JP3813778B2

JP3813778B2 - Grommet

Info

Publication number: JP3813778B2
Application number: JP2000002733A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 弘樹後藤
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2000-01-11
Filing date: 2000-01-11
Publication date: 2006-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-11
Also published as: JP2001195938A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明はグロメットに係り、特に車体パネル等の取付板に対してワイヤーハーネス等の長尺部材を確実、かつ、容易に貫通保持できるグロメットに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、自動車の車体パネルを貫通するようにワイヤーハーネスを配索するためのグロメットが各種提案されている。
そして、本願出願人も、ワイヤーハーネスに嵌合する小径筒部と、取付孔に嵌合可能な大径筒部と、小径筒部および大径筒部を連結するテーパ筒部と、大径筒部の外周面に沿って設けられた溝縁部および押え片とを備えたグロメットを提案した（特開平8-212857号公報：従来例１）。
この従来例１によれば、大径筒部の内周面が外方を向くように裏返すことにより、押え片の周縁を先細りの円筒状に変形させて取付孔に挿通させ、次いで小径筒部を取付孔に引き込めば、押え片が初期形状に復元しようとする反発力により、溝縁部が取付孔の開口縁部に係合するように大径筒部が初期形状に復元し、これにより小さい力で簡単、かつ、確実にワイヤーハーネスを配索できる。
【０００３】
ところで、従来例１のような反転式のグロメットは、ワイヤーハーネスの配索にあたって、大径筒部を裏返した後、小径筒部の外周面と押え片との間に取付孔の開口縁部が相対的に案内されると、車体パネルに押されて押え片が初期形状に復元する虞れがある。
従って、反転式のグロメットにおいては、ワイヤーハーネスを容易に配索するために、大径筒部を裏返したとき、小径筒部の外周面と押え片との間に取付孔の開口縁部を相対的に案内することなく、かつ、取付孔に対して最初に押え片を進入させるような工夫が必要となっている。
【０００４】
このため、従来例１は、押え片の形状，寸法等を適宜選択することにより、大径筒部を裏返したとき、押え片が小径筒部を覆うとともにワイヤーハーネスの外側面に密着可能とされている。これにより、従来例１は、押え片が小径筒部の端面を覆い、かつ、先細りの円筒状に変形した押え片の言わば外周面の先端部が、小径筒部の内周面における延長面よりも内側に配置される。
すなわち、従来例１は、大径筒部を裏返したとき、小径筒部の外周面および端面を覆うように変形した押え片の先端部が取付孔に対して最初に進入するため、小径筒部の外周面と押え片との間に取付孔の開口縁部を相対的に案内する虞れがないとともに、取付孔に対して最初に押え片を進入させることができ、これによりワイヤーハーネスを容易、かつ、確実に配索可能となっている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、近年、防水性を向上させるために、小径筒部に充填剤を充填可能な反転式のグロメットが考えられている（従来例２）。
この従来例２において、小径筒部は、ワイヤーハーネスに嵌合する嵌合部と、充填剤を充填可能な充填部とを有している。充填部は、ワイヤーハーネスに対して密着しないような内径寸法を有しているとともに、内周面の周方向に沿って複数のリブが設けられている。この小径筒部は、嵌合部および充填部が同軸接続された断付円筒形状とされている。
このような従来例２は、適宜な充填剤により充填部とワイヤーハーネスとの間を充塞することにより良好な防水性が得られるようになっている。
【０００６】
しかしながら、前述した従来例２は、例えば嵌合部の外側に大径筒部が配置されているとともに、嵌合部と充填部との間に設けられた略円錐形状の境界部分に接続部が接続されている場合、大径筒部を裏返したとき、押え片が充填部を覆うことになる。この際、充填部が従来例１の小径筒部に比較して大径であるため、別途工夫を施さなければ充填部の端面を押え片により覆うことができず、換言すれば、ワイヤーハーネスを容易に配索できない。
この問題に対して、例えば押え片の突出寸法を大きく設定する方法や、あるいは充填部の軸方向長さを短くする方法が考えられる。
【０００７】
ところが、従来例２において、押え片の突出寸法を大きく設定する方法は、ワイヤーハーネスの配索後、すなわち大径部が初期形状に復元した後、各押え片が放射状に拡開するため、車体パネルに沿ってグロメットの占有面積が大きくなるという問題が生ずる。
一方、従来例２において、充填部の軸方向長さを短くする方法は、充填剤を充填する関係上、充填部に一定以上の軸方向長さが不可欠であるため、充填部の機能を損なう虞れがある。従って、従来例２において、充填部は、短小化に限界があり、有効な解決策とはならない。
【０００８】
本発明は、前述した問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、第１円筒部に対して第２円筒部が反転可能であるとともに、第１円筒部に充填剤を充填する構造であっても、各鍔部の突出寸法を必要以上に大きくする方法や、あるいは大径部を必要以上に短小化させる方法を採用することなく、ワイヤーハーネス等の長尺部材の配索作業を容易、かつ、確実に行えるグロメットを提供することにある。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、取付板に形成された取付孔に長尺部材を貫通保持するために、前記長尺部材を挿通可能な可能な第１円筒部と、前記第１円筒部の外周面に設けられた環状の接続部を介して接続された第２円筒部と、前記第２円筒部の外周面に沿って設けられた溝部と、前記第２円筒部の外周面における前記溝部と前記接続部との間から放射状に設けられた複数の鍔部とを有するグロメットを前提としている。
このグロメットは、前記第１円筒部に充填された充填剤により前記長尺部材を前記第１円筒部に保持させた後、前記第２円筒部を内周面が外方を向くように裏返すことにより、前記各鍔部の先端部を集合させて前記取付孔に挿入し、次いで前記第２円筒部を初期形状に復元させることにより前記取付孔の開口縁部に前記溝部を嵌合させるグロメットである。
【００１０】
そして、前述した目的を達成するために、本発明は、請求項１に記載したように、前記第１円筒部が、前記長尺部材を圧入可能な小径部と、前記小径部に連続するとともに充填剤を充填可能な大径部とを同軸接続した段付形状であるとともに、前記第２円筒部の端面および前記大径部の端面が互いに離れる方向を向き、かつ、前記第２円筒部および前記大径部の少なくとも一部同士が互いに略入れ子状に配置されるように、前記接続部が前記大径部の外周面に接続されていることにより、前記第２円筒部を裏返したときに、前記各鍔部が前記大径部の端面を被覆可能であることを特徴としている。
【００１１】
ここで、接続部の接続位置としては、第２円筒部および大径部の少なくとも一部が互いに略入れ子状に配置可能であれば、第２円筒部の外周面における任意位置を選択できるが、可能な限り大径部の軸方向中央部から開放端部までの任意位置が好ましい。
なお、大径部における小径部側端部に接続部を接続する場合、例えば接続部の形状を大径部の開放端部側に向かって拡開する円錐状に形成しておけば、第２円筒部および大径部の少なくとも一部が互いに略入れ子状に配置可能となる。
このような構造も請求項１に含まれる。
【００１２】
このように構成されたグロメットにおいては、例えば大径部に対する接続部の接続位置や、あるいは接続部の形状を適宜選択することにより、第２円筒部および大径部の少なくとも一部が互いに略入れ子状に配置されているため、初期形状における各鍔部の先端位置と、大径部の端面との間の離間寸法を小さくできることになる。
