Conduit Bundle Routing in Tiltable Cab Fluid Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

The routing of media conduits between the cab and chassis in commercial vehicles, particularly those with tiltable cabs, is time-consuming and costly due to the need for flexible conduits that can accommodate varying vehicle specifications and tilting movements, leading to potential damage and increased space requirements.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement featuring a fluid actuator mounted between the vehicle frame and cab unit, with an elongated conduit bundle comprising sections connectable to the frame and cab, where the third section is integrated within or on the fluid actuator, allowing for telescopic or piston-cylinder configurations to manage conduit length and flexibility during cab tilting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conduits are made longer to accommodate cab tilting movement, then the cab can be tilted without stretching the conduits, but the space required in the vehicle increases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconduit integrity during tiltingVSAvoidspace required for conduits
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit bundle is arranged in a nested configuration where conduits are positioned within each other in a compact manner. The bundle includes conduits of different types (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic) that are nested together, allowing them to occupy minimal space while maintaining sufficient length for cab tilting movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit bundle is designed with flexible sections that can dynamically adjust their configuration during cab tilting. The bundle includes movable sections that can extend and retract, and flexible portions that can bend and flex to accommodate the changing spatial requirements during tilting operations without requiring excessive conduit length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conduits are made longer to accommodate cab tilting movement, then the cab can be tilted without stretching the conduits, but manufacturing costs and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconduit integrity during tiltingVSAvoidmanufacturing and installation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit bundle is divided into multiple sections including fixed sections, flexible sections, and movable sections. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its specific function, enabling standardized manufacturing of modular components that can be efficiently assembled during installation while maintaining the ability to accommodate tilting movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit bundle design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides media transfer, accommodates tilting movements, allows for thermal expansion, and enables easy installation. The universal design approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components into a single integrated bundle, reducing manufacturing complexity and installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If more cables and wiring are added for enhanced control systems, then driver control and surveillance capabilities improve, but the size of conduit bundles increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol and surveillance capabilityVSAvoidconduit bundle size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit bundle employs a nested arrangement where electrical cables, pneumatic conduits, and hydraulic hoses are positioned within each other in a compact configuration. This nesting allows the bundle to accommodate an increasing number of cables for enhanced control systems while maintaining a constrained overall size that fits within available vehicle spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit bundle incorporates flexible protective sheathing and thin-walled conduit sections that allow for compact packaging of multiple cables and conduits. The flexible outer covering enables the bundle to bend and flex while protecting the individual components, allowing dense packing of control system wiring without excessive bundle diameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3233575B1An arrangement for media transfer between chassis and cab in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3233575B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3233575B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3233575B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for displacing a tiltable cab unit (11) between a lowered and a raised position relative to a vehicle frame (16), the arrangement comprising a fluid actuator mounted between the vehicle frame (16) and the cab unit (11 ), which fluid actuator (17) is arranged to displace the cab unit (11) between the lowered and raised positions, and an elongated conduit bundle (20) comprising at least one media conduit (23, 24, 25) having a first section (23; 31; 41; 51; 71) which is connectable to the vehicle frame (16), a second section (24; 32; 42; 52; 62) which is connectable to the cab unit (11), and a third section (25; 33; 43; 53; 63) which is fitted between the above-mentioned first and second sections (23; 31; 41; 51; 71, 24; 32; 42; 52; 62). At least one conduit making up a third section (25; 33; 43; 53; 63) of the media conduit (23, 24, 25) is arranged in or on the fluid actuator (17; 30; 40; 50; 60).