JP4100560B2

JP4100560B2 - Grommet

Info

Publication number: JP4100560B2
Application number: JP2003062412A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 一男榎本; 健長谷川; 信正見崎; 慶治吉澤; 圭一加藤
Original assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Current assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Priority date: 2003-03-07
Filing date: 2003-03-07
Publication date: 2008-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-07
Also published as: JP2004274886A

Description

【０００１】
【発明に属する技術分野】
この発明は、パネルにあけた貫通穴に装着される弾性材料からなるグロメットに関し、例えば、自動車におけるワイヤハーネスを通す貫通穴に装着して好適なグロメットに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば自動車において、ワイヤハーネスをパネル（ボディパネル）の貫通穴に通す場合、貫通穴にゴム材料からなるグロメットを取り付けて、ワイヤハーネスの保護と貫通穴部分の車室内への防水、防塵、遮音等を図ることが行われている。
【０００３】
図７〜図９に従来のグロメットを示す。このグロメット１は、自動車においてワイヤハーネス（以下、電線１０という）を車室内からのエンジンルームやトランクルームに通す際等に使用されるもので、図９のようにパネル９の貫通穴９ａに装着される。このグロメット１は、貫通穴９ａに直接装着される概略筒状のグロメット本体部２と、前記グロメット本体部２内を通すべき電線１０を案内し保持する電線案内保持用筒部３とをゴム材料で一体成形した電線案内保持用筒部付きのグロメットである。前記電線案内保持用筒部３は、直線部分３ａ、蛇腹状部分３ｂ、Ｌ字状部分３ｃとからなり、Ｌ字状部分３ｃがグロメット本体部２に連接されている。
【０００４】
グロメット本体部２は、これをパネル９の貫通穴９ａに装着する際に貫通穴９ａを通過する小径環状部５と貫通穴９ａの背後に止まる大径環状部６とを備え、小径環状部５と大径環状部６との間の外周に、貫通穴９ａの周縁を嵌合させる係止用の周溝７を備えている。さらに、小径環状部５の外周面はテーパ状の案内面５ａとされている。また、大径環状部６側に、貫通穴９ａに装着した時に貫通穴９ａを密閉状態に保つためのシール部６ａを、周溝７の周囲でパネル９に面接触する態様で形成している。また、８は電線１０をテープで固定するための電線固定部材である。
【０００５】
上記グロメット１をパネル９の貫通穴９ａに取り付ける場合、貫通穴９ａへの挿入には一定の挿入力が必要となるが、図１０に示すように、小径環状部５の外周の案内面５ａの傾斜角度θを小さくすることで、グロメット１の挿入に要する力を低減することが行われている。
【０００６】
また、貫通穴への挿入力の低減を図った他のグロメットとして、例えば図１１、図１２に示したグロメット１１（特開平１０−２４７５５０号公報参照）がある。
このグロメット１１は、固定鍔部（大径環状部）１２と、固定鍔部１２の前面から同心円状に突出した係合鍔部（小径環状部）１３と、固定鍔部１２から延設された蛇腹状の電線保持部１７とを備えたゴム材からなる一体形状のグロメットであり、固定鍔部１２と係合鍔部１３との間にはパネル９の貫通穴９ａの周縁を若干嵌合させる浅い周溝１４が形成されている。そして、このグロメット１１では、係合鍔部１３の外周縁に２対（計４個）の係止リブ１８を配設するとともに、これらの係止リブ１８を撓みやすくするために、周溝１４の全周における係止リブ１８の部分を深くして、周溝１４よりさらに深い切欠溝１９としている。
【０００７】
【特許文献１】
特開平１０−２４７５５０号公報
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
図７〜図１０に示したグロメット１は、小径環状部５の案内面５ａの傾斜角度θを小さくすることでパネル９の貫通穴９ａへ挿入する力を低減することができるが、この方法を採用するとグロメット１を貫通穴９ａに装着する際に節度感（すなわち、周溝７に貫通穴９ａの周縁が確かに嵌合したという感触）があまり得られず、グロメット１の貫通穴９ａへの装着が不完全となる恐れがある。
また、図１１、図１２に示したグロメット１１は、貫通穴９ａに挿入するために必要な力を低減することができ、かつ貫通穴９ａとの強固な保持力を確保できるというものであるが、貫通穴９ａの周縁は、浅い周溝１４だけの部分と深い切欠溝１９のある係止リブ１８の部分とに接触することになり、貫通穴９ａの周縁の接触する部分が円周方向に一様ではないので、シール圧、すなわち、固定鍔部１２をパネル９の面に密着させる圧力すなわちシール圧が一様に得られない。このため、グロメット１１の材料の経年劣化によりグロメット１１のシール性が低下する可能性がある。
