Sliding Load Carrier Cable Routing Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load carriers for vehicles face issues with electrical wiring routing, leading to mechanical stress and risk of damage due to pinching between the carriage and the guide base, especially when the carriage is extended or retracted.

Innovation Solution

A loop routing system with a large degree of freedom is implemented, where the electrical line is connected to the front of the carriage and attached to the guide base, using a protective hose for flexural rigidity, and routed through a receiving channel in the guide rails to prevent damage and mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the electric cable is routed directly between the carriage and the carriage guide base, then the electrical connection is simple, but the cable is subject to mechanical stress and risk of pinching damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring routing complexityVSAvoidcable damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a loop section of the electric cable as an intermediary element between the carriage and the carriage guide base. This loop section acts as a mediator that absorbs mechanical stress and prevents direct transmission of pinching forces to the cable connection points, thereby protecting the cable from damage while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the flexibility of the electric cable itself by forming it into a loop section. This flexible configuration allows the cable to bend and deform as the carriage moves relative to the guide base, accommodating the relative motion without suffering from mechanical stress or pinching damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the carriage is allowed to move freely relative to the carriage guide base, then the load carrier is highly adaptable, but the electric cable may be pinched or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarriage adjustment rangeVSAvoidcable pinching and mechanical stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The loop section serves as a protective intermediary that enables the carriage to move freely relative to the guide base. By positioning the loop section between the moving carriage and the stationary guide base, the cable can accommodate the full range of motion without being pinched, thus maintaining both adaptability and cable integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The loop section预先 (in advance) absorbs and distributes the mechanical stresses that will occur during carriage movement. By creating this loop configuration beforehand, the system prepares for the relative motion between carriage and guide base, preventing cable damage before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid cable routing is used, then the cable position is stable, but the carriage movement is restricted and the cable may break

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable position stabilityVSAvoidcarriage movement smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of flexibility by configuring the electric cable as a loop section rather than a rigid straight line. This flexible loop allows the cable to bend and move with the carriage while maintaining stable electrical connection points at both ends, thus achieving both position stability and movement ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cable routing transitions from a static rigid configuration to a dynamic flexible loop configuration. The loop section can change its shape and position dynamically as the carriage moves, allowing the cable system to adapt to the changing spatial relationship between the carriage and the guide base while maintaining stable connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2338739B1Sliding load carrier with an electric circuit
Publication Date: 2013.10.23 WESTFALIA AUTOMOTIVE
  • EP2338739B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2338739B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2338739B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

The load carrier (10) has a carriage-guide base (11), particularly for mounting at a load carrier receiver of a vehicle. An electrical cable (130) has a sliding section (135) between a base-fastening location (140) and a carriage-fastening location (141). The sliding section forms a slotted piece in the handling position.