Method for producing wire harness, and wire harness

The method addresses the reduced flexibility of conventional wire harnesses by using a jig plate and converging members to form a flexible trunk portion, thereby enhancing performance and transportation efficiency.

JP2025059246AInactive Publication Date: 2025-04-10YAZAKI CORP
View PDF 6 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023169207
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-09-29
Publication Date
2025-04-10
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional wire harnesses experience reduced flexibility when the restraining tape is helically wrapped around the trunk portion, affecting the harness's performance and transportation efficiency.

Method used

A method for manufacturing a wire harness that involves accommodating wires in a jig plate groove and attaching first converging members to the wires to form a trunk portion, where the converging members are positioned at intervals to allow for improved flexibility.

Benefits of technology

The method enhances the flexibility of the wire harness's main body, improving its overall performance and transportation efficiency by allowing for easier bending and reduced volume during conveyance.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2025059246000001_ABST
    Figure 2025059246000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a method for producing a wire harness capable of improving flexibility of a trunk line part, and a wire harness.SOLUTION: A method for producing a wire harness includes a step of accommodating multiple wires 3 in a groove part 110 of a jig plate 100 having the groove part, and a step of attaching multiple first bundling members 4 to the multiple wires accommodated in the grooves to form a bundled trunk line part of the multiple wires. In the step of forming the trunk line part, a first bundling member is attached to the multiple wires at each of the multiple through holes 140 formed at intervals in the groove part, and one first bundling member surrounds the multiple wires at the same position in the extending direction of the wires.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a wire harness, and to a wire harness. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are wire harnesses. Patent Document 1 discloses a wire harness including a plurality of electric wires constituting an electric wire bundle, a connector provided at an end of the electric wire bundle and having a plurality of connector terminals and a connector housing, and a restraining tape wrapped around the electric wires. The restraining tape is wound around the electric wire bundle in a spiral shape, for example, to restrain the plurality of electric wires. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-150774 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the restraining tape is wound spirally around the trunk portion of the wire harness, the flexibility of the trunk portion is likely to decrease. If the flexibility of the trunk portion can be improved, the wiring harness can be easily arranged and transportation efficiency can be improved.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a wire harness capable of improving the flexibility of a trunk portion, and the wire harness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The manufacturing method of the wire harness according to the present invention includes a step of accommodating a plurality of electric wires in a groove portion of a jig plate having the groove portion, and a step of attaching a plurality of first bundling members to the plurality of electric wires accommodated in the groove portion to form a main portion in which the plurality of electric wires are bundled, wherein in the step of forming the main portion, the first bundling members are attached to the plurality of electric wires in each of a plurality of through holes formed at intervals in the groove portion, and one of the first bundling members goes around the plurality of electric wires at the same position in the extension direction of the electric wires.

[0007] The wire harness of the present invention has a trunk portion formed by bundling a plurality of electric wires, and a branch portion branching off from the trunk portion, the trunk portion having a plurality of the electric wires and a plurality of first bundling members bundling the plurality of the electric wires, and one of the first bundling members wraps around the plurality of the electric wires at the same position in the extension direction of the electric wires to bundle the plurality of the electric wires, and is positioned away from the other first bundling members in the extension direction. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the manufacturing method of the wire harness according to the present invention, in the step of forming the main portion, first bundling members are attached to the multiple electric wires in each of the multiple through holes formed at intervals in the groove portion, and one first bundling member wraps around the multiple electric wires at the same position in the extension direction of the electric wires. In the wire harness according to the present invention, the main portion has the multiple electric wires and multiple first bundling members bundling the multiple electric wires, and one first bundling member wraps around the multiple electric wires at the same position in the extension direction of the electric wires to bundle them, and is positioned away from the other first bundling members in the extension direction. The manufacturing method of the wire harness and the wire harness according to the present invention have an effect of improving the flexibility of the main portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first bundling member according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first bundling member according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first bundling member according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first bundling member according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the sub-harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the jig plate according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the jig plate according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a fixture plate according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the sub-harness being transported. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sub-harness placed on the inclined surface. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sub-harness accommodated in the groove. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the sub-harness accommodated in the groove. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the sub-harness placed on the inclined surface. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the sub-harness accommodated in the groove. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the sub-harness accommodated in the groove. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the first bundling member attached to the trunk portion. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the first bundling member attached to the trunk portion. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the wire harness being taken out of the groove. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the first bundling member in the main line portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention and a wire harness will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, components in the following embodiment include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] [Embodiment] An embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 20. The embodiment relates to a method for manufacturing a wire harness, and a wire harness. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a wire harness according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first bundling member according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the first bundling member according to an embodiment, Fig. 4 is a plan view of the first bundling member according to an embodiment, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first bundling member according to an embodiment, Fig. 6 is a plan view of a sub-harness according to an embodiment, Fig. 7 is a plan view of a jig plate according to an embodiment, Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of the jig plate according to an embodiment, and Fig. 10 is a view showing a sub-harness to be transported.

[0012] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a sub-harness placed on an inclined surface, Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a sub-harness housed in a groove portion, Figure 13 is a plan view of the sub-harness housed in the groove portion, Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a sub-harness placed on an inclined surface, Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a sub-harness housed in a groove portion, Figure 16 is a plan view of a sub-harness housed in the groove portion, Figure 17 is a plan view showing a first bundling member attached to the main wire portion, Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the first bundling member attached to the main wire portion, Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the wire harness being removed from the groove portion, and Figure 20 is a diagram explaining the arrangement of the first bundling member in the main wire portion.

