Claims:We claim:
1. A grommet device (700) for managing cables(s), said grommet device (700) comprising:
a locking member (704); and
a grommet member (702) having,
a body (702B); and
a sealing portion (702S) adapted to be integrated with a first portion (702BF) of said body (702B), where said sealing portion (704S) defines a cable receiving portion adapted to receive at least one cable (C) therethrough, where said sealing portion (704S) is adapted to restrict fluid flow at the interface between the cable (C) and said grommet member (702),
wherein
said locking member (704) is adapted to secure said grommet member (702) in a fixed position.

2. The grommet device (700) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking member (704) is adapted to secure said grommet member (702) to a vehicular member (DW) when said locking member (704) is introduced onto and moved with respect to said grommet member (702).

3. The grommet device (700) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing portion (702S) is integrated to the first portion (702BF) of said body (702B).
4. The grommet device (700) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said grommet member (702) includes,
a flange (702F) extending from the first portion (702BF) of said body (702B), said flange (702F) is engaged with the vehicular member (DW), where the vehicular member (DW) is at least a water shield present in a vehicle door.

5. The grommet device (700) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said locking member (704) includes,
a body (704B); and
a flange (704F) extending from said body (704B), where said flange (704F) is adapted to be engaged with the vehicular member (DW),
wherein
said body (704B) defines a plurality of locking portions corresponding to locking portions provided on outer portion of the first portion (702BF) of said body (702B) of said grommet member (702); and
each of said locking portion of said locking member (704) is engaged with corresponding each locking portion of said grommet member (702) to secure said grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW).

6. The grommet device (700) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said flange (702F) of said grommet member (702) defines at least one protrusion (702P) adapted to engaged with corresponding groove (704G) provided in said flange (704F) of said locking member (704) to restrict fluid flow from said grommet member (702) to said locking member (704).

7. The grommet device (700) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locking member (704) includes a plurality of holding portions (704R), each of said holding portion (704R) is connected to said body (704B) and said flange (704F),
wherein
said locking member (704) is rotated through said holding portions (704R) to secure said grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW).

8. The grommet device (700) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking member (704) is at least one of thread fitted, fastener fitted, magnet fitted and snap fitted onto said grommet member (702) to secure said grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW).

9. A method (800) for managing cable(s), said method (800) comprising:
mounting a grommet member (702) on at least one cable (C) by routing the cable (C) through a cable receiving portion of a sealing portion (702S) integrated with a first portion (702BF) of a body (702B) of the grommet member (702);
engaging a flange (702F) of the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW) by inserting the grommet member (702) into an opening provided in the vehicular member (DW); and
securing the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW) by assembling a locking member (704) with the grommet member (702),
wherein
the sealing portion (702S) is adapted to restrict fluid flow at the interface between the cable (C) and the grommet member (702).

10. The method (800) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (300) comprises,
connecting a cable connector (CB) with the cable (C) after mounting the grommet member (702) on the at least one cable (C); and
passing the cable connector (CB) through the locking member (704) before said securing the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW) by assembling the locking member (704) with the grommet member (702).

11. The method (800) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flange (702F) of said grommet member (702) defines at least one protrusion (702P) adapted to engaged with corresponding groove (704G) provided in a flange (704F) of the locking member (704) to restrict fluid flow from the grommet member (702) to the locking member (704).

12. The method (800) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said securing the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW) by assembling the locking member (704) with the grommet member (702) includes,
introducing the locking member (704) onto the grommet member (702) by passing the cable connector (CB) into the locking member (704); and
locking grommet member (704) with the vehicular member (DW) by engaging each locking portion of the locking member (704) with corresponding each locking portion of the grommet member (702) when the locking member (704) is moved with respect to the grommet member (702).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to an air tight grommet device and a method for managing cable(s) wiring harness(s) in at least a vehicular member such as a water shield present in a vehicle door.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, water shields are used to restrict the entry of water/ water droplets from a wet section to a dry section in applications such as automotive, workstations, machinery and so on. For example, an automotive side door mainly includes door panels and a water shield. In case of automotive side doors, latch cables and wiring harness are passed through the water shield from the door wet section to their respective attachments on the door trim pads (dry section). Usually, slits are provided on the water shield to provide easy passage of the latch cable/ wiring harness through the water shield. However, the slits which allow the cables or wiring harness to pass through the water shield also act as source for air leakage. However, in modern automotive vehicles, there is a requirement of reduction in air leakage through the vehicle cabin for the purpose of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) efficiency improvements. Hence, the water shields are replaced with modular or semi modular doors which allow the cables/ wiring harness to pass through the grommets provided on the injection molded or sheet metal modules to reduce air leakage to the vehicle cabin. However, such modular or semi modular door is complex in design and incurs high cost and increases an overall weight of the vehicle.
[003] Further, the process of assembling the grommets onto the door and routing cable(s) through it is tedious and a time consuming process. Further, routing various sizes of cables through a single grommet is difficult and is one of the challenges posed to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s).
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a grommet device and a method for managing cable(s), which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

