Two-part grommet

• US 6,815,615 B1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki North America Incorporated (Yazaki Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yazaki North America Incorporated (Yazaki Corporation)
• Inventors: Wagner, Brian L., Haulotte, Jodi M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US10/652,777
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 174/65.G, 174/72.A, 174/100, 174/80, 174/82, 174/74.A, 174/135, 174/152.R, 174/153.G, 174/142, 174/152.G, 174/151, 248/56, 16/21, 16/22, 439/274, 439/275, 439/607, 439/587, 362/487, 362/459
• US Class Current: 174/667
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0222 Grommets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/013 Sealing means for cable inlets inlets for cables filled with, or surrounded by, gas or oil H02G15/32
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/083 Inlets

Abstract

A two-part grommet assembly for routing wiring and/or washer fluid conduit through an aperture in automotive bodywork to a spoiler mounted CHMSL/rear window washer. The grommet assembly includes a first soft pliable component having a tubular portion and a bell-shaped portion, the latter being configured to provide an interior annular volume to receive the external flange of a second component made of a relatively stiff material. The second component is configured to snap into the aperture in the automotive bodywork to mount the grommet on the exterior of the vehicle and/or within a spoiler assembly. Complemental retention structure is provided within the annular retainer volume which receives the flange of the snap lock component and compression of the materials during installation enhances the retention function.

Claims

1. A snap-in grommet assembly for installation in an automotive bodywork aperture comprising:

a first relatively flexible component having an elongate conduit portion and an integral bell-shaped portion of a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the conduit portion and which has an open mouth, the bell-shaped portion having an annular retainer portion defined by parallel spaced first and second annular walls defining an interior annular retainer volume therebetween; and

a second relatively stiff component comprising an annular exterior flange sized to fit complementally into the annular retainer volume, and a smaller diameter locking portion for snapping into the bodywork aperture, the locking portion extending axially from the flange therefrom so as to extend through the open mouth and be external of the bell-shaped portion when the flange is installed in the retainer volume;

said flange and at least one of the annular walls defining said volume having complemental retention elements formed therewith to secure the second component within the first component.

2. A grommet assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said retention elements comprise tabs on one of said walls in said annular retainer volume extending into said volume, and apertures to receive said tabs in said flange when the flange is installed in the retainer volume.

3. A grommet assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said retention elements comprise an annular tab on one of said walls in said annular retainer volume extending into said volume, and an annular groove in said flange to receive said annular tab when the flange is installed in the retainer volume.

4. A grommet assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first component is L-shaped.

5. A grommet assembly as defined in claim 4 further including notches formed in said flange and locator tabs formed in said interior volume.

6. A grommet assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said second component is injection molded to comprise a large diameter flange and a smaller diameter cylindrical portion having diametrically opposite resilient snap tabs.

7. A grommet assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first component further comprises a flexible seal skirt around said mouth and flaring outwardly therefrom.

8. The snap-in grommet assembly of claim 1 further comprising a first bodywork component having an aperture formed therein and a second bodywork component disposed on the first bodywork component over said aperture and including a lighting fixture having wiring;

the snap-in grommet assembly routing said wiring through said first bodywork component aperture;

said smaller diameter locking portion extending through the bodywork aperture in snap-fit relationship therewith.

9. An automotive lighting assembly comprising:

a first bodywork component having an aperture formed therein and a second bodywork component disposed on the first bodywork component over said aperture and including a lighting fixture having wiring;

a snap-in grommet assembly for installation in said aperture for routing said wiring through said aperture, said grommet assembly comprising;

a first relatively flexible component having an elongate conduit portion and an integral bell-shaped portion of a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the conduit portion and which has an open mouth, a seal skirt around the mouth and an annular retainer portion defined by parallel spaced first and second walls defining an interior annular retainer volume therebetween; and

a second relatively stiff component comprising an exterior annular flange sized to fit complementally into the annular retainer volume, and a locking portion extending axially therefrom so as to be external of the bell-shaped portion when installed therein;

said flange and at least one wall defining said volume having complemental retention elements formed therewith to secure the second component within the first component.

10. An assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein said seal skirt is formed around the mouth and flares outwardly therefrom.

11. An assembly as defined in claim 9 further including seal means in the conduit portion of said first assembly.