[0013] Figures 2 and 5 show a cross section taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 8 shows a cross section taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 7. Figure 9 shows a cross section taken along line IX-IX in Figure 7. Figure 18 shows a cross section taken along line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 17.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment has a trunk portion 10 and at least one branch portion 20. The trunk portion 10 is formed by bundling a plurality of electric wires. The trunk portion 10 is a main portion of the wire harness 1. The branch portions 20 branch off from the trunk portion 10. The trunk portion 10 may include, for example, a portion of the wire harness 1 in which the largest number of electric wires are bundled, or may include a portion of the wire harness 1 having the largest outer diameter.

[0015] At a branch portion where the branch portion 20 branches off from the trunk portion 10, the trunk portion 10 beyond the branch portion may have a relatively large number of electric wires compared to the branch portion 20. For example, the wire harness 1 of FIG. 1 has a branch portion J1. At the branch portion J1, a first branch portion 21 branches off from the trunk portion 10. At a portion 10a of the trunk portion 10 beyond the branch portion J1, the number of electric wires in the trunk portion 10 may be greater than the number of electric wires in the first branch portion 21. At a portion 10a of the trunk portion 10 beyond the branch portion J1, the outer diameter of the trunk portion 10 may be greater than the outer diameter of the first branch portion 21. In other words, the portion beyond the branch portion J1 that includes a relatively large number of electric wires may be the trunk portion 10, or the portion having a relatively large outer diameter may be the trunk portion 10.

[0016] The trunk portion 10 has a plurality of electric wires 3 and a plurality of first bundling members 4 bundling the plurality of electric wires 3. As shown in FIG. 2, in the trunk portion 10, the plurality of electric wires 3 are bundled by the first bundling member 4. The electric wires 3 have, for example, a core wire and a coating covering the core wire. The number and diameter of the electric wires 3 bundled by the first bundling member 4 in the trunk portion 10 are arbitrary. For example, the plurality of electric wires 3 bundled by the first bundling member 4 may include electric wires having different diameters. The cross-sectional shape of the illustrated trunk portion 10 is an ellipse. However, the cross-sectional shape of the trunk portion 10 is not limited to an ellipse.

[0017] The first bundling member 4 is a member that bundles the multiple electric wires 3. The first bundling member 4 may be, for example, a bundling member such as a cable tie, a tape member such as an adhesive tape, or other members. The first bundling member 4 goes around the multiple electric wires 3 at the same position in the extending direction of the electric wires 3.

[0018] 3 shows a cable tie 40, which is an example of the first bundling member 4. The cable tie 40 in FIG. 3 has a head portion 41 and a band portion 42. The head portion 41 has a hole portion through which the band portion 42 is inserted, and a locking portion disposed in the hole portion. The band portion 42 goes around the multiple electric wires 3 at the same position in the extension direction X of the electric wires 3. In other words, the band portion 42 is wound around the multiple electric wires 3 without changing its position in the extension direction X. Therefore, the band portion 42 is wound around the multiple electric wires 3 so as to form a single circumference surrounding the multiple electric wires 3.

[0019] The band portion 42 is inserted into a hole in the head portion 41 and locked by a locking portion. The first bundling member 4 may be a band clip having a clip portion to be inserted into a hole provided in a wall portion to be fixed. As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple first bundling members 4 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the extending direction X. In other words, the multiple electric wires 3 are exposed in a section between one first bundling member 4 and another first bundling member 4.

[0020] 4 shows a tape member 43 which is an example of the first bundling member 4. The tape member 43 is an adhesive tape having an adhesive surface, and is wound around the multiple electric wires 3. The tape member 43 wraps around the multiple electric wires 3 at the same position in the extending direction X of the electric wires 3 to bundle the multiple electric wires 3. In other words, the tape member 43 is wound around the multiple electric wires 3 such that in the overlapping portions, the inner portion 43a and the outer overlapping portion 43b are at the same position in the extending direction X. As shown in FIG. 4, in the section between one first bundling member 4 and another first bundling member 4, the multiple electric wires 3 are exposed.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows a sheet member 44, which is an example of the first bundling member 4. FIG. 5 shows a cross section at the same cross section position as FIG. 2. The sheet member 44 is a weldable sheet, and is formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The sheet member 44 is wrapped around and welded to the plurality of electric wires 3. The sheet member 44 wraps around the plurality of electric wires 3 at the same position in the extension direction X of the electric wires 3 to bundle the plurality of electric wires 3. The sheet member 44 has a first end portion 44a and a second end portion 44b. The first end portion 44a and the second end portion 44b are overlapped and welded to each other. The welding method may be heating by a heat source, high-frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, or other welding method. In addition, the welding form of the sheet member 44 is not limited to the form exemplified in FIG. 5.

[0022] 1, the trunk portion 10 has a first end portion 11 and a second end portion 12. The first end portion 11 is one end portion in the extension direction of the trunk portion 10, and the second end portion 12 is the other end portion in the extension direction of the trunk portion 10. In other words, the trunk portion 10 of this embodiment has two ends 11, 12.

[0023] 1, the branch line portion 20 of this embodiment has a first branch line portion 21, a second branch line portion 22, and a third branch line portion 23. The trunk line portion 10 has branch portions J1, J2, J3, and J4 which are branch portions from the branch line portion 20. The branch portions J1, J2, J3, and J4 are arranged in this order from the first end portion 11 to the second end portion 12.

