Two-Directional Insertion Groove for Wire Harness Clamp Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of installing wire harnesses on vehicle body panels is limited due to the restrictive nature of traditional clamps, which often require a single direction of insertion, hindering flexibility and ease of installation.
Innovation Solution
The clamp design features an insertion groove that allows for two-directional insertion, with a guide that facilitates alignment and a two-step installation process, combined with separate covers for each holder, enabling orthogonal installation and improved flexibility during vehicle collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional clamp with a closed-loop insertion hole is used, then the clamp structure is simple, but the installation direction is restricted and installation efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion hole is segmented into two parts: a through-hole portion extending through the clamp thickness and a recessed groove portion formed on the outer surface. This segmentation allows the fastener to be inserted from multiple directions (through the through-hole or from the groove opening), enabling installation flexibility while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion hole is designed to accept fasteners inserted not only in the thickness direction (through the clamp) but also in the outer surface direction (through the groove opening). This multi-directional capability adds another dimension to the insertion path, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and installation flexibility
2Ease of operation
If a clamp with multi-directional insertion capability is designed, then installation flexibility is improved, but the clamp structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole and groove are merged into a single continuous insertion path structure. The groove connects to the through-hole, forming an integrated feature that provides multi-directional access without requiring separate holes or complex mechanisms. This merging maintains structural simplicity while achieving installation flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion hole structure serves multiple functions: it provides a through-path for fastener insertion from one side, a recessed groove for fastener insertion from the outer surface, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality achieves installation flexibility without proportionally increasing structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp and a wire harness capable of being easily installed on a fixation portion are provided. The clamp 41 includes the holder 70, which holds the outer sheath 36 accommodating an electric wire, and the fixed portion 50, which is connected to the holder 70 and fixed to the vehicle body panel P1. The fixed portion 50 includes the insertion groove 60, into which the columnar fastener B1 on the vehicle body panel P1 is inserted. The insertion groove 60 extends through the fixed portion 50 in the X-axis direction. The insertion groove 60 is shaped so as to include the mouth 61 in the plan view seen in the X-axis direction. The mouth 61 opens in the Y-axis direction in this embodiment, which is orthogonal to the X-axis direction.