ここで、グロメットは、第２円筒部を裏返したとき、鍔部の突出長さ寸法を主因として、各鍔部における鍔面の向きが略 180度変向する 180度反転式グロメットと、各鍔部における鍔面の向きが略90度変向する90度反転式グロメットとに大別できる。
【００１３】
そして、 180度反転式グロメットは、初期形状において各鍔部における大径部の開放端部側を向く鍔面が、第２円筒部を裏返したとき、大径部の端面に対面するため、これにより大径部の端面が覆われることになる。
一方、90度反転式グロメットは、接続部の接続位置を選択しておくことにより、初期形状において各鍔部における大径部の開放端部側を向く鍔面の少なくとも一部が、第２円筒部を裏返したとき、長尺部材の外側面に接触するため、これにより大径部の端面が覆われることになる。
なお、90度反転式グロメットは、あらかじめ初期形状において各鍔部における大径部の開放端部側を向く鍔面に凸部を設けておくとともに、接続部の接続位置を適宜選択することにより、第２円筒部を裏返したとき、各凸部を大径部の端面に係合させれば、各鍔部が長尺部材の外側面に接触しなくても大径部の端面を覆うことになる。
【００１４】
すなわち、このグロメットにおいては、大径部が充填剤を充填可能であっても、各鍔部の突出寸法を必要以上に大きくする方法や、あるいは大径部を必要以上に短小化させる方法を採用することなく、第２円筒部を裏返したときに各鍔部が確実に大径部の端面を覆うことになる。
従って、このようなグロメットにおいては、ワイヤーハーネス等の長尺部材を配索するにあたって、大径部の外周面と各鍔部との間に取付孔の開口縁部を相対的に案内する虞れがないとともに、取付孔に対して最初に各鍔部を進入させることができ、これにより長尺部材を容易、かつ、確実に配索できることになる。
【００１５】
また、本発明は、請求項２に記載したように、前記各鍔部の先端部における鍔面から厚み方向に沿って突出する凸部を有し、前記第２円筒部を裏返したときに、前記各凸部の先端が前記大径部の端面に対して離れる方向を向くことを特徴としている。
【００１６】
ここで、凸部としては、グロメットが 180度反転式グロメットである場合、初期形状において第２円筒部の開放端部側を向く鍔面に設けておけばよい。
一方、グロメットが90度反転式グロメットである場合、断面略Ｌ字状の凸部を採用でき、鍔部の先端部が断面略クランク状となるように、初期形状において第２円筒部の開放端部側を向く鍔面に凸部を設けておけばよい。
【００１７】
このように構成されたグロメットにおいては、第２円筒部を裏返したときに、各鍔部の鍔面に設けられた凸部が大径部の端面に対して離れる方向を向くため、これらの凸部が取付孔に対する案内部材として機能し、これにより取付孔に対して各鍔部が確実、かつ、同時に進入できることになる。
【００１８】
さらに、本発明は、請求項３に記載したように、前記大径部における開放端部の周方向に沿って設けられた係合リブを有し、前記係合リブの端面が前記大径部の端面と同一面に沿って配置されていることを特徴としている。
ここで、係合リブとしては、例えば断面矩形の円環状に形成しておけばよく、大径部の外周面および内周面のうちの一方あるいは双方に設けておけばよい。
【００１９】
このようなグロメットにおいては、係合リブにより大径部の開放端部が部分的に厚肉化されているため、第２円筒部を裏返したときに各鍔部が大径部を覆っても、大径部の開放端部が縮径変形しない強度を得られることになる。
また、このグロメットにおいては、係合リブの端面が大径部の端面と同一面に沿って配置されているため、第２円筒部を裏返したときに、各鍔部に対する大径部の端面の重複寸法を大きくできることになる。すなわち、このグロメットにおいては、係合リブの端面が大径部の端面と同一面に沿って配置されていない場合に比較して、各鍔部に対する大径部の端面の重複状態を維持できるため、第２円筒部を裏返した状態で保管，搬送した場合、振動，衝撃が加えられても、長尺部材の配索作業前に意図せず初期形状へ復元する虞れを少なくできることになる。
【００２０】
そして、本発明は、請求項４に記載したように、前記接続部が前記大径部の開放端部に接続されていることを特徴としている。
このように構成されたグロメットにおいては、接続部が大径部の開放端部に接続されているため、各鍔部の突出寸法を必要以上に大きくする方法や、あるいは大径部を必要以上に短小化させる方法を採用することなく、初期形状における各鍔部の先端位置と、大径部の端面との間の離間寸法を小さくでき、これにより第２円筒部を裏返したときに各鍔部が確実に大径部の端面を覆えることになる。
【００２１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係る実施形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図１および図２に示すように、本発明の第１実施形態であるグロメット10は、自動車の車体パネル11を貫通するようにワイヤーハーネスＷを配設するために、車体パネル11に設けられた取付孔12にワイヤーハーネスＷを挿通保持した状態で嵌合可能な反転式のグロメットとされている。取付孔12は円形状とされ、開口縁部に沿って所定高さのフランジ13が形成されている。
【００２２】
そして、グロメット10は、ワイヤーハーネスＷを挿通可能な第１円筒部21と、第１円筒部21の外周面に設けられた環状の接続部23と、接続部23を介して第１円筒部21に同軸接続された第２円筒部22と、第２円筒部22の外周面に沿って設けられた溝部24と、第２円筒部22の外周面に設けられた複数の鍔部25とを含んで構成されている。溝部24は、取付孔12のフランジ13が嵌合可能な断面略コ字状とされ、第２円筒部22の周方向に沿って連続形成されている。
このようなグロメット10は、適度な弾力性，耐水性を有する合成樹脂により、第１円筒部21，第２円筒部22および各鍔部25が一体形成されている。
【００２３】
第１円筒部21は、小径部27および大径部28が同軸接続された段付形状とされている。
小径部27は、ワイヤーハーネスＷの外径寸法に対応した内径寸法を有しているとともに、内周面に沿って円環状のリブ27Ａが複数設けられている。この小径部27は、ワイヤーハーネスＷが圧入されると、各リブ27Ａが弾性変形しながらワイヤーハーネスＷの外周面に密着し、これにより気密性を維持しながらワイヤーハーネスＷを保持するようになっている。
【００２４】
一方、大径部28は、小径部27の内径よりも大きな内径寸法を有しているとともに、内周面に沿って円環状のリブ28Ａが複数設けられ、かつ、開放端部に係合リブ28Ｂが設けられている。係合リブ28Ｂは、断面矩形状の環状とされ、その軸方向端面が大径部28の端面と同一面に沿うとともに、大径部28の外周面にのみ段部を形成して肉厚化することにより設けられている。
この大径部28は、ワイヤーハーネスＷが小径部27に圧入された後、所定の充填材を充填して固化させることにより、気密性を維持しながらワイヤーハーネスＷを保持するようになっている。
【００２５】
接続部23は、前述した大径部28の外周面における軸方向略中央部から小径部27の開放端部に向かって拡開する略円錐形状とされ、当該接続部23の母線方向に沿って複数の凹部30が設けられている。
凹部30は、接続部23の母線を中心として第２円筒部22に向かって拡開する平面略三角形とされ、四分の一楕円状に形成された一対の側壁30Ａ，30Ａと、扇状に形成された側壁30Ｂとが互いに交差配置されていることにより、断面略Ｖ字形状とされている。
【００２６】
すなわち、これらの凹部30は、それぞれの幅寸法および深さ寸法が第１円筒部21に向かって漸減されて０になるように設けられている。
そして、接続部23は、各凹部30が設けられた箇所の肉厚が他の箇所における肉厚に略等しくなるように、内周面から山形状に突出している（図１参照）。
また、図３に示すように、これらの凹部30は、第１円筒部21の軸線を中心として互いに90度間隔で設けられている。
【００２７】
第２円筒部22は、取付孔12の開口寸法に対応した外径寸法を有しているとともに、小径部27の外径寸法および大径部28の外形寸法よりも大きな内径寸法を有している。この第２円筒部22は、大径部28の軸方向略中央部に接続部23を介して接続されているため、所定間隔を空けて大径部28の軸方向略中央部から小径部27側端部までを収容するように、大径部28に対して略入れ子状に配置されている。
