Heated Vehicle Emblem Connector Layout for Clean Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle exterior parts with integrated heater seats for snow melting, such as emblems, face issues with terminal connection aesthetics and heater wire breakage due to bending, especially when the connection is made on the outer or inner side of a transparent plastic layer.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle exterior part design where the terminal of the heater wire is joined to the connector pin within the periphery of the base, with the outer part of the connector pin embedded in the frame and the inner part exposed, allowing for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance without additional hiding members and reducing the risk of heater wire breakage by minimizing bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the terminal is joined to the connector pin on the outer side of the transparent plastic layer, then the joining is easily accessible, but the joined portion becomes visible and reduces aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the terminal connection operation from the visible outer region and relocates it to the inner region behind the transparent plastic layer. The connector pin extends through the transparent plastic layer, allowing the terminal to be connected in the inner region where it is not visible, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while preserving ease of connection.
2Shape
If the terminal is joined to the connector pin on the inner side of the transparent plastic layer, then the aesthetic appearance is maintained, but the heater wire must be bent to a large extent which may cause breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by extending the connector pin through the transparent plastic layer in the outer-inner direction. This allows the terminal connection to occur in the inner region (maintaining aesthetics) while the connector pin provides a direct pathway that minimizes the bending radius required for the heater wire, thus reducing breakage risk.
3Ease of operation
If the connector pin is exposed on the outer side, then the terminal connection is accessible, but additional members are needed to hide the exposed portion
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent plastic layer serves multiple functions: it provides the decorative outer surface, allows millimeter waves to pass through, and simultaneously serves as a structural element through which the connector pin can extend. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional hiding members while maintaining aesthetic appearance and enabling terminal accessibility.
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 solution prevents the emblem from appearing aesthetically unappealing and reduces the likelihood of heater wire breakage while maintaining effective snow melting functionality by embedding the connector pin within the base, ensuring efficient heat transfer and millimeter wave transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The heater wire 81 generates heat when energized
Implementation Method 2
The transparent plastic layer 75 permits the passage of millimeter waves
Implementation Method 3
the millimeter wave radar device transmits millimeter waves toward the outside of the vehicle. The millimeter waves that have struck and have been reflected by an object outside the vehicle including the leading vehicle, pedestrians, and the like are received by the millimeter wave radar device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle exterior part includes: a decoration body including a base and a transparent plastic layer arranged on an outer side of the base; a heater seat including a seat base and a heat wire; and a connector pin. The heater seat includes: a heat-generating body arranged on an outer side of the transparent plastic layer; and an extension extending from an edge of the heat-generating body. A section of the heater wire in the extension is a terminal electrically connected to the connector pin. An outer part of the connector pin is embedded in a periphery of the base. An inner part of the connector pin is exposed from the base. The extension extends inward in an outer-inner direction in the periphery of the base. The terminal of the heater wire is joined to the outer part of the connector pin in the periphery of the base.