Analysis device and program

Abstract

An analysis device configured to evaluate whether a lid (3) for covering an opening of a protector main body (2) is attachable to the protector main body (2) when a wire harness (9) is contained therein through the opening, the analysis device comprising: a storage unit (812) configured to store a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the wire harness (9), a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the protector main body (2), and a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the cover (3) in a modeled wire harness with respect to each of the elements; a recording unit (813) configured to record a program for expressing an analysis order based on the conditions for specifying a particular element or a relationship between elements; an arithmetic processing unit (816) which, by referring to the physical value of the individual elements stored in the storage unit (812) and the program recorded in the recording unit (813) determines whether the protector main body (2) and the cover (3) are in contact with each other by reproducing a state in which the wire harness (9) is contained in the protector main body (2) and the opening of the protector main body (2) is covered by the cover (3); and a display control section (816a) that reproduces, in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual space, a structure and a shape as visual information of a state in which the wire harness (9) is contained in the protective main body (2), displays the visual information on a prescribed screen, and reflects a result of a determination by the arithmetic processing unit (816) in a display content of the visual information, wherein wherein the arithmetic processing unit (816) determines whether the protector main body (2) and the cover (3) are in contact with each other by determining whether a pair of members respectively arranged on the protector main body (2) and the cover (3) exert mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an analysis device that generates an image of a shape of a wire harness by arithmetic processing, and a program executed by the analysis device. State of the art

[0002] In vehicles such as automobiles, a large number of devices, such as electronic controllers, sensors, actuators, and switches, are installed at various locations throughout the vehicle. These devices must be interconnected using a large number of wires, such as electrical wires and optical fibers. Consequently, a large number of wires are bundled into a wiring harness, the shape of which is primarily determined by the lengths and routing of the respective wires. With wiring harnesses constructed in this way, complex wiring at various locations throughout the vehicle can be realized relatively easily.

[0003] Furthermore, before such a wire harness is actually produced, a virtual wire harness is first modeled on a computer and the virtual wire harness is examined at the design stage. Examples of such simulation are disclosed in Patent Literatures 1 and 2.

[0004] Patent Literature 3 discloses a computer-based system for designing a wire harness. Non-Patent Literature 1 discloses using digital mock-ups for installation testing. List of citationsPatent literature Patent Literature 1: JP-2003-132102 A Patent Literature 2: JP-2009-181746 A Patent literature 3: DE 602 18 243 T2

[0005] Non-Patent Literature 1: VAJNA, Sandor et al.: CAx for Engineers - A Practical Introduction. 2nd revised edition. Springer, 2009, pp. 399-401, 496. DOI: 10.1007 / 978-3-540-36039-1 Summary of the inventionTechnical problem

[0006] Wire harnesses are often constructed integrally with a protector having a hollow structure to facilitate attachment or to protect the wires from physical damage, heat, and the like: In other words, a wire harness is contained within an interior of a protector, and the wire harness is attached to a vehicle in this state.

[0007] In addition, an evaluation using the simulation described above must be conducted to determine whether a protective device that externally protects a wire harness has a shape that can accommodate the wire harness within an interior space of the protective device without the wire harness protruding from this interior space. To realize such a simulation, the present applicant has developed the following method.

[0008] First, a model is defined as a wire harness. It is assumed that the wire harness comprises a wire, a connector, a terminal, and a protective device. The wire specification conditions, such as the diameter, length, number of wires, and a physical value specified by the wire material, are given as initial parameters. The connector specification conditions, such as the connector shape, the wire attachment position, and a physical value specified by the connector material, are given as initial parameters. The terminal specification conditions, such as the terminal shape, the wire attachment position, and a physical value specified by the terminal material, are given as initial parameters.such as the shape of the protective device, the attachment position on the wire and a physical value specified by the material of the protective device are given as initial parameters.

[0009] Subsequently, in the thus defined model, where the coordinates are prescribed for the connector or wire, the coordinates corresponding to the positions of the respective elements of the wire are calculated based on conditions that specify a particular element or a relationship between elements. The prescribed coordinates for the wire connector are three-dimensional coordinates of the wire path inserted into the interior of the protective device. The coordinates are therefore given assuming the path followed by an operator to install the wire in the protective device.The conditions that specify a particular element or a relationship between elements refer to physical phenomena that are formulated as fundamental equations that the respective elements of the modeled wiring harness follow, such as the influence of gravity on the individual elements, the influence of load on the individual elements, the influence of an elastic force that arises alternately between neighboring elements, and a boundary condition.

[0010] The virtual wiring harness is modeled on a computer so that the shape of the modeled wiring harness can be visually confirmed and thus evaluated as to whether the shape of the protective devices is suitable for accommodating the wiring harness in their interior.

[0011] Specifically, an analyst visually confirms the image of the wire harness generated by the simulation to evaluate whether the wire protrudes from the interior of the protective device. However, in this evaluation method, the determination is performed visually by an analyst (a human), and thus, the determination should be performed in a time-consuming analysis process by an experienced analyst.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and an object is to provide an analysis apparatus and a program capable of objectively evaluating whether a protector for externally protecting a wire harness has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in an internal space of the protector without the wire harness protruding from the internal space. Technical solution

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the analysis apparatus according to claim 1 and the program according to claim 7 are provided. The disclosure includes the following (1) to (7): (1) An analysis device for evaluating whether a cover for covering an opening of a protector main body can be attached to the protector main body when a wire harness is contained therein through the opening, the analysis device comprising: a storage unit configured to store a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the wire harness, a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the protector main body, and a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the cover in a modeled wire harness with respect to each of the elements; a recording unit configured to record a program for expressing an analysis order based on the conditions for specifying a particular element or a relationship between elements; an arithmetic processing unit that determines whether the protector main body and the cover are in contact with each other by referring to the physical value of the individual elements stored in the storage unit and the program recorded in the recording unit, by reproducing a state in which the wire harness is contained in the protector main body and the opening of the protector main body is covered by the cover; and a display control section that reproduces, in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional visual space, a structure and a shape of a state in which the wire harness is included in the protector main body as visual information, displays the visual information on a prescribed screen, and reflects a result of a determination by the arithmetic processing unit in a display content of the visual information. (2) The analysis device according to (1) above, wherein the display control section displays the result of the determination by the arithmetic processing unit in at least one display color with respect to a portion of the visual information corresponding to the lid. (3) The analysis device according to (1) above, wherein the display control section displays the portion of the visual information corresponding to the cover with a transparent attribute to create a state in which the wire harness included in the protection main body is seen from the outside through the cover. (4) The analysis device according to item (1) above, wherein the arithmetic processing unit determines whether the wire harness protrudes from the protective main body with respect to individual small areas of the cover, and wherein the display control section displays, with respect to the portion of the visual information corresponding to the lid, a first small region in which the wire harness protrudes clearly distinguishably from a second small region different from the first small region, and creates, with respect to one of the first small region and the second small region, the state in which the wire harness included in the protector main body is visible from the outside through the lid. (5) The analysis device according to (1) above, wherein the display control section accepts an input of a display mode switching command and reflects the result of the determination by the arithmetic processing unit in the form of display of the visual information in a different state depending on the display mode selected according to the display mode switching command. (6) The analysis device according to (1) above, wherein the arithmetic processing unit reproduces the state in which the wire harness is contained in the protector main body based on a physical phenomenon followed by the individual elements of the modeled wire harness, and the opening of the protector main body is covered by the cover by means of an external force acting on the cover toward the protector main body.

[0014] The analysis device according to the above item (1) can objectively evaluate, depending on a difference in a display content of the visual information, whether a protector for externally protecting a wire harness has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in an interior space of the protector without the wire harness protruding from the interior space.

