Assembly fixture, wire harness assembly before assembly, fusion splicer, assembly method

Abstract

A bonding arrangement fixture, a pre-bonding wire harness subassembly, a fusion splicer, and a wire harness bonding method are provided to improve the reliability of the bonding state of wire harnesses. The bonding arrangement fixture (4) has: a wire arrangement section (34) for arranging multiple wires (28) in a direction orthogonal to the wire axes before bonding; a front end abutment section (35) for abutting the front end (44) of the exposed conductor portion (43) of the multiple wires; and a connecting section (36) connecting the front end abutment section and the wire arrangement section, and is formed to allow bonding of the exposed conductor portion by fusion splicing from the direction orthogonal to the wire axes. The connecting section (36) is formed to be separable. The wire arrangement section (34) has: a main body section (37); an arrangement guide section (38) disposed between the sheaths of the multiple wires (28); and a wire pressing section (39) for pressing the multiple wires (28).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a joining fixture for arranging multiple wires in a direction orthogonal to their wire axes before joining them relative to other wire harnesses by fusion welding. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a wire harness sub-assembly before joining that structurally includes the joining joining fixture, a fusion welding machine, and a wire harness joining method. Background Technology

[0002] The wire harness disclosed in Patent Document 1 is formed as follows: multiple wires with exposed conductor portions formed by removing the end sheaths by a predetermined length are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the wire axes, and the exposed conductor portions are fused together.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-31469 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] When welding the exposed conductors of one wire harness to another, it is necessary to prevent the wires at the ends from becoming tangled, the conductor tips in the exposed conductors from deviating, and the exposed conductors from overlapping each other (vertical stacking deviation) in order to ensure the reliability of the joint.

[0008] The present invention provides a joining arrangement fixture, a wire harness sub-assembly before joining, a fusion splicer, and a wire harness joining method that can improve the reliability of the joining state of wire harnesses.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] The joining arrangement fixture of the present invention, which is the result of technical solution 1 to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, is characterized by having: a wire arrangement section configured to arrange multiple wires in a direction orthogonal to the wire axes before joining other wire bundles by welding; a front end abutment section configured to abut the front end of the exposed conductor portion of the multiple wires; and a connecting section connecting the front end abutment section and the wire arrangement section, and being formed in a shape that allows the exposed conductor portion to be joined by welding from the direction orthogonal to the wire axes.

[0011] According to the present invention, which has the features of such technical solution 1, multiple wires can be arranged in the orthogonal direction of the wire axis by the wire arrangement part to prevent the wires from scattering. In addition, since the front end of the exposed conductor portion abuts against the front end abutting part, deviation of the front end of the conductor can also be prevented. Furthermore, by using the joining arrangement clamp of the present invention, deviation (longitudinal stacking deviation) of the exposed conductor portions of the wire bundles from overlapping with the exposed conductor portions of other wire bundles can also be prevented.

[0012] The feature of the present invention described in technical solution 2 is that, in the joining arrangement fixture described in technical solution 1, the joining arrangement fixture is formed in a shape in which the connecting part or the front end abutment part can be separated.

[0013] According to the present invention, which has the features of such technical solution 2, it is possible to weld the exposed conductor portions of wire harnesses to the exposed conductor portions of other wire harnesses without the presence of a connecting portion or a front end abutment portion. Separation can be performed simply according to workability.

[0014] The present invention described in technical solution 3 is characterized in that, in the joining arrangement fixture described in technical solution 1 or 2, the wire arrangement portion has: a main body portion; an arrangement guide portion formed in the main body portion and configured to be disposed between the sheaths of the plurality of wires; and a wire pressing portion configured to press the plurality of wires arranged by the arrangement guide portion and continuous with the main body portion.

[0015] According to the present invention having the features of such technical solution 3, multiple wires can be arranged in a direction orthogonal to the wire axes by means of an arrangement guide formed on the main body. Furthermore, the multiple wires in the arranged state can be pressed down by a wire pressing part continuous with the main body, thereby preventing the wires from becoming tangled.

[0016] The present invention described in technical solution 4 is characterized in that, in the joining arrangement fixture described in technical solution 3, the wire arrangement part further has a vibration damping member, which is configured to dampen the vibration generated during joining by the welding.

[0017] According to the present invention, which has the features of such technical solution 4, since it is a jointing fixture that also has vibration damping components, vibration generated during jointing by welding can be damped. Therefore, vibration countermeasures can be implemented on, for example, terminal fittings located at the other end of multiple wires (preventing terminal breakage).

[0018] Furthermore, the pre-joining wire harness assembly of the present invention, as described in technical solution 5, which was completed to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, is characterized by having: multiple wires before joining other wire harnesses by welding; a joining arrangement clamp as described in technical solutions 1, 2, or 3, which is installed on one end of the multiple wires; and wire holding rods that respectively hold the joining arrangement clamp and the other end of the multiple wires.