【００２８】
鍔部25は、溝部24と接続部23との間から大径部28の開放端部に向かって拡開する仮想的な錐面に沿って突設され、先端に向かう先細り形状とされている。これらの鍔部25は、第２円筒部22の開放端部側を向く鍔面25Ａに凸部26が設けられている。
図２に示すように、凸部26は、鍔部25の先端部を略直角に折り曲げたように形成することにより、先端に向かう先細り形状とされている。
【００２９】
次に、このようなグロメット10を用いたワイヤーハーネスＷの配索手順を説明する。
まず、図４に示すように、ワイヤーハーネスＷをグロメット10の第１円筒部21に挿通し、大径部28に充填材29を充填させて固化させた後、第１円筒部21の小径部27とワイヤーハーネスＷとを適宜な粘着テープＴにより巻回することにより、小径部27にワイヤーハーネスＷを固定しておく。
【００３０】
そして、第１円筒部21に対して接続部23の小径端部を支点として、第２円筒部22を内周面が外方を向くように裏返す（図４の状態）。
この際、グロメット10は、初期形状において各鍔部25の先端部が大径部28の開放端部に対して比較的近接配置されているため、第２円筒部22が大径部28の開放端部側を覆うとともに、初期形状において大径部28の開放端部側を向く鍔面25Ｂがそれぞれ大径部28の端面に対して対面するように各鍔部25が略 180度変向し、かつ、初期形状における第２円筒部22の開放端部側の外周面が擂り鉢面に変形する。
【００３１】
なお、大径部28は、その開放端部に設けられた係合リブ28Ｂが補強材となっているため、変形した第２円筒部22に覆われても縮径変形する虞れが少ない。
また、各鍔部25の凸部26は、ワイヤーハーネスＷの外側面に沿うとともに、大径部28の端面に対して離れる方向に向けて配向される。
【００３２】
さらに、接続部23は、第２円筒部22の反転に伴って、周方向に引き伸ばされるような拡径変形が生ずるが、各凹部30が断面形状を拡大するように変形することにより、当該接続部23の拡径変形が全域に及ばず、これにより接続部23の外周面が平坦に形成されている場合に比較して、第２円筒部22を初期形状から反転させる作業を容易に行える。
【００３３】
次に、ワイヤーハーネスＷを取付孔12に挿通させてから、第２円筒部22の外周面が変形した擂り鉢面を取付孔12のフランジ13に対して円形に線接触させることにより、取付孔12に対してワイヤーハーネスＷが確実に同一軸線上に配置する。そして、このままグロメット10を車体パネル11に向けて押し付けると、フランジ13に押圧された第２円筒部22の開放端部が初期形状への復元を開始するとともに、第２円筒部22の開放端部に対して各鍔部25の凸部26が相対的に突出して取付孔12に進入する。
この際、グロメット10は、各鍔部25の凸部26、換言すれば各鍔部25の先端部が他の部材よりも先に取付孔12に進入するため、大径部28の外周面と各鍔部25との間に取付孔12のフランジ13が相対的に案内される虞れがない。
【００３４】
続いて、グロメット10を図４中左方に向けて更に押し、各鍔部25の基端部が取付孔12を通過する位置まで移動すると、各鍔部25がそれぞれ第２円筒部22に対する突出角度を初期状態に復元するような強い反発力が解放される。
従って、グロメット10は、各鍔部25を拡開させながら自力で図中左方に移動するとともに、溝部24が取付孔12のフランジ13に嵌合する（図１の状態）。
【００３５】
この際、各鍔部25は、それぞれの鍔面25Ａに凸部26が設けられているため、拡開動作に伴って、各凸部26が取付孔12の開口縁部に係合し、これにより取付孔12に対するワイヤーハーネスＷの同軸状態が維持される。
さらに、接続部23は、第２円筒部22が初期形状に復元するにあたって、再び周方向に引き伸ばされるような拡径変形が生ずるが、各凹部30が断面形状を拡大するように変形することにより、当該接続部23の拡径変形が全域に及ばず、これにより接続部23の外周面が平坦に形成されている場合に比較して、第２円筒部22を初期形状に復元させる作業を容易に行える。
【００３６】
前述したグロメット10は、第２円筒部22および大径部28の少なくとも一部同士が互いに略入れ子状に配置されるように、接続部23が大径部28の外周面に接続されているため、例えば小径部27および大径部28の境界部分に接続部23が接続されている場合に比較して、初期形状において各鍔部25の先端部が大径部28の開放端部に対して比較的近接配置されている。
従って、このようなグロメット10によれば、大径部28が充填剤29を充填可能な直径寸法を有していても、各鍔部25の突出寸法を大きくする方法や、あるいは大径部28を短小化させる方法を採用することなく、第２円筒部22を裏返したときに大径部28の端面を各鍔部25が覆うことにより、他の部材よりも先に各鍔部25が取付孔12に進入し、これによりワイヤーハーネスＷを容易、かつ、確実に配索できる。
【００３７】
また、このグロメット10によれば、第２円筒部22を裏返したとき、各鍔部25の鍔面25Ａにそれぞれ設けられた凸部26が大径部28に対して離れる方向を向くため、これらの凸部26が取付孔12に対する案内部材として機能し、これにより取付孔12に対して各鍔部25が確実、かつ、同時に進入できる。
【００３８】
さらに、このようなグロメット10によれば、大径部28における開放端部の周方向に沿って係合リブ28Ｂが設けられているため、裏返された第２円筒部22が大径部28の外周面を覆っても、係合リブ28Ｂが補強材となって大径部28における開放端部が縮径するような変形を防止し、これにより大径部28の端面に対する各鍔部25の被覆状態を維持できる。
【００３９】
特に、このグロメット10によれば、係合リブ28Ｂの端面が大径部28の端面と同一面に沿うように設けられているため、大径部28における中央部の肉厚寸法よりも端面の幅寸法を大きくでき、これにより各鍔部25との重複寸法を大きくできる。
従って、このグロメット10によれば、係合リブ28Ｂの端面が大径部28の端面と同一面に沿うように設けられていない場合に比較して、大径部28の開放端部に対する各鍔部25の係合状態を良好に維持でき、第２円筒部22が裏返された状態で保管，搬送しても、振動，衝撃等により意図しない初期形状への復元を少なくできる。
【００４０】
図５および図６には、本発明に係る第２実施形態が示されている。
なお、以下に説明する第２実施形態において、既に図１ないし図４において説明した部材等については、図中に同一符号あるいは相当符号を付すことにより説明を簡略化あるいは省略し、主に前述した第１実施形態に対する相違点を説明する。
【００４１】
第２実施形態のグロメット40において、第１円筒部51を構成する大径部58は、充填剤を充填してワイヤーハーネスＷを保持するという機能を維持できる最短軸方向寸法を有し、その開放端部の外周面に接続部53が接続されている。従って、第２円筒部52および大径部58は、互いに略入れ子状に配置されている。
【００４２】
また、このグロメット40は、各鍔部55の突出寸法が第１実施形態の鍔部に比較して若干大きく設定されていて、第２円筒部52を裏返したとき、各鍔部55の鍔面が略90度変向する90度反転式のグロメットとされている。
さらに、このグロメット40は、接続部53に薄肉部41が設けられているとともに、溝部54における接続部53側を向く側面54Ａと、第２円筒部52の外周面とが交差してなる稜線60に出隅部61および切欠部62が設けられている。
【００４３】
薄肉部41は、接続部53の内周面および外周面においてそれぞれ周方向に連続する溝41Ａ，41Ｂを形成することにより設けられている。
溝41Ａ，41Ｂは、断面略半円形状とされ、接続部53の軸線に対して直交する面に沿うとともに、互いに対応する位置に形成されている。
【００４４】
切欠部62は、側面54Ａおよび第２円筒部52の外周面に対してそれぞれ所定の角度で交差する円錐面とされ、第２円筒部52の周方向に沿って所定長さ連続している。
そして、出隅部61および切欠部62は、互いに異なる周方向長さを有し、第２円筒部52の周方向に沿って交互に配置されている。
【００４５】
このようなグロメット40によれば、大径部58の開放端部に接続部53を接続することにより、第２円筒部52および大径部58が互いに略入れ子状に配置されているため、前述した第１実施形態のグロメットと同様に、初期形状において各鍔部55の先端部が大径部58の開放端部に対して比較的近接配置されている。
