JP2004187354A - Grommet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a sealing property to the vehicle body panel of a grommet from being damaged even if a wire drawn out of the grommet is bent. <P>SOLUTION: This grommet is equipped with a diameter-expanded cylinder 12, a small-diameter cylinder 11 which continues to the inner diameter side of the diameter-expanded cylinder 12, and a vehicle body locking recess 16 which is formed at the periphery of the diameter-expanded cylinder 12. A plurality of ribs are projected axially from the tip of the side wall on small-diameter side near the vehicle body locking recess to the position of a gap formed at a coupling section with the small-diameter cylinder at the external surface of the diameter-expanded cylinder. They are opened radially on the large-diameter side of the diameter-expanded cylinder, and also are brought densely close to one another on the small-diameter side. Besides, each rib is increased in thickness gradually from the position of its contacting with the inner brim of the through hole of the panel of the vehicle body to the tip on small-diameter side, the gap is formed via the coupling section between the rib large in thickness and the small-diameter cylinder 11, and a recessed groove is formed on the internal perimeter side of the coupling section thereby making a thin part 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明が属する技術分野】
本発明はグロメットに関し、詳しくは、自動車に配索するワイヤハーネスに組みつけて、車体パネルの貫通穴に一方向から押し込んで装着するワンモーショングロメットで、特に、グロメットから引き出されたワイヤハーネスが屈曲した場合にも貫通穴とのシール性が損なわれないようにするものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、自動車のエンジンルームから車室内へ配索されるワイヤハーネスにはグロメットを装着して、エンジンルームと車室とを仕切る車体パネルの貫通穴にグロメットを取り付けて、貫通穴を通るワイヤハーネスの保護およびエンジンルーム側から車室への防水、防塵、遮音を図っている。
【０００３】
この種のグロメットとして、本出願人は先に特開平２００２−１７１６４５号公報で図１３（Ａ）（Ｂ）に示すようなグロメットを含め多数のグロメットを提供している。
図１３に示すグロメット１は、拡径筒部２と、該拡径筒部２の小径側に連続する小径筒部３を備え、該拡径筒部２の大径側に車体係止凹部４を設け、車体係止凹部４の溝４ａを挟む両側壁は、大径側が垂直壁４ｂで、対向する小径側は傾斜壁４ｃとし、該拡径筒部２の外表面には複数の突条部２ａを傾斜壁先端から小径筒部３との連結側まで放射状に突設している。該グロメット１に対してワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈを小径筒部３から拡径筒部２の中空部を通して貫通し、小径筒部３の先端側でテープＴにより固着している。
【０００４】
車体パネルＰの貫通穴Ｈへの装着作業は、エンジンルーム側の室外からグロメット１の小径筒部３を貫通穴Ｈに挿入し、拡径筒部２が貫通穴Ｈの内周面に接触した時点から力を入れた押し込んで拡径筒部２を内方に潰すように変形させて貫通穴を通過させ、通過後に復帰する傾斜壁４ｃと垂直壁４ｂとを車体パネルＰの両面に密着させて、グロメット１の車体係止凹部４を車体パネルＰの貫通穴Ｈに装着している。該グロメット１は、貫通穴への一方向からの押し込み、即ち、ワンモーションによる装着作業時に突条部２ａが貫通穴Ｈの内周縁に接触し、拡径筒部２の外表面全体が接触する場合より接触面積を低減することにより挿入抵抗を低減して装着作業性を高めている。
かつ、貫通穴Ｈへの取付後においては、ワイヤハーネスにエンジンルーム方向への引張力が作用しても、突条部２ａの先端が小径筒部３の外周面に圧接して小径筒部３の移動を抑制し、グロメット１の車体係止凹部４が貫通穴Ｈから外れることを防止し、グロメットの保持力を強めている。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開平２００２−１７１６４５号公報
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記図１３に示すワンモーションのグロメット１は、車体パネルの貫通穴への装着作業性が良いと共に、貫通穴への取付後の保持力も高い利点を有するが、該グロメット１から引き出されたワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈが図１４に示すように急角度で屈曲された時、拡径筒部２が変形する。この変形で車体係止凹部４の底面に突設したシールリップ４ａから車体パネルＰの貫通穴Ｈの内周縁が浮き上がり、シール性が損なわれて浸水が生じる恐れがある。
【０００７】
本発明は上記した問題に鑑みてなされたもので、グロメットから引き出されたワイヤハーネスが急角度で屈曲されてもシール性を確保できることを課題としている。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するため、本発明は、拡径筒部と、該拡径筒部の小径側に連続する小径筒部とを備え、これら拡径筒部と小径筒部に自動車用ワイヤハーネスを貫通させて取り付けた状態で、上記小径筒部側から車体の貫通穴に挿入し、上記拡径筒部の外周面に環状に設けた車体係止凹部を車体パネルに係止するグロメットであって、
