Windscreen Crossmember Retention Device Harness Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing diameter of electrical harnesses in vehicles poses a risk of pinching by metal inserts during dashboard assembly, leading to malfunction and requiring complete dismantling, while existing attachment interfaces are not feasible due to thickness and sealing constraints.

Innovation Solution

A device with a retaining wall and hollow mounting member that snaps onto a stud, featuring attachment walls with receiving interfaces for clamping clips to secure electrical harnesses, preventing pinching and allowing secure attachment without compromising soundproofing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical harnesses are routed through the front zone between the front apron and dashboard, then electrical devices can be supplied, but the harnesses risk being pinched by metal inserts during dashboard assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical device operationVSAvoidharness pinching
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dashboard crossmember assembly as an intermediary structure between the front apron and dashboard. This assembly provides a protected pathway for electrical harnesses through integrated routing channels, preventing direct contact with metal inserts that cause pinching. The intermediary structure mediates the conflict by separating the harnesses from harmful mechanical elements while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dashboard crossmember assembly is pre-configured with routing channels and mounting provisions before final dashboard installation. Electrical harnesses are routed and secured in advance through these pre-prepared pathways, preventing pinching issues during the final assembly process. This preliminary action ensures harness protection is built into the structure before components are finalized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of electrical devices increases, then vehicle functionality improves, but the diameter of electrical harnesses increases and risk of pinching increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle electrical functionalityVSAvoidharness pinching risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrical harness routing into multiple separate channels within the dashboard crossmember assembly. Instead of a single large harness or unprotected routing path, the structure divides the pathway into organized segments that accommodate multiple harnesses of varying diameters. This segmentation allows increased electrical functionality while maintaining protection against pinching through structured separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dashboard crossmember assembly utilizes three-dimensional routing channels that provide vertical and lateral separation for electrical harnesses. By moving from a two-dimensional surface routing to a three-dimensional volumetric routing system, the design accommodates larger harness diameters resulting from increased electrical devices while maintaining protection from pinching through spatial separation.

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

3Ease of operation

If fixing holes for clamping clips are made in the apron or lower crosspiece, then electrical harnesses can be secured, but sealing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharness attachmentVSAvoidsealing compromise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dashboard crossmember assembly serves as an intermediary mounting structure that provides attachment points for clamping clips without requiring holes in the front apron or lower crosspiece. The intermediary structure includes integrated mounting features that secure harnesses while preserving the sealing integrity of the original sealed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dashboard crossmember assembly performs multiple functions: it provides structural support, creates protected routing pathways, and offers mounting interfaces for securing electrical harnesses. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sealing compromises by integrating attachment capabilities into the existing structural component.

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

4Ease of manufacture

If stud-type attachment interfaces are used, then soundproofing cover can be attached, but the sheet thickness is too great to make welds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment interfaceVSAvoidmounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dashboard crossmember assembly merges the soundproofing cover attachment function with the electrical harness routing and mounting functions into a single integrated structure. By combining these functions, the design uses the same stud-type attachment interfaces for both soundproofing and harness securing, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dashboard crossmember assembly provides universal mounting interfaces that serve multiple purposes: attaching the soundproofing cover and securing electrical harnesses with clamping clips. This universal attachment system eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, reducing complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized interfaces.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3630550B1Windscreen lower crossmember and front bulkhead soundproofing cover retention device
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3630550B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3630550B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3630550B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a retention device for a motor vehicle windscreen lower crossmember and front bulkhead soundproofing cover (3), comprising a retaining wall (31) and a hollow mounting member extending from said retaining wall (31), said device being able to occupy a service configuration in which said mounting member passes through a hole made in said cover and is clipped onto a stud projecting into said hole from said windscreen lower crossmember so that said soundproofing cover (3) is sandwiched between said retaining wall (31) and said windscreen lower crossmember; characterized in that it further comprises at least one attachment wall (42, 43) rigidly connected to said retaining wall (31) and provided with at least one interface for accepting a clip (50, 60) for clamping an electric wiring harness (13, 14) in place.