従って、図６に示すように、このグロメット40によれば、接続部53の小径端部を支点として第２円筒部52を裏返せば、各鍔部55の先端が大径部58に干渉することなく、ワイヤーハーネスＷの外側面に接触して大径部58の端面を覆うとともに、他の部材よりも先に各鍔部55が取付孔12に対して進入可能となり、前述した第１実施形態のグロメットと同様に、ワイヤーハーネスＷの配索作業を容易、かつ、確実に行える。
【００４６】
そして、このグロメット40によれば、大径部58の開放端部に接続部53が接続されているため、換言すれば接続部53の小径端部から大径部58が突出していないため、車体パネル11の裏面側に狭小空間しか確保できない場合であっても、前述した第１実施形態のグロメットに比較して、ワイヤーハーネスＷの配索作業を容易、かつ、確実に行える。
【００４７】
また、このグロメット40によれば、薄肉部41により接続部53における特定部位の強度が他の部位よりも意図的に低くなっているため、内周面が外方を向くように第２円筒部52を反転させると、薄肉部41を境界として接続部53が折り返される（図７参照）。
この際、このグロメット40は、接続部53の軸線に対して直交する面に沿う溝41Ａ，41Ｂにより薄肉部41が設けられているため、第１円筒部51に対して第２円筒部52が傾いて反転する虞れはない。
【００４８】
また、このグロメット40は、接続部53における薄肉部41の強度が他の部位よりも意図的に低くなっているため、換言すれば接続部53に薄肉部41が設けられていない場合に比較して、接続部53が初期形状に復元しようとする弾性反発力が弱い。
すなわち、このグロメット40は、接続部53に薄肉部41が設けられていない場合に比較して、第２円筒部52を反転させた状態を良好に維持でき、衝撃等が加えられても意図せず第２円筒部52が初期形状に復元する虞れが少ない。
【００４９】
従って、前述した第２実施形態のグロメット40によれば、第１円筒部51に対して適切に第２円筒部52を反転させた状態で出荷，保管できるとともに、車体パネル11に取り付けられるまで第２円筒部52を反転させた状態を維持できる。
特に、この第２実施形態のグロメット40によれば、薄肉部41が溝41Ａ，41Ｂにより設けられているため、薄肉部41として例えば接続部53の周方向に沿って多数の凹部を所定間隔で設けた場合に比較して、接続部53における境界を確実に規定できる。
【００５０】
さらに、このようなグロメット40によれば、溝部54の稜線60に出隅部61および切欠部62が設けられているため、第２円筒部52が反転した状態で出荷，保管される場合、断面略Ｕ字状の溝部54が断面略Δ字形状に変形されることにより稜線60が対向する他の稜線に圧接されていても、稜線60の出隅部61のみが他の稜線に対して密着し、他の稜線と切欠部と62の間に空隙が確保される（図７参照）。
すなわち、このグロメット40によれば、車体パネル11に対する取付作業にあたって、溝部54の稜線60に切欠部62が設けられていない場合に比較して、溝部54の稜線同士が容易に離反することにより、第２円筒部52を容易に初期形状に復元できる。
【００５１】
また、本発明は、前述した各実施形態に限定されるものでなく、適宜な変形，改良等が可能であり、前述した各実施形態において例示した取付板，取付孔，第１円筒部，接続部，第２円筒部，溝部，鍔部，係合部，リブ等の材質，形状，寸法，形態，数，配置個所等は本発明を達成できるものであれば任意であり、限定されない。
【００５２】
【発明の効果】
以上、説明したように、本発明によれば、請求項１に記載したように、第２円筒部および大径部の少なくとも一部同士が互いに略入れ子状に配置されるように、接続部が大径部の外周面に接続されているため、大径部が充填剤を充填可能であっても、各鍔部の突出寸法を必要以上に大きくする方法や、あるいは大径部を必要以上に短小化させる方法を採用することなく、第２円筒部を裏返したときに各鍔部が確実に大径部の端面を覆うことにより、長尺部材を容易、かつ、確実に配索できることになる。
【００５３】
また、本発明によれば、請求項２に記載したように、第２円筒部を裏返したときに、各鍔部の鍔面から厚み方向に沿って突出する凸部が大径部の端面に対して離れる方向を向くため、各凸部が取付孔に対する案内部材として機能し、これにより取付孔に対して各鍔部が確実、かつ、同時に進入できる。
【００５４】
さらに、本発明によれば、請求項３に記載したように、大径部の開放端部に設けられた係合リブの端面が大径部の端面と同一面に沿って配置されているため、第２円筒部を裏返したときに各鍔部が大径部を覆っても、大径部の開放端部が縮径変形しない強度を得られるとともに、係合リブの端面が大径部の端面と同一面に沿って配置されていない場合に比較して、第２円筒部を裏返した状態で保管，搬送した場合、振動，衝撃が加えられても、長尺部材の配索作業前に意図せず初期形状へ復元する虞れを少なくできる。
【００５５】
そして、本発明によれば、請求項４に記載したように、接続部が大径部の開放端部に接続されているため、取付板の裏面側に狭小空間しか確保できない場合であっても、長尺部材の配索作業を容易、かつ、確実に行える。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る第１実施形態のグロメットを示す断面図である。
【図２】図１のグロメットの全体斜視図である。
【図３】図１のグロメットの正面図である。
【図４】図１のグロメットを反転させた状態を示す断面図である。
【図５】本発明に係る第２実施形態のグロメットを示す断面図である。
【図６】図５のグロメットの全体斜視図である。
【図７】図５のグロメットを反転させた状態を示す断面図である。
【符号の説明】
10，40 グロメット
11 車体パネル（取付板）
12 取付孔
21，51 第１円筒部
22，52 第２円筒部
23，53 接続部
24，54 溝部
25，55 鍔部
26 凸部
27，57小径部
28，58 大径部
29 充填剤
28Ｂ係合リブ
Ｗワイヤーハーネス（長尺部材）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a grommet, and more particularly to a grommet that can securely and easily penetrate and hold a long member such as a wire harness with respect to a mounting plate such as a vehicle body panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various grommets for wiring a wire harness so as to penetrate a vehicle body panel have been proposed.
The applicant of the present application also has a small-diameter cylindrical portion that fits into the wire harness, a large-diameter cylindrical portion that can be fitted into the mounting hole, a tapered cylindrical portion that connects the small-diameter cylindrical portion and the large-diameter cylindrical portion, and a large-diameter cylinder. A grommet having a groove edge portion and a pressing piece provided along the outer peripheral surface of the portion has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-212857: Conventional Example 1).