[0015] The analyzing device according to the above item (2) can evaluate, depending on a difference in a display shape of a portion of the visual information corresponding to the cover, whether the protector has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in the interior space without the wire harness protruding from the interior space.

[0016] According to the analysis device configured as in item (3) above, the wire harness contained in the protective main body can be viewed through the cover. Consequently, the shape of the wire harness and its spatial relationship to the protective main body can be detected based on the visual information.

[0017] The analysis device configured according to item (4) above can distinguish, based on the visual information, a portion where the wire harness protrudes beyond the cover from a portion where it does not protrude. Consequently, the visual information can be effectively used to investigate a cause of the protrusion.

[0018] The analyzer configured according to item (5) above can display the visual information in a display format that can be selectively switched between different formats. Therefore, the information can be optimally displayed when only the presence of the protrusion is to be indicated or when the cause of the protrusion is to be determined.

[0019] With the analysis device configured according to the above item (6), an operation of closing the protective main body with the cover by an operator can be reproduced. (7) A program that causes a computer to function as the storage unit, the recording unit, the arithmetic processing unit, and the display control section according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

[0020] According to the program configured in the above item (7), it can be objectively evaluated, depending on a difference in a display content of the visual information, whether a protector for externally protecting a wire harness has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in an internal space of the protector without the wire harness protruding from the internal space. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0021] The analysis device and the program of the present invention can objectively evaluate, depending on a difference in a display content of the visual information, whether a protector for externally protecting a wire harness has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in an interior of the protector without the wire harness protruding from the interior. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view of a protective main body of a wire harness applied to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1(b) is a front view of the protector main body applied to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of a cover of a wire harness applied to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2(b) is a front view of the lid applied to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a wire harness protecting device applied to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a front view of a protecting main body of the wire harness applied to the first embodiment of the present invention in a state where a wire harness is contained in the protecting main body. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line VV of Fig. 4 in the state where the wire harness is contained in the protective main body. Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view of a cover of a wire harness applied to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6(b) is a front view of the lid applied to the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a wire harness protector applied to the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of an analysis apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the operations in the processing performed in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary arrangement achieved when the respective portions of a wire harness are arranged in a protector main body. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a state achieved by removing the respective sections of the wire harness from the state of Fig. 10 are pushed further so that they are contained in the protective main body. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a specific example (1) of visual information displayed on a screen regarding a protective device including a wire harness. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a specific example (2) of the visual information displayed on the screen regarding the protector including the wire harness. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a specific example (3) of the visual information displayed on the screen regarding the protective device including the wire harness. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a specific example (4) of the visual information displayed on the screen regarding the protective device including the wire harness. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a specific example (5) of the visual information displayed on the screen regarding the protective device including the wire harness. Description of the embodiments

[0022] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First embodiment]

[0023] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. [Algorithm for constructing an image of the shape of a wiring harness (Bes11)]

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, a virtual wire harness is modeled on a computer using a finite element method, and the modeled wire harness is reproduced in a state where its shape can be visually confirmed, allowing evaluation of whether the shape of a protective device is suitable for accommodating the wire harness in its interior. Furthermore, visual information representing an evaluation result is displayed on the screen of a display. The embodiment of the present invention will be described assuming that the finite element method is used as a numerical analysis method, but the algorithm for constructing an image of the shape of a wire harness used in the present invention is not limited to the finite element method. [Structure of the wiring harness (Bes12)]

[0025] The following describes a structure of a virtual wiring harness modeled using the finite element method. Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view of a protective main body of a wire harness applied to the embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1(b) is a front view of the protector main body applied to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of a cover of the wire harness applied to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2(b) is a front view of the lid applied to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a wire harness protector applied to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a front view of the protecting main body of the wire harness applied to the first embodiment of the present invention in a state where a wire harness is included in the protecting main body.

[0026] A wire harness whose shape is to be specified by an analysis apparatus and a program according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a protector 1 and a wire harness 9. The protector 1 includes a protector main body 2 having an opening for inserting the wire harness 9 and a hollow interior, and a lid 3 for closing the opening.

[0027] The wire harness 9 is constructed by bundling a plurality of sub-wire harnesses obtained by bundling a wire rod (such as an electric wire) or a small number of wire rods. The protector 1 is attached to a prescribed attachment portion in a vehicle such as an automobile or the like for use. The protector 1 contains the wire harness 9 inside to protect the wire harness 9. Fig. 4 shows a state in which the wire harness 9 is contained in the protector 1. The cover 3 contained in the protector 1 closes the opening of the protector main body 2, as shown in Fig. 3 after the wiring harness 9 has been arranged in the protective main body 2.

[0028] The protective main body 2 is a synthetic resin member as shown in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b), has a bottom wall 4 in the form of a plate and two side walls 5 and 6, each in the form of a plate, which rise from the bottom wall 4 and extend vertically to the bottom wall 4, and has a tub-shaped overall shape. The direction of the side walls 5 and 6 extending from the bottom wall 4 is referred to as the upward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the downward direction. The tub-shaped protector main body 2 is open at the top. In other words, the protector main body 2 is open at its upper side. The protector main body 2 contains the wire harness 9 in a receiving space formed on its inside. Furthermore, the protector main body 2 is open at four openings. The wire harness 9 is led out through these openings, as shown in Fig. 4. In addition, the upper ends of the side walls 5 and 6 are provided with fastening openings 5a and 6a, which serve as fastening sections.

[0029] The cover 3 is a member made of synthetic resin and is in the form of a plate, as shown in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b). In addition, the cover 3 is provided with fastening lugs 3a serving as fastening portions. The fastening lugs 3a each engage with a corresponding fastening hole 5a and 6a formed on the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2. The cover 3 covers the opening on the top of the protector main body 2 and is fixed to the protector main body 2 by the fastening lugs 3a engaging with the opposing fastening holes 5a and 6a. Covering the opening on the top of the protector main body 2 with the cover 3 is intended to close it, and a state in which the opening is not covered is regarded as an open state. [Modeling the wiring harness (Bes13)]

[0030] The structure of the virtual wiring harness, described in [Wiring Harness Structure (Bes12)], is modeled in such a way that the numerical analysis can be performed using the finite element method. The dimensions of the protective device 1 and the wiring harness 9 are specified as constraints, allowing the structure of the individual components to be divided using elements (meshes).

[0031] In addition, each element of each component is assigned a property value. The property value corresponds to a parameter to be substituted in a fundamental equation obtained by formulating a physical phenomenon that the element must follow when reproducing the shape of the wire harness through numerical analysis. In the protector 1, the protector main body 2 and the cover 3 are each assigned a specific property value. In the wire harness 9, an inner conductor, a sheath, and an outer conductor are each assigned a specific property value. [Calculation of the shape of the wiring harness containing a wiring harness in a protective device (Bes14)]

[0032] After the wire harness is modeled as described above, the wire harness, in which the structure of each component is divided using elements and a property value is assigned to each element of the component, is used to determine the shape of the wire harness by numerical analysis, with the wire harness included in the protective device. An algorithm for performing numerical analysis of the shape of the wire harness by the finite element method is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-205401. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the present invention, this type of algorithm is mainly used to calculate the shape of the wire harness.

[0033] To specify the shape of the wire harness using the algorithm described above, it is necessary to reproduce a situation where the wire harness is contained within the protective device and calculate the shape of the wire harness in this situation. To reproduce such a situation, the following external conditions are added to the wire harness, and the shape of the wire harness is successively calculated through numerical analysis according to the algorithm described above so that the conditions are met.

