Design change confirmation method, program, and design change confirmation device

Abstract

To easily check design change contents, in design of a wire harness.SOLUTION: A design method comprises: a S127 of acquiring wiring information to be applied to a newest arrangement as new wiring information; a S126 of identifying a final change arrangement which is an arrangement for which the design change has been finally performed, for every wire harness, by using a PN list (history information), and acquiring wiring information used for design of wire harness of the final change arrangement as old wiring information, from an arrangement-specific file (arrangement-specific storage unit); a S128 of comparing the new wiring information with the old wiring information, for every wiring; and a S129 of determining presence / absence of the design change for every wire harness, according to the comparison result in the S128.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for assisting in the design of a wire harness. [Background technology]

[0002] Mobile bodies such as vehicles and aircraft are wired with harnesses that bundle together electric wires that transmit power, electrical signals, etc. Conventionally, the work of designing and manufacturing a wire harness and then wiring the manufactured wire harness to a desired position in a mobile body (see, for example, Patent Document 1) has been a difficult and time-consuming task that requires skill. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-137649 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Wire harnesses are designed based on wiring information (also referred to as a "From to list"), which lists multiple pieces of information about the wires included in the wire harness. The wiring information includes, for example, information about the devices to which the wires are connected.

[0005] In the design of a wire harness, the complete wiring information is not obtained from the beginning, and the wiring information may be added sequentially in parallel with the design. Furthermore, even after the design is completed, the wiring information may be changed or updated for various reasons, such as changes in the specifications of the electric wires and connectors.

[0006] When wiring information is changed, it is necessary to check whether all wire harnesses related to the changed wiring information need to be redesigned. In particular, in trains in which multiple cars are coupled together, different combinations of cars will use different wire harnesses, so the number of wire harnesses to be checked can reach several thousand, which poses a problem of requiring an enormous amount of work.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to make it possible to easily check design change details in the design of a wire harness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a design change confirmation method for confirming changes to wiring information that are changed depending on the train configuration in the design of a wire harness consisting of multiple electric wires, using wiring information that is information about multiple electric wires laid in a train. The design change confirmation method includes a first acquisition step, a second acquisition step, a comparison step, a determination step, and an output step. In the first acquisition step, wiring information applied to the latest train configuration is acquired as new wiring information. In the second acquisition step, a final change train configuration, which is the train configuration in which the last design change was made, is identified for each wire harness using history information that records for each wire harness configuration whether or not there was a design change. Furthermore, in the second acquisition step, wiring information used to design the wire harness for the final change train configuration is acquired as old wiring information from a train configuration-specific storage unit that stores wiring information used to design the wire harness for the train configuration in association with the train configuration. In the comparison step, the new wiring information and the old wiring information are compared for each electric wire. In the determination step, whether or not there is a design change for each wire harness is determined based on the comparison result in the comparison step. In the output step, the comparison result in the comparison step and the determination result in the determination step are output.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure is a program for confirming changes to wiring information that are changed according to the train configuration in the design of a wire harness consisting of multiple electric wires using wiring information, which is information about multiple electric wires wired in a train, and causes a computer to execute a first acquisition process, a second acquisition process, a comparison process, a determination process, and an output process.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure is a design change confirmation device that confirms changes to wiring information that are changed according to a train formation in designing a wire harness made up of a plurality of electric wires, using wiring information that is information about a plurality of electric wires laid in a train, and that includes a first acquisition unit, a formation-specific storage unit, a second acquisition unit, a comparison unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The first acquisition unit realizes the function of a first acquisition step. The formation-specific storage unit stores wiring information used in designing the wire harness for the formation in association with the formation. The second acquisition unit realizes the function of the second acquisition step. The comparison unit realizes the function of the comparison step. The determination unit realizes the function of the determination step. The output unit realizes the function of the output step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily check design changes in the design of a wire harness. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wiring assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a design support device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a wire harness. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle model generated based on three-dimensional CAD data. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a virtual space generated based on virtual space information. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of a guide portion arranged in a virtual space. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a manner in which a tolerance gauge is displayed. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a manufacturing support device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of wiring harness wiring information. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a wiring support method for a wire harness by the wiring support system. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a design preparation method. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a PN list. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a method for checking a difference. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a setting sheet for a confirmation program. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a folder address list. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a check target harness list. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a difference confirmation sheet for each electric wire, which is an output result of the confirmation program. [Figure 18] 10 is a difference confirmation sheet for each harness, which is the output result of the confirmation program. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a method for creating a list. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a method for creating a virtual space. [Figure 21] 4 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a method for performing a wire routing operation. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a method for checking weight. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a method for adjusting dimensions. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a method for creating a harness design drawing. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a coordinate transformation method. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine for explaining a method for creating a harness board drawing. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine that explains a method for checking a recipe. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a method for manufacturing a wire harness. [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine illustrating a method for wiring a wire harness. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A total support system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 29. In this embodiment, the total support system 1 according to the present disclosure will be described as an example that is applied to a system that supports the design, manufacture, and wiring of a wire harness 500 that is wired in the body of a train made up of multiple railcars (mobile bodies). A train has multiple formations that differ in the way the cars that make up the train are combined and in the specifications of the wire harness 500. The wire harness 500 is designed for each formation.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3, a wire harness 500 is a bundle of electric wires 501 that connect devices mounted on the bodies of railway cars that make up a train. The electric wires 501 transmit power, electrical signals, etc. between the connected devices. A connector 502 having a shape corresponding to the device to be connected is attached to the end of the electric wire 501.

[0015] The wire harness 500 is provided with a restraining member 503 that bundles and restrains a plurality of electric wires 501. Examples of the restraining member 503 include adhesive tape, a tube, a resin binding member such as a cable tie, a metal binding member, and a waxed cord. The binding member may be provided with a through hole. The through hole is for inserting a fixing member such as a bolt used to fix the wire harness 500 bundled with the binding member to the body of a railway vehicle.

[0016] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the restraining member 503 is an adhesive tape. A portion of the wire harness 500 where a plurality of electric wires 501 are bundled will be referred to as a trunk 511, a position where the electric wires 501 branch off from the trunk 511 will be referred to as a branch point 512, and a portion branched off from the trunk 511 will be referred to as a branch 513.

[0017] 1, the total support system 1 includes a design support device 100 that supports the design of a wire harness 500, a manufacturing support device 200 that supports the manufacturing of the wire harness 500, and an information processing terminal 300 that supports the wiring work of the wire harness 500. The design support device 100 and the manufacturing support device 200, and the design support device 100 and the information processing terminal 300 are connected to each other so as to enable information communication via a dedicated information communication line or a known information communication network.

[0018] The design support device 100 designs a wire harness 500 in a design space, which is a virtual space. The design support device 100 includes an HMI unit 100a, an external IF unit 100b, and a control computer 100c.

[0019] The HMI unit 100a is a variety of devices for exchanging information between the design support device 100 and the user, and includes input devices such as a keyboard, touch panel, and mouse, display devices such as an LCD screen and lamps, and audio devices such as a microphone and speaker. HMI is an abbreviation for Human Machine Interface.

[0020] The external IF unit 100b is an interface to which an external device such as a USB memory is connected. In this embodiment, the control computer 100c is an information processing device such as a personal computer or server having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, input / output interface, etc., and will be described as an example.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 , the programs stored in the storage device such as the ROM cause the CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output interface to function as a wiring information unit 101, a PN information unit 103, a difference information unit 105, a harness unit definition unit 107, a virtual electric wire setting unit 109, a diameter calculation unit 111, a spatial arrangement unit 113, a guide arrangement unit 115, a routing unit 117, a wiring arrangement unit 119, a wire harness definition unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the “harness definition unit 121”), a wire harness information unit 123 (hereinafter also referred to as the “harness information unit 123”), a restraining member information unit 125, a weight calculation unit 127, a dimension adjustment unit 129, a harness digital board adjustment unit 131 (hereinafter also referred to as the “board information unit 131”), a coordinate conversion unit 133, a size information unit 135, a manufacturing information unit 137, a gauge information unit 139, a recipe creation unit 141, and a process information unit 143.

[0022] The wiring information unit 101 includes a file for each composition, which is provided for each composition. Each file for each composition stores information related to the design of the wire harness 500, such as wiring information. The wiring information is a list in which various information related to the electric wires 501 that are components of the wire harness 500 is written according to predetermined rules.

[0023] The PN information unit 103 performs processing to generate a PN list, which is history information indicating which wire harness 500 of which composition has undergone a design change. Specific processing details will be described later. The contents of the PN list will also be described later.

