Segmented Wire Harness Exterior Member with Localized Resin Properties

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wire harness exterior members made of expensive resin materials provide uniform heat resistance, leading to increased costs and inefficient utilization of resin characteristics, as not all portions require heat resistance.

Innovation Solution

A wire harness exterior member with resin characterized portions molded using specific resin materials adapted to each section, featuring a combination of flexible and inflexible tube portions, and corrugated or non-corrugated configurations, allowing for targeted application of chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and heat resistance where needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expensive resin material with comprehensive characteristics (chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, heat resistance) is used for the entire exterior member, then reliability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection performanceVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior member is divided into multiple sections along the longitudinal direction, with each section assigned different resin materials based on local requirements. Heat-resistant resin is applied only to sections near heating elements, while other sections use standard resin, optimizing both performance and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The exterior member is segmented into multiple specified sections along the longitudinal direction, allowing different resin materials to be molded for each section. This segmentation enables targeted application of expensive heat-resistant resin only where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If expensive heat-resistant resin material is used for the entire exterior member, then heat resistance is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Heat-resistant resin material is selectively applied only to specific sections of the exterior member that are exposed to heat from heating elements, while other sections use standard, less expensive resin material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The exterior member is divided into multiple specified sections along its longitudinal direction, enabling differentiated material assignment. This segmentation allows heat-resistant material to be concentrated only in high-temperature exposure zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the same resin material is used throughout the exterior member, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but resin characteristics are not fully utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidresin characteristic utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different resin materials with specific characteristics are assigned to different sections of the exterior member based on local environmental conditions, fully utilizing the diverse characteristics of various resin materials where appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2887476B1Wire harness exterior member and wire harness

Publication Date: 2017.10.18 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

In this wire harness exterior member (16), a plurality of setting ranges (A-I) are provided in the tube lengthwise direction of a main body (116), and the main body has, at each of the setting ranges, resin characteristic sections (27, 30, 31, 32) molded from a resin material having characteristics that adapt to the setting ranges.