Flat Resin Wire Harness Exterior for Dead Space Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire harness regulation methods, such as using resin rods or corrugated tubes, struggle with shaping complexity and create dead space, making them unsuitable for narrow spaces and inefficient in space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A sheathed wire harness using a flat plate member made of resin material to support and regulate the path of wire assemblies, reducing dead space and enhancing space efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a resin rod is used to bundle wires together, then the wire harness can be regulated, but the cross-sectional area increases and it is difficult to deform into complex shapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath regulation capabilityVSAvoidcross-sectional area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from using a three-dimensional resin rod to a two-dimensional flat plate member. This dimensional reduction eliminates the volume occupied by the binding structure while maintaining path regulation functionality through the flat plate's surface area and shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the essential function of path regulation from the resin rod, removing the volumetric binding structure. The flat plate member provides path regulation through its two-dimensional geometry without the unnecessary volume of a three-dimensional rod.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a corrugated tube or protector with constant cross-sectional area is used, then the wire harness is protected, but dead space is created when flattened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoiddead space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces three-dimensional protective structures (corrugated tubes and cylindrical protectors) with a two-dimensional flat plate member. This eliminates the hollow interior volume that creates dead space when flattened, while the flat plate still provides protection through its structural integrity and surface coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The flat plate member functions as a flexible protective structure that can be deformed to fit complex paths without creating dead space. Unlike rigid three-dimensional protectors, the thin plate structure adapts to the required geometry while maintaining protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If a resin rod is used to regulate the path, then the wire harness structure is simplified, but it cannot fit narrow spaces with complicated shapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidshape adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flat plate member's two-dimensional geometry provides superior adaptability to complex and narrow paths compared to three-dimensional resin rods. The plate can be bent and shaped in multiple directions within the same volume, enabling it to conform to complicated vehicle interior paths while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4099528B1Wire harness exterior body, and wire harness with exterior body
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4099528B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4099528B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4099528B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a wire harness exterior body and a wire harness with the exterior body, with which it is possible to appropriately restrict the route of the wire harness, and to eliminate dead space and reduce space in a vehicle, etc., in which the wire harness is used. This wire harness exterior body has a wire bundle in which a plurality of electric wires are bundled, the exterior body being characterized by being formed from at least one flat member comprising a resin material, and contacting and supporting one surface of a wire aggregate comprising the wire bundle constituting a wire harness, or a plurality of divided wire bundles that are further branched from the wire bundle and extended, and the exterior body having flat parts that restrict the route of the wire harness.