JP2004312850A - Wire insertion method to grommet and grommet spreader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a good cable threading method to a grommet, which can improve the threading work efficiency at the time of threading a cable into a long grommet, and to provide a grommet expander. <P>SOLUTION: The grommet expander 10 is equipped with three pieces of first to third flexible long members 11, 12, and 13 for diameter expansion, which are to be passed into the hole of the long grommet, drive means 21 and 31, which displace these second and third flexible long members 12 and 13 for diameter expansion with both their ends supported into far positions, a frame 18, and a controller 20. The grommet is brought up near the center while expanding it to shrink the longitudinal dimensions by displacing these first to third flexible long members 11, 12, and 13 for diameter expansion into mutually far positions and flexing the centers of the first to third flexible long members 11, 12, and 13 for diameter expansion with both their ends supported. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for inserting an electric wire into a grommet for inserting an electric wire such as a wire harness into a long grommet, and a grommet spreader.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when an electric wire such as a wire harness is inserted into an opening formed in an attached body such as an automobile body panel or an electric connection box, water is prevented from coming into contact with the wire harness and the opening, and water or the like is passed through a gap. In order to prevent intrusion, a method is adopted in which a grommet is attached to the wire harness in advance, and the grommet is attached to an opening formed in the attached body to support the wire harness and seal the gap around the outer periphery of the harness. Have been.
[0003]
Conventionally, this type of grommet has been integrally molded entirely of a soft elastic material such as synthetic rubber, and it is necessary to greatly expand the hole when passing the wire harness with the connector attached to the end inside, Requires a fair amount of power. For this reason, a dedicated grommet spreader is used (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
Further, in order to insert the wire harness W / H into the long grommet G as shown in FIG. 11A, a general grommet expanding machine having a cantilevered expanding claw cannot cope well. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), a link mechanism 3 is added to the distal end side of the expanding claw 1 and the root portion and the distal end of the expanding claw 1 are linked by two sets of link mechanisms 2 and 3 which are interlocked with each other. There has been proposed a grommet spreader for a long grommet in which the expanding claw 1 is opened in a state of supporting both sides (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0005]
Therefore, according to such a grommet expanding machine for long grommet, even if the expanding claw 1 is extended and penetrated through the long grommet G, the claw does not bend or break, and the tip of the claw is bent. The long grommet G can be sufficiently widened and the electric wire can be smoothly passed without the opening of the distal end side being deteriorated.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-275340 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-25140 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the grommet G is passed through the wire using the grommet spreader for long grommet described in Patent Literature 2, the long grommet G is simply stretched in the radially expanding direction so that the wire can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 11 (b), the longitudinal dimension L of the grommet G is almost the same as before the diameter expansion and remains long.
[0008]
Therefore, when the connector 5 is attached to the end and the wire harness W / H, which has low rigidity and is easily bent, is easily caught on the inner wall of the grommet and cannot be inserted smoothly, the insertion workability is improved. There was a problem that it was not good.
It is also conceivable that the worker performs the insertion work while holding the longitudinal dimension contracted by a finger or the like, but the release agent or the like is attached to the grommet G and the grommet G is slippery. It is difficult to maintain the state, and the workability is significantly reduced.
[0009]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a good method of inserting an electric wire into a grommet and a grommet expanding machine capable of improving insertion workability when inserting an electric wire through a long grommet. To provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object of the present invention is to pass the plurality of diameter-enlargement support members through the holes of the grommet, and then displace at least one of these diameter-enlargement support members whose both ends are supported to a position away from the grommet. Expanding the hole of the grommet, a wire insertion method to a grommet to insert an electric wire through the hole of the grommet that has been expanded,
When at least one of the plurality of diameter-enlargement support members is formed of a flexible elongate member, and the flexible elongate member and another diameter-enlargement support member are displaced to positions separated from each other. When the central portion of the flexible elongate member whose both end portions are supported bends, the expanded grommet is brought close to the central portion, and the wire is inserted in a state in which the longitudinal dimension is reduced. This is achieved by a method of inserting an electric wire through a grommet, which is characterized by the following.
