressed. The elastic material is not particularly limited, and examples include ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), and chloroprene rubber (CR).

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the retainer 3 is fixed to the part PF of the mounting target P by sandwiching the grommet 2 between itself and the part PF of the mounting target P, thereby pressing the grommet 2 against the part PF. The retainer 3 is fixed to the part PF by a fastener F while the grommet 2 is sandwiched between it and the part PF. The retainer 3 is configured to contact one surface 2a of the grommet 2, and the fastener F used to fix the retainer 3 to the part PF presses one surface 2a of the grommet 2 toward the part PF. The grommet 2 is attached to the mounting target P by the retainer 3 as one surface 2a is pressed toward the part PF, thereby sealing the through hole PO. In this embodiment, the fastener F consists of a bolt and a nut. However, the fastener F is not particularly limited as long as it can fix the retainer 3 to the fixed part PF so as to press the grommet 2 against the fixed part PF, and may be a rivet, screw, clamp, or the like.

[0031] The retainer 3 is fixed to the part to be fixed PF with the grommet 2 in between, and is configured to contact one surface 2a of the grommet 2 and press one surface 2a of the grommet 2 toward the part to be fixed PF. Its structure is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the retainer 3 comprises a fastening portion 31 on which a seating surface 31s (see Figure 2) on which the fastener F sits, and a peripheral portion 32 connected to the fastening portion 31 and extending along the periphery 3e of the retainer 3. A pressing force in the pressing direction PD is applied to the fastening portion 31 from the fastener F via the seating surface 31s. The fastening portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 are formed to protrude in the opposite direction to the pressing direction PD (upward in the figure) on one surface 3a (upper surface in the figure) of the retainer 3 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD in which the retainer 3 presses the grommet 2. The fastening portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 protrude in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD on one surface 3a of the retainer 3, thereby increasing the rigidity (especially the bending rigidity) of the retainer 3 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD. In particular, since the peripheral portion 32 is connected to the fastening portion 31, the rigidity of the retainer 3 can be increased along the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3 from the fastening portion 31. As a result, the pressing force generated at the fastening portion 31 by the fastener F is suppressed from attenuating as it moves away from the fastening portion 31 and is transmitted along the peripheral portion 32. Therefore, even if the number of fasteners F is reduced, the decrease in pressing force in the parts where fasteners F are not provided can be suppressed, and the lifting of the grommet 2 relative to the fixed portion PF can be suppressed, thereby suppressing a decrease in sealing performance and obtaining good sealing performance.

[0032] The retainer 3 only needs to have at least fastening portions 31 and peripheral portions 32 that are connected to each other, i.e., fastening portions 31 and peripheral portions 32 that are provided continuously with respect to each other, and the number and arrangement of each are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the retainer 3 has at least two (two in the illustrated example) fastening portions 31, and at least two fastening portions 31 are connected to each other by peripheral portions 32. By connecting at least two fastening portions 31 to each other by peripheral portions 32, the rigidity of the retainer 3 is further increased, and the attenuation of the pressing force generated at the fastening portions 31 as it moves away from the fastening portions 31 is further suppressed, resulting in even better sealing performance.

[0033] In this embodiment, the fastening portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 protrude from the main surface 34 provided on one surface 3a of the retainer 3 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5. The fastening portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 are formed such that their heights h (see Figure 5) from the main surface 34 are approximately equal. This ensures that the fastening portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 have approximately equal rigidity at the location on the retainer 3 where they are provided, thereby reducing differences in pressing force depending on the location. However, the heights of the fastening portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 from the main surface 34 do not necessarily have to be equal. For example, the height of the fastening portion 31 may be higher or lower than that of the peripheral portion 32. The fastening portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 may further include a side wall portion 33 extending in the pressing direction PD from one surface 3a (main surface 34) of the retainer 3 beyond the other surface 3b of the retainer 3, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5. The presence of the side wall portion 33 in the fastening portion 31 and the peripheral portion 32 further increases the rigidity of the retainer 3.

[0034] In this embodiment, the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 are formed convexly on one surface 3a of the retainer 3 and concavely on the corresponding other surface 3b of the retainer 3, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5. In this embodiment, as described above, a rib 26 is formed on one surface 2a of the grommet 2 that abuts against the other surface 3b of the retainer 3, corresponding to the concave shape of the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32. As a result, the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 of the retainer 3 can abut against one surface 2a of the grommet 2 in surface contact or near-surface contact with the rib 26 of the grommet 2. Therefore, the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 can press the grommet 2 more reliably, and the sealing performance of the grommet 2 can be further improved. For example, by making the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 convex on one surface 3a of the retainer 3 and concave on the corresponding other surface 3b of the retainer 3 using a processing method such as beading, the thickness of the retainer 3 can be made substantially constant throughout the entire retainer 3. As a result, the retainer 3 can be easily manufactured, for example, by forming it from a single sheet of material with simple processing. Note that the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 only need to protrude in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD on one surface 3a of the retainer 3, and may be formed to be thicker than other parts and protrude in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD.

