Trim Element Wire Guidance With Movable Constraint for Cable Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle trim elements, such as central consoles, the repeated path changes of wire elements, like electrical cables, due to mobile element movements cause damage and premature failure, as existing guide elements fail to consistently manage the wire's shape in retracted positions, especially with inflexible cables.
Innovation Solution
A trim element with a guiding device that includes a movable constraint element, which deforms to guide the wire element into a specific shape in the retracted position, ensuring it follows a predetermined path and reducing wear by matching the guide surface's shape, thereby extending the wire's service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guide element is added to guide the wire element into its retracted position, then the wire element path is better controlled and stresses are reduced, but the wire element can still move away from the imposed path when it lacks flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
A constraint element is introduced as an intermediary component between the guide surface and the wire element. This constraint element acts as a mediator that physically guides the wire element along the predetermined path in the retracted position, ensuring that even inflexible cables follow the intended trajectory and cannot deviate from the imposed path.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint element's position parameter changes dynamically - it moves between a first position where it allows the wire element to assume its natural shape and a second position where it constrains the wire element to follow the guide surface path. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to different wire element flexibility levels while maintaining reliable operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wire element is made longer to accommodate extreme positions, then the mobile element can reach all positions, but the wire element undergoes repeated path changes that cause damage over time
Solution Approach 1:
The wire element's path is segmented into two distinct segments: a first path when the mobile element is in the extreme position and a second predetermined path when retracted. The constraint element ensures that the wire element follows the predetermined second path during retraction, creating consistent, repeatable motion patterns that reduce cumulative damage from erratic path changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint element is positioned in advance to predetermined the path that the wire element will follow during retraction. By establishing this predetermined path before the wire element needs to retract, the system ensures that the wire element follows an optimized trajectory that minimizes stresses and prevents damage, rather than allowing random or uncontrolled path changes.
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
The solution ensures the wire element maintains a consistent shape during numerous movements, reducing wear and extending its service life, making the trim element more reliable by properly managing the wire's path and stress.
Implementation Method 1
the constraint element movable between a separated position when the mobile portion of the wire element is in the deployed position, and a constraint position, wherein the constraint element moves at least part of the mobile portion toward the guide surface
Data Source
AI summary
A trim element having a wire element and a guiding device. A mobile portion of the wire element moves between a deployed position, wherein the mobile portion extends along a first path, and a retracted position, wherein the mobile portion extends along a second path. The guiding device includes a guide surface, with the mobile portion being separated from the guide surface in the deployed position and matching the shape of the guide surface in the retracted position. The guiding device has a constraint element movable between a separated position and a constraint position, wherein the constraint element moves the mobile portion toward the guide surface.