[0019] According to the present invention having the features of such technical solution 5, since it structurally includes the joining arrangement clamp described in technical solutions 1, 2 or 3, it is possible to prevent wire scattering, deviation of the conductor tip, and deviation (longitudinal stacking deviation) of the exposed conductors of other wire bundles. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since it is held by the wire holding rod, it is also possible to provide a wire bundle assembly before joining that is easy to store and handle.

[0020] The present invention described in technical solution 6 is characterized by having: multiple wires before being joined to other wire bundles by welding; a joining arrangement clamp as described in technical solution 4, which is installed on one end of the multiple wires; and wire holding rods that respectively hold the joining arrangement clamp and the other end of the multiple wires.

[0021] According to the present invention having the features of technical solution 6, since it structurally includes the joining arrangement clamp described in technical solution 4, it can prevent wire scattering, deviation of conductor front ends, and deviation of overlapping (longitudinal stacking deviation) of exposed conductors of other wire bundles, while also implementing vibration countermeasures (preventing terminal breakage) on, for example, terminal fittings provided on the other end side of multiple wires through vibration damping members. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since it is held by the wire holding rod, it is also possible to provide a pre-joining wire bundle assembly that is easy to store and handle.

[0022] Furthermore, the fusion splicer of the present invention described in technical solution 7, which was completed to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, is characterized by comprising: a fusion splicing component configured to join two overlapping exposed portions of the arranged conductors by fusion splicing; a fusion splicer body provided with the fusion splicing component; a guide member formed in a shape that is detachable from and detachable relative to the fusion splicer body, and configured to provide two pre-joining wire bundle assemblies as described in technical solution 5 in a predetermined configuration; and a vibration damping member detachably disposed in the middle of the plurality of wires in the pre-joining wire bundle assembly, configured to dampen vibrations generated by the fusion splicing component.

[0023] According to the present invention, which has the features of such technical solution 7, it is possible to prevent wire scattering, deviation of the conductor tip, and deviation of overlap (longitudinal stacking deviation) of the exposed conductors of other wire bundles, and to perform wire bundle joining with each other. Furthermore, according to the present invention, when wire bundles are joined with each other, vibration countermeasures can be implemented on, for example, terminal fittings provided at the other end of the multiple wires (preventing terminal breakage). Moreover, according to the present invention, since the structure and configuration of removing the joined wire bundle (described later) from the fusion welding machine body while it is in a guiding member after joining by fusion welding, the joining state of the joined wire bundle (described later) can be well maintained by the guiding member. Therefore, the reliability of the joining state can be improved.

[0024] The present invention described in technical solution 8 is characterized by comprising: a welding component configured to join two overlapping exposed portions of the arranged conductors by welding; a welding machine body having the welding component; and a guide member formed in a shape that is detachable from the welding machine body and configured to provide two pre-joining wire harness assemblies as described in technical solution 6 in a predetermined configuration.

[0025] According to the present invention, which has the features of such technical solution 8, it is possible to prevent wire scattering, deviation of the conductor tip, and deviation (longitudinal stacking deviation) of the exposed conductors of other wire bundles, and to perform joining of wire bundles to each other. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the structure and configuration of removing the joined wire bundle (described later) from the fusion welding machine body while it is positioned on the guide member after joining by fusion welding, the state of the joined portion of the joined wire bundle (described later) can be well maintained by the guide member. Therefore, the reliability of the joined state can be improved.

[0026] Furthermore, the wire harness splicing method of the present invention described in technical solution 9, which is completed to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, is characterized by performing: a clamp installation step, wherein a splicing arrangement clamp as described in technical solutions 1, 2, or 3 is installed on one end of a plurality of wires before splicing other wire harnesses by welding; a sub-assembly forming step, wherein the splicing arrangement clamp and the other end of the plurality of wires are held by wire holding rods respectively, thereby forming a wire harness sub-assembly before splicing; and a vibration countermeasure step, wherein a vibration damping member is provided in the middle of the plurality of wires in the wire harness sub-assembly before splicing, the vibration damping member being configured to prevent the splicing of other wire harnesses by welding from causing the wire harness to become spliced. The vibration attenuation generated during welding, and the easy assembly and disassembly relative to the middle of the multiple wires; the pre-welding process, two pre-welding wire bundle sub-assemblies are respectively set at predetermined positions on the guide member that is easily assembled and disassembled relative to the main body of the welding machine, and the exposed portions of the arranged conductors are arranged in two overlapping states; the welding process, the two overlapping exposed portions of the arranged conductors are welded together by the welding component of the main body of the welding machine to form a joined wire bundle with a joint; and the post-welding process, the joined wire bundle is removed from the main body of the welding machine while it is set on the guide member, and the vibration attenuation member is also removed.

[0027] The present invention described in technical solution 10 is characterized by the following steps: a clamp installation step, in which a joining arrangement clamp as described in technical solution 4 is installed on one end of multiple wires before they are joined by welding; a sub-assembly forming step, in which the joining arrangement clamp and the other end of the multiple wires are held by wire holding rods to form a pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly; a pre-welding step, in which two pre-joining wire harness assemblies are respectively set at predetermined positions on a guide member that is detachable from the main body of the welding machine, and the exposed portions of the arranged conductors are arranged in two overlapping states; a welding step, in which the two overlapping exposed portions of the arranged conductors are welded together by a welding component of the main body of the welding machine to form a joined wire harness with a joint; and a post-welding step, in which the joined wire harness is removed from the main body of the welding machine while it is set on the guide member.

