Wire Harness Tray Assembly Engine Mount Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Utility vehicles face challenges in managing wire harnesses due to issues such as paint spray interference, contamination, and torque-induced deformation during engine mounting, which existing solutions fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A wire harness tray assembly comprising a polymer-based first tray base and cover with interlocking features, engine mount capabilities, and a torque limiting metal sleeve to securely house and protect wire connectors and harnesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wire harnesses are mounted directly on the engine, then installation is simple, but they are exposed to paint spray interference and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The wire harness system is segmented into two parts: the wire harness itself and the protective tray assembly. The tray acts as a separate protective enclosure that houses the wire harness, allowing it to be mounted on the engine while shielded from paint spray and contamination. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining installation simplicity while adding protective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray assembly serves as an intermediary between the wire harness and the harmful environment (paint spray, contaminants). It mediates the interaction by providing a protective barrier that prevents direct exposure of the wire harness to harmful factors while still allowing the harness to be mounted on the engine.
2Stability of the object's composition
If engine mounting fasteners are tightly secured, then engine mounting stability is improved, but torque-induced deformation of wire harnesses occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tray assembly incorporates cushioning or compliant features that are designed in advance to absorb or mitigate the torque-induced deformation. This beforehand cushioning allows the fasteners to be tightly secured for engine mounting stability while the cushioning elements prevent the full transmission of torque to the wire harness, thereby preventing deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray assembly changes the mechanical parameters of the mounting system by introducing compliant or flexible elements that can deform under torque without transmitting that deformation to the wire harness. This parameter change allows the fasteners to be tightened securely while protecting the wire harness shape.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective enclosure is added for wire harnesses, then protection from contaminants is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective tray is merged with the engine mounting system by integrating mounting features directly into the tray structure. This combining of functions (protection + mounting) reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate protective enclosures and mounting systems. The tray simultaneously provides contamination protection and serves as the mounting structure for the wire harness.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray assembly is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides: (1) protection from contaminants, (2) engine mounting capability, and (3) wire harness organization. This universality reduces device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated structure rather than requiring separate components for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A wire harness tray assembly comprising a first tray base comprising a first plurality of wire egress openings, a wire connector feature, an engine mount feature configured to removably engage a fastener, a first tray cover comprising a connector mounting clip, a second plurality of wire egress openings, where each of the second plurality of wire egress openings corresponds to the first plurality of wire egress openings, wherein the first tray base couples with the first tray cover.