Motor Vehicle Chassis Probe Housing Between Tunnel and Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing NOx probe installations in motor vehicle chassis are exposed to gravel and water splashes, requiring protective covers and manual, costly assembly steps, and electrical harnesses need separate holding devices.

Innovation Solution

An assembly integrating a nitrogen oxide measurement probe with a thermal protection screen and support, where the probe is housed between the screen and tunnel, allowing simultaneous fixation and protection, eliminating the need for separate protective covers and holding devices for the electrical harness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the probe is installed under the floor next to the tunnel, then the probe can measure nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases, but the probe is exposed to gravel and water splashes requiring protective covers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprobe measurement capabilityVSAvoidexposure to gravel and water splashes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The probe is integrated into the tunnel structure itself, merging the measurement device with the exhaust gas flow path. The tunnel serves dual purposes: guiding exhaust gases and housing the probe, eliminating the need for separate protective covers while ensuring reliable measurement in the protected exhaust gas environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the probe is installed under the floor, then nitrogen oxide measurement is enabled, but manual assembly steps are required which are long and expensive to perform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen oxide measurementVSAvoidmanual assembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The probe assembly is merged with the tunnel as an integrated unit. The probe is positioned within the tunnel structure and fixed using the tunnel's own mounting features, combining multiple assembly operations into a single integrated installation process that reduces manual labor time and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the probe is installed under the floor, then nitrogen oxide measurement is possible, but holding members are needed to prevent the electrical harness from hanging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen oxide measurementVSAvoidelectrical harness holding structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical harness routing is merged with the tunnel structure. The harness is guided through channels or along the tunnel walls, using the existing structural elements for support and routing, thereby eliminating the need for separate holding members and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2914825B1Assembly for a motor vehicle chassis facilitating the implantation of a probe
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2914825B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2914825B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2914825B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention concerns an assembly (21) for a motor vehicle chassis comprising: a vehicle floor (22) intended to extend substantially along the vehicle following a longitudinal axis (X), a passage tunnel (25) for an exhaust line provided in the vehicle floor (22), extending along the longitudinal axis (X), a thermal protection screen (30) intended to be positioned along the exhaust line, and a probe (31) for measuring nitrogen oxides. The assembly (21) further comprises a support (32) carrying the probe (31) positioned between the thermal protection screen (30) and the tunnel (25), such that the thermal protection screen (30) and the tunnel (25) define a housing (33) for the probe (31) and the support (32) thereof.