[0024] The first branch portion 21 branches off from the trunk portion 10 at a branch portion J1. The branch portion J1 is the closest to the first end portion 11 among the multiple branch portions J1, J2, J3, and J4. The third branch portion 23 branches off from the trunk portion 10 at a branch portion J4. The branch portion J4 is the farthest from the first end portion 11 among the multiple branch portions J1, J2, J3, and J4. The second branch portion 22 branches off from the trunk portion 10 at the branch portions J2 and J3. That is, the second branch portion 22 branches off from the trunk portion 10 at a position between the branch portion J1 and the branch portion J4.

[0025] The first branch wire portion 21 branches into two branch wire portions 21a and 21b at the tip side. Each of the branch wire portions 21a and 21b may have a plurality of electric wires 3. A second bundling member 5 is attached to the branch portion J5 of the branch wire portions 21a and 21b. The second bundling member 5 is, for example, a cable tie or tape. The second bundling member 5 may be attached so as to go around the plurality of electric wires 3 at the same position in the extending direction of the electric wires 3.

[0026] A component 6 is connected to the ends of the branch wire portions 21a, 21b. The component 6 is, for example, a connector. Note that the component 6 is not limited to a connector and may be an electric connection box, a terminal block, or other components. The component 6 may be a terminal or a bus bar connected to each electric wire 3. The electric wires 3 at the ends of the branch wire portions 21a, 21b are bundled by a second bundling member 5. The second bundling member 5 is attached near the component 6.

[0027] The second branch line portion 22 has an electric wire 3 branching off from the trunk line portion 10 at a branch portion J2, and an electric wire 3 branching off from the trunk line portion 10 at a branch portion J3. A component 6 is connected to an end of the second branch line portion 22. The component 6 is, for example, a connector, but is not limited to this. The electric wires 3 at the end of the second branch line portion 22 are bundled by a second bundling member 5. The second bundling member 5 is attached near the component 6.

[0028] A component 6 is connected to an end of the third branch line portion 23. The component 6 is, for example, a connector, but is not limited to this. The electric wires 3 at the end of the third branch line portion 23 are bundled by a second bundling member 5. The second bundling member 5 is attached in the vicinity of the component 6.

[0029] A component 6 is connected to an end of the trunk portion 10 on the side of the first end 11. The component 6 is, for example, a connector, but is not limited to this. At the end portion 10b on the side of the first end 11, the multiple electric wires 3 are bundled by a second bundling member 5. The second bundling member 5 is attached in the vicinity of the component 6.

[0030] A component 6 is connected to the end of the trunk portion 10 on the side of the second end 12. The component 6 is, for example, a connector, but is not limited to this. At the end portion 10c on the side of the second end 12, the multiple electric wires 3 are bundled by a second bundling member 5. The second bundling member 5 is attached in the vicinity of the component 6.

[0031] As described below, the illustrated wire harness 1 is composed of a plurality of sub-harnesses 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the wire harness 1 of this embodiment has a first sub-harness 2A and a second sub-harness 2B. The sub-harnesses 2A and 2B are manufactured, for example, by a sub-harness manufacturing device.

[0032] The sub-harness manufacturing device includes, for example, a cutting device, a crimping device, an insertion device, and a bundling device. The cutting device is a device that cuts the electric wires 3. The crimping device is a device that crimps a terminal onto the end of the electric wire 3 to manufacture a wire-attached terminal. The insertion device is a device that inserts the wire-attached terminal into a connector. The bundling device is a device that attaches bundling members to the multiple electric wires 3 and adjusts the dimensions of the branch wire portions. In other words, the bundling device has a function of forming branches for the multiple electric wires 3. The bundling device may further have a function of attaching exterior members to the multiple electric wires 3.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the first sub-harness 2A has a first electric wire group WG1 consisting of a plurality of electric wires 3. The first sub-harness 2A has a sub-main line portion 31 and a first branch line portion 21. The sub-main line portion 31 is a part that becomes a part of the main line portion 10 and includes a plurality of electric wires 3. Components 6 are connected to both ends of the sub-main line portion 31. End portions 31b, 31c of the sub-main line portion 31 are each bundled by a second bundling member 5. The end portions 31b, 31c correspond to the end portions 10b, 10c of the main line portion 10.

[0034] The first electric wire group WG1 has a branch portion J11. The branch portion J11 is a branch portion corresponding to the branch portion J1 of the wire harness 1. That is, in the manufacturing process of the first sub-harness 2A, the dimensions of the first branch portion 21 are determined in advance. A bundling member such as a cable tie or a tape member may be attached to the branch portion J11.

[0035] The first sub-harness 2A is manufactured in a process for manufacturing a sub-harness. The process for manufacturing the sub-harness is executed, for example, by the above-mentioned sub-harness manufacturing device. The process for manufacturing the sub-harness includes a process for manufacturing the first electric wire group WG1. The sub-harness manufacturing device cuts a plurality of electric wires to a predetermined length to manufacture the first electric wire group WG1.

[0036] The process of manufacturing the first sub-harness 2A may include a process of manufacturing terminals with electric wires, in which the sub-harness manufacturing device crimps terminals to the electric wires 3 of the first electric wire group WG1 to manufacture a plurality of terminals with electric wires.