[0028] According to the present invention, which has the features of these technical solutions 9 and 10, it is possible to prevent wire scattering, deviation of conductor tip portions, and deviation of overlapping (longitudinal stacking deviation) of exposed conductor portions of other wire bundles, and to perform wire bundle joining. Furthermore, according to the present invention, when joining wire bundles, vibration countermeasures can be applied to, for example, terminal fittings located at the other end of multiple wires (preventing terminal breakage). Moreover, according to the present invention, since the joined wire bundle is removed from the fusion welding machine body while positioned on a guide member after joining by fusion welding, the joint of the joined wire bundle can be well maintained by the guide member. This improves the reliability of the joining state.

[0029] Invention Effects

[0030] According to the present invention, it can improve the reliability of the connection state between wire harnesses. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention (Example 1).

[0032] Figure 2 The diagrams show the workflow of the operations performed by the operator. (a) is a diagram up to the formation of the wire harness subassembly before bonding, and (b) is a diagram from the welding-based bonding to the inspection process and the bonding tape winding process.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a diagram of the wire harness assembly before assembly; (a) shows the assembly before assembly. Figure 2 The diagram shows the portion formed on the L side, (b) is a representation of the portion formed on the L side. Figure 2 The diagram shows the portion formed on the R side.

[0034] Figure 4 The diagrams are of a coupling clamp, (a) showing a single unit of the coupling clamp, (b) showing a state in which the front end of the exposed conductor part is abutted against the front abutting part, and (c) showing a state in which multiple wires are pressed and arranged by the wire pressing part.

[0035] Figure 5 This diagram shows the state in which the wire harness assembly is positioned before the guide members of the fusion splicer.

[0036] Figure 6 This diagram shows the state in which the wire harness assembly is positioned before the guide members of the fusion splicer.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the state of joining through welding.

[0038] Figure 8This diagram shows the state in which the wire harness is positioned on the guide member after assembly.

[0039] Figure 9 This is an overall structural diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention (Example 2).

[0040] Figure 10 The diagrams are of a coupling arrangement fixture. (a) is a diagram of a single coupling arrangement fixture. (b) is a diagram of a state in which the front end of the exposed conductor is abutted against the front abutment part. (c) is a diagram of a state in which multiple wires are pressed and arranged by the wire pressing part and the vibration damping member. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The joining arrangement fixture includes: a wire arrangement section for arranging multiple wires in a direction orthogonal to their wire axes before joining them relative to other wire bundles by welding; a front end abutting section for abutting the front ends of the exposed conductor portions of the multiple wires; and a connecting section connecting the front end abutting section and the wire arrangement section, and is shaped to allow joining of the exposed conductor portions by welding from a direction orthogonal to their wire axes. The connecting section or the front end abutting section is detachable. The wire arrangement section includes: a main body; an arrangement guide section disposed between the sheaths of the multiple wires; and a wire pressing section for pressing the multiple wires.

[0042] [Example 1]

[0043] Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the workflow of tasks performed by operators. Figure 3 This is a diagram of the wiring harness assembly before assembly. Figure 4 This is a diagram of the arrangement fixture used for joining. Figure 5 and Figure 6 This diagram shows the state in which the wire harness assembly is positioned before the guide members of the fusion splicer. Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the state of joining through welding. Figure 8 This diagram shows the state in which the wire harness is positioned on the guide member after assembly.

[0044] <About the overall structure>

[0045] exist Figure 1 In this process, a welding machine 1 is provided as a manufacturing device to join the exposed conductors of the wire harness subassemblies 2 and 3 (wire harnesses and other wire harnesses) arranged separately before joining in a longitudinally stacked state by welding. A prescribed wire harness joining method is used before and after welding. In addition, in order to improve the reliability of the joining state based on welding, a joining arrangement fixture 4 is provided in the wire harness assemblies 2 and 3 before joining.

[0046] <About the fusion splicer 1>

[0047] exist Figure 1 In this design, the welding machine 1 includes a welding machine body 5, a welding component 6, a guide member 7, and two vibration damping members 8. The welding machine body 5 is a known ultrasonic welding machine (also referred to as an ultrasonic bonding device, etc.). The welding machine body 5 is provided with a control unit (not shown) for controlling the welding component 6, and an operating unit (not shown) for the operator to perform welding-based bonding operations.

[0048] The welding component 6 joins the exposed portions of the arranged conductors (described later) in two overlapping states (vertical stacking state) by welding. Here, if... Figure 1 The arrows marked "up" and "down" define the up and down direction, and the arrows marked "left" and "right" define the left and right direction. Therefore, the welding component 6 has an upper welding unit 10 with a welding amplitude transformer 9 and a lower welding unit 12 with an anvil 11. The upper welding unit 10 and the lower welding unit 12 constituting the welding component 6 adopt a known structure (but the welding amplitude transformer 9 and the anvil 11 have a structure suitable for welding the exposed parts of the conductors to each other).