【０００９】
また、一体成形品ではないが、樹脂製のインナーグロメットとゴム製のアウターグロメットからなる２部品構成の低挿入力グロメットが使用されることもあるが、この種のグロメットは、パネルの貫通穴に装着する際の節度感が得られる反面、コストが高くなるという問題があった。
【００１０】
本発明は上記従来の欠点を解消するためになされたもので、パネルの貫通穴への挿入力を低減することができるだけでなく、貫通穴に装着する際に良好な節度感が得られ、かつ、一様なシール圧が得られるグロメットを提供することを目的とする。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決する請求項１の発明は、パネルの貫通穴を通過する小径環状部と貫通穴の背後に止まる大径環状部との間の外周に、貫通穴の周縁を嵌合させる係止用の周溝を備えるとともに、前記小径環状部の外周面がテーパ状の案内面とされたグロメット本体部と、前記グロメット本体部内を通すべき電線を案内し保持する、パネル面と概ね平行な方向からＬ字状に屈曲してグロメット本体部に連接される電線案内保持用筒部とを弾性材料により一体成形した電線案内保持部付きのグロメットにおいて、
前記グロメット本体部の小径環状部の案内面上に、前記案内面と周溝との境界から小径環状部の先端にわたる１つの引掛け用突起および１つ以上の節度感用突起が、円周方向に間隔をあけて設けられるとともに、前記引掛け用突起は電線案内保持用筒部がパネル面と平行に延びる側に設けられ、前記節度感用突起は引掛け用突起と反対側でかつ前記電線案内保持用筒部が延びる方向に関して左右対称に設けられていることを特徴とする。
【００１２】
請求項２は、請求項１のグロメットにおいて、引掛け用突起は節度感用突起より高さを高くし、節度感用突起はその頂部面が案内面のテーパに概ね沿う形状としたことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
請求項３は、請求項１〜２のグロメットにおいて、節度感用突起の周溝との境界となる後端面が概ね垂直をなすことを特徴とする。
【００１４】
請求項４は、請求項１〜３のグロメットにおいて、節度感用突起が、小径環状部の先端面にも延びていることを特徴とする。
【００１５】
請求項５は、請求項１〜４のグロメットにおいて、外周の周溝に対応する内面に、挿入時抵抗調節用の周溝を形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１６】
請求項６は、請求項１〜５のグロメットにおいて、引掛け用突起の部分に、小径環状部の先端面からさらに前方に突出する棒状の電線固定部材を一体に設けたことを特徴とする。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１は本発明の一実施形態のグロメット２１の斜視図、図２は同正面図、図３は同平面図、図４は図２のＡ−Ａ拡大断面図である。
図示例のグロメット２１は、自動車においてワイヤハーネス（以下、電線１０という）を車室内からのエンジンルームやトランクルームに通す際等に使用されるもので、図３、図４のようにパネル９の貫通穴９ａに装着される。このグロメット２１は、貫通穴９ａに直接装着される概略筒状のグロメット本体部２２と、前記グロメット本体部２２内を通すべき電線１０を案内し保持する電線案内保持用筒部２３とを弾性材料で一体成形した電線案内保持用筒部付きのグロメットである。弾性材料としてエチレン−プロピレンゴム等のゴム材料を用いるとよい。
前記電線案内保持用筒部２３は、直線部分２３ａ、蛇腹状部分２３ｂ、Ｌ字状部分２３ｃとからなり、Ｌ字状部分２３ｃがグロメット本体部２２に連接されている。直線部分２３ａには、バンドを締め付けるときの位置決め突起２３ｄを設けている。
【００１９】
グロメット本体部２２は、これをパネル９の貫通穴９ａに装着する際に貫通穴９ａを通過する小径環状部２５と貫通穴９ａの背後に止まる大径環状部２６とを備え、小径環状部２５と大径環状部２６間の外周に、貫通穴９ａの周縁を嵌合させる係止用の周溝２７を備えている。さらに、小径環状部２５の外周面はテーパ状の案内面２５ａとされている。また、大径環状部２６側に、貫通穴９ａに装着した時に貫通穴９ａを密閉状態に保つためのシール部２６ａを、周溝２７の周囲でパネル９に面接触する態様で形成している。グロメット本体部２２の開口部を２８で示す。
【００２０】