[0034] The wire harness constitutes, in a state where the wire harness 9 is not arranged in the protector main body 2 and the cover 3 is not fixed to the protector main body 2, as shown in Fig. 3, represents an initial situation for the shape of the wiring harness. More specifically, initial coordinates are assigned to the protective main body 2 and the cover 3, respectively.

[0035] To this initial situation, external conditions for moving a specific sub-harness included in the wire harness 9 in the direction of prescribed coordinates, that is, from the opening of the protective main body 2 toward the center of the side walls 5 and 6, are added, and the shape of the wire harness is calculated step by step so that these conditions are satisfied. Then, external conditions for moving another sub-harness included in the wire harness 9 in the direction of prescribed coordinates are added, and the shape of the wire harness is calculated step by step so that the conditions are satisfied. This addition of external conditions and the calculation of the shape of the wire harness are performed for all the sub-harnesses included in the wire harness 9.The external conditions correspond to a formulation of an operation performed by an operator to arrange the wire harness in the protective device during the actual production process of the wire harness. Therefore, the order of movement of the sub-wire harnesses in the direction of the prescribed coordinates corresponds to the order of the actual arrangement of the sub-wire harnesses in the protective device.

[0036] A specific example is in Fig. 10 shown. Fig. Fig. 10 shows an exemplary arrangement achieved when the respective sections of a wire harness are arranged in a protective main body. Specifically, in the exemplary situation of Fig. 10, assume that the wire harness 9 includes a plurality of sub-wire harnesses 9a, 9b, 9c, etc., and a state in which the sub-wire harnesses 9a, 9b, 9c, etc. are successively moved downward is reproduced by numerical calculation. As a result of the movement, the sub-wire harnesses 9a, 9b, 9c, etc. are stacked one on top of the other in order.

[0037] When guiding the movement of a sub-harness toward the specified coordinates, the influence of gravity on each element, the influence of load on each element, the influence of elastic force mutually generated between adjacent elements, and the like are reflected in the shape of the wire harness by the algorithm described above. When a specific sub-harness reaches the specified coordinates and a convergence condition of a calculation operation in the algorithm described above is satisfied, the movement of the sub-harness is considered completed. Subsequently, the next sub-harness is moved to the specified coordinates, and this process is repeated until the movement of the last of the sub-harnesses included in the wire harness is completed. In this way, the wiring harness arrangement process performed by an operator is reproduced. Fig. 4 shows a state in which the wire harness has been arranged in the protective device.

[0038] In addition, at one end of the wire harness 9, the shapes of the bundled small sub-wire harnesses are interrupted, and as in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the entirety of the many sub-cable harnesses 9a, 9b, 9c together forms a large sub-cable harness. Fig. 11 shows a state that is achieved by removing the respective sections of the wiring harness from the state of Fig. 10 are pushed further so that they are contained in the protective main body.

[0039] After completing the movement of all sub-harnesses, the external conditions for moving the cover in the direction of the prescribed coordinates are added, and the shape of the wire harness is calculated step by step to meet the conditions. These external conditions correspond to a formulation of an operation for closing the protective main body with the cover, which is performed by an operator during the actual production process of the wire harness. Therefore, the prescribed coordinates for moving the cover 3 correspond to the coordinates at which the respective fastening lugs 3a are engaged with the corresponding fastening holes 5a and 5b.

[0040] When guiding the movement of the cover 3 in the direction of the prescribed coordinates, the influence of gravity on the individual elements, the influence of load on the individual elements, the influence of the elastic force mutually generated between adjacent elements, and the like are represented in the form of the wire harness by the algorithm described above. Furthermore, in order to reproduce a situation in which an operator presses the cover to engage the fastening lugs 3a into the corresponding fastening holes 5a and 6a, a prescribed external force is applied downward to the top of the cover 3.When the cover 3 reaches the prescribed coordinates and a convergence condition of a calculation operation in the algorithm described above is satisfied, the movement of the cover 3 is considered to be completed, that is, the operation of closing the shield main body with the cover performed by the operator is completed. Thus, the operation performed by the operator to close the shield main body with the cover is reproduced. [Determination of the wiring harness recording condition (Bes15)]

[0041] After completion of the movement of the cover 3 as described in the item [Calculation of the shape of the wire harness containing a wire harness in a protective device (Bes14)], a receiving state of the wire harness 9 is then determined. In particular, in a situation as in Fig. 5, evaluates whether the protector 1 that protects the wire harness 9 to the outside has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness 9 in an internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3 without the wire harness 9 protruding from the internal space. Fig. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the wire harness is contained in the protective main body, in a cross section taken along the line VV of Fig. 4, and also shows in cross section the fastening opening 5a and the fastening lug 3a after completion of the movement of the cover 3.

[0042] In the first embodiment of the present invention, to determine the receiving state of the wire harness 9, it is determined whether the upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 are in contact with the underside of the cover 3 after the movement of the cover 3 is completed. As shown in Fig. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether a pair of elements exerting mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions exist in elements arranged on the upper end surface of the side wall 5 of the protector main body 2 and elements positioned on the underside of the cover 3. Similarly, it is determined whether a pair of elements exerting mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions exist in elements arranged on the upper end surface of the side wall 6 of the protector main body 2 and elements positioned on the underside of the cover 3. If such a pair of elements exists in each of the side walls 5 and 6, it is assumed that the opening of the protector main body 2 is covered by the cover 3 and that the wire harness 9 does not protrude from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3.In this way, it is determined that the protector 1 with the protector main body 2 and the cover 3 has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness 9 in its interior.

[0043] On the other hand, if the above-described pair of elements is not present in one or both of the side walls 5 and 6, the wiring harness 9 is considered to protrude from the internal space formed by the protective main body 2 and the cover 3.

[0044] The method for determining the receiving state of the wire harness 9 depending on whether the upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protective main body 2 are in contact with the underside of the cover 3 has been described above. Instead of this method, the following method may be used. As in Fig. 5, it is determined whether the fastening holes 5a and 6a of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protective main body 2 are in contact with the fastening lugs 3a of the cover 3. As shown in Fig. 5, it is determined whether a pair of elements exerting mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions are present in elements arranged on inner surfaces of the attachment holes 5a of the side wall 5 of the protector main body 2 and elements arranged on outer surfaces of the attachment lugs 3a of the cover 3. Similarly, it is determined whether a pair of elements exerting mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions are present in elements arranged on inner surfaces of the attachment holes 6a of the side wall 6 of the protector main body 2 and elements arranged on outer surfaces of the attachment lugs 3a of the cover 3.When such a pair of elements is provided in each of the side walls 5 and 6, it is assumed that the opening of the protector main body 2 is covered by the cover 3 and that the wire harness 9 does not protrude from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3.

[0045] Alternatively, but not according to the invention, the following method may be performed as a method for determining whether the attachment holes 5a and 6a of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protective main body 2 are in contact with the attachment lugs 3a of the cover 3. Specifically, it is determined whether a part of a attachment lug 3a or an entire attachment lug 3a is disposed in the corresponding attachment hole 5a of the side wall 5. Accordingly, it is determined whether a part of a attachment lug 3a or an entire attachment lug 3a is disposed in the corresponding attachment hole 6a of the side wall 6.

[0046] When the attachment holes 5a and 6a and the attachment protrusions 3a are provided in each of the side walls 5 and 6 in such a state, it is assumed that the opening of the protector main body 2 is covered by the cover 3 and that the wire harness 9 does not protrude from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3. [Display processing of visual information (Bes16)]

[0047] After completing the above-described processing step [determination of the wire harness insertion state (Bes15)], visual information corresponding to the shape of the protector 1 and the wire harness 9 obtained as a result of the numerical processing is displayed on the display screen as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image. Furthermore, the result of the determination (Bes15), namely whether the wire harness 9 protrudes from the internal space 5 formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3, is reflected in a content of the displayed visual information.