[0049] The guide member 7 is detachable from the welding machine body 5. In this embodiment, the guide member 7 is formed with a shape that is spaced apart from the left, right, and upper portions of the upper welding unit 10 by a predetermined interval. Specifically, it is formed with a left side frame 13, a right side frame 14, and an upper side frame 15 as shown in the figure (the shape is an example; reference numerals 13-15 refer to...). Figure 5 and Figure 6 At the lower part of each of the aforementioned left side frame 13 and right side frame 14, there is a mounting part 16 that allows for the easy installation and removal of the pre-joint wire harness assemblies 2 and 3 (see reference). Figure 5 and Figure 6 The mounting part 16 is shaped to protrude outwards in the left and right directions. In addition, the shape of the mounting part 16 is not particularly limited as long as it can be easily installed and removed from the wire harness assembly 2 and 3 before the connection.

[0050] The guide member 7, as described above, is formed in a shape that minimizes bending (having a rigid shape). The guide member 7 is configured to be removed from the fusion welding machine body 5 after welding, with the joined wire harness 49 (described later) still in place. By allowing the guide member 7 to be removed in this state, the formation state of the joined portion 48 of the joined wire harness 49 (described later) can be well maintained (no load can be applied to the joined portion 48). That is, the reliability of the joined state can be improved.

[0051] A vibration damping member 8 is provided to attenuate the vibration generated by the welding member 6 (during the welding process). Specifically, the vibration damping member 8 is provided to implement vibration countermeasures (prevent terminal damage) against the terminal fitting 30 described later. The vibration damping member 8 clamps the middle of the multiple wires 28 described later. The part of the vibration damping member 8 that clamps the middle (the member body 17) is formed by including, for example, a soft material such as a sponge. Furthermore, reference numeral 18 in the vibration damping member 8 indicates a lever that is operated when clamping or releasing the clamp. The vibration damping member 8 is designed to be easily attached to and detached from the middle.

[0052] <Regarding the workflow of the operators>

[0053] Reference Figure 2 This describes the workflow of the work performed by operator 19. Figure 2 In (a), a pre-joining wire harness assembly 2 is formed on the first workbench 20 (see reference). Figure 3 (a) will be explained later). In other words, from Figure 1 The pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly 2, located on the left side (LEFT side, L side) of the guide member 7, is formed on the first worktable 20. Multiple tubes for storing wires are arranged laterally on the first worktable 20, and the pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly 2 is formed while pulling wires out of the designated tubes (sub-assembly forming process). The pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly 2 formed on the first worktable 20 is stored on the shelf 21. The pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly 2 stored on the shelf 21 is then conveyed to the left side of the welding machine 1.

[0054] On the second workbench 22, the same as on the first workbench 20, a wire harness assembly 3 (see reference) is formed before joining. Figure 3 (b) will be explained later. In other words, from Figure 1 The pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly 3, located on the right side (RIGHT side, R side) of the guide member 7, is formed on the second worktable 22. Multiple tubes for storing wires are arranged laterally on the second worktable 22, and the pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly 3 is formed while pulling wires out of the designated tubes (sub-assembly forming process). The pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly 3 formed on the second worktable 22 is stored on the shelf 23. The pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly 3 stored on the shelf 23 is then conveyed to the right side of the welding machine 1.

[0055] exist Figure 2 In (b), the pre-joining wire harness assembly 2 taken from shelf 21 on the left side of the fusion splicer 1 and the pre-joining wire harness assembly 3 taken from shelf 23 on the right side of the fusion splicer 1 are joined by ultrasonic welding in the fusion splicer 1 to form the joined wire harness 49 (see reference). Figure 8(As will be explained later) (welding process). After joining, the wire harness 49 is stored on the shelf 24 while positioned on the guide member 7, and then undergoes a prescribed inspection on the inspection table 25 (inspection process). The joint 48 of the qualified product (described later) is inspected on the winding worktable 26. Figure 8 The belt is then wound (joint belt winding process). After winding, the belt is stored on shelf 27.

[0056] <Regarding the wire harness assembly 2 before bonding>

[0057] exist Figure 3 (a) and Figure 5 In this assembly, the wire bundle assembly 2 before joining has multiple wires 28, wire holding rods 29, and joining arrangement clamps 4, formed as shown in the figure. In this embodiment, five wires 28 are used (this is just one example). Each wire 28 has a conductor and an insulator (sheath), and the five wires are appropriately made of the same size but different sizes (in this embodiment, all five wires are of the same size). The wires 28 are formed to the desired length, with the joining arrangement clamps 4 provided at one end and a known terminal fitting 30 provided at the other end.