上記車体係止凹部の小径側壁を内方に撓ませて、上記貫通穴を通過させるようにしており、
上記拡径筒部の外表面に上記車体係止凹部の小径側壁の先端から上記小径筒部の連結部との間に隙間をあけた位置まで軸線方向に複数の突条部を突設し、拡径筒部の大径側では放射状に広げると共に小径側では密に近接させ、かつ、該突条部は上記車体パネルの貫通穴内周縁と接触する位置から小径側先端まで次第に肉厚を大とし、該肉厚が大の突条部と上記小径筒部との間に連結部を介して隙間を設け、該連結部の内周面側に凹状の窪みを設けて薄肉部を存在させていることを特徴とするグロメットを提供している。
【０００９】
上記構成とすると、拡径筒部と小径筒部との連結部に薄肉部を介在させているため、該薄肉部が支点となって拡径筒部に影響を及ぼすことなく小径筒部を屈曲させることができる。よって、エンジルーム側の室外から車体パネルの貫通穴を通り室内側へと上記小径筒部から引き出されるワイヤハーネスを急角度で屈曲させた場合、小径筒部をワイヤハーネスと共に急角度で屈曲できると共に、該小径筒部の屈曲は上記薄肉部を支点として屈曲されるため、拡径筒部には変形を生じさせず、該拡径筒部の大径側に形成した車体係止凹部も変形せず、車体パネルとの間のシール性を確保することができる。
【００１０】
また、拡径筒部の外表面に突出する突条部は上記小径筒部との連結部近傍に近接させると共に、小径側壁先端側では放射状に広げ、隣接する突条部の間に窪みを生じさせ、かつ、上記小径筒部の連結部側に位置させる上記突条部の先端面は上記小径筒部の軸線方向と略平行に形成し、小径筒部の外周面に隙間をあけてラップさせている。
【００１１】
拡径筒部の外表面に突出する突条部を上記構成とすると、グロメットを車体パネルの貫通穴に装着する時、拡径筒部の外表面全面が貫通穴の内周面と接触せず、突条部の表面のみが貫通穴の内周面と接触して接触抵抗が低減し、突条部の間の窪み部となる拡径筒部外表面が内側に変形して、低挿入力でグロメットを車体パネルに装着することができる。
また、車体パネルの貫通穴へのグロメット装着時に挿入力を低減できると同時に装着後においてグロメットの車体への保持力を高めることができる。即ち、グロメット装着後に、ワイヤハーネスに引っ張り力が生じた場合に、突条部の先端が小径筒部の外周面に圧接してワイヤハーネスの移動を阻止し、車体係止凹部が貫通穴の周縁から外れるのを防止できる。
【００１２】
詳しくは、拡径筒部は、その小径端から車体係止凹部までの傾斜角度は、車体パネルの貫通穴内周円と上記突条部が接触する位置で傾斜角度を変え、小径側は傾斜角度を大とすると共に大径側は傾斜角度を小とし、かつ、該傾斜角度が小さい大径側の突条部では、上記車体係止凹部の小径側壁先端までの間で角度を変え、該角度変位点に溝を設けると共に先端で小径側壁の先端と同一高さとなるように突条部の肉厚を次第に薄くしている。
【００１３】
また、上記小径筒部から拡径筒部内部に突出させた小径筒延在部を設け、該小径筒延在部にワイヤハーネスの線間止水部を貫通させて止水部としている。
上記小径筒延在部には、予め線間止水剤が充填されているワイヤハーネスを密嵌状態で貫通させている。
上記構成とすると、止水剤が硬化してくる止水部が拡径筒部より突出した小径筒部に位置しないため、ワイヤハーネスを小径筒部と共に容易に屈曲させることが可能となり、車体パネルから突出したグロメットの拡径筒部の長さを短くしていることと合わせて、車体パネルを貫通したワイヤハーネスを屈曲して車体パネルに沿って配索する場合に、グロメット用およびワイヤハーネス用のスペースをより少なくすることができる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面を参照して説明する。
グロメット１０はゴムまたはエラストマーで一体成形しており、円錐状に拡径する拡径筒部１２の小径側端に第１小径筒部１１を連続させて突設していると共に、拡径筒部１２の大径側には薄肉の半割れ状の閉鎖部２０を設け、該閉鎖部の中央より第２小径筒部２１を突設し、拡径筒部１２の大径側の外周に車体係止凹部１６を環状に設けている。
上記拡径筒部１２の外表面には複数の突条部１３を放射状に突設すると共に、上記拡径筒部１２の内部には上記第１小径筒部１１と連続させた小径筒延在部１８を設けている
【００１５】
円錐形状の拡径筒部１２は詳細には、その小径端Ｐ１から車体係止凹部Ｐ２までの傾斜角度は、車体パネルの貫通穴内周円と上記突条部が接触点Ｐ３で傾斜角度を変え、小径側は傾斜角度を大とすると共に大径側は傾斜角度を小としている。
【００１６】
上記拡径筒部１２の外表面に突設する上記突条部１３は、周方向に間隔をあけて８本設け、グロメット軸線方向に延在する８本の突条部１３を突設し、車体係止凹部１６を挟む小径側壁１６ｂの先端から第１小径筒部１１との連結部と隙間をあけた近傍位置まで軸線方向に延在させている。
上記環状となる隙間の位置には、拡径筒部１２の内周面の位置に環状の凹部１２ｘを設け、隙間を薄肉部２５としている。
この薄肉部２５を設けることにより第１小径筒部１１は拡径筒部１２に対して容易屈曲させられるようになり、かつ、第１小径筒部１１を屈曲させても拡径筒部１２には影響が及ばないように出来る。
【００１７】
上記突条部１３の幅は軸線方向Ｌで同一としているため、図１に示すように、小径筒部１１側から小径側壁１６ｂ側にかけて放射状に拡がった状態で延在する。小径筒部１１側の突条部１３の先端部１３ａは隣接する突条部１３同士を密に配置し、小径側壁１６ｂ側の突条部１３の端部１３ｃでは隣接する突条部１３の間には間隔があき、拡径筒部１２の外周面からなる三角形状の窪み部１４が小径側から大径側へと広がる方向に生じる。
【００１８】
また、上記突条部１３の小径側先端部１３ａは、第１小径筒部１１の軸線方向と平行となるように傾斜させて形成し、第１小径筒部１１の外周面に隙間をあけてラップさせている。
【００１９】
上記突条部１３の突出量は、図２に示すように、小径側の先端部１３ａから車体パネルＰの貫通穴Ｈへの挿通時に貫通穴周縁との接触点となる位置Ｐ３まで漸次減少させ、該位置Ｐ３から小径側壁１６ｂの先端と同じ高さとなる位置Ｐ４までは傾斜角度を小さく変え、該位置Ｐ４から終端部Ｐ２まではグロメット１０の軸線方向Ｌと略平行な平坦部としていると共に、上記位置Ｐ４に切欠部１７を断面Ｖ字状に凹設している。
【００２０】
上記拡径筒部１２内には第１小径筒部１１と連続させた小径筒延在部１８を突出させ、該小径筒延在部１８の先端１８ｃは、拡径筒部１２の外周に設けている車体係止凹部１６と略同一位置まで延出している。また、小径筒延在部１８と小径筒部１１の内径は挿通されるワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈの外径よりも小さく設定することでワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈが密嵌できる構成とし、かつ、小径延在部１８の内周面に軸線方向Ｌに間隔をあけて３つの環状のリブ１８ａを突設している。
また、小径筒延在部１８の外面１８を先端１８ｃから拡径筒部１２との連結点である基端に向けて肉厚が大となるようにテーパー形状としている。
