JPH11178167A - Grommet assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain sealing engagement with the outer surface of a vehicle wall panel, by pivoting elastic spring member of a main grommet body which engages with a bracket group mounted on a wall panel. SOLUTION: In pivoting a wire sprint 200, an L-shaped leg part is kept in its deformed shape to spread the L-shaped leg part as a result of being pressed against the arrowhead part 17 of a second bracket 18. The L-shaped leg part is spread until it reaches a reduced thickness part 19. An opening final end 203 of the wire spring 200 is at a position fixed to the second bracket 18 and a vehicle wall panel 14. The opening final end is fixed to a first bracket 16, therefore, pivoting of the wire spring 200 at a closed position applies pressing force to the second surface. As a result, a main grommet 100 is compressed so that sealing makes a rigid seal work on an outer surface 14e.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a grommet assembly, and more particularly to a two-piece grommet assembly that can be detached from a vehicle wall panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-137432 discloses a typical grommet assembly. In this grommet, a wire harness 5 is sewn through a hole formed at an appropriate position in a car, for example, a panel 2 of a car.

[0003] With respect to the vehicle panel 2, a cylindrical member 28 is attached to the cylindrical member 24 to secure the grommet assembly.
And must be inserted into the fixing member 22. When the cylindrical member 28 is fully inserted into the hole, the lip portion of the cylindrical member 24 expands to form a mechanical lock with the interior surface of the vehicle panel 2.

At the same time, the sealing part 25 is compressed by a flange 29 to form a seal on the outer surface of the vehicle panel 2. See FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, a screw 16 can attach the grommet 14 to the vehicle panel 2.

[0005]

This conventional assembly is:
The disadvantage is that enormous force is required to push the cylindrical member 28 to settle in a certain position. As a result, these types of grommet assemblies are not suitable for large-scale production. In addition, since the cylindrical member 28 is an individual element, it is necessary to perform the inserting operation of the cylindrical member 28 a plurality of times. Therefore, the assembly operation is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a grommet which can be easily assembled in an insertion hole of a vehicle body such as an automobile.
It is also intended to assemble the grommet assembly with a small amount of force and a small number of operating parts to meet large-scale production.

[0007]

According to claim 1 of the present invention,
It has a centrally located wire harness opening and a sealing portion. A grommet assembly for a vehicle comprising a main grommet body having a first surface, a second surface back to back with the first surface, and an elastic spring member for applying a holding force to the second surface. .

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the elastic spring member is a metal wire spring having a circular cross section. Moreover, the sealing portion may include a sealing lip, and the resilient spring member may be aligned with the sealing lip. The grommet assembly may further include a concave cylindrical extension projecting from the second surface in alignment with the wire harness opening. The grommet assembly may further include a structure for maintaining the resilient spring member in contact with the second surface prior to assembly. The structure may include a disk-shaped collar or a plurality of blade members extending radially away from the recessed cylindrical extension.

[0009] The grommet assembly may further include a structure for evenly distributing the pressing force from the elastic spring member to the main grommet body. This structure is a rigid board member inserted between the elastic spring member and the main grommet body,
Alternatively, it may include a corrugation formed as part of the elastic spring member that contacts the second surface.

In addition, the grommet assembly may include a structure that supports the resilient spring member in substantial alignment with the main grommet body prior to assembly. The structure may include at least one protrusion extending perpendicular to the second surface, and a medium-sized cylindrical portion formed as part of a concave cylindrical extension, or a resilient spring member. May be the formation of a modified bracket that includes a support surface for supporting the bracket.

In an embodiment, the elastic member may include a wire spring having an open end and a closed end that are back to back with each other. The open end defines a first bracket engaging portion that engages a first bracket mounted on the car panel, and the closed end defines a second bracket engaging portion that engages a second bracket mounted on the car panel. Is also defined.

The grommet assembly may include a rigid base member inserted between the main grommet body and the resilient spring member. Also, the rigid substrate member is substantially composed of a U-shaped member, wherein the open end of the U-shaped rigid substrate member is recessed in the main grommet body extending away from the second surface. It has a width at least equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion.

The above-described aspects, other aspects, and salient features of the present invention are described or will be apparent in the following Detailed Description of Embodiments.