[0058] The wire holding rod 29 holds the other end of the connecting clamp 4 and the multiple wires 28 respectively. Specifically, it is formed as shown in the figure, having a rod body 31 and a clamp removal and installation portion 32 that is continuous at one end in the length direction of the rod body 31. A wire holding portion 33 for holding the other end of the wires 28 is formed on the rod body 31. The wire holding portions 33 are arranged in an inverted U-shape, and the other end of the wires 28 are inserted and held between adjacent inverted U-shapes (the shape shown is an example). The clamp removal and installation portion 32 is formed so that the connecting clamp 4 can be easily removed and installed. In addition, the clamp removal and installation portion 32 is formed as a mounting portion 16 relative to the guide member 7 (see figure). Figure 5 and Figure 6 It also has a shape that can be easily assembled and disassembled.

[0059] <Regarding the Arrangement Fixtures for Joining 4>

[0060] exist Figure 4 In this process, a bonding arrangement clamp 4 is provided to improve the reliability of the bonding state between wire harnesses. The bonding arrangement clamp 4 is a resin molded product, having a wire arrangement portion 34, a front end abutment portion 35, and a connecting portion 36, and is formed, for example, in the shape shown in the figure (in addition, in Figure 4 In the diagram, due to the limited space on the paper, the shape of the length in the longitudinal direction is used to represent the joining arrangement clamp 4). The joining arrangement clamp 4 can be easily installed and removed from one end of the multiple wires 28. The joining arrangement clamp 4, which is located on one end of the multiple wires 28, is easily installed and removed from the clamp removal and installation part 32 of the wire holding rod 29.

[0061] The wire arranging section 34 arranges multiple wires 28 in a direction orthogonal to their wire axes before ultrasonic welding. Specifically, it has a main body 37, an arranging guide 38, and a wire pressing section 39, as shown in the figure. This allows multiple wires 28 to be arranged in a direction orthogonal to their wire axes. Furthermore, it... Figure 4 Arrow P is defined as the direction of the wire axis, arrow Q is defined as the direction orthogonal to the direction of the wire axis (the above-mentioned orthogonal direction of the wire axis), and arrow R is defined as the direction orthogonal to arrow P and arrow Q respectively.

[0062] The main body 37 has a flat bottom wall 40, and a first side wall 41 and a second side wall 42 provided on both sides of the bottom wall 40 (in the direction of arrow Q). A plurality of rib-shaped arrangement guides 38 are formed on the bottom wall 40, and these rib-shaped arrangement guides 38 are configured such that when multiple wires 28 are arranged in the joining clamp 4, they are positioned between the sheaths of the multiple wires 28. Wire pressing portions 39 press the multiple wires 28 arranged by the arrangement guides 38. The wire pressing portions 39 are formed to be continuous with the first side wall 41 via a hinge. Engaging portions are formed on the wire pressing portions 39 and the second side wall 42. Furthermore, the illustrated shapes of the first side wall 41, the second side wall 42, the arrangement guides 38, etc., regarding the wire arrangement portion 34 are only an example.

[0063] One end of the multiple wires 28 is processed as follows: the insulation (coating) at one end of the multiple wires 28 is removed to a predetermined length, exposing the conductor. This exposed conductor portion is the conductor exposure portion 43. The conductor exposure portion 43 is the part to be joined based on ultrasonic welding.

[0064] The front abutment portion 35 is configured to extend at least a length beyond the conductor exposure portion 43 in the direction of arrow P from the wire arrangement portion 34. The front abutment portion 35 is formed as a wall for the conductor front end portion 44 of the conductor exposure portion 43 to abut against. In this embodiment, the front abutment portion 35 is formed as a rectangular plate (or strip) extending in the direction of arrow Q, but the shape is not particularly limited as long as it is for the conductor front end portion 44 to abut against.

[0065] The connecting portion 36 is formed to connect the front end abutment portion 35 and the wire arrangement portion 34. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 36 is formed such that the end of the main body portion 37 extends to the front end abutment portion 35. The connecting portion 36 is formed such that the exposed conductor portion 43 can be joined by welding in the direction of arrow Q (orthogonal to the wire axis). A separation portion 45 with a notch shape (groove shape) extending in the direction of arrow Q is formed on such a connecting portion 36. The separation portion 45 is formed such that the connecting portion 36 can be separated from the main body portion 37. Alternatively, the separation portion 45 may be disposed at the boundary between the connecting portion 36 and the front end abutment portion 35 instead of disposed on the connecting portion 36, so that only the front end abutment portion 35 can be separated. The separation portion 45 may also be formed such that it can return to the state before separation.

[0066] <Regarding wire harness splicing methods>

[0067] In the above structure and construction, the wire harness joining method will be described below. This wire harness joining method involves... Figure 3 The wire harness assembly 2 shown in (a) before joining is referred to as "wire harness 46". Figure 3 When the pre-joining wire harness sub-assembly 3 shown in (b) is referred to as "other wire harness 47", a method is used to join the wire harness 46 and other wire harnesses 47 to each other based on ultrasonic welding to form a joined wire harness 49 having a joint 48. The wire harness joining method includes, for example, a clamping installation process, a sub-assembly forming process, a vibration countermeasures process, a pre-welding process, a welding process, and a post-welding process, and these processes are performed sequentially (as an example).

