JPH10210618A - Opening tool for grommet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To open a grommet or the like in a manner such that a connector can also be inserted. SOLUTION: A pair of pawls 20, 21 which are mountable a grommet or the like are installed in a cantilever type. A supporting means which clamps free ends of the pawls 20, 21 and supports opening at the time of opening is installed. The supporting means contains a pair of clamping parts 15A and 15B, which clamp the free ends 20A and 21A of the pawl 20 and 21, respectively. The respective clamping parts 15A, 15B displace the pawls 20, 21 to the positions where the grommet or the like can be mounted, and the positions where the free ends 20A, 21A of the pawls 20, 21 can be clamped. And a result, the pawls 20, 21 which are constituted of different members open the grommet or the like in the state that both ends of the pawls are held, so that restriction of the opening dimension is reduced. The opening is supported by the supporting means, so that the grommet or the like can be opened up to a size that a connector also can be inserted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a grommet spreader, and more particularly to a grommet spreader suitable for manual operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, among grommets used as wire harnesses and sub-assemblies constituting the wire harnesses (hereinafter referred to as "wire assemblies"), there are door grommets, tailgate grommets, etc. (hereinafter, "grommets"). Are collectively referred to as “types”), and are tubular members having an L-shaped bent outer shape. Since the opening size is relatively small, it is not easy to insert a wire bundle of a wire assembly therein. Conventionally,
An insertion tool for inserting a wire bundle into such a grommet has been proposed.

[0003] For example, the applicant of the present application accommodates a terminal connected to the end of a wire bundle in a shell-shaped hollow container, grasps a through bar extending at an opening of the hollow container, and holds a hollow bar. A glove-shaped member having a substantially C-shaped cross-section which is capable of being pushed into the grommet or a grommet (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-57019), and which can expand and contract in the radial direction is provided. The diameter of the wire is reduced, and at the time of insertion of the wire bundle, the inserted gutter-like member is expanded (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-36523).

[0004]

Each of the above-mentioned inserts is a bundle of electric wires whose terminals are connected to the ends thereof, and which has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the grommets in a free state. Suitable for However, in the hollow container or the gutter-shaped member, there is a limit to the size in which the grommets can be expanded, so that the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the grommets due to the fact that the grommets are bent in an L-shape. A large bundle of wires or a bundle of wires with a connector connected to the end could not be manually inserted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a grommet expanding device capable of expanding a grommet so that a connector can be inserted.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a pair of claws on which the grommets can be mounted on the outer periphery, a close posture in which each claw is close to a position where the grommets can be mounted, and a grommet. A drive unit for relatively displacing the outer diameter of the wire assembly between a detached posture and a detachable posture, and a grommet-type expanding tool for inserting a wire bundle of a wire assembly into grommets. Each grommet is provided with a pair of grips capable of gripping the free end of the claw while the inner periphery of the grommet attached to the claw is always released. A grommet spreader, characterized in that it is provided with support means for supporting a free end of a corresponding claw to relatively displace each claw to a separated position.

[0007] In the invention including this specific matter, the grommets are mounted on a pair of claws provided in a cantilever shape by separate members, and the free ends of the claws are held by the gripping portions of the support means at the time of expansion. Since the claws are displaced to the separated position and expanded in the state of being gripped with, the restriction on the expansion dimension is reduced,
While it is possible to expand the grommets to a size that allows the connector to be inserted, the gripper of the support means
Since it is possible to urge the pawl to be displaced to the separated position while holding the free end of the pawl, a larger expanding force can be applied to the grommets. After the insertion, the claw is returned from the separating position to the close position, the diameter of the grommet is reduced, and the grommet is extracted.

[0008] In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the support means includes a holding portion for holding the pair of grip portions so that the pair of grip portions can be relatively displaced between a close position and a separated position in accordance with the behavior of the claw. And a slide mechanism that reciprocates the carrier so that each gripper is displaced between a gripping position where the gripper can grip the free end of the claw and a release position that releases the free end of the claw so as to allow insertion and removal of grommets. And

According to the invention including the specific matter, the pair of grip portions can be integrally displaced with respect to the free end of the claw by the slide mechanism. In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the support portion includes a toggle handle capable of locking the grip portion in correspondence with the claw in the separated position. In the invention including this specific matter, the grip portion can be locked when the grommets are expanded.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, the driving unit moves the other claw with respect to the one claw fixed at a fixed position, and the assisting means is configured to move the other claw on the movable side. A link arm provided integrally with the link arm, a gripping position attached to the link arm and gripping a free end of the movable claw, and a release position releasing the free end of the movable claw to allow insertion and removal of grommets. And a movable supporting portion provided so as to be displaceable therebetween.