[0011]
Further, the object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of diameter-enlargement support members that pass through the holes of the grommet, and a driving unit that displaces at least one of these diameter-enlargement support members supporting both ends to a position away from each other. A grommet spreader equipped with
At least one of the plurality of diameter-enlargement support members is formed of a flexible elongate member, and the flexible elongate member and the other diameter-enlargement support members are displaced to positions apart from each other. The grommet spreader is characterized in that the grommet is expanded and the longitudinal dimension is shrunk toward the center while expanding the grommet by bending a central portion of the flexible elongate member supporting the portion. .
[0012]
According to the method of inserting an electric wire through the grommet and the grommet spreader having the above-described configuration, the grommet is expanded by displacing a plurality of diameter-enlarging support members, at least one of which is a flexible elongated member, to positions separated from each other. When opened, the flexible elongate member whose both ends are supported applies a biasing force toward the central portion to the expanded grommet by bending the central portion, thereby contracting the longitudinal dimension. be able to.
Therefore, since the grommet has its longitudinal dimension shrunk at the same time that the hole is expanded, the electric wire can be easily inserted into the long grommet.
[0013]
Preferably, the flexible elongate member is made of a wire resin-coated with a resin material such as polyethylene or silicon.
In this case, it is possible to smoothly insert the flexible long member, and it is possible to prevent the inserted electric wire from being damaged.
[0014]
Further, the object of the present invention is to provide a first and a second diameter-enlarging flexible member which sequentially passes first and second diameter-enlarging flexible elongated members through holes of a grommet and supports both end portions thereof. The flexible elongate member is displaced to a predetermined position apart from each other, and the hole of the grommet is expanded to pass through the third elongate flexible elongate member. The wire is inserted in a state where the length members are further displaced to a position further apart from each other and the hole of the grommet is further expanded, and then, the flexible elongated members for diameter expansion are displaced to predetermined positions close to each other. After extracting the third flexible elongate member for diameter expansion in a state in which the diameter of the hole of the grommet is reduced, the first and second flexible elongate members for diameter expansion are brought closer to each other. In the state where the grommet hole is returned to the original position by displacing the first and second flexible elongate portions for diameter expansion. Sequentially, it is achieved by a wire insertion method into the grommet, characterized in that withdrawn from the grommet hole.
[0015]
According to the method for inserting an electric wire through the grommet having the above-described configuration, the three long-diameter flexible elongate members, which are previously inserted into the grommet hole and supported at both ends, are displaced to positions apart from each other, thereby opening the grommet hole. Since the expanded grommet is in the expanded state, the diameter of the elongate flexible elongate member can be easily increased in accordance with the longitudinal dimension of the elongate grommet to be penetrated.
[0016]
In addition, when these flexible elongate members for diameter expansion whose both end portions are supported are displaced to positions apart from each other and the grommet is expanded, the grommet which is expanded by the center portion flexing is provided. By applying an urging force to the central portion, the longitudinal dimension can be contracted.
Therefore, since the grommet has its longitudinal dimension shrunk at the same time that the hole is expanded, the electric wire can be easily inserted into the long grommet.
[0017]
Further, the first and second flexible elongate members for diameter expansion, which are sequentially passed through the holes of the grommet, are displaced to predetermined positions apart from each other, and a third diameter expansion is performed with the holes of the grommet expanded. The third flexible long member for diameter expansion is inserted in a state where tension is applied to the first and second flexible long members for diameter expansion. .
Therefore, these flexible long members for diameter expansion do not become entangled with each other when they are passed through the holes of the grommet.
