Electric Connection Box Integrating Switching Hub
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of the wire harness structure and the need for additional components in vehicles, especially when integrating automatic driving functions, due to signal attenuation and the requirement for stable power supply and waterproofing, make existing solutions inefficient and bulky.
Innovation Solution
An electric connection box with integrated power distribution, communication switch circuit, and common power supply circuit, which reduces the number of components and simplifies the wire harness by eliminating the need for external switching hubs and relay connectors, while providing a waterproof function for the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a switching hub is provided externally to enable Ethernet communication for automatic driving functions, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and wire harness structure become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the switching hub functionality directly into the connection box housing, merging previously separate components (connection box + external switching hub) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate Ethernet cables and external switching hub connections, thereby simplifying the wire harness structure while maintaining full Ethernet communication capability for automatic driving functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection box is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: power distribution, signal relay, and Ethernet switching hub operations. By making the connection box universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated external switching hub equipment, reducing overall system complexity while preserving communication adaptability.
2Reliability
If relay connectors are inserted in the middle of the wire harness to transmit LiDAR signals, then signal transmission is improved, but the structure becomes complicated and vibration/sound are transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the relay connector functionality directly into the connection box housing, merging previously separate components (relay connector + connection box) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for intermediate relay connectors in the wire harness while maintaining signal transmission reliability for LiDAR systems.
3Ease of operation
If the wire harness passes through partition walls of the engine room, then power and signal supply are achieved, but waterproofing complexity increases and vibration/sound are transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection box from the engine room environment and relocates it to the vehicle interior, removing it from the harsh engine room conditions. This extraction eliminates the need for complex waterproofing at partition wall penetration points while maintaining power and signal supply capabilities through the redesigned integrated connection box structure.
4Reliability
If through holes are expanded to accommodate larger wire harnesses for improved LiDAR performance, then sensor capability is improved, but vibration and sound from the engine room are transmitted into the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection box from the engine room environment, removing the source of vibration and sound transmission paths. By relocating the integrated connection box to the vehicle interior, the system maintains LiDAR sensor performance while eliminating the harmful effects of engine room vibrations and noises that would otherwise be transmitted through expanded through holes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An electric connection box includes: the housing, or a plurality of communication connectors (the communication system connectors 54b, 55b, 56b) provided therein; a communication switch circuit (the switching hub functional unit 53), which is provided inside the housing, has a communication relay function and controls a communication path between the plurality of communication connectors; and a common power supply circuit (59), which is provided inside the housing and capable of supplying common power generated based on the power from the input side power supply line to a plurality of electric circuits including the communication switch circuit.