[0035] In this embodiment, the fastening portion 31 is provided adjacent to the periphery 3e of the retainer 3, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. More specifically, the fastening portion 31 is provided adjacent to the corners of the periphery 3e of the retainer 3, particularly two opposing corners on the diagonals of the retainer 3, which is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. By providing the fastening portion 31 adjacent to the periphery 3e of the retainer 3, the pressing force near the periphery 3e can be increased, thereby increasing the overall pressing force of the retainer 3, and further improving the sealing performance of the grommet 2. However, the arrangement of the fastening portion 31 can be appropriately set according to the arrangement of the fastener F.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the peripheral edge portion 32 is provided adjacent to the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3 and extends substantially parallel to the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3. This allows a substantially constant pressing force to be applied to the grommet 2 over the vicinity of the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3. In this embodiment, the peripheral edge portion 32 comprises an outer peripheral edge portion 32a adjacent to the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3 and extending substantially parallel to the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3, and an inner peripheral edge portion 32b inside the outer peripheral edge portion 32a and extending substantially parallel to the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3. The outer peripheral edge portion 32a extends over substantially the entire circumference of the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3 and connects two fastening portions 31 provided adjacent to two diagonally opposite corners of the retainer 3. The inner peripheral portion 32b extends substantially parallel to each of the two opposing peripheral edges 3e (left and right peripheral edges in Figure 3) of the retainer 3. The inner peripheral portion 32b connects the outer peripheral portions 32a that are provided adjacent to another pair of opposing peripheral edges 3e (upper and lower peripheral edges in Figure 3) that intersect the two opposing peripheral edges 3e (left and right peripheral edges in Figure 3) of the retainer 3, and also connects the fastening portion 31 to the outer peripheral portion 32a. In other words, the retainer 3 is provided with two substantially parallel peripheral portions 32 (outer peripheral portion 32a and inner peripheral portion 32b) along each of the two opposing peripheral edges 3e (left and right peripheral edges in Figure 3) on one side, and one peripheral portion 32 (outer peripheral portion 32a) along each of the other pair of opposing peripheral edges 3e (upper and lower peripheral edges in Figure 3). Therefore, in this embodiment, the rigidity of the retainer 3 along one of the two opposing peripheral edges 3e is higher than the rigidity of the retainer 3 along the other of the two opposing peripheral edges 3e. For example, even if a large external force is applied along one of the two opposing peripheral edges 3e depending on the usage of the grommet assembly 1, the lifting of the grommet 2 relative to the fixed portion PF along one of the two opposing peripheral edges 3e can be suppressed, thereby ensuring better sealing performance. However, the peripheral edge 32 only needs to be connected to at least the fastening portion 31 and extend along the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3, and preferably it should be provided so as to connect at least two fastening portions 31 to each other, and is not limited to the arrangement of this embodiment.For example, the peripheral edge portion 32 may be provided as one or more along the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3, or it may be provided spaced apart from the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3, or it may be provided at an angle with respect to the peripheral edge 3e of the retainer 3.

[0037] The retainer 3 is fixed to the part to be fixed PF with the grommet 2 in between, and is configured to contact one surface 2a of the grommet 2 and press one surface 2a of the grommet 2 toward the part to be fixed PF. Its structure is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the retainer 3 includes a pressing portion 35 that presses the pressed portion 25 of the grommet 2 and an opening 36 into which the base portion 24 of the grommet 2 can be fitted.