[0048] Like a picture that, for example, is in a Fig. 12 to 16, the visual information (image) is displayed according to the shape of the protective device 1 and the wire harness 9. In addition, the difference in the display shape of the cover 3 in these images represents the result of the determination (Des15) regarding the existence of the protrusion of the wire harness 9. The difference in the display shape of the cover 3 typically consists, for example, in a different display color or a difference in a transparency attribute used in the display. The content of Fig. 12 to 16 will be described later.

[0049] As described so far, in the first embodiment of the present invention, depending on a difference in the displayed visual information, it can be objectively evaluated whether a protector for externally protecting a wire harness has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in an internal space of the protector without the wire harness protruding from the internal space. Thus, the burden on the analyst can be reduced compared to the conventional evaluation method in which an analyst (a human) must determine this visually.

[0050] In addition, a part where the wires or sub-harnesses in the wire harness 9 cross each other has a complicated shape, and it is difficult to correctly evaluate the existence of the protrusion of the wire harness 9 in such a part. However, in the present embodiment, a plurality of sub-harnesses are sequentially shifted and connected as shown in Fig. 10 stacked on top of each other, and a correct cross-sectional shape, as in Fig. 11, is calculated by numerical analysis, and the determination (Bes15) is then carried out on the basis of the result thus obtained and can therefore be carried out with high accuracy. [Second embodiment]

[0051] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0052] In the section [First Embodiment], the method for determining the accommodation state of the wire harness 9 depending on whether the upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 are in contact with the underside of the lid 3 was described with reference to Fig. 5. Furthermore, the method for determining whether the attachment holes 5a and 6a of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 are in contact with the attachment protrusions 3a of the cover 3 has been described. The following method achieved by applying these methods is also effective.

[0053] When the entire upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 are in contact with the underside of the cover, it is assumed that the opening of the protector main body 2 is covered by the cover 3 and that the wire harness 9 does not protrude from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3. On the other hand, when part of the upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 are not in contact with the underside of the cover, it is assumed that the wire harness 9 protrudes from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3.

[0054] Alternatively, if all of the fastening protrusions 3a on the cover 3 are in contact with the fastening openings 5a and 6a of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 at the positions corresponding to the fastening protrusions 3a, it is assumed that the opening of the protector main body 2 is covered by the cover 3 and that the wire harness 9 does not protrude from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3. Alternatively, if one of the fastening protrusions 3 on the cover 3 is not in contact with any of the fastening openings 5a and 6a of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 at the position corresponding to the fastening protrusion 3a, it is assumed that the wire harness 9 protrudes from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3.

[0055] When these procedures are used, a more rigorous evaluation can be made in objectively evaluating whether the protective device has a shape capable of accommodating the wiring harness within its interior. [Third embodiment]

[0056] A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0057] When objectively evaluating whether a particular protector has a shape capable of accommodating a wire harness in its interior, if it is evaluated that the protector does not have a shape capable of accommodating it, it is also crucial to specify which part of the protector has this problem. With this in mind, the third embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view of a cover of a wire harness applied to the third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6(b) is a front view of the lid applied to the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a wire harness protector applied to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Algorithm for constructing an image of the shape of the wiring harness]

[0058] This description is omitted because the algorithm is the same as the one already described under the item [First Embodiment] (Bes11). [Wiring harness structure]

[0059] This description is omitted because the structure is the same as that already described in the item [First Embodiment] (Bes12). [Modeling the wiring harness (Bes33)]

[0060] The structure of the virtual wiring harness, described under [Wiring Harness Structure], is modeled in such a way that the numerical analysis can be performed using the finite element method. The dimensions of the protective device 1 and the wiring harness 9 are specified as constraints, so that the structure of the individual components is divided using elements (meshes).

[0061] In the third embodiment, the structure of the modeled wire harness differs from that described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Thus, the modeled wire harness in the first embodiment or the second embodiment has a structure in which the cover 3 covers the entire opening of the protector main body 2, whereas the modeled wire harness of the third embodiment has a structure in which the cover 3 is divided into cover sections 31 to 35, shown in Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b), so that the individual cover portions 31 to 35 can cover a part of the opening of the protector main body 2. A fastening projection 3a is formed in the individual cover portions 31 to 35 to engage with the fastening opening 5a or 6a formed in the side wall 5 or 6 of the protector main body 2.

[0062] In addition, each element of each component is assigned a property value. The property value corresponds to a parameter to be substituted in a fundamental equation obtained by formulating a physical phenomenon that the element must follow when reproducing the shape of the wire harness through numerical analysis. In the protector 1, the protector main body 2 and the cover 3 are each assigned a specific property value. In the wire harness 9, an inner conductor, a sheath, and an outer conductor are each assigned a specific property value. [Calculation of the shape of the wiring harness containing a wiring harness in the protective device (Bes34)]

[0063] After the wire harness is modeled as described above, the wire harness, in which the structure of each component is divided using elements and a property value is assigned to each element of the component, is used to determine the shape of the wire harness by numerical analysis, with the wire harness included in the protective device. An algorithm for performing numerical analysis of the shape of the wire harness by the finite element method is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-205401. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the present invention, this type of algorithm is mainly used to calculate the shape of the wire harness.

[0064] To specify the shape of the wire harness using the algorithm described above, it is necessary to reproduce a situation where the wire harness is contained within the protective device and calculate the shape of the wire harness in this situation. To reproduce such a situation, the following external conditions are added to the wire harness, and the shape of the wire harness is successively calculated through numerical analysis according to the algorithm described above so that the conditions are met.

[0065] The wire harness constitutes, in a state where the wire harness 9 is not arranged in the protector main body 2 and the cover portions 31 to 35 are not fixed to the protector main body 2, respectively, as shown in Fig. 7, represents an initial situation for the shape of the wire harness. More specifically, initial coordinates are assigned to the protective main body 2 and the cover sections 31 to 35, respectively.

[0066] To this initial situation, external conditions for moving a specific sub-harness included in the wire harness 9 in the direction of prescribed coordinates, that is, from the opening of the protective main body 2 toward the center of the side walls 5 and 6, are added, and the shape of the wire harness is calculated step by step so that these conditions are satisfied. Then, external conditions for moving another sub-harness included in the wire harness 9 in the direction of prescribed coordinates are added, and the shape of the wire harness is calculated step by step so that the conditions are satisfied. This addition of external conditions and the calculation of the shape of the wire harness are performed for all the sub-harnesses included in the wire harness 9.The external conditions correspond to a formulation of the wiring harness arrangement process in the protective device main body performed by an operator during the actual production process of the wiring harness. Therefore, the order of movement of the sub-wiring harnesses in the direction of the prescribed coordinates corresponds to the order of the actual arrangement of the sub-wiring harnesses in the protective device.

[0067] When guiding the movement of a sub-harness toward the specified coordinates, the influence of gravity on each element, the influence of load on each element, the influence of elastic force mutually generated between adjacent elements, and the like are reflected in the shape of the wire harness by the algorithm described above. When a specific sub-harness reaches the specified coordinates and a convergence condition of a calculation operation in the algorithm described above is satisfied, the movement of the sub-harness is considered completed. Subsequently, the next sub-harness is moved to the specified coordinates, and this process is repeated until the movement of the last of the sub-harnesses included in the wire harness is completed. In this way, the wiring harness arrangement process performed by an operator is reproduced.