[0024] The difference information unit 105 compares the wiring information of the existing train set (old wiring information) recorded in the file for each train set with the newly acquired wiring information of the new train set (new wiring information), and performs processing such as checking whether or not there has been a design change for each wire harness 500 and for each electric wire 501 belonging to the wire harness 500. Specific processing content will be described later.

[0025] The harness unit definition unit 107 performs processing to determine a combination of electric wires 501 to be combined into the wire harness 500 from the plurality of electric wires 501 included in the original wiring information based on at least one of the area information and the usage information included in the original wiring information. Specific processing contents will be described later. The original wiring information is wiring information written in a free format and provided by a party requesting harness design.

[0026] The virtual electric wire setting unit 109 performs processing to create a virtual electric wire, which is a virtual electric wire that combines multiple electric wires 501 into one. The content of the processing to create a virtual electric wire differs depending on whether the creation unit is a device unit or a connector unit. The specific processing content will be described later.

[0027] The diameter calculation unit 111 performs a process of calculating the diameter (specifically, the diameter) of the virtual electric wire. The diameter of the virtual electric wire is calculated by regarding the multiple electric wires 501 included in the virtual electric wire as a single electric wire. The specific processing content will be described later.

[0028] The space placement unit 113 performs a calculation process to place a virtual space 611 (see FIG. 5) in which the electric wires 501 are placed, relative to a car body model 601 (see FIG. 4) generated in a design space, which is a virtual three-dimensional space. The details of the calculation process in the space placement unit 113 will be described later.

[0029] The car body model 601 is generated based on three-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design) data (3D design data). The three-dimensional CAD data includes at least part shape information, part position information, equipment position information, and connection position information. The part shape information is information about the shapes of the structural parts that make up the car body. The part position information is information about the positions on the car body where the structural parts are located. The equipment position information is information about the positions on the car body where the equipment that is to be installed is to be installed. The connection position information is the position where the electric wire 501 of the equipment is connected.

[0030] The virtual space 611 is generated based on the virtual space information. The virtual space 611 is an imaginary space set within the design space, and is a space set between the structural parts that make up the vehicle body. In Fig. 5, the virtual space 611 is displayed by hatching with dots.

[0031] The virtual space information includes at least space shape information, which is information about the shape of the virtual space 611, and space position information, which is information about the position where the virtual space 611 is placed.

[0032] The guide placement unit 115 performs a calculation process to place the guide unit 621 in the virtual space 611. The details of the calculation process in the guide placement unit 115 will be described later. As shown in FIG. 6 , the guide unit 621 is a virtual plate-like member that is placed in the virtual space 611. The guide unit 621 is provided with a guide hole 622 through which the electric wire 501 is inserted. The position at which the electric wire 501 is placed is determined by inserting the electric wire 501 into the guide hole 622. The electric wire 501 to be inserted into the guide hole 622 is determined, for example, when placing the electric wire 501.

[0033] 6, the shape of the guide portion 621 can be determined based on the cross-sectional shape of the virtual space 611 in which the guide portion 621 is disposed. Similarly, the size of the guide hole 622 can be determined based on the diameter of the electric wire 501 to be inserted. The position where the guide hole 622 is provided in the guide portion 621 can also be determined so that the plurality of electric wires 501 forming the wire harness 500 described later are adjacent to each other.

[0034] The routing unit 117 creates wiring route information, which is information on the route along which the electric wire 501 is arranged in the virtual space 611, based on the wiring information. The details of the calculation processing in the routing unit 117 will be described later. The wiring route information is also referred to as harness routing data. The wiring route information also includes graphic information that displays the three-dimensional shape of the electric wire 501 arranged in the design space.

[0035] The wiring information is also expressed as a From To list. The wiring information includes at least device identification information, wire type information, wire length information, tolerance information, diameter information, and label character information. The device identification information is information that identifies the device (not shown) to which the electric wire 501 is connected. The wire type information is information that identifies the type of the electric wire 501. The wire length information is information that indicates the length of the electric wire 501. The tolerance information is information that indicates a predetermined error range for the length value determined for the electric wire 501. The diameter information is information that indicates the diameter of the electric wire 501. The label character information is information that indicates the label character to be applied to the electric wire 501.

[0036] The above-mentioned length information does not have to be included in the wiring information in the initial state, and information on the length of the electric wire 501 as a guideline may be included instead of the above-mentioned length information. If the wiring information does not include the above-mentioned length information, length information of the electric wire 501 obtained by the harness information unit 123 (described later) is included in the wiring information as the above-mentioned length information. Also, if the wiring information includes length information as a guideline, the length information of the electric wire 501 obtained by the harness information unit 123 is overwritten.

[0037] The initial state refers to a state from when the wiring information is created until the length information of the electric wire 501 obtained by the harness information unit 123 is included in the wiring information or is overwritten.

[0038] Hereinafter, the two ends of each electric wire 501 are also referred to as the F-side and the T-side. Also, the area in the vehicle where the equipment to which the F-side end is connected is located is also referred to as the F-area, and the area in the vehicle where the equipment to which the T-side end is connected is also referred to as the T-area.

[0039] The wiring information is collectively stored for each wire harness 500. FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of the wiring information for one wire harness 500. The wiring information lists information about all the electric wires 501 that constitute the wire harness 500. That is, the wiring information includes "F-side," "F-area label character," "cable P / N," "T-area label character," "T-side," and the like, which are stored in association with a "unique number" that identifies the electric wire 501. The "F-side" is area information that indicates an area inside the vehicle (i.e., the F-area) to which the F-side, which is one end of the electric wire 501, is connected. The "T-side" is area information that indicates an area inside the vehicle (i.e., the T-area) to which the T-side, which is the other end of the electric wire 501, is connected. The "F-area label character" is a label character printed on the F-side end of the electric wire 501, and for example, the name of the F-area is used. The "T-area label character" is a label character written on the T-side of the electric wire 501, and for example, the name of the T-area is used. "Cable P / N" is information indicating the type of use of the electric wires 501. In other words, the wiring information shown in Fig. 9 indicates that one wire harness 500 is made up of ten electric wires 501 connecting F sides identified by 1 to 4 and T sides identified by 5 to 8.

[0040] The wire arrangement unit 119 performs a calculation process to arrange the electric wires 501 arranged in the virtual space 611. The details of the calculation process in the wire arrangement unit 119 will be described later. The harness definition unit 121 performs a calculation process to define the wire harness 500 by bundling the electric wires 501 arranged in the virtual space 611. The details of the calculation process in the harness definition unit 121 will be described later.

[0041] The harness information unit 123 performs calculation processing to create wire harness information (2D design data) for the defined wire harness 500. The details of the calculation processing in the harness information unit 123 will be described later. The created wire harness information is used in the approval procedure for the designed wire harness 500 and in the manufacture of the wire harness 500.

[0042] The restraining member information unit 125 performs calculation processing to generate restraining member information including the length of the restraining member 503 used in the wire harness 500, in other words, the amount used, based on the three-dimensional CAD data and the wire harness information. In this embodiment, the description will be given by taking an example in which the restraining member 503 is an adhesive tape. The generated restraining member information is information that can be output as list-format data. The details of the calculation processing in the restraining member information unit 125 will be described later.

[0043] The weight calculation unit 127 performs a process of calculating the weight of each type of the electric wire 501, and a process of calculating the total weight of the wire harness 500 based on the calculated weight of the electric wire 501 for each type. Specific processing contents will be described later.

[0044] The dimension adjustment unit 129 performs processing such as creating new wiring route information by adding excess length, tolerance, and rounding to the wiring route information created by the routing unit 117. Rounding means processing fractions of numerical values, etc. Specific processing contents will be described later.

[0045] The board information unit 131 performs calculation processing to create digital board information for harness based on the wire harness information and new wiring route information. The digital board information for harness is information including drawing information to be displayed on a digital board for harness 201 (described later).

[0046] The coordinate conversion unit 133 converts information indicating that the branch line 513 extends in a diagonal direction relative to the trunk line 511 into information indicating that the branch line 513 extends in a direction perpendicular to the trunk line 511. The specific processing content will be described later.

[0047] The size information unit 135 performs calculation processing to set size information relating to the size of the board display unit 202, which will be described later. The board display unit 202 is also a placement surface on which the electric wires 501 are placed when creating the wire harness 500 on the harness digital board 201.

[0048] The manufacturing information unit 137 performs arithmetic processing to create manufacturing information (information indicating a manufacturing method) including drawing information used in manufacturing the wire harness 500, based on the harness digital board information and size information. The drawing information is information displayed on the board display unit 202 of the harness digital board 201.

