Front Pillar Cable Support With Shared Hood Control Fixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of vehicle electronics leads to a surge in the number of cables at the front foot area of vehicles, making it difficult to integrate a support structure for these cables in the cramped space, and existing support structures occupy too much transverse and longitudinal space, not compatible with modern automobile requirements.

Innovation Solution

A support structure adapted to be fixed to a vehicle's front foot, featuring a Y-shaped design with guide means for cable bundles, a first fixing means for the structure, and a second fixing means that secures both the structure and the hood opening control, optimizing space usage and allowing for the passage of multiple cable bundles through a circumferential border and recesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a traditional support structure is used to organize cable bundles, then cable management is achieved, but the transverse and longitudinal space occupied is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable managementVSAvoidspace occupied
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple guide means (first guide means, second guide means, third guide means) that separately guide different cable bundles (first bundle, second bundle, third bundle) through distinct paths. This segmentation allows cables to be organized efficiently without requiring a large monolithic support structure, thereby reducing the overall space occupied while maintaining effective cable management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of cable bundles increases due to vehicle technical complexity, then functionality is improved, but the space required for cable support increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle electronics capabilityVSAvoidfront footwell space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by guiding cable bundles through different directions and levels. The first guide means directs cables in a first direction, the second guide means directs cables in a second direction, and the third guide means directs cables in a third direction. This multi-dimensional approach allows numerous cable bundles to be organized within a compact volume, accommodating increased vehicle electronics capability without proportionally increasing the space required in the constrained front footwell area.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3735364B1Support structure for an element to be fixed to a front pillar of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3735364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3735364B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates mainly to a support structure (1) designed to be fixed to a front pillar of a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, comprising at least one means (2, 3, 4) for guiding at least one bundle of cables, and at least one first means (5) for fixing said support structure to the front pillar, characterised in that it also comprises a second fixing means (7) allowing both the support structure (1) and a control system for opening the bonnet of the vehicle to be secured to the front pillar of said vehicle. The invention applies to the automotive industry.