Elastically Deformable Wire Routing in Electrical Connection Boxes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connection boxes face challenges in accommodating various vehicle specifications due to differences in the diameter and number of electrical wires and bundles, leading to issues with housing compatibility and water ingress.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connection box with an insulating housing featuring an elastically deformable electrical wire drawing path, comprising a first and second wall member with projecting side wall members, allowing for volume change in the routing space to accommodate wires of different sizes and numbers, and adjustable gaps to maintain waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a common housing is used for vehicles with different specifications, then cost is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the housing cannot accommodate electrical wires and bundles of varying diameters and numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the side wall members elastically deformable, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and shape based on the size and number of electrical wires inserted. This enables a single housing design to adapt to various wire configurations without requiring multiple housing types for different vehicle specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by utilizing the elastic properties of the side wall members, which can change their physical state (deformed vs. undeformed) to accommodate different wire bundle diameters. The elastic deformation allows the housing internal dimensions to vary within a range, matching different wire specifications while maintaining the same external housing structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the electrical wire drawing path is designed with a standard gap for standard diameter wires, then manufacturing is simplified, but larger gaps occur when thinner wires are used, allowing water to enter
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic deformability of the side wall members creates a dynamic sealing mechanism. When thinner wires are inserted, the side wall members deform to reduce the gap between the wires and the housing wall, maintaining waterproof integrity. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent protection against water ingress regardless of wire size variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the gap size through elastic deformation of the side wall members. The gap dimension is not fixed but varies based on the wire diameter, automatically adjusting to maintain an appropriate seal. This eliminates the need for different housing designs for different wire sizes while preserving waterproofing reliability.
3Strength
If rigid wall members are used in the electrical wire drawing path, then structural strength is maintained, but the housing cannot adapt to different wire sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the properties of different wall members: the first and second wall members maintain rigidity to preserve overall housing strength, while the first and second side wall members are made elastically deformable to provide local adaptability. This localized flexibility allows the housing to accommodate various wire configurations without compromising the overall structural integrity of the housing.
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
Enables the use of a common housing for diverse electrical wire configurations, reducing costs and ensuring waterproof integrity across different vehicle specifications by adjusting the routing space volume and gap sizes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first side wall member and the second side wall member is formed as an elastically deformable member enabling change of volume of an electrical wire routing space
Data Source
AI summary
A housing is provided with an electrical wire drawing path projecting toward outside and causing a plurality of at least one of an electrical wire bundle and the electrical wire to be drawn from inside to outside. The electrical wire drawing path includes a first wall member including two side portions extending in a projecting direction of the electrical wire drawing path, a second wall member disposed to be opposed to the first wall member with an interval, a first side wall member projecting from one side portion in a direction crossing an extending direction of the side portions and toward the second wall member, and a second side wall member projecting from the other side portion in a direction crossing an extending direction of the side portions and toward the second wall member.