[0018]
Further, the diameter-enlarging flexible elongate member is displaced to a predetermined position close to each other to reduce the diameter of the grommet hole, and the third diameter-enlarging flexible elongate member is loosened. After the removal, the first and second flexible elongate members for diameter expansion are sequentially withdrawn from the holes of the grommet in a state where the hole of the grommet is returned to the original state. The member can be smoothly removed from the hole of the grommet.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a method for inserting an electric wire through a grommet and a grommet spreader according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a grommet spreader 10 according to the present invention.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the grommet expanding device 10 according to the present embodiment includes first to third diameter-enlarging flexible elongate members 11 serving as three diameter-enlarging support members that pass through holes of the grommet G, 12, 13 and drive means 21 and 31 for displacing the second and third flexible elongate members for diameter expansion 12, 13 which support both end portions to distant positions; the gantry 18; And.
[0021]
The driving means 21 is a pair of linear guides 22 arranged on the left and right ends of the vertical plate 16 on the gantry 18, and is horizontally suspended between the linear guides 22, 22 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A movable member 23 and a ball screw 24 for converting the rotation of a motor (not shown) into a linear motion for driving the movable member 23 in the vertical direction are provided.
[0022]
The driving means 31 is a pair of linear guides 32, 32 respectively arranged on the left and right ends of the horizontal plate 15 in the gantry 18, and is horizontally suspended between these linear guides 32, 32 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. A movable member 33 and a ball screw 34 for converting the rotation of a motor (not shown) into a linear motion for driving the movable member 33 along the horizontal direction are provided.
[0023]
At both left and right ends of the movable member 23 in the driving means 21, wire fixing means 25 and 26 for detachably supporting and fixing the ends of the second flexible elongate member for diameter expansion 12 are provided. .
Wire fixing means 35 and 36 for detachably supporting and fixing the ends of the third flexible elongate member 13 for diameter expansion are provided at the left and right ends of the movable member 33 in the driving means 31, respectively. ing.
Further, wire fixing means 45 for detachably supporting and fixing the ends of the first flexible elongate member 11 for diameter expansion at the left and right ends along the intersection of the horizontal plate 15 and the vertical plate 16 respectively. , 46 are provided.
[0024]
The first to third flexible elongate members 11, 12, and 13 for diameter expansion are respectively formed by fixing eyeball portions 51 at both ends of a wire having a predetermined length. The first flexible elongate member for diameter expansion 11 shown in FIG. 2 will be described as an example.
First, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), both ends of a wire 50 formed by twisting steel wires are folded back and fixed by caulking rings 52 to form a centerpiece portion 51.
[0025]
Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the caulking metal fitting 53 is caulked so as to cover the folded wire end, thereby preventing the wire end and the step portion of the caulking ring 52 from being caught by other members. I do.
Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, a resin coating 54 is applied to the whole with a resin material such as polyethylene or silicon, and the first flexible elongated member 11 for diameter expansion is formed.
[0026]
Therefore, it is possible to smoothly insert the first to third diameter-enlarging flexible elongate members 11, 12, and 13 into the holes of the grommet G, and to insert the wire harness (electric wire) W / H can be prevented from being damaged.
Note that a wire made of an organic or inorganic linear body (nylon fiber, carbon fiber, or the like) can be used as the flexible long member, and in this case, the resin coating can be omitted.
[0027]
Then, one ends of the first to third diameter-enlarging flexible elongated members 11, 12, and 13 are fixed to the wire fixing means 25, 35, and 45, respectively.
On the other hand, the other ends of the first to third diameter-enlarging flexible elongate members 11, 12, 13 are fixed to the wire fixing means 26, 36, 46, respectively.
[0028]
The wire fixing means 26, 36, and 46 are for easily fixing the other end portions of the first to third diameter-enlarging flexible elongated members 11, 12, and 13, respectively, easily. A description will be given by taking the wire fixing means 36 shown in FIG. 3 as an example.
