Vehicle Conduit Assembly for Infrastructure Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and variability in vehicle assembly, particularly with systems like energy storage, electrical control modules, and supporting infrastructures such as cables and hydraulic lines, lead to increased costs and complexity in manufacturing and servicing.
Innovation Solution
A structure and method involving a conduit along the vehicle's axis of elongation with a conveyor and couplings to the frame rail and cross member, allowing for efficient attachment and routing of supporting infrastructures like electrical cables and optical fibers, reducing variability and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional assembly methods are used to accommodate variability in systems and subsystems, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal assembly structure where a single conduit assembly design can accommodate multiple different systems and subsystems (energy storage, electrical control modules, fuel tanks, air tanks, axle controls, engines, transmissions, cabs, chassis frames, and valving). The conduit assembly serves multiple functions by providing a standardized interface that can adapt to various configurations without requiring custom assembly procedures for each system type.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly structure is divided into modular components including the conduit, couplings, and supporting infrastructures that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a standardized overall architecture while accommodating variability in individual subsystems through modular replacement or reconfiguration of specific components rather than redesigning the entire assembly process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional assembly methods are used to accommodate variability in systems and subsystems, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal conduit assembly design reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need to create and maintain multiple custom assembly processes for different system configurations. A single standardized design can be manufactured and assembled repeatedly across various vehicle models and system configurations, achieving economies of scale and reducing per-unit manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability to different systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit assembly is designed to be pre-configured with standardized interfaces and routing paths before final system integration. This preliminary preparation of the assembly structure allows for more efficient manufacturing and reduces on-site customization requirements, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to adapt to different system configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If supporting infrastructures are customized to serve numerous varying systems, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and servicing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting infrastructures (electrical cables, optical fibers, harnessing, hydraulic lines, pneumatic lines) are designed with standardized routing paths and interface points within the conduit assembly. This universal infrastructure design can serve multiple different systems and subsystems without requiring custom routing or connection methods for each system, thereby reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining adaptability to various configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure for assembling a vehicle having an axis of elongation, a frame rail and a cross member extending from the frame rail comprises a conduit extending along the axis of elongation of the vehicle. A conveyor is disposed in the conduit. At least one coupling attaches the conduit with at least one of the frame rail and the cross member.