JP2024147237A - Grommet - Google Patents

Abstract

To protect a lock claw from interference of a grommet main body at the time of mounting of a grommet inner.SOLUTION: In a grommet 10 inserted from one side of an attached member 1 to the other side, a grommet inner 30 is mounted to a grommet main boy 11. The grommet main boy comprises a large diameter cylinder part 12 contacted to a penetration hole peripheral part 2a on one side of the attached member in a state where the grommet main boy is attached to the attached member. The grommet inner comprises: an inner lock 40 that engages an annular main body part 32, in which division bodies that can be mounted to the large diameter cylinder part are combined, and a main body part to a peripheral part; and a protection wall 38 that is provided to an inner lock adjacent position of a main body part outer peripheral wall 32a. A lock claw 41 of the inner lock comprises: an engagement step part 41a that is engaged to the peripheral part; an inclination part 41b in which a radial direction outer side surface is inclined from an insertion direction front side end part of the lock claw to the engagement step part on a radial direction outer side; and a lock claw end part 41c of which a radial direction outer side surface is inclined to the radial direction inner side from the engagement step part to an insertion direction rear end 41d. An insertion direction rear end 38a of the protection wall is positioned to the insertion direction rear side from the lock claw end part rear end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a grommet.

Conventionally, a grommet is known that is attached to a mounting hole formed in a bulkhead and has a locking member (grommet inner) attached to the grommet body (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-186154 A

In conventional grommets, when attaching a locking member to the grommet body, the tip of the locking claw of the grommet inner may interfere with the edge of the flange of the grommet body, which may reduce the ease of attaching the grommet inner to the grommet body. Also, if the locking claw interferes with the edge of the flange of the grommet body when attaching the grommet inner to the grommet body, excessive force may be applied to the locking claw, which tends to orient the end of the locking claw toward the outside of the outer periphery of the grommet inner.

The present invention was made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional technology. The object of the present invention is to provide a grommet that can prevent excessive force from being applied to the locking claw due to interference with the grommet body when attaching the grommet inner to the grommet body.

The grommet according to the present invention includes a grommet body that holds an electric wire passing through a through hole in a member to be attached on the inner periphery, and a grommet inner that is attached to the outer periphery of the grommet body. The grommet is inserted from one side of the member to be attached to the other side. The grommet body is a cylindrical member formed of an elastic material. The grommet body includes a large-diameter cylindrical portion that has an outer diameter larger than the opening diameter of the through hole and is arranged so as to be able to contact the periphery of the through hole from the one side of the member to be attached when attached to the through hole of the member to be attached, and a small-diameter cylindrical portion that is smaller in diameter than the large-diameter cylindrical portion and is arranged on the other side of the member to be attached when attached to the through hole of the member to be attached. The grommet inner is an annular structure formed by combining a pair of members formed of a material having higher rigidity than the grommet body and divided into two by an imaginary plane including the central axis of the grommet inner, and includes a main body portion attached to the large-diameter cylindrical portion, a plurality of inner locks each provided along an outer peripheral wall of the main body portion and engaging the main body portion with the peripheral edge of the through hole in a state where the main body portion is attached to the through hole of the mounting member, and a protective wall provided on the outer peripheral wall adjacent to each of the inner locks in the circumferential direction of the main body portion. Each of the inner locks has a lock claw that is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the main body portion. Each lock claw includes a lock step portion provided on the rear side of the lock claw in the insertion direction and capable of engaging with the peripheral edge of the through hole, an inclined portion inclined so that the radial outer surface is positioned radially outward as it moves from the front end of the lock claw in the insertion direction toward the lock step portion, and a lock claw end portion inclined so that the radial outer surface is positioned radially inward as it moves from the lock step portion toward the rear end in the insertion direction. The rear end of the protective wall in the insertion direction is located rearward of the rear end of the locking claw end in the insertion direction.

The wire harness according to this embodiment of the present invention includes the grommet.

The grommet inner according to the present invention is inserted from one side of the mounting member to the other side. The grommet inner is configured to be mounted on the outer periphery of the grommet body, which holds the electric wire passing through the through hole in the mounting member on the inner periphery. The grommet inner is formed of a material with higher rigidity than the grommet body. The grommet inner is an annular structure formed by combining a pair of members divided into two by a virtual plane including the central axis of the grommet inner, and includes a main body portion that can be mounted on the grommet body, a plurality of inner locks each provided along the outer periphery wall of the main body portion and attached to the outer periphery of the grommet body, and capable of engaging the main body portion with the periphery of the through hole in the mounting member, and a protective wall provided on the outer periphery wall adjacent to each of the plurality of inner locks in the circumferential direction of the main body portion. Each of the plurality of inner locks has a lock claw that can be elastically deformed in the radial direction of the main body portion. Each locking claw includes a locking step portion provided on the rear side of the locking claw in the insertion direction and capable of locking with the peripheral edge of the through hole, an inclined portion inclined so that the radially outer surface is positioned radially outward as it moves from the front end of the locking claw in the insertion direction toward the locking step portion, and a locking claw end portion inclined so that the radially outer surface is positioned radially inward as it moves from the locking step portion toward the rear end in the insertion direction. The rear end of the protective wall in the insertion direction is located rearward of the rear end of the locking claw end portion in the insertion direction.