[0068] After completing the movement of all sub-wire harnesses, the external conditions for moving each cover section 31 to 35 in the direction of the prescribed coordinates are added, and the shape of the wire harness is calculated step by step so that the conditions are met. These external conditions correspond to a formulation of an operation for closing the protective main body with the cover, which is performed by an operator during the actual production process of the wire harness. Therefore, the prescribed coordinates for moving each cover section 31 to 35 correspond to the coordinates at which the respective fastening lugs 3a are engaged with the corresponding fastening holes 5a and 5b.

[0069] When guiding the movement of each cover section 31 to 35 in the direction of the prescribed coordinates, the influence of gravity on each element, the influence of load on each element, the influence of elastic force mutually generated between adjacent elements, and the like are represented in the form of the wire harness by the algorithm described above. Furthermore, in order to reproduce a situation in which an operator presses the cover to engage the fastening lugs 3a into the corresponding fastening holes 5a and 6a, a prescribed external downward force is applied to the top surface of each cover section 31 to 35.When one of the cover sections 31 to 35 reaches the prescribed coordinates and a convergence condition of a calculation operation in the above-described algorithm is satisfied, the movement of that cover section is considered complete, and another of the cover sections 31 to 35 is moved to the prescribed coordinates. Then, when the movement of all the cover sections 31 to 35 is completed, the operation of closing the shield main body with the cover by the operator is considered complete. Thus, the operation performed by the operator to close the shield main body with the cover is reproduced. [Determination of the wiring harness recording condition (Bes35)]

[0070] After completing the movement of the cover portions 31 to 35 as described in [Calculating the Shape of the Wire Harness Containing a Wire Harness in a Protector (Bes34)], a housing state of the wire harness 9 is then determined. Specifically, it is evaluated whether the protector 1 that externally protects the wire harness 9 has a shape capable of housing the wire harness 9 in an internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover portions 31 to 35 without the wire harness 9 protruding from the internal space.

[0071] In the third embodiment of the present invention, in order to determine the accommodation state of the wire harness 9, it is determined whether the upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 are in contact with the undersides of the lid portions 31 to 35 after the movement of the lid portions 31 to 35 is completed. As in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 5, it is determined whether a pair of elements exerting mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions are present in elements arranged on the upper end surface of the side wall 5 of the protector main body 2 and elements positioned on the undersides of the lid portions 31 to 35. Accordingly, it is determined whether a pair of elements exerting mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions are present in elements arranged on the upper end surface of the side wall 6 of the protector main body 2 and elements positioned on the undersides of the lid portions 31 to 35. If such a pair of elements is present in each of the side walls 5 and 6 with respect to a certain one of the lid portions 31 to 35, it is assumed that a part of the opening of the protector main body 2 is covered by one of the lid portions 31 to 35.Furthermore, when such a pair of elements is provided in both side walls 5 and 6 with respect to all the cover portions 31 to 35, it is assumed that the wire harness 9 does not protrude from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover portions 31 to 35. In this way, it is determined that the protector 1 including the protector main body 2 and the cover 3 has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness 9 in its internal space.

[0072] On the other hand, when the above-described pair of elements is not provided in one or both of the side walls 5 and 6 with respect to a certain one of the cover portions 31 to 35, it is assumed that the wire harness 9 protrudes from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3. Furthermore, a cover portion that does not have the pair of elements is specified to evaluate that the wire harness 9 protrudes from the internal space through a portion located between the cover portion and the protector main body. Thus, a portion where the wire harness 9 protrudes from the protector 1 can be specified.

[0073] The method for determining the receiving state of the wire harness 9 depending on whether the upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 are in contact with the underside of the cover portions 31 to 35 has been described above. Instead of this method, the following method may be employed. As in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 5, it is determined whether the attachment holes 5a and 6a of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 are in contact with the attachment lugs 3a of the lid portions 31 to 35. Specifically, it is determined whether a pair of elements that exert mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions are present in elements arranged on inner surfaces of the attachment holes 5a of the side wall 5 of the protector main body 2 and elements arranged on the outer surfaces of the attachment lugs 3a of the lid portions 31 to 35. Accordingly, it is determined whether a pair of elements that exert mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions are present in elements arranged on inner surfaces of the attachment holes 6a of the side wall 6 of the protector main body 2 and elements arranged on outer surfaces of the attachment lugs 3a of the lid portions 31 to 35.When such a pair of elements is provided in each of the side walls 5 and 6 with respect to all the cover portions 31 to 35, it is assumed that the opening of the protector main body 2 is covered by the cover 3 and that the wire harness 9 does not protrude from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3.

[0074] Alternatively, but not according to the invention, the following method may be performed as a method for determining whether the attachment holes 5a and 6a of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2 are in contact with the attachment lugs 3a of the lid portions 31 to 35. Specifically, it is determined whether a part of a attachment lug 3a or an entire attachment lug 3a is disposed in the corresponding attachment hole 5a of the side wall 5. Accordingly, it is determined whether a part of a attachment lug 3a or an entire attachment lug 3a is disposed in the corresponding attachment hole 6a of the side wall 6.When the attachment holes 5a and 6a and the attachment protrusions 3a are provided in such a state in each of the side walls 5 and 6 with respect to all the cover portions 31 to 35, it is assumed that the opening of the protector main body 2 is covered by the cover 3 and that the wire harness 9 does not protrude from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3. [Display processing of visual information (Bes36)]

[0075] After completing the above-described processing step [determination of the wire harness insertion state (Bes35)], visual information corresponding to the shape of the protector 1 and the wire harness 9 obtained as a result of the numerical processing is displayed on the display screen as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image. Furthermore, the result of the determination (Bes35), namely whether the wire harness 9 protrudes from the internal space 5 formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3, is reflected in the content of the displayed visual information.

[0076] Like a picture that, for example, is in a Fig. 12 to 16, the visual information (image) is displayed according to the shape of the protective device 1 and the wire harness 9. In addition, the difference in the display shape of the cover 3 in these images represents the result of the determination (Bes35) regarding the existence of the protrusion of the wire harness 9. The difference in the display shape of the cover 3 typically consists, for example, in a different display color or a difference in a transparency attribute used in the display. The content of Fig. 12 to 16 will be described later.

[0077] Since the protrusion of the wire harness can be determined in the determination (Bes35) with respect to each region of the cover 3, the protrusion with respect to each region of the cover 3 can be reflected in the display form of the displayed visual information. For example, in an image of the visual information to be displayed, a portion corresponding to a region where the wire harness protrudes beyond the cover 3 (one of the cover sections 31 to 35) is displayed with a display attribute corresponding to the protrusion (for example, a first display color), and a portion corresponding to a region where the wire harness does not protrude is displayed with a display attribute corresponding to the non-protrusion (for example, a second display color).

[0078] As described so far, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to objectively evaluate whether a protector for externally protecting a wire harness has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in an internal space of the protector without the wire harness protruding from the internal space. Thus, the burden on the analyst can be reduced compared to the conventional evaluation method in which an analyst (a human) must visually determine this.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a portion where the wire harness 9 protrudes from the interior of the protector 1 can be specified by specifying one of the cover portions 31 to 35 that is not fixed to the protector main body 2. Thus, evaluation can also be made as to which portion of the protector has a problem.

