INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP) WIRING HARNESS PROTECTOR AT THE TIME OF AIRBAG INFLATION
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to protection of an 5 instrument panel (IP) wiring harness of a vehicle and, in particular, to clamp integrated IP wiring harness protector for thermal insulation of the IP wiring harness at time of airbag inflation.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Generally, airbag is folded inside an airbag module or housing that is 10 mounted/installed in the instrument panel of the vehicle. The housing for the passenger airbag (PAB) is mounted behind the instrument panel of the vehicle. Further, back portion PAB housing is opened in engine compartment where several harness and wiring are present. Generally, the instrument panel harness is in close proximity of back portion of the PAB housing. In the recent years, as 15 more and more features are being introduced into the vehicle, the demand for ensuring wiring harness reliability from damage due to heat, surrounding areas, etc., is also continuously increased.
[003] When there is air bag inflation, the temperature of the PAB housing increased immediately upto 190-210o C, preferably 200o C. The IP wiring harness 20 lies under the PAB housing and gap between the IP wiring harness and airbag inflator is very less. When there is rise of temperature in the PAB housing due to airbag inflation, IP wiring harness gets damage due to high temperature. Thermal energy of the PAB housing deforms the IP wiring harness and may damage the functionality of the IP wiring harness. After the air bag inflation, the PAB housing 25 has to be repaired or replace with new air bag. In order to un-mount the PAB housing, there are high chances that IP harness may get damage with the sharp edges of un-mounting tools. During the air bag inflation, it is possible that PAB housing may get some sharp edges which can damage the IP wiring harness.
3
[004] Therefore, a protection is required for the IP harness from the inflation of air bag of the PAB housing.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[005] The principal objective of the present invention is to protect IP wiring harness from the thermal energy released from inflation of air bag in Passenger 5 Air Bag housing.
[006] Another object of the present invention is to provide clamp integrated wiring harness protector for thermal insulation of IP wiring harness at the time of airbag inflation.
[007] Another object of the present invention is to protect IP wiring harness 10 from surrounding sharp edges and sharp edges of tools during mounting and un-mounting of PAB housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates an instrument panel (IP) wiring harness protector for protecting instrument panel (IP) wiring harness in vehicle from thermal energy 15 released by the air bag inflator. The IP wiring harness protector includes a flap portion and a body portion. The flap portion is to receive the IP wiring harness and the body portion to receive the flap portion. The IP wiring harness protector has at least two mounting clips provided on the body portion to mount the IP wiring harness protector on the member comp. 20
[008] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25
[009] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally
4
effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with 5 embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates isometric view of the IP wiring harness protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0011] Fig. 2 illustrates front side view of the IP wiring harness protector, in 10 accordance with an embodiment of the present subject;
[0012] Fig. 3 illustrates clamp profile of the IP wiring harness protector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0013] Fig. 4 illustrates top view the IP wiring harness protector showing flap structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; 15
[0014] Fig. 5 illustrates assembly of the IP wiring harness protector on the IP wiring harness, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0015] Fig. 6 illustrates the area inside the engine cabin where IP wiring harness protector is assembled, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; 20
[0016] Fig. 7 illustrates member comp having mounting brackets on which IP wiring harness protector is mounted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0017] Fig. 8 illustrates the mounting of IP wiring harness protector with the brackets mounted on the member comp, in accordance with an embodiment of the 25 present subject matter; and
5
[0018] Fig. 9 illustrates the mounted assembly of the IP wiring harness protector with the member comp of the engine cabin, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from 5 the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0020] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to clamp integrated wiring 10 harness protector for thermal insulation of the IP wiring harness at time of airbag inflation. The present IP wiring harness protector has a flap portion to receive the IP wiring harness and a body to seal the flap portion. Further, the flap portion has plurality of clamps at the top side. Once the flap portion receives the IP wiring harness, the flap portion is sealed with the body of the IP wiring harness protector 15 with the help of the plurality of clamps. The body of the IP wiring harness protector has two mounting clips at the end to mount the IP wiring harness protector with the member comp. The member comp has mounting brackets to receive the mounting clips of the IP wiring harness protector. The portion of IP wiring harness which is in close proximity of the air bag inflator has high chances 20 of getting damage due to thermal energy released by the air bag inflator during air bag inflation. Therefore, the IP wiring harness protector is provide immediately below the air bag inflator where damage chances of IP wiring harness is high. The IP wiring harness protector covers the IP wiring harness and protect the IP wiring harness from the thermal energy released by the air bag inflator. 25
[0021] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those 30
6
skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the 5 concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the 10 following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0022] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject 15 matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0023] Fig. 1 illustrates perspective view of the present IP wiring harness protector. The IP harness protector 100 has a flap type structure or flap portion 20 102 to cover the IP wiring harness completely. The IP wiring harness protector 100 has a plurality of clamps 104 at the top of the flap portion 102 to seal the flap portion with body of the IP wiring harness protector 100. Further, the IP wiring harness protector is made of single mold material. When the flap portion 102 receives the IP wiring harness and sealed with the body to cover the IP wiring 25 harness completely from the surrounding. The IP wiring harness protector 100 is made of high thermal resistant plastic material, such as PP and PA (nylon).
