Link Arm Power Feeding Device for Slide Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power feeding devices for slide structures, such as vehicle doors, face issues with increased component count, weight, and space occupancy due to complex wire harness configurations, leading to durability concerns and higher costs.
Innovation Solution
A power feeding device utilizing a link arm that turns to absorb surplus wire harness length, combined with a resilient member and protection tube, ensures the wire harness is kept at its shortest length, preventing sagging and reducing weight and cost, while maintaining reliable power feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wire harness is provided in a complex configuration to accommodate slide door movement, then the power feeding function is maintained, but the wire harness length and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The link arm is designed to dynamically change its angle according to the slide door's opening/closing position. The wire harness is routed through the link arm, which automatically adjusts its configuration to maintain the shortest possible path between fixed points, thereby reducing wire length and weight while ensuring continuous power supply.
2Reliability
If the wire harness is made longer to prevent sagging, then the power feeding reliability is improved, but the device complexity and space occupancy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The link arm acts as a dynamic support structure that actively maintains the wire harness in a taut state. By adjusting the link arm's angle, the system automatically compensates for wire harness sagging without requiring excessive wire length or complex routing, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the wire harness is routed through a long and narrow opening, then the power feeding function is maintained, but the manufacturing cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The link arm provides a dynamic, adaptable pathway for the wire harness that eliminates the need for fixed, oversized openings. The wire harness passes through the link arm structure, which naturally accommodates movement and tension variations, allowing for simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing without compromising power feeding reliability.
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 reduces the length and weight of the wire harness, prevents sagging, and minimizes the size of the power feeding device, enhancing reliability and layout flexibility, and reducing the risk of wire harness entanglement.
Implementation Method 1
a link arm 6 turnably provided to one of a slide structure 2 and a fixed structure 11 in a direction to absorb a surplus length of a wire harness 9
Implementation Method 2
a resilient member 22, 26, 7 which supports the wire harness 9
Data Source
AI summary
A power feeding device for a slide structure, which includes a link arm turnably provided to one of a slide structure and a fixed structure in a direction to absorb a surplus length of a wire harness, and a harness holding portion provided to a top end side of the link arm. The wire harness is provided from the harness holding portion to a harness fixing portion of the other of the slide structure and the fixed structure, is employed. The link arm is energized by a resilient member. A harness guide is provided along the link arm, and an electric wire portion of the wire harness is provided along the harness guide so as to have a surplus length. A frame-like guide case into which the wire harness is inserted in a turning direction of the link arm is provided.