As shown in FIG. 3, the wire fixing means 36 has one end turned around an elliptical slit 65 formed in the fixing block 61 and a pivot 62 protruding near the slit 65. It comprises a fixing rotating member 60 movably attached, and a locking pin 63 protruding from the other end of the fixing rotating member 60 in the circumferential direction.
[0029]
Therefore, for example, after the eyeball portion 51 formed at the end of the third flexible elongate member for diameter expansion 13 is made to pass through the slit 65, the fixing rotating member 60 is moved in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing. Then, the locking pin 63 is inserted into the eyeball portion 51 to prevent the third flexible elongate member 13 from coming out of the slit 65, thereby completing the fixing.
[0030]
Next, a method for inserting an electric wire into a grommet using the grommet spreader 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the movable members 23 and 33 of the driving units 21 and 31 are set at initial positions close to the wire fixing units 45 and 46, as shown in FIG.
[0031]
Then, after passing the other end of the first elongate flexible elongated member 11 having one end fixed to the wire fixing means 45 through the hole of the grommet G, one end is fixed to the wire fixing means 25. The other end of the second flexible elongate member for diameter expansion 12 is passed through the hole of the grommet G, and the other end of each of the first and second flexible elongate flexible members 11 and 12 is closed. Is fixed to the wire fixing means 46, 26 to make both ends supported.
[0032]
Next, the movable member 23 of the drive means 21 is driven vertically upward, and as shown in FIG. 5, these first and second flexible elongate members 11 and 12 for supporting the both ends are supported. Are displaced to predetermined positions apart from each other to expand the hole of the grommet G.
Then, in a state where the hole of the grommet G is expanded, one end of the grommet G is passed through the other end of the third flexible elongate member for diameter expansion 13 fixed to the wire fixing means 35, Is fixed to the wire fixing means 36 so that both ends are supported.
[0033]
Here, the third elongate flexible elongate member 13 is inserted into the hole of the grommet G with tension applied to the first and second elongate flexible elongate members 11 and 12. Accordingly, the first to third flexible elongate members for diameter expansion 11, 12, 13 do not become entangled with each other when they are passed through the holes of the grommet G.
[0034]
Next, the movable member 23 of the driving means 21 is further driven vertically upward, and the movable member 33 of the driving means 31 is driven forward in the horizontal direction, and as shown in FIG. The holes of the grommet G are expanded by displacing the first to third flexible elongate members for diameter expansion 11, 12, 13 to predetermined positions apart from each other.
[0035]
At this time, the first to third diameter-enlarging flexible elongated members 11, 12, and 13 whose both end portions are supported are centered with respect to the grommet G that is expanded by the center portion being bent. By applying the urging force F approaching the portion, the longitudinal dimension can be significantly reduced as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the grommet G has its longitudinal dimension shrunk at the same time as the hole is expanded, so that the wire harness W / H can be easily inserted into the long grommet G.
[0036]
Thereafter, the movable member 23 of the driving means 21 is driven vertically downward to bring the second flexible elongated member 12 closer to the first flexible elongated member 12. At the same time, the movable member 33 of the driving means 31 is driven to the rear in the horizontal direction to be displaced to the initial position, and the first to third flexible elongate members 11, 12, and 13 are used. To a predetermined position (the position shown in FIG. 5 where only the third flexible elongate member 13 becomes slackened) so that the hole of the grommet G is appropriately reduced. With the diameter increased, the other end fixed to the wire fixing means 36 is removed, and the third flexible elongate member for diameter expansion 13 is removed from the grommet G.
[0037]
Then, the movable member 23 of the driving means 21 is further driven vertically downward to be displaced to the initial position, and the first and second diameter-enlarging flexible elongated members 11 and 12 are brought closer to each other. The first and second flexible elongate members for diameter expansion 11 and 12 are sequentially pulled out from the holes of the grommet G in a state where the holes of the grommet G are returned to the original state by displacing the holes. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the wire harness W / H can be inserted into the long grommet G.