さらに、図２および図５〜７に示すように、小径筒延在部１８の外周面から４つの略台形状のリブ１９を等間隔をかけて軸線方向に突設ている。これらリブ１９の小径筒部側は拡径筒部１２の内面に連結している。
また、拡径筒部１２から外方に突出する第１小径筒部１１の外周面には、２本の環状リブ１１ａを設けると共に、小径筒部１１の先端側の側面に対向して２つのスリット１１ｂを切り欠いている。
【００２１】
車体係止凹部１６は、図８に示すように、大径端側に突出させた大径側壁１６ａと、底部１６ｃを挟んで対向させた小径側壁１６ｂとからなり、底部１６ｃは、その奥に前後方向の肉抜部１６ｄ、１６ｅを設けると共に底部１６ｃよりリップ１６ｆを突出させている。
【００２２】
上記拡径筒部１３の大径側端面には薄肉半割れ状として上記閉鎖部２０を設け、該閉鎖部２０の中央より前記第２小径筒部２１の半環状部２１ｃ、２１ｂを突出させて、前記第２小径筒部２１を設けている。
【００２３】
また、グロメット１０にはウオッシャー用チューブとフードケーブルを貫通させるための２本のケーブル挿通筒部２２、２３を一体成形している。
ケーブル挿通筒部２２、２３は、拡径筒部１２の外周面の窪み部１４に開口２２ａ、２３ａを設け、拡径筒部１２内を通り、閉鎖面部２０より突出させている。この突出部２２ｂ、２３ｂの突出端は閉鎖部２２ｃ、２３ｃとし、ケーブルを通す時に切断部２２ｄ、２３ｄで切断して開口としている。また、一方のケーブル挿通部２２の内周面には密着用の環状リブ２２ｅを２つ突設していると共に、他方のケーブル挿通部２３の内周面には図９に示すように、上記環状リブ２２ｅよりも突出量が大きく、かつ、突出方向が傾斜した環状リブ２３ｅを２つ突設している。
【００２４】
また、図４に示すように、閉鎖部２０のケーブル挿通筒部２２、２３の周囲には切欠２４を設けると共に、ケーブル挿通部２２、２３の外周に４つのリブ２２ｇ、２３ｇを突出し、かつ、１つの連結部２２ｆ、２３ｆで拡径筒部内面２０ａと連結している。
【００２５】
つぎに、上記構成のグロメット１０をワイヤハーネスに取り付ける方法について説明する。
まず、ライン上で電線群の間に止水剤が充填されて線間止水を施されたワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈをグロメット１０に貫通させる。
詳しくは、図１２（Ａ）（Ｂ）に示すように、ワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈを構成する各電線Ｗの間の隙間に止水剤Ｓを充填して止水部Ａを設け、該止水部Ａが小径筒延在部１８に位置するように、ワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈを第１小径筒部１１、小径筒延在部１８および第２小径筒部２１に挿通し、ワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈと各小径筒部１１、２１とをテープＴで巻いて固定する。
この際、第１小径筒部１１および小径筒延在部１８の内径はワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈの外径よりも小さく設定されているので、広げながら小径筒部１１および小径筒延在部１８にワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈを通して、該ワイヤハーネスの外周面に密着させている。
これにより、小径筒延在部１８での断面は、図１２（Ｂ）に示すように、小径筒延在部１８の環状リブ１８ａがワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈの外周面に密着し、止水剤Ｓの充填と合わせて完全な防水対策が為されている。
【００２６】
次に、グロメット１０の装着作業について説明する。
エンジンルーム側室外側（Ｙ）側よりグロメット１０の第１小径筒部１１を車体パネルＰの貫通穴Ｈを通して室内側（Ｘ）に押し込む。
グロメット１０の拡径筒部１２が貫通穴Ｈを通り、貫通穴Ｈの内径と同一となる突条部１３の接触点１３ｂに達すると、突条部１３と貫通穴Ｈ内周面との圧接で節度感を作業者に発生させる。作業者はこの時点から、グロメット１０を一気に押し込み、突条部１３を押し潰すように貫通穴Ｈに貫通させる。
この際、突条部１３の間の窪み部１４があるため、窪み部１４が撓んで、拡径筒部１２をスムーズに縮径させることができる。かつ、突条部１３の傾斜角度も緩やかとしているため、低挿入力で押し込むことができる。
【００２７】
さらに、突条部１３の外面が、車体係止凹部１６の小径側壁１６ｂの先端突出部と同一高さに達すると、貫通穴Ｈの周縁が切欠部１７に嵌り作業者に２回目の節度感を与える。この位置１３ｄから突条部１３の外面は軸方向と平行な平坦面となり、貫通穴Ｈ内に真っすぐな状態で小径側壁１６ｂの突出端が貫通するようにガイドされるので、２回目の節度感からはただ押し込むだけで貫通穴Ｈをスムーズに車体係止凹部１６に落とし込んで係止させることできる。
【００２８】
詳しくは、突条部１３の外面を貫通穴Ｈの内周面で押圧し、拡径筒部１２を縮径させながら小径側壁１６ｂの突出端が貫通穴Ｈを通過し、小径側壁１６ｂが貫通穴Ｈを通過すると、初期位置に弾性復帰し、小径側壁１６ｂと大径側壁１６ａの間の溝内に貫通穴Ｈの周縁部が落し込まれ、底部１６ｃのリップ１６ｆと車体パネルと圧接して、グロメット１０は車体パネルＰの貫通穴Ｈにシール状態で係止され、グロメット１０を一方向へ移動させるだけのワンモーションで車体パネルの貫通穴に装着することができる。
【００２９】
上記構成のグロメット１０によると、第１小径筒部１１と拡径筒部１２との間に薄肉部２５が存在しているため、第１小径筒部１１から引き出されたワイヤハーネスを急角度で屈曲させて車体パネルに沿って配索する時、第１小径筒部１１を上記薄肉部２５を基点としてワイヤハーネスと共に屈曲させることができる。
其の際、ワイヤハーネスの硬度を有する止水部Ａが拡径筒部１２内部に位置する小径筒延在部１８に位置し、第１小径筒部１１内に存在しないことも合わせて、第１小径筒部１１をワイヤハーネスと共に屈曲させることができる。
【００３０】
この第１小径筒部１２を屈曲させた際、薄肉部２５を介在させているため、第１小径筒部１２のみが屈曲し、拡径筒部１２には変形を発生させない。よって、拡径筒部１２の大径側に設けた車体係止凹部１６も変形せず車体パネルＰとのシール性を保持できる。
【００３１】
また、小径筒延在部１８と小径筒部１１の内径をワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈの外径よりも小さくしているので、ワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈが小径筒部１１と小径筒部延在部１８の両方と密着し止水性を向上させることができる。
さらに、小径筒延在部１８の内周面に複数の環状のリブ１８ａを突出させているので、リブ１８ａでワイヤハーネスＷ／Ｈと強く密着させることができ、止水性をより向上させることができる。
【００３２】