According to this conventional example 1, by turning over so that the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion faces outward, the periphery of the holding piece is deformed into a tapered cylindrical shape and inserted into the mounting hole, and then the small-diameter cylindrical portion Is pulled back into the mounting hole, the large diameter cylindrical part is restored to the initial shape so that the groove edge engages with the opening edge of the mounting hole due to the repulsive force that the presser piece tries to restore to the initial shape. The wire harness can be routed easily and reliably with less force.
[0003]
By the way, in the reversing type grommet as in Conventional Example 1, the opening edge portion of the mounting hole is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter cylindrical portion and the pressing piece after the large diameter cylindrical portion is turned over when the wire harness is routed. When guided relatively, there is a possibility that the presser piece is restored to the initial shape by being pushed by the vehicle body panel.
Therefore, in the reversing grommet, when the large-diameter cylinder part is turned upside down in order to route the wire harness, the opening edge of the mounting hole is relatively positioned between the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylinder part and the presser piece. Therefore, it is necessary to devise such that the presser piece is first entered into the mounting hole without providing guidance.
[0004]
For this reason, in the conventional example 1, by appropriately selecting the shape, size, etc. of the presser piece, when the large diameter cylindrical part is turned upside down, the presser piece covers the small diameter cylindrical part and can be brought into close contact with the outer surface of the wire harness. ing. As a result, in the conventional example 1, the presser piece covers the end surface of the small-diameter cylindrical part, and the tip part of the outer peripheral surface of the presser piece deformed into a tapered cylindrical shape is more than the extended surface on the inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter cylindrical part. Is also placed inside.
That is, in the conventional example 1, when the large-diameter cylindrical portion is turned over, the distal end portion of the presser piece deformed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface and the end surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion first enters the mounting hole. There is no possibility of relatively guiding the opening edge of the mounting hole between the outer peripheral surface of the mounting piece and the presser piece, and the presser piece can be first inserted into the mounting hole, thereby making the wire harness easy And it is possible to route reliably.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in recent years, in order to improve waterproofness, an inversion type grommet capable of filling a small diameter cylindrical portion with a filler has been considered (conventional example 2).
In Conventional Example 2, the small-diameter cylindrical portion has a fitting portion that fits into the wire harness and a filling portion that can be filled with a filler. The filling portion has an inner diameter that does not adhere to the wire harness, and is provided with a plurality of ribs along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface. The small-diameter cylindrical portion has a cut-off cylindrical shape in which the fitting portion and the filling portion are coaxially connected.
In Conventional Example 2 as described above, good waterproofness is obtained by filling the space between the filling portion and the wire harness with an appropriate filler.
[0006]
However, in the conventional example 2 described above, for example, the large-diameter cylindrical portion is disposed outside the fitting portion, and the connection portion is provided at the substantially conical boundary portion provided between the fitting portion and the filling portion. When connected, when the large-diameter cylindrical portion is turned over, the presser piece covers the filling portion. At this time, since the filling portion has a larger diameter than the small-diameter cylindrical portion of the conventional example 1, the end face of the filling portion cannot be covered with the holding piece unless otherwise devised, in other words, the wire harness It cannot be easily routed.
To solve this problem, for example, a method of setting the protrusion dimension of the presser piece large or a method of shortening the axial length of the filling portion can be considered.
[0007]
However, in the conventional example 2, the method of setting the protrusion size of the presser piece large is that after the wiring harness is arranged, that is, after the large diameter portion is restored to the initial shape, each presser piece radially expands. There is a problem that the area occupied by the grommet increases along the panel.
On the other hand, in the conventional example 2, the method of shortening the axial length of the filling portion impairs the function of the filling portion because the filling portion must have a certain axial length or more due to the filling with the filler. There is a fear. Therefore, in the conventional example 2, the filling portion has a limit in shortening and is not an effective solution.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is a structure in which the second cylindrical portion can be reversed with respect to the first cylindrical portion and the first cylindrical portion is filled with a filler. Even so, it is possible to route long members such as wire harnesses without adopting a method to increase the protruding dimension of each flange more than necessary or a method to shorten the large diameter part more than necessary. An object is to provide a grommet that can be easily and reliably performed.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion and the first cylindrical portion capable of inserting the long member in order to penetrate and hold the long member in the mounting hole formed in the mounting plate. A second cylindrical portion connected via an annular connecting portion, a groove portion provided along an outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion, and the groove portion and the connecting portion on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion. It assumes a grommet having a plurality of flanges provided radially from between.
In this grommet, after the elongate member is held in the first cylindrical portion by the filler filled in the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion is turned over so that the inner peripheral surface faces outward. With the grommet that fits the groove portion into the opening edge of the mounting hole by gathering the front end portions of the flanges and inserting them into the mounting hole, and then restoring the second cylindrical portion to the initial shape. is there.
[0010]
In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, the first cylindrical portion is continuous with the small-diameter portion capable of press-fitting the long member and the small-diameter portion. A stepped shape in which a large-diameter portion capable of being filled with a filler is coaxially connected, and the end surface of the second cylindrical portion and the end surface of the large-diameter portion are directed away from each other, and the second cylindrical portion and When the second cylindrical portion is turned upside down by connecting the connecting portion to the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion so that at least some of the large-diameter portions are arranged in a substantially nested manner. Each of the flange portions can cover the end surface of the large diameter portion.
[0011]
Here, as the connection position of the connection portion, as long as at least a part of the second cylindrical portion and the large diameter portion can be arranged in a substantially nested manner, an arbitrary position on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion can be selected. An arbitrary position from the axially central portion of the large diameter portion to the open end portion is preferable as much as possible.
In addition, when connecting a connection part to the small diameter part side edge part in a large diameter part, if the shape of a connection part is formed in the cone shape which expands toward the open end part side of a large diameter part, it will be 2nd. At least a part of the cylindrical portion and the large diameter portion can be arranged in a substantially nested manner.
Such a structure is also included in claim 1.
[0012]
In the grommet configured as described above, for example, by appropriately selecting the connecting position of the connecting portion with respect to the large diameter portion or the shape of the connecting portion, at least a part of the second cylindrical portion and the large diameter portion are substantially nested with each other. Therefore, the separation dimension between the tip position of each collar part in the initial shape and the end surface of the large diameter part can be reduced.
Here, when the second cylindrical portion is turned upside down, the grommet has a 180-degree reversing grommet in which the direction of the flange surface at each flange changes approximately 180 degrees, mainly due to the protruding length dimension of the flange, It can be broadly divided into 90-degree reversal grommets where the direction of the ridge surface changes by approximately 90 degrees.
[0013]
The 180-degree reversing grommet has an initial shape in which the flange surface facing the open end of the large diameter portion of each flange portion faces the end surface of the large diameter portion when the second cylindrical portion is turned over. Thus, the end face of the large diameter portion is covered.
On the other hand, in the 90-degree reversing grommet, by selecting the connection position of the connection portion, at least a part of the flange surface facing the open end side of the large diameter portion in each flange portion in the initial shape is the second cylinder. When the portion is turned upside down, the end surface of the large-diameter portion is covered by this because it contacts the outer surface of the long member.
In addition, the 90-degree inversion grommet is provided with a convex portion on the flange surface facing the open end side of the large diameter portion in each collar portion in the initial shape in advance, and by appropriately selecting the connection position of the connection portion, When the second cylindrical portion is turned upside down, if each convex portion is engaged with the end surface of the large diameter portion, each end portion covers the end surface of the large diameter portion without contacting the outer surface of the long member. Become.
[0014]
That is, in this grommet, even if the large diameter part can be filled with the filler, a method of increasing the protruding dimension of each flange part more than necessary or a method of shortening the large diameter part more than necessary is adopted. Without this, when the second cylindrical portion is turned over, each flange portion reliably covers the end face of the large diameter portion.