The present invention provides a grommet that can prevent excessive force from being applied to the locking claw due to interference with the grommet body when attaching the grommet inner to the grommet body.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a grommet according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a grommet according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a grommet including a grommet inner according to an embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an umbrella-shaped sound insulating portion of the grommet according to the embodiment is folded back. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an umbrella-shaped sound insulating portion of the grommet according to the embodiment is folded back. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the lower surface side of a grommet inner according to an embodiment that can be used in the grommet. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the grommet inner according to the embodiment taken along the line VII-VII shown in FIG. 6. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the grommet inner according to the embodiment, including the inner lock shown in FIG. 7 . 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion including an inner lock of the grommet inner according to an embodiment, illustrating a state in which the large diameter cylindrical portion of the grommet main body is pressed down by a protective wall of the grommet inner main body portion. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion including an inner lock of the grommet inner, illustrating a state in which the large diameter cylindrical portion of the grommet main body is pressed down by a protective wall of the grommet inner main body portion. FIG.

The grommet according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings have been exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

1 is a perspective view of a grommet 10 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the grommet 10 according to an embodiment. As an example, the grommet 10 is attached to the peripheral portion 2a of a through hole 2 formed in advance in a vehicle body panel 1 as a mounting member, and protects the electric wire W that passes through the through hole 2 from the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2. In this embodiment, the opening shape of the through hole 2 is circular. The electric wire W may be a wire harness as an assembly of electric wires. In the following description, the upper side refers to the side facing the through hole 2 when the grommet 10 is attached to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 (the front side in the insertion direction in the upper direction in FIG. 2), and the lower side refers to the opposite side (the rear side in the insertion direction in the lower direction in FIG. 2).

As an example, the vehicle body panel 1 includes a panel 1a arranged on one side of the vehicle body panel 1 (the engine room side) and an insulator (sound-proofing material) 1b arranged on the other side of the vehicle body panel 1 (the passenger compartment side).

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the grommet 10 including the grommet inner 30. The grommet 10 is composed of a grommet body 11 and a grommet inner 30 that can be attached to the outer periphery of the grommet body 11.

The grommet body 11 is a cylindrical member that holds the electric wire W routed on its inner periphery. The grommet body 11 is formed of a soft elastic material such as rubber. The grommet body 11 includes a large diameter cylindrical portion 12, a first small diameter cylindrical portion 13, a second small diameter cylindrical portion 14, and a sound insulating portion 15. Note that it is sufficient that the grommet body 11 includes at least the large diameter cylindrical portion 12 and the second small diameter cylindrical portion 14.

The large diameter cylindrical portion 12 is configured to be able to connect the grommet inner 30. The outer diameter D1 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 12 is larger than the opening diameter D2 of the through hole 2. The large diameter cylindrical portion 12 includes a fitting groove 16 and a lip portion 17.

The fitting groove 16 is formed in an annular shape on the outer periphery of the large diameter cylindrical portion 12, and when the grommet inner 30 is connected to the large diameter cylindrical portion 12, the flange portion 33 of the grommet inner 30 is fitted into the fitting groove 16. In addition, a recess 18 that engages with a protrusion 33a formed on a part of the flange portion 33 may be provided in a part of the fitting groove 16.

The lip portion 17 is an annular seal portion that protrudes from the outer peripheral edge surface 12a that faces the vehicle body panel 1 toward the vehicle body panel 1. The lip portion 17 may be composed of an inner peripheral lip portion 17a and an outer peripheral lip portion 17b. When the grommet 10 is attached to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2, the inner peripheral lip portion 17a and the outer peripheral lip portion 17b elastically deform in a direction that leans toward the outer peripheral edge surface 12a and adheres closely to the peripheral surface of the through hole 2 on one surface of the vehicle body panel 1. This prevents water and other substances from entering the grommet 10 from the outside to the inside through the gap between the lip portion 17 and the surface of the vehicle body panel 1 that faces the lip portion 17.

The first small diameter cylindrical portion 13 is continuous with the side of the large diameter cylindrical portion 12 opposite to the side facing the vehicle body panel 1 via the first expanded diameter cylindrical portion 19 and the bellows cylindrical portion 20, and holds the electric wire W on the inner peripheral side. This first small diameter cylindrical portion 13 is arranged on one side (engine room side) of the opening of the through hole 2, and has an inner surface that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire W over a predetermined length. The inner diameter of the first small diameter cylindrical portion 13 is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter cylindrical portion 12, and is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the electric wire W or is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the electric wire W. This prevents water and the like from entering the inside of the grommet 10 from the outside through the gap between the inner surface of the first small diameter cylindrical portion 13 and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire W. The first small diameter cylindrical portion 13 is made of a flexible material, so it deforms according to changes in the position of the electric wire W. In addition, a first annular seal portion 13a may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the first small diameter cylindrical portion 13 to seal the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the first small diameter cylindrical portion 13 and the electric wire W.

The second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 is continuous with the side of the large diameter cylindrical portion 12 facing the vehicle body panel 1 via the second enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 21, and holds the electric wire W on the inner peripheral side. This second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 is arranged on the other side (inside the vehicle compartment) of the opening of the through hole 2, and has an inner surface that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire W over a predetermined length. The inner diameter of the second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter cylindrical portion 12, and is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the electric wire W or is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the electric wire W. This prevents water and the like from entering the inside of the grommet 10 from the outside through the gap between the inner surface of the second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire W. The second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 is made of a flexible material, so it deforms according to changes in the position of the electric wire W. The inner circumferential surface of the second small diameter cylinder 14 may be provided with a ring-shaped second seal portion 14a that seals the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the second small diameter cylinder 14 and the electric wire W. Furthermore, a tongue portion 14b for tape winding may be protruded from the tip of the second small diameter cylinder 14.