さらに、拡径筒部１２の外周面に突条部１３を突設することで、挿入抵抗が低減でき、挿入作業性を高めることができる。かつ、突条部１３の先端部１３ａを第１小径筒部１１の外周面にオーバラップさせているため、ワイヤハーネスが室外側に引っ張られると突条部１３の端面が第１小径筒部１１の外周面に密着してワイヤハーネスの移動を阻止し、グロメット１０を貫通穴から外れることを確実に阻止する。
【００３３】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明より明らかなように、本発明のグロメットによれば、ワイヤハーネスと共に屈曲される第１小径筒部と拡径筒部との間に薄肉部を介在させているため、第１小径筒部は薄肉部を基点として屈曲し、拡径筒部には変形を生じさせず、該拡径筒部の大径側に設けた車体係止凹部は変形せず車体パネルとのシール性を保持でき、室内側への浸水発生を防止できる。
かつ、拡径筒部に連続する第１小径筒部をワイヤハーネスと共に屈曲させることができるため、グロメットの突出量を少なくできると共に、ワイヤハーネスを急角度で屈曲できるためワイヤハーネスの配索スペースを減少できる。
【００３４】
さらに、拡径筒部の外表面に突条部を設けているため、グロメットを車体パネルの貫通穴へ装着する時の接触抵抗を低減でき、低挿入力とすることが出来ると共に、該突条部の先端を第１小径筒部の外周面にオーバラップさせているため、ワイヤハーネスに引っ張り力が作用しても突条部の先端が第１小径筒部の外周面に圧接して第１小径筒部の移動を抑制でき、その結果、グロメットの車体への保持力を高めることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態のグロメットの右側面図である。
【図２】（Ａ）は図１のＩＩ−ＩＩ線断面図、（Ｂ）は要部拡大図である。
【図３】図１のＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ線断面図である。
【図４】上記グロメットの左側面図である。
【図５】図２のＩＶ−ＩＶ線断面図である。
【図６】要部拡大断面図である。
【図７】要部拡大断面図である。
【図８】車体係止凹部の要部拡大断面図である。
【図９】ケーブル挿通筒部の要部拡大断面図である。
【図１０】グロメットの斜視図である。
【図１１】グロメットの斜視図である。
【図１２】（Ａ）はグロメットの車体取付状態を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は小径筒延在部の断面図である。
【図１３】（Ａ）（Ｂ）は従来のグロメットを示す図面である。
【図１４】従来の問題点を示す図面である。
【符号の説明】
１０ グロメット
１１ 第１小径筒部（小径筒部）
１２ 拡径筒部
１３ 突条部
１３ａ 先端面
１４ 窪み部
１６ 車体係止凹部
１８ 小径筒延在部
２５ 薄肉部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a grommet, and more particularly, to a one-motion grommet that is assembled to a wire harness to be routed to an automobile and is pushed into a through hole of a vehicle body panel from one direction and mounted, and in particular, a wire harness pulled out from the grommet is bent. In this case, the sealing performance with the through hole is not impaired.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a grommet is attached to a wire harness that is routed from the engine room of an automobile to the vehicle interior, and a grommet is attached to a through hole of a vehicle body panel that separates the engine room and the vehicle compartment, and a wire harness that passes through the through hole is provided. The protection, waterproofness, dustproofing and sound insulation from the engine compartment side to the vehicle compartment are achieved.
[0003]
As a grommet of this kind, the present applicant has previously provided a large number of grommets including a grommet as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-171645.
The grommet 1 shown in FIG. 13 includes a large-diameter cylinder portion 2 and a small-diameter cylinder portion 3 that is continuous with the small-diameter side of the large-diameter cylinder portion 2. The large-diameter side is a vertical wall 4b and the opposing small-diameter side is an inclined wall 4c, and a plurality of ridges are provided on the outer surface of the enlarged-diameter cylindrical portion 2. The portion 2a is projected radially from the tip of the inclined wall to the side connected to the small-diameter cylindrical portion 3. The wire harness W / H penetrates the grommet 1 from the small-diameter tube portion 3 through the hollow portion of the large-diameter tube portion 2, and is fixed by a tape T at the tip end of the small-diameter tube portion 3.