[0080] The case where the cover 3 is divided so that the protrusion of the wire harness 9 from the internal space can be evaluated with respect to the individual cover portions 31 to 35, as in the third embodiment of the present invention, is also effective in the following points: In the case where the cover 3 covers the entire opening of the protector main body 2, as described in the first or second embodiment, when the wire harness 9 protrudes largely in a certain portion (for example, in a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the protector 1), in some cases, a portion of the lower surface of the cover 3 may not be in contact with the upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2.On the other hand, in the case where the entire opening of the protector main body 2 is covered by the cover portions 31 to 35 as described in the third embodiment, when the wire harness 9 largely protrudes in a certain portion (for example, a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the protector 1), although the lower surface of a certain cover portion does not contact the upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2, the lower surfaces of the other cover portions do contact the upper end surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 of the protector main body 2. Therefore, in the third embodiment, it is possible to specify which portion of the protector has the problem, and conversely, it is also possible to specify which portion has no problem by this method.In the third embodiment, as a result of the evaluation, it can be indicated either which portion of the protection device has a problem or which portion of the protection device has no problem. [Fourth embodiment]

[0081] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0082] When an evaluator objectively evaluates whether a certain protective device has a shape capable of accommodating a wire harness in a vehicle interior, it is extremely crucial to display information useful for the evaluation as visual information on a screen of a display. To further facilitate the evaluator's evaluation process, it is also crucial to selectively switch the display form of the displayed visual information. Moreover, when a part of the wire harness protrudes from the interior of the protective device, it is also important to indicate in detail which part of the protective device has a problem. To this end, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with regard to these points.

[0083] Fig. Figure 9 illustrates the processing operations performed in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Most of the processing from Fig. 9 can be carried out by a computer (for example a processing unit 816 from Fig. 8). Data, such as a model for the computer, can be created in advance and stored in a prescribed storage device.

[0084] In step S11 from Fig. 9, a numerical analysis model is created. Specifically, the processing described above in [Algorithm for Constructing a Wire Harness Shape Image (Bes11)], [Wire Harness Structure (Bes12)], and [Wire Harness Modeling (Bes33)] is performed.

[0085] However, the modeling in the description [Modeling the Wire Harness (Bes33)] is performed assuming that the cover 3 is divided into five cover sections 31 to 35, whereas the modeling is performed assuming that the cover is further divided into smaller regions [Fourth Embodiment]. Except that the divided regions are smaller and the number of divided regions is larger, the modeling is performed as described in (Des33) in [Third Embodiment], so a detailed description is omitted here.

[0086] In step S12 from Fig. 9, the numerical analysis is performed for the state in which the wire harness is contained. Specifically, as described above in [Calculating the Shape of a Wire Harness Containing a Wire Harness in a Protector (Bes34)], the shape of the wire harness in the contained state is calculated. This numerical analysis is similar to the processing described above (Des34), except that the pitch number of the processed model is increased according to the pitch number of the cover 3.

[0087] In step S13 from Fig. 9, the presence of the protrusion of the wire harness and the portion having the protrusion are distinguished. Specifically, in the same way as described in [Determination of the Wire Harness Accommodating State (Bes35)] above, it is evaluated whether the protector 1 that externally protects the wire harness 9 has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness 9 in an internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the respective divided portions of the cover 3 without the wire harness 9 protruding from the internal space. Thus, it is possible to distinguish whether at least a part of the wire harness 9 protrudes, and further, the presence of the protrusion with respect to the divided portions of the cover can be determined, so that the portion having the protrusion can be specified.

[0088] In step S14 from Fig. 9, the computer displays, on the display screen, visual information corresponding to the shape of the wire harness calculated through the numerical analysis performed in the above-described processing, as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image. Furthermore, the result of step S13 described above, namely, whether the wire harness 9 protrudes from the internal space 5 formed by the protective main body 2 and the cover 3, is reflected in the content of the displayed visual information.

[0089] In step S15, the computer determines whether or not a display mode switching command has been issued by monitoring an input operation on a keyboard or the like. If the display mode switching command has been issued, processing proceeds to the next step S16.

[0090] In step S16, the computer switches the display mode according to the input of the display mode switching command from step S15. In the present embodiment, one of three display modes M1, M2, and M3 can be switched. Depending on the current display mode selected in step S16, processing proceeds from the next step S17 to one of steps S18, S19, and S20.

[0091] In step S18, the computer sets the display attribute of the cover 3 to “transparent” for display on the screen.

[0092] In step S19, the computer sets the display attribute of the lid 3 to “protrusion highlighted” for display on the screen.

[0093] In step S20, the computer sets the display attribute of the lid 3 to “non-transparent” for display on the screen.

[0094] In step S21 from Fig. 9, the computer displays, on the display screen, visual information corresponding to the shape of the wire harness calculated by the numerical analysis in the above-described processing, as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image. Furthermore, the result of step S13 described above—that is, whether the wire harness 9 protrudes from the internal space 5 formed by the protective main body 2 and the cover 3—is reflected in the content of the displayed visual information. Furthermore, the display attribute of the cover 3 determined in any one of steps S18, S19, and S20 is reflected in the content of the displayed visual information. [Special examples of visual information to be displayed on the screen]

[0095] Fig. 12 to 16 show specific examples of the visual information about the protective device containing the wire harness to be displayed on the screen. Specifically, in steps S14 and S21, Fig. 9 for example, an image like one of the images from Fig. 12 to 16 as the visual information displayed on the display screen.

[0096] In the display example from Fig. 12, in a virtual three-dimensional space represented by the coordinate axes X, Y, and Z, which are perpendicular to each other, the shape of a wire harness resulting from the numerical analysis is displayed as an image IM1 in a state in which it is projected onto a plane parallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis. Accordingly, in the display examples of Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the shape of the wire harness is shown as images IM2, IM3, IM4, and IM5, respectively. Furthermore, all images IM1, IM2, IM3, IM4, and IM5 correspond to a state in which the wire harness 9 is contained in the protector main body 2, with the opening of the protector main body 5 closed by the cover 3. However, images IM1, IM2, IM3, IM4, and IM5 differ from each other in the display form. It should be noted that the wire harness in Fig. 12 to 16 with regard to the shape of the protective device and the cable routing different from the elements from Fig. 1 to 7. <Beschreibung von IM1>

[0097] The display example from Fig. 12 corresponds to a situation in which a part of the wire harness 9 protrudes beyond the cover 3 when the wire harness 9 is contained in the protective main body 2. In other words, this is a situation in which in step S13 Fig. 9, it is distinguished that a "protrusion" is present, and in which the display attribute of the cover 3 is set to the display color corresponding to the "protrusion" (for example, yellow). Furthermore, the display mode M1 and, in step S18, "transparent" are selected as the display attribute of the cover 3.

[0098] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the image IM1 displayed here includes a plurality of visual information areas IM1a, IM1b, and IM1c. The visual information area IM1a corresponds to the shape of the protective main body 2, the visual information area IM1b corresponds to the shape of the wiring harness 9, and the visual information area IM1c corresponds to the shape of the cover 3.

[0099] In picture IM1 from Fig. 12, the wire harness 9 is covered by the cover 3 and is therefore not actually visible. However, since the display attribute "transparent" is selected for the cover, the visual information area IM1c corresponding to the cover 3 is displayed on the screen in a semi-transparent state, so that the wire harness 9 covered thereunder appears as the visual information area IM1b through the visual information area IM1c on the screen.

[0100] Consequently, an evaluator who visually perceives the image IM1 displayed on the screen of the display can visually recognize the respective shapes of the protective main body 2, the wire harness 9 and the cover 3 and, furthermore, a difference in the display color of the visual information area IM1c in which the wire harness protrudes.

