Modular Wiring Harness Layout for Scalable High-Speed Communication
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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 layout of vehicles or machines.
Innovation Solution
A modular harness system with a sequential physical interconnection of sections, forming a continuous chain, where each section connects sequentially to the next, allowing for a scalable and flexible design that maintains signal integrity over extended distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a parallel bus architecture is used to connect electrical components, then connectivity and modularity are improved, but signal degradation occurs due to long branch stubs limiting the maximum functional length
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring harness is divided into multiple modular sections that can be independently configured and connected. Each section contains standardized connectors that interface with adjacent sections, allowing the system to be segmented into manageable units while maintaining overall system connectivity and signal integrity across the entire harness length
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of branching off from a central bus (parallel architecture), the patent inverts the approach by creating a daisy-chain sequential connection where each module connects to the next in sequence. This eliminates the problematic long stubs by making the communication path continuous rather than branched
2Adaptability or versatility
If long branch stubs are used to reach distant components in parallel bus systems, then component placement flexibility is improved, but signal reflection and impedance mismatches increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional parallel bus approach by implementing a sequential daisy-chain architecture where modules connect in series rather than branching from a central trunk. This eliminates long stubs and their associated signal reflections while providing flexibility through modular reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the harness configuration to be dynamically adjusted by repositioning or reconfiguring individual sections. The standardized connectors enable flexible assembly and disassembly, allowing the system to adapt to different component placements without creating problematic long stubs
3Reliability
If components are placed close to the main bus path to keep stubs short, then signal integrity is maintained, but design freedom for component placement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the harness into modular sections with standardized interfaces, the patent enables flexible layout design. Each module can be independently positioned and connected to adjacent modules, maintaining short communication paths within each section while allowing overall system flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized connectors and modular design create a universal interface that works across all harness configurations. This universality allows components to be placed in optimal locations while maintaining signal integrity, as the modular sections can be arranged to accommodate various layouts without requiring custom harness designs
4Ease of operation
If conventional parallel bus systems are used, then ease of connection is improved, but scalability is limited due to signal degradation over distance
Solution Approach 1:
The harness is segmented into standardized modular sections that can be easily connected and disconnected. Each section maintains signal integrity over its length, and multiple sections can be chained together to achieve scalable system lengths without the signal degradation problems of conventional parallel bus systems
Solution Approach 2:
By inverting the parallel bus architecture to a sequential daisy-chain configuration, the patent enables scalability while maintaining ease of connection. The modular sections with standardized interfaces allow simple assembly, and the sequential connection eliminates the stub-related signal issues that limit scalability in conventional systems
Data Source
AI summary
A modular harness system connects a master electronic control module to a plurality of electrical system components. The harness system has a main backbone section connectable to the master electronic control module; an electrical and communication interface connected to the main backbone section; a plurality of modular harness sections, each harness section connecting to a respective electrical system component; an extension section with an extension wire; and a connector section to interconnect a preceding modular harness section in series with a subsequent modular harness section, from among the plurality of modular harness sections, to relay data and/or supply electrical power via the extension wire.