Abstract:
A cable retention feature that is integrated into a front end module and formed to a desirable shape for the vehicle. The cable retention feature contains retention points that restrict the movement of the cable. The retention points are created by extensions that extend vertically from the surface of the cable retention feature which form a channel that the cable extends through. Thus, a cable is inserted between the extensions and placed into the channel. The extensions are shaped in a variety of ways, but it is preferred that the extensions on opposite sides of the channel, which also create the channel, are separated at a distance that is approximately the same as the diameter of the cable. Thus, the extensions form the retention points to restrict the movement of the cable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a cable retention feature that is integrated with a front end module. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many cars have a hood release system that utilizes a release cable that extends from the hood latch to the vehicle&#39;s interior. The vehicle&#39;s occupant can then pull on the cable in order to release the latching device from the hood. Thus, the hood can then be raised and allow access to the vehicle&#39;s components underneath the hood. There are two ways to install the cable that extends from the vehicle&#39;s interior to the hood latch. The first way is to install a partial cable and extend the cable to a point on the vehicle whereby a second attachment is attached to the cable in a second manufacturing step. The problem with installing the cable in this manner is that it introduces another manufacturing step which increases the manufacturing time and cost of the vehicle. 
         [0003]    A second way of installing the cable is to install a full cable in the vehicle&#39;s interior and then when the front end module is installed the cable can be routed to the hood latch. The problem with this method is that extending the cable from the vehicle&#39;s interior to the hood release mechanism can be difficult at this late point of the vehicle&#39;s assembly due to all of the obstructions. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to use mechanical fasteners in both of the assembly methods described above. In other words, mechanical fasteners must be mounted to the front end module so that the cable can then be secured by the mechanical fasteners along the front end module. This requires an additional expense for the mechanical fasteners and an additional manufacturing step to mount the fasteners to the front end module. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it would be ideal to have a cable retention feature that can be formed to a desired shape in the front end module that would allow for a full length cable installation in a single manufacturing step. Thus, it would be desirable to have a cable retention feature with retention points that are integrated with the cable retention feature to allow for easier installation of the cable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to a cable retention feature that is integrated into a front end module and formed to a desirable shape for the vehicle. The cable retention feature contains retention points that restrict the movement of the cable. The retention points are created by extensions that extend vertically from the surface of the cable retention feature which form a channel that the cable extends through. Thus, a cable is inserted between the extensions and placed into the channel. The extensions are shaped in a variety of ways, but it is preferred that the extensions on opposite sides of the channel, which also create the channel, are separated at a distance that is approximately the same as the diameter of the cable. Thus, the extensions form the retention points to restrict the movement of the cable. 
         [0006]    The cable retention feature is formed into a variety of shapes in order to accommodate the vehicle. Thus, the channel is at a variety of heights in order to accommodate the extension path of the cable. Furthermore, the cable retention feature can be shaped in order to allow easy installation of a cable. 
         [0007]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the front end module with a cable retention feature; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view across the line  2 A- 2 A in  FIG. 1  depicting a first extension; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view across the line  2 B- 2 B in  FIG. 1  depicting a second extension; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view across the line  2 C- 2 C in  FIG. 1  depicting a third extension; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the cable retention feature in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view across the line  4 A- 4 A in  FIG. 3  depicting a cavity; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view across the line  4 B- 4 B in  FIG. 3  depicting a wall and an extension. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2   c,  a cable retention device is generally shown at  10 . The cable retention device  10  comprises a body or a front end module  12  and at least one extension that extends from the surface  14 . The extensions have a variety of shapes and sizes, which is described in greater detail below, and are integrated into the front end module  12 . The extensions are aligned along the surface  14  in such a way as to create a channel  16  in which a cable  18  extends along the channel  16  adjacent to extensions. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2   a,  a first extension  20  has an arcuate shape as the first extension  20  extends from the surface  14 . Thus, a base  22  on the first extension  20  extends substantially vertical from the surface  14 , while a top portion  24  of the first extension  20  curves towards the channel  16 . The curvature of the top  24  begins at a height about the same as the diameter of a cable  18  so that the top  24  extends at least partially over the cable  18  when the cable  18  and the channel  16  are adjacent the first extension  20 . Typically, the top  24  extends partially over the cable  18  and not entirely over the cable  18  so that the cable  18  is retained by the first extension  20 , but the cable  18  can still be placed adjacent the first extension  20 . At least one retention point  26  is created by the first extension  20 , in which the retention point  26  contacts the cable  18  and prevents the cable  18  from moving at undesirable times. The retention point  26  is created by the top  24 , where the distance between the top  24  and the channel  16  is smaller than the diameter of the cable  18 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2   b,  a second extension  28  extends from the surface  14 . The second extension  28  has a base  30  that extends substantially vertical from the surface  14 . A top  32  of the second extension  28  extends substantially perpendicular to the base  30 . The top  32  extends from the base  30  at a height that is about the same as the diameter of the cable  18 . Typically, the top  32  extends at least partially over the channel  16  and cable  18 . Thus, at least one multiple retention point  34  is created where