[005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a grommet device for managing cable(s).
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method for managing cable(s).
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide an air tight grommet device which route cable(s) therethrough as well as to seal the cable interface.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the grommet devices, which retains cable(s) in a better position.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the grommet device, which simultaneously accommodates and allows various types of cables to pass therethrough and also to seal the cable interface.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the grommet devices, which allows routing of cables in a plurality of directions at the same time.
[0011] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the grommet devices, which comprise a locking member adapted to secure a grommet member with the vehicular member when the locking member is introduced onto and moved with respect to the grommet member.
[0012] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of an air tight grommet device for managing cable(s)/ wiring harness(s) through a vehicular member such a water shield present in a vehicle door, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the grommet device which routes the cable(s)/ wiring harness(s) therethrough, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 3a depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the grommet device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 3b depicts a perspective view of a locking member of the grommet device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0018] Fig. 4 depicts a flowchart indicating a method for managing cable(s)/ wiring harness(s) in at least the vehicular member such as the water shield present in the vehicle door, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0020] The embodiments herein achieve an air tight grommet device for managing cable(s)/ wire harness, where the grommet device is adapted to route cable(s) therethrough and also restricts fluid flow at the interface between the cable(s) and the grommet device. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method for managing cables/ wire harness in at least a vehicular member such as a water shield present in a vehicle door. Referring now to the drawings Figs 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0021] Fig. 1 depicts an exploded view of a grommet device (700) for managing cable(s)/ wire harness through a vehicular member (DW) such as water shield present in a vehicle door, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the grommet device (700) includes a grommet member (702) and a locking member (704). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the grommet device (700) is explained herein below with reference to routing cable(s)/ wire harness through the vehicular member (DW) such as water shield present in a vehicle side door, where the grommet device (700) seals at the cable/ wire interface thereby restricting fluid flow into the vehicle at door region. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice/ implement the grommet device (700) for managing cable(s)/ wire harness through plastic or flexible membranes in any of any other locations of the vehicle, workstations, machinery, appliances such as refrigerators, steamers, chillers and other food processing devices and any other applications, where routing of cable(s)/ wire harness and sealing at the cable/wire interface to restrict fluid flow thereof is required, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the grommet device (700) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0022] In an embodiment, the grommet member (702) includes a body (702B), a flange (702F), as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2), a sealing portion (702S) and a plurality of holding portions (702H). The flange (702F) extends outwardly from a first portion (702BF), as shown in fig. 2) of the body (702B) of the grommet member (702) along a circumference of the first portion (702BF) of the body (702B), where the flange (702F) is engaged with the vehicular member (DW). The sealing portion (702S) is adapted to be integrated with the first portion (702BF) of the body (702B) of the grommet member (702). For example, the sealing portion (702S) is integrated at center of the first portion (702BF) of the body (702B). It is also within the scope of this invention to integrate the sealing portion (702S) away from the center of the first portion (702BF) of the body (702B) of the grommet member (702). The first portion (702BF) of the body (702B) of the grommet member (702) substantially defines a bowl shape configuration. It is also within the scope of this invention to provide the first portion (702BF) of the body (702B) in any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of the grommet member (702) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The sealing portion (702S) defines a cable receiving portion adapted to receive at least one cable (C) therethrough, where the sealing portion (702S) is adapted to restrict fluid flow at the interface between the cable (C) and the grommet member (702). The sealing portion (702S) of the grommet member (702) is at an angle with respect to the cable (C), as shown in fig. 2). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the sealing portion (702S) of the grommet member (702) at any other orientation with respect to the cable (C). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the sealing portion (702S) of the grommet member (702) is considered to be a 2K molded seal lip or rubber lip over moulded on the body (702B) of the grommet member (702). In an embodiment, the flange (702F) of the grommet member (702) defines at least one protrusion (702P), as shown in fig. 3a) adapted to be engaged with corresponding groove (704G), as shown in fig. 3b) provided in the flange (704F) of the locking member (704) to restrict fluid flow from the grommet member (702) to the locking member (704). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide groove on the grommet member (702) and correspondingly protrusion is provided on the locking member (704) to restrict fluid flow from the grommet member (702) to the locking member (704). The plurality of holding portions (702H) of the grommet member (702) is adapted to be held by the operator (person assembling the grommet member (702) to the vehicular member (DW) to restrict the rotation of the grommet member (702) when the locking member (704) is rotated with respect to the grommet member (702).