上述した範囲では従来と概ね同様であるが、本発明では、前記小径環状部２５の案内面２５ａ上に、１つの引掛け用突起３０および１つ以上の節度感用突起３１を、円周方向に間隔をあけて設ける。各突起３０、３１はいずれも、前記案内面２５ａと周溝２７との境界ｐから小径環状部２５の先端にわたって形成されるとともに、引掛け用突起３０は節度感用突起３１より高さを高くし、また、節度感用突起３１はその頂部面３１ｂが案内面２５ａのテーパに概ね沿う形状とされている。引掛け用突起３０の高さは、多少余分に高くしてもよいが、節度感用突起３１の高さは、適切な節度感を得るために、例えば０．５ｍｍ〜２．５ｍｍ、好ましくは１．５ｍｍ〜２．０ｍｍの範囲が適切である。また、この実施形態では、引掛け用突起３０を電線案内保持用筒部２３が延びる側（図２で右側）に設け、２つの節度感用突起３１をその反対側で間隔をあけて設けている。図示例の引掛け用突起３０および節度感用突起３１はいずれも、周溝２７との境界Ｐとなる後端面３０ａ、３１ａが図４のように概ね垂直をなしている。また、図示例の節度感用突起３１は、小径環状部２５の先端面２５ｂにも延びている。さらに、グロメット本体部２２の外周の係止用の周溝２７に対応する内面に、挿入時抵抗調節用の周溝３３を形成している。また、前記引掛け用突起３０の部分に、小径環状部２５の先端面からさらに前方に突出する棒状の電線固定部材３４を一体に設けている。
【００２１】
上記のグロメット２１をパネル９に取り付ける場合、通常、予め電線１０を電線案内保持用筒部２３およびグロメット本体部２２内に通し、電線固定部材３４にテープ等で固定しておく。次いで、先に、引掛け用突起３０の部分だけをパネル９の貫通穴９ａに入れて、この引掛け用突起３０の部分の周溝２７をパネル９の貫通穴９ａの縁部に引っ掛け、その後グロメット本体部２２の全体を特に反対側（図４の上側）に力を入れて押し込むと、２つの節度感用突起３１の頂部面３１ｂが貫通穴９ａの周縁と摺動しながら、小径環状部２５の全体が貫通穴９ａを通過して、貫通穴９ａの周縁が周溝２７に嵌合し、グロメット本体部２２がパネル９の貫通穴９ａに装着される。
【００２２】
上記のグロメット２１の貫通穴９ａへの装着時の作用を詳しく説明すると、
節度用突起３１がパネル９の貫通穴９ａの周縁に接触しながら押し込まれつつある間は、グロメット本体部２２の押し込みに対する挿入抵抗が次第に増加していく。そして、節度用突起３１が貫通穴９ａを通過すると、節度用突起３１の後端面３１ａは略垂直でありかつ直ちに周溝２７になっているので、挿入抵抗が急激に消失すると同時に、貫通穴９ａの周縁が周溝２７に嵌合する。この急激な抵抗変化が、周溝２７に貫通穴９ａの周縁が間違いなく嵌合したという確かな感触、すなわち節度感が得られる。
また、このグロメット２１における係合用の周溝２７は全周にわたって均一かつ十分な深さのものであるから、図１１、図１２のグロメット１１のように係止リブ１８の部分の切欠溝１９を除いて浅い周溝７しかないものと比べて、十分高い保持力を確保することができる。
【００２３】
また、グロメット本体部２２を貫通穴９ａに装着した状態では、各突起３０、３１の端面３０ａ、３１ａはパネル９に接触しない（また接触しても力を作用させない）ので、シール部２６ａはパネル９に貫通穴９ａの全周にわたって均等なシール圧で面接触することができる。すなわち、シール部２６ａは貫通穴９ａの全周でパネル９の面に十分な圧力で密着し、このため、グロメット２１の材料が経年劣化した場合でも、グロメット２１のシール性の低下を確実に抑えることができる。
さらに、外周の係止用の周溝２７に対応する内面に挿入時抵抗調節用の周溝３３を設けているので、係止用の周溝２７の肉厚部分が薄く柔軟性が高くなり、したがって、小径環状部２５の部分が撓み易くなり、グロメット本体部２２を貫通穴９ａに挿入する際の力を軽減することができる。また、この周溝３３は内面側にあって円周方向の一部分でなく全周のものであるから、図１１、図１２のように浅い周溝１４の一部分（係止リブ１８の部分）を深く（切欠溝１９）した周方向に不均一な従来のグロメット１１と異なり、貫通穴９ａの全周にわたって一様なシール性が保たれる。
【００２４】
また、引掛け用突起３０の内側部分に電線固定部材３４を設けたので、グロメット本体部２２の開口部２８より延出した電線１０が邪魔になることはなく、グロメット本体２２を貫通穴９ａに取り付ける際の作業性が向上する。
【００２５】
なお、本発明のグロメットにおける節度用突起３１の個数は２つに限定されない。例えば図５に示したグロメット２１Ａのように、１つの節度感用突起３１のみを引掛け用突起３０の１８０°対向する位置に設けてもよいし、図６に示したグロメット２１Ｂのように、３つの節度感用突起３１を設けてもよい。なお、図５、図６で他の部分は図１〜図４の実施形態と同じである。
【００２６】
また、本発明のグロメットはパネルの貫通穴に取り付けるものであるが、ここでパネルとは必ずしも広い面のものを言うものではなく、例えばケースの壁をなすもの等であってもよい。
また、本発明のグロメットは自動車用に限定されるものでなく、種々の用途のグロメットとして適用できる。また、グロメットに通すものも電線に限定されず、チューブやホース等でもよい。
【００２７】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、Ｌ字状に屈曲してグロメット本体部に連接される電線案内保持用筒部を一体成形した電線案内保持部付きのグロメットにおいて、小径環状部のテーパ状の案内面上に、前記案内面と周溝との境界から小径環状部の先端にわたる１つの引掛け用突起および１つ以上の節度感用突起を、円周方向に間隔をあけて設けたので、かつ、引掛け用突起は電線案内保持用筒部側に設け、節度感用突起は引掛け用突起と反対側で左右対称に設けたので、次のような効果が得られる。