[0037] The process of manufacturing the first sub-harness 2A may include a process of inserting terminals into a connector, in which the sub-harness manufacturing device inserts a plurality of terminals with electric wires into the connector.

[0038] The process of manufacturing the first sub-harness 2A includes a process of bundling the plurality of electric wires 3. The sub-harness manufacturing device measures the branch wire portion and bundles the plurality of electric wires 3 with the second bundling member 5. In the bundling process, the second bundling member 5 is attached to the sub-main wire portion 31. In addition, in the bundling process, the second bundling member 5 is attached to the branch portion J15 of the first branch wire portion 21 and the end portions of the branch wire portions 21a, 21b. The bundling process may include a process of bending the electric wires 3 of the first branch wire portion 21 at the branch portions J11, J15.

[0039] The second sub-harness 2B has a second electric wire group WG2 consisting of a plurality of electric wires 3, and a third electric wire group WG3 consisting of a plurality of electric wires 3. The second sub-harness 2B has a sub-main line portion 32, a second branch line portion 22, and a third branch line portion 23. The sub-main line portion 32 is a portion that becomes a part of the main line portion 10, and includes a plurality of electric wires 3. The sub-main line portion 32 of this embodiment includes a part of the second electric wire group WG2 and a part of the third electric wire group WG3. More specifically, the sub-main line portion 32 has a section 32a that is a part of the second electric wire group WG2, and a section 32b that is a part of the third electric wire group WG3.

[0040] The second branch wire portion 22 includes an end portion 22a of the second electric wire group WG2 and an end portion 22b of the third electric wire group WG3. Ends of the ends 22a, 22b are bundled by a second bundling member 5. A component 6 of the second branch wire portion 22 is connected to the electric wire 3 of the end portion 22a and the electric wire 3 of the end portion 22b. The second electric wire group WG2 has a bent portion J22. The bent portion J22 is a portion where the second branch wire portion 22 branches off from the section 32a constituting the sub-trunk portion 32. The bent portion J22 corresponds to the branch portion J2 of the wire harness 1.

[0041] The third electric wire group WG3 has bends J33 and J34. The bend J33 is a portion where the second branch portion 22 branches off from the section 32b constituting the sub-main portion 32. The bend J33 corresponds to the branch portion J3 of the wire harness 1. The bend J34 is a portion where the third branch portion 23 branches off from the section 32b constituting the sub-main portion 32. The bend J34 corresponds to the branch portion J4 of the wire harness 1.

[0042] The third branch wire portion 23 is an end portion of the third electric wire group WG3 opposite to the end portion 22b. The component 6 is connected to a tip of the third branch wire portion 23. In addition, an end portion of the third branch wire portion 23 is bundled by a second bundling member 5.

[0043] The end portion 32c of the sub-trunk portion 32 is bundled by the second bundling member 5. The end portion 32c corresponds to the end portion 10b of the trunk portion 10. A component 6 is connected to the end portion 32c.

[0044] The second sub-harness 2B is manufactured in a process for manufacturing a sub-harness. The process for manufacturing the second sub-harness 2B includes a process for manufacturing the electric wire groups WG2 and WG3. The sub-harness manufacturing device cuts a plurality of electric wires to a predetermined length to manufacture the second electric wire group WG2 and the third electric wire group WG3.

[0045] The step of manufacturing the second sub-harness 2B may include a step of manufacturing terminals with electric wires. The sub-harness manufacturing device manufactures a plurality of terminals with electric wires by crimping terminals to the electric wires 3 of the electric wire groups WG2 and WG3.

[0046] The step of manufacturing the second sub-harness 2B may include a step of inserting the terminals into a connector. The sub-harness manufacturing device inserts the terminals with the electric wires of the electric wire groups WG2 and WG3 into the connector.

[0047] The process of manufacturing the second sub-harness 2B includes a process of bundling the plurality of electric wires 3. The sub-harness manufacturing device measures the branch wire portions and bundles the plurality of electric wires 3 with the second bundling member 5. In the bundling process, the second bundling member 5 is attached to the sub-main wire portion 32. Also, the second bundling member 5 is attached to an end portion of the second branch wire portion 22 and an end portion of the third branch wire portion 23. Also, in the bundling process, a bent portion J22 is formed in the second electric wire group WG2, and bent portions J33 and J34 are formed in the third electric wire group WG3.

[0048] 7 shows a jig plate 100 used in manufacturing the wire harness 1. The jig plate 100 is a plate-shaped workbench. The jig plate 100 is made of, for example, wood, resin, or metal. The shape of the jig plate 100 in plan view is, for example, rectangular. However, the shape of the jig plate 100 is arbitrary and is determined according to the shape of the wire harness 1. The shape of the jig plate 100 in plan view may be an L-shape, a U-shape, or another shape.

[0049] The jig plate 100 has a groove portion 110 that accommodates a plurality of electric wires 3. The groove portion 110 has a main groove 120 and a sub-groove 130 that branches off from the main groove 120. The main groove 120 accommodates the trunk portion 10 of the wire harness 1. The sub-groove 130 accommodates the branch portions 20 of the wire harness 1.

[0050] The illustrated main groove 120 extends linearly along the longitudinal direction of the jig plate 100. The main groove 120 extends from one end of the jig plate 100 to the other end, and is open toward the side of the jig plate 100.

[0051] The sub groove 130 branches off from the main groove 120 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the main groove 120. The sub groove 130 extends to an end of the jig plate 100 and opens toward a side of the jig plate 100. In other words, the sub groove 130 extends from the main groove 120 to the end of the jig plate 100.

