Wire Harness Heat Reflecting Portion Underfloor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wire harnesses in hybrid and electric vehicles are exposed to heat from sources like exhaust pipes and engines, which can negatively affect the electrically conducting paths due to direct heat exposure.

Innovation Solution

A wire harness with an exterior member featuring a heat reflecting portion on its surface, formed through coating, vapor-deposition, or as a later-attached component, to reflect external heat and protect the electrically conducting paths, and is designed to be attached to the vehicle underfloor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wire harness is arranged near heat sources (exhaust pipe, engine, motor), then the wire harness can be positioned in compact spaces, but the exterior member is directly exposed to heat radiation which may affect the electrically conducting path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidheat exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heat reflecting portion as an intermediary element between the external heat source and the exterior member. This heat reflecting portion (formed by coating, vapor-deposition, or as a separate component) reflects heat radiation away from the exterior member, preventing direct heat exposure to the electrically conducting path while allowing the wire harness to maintain its positioning near heat sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the exterior member is made with heat protection features, then the electrically conducting path is protected from heat, but the device complexity increases due to additional components or coating processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies heat reflecting portions only at specific locations on the exterior member where heat radiation is most problematic, rather than making the entire exterior member complex. The heat reflecting portion can be applied selectively to areas facing heat sources, maintaining simplicity in non-critical areas while providing protection where needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the surface properties of the exterior member by applying heat reflecting coatings or vapor-deposition treatments. This modifies the thermal radiation parameters of the exterior member surface, enabling it to reflect heat rather than absorb it, thereby providing heat protection through material property modification rather than structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 heat reflecting portions effectively reduce or prevent the influence of external heat on the electrically conducting paths, ensuring their integrity and performance.

Implementation Method 1

the exterior member having a heat reflecting portion at at least a portion of an outer surface of the exterior member to reflect external heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2894741B1Wire harness
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP2894741B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2894741B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2894741B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

At least part of the outer surface of an exterior member (16) has heat-reflecting parts (27) for reflecting heat from the outside.