[0004]
For mounting the vehicle body panel P into the through hole H, the small-diameter cylindrical portion 3 of the grommet 1 was inserted into the through hole H from the outside on the engine room side, and the enlarged cylindrical portion 2 contacted the inner peripheral surface of the through hole H. From the point in time, the diametrically enlarged cylindrical portion 2 is deformed so as to be squashed inward by passing it through the through hole, and the inclined wall 4c and the vertical wall 4b which return after passing are brought into close contact with both surfaces of the vehicle body panel P. Thus, the vehicle body retaining recess 4 of the grommet 1 is mounted in the through hole H of the vehicle body panel P. The grommet 1 is pushed into the through hole from one direction, that is, at the time of mounting operation by one motion, the ridge 2a comes into contact with the inner peripheral edge of the through hole H, and the entire outer surface of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 2 comes into contact. By reducing the contact area more than in the case, the insertion resistance is reduced and the mounting workability is improved.
Further, after the wire harness is attached to the through-hole H, even if a tensile force acts on the wire harness in the engine room direction, the tip of the ridge 2a comes into pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 3 so that the small-diameter cylindrical portion 3 is pressed. Of the grommet 1 is prevented from coming off from the through hole H, and the holding force of the grommet 1 is increased.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-171645 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The one-motion grommet 1 shown in FIG. 13 has an advantage that the workability of mounting the vehicle body panel in the through hole is good and the holding force after the grommet 1 is mounted in the through hole is high. When W / H is bent at a steep angle as shown in FIG. 14, the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 2 is deformed. Due to this deformation, the inner peripheral edge of the through hole H of the vehicle body panel P rises from the seal lip 4a protruding from the bottom surface of the vehicle body retaining concave portion 4, and the sealing performance may be impaired and water may be generated.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide a sealing property even when a wire harness pulled out from a grommet is bent at a steep angle.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes an enlarged-diameter tube portion, and a small-diameter tube portion that is continuous on the small-diameter side of the enlarged-diameter tube portion. A grommet that is inserted into the through-hole of the vehicle body from the small-diameter tube portion side in a state where the small-diameter tube portion is attached to the vehicle body, and a vehicle-body locking recess provided annularly on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter tube portion is locked to the vehicle body panel. ,
The small diameter side wall of the vehicle body locking recess is bent inward to pass through the through hole,
A plurality of ridges project in the axial direction from an end of the small-diameter side wall of the vehicle body locking recess to a position having a gap between the tip of the small-diameter side wall of the vehicle body locking concave portion and a connecting portion of the small-diameter cylinder on the outer surface of the large-diameter cylinder, On the large diameter side of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion, it is spread radially, and on the small diameter side, it is closely approached, and the ridge portion gradually increases in thickness from the position in contact with the inner peripheral edge of the through hole of the vehicle body panel to the tip on the small diameter side. A gap is provided between the thick ridge portion and the small-diameter cylindrical portion via a connecting portion, and a concave recess is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the connecting portion so that a thin portion exists. A grommet is provided.
[0009]
With the above configuration, since the thin portion is interposed at the connecting portion between the large-diameter cylindrical portion and the small-diameter cylindrical portion, the small-diameter cylindrical portion is bent without affecting the large-diameter cylindrical portion with the thin portion serving as a fulcrum. Can be done. Therefore, when the wire harness drawn out of the small-diameter tube portion from the outdoor on the engine room side through the through hole of the vehicle body panel toward the room is bent at a steep angle, the small-diameter tube portion can be bent at a steep angle together with the wire harness. Since the small-diameter cylindrical portion is bent with the thin portion as a fulcrum, the large-diameter cylindrical portion is not deformed, and the vehicle-body locking concave portion formed on the large-diameter side of the large-diameter cylindrical portion is also deformed. Therefore, the sealing property between the panel and the vehicle body panel can be ensured.
[0010]
In addition, the protruding ridge projecting from the outer surface of the enlarged-diameter tube portion is brought close to the vicinity of the connection portion with the small-diameter tube portion, and is radially expanded on the distal end side of the small-diameter side wall, so that a dent is formed between the adjacent ridge portions. And, the tip end surface of the ridge portion located on the connecting portion side of the small-diameter cylindrical portion is formed substantially parallel to the axial direction of the small-diameter cylindrical portion, and is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion with a gap. ing.
[0011]
With the above configuration of the ridge projecting from the outer surface of the enlarged diameter cylinder portion, when the grommet is mounted in the through hole of the vehicle body panel, the entire outer surface of the enlarged diameter cylinder portion does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. , Only the surface of the ridge portion comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole, the contact resistance is reduced, and the outer surface of the enlarged-diameter cylindrical portion serving as a recess between the ridge portions is deformed inward, resulting in low insertion force. Allows the grommet to be mounted on the vehicle body panel.
Further, the insertion force can be reduced when the grommet is mounted on the through hole of the vehicle body panel, and at the same time, the holding force of the grommet on the vehicle body after the mounting can be increased. That is, when a pulling force is generated in the wire harness after the grommet is mounted, the tip of the ridge portion is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion to prevent the movement of the wire harness, and the vehicle body locking recess is formed around the periphery of the through hole. Can be prevented from coming off.
[0012]
Specifically, the inclination angle of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion from the small diameter end to the vehicle body locking concave portion is changed at a position where the inner circumferential circle of the through hole of the vehicle body panel contacts the above-mentioned ridge portion, and the small diameter side has an inclination angle. And the large-diameter side has a small inclination angle, and the large-diameter side ridge having a small inclination angle changes the angle between the small-diameter side wall tip of the vehicle-body engaging recess and the angle. A groove is provided at the displacement point, and the thickness of the ridge is gradually reduced so that the tip is flush with the tip of the small diameter side wall.