The sound insulation part 15 is formed in an umbrella or brim shape on the outer periphery side of the second enlarged diameter tube part 21, and extends from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side of the grommet body 11. That is, the sound insulation part 15 is formed in an umbrella or brim shape extending from the outer surface of the second enlarged diameter tube part 21. When the grommet 10 is attached to the peripheral part 2a of the through hole 2 and the sound insulation part 15 is expanded as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer peripheral edge part 15a at the tip of the sound insulation part 15 is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the through hole 2 on the other surface of the vehicle body panel 1. That is, the outer diameter of the sound insulation part 15 in the expanded state as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is larger than the opening diameter of the through hole 2. This forms a closed sound insulation space between the sound insulation part 15 and the peripheral part 2a of the through hole 2, and suppresses the transmission (sound leakage) of sound from the engine room into the vehicle cabin through the space between the vehicle body panel 1, the sound insulation part 15, and the peripheral part 2a of the through hole 2. The sound insulation part 15 may also be formed in an umbrella shape or a brim shape extending from the outer surface of the second small diameter cylindrical part 14.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the umbrella-shaped sound-proofing part 15 in the embodiment in a contracted state from an expanded state, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the umbrella-shaped sound-proofing part 15 in the embodiment in a contracted state from an expanded state.

In this embodiment, the umbrella-shaped sound insulation part 15 is configured so that it can be folded back from the folded-back portion 22 as a base point so that the abutting side surface 15b of the sound insulation part 15 faces radially outward from the grommet body 11. The abutting side surface 15b is the inner side surface of the front and back surfaces of the sound insulation part 15 that abuts against the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2. When the sound insulation part 15 is folded back so that the abutting side surface 15b faces radially outward from the grommet body 11, the sound insulation part 15 has a pleated shape with multiple folds 23 provided in the circumferential direction, and the outer diameter D3 of the sound insulation part 15 in this state is smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the through hole 2 (D3<D2). In order to fold the contact side surface 15b of the sound insulation part 15 at a position higher than the outer peripheral edge portion 15a, the folded portion 22 is provided at a position farther away from the vehicle body panel 1 in the longitudinal direction of the grommet body 11 than the outer peripheral edge portion 15a of the sound insulation part 15. The folded portion 22 also includes a folding groove 24 formed along the circumferential direction on the contact side surface 15b of the sound insulation part 15. That is, the folding groove 24 is provided on the contact side surface 15b of the sound insulation part 15 to make a part of the contact side surface 15b of the sound insulation part 15 thin-walled and to make it easier to fold in a direction of the peripheral surface of the through hole 2. On the other hand, the inner peripheral edge portion 15c, which is the connection portion with the second enlarged diameter tube portion 21 in the sound insulation part 15, is provided at a lower position than the outer peripheral edge portion 15a. When the grommet 10 is attached to the peripheral edge portion 2a of the through hole 2, a part of the inner peripheral edge portion 15c at the base end of the sound insulation part 15 may be located inside the through hole 2.

In this embodiment, an annular groove 25 is formed between the outer surface of the second enlarged diameter tube portion 21 and the non-contact side surface 15d of the sound insulation portion 15 along the circumferential direction of the grommet body 11. The non-contact side surface 15d is the outer side surface of the front and back surfaces of the sound insulation portion 15 that is the surface opposite the inner side surface (contact side surface 15b). When the sound insulation portion 15 is formed to extend from the outer surface of the second small diameter tube portion 14, the annular groove 25 may be formed between the outer surface of the second small diameter tube portion 14 and the non-contact side surface 15d of the sound insulation portion 15.

In the grommet 10 according to the present embodiment, the outer peripheral edge 15a of the sound insulation part 15 is further provided with a blocking part 26 that blocks the gap between the vehicle body panel 1 and the outer peripheral edge 15a of the sound insulation part 15 when the sound insulation part 15 is expanded as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The sound insulation part 15 has a slight pleated shape, and a plurality of blocking parts 26 are provided in the circumferential direction of the grommet body 11 with respect to the outer peripheral edge 15a of the sound insulation part 15 in order to block the gap that may occur between the vehicle body panel 1 and the outer peripheral edge 15a of the sound insulation part 15. The blocking part 26 may also be provided at the peak of the pleat 23 in the sound insulation part 15. According to the grommet 10 according to the present embodiment, when the umbrella-shaped sound insulation part 15 is expanded, the blocking part 26 blocks the gap between the vehicle body panel 1 and the outer peripheral edge 15a of the sound insulation part 15, thereby improving the sound insulation of the sound insulation part 15.

In addition, in the grommet 10 according to this embodiment, a groove 27 extending along the radial direction of the grommet body 11 is provided on the non-contact side surface 15d near the outer peripheral edge portion 15a of the sound insulation part 15. A plurality of grooves 27 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the grommet body 11 with respect to the outer peripheral edge portion 15a of the sound insulation part 15 where the blocking portion 26 is provided. The grooves 27 may also be provided on the peaks of the folds 23 in the sound insulation part 15. According to the grommet 10 according to this embodiment, the grooves 27 are provided on the non-contact side surface 15d of the sound insulation part 15, so that the flexibility of the umbrella-shaped sound insulation part 15 can be increased and the gap that may occur between the vehicle body panel 1 and the grommet 10 can be minimized.

In addition, in the grommet 10 according to this embodiment, a rib 28 extending along the radial direction of the grommet body 11 is provided on the non-contact side surface 15d of the sound insulation part 15. A plurality of ribs 28 are provided on the non-contact side surface 15d of the sound insulation part 15 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the grommet body 11. The rib 28 may also be provided on the crest of the fold 23 in the sound insulation part 15. According to the grommet 10 according to this embodiment, the rib 28 is provided on the non-contact side surface 15d of the sound insulation part 15, thereby increasing the rigidity of the umbrella-shaped sound insulation part 15 and making it possible to prevent the sound insulation part 15 from being recessed toward the through hole 2 during the work of expanding the sound insulation part 15.

