Grommet seal, center diversion shaft and methods of making and using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9500116-B2
Application number	US-201313896933-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 17, 2013
Priority date	May 17, 2013
Publication date	Nov 22, 2016
Grant date	Nov 22, 2016

Abstract

A number of variations may include a drain grommet including a primary and secondary seal and a diversion shaft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A product comprising:
a drain grommet comprising:
a body portion having a passage formed there through, wherein the body comprises a first cylindrical or tubular portion and wherein an outer diameter of the first cylindrical or tubular portion is configured to mate with a hose end, and a second cylindrical or tubular portion and wherein an inner diameter of the outlet of the second cylindrical or tubular portion is the same diameter as an inner diameter of the first cylindrical or tubular portion and does not include a duckbill seal;
and a seal, wherein the seal extends radially from the body portion; and
wherein the seal includes a primary sealing feature and a secondary sealing feature.

2. The product of claim 1 wherein the body portion further comprises a lip.

3. The product of claim 2 wherein the lip extends radially from the body portion.

4. The product of claim 2 wherein the lip includes an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface.

5. The product of claim 4 wherein the upper planar surface extends a distance further than the lower planar surface.

6. The product of claim 2 wherein the seal is attached to the lip.

7. The product of claim 6 wherein the seal is attached to the lip via overmolding.

8. The product of claim 1 wherein an outer surface of the first cylindrical or tubular portion adjacent the perimeter is tapered inwards.

9. The product of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a third cylindrical or tubular portion and wherein a length of the third cylindrical portion is longer than a length of the second cylindrical or tubular portion.

10. The product of claim 9 wherein an outer surface of the third cylindrical or tubular portion adjacent the perimeter is tapered inwards.

11. The product of claim 1 wherein the body portion includes at least one locking feature.

12. The product of claim 11 wherein the at least one locking feature is located on a third cylindrical or tubular portion.

13. The product of claim 11 wherein the locking feature is configured to retain the drain grommet to an opening in a vehicle.

14. The product of claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises a synthetic or natural polymer.

15. The product of claim 1 wherein secondary sealing feature is tapered.

16. The product of claim 1 wherein the primary sealing feature and the secondary sealing feature are angled outward.

17. The product of claim 1 wherein the seal comprises an elastomeric material.

18. The product of claim 1 wherein the drain grommet is attached to a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in a vehicle body.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Foos Michael S
• Eustice Harry E
• Macdonald Joseph A

Classifications

• B60R16/0222

  Grommets · CPC title

• F01P11/0276 Primary

  Draining or purging · CPC title

• B60H1/00571

  of liquid ducts, e.g. for coolant liquids or refrigerants · CPC title

• F16L55/1141

  the plug being made of elastic material · CPC title

• F16L5/10 Primary

  by using sealing rings or sleeves only · CPC title