The linear guides 22 and 32 are provided with micro switches 41 and 42 as appropriate, and when the movable member 23 or 33 returns to the initial position, the control device 20 detects and detects the drive unit 21 or 31 is automatically stopped.
[0038]
Here, the first to third diameter-enlarging flexible long members 11, 12, 13 are displaced to predetermined positions close to each other to reduce the diameter of the hole of the grommet G and to increase the third diameter. In the state where the flexible long member 13 is loosened, the third flexible long member 13 for diameter expansion is first extracted, and then the first and second flexible long members for diameter expansion are extracted. In a state where the holes of the grommet G are returned to the original position by displacing the grommet G and the first and second flexible elongated members 11 and 12 to the grommet G, the grommet G is sequentially moved. , The first to third diameter-enlarging flexible elongate members 11, 12, 13 can be smoothly extracted from the hole of the grommet G.
[0039]
That is, according to the method for inserting an electric wire through the grommet using the grommet expanding device 10 of the present embodiment, the first to third flexible elongate for diameter expansion which are previously inserted into the hole of the grommet G and supported at both ends. The members 11, 12, and 13 are displaced away from each other to open the grommet G, so that the grommet G can penetrate the wire harness W / H in accordance with the longitudinal dimension of the long grommet G. The first to third flexible elongate members for diameter expansion 11, 12, 13 can be easily lengthened.
[0040]
When the grommet G is expanded by displacing the first to third flexible elongate members 11, 12, and 13, which are supported at both ends, to positions apart from each other, each of the first and second elongate flexible elongate members 11, 12 and 13 has a central portion. When the grommet G is expanded, a biasing force F approaching the central portion is applied to the grommet G expanded, so that the longitudinal dimension can be reduced.
Therefore, the grommet G has its longitudinal dimension shrunk at the same time as the hole is expanded, so that the wire harness W / H can be easily inserted into the long grommet G.
[0041]
It should be noted that the method of inserting an electric wire through the grommet and the configuration of the grommet spreader according to the present invention are not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and may take various forms based on the spirit of the present invention. Absent.
For example, in the grommet spreader 10 of the above embodiment, a linear guide and a ball screw are used as the driving means 21 and 31 for displacing the second and third flexible elongate members for diameter expansion 12 and 13 to separate positions. However, other driving means such as a link mechanism may be used, and all of the plurality of flexible elongate members for diameter expansion may be driven.
[0042]
Further, in the grommet expanding machine 10 of the above-described embodiment, the first to third flexible elongate flexible long members 11, 12, 13 in which all three support members for expanding are composed of flexible elongate members. However, as shown in FIG. 9, one of the three diameter-enlargement support members is a diameter-enlargement flexible elongate member 71 made of a flexible elongate member, and the other two The book can be used as the diameter-enlarging shafts 72 and 73 formed of a rod-shaped member.
[0043]
In other words, at least one of the three diameter-enlargement support members is a diameter-enlargement flexible elongate member 71 made of a flexible elongate member. When the member 71 and the other diameter-enlarging shafts 72 and 73 are displaced to positions separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 9B, the diameter-enlarging flexibility is supported at both ends. When the central portion of the long member 71 bends, the urging force F approaching the central portion is applied to the expanded grommet G, and the longitudinal dimension can be reduced.
[0044]
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, one of the two support members for diameter expansion is a flexible long member 81 for expansion made of a flexible long member, and the other one is a plate. It is also possible to use a long plate for diameter expansion 82 made of a shaped member.