In addition, in the grommet 10 according to this embodiment, the folded portion 22 includes a first folded groove 24 formed along the circumferential direction on the abutting side surface 15b of the sound insulation part 15, and a second folded groove 29 formed along the circumferential direction on the non-abutting side surface 15d of the sound insulation part 15. That is, the abutting side surface 15b of the sound insulation part 15 is provided with a first folded groove 24 that thins a portion of the sound insulation part 15 from the abutting side surface 15b side to make it easier to fold in a direction of the peripheral surface of the through hole 2. On the other hand, the non-abutting side surface 15d of the sound insulation part 15 is provided with a second folded groove 29 that thins a portion of the sound insulation part 15 from the non-abutting side surface 15d side to make it easier to fold in a direction of the peripheral surface of the through hole 2. According to the grommet 10 of this embodiment, the folded portion 22 includes a first fold groove 24 on the abutting side 15b of the sound insulation part 15 and a second fold groove 29 on the non-abutting side 15d of the sound insulation part 15, which makes it possible to keep the base point constant when folding the sound insulation part 15.

The circumferential length of the outer peripheral edge portion 15a when the sound insulation portion 15 is expanded as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is approximately the same as the circumferential length of the outer peripheral edge portion 15a when the sound insulation portion 15 is contracted as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The grommet inner 30 shown in Figures 3 and 6 to 8 is an annular member that supports the grommet body 11 when attached to the outer periphery of the grommet body 11 and is held by the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2. Here, the grommet inner 30 is an annular member. The grommet inner 30 is formed of a material, such as resin, that is more rigid than the grommet body 11. The grommet inner 30 is also composed of a pair of members that are divided into two by an imaginary plane that includes the central axis of the grommet inner 30 itself, that is, a combination of a first inner member 31a and a second inner member 31b.

The grommet inner 30 generally has a main body 32, which is an annular structure made up of multiple walls, and a flange 33, which is an annular plate.

3, 6, and 7, the main body 32 includes, for example, an outer peripheral wall 32a, an upper wall 32b, and an inner peripheral wall 32c. The outer peripheral wall 32a is a wall that faces the peripheral edge 2a of the through hole 2 along the planar direction of the vehicle body panel 1 when the grommet 10 is attached to the peripheral edge 2a of the through hole 2. The upper wall 32b is a wall that is continuous with the upper peripheral end of the outer peripheral wall 32a and extends toward the inner peripheral side. The inner peripheral wall 32c is a wall that is continuous with the inner peripheral end of the upper wall 32b and is approximately parallel to the outer peripheral wall 32a.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 6, the grommet 10 has a plurality of ribs 36 on the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32 of the grommet inner 30. The plurality of ribs 36 are provided on the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32 to prevent the grommet inner 30 from being attached in a tilted state relative to the grommet body 11. In the grommet 10 according to this embodiment, the plurality of ribs 36 are provided at intermediate positions between adjacent lock claws 41 in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral wall 32a. According to the grommet 10 according to this embodiment, the grommet inner 30 has the ribs 36 for preventing tilting, so that the inner surface of the through hole 2 and the ribs 36 come into contact with each other, thereby reducing the load applied to the lock claws 41.

6 and 7, the flange 33 protrudes radially inward from the lower peripheral end of the inner peripheral wall 32c. As described above, the flange 33 is fitted into the fitting groove 16 when the grommet inner 30 is connected to the grommet body 11. The flange 33 also has a protrusion 33a that engages the recess 18 when fitted into the fitting groove 16, in accordance with the position of the recess 18 previously formed in the fitting groove 16. The engagement between the protrusion 33a and the recess 18 prevents the grommet inner 30 from rotating relative to the grommet body 11 with respect to the central axis of the large diameter tube portion 12. The protrusion 33a may be formed on each of the flanges 33 of the first inner member 31a and the second inner member 31b. On the other hand, the fitting groove 16 of the grommet body 11 may have a plurality of recesses 18 corresponding to the respective protrusions 33a, as shown in FIG. 3.

Here, when the grommet inner 30 is a combination of a pair of members, the first inner member 31a and the second inner member 31b, as shown in FIG. 3, the first inner member 31a and the second inner member 31b may have the same semi-ring shape. In addition, the first inner member 31a and the second inner member 31b include two side walls 32d that are butted against each other in the circumferential direction when combined with each other. Of the two side walls 32d, one side wall 32d is provided with a claw portion 34, and the other side wall 32d is provided with a groove portion 35. When the first inner member 31a and the second inner member 31b are combined, the claw portion 34 of the first inner member 31a fits into the groove portion 35 of the second inner member 31b, and the claw portion 34 of the second inner member 31b fits into the groove portion 35 of the first inner member 31a.

In addition, instead of the connection mechanism using the claw portion 34 and the groove portion 35, the first inner member 31a and the second inner member 31b may be connected in advance via a hinge portion at one end of the semi-ring shape, and the other end of the semi-ring shape may be connected by the claw portion 34 and the groove portion 35. In addition, although the example shown here is a case where the grommet inner 30 is divided into two inner members, it may be divided into three or more inner members.

The grommet inner 30 also has multiple inner locks 40 that lock the main body 32 to the peripheral edge 2a of the through hole 2 when a portion of the main body 32 is inserted into the through hole 2. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the inner locks 40 are provided at four locations equally spaced circumferentially on the entire grommet inner 30. In other words, the first inner member 31a and the second inner member 31b each have two inner locks 40. The number of inner locks 40 provided is not particularly limited and may be other than four.

