Bus Bar Grounding for Non-Conductive Vehicle Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles with non-conductive bodies, such as those made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, face challenges in efficiently connecting multiple ground conductors to a single ground point due to the lack of electrical conductivity, leading to increased material, space, and assembly costs, as well as complexity in ground connections.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wiring harness system that incorporates a bus bar mechanically fixed to the vehicle, electrically connected to a ground point, allowing for the bundling and efficient connection of ground conductors, reducing the need for individual connectors and minimizing installation space and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground conductors are connected individually to ground points in vehicles with non-conductive bodies, then electrical grounding is achieved, but the number of connectors and installation space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual ground conductor connections into a single bus bar structure. The bus bar serves as a common grounding element that consolidates multiple grounding points, thereby reducing the number of individual connectors needed while maintaining reliable electrical grounding for all ground conductors in vehicles with non-conductive bodies.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus bar performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as an electrical conductor for grounding, a mechanical support structure for mounting multiple ground conductors, and a space-saving integration element. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity by eliminating the need for separate connectors for each ground conductor.
2Reliability
If individual connectors are used for each ground conductor, then electrical connection is established, but material costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bus bar merges multiple individual connector functions into a single integrated component. Instead of assembling separate connectors for each ground conductor, the bus bar provides a unified connection point that simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process while ensuring reliable electrical connection for all ground conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus bar is pre-configured with multiple connection points and mounting structures during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows for simplified assembly in the vehicle, where ground conductors can be directly connected to the pre-fabricated bus bar without requiring complex on-site assembly of individual connectors.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple ground conductors are bundled to a single ground point, then installation space is reduced, but connection reliability may compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The bus bar merges multiple ground conductor connections into a single integrated structure that maintains proper spacing and connection quality. By consolidating multiple grounding points onto the bus bar surface, the design achieves space efficiency while preserving connection reliability through the distributed contact points across the bus bar structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus bar distributes ground conductor connections across its surface area rather than concentrating them at a single point. This dimensional distribution allows multiple conductors to be connected in a compact arrangement while maintaining adequate separation and connection quality, effectively utilizing the two-dimensional surface of the bus bar to accommodate multiple connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has a wiring harness and a substantially electrically non-conductive body. The vehicle has at least one ground point. At least one bus bar is associated with the wiring harness. The at least one bus bar is associated with the at least one ground point. The ground point is electrically connected to the bus bar, and the bus bar is mechanically fixed in the vehicle.