the cable  18  contacts the top  32  while adjacent the second extension  28 . The retention point  34  prevents the cable  18  from moving at undesirable times when the cable  18  is placed at the channel  16  adjacent the second extension  28 . The retention point  24  is created by the distance between the channel  16  and top  32  being smaller than the diameter of the cable  18 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2   c,  a third extension  36  extends from the surface  14 . The third extension  36  has a base  38  that extends substantially vertical from the surface  14 . Also, the third extension  36  has a top  40  that extends substantially perpendicular from the base  38 . Typically, the top  40  extends completely over the cable  18  as the cable  18  extends along the channel  16 . The top  40  extends perpendicular from the base  38  at a height that is about the same as the diameter of the cable  18 . Thus, a retention point  42  is created where the top  40  contacts the cable  18 . Similar to above, retention point  42  prevents the cable  18  from moving at undesirable times as the cable  18  extends along the channel  16  adjacent the third extension  36 . Likewise, the retention point  42  is created by the distance between the channel  16  and the top  40  being smaller than the diameter of the cable  18 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2   c,  placing a combination of extensions  20 ,  28 ,  36  along the surface  14  creates the channel  16  in which the cable  18  extends along. Typically, the width of the channel  16  is about the same as the diameter of the cable  18 . By having the channel  16  approximately the same diameter as the cable  18 , the retention points  26 ,  34 ,  42  are more effective because the cable  18  contacts the extension  20 ,  28 ,  36  as the cable  18  extends along the channel  16 . In addition, the retention points  26 ,  34 ,  42  are places on the extensions  20 ,  28 ,  36  which are slightly smaller than the diameter of the cable  18 . Thus, when the cable  18  is placed adjacent the retention points  26 ,  34 ,  42  the cable  18  is more securely held by the extensions  20 ,  28 ,  36 . 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, a combination of the first extension  20 , second extension  28 , and third extension  36  is used to create the channel  16 . By using a combination of the extensions  20 ,  28 ,  36  the cable  18  is more secured at some locations and more easily moved at others. For example, the first extension  20  is used at certain locations due to the cable  18  being more easily moved when adjacent the first extension  20 . Also, the cable  18  is more easily placed adjacent to the first extension  20  due to the top  24  extending over less of the channel  16 . By contrast, the third extension  36  more securely contains the cable  18  due to the top  40  extending completely over the channel  16  and cable  18 . However, it is more difficult to place the cable  18  adjacent the first extension  20 . The second extension  28  is a combination of the first extension  20  and third extension  36 , such that the top  32  only partially extends over the channel  16  which secures the cable  18  more than the first extension  20 , but the cable  18  is placed in the channel  16  more easily than when the cable  18  is placed adjacent the third extension  36 . Thus, the number of extensions  20 ,  34 ,  36  and locations of the extensions  20 ,  34 ,  36  is dependent upon the length and shape of the channel  16 . 
         [0023]    In addition, the order or placement of the extensions  20 ,  34 ,  36  is dependent upon the above described shapes of the extensions  20 ,  34 ,  36 . For example, it is preferred that the first extension  20  is used at the ends of the channel  16  to allow the cable  18  to move more easily. Thus, the cable  18  is more easily displaced when it is moved to perform a function, when compared to the third extension  36  being placed at the ends of the channel  16 . Also, it is preferred that the third extension  36  is used in the middle portion of the channel  16  to more securely hold the cable  18 , since movement of the cable  18  in the middle portion of the channel  16  is undesirable. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 and 4a , an alternate embodiment is shown where the channel  16  is at a lower height than the surface  14 , thus creating a cavity  44 . The cavity  44  has at least one wall  46  which forms the channel  16 . Furthermore, the cavity  44  has a second wall  48  which is on the opposite side of the channel  16  than the first wall  46 . Typically, the walls  46 ,  48  create at least one retention point  50  which secures the cable  18  and prevents the cable  18  from moving at undesirable times. The retention point  50  is created by a point along the walls  46 ,  48 , where the distance between the first wall  46  and second wall  48  is smaller than the diameter of the cable  18 . On either side of the retention point  50 , the first wall  46  and second wall  48  expand so that the width of the channel  16  returns to a width that is slightly larger than the cable  18 . Thus, the cable  18  is capable of moving in the channel  16 , but is secured at the retention point  50  in order to prevent the cable  18  from moving at undesirable times. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4b , the cavity  44  has the first wall  46  and an extension  52  on the opposite side of the channel  16  as the first wall  46 . Thus, the extension  52  extends substantially vertical from the surface  14  so that the channel  16  is substantially similar to the diameter of the cable  18 . As described above, the extension  52  and first wall  46  create a retention point  54  where the distance between the first wall  46  and the extension  52  is smaller than the diameter of the cable  18  in order for the first wall  46  and extension  52  to securely retain the cable  18  and prevent the cable  18  from moving at undesirable times. It is also within the scope of the present invention for extension  52  to have a similar shape as the extensions  20 ,  28 ,  36  as described above, or for extension  52  to be used in combination with the first wall  46  and the extensions  20 ,  28 ,  36 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4   b,  the cable retention device  10  is formed to any shape in order to accommodate the cable  18 . Thus, the extensions  20 ,  28 ,  36 ,  52  and/or the walls  46 ,  48  are arranged in any manner on the surface  14  in order to create the most accessible path for the cable  18 . The arrangement of the extensions  20 ,  28 ,  36 ,  52  and/or the walls  46 ,  48  are dependent upon the particular vehicle and the body or front end module  12  the cable  18  is extending along. 
         [0027]    In addition, it is within the scope of the present invention that the cable retention device  10  is integrated on different components besides the body and front end module  12 . For example, but not limited to, the cable retention device  10  is integrated on a grill, close out, carrier, upper cross member, grill support, or another component in the vehicle. 
         [0028]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.