[0052] The illustrated jig plate 100 has a first sub-groove 131, a second sub-groove 132, and a third sub-groove 133 as the sub-groove 130. The first sub-groove 131 accommodates the first branch wire portion 21. The first sub-groove 131 branches into two sub-grooves 131a and 131b at the tip side. The sub-groove 131a accommodates the branch wire portion 21a, and the sub-groove 131b accommodates the branch wire portion 21b.

[0053] The second sub groove 132 accommodates the second branch portion 22. The third sub groove 133 accommodates the third branch portion 23. The second sub groove 132 and the third sub groove 133 branch off from the main groove 120 toward the side opposite to the first sub groove 131 side.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, the jig plate 100 has a first surface 100a and a second surface 100b. The first surface 100a and the second surface 100b face in opposite directions. The jig plate 100 of this embodiment is installed, for example, with the first surface 100a facing upward and the second surface 100b facing downward. The jig plate 100 may be installed at an angle with respect to the floor surface. The jig plate 100 is supported from below by, for example, legs or a frame.

[0055] The groove 110 opens to the first surface 100a and is recessed from the first surface 100a toward the second surface 100b. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 110 is, for example, rectangular. The fixture plate 100 has an inclined surface 150 that guides the sub-harness 2 into the groove 110. The inclined surface 150 is inclined with respect to the depth direction Z of the groove 110. The inclined surface 150 has an upper end 150a and a lower end 150b. The lower end 150b of the inclined surface 150 is disposed in the vicinity of the shoulder 110a of the groove 110. The inclined surface 150 is inclined with respect to the depth direction Z so as to approach the groove 110 from the upper end 150a toward the lower end 150b.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, the groove portion 110 has a plurality of through holes 140. In the jig plate 100 of this embodiment, the through holes 140 are provided in the main groove 120. The through holes 140 are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the main groove 120. As shown in FIG. 9, the through holes 140 penetrate the jig plate 100 along the depth direction Z of the groove portion 110. That is, the through holes 140 penetrate from the bottom surface 110b of the groove portion 110 to the second surface 100b. The width Wd1 of the through holes 140 may be wider than the width of the groove portion 110.

[0057] The wire harness production system 200 including the jig plate 100 has an attachment device 210. The attachment device 210 is a device that attaches the first bundling member 4 to the multiple electric wires 3. The attachment device 210 is disposed adjacent to the through hole 140. The attachment device 210 is disposed, for example, below the through hole 140. In the wire harness production system 200 of the present embodiment, the attachment device 210 is disposed for each of the multiple through holes 140. That is, the process of attaching the multiple first bundling members 4 to the electric wires 3 can be performed in parallel.

[0058] Here, a description will be given of a manufacturing method of the wire harness using the jig plate 100. The manufacturing method of the wire harness according to the present embodiment includes a housing step, a bundling step, and a carrying-out step.

[0059] The accommodating step is a step of accommodating a prefabricated sub-harness 2 in the groove portion 110 of the jig plate 100. The accommodating step may be performed by a worker or by the conveying device 220. In the accommodating step, all of the sub-harnesses 2 constituting the wire harness 1 are accommodated in the groove portion 110. For example, when the wire harness 1 is composed of a first sub-harness 2A and a second sub-harness 2B, the first sub-harness 2A and the second sub-harness 2B are accommodated in the groove portion 110 in order.

[0060] FIG. 10 shows the first sub-harness 2A being transported by the transport device 220. The transport device 220 takes out the first sub-harness 2A placed at a predetermined location, and stores the first sub-harness 2A in the groove portion 110 of the jig plate 100. The transport device 220 may be a robot arm. FIG. 10 shows an example of a holding point Hd held by the transport device 220 with a circle. The holding point Hd is, for example, the end portions 31b and 31c of the sub-main line portion 31 or the end portion of the first branch line portion 21. The holding point Hd may be set at the branch portion J11.

[0061] The conveying device 220 has, for example, a hook or the like that holds the holding portion Hd. In this case, the conveying device 220 conveys the first sub-harness 2A by suspending the first sub-harness 2A by the hook or the like.

[0062] 11 shows the first sub-harness 2A placed on the inclined surface 150 of the jig plate 100. The conveying device 220 is configured to place the first sub-harness 2A on the inclined surface 150. The first electric wire group WG1 placed on the inclined surface 150 slides down along the inclined surface 150 and enters the groove portion 110. That is, the first electric wire group WG1 of the first sub-harness 2A is guided to the groove portion 110 by the inclined surface 150.

[0063] The jig plate 100 may be provided with a mechanism for feeding the first electric wire group WG1 into the groove portion 110. For example, the jig plate 100 may be provided with a movable arm for feeding the first electric wire group WG1 into the groove portion 110. Even if the first electric wire group WG1 stops at a shoulder 110a of the groove portion 110 or at the entrance of the groove portion 110, the first electric wire group WG1 can be fed to the back of the groove portion 110 by the arm or the like.

[0064] 12 and 13 show the first sub-harness 2A accommodated in the groove portion 110. The first electric wire group WG1 is accommodated in the groove portion 110 and extends along the groove portion 110. As shown in Fig. 13, the sub-main portion 31 of the first sub-harness 2A is accommodated in the main groove 120 and extends along the main groove 120. The sub-main portion 31 is accommodated in the main groove 120 such that the components 6 at both ends and the second bundling member 5 protrude from the main groove 120.