[0101] The display attributes "transparent" and "non-transparent" can be realized, for example, by adjusting the display density of a large number of pixels included in each region of an image to be displayed. For example, when imaging a part corresponding to the visual information area IM1c, the cover 3 is displayed using one pixel for every two adjacent pixels. Furthermore, processing is performed so that the wire harness 9 arranged underneath can be displayed using pixels that are not used to display the cover 3, so that when the visual information area IM1c is set to a light transmittance of 50%, that is, semi-transparent, the covered wire harness 9 underneath can be displayed simultaneously. <Beschreibung von IM2>

[0102] The display example from Fig. 13 corresponds to a situation in which a part of the wire harness 9 protrudes beyond the cover 3 when the wire harness 9 is contained in the protective main body 2. In other words, this is a situation in which in step S13 Fig. 9, it is distinguished that a "protrusion" is present, and in which the display attribute of the cover 3 is thus set to the display color corresponding to the "protrusion" (for example, yellow). Furthermore, the display mode M3 and, in step S20, "non-transparent" are selected as the display attribute of the cover 3.

[0103] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 13, the image IM2 displayed here includes a plurality of visual information areas IM2a, IM2b, and IM2c. The visual information area IM2a corresponds to the shape of the protective main body 2, the visual information area IM2b corresponds to the shape of the wiring harness 9, and the visual information area IM2c corresponds to the shape of the cover 3.

[0104] In picture IM2 from Fig. 13, most of the wire harness 9 is contained within the interior of the protective device 1, is covered by the cover 3, and is therefore not visible. Consequently, only the end portions located outside the protective device 1 are displayed as the visual information area IM2b corresponding to the wire harness 9. However, since the display attribute "non-transparent" has been set for the cover, the visual information area IM2c corresponding to the cover 3 is displayed on the screen in a non-transparent state, so that the wire harness 9 covered thereunder cannot be seen in the visual information area IM2c.

[0105] Consequently, an evaluator who visually perceives the image IM2 displayed on the screen of the display can visually recognize the respective shapes of the protective main body 2, the wire harness 9 and the cover 3 and, furthermore, a difference in the display color of the visual information area IM2c in which the wire harness protrudes. <Beschreibung von IM3>

[0106] The display example from Fig. 14 corresponds to a situation where a part of the wire harness 9 protrudes from the cover 3 when the wire harness 9 is contained in the protector main body 2. Furthermore, the display mode M2 is selected, and in step S19, "protrusion highlighted" is selected as the display attribute of the cover 3.

[0107] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 14, the image IM3 displayed here includes a plurality of visual information areas IM3a, IM3b, and IM3c. The visual information area IM3a corresponds to the shape of the protective main body 2, the visual information area IM3b corresponds to the shape of the wiring harness 9, and the visual information area IM3c corresponds to the shape of the cover 3.

[0108] In picture IM3 from Fig. 14, the majority of the wiring harness 9 is contained within the interior of the protective device 1, is covered by the cover 3, and is therefore not actually visible except for the end sections. However, since the display attribute of the cover 3 is set to "Protrusion Highlighted," a section that is not actually visible is partially displayed.

[0109] In particular, since the presence of the projection with respect to individual small areas of the lid 3 as a result of the discrimination of the part with the projection, which in step S13 Fig. 9, a region of the cover 3 corresponding to a portion where the wire harness protrudes and a region of the cover 3 corresponding to a portion where the wire harness does not protrude are each subjected to different display processing.

[0110] In other words, the shape of the cover in the area where the wire harness does not protrude is depicted as the visual information area IM3c, whereas in the area where the wire harness protrudes, the visual information area IM3c is not depicted. Furthermore, in the portion where the visual information area IM3c is not depicted, the wire harness 9 is depicted in a covered position underneath as the visual information area IM3b. The presence of the protrusion of the wire harness 9 can be represented as a difference in the display color of the visual information area IM3c.

[0111] Consequently, an evaluator who visually perceives the image IM3 displayed on the screen of the display can visually recognize the respective shapes of the protector main body 2, the wire harness 9, and the cover 3. In addition, when the wire harness protrudes, he / she can further recognize a portion having the protrusion based on the outline shapes of the visual information areas IM3b and IM3c, and can also recognize the shape of the wire harness 9 in the portion having the protrusion. <Beschreibung von IM4>

[0112] The display example from Fig. 15 illustrates a situation in which the entire wire harness 9 is contained in the protective main body 2 without projecting beyond the cover 3. In other words, this is a situation in which, in step S13, Fig. 9, it is distinguished that "no protrusion" is present, and in which the display attribute of the cover 3 is thus set to the display color corresponding to "no protrusion" (for example, blue). Furthermore, the display mode M3 and, in step S20, "non-transparent" are selected as the display attribute of the cover 3.

[0113] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the image IM4 displayed here includes a plurality of visual information areas IM4a, IM4b, and IM4c. The visual information area IM4a corresponds to the shape of the protective main body 2, the visual information area IM4b corresponds to the shape of the wiring harness 9, and the visual information area IM4c corresponds to the shape of the cover 3.

[0114] In picture IM4 from Fig. 15, most of the wire harness 9 is contained within the interior of the protective device 1, is covered by the cover 3, and is therefore not visible. Consequently, only the end portions located outside the protective device 1 are displayed as the visual information area IM4b corresponding to the wire harness 9. However, since the display attribute is set to "non-transparent" for the cover, the visual information area IM4c corresponding to the cover 3 is displayed on the screen in a non-transparent state, so that the wire harness 9 covered thereunder cannot be seen in the visual information area IM4c.

[0115] Consequently, an evaluator who visually perceives the image IM4 displayed on the screen of the display can visually recognize the respective shapes of the protective main body 2, the wire harness 9 and the cover 3 and, furthermore, as a difference in the display color of the visual information area IM4c, that the wire harness does not protrude. <Beschreibung von IM5>

[0116] The display example from Fig. 16 illustrates a situation in which the entire wire harness 9 (except for its ends) is correctly contained in the protective main body 2 without projecting beyond the cover 3. In other words, this is a situation in which, in step S13, Fig. 9, it is distinguished that "no protrusion" is present, and in which the display attribute of the lid 3 is thus set to the display color corresponding to "no protrusion" (for example, blue). Furthermore, the display mode M1 and, in step S18, "transparent" are selected as the display attribute of the lid 3.

[0117] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 16, the image IM5 displayed here includes a plurality of visual information areas IM5a, IM5b, and IM5c. The visual information area IM5a corresponds to the shape of the protective main body 2, the visual information area IM5b corresponds to the shape of the wiring harness 9, and the visual information area IM5c corresponds to the shape of the cover 3.

[0118] In picture IM5 from Fig. 16, the wire harness 9 is arranged in the protective main body 2, covered by the cover 3, and therefore actually visible. However, since the display attribute of the cover is set to "transparent," the visual information area IM5c corresponding to the cover 3 is displayed on the screen in a semi-transparent state, so that the wire harness 9 covered thereunder appears as the visual information area IM5b through the visual information area IM5c on the screen.

[0119] Consequently, an evaluator who visually perceives the image IM5 displayed on the screen of the display can visually recognize the respective shapes of the protective main body 2, the wire harness 9 and the cover 3 and, furthermore, as a difference in the display color of the visual information area IM5c, that the wire harness does not protrude. [Hardware configuration]

[0120] Fig. Figure 8 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of an analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The analysis device of the embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit 811, a database unit 812, a program recording unit 813, a data storage unit 814, a display unit 815, and a processing unit 816.For example, when the analysis apparatus of the present invention is configured using a general-purpose PC, the input unit 811 is realized by a plurality of input interfaces such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a numeric keypad, the database unit 812 and the program recording unit 813 are composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), the data storage unit 818 is realized by a random access memory (RAM), the display unit 815 is realized by various output devices such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, and the processing unit 816 is composed of a central processing unit (CPU).