（１）グロメットをパネルの貫通穴に装着する際、節度用突起が貫通穴を通過する際に抵抗となり、貫通穴の周縁が周溝に嵌合した時に、急激な抵抗変化となるので、周溝に貫通穴の周縁が間違いなく嵌合したという確かな感触、すなわち良好な節度感が得られる。
（２）係合用の周溝は全周にわたって均一かつ十分な深さのものであるから、従来のグロメット（図１１、図１２）のように係止リブの部分の切欠溝を除いて浅い周溝しかないものと比べて、十分高い保持力を確保することができる。
（３）また、グロメット本体部を貫通穴に装着した状態では、各突起の端面はパネルに接触しない（また接触しても力を作用させない）ので、シール部はパネルに貫通穴の全周にわたって均等なシール圧で面接触することができ、すなわち十分な圧力で密着する。したがって、グロメットの材料が経年劣化した場合でも、グロメットのシール性の低下を確実に抑えることができる。
（４）また、パネルの貫通穴に嵌合するグロメット本体部と、このグロメット本体部内に通すべき電線を案内し保持する電線案内保持用筒部とを一体に備えるので、例えば自動車用のワイヤハーネスを通すグロメット等に好適である。
【００２８】
請求項２によれば、引掛け用突起の機能および節度感用突起の機能がそれぞれ適切かつ有効に発揮され、グロメット装着時の良好な節度感が得られる。
請求項３によれば、グロメットの貫通穴への挿入抵抗が急激に消失することとなるので、グロメット装着時の節度感をより確実に得ることができる。
請求項４によれば、グロメットを貫通穴に装着する際に、節度感用突起が貫通穴に接触する初期の動作が円滑になる。
【００２９】
請求項５によれば、外周の係止用の周溝に対応する内面に挿入時抵抗調節用の周溝を設けているので、小径環状部の部分が撓み易くなり、グロメット本体部を貫通穴に挿入する際の力を軽減することができる。また、この周溝は内面側にあって円周方向の一部分でなく全周のものであるから、浅い周溝の一部分を深くした周方向に不均一な溝を持つ従来のグロメット（図１１、図１２）と異なり、貫通穴の全周にわたって一様なシール性が保たれる。
【００３０】
請求項６によれば、引掛け用突起の内側部分に電線固定部材を設けたので、電線が邪魔になることはなく、グロメットを貫通穴に装着する際の作業性が向上する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態のグロメットの斜視図である。
【図２】図１の正面図である。
【図３】図１の平面図である。
【図４】図２の要部のＡ−Ａ拡大断面図である。
【図５】本発明の他の実施形態のグロメットの正面図である。。
【図６】本発明のさらに他の実施形態のグロメットの正面図である。。
【図７】従来のグロメットの斜視図である。
【図８】図７の正面図である。
【図９】図８のＢ−Ｂ断面図である。
【図１０】図９のＣ部拡大図である。
【図１１】従来の他のグロメットの正面図である。
【図１２】図１１のＤ−Ｄ断面図である。
【符号の説明】
９パネル
９ａ貫通穴
１０電線
２１グロメット
２２グロメット本体部
２３電線案内保持用筒部
２３ａ直線状部
２３ｂ蛇腹状部
２３ｃＬ字状部分
２３ｄ位置決め突起
２５小径環状部
２５ａ案内面
２５ｂ（小径環状部の）先端面
２６大径環状部
２６ａシール部
２８開口部
３０引掛け用突起
３１節度用突起
３１ａ（節度感用突起の）後端面
３３内面周溝
３４電線固定部材
Ｐ案内面と周溝との境界[0001]
[Technical field belonging to the invention]
The present invention relates to a grommet made of an elastic material that is attached to a through hole formed in a panel. For example, the present invention relates to a grommet that is suitable for being attached to a through hole through which a wire harness is passed in an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when passing a wire harness through a through-hole in a panel (body panel) in a car, attach a grommet made of rubber material to the through-hole to protect the wire harness and waterproof the interior of the through-hole part to dust, sound insulation, etc. It has been done.