[0013]
In addition, a small-diameter tube extending portion protruding from the small-diameter tube portion to the inside of the large-diameter tube portion is provided, and the inter-line water stopping portion of the wire harness is penetrated into the small-diameter tube extending portion to form a water stopping portion.
A wire harness, which is filled in advance with a line-stopping agent, is passed through the small-diameter cylindrical extension in a tightly fitted state.
With the above configuration, the water-stopping portion where the water-stopping agent hardens is not located in the small-diameter tubular portion protruding from the large-diameter tubular portion, so that the wire harness can be easily bent together with the small-diameter tubular portion, and the vehicle body panel When the wire harness that penetrates the vehicle body panel is bent and routed along the vehicle body panel together with the shortening of the diameter of the expanded cylindrical part of the grommet that protrudes from the grommet, it is used for the grommet and the wire harness. Space can be reduced.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The grommet 10 is integrally formed of rubber or an elastomer, and has a first small-diameter tube portion 11 continuously protruding from a small-diameter side end of a conical-diameter enlarged-diameter tube portion 12. A thin, half-slit closed portion 20 is provided on the large-diameter side of 12, and a second small-diameter tubular portion 21 is protruded from the center of the closed portion. The stop recess 16 is provided in an annular shape.
A plurality of ridges 13 are radially protruded from the outer surface of the enlarged-diameter tube portion 12, and a small-diameter tube extending inside the enlarged-diameter tube portion 12 is connected to the first small-diameter tube portion 11. A portion 18 is provided.
More specifically, the inclination angle from the small-diameter end P1 to the vehicle body engaging concave portion P2 of the conical enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 12 is changed at the contact point P3 between the inner peripheral circle of the through hole of the vehicle body panel and the above-mentioned ridge portion. The small-diameter side has a large inclination angle and the large-diameter side has a small inclination angle.
[0016]
Eight ridges 13 projecting from the outer surface of the diameter-enlarged cylindrical portion 12 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, and eight ridges 13 extending in the grommet axial direction are provided. It extends in the axial direction from the tip of the small-diameter side wall 16b sandwiching the vehicle body retaining recess 16 to a position close to the connection with the first small-diameter cylindrical portion 11 with a gap.
At the position of the annular gap, an annular concave portion 12x is provided at the position of the inner peripheral surface of the diameter-enlarged cylindrical portion 12, and the gap is a thin portion 25.
By providing the thin portion 25, the first small-diameter tube portion 11 can be easily bent with respect to the large-diameter tube portion 12, and even if the first small-diameter tube portion 11 is bent, the first small-diameter tube portion 11 can be bent. Can be unaffected.
[0017]
Since the width of the ridge 13 is the same in the axial direction L, as shown in FIG. 1, the ridge 13 extends radially from the small-diameter cylindrical portion 11 to the small-diameter side wall 16b. The tip 13a of the ridge 13 on the side of the small-diameter cylinder portion 11 closely arranges the adjacent ridges 13, and the end 13c of the ridge 13 on the side of the small-diameter side wall 16b is between the adjacent ridges 13. Are formed, and a triangular concave portion 14 formed of the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 12 is formed in a direction of expanding from the small diameter side to the large diameter side.
[0018]
The small-diameter end portion 13a of the ridge portion 13 is formed so as to be inclined so as to be parallel to the axial direction of the first small-diameter cylindrical portion 11, and a gap is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first small-diameter cylindrical portion 11. I wrap it.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the amount of protrusion of the ridge portion 13 is gradually reduced to a position P3 which is a point of contact with the periphery of the through hole when the vehicle body panel P is inserted into the through hole H from the distal end portion 13a on the small diameter side. From the position P3 to a position P4 at the same height as the tip of the small-diameter side wall 16b, the inclination angle is changed to be small, and from the position P4 to the terminal end P2, a flat portion substantially parallel to the axial direction L of the grommet 10 is provided. At the position P4, a notch 17 is formed in a V-shaped cross section.
[0020]
A small-diameter tube extension portion 18 continuous with the first small-diameter tube portion 11 is protruded from the large-diameter tube portion 12, and a tip 18 c of the small-diameter tube extension portion 18 is provided on the outer periphery of the large-diameter tube portion 12. Extending to substantially the same position as the vehicle body locking concave portion 16. Also, the inner diameter of the small-diameter tube extending portion 18 and the small-diameter tube portion 11 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the inserted wire harness W / H, so that the wire harness W / H can be tightly fitted. Three annular ribs 18 a protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the existing portion 18 at intervals in the axial direction L.
Further, the outer surface 18 of the small-diameter tube extending portion 18 is tapered so that the thickness increases from the distal end 18c toward the base end which is the connection point with the enlarged-diameter tube portion 12.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 to 7, four substantially trapezoidal ribs 19 are provided at equal intervals from the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical extending portion 18 in the axial direction. The small-diameter cylindrical portion side of these ribs 19 is connected to the inner surface of the enlarged-diameter cylindrical portion 12.
In addition, two annular ribs 11a are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first small-diameter tube portion 11 protruding outward from the large-diameter tube portion 12, and two annular ribs 11a are provided opposite to the side surface on the distal end side of the small-diameter tube portion 11. The slit 11b is notched.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle body locking recess 16 includes a large-diameter side wall 16a protruding toward the large-diameter end, and a small-diameter side wall 16b opposed to the bottom 16c. The lightening portions 16d and 16e are provided in the front-rear direction, and the lip 16f projects from the bottom portion 16c.