[0014]

1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a two-piece grommet assembly 10 includes a main grommet body 100 and a hold down member in the form of a resilient spring in the form of a wire spring 200 made of a suitable metal, plastic, or other material. The main grommet body 100 is made of a resilient material (eg, rubber) and is shown as having a generally cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main grommet body 1
00 provides an opening, or opening 116, defined by a centrally located recessed cylindrical extension 106. The main grommet body includes a first surface 102 having a sealing portion that includes a sealing lip 110. The flange 112 is located radially inside the sealing lip 110. Connectors 1 arranged radially
14 connects the recessed cylindrical extension 106 to the outside of the main grommet body 100. Back-to-back with the first surface 102 is a second surface 104. The first surface 102 and the second surface 104 are connected by a circumferential surface 108.

The wire spring 200 has an opening end 2
01 and the closing end 203. The open end 201 includes two leg portions 202 and the closed end 203 includes two L-shaped leg portions 206 connected by a side connection member 208. The open end 201 and the closed end 203 hang (beyond the position) on the circumferential surface 108 of the main grommet body 100. Further, the opening end 201 and the closing end 203 are formed on the second surface 1 of the main grommet body 100.
The connection is made at a semi-circular portion 204 that contacts the first portion 04. Moreover, in that the sealing lip 110 is substantially aligned with the first surface 102 of the main grommet body 100,
The semi-circular portion 204 contacts the second surface 104 of the main grommet body 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the side connection member 208
Has a circular cross section. All wire spring 20
The cross section at 0 also has a substantially circular cross section.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the process of attaching the two-piece grommet assembly 10 to the car wall panel 14. FIG. The vehicle wall panel 14 includes an opening 13 into which the main grommet body 100 is inserted. The wire harness 12 composed of a collection of wire bundles is inserted into an opening 116 provided in a hollow cylindrical extension (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The taped portion 20 may be provided to further enhance the waterproofness of the grommet assembly 10. The flange 112 of the main grommet body 100 is
Partially protrude within the opening 13 provided in the opening.
At the same time, the sealing lip 110 comes into light contact with the outer surface 14e of the car wall panel 14.

With respect to the outer surface 14e of the wall panel 14,
In order to securely fix the main grommet body 100, the wire spring 200 is attached to the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18. First, two leg portions 202 of the open end 201 of the wire spring 200
Are spread (moved to each side) or twisted (one is moved forward and the other is moved behind) so that the spacing between the leg portions 202 is And allows the wire spring 200 to surround the recessed cylindrical extension 106.

However, if the wire harness 12 is inserted into the opening 116 after the wire spring 200 is attached to the main grommet body 100, the leg 202
There is no need to spread. In other words, the spacing between the semi-circular portions 204 is greater than the diameter of the recessed cylindrical extension 106 so that the wire spring 200 can easily surround the recessed cylindrical extension 106. In FIG. 3, the wire spring 200 is supported by a concave cylindrical extension 106.

From the position shown in FIG. 3, the two leg portions 202
The distal portion of the wire spring 20 is provided on the wall panel 14 and engages with the first bracket 16 (e.g., welded or affixed).
0 is excited. This position is shown in FIG. After reaching the position shown in FIG. 4, the wire spring 200 is pivoted in the direction of arrow A shown in the upper part of FIG. Until the position shown in FIG. 5 is reached, the wire spring 200 is pivoted in the direction of arrow A. FIG.
Indicates that the wire springs are in a locked relationship with respect to the second mounting bracket 18 provided (eg, welded or affixed) on the car wall panel 14.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first mounting bracket 16 is of a simple construction and includes an S-shape that maintains the two leg portions 202 in a fixed position with respect to the wall panel 14. The second bracket 18 is an arrow-shaped member including an enlarged head portion 17 and a reduced thickness portion 19. When the wire spring 200 is pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. It is in a state where the shape is damaged.
In this regard, the arrangement of the side connection members 208 helps the L-shaped leg portions to spread to exceed the size of the arrow head portion 17.

The side connection member 208 also functions as a handle spaced from the second surface 104 when in the assembled position. However, the side connection member 2
08 can be provided on the same plane as the rest of the wire spring 200,
Need not include an L-shaped formation.