[0049] The gauge information unit 139 performs calculation processing to create gauge information, which is information on the tolerance gauge 631, based on the tolerance information included in the wiring information. The gauge information is information that causes the board display unit 202 to display the tolerance gauge 631, and the created gauge information is included in the drawing information.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the tolerance gauge 631 indicates the tolerance range of the positions at which the F-side end and T-side end of the electric wire 501 are positioned when the electric wire 501 is placed on the board display section 202 of the harness digital board 201.

[0051] The recipe creation unit 141 performs processing to create a manufacturing recipe based on the wiring information. The manufacturing recipe is information used in the production of the wire harness 500, and includes information such as the content and order of the processes for manufacturing the wire harness 500.

[0052] The process information unit 143 performs a calculation process to create wiring process information corresponding to the wiring process of the wire harness 500 based on the wire harness information and the wiring information. The wiring process information is information that enables the terminal display unit 321 of the information processing terminal 300 to display information corresponding to the wiring process of the wire harness 500. For example, the wiring process information is information that can display the order in which the branch wires 513 or connectors 502 of the wire harness 500 are to be wired, or display a three-dimensional drawing of the wire harness 500 while highlighting the branch wire 513 to be wired. The process information unit 143 may also perform a calculation process to create the wiring process information based on wiring path information. The process information unit 143 may also perform a calculation process to create the wiring process information based on the wiring path information and three-dimensional harness information, which will be described later.

[0053] Note that, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which one design support device 100 functions as a wiring information unit 101, a PN information unit 103, a difference information unit 105, a harness unit definition unit 107, a virtual electric wire setting unit 109, a diameter calculation unit 111, a spatial placement unit 113, a guide placement unit 115, a routing unit 117, a wire arrangement unit 119, a harness definition unit 121, a harness information unit 123, a restraining member information unit 125, a weight calculation unit 127, a dimension adjustment unit 129, a board information unit 131, a coordinate conversion unit 133, a size information unit 135, a manufacturing information unit 137, a gauge information unit 139, a recipe creation unit 141, and a process information unit 143. However, these may be distributed among a plurality of design support devices 100.

[0054] For example, one design support device 100 may function as a wiring information unit 101, a PN information unit 103, a difference information unit 105, a harness unit definition unit 107, a virtual electric wire setting unit 109, a diameter calculation unit 111, a spatial arrangement unit 113, a guide arrangement unit 115, a routing unit 117, a wiring arrangement unit 119, a harness definition unit 121, a harness information unit 123, a restraining member information unit 125, a weight calculation unit 127, and a dimension adjustment unit 129, while another design support device 100 may function as a board information unit 131, a coordinate conversion unit 133, a size information unit 135, a manufacturing information unit 137, a gauge information unit 139, a recipe creation unit 141, and a process information unit 143. The one design support device 100 and the other design support devices 100 may be directly connected to each other so as to be able to communicate information with each other, or may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate information with each other via a server.

[0055] The manufacturing support device 200 manufactures the wire harness 500. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 8, the manufacturing support device 200 mainly includes a harness digital board 201, a control computer 211, and a data server 221. The manufacturing support device 200 also includes devices used in manufacturing the wire harness 500, including a reading unit 231, a wire cutter 241, and a printer 251.

[0056] The harness digital board 201 is formed in the shape of a desk and is used for manufacturing the wire harness 500. The harness digital board 201 is provided with a board display unit 202 which also serves as a workbench on which the wire harness 500 is manufactured.

[0057] The board display unit 202 is a surface having the width and length necessary for manufacturing the wire harness 500. The board display unit 202 is not only the surface on which the wire harness 500 is manufactured, but also the display surface on which drawing information, which is digital information, is displayed. The board display unit 202 is communicably connected to the control computer 211, and information on the drawing information to be displayed is sent from the control computer 211. The control computer 211 may read manufacturing information including the drawing information from the data server 221.

[0058] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the display surface of the board display unit 202 is a liquid crystal display. Note that the display surface of the board display unit 202 is not limited to the above-mentioned liquid crystal display, and may be an organic EL (electroluminescence) display or a projection surface onto which drawing information is projected by a projector.

[0059] The reading unit 231 optically reads an identifier such as a barcode displayed on the display surface of the board display unit 202. The reading unit 231 is connected to the control computer 211 so as to be able to communicate information with the control computer 211, and outputs information about the read identifier to the control computer 211.

[0060] In this embodiment, the reader 231 is of a portable size and weight, and is connected to the control computer 211 so as to be capable of communicating information using a known wireless communication technique. Also, the identifier can be of a known method or format.

[0061] The wire cutter 241 cuts the wire 501 used in manufacturing the wire harness 500 to a predetermined desired length. The wire cutter 241 is connected to the control computer 211 so as to be capable of communicating information with the control computer 211, and cuts the wire 501 based on a control signal input from the control computer 211. The wire 501 to be cut is unwound from a supply reel (not shown).

[0062] The printer 251 prints labels to be attached to the cut electric wires 501 and the wire harness 500. The labels are used to identify the electric wires 501. The printer 251 is connected to the control computer 211 so as to be able to communicate information with the control computer 211, and prints on the labels based on information input from the control computer 211.

[0063] The control computer 211 controls the display of drawing information on the harness digital board 201. It also controls other devices such as a wire cutter 241 and a printer 251 used in the manufacture of the wire harness 500, and acquires information related to the manufacture of the wire harness 500, such as work history and inspection results.

[0064] In this embodiment, the control computer 211 is an information processing device such as a personal computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, input / output interface, etc., and will be described as an example.

[0065] The program stored in the storage device such as the ROM causes the CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output interface to cooperate with each other and function as an input / output unit 212 and a control unit 213, as shown in FIG.

[0066] The input / output unit 212 is connected to the design support device 100, the board display unit 202, the reading unit 231, the wire cutter 241, the printing machine 251, and the data server 221 so as to be able to communicate information with them. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the board display unit 202, the wire cutter 241, the printing machine 251, and the data server 221 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate information by wire using a known method such as a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, and are connected to the reading unit 231 so as to be able to communicate information by wireless using a known method such as a wireless LAN. An example will be described in which the input / output unit 212 is connected to the design support device 100 so as to be able to communicate information with them using a known information communication network.

[0067] The control unit 213 generates control signals for controlling the operations of the board display unit 202, the wire cutter 241, and the printer 251. The control unit 213 also stores information related to the manufacture of the wire harness 500, such as work history and inspection results, in the data server 221.

[0068] The data server 221 is a server connected to the control computer 211 so as to be able to communicate information with it via an information communication network formed of a LAN cable or the like. In this embodiment, the data server 221 will be described as an example in which the data server 221 is an information processing device such as a server having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, an input / output interface, etc.

[0069] The program stored in the storage device such as the ROM causes the CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output interface to cooperate with each other and function as the storage unit 222, as shown in Fig. 8. The storage unit 222 stores information related to the manufacture of the wire harness 500, such as the work history and inspection results acquired by the control computer 211. The storage unit 222 may also store manufacturing information including drawing information.

[0070] The information processing terminal 300 displays information that supports the wiring work of the wire harness 500. In this embodiment, the information processing terminal 300 is described as an example of a tablet or notebook-type information processing device that can be carried by a worker and has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, an input / output interface, etc.

[0071] The programs stored in the storage devices such as the ROM described above cause the CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output interface, etc. to cooperate to function as the terminal storage unit 301, terminal control unit 311, and terminal display unit 321, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0072] The terminal storage unit 301 stores the wiring process information and wiring route information acquired from the design support device 100. The terminal control unit 311 controls the display of the wiring process information and wiring route information corresponding to the wiring process of the wire harness 500. The control content of the terminal control unit 311 will be described later.

[0073] The terminal display unit 321 displays wiring process information and wiring route information to a worker performing wiring work. The terminal display unit 321 also serves as an input unit such as a touch screen through which the worker inputs operations to the information processing terminal 300. In this embodiment, the terminal display unit 321 is described as being an example in which a liquid crystal display and a touch screen are combined.

[0074] Next, a total support method for the wire harness 500 in the total support system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 29. When wiring support for the wire harness 500 is started in the total support system 1 of this embodiment, the design support device 100 performs design preparation processing (S100), as shown in Fig. 10. The design support device 100 that executes this design preparation processing corresponds to a design change confirmation device, and the design preparation processing realizes the design change confirmation method.