[0003]
A conventional grommet is shown in FIGS. The grommet 1 is used when passing a wire harness (hereinafter referred to as an electric wire 10) in an automobile through an engine room or a trunk room from the passenger compartment, and is attached to the through hole 9a of the panel 9 as shown in FIG. The The grommet 1 is made of a rubber material that includes a substantially cylindrical grommet main body 2 that is directly attached to the through-hole 9a, and a wire guide holding cylinder 3 that guides and holds the electric wire 10 to be passed through the grommet main body 2. 1 is a grommet with a tube portion for holding an electric wire guide that is integrally formed with the wire. The wire guide holding cylinder portion 3 includes a straight portion 3 a, a bellows portion 3 b, and an L-shaped portion 3 c, and the L-shaped portion 3 c is connected to the grommet main body 2.
[0004]
The grommet main body 2 includes a small-diameter annular portion 5 that passes through the through-hole 9a and a large-diameter annular portion 6 that stops behind the through-hole 9a when the grommet body portion 2 is attached to the through-hole 9a of the panel 9. And a circumferential groove 7 for engaging with the periphery of the through hole 9a is provided on the outer periphery between the annular portion 6 and the large-diameter annular portion 6. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter annular portion 5 is a tapered guide surface 5a. Further, on the large-diameter annular portion 6 side, a seal portion 6a for keeping the through-hole 9a in a hermetically sealed state when mounted in the through-hole 9a is formed so as to be in surface contact with the panel 9 around the circumferential groove 7. . Reference numeral 8 denotes an electric wire fixing member for fixing the electric wire 10 with a tape.
[0005]
When the grommet 1 is attached to the through hole 9a of the panel 9, a certain insertion force is required for insertion into the through hole 9a. However, as shown in FIG. The force required for inserting the grommet 1 is reduced by reducing the inclination angle θ.
[0006]
Further, as another grommet for reducing the insertion force into the through hole, for example, there is a grommet 11 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-247550).
The grommet 11 is extended from the fixed collar part (large diameter annular part) 12, the engaging collar part (small diameter annular part) 13 projecting concentrically from the front surface of the fixed collar part 12, and the fixed collar part 12. This is an integral grommet made of a rubber material provided with an accordion-shaped electric wire holding portion 17, and the peripheral edge of the through hole 9 a of the panel 9 is slightly fitted between the fixed flange portion 12 and the engagement flange portion 13. A shallow circumferential groove 14 is formed. In this grommet 11, two pairs (a total of four) of the locking ribs 18 are disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the engagement flange 13, and the circumferential groove 14 is used to make the locking ribs 18 bend easily. A portion of the locking rib 18 on the entire circumference is deepened to form a notch groove 19 that is deeper than the circumferential groove 14.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-247550
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Although the grommet 1 shown in FIGS. 7-10 can reduce the force inserted in the through-hole 9a of the panel 9 by making small inclination | tilt angle (theta) of the guide surface 5a of the small diameter annular part 5, it can reduce this method. If it is adopted, when the grommet 1 is mounted in the through hole 9a, a moderation feeling (that is, a feeling that the peripheral edge of the through hole 9a is surely fitted into the circumferential groove 7) is not obtained so much. Installation may be incomplete.
Further, the grommet 11 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 can reduce the force required to be inserted into the through hole 9a and can secure a strong holding force with the through hole 9a. The peripheral edge of the through hole 9a comes into contact with only the shallow circumferential groove 14 and the locking rib 18 with the deep cutout groove 19, and the peripheral contact portion of the through hole 9a is in the circumferential direction. Since it is not uniform, the seal pressure, that is, the pressure that tightly attaches the fixed flange 12 to the surface of the panel 9, that is, the seal pressure cannot be obtained uniformly. For this reason, there is a possibility that the sealing performance of the grommet 11 is lowered due to the aging of the material of the grommet 11.
[0009]
Also, although it is not an integrally molded product, a two-part low insertion force grommet consisting of a resin inner grommet and a rubber outer grommet may be used. This type of grommet is placed in the through hole of the panel. While a moderation feeling can be obtained at the time of wearing, there is a problem that the cost becomes high.
[0010]
The present invention was made to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and not only can the insertion force into the through hole of the panel be reduced, but also a good moderation feeling can be obtained when mounting in the through hole, and An object of the present invention is to provide a grommet capable of obtaining a uniform sealing pressure.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 that solves the above-described problem is a latch that fits the periphery of the through hole to the outer periphery between the small diameter annular portion that passes through the through hole of the panel and the large diameter annular portion that stops behind the through hole. A grommet main body having a peripheral groove for use and a tapered guide surface on the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter annular portion, and a direction substantially parallel to the panel surface for guiding and holding the electric wire to be passed through the grommet main body. In the grommet with an electric wire guide holding part integrally formed of an elastic material with a cylindrical part for electric wire guide holding bent to an L-shape and connected to the grommet main body part ,
On the guide surface of the small diameter annular portion of the grommet main body portion, said guide surface and the circumferential groove and the projection for one hooking over the tip of the small diameter annular portion from the boundary of and one or more tactile feedback projections are circumferentially The hooking protrusion is provided on the side where the wire guide holding cylinder portion extends in parallel with the panel surface, the moderation feeling protrusion is on the opposite side of the hooking protrusion and the electric wire. The guide holding cylinder is provided symmetrically with respect to the extending direction .
