Flexible Wire Routing Device for Vehicle Door Slack Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire routing devices for vehicles often require grommet-like elements that can be obstructive and may not effectively manage wire slack when the door is opened or closed, potentially leading to wire damage and limited flexibility in door movement.

Innovation Solution

A flexible wire routing device with a restraint system and conduit that attaches to both the vehicle body and door, using a flexible material like nylon or canvas fabric to allow for slack absorption and tension distribution, preventing hyperextension and facilitating easy door removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tube-through-grommet arrangement with rubber conduit is used, then wire routing between body and door is achieved, but the grommet-like elements are obstructive and may not effectively manage wire slack

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor movement flexibilityVSAvoidwire damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid grommet-like elements with a flexible restraint made of fabric material that can bend and flex with door movement. The flexible restraint absorbs wire slack and distributes tension, preventing wire damage while allowing full door operation without obstructive rigid elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a fixed end rubber conduit is clamped to the body with a free end extending loosely inside the door, then wire routing is achieved, but the free end cannot effectively prevent wire hyperextension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire protectionVSAvoidrestraint system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining fabric material for the flexible restraint with integrated conduit elements. This composite design provides both mechanical strength to prevent wire hyperextension and flexibility to move with the door, achieving reliable wire protection without complex separate restraint systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If grommet-like elements are used for wire routing, then wire can be routed through the door, but these elements may obstruct seals and limit flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor seal compatibilityVSAvoiddoor opening flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible fabric restraint conforms to the door and body surfaces without obstructing seals. Its thin, flexible nature allows it to adapt to various door configurations and seal geometries while maintaining full door opening flexibility, unlike rigid grommet elements that can interfere with seal contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS7304239B1Wire routing device for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2007.12.04 FCA US LLC

AI summary

An exemplary wire routing device routes a wire between a vehicle body and a vehicle door movably mounted to the vehicle body. The device includes a flexible restraint having an attachment portion arranged to be attached to the vehicle body and another attachment portion arranged to be attached to the vehicle door. The device also includes a flexible conduit carried by the flexible restraint and arranged to carry the wire therethrough.