Cable Guide With Longitudinal Displacement For Articulated Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable guides for multi-section vehicles face challenges in maintaining mechanical stresses low while providing sufficient guidance and flexibility for cables to absorb movements during driving, especially in low-floor vehicles with limited space, and ensuring electromagnetic compatibility with increasing electrical voltages.

Innovation Solution

A cable guide comprising a leaf spring and a corrugated cable hose, where the cable hose is supported by a holder that allows longitudinal displacement relative to the leaf spring, maintaining a fixed radial distance to prevent electromagnetic interactions and accommodate movements, with a connection system that includes rigid and sliding holders to manage cable positioning and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If cables are routed above the aisle in low-floor vehicles, then sufficient space is available for cable routing, but mechanical stress on cables increases due to limited space and movement constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing spaceVSAvoidmechanical stress on cables
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guide system employs a dynamic design where the cable conduit can move relative to the leaf spring through a holder mechanism. This allows the cable routing structure to adapt to vehicle movements (acceleration, braking, cornering) while maintaining adequate cable tension and positioning, thereby reducing mechanical stress on the cables themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameters of the cable conduit relative to the leaf spring through the holder mechanism. By allowing longitudinal displacement of the cable conduit while maintaining radial positioning, the system optimizes cable routing geometry under varying operational conditions, reducing mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If cables are provided with sufficient guidance, then cable positioning is stable, but flexibility to accommodate vehicle movements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable positioning stabilityVSAvoidflexibility for vehicle movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder mechanism creates a dynamic connection between the cable conduit and leaf spring, allowing the cable conduit to move longitudinally while maintaining radial positioning. This dynamic design provides both stability (through radial constraint) and flexibility (through longitudinal movement capability), enabling the system to accommodate vehicle movements while maintaining cable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable guide system is segmented into distinct functional components: the leaf spring provides structural support and radial positioning, while the holder mechanism enables longitudinal displacement. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one aspect of cable management, achieving both stability and flexibility simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed distance is maintained between cable conduit and leaf spring, then electromagnetic interference is prevented, but mechanical stress on cables increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidmechanical stress on cables
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The holder mechanism dynamically maintains the radial distance between cable conduit and leaf spring while allowing longitudinal movement. This ensures electromagnetic compatibility (by maintaining fixed radial positioning) while accommodating vehicle movements through longitudinal displacement, thereby preventing both electromagnetic interference and excessive mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If cable conduit is rigidly fixed to leaf spring, then cable positioning is stable, but ability to accommodate movements is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable conduit positioningVSAvoidmovement accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder mechanism creates a dynamic connection that allows longitudinal displacement of the cable conduit relative to the leaf spring while maintaining radial positioning. This dynamic design provides both stability (through radial constraint preventing electromagnetic interference) and flexibility (through longitudinal movement for accommodating vehicle dynamics).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holder acts as an intermediary component between the leaf spring and cable conduit, enabling controlled movement while maintaining positioning. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to achieve both stable cable positioning and movement accommodation by mediating between the rigid leaf spring and the flexible cable routing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces mechanical stresses and ensures cable stability and flexibility, maintaining a safe distance from other elements while allowing for the necessary freedom of movement, thus enhancing the reliability of electrical and other supply lines in multi-section vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a leaf spring (28), in particular an elongated element which can be easily deformed elastically in a transverse direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The guide surface and/or the cable conduit can have a surface with a low coefficient of friction, allowing longitudinal movement with reduced effort

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3718795B1Cable guide for an articulated vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 ATG AUTOTECHN
  • EP3718795B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3718795B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3718795B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Cable routing for a multi-section vehicle (14, 15), comprising a leaf spring (28), a cable conduit (34) extending along the leaf spring (28), and a cable (30, 31) guided within the cable conduit (34). A holder (23) maintains the cable conduit (34) at a fixed distance relative to the leaf spring (28). The cable conduit (34) is mounted by the holder (23) so as to be longitudinally displaceable (26) relative to the leaf spring (28).