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the grommet according to the first aspect, the height of the hooking projection is higher than that of the moderation sensation projection, and the moderation sensation projection has a shape whose top surface substantially follows the taper of the guide surface. And
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the grommet according to the first or second aspect, the rear end surface serving as a boundary with the circumferential groove of the moderation sensation is substantially vertical.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the grommet according to any one of the first to third aspects, the moderation sensation protrusion extends to the tip surface of the small-diameter annular portion.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the grommet according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a circumferential groove for adjusting resistance during insertion is formed on an inner surface corresponding to the circumferential groove on the outer periphery.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the grommet according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a bar-shaped electric wire fixing member that protrudes further forward from the tip surface of the small-diameter annular portion is integrally provided in the hooking projection portion.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 is a perspective view of a grommet 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view thereof, FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 4 is an AA enlarged sectional view of FIG.
The illustrated grommet 21 is used when passing a wire harness (hereinafter referred to as an electric wire 10) in an automobile through an engine room or a trunk room from the interior of the vehicle, and penetrates the panel 9 as shown in FIGS. It is attached to the hole 9a. This grommet 21 is composed of a substantially cylindrical grommet main body portion 22 that is directly attached to the through-hole 9a, and a wire guide holding cylinder portion 23 that guides and holds the electric wire 10 that should pass through the grommet main body portion 22. 1 is a grommet with a tube portion for holding an electric wire guide that is integrally formed with the wire. A rubber material such as ethylene-propylene rubber may be used as the elastic material.
The wire guide holding cylinder portion 23 includes a straight portion 23 a, a bellows portion 23 b, and an L-shaped portion 23 c, and the L-shaped portion 23 c is connected to the grommet main body portion 22. The linear portion 23a is provided with a positioning projection 23d for tightening the band.
[0019]
The grommet main body portion 22 includes a small-diameter annular portion 25 that passes through the through-hole 9a and a large-diameter annular portion 26 that stops behind the through-hole 9a when the grommet body portion 22 is attached to the through-hole 9a of the panel 9. On the outer periphery between the large-diameter annular portion 26, a locking circumferential groove 27 for fitting the periphery of the through hole 9 a is provided. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter annular portion 25 is a tapered guide surface 25a. Further, on the large-diameter annular portion 26 side, a seal portion 26a for keeping the through hole 9a in a hermetically sealed state when attached to the through hole 9a is formed in a manner of being in surface contact with the panel 9 around the circumferential groove 27. . The opening of the grommet body 22 is indicated by 28.
[0020]
In the above-described range, it is substantially the same as the conventional one, but in the present invention, one hooking protrusion 30 and one or more moderation feeling protrusions 31 are provided on the guide surface 25a of the small-diameter annular portion 25 in the circumferential direction. Are provided at intervals. Each of the protrusions 30 and 31 is formed from the boundary p between the guide surface 25 a and the circumferential groove 27 to the tip of the small-diameter annular portion 25, and the hooking protrusion 30 is higher than the moderation feeling protrusion 31. In addition, the moderation protrusion 31 has a top surface 31b substantially conforming to the taper of the guide surface 25a. The height of the hooking projection 30 may be slightly higher, but the height of the moderation feeling projection 31 is, for example, 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably in order to obtain an appropriate moderation feeling. A range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm is appropriate. Further, in this embodiment, the hooking projection 30 is provided on the side where the wire guide holding cylinder portion 23 extends (the right side in FIG. 2), and the two moderation feeling projections 31 are provided at intervals on the opposite side. Yes. In both the hooking projection 30 and the moderation sensation 31 in the illustrated example, the rear end surfaces 30a and 31a serving as the boundary P with the circumferential groove 27 are substantially vertical as shown in FIG. Further, the moderation protrusion 31 in the illustrated example also extends to the distal end surface 25 b of the small-diameter annular portion 25. Furthermore, a circumferential groove 33 for adjusting resistance during insertion is formed on the inner surface corresponding to the circumferential groove 27 for locking on the outer periphery of the grommet body 22. In addition, a bar-shaped electric wire fixing member 34 that protrudes further forward from the tip surface of the small-diameter annular portion 25 is integrally provided at the hooking projection 30.