In any event, the L-shaped leg portion 206 is expanded until it reaches the reduced thickness portion 19. At that time, the L-shaped leg portion 206 returns to the normal interval, and the arrow-shaped head portion 17
Is smaller than the width of

Accordingly, the closed end 203 of the wire spring 200 is in a fixed position with respect to the second bracket 18 and the vehicle wall panel 14. In addition, since the open end 201 of the wire spring is fixed to the first bracket 16, pivoting to the position where the wire spring is closed means applying a pressing force to the second surface 104 of the main grommet body 100. become.

As a result, the main grommet body 100 is compressed such that the sealing lip 110 provides a tight (preferably waterproof) seal to the exterior surface 14e of the wall panel 14.

In the two-piece grommet assembly shown in FIGS. 1-6, there is no need to access or modify the interior surface 14i of the wall panel 14. Further, the simplicity of attaching the wire spring to apply the pressing force to the main grommet body 100 makes the assembly operation quick and easy.

In addition, because the semi-circular portion 204 is substantially aligned with the sealing lip 110, the hold down force is used to enhance the sealing ability between the first surface and the exterior surface of the wall panel 14. Applied directly. Moreover, since the holding force is evenly distributed along the semi-circular portion 204, the sealing function is substantially evenly distributed around the circumference of the main grommet body 100. Further, the grommet assembly is much easier to remove from the car wall than conventional grommets.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the wire spring 200 has an annular or circular cross section. However, other cross-sectional shapes are within the scope of the present invention as long as they apply a uniform pressing force to the main grommet body 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a wire spring 200 'includes a rectangular cross-section that can be manufactured using a conventional stamping process.

FIG. 8 shows a modified example of the wire spring 210. Wire spring 210 includes a modified closed end 212 and a modified open end 214. The closing end has a substantially triangular shape,
The spacing between the L-shaped leg portions 216 is very narrow, and the pressure distribution is more evenly distributed along the entire circumference of the main grommet body 100. In addition, since the open end 214 is substantially triangular in shape, the leg portions 218 of the open end 214 can be distributed evenly to distribute the holding force.
Are also narrower.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another modified form of the wire spring 220 of the present invention. In this wire spring, a semi-circular portion has a wavy shape.
2 are shown. The wavy formation 222 reduces the pressing force on the second surface 104 of the main grommet body 100.
Apply evenly. Therefore, even if the shape of the wire spring does not completely match the shape of the main grommet body, the waterproofing property is maintained.

Therefore, the manufacturing tolerance requirements are not strict, and the main grommet body 100 and the wire spring 220
Need not be exactly the same. FIG. 10 shows a side view of the wire spring 220 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the second surface 1 of the main grommet body 100
The wire spring 220 includes a slightly arched shape to increase the holding force applied to the wire.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a two-piece grommet assembly similar to that shown in FIG. However, this grommet assembly includes a slightly different wire spring 230 than that shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the wire spring 230 is formed so as to be bent toward the vehicle wall panel 14 at the position where the open end 201 ′ and the closed end 203 ′ of the wire spring 236 are assembled. . In this structure,
To increase the sealing effect between the sealing lip 110 and the exterior surface of the car wall panel 14, the peripheral end portion 108 of the main grommet body 100 is compressed.

Accordingly, the thickness T at the center of the main grommet body 100 is greater than the thickness T at the circumferential surface 108 of the main grommet body 100. Wire spring 230
Are formed in advance so as to have the shape shown in FIG. However, by providing shorter brackets 16 and 18 than shown in FIGS. 3-6, wire spring 230 can also be bent to form the shape shown in FIG. In either case, the effect of the structure shown in FIG. 12 is to compress the circumferential surface 108 of the main grommet body 100. This will increase the diameter of the main grommet body 100.

FIG. 13 shows a modified version of the wire spring 240. Wire spring 240 includes a pair of bent portions 242 provided at open ends 201 ″ of wire spring 240. The bent portion 242 of the wire spring 240 is configured to cooperate with the modified bracket 16 'shown in FIG. The modified bracket 16 ′ includes a hole 15 that is dimensioned to receive the bent portion 242 of the wire spring 240. The assembly process is similar to that shown in FIGS. 3-5, except that the bent portion 242 is inserted into the hole 15 to reach the assembled position shown in FIG. The modified bracket 16 'ensures that the open end of the wire spring 240 cannot rotate with respect to the bracket 16', thereby facilitating the assembly process and maintaining the holding force against the main grommet body 100. Be certain. Also, at the stage shown in FIG. 4 of the process of attaching the two-piece grommet assembly 10 to the car wall panel 14, if the assembly operator accidentally pulls in the direction of the extension of the closing end 203, the opening end 201 may come off the bracket 16. . However, in this modified example, since the bent portion 242 of the deformed wire spring 240 is engaged with the bracket 16 ', the opening end does not come off.
Therefore, the assembly process becomes easy.

