Elastic Forward Member for Vehicle Wiring Harness Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wiring harnesses in vehicle seating assemblies often become visible and lie on the floor when the seating assembly is moved to a rearward position, posing a visibility and safety issue for occupants.
Innovation Solution
An elastic forward member and a harness engagement element, including a hoop portion, are used to manage the wiring harness, ensuring it remains concealed by stretching and contracting as the seating assembly moves, preventing it from lying on the floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wiring harness is extended from the underside of the seat to the floor portion, then the wiring harness can supply electricity and transmit data, but the wiring harness becomes visible and lies on the floor when the seating assembly is in the rearward position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a forward member as an intermediary element between the wiring harness and the seat underside. This forward member, which can be elastic or include a retractable mechanism, actively manages the wiring harness position, pulling it upward and away from the floor when the seat is in rearward positions, thereby preventing visibility while maintaining electrical connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The forward member is designed with dynamic characteristics - either elastic properties allowing it to stretch and retract, or a retractable mechanism that can extend and retract. This dynamic behavior enables the forward member to adapt to different seat positions, automatically managing the wiring harness to keep it concealed when the seat is rearward and allowing it to extend when the seat is forward
2Ease of operation
If the seating assembly is moved to a rearward position, then the occupant has more space, but the wiring harness becomes visible on the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The forward member performs preliminary action by proactively managing the wiring harness position before the harness can become visible. When the seat begins to move rearward, the forward member anticipates the potential visibility issue and automatically pulls the wiring harness upward and away from the floor, preventing the harmful effect before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The forward member acts as a mediator between the seat movement and the wiring harness positioning, decoupling the relationship between seat position and harness visibility. It absorbs the mechanical movement and translates it into appropriate harness positioning, allowing full seat travel without compromising visibility
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wiring harness is kept taut to prevent it from lying on the floor, then the harness remains concealed, but the elastic forward member must stretch which may affect durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by using an elastic forward member whose physical properties (elasticity, stretch limit, material composition) are specifically optimized to balance the conflicting requirements. The elastic parameters are selected to provide sufficient tension to keep the harness concealed while remaining within safe stress limits to ensure long-term durability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic nature of the forward member provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing mechanical stresses and strains during seat movement. Rather than creating sharp, damaging forces, the elastic material gradually absorbs and dissipates the mechanical energy, protecting the wiring harness connection points and the forward member itself from damage over time
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
The solution effectively keeps the wiring harness off the floor and out of sight when the seating assembly is in the rearward position, enhancing occupant safety and aesthetics by maintaining the harness's position under the seat.
Implementation Method 1
elastic forward member with a first portion attached to the underside of the seat and a second portion engaged with the wiring harness
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle comprises: a floor portion; a seating assembly disposed above and positionable relative to the floor portion, the seating assembly comprising: a seat including an underside opposing the floor portion; a wiring harness extending between the underside of the seat and the floor portion, the wiring harness extending from the underside of the seat at a first point and extending from the floor portion at a second point; a forward member with a first portion attached to the underside of the seat and a second portion engaged with the wiring harness; and a harness engagement element extending from the underside of the seat and engaging the wiring harness between the underside of the seat and the floor portion. The harness engagement element engages the wiring harness between the first point and the second point of the wiring harness.