[0065] The first branch wire portion 21 is received in the first sub-groove 131 and extends along the first sub-groove 131. The branch wire portions 21a, 21b are received in the sub-grooves 131a, 131b, respectively. The first branch wire portion 21 is received in the first sub-groove 131 such that the components 6 of the branch wire portions 21a, 21b and the second bundling member 5 at the end portions thereof protrude from the sub-grooves 131a, 131b. By receiving the first branch wire portion 21 in the first sub-groove 131, the sub-trunk portion 31 is positioned with respect to the main groove 120.

[0066] It is preferable that the wire harness production system 200 checks the accommodation state of the first sub-harness 2A in the groove portion 110. For example, the wire harness production system 200 can capture an image of the first sub-harness 2A placed on the jig plate 100 and determine whether the first sub-harness 2A is properly accommodated in the groove portion 110 by image recognition.

[0067] The conveying device 220 further accommodates the second sub-harness 2B in the groove portion 110. The conveying device 220 takes out the second sub-harness 2B placed at a predetermined location, and accommodates the second sub-harness 2B in the groove portion 110 of the jig plate 100.

[0068] 14 shows the second sub-harness 2B placed on the inclined surface 150 of the jig plate 100. The conveying device 220 is configured to place the second sub-harness 2B on the inclined surface 150. The second electric wire group WG2 and the third electric wire group WG3 placed on the inclined surface 150 slide down along the inclined surface 150 and enter the groove portion 110. That is, the electric wire groups WG2 and WG3 of the second sub-harness 2B are guided to the groove portion 110 by the inclined surface 150. The electric wire groups WG2 and WG3 may be fed into the groove portion 110 by a mechanism such as an arm.

[0069] 15 and 16 show the second sub-harness 2B accommodated in the groove portion 110. As shown in Fig. 16, the electric wire groups WG2 and WG3 are accommodated in the groove portion 110 and extend along the groove portion 110. More specifically, the sub-trunk portion 32 is accommodated in the main groove 120 and extends along the main groove 120. The sub-trunk portion 32 is accommodated in the main groove 120 such that the component 6 connected to the end and the second bundling member 5 protrude from the main groove 120.

[0070] The second branch portion 22 is received in the second sub groove 132 and extends along the second sub groove 132. The second branch portion 22 is received in the second sub groove 132 such that the component 6 connected to the end and the second bundling member 5 protrude from the second sub groove 132. The third branch portion 23 is received in the third sub groove 133 and extends along the third sub groove 133. The third branch portion 23 is received in the third sub groove 133 such that the component 6 connected to the end and the second bundling member 5 protrude from the third sub groove 133. The second branch portion 22 is received in the second sub groove 132 and the third branch portion 23 is received in the third sub groove 133, whereby the sub trunk portion 32 is positioned with respect to the main groove 120.

[0071] It is preferable that the wire harness production system 200 checks the accommodation state of the second sub-harness 2B in the groove portion 110. For example, the wire harness production system 200 can capture an image of the second sub-harness 2B placed on the jig plate 100 and determine whether the second sub-harness 2B is properly accommodated in the groove portion 110 by image recognition.

[0072] 15, the second sub-harness 2B overlaps the first sub-harness 2A inside the groove portion 110. The jig plate 100 may have a mechanism for pressing the second sub-harness 2B toward the first sub-harness 2A so as to prevent the second sub-harness 2B from floating up. The pressing mechanism may be, for example, a movable arm.

[0073] When all the sub-harnesses 2A, 2B are accommodated in the groove portions 110, an attachment device 210 of the wire harness production system 200 attaches the first bundling member 4 to the plurality of electric wires 3. Fig. 17 shows the wire harness 1 to which the plurality of first bundling members 4 are attached. The first bundling member 4 is attached to a portion of the sub-main portions 31, 32 facing the through holes 140. In each of the plurality of through holes 140, the plurality of electric wires 3 is bundled by the first bundling member 4.

[0074] 18 , the first bundling member 4 is attached to the multiple electric wires 3 inside the main groove 120. The first bundling member 4 bundles the electric wires 3 of the first sub-harness 2A and the electric wires 3 of the second sub-harness 2B together to bundle the multiple electric wires 3. The mounting device 210 of the present embodiment attaches the first bundling member 4 to the electric wires 3 in each of the multiple through holes 140 in parallel or simultaneously.

[0075] When all the first bundling members 4 are attached, the wire harness 1 is removed from the groove portion 110 as shown in Fig. 19. The wire harness 1 may be removed by a conveying device 220. The wire harness 1 may be removed from the groove portion 110 by a device different from the conveying device 220. The wire harness 1 may be removed from the groove portion 110 by a worker.

[0076] The wire harness 1 may be removed from the groove 110 by lowering the jig plate 100. In this case, the wire harness production system 200 preferably has a support member such as a support column that supports the wire harness 1. The wire harness production system 200 preferably has a mechanism for raising and lowering the jig plate 100 relative to the support member. By lowering the jig plate 100 relative to the support member, the wire harness 1 supported by the support member is removed from the groove 110.

[0077] 20 shows the wire harness 1 removed from the jig plate 100. The multiple first bundling members 4 attached to the trunk portion 10 include members 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f. The members 4a, 4b, and 4c are arranged at equal intervals along the extension direction of the trunk portion 10. The member 4c is attached to the branch portion J1. The member 4c positions the branch portion J1 between the trunk portion 10 and the first branch portion 21, and determines the length of the first branch portion 21.