[0021]
When the grommet 21 is attached to the panel 9, the electric wire 10 is usually passed through the electric wire guide holding cylinder 23 and the grommet main body 22 in advance and fixed to the electric wire fixing member 34 with a tape or the like. Next, first, only the portion of the hooking projection 30 is put into the through hole 9a of the panel 9, and the peripheral groove 27 of the portion of the hooking projection 30 is hooked on the edge of the through hole 9a of the panel 9, and thereafter When the entire grommet main body portion 22 is pushed in particularly on the opposite side (upper side in FIG. 4), the top surface 31b of the two moderation feeling projections 31 slides on the periphery of the through hole 9a, and the small diameter annular portion The whole 25 passes through the through hole 9 a, the periphery of the through hole 9 a is fitted into the circumferential groove 27, and the grommet body 22 is mounted in the through hole 9 a of the panel 9.
[0022]
The operation when the grommet 21 is attached to the through hole 9a will be described in detail.
While the moderation protrusion 31 is being pushed in while being in contact with the peripheral edge of the through hole 9a of the panel 9, the insertion resistance against the pushing of the grommet main body portion 22 gradually increases. When the moderation protrusion 31 passes through the through-hole 9a, the rear end surface 31a of the moderation protrusion 31 is substantially vertical and immediately becomes the circumferential groove 27. Therefore, the insertion resistance disappears rapidly, and at the same time, the through-hole 9a Are fitted into the circumferential groove 27. This sudden resistance change provides a certain feeling that the peripheral edge of the through hole 9a is definitely fitted in the circumferential groove 27, that is, a moderation feeling.
Further, since the circumferential groove 27 for engagement in the grommet 21 has a uniform and sufficient depth over the entire circumference, the notch groove 19 in the portion of the locking rib 18 is formed as in the grommet 11 in FIGS. A sufficiently high holding force can be ensured as compared with the one having only the shallow circumferential groove 7 except for the above.
[0023]
Further, in a state where the grommet main body portion 22 is mounted in the through hole 9a, the end surfaces 30a and 31a of the projections 30 and 31 do not contact the panel 9 (and no force is applied even if contacted). 9 can be brought into surface contact with a uniform sealing pressure over the entire circumference of the through hole 9a. That is, the seal portion 26a is in close contact with the surface of the panel 9 with sufficient pressure all around the through hole 9a. Therefore, even when the material of the grommet 21 is deteriorated over time, the deterioration of the sealing performance of the grommet 21 is surely suppressed. be able to.
Further, since the circumferential groove 33 for adjusting resistance during insertion is provided on the inner surface corresponding to the circumferential groove 27 for locking on the outer periphery, the thick portion of the circumferential groove 27 for locking is thin and highly flexible, Therefore, the portion of the small-diameter annular portion 25 is easily bent, and the force when inserting the grommet main body portion 22 into the through hole 9a can be reduced. Further, since the circumferential groove 33 is on the inner surface side and is not a part in the circumferential direction but the entire circumference, a part of the shallow circumferential groove 14 (the portion of the locking rib 18) is formed as shown in FIGS. Unlike the conventional grommet 11 which is deep (notched groove 19) and uneven in the circumferential direction, a uniform sealing property is maintained over the entire circumference of the through hole 9a.
[0024]
Further, since the wire fixing member 34 is provided on the inner portion of the hooking projection 30, the electric wire 10 extending from the opening 28 of the grommet main body portion 22 does not get in the way, and the grommet main body 22 is inserted into the through hole 9a. Workability during installation is improved.
[0025]
The number of moderation protrusions 31 in the grommet of the present invention is not limited to two. For example, as in the grommet 21A shown in FIG. 5, only one moderation sensation protrusion 31 may be provided at a position opposed to the hooking protrusion 30 by 180 °, or as in the grommet 21B shown in FIG. Three moderation feeling protrusions 31 may be provided. 5 and 6 are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS.
[0026]
The grommet of the present invention is attached to the through hole of the panel, but the panel does not necessarily mean a wide surface, and may be, for example, a case wall.
Moreover, the grommet of this invention is not limited to the object for motor vehicles, It can apply as a grommet for various uses. Moreover, what is passed through the grommet is not limited to an electric wire, and may be a tube or a hose.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention , in the grommet with the wire guide holding portion integrally formed with the wire guide holding tube portion bent in the L shape and connected to the grommet main body portion, on the tapered guide surface of the small-diameter annular portion. , the guide surface and the circumferential groove and one hooking protrusion and one or more detent for feeling projections over the tip of the small diameter annular portion from the boundary of, since there is provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, hooking Since the protrusions are provided on the side of the wire guide holding cylinder and the moderation protrusions are provided symmetrically on the opposite side of the hooking protrusion, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the grommet is installed in the through hole of the panel, resistance is generated when the moderation protrusion passes through the through hole, and when the peripheral edge of the through hole is fitted in the circumferential groove, a sudden resistance change occurs. A certain feeling that the peripheral edge of the through hole is surely fitted into the groove, that is, a good moderation feeling can be obtained.
