Protective Tape Structure for Corrugated Tube-Like Wire Harness Shielding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wire harnesses face challenges in forming an exterior member with the same thickness and strength as a corrugated tube using a tape member, often requiring multiple wraps or increased thickness, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases material usage.
Innovation Solution
A protective tape member with a band-shaped base material and an adhesive layer, featuring protruding portions along its width or length direction, is used to create an exterior member that can be easily affixed to electric wires, providing the same thickness and strength as a corrugated tube by spirally wrapping around the wire harness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a tape member is used as an exterior member to replace a corrugated tube, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the tape member requires multiple wraps or increased thickness to achieve the same strength, which complicates the process and increases material usage
Solution Approach 1:
The base material is segmented into multiple protruding portions that are arranged side by side. These protruding portions provide structural strength while allowing the tape member to achieve the required mechanical properties with a single wrap, reducing material usage compared to conventional tape members that require multiple wraps.
Solution Approach 2:
The base material transitions from a flat two-dimensional structure to a three-dimensional structure with protruding portions. This dimensional change adds structural rigidity and strength in the width direction, enabling the tape member to replace corrugated tubes with equivalent mechanical properties while using less material.
2Strength
If the thickness of the base material is increased to give the exterior member the same strength as a corrugated tube, then the strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the overall thickness of the base material, the structure is segmented into multiple protruding portions. This segmentation provides the necessary strength and rigidity through the three-dimensional geometry of the protrusions rather than through increased material thickness, simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The base material combines a flat portion and protruding portions to create a composite structure. This composite geometry provides enhanced mechanical strength and rigidity without requiring increased material thickness, achieving corrugated tube-equivalent strength with simpler manufacturing.
3Strength
If a corrugated tube is used as an exterior member, then the required strength and protection are achieved, but additional fixing steps are needed to attach the corrugated tube to the electric wire
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is merged with the base material to form an integrated protective tape member. This combination eliminates the need for separate fixing steps required when using corrugated tubes, as the adhesive layer provides both protection and attachment functionality in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective tape member serves multiple functions: the base material with protruding portions provides structural strength and protection equivalent to corrugated tubes, while the adhesive layer provides attachment to the electric wire. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixing operations.
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
This solution simplifies the formation of an exterior member with the same thickness and strength as a corrugated tube, reducing material usage and manufacturing steps, while effectively protecting electric wires from foreign matter.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive layer which is laminated on the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
A first tape member according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a protective tape member that protects at least one electric wire from foreign matter that comes into contact with a wire harness including the at least one electric wire. The first tape member includes a first base material that is band-shaped and has a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface, and a first adhesive layer laminated on the second surface. A length direction of the first base material is a direction orthogonal to a width direction of the first base material. The first base material has, on the first surface, a plurality of protruding portions extending continuously along the width direction. The plurality of protruding portions are arranged side by side in the length direction of the first base material.