[0068] Furthermore, viewed from the wire harness assembly 2 before joining, the wire harness assembly 3 before joining becomes another wire harness, and conversely, viewed from the wire harness assembly 3 before joining, the wire harness assembly 2 before joining becomes another wire harness.

[0069] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in the above-described clamp installation process, a jointing clamp 4 is installed on one end of multiple wires 28. By installing the jointing clamp 4, the multiple wires 28 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the wire shafts. In addition, the conductor front end 44 of the exposed conductor portion 43 abuts against the front end abutment portion 35, and the front end positions are aligned.

[0070] During the fixture installation process, the wire arrangement section 34 arranges multiple wires 28 in a direction orthogonal to the wire shaft to prevent the wires 28 from becoming tangled. Furthermore, since the conductor tip 44 of the conductor exposed section 43 abuts against the front abutment section 35, deviation of the conductor tip 44 is also prevented. Once the fixture installation process is completed, the process moves to the sub-assembly formation process.

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, in the above-mentioned sub-component forming process, the other ends of the joining arrangement clamp 4 and the multiple wires 28 are held by the wire holding rod 29, respectively, to form the pre-joining wire bundle sub-assemblies 2 and 3 (the forming of wire bundle 46 and other wire bundle 47 is also performed). Furthermore, the pre-joining wire bundle assemblies 2 and 3 formed in this process are stored in... Figure 2 Shelves 21 and 23 are shown (description of storage on shelves is omitted below). Once the sub-assembly forming process is complete, the process moves to the vibration countermeasures process.

[0072] like Figure 5 As shown, in the above-mentioned vibration countermeasures process, before the pre-joining wire harness assembly 2 is placed on the guide member 7 of the welding machine 1, a vibration damping member 8 is installed between the multiple wires 28 of the pre-joining wire harness assembly 2. Additionally, as... Figure 6 As shown, before the pre-welding wire harness assembly 3 is placed on the guide member 7 of the welding machine 1, a vibration damping member 8 is installed in the middle of the multiple wires 28 of the pre-welding wire harness assembly 3. If the vibration countermeasure process is completed, the process moves to the pre-welding process.

[0073] like Figure 1 As shown, in the above-mentioned pre-welding process, two pre-welding wire bundle assemblies 2 and 3 are respectively set at the specified positions of the guide member 7, so that the exposed conductors 43 after arrangement are in two overlapping states (vertical stacked state). Refer to Figure 7 The operation is carried out within the circle. Welding amplitude rods 9 and anvils 11 are arranged above and below the exposed conductor portion 43 after arrangement. Deviation of longitudinal stacking is prevented by using the joining arrangement fixture 4. If the pre-welding process is completed, the process proceeds to the welding process.

[0074] like Figure 7 As shown, in the above-mentioned welding process, the exposed portions 43 of the arranged conductors are ultrasonically welded together by the welding component 6 to form a joint 48 (see reference). Figure 8 After the junction of wire harness 49 (refer to) Figure 8 The welding process is then completed. If the welding process is finished, the process is moved to the post-welding process.

[0075] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in the above-mentioned post-welding process, the joined wire harness 49 is removed from the welding machine body 5 while it is in the state of being placed on the guide member 7, and the vibration damping member 8 is also removed. Since the joined wire harness 49 is removed while it is in the state of being placed on the guide member 7, the formation state of the joint 48 can be well maintained, thereby improving the reliability of the joint state.

[0076] <Regarding the effects>

[0077] The above is for reference only. Figures 1 to 8 As explained, the joining arrangement fixture 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a wire arrangement section 34 for arranging multiple wires 28 in a direction orthogonal to the wire axes; a front end abutment section 35 for abutting the front end portion 44 of the conductor exposed portion 43 of the multiple wires 25; and a connecting section 36 connecting the front end abutment section 35 and the wire arrangement section 34, and is formed in a shape that allows the exposed conductor portions 43 to be joined by ultrasonic welding from the direction orthogonal to the wire axes. Therefore, the multiple wires 28 can be arranged in a direction orthogonal to the wire axes by the wire arrangement section 34 to prevent the wires 28 from becoming tangled, and the front end abutment section 35 can also prevent the front end portion 44 of the conductor from deviating. Furthermore, by using the joining arrangement fixture 4, deviation of the exposed conductor portions 43 from overlapping each other (deviation of longitudinal stacking) can also be prevented.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the pre-joining wire harness assemblies 2 and 3, which are embodiments of the present invention, since they structurally include a joining arrangement clamp 4, it is possible to prevent the wires 28 from becoming tangled, the conductor front ends 44 from deviating, and the conductor exposed portions 43 from deviating from each other in longitudinal stacking. Moreover, since they are held by the wire holding rod 29, they are also easy to store. Therefore, according to the pre-joining wire harness assemblies 2 and 3, an easy-to-handle pre-joining wire harness assembly can be provided.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the fusion splicer 1, which is an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the wires 28 from becoming tangled, the conductor front end 44 from deviating, and the longitudinal stacking from deviating, and it is possible to join the wire bundle 46 and other wire bundles 47 together. Additionally, according to the fusion splicer 1, when joining the wire bundles 46 and other wire bundles 47 together, vibration countermeasures can be applied to the terminal fittings 30 located at the other end of the multiple wires 28 (preventing terminal breakage). Furthermore, according to the fusion splicer 1, since the structure and configuration of removing the joined wire bundle 49 from the fusion splicer body 5 after ultrasonic welding while it is positioned on the guide member 7, the joint portion 48 of the joined wire bundle 49 can be well maintained by the guide member 7. This improves the reliability of the joining state.