[0011] In the invention including this specific matter, the movable claw driven by the drive section and the grip section for gripping the free end of the claw are integrally connected via the link arm. The grip portion is driven by the drive portion to cooperate with the link arm to assist the displacement of the claw. In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, a spacer is provided at a free end of the claw, and can define a proximity position in a proximity posture.

[0012] In the invention including this specific matter, when each of the claws is relatively displaced to the close posture, the regular intervals defined by the spacers are spaced, so that the gripper for gripping the free ends of the claws is not provided. The positioning of the free end of the pawl is facilitated. In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the driving section is constituted by a toggle handle capable of locking each of the claws in a separated posture.

According to the invention including the specific matter, the claws can be locked in the separated position when the grommets are expanded, so that the worker can perform the work of mounting the grommets and the work of inserting the wire bundle with both hands. Can be.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 shows a grommet spreader 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view of. Referring to FIG. 1, this grommet expanding device 10 is for manually expanding the grommet G and includes a base 11 having a rectangular shape in a plan view. A fixed block 12 extending in the width direction of the base 11 is fixed to one end of the base 11 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the base 11 is provided with a rail member 13 extending along the longitudinal direction of the base 11, and the slider 11 reciprocating along the rail member 13 provides the base 11 with the width of the base 11. Movable block 15 extending in the direction
Are connected.

Each of the blocks 12, 15 is a rectangular resin product, and has a stepped base 12A, 15A at one end in the longitudinal direction (width direction of the base 11). At the same time, on the upper surface of each block 12, 15,
Displacement bodies 12B, 15 that are displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the blocks 12, 15 with respect to the base parts 12A, 15A in a longitudinal direction.
B is arranged.

Each of the displacement bodies 12B and 15B has a rod 12 extending horizontally along the longitudinal direction of each of the blocks 12 and 15.
C and 15C protrude. And these rods 1
Via 2C, 15C, each displacement body 12B, 15B is connected to an L-shaped bracket 12D, 15D fixed on the corresponding block 12, 15;
15 are configured to be able to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction.

Each L-shaped bracket 12D, 15D has
U-shaped bracket 12 formed in a U-shape in side view
E and 15E are fixed, and the displacement bodies 12B and
Open to the opposite side to 15B. The U-shaped brackets 12E and 15E have one ends of link arms 12F and 15F (shown only on the upper side) which are connected to upper and lower surfaces thereof and are supported by pins P1.
The other ends of the link arms 12F and 15F are pivotally supported on the base forks 16A and 17A of the handle levers 16 and 17 by pins P2, so that the corresponding handle levers 16 and 17 can be rotated about a vertical axis. It is rotatably supported.

Furthermore, the rods 12C, 1C are attached to the base forks 16A, 17A of the handle levers 16, 17, respectively.
5C is connected to the vicinity of the free end by a pin P3. The link arm 1 is provided by the pins P1 to P3 described above.
2F, 15F and handle levers 16, 17 constitute a toggle handle, and as shown, when the handle levers 16, 17 are along the longitudinal direction of the base 11,
Blocks 12, 15 to which the displacement bodies 12B, 15B correspond
In a state in which the handle levers 16 and 17 intersect with the longitudinal direction of the base 11 while being close to the bases 12A and 15A, the respective displacement bodies 12B and 15B move from the bases 12A and 15A of the corresponding blocks 12 and 15 respectively. It is set to separate.

