Wire Harness Shield Connection via Nested Circular Members

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire harness configurations with individual and overall shield areas require additional connectors, leading to increased parts and potential displacement issues, affecting connection reliability in overlapping areas.

Innovation Solution

A configuration where individual shield members and an overall shield member are connected through inner and outer connection members forming a circular cross-sectional shape, eliminating the need for intermediate connectors and ensuring stable sandwiching and electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connectors are interposed at the midpoint of the wire harness to connect individual shield members and overall shield member, then connection reliability is improved, but the number of parts increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the individual shield members and overall shield member by positioning them to overlap in an overlapping area, eliminating the need for separate connectors. The shield members are directly connected through their overlapping region, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the connector component from the system by enabling direct connection between shield members through their overlapping area. This removes the intermediate connector element, simplifying the overall structure while preserving the essential shielding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If connectors are interposed at the midpoint of the wire harness, then individual shield members and overall shield member can be connected, but the shield members may be displaced and connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection assemblyVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a circular cross-sectional configuration for the inner connection members and corresponding circular inner circumference for the outer connection member. This circular geometry provides radial symmetry and uniform distribution of forces, preventing displacement of shield members and enhancing connection stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where inner connection members are positioned within the overlapping area and are surrounded by the outer connection member. The shield members are sandwiched between these nested connection members, creating a stable layered configuration that prevents displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If individual shield members and overall shield member are directly connected without connectors, then the number of parts is reduced, but connection reliability deteriorates due to potential displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of partsVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where inner connection members are positioned within the overlapping area and are surrounded by the outer connection member. The shield members are sandwiched between these nested connection members, creating a stable layered configuration that prevents displacement and ensures reliable connection without requiring separate connector components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a circular cross-sectional configuration for the inner connection members and corresponding circular inner circumference for the outer connection member. This circular geometry provides radial symmetry and uniform distribution of forces, preventing displacement of shield members and enhancing connection stability while maintaining a simple part structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS10297364B2Wire harness

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A wire harness that includes an individual shield area and an overall shield area, the reliability of connection in an overlapping area where the two areas overlap each other is improved. The overlapping area includes connection members that connect an overall shield member and each of a plurality of individual shield members to each other. The connection members include a plurality of inner connection members that are respectively located in correspondence with the plurality of individual shield members, and an outer connection member that is located outside the inner connection members. Outer circumferences of the inner connection members in a combined state form a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and an inner circumference of the outer connection member has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape that is substantially coaxial with the inner connection members that are in the combined state.