FIG. 16 shows a modified bracket 160 that includes a basic structure similar to the mounting bracket 16 'shown in FIG. However, the mounting bracket 160 includes an L-shaped support wall 162 in which the bent portion 242 of the leg is spaced from the hole 15 toward the hole 15 to be inserted. The recess 164 is provided in the support wall 16
2 and between the insertion hole 15. In this configuration, the support wall 162 receives and supports the bent portion 242 of the wire spring 240.

Accordingly, wire spring 240 is prevented from lowering and is maintained in substantial alignment with second surface 104 of main grommet body 100. For example, by chewing quickly with the arrow-shaped head part 17,
This arrangement further facilitates the assembly process by holding the open end of the wire spring in place while the closed end of the wire spring is firmly secured. As shown in FIG. 16, the modified bracket 160 includes a surface 168 adapted for mounting to the car wall panel 14. FIG. 17 also shows that the modified bracket 160 includes a reinforcing member 166 that helps maintain the bracket 160 in a predetermined shape.

FIGS. 18-22 show a grommet modification that helps to keep the wire spring in place during assembly. These modifications further facilitate the assembly process.

FIG. 18 shows the main grommet body 100 including the collar 130. The collar 130 is a substantially disk-shaped member mounted on the circumferential surface of the recessed cylindrical extension 106. The brim 130 is the main grommet body 10
A second surface 104 facing the first second surface 104 and defining a gap G between the inner surface 131 and the second surface 104 through which the wire spring 200 can move before assembly.

FIG. 19 shows a modified version of the collar shown in FIG. In FIG. 19, a plurality of substantially flat blade members 1
40 is a gap G where the spring 200 can move before assembly.
Is defined. 18 and 19, since the wire spring 200 is maintained at a position close to the main grommet body 100, the grommet assembly can be easily attached.

FIG. 20 shows the main grommet body 100 including an intermediate size diameter portion 107 provided between the recessed cylindrical extension 106 and the main grommet body 100. The intermediate sized diameter portion 107 is located on the second surface 1 of the main grommet body 100 opposite the location where the sealing lip 110 is located on the first surface 102 of the main grommet body 100.
Along with 04, wire spring 200 is maintained in substantial alignment.

Further, a plurality of substantially flat blade members 140 ′ are circumferentially disposed between the substantially concave cylindrical extension 106 and the intermediate sized diameter portion 107. Blade member 140 'has substantially the same function as collar 130 (FIG. 18) and blade member 140 (FIG. 19).

FIG. 21 shows the main grommet body 100 extending from the second surface 104 and including a plurality of protrusions 150 parallel to the concave cylindrical extension 106. The blade member 150 includes a medium size diameter portion 107 (FIG. 2).
It has the same function as 0). For example, maintaining wire spring 200 substantially aligned with main grommet body 100. In both cases,
The wire spring 200 is prevented from descending.

When comparing the operations shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
It is not necessary to lift wire spring 200 to engage the open end with bracket 14.
Accordingly, the engagement and assembly of the wire spring is easier than in the embodiment shown in FIGS.

Each of the projections 150 has a
0 '' is also included. The function and effect of the collar portion 140 '' is substantially the same as the collar 130 (FIG. 18)
0).

FIG. 22 shows a flat guide member 1 extending from the recessed cylindrical extension 106 to the second surface 104.
7 shows a main grommet body 100 including 70. Guiding member 17
0 has the shape of an arc and to precisely pre-align the wire spring 200 with respect to the main grommet body 100,
It can be located between the L-shaped leg portions 206.
Therefore, the open end 201 and the closed end 203 of the wire spring can easily engage with the brackets 16 and 18.

The guide member 170 can be used in combination with the brim of FIGS.