[0078] The member 4d is attached to the branch portion J2. The member 4e is attached to the branch portion J3. The members 4d and 4e position the branch portions J2 and J3 between the trunk portion 10 and the second branch portion 22, and determine the length of the second branch portion 22.

[0079] The member 4f is attached to the branch portion J4. The member 4f positions the branch portion J4 between the main line portion 10 and the third branch line portion 23, and determines the length of the third branch line portion 23. In this manner, in the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, the first bundling member 4 is attached to the branch portions J1, J2, J3, and J4 of the main line portion 10 with the branch lines 21, 22, and 23. Also, the first bundling members 4 are attached at equal intervals to a section 10d of the main line portion 10 that does not have a branch portion.

[0080] In the method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the present embodiment, at least one sub-harness manufactured in advance is set in the groove portion 110 of the jig plate 100, and the first bundling member 4 is attached to the sub-main portion to form the main portion 10. The first bundling member 4 is attached to the sub-main portion while the sub-main portion is accommodated in the main groove 120, so that meandering or the like is unlikely to occur in the completed main portion 10. Also, variation in the line length in the main portion 10 is unlikely to occur. Also, variation in the line length of the main portion 10 from one branch portion to another branch portion is unlikely to occur. In other words, variation in the positions of the branch portions J1, J2, J3, J4 is unlikely to occur.

[0081] Moreover, in the method for manufacturing the wire harness according to the present embodiment, it is possible to attach a plurality of first bundling members 4 to the sub-main portions in parallel, thereby making it possible to reduce the manufacturing time required for manufacturing the main portions 10.

[0082] In the wire harness 1 of this embodiment, the electric wires 3 are exposed between one first bundling member 4 and another first bundling member 4. That is, the trunk portion 10 can be easily bent between the two first bundling members 4. Therefore, when the wire harness 1 is transported, the shape of the trunk portion 10 can be curved. For example, the wire harness 1 may be transported with the trunk portion 10 in a spiral shape. Therefore, the volume of the container that accommodates the wire harness 1 is reduced.

[0083] Furthermore, since the trunk portion 10 can be easily curved, the workability of the wiring work when the wire harness 1 is wired in a vehicle or the like is improved.

[0084] As described above, the manufacturing method of the wire harness according to the present embodiment includes a step of accommodating electric wires and a step of forming a trunk portion. In the step of accommodating electric wires, a plurality of electric wires 3 are accommodated in grooves 110 of a jig plate 100 having grooves 110. In the step of forming the trunk portion, a plurality of first bundling members 4 are attached to the plurality of electric wires 3 accommodated in the grooves 110 to form the trunk portion 10 in which the plurality of electric wires 3 are bundled.

[0085] In the step of forming the trunk portion, the first bundling member 4 is attached to the multiple electric wires 3 in each of the multiple through holes 140 formed at intervals in the groove portion 110. In addition, in the step of forming the trunk portion, one first bundling member 4 goes around the multiple electric wires 3 at the same position in the extending direction X of the electric wires 3. The manufacturing method of the wire harness according to this embodiment can manufacture the wire harness 1 having a flexible trunk portion 10.

[0086] In the process of forming the main portion, for example, the attachment of a plurality of first bundling members 4 to a plurality of electric wires 3 is performed in parallel. The wire harness production system 200 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to perform the attachment of a plurality of first bundling members 4 to a plurality of electric wires 3 in parallel. By performing the attachment of a plurality of first bundling members 4 in parallel, the efficiency of the process of forming the main portion is improved.

[0087] The wire harness 1 of the present embodiment has a trunk portion 10 formed by bundling a plurality of electric wires 3, and a branch portion 20 branching from the trunk portion 10. The trunk portion 10 has a plurality of electric wires 3 and a plurality of first bundling members 4 bundling the plurality of electric wires 3. One first bundling member 4 wraps around the plurality of electric wires 3 at the same position in the extension direction X of the electric wires 3 to bundle the plurality of electric wires 3. The first bundling member 4 is disposed apart from the other first bundling members 4 in the extension direction X. In the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of first bundling members 4 are disposed apart from the other first bundling members 4 in the trunk portion 10. Thus, in the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the flexibility of the trunk portion 10.

[0088] The wire harness 1 of this embodiment has a first sub-harness 2A and a second sub-harness 2B. The first sub-harness 2A has a first electric wire group WG1 and a component 6 connected to the first electric wire group WG1. The second sub-harness 2B has a second electric wire group WG2 and a component 6 connected to the second electric wire group WG2. The main wire portion 10 is formed by bundling at least some of the electric wires 3 of the first electric wire group WG1 and at least some of the electric wires 3 of the second electric wire group WG2 with a plurality of first bundling members 4. By bundling the electric wires 3 of the plurality of sub-harnesses 2 with a plurality of first bundling members 4 that are spaced apart from each other, a decrease in flexibility of the main wire portion 10 is suppressed.

[0089] In addition, when the second sub-harness 2B has the third electric wire group WG3, the main wire portion 10 may be formed by bundling at least some of the electric wires 3 of the first electric wire group WG1 and at least some of the electric wires 3 of the third electric wire group WG3 with a plurality of first bundling members 4. In other words, the main wire portion 10 is formed by bundling the electric wire group of the first sub-harness 2A and the electric wire group of the second sub-harness 2B with a plurality of first bundling members 4.