[0075] The design preparation process will now be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 11 , the design support device 100 acquires original wiring information to be used in design, and determines whether the acquired original wiring information includes information representing a wire harness unit (hereinafter also referred to as a harness unit) (S111). The design support device 100 acquires the original wiring information via the external IF unit 100b. Specifically, for example, the original wiring information may be acquired by reading it from a portable storage device or by accessing an external server in which the original wiring information is saved. The original wiring information is the information shown in FIG. 9 described in a free format. For example, if the original wiring information is created for each harness, the design support device 100 may determine that the original wiring information includes information representing a harness unit, and if the original wiring information is created collectively regardless of the harness, the design support device 100 may determine that the original wiring information does not include information representing a harness unit.

[0076] If the design support device 100 determines that the original wiring information does not include information representing the harness unit (in the case of NO), it performs a harness unit definition process (S112) and then proceeds to S113. On the other hand, if the design support device 100 determines that the original wiring information includes information representing the harness unit (in the case of YES), it proceeds to S113 without performing the harness unit definition process.

[0077] In the harness unit definition process (S112), the design support device 100 determines a combination of electric wires 501 to be combined into a wire harness 500 from the plurality of electric wires 501 included in the original wiring information based on at least one of the area information and the cable P / N included in the original wiring information, and defines the harness unit.

[0078] Here, the area information is information that identifies the area in which the equipment to which the electric wire 501 is connected is installed, and the cable P / N is information that identifies the type of use of the electric wire 501 (e.g., AC electric wire, DC electric wire, shielded line).

[0079] Based on the area information, it is possible to determine the combination of electric wires 501 to be bundled into the wire harness 500, taking into consideration the location where the wire harness 500 is wired, for example, the car number of a railway vehicle, the right side or left side of the vehicle, etc. Furthermore, based on the cable P / N of the electric wires 501, it is possible to bundle only AC electric wires, only DC electric wires, or only shielded wires into the wire harness 500.

[0080] In other words, the original wiring information used in the processing from S113 onward always includes information representing the harness unit. The design support device 100 performs a process of determining whether the acquired original wiring information is to be used for the first formation (S113). Specifically, for example, the determination result input from the HMI unit 100a by the user of the design support device 100 may be used.

[0081] If the design support device 100 determines that the original wiring information is information to be used for the initial formation (if YES), it executes a process of creating a new PN list (S114) and a process of creating wiring information (S115), and ends the design preparation process.

[0082] If the design support device 100 determines that the acquired original wiring information is information to be used for the second or subsequent formation (if NO), it executes a target harness confirmation process (S116), a PN list update process (S117), and a wiring information creation process (S118), and ends the design preparation process.

[0083] The new PN list created by the new PN list creation process (S114) can be, for example, a list in which "PN numbers," "harness names," and "change application information for composition Ti" are associated with each other, as shown in the first to fourth columns on the left side of the list shown in Fig. 12. The i in composition Ti indicates that it is the i-th composition. In this case, since this is the first composition, i=1.

[0084] The "PN number" is a number that identifies each individual wire harness 500 included in the wiring information. The "harness name" is a name given to each wire harness 500. The "change application information" is information that indicates whether or not a change has been made to the corresponding train set compared to the previous train set. However, since the train set T1 does not have a previous train set, the design support device 100 sets information indicating that there is a design change (indicated by a circle in the PN list) to all wire harnesses 500 in the train set of the train set T1 that has been added as the change application train set.

[0085] In the wiring information creation process (S115), the design support device 100 divides the original wiring information into harness units and rewrites each of the divided harness units into a predetermined format shown in FIG. 9, thereby generating wiring information to be used in the initial formation T1.

[0086] In the target harness confirmation process (S116), the design support device 100 compares the information representing the harness units included in the original wiring information with the wire harnesses 500 listed in the PN list to confirm addition or deletion of the wire harnesses 500. Then, the design support device 100 extracts the wire harnesses 500 other than the added or deleted ones as target harnesses to be subjected to difference confirmation.

[0087] In the PN list update process (S117: update step), the design support device 100 adds or deletes harnesses, adds a change application train set, and assigns keys. In the harness addition / deletion process, the design support device 100 adds a row of the added harness confirmed in the target harness confirmation process to the PN list, and deletes a row of the confirmed deleted harness from the PN list. Note that instead of deleting the row of the deleted harness from the PN list, it is also possible to clearly indicate on the PN list that the harness to be deleted has been discontinued. In this case, when the PN list is displayed on the screen, the row of the discontinued harness may be grayed out to visually indicate that it is discontinued.

[0088] When adding a change applicable train set, the design support device 100 sets the last train set in the current PN list to the i-1th train set Ti-1 (i is an integer equal to or greater than 2), and adds a change applicable train set sequence associated with the i-th train set Ti to the last train set in the PN list. At this time, the design support device 100 may set information indicating that there is a design change (i.e., a circle) in the column for the added harness in the added change applicable train set sequence.

[0089] In key assignment, the design support device 100 assigns a key to the composition T1 or Ti added in the process of adding a change-applied composition train. The key is an identification number associated with the address of a composition-specific folder provided for each composition. A composition-specific folder is prepared for each composition, and is used to store various information (PN list, wiring information, etc.) related to the design of the wire harness for that composition. The memory area for storing the composition-specific folder is provided, for example, in RAM of the control computer 100c or in a memory device connected to the control computer 100c. The memory area for storing this composition-specific folder corresponds to a composition-specific memory unit. Note that the correspondence between the key and the address of the composition-specific folder is set using a folder address list (see FIG. 15) described below.

[0090] In the process of creating wiring information (S118), the design support device 100 divides the original wiring information into harness units and rewrites each of the divided harness units into a predetermined format shown in FIG. 9, thereby generating new wiring information to be used in the current formation Ti.

[0091] The processes of S115 and S118 correspond to the wiring information unit 101, the process of S112 corresponds to the harness unit definition unit 107, and the processes of S114 and S117 correspond to the PN information unit 103.

[0092] 11 is completed, the design support device 100 of the total support system 1 returns to FIG. 10 and performs a difference confirmation process to confirm the difference between the new wiring information and the old wiring information used in the previous formation (S120). The process of S120 corresponds to the difference information unit 105.

[0093] Here, the difference confirmation process executed by the design support device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13, the design support device 100 first performs a process of determining whether or not the original wiring information to be processed is to be used for the first formation (S121). The determination result in this process is the same as the determination result in the previous S113.

[0094] When the design support device 100 determines that the original wiring information is information to be used for the second or subsequent formation (if NO), the processing ends because there is no old wiring information to be compared. When the design support device 100 determines that the original wiring information is information to be used for the first formation (if YES), the design support device 100 performs processing to write information into the setting sheet of the confirmation program (S122).

[0095] As shown in Fig. 14, the confirmation program setting sheet has fields for inputting "Data save destination," "PN list data selection," and "Current change organization," as well as a "setting" button that is operated when starting the confirmation program. The confirmation program setting sheet is displayed and written in, for example, via the HMI unit 100a. The various sheets and lists described below in the difference confirmation process are displayed and written in, for example, via the HMI unit 100a, just as in the case of the confirmation program setting sheet.

[0096] The "Data storage destination" field sets the storage destination for the difference confirmation list generated by the confirmation program. The storage destination for the difference confirmation list may be represented by the file name of the difference confirmation list and the address of the folder in which the file is saved. The "PN list data selection" field sets the storage destination for the PN list. The storage destination for the PN list may be represented by the file name of the PN list and the address of the folder for each formation in which the file is saved. The "Current changed formation" field sets the formation to be confirmed, i.e., the formation corresponding to the last column of the PN list (current changed formation) as the (i-1)th formation Ti-1, and a new i-th formation Ti is set.

[0097] When the information is written into the setting sheet, the design support device 100 performs a folder address setting process in which the address of the composition-specific folder is associated with a key and set for each folder (i.e., for each composition) (S123). In the folder address list generated by the folder address setting process, the name of the composition-specific folder assigned to each composition Ti, the key assigned to composition Ti in S117, and the address of the composition-specific folder are recorded in association with each other, as shown in FIG. 15. Note that the name of the composition-specific folder, Folder Ti, indicates that it is a folder for composition Ti. The folder address list may be set either manually or automatically. The folder address list has an "Address Setting" button that is operated when setting the actual address automatically.

