Adaptive Vehicle Panel Wiring for Modular Power and Data Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and number of electronic features in vehicles lead to lengthy and costly wire harnesses, which are difficult to configure and modify, limiting retrofit options and causing mechanical stability issues due to their bulk and length.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adaptive vehicle panels with strategically placed channels that can carry power or data signals, allowing for modular connections and configurations via probes, enabling flexible routing and distribution of signals and power, and potentially serving as HVAC channels when not in use, thus reducing the need for extensive wiring and allowing for aftermarket upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wire harnesses are used to support increasing electronic features, then the vehicle can accommodate more electronic modules and sensors, but the wire harness size, mass, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wire harnesses with a communication infrastructure that uses existing vehicle data buses and communication protocols. Instead of adding physical wires to connect electronic modules, the system utilizes wireless communication and existing data networks to transmit signals and power, thereby reducing wire harness mass while maintaining support for multiple electronic features
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal communication interface that can serve multiple electronic modules and sensors through a single data bus system. This multi-functional approach allows one communication infrastructure to support various electronic features simultaneously, eliminating the need for dedicated wire harnesses for each module and reducing overall wire harness size
2Speed
If wire harnesses are routed in the shortest path between modules, then signal transmission efficiency is improved, but the complex vehicle floor structure with brackets, welds, and uneven surfaces prevents direct routing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wire routing through complex vehicle floor structures with wireless communication and data bus transmission. This eliminates the need to navigate wires around brackets, welds, and uneven surfaces, as signals are transmitted through electromagnetic fields and digital networks that are not constrained by physical obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces communication protocols and data bus systems as intermediaries between electronic modules. Instead of direct physical wire connections that must navigate complex routing paths, the intermediary communication infrastructure handles signal transmission, simplifying the routing problem while maintaining transmission efficiency
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional wire harnesses are installed during vehicle assembly, then initial configuration is achieved, but modification and retrofitting after assembly is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic and reconfigurable communication infrastructure that can be easily modified after vehicle assembly. The system uses plug-and-play communication interfaces and modular data bus connections that allow electronic modules to be added, removed, or reconfigured without permanent wire harness modifications, enabling flexible post-assembly adaptations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication infrastructure into modular, independently configurable units. Each electronic module connects through standardized communication interfaces rather than permanent wire harness integrations, allowing individual modules to be modified or upgraded without affecting the entire system and enabling easy post-assembly retrofits
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle panel includes channels, wherein a first channel includes a first wire capable and a second channel includes a second wire and each wire is capable of carrying at least one of power or a vehicle data signal. The panel also includes a connection point connectable to at least one of a battery or a vehicle computing system, wherein selection of connection between the vehicle computing system or battery to a given connection point provided to a given one of the first or second channels dictates whether the channel carries the vehicle data signal or power. Also, the panel includes holes connecting to the first wire and at least two of the holes connecting to the second wire allowing a connection probe to be inserted into a respective hole to connect to a wire included in a channel to which the hole connects.