[0038] The pressing portion 35 is fixed to the fixed portion PF of the mounting target P by the fastener F, thereby pressing the pressed portion 25 of the grommet 2. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the pressing portion 35 is arranged to surround the opening 36 in a plane perpendicular to the pressing direction PD and is formed to a size corresponding to the pressed portion 25 of the grommet 2. The pressing portion 35 is provided with the fastening portion 31 and peripheral portion 32 described above. The opening 36 is located inside the pressing portion 35 in a plane perpendicular to the pressing direction PD and is formed to a size into which the base portion 24 of the grommet 2 can be fitted.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5, the retainer 3 is provided with an engaging portion 37 that protrudes from the periphery of the opening 36 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing direction PD. The engaging portion 37 is configured to engage with the engaged portion 24b of the grommet 2 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD. When the retainer 3 is pushed in the pressing direction PD relative to the grommet 2 from the state shown in Figure 2, as shown in Figure 1, the base portion 24 of the grommet 2 fits into the opening 36, and the engaging portion 37 fits into the recess where the engaged portion 24b of the grommet 2 is provided, and the engaging portion 37 engages with the engaged portion 24b. As a result, the retainer 3's holding force on the grommet 2 is increased, and as a result the pressing force from the retainer 3 on the mounting target P of the grommet 2 is further improved, and the sealing performance is further improved.

[0040] The engaging portion 37 only needs to be configured to engage with the engaged portion 24b of the grommet 2, and its structure is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the engaging portion 37 is formed by a plate extending from the periphery of the opening 36 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing direction PD (inward), which is then bent in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD and folded back by approximately 180° to form a double layer. Because the engaging portion 37 has a double layer structure formed by folding back a plate, a curved surface is formed at the tip of the engaging portion 37 that is substantially perpendicular to the pressing direction PD (inward), and that curves in the direction of the pressing direction PD. When the retainer 3 is pressed against the grommet 2 in the pressing direction PD, the tip of the engaging portion 37 slides along the side surface of the base portion 24 of the grommet 2. In this process, the tip of the engaging portion 37 is curved in the pressing direction PD, which allows it to slide smoothly along the side surface of the base 24 of the grommet 2 while suppressing damage to the base 24 of the grommet 2. Furthermore, because the plate material of the engaging portion 37 is bent in the direction opposite to the pressing direction PD, no step is formed on the other surface 3b on the pressing direction PD side. As a result, it can contact one surface 2a of the grommet 2 with or near-surface contact, improving the pressing force against the grommet 2.

[0041] The retainer 3 is fixed to the part to be fixed PF with the grommet 2 in between, and is configured to contact one surface 2a of the grommet 2 and press that surface 2a toward the part to be fixed PF. Its constituent material is not particularly limited. For example, the retainer 3 can be made of a material with high rigidity. This allows the retainer 3 to press the grommet 2 toward the mounting target P with a large pressing force over a wide area. Examples of materials with high rigidity include hard resins such as polyamide resin and metals such as stainless steel.

[0042] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments mainly describe an invention having the following configuration.

[0043] (1) A grommet assembly for attaching a long member to an object to be mounted such that the long member is inserted through a through hole provided in the object to be mounted, The grommet assembly is A grommet that holds the long member and is pressed against a fixed portion provided around the through hole to seal the through hole, The retainer, which is fixed to the fixed part with the grommet in between, presses the grommet against the fixed part. Equipped with, The retainer is configured to contact one surface of the grommet and to press one surface of the grommet toward the fixed portion by a fastener for fixing the retainer to the fixed portion. The retainer, A fastening portion having a seating surface on which the fastener sits, A peripheral portion connected to the fastening portion and extending along the periphery of the retainer Equipped with, The fastening portion and the peripheral portion are formed to protrude in the opposite direction to the pressing direction on one surface of the retainer, in the direction opposite to the pressing direction in which the retainer presses the grommet. Grommet assembly.

[0044] (2) The retainer comprises at least two fastening portions, the at least two fastening portions being connected to each other by the peripheral portion, (1) The grommet assembly described above.

[0045] (3) The fastening portion and the peripheral portion are formed convex on one surface of the retainer and concave on the corresponding other surface of the retainer. The grommet has a rib on one surface of the grommet that protrudes in the opposite direction to the pressing direction, corresponding to the shape of the fastening portion and the peripheral edge, so as to abut against the fastening portion and the peripheral edge from the other surface of the retainer. The grommet assembly described in (1) or (2).

[0046] (4) The grommet comprises a base portion for holding the elongated member and a pressed portion that is pressed by the retainer, The retainer comprises a pressing portion for pressing the portion to be pressed and an opening into which the base portion can be fitted. The retainer is provided with an engaging portion that protrudes from the periphery of the opening in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing direction, The grommet has an engaged portion at its base that engages with the engaging portion in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. The grommet assembly described in any one of (1) to (3).

[0047] (5) The grommet, on the other side of the grommet, The sealing portion protruding in the pressing direction, Adjacent to the sealing portion is a groove that is recessed in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. It is equipped with The grommet assembly described in any one of (1) to (4).