Here, a pair of claws 20 and 21 are fixed to the base 12A and the displacement body 12B of the fixed block 12 in a cantilever manner, and constitute a support in the illustrated embodiment. The base 12A and the displacement body 12B as the support are relatively displaced as described above,
Each claw 20 can be attached with a grommet G in a free state.
A state in which the claws 20 and 21 can be relatively displaced between a close posture (the posture in FIG. 1) where the 21 is close and a separation posture (the posture in FIGS. 3 and 6) where the outer diameter of the grommet G is separated so as to be able to expand. It is supported in a cantilever shape. In the fixed block 12, a handle lever 16 for driving the displacement body 12B is provided.
Constitute the drive unit in the illustrated embodiment.
The handle lever 16 as the drive unit constitutes a toggle handle that locks when the displacement body 12B separates from the base 12A as described above.

Each of the claws 20 and 21 is a flat metal member, and has an outer dimension on which the grommet G to be mounted can be mounted and a rigidity capable of expanding the grommet G. . In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 which is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged main part of the grommet kind expanding device 10 of FIG. 1, one of the claws (the claws 21 in the illustrated example) has a portion near the free end 21A. A spacer protrusion 22 protruding toward the vicinity of the free end 20A of the other claw 20 is fixed, and the claw 20 and 21 define a normal proximity position in the close posture described above by the spacer protrusion 22. It has become.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 15A and the displacement body 15B of the movable block 15 constitute essential parts of the support means in the illustrated embodiment. The bases 15A and the displacement bodies 15B have recesses 2 corresponding to the free ends 20A, 21A of the cantilevered claws 20, 21, respectively.
3 and 24 are defined, and in the illustrated embodiment, constitute a grip portion provided for each of the claws 20 and 21. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the movable block 15 constitutes a supporting portion that supports the base 15A and the displacement body 15B as the gripping portion.

The recesses 23 and 24 are formed by grooves 25 and 26 formed in the base 15A and the displacement body 15B, respectively.
6 is embodied by a locking plate 27 that covers each pair of two. Each groove 25, 26 has a corresponding claw 2
The dimensions are set to be sufficient and sufficient for inserting and removing 0 and 21. At the same time, the locking plate 25 is provided at a position facing the inner side surfaces of the corresponding claws 20 and 21 in a state where interference with the spacer projections 22 provided on the claws 20 is avoided. As a result, the recesses 23 and 24 allow the free ends 20A and 21A of the claws 20 and 21 to be inserted and withdrawn in the longitudinal direction of the base 11, and the claws 2 in the width direction of the base 11.
Since the detachment of the free ends 20A and 21A of 0 and 21 is regulated, the base 15A and the displacement body 15B as the grips are
The recesses 23 and 24 are set so that the free ends 20A and 21A of the claws 20 and 21 can be gripped while the inner periphery of the grommets G mounted on the claws 20 and 21 is always released.

Further, the rail member 13 and the slider 14 connecting the movable block 15 to the base 11 constitute a slide mechanism in the illustrated embodiment.
The rail member 13 and the slider 14 as the slide mechanism are configured such that the bases 15A and the displacement bodies 15B correspond to the recesses 23 and 24 corresponding to the free ends 20A and 2A of the claws 20 and 21, respectively.
The movable block 15 is set to reciprocate so as to be displaced between a gripping position at which the gripper 1A can be gripped and a release position at which the free ends 20A and 21A of the claws 20 and 21 are released so as to allow insertion and removal of the grommets G. ing.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. 3 to 6 are schematic plan views showing the operation of the grommet-type spreader 10 of FIG. First, referring to FIG. 3, when attaching the grommets G, the handle levers 16 and 17 are operated in advance so that the blocks 12, 1
The five displacement bodies 12B and 15B are brought close to the pedestals 12A and 15A. As a result, the pair of claws 20 and 21 are displaced to the close posture, and the grommet G in a free state can be mounted. Further, the movable block 15 is moved away from the fixed block 12 to the release position shown in FIG.
Free ends 20A and 21A of 0 and 21 are left open.

In this state, the grommets G are applied to the claws 20, 21.
, The movable block 15 is now brought close to the fixed block 12 and the free ends 20A, 21 of the claws 20, 21 are set.
A is introduced into the recesses 23 and 24 (see FIG. 1). At this time, as described above, the spacer projection 22
When the claws 20, 21 are relatively displaced to the close posture, the claws 20, 21
At regular intervals specified by As a result, the positioning of the free ends 20A, 21A of the claws 20, 21 with respect to the recesses 23, 24 becomes easy (see FIG. 2).