FIGS. 23-26 show another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 shows a substantially rigid substrate member 300 inserted between the wire spring 200 and the main grommet body 100 '. The rigid substrate member 300 is made of metal or synthetic resin and includes an edge portion 302 extending around the circumferential surface 108 of the main grommet body 100 '.
FIG. 24 shows a side view of the assembly shown in FIG. The edge portion 302 is provided with an internal protrusion 3 inserted into a radially disposed recess 124 provided on the main grommet body 100 '.
04. FIG. 26 shows a partially inverted perspective view of a rigid substrate member 300 including an internal protrusion 304. The rim portion 302 and the internal protrusion 304 hold the rigid substrate member 300 in place on the main grommet body 100 '.

Due to the presence of the rigid substrate member, the pressing force applied from the wire spring 200 to the main grommet body 100 is more evenly distributed. Therefore, the waterproof effect of the grommet assembly is more uniform.

As shown in FIG. 25, the rigid substrate member 300
Is an inverted U-shaped member. Rigid board member 300
Includes ends 306 spaced apart by a distance S. Distance S
Is dimensioned to be greater than or equal to the diameter d of the recessed cylindrical extension 106. Therefore, the wire harness 12 is
The rigid substrate member 306 can slip between the wire spring 200 and the main grommet body 100 'even if inserted earlier within the opening 116 of the sixth.

FIGS. 27-29 show alternative arrangements for rigid substrate members. As shown in FIG. 27, the rigid substrate member is a two-piece assembly including a first piece 310 and a second piece 312. The second piece 312 includes a lower engagement portion 318 and the first piece 310
20. The upper engagement portion 320 is provided with the second piece 312
And the lower engaging portion 3
18 is received in a recess formed in the first piece 310.

As shown in FIG. 28, the first piece 310
Includes a bent portion 316 and the second piece 3
12 includes a bent portion 314. The bent portions 314 and 316 are the main grommet body 1
It enters into a corresponding radially arranged recess 124 provided at 00 ″. FIG. 29 is an exploded view of a two-piece rigid substrate assembly showing the radially arranged recesses 124 that receive the bent portions 314 and 316 of the first piece 310 and the second piece 312. These shapes are mutually associated with the second surface 10 of the main grommet body 100 ''.
Other configurations of the first piece 310 and the second piece 312 are within the scope of the present invention, as long as they substantially cover the entire pressure receiving portion of the four.

FIG. 30 shows a metal wire spring 250 constituting a holding member of a two-piece grommet assembly. Wire spring 250 includes a substantially circular inner member 252 and a substantially rectangular outer member 254. The inner member 252 contacts the second surface 104 of the main grommet body and the outer member is mounted on brackets 16 and 18 ′ formed on the car wall panel 14. The bracket 16 shown in FIG. 30 is the same as the bracket 16 shown in FIGS.
Is similar to However, the bracket 18 'has a hook portion 25 formed as an integral part of the outer member 254.
8 is a U-shaped member configured to receive the same. To attach the wire spring 250 to the main grommet body 100, a pair of connector legs 260 are twisted to increase the distance between the leg portions 260 to a distance greater than the diameter of the concave cylindrical extension 106. ing.
An arrow A of back-to-back in FIG. 30 indicates a spreading direction.

However, the wire spring 250 can be pre-assembled to the main grommet body 100 before the wire harness 12 is inserted in the recessed cylindrical extension 106. In either assembly process, the inner member 252 is positioned to make light contact with the second surface 104, as shown in FIG. At this point, a pair of double loop bracket engagement portions 256
Are engaged with the bracket 16.

In the position shown in FIG.
2 lies in a first plane which is parallel to the plane in which the second surface 104 lies. The outer member 254 is provided on a plane obliquely arranged with respect to the plane of the inner member 252. Next, the outer member is pivoted in the direction of the up arrow B to engage the barb portion 258 with the bracket 18 '. During this operation, the spring energy stored in the wire spring 250 in the unlocked position is converted to a holding force that maintains a seal between the main grommet body 100 and the wall panel 14.
The wire spring 250 is easily bent. FIG. 31 shows the outer member 254 after it has been pivoted to the assembled position.

FIGS. 32-37 show another two-piece grommet assembly according to the present invention. Similar to the grommet assembly embodiment described above, the embodiment of FIGS. 32-37 includes a main grommet body and a hold down member that applies a force to the main grommet body.

