Cabin Harness Support for Motor Vehicle Front Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle front structures do not adequately protect the cabin beam from shocks during the mounting of the dashboard, particularly due to the lack of sufficient support at the junction between the pillar bay and the fender liner.

Innovation Solution

A front vehicle body structure with a lateral support for the dashboard crossmember and a lower window crossmember, featuring a cabin beam support that rests on both, utilizing a vertical rear portion with a notch and a flexible collar for attachment, and a front portion secured by a rotating attachment, designed to prevent crushing and sagging, made from lightweight plastic materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a traditional metal support structure is used for the cabin beam, then structural strength and protection are improved, but weight increases and ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabin beam protectionVSAvoidsupport structure weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metal to plastic, transforming the support structure from rigid to sufficiently rigid while lighter. The plastic material is designed with specific geometric features (notches, engagement surfaces) that provide the necessary mechanical strength to protect the cabin beam during dashboard mounting, while inherently reducing weight compared to metal alternatives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure utilizes plastic as a composite or alternative material to traditional metal. The plastic material is engineered to provide adequate structural support and protection for the cabin beam, combining sufficient strength with weight reduction. The design incorporates features like notches and engagement surfaces that enhance the mechanical performance of the plastic material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If a simple clip attachment is used for the support, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability of attachment and prevention of rotation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure incorporates localized geometric features (notches, engagement surfaces) at specific locations to provide targeted attachment and anti-rotation functionality. The rear portion has a notch for engaging the dashboard crossmember lateral support, while the front portion has a notch for engaging the lower windshield opening crossmember, creating localized attachment points that ensure reliable positioning without requiring complex fastening mechanisms throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a clip that attaches to the beam and prevents rotation through mechanical interlocking, the patent inverts the approach by having the support structure itself incorporate notches that receive and constrain the beam. The notches in the support structure actively engage with the beam, preventing rotation and ensuring proper positioning, rather than relying on a separate clip mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3887207B1Support for a motor vehicle cabin wiring harness
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3887207B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3887207B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3887207B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Motor vehicle body front structure, comprising: at each of the sides of the vehicle, a dashboard crossmember lateral support (15) fastened to a front wing lining (7), and a lower windshield crossmember (17) positioned in front of the lateral supports (15) and fastened laterally to the front wing linings (7), the structure additionally comprising, at at least one of the sides of the vehicle, a support (23) for a cabin harness (21) bearing on the corresponding dashboard crossmember lateral support (15) and on the lower windshield crossmember (17).