Thereafter, by operating the handle levers 16 and 17 to separate the displacement bodies 12B and 15B from the pedestals 12A and 15A, the grommets G are expanded as shown in FIG. Since the grommets G are expanded by the pair of claws 20 and 21 formed of different members, the restriction on the expansion dimension is reduced, so that the grommet G can be expanded to a size in which the connector C can be inserted. it can. Each of the handle levers 16 (drive unit) and handle lever 47 (toggle lever) locks the corresponding displacement body 12B, 15B at a position separated from the base parts 12A, 15A by the above-described pins P1 to P3. The operator can perform subsequent work with both hands.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the wire bundle W constituting the wire assembly is introduced into grommet G from the state where grommet G is expanded. This wire bundle W
The connector C is connected to the end of the grommet G in addition to the ground terminal T, but these grommets G are expanded by a pair of claws 20 and 21 so that the connector C can be inserted. The user can easily perform the insertion work of the wire bundle W. In addition, since the base 15A and the displacement body 15B hold the free ends 20A and 21A of the claws 20 and 21 in a state where the inner circumference of the grommet G is always released, the worker needs:
The wire bundle W can be inserted into the grommet G that has been released and expanded.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the insertion work of wire bundle W is completed, first, handle levers 16 and 17 are operated to
The displaceable bodies 12B, 15B again approach the pedestals 12A, 15A, and then the movable block 15 is displaced to the release position to release the grommets G. The operator completes the insertion work of the wire bundle W by extracting the grommets G from the state.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the pair of claws 20 and 21 formed of different members can be used.
Since the grommets G can be expanded to a size in which the connector C can be inserted, there is a remarkable effect that restrictions on the grommet mounting process are reduced. In particular, nail 2
Since the grommets G are expanded by providing gripping portions for gripping the free ends 20A and 21A of the 0 and 21, the claws 20 and 21 are expanded while both ends are held, resulting in a greater force. Can act on the grommets G, and there is an advantage that the expansion dimension can be set larger.

Further, since the free ends 20A and 21A of the claws 20 and 21 are provided on the free ends 20A and 21A of the claws 20 and 21 in the close posture, the claws 20 and 21
As a result, the positioning of the free ends 20A and 21A of the
There is an advantage that operability is improved. Further, by employing the handle levers 16 and 17 constituting the toggle handle, the grommet G can be locked while being expanded, so that there is an advantage that workability is improved.

The above embodiment is merely an example of a preferred specific example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 can be adopted. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, FIG.
The same reference numerals are given to the same members as those of the spreader 10 of the embodiment, and the description is omitted. Referring to FIG. 1, a spreader 10 according to this embodiment has a fixed block 40 erected on a base 11 and one of the claws 2 is attached to the fixed block 40.
0 is fixed in a cantilever shape. Further, a rotation pin 42 that rotates around a vertical axis is attached to a portion near the free end of the claw 20 of the base 11 via an attachment member 43. Are rotatably mounted. By manually operating the rotating body 44, the rotating body 44 can be displaced between a holding position indicated by a solid line and a release position indicated by a virtual line.

On the other hand, an L-shaped bracket 12D for mounting a handle lever 16 as a drive unit is directly mounted on the base 11, and a link arm 50 is mounted on the tip of a rod 12C reciprocated by the handle lever 16. The link arm 50 extends horizontally in a direction orthogonal to the rod 12C, and has one end portion fixed to the claw 2 on the fixed side.
A bent portion 51 that bends horizontally toward 0 is formed. The movable claw 21 is attached to the end face of the bent portion 51.
Is fixed, and the pawl 21 extends in parallel with the link arm 50 at a predetermined interval.

Further, the other end of the link arm 50 is provided with a rotating body 53 as a grip in this embodiment via a rotating pin 52, and the rotating body 53 is manually connected to the rotating pin 52. By rotating around, it can be displaced between a gripping position shown by a solid line and a release position shown by a virtual line. In the illustrated embodiment, pins 54 are provided at both ends of the link arm 50 to prevent the rotation of the rod 12C, and the lower ends of the pins 54 are slidably abutted on the base 11.