Each of the multiple inner locks 40 includes a lock claw 41 that is elastically deformable in a direction connecting the inside and outside of the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32.

The locking claws 41 are provided along the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32, and are elastically deformed in a direction connecting the inside and outside of the outer peripheral wall 32a. Note that the direction connecting the inside and outside of the outer peripheral wall 32a in which the locking claws 41 are elastically deformed is the radial direction of the main body 32 when the main body 32 is annular as in this embodiment.

The locking claw 41 has a locking step 41a that engages with the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2, and an inclined portion 41b that is inclined so that the radial outer surface of the main body 32 is positioned radially outward as it moves from the front end of the locking claw 41 in the insertion direction toward the locking step 41a on the rear side in the insertion direction. The front end of the inclined portion 41b in the insertion direction is the end of the inclined portion 41b on the upper wall 32b side of the main body 32. The locking claw 41 further has a locking claw end 41c that is inclined so that the radial outer surface of the main body 32 is positioned radially inward as it moves from the locking step 41a toward the rear end 41d in the insertion direction.

Here, the state in which the locking step 41a engages with the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 refers to the state of the inner lock 40 with respect to the through hole 2 when the inner lock 40 locks the main body 32 to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2. The state in which the inner lock 40 locks the main body 32 to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 refers to the state in which the grommet 10 is attached to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2. The locking claw 41 protrudes outward from the ridge line along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall 32a formed by the rear end of the inclined portion 41b in the insertion direction and the locking step 41a as its apex, and is always located outside the outer circumference of the outer peripheral wall 32a. In other words, the elastic deformation of the locking claw 41 occurs due to the displacement of the locking claw 41 caused by the inclined portion 41b contacting the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2. When the locking step 41a is engaged with the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2, the locking claw end 41c extending rearward in the insertion direction from the locking step 41a enters the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2, so that the main body 32 is maintained in a fixed position relative to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2.

In addition, the inner locks 40 are provided at four locations in the circumferential direction of the grommet inner 30. Therefore, the locking step portion 41a, the inclined portion 41b, and the locking claw end portion 41c of each of the four locking claws 41 protrude along a radial direction based on the central axis of the main body portion 32.

A protective wall 38 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32, adjacent to each of the inner locks 40 in the circumferential direction of the main body 32. As shown in FIG. 8, the rear end 38a of the protective wall 38 in the insertion direction is located rearward of the rear end 41d of the lock claw end 41c in the insertion direction.

This protective wall 38 may protrude from the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32 in the radial direction of the main body 32. When the protective wall 38 is configured in this manner, the radially outermost end of the protective wall 38 may be configured to be located radially inward from the radially outer surface of the inclined portion 41b of the locking claw 41.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the radial position of the rear end 41d of the lock claw end 41c may be located radially inward relative to the outermost diameter OD of the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32.

Here, the radial position of the rear end 41d of the locking claw refers to the radial position of the rear end 41d of the locking claw in the main body 32 in its natural state, where no external force is applied, before the grommet 10 is attached to the vehicle body panel 1.

The outermost diameter OD of the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32 here refers to the outermost diameter of the outer peripheral wall 32a of the annular main body 32 at a position other than the portion where the inner lock 40 is formed. The outermost diameter of the outer peripheral wall 32a may be the outermost diameter at the portion of the main body 32 that is in contact with or closest to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 in the radial direction on the outer periphery of the main body 32 in the grommet 10 attached to the through hole 2 of the vehicle body panel 1.

In this embodiment, a plurality of ribs 36 are provided on the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32 of the grommet inner 30. Therefore, the outermost diameter OD of the main body 32 is defined as the outer diameter at the position where the rib 36 protrudes most radially on the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32 in the natural state, as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, in the grommet inner 30, the position of the rear end 41d of the lock claw end 41c may be located inside the outermost diameter OD of the outer peripheral wall 32a including the rib 36 of the main body 32. Note that, when no radial protrusion such as the rib 36 is formed on the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32 as in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the outer peripheral wall 32a may simply be defined as the outermost diameter of the main body 32.

The large diameter cylindrical portion 12 of the grommet body 11 and the body portion 32A of the grommet inner 30 are each provided with alignment protrusions 18a, 37 to prevent the grommet inner 30 from being attached to the grommet body 11 in the wrong orientation. In the grommet 10 according to this embodiment, the alignment protrusion 37 on the grommet inner 30 side is formed in a semicircular shape and is provided on the top surface of the tip of the convex portion 33a. On the other hand, the alignment protrusion 18a on the grommet body 11 side is formed in a semicircular shape and is provided near the recess 18 in the large diameter cylindrical portion 12 of the grommet body 11.

In the grommet 10 according to this embodiment, the grommet body 11 and the grommet inner 30 each have alignment protrusions 18a, 37 to prevent incorrect assembly. This makes it possible to prevent the grommet inner 30 from being attached to the grommet body 11 in an incorrect orientation relative to the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the grommet body 11. In addition, incorrect assembly of the grommet inner 30 can be prevented by visually or otherwise confirming that the alignment protrusion 37 on the grommet inner 30 side is abutted against the alignment protrusion 18a on the grommet body 11 side.

Next, the function of the grommet 10 will be explained.

First, to assemble the grommet 10, a worker prepares the grommet body 11 with the electric wire W routed on its inner periphery, and attaches the grommet inner 30 to the large diameter tubular portion 12 of the grommet body 11. Here, the grommet inner 30 is divided into a first inner member 31a and a second inner member 31b in advance. Therefore, if the electric wire W has already passed through the through hole 2 in the vehicle body panel 1, the inner members can be combined to sandwich the large diameter tubular portion 12 of the grommet body 11 from both sides, making it easy to attach the grommet inner 30 to the large diameter tubular portion 12 of the grommet body 11. Through this procedure, the grommet 10 is attached to the electric wire W.