Therefore, in such a grommet, when a long member such as a wire harness is routed, there is a possibility that the opening edge of the mounting hole is relatively guided between the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion and each flange portion. In addition, it is possible to first enter each flange portion with respect to the mounting hole, and thereby the long member can be easily and reliably routed.
[0015]
Moreover, as described in claim 2, the present invention has a convex portion projecting along the thickness direction from the flange surface at the distal end portion of each flange portion, and when the second cylindrical portion is turned upside down, It is characterized in that the tips of the respective convex portions are directed away from the end surface of the large diameter portion.
[0016]
Here, as a convex part, when a grommet is a 180 degree inversion type grommet, it should just be provided in the collar surface which faces the open end part side of a 2nd cylindrical part in an initial shape.
On the other hand, when the grommet is a 90-degree reversal type grommet, a projecting portion having a substantially L-shaped cross section can be adopted, and the open end of the second cylindrical portion in the initial shape so that the front end portion of the flange portion has a substantially crank-shaped cross section. What is necessary is just to provide a convex part in the collar surface which faces a part side.
[0017]
In the grommet configured in this way, when the second cylindrical portion is turned upside down, the convex portions provided on the collar surface of each collar portion face away from the end surface of the large diameter portion. The portion functions as a guide member for the mounting hole, so that each flange can reliably enter the mounting hole at the same time.
[0018]
Furthermore, as described in claim 3, the present invention includes an engagement rib provided along a circumferential direction of an open end portion in the large diameter portion, and an end surface of the engagement rib is the large diameter portion. It arrange | positions along the same surface as the end surface of.
Here, the engagement rib may be formed in an annular shape having a rectangular cross section, for example, and may be provided on one or both of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion.
[0019]
In such a grommet, the open end of the large-diameter portion is partially thickened by the engaging rib, so even if each flange portion covers the large-diameter portion when the second cylindrical portion is turned over. Thus, it is possible to obtain a strength at which the open end portion of the large-diameter portion does not undergo the diameter reduction deformation.
Moreover, in this grommet, since the end surface of the engagement rib is disposed along the same surface as the end surface of the large-diameter portion, when the second cylindrical portion is turned over, the end surface of the large-diameter portion with respect to each collar portion The overlapping dimension can be increased. That is, in this grommet, it is possible to maintain the overlapping state of the end surface of the large diameter portion with respect to each flange portion as compared with the case where the end surface of the engagement rib is not disposed along the same surface as the end surface of the large diameter portion. When the second cylindrical portion is stored and transported in an inverted state, even if vibration or impact is applied, the possibility of unintentional restoration to the initial shape can be reduced even before the long member is routed.
[0020]
And this invention is characterized by the said connection part being connected to the open end part of the said large diameter part, as described in Claim 4.
In the grommet configured as described above, since the connecting portion is connected to the open end portion of the large diameter portion, a method of increasing the protruding dimension of each flange portion more than necessary, or the large diameter portion more than necessary. Without adopting a shortening method, the distance between the tip position of each collar part in the initial shape and the end surface of the large-diameter part can be reduced, so that each collar part when the second cylindrical part is turned over Will surely cover the end face of the large diameter part.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the grommet 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided on the vehicle body panel 11 in order to dispose the wire harness W so as to penetrate the vehicle body panel 11 of the automobile. A reversible grommet that can be fitted in a state in which the wire harness W is inserted and held in the mounting hole 12 is used. The mounting hole 12 has a circular shape, and a flange 13 having a predetermined height is formed along the opening edge.
[0022]
The grommet 10 includes a first cylindrical portion 21 through which the wire harness W can be inserted, an annular connecting portion 23 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 21, and the first cylindrical portion 21 via the connecting portion 23. A second cylindrical portion 22 coaxially connected to the first cylindrical portion 22, a groove portion 24 provided along the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 22, and a plurality of flange portions 25 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 22. It consists of The groove portion 24 has a substantially U-shaped cross section into which the flange 13 of the mounting hole 12 can be fitted, and is continuously formed along the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 22.
In such a grommet 10, the first cylindrical portion 21, the second cylindrical portion 22, and the flange portions 25 are integrally formed of a synthetic resin having appropriate elasticity and water resistance.
[0023]
The first cylindrical portion 21 has a stepped shape in which a small diameter portion 27 and a large diameter portion 28 are coaxially connected.
The small diameter portion 27 has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the wire harness W, and a plurality of annular ribs 27A are provided along the inner peripheral surface. When the wire harness W is press-fitted, the small-diameter portion 27 comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wire harness W while the ribs 27A are elastically deformed, thereby holding the wire harness W while maintaining airtightness. ing.
[0024]
On the other hand, the large-diameter portion 28 has an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 27, a plurality of annular ribs 28A are provided along the inner peripheral surface, and an engagement rib at the open end portion. 28B is provided. The engagement rib 28B has an annular shape with a rectangular cross section, and its axial end surface is flush with the end surface of the large diameter portion 28, and is thickened by forming a step portion only on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 28. Is provided.
The large diameter portion 28 is configured to hold the wire harness W while maintaining hermeticity by filling and solidifying a predetermined filler after the wire harness W is press-fitted into the small diameter portion 27. .
[0025]
The connecting portion 23 has a substantially conical shape that expands from the substantially central portion in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 28 to the open end of the small-diameter portion 27, and extends along the generatrix direction of the connecting portion 23. A plurality of recesses 30 are provided.
The concave portion 30 is formed into a substantially triangular plane that expands toward the second cylindrical portion 22 with the generatrix of the connection portion 23 as the center, and is formed in a fan shape with a pair of side walls 30A and 30A formed in a quarter ellipse shape. Since the side walls 30B are arranged so as to cross each other, the cross section is substantially V-shaped.
[0026]
That is, these recesses 30 are provided so that the respective width dimension and depth dimension are gradually reduced toward the first cylindrical part 21 to become zero.
And the connection part 23 protrudes in the mountain shape from the internal peripheral surface so that the thickness of the location in which each recessed part 30 was provided becomes substantially equal to the thickness in another location (refer FIG. 1).
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, these recesses 30 are provided at intervals of 90 degrees around the axis of the first cylindrical portion 21.
[0027]
The second cylindrical portion 22 has an outer diameter corresponding to the opening size of the mounting hole 12, and has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 27 and the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 28. Yes. Since the second cylindrical portion 22 is connected to the substantially central portion in the axial direction of the large-diameter portion 28 via the connection portion 23, the small-diameter portion 27 is spaced from the substantially central portion in the axial direction of the large-diameter portion 28 with a predetermined interval. The large-diameter portion 28 is disposed so as to be nested so as to accommodate up to the side end portion.
[0028]
The flange portion 25 is projected along a virtual conical surface that expands toward the open end portion of the large-diameter portion 28 from between the groove portion 24 and the connection portion 23, and has a tapered shape toward the tip. . Each of the flange portions 25 is provided with a convex portion 26 on the flange surface 25A facing the open end portion side of the second cylindrical portion 22.
As shown in FIG. 2, the convex portion 26 has a tapered shape toward the distal end by forming the distal end portion of the flange portion 25 so as to be bent at a substantially right angle.
[0029]
Next, the wiring procedure of the wire harness W using such a grommet 10 will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 4, the wire harness W is inserted into the first cylindrical portion 21 of the grommet 10, and the large-diameter portion 28 is filled with the filler 29 and solidified, and then the small-diameter portion of the first cylindrical portion 21. The wire harness W is fixed to the small diameter portion 27 by winding the wire 27 and the wire harness W with an appropriate adhesive tape T.
[0030]
Then, with respect to the first cylindrical portion 21, the second cylindrical portion 22 is turned over so that the inner peripheral surface faces outward with the small diameter end portion of the connecting portion 23 as a fulcrum (state of FIG. 4).