In the above configuration, the movable pawl 21 driven by the handle lever 16 as a driving unit, and the pawl 21
And a rotating body 53 as a gripping portion for gripping the free end thereof are integrally connected via a link arm 50.
The rotating body 53 is driven by the handle lever 16 to cooperate with the link arm 50 to assist the displacement of the pawl. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, there is an advantage that workability at the time of expansion is improved.

It goes without saying that various design changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, the grommet can be expanded to a size in which the connector can be inserted by the pair of claws formed of separate members. There is a remarkable effect that the constraint is reduced. In particular, since the grommet is expanded by providing a grip portion for gripping the free end of the claw by the support means, each claw is expanded while both ends are held, so that a greater force acts on the grommet. There is an advantage that the expansion dimension can be set larger.

Further, when the slide mechanism is provided, the pair of grips can be displaced integrally with respect to the free end of the claw, so that there is an advantage that the operability of the grips is improved. In addition, in the case where the supporting portion includes a toggle handle that can lock the grip portion corresponding to the claw in the separated position, the grip portion can be locked when the grommet is expanded. There is an advantage that workability is further improved.

On the other hand, a movable claw driven by a driving unit,
When the gripper that grips the free end of the claw is integrally connected via a link arm, the gripper is driven by the driving unit, and cooperates with the link arm to displace the claw. Therefore, there is an advantage that workability at the time of expansion is improved. Also, if a spacer that can define the proximity position in the close position is provided at the free end of the claw, the claw will not pinch the wire bundle inserted into the grommet even in the close position, so the grommet must be removed. In addition to being easy, positioning of the free end of the claw with respect to the gripping portion is facilitated, so that there is an advantage that operability is improved.

Further, when the drive section is constituted by a toggle handle capable of locking the respective claws in the detached position, the operator can mount the grommets and insert the bundle of electric wires with both hands. The performance is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grommet-type expanding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged main part of the grommet type spreader of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the operation of the grommet spreader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the operation of the grommet spreader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the operation of the grommet spreader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the operation of the grommet spreader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Grommet spreader 12 Fixed block (support part) 13 Rail member 14 Slider 15 Movable block (support part) 15A Base part (holding part) 15B Displacement body (holding part) 16 Handle lever (drive part) 17 Handle lever (toggle) Handle) 20 Claw 21 Claw 22 Spacer projection 44 Rotating body (gripping part) 50 Link arm 53 Rotating body (gripping part)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A pair of claws on which the grommets can be mounted on the outer periphery, and a close position in which each of the claws is close enough to mount the grommets and a separating position in which the outer diameter of the grommets is separated so as to be able to expand. A drive unit for relatively displacing the grommet, the grommet expanding device for inserting the wire bundle of the wire assembly into the grommet, provided for each claw, of the grommet attached to the claw A pair of grippers capable of gripping the free ends of the claws in a state where the circumference is always released, and when the grommets are expanded, each gripper grips the free ends of the corresponding claws so that the claws relatively move. A grommet-type spreader characterized by comprising a support means for supporting displacement to a detached posture. 2. The grommet-type expanding device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means is configured to hold the pair of gripping portions in such a manner that the pair of gripping portions can be relatively displaced between a close position and a separated position in accordance with the behavior of the claw. And a holding portion so that each holding portion is displaced between a holding position where each holding portion can hold the free end of the claw and a release position where the free end of the claw is released to allow insertion and removal of grommets. Grommet expanding device comprising a slide mechanism for reciprocating the grommet. 3. The grommet spreader according to claim 2, wherein said support portion includes a toggle handle capable of locking a grip portion corresponding to a claw in a separated position. 4. The grommet spreader according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit moves the other claw relative to the one claw fixed at a fixed position, and the support means includes a movable side. The link arm is provided integrally with the other claw of the movable claw, and the free end of the movable claw is released so as to allow the insertion and removal of the grommet and the holding position for holding the free end of the movable claw attached to the link arm. A grommet-type expanding device comprising a movable-side support portion movably provided between a release position and a movable position. 5. The grommet spreader according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer provided at a free end of said claw and capable of defining a proximity position in a close posture. Opener. 6. The grommet expanding device according to claim 1, wherein the driving portion is constituted by a toggle handle capable of locking each of the claws in a separated position. .