[0080] [Example 2]

[0081] Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 9 This is an overall structural diagram illustrating other embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, Figure 10 This is a diagram of the arrangement fixture for joining. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the constituent components that are substantially the same as in Embodiment 1 above, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0082] <About the overall structure>

[0083] exist Figure 9 In Embodiment 2, the welding machine 1 uses ultrasonic welding to join the exposed conductors 43 of the wire harness subassemblies 2 and 3 (wire harnesses and other wire harnesses) arranged separately before joining, in a longitudinally stacked state. A prescribed wire harness joining method is used before and after ultrasonic welding. Furthermore, to improve the reliability of the joining state based on ultrasonic welding, the joining arrangement fixture 50 of Embodiment 2 is provided in the wire harness subassemblies 2 and 3 before joining. The joining arrangement fixture 50 will be described below, but it has the function of the vibration damping member 8 of Embodiment 1. The welding machine 1 of Embodiment 2 is a device that does not have the vibration damping member 8 of Embodiment 1.

[0084] <Regarding the Arrangement Fixture 50 for Joining>

[0085] exist Figure 9 and Figure 10 Similar to Embodiment 1, a joining clamp 50 is provided to improve the reliability of the joining state of the wire harnesses. The joining clamp 50 includes a wire arrangement portion 51, a front end abutment portion 52, a connecting portion 53, and a vibration damping member 54, and is formed, for example, as shown in the figure. The joining clamp 50 is detachably mounted on one end of the plurality of wires 28. The joining clamp 50, mounted on one end of the plurality of wires 28, is detachably mounted on the clamp removal portion 32 of the wire holding rod 29 (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0086] The wire arranging section 51 arranges multiple wires 28 in a direction orthogonal to the wire axes before ultrasonic welding. Specifically, it has a main body 55, an arranging guide 56, and a wire pressing section 57, as shown in the figure.

[0087] The front end abutment portion 52 is disposed separately from the main body portion 55 of the wire arrangement portion 51. The front end abutment portion 52 is formed into a wall shape for the conductor front end portion 44 of the conductor exposed portion 43 to abut.

[0088] The connecting portion 53 is formed to connect the front end abutment portion 52 and the wire arrangement portion 51. The connecting portion 53 is shaped to allow for joining by welding from the orthogonal direction of the wire axis. Alternatively, a separation portion 45 as in Embodiment 1 (see Figure 1) may also be formed. Figure 4 ).

[0089] The vibration damping member 54 includes a first vibration damping member 58 disposed on the main body portion 55 of the wire arrangement portion 51 and a second vibration damping member 59 disposed on the wire pressing portion 57 of the wire arrangement portion 51.

[0090] <Regarding wire harness splicing methods>

[0091] The wire harness joining method of Example 2 includes, for example, a clamp installation process, a sub-assembly forming process, a pre-welding process, a welding process, and a post-welding process, and these processes are performed sequentially (as an example). Without going into specific details, the vibration countermeasure process is removed from the wire harness joining method of Example 1, and the vibration damping member 8 in the post-welding process is removed (see [reference]). Figure 7 The method of disassembly.

[0092] <Regarding the effects>

[0093] In the case of Embodiment 2, it is also possible to prevent the wires 28 from becoming tangled, and it is also possible to prevent the conductor front end 44 from deviating. Furthermore, it is also possible to prevent the conductor exposed portions 43 from overlapping each other (deviating from longitudinal stacking).

[0094] Furthermore, various modifications can of course be made to this invention without changing its spirit.

[0095] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0096] 1… Welding machine, 2, 3… Wire harness assembly before joining, 4… Joining arrangement fixture, 5… Welding machine body, 6… Welding component, 7… Guide component, 8… Vibration damping component, 9… Welding amplitude transformer, 10… Upper welding unit, 11… Anvil, 12… Lower welding unit, 13… Left side frame, 14… Right side frame, 15… Upper frame, 16… Mounting part, 17… Component body, 18… Rod, 19… Operator, 20… First workbench, 21… Shelf, 22… Second workbench, 23… Shelf, 24… Shelf, 25… Inspection table, 26… Workbench with winding mechanism, 27… Shelf, 28… Wire, 29… Wire retaining rod, 30… Terminal accessories, 31… Rod body, 32… 33…Clamp disassembly and assembly part, 34…Wire holding part, 35…Wire arranging part, 36…Wire pressing part, 37…Connecting part, 38…Main body part, 39…Arranging guide part, 40…Bottom wall, 41…First side wall, 42…Second side wall, 43…Conductor exposed part, 44…Conductor front end, 45…Separation part, 46…Wire bundle, 47…Other wire bundles, 48…Joining part, 49…Joined wire bundle, 50…Arranging clamp for joining, 51…Wire arranging part, 52…Front end abutment part, 53…Connecting part, 54…Vibration damping member, 55…Main body part, 56…Arranging guide part, 57…Wire pressing part, 58…First vibration damping member, 59…Second vibration damping member.

