Waterproof Wire Harness Shield with Integrated Cylindrical Shell

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water stop structures for wire harnesses in vehicles fail to provide adequate shielding on both sides of the vehicle body, necessitating additional shielding components and costly inspections to ensure water-tightness.

Innovation Solution

A water stop structure featuring a cylindrical shield shell with both outer and inner water stop mechanisms, including an elastic plug member for watertight contact and a slip-off preventing mechanism, ensures effective shielding and water prevention without compromising the shielding function or requiring inspections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a water stop structure is added to prevent water entry, then water-tightness is improved, but the shielding function on the cabin side deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater-tightnessVSAvoidshielding function
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the water stop plug member with the shield shell into a single integrated component. The shield shell serves dual functions: it provides electromagnetic shielding for the cable harness and acts as the water stop structure. By merging these two previously separate functions into one component, the patent eliminates the conflict between water-tightness and shielding, as the same structure performs both functions simultaneously without interfering with each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If conventional water stop structures are used, then water entry is prevented, but additional shielding components are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater stop capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the water stop plug member and shield shell into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate shielding components. This integration reduces the total number of parts required in the system while maintaining both water stop capability and electromagnetic shielding functionality, directly addressing the issue of excessive device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated shield shell performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic shielding, acts as a water stop barrier, and serves as a structural support element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated components, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the required water protection level.

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

3Reliability

If water stop structures are implemented, then water-tightness is improved, but inspection requirements and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater-tightnessVSAvoidinspection cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated shield shell structure is designed to inherently maintain its water stop capability through its own structural integrity and elastic properties. The elastic plug member automatically seals against the shield shell, creating a self-sealing mechanism that does not require external inspection or maintenance to verify its water-tightness. This self-service characteristic eliminates the need for costly inspections while ensuring reliable water protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 provides comprehensive shielding on both sides of the vehicle body while ensuring water-tightness, eliminating the need for costly inspections and maintaining a secure water stop state.

Implementation Method 1

an inner water stop mechanism which has an elastic water stop plug member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2744057B1Waterproof structure for wire harness
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP2744057B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2744057B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2744057B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A water stop structure 22 includes a cylindrical shield shell 27 which is disposed at an intermediate portion of an electromagnetic shield member 24 in a longitudinal direction, and which is electrically conductive; and an outer water stop mechanism 28 and inner water stop mechanism 29 which are disposed on the sides of the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shield shell 27. The outer water stop mechanism 28 has a seal portion 31 and a grommet 32. The inner water stop mechanism 29 has a water stop plug member 39 which is in watertight contact with outer peripheral surfaces of covers of three high-voltage wires 23 that are passed through the cylindrical shield shell 27, and also with a seal portion 38.