(2) Since the circumferential groove for engagement has a uniform and sufficient depth over the entire circumference, it is a shallow circumference except for the notch groove of the locking rib portion as in the conventional grommet (FIGS. 11 and 12). A sufficiently high holding force can be ensured as compared with the one having only grooves.
(3) When the grommet body is mounted in the through hole, the end surface of each projection does not contact the panel (and does not apply force even if contacted), so the seal portion extends over the entire circumference of the through hole. Surface contact can be achieved with an even seal pressure, that is, contact is made with sufficient pressure. Therefore, even when the grommet material has deteriorated over time, it is possible to reliably suppress a decrease in the sealing performance of the grommet.
(4) Further, since the grommet main body portion that fits into the through hole of the panel and the wire guide holding cylinder portion that guides and holds the electric wire to be passed through the grommet main body portion are integrally provided, for example, a wire harness for an automobile It is suitable for a grommet that passes through.
[0028]
According to the second aspect, the function of the hooking protrusion and the function of the moderation sensation are appropriately and effectively exhibited, and a good moderation feeling when the grommet is attached can be obtained.
According to the third aspect, since the insertion resistance of the grommet into the through hole is abruptly lost, a moderation feeling when the grommet is attached can be obtained more reliably.
According to the fourth aspect, when the grommet is attached to the through hole, the initial operation in which the moderation feeling projection comes into contact with the through hole becomes smooth.
[0029]
According to the fifth aspect, since the peripheral groove for resistance adjustment at the time of insertion is provided on the inner surface corresponding to the peripheral groove for locking on the outer periphery, the portion of the small-diameter annular portion is easily bent, and the grommet main body portion is passed through the through hole. The force at the time of inserting into can be reduced. In addition, since this circumferential groove is on the inner surface side and is not a part of the circumferential direction but the whole circumference, a conventional grommet having a circumferentially uneven groove with a part of a shallow circumferential groove deepened (FIG. 11, Unlike FIG. 12), a uniform sealing property is maintained over the entire circumference of the through hole.
[0030]
According to the sixth aspect, since the electric wire fixing member is provided in the inner portion of the hooking projection, the electric wire does not get in the way, and the workability when the grommet is attached to the through hole is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grommet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1;
3 is a plan view of FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is an AA enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a grommet according to another embodiment of the present invention. .
FIG. 6 is a front view of a grommet according to still another embodiment of the present invention. .
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional grommet.
FIG. 8 is a front view of FIG. 7;
9 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
10 is an enlarged view of a portion C in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a front view of another conventional grommet.
12 is a sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
9 Panel 9a Through-hole 10 Electric wire 21 Grommet 22 Grommet body portion 23 Wire guide holding tube portion 23a Linear portion 23b Bellows portion 23c L-shaped portion 23d Positioning projection 25 Small diameter annular portion 25a Guide surface 25b (of small diameter annular portion) Front end surface 26 Large-diameter annular portion 26a Seal portion 28 Opening portion 30 Hook projection 31 Moderation projection 31a (End of moderation projection) Rear end surface 33 Inner surface circumferential groove 34 Electric wire fixing member P Boundary between guide surface and circumferential groove

Claims

The outer periphery between the small-diameter annular portion that passes through the through-hole of the panel and the large-diameter annular portion that stops behind the through-hole is provided with a circumferential groove for engaging the periphery of the through-hole, and the small-diameter annular portion The grommet main body having a tapered guide surface on its outer peripheral surface and the grommet main body bent and bent in an L shape from a direction substantially parallel to the panel surface that guides and holds the wire to be passed through the grommet main body. In the grommet with a wire guide holding portion integrally formed of an elastic material with the connected wire guide holding tube portion,
On the guide surface of the small diameter annular portion of the grommet main body portion, said guide surface and the circumferential groove and the projection for one hooking over the tip of the small diameter annular portion from the boundary of and one or more tactile feedback projections are circumferentially The hooking protrusion is provided on the side where the wire guide holding cylinder portion extends in parallel with the panel surface, the moderation feeling protrusion is on the opposite side of the hooking protrusion and the electric wire. A grommet characterized in that the grommet is provided symmetrically with respect to a direction in which the guide holding cylinder portion extends .

2. The grommet according to claim 1, wherein the hooking protrusion has a height higher than that of the moderation feeling protrusion, and the moderation feeling protrusion has a shape in which a top surface thereof substantially follows the taper of the guide surface.

The grommet according to claim 1, wherein a rear end surface that becomes a boundary with the circumferential groove of the moderation sensation protrusion is substantially vertical.

The grommet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moderation sensation protrusion extends also to a distal end surface of the small-diameter annular portion.

The grommet according to claim 1, wherein a circumferential groove for adjusting resistance during insertion is formed on an inner surface corresponding to the circumferential groove on the outer periphery.

6. The grommet according to claim 1, wherein a rod-shaped electric wire fixing member protruding further forward from the tip surface of the small-diameter annular portion is integrally provided at the hooking projection.