Wire Harness Protector Groove Layout for Condensation Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles, dew condensation can lead to water droplets attaching to electrical components, such as connectors, despite protectors being used to cover them, as the droplets may run along the protector's side surfaces and reach the components.
Innovation Solution
A tubular protector for wire harnesses with a vertically inclined groove on its outer surface, guiding water from the first region with electrical components to a second region without components, ensuring water does not attach to the electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tubular protector is arranged above an electrical component to cover it, then the electrical component is protected from direct droplet attachment, but water droplets can run along the side surface of the protector and reach the electrical component
Solution Approach 1:
The protector's side surface is segmented into multiple regions (first region, second region, third region) with different functions. The first region provides protection, the second region acts as a transition zone with the groove, and the third region allows controlled water discharge away from the electrical component. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by creating functional zones that prevent water from reaching the protected component.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure acts as an intermediary element between the protected electrical component and the external environment. It intercepts water droplets that would otherwise run down the protector's side surface and redirects them through a controlled path to a discharge location away from the electrical component, thus mediating the harmful effect of water.
2Ease of manufacture
If the protector surface is smooth to facilitate manufacturing, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but water droplets easily run along the surface and reach the electrical component
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire protector surface complex, only specific local regions are given special structures. The groove is localized to the second region of the side surface, while other regions maintain simpler geometries. This local quality approach provides the necessary water control function without significantly increasing overall manufacturing 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
Effectively prevents water from attaching to surrounding electrical components by directing it to a region without components, thus enhancing the protection of electrical components from dew condensation.
Implementation Method 1
the groove is inclined vertically downward while extending toward the second region
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a protector for a wire harness that can suppress attachment of water to a surrounding electrical component. In a longitudinal direction X along the horizontal direction of the protector main body portion 11 in a state in which a protector is mounted in a vehicle, there is a first region A1 where an electrical component E is located below a protector main body portion 11, and a second region A2 where there is no electrical component E below the protector main body portion 11. A groove 21 that is open vertically upward is provided in an outer surface of the protector main body portion 11. The groove 21 extends over the first region A1 and the second region A2, and is inclined vertically downward while extending toward the second region A2.