At this time, the grommet 10 has the second cylindrical portion 22 opened to the large-diameter portion 28 because the tip end portion of each flange portion 25 is relatively close to the open end portion of the large-diameter portion 28 in the initial shape. In addition to covering the end portion, each flange portion 25 is turned by approximately 180 degrees so that the flange surface 25B facing the open end portion side of the large diameter portion 28 faces the end surface of the large diameter portion 28 in the initial shape. And the outer peripheral surface by the side of the open end of the 2nd cylindrical part 22 in an initial shape deform | transforms into a mortar surface.
[0031]
Note that the large-diameter portion 28 is less likely to be reduced in diameter even if it is covered with the deformed second cylindrical portion 22 because the engaging rib 28B provided at the open end portion is a reinforcing material.
Further, the convex portions 26 of the flange portions 25 are oriented in a direction away from the end surface of the large diameter portion 28 along the outer surface of the wire harness W.
[0032]
Further, the connecting portion 23 undergoes a diameter-expanding deformation that is stretched in the circumferential direction as the second cylindrical portion 22 is reversed. However, the connecting portion 23 is deformed so that the cross-sectional shape is enlarged. Compared with the case where the diameter-expanding deformation of the portion 23 does not reach the entire region, and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23 is formed flat, the work of reversing the second cylindrical portion 22 from the initial shape can be easily performed.
[0033]
Next, after the wire harness W is inserted into the mounting hole 12, the mortar surface in which the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 22 is deformed is brought into line contact with the flange 13 of the mounting hole 12 in a circular manner. 12, the wire harness W is securely arranged on the same axis. When the grommet 10 is pressed toward the vehicle body panel 11 as it is, the open end portion of the second cylindrical portion 22 pressed by the flange 13 starts to be restored to the initial shape, and the open end portion of the second cylindrical portion 22 On the other hand, the convex portion 26 of each flange 25 protrudes relatively and enters the mounting hole 12.
At this time, the grommet 10 has a convex portion 26 of each flange portion 25, in other words, the front end portion of each flange portion 25 enters the mounting hole 12 before the other members. There is no possibility that the flange 13 of the mounting hole 12 is relatively guided between the flange portions 25.
[0034]
Subsequently, when the grommet 10 is further pushed toward the left in FIG. 4 and the base end portion of each flange portion 25 moves to a position where it passes through the mounting hole 12, each flange portion 25 protrudes from the second cylindrical portion 22. The strong repulsive force that restores the angle to the initial state is released.
Therefore, the grommet 10 moves to the left in the drawing by itself while expanding the flanges 25, and the groove 24 is fitted to the flange 13 of the mounting hole 12 (state of FIG. 1).
[0035]
At this time, since each protrusion 25 is provided with a convex portion 26 on each flange surface 25A, each convex portion 26 engages with the opening edge of the mounting hole 12 along with the expanding operation. Thus, the coaxial state of the wire harness W with respect to the mounting hole 12 is maintained.
Further, when the second cylindrical portion 22 is restored to the initial shape, the connecting portion 23 undergoes a diameter expansion deformation such that the connection portion 23 is stretched in the circumferential direction again. The expansion of the connecting portion 23 does not extend over the entire area, thereby making it easier to restore the second cylindrical portion 22 to the initial shape than when the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23 is formed flat. Can be done.
[0036]
In the above-described grommet 10, the connecting portion 23 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 28 so that at least a part of the second cylindrical portion 22 and the large-diameter portion 28 are arranged in a substantially nested manner. For example, as compared with the case where the connecting portion 23 is connected to the boundary portion between the small diameter portion 27 and the large diameter portion 28, the distal end portion of each flange portion 25 with respect to the open end portion of the large diameter portion 28 in the initial shape They are relatively close together.
Therefore, according to such a grommet 10, even if the large-diameter portion 28 has a diameter dimension that can be filled with the filler 29, a method of increasing the protruding dimension of each flange 25, or the large-diameter portion 28 Without adopting the method of shortening the length, the flange 25 covers the end surface of the large-diameter portion 28 when the second cylindrical portion 22 is turned upside down, so that each flange 25 is attached before other members. The wire harness W can be easily and reliably routed by entering the hole 12.
[0037]
Further, according to this grommet 10, when the second cylindrical portion 22 is turned upside down, the convex portions 26 respectively provided on the flange surface 25A of each flange portion 25 face the direction away from the large diameter portion 28. The convex portion 26 functions as a guide member for the mounting hole 12, whereby each flange 25 can surely enter the mounting hole 12 at the same time.
[0038]
Further, according to the grommet 10 as described above, since the engagement rib 28B is provided along the circumferential direction of the open end portion in the large diameter portion 28, the second cylindrical portion 22 turned upside down has the large diameter portion 28. Even when the outer peripheral surface is covered, the engagement rib 28B serves as a reinforcing material to prevent the open end portion of the large-diameter portion 28 from being deformed, thereby preventing the deformation of each flange portion 25 with respect to the end surface of the large-diameter portion 28. The covering state can be maintained.
[0039]
In particular, according to this grommet 10, since the end surface of the engagement rib 28B is provided so as to be along the same surface as the end surface of the large-diameter portion 28, the end surface of the large-diameter portion 28 is larger than the thickness of the central portion. The width dimension can be increased, whereby the overlapping dimension with each flange 25 can be increased.
Therefore, according to this grommet 10, each rib relative to the open end portion of the large diameter portion 28 is compared with the case where the end surface of the engagement rib 28B is not provided along the same surface as the end surface of the large diameter portion 28. The engagement state of the portion 25 can be maintained satisfactorily, and even if the second cylindrical portion 22 is stored and transported with the inside turned upside down, it is possible to reduce the restoration to an unintended initial shape due to vibration, impact, or the like.
[0040]
5 and 6 show a second embodiment according to the present invention.
In the second embodiment described below, the members and the like already described in FIGS. 1 to 4 are simplified or omitted by giving the same or corresponding reference numerals in the drawings, and mainly described above. Differences from the first embodiment will be described.
[0041]
In the grommet 40 of the second embodiment, the large-diameter portion 58 constituting the first cylindrical portion 51 has the shortest axial dimension capable of maintaining the function of filling the filler and holding the wire harness W, and the opening thereof A connecting portion 53 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the end portion. Therefore, the second cylindrical portion 52 and the large diameter portion 58 are arranged substantially in a nested manner.
[0042]
Further, the grommet 40 is set so that the protruding dimension of each flange 55 is slightly larger than the flange of the first embodiment, and when the second cylindrical portion 52 is turned upside down, the flange surface of each flange 55 Is a 90-degree reversal grommet that turns approximately 90 degrees.
Further, the grommet 40 is provided with a thin portion 41 at the connection portion 53, and a ridge line 60 formed by intersecting the side surface 54A of the groove portion 54 facing the connection portion 53 side and the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 52. A projecting corner 61 and a notch 62 are provided in the base.
[0043]
The thin portion 41 is provided by forming grooves 41A and 41B that are continuous in the circumferential direction on the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the connecting portion 53, respectively.
The grooves 41A and 41B have a substantially semicircular cross section, and are formed at positions corresponding to each other along a plane orthogonal to the axis of the connection portion 53.
[0044]
The notch 62 is a conical surface that intersects the side surface 54A and the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 52 at a predetermined angle, and is continuous for a predetermined length along the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 52.
The protruding corner portions 61 and the cutout portions 62 have different circumferential lengths, and are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 52.
