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 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 (812) and the program recorded in the 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), 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] Before 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 simulations are disclosed in Patent Literatures 1 and 2. Patent Literature 3 discloses a computer-based system for designing a wire harness. Non-Patent Literature 1 discloses the use of digital mock-ups for installation studies. 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

[0003] 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

[0004] In addition, an evaluation must be conducted using the simulation described above to determine whether a protective device that externally protects a wire harness has a shape that can accommodate the wire harness in 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: First, a model is defined as a wire harness. It is assumed that the wire harness includes a wire, a connector, a terminal, and a protective device. The conditions for specifying the wire, such as the diameter, length, number of wires, and a physical value specified by the wire material, are given as initial parameters. The conditions for specifying the connector, such as the shape of the connector,the fastening position on the wire and a physical value specified by the material of the connector are specified as initial parameters, the conditions for specifying the terminal, such as the shape of the terminal, the fastening position on the wire and a physical value of the terminal specified by the material of the terminal are specified as initial parameters, and the conditions for specifying the protective device, such as the shape of the protective device, the fastening position on the wire and a physical value specified by the material of the protective device are specified as initial parameters.

[0005] 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.

[0006] 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 to determine whether the shape of the protective device is suitable for accommodating the wiring harness within its interior. Specifically, an analyst visually confirms the image of the wiring harness generated by the simulation to evaluate whether or not the wire protrudes from the interior of the protective device. In this evaluation method, the determination is made visually by an analyst (a human). Therefore, this evaluation method is necessarily subjective.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described 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

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned object, an analysis device having the features of claim 1 and a program according to claim 4 are provided. The present disclosure includes the following (1) to (4): (1) An analysis device for evaluating whether a lid 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. (2) The analysis device according to item (1) above, wherein a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the lid divided into a first lid portion and a second lid portion for modeling is stored in the storage unit with respect to each element, and the arithmetic processing unit determines whether the protector main body and the first lid portion are in contact with each other and whether the protector main body and the second lid portion are in contact with each other. (3) The analysis device according to item (2) above, wherein a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the protector main body including a first notch portion and a second notch portion, and a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the lid divided into the first lid portion having a first locking portion and the second lid portion having a second locking portion for modeling are stored in the storage unit with respect to the individual elements, and the arithmetic processing unit determines whether the first notch portion and the first locking portion are in contact with each other and whether the second notch portion and the second locking portion are in contact with each other.

[0009] The analysis device according to item (1) above can objectively evaluate whether a protective device for externally protecting a wire harness has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in an interior space of the protective device without the wire harness protruding from the interior space.

[0010] The analysis device according to the above item (2), when the wire harness protrudes from the interior of the protective device, can specify a portion where the wire harness protrudes.

[0011] The analysis device according to the above item (3), when the wire harness protrudes from the interior of the protective device, can specify a portion where the wire harness protrudes.

[0012] (4) A program that causes a computer to function as the storage unit, the recording unit and the arithmetic processing unit according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

[0013] The program according to item (4) above can objectively evaluate whether a protective device for the external protection of a wire harness has a shape capable of accommodating the wire harness in an interior space of the protective device without the wire harness protruding from the interior space. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0014] According to the analysis apparatus and program of the present invention, 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 interior space of the protector without the wire harness protruding from the interior space.

[0015] The present invention has been briefly described so far. The details of the present invention will become further clear by reading the following aspects for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter "embodiments"), which are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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 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 contained in the protecting main body. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the determination of a wire harness receiving state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 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 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Description of the embodiments

[0016] In the following, certain embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First embodiment]

[0017] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. [Algorithm for constructing an image of the shape of the wiring harness]

[0018] 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. 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 a wire harness shape image used in the present invention is not limited to the finite element method. [Wiring harness structure]

[0019] 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 contained in the protecting main body.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The protector 1 is mounted for use on a prescribed mounting portion in a vehicle such as an automobile or the like. The protector includes the wire harness 9 formed by bundling a wire or a small number of sub-wire harnesses to protect the wire harness 9. Fig. 4 shows the state in which the wire harness 9 is included in the protector 1. The protector 1 includes a protector main body 2 and a cover 3.

[0022] 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 inner side. 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.

[0023] 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]

[0024] 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).

[0025] In addition, each element of the individual components is assigned a property value.

[0026] 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, a specific property value is each assigned to an inner conductor, a sheath, and an outer conductor. [Calculation of the shape of the wiring harness containing a wiring harness in the protective device]

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.These 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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]

[0034] After the movement of the cover 3 is completed as described in [Calculating the Shape of the Wire Harness Containing a Wire Harness in a Protector], 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 3 without the wire harness 9 protruding from the internal space. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the determination of a wire harness receiving state according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including a mounting hole 5a and a mounting lug 3a after completion of the movement of the cover 3. In the first 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 underside of the cover 3 after the movement of the cover 3 is completed. As 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] Alternatively, but not according to the invention, 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 protrusions 3a of the cover 3, the following method may be performed. This determines whether a part of a attachment protrusion 3a or an entire attachment protrusion 3a is located in the corresponding attachment hole 5a of the side wall 5. Accordingly, it is determined whether a part of a attachment protrusion 3a or an entire attachment protrusion 3a is located in the corresponding attachment hole 6a of the side wall 6. When the attachment holes 5a and 6a and the attachment protrusions 3a are present in such a state 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.