[0090] In the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, end portions of the multiple electric wires 3 are bundled by the second bundling member 5. For example, end portions 10b, 10c of the trunk portion 10 are bundled by the second bundling member 5. For example, end portions of the branch portions 21, 22, 23 are bundled by the second bundling member 5. Bundling the end portions of the electric wires 3 by the second bundling member 5 improves the handleability of the wire harness 1.

[0091] In the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, in the main wire portion 10, the plurality of electric wires 3 are exposed between one first bundling member 4 and another first bundling member 4. This makes it possible to improve the flexibility of the main wire portion 10.

[0092] The wire harness 1 may be formed from one sub-harness 2. In this case, a portion constituting the trunk portion 10 of the sub-harness 2 is received in the main groove 120 of the jig plate 100, and a plurality of first bundling members 4 are attached. The wire harness 1 may be formed from three or more sub-harnesses 2. In this case, the sub-trunk portions of each sub-harness 2 are received in the main groove 120 and bundled by a plurality of first bundling members 4.

[0093] In the bundling step, the first bundling member 4 may be placed in the groove portion 110 before the sub-harness 2 is accommodated. For example, when the first bundling member 4 is a sheet member 44, the sheet member 44 may be placed in the groove portion 110 in advance. In this case, the sub-harness 2 is placed on the sheet member 44. Thereafter, the sheet member 44 is attached to the multiple electric wires 3 by the attachment device 210.

[0094] A guide member for winding the first bundling member 4 around the multiple electric wires 3 may be disposed on the jig plate 100. For example, when the first bundling member 4 is a cable tie 40, a guide member such as a rail for guiding the band portion 42 of the cable tie 40 along the outer periphery of the multiple electric wires 3 may be provided. The guide member may constitute a part of a mechanism for feeding the groups of electric wires WG1, WG2, WG3 of the sub-harness 2 into the groove portion 110.

[0095] A resin member such as a protector may be attached to the wire harness 1 placed on the jig plate 100. For example, in the process of forming the trunk portion, or after the process of forming the trunk portion, the resin member may be integrally molded with the trunk portion 10. In this case, the resin member is molded with respect to the trunk portion 10 while the trunk portion 10 is accommodated in the main groove 120. For example, a mold is set with respect to the trunk portion 10 at the through hole 140, and resin is injected into the mold to form the resin member.

[0096] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1: Wire harness 2: sub-harness, 2A: first sub-harness, 2B: second sub-harness 3: electric wire; 4: first bundling member; 5: second bundling member; 6: part 10: Main line 20: Branch line part, 21: First branch line part, 22: Second branch line part, 23: Third branch line part 31: Sub-main section, 31b, 31c: End sections 32: Sub-main line, 322, 323: Section 40: Cable tie, 41: Head part, 42: Band part 43: Tape material 44: sheet member, 44a: first end portion, 44b: second end portion 100: jig plate, 110: groove portion, 120: main groove 130: Minor groove, 131: First minor groove, 131a, 131b: Minor groove 132: Second minor groove, 133: Third minor groove 140: Through hole, 150: Slanted surface 200: Wire harness manufacturing system, 210: Mounting device, 220: Conveyor device J1, J2, J3, J4, J5: Branch section J22, J33, J34: Bent part WG1: First wire group, WG2: Second wire group, WG3: Third wire group X: Extension direction, Z: Depth direction

Claims

1. A step of accommodating a plurality of electric wires in a groove of a fixture plate having a groove; a step of attaching a plurality of first bundling members to the plurality of electric wires housed in the groove portion to form a trunk portion in which the plurality of electric wires are bundled; Including, In the step of forming the trunk portion, the first bundling member is attached to the plurality of electric wires in each of a plurality of through holes formed at intervals in the groove portion; One of the first bundling members surrounds the plurality of electric wires at the same position in the extending direction of the electric wires. A method for manufacturing a wire harness comprising the steps of:

2. In the step of forming the trunk portion, the attachment of the first bundling members to the electric wires is performed in parallel. A method for manufacturing the wire harness according to claim 1.

3. The electric wire has a trunk portion formed by bundling a plurality of electric wires, and a branch portion branching from the trunk portion, The trunk portion includes a plurality of the electric wires and a plurality of first bundling members bundling the plurality of the electric wires, One of the first bundling members wraps around the plurality of electric wires at the same position in the extension direction of the electric wires to bundle the plurality of electric wires, and is disposed apart from the other first bundling members in the extension direction. A wire harness comprising:

4. a first sub-harness including a first group of electric wires and a component connected to the first group of electric wires; a second sub-harness including a second group of electric wires and a component connected to the second group of electric wires; Equipped with The trunk portion is formed by bundling at least some of the electric wires of the first electric wire group and at least some of the electric wires of the second electric wire group with a plurality of the first bundling members. The wire harness according to claim 3.

5. The ends of the plurality of electric wires are bundled by a second bundling member. The wire harness according to claim 3.

6. In the trunk portion, a plurality of the electric wires are exposed between one of the first bundling members and another of the first bundling members. The wire harness according to claim 3.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Manufacture of flat wire harness and flat wire harness with fixture

    JP1994223645A

  • Wire bundle wiring and binding band fitting jig

    JP1998144156A

  • Wire material routing member

    JP1999027822A

  • Tape winding jig, and tape winding method using the same

    JP2002358844A

  • Wiring harness

    JP2012234762A