As shown in FIG. 32, the two-piece grommet assembly comprises a main grommet body 400 and a rigid substrate member 4.
04. Main grommet body 40
0 can be similar to the main grommet body described in the previous embodiment. The rigid substrate member 404 includes at least one hanging hinge portion 402. In FIG. 32,
A pair of hanging hinge portions 402 are provided. The pivotable holding member 401 is attached to the hanging hinge portion 402.

The pivotable hold down member 401 includes an arm portion 410 attached via hinges 416 to each depending hinge portion 402. The pivotable holding member 401 pivots between a first position for applying a holding force to seal the main grommet body 400 against the car wall panel 422 and a second position for releasing the holding force. .

The pivotable holding member 401 includes a handle or grip portion 414 attached to the arm portion 410 and a hook portion 412 opposite the grip portion 414. The hinge 416 is
Functioning as a fulcrum, the gripping portion 414 and the hook portion 41
It is located between the two.

As shown in FIG. 32, the two-piece grommet assembly includes an opening 420 provided in the car wall panel 422.
Is inserted into. Hook portion 412 is aligned with bracket portion 418 attached to vehicle wall panel 422.

FIG. 33 shows the grommet assembly and harness 12 after insertion in opening 420. From this position,
The pivotable holding member 401 pivots along a path indicated by an arrow A toward a position indicated by a dashed line. During this pivoting operation, each barb 412 engages a respective bracket 418.

At this time, the holding force from the rigid substrate member is applied from the second surface 426 to the first surface 428 of the main grommet body 400 including the sealing lip 430. The sealing lip 430 is connected to the outer surface 422 of the car wall panel 422.
Form a waterproof seal with e.

As shown in FIG. 34, the hook portion 412 is composed of a cam member whose width increases in the plane of the paper from the distal end 411 to the hinge 416 and toward the end 415 adjacent to the fulcrum (see FIG. 33). . The width of the end 415 adjacent to the hinge 416 is greater than the width of the end 411. Seal lip 430
Is brought into contact with the car wall panel 422,
When the holding member 401 turns to the side, the bracket 418 and the inner surface 413 are in a relationship of overlapping each other as indicated by a dashed line. The overlap dimension t ranges between 0.5 and 1.5 millimeters, with 1.0 millimeter being preferred.
With this configuration, the narrow width end 411 can fit between the bracket 418 and the car wall panel 422.

However, the pivotable holding member 401
Is pivoted into the engaged position, the hook portions 412
Becomes wider. Therefore, the inner surface 413 of the hook portion 412 adjacent to the bracket 418
8 is engaged. The holding force is gradually applied between the inner surface 413 of the hook portion 412 and the bracket 418.
The pressing force is transmitted to strongly press the seal lip 430 against the outer surface 422e of the vehicle wall panel 422.

FIG. 35 shows a detailed inverted perspective view of the rigid substrate member 404. The rigid substrate member 404 is similar to the rigid substrate member 300 shown in FIG.
Edge 42 for engaging a recess provided or formed in
5 and a bent portion 427. 36 and 37 show a plan view and a front view, respectively, of the rigid substrate member 404. In FIG. 37, the rigid substrate member 404
Has a shape approaching an inverted U-shape. The terminal end 424 of the rigid substrate member 404 is
7 is defined as an interval S which is larger than the diameter d. Thus, even after the wire harness 12 is inserted into the main grommet body 400, such as the rigid board member 300 shown in FIG.
The rigid substrate member 404 can fit into the previously described position.

[0066]

According to the present invention, the main grommet body (10
0, 100 ′, 100 ″, 400) are the bracket groups (16, 16 ′,
18, 160, 418)
By pivoting 0, 200 ', 401), it is possible to hermetically engage the outer surface of the car wall panel (14, 422). The assembly process and its associated components are simple and modify or easily access the interior of the wall panel, or obviate the need for multiple attempts to assemble a waterproof grommet assembly. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the assembly process includes a modified bracket (16 ', 18', 160) and a modified wire spring (220, 230, 240, 25).
0) and / or holding member holding structure (130, 1
40, 140 ', 140'', 150, 170).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a two-piece grommet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the two-piece grommet assembly of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an assembly process for assembling the grommet assembly of FIG. 1 to a car wall panel.

FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly process for assembling the grommet assembly of FIG. 1 to a car wall panel.

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly process for assembling the grommet assembly of FIG. 1 to a car wall panel.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the grommet assembly of FIG. 1 in an assembled position.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a modified wire spring of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a wire spring according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a wire spring according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the wire spring shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 illustrates a grommet assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the grommet assembly shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a modified wire spring according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a modified bracket according to the invention.

FIG. 15 shows a side view of the wire spring according to FIG. 13 in the assembled position.

FIG. 16 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a modified wire spring and a modified bracket according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the modified bracket shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 shows a modified main grommet body according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates yet another modified main grommet body according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows yet another modified version of the main grommet body according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 shows yet another embodiment of the main grommet body according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates yet another modified main grommet body according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates a rigid substrate member inserted between a wire spring and a main grommet body according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 shows a side view of the assembly shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 shows a detailed view of the rigid substrate member of FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 26 is an inverted perspective view of the rigid substrate member shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a modified two-piece rigid substrate member according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a side view of the two-piece rigid board assembly shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the grommet assembly shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a modified wire spring according to the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the modified wire spring shown in the assembled position.

FIG. 32 shows another two-piece grommet assembly according to the present invention before mounting to a car wall panel.

FIG. 33 shows a side view of the grommet assembly according to FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 shows an enlarged detail of a pivotable arm according to the invention.

FIG. 35 shows an inverted perspective view of the rigid substrate member shown in FIGS. 32 and 33;

FIG. 36 is a plan view of a rigid substrate member according to the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a front view of a rigid substrate member according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Grommet assembly 12 Wire harness 13 Opening 14 Wall panel 14e External surface 14i Internal surface 15 Hole 16, 16 'Bracket 17 Enlarged head portion 18, 18' Bracket 19 Reduced thickness portion 20 Tape wound portion 100, 100 ', 100' main grommet body 102 first surface 104 second surface 106 recessed cylindrical extension 107 intermediate diameter part 108 circumferential surface 110 sealing lip 112 flange 114 radially arranged connectors 116 opening 124 radial Recesses 130 located at the collar 131 inner surface 140, 140 ', 140' 'flat blade member 150 protrusion 160 modified bracket 162 support wall 164 recess 166 stiffening member 168 mounting surface 170 guide member 200,2 00 'wire spring 201, 201', 201 '' open end 202 leg 203, 203 'closed end 204 semicircular portion 206 L-shaped leg 208 side connection member 210 modified wire spring 212 closed end 214 open end 216 L-shaped leg portion 218 leg portion 220 modified wire spring 222 corrugated 230 modified wire spring 240 modified wire spring 242 bent portion 250 modified wire spring 252 inner member 254 outer member 256 bracket Mating part 258 Hook part 260 Connector leg 300 Rigid board member 302 Edge part 304 Internal protrusion 306 Termination 310 First piece 312 Second piece 314 Bent part 316 Bend Lower part 318 Lower engaging part 320 Upper engaging part 400 Main grommet body 401 Pivotable holding member 402 Hanging hinge part 404 Rigid substrate member 410 Arm part 411 End 412 Hook part 413 Internal surface 414 Clamping part 415 Adjacent to fulcrum End 416 Hinge 417 Depressed cylindrical extension 418 Bracket 420 Opening 422 Wall panel 422e Exterior surface 424 Termination 425 Edge 426 Second surface 427 Bent portion 428 First surface 430 Sealing lip G Gap

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A main grommet body having a first surface including a sealing portion, a second surface back to back with the first surface, and a centrally located wire harness opening, and applying a holding force on the second surface. A grommet assembly comprising: a resilient spring member. 2. The grommet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic spring member is a metal wire spring having a circular cross section. 3. The grommet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic spring member is a metal spring having a rectangular cross section. 4. The grommet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion includes a sealing lip and the resilient spring member is aligned with the sealing lip. 5. The grommet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wire harness opening has a concave cylindrical shape protruding from the second surface. 6. The grommet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a wire spring having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end. 7. The grommet assembly according to claim 1, wherein a rigid board member is inserted between the main grommet body and the elastic spring member.