Vehicle Charging Inlet Grommet Locking Structure Against Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inlet assembly in vehicles allows for rotation of the inlet and grommet relative to each other, which can lead to instability and potential water intrusion issues.
Innovation Solution
A grommet with a locking portion that secures to a to-be-locked portion on the inlet, featuring a connection port for the charging connector and an outlet port for wiring, preventing rotation by locking in the circumferential direction around a rotation axis, and incorporating a water drain port to manage water intrusion without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a grommet covers an inlet and wiring member in a vehicle charging assembly, then the assembly is protected and organized, but rotation between the inlet and grommet occurs causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion is integrated into the grommet body structure, combining the covering function and locking function into a single unified component. This merging eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms while preventing rotation between the inlet and grommet, thereby improving reliability without adding complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portion acts as an intermediary element between the grommet and inlet, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents relative rotation. This intermediary structure transfers and stabilizes the connection, eliminating the rotational instability while maintaining the protective covering function.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent rotation between inlet and grommet, then stability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion is formed as an integral part of the grommet body through a single-mold process, merging the locking function with the existing grommet structure. This approach provides rotation prevention without requiring separate locking components or complex assembly steps, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the grommet structure is simplified to reduce thickness, then manufacturing is easier, but water intrusion protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion serves as a dual-function intermediary structure that simultaneously provides mechanical locking to prevent rotation and creates a water-sealing interface. This intermediary element blocks water intrusion pathways while maintaining a compact grommet design, achieving both ease of manufacture and protection against harmful factors.
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a feature making it possible to curb relative rotation of an inlet and a grommet. This grommet comprises: a main body that covers an inlet installed in a vehicle and a wiring member extending from the inlet; and a locking part for locking with a locked part provided to the inlet. Formed on the main body are a connection opening into which a connection portion of the inlet connecting with an external charging connector is inserted, and a lead-out opening into which the wiring member is inserted. The connection opening opens in a first direction. The locking part is provided so as to be able to lock with the locked part along the circumferential direction of an axis of rotation when the inlet and the main body have rotated about the axis of rotation which extends in the first direction.