Next, regarding the attachment of the grommet 10 to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2, if the electric wire W has not yet been inserted through the through hole 2, the worker inserts the electric wire W exposed from the second small diameter tube portion 14 side of the grommet body 11 into the through hole 2. Next, the worker presses the entire grommet 10 against the through hole 2 while inserting the body portion 32 of the grommet inner 30 into the through hole 2. At this time, each lock claw 41 of the inner lock 40 is elastically deformed by the inclined portion 41b being displaced while contacting the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2, so that the insertion of the body portion 32 into the through hole 2 is permitted. When the body portion 32 is inserted to the insertion completion position, each lock claw 41 elastically returns to its original position, so that the locking step portion 41a engages with the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2, and the body portion 32 of the grommet inner 30 is locked to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2. At this time, the large diameter tubular portion 12 is positioned so that it can come into contact with the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 from one side of the vehicle body panel 1. When the grommet inner 30 is in this locked state, the lip portion 17 of the grommet body 11 is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the through hole 2 on the surface of the vehicle body panel 1. In other words, the vehicle body panel 1 is clamped between the locking step portion 41a on the grommet inner 30 side and the lip portion 17 on the grommet body 11 side. As a result, the grommet 10 is attached to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 so as to close the through hole 2.

Furthermore, when the grommet 10 is attached, the umbrella-shaped sound-proofing part 15 is folded back (see Figs. 4 and 5) with the folded-back part 22 as the base point so that the abutting side 15b of the sound-proofing part 15 faces the radially outward side of the grommet body 11. The sound-proofing part 15 in the state where the abutting side 15b of the sound-proofing part 15 is folded back so that the abutting side 15b faces the radially outward side of the grommet body 11 has a pleated shape with a plurality of pleats 23 provided in the circumferential direction, and the outer diameter D1 of the sound-proofing part 15 in this state is smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the through hole 2. Therefore, by inserting the grommet 10 into the through hole 2 with the sound-proofing part 15 contracted as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the sound-proofing part 15 is prevented from interfering with the peripheral part 2a of the through hole 2, so that the grommet 10 can be easily inserted into the through hole 2. Then, after attaching the grommet 10 to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 as described above, the sound insulation portion 15 is expanded by folding it toward the vehicle body panel 1, and the outer peripheral portion 15a of the sound insulation portion 15 is brought into close contact with the peripheral surface of the through hole 2 on the surface of the vehicle body panel 1.

Next, the effects of the grommet 10 equipped with the grommet inner 30 will be explained.

The grommet 10 according to the first aspect of this embodiment comprises a grommet body 11 that holds the electric wire W passing through a through hole 2 in the mounting member (vehicle body panel 1) on the inner periphery, and a grommet inner 30 that is attached to the outer periphery of the grommet body 11. The grommet 10 is inserted from one side of the vehicle body panel 1 to the other side.

The grommet body 11 is a cylindrical member formed of an elastic material. The grommet body 11 includes a large diameter cylindrical portion 12 that abuts against the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 from one side of the member to be attached when attached to the through hole 2 of the member to be attached, and a small diameter cylindrical portion 14 that is disposed on the other side of the member to be attached when attached to the through hole of the member to be attached. The large diameter cylindrical portion 12 has an outer diameter D1 that is larger than the opening diameter D2 of the through hole 2. The small diameter cylindrical portion 14 has a smaller diameter than the large diameter cylindrical portion 12.

The grommet inner 30 is formed of a material with higher rigidity than the grommet body 11. The grommet inner 30 includes a main body portion 32 that is attached to the large diameter cylindrical portion 12, and a number of inner locks 40 that are each provided along the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body portion 32 and engage the main body portion 32 with the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 when attached to the through hole 2 of the attachment member 1.

The main body 32 is an annular structure formed by combining a pair of members that are divided into two by an imaginary plane including the central axis of the grommet inner 30. The grommet inner 30 further includes a protective wall 38 on the outer peripheral wall 32a, which is provided adjacent to each of the multiple inner locks 40 in the circumferential direction of the main body 32. Each of the multiple inner locks 40 has a locking claw 41 that is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the main body 32.

Each locking claw 41 has a locking step 41a, an inclined portion 41b, and a locking claw end 41c. The locking step 41a is provided on the rear side of the locking claw 41 in the insertion direction and is configured to be able to lock onto the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2. The inclined portion 41b is inclined so that the radial outer surface of the main body 32 is positioned radially outward from the front end of the locking claw 41 in the insertion direction toward the locking step 41a. The locking claw end 41c is inclined so that the radial outer surface of the main body 32 is positioned radially inward from the locking step 41a toward the rear end 41d in the insertion direction. The rear end 38a in the insertion direction of the protective wall 38 is positioned rearward of the rear end 41d of the locking claw end 41c in the insertion direction.

In conventional grommets, when the grommet inner, which is made up of a pair of assembled components, is attached to the grommet body, the tip of the locking claw of the grommet inner may interfere with the flange edge of the grommet body, reducing the ease of attaching the grommet inner to the grommet body. Also, if the locking claw interferes with the flange edge of the grommet body (e.g., the lip portion) when attaching the grommet inner to the grommet body, there is a risk that excessive force will be applied to the locking claw, directing the end of the locking claw toward the outside of the outer periphery of the grommet inner.