[0098] After the information has been written into the setting sheet of the confirmation program and the folder address has been set, when the "setting" button provided on the setting sheet of the confirmation program is pressed, the design support device 100 performs a process of inputting confirmation target information (S124). The process of inputting confirmation target information is a process of writing information about the wire harnesses that are to be checked for the presence or absence of design changes into a list of confirmation target harnesses.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 16, the confirmation target harness list lists the "PN numbers" and "target harnesses" of the wire harnesses 500 to be confirmed. Normally, of the wire harnesses 500 listed in the PN list, wire harnesses 500 for which addition or deletion was confirmed in S116 are not subject to confirmation, and wire harnesses other than these wire harnesses 500 are subject to confirmation. In addition, the confirmation target harness list is provided with a "start" button that is operated to start the confirmation process. The confirmation process is a process of comparing the old wiring information with the new wiring information for all confirmation target harnesses listed in the confirmation target harness list to confirm whether there are any changes.

[0100] After inputting the check target information into the check target harness list, the design support device 100 executes the check program when it accepts the operation of the "start" button provided on this list. When the check process is executed, the check process described below in S125 to S130 is repeatedly executed for each check target harness.

[0101] The design support device 100 selects one of the check target harnesses (multiple harness units) listed in the check target harness list as a selected harness (S125). When a selected harness is selected, the design support device 100 acquires old wiring information about the selected harness and writes the acquired old wiring information into a wire-unit difference confirmation sheet (see FIG. 17) (S126: second acquisition step / second acquisition unit). The old wiring information is acquired from a file by composition associated with the final changed composition Te of the selected harness. The final changed composition Te refers to the last composition in the PN list in which a design change is recorded for the selected harness. Note that A0001 to A0012 shown in FIG. 17 are examples of wires 501 that belong to WH0001_HarnessA, which is one of the wire harnesses 500.

[0102] Next, the design support device 100 acquires new wiring information related to the selected harness and writes the acquired new wiring information into the electric wire unit difference confirmation sheet (S127: first acquisition step / first acquisition unit). The new wiring information is the latest wiring information created in S118.

[0103] As a result of the processing of S126 and S127, the wire-by-wire difference confirmation sheet (see FIG. 17) displays, for all wires 501 belonging to the selected harness, a comparison of the old wiring information, which is the information before the change, and the new wiring information, which is the information after the change.

[0104] When writing into the electric wire-unit difference confirmation sheet is completed, the design support device 100 performs a process of comparing the new wiring information written into the electric wire-unit difference confirmation sheet with the old wiring information and recording the comparison result on the electric wire-unit difference confirmation sheet (S128: comparison process / comparison unit). FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the electric wire-unit difference confirmation sheet. The electric wire-unit difference confirmation sheet displays information before and after the change of "F side," "F area label character," "cable P / N," "T area label character," and "T side" in association with the "unique number." In FIG. 17, "F side," "F area label character," "T side," "T area label character," and "cable P / N" are exemplified as items to be shown in the output result list. However, the items to be shown in the output result list are not limited to these exemplified items and may include items related to the material, shape, etc. of the electric wire 501 and the connector 502.

[0105] The electric wire-by-electric wire difference confirmation sheet records change information that identifies items that are determined to have different contents before the change (i.e., old wiring information) and after the change (i.e., new wiring information) as a result of the comparison. The electric wire-by-electric wire difference confirmation sheet also records deletion information and addition information that identify deleted electric wires 501 (hereinafter, deleted electric wires) and newly added electric wires 501 (hereinafter, added electric wires).

[0106] Next, the design support device 100 performs a process of writing the comparison results for each harness into the harness-unit difference confirmation sheet (S129: Determination step / Determination unit). Specifically, the harness-unit difference confirmation sheet is a sheet that records a "target harness" and a "comparison result" in association with each other, as shown in FIG. 18. The "target harness" represents the harness name of the harness to be checked. In the "comparison result" column, NG is written if even one change is detected in the wire-unit difference confirmation sheet created for the selected harness, and OK is written if no change is detected. In other words, this indicates that the wire harness 500 corresponding to the row in the harness-unit difference confirmation sheet where NG is written in the "comparison result" column has undergone a design change and needs to be redesigned.

[0107] When the comparison result for each harness is recorded, the design support device 100 performs a process of outputting the confirmation results, which outputs a harness-unit difference confirmation sheet and an electric wire-unit difference confirmation sheet (S130: output process / output unit). The harness-unit difference confirmation sheet output by the confirmation result output process corresponds to the determination result in the determination process, and the electric wire-unit difference confirmation sheet corresponds to the comparison result in the comparison process.

[0108] The design support device 100 records, as confirmation result output, a harness unit difference confirmation sheet (see FIG. 18) and an electric wire unit difference confirmation sheet (see FIG. 17) in a folder for each formation corresponding to the change application formation, which is set as the data saving destination. Furthermore, the design support device 100 may output and display, as confirmation result output, the harness unit difference confirmation sheet (see FIG. 18) and the electric wire unit difference confirmation sheet (see FIG. 17) on a display screen or the like provided in the HMI unit 100a.

[0109] When the electric wire-by-electric wire difference confirmation sheet is displayed on the display screen, the parts where the design has been changed may be highlighted, as shown by hatching in Fig. 17. In Fig. 17, the new wiring information after the change is highlighted. Also, in Fig. 17, for a deleted electric wire 501 and a newly added electric wire 501, the entire row corresponding to that electric wire 501 is highlighted. The highlighting may be displayed in different ways (e.g., color, hatching pattern, range of highlighting, etc.) depending on the type of change (e.g., content change, deletion, addition, etc.).

[0110] When the confirmation result is output, the design support device 100 performs a process of determining whether or not the confirmation process of S125 to S130 has been performed on all the check target harnesses listed in the check target harness list (S131).

[0111] If there is a target harness for which the confirmation process has not been performed (if NO), the design support device 100 returns the process to S125 and performs the confirmation process on the unprocessed target harness.

[0112] If the confirmation process has been performed for all the target harnesses (YES), the process of reflecting the confirmation results in the PN list (S132: reflection step) is performed, and the difference confirmation process is terminated.

[0113] In the process of reflecting the confirmation results in the PN list (S132), the design support device 100 sets information indicating that there is a design change in the column of the target harness in the change application train set column of the current changed train set Ti in the PN list (see FIG. 12). The target harness here is the wire harness 500 for which the comparison result is NG in the harness unit difference confirmation sheet. Furthermore, information indicating that there is no design change (shown as a blank column in the PN list) is set in the column corresponding to the wire harness 500 for which the comparison result is OK. The design support device 100 that executes the design preparation process (S100) and the difference confirmation process (S120) corresponds to a design change confirmation device.

[0114] 12 is completed, the design support device 100 of the total support system 1 returns to FIG. 10 and performs processing to create a list to be used when performing automatic wiring on a 3D CAD (S200). Here, automatic wiring means connecting a starting point (From) which is one end of the electric wire 501 with a terminal point (To) which is the other end. The targets of automatic wiring are all wire harnesses 500 that are marked NG in the "Comparison result" column of the harness unit difference confirmation sheet.

[0115] 19, the design support device 100 performs a process of acquiring a list format (S201), and then performs a process of acquiring wiring information related to the target wire harness 500 (S202).

[0116] Thereafter, the design support device 100 performs a process of adding additional information (S203). Here, the additional information includes information on the coating of the electric wire 501, information on the cross-section type, information on the color, information on the diameter, information on the allowable curvature, and the like.

[0117] Furthermore, the design support device 100 performs a process of determining whether the wiring target is a part of the plurality of electric wires 501 included in the acquired wiring information (S204). If it is determined that the wiring target is a part (YES), the design support device 100 performs a process of determining whether the creation unit of the virtual electric wire is a device unit or a connector unit (S205).

[0118] Here, a virtual electric wire is a group of electric wires 501 in units of wiring. For example, when creating a virtual electric wire for each device, a plurality of electric wires 501 connecting one device A and another device G are grouped together and created as one virtual electric wire.

[0119] If it is determined that the creation unit of the virtual electric wire is a device unit, the design support device 100 performs a process of recognizing wiring information between devices with the same name (S206). On the other hand, if it is determined that the creation unit of the virtual electric wire is a connector unit, the design support device 100 performs a process of recognizing wiring information between connectors on the same device (S207).

[0120] Next, the design support device 100 performs a process of defining the application range for creating virtual electric wires (S208). In other words, a process of defining a group of electric wires 501 for creating virtual electric wires is performed. At this time, it is determined whether or not the application range needs to be modified, and if modification is necessary, a process of modifying the application range is performed. If modification is not necessary, the process proceeds to the next step.

