Vehicle Cable Support Layout for Spacing and Interference Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrified vehicles require effective management of high-voltage electrical cables to prevent interference and maintain versatility, while reducing weight and manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A support system comprising a flange-like structure with adjustable couplers and retaining means that allows for flexible positioning and secure fixation of cables, preventing undesired contact and interference, using a combination of shape-coupled elements and cable ties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cable management systems are used in electrified vehicles, then cable support and interference prevention are achieved, but vehicle weight increases and manufacturing costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable interference preventionVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable support system is divided into multiple individual support elements that can be distributed along the cable path, rather than using a single heavy continuous support structure. Each support element is lightweight but provides localized cable support and spacing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support elements utilize thin-walled cylindrical structures with wall thickness between 0.5-5mm, providing sufficient mechanical support while minimizing material usage and weight. The thin-walled design maintains structural integrity for cable support while reducing overall system mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If traditional cable management systems are used, then cable fixation is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable fixationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are designed with adjustable parameters including wall thickness (0.5-5mm), length, and positioning that can be optimized based on specific cable requirements and installation locations, allowing cost-effective manufacturing for different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The support elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical cable support, electrical insulation, cable spacing maintenance, and interference prevention, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall manufacturing cost.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If cable support system provides versatility for different cable orientations, then cable management flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable orientation flexibilityVSAvoidsupport system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are designed to be positionable at different locations along the cable path and can be oriented to support cables in various directions. This dynamic positioning capability provides versatility for different cable routing requirements without requiring a complex fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support elements provide three-dimensional cable positioning capability, maintaining spacing in multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously. This allows versatile cable orientation management while keeping each individual support element simple in design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4474222A1Improved cable support system for electrical cables for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 IVECO FRANCE SAS
  • EP4474222A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4474222A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4474222A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Support system (1) for supporting at least a wire (W) of a vehicle on a vehicular portion (2) and comprising a support element (5) and a coupler (6), the coupler (6) being configured to be fixedly carried by the vehicular portion (2), the support element (5) comprising a main portion (5') defining a plurality of openings (5"), a first opening (5") being configured to house the coupler (6) and at least a second opening (5") being configured to house a respective wire (W).