Mounting structure for wiring harness

• US 20080128165A1
• Filed: 12/05/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Borowicz, Theodore J., Wilson, Joseph A., Bardella, Edward J., Puhl, Ronald A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,615,713 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/72A
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0215 Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0468 Corrugated

Abstract

A mounting structure for a wire harness for use in a movable structure, such as a door of a passenger vehicle, is disclosed. The mounting structure may include a mounting frame and a bracket for use in a recess of the movable structure. The mounting structure may be installed on a movable structure such that water may contact the mounting frame. The mounting frame may include water management features that generally direct water away from a dry region. Such water management features may include one or more cut-aways formed in an outer periphery of the mounting frame, and may also include one or more dams and/or sub-dams. The cut-aways, dams, and sub-dams may be used to re-direct water away from the dry region.

Claims

1. A mounting structure for a wire harness in a movable structure comprising:

a generally L-shaped mounting frame configured to mount a wire harness to the movable structure;

an outer sealing lip running along the periphery of the mounting frame;

a conduit connected to the mounting frame, wherein the conduit forms an enclosed wire pathway between the movable structure and a fixed structure; and

a first cut-away located in an upper portion of the mounting frame and formed in the outer sealing lip.

2. The mounting structure of claim 1 further comprising:

a second cut-away located in a lower portion of the mounting frame and formed in the outer sealing lip.

3. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the first cut-away includes a dam.

4. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the first cut-away is generally V-shaped.

5. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the first cut-away has a first edge and a second edge generally configured in a modified V-shape, wherein the first edge is substantially vertical and the second edge angles toward a wet region.

6. The mounting structure of claim 5, wherein the first edge of the V is closest to a dry region and the second edge of the V is closest to a wet region.

7. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the first cut-away lies in a moist region along the movable structure, and includes a dam positioned on an edge closest to a dry region.

8. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the mounting frame further comprises an inner sealing lip, and wherein the first cut-away further includes a dam that runs from the outer sealing lip to the inner sealing lip.

9. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the mounting frame includes a second cut-away located in a lower portion that is offset horizontally from the first cut-away such that the first cut-away is closer to a wet region and the second cut-away is closer to a dry region.

10. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the mounting frame further comprises an inner sealing lip, and wherein the inner sealing lip includes upper and lower sub-dams.

11. The mounting structure of claim 1 further comprising:

a generally L-shaped bracket configured to fit within a generally L-shaped recess located in the movable structure, wherein the wire harness is secured between the L-shaped bracket and the mounting frame.

12. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the mounting frame is angled, having a higher end closer to a dry region and a lower end closer to a wet region.

21. The mounting structure of claim 1 wherein the movable structure is a vehicle door.

13. A sealing product comprising:

a generally L-shaped sealing member having an outer sealing lip, wherein the sealing member is configured to exclude contaminants from an interior area;

a first cut-away formed in the outer sealing lip and located in an upper portion of the sealing member; and

a second cut-away formed in the outer sealing lip and located in a lower portion of the sealing member.

14. The sealing product of claim 13, wherein the first and second cut-aways are generally V-shaped.

15. The sealing product of claim 13, wherein the first and second cut-aways further include a dam that runs from the outer sealing lip to an inner sealing lip.

16. The sealing product of claim 13 further comprising:

upper and lower sub-dams positioned between first and second cut-aways and a wet region.

17. The sealing product of claim 13, wherein the first and second cut-aways are horizontally offset.

18. A mounting structure for a wire harness in a movable structure comprising:

a generally L-shaped bracket configured to fit within a generally L-shaped recess located in a movable structure, wherein the bracket includes a fastener configured to secure the bracket against the recess;

a generally L-shaped mounting frame configured mount to the movable structure and encase a wire harness in between the mounting frame and the bracket, wherein the mounting frame includes;

an outer sealing lip that forms a first interference seal against the movable structure and is positioned along an outer periphery of the mounting frame; and

an inner sealing lip that forms a secondary interference seal against the movable structure and positioned on an interior surface of the mounting frame, wherein the outer sealing lip includes a first cut-away located in an upper portion of the mounting frame formed in the outer sealing lip, and a second cut-away located in a lower portion of the mounting frame formed in the outer sealing lip.

19. The mounting structure of claim 18, wherein the first and second cut-aways include a dam connecting the outer sealing lip to the inner sealing lip.

20. The mounting structure of claim 18, wherein the first and second cut-aways are generally V-shaped.