Integrated Grommet Structure for Wire Harness Routing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grommets for automobile doors require a separate component to regulate the routing path of wire harnesses, increasing the number of components and man-hours required for installation, thereby escalating costs.
Innovation Solution
A single-component grommet with a small-diameter cylinder portion for wire insertion, a large-diameter cylinder portion with a harness draw port and annular attachment recess, and a harness regulator that directs the wire harness routing path to either the left or right side, eliminating the need for a separate routing component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate component is used to regulate the routing path of the wire harness, then the wire harness routing can be controlled to avoid interference with peripheral components, but the number of components increases and the number of man-hours required for installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the routing regulation function directly into the grommet body by forming a protrusion on the large-diameter cylinder portion that extends into the small-diameter cylinder portion. This merged structure eliminates the need for separate routing components while maintaining effective wire harness path control, thereby reducing component count and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection for the wire harness, secures the harness through the panel opening, and regulates the routing path through its integrated protrusion structure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated routing components.
2Reliability
If a separate component is used to regulate the routing path of the wire harness, then the wire harness routing can be controlled to avoid interference with peripheral components, but the number of man-hours required for installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the routing regulation feature into the grommet body itself, the installation process requires only a single component to be installed rather than multiple separate components. This integration significantly reduces the time required for assembly while ensuring proper wire harness routing control.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing regulation protrusion is pre-formed as part of the grommet structure during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the routing path is automatically controlled as soon as the grommet is installed, eliminating the need for additional routing adjustments or installations during the assembly process.
3Reliability
If a separate component is used to regulate the routing path of the wire harness, then the routing path can be regulated, but the cost increases due to the increase in number of components
Solution Approach 1:
The routing regulation function is merged into the grommet body through an integrally formed protrusion structure. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate routing components, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining effective routing path regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical protection, secure mounting, and routing regulation. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, reducing both material costs and assembly costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A grommet includes: a small-diameter cylinder portion through which a wire harness is inserted; a large-diameter cylinder portion including a harness draw port provided at a tip of the small-diameter cylinder portion and configured to draw the wire harness to an inner side of a panel, and an annular attachment recess fitted into a mounting hole of the panel; and a harness regulator protruding inward from a peripheral edge of the harness draw port of the large-diameter cylinder portion and configured to regulate a routing path of the wire harness by directing the routing path to either a left side or a right side.