Claims

1. A joining clamp, characterized in that, have: The wire arrangement section is configured to arrange multiple wires in a direction orthogonal to the wire axis before they are joined to other wire bundles by fusion splicing. The front abutment portion is configured to abut the front ends of the conductors of the exposed conductors of the plurality of wires; as well as A connecting portion, which connects the front end abutment portion and the wire arrangement portion, is formed in a shape that allows the exposed portion of the conductor to be joined by the welding from a direction orthogonal to the wire axis. The connecting portion is a flat plate-shaped portion that extends along the direction of the wire axis and the orthogonal direction of the wire axis of the multiple wires arranged, in such a way that the front end abutting portion and the wire arrangement portion are connected in the direction of the wire axis of the wire.

2. The joining arrangement fixture as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The joining clamp is shaped such that the connecting part or the front end abutment part can be separated.

3. The joining arrangement fixture as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The wire arrangement portion includes: a main body portion; an arrangement guide portion formed on the main body portion and configured to be disposed between the sheaths of the plurality of wires; and a wire pressing portion configured to press the plurality of wires arranged by the arrangement guide portion and continuous with the main body portion.

4. The joining arrangement fixture as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The wire arrangement section also has a vibration damping member configured to dampen vibrations generated during the joining process via the fusion splice.

5. A wire harness assembly before bonding, characterized in that, have: Multiple wires before being joined together with other wire harnesses by fusion splicing; The joining arrangement clamp as described in claim 1, 2 or 3, installed on one end of the plurality of wires; and The connecting clamp and the wire holding rod on the other end of the plurality of wires are respectively held together.

6. A wire harness assembly before bonding, characterized in that, have: Multiple wires before being joined together with other wire harnesses by fusion splicing; The joining arrangement clamp as described in claim 4, installed on one end of the plurality of wires; and The connecting clamp and the wire holding rod on the other end of the plurality of wires are respectively held together.

7. A welding machine, characterized in that, include: A welding component is configured to join two overlapping exposed portions of an arranged conductor by welding. The main body of the welding machine equipped with this welding component; A guide member, shaped to be detachable from the fusion splicer body, and configured to provide two pre-jointing wire harness assemblies as described in claim 5 in a prescribed configuration; and A vibration damping component, which is detachably disposed in the middle of the plurality of wires in the pre-joint wire bundle assembly, is configured to dampen vibrations caused by the welding component.

8. A welding machine, characterized in that, include: A welding component is configured to join two overlapping exposed portions of an arranged conductor by welding. The main body of the welding machine equipped with the welding component; and The guide member is shaped to be easily detachable from the main body of the welding machine and is configured to provide two pre-joining wire harness assemblies as described in claim 6 in a prescribed configuration.

9. A method for joining wire harnesses, characterized in that, Perform the following procedures: In the clamp installation process, a joint arrangement clamp as described in claim 1, 2 or 3 is installed on one end of multiple wires before they are joined by welding other wire bundles. In the sub-assembly forming process, the joining arrangement clamp and the other end of the multiple wires are held by wire holding rods, thereby forming a wire bundle sub-assembly before joining; In the vibration countermeasure process, a vibration damping member is provided in the middle of the plurality of wires in the wire harness assembly before the joining. The vibration damping member is configured to dampen the vibration generated during the joining process by the welding and is removable from the middle of the plurality of wires. In the pre-welding process, two of the aforementioned pre-welding wire bundle assemblies are respectively set at designated positions on the guide members that can be freely disassembled and assembled relative to the main body of the welding machine, and the exposed parts of the arranged conductors are arranged in an overlapping state. In the welding process, the exposed portions of the two overlapping conductors are welded together by the welding component of the welding machine body to form a joined wire bundle with a joint. as well as In the post-welding process, the joined wire harness is removed from the main body of the welding machine while it is positioned on the guide member, and the vibration damping member is also removed.

10. A method for joining electrical wires, characterized in that, Perform the following procedures: In the clamp installation process, a joining arrangement clamp as described in claim 4 is installed on one end of multiple wires before they are joined together by welding other wire bundles. In the sub-assembly forming process, the joining arrangement clamp and the other end of the multiple wires are held by wire holding rods, thereby forming a wire bundle sub-assembly before joining; In the pre-welding process, two of the aforementioned pre-joining wire bundle assemblies are respectively set at the designated positions of the guide components that allow for easy assembly and disassembly of the main body of the welding machine, and the exposed portions of the arranged conductors are arranged in an overlapping state. In the welding process, the exposed portions of the two overlapping conductors are welded together by the welding component of the welding machine body to form a joined wire bundle with a joint. as well as In the post-welding process, the joined wire harness is removed from the main body of the welding machine while it is positioned on the guide member.

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