[0024] Fig. 2 illustrates side view of the IP wiring harness protector. The IP wiring harness protector 200 has at least two mounting clamps/clips 202, 204 to lock the IP wiring harness protector on member comp. Once the IP wiring harness 30
7
protector 200 receive the IP wiring harness from the flap portion (as shown in figure 1 as 102), the flap portion of the IP wiring harness protector 200 is sealed with the help of the plurality of clamps (as shown in figure 1 as 104) at the other end of the body of the IP wiring harness protector 200. The a least two mounting clips 202, 204 mount the IP wiring harness protector 200 on mounting bracket (as 5 shown in figure 6-9) of the member comp. The at least two mounting clips 202, 204 provides necessary stability and support to the IP wiring harness protector with respect to member comp.
[0025] Figure 3 illustrates the construction of the at least two mounting clips 302 (202, 204 as shown in figure 2). These at least two mounting clips 302 mount the 10 IP wiring harness protector on the member comp. Due to clip mounting, it becomes easy to mount and un-mount the IP wiring harness protector from the member comp while servicing the vehicle.
[0026] Fig. 4 illustrates the structural view of the IP wiring harness protector. The IP wiring harness protector 400 has two portions, i.e., flap portion 406 and body 15 portion 408. The flap portion 406 receives the IP wiring harness and seals with the body portion 408 with help of a plurality of clamps. The flap portion 406 has a plurality of clamps 404 at the top. The plurality of clamps 404 get engage with the receiver 402 at the body portion 408. The flap portion 406 engaged with the body portion 408 after receiving the IP wiring harness. Further, the IP wiring harness 20 protector 402 is applied immediately below the air bag inflator where damage chances of IP wiring harness is high. Therefore, length of the complete IP wiring harness protector is in range of 155-170 mm, preferably 162mm. Further, the IP harness protector lies immediately below thermal source, i.e., air bag inflation point or airbag inflator which releases nitrogen gas in the air bag. The IP harness 25 protector cover whole area of the IP harness which is in close proximity of the air bag inflator and it protects the IP wiring harness from high thermal energy released from the air bag inflator. The IP wiring harness protector 400 has at least two mounting clip 410 at the end of the IP wiring harness protector 400. The IP
8
wiring harness protector 400 is mounted on member comp with the help of at least two mounting clips 410.
[0027] Fig. 5 illustrates assembly of the IP wiring harness protector over the IP wiring harness which is in close proximity of the air bag inflator. The present IP wiring harness protector 506 covers the IP wiring harness 504 at the place which 5 is in close proximity of the air bag inflator 502. When there is air bag inflation due to crash or impact of the vehicle, temperature of the air bag inflator rises upto 190o-210o C, preferably 200o C. The IP wiring harness protector 506 is mounted around periphery of the IP wiring harness 504 to protect the IP wiring harness 504 from the high temperature effects. The IP wiring harness protector 506 provides a 10 thermal insulation to the IP wiring harness. Further, the IP wiring harness protector 506 also provide a protecting shield to the IP wiring harness 504 from the surrounding sharp edges and sharp edges of the tool use to mount and un-mount the PAB housing. The IP wiring harness protector 506 is mounted on the member comp 510 with the help of mounting brackets 508. 15
[0028] Figure 6 illustrates the engine cabin view. In the engine cabin, member comp 604 has two mounting brackets to receive the IP wiring harness protector at the location indicated by 602.
[0029] Figure 7 illustrates member comp having mounting brackets on which IP wiring harness protector is mounted, in accordance with an embodiment of the 20 present subject matter. The member comp 702 has two mounting brackets 704 to mount the IP wiring harness protector.
[0030] Fig. 8 illustrates the mounting of IP wiring harness protector with the mounting brackets mounted on the member comp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In the present assembly, IP wiring 25 harness protector 806 is mounted on the brackets 804 with the help of at least two mounting clips in the direction ‘A”. Further, the mounting brackets 804 are in ‘L’ shape. The mounting brackets 804 has two through holes to receive the at least two mounting clips of the IP wiring harness protector 806. Once the IP wiring
9
harness protector 806 is mounted on the brackets, it is stable and does not move during movement of the vehicle.
[0031] Fig. 9 illustrates the mounted assembly of the IP wiring harness protector with the member comp of the engine cabin, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. 5
[0032] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of 10 the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. An instrument panel (IP) wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) for protecting instrument panel (IP) wiring harness in vehicle, the IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) comprising:
a flap portion (102, 406) to receive the IP wiring harness (504); 5
a body portion (408) to receive the flap portion (102, 406); and
at least two mounting clips (202, 204, 302, 410) provided on the body portion (408) to mount the IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400).
2. The IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap portion (102, 406) has a plurality of clamps (404) to seal 10 the flap portion (102, 406) with the body portion (408).
3. The IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) is made of thermal resistant plastic material.
4. The IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) as claimed in claim 1, 15 wherein the IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) lies in close proximity of air bag inflator (502).
5. The IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) provide thermal insulation to the IP wiring harness (504). 20
6. The IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) is mounted on member comp (510, 702) with the at least two mounting clips (202, 204, 302, 410).
7. The IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) as claimed in claim 7, 25 wherein the member comp (510, 702) has two mounting brackets (704) to receive the IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400).
11
8. The IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two mounting brackets (704) are in ‘L’ shape.
9. The IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two mounting brackets (704) has through holes to receive the at least mounting clips of the IP wiring harness protector (100, 200, 400).