[0121] The database unit 812 stores information about the shapes and physical values of the protective device 1 and the wire harness 9 for use in modeling a wire harness. Furthermore, the program recording unit 813 stores a program encoding the above-described algorithm [algorithm for constructing an image of the wire harness shape], as well as programs corresponding to the processing for [calculating the shape of the wire harness containing a wire harness in the protective device], [determining the wire harness receiving state], and [displaying visual information]. Furthermore, the data storage unit 814 stores data input to / output from the processing unit 816 while performing the arithmetic operations described in [calculating the shape of the wire harness containing a wire harness in a protective device].

[0122] When the processing unit 816 executes the program corresponding to the above-described [display processing of visual information], the function of a display control section 816a is realized. The display control section 816a executes the processing corresponding to steps S14 and S21. Fig. 9, so that an image like the one from Fig. 12 to 16 can be displayed on the screen of the display unit 815 as visual information.

[0123] The features of the embodiments of the analysis device and the program of the present invention described so far are summarized in the following points [1] to [7]: [1] An analysis device for evaluating whether a cover (3) for covering an opening of a protector main body (2) can be attached to the protector main body (2) when a wire harness (9) is contained therein through the opening, the analysis device comprising: a storage unit (a database unit 812) configured to store a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the wire harness (9), a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the protection main body (2), and storing a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the cover (3) in a modeled wiring harness with respect to the individual elements; a recording unit (a program recording unit 813) configured to record a program for expressing an analysis order based on the conditions for specifying a particular element or a relationship between elements; an arithmetic processing unit (a processing unit 816) that determines whether the protector main body (2) and the cover (3) are in contact with each other by referring to the physical value of the individual elements stored in the storage unit (the database unit 812) and the program recorded in the recording unit (the program recording unit 813) by reproducing a state in which the wire harness (9) is contained in the protector main body (2) and the opening of the protector main body (2) is covered by the cover (3); and a display control section (816a) that reproduces, in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional visual space, a structure and a shape as visual information of a state in which the wire harness (9) is included in the protector main body (2), displays the visual information on a prescribed screen, and reflects a result of a determination by the arithmetic processing unit (the processing unit 816) in a display content of the visual information. [2] The analysis device according to item [1] above, wherein the display control section (816a) displays the result of the determination by the arithmetic processing unit (the processing unit 816) in a display form with at least one display color with respect to a portion of the visual information corresponding to the lid (3). [3] The analysis device according to item [1] above, wherein the display control section (816a) displays the portion of the visual information corresponding to the cover (3) with a transparent attribute to create a state in which the wire harness (9) included in the protection main body (2) is seen from the outside through the cover (3). [4] The analysis device according to item [1] above, wherein the arithmetic processing unit (processing unit 816) determines whether the wire harness (9) protrudes from the protector main body (2) with respect to individual small regions of the cover (3), and wherein the display control section (816a) displays, with respect to the portion of the visual information corresponding to the cover (3), a first small region in which the wire harness (9) protrudes clearly distinguishably from a second small region different from the first small region, and creates, with respect to one of the first small region and the second small region, the state in which the wire harness (9) contained in the protector main body (2) is visible from the outside through the cover (3). [5] The analysis device according to item [1] above, wherein the display control section (816a) accepts an input of a display mode switching command and reflects the result of the determination by the arithmetic processing unit (the processing unit 816) in the form of displaying the visual information in a different state depending on the display mode selected according to the display mode switching command. [6] The analysis device according to item [1] above, wherein the arithmetic processing unit (the processing unit 816) reproduces the state in which the wire harness (9) is contained in the protector main body (2) based on a physical phenomenon followed by the individual elements of the modeled wire harness, and the opening of the protector main body (2) is covered by the cover (3) by means of an external force acting on the cover (3) toward the protector main body (2). [7] A program that causes a computer to function as the storage unit (the database unit 812), the recording unit (the program recording unit 813), the arithmetic processing unit (the processing unit 816), and the display control section (816a) according to any one of the above items [1] to [6].

[0124] While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0125] This application is based on Japanese patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-178074) filed on August 29, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Commercial applicability

[0126] The present invention provides the effect of objectively evaluating whether a protector for externally protecting a wire harness has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in an interior of the protector without the wire harness protruding from the interior. The present invention having this effect is applicable to an analysis device that generates an image of a wire harness shape through arithmetic processing, and a program executed by the analysis device. List of reference symbols 1 protective device 2 protective main bodies 3 lids 3a Mounting lug 4 floor wall 5, 6 side wall 5a, 6a Mounting opening 9 Wiring harness 811 input unit 812 database unit 813 Program recording unit 814 Data storage unit 815 display unit 816 processing unit 816a Display control section IM1, IM2, IM3, IM4, IM5 Image

Claims

[1] An analysis device configured to evaluate whether a lid (3) for covering an opening of a protector main body (2) is attachable to the protector main body (2) when a wire harness (9) is contained therein through the opening, the analysis device comprising: a storage unit (812) configured to store a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the wire harness (9), a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the protector main body (2), and a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the cover (3) in a modeled wire harness with respect to each of the elements; a recording unit (813) configured to record a program for expressing an analysis order based on the conditions for specifying a particular element or a relationship between elements; an arithmetic processing unit (816) which, by referring to the physical value of the individual elements stored in the storage unit (812) and the program recorded in the recording unit (813) determines whether the protector main body (2) and the cover (3) are in contact with each other by reproducing a state in which the wire harness (9) is contained in the protector main body (2) and the opening of the protector main body (2) is covered by the cover (3); and a display control section (816a) that reproduces, in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual space, a structure and a shape as visual information of a state in which the wire harness (9) is contained in the protective main body (2), displays the visual information on a prescribed screen, and reflects a result of a determination by the arithmetic processing unit (816) in a display content of the visual information, wherein wherein the arithmetic processing unit (816) determines whether the protector main body (2) and the cover (3) are in contact with each other by determining whether a pair of members respectively arranged on the protector main body (2) and the cover (3) exert mutual loads of the same magnitude but in opposite directions. [2] The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the display control section (816a) displays the result of the determination by the arithmetic processing unit (816) in a display form with at least one display color with respect to a portion of the visual information corresponding to the lid (3). [3] The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the display control section (816a) displays the portion of the visual information corresponding to the lid (3) with a transparent attribute to create a state in which the wire harness (9) included in the protection main body (2) is seen from the outside through the lid (3). [4] The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic processing unit (816) determines whether the wire harness (9) protrudes from the protector main body (2) with respect to individual small regions of the cover (3); and wherein the display control section (816a) displays, with respect to the portion of the visual information corresponding to the cover (3), a first small region in which the wire harness (9) protrudes clearly distinguishably from a second small region different from the first small region, and creates, with respect to one of the first small region and the second small region, the state in which the wire harness (9) contained in the protector main body (2) is visible from the outside through the cover (3). [5] The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the display control section (816a) accepts an input of a display mode switching command and reflects the result of the determination by the arithmetic processing unit (816) in display form of the visual information in a different state depending on the display mode selected according to the display mode switching command. [6] The analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic processing unit (816) reproduces the state in which the wire harness (9) is contained in the protector main body (2) based on a physical phenomenon followed by the individual elements of the modeled wire harness, and the opening of the protector main body (2) is covered by the lid (3) by means of an external force acting on the lid (3) toward the protector main body (2). [7] A program for causing a computer to function as the storage unit (812), the recording unit (813), the arithmetic processing unit (816) and the display control section (816a) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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