Modular Wire Harness Connector Sealing and Vibration Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cable harness systems face challenges in efficiently connecting multiple variants of control devices and sensors to a central control unit, leading to complex and costly logistics, increased production effort, and difficulties in sealing and vibration resistance, especially with modular connectors.

Innovation Solution

A wire harness connector with a carrier and housing that accommodates cable harness modules, featuring segment connections, sealing means, and a device for connecting lines to a control unit, allowing for flexible assembly and testing without a control unit, and incorporating a circuit board for secure and efficient signal conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If modular connectors are used to connect cable harness modules, then adaptability and ease of assembly are improved, but sealing performance and vibration resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cable harness modules into a single integrated connector housing that accommodates all modules simultaneously. The housing provides a unified sealing environment for all connector interfaces, eliminating the need for separate sealing at each modular interface while maintaining adaptability through the modular module arrangement within the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If modular connectors are used to connect cable harness modules, then adaptability and ease of assembly are improved, but vibration resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidvibration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple modular connectors into a single rigid housing structure that provides unified mechanical support and vibration resistance for all connected modules. The housing acts as a single robust unit rather than multiple separate connections, thereby maintaining adaptability while improving vibration resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual plugs and sockets are used for each cable harness module, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and production effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal housing design that can accommodate multiple different cable harness modules with varying configurations. The housing provides standardized mounting and connection interfaces for all modules, allowing the same housing structure to serve multiple functions and support different module arrangements without requiring separate specialized connectors for each variant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple individual plug and socket interfaces into a single integrated housing unit that provides all necessary connections simultaneously. This reduces the overall number of separate components and assembly steps while maintaining the adaptability to connect different module types through the unified housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If cables for all possible variants are included in a wiring harness, then adaptability is improved, but weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cable harness into separate modular units, each containing only the cables needed for specific variants. This allows selective assembly of modules based on the required configuration, eliminating unnecessary cables and reducing weight while maintaining adaptability through the modular architecture that can be configured for different variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3517368B1Wire harness connector for modular cable harnesses
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 NEXANS SA
  • EP3517368B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3517368B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3517368B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

A cable harness connector (CCH) for modular cable harnesses comprises a carrier 900 on which two or more segment connections 832, 834, 846, 838, 840, 842 are provided for receiving one cable harness module 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812 each. The cable harness connector (CCH) also comprises at least one connection for a control unit MCM1, MCM1a, arranged on the carrier, and at least one device 820 arranged on the carrier for connecting lines of the cable harness modules 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812 to the at least one connection for the control unit MCM1, MCM1a and/or for connecting lines of different cable harness modules 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812.