[0022]
The closing portion 20 is provided on the large-diameter end surface of the large-diameter tube portion 13 as a thin-walled half-slit shape, and the semi-annular portions 21c and 21b of the second small-diameter tube portion 21 project from the center of the closing portion 20. , The second small-diameter cylindrical portion 21 is provided.
[0023]
Further, the grommet 10 is integrally formed with two cable insertion tube portions 22 and 23 for penetrating a washer tube and a hood cable.
The cable insertion tube portions 22 and 23 are provided with openings 22 a and 23 a in the recessed portion 14 on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter tube portion 12, pass through the inside of the large diameter tube portion 12, and protrude from the closing surface portion 20. The protruding ends of the protruding portions 22b and 23b are closed portions 22c and 23c, which are cut by the cut portions 22d and 23d when the cables are passed to form openings. Further, two annular ribs 22e for close contact are protruded from the inner peripheral surface of the one cable insertion portion 22, and the inner peripheral surface of the other cable insertion portion 23 is formed as shown in FIG. Two annular ribs 23e projecting more than the annular rib 22e and having an inclined projection direction are provided.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 4, a notch 24 is provided around the cable insertion tube portions 22 and 23 of the closing portion 20, and four ribs 22 g and 23 g protrude on the outer periphery of the cable insertion portions 22 and 23, One connecting portions 22f and 23f are connected to the inner surface 20a of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion.
[0025]
Next, a method of attaching the grommet 10 having the above configuration to the wire harness will be described.
First, the wire harness W / H, which is filled with a water-stopping agent between the electric wire groups on the line and water-stopped between the lines is passed through the grommet 10.
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a gap between the electric wires W constituting the wire harness W / H is filled with a waterproofing agent S to provide a waterproofing portion A, and the waterproofing portion A is provided. The wire harness W / H is inserted through the first small-diameter tube portion 11, the small-diameter tube extension portion 18 and the second small-diameter tube portion 21 so that the portion A is located at the small-diameter tube extension portion 18, and the wire harness W / H And the small-diameter cylindrical portions 11 and 21 are wound and fixed with a tape T.
At this time, since the inner diameters of the first small-diameter tube portion 11 and the small-diameter tube extension portion 18 are set smaller than the outer diameter of the wire harness W / H, the first small-diameter tube portion 11 and the small-diameter tube extension portion 18 are expanded. Through the wire harness W / H, it is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wire harness.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12B, the cross section of the small-diameter tube extending portion 18 is such that the annular rib 18a of the small-diameter tube extending portion 18 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wire harness W / H, and Complete waterproofing measures are taken together with the filling of S.
[0026]
Next, the mounting operation of the grommet 10 will be described.
The first small-diameter cylindrical portion 11 of the grommet 10 is pushed through the through hole H of the vehicle body panel P into the interior side (X) from the engine room side exterior side (Y) side.
When the enlarged cylindrical portion 12 of the grommet 10 passes through the through hole H and reaches the contact point 13b of the ridge portion 13 having the same inner diameter as the through hole H, the ridge portion 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole H are pressed. This gives the operator a sense of moderation. From this point, the operator pushes the grommet 10 at a stretch, and penetrates the through hole H so as to crush the ridge 13.
At this time, since there is the concave portion 14 between the protruding portions 13, the concave portion 14 is bent, and the diameter of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 12 can be reduced smoothly. Further, since the inclination angle of the ridge portion 13 is also gentle, it can be pushed in with a low insertion force.
[0027]
Further, when the outer surface of the ridge 13 reaches the same height as the distal end of the small-diameter side wall 16b of the vehicle body locking recess 16, the periphery of the through hole H fits into the cutout 17, and the operator feels a second sense of moderation. give. From this position 13d, the outer surface of the ridge portion 13 becomes a flat surface parallel to the axial direction, and is guided so that the projecting end of the small-diameter side wall 16b penetrates straight through the through hole H. Then, the through-hole H can be smoothly dropped into the vehicle body locking recess 16 and locked by simply pushing it in.
[0028]
Specifically, the outer surface of the ridge portion 13 is pressed by the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole H, and the projecting end of the small-diameter side wall 16b passes through the through-hole H while reducing the diameter of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 12, and the small-diameter side wall 16b penetrates. After passing through the hole H, it elastically returns to the initial position, the peripheral portion of the through hole H is dropped into the groove between the small-diameter side wall 16b and the large-diameter side wall 16a, and the lip 16f of the bottom portion 16c and the vehicle body panel are pressed against each other. The grommet 10 is locked in a sealed state in the through hole H of the vehicle body panel P, and can be mounted in the through hole of the vehicle body panel in one motion only by moving the grommet 10 in one direction.
[0029]
According to the grommet 10 having the above configuration, since the thin portion 25 exists between the first small-diameter tube portion 11 and the large-diameter tube portion 12, the wire harness drawn out of the first small-diameter tube portion 11 is steeply angled. When bending and laying along the vehicle body panel, the first small-diameter cylindrical portion 11 can be bent together with the wire harness with the thin portion 25 as a base point.
At that time, the water stopping portion A having the hardness of the wire harness is located at the small-diameter tube extending portion 18 located inside the large-diameter tube portion 12, and is not present in the first small-diameter tube portion 11. One small-diameter cylindrical portion 11 can be bent together with the wire harness.
[0030]
When the first small-diameter tube portion 12 is bent, only the first small-diameter tube portion 12 bends because the thin portion 25 is interposed, and no deformation occurs in the large-diameter tube portion 12. Accordingly, the vehicle body locking recess 16 provided on the large diameter side of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 12 is not deformed, and can maintain the sealing property with the vehicle body panel P.
[0031]
Further, since the inner diameters of the small-diameter tube extending portion 18 and the small-diameter tube portion 11 are smaller than the outer diameter of the wire harness W / H, the wire harness W / H is reduced to the small-diameter tube portion 11 and the small-diameter tube portion extending portion 18. And water tightness can be improved.