[0048] (6) The fastening portion and the peripheral portion are formed convex on one surface of the retainer and concave on the corresponding other surface of the retainer, The grommet is provided with a rib on one surface of the grommet that protrudes in the opposite direction to the pressing direction, corresponding to the shape of the fastening portion and the peripheral edge, so as to abut against the fastening portion and the peripheral edge from the other surface of the retainer. The sealing portion is provided on the other surface of the grommet, corresponding to at least a portion of the location where the rib is provided. The grommet assembly described in any one of (1) to (5).

[0049] (7) A grommet assembly for attaching a long member to an object to be mounted such that the long member is inserted through a through hole provided in the object to be mounted, The grommet assembly is A grommet that holds the long member and is pressed against a fixed portion provided around the through hole to seal the through hole, The retainer, which is fixed to the fixed part with the grommet in between, presses the grommet against the fixed part. Equipped with, The retainer is configured to contact one surface of the grommet and to press one surface of the grommet toward the fixed portion by a fastener for fixing the retainer to the fixed portion. The grommet, on the other side of the grommet, The sealing portion protruding in the pressing direction, Adjacent to the sealing portion is a groove that is recessed in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. It is equipped with Grommet assembly. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1. Grommet Assembly 2 grommets 2a One side 2b The other side 2h Through hole 21 Seal part 21a Outer seal portion 21b Inner seal section 21c Through-hole sealing part 22 Groove 22a Outer groove 22b Inner groove 22c Through-hole groove 23 Main surface 24 base 24a Holding part 24b Engaged part 25 Pressed part 26 Ribs 3 Retainers 3a One side 3b The other surface 3e Periphery 31 Fastening section 31s Seat 32 Peripheral area 32a Outer periphery 32b Inner peripheral edge 33 Side wall section 34 Main surface 35 Pressing part 36 Opening 37 Engaging part C. Long component (control cable) C1 Inner Cable C2 Outer Casing F Fasteners h Height of fastening portion and peripheral edge P Installation Target PD pressing direction PF Fixed part PO through hole

Claims

1. A grommet assembly for attaching a long member to a mounting object such that the long member is inserted through a through hole provided in the mounting object, The grommet assembly is A grommet that holds the long member and is pressed against a fixed portion provided around the through hole to seal the through hole, The retainer, which is fixed to the fixed part with the grommet in between, presses the grommet against the fixed part. Equipped with, The retainer is configured to contact one surface of the grommet and to press one surface of the grommet toward the fixed portion by a fastener for fixing the retainer to the fixed portion. The retainer, A fastening portion having a seating surface on which the fastener sits, A peripheral portion connected to the fastening portion and extending along the periphery of the retainer Equipped with, The fastening portion and the peripheral portion are formed to protrude in the opposite direction to the pressing direction on one surface of the retainer, in the direction opposite to the pressing direction in which the retainer presses the grommet. Grommet assembly.

2. The retainer comprises at least two fastening portions, and the at least two fastening portions are connected to each other by the peripheral portion. The grommet assembly according to claim 1.

3. The fastening portion and the peripheral portion are formed convexly on one surface of the retainer and concavely on the corresponding other surface of the retainer. The grommet has a rib on one surface of the grommet that protrudes in the opposite direction to the pressing direction, corresponding to the shape of the fastening portion and the peripheral edge, so as to abut against the fastening portion and the peripheral edge from the other surface of the retainer. The grommet assembly according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The grommet comprises a base portion for holding the elongated member and a pressed portion that is pressed by the retainer, The retainer comprises a pressing portion for pressing the portion to be pressed and an opening into which the base portion can be fitted. The retainer is provided with an engaging portion that protrudes from the periphery of the opening in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing direction, The grommet has an engaged portion at its base that engages with the engaging portion in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. The grommet assembly according to claim 1.

5. The grommet, on the other side of the grommet, The sealing portion protruding in the pressing direction, Adjacent to the sealing portion is a groove that is recessed in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. It is equipped with The grommet assembly according to claim 1.

6. The fastening portion and the peripheral portion are formed convexly on one surface of the retainer and concavely on the corresponding other surface of the retainer. The grommet is provided with a rib on one surface of the grommet that protrudes in the opposite direction to the pressing direction, corresponding to the shape of the fastening portion and the peripheral edge, so as to abut against the fastening portion and the peripheral edge from the other surface of the retainer. The sealing portion is provided on the other surface of the grommet, corresponding to at least a portion of the location where the rib is provided. The grommet assembly according to claim 5.

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