[0023] The locking member (704) is adapted to secure the grommet member (702) in a fixed position. The locking member (704) is adapted to secure the grommet member (702) to the vehicular member (DW) when the locking member (704) is introduced onto and moved with respect to the grommet member (702). In an embodiment, the locking member (704) includes a body (704B), a flange (704F) and a plurality of holding portions (704R), as shown in fig. 1). The flange (704F) extends outwardly from the body (704B) along the circumference of the body (704B) of the locking member (704). The flange (704F) of the locking member (7024) is adapted to be engaged with the vehicular member (DW). In an embodiment, the body (704B) of the locking member (704) defines a plurality of locking portions (not shown) corresponding to locking portions provided on outer portion of the first portion (702BF) of the body (702) of the grommet member (702). The plurality of locking portions (not shown) of the locking member (704) is provided to an inner portion of the body (704B). Each locking portion of the locking member (704) is engaged with corresponding each locking portion of the grommet member (702) to secure the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each locking portion of the locking member (704) is considered to be an internal thread and correspondingly, each locking portion of the grommet member (702) is considered to be an external thread. Each holding portion (704R) is connected to the body (704B) and the flange (704F) of the locking member (704). In another embodiment, the grommet member (702) is mounted onto the vehicular member (DW) by snap fitting. Further, in another embodiment, the grommet member (702) is mounted to the vehicular member (DW) by using fasteners such as screws. The locking member (704) is rotated through holding portions (704R) to secure the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW). Each holding portion (704R) is adapted to be held by operator for rotating the locking member (704) with respect to the grommet member (702) to secure the grommet member (702) to the vehicular member (DW).
[0024] The locking member (704) is removably connected to the grommet member (702). For example, the locking member (704) is thread fitted onto the grommet member (702) to secure the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW). In another example, the locking member (704) is snap fitted onto the grommet member (702) to secure the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW). It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the locking member (704) with the grommet member (702) by using any of fasteners, magnets, interconnecting means, locking means or any other means.
[0025] Fig. 3 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (800) for managing cable(s)/ wire harness in in at least the vehicular member (DW) such as the water shield present in the vehicle door, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (800) is explained herein below with reference to managing cable(s)/ wire harness through the vehicular member (DW) such as water shield present in the vehicle side door, where routing the cable(s) and sealing at the cable interface to restrict fluid flow into the vehicle at door region is required. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice/ implement the entire steps of the method (800) in a same manner or in a different manner or with omission of at least one step to the method (800) or with any addition of at least one step to the method (800) for managing cable(s) in through plastic or flexible membranes in any of any other locations of the vehicle, workstations, machinery, appliances such as refrigerators, steamers, chillers and other food processing devices and any other applications, where routing of cable(s)/ wiring harness and sealing at the cable interface to restrict fluid flow thereof is required, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (800) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In the first embodiment, the method (800) includes, mounting a grommet member (702) on at least one cable (C) by routing the cable (C) through a cable receiving portion of a sealing portion (702S) integrated with a first portion (702BF) of a body (702B) of the grommet member (702), step (802), engaging a flange (702F) of the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW) by inserting the grommet member (702) into an opening provided in the vehicular member (DW), step (804) and securing the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW) by assembling a locking member (704) with the grommet member (702), step (806), wherein the sealing portion (702S) is adapted to restrict fluid flow at the interface between the cable (C) and the grommet member (702) and the flange (702F) of the grommet member (702) defines at least one protrusion adapted to engaged with corresponding groove provided in a flange (704F) of the locking member (704) to restrict fluid flow from the grommet member (702) to the locking member (704).
[0026] The method (800) includes, connecting a cable connector (CB) with the cable (C), step (803A) after the method step (802) of mounting the grommet member (702) on at least one cable (C).
[0027] The method (800) includes, passing the cable connector (CB) through the locking member (704), step (805) before the method step (806) of securing the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW) by assembling the locking member (704) with the grommet member (702).
[0028] The method step (806) of securing the grommet member (702) with the vehicular member (DW) by assembling the locking member (704) with the grommet member (702) includes, introducing the locking member (704) onto the grommet member (702) by passing the cable connector (CB) into the locking member (704), and locking grommet member (704) with the vehicular member (DW) by engaging each locking portion of the locking member (704) with corresponding each locking portion of the grommet member (702) when the locking member (704) is moved with respect to the grommet member (702).
[0029] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.