[0121] When the application range of the virtual electric wire is defined, the virtual electric wire setting unit 109 of the design support device 100 performs processing to create the virtual electric wire (S209). Specifically, if it is determined in the determination processing of S205 that the creation unit of the virtual electric wire is per device, the electric wire 501 connected from the B connector of one device A to the H connector of another device G and the electric wire 501 connected from the C connector of one device A to the J connector of another device G are combined and processed to be created as one virtual electric wire.

[0122] Furthermore, if it is determined in the determination process of S205 that the unit for creating virtual electric wires is connector units, the electric wire 501 connected from the B connector of one device A to the H connector of another device G and the electric wire 501 connected from the C connector of one device A to the H connector of another device G are created as separate virtual electric wires.

[0123] After the process of creating the virtual electric wire is performed, the diameter calculation unit 111 of the design support device 100 performs a process of calculating the diameter of the virtual electric wire (S210). Specifically, a process of acquiring size information that is the diameter (diameter or radius) of the electric wire 501 from the wiring information is performed, and a process of calculating the diameter of the virtual electric wire based on the acquired size information is performed. The diameter of the virtual electric wire is calculated by regarding the multiple electric wires 501 included in the virtual electric wire as a single electric wire.

[0124] When the diameter of the virtual electric wire is calculated, the design support device 100 performs a process of creating wiring information of the virtual electric wire (S211). The wiring information is created in accordance with the format acquired in S201.

[0125] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of S204 that the wiring target is not a part (it is the whole) (in the case of NO), a process is performed using the wiring information to which the additional information acquired in S203 has been added (S212).

[0126] Thereafter, the design support device 100 performs a process of automatically generating connectors (S213). Specifically, when the creation unit of the virtual electric wire is on a device-by-device basis, a connector file is automatically generated in which the connector file name of the start point (From), which is one end of the virtual electric wire, is set to a name including the name of the device to be connected, and the connector file name of the end point (To), which is the other end, is set to a name including the name of the device to be connected. On the other hand, when the creation unit of the virtual electric wire is on a connector-by-connector basis, a connector file is automatically generated in which the connector file name of the start point (From), which is one end of the virtual electric wire, is set to a name including the name of the device to be connected and the name of the connector, and the connector file name of the end point (To), which is the other end, is set to a name including the name of the device to be connected and the name of the connector.

[0127] If a virtual electric wire is not created, a connector file is generated in which the connector file name of the starting point (From), which is one end of the electric wire 501, is a name that includes the name of the device to be connected and the name of the connector, and the connector file name of the other end (To), is a name that includes the name of the device to be connected and the name of the connector.

[0128] When the list creation process shown in FIG. 19 is completed, the design support device 100 returns to the process shown in FIG. 10 and performs the process of creating a virtual space (S300). The design support device 100 performs the following process to create a virtual space. First, as shown in FIG. 20, the design support device 100 performs a process to obtain three-dimensional CAD data and wiring information (S301). The design support device 100 transmits a signal requesting the output of the three-dimensional CAD data and wiring information to a server or the like that has previously stored the three-dimensional CAD data and wiring information. The three-dimensional CAD data and wiring information output in response to the output request signal are input to and stored in the design support device 100.

[0129] Upon receiving the three-dimensional CAD data and wiring information, the design support device 100 performs a process of creating a virtual space 611 based on the component information of the vehicle body model 601 (S302). The shape of the virtual space 611 is determined with reference to the vehicle model 601. For example, the virtual space 611 is placed between the structural components that make up the vehicle body. Furthermore, the virtual space 611 is placed at a position where the electric wire 501 can be connected to the equipment placed on the vehicle body.

[0130] The design support device 100 creates virtual space information including space shape information, which is information about the shape of the virtual space 611, and space position information, which is information about the position where the virtual space 611 is placed. The created virtual space 611 is checked for interference with the vehicle body. If it is confirmed that there is no interference, the process of creating the virtual space ends. The design support device 100 of the total support system 1 returns to FIG. 10 and performs the process of the electric wire routing work (S400).

[0131] As shown in Fig. 21, the design support device 100 performs the process described below as a process for routing electrical wires. First, the space layout unit 113 of the design support device 100 performs a process for arranging a vehicle model 601 and a virtual space 611 in the design space (S401). The vehicle body model 601 is generated in the design space based on three-dimensional CAD data. The virtual space 611 is approved in the virtual space creation process of S300, and is generated in the design space based on the virtual space information.

[0132] Once the vehicle model 601 and the virtual space 611 are placed, the guide placement unit 115 of the design support device 100 performs processing to place a guide portion 621 in the virtual space 611 (S402). Examples of the position where the guide portion 621 is placed include a corner of the virtual space 611, a branching point where the virtual space 611 branches, and the vicinity of a tapered portion where the cross-sectional area of ​​the virtual space 611 expands or decreases.

[0133] The process of setting the shape of the guide portion 621, the size of the guide hole 622, and the placement position may be performed simultaneously with the process of placing the guide portion 621, or may be performed before the process of S402. When the process of setting the shape, etc. of the guide portion 621 is performed before the process of S402, the setting process may be performed on a computer separate from the design support device 100. In this case, the shape, etc. of the guide portion 621 set by the setting process are input to the design support device 100 when the process of S402 is performed.

[0134] Once the guide portion 621 is placed, the routing unit 117 of the design support device 100 performs a routing operation, which is a process of wiring the electric wire 501 in the virtual space 611 (S403). The routing operation is also referred to as a three-dimensional wiring design. Through the routing operation and a wiring arrangement process described later, wiring path information including graphic information that displays the three-dimensional shape of the electric wire 501 is created.

[0135] The process of wiring the electric wire 501 is performed based on the device identification information included in the wiring information, the device position information and the connection position information included in the 3D CAD data, and the like. That is, based on the wiring information, a device connected to the starting point (From), which is one end of the specified electric wire 501, and a device connected to the ending point (To), which is the other end, are identified. The positions where the identified starting point side device and ending point side device are to be installed, and the position where the electric wire 501 is connected to the device are identified. The routing unit 117 performs a process of wiring the electric wire 501 so that the electric wire 501 is connected to the identified device via the virtual space 611. At this time, the electric wire 501 is inserted into the set guide hole 622 of the guide unit 621.

[0136] When the routing work is performed, the wire arrangement unit 119 of the design support device 100 performs a wire arrangement process (S404). The wire arrangement process includes an adjustment process when the electric wires 501 cannot all fit into the virtual space 611, and a process of tidying up the electric wires 501 arranged at a portion where the virtual space 611 is bent or extends in a straight line. First, the adjustment process when the electric wires 501 cannot all fit into the virtual space 611 will be described.

[0137] The wiring arrangement unit 119 determines whether or not the electric wire 501 will enter the virtual space 611 as follows. First, based on the virtual space information, it acquires a placement part shape, which is the shape in a predetermined area where the determination of the virtual space 611 is made, and an electric wire shape, which is the shape of the electric wire 501 placed in the predetermined area based on the wiring information. Next, based on the placement part shape and the electric wire shape, it determines whether or not the electric wire 501 will interfere with the boundary surface, which is the boundary between the inside and outside of the virtual space 611, in the predetermined area. If there is interference, it is determined that the electric wire 501 will not enter the virtual space 611. If there is no interference, it is determined that the electric wire 501 will not enter the virtual space 611.

[0138] When it is determined that the electric wire 501 does not enter the virtual space 611, the wire arrangement unit 119 performs at least one of the wire arrangement processes described below. When it is determined that the electric wire 501 enters the virtual space 611, these wire arrangement processes are not performed.

[0139] In the first wiring arrangement process, a process is performed to expand the virtual space 611 that has been determined not to accommodate the electric wire 501. A predetermined marginal space is secured between the vehicle body model 601 and the virtual space 611, and a process is performed to expand the virtual space 611 into the marginal space.

[0140] In the second wiring arrangement process, a process is performed in which some of the electric wires 501 that are determined not to enter the virtual space 611 are detouring to another wiring route. In other words, a process is performed in which the electric wires 501 are detouring to another virtual space 611 that is different from the virtual space 611 that is determined not to enter the virtual space 611.

[0141] In the third wire arrangement process, a process is performed to change the arrangement positions of the arranged electric wires 501 in the determined virtual space 611. When a plurality of electric wires 501 with different diameters are arranged in the virtual space 611, it may be determined that not all of the electric wires 501 can fit into the virtual space 611 due to the large gaps between them. In this case, it may be possible to fit all of the electric wires 501 into the virtual space 611 by changing the arrangement positions of the electric wires 501 and reducing the gaps between the electric wires 501.