In contrast, according to the grommet inner 30 or grommet 10 of the embodiment, the protective wall 38 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 32a of the grommet inner main body 32 so as to be adjacent to each of the multiple inner locks 40 in the circumferential direction of the main body 32. Therefore, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the grommet inner 30 is attached to the grommet main body 11, the lip portion 17 of the large diameter tube portion 12 of the grommet main body 11 is pressed down by the protective wall 38 of the grommet inner main body 32. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the rear end 38a in the insertion direction of each protective wall 38 is located rearward of the rear end 41d of the lock claw end 41c in the insertion direction. According to this configuration, in the installation work of the grommet inner 30 to the grommet main body 11, when the rear end 41d of the lock claw end 41c starts to pass over the lip portion 17 of the grommet main body 11 during the assembly work, the lip portion 17 is maintained in a pressed down state. This prevents the lock claws 41 from interfering with the grommet body 11 and applying excessive force to the lock claws 41 when the grommet inner 30 is attached to the grommet body 11.

In the grommet 10 according to the second aspect of this embodiment, the radially outermost end of the protective wall 38 of the main body 32 of the grommet inner 30 may be located radially inward from the radially outer surface of the inclined portion 41b of the lock claw 41.

With this configuration, during the process of inserting the grommet 10 into the through hole 2 of the vehicle body panel 1, the protective wall 38 does not prevent contact between the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2 and the inclined portion 41b of the locking claw 41. Therefore, the ease of installation of the grommet 10 into the through hole 2 of the vehicle body panel 1 is not reduced.

In addition, the grommet 10 according to the third aspect of this embodiment includes the grommet inner 30 of the grommet 10 according to the first or second aspect, and includes a grommet body 11 that holds the electric wire W passing through the through hole 2 in the vehicle body panel 1 on the inner periphery side. The grommet body 11 has a large diameter cylindrical portion 12 that is engaged with the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2, a first small diameter cylindrical portion 13 that is arranged on one side of the opening portion of the through hole 2, and a second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 that is arranged on the other side of the opening portion of the through hole 2. The grommet body 11 has an umbrella-shaped sound insulation portion 15 that extends from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side of the grommet body 11 and covers the opening portion of the through hole 2 from the other side. The sound insulation portion 15 is configured to be folded back so that the inner surface (abutment side surface 15b) of the sound insulation portion 15 faces the radially outward side of the grommet body 11, with the folded back portion 22 as the base point. When the sound-insulating part 15 is folded back so that its inner surface (contact surface 15b) faces radially outward from the grommet body 11, the sound-insulating part 15 has a pleated shape with multiple folds 23 provided in the circumferential direction, and the outer diameter D3 of the sound-insulating part 15 in this state is smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the through hole 2.

The sound insulation part 15 is formed in an umbrella or brim shape extending from the outer surface of the second enlarged tube part 21, and the outer diameter of the sound insulation part 15 in the expanded state as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is larger than the inner diameter D2 of the through hole 2. On the other hand, when the abutment side surface 15b of the sound insulation part 15 is folded back so as to face the radially outer side of the grommet body 11, the sound insulation part 15 has a pleated shape with multiple pleats 23 provided in the circumferential direction, and the outer diameter D3 of the sound insulation part 15 in this state is smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the through hole 2. Therefore, by inserting the grommet 10 into the through hole 2 in a state in which the sound insulation part 15 is contracted as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the sound insulation part 15 is prevented from interfering with the peripheral part 2a of the through hole 2, and the grommet 10 can be easily inserted into the through hole 2.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a grommet 10 that is advantageous in that it is possible to prevent interference with the vehicle body panel 1 during the work of attaching the grommet 10 to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2, and that improves workability when attaching the grommet 10 to the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2.

In addition, in the grommet 10 according to the fourth aspect of this embodiment, the radial position of the rear end 41d of the lock claw end 41c may be located radially inward relative to the outermost diameter OD of the outer peripheral wall 32a of the main body 32. With the grommet 10 having this configuration, even if the grommet body 11 elastically deforms and the grommet 10 is pushed excessively in the insertion direction, the lock claw end 41c can be effectively prevented from riding up onto the peripheral portion 2a of the through hole 2. Therefore, even if a force in the pull-out direction is applied to the grommet, the lock claw 41 can be effectively protected from excessive force that directs the lock claw end 41c toward the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the grommet inner 30.

In the grommet 10 according to the fifth aspect of this embodiment, the folded portion 22 is located at a position farther in the longitudinal direction of the grommet body 11 from the mounting member (body panel 1) than the outer peripheral edge portion 15a of the sound insulation portion 15.

By bending the contact side surface 15b of the sound insulation part 15 at a position higher than the outer peripheral edge 15a, it is possible to make it difficult for the sound insulation part 15 to return from the expanded state shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to the contracted state shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In addition, when the sound insulation part 15 is in the expanded state, the outer peripheral edge 15a of the sound insulation part 15 can generate a force that presses against the vehicle body panel 1, and the outer peripheral edge 15a of the sound insulation part 15 can be tightly attached to the peripheral surface of the through hole 2.

In the grommet 10 according to the sixth aspect of this embodiment, an expanded diameter cylindrical portion (second expanded diameter cylindrical portion 21) is provided between the second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 and the large diameter cylindrical portion 12, and the sound insulating portion 15 is formed so as to extend from the outer surface of the second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 or the expanded diameter cylindrical portion (second expanded diameter cylindrical portion 21). An annular groove 25 extending along the circumferential direction of the grommet body 11 is formed between the outer surface of the second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 or the expanded diameter cylindrical portion (second expanded diameter cylindrical portion 21) and the outer peripheral surface (non-abutting side surface 15d) of the sound insulating portion 15.

