Windshield Housing with Integrated Conductor Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of electrical and electronic components in motor vehicles requires more installation space, which is scarce, especially when trying to integrate them into the windshield area without impairing the driver's view or complicating assembly and manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A housing system with conductor tracks that can be adhesively bonded or part of a roof structure, eliminating the need for cables and plug-in connections, allowing for a more compact and simplified assembly by providing conductive connections directly within the housing parts, which can be produced from injection-moldable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If electrical and electronic components are arranged in the windshield area to save installation space, then installation space utilization is improved, but the driver's view through the windshield is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The housing integrates multiple electrical and electronic components (camera, display, control units) into a single nested structure mounted on the windshield, allowing compact arrangement that minimizes the occupied area while maximizing component functionality within the available space
Solution Approach 2:
The housing utilizes the third dimension (depth) by creating a cavity structure that extends away from the windshield surface, allowing components to be arranged in three-dimensional space rather than constrained to a two-dimensional plane, thereby reducing the footprint on the windshield while accommodating multiple components
2Reliability
If traditional cabling with cables and plug-in connections is used to connect electrical components, then electrical connections are established, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure merges the mechanical support function with the electrical connection function by integrating conductor tracks directly into the housing parts, eliminating the need for separate cables and plug-in connections, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining reliable electrical connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable and plug-in connection system with an integrated conductor track system embedded in the housing, substituting complex mechanical assembly with a simpler integrated structure that provides both mechanical support and electrical connection simultaneously
3Reliability
If a housing with multiple parts and latching connections is used to accommodate components, then component protection is provided, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple housing parts into a single integrated housing structure produced by injection molding, combining the protective enclosure function with the mounting structure, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining component protection through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The housing material and structure are optimized through injection molding parameters to provide adequate protection while enabling simple one-piece manufacturing, changing the production approach from multi-part assembly to single-step molding that reduces complexity
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
This solution reduces installation space requirements, simplifies assembly, minimizes noise from vibrations, and allows for a more extensive arrangement of components, freeing up space in other areas of the vehicle while maintaining a clear view for the driver.
Implementation Method 1
the electrical or electronic components, which are arranged in the cavity, can be conductively connected or are conductively connected to the on-board electronics system by way of the conductor tracks
Implementation Method 2
A first housing part has a contact area that the housing can be placed or bears against a windshield of the motor vehicle... The electrical or electronic components are connected to the on-board electronics system by way of corresponding electrical cables and also plugs and corresponding sockets
Data Source
AI summary
A housing that accommodates and clads electrical components includes a first housing part with a contact area that bears against a windshield of a motor vehicle. A second housing part, which is connected to the first housing part to form a cavity, where the electrical or electronic components are arranged in the cavity. The first or the second housing part has a number of conductor tracks that are conductively connected to the electrical components. In addition, the disclosure relates to a motor vehicle having a housing of this kind and an on-board electronics system, wherein at least some of the conductor tracks are connected to the on-board electronics system.