[0142] The fourth wire arrangement process is a process that is performed when it is determined that the electric wires 501 do not enter the virtual space 611 even after the first to third wire arrangement processes have been performed. In this wire arrangement process, a process is performed to change the shape of the structural parts that make up the vehicle body and the arrangement of the devices to which the electric wires 501 are connected. Changing the shape of the structural parts makes it possible to change and expand the virtual space 611, making it possible to fit all the electric wires 501 into the virtual space 611. Furthermore, changing the arrangement of the devices changes the route along which the electric wires 501 are arranged, making it possible to fit all the electric wires 501 into the virtual space 611.

[0143] As described above, if the wiring unit 119 determines that the electric wire 501 does not enter the virtual space 611, the first to fourth wiring processes may be performed, or they may be performed when the operator inputs an instruction to execute the process.

[0144] Next, a process of arranging the electric wires 501 arranged at a bent portion or at a linear portion of the virtual space 611 will be described. In this embodiment, the process is performed when the operator inputs execution, but the wire arrangement unit 119 may determine whether or not the process can be performed.

[0145] When the operator inputs a command to execute the process, the wire arrangement unit 119 performs a process to organize the arrangement of the electric wires 501. For example, the process to arrange the electric wires 501 in parallel with the center line of the virtual space 611, the process to set the distance between adjacent electric wires 501 within a desired range, etc., is performed.

[0146] After the wiring arrangement process is completed, the design support device 100 performs a process of creating wire harness information and restraining member information (S405). First, the harness definition unit 121 of the design support device 100 performs a process of defining the wire harness 500. Then, the harness information unit 123 performs a process of creating wire harness information, and the restraining member information unit 125 performs a process of creating restraining member information.

[0147] The harness definition unit 121 performs a calculation process to define a wire harness 500 by bundling a predetermined number of electric wires 501. The predetermined number of electric wires 501 are selected from a plurality of electric wires 501 arranged in a virtual space 611 according to a predetermined rule.

[0148] Examples of the predetermined rule include limiting the number of electric wires 501 to be bundled in one wire harness 500 to 100, bundling electric wires 501 connected to the same device in the wire harness 500, and selecting electric wires 501 to be bundled in the wire harness 500 based on the electrical type. Note that an example of a selection method based on the electrical type is a method of selecting electric wires 501 of the same type (for example, AC electric wire, DC electric wire, or shielded line).

[0149] When the process of defining the wire harness 500 is performed, the harness information unit 123 performs a process of creating wire harness information based on harness three-dimensional information, which is information on the three-dimensional shape of the wire harness 500. Here, the harness three-dimensional information is information based on wiring route information of the electric wires 501 that constitute the wire harness 500.

[0150] The wire harness information is information about the shape of the wire harness 500, such as length information of the main line 511 of the wire harness 500, position information of the branch point 512, and length information of the branch line 513. The wire harness information also includes information that allows the wire harness 500 to be displayed as a two-dimensional drawing.

[0151] Furthermore, the wire harness information includes information about the wires 501 that constitute the wire harness 500, such as information identifying the wires 501 that constitute the wire harness 500, length information about the wires 501, diameter information about the wires 501, and information identifying the wires 501 that constitute the branch wires 513.

[0152] The restraining member information unit 125 performs a calculation process to create restraining member information based on the three-dimensional CAD data, the wire harness information, etc. The restraining member information is information including the length of the adhesive tape that is the restraining member 503 used in the wire harness 500, in other words, the amount used.

[0153] First, the restraining member information unit 125 acquires restraining member arrangement information, which is information on the restraining positions where the plurality of electric wires 501 are bundled and restrained, the type of restraining member 503 used for restraining, and the number of turns that the restraining member 503 is wound around at the restraining positions. This information may be input by the worker, or may be acquired from pre-stored information.

[0154] The restraining member information unit 125 performs a process of calculating the outer diameter of the bundle of electric wires 501 (wire harness 500) at the restraining position based on the information on the restraining position and the diameter information of the electric wires 501. After calculating the value of the outer diameter, the restraining member information unit 125 performs a process of multiplying the value of the outer diameter by the number of turns. This multiplication determines the length (usage) of the restraining member 503 used at that restraining position. The process of determining the usage amount is performed for each restraining position.

[0155] When the usage amount of the restraining member 503 for all restraining positions in the wire harness 500 is determined, the restraining member information unit 125 creates restraining member information including information for identifying the wire harness 500, the restraining position, the type of the restraining member 503, the number of turns, and the usage amount. The restraining member information is created as outputtable data in a known format.

[0156] When the restraining member information is created, the design support device 100 performs a process of creating harness wiring diagram information (2D design data) (S406). The harness wiring diagram information is information on a two-dimensional drawing related to the wire harness 500, and is information on a drawing showing how the wire harness 500 is to be wired relative to the vehicle body.

[0157] When the processing of the electric wire routing work shown in FIG. 21 is completed, the design support device 100 returns to the processing shown in FIG. 10 and performs the weight check processing (S500). 22, the design support device 100 performs a process of acquiring wiring route information (harness routing data) (S501). Specifically, the design support device 100 performs a process of acquiring at least information on the wiring length included in the wiring route information.

[0158] After the process of acquiring the wiring route information is performed, the design support device 100 performs a process of acquiring composite information (S502). The composite information here refers to information such as the diameter of the virtual electric wire calculated in creating the virtual electric wire and the diameter of the electric wires 501 included in the virtual electric wire.

[0159] Next, the weight calculation unit 127 of the design support device 100 performs a process of calculating the weight for each type of the electric wire 501 (S503). Specifically, information on the weight of the electric wire 501 (weight per unit length, etc.) is acquired, and the weight is calculated based on the acquired information and the information on the wiring length acquired in S501.

[0160] When the weight of each type of electric wire 501 is calculated, the weight calculation unit 127 performs a process of calculating the total weight of the wire harness 500 (S504). Thereafter, the design support device 100 performs a process of determining whether the calculated total weight is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (S505). The threshold is determined in consideration of the workload of the worker who wires the wire harness 500. An example of the threshold is 20 kg or less.

[0161] If it is determined that the total weight is not equal to or less than the threshold value (NO), the design support device 100 performs processing to display an error (S506). After displaying an error, or if it is determined that the total weight is equal to or less than the threshold (YES), the design support device 100 performs processing to write the weight into the wiring information (S507).

[0162] When the weight check process shown in FIG. 22 is completed, the design support device 100 returns to the process shown in FIG. 10 and performs the dimension adjustment process (S600). 23, the design support device 100 performs a process of acquiring wiring route information (harness routing data) (S601). Specifically, the design support device 100 performs a process of acquiring at least information on branches included in the wiring route information, information on section lengths, and the like.

[0163] Next, the design support device 100 performs a process of acquiring the edited wiring route information (S602). The edited wiring route information is wiring route information in which information on branches, information on section lengths, and information on coordinates have been edited. Editing refers to rounding processes to process tolerances, excess lengths, fractional parts of numerical values, etc.

[0164] Thereafter, the dimension adjustment unit 129 of the design support device 100 performs a process of determining whether or not the line segment of the electric wire 501 is a branch line 513 (S603). Specifically, the start point coordinates and end point coordinates of each line segment are acquired, and the determination process is performed based on the coordinates.

[0165] If it is determined that the line segment is a branch line 513 (YES), the dimension adjustment unit 129 performs a process of adding an extra length and a tolerance to the wiring route information acquired in S601 (S604). The values ​​of the extra length and the tolerance to be added are determined based on the tolerance rule acquired from the outside or a preset extra length value.

[0166] After the process of S604 is performed, or if it is determined that the line segment is not a branch line 513 (in the case of NO), the dimension adjustment unit 129 performs a process of creating new wiring route information by adding extra length, tolerance, and rounding to the wiring route information acquired in S601 (S605).

[0167] Thereafter, the size adjustment unit 129 performs a process of determining whether or not the process has been performed on all the data (S606). If it is determined that the process has not been performed on all the data (NO), the process returns to S603 and the above-described process is repeated.

[0168] If it is determined that the processing has been performed on all data (YES), a process is performed to determine whether the difference between the wiring route information before and after editing is within a predetermined value (S607).

[0169] If it is determined that the difference between the wiring path information before and after editing exceeds a predetermined threshold (NO), the design support device 100 performs processing to display an error (S608). The subsequent processing (S700 to S1200) is canceled. The error display is cleared by pressing a reset button (not shown) or by processing to send a predetermined reset signal.