Further, since a plurality of annular ribs 18a are protruded from the inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylinder extending portion 18, the ribs 18a can strongly adhere to the wire harness W / H, thereby further improving the water stopping performance. it can.
[0032]
Furthermore, by projecting the ridge 13 on the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 12, insertion resistance can be reduced, and insertion workability can be improved. Further, since the distal end portion 13a of the ridge portion 13 overlaps the outer peripheral surface of the first small-diameter cylindrical portion 11, when the wire harness is pulled to the outdoor side, the end surface of the ridge portion 13 becomes the first small-diameter cylindrical portion 11. To prevent the wire harness from moving and securely prevent the grommet 10 from coming off the through hole.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the grommet of the present invention, the thin portion is interposed between the first small-diameter tube portion and the large-diameter tube portion bent together with the wire harness. The part is bent with the thin part as the base point, the deformation does not occur in the enlarged diameter cylindrical part, and the vehicle body locking concave part provided on the large diameter side of the enlarged diameter cylindrical part does not deform and maintains the sealing property with the vehicle body panel It is possible to prevent the occurrence of inundation on the indoor side.
In addition, since the first small-diameter tube portion that is continuous with the enlarged-diameter tube portion can be bent together with the wire harness, the amount of protrusion of the grommet can be reduced, and the wire harness can be bent at a steep angle, so that the wiring space for the wire harness is reduced. Can be reduced.
[0034]
Furthermore, since the ridge portion is provided on the outer surface of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion, the contact resistance when the grommet is mounted in the through hole of the vehicle body panel can be reduced, the insertion force can be reduced, and the ridge portion can be reduced. Since the tip of the portion overlaps the outer peripheral surface of the first small-diameter cylindrical portion, even if a pulling force acts on the wire harness, the distal end of the ridge portion comes into pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first small-diameter cylindrical portion and the first small-diameter cylindrical portion is pressed. The movement of the small-diameter cylindrical portion can be suppressed, and as a result, the holding force of the grommet on the vehicle body can be increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a right side view of a grommet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a main part.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a left side view of the grommet.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a vehicle body locking recess.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a cable insertion tube portion.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a grommet.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a grommet.
FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing a grommet mounted state on a vehicle body, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of a small-diameter cylinder extending portion.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing a conventional grommet.
FIG. 14 is a view showing a conventional problem.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Grommet 11 1st small diameter cylinder (small diameter cylinder)
12 Large-diameter cylinder 13 Protrusion 13a Tip surface 14 Depression 16 Car body locking recess 18 Small-diameter cylinder extension 25 Thin part

Claims (2)

拡径筒部と、該拡径筒部の小径側に連続する小径筒部とを備え、これら拡径筒部と小径筒部に自動車用ワイヤハーネスを貫通させて取り付けた状態で、上記小径筒部側から車体の貫通穴に挿入し、上記拡径筒部の外周面に環状に設けた車体係止凹部を車体パネルに係止するグロメットであって、
上記車体係止凹部の小径側壁を内方に撓ませて、上記貫通穴を通過させるようにしており、
上記拡径筒部の外表面に上記車体係止凹部の小径側壁の先端から上記小径筒部の連結部との間に隙間をあけた位置まで軸線方向に複数の突条部を突設し、拡径筒部の大径側では放射状に広げると共に小径側では密に近接させ、かつ、該突条部は上記車体パネルの貫通穴内周縁と接触する位置から小径側先端まで次第に肉厚を大とし、該肉厚が大の突条部と上記小径筒部との間に連結部を介して隙間を設け、該連結部の内周面側に凹状の窪みを設けて薄肉部を存在させていることを特徴とするグロメット。The small-diameter tube includes an enlarged-diameter tube portion and a small-diameter tube portion that is continuous with the small-diameter side of the enlarged-diameter tube portion. A grommet that is inserted into the through hole of the vehicle body from the side of the vehicle body and locks the vehicle body locking concave portion annularly provided on the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion to the vehicle body panel,
The small diameter side wall of the vehicle body locking recess is bent inward so as to pass through the through hole,
A plurality of ridges project in the axial direction from the tip of the small-diameter side wall of the vehicle body locking concave portion to the outer surface of the enlarged-diameter cylindrical portion to a position spaced from the connecting portion of the small-diameter cylindrical portion, On the large diameter side of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion, it is spread radially, and on the small diameter side, it is closely approached, and the ridge portion gradually increases in thickness from the position in contact with the inner peripheral edge of the through hole of the vehicle body panel to the tip on the small diameter side. A gap is provided between the ridge portion having a large thickness and the small-diameter cylindrical portion via a connecting portion, and a concave portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the connecting portion so that a thin portion exists. A grommet characterized by that. 上記拡径筒部は、その小径端から車体係止凹部までの傾斜角度は、車体パネルの貫通穴内周円と上記突条部が接触する位置で傾斜角度を変え、小径側は傾斜角度を大とすると共に大径側は傾斜角度を小とし、かつ、該傾斜角度が小さい大径側の突条部では、上記車体係止凹部の小径側壁先端までの間で角度を変え、該角度変位点に溝を設けると共に先端で小径側壁の先端と同一高さとなるように突条部の肉厚を次第に薄くしている請求項１に記載のグロメット。The inclination angle of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion from the small diameter end to the vehicle body locking concave portion changes the inclination angle at a position where the inner circumferential circle of the through hole of the vehicle body panel comes into contact with the ridge portion, and the small diameter side increases the inclination angle. The large-diameter side has a small inclination angle, and the large-diameter side ridge having a small inclination angle changes the angle between the small-diameter side wall tip of the vehicle body locking recess and the angular displacement point. 2. The grommet according to claim 1, wherein a groove is provided in the groove, and the thickness of the ridge portion is gradually reduced so that the height of the ridge portion is equal to the height of the distal end of the small-diameter side wall.

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