Heat Shield Assembly With Angular Diverter Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat shields for wire harnesses in engine exhaust systems are ineffective in diverting heat away from sensors due to obstructive angled intermediate walls, leading to potential failure of the cable sheathing and communication disruption.
Innovation Solution
A heat shield assembly with a base plate, upwardly extending walls, lateral ledge members, and angular thermal diverter plates that minimize heat obstruction and effectively deflect heat away from the wire harness, using spacers and fasteners for secure installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an intermediate wall is angled radially outward to divert heat, then heat diversion capability is improved, but heat conduction through the wall increases causing harness failure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of angling the intermediate wall radially outward to divert heat (which causes conduction), the patent inverts the approach by making the intermediate wall substantially parallel to the direction of heat flow. This inversion prevents the wall from obstructing heat flow while still providing structural support for the sensor cable assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the intermediate wall from an angled configuration (radially outward) to a parallel configuration with the heat flow direction. This parameter change eliminates the obstruction effect and reduces thermal conduction through the wall structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a thermally insulative harness is added around cable sheathing, then heat protection is improved, but harness and sheathing deteriorate under prolonged heat exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal insulation function from the cable sheathing and harness materials, and instead provides it through the heat shield assembly structure. The heat shield with its parallel intermediate wall configuration diverts heat away from the wire harness, eliminating the need for thermally insulative materials that would otherwise deteriorate under prolonged heat exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shield assembly acts as an intermediary between the heat source and the wire harness. By positioning the intermediate wall parallel to the heat flow direction, it serves as a mediator that redirects heat away from the vulnerable cable components without requiring the cables themselves to withstand the thermal stress.
3Strength
If an intermediate wall obstructs heat flow path, then structural support is improved, but heat diversion effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by making the intermediate wall parallel rather than perpendicular or angled to the heat flow. This inversion allows the wall to provide structural support for the sensor cable assembly while minimizing obstruction to heat flow, as the parallel configuration allows heat to flow along the wall rather than through it.
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 heat shield assembly significantly reduces heat exposure to the wire harness, prolonging its service life and minimizing maintenance needs by providing an unobstructed heat flow path and effective heat diversion.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of thermal diverter plates that extend angularly from a pair of second ends associated with the pair of ledge members
Implementation Method 2
the heat may be conducted by the tapered portion of the at least one wall of the heat shield
Data Source
AI summary
A heat shield assembly is provided for shielding a wire harness that is associated with a sensor in communication with a heat source. The heat shield assembly includes a base plate having a primary aperture that is configured to allow passage of the wire harness therethrough. The primary aperture is disposed in alignment with a hole defined on a shroud of the heat source. The heat shield assembly also includes a pair of walls extending upwardly from a pair of opposite edges of the base plate. Further, the heat shield assembly also includes a pair of ledge members that extend laterally from a pair of first ends associated with the pair of walls. Furthermore, the heat shield assembly also includes a pair of thermal diverter plates that extend angularly from a pair of second ends associated with the pair of ledge members.