Electronic Box Mounting Assembly with Integrated Cable Trough

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for attaching and protecting electronic boxes in diesel vehicles under the body, such as those used for exhaust gas pollution control, face issues with damage from external elements like gravel, water, and shocks, and add weight and complexity with the use of heat shields and multiple assembly parts.

Innovation Solution

A fixing assembly for electronic boxes that includes a support with a shell and snap-in tabs, a cable path with inclined portions, and hooks for cable retention, which integrates with the vehicle's body to protect the box from external elements without the need for a heat shield, using lightweight and corrosion-resistant materials like aluminum or composites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a heat shield is used to protect the electronic box from external elements, then protection against damage is improved, but vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against damageVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is merged with the heat shield into a single integrated component. The support includes a shell forming a reserve for the electronic box and integrates cable trays and fixing means, eliminating the need for separate heat shield and support parts while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the electronic box, acts as a heat shield, protects against external elements, and integrates cable management. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a heat shield and separate support structure are used, then protection is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against damageVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is merged with the heat shield into a single integrated component. The support includes a shell forming a reserve for the electronic box and integrates cable trays and fixing means, eliminating the need for separate heat shield and support parts while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple separate parts are used for support and heat shield, then protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against damageVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is merged with the heat shield into a single integrated component. The support includes a shell forming a reserve for the electronic box and integrates cable trays and fixing means, eliminating the need for separate heat shield and support parts while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the electronic box, acts as a heat shield, protects against external elements, and integrates cable management. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3165059B1Assembly for attaching an electronic box and vehicle provided with such an assembly
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3165059B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3165059B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3165059B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly for attaching an electronic box (5) comprising a mounting (4) of the electronic box (5), and a lower plane of a motor vehicle body shell, characterised in that the mounting (4) comprises a shell (8) forming a recess in which the electronic box (5) is received, the shell (8) also including at least two snap-fastening tabs (19) for retaining the electronic box (5) in the recess (9), the mounting (4) furthermore comprising a cable trough (10) forming a channel (11) defined by a bottom (16) and two side edges (17) projecting on either side of the bottom (16), the channel (11) and the recess communicating with one another.