[0045]
According to such a grommet 40, the second cylindrical portion 52 and the large diameter portion 58 are arranged in a substantially nested manner by connecting the connection portion 53 to the open end portion of the large diameter portion 58. Similarly to the grommet of the first embodiment, in the initial shape, the distal end portion of each flange portion 55 is disposed relatively close to the open end portion of the large diameter portion 58.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, according to this grommet 40, if the second cylindrical portion 52 is turned over with the small diameter end portion of the connection portion 53 as a fulcrum, the tip of each flange portion 55 interferes with the large diameter portion 58. In addition, the outer surface of the wire harness W is contacted to cover the end surface of the large diameter portion 58, and each flange portion 55 can enter the mounting hole 12 prior to other members, and the first embodiment described above. Like the grommet, the wiring work of the wire harness W can be easily and reliably performed.
[0046]
And according to this grommet 40, since the connecting portion 53 is connected to the open end portion of the large diameter portion 58, in other words, the large diameter portion 58 does not protrude from the small diameter end portion of the connecting portion 53. Even when only a small space can be secured on the back side of the panel 11, the wiring work of the wire harness W can be performed easily and reliably as compared with the grommet of the first embodiment described above.
[0047]
Further, according to the grommet 40, the strength of the specific part in the connection part 53 is intentionally lower than the other part by the thin part 41, so the second cylindrical part so that the inner peripheral surface faces outward. When 52 is reversed, the connecting portion 53 is folded back with the thin portion 41 as a boundary (see FIG. 7).
At this time, since the grommet 40 is provided with the thin portion 41 by the grooves 41A and 41B along the plane orthogonal to the axis of the connection portion 53, the second cylindrical portion 52 is provided with respect to the first cylindrical portion 51. There is no risk of tilting and reversing.
[0048]
In addition, the grommet 40 is intentionally lower in strength of the thin portion 41 in the connection portion 53 than in other portions. In other words, compared to the case where the thin portion 41 is not provided in the connection portion 53. Thus, the elastic repulsion force that the connecting portion 53 tries to restore to the initial shape is weak.
That is, the grommet 40 can maintain the inverted state of the second cylindrical portion 52 better than the case where the thin portion 41 is not provided in the connection portion 53, and is not intended even if an impact or the like is applied. Therefore, there is little possibility that the second cylindrical portion 52 is restored to the initial shape.
[0049]
Therefore, according to the grommet 40 of the second embodiment described above, the second cylindrical portion 52 can be shipped and stored in a state where the second cylindrical portion 52 is appropriately reversed with respect to the first cylindrical portion 51, and the second grommet 40 is mounted on the vehicle body panel 11. The state where the two cylindrical portions 52 are inverted can be maintained.
In particular, according to the grommet 40 of the second embodiment, since the thin portion 41 is provided by the grooves 41A and 41B, as the thin portion 41, for example, a large number of recesses are formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the connection portion 53. Compared with the case where it provides, the boundary in the connection part 53 can be prescribed | regulated reliably.
[0050]
Further, according to such a grommet 40, since the protruding corner portion 61 and the notch portion 62 are provided on the ridge line 60 of the groove portion 54, when the second cylindrical portion 52 is shipped and stored in an inverted state, the cross section Even when the ridge line 60 is pressed against another ridge line facing the ridge line 60 by deforming the substantially U-shaped groove portion 54 into a substantially Δ-shaped cross section, only the protruding corner portion 61 of the ridge line 60 is in close contact with the other ridge line. And a space | gap is ensured between another ridgeline and the notch part 62 (refer FIG. 7).
That is, according to this grommet 40, when attaching to the vehicle body panel 11, the ridge lines of the groove portion 54 are easily separated from each other as compared with the case where the notch portion 62 is not provided in the ridge line 60 of the groove portion 54. The second cylindrical portion 52 can be easily restored to the initial shape.
[0051]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications, improvements, and the like are possible. The mounting plate, the mounting hole, the first cylindrical portion, and the connection exemplified in the above-described embodiments. The material, shape, dimension, form, number, location, etc. of the portion, the second cylindrical portion, the groove portion, the flange portion, the engaging portion, and the rib are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, the connection portion is arranged so that at least a part of the second cylindrical portion and the large diameter portion are arranged in a substantially nested manner. Since it is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion, even if the large-diameter portion can be filled with a filler, a method of increasing the protruding dimension of each flange more than necessary, or the large-diameter portion more than necessary Without adopting a shortening method, the long member can be easily and reliably routed by covering the end surface of the large-diameter portion with each flange when the second cylindrical portion is turned over. .
[0053]
Further, according to the present invention, as described in claim 2, when the second cylindrical portion is turned upside down, the convex portion protruding along the thickness direction from the collar surface of each collar portion is formed on the end surface of the large diameter portion. Since they face away from each other, each convex portion functions as a guide member for the mounting hole, so that each flange can reliably and simultaneously enter the mounting hole.
[0054]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, as described in claim 3, the end surface of the engaging rib provided at the open end of the large diameter portion is disposed along the same plane as the end surface of the large diameter portion. When the second cylindrical portion is turned upside down, even if each collar portion covers the large diameter portion, the open end portion of the large diameter portion can be obtained with a strength that does not shrink and the end surface of the engagement rib is the large diameter portion. Compared to the case where it is not arranged along the same surface as the end face, when storing and transporting the second cylindrical part upside down, even if vibrations or impacts are applied, before the long member is routed The possibility of unintentional restoration to the initial shape can be reduced.
[0055]
And according to this invention, since the connection part is connected to the open end part of the large diameter part as described in Claim 4, even if it is a case where only a narrow space is securable on the back surface side of a mounting plate The long member can be routed easily and reliably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a grommet according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the grommet in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the grommet of FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the grommet of FIG. 1 is inverted. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a grommet according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an overall perspective view of the grommet shown in FIG. 5. FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the grommet in FIG. 5 is inverted. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 40 Grommet
11 Body panel (mounting plate)
12 Mounting hole
21,51 1st cylindrical part
22, 52 Second cylindrical part
23, 53 connection
24, 54 groove
25, 55
26 Convex
27, 57 Small diameter part
28, 58 Large diameter part
29 Filler
28B engagement rib
W Wire harness (long member)

Claims

In order to penetrate and hold the long member in the mounting hole formed in the mounting plate, a first cylindrical part capable of inserting the long member and an annular connection provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical part A second cylindrical portion connected via a portion, a groove portion provided along the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion, and a radial shape from between the groove portion and the connecting portion on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion. A plurality of collars provided in the
After the long member is held in the first cylindrical portion by the filler filled in the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion is turned over so that the inner peripheral surface faces outward. A grommet that fits the groove into the opening edge of the mounting hole by collecting the tip of the flange and inserting it into the mounting hole, and then restoring the second cylindrical part to an initial shape,
The first cylindrical portion has a stepped shape in which a small diameter portion capable of press-fitting the long member and a large diameter portion continuous with the small diameter portion and filled with a filler are coaxially connected,
The end surface of the second cylindrical portion and the end surface of the large-diameter portion are oriented in a direction away from each other, and at least a part of the second cylindrical portion and the large-diameter portion are arranged substantially in a nested manner, When the connection portion is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion, when the second cylindrical portion is turned over, the flange portions can cover the end surface of the large-diameter portion. Grommet to do.

A convex portion projecting along the thickness direction from the flange surface at the distal end portion of each flange portion; when the second cylindrical portion is turned over, The grommet according to claim 1, wherein the grommet faces in a direction away from each other.

It has an engagement rib provided along the circumferential direction of the open end in the large diameter portion, and the end surface of the engagement rib is arranged along the same surface as the end surface of the large diameter portion. The grommet according to claim 1 or 2.

The grommet according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is connected to an open end portion of the large-diameter portion.