Adaptive Vehicle Wire Panels for Modular Power and Data Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and number of electronic features in vehicles lead to excessive wiring, which results in increased size, cost, and mass, as well as difficulties in routing and configuring wire harnesses, limiting post-assembly modifications and retrofitting options.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adaptive vehicle panels with strategically placed channels that can carry power or data signals, allowing for modular connections and configurations via probes, enabling flexible distribution of signals and power to various vehicle components, and potentially serving as HVAC channels when not in use, thereby reducing the need for extensive wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If more wiring is added to support increasing electronic features, then the vehicle can support more functions and features, but the size, mass, and cost of wire harnesses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing wire harnesses that can serve multiple purposes: traditional electrical wiring function and structural reinforcement function. The wire harnesses are integrated into the vehicle body structure to provide both electrical connectivity and structural support, thereby supporting more electronic features without proportionally increasing mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the wire harness system with the vehicle body structure. Instead of separate wiring looms, the electrical wiring is integrated into structural components such as floor panels and body frames, combining the functions of structural support and electrical distribution into unified elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If wire harnesses are routed down the sides of the vehicle rather than across the center, then wire routing avoids obstructions and uneven surfaces, but wire length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional side-routing (one-dimensional approach along vehicle perimeter) to center-routing (utilizing the second dimension across the vehicle floor). By routing wires through the central floor structure and utilizing vertical integration into body panels, the system achieves shorter wire lengths while maintaining ease of manufacture through structured pathways.
3Ease of operation
If traditional wire harnesses are used, then power and signals can be distributed to electronic modules, but the system is not easily configurable and requires many part numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wire harness system into modular, reconfigurable units. Instead of single-piece harnesses, the system uses divided modules that can be independently configured and connected, reducing the number of unique part numbers and simplifying assembly while maintaining ease of signal distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the wire harness system through movable connectors and adaptable routing pathways. The harnesses can be reconfigured during assembly and maintenance, transforming from static, fixed-route systems to dynamic, adaptable systems that reduce complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle panel includes channels, wherein a first channel includes a first wire capable and a second channel includes a second wire and each wire is capable of carrying at least one of power or a vehicle data signal. The panel also includes a connection point connectable to at least one of a battery or a vehicle computing system, wherein selection of connection between the vehicle computing system or battery to a given connection point provided to a given one of the first or second channels dictates whether the channel carries the vehicle data signal or power. Also, the panel includes holes connecting to the first wire and at least two of the holes connecting to the second wire allowing a connection probe to be inserted into a respective hole to connect to a wire included in a channel to which the hole connects.