An annular groove 25 is provided between the outer surface of the second small diameter cylindrical portion 14 or the second enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 21 and the non-contact side surface 15d of the sound insulation portion 15. This allows the annular groove 25 to allow the portion of the base end of the sound insulation portion 15 that attempts to change into an elliptical shape when the sound insulation portion 15 is turned over from a contracted state to an expanded state to escape, reducing the force required to turn the sound insulation portion 15 over. In addition, even if the inner electric wire W is handled with the grommet 10 attached to the electric wire W, the movement of the electric wire W is unlikely to be transmitted to the entire sound insulation portion 15, making it difficult for the sound insulation portion 15 to return from the expanded state to the contracted state.

As a modification of this embodiment, the grommet 10 may be configured to hold a wire harness on the inner periphery of the grommet body 11 instead of the electric wire W.

When a wire harness equipped with the grommet 10 according to this modified example is used, the locking claw 41 can be protected from excessive force that directs the locking claw end 41c toward the outside of the outer periphery of the grommet inner 30, even if a force is applied to the grommet in the pulling direction.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle body panel 2 through hole 2a peripheral portion of through hole 10 grommet 11 grommet body 12 large diameter cylindrical portion 13 first small diameter cylindrical portion 14 second small diameter cylindrical portion 15 sound insulating portion 15a outer peripheral edge portion 15b contact side surface 15d non-contact side surface 21 second enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 22 folded portion 23 pleat 25 annular groove 26 blocking portion 27 groove portion 28 rib 30 grommet inner 31a first inner member 31b second inner member 32 body portion 32a outer peripheral wall 36 rib 38 protective wall 40 inner lock 41 lock claw 41a engaging step portion 41b inclined portion 41c lock claw end portion 41d rear end D1 outer diameter D2 inner diameter OD Outer diameter of the outer surface of the inner grommet body W Electric wire

Claims (5)

A grommet comprising: a grommet body that holds, on an inner periphery thereof, an electric wire that passes through a through hole in a workpiece; and a grommet inner that is attached to an outer periphery of the grommet body, the grommet being inserted from one side of the workpiece to the other side,
The grommet body is
A cylindrical member formed of an elastic material,
a large-diameter cylindrical portion having an outer diameter larger than an opening diameter of the through hole, the large-diameter cylindrical portion being arranged so as to be able to contact a peripheral portion of the through hole from the one side of the workpiece when the workpiece is attached to the through hole of the workpiece;
a small diameter cylindrical portion having a smaller diameter than the large diameter cylindrical portion and disposed on the other side of the workpiece when the workpiece is attached to the through hole of the workpiece,
The grommet inner member is
The grommet body is made of a material having a higher rigidity than the grommet body.
a main body portion that is attached to the large-diameter cylindrical portion; and a pair of members that are divided into two by a virtual plane that includes a central axis of the grommet inner member and that are assembled together, the main body portion being an annular structure that is attached to the large-diameter cylindrical portion.
a plurality of inner locks each provided along an outer peripheral wall of the main body portion, the inner locks engaging the main body portion with the peripheral portion of the through hole in a state where the main body portion is attached to the through hole of the attachment member;
a protective wall provided on the outer circumferential wall and adjacent to each of the inner locks in the circumferential direction of the main body portion,
Each of the plurality of inner locks has a lock claw that is elastically deformable in a radial direction of the main body portion,
Each locking claw is
a locking step portion provided on a rear side of the locking claw in the insertion direction and capable of being locked to a peripheral portion of the through hole;
an inclined portion inclined such that the radially outer surface is positioned radially outward from the front end of the lock claw in the insertion direction toward the locking step portion;
a lock claw end portion inclined such that an outer surface in the radial direction is positioned radially inward as it moves from the locking step portion toward a rear end in the insertion direction;
Equipped with
A grommet in which a rear end of the protective wall in the insertion direction is located rearward of the rear end of the lock claw end portion in the insertion direction. The grommet according to claim 1, wherein the radially outermost end of the protective wall of the main body is located radially inward of the radially outer surface of the inclined portion of the locking claw. A wire harness comprising the grommet according to claim 1 or 2. A grommet inner is configured to be attached to an outer periphery of a grommet body that holds, on its inner periphery, an electric wire passing through a through hole in a workpiece, the electric wire being inserted from one side of the workpiece to the other side, the grommet inner comprising:
The grommet inner member is
The grommet body is made of a material having a higher rigidity than the grommet body.
A ring-shaped structure formed by combining a pair of members divided into two by a virtual plane including a central axis of the grommet inner, the main body being attachable to the grommet main body;
a plurality of inner locks each provided along an outer peripheral wall of the main body portion, the inner locks being attached to an outer peripheral portion of the grommet body and capable of engaging the main body portion with a peripheral portion of the through hole in a state where the main body portion is attached to the through hole of the attachment member;
a protective wall provided on the outer circumferential wall and adjacent to each of the inner locks in the circumferential direction of the main body portion,
Each of the plurality of inner locks has a lock claw that is elastically deformable in a radial direction of the main body portion,
Each locking claw is
a locking step portion provided on a rear side of the locking claw in the insertion direction and capable of being locked to a peripheral portion of the through hole;
an inclined portion inclined such that the radially outer surface is positioned radially outward from the front end of the lock claw in the insertion direction toward the locking step portion;
a lock claw end portion inclined such that an outer surface in the radial direction is positioned radially inward as it moves from the locking step portion toward a rear end in the insertion direction;
Equipped with
An inner grommet, wherein a rear end of the protective wall in the insertion direction is located rearward of the rear end of the lock claw end portion in the insertion direction. The grommet inner according to claim 4, wherein the radially outermost end of the protective wall of the main body is located radially inward of the radially outer surface of the inclined portion of the locking claw.

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