[0039] As described so far, according to the first 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. [Second embodiment]

[0040] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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 3, it is assumed that the wire harness 9 protrudes from the internal space formed by the protector main body 2 and the cover 3.

[0043] 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. On the other hand, if any of the fastening protrusions 3 on the cover 3 are 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.

[0044] 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]

[0045] A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0046] 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. Therefore, the third embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with regard to this point. 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. [Algorithm for constructing an image of the shape of the wiring harness]

[0047] This description is omitted because the algorithm is the same as the one already described in the [First Embodiment]. [Wiring harness structure]

[0048] This description is omitted because the structure is the same as that already described in [First Embodiment]. [Modeling the wiring harness]

[0049] 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).

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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]

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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, an initial situation for the shape of the wiring harness is shown. More specifically, initial coordinates are assigned to the protective main body 2 and the cover sections 31 to 35, respectively.

[0055] 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.These external conditions correspond to a formulation of the wiring harness arrangement process 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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]

[0059] 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], 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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 portions 31 to 35. 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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. [Hardware configuration]

[0067] 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 814 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).

[0068] 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 algorithm [Algorithm for Constructing an Image of the Wire Harness Shape] described above. Furthermore, the data storage unit 814 stores data input to / output from the processing unit 816 while performing the calculations described in [Calculating the Shape of the Wire Harness Containing a Wire Harness in a Protective Device].

[0069] 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 [4]: [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 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 (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; and an arithmetic processing unit (a processing unit 816) that determines whether the protector main body (2) and the lid (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 lid (3). [2] The analysis device according to item [1] above, wherein a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the lid (3) divided into a first lid portion (one of 31 to 35) and a second lid portion (one of 31 to 35) for modeling is stored in the storage unit (the database unit 812) with respect to each element, and the arithmetic processing unit (the processing unit 816) determines whether the protector main body (2) and the first lid portion (one of 31 to 35) are in contact with each other and whether the protector main body (2) and the second lid portion (one of 31 to 35) are in contact with each other. [3] The analysis device according to item [2] above, wherein a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the protector main body (2) including a first notch portion (a fastening opening 5a or 6a) and a second notch portion (a fastening opening 5a or 6a), and a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the cover (3) which is divided for modeling into the first cover portion (one of 31 to 35) having a first locking portion (a fastening lug 3a) and the second cover portion (one of 31 to 35) having a second locking portion (a fastening lug 3a), are stored in the storage unit (the database unit 812) with respect to the individual elements, and the arithmetic processing unit (the processing unit 816) determines,whether the first detent portion (the fastening opening 5a or 6a) and the first locking portion (the fastening lug 3a) are in contact with each other and whether the second detent portion (the fastening opening 5a or 6a) and the second locking portion (the fastening lug 3a) are in contact with each other. [4] A program that causes a computer to function as the storage unit (the database unit 812), the recording unit (the program recording unit 813), and the arithmetic processing unit (the processing unit 816) according to any one of [1] to [3] above.

[0070] 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.

[0071] This application is based on Japanese patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-178075) filed on August 29, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Commercial applicability

[0072] 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 9 Wiring harness 811 input unit 812 database unit 813 Program recording unit 814 Data storage unit 815 display unit 816 processing unit

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 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 (812) and the program recorded in the 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), 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 a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the lid (3) divided into a first lid portion (31-35) and a second lid portion (31-35) for modeling is stored in the storage unit (812) with respect to each element; and wherein the arithmetic processing unit (816) determines whether the protector main body (2) and the first lid portion (31-35) are in contact with each other and whether the protector main body (2) and the second lid portion (31-35) are in contact with each other. [3] The analysis device according to claim 2, wherein a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the protector main body (2) including a first notch portion (5a, 6a) and a second notch portion (5a, 6a), and a physical value of an element corresponding to a part of the lid (3) which is divided for modeling into the first lid portion (31-35) having a first locking portion (3a) and the second lid portion (31-35) having a second locking portion (3a) are stored in the storage unit (812) with respect to the individual elements; and wherein the arithmetic processing unit (816) determines whether the first notch portion (5a, 6a) and the first locking portion (3a) are in contact with each other and whether the second notch portion (5a, 6a) and the second locking portion (3a) are in contact with each other. [4] A program for causing a computer to function as the storage unit (812), the recording unit (813) and the arithmetic processing unit (816) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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