Vibration Suppression in Vehicle Junction Box via Friction Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical junction boxes in vehicles experience vibration-induced resonance and excessive vibration acceleration due to gaps in the hinge and lock mechanisms, leading to potential terminal breakage and instability in electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a vibration suppressing member with a high coefficient of friction, sandwiched between the opposing surfaces of the mount and attachment bodies, to exert a frictional force that suppresses vibration and stabilizes the attachment body relative to the junction box main body, thereby reducing vibration acceleration and preventing terminal breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gaps are provided in the hinge mechanism and lock mechanism to allow rotation and engagement, then the attachment body can be easily assembled and disassembled, but vibration from the vehicle body causes the attachment body to vibrate relative to the electrical junction box main body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachment and removalVSAvoidvibration stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration suppressing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the attachment body and the electrical junction box main body. This member includes a vibration suppressing portion that contacts both the attachment body and the main body, and a damping portion that provides vibration damping. The intermediary structure allows the attachment body to be securely mounted while suppressing vibrations caused by vehicle body movements, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and vibration stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If gaps are provided in the hinge mechanism and lock mechanism, then the attachment body can be rotatably assembled, but resonance occurs within a specific frequency range causing significant increase in vibration acceleration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational assembly capabilityVSAvoidvibration acceleration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration suppressing member acts as a mediator between the attachment body and the electrical junction box main body. The damping portion of this member specifically targets and reduces vibration acceleration within the resonant frequency range, preventing the harmful effects of resonance while preserving the rotational assembly capability provided by the hinge and lock mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration suppressing member changes the dynamic parameters of the system by introducing damping characteristics. This modifies the vibration transmission properties, reducing vibration acceleration in the resonant frequency range while maintaining the mechanical connection and rotational assembly functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the attachment body is connected via connectors, then electrical connection is established, but excessive vibration acceleration causes breakage or instability of the terminals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidterminal durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration suppressing member serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the connector terminals from excessive vibration acceleration. By damping vibrations before they reach the connectors, the member protects the terminals from breakage and maintains stable electrical connection, thus resolving the contradiction between connection stability and terminal durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 vibration suppressing member effectively reduces vibration acceleration and enhances the stability of electrical connections by increasing frictional force, preventing terminal breakage and ensuring stable conduction between the junction box main body and attachment body.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration suppressing member is sandwiched between the opposing surfaces of the mount portion and the attachment body, the vibration suppressing member suppressing vibration of the attachment body by exerting a frictional force on the opposing surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9985400B2Electrical junction box with vibration suppression feature

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

An electrical junction box includes an electrical junction box main body having a mount portion and a separate attachment body removably attached to the mount portion, a pair of connectors are respectively provided on opposing surfaces of the mount portion and the attachment body are connected to each other, and a vibration suppressing member is between the opposing surfaces, the vibration suppressing member suppressing vibration of the attachment body by exerting a frictional force on the opposing surfaces.