Roof Sensor Module Cable Routing in Channel-Shaped Carrier Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cable management systems in vehicle roofs require significant installation space, are prone to damage, and limit design flexibility due to their thickness and bending radius limitations, especially when connecting environment sensors and other components to evaluation and control apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A roof sensor module with a channel-shaped carrier structure and guide profile that guides cables within a hollow cross-section or along the channel-shaped guide profile, utilizing unused installation space to minimize the need for additional protective devices and reduce the complexity of cable laying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional cable harnesses are used to connect environment sensors to control apparatus, then electrical connections are established, but installation space is significantly consumed and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable management function with the structural carrier structure. The channel-shaped carrier structure integrates both mechanical support for sensors and cable routing capabilities, eliminating the need for separate cable harnesses and reducing installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for environment sensors, acts as a structural element of the roof module, and simultaneously serves as a cable management system with integrated guide profiles and hollow cross-sections for cable routing.
2Reliability
If traditional cable harnesses with protective devices are used, then cables are protected from damage, but installation space increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is merged into the structural carrier structure itself. The hollow cross-sections and guide profiles provide both mechanical protection and routing guidance for cables, eliminating the need for separate protective devices like radius brackets and protective tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cables are nested within the hollow cross-sections of the carrier structure, which provides protective enclosure while maintaining a compact form factor. This nested arrangement protects cables from external damage without requiring additional protective layers.
3Reliability
If cable harnesses are laid across the vehicle with protective devices, then cable functionality is maintained, but installation space is consumed and design freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier structure's hollow cross-sections and guide profiles provide versatile cable routing options that adapt to different vehicle designs. The integrated structure allows cables to be routed along the roof module in a space-efficient manner, enabling greater design freedom for vehicle architects.
4Strength
If thick cable harnesses are used to ensure durability, then cable strength is improved, but bending radius limitations increase and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Cables are nested within the hollow cross-sections of the carrier structure, which provides structural support and protection. This allows the use of more flexible, thinner cables with smaller bending radii while maintaining overall system durability through the protective enclosure of the carrier structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A roof sensor module having a panel component which forms at least sections of a roof cladding of a vehicle roof, the roof cladding functioning as an outer sealing surface of the roof sensor module, at least one environment sensor for charting a vehicle environment which is connected to at least one cable, and at least one channel-shaped carrier structure. The at least one cable is guided along the channel-shaped carrier structure within a hollow cross section thereof and/or an in particular channel-shaped guide profile is formed at the channel-shaped carrier structure, the at least one cable being guided along the channel-shaped guide profile.