Modular Harness Layout for Signal-Integrity Daisy Chaining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parallel bus harness architectures face signal degradation and scalability issues due to long branch connections, limiting the placement of electrical components and complicating the design of vehicles or machines.
Innovation Solution
A modular harness system with a sequential physical interconnection of sections, forming a continuous chain that maintains signal integrity over extended distances, allowing components to be placed flexibly without signal degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a parallel bus architecture is used to connect electrical components, then the system can be modular and flexible, but long branch connections cause signal degradation and impedance mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the parallel bus architecture into multiple serial daisy-chain connections between modular harness sections. Each section connects to the next in sequence rather than branching from a central bus, eliminating long stubs while maintaining modularity. This segmentation allows the system to preserve signal integrity by ensuring all communication paths remain within acceptable length limits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If long branch connections are created to reach distant components, then component placement freedom increases, but signal reflection and impedance mismatches occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional parallel bus approach by implementing a serial daisy-chain topology where modules connect sequentially rather than in parallel. This inversion allows components to be placed at greater distances from the master control module while maintaining reliable communication, as the serial path avoids the signal reflection issues inherent in long parallel stubs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the main bus path is extended to reach distant components, then design freedom improves, but the complexity of managing long bus routes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the extended bus route into multiple standardized modular harness sections, each with defined connection points. This segmentation simplifies the management of long distances by breaking down the complex routing into manageable, interchangeable units that can be easily configured and maintained.
4Reliability
If short stubs are used to maintain signal integrity, then component placement is restricted to proximity of the main bus, but signal degradation is avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the main communication path serial rather than parallel. This allows component placement flexibility to be decoupled from the main bus route, as each component connects via its own short stub to the serial chain, eliminating the restriction that components must be near the main bus while preserving signal integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A modular harness system (100) for connecting a master electronic control module (10) to a plurality of electrical system components (12), the harness system (100) comprising: a main backbone section (5) connectable to the master electronic control module (10); an electrical and communication interface (50) connected to the main backbone section (5); a plurality of modular harness sections (20), each harness section (20) connecting to a respective electrical system component (12); an extension section (30) comprising an extension wire (32); and a connector section (40) configured to interconnect a preceding modular harness section (20-1) in series with a subsequent modular harness section (20-2), from among the plurality of modular harness sections (20), to relay data and/or supply electrical power via the extension wire (32).