Divisible Grommet Assembly Pressing Support Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grommet assemblies face difficulties in mounting, especially in narrow spaces, due to the lack of space for hand access, leading to inadequate pressing force transmission to the panel contact portion, which compromises the seal and stability of the grommet assembly.
Innovation Solution
A grommet assembly design featuring an inner member divisible into two halves with protruding parts that provide a pressing support mechanism, allowing the pressing force to be transmitted effectively through the wire housing portion to the panel engagement portion, ensuring proper locking and sealing regardless of the panel shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the grommet assembly is mounted in a narrow space without hand access, then the mounting location flexibility is improved, but the mounting operation becomes difficult due to inability to press the panel contact portion
Solution Approach 1:
A pressing tool is introduced as an intermediary device to transmit pressing force to the panel contact portion when direct finger pressing is not possible due to narrow space constraints. The pressing tool has a pressing portion that contacts the panel contact portion and transmits force through the elastic grommet to lock the connector in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into a first half portion and a second half portion that can be assembled separately and then locked together. This segmentation allows the connector to be assembled in stages, making it easier to handle and install in confined spaces where the entire assembly cannot be manipulated at once.
2Ease of operation
If the ceiling of the wire housing portion is pressed to transmit force, then the mounting operation is simplified, but the pressing force is insufficient because the grommet elastically deforms
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing tool serves as a mechanical intermediary that concentrates and transmits pressing force directly to the panel contact portion, bypassing the elastic deformation of the grommet. The tool's rigid structure ensures sufficient force transmission to achieve proper locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body is inserted into the mounting hole and positioned before the final pressing operation. This preliminary positioning ensures that when pressing force is applied through the pressing tool, the panel contact portion is already in the correct location to establish a tight seal with the panel surface.
3Productivity
If the panel engagement portion is not properly locked, then the mounting process is faster, but the seal property degrades and the assembly may detach
Solution Approach 1:
The panel contact portion provides tactile feedback when it achieves tight contact with the panel surface. The operator can feel when the sealing lip has properly engaged with the panel, ensuring adequate sealing force is applied before completing the mounting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to lock the connector and then verify sealing, the design ensures that proper sealing is achieved through the pressing action itself. The pressing tool applies force that simultaneously secures the connector and creates the seal, combining two functions into one operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enables easy and reliable mounting of the grommet assembly to panels with limited access, ensuring a secure seal and preventing detachment due to vibration, even in tight spaces.
Implementation Method 1
Since the grommet is made of an elastic material such as rubber, the grommet will be elastically deformed even if a ceiling of the wire housing portion is pressed
Data Source
AI summary
A grommet assembly includes an inner member having a first half portion and a second half portion, each having a body portion to be fitted into a mounting hole of a panel, a panel engagement portion configured to be engaged with an opening edge of the mounting hole, a grommet to be mounted to a rear side of the inner member and a first protruding part protruding from a rear side of the first half portion toward a rear wall of the wire housing portion. The inner member is to be dividable into the first and second half portions along a fitting direction of the body portion to the mounting hole. The first protruding part includes a first hook portion bent back at a protruding end of the first protruding part and includes a first pressing support portion including the protruding end of the first protruding part.