Axle-Routed Wire Harness Layout for Vehicle Wheel Swing Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The durability of the wire harness connecting vehicle body-side and wheel-side devices is compromised due to swinging and expansion/contraction when the vehicle body and wheel-side devices swing, leading to potential damage.

Innovation Solution

The wire harness is routed along the axle, torque rod, and cross member, with strategically placed connection points to absorb tensile and compression forces, and is optionally secured with binding bands or housed within these components to minimize swinging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional vehicle body structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but resistance to external impact forces and deformation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to external impact forcesVSAvoidbody structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle body is divided into modular components including front and rear impact absorbing members, side impact members, and a central cabin section. Each segment is independently designed to absorb specific types of impacts, allowing the structure to handle external forces more effectively while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized modular units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The body structure combines different materials with complementary properties - the impact absorbing members use energy-absorbing materials while the central cabin uses high-strength materials for protection. This composite approach enables the structure to resist external impact forces without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the vehicle body is made more robust to prevent deformation, then protection against external forces improves, but the vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against external forcesVSAvoidvehicle body weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the vehicle body have different structural qualities optimized for their specific functions. The impact absorbing members are designed with collapsible structures that deform controllably, while the central cabin maintains rigid protection. This localized differentiation provides strong protection where needed without adding unnecessary weight throughout the entire vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The impact absorbing members are designed to change their structural parameters dynamically during impact events, transitioning from a rigid state during normal operation to a collapsible state during impact. This allows the structure to provide protection when needed while minimizing weight during normal vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If separate impact absorbing structures are added to the vehicle body, then resistance to external impacts improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to external impactsVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The impact absorbing functions are merged into the primary body structure components themselves rather than being added as separate auxiliary systems. The front and rear impact absorbing members are integrated into the vehicle body framework, and the side impact members are incorporated into the door structures, simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The body structure components are designed to serve multiple functions - the front impact absorbing member not only absorbs frontal impacts but also contributes to the overall structural rigidity and crashworthiness of the vehicle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4552877B1vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 JATCO LTD
  • EP4552877B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4552877B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4552877B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

[PROBLEMS] To improve the durability of an electric wire that connects units mounted on a vehicle. [SOLUTIONS] A vehicle includes a first unit on which a rotary electric machine is mounted, a second unit on which an inverter is mounted, an electric wire that electrically connects the first unit and the second unit, and a vehicle wheel that is dynamically connected downstream of the first unit via an axle, in which the electric wire has a portion routed along the axle.