That is, one of the two support members for diameter expansion is a flexible long member for diameter expansion 81 made of a flexible long member, so that the flexible long member for diameter expansion is provided. As shown in FIG. 10 (b), when the large diameter plate 81 and another long plate 82 for diameter expansion are displaced from each other, as shown in FIG. When the central portion of the length member 81 bends, an urging force F approaching the central portion is applied to the expanded grommet G, and the longitudinal dimension can be reduced.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the method for inserting an electric wire through the grommet and the grommet spreader of the present invention, the plurality of diameter-enlarging support members, at least one of which is a flexible elongated member, are displaced to positions away from each other. When the grommet is expanded to open the grommet, the flexible elongate member whose both ends are supported gives a biasing force to the expanded grommet toward the center by bending the central portion, and the longitudinal direction is extended. The directional dimension can be reduced.
[0046]
Therefore, since the grommet has its longitudinal dimension shrunk at the same time that the hole is expanded, the electric wire can be easily inserted into the long grommet.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a good method of inserting an electric wire through a grommet and a grommet expanding machine that can improve the insertion workability when inserting an electric wire through a long grommet.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a grommet spreader according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part for describing a procedure for forming a flexible elongate member for diameter expansion shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the wire fixing means shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part for describing a method of inserting an electric wire into a grommet using the grommet spreader shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part for describing a method of inserting an electric wire into a grommet using the grommet spreader shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a main part for describing a method of inserting an electric wire into a grommet using the grommet spreader shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the grommet opened by the grommet spreader shown in FIG.
8 is an overall perspective view of a long grommet in which a wire harness W / H is inserted using the grommet spreader shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a side view and a front view showing a modified example of the diameter-enlargement support member according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a side view and a front view showing another modified example of the diameter-enlargement support member according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part for describing a method of inserting an electric wire into a grommet using a conventional grommet spreader.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 Grommet expander 11 First flexible elongate member for diameter expansion 12 Second flexible elongate member for diameter expansion 13 Third flexible elongate member for diameter expansion 21 Driving means 31 Driving means G Grommet

Claims (3)

After passing a plurality of diameter-enlargement support members through the holes of the grommet, the holes of the grommet are expanded by displacing at least one of these diameter-enlargement support members whose both ends are supported to a position away from the grommet. An electric wire insertion method to a grommet for inserting an electric wire into the hole of the expanded grommet,
When at least one of the plurality of diameter-enlargement support members is formed of a flexible elongate member, and the flexible elongate member and another diameter-enlargement support member are displaced to positions separated from each other. When the central portion of the flexible elongate member whose both end portions are supported bends, the expanded grommet is moved toward the central portion, and the wire is inserted in a state in which the longitudinal dimension is reduced. A method of inserting electric wires through a grommet, characterized by the following. After the first and second flexible elongate members for diameter expansion are sequentially passed through the holes of the grommet, the first and second elongate flexible elongate members supporting both ends are separated from each other. In a state where the grommet hole is expanded by displacing to a predetermined position, the third elongate flexible elongate member is passed through, and these elongate flexible elongate members are further separated from each other. An electric wire is inserted in a state where the grommet hole is further expanded by displacing the grommet hole, and thereafter, the diameter-enlarging flexible elongated members are displaced to predetermined positions close to each other to reduce the diameter of the grommet hole. After extracting the third flexible elongate member for diameter expansion in the retracted state, the first and second flexible elongate members for diameter expansion are displaced to positions closer to each other, and the grommet of the grommet is removed. With the holes returned, the first and second flexible elongate members for diameter expansion are sequentially inserted into the holes of the grommet. Wire insertion method into the grommet, characterized in that withdrawing al. A grommet expander including a plurality of diameter-enlargement support members that pass through the holes of the grommet, and a driving unit that displaces at least one of these diameter-enlargement support members supporting both ends to a position away from the grommet,
At least one of the plurality of diameter-enlargement support members is formed of a flexible elongate member, and the flexible elongate member and another diameter-enlargement support member are displaced to positions separated from each other, and both ends are displaced. A grommet spreader, characterized in that a central portion of the flexible elongate member that supports the portion is bent so as to approach the central portion while expanding the grommet and contract a longitudinal dimension.

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