[0170] On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference between the wiring route information before and after the edit is within the predetermined threshold value (YES), the design support device 100 performs processing to output the wiring route information after the edit (S609).

[0171] When the processing for adjusting dimensions shown in FIG. 23 is completed, the design support device 100 of the total support system 1 returns to the processing shown in FIG. 10 and performs processing for creating a harness design drawing (S700). 24, the design support device 100 performs the following process for creating a harness design drawing. First, the design support device 100 performs a process for creating a harness design drawing (2D design data) based on wiring information and wire harness information (S701). Note that the harness design drawing may be created based on harness wiring diagram information instead of wire harness information.

[0172] A harness design drawing is created for each wire harness, and is created in a predetermined size (for example, A3 size). One wire harness 500 is described in one drawing (a drawing for one part number). However, in the case of a large wire harness 500, it is divided into multiple drawings (drawings for multiple part numbers) and described.

[0173] The harness design drawing is drawn in the same size (1 / 1 scale) as the actual shape of the wire harness 500. However, in order to draw the shape of the wire harness 500 within the frame of a predetermined paper size (e.g., A3 size), the shape is deformed (transformed and reduced in scale).

[0174] The design support device 100 performs calculations to determine the scale of the harness design drawing, the angle of the branched branch wire 513 relative to the main wire 511, etc., based on the actual length of the wire harness 500, a predetermined paper size, etc., and outputs the result as a harness design drawing.

[0175] Furthermore, when the harness design drawing is divided into multiple drawings, the design support device 100 performs calculations to determine the scale, the angle of the branched branch line 513 relative to the main line 511, and the like, based on the number of drawings into which the harness design drawing is further divided.

[0176] When the harness design drawing is created, the board information unit 131 of the design support device 100 performs a process of creating digital board information for the harness (harness board drawing data) (S702). The digital board information for the harness includes, for example, information on a two-dimensional drawing of the wire harness 500 created based on the wire harness information, information specifying the electric wires 501 that make up the wire harness 500, and information specifying the connectors 502 to be attached to the electric wires 501.

[0177] When the process of creating the harness design drawing shown in Fig. 24 is completed, the design support device 100 returns to Fig. 10 and performs the coordinate conversion process (S800). As shown in Fig. 25, the design support device 100 performs the process of acquiring wire harness information of the target wire harness 500 (S801).

[0178] Next, the design support device 100 performs a process of distinguishing between the trunk line 511 and the branch line 513 (S802), and a process of determining whether or not the branch line 513 exists (S803). If it is determined that the branch line 513 exists (YES), the design support device 100 performs a process of fixing the trunk line 511 (S804). The process of fixing the trunk line 511 also includes a process of fixing the section length of the trunk line 511. Next, the design support device 100 performs a process of setting the position of the branch line 513 (S805).

[0179] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of S803 that the branch wire 513 does not exist (NO), the design support device 100 performs a process of treating the wire harness 500 as a single-wire harness (S806).

[0180] After the process of setting the position of the branch wire 513 has been performed, or after the process of treating the wire harness 500 as a single-wire harness has been performed, the coordinate conversion unit 133 of the design support device 100 performs a process of setting terminal information (S807). Specifically, the coordinate conversion unit 133 performs a process of converting information so that the branch wire 513 extends in a direction perpendicular to the trunk wire 511.

[0181] Next, the computer aided design device 100 performs a process of setting the bundle position (S808), in other words, a process of setting the exposed dimensions, and a process of checking the consistency of the lengths and the coordinate points (S809).

[0182] When the coordinate transformation process shown in FIG. 25 is completed, the design support device 100 returns to the process shown in FIG. 10 and performs the process of creating a harness board drawing (S900). 26, the design support device 100 performs the following process to create a harness board drawing: First, the size information unit 135 of the design support device 100 performs a process to consider the board size (S901).

[0183] The size information unit 135 performs calculation processing to set size information regarding the size of the board display unit 202. The board display unit 202 is a display surface on which drawing information, which will be described later, is displayed, and is also a placement surface on which the electric wires 501 are placed when creating the wire harness 500 on the harness digital board 201.

[0184] When the size information is set, the manufacturing information unit 137 of the design support device 100 performs processing to create manufacturing information including drawing information (S902). The drawing information is information to be displayed on the board display unit 202 of the harness digital board 201.

[0185] The wire harness 500 displayed based on the drawing information is displayed at the same length as the actual wire harness 500 in the length direction of the wire harness 500 (actual size or 1 / 1 scale).

[0186] The wire harness 500 may be displayed on the board display unit 202 with the same thickness or diameter as the actual wire harness 500 in the radial or width direction. In this case, it becomes possible to visually recognize how thick the cables that make up the wire harness 500 are.

[0187] Furthermore, compared to when the wires are not displayed with the same thickness or diameter, when manufacturing the wire harness 500, a worker can easily notice whether the number of wires 501 arranged on the board display unit 202 is too large or too small. As a result, it becomes easier to reduce work errors when manufacturing the wire harness 500.

[0188] On the other hand, the radial or width direction of the wire harness 500 may be displayed at a size that is not based on the actual wire harness 500. In this case, particularly, if the radial (width) sizes of all the main lines 511 and branch lines 513 displayed on the board display unit 202 are made the same, it becomes easier to create the drawing information.

[0189] When the thickness D2 of the displayed wire harness 500 is displayed large, even if the electric wires 501 are arranged on the board display unit 202, the displayed wire harness 500 is unlikely to be hidden by the arranged electric wires 501. Therefore, it is easy to improve the workability when manufacturing the wire harness 500.

[0190] However, in order to display the wire harness 500 within a frame of a size determined by the size information, the shapes of the main line 511 and the branch line 513 are deformed. Note that there are cases in which a plurality of wire harnesses 500 are displayed on the board display unit 202 at the same time.

[0191] When the manufacturing information is created, the gauge information unit 139 of the design support device 100 performs a calculation process to create gauge information, which is information on the tolerance gauge 631. The gauge information is information that causes the tolerance gauge 631 to be displayed on the board display unit 202. The created gauge information is included in the drawing information.

[0192] 7, the tolerance gauge 631 indicates the allowable range of positions where the starting point, which is one end of the electric wire 501, and the end point, which is the other end of the electric wire 501, are to be placed when the electric wire 501 is placed on the board display unit 202 of the harness digital board 201. The position where the tolerance gauge 631 is displayed may be specified by the gauge information unit 139, or the display position may be changed or specified by the worker.

[0193] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the tolerance gauge 631 is displayed as a grid made up of frames at a predetermined pitch. An example of the predetermined pitch is a 5 mm pitch. The tolerance gauge 631 shown in FIG. 7 displays a plus tolerance and a minus tolerance. Alternatively, only the plus tolerance or only the minus tolerance may be displayed.

[0194] Furthermore, the display mode of the tolerance gauge 631 only needs to clearly indicate the tolerance range, and is not limited to the display mode as a grid like the tolerance gauge 631 of this embodiment. For example, it may be a combination of line segments, or may be a display mode of only a large frame that is the outer frame of the grid.

[0195] Once the manufacturing information is created, the design support device 100 performs a process of creating output information (S903). The output information is information created based on the manufacturing information. The output information includes CAD data created from the drawing information, electronic data (e.g., PDF (Portable Document Format)) that allows the drawing information to be displayed on various information terminals, bill of materials information, and wiring information for manufacturing.

[0196] When the output information is created, the design support device 100 performs an output process for the output information (S904). The created output information is distributed to the production base where the manufacturing support device 200 is installed.

[0197] When the process of creating a harness board drawing shown in Fig. 26 is completed, the design support device 100 checks whether the wiring information before and after output editing matches, and performs a process of automatically creating a manufacturing recipe (S1000). First, the design support device 100 performs a process of acquiring the format of the manufacturing recipe (S1001), as shown in Fig. 27.

[0198] Next, the design support device 100 performs a process of acquiring wiring information before and after the edit (S1002), and a process of comparing the wiring information before and after the edit (S1003). Based on the result of the comparison, the design support device 100 performs a process of determining whether the wiring information before and after the edit matches (S1004).

[0199] If it is determined that the wiring information before and after editing matches (YES), the recipe creation unit 141 of the design support device 100 performs processing to create a manufacturing recipe based on the wiring information (S1005).

[0200] As described above, the process of determining whether the wiring before and after editing matches (S1004) and the process of creating a manufacturing recipe (S1005) may be performed in the order of S1004 first and S1005 second, or S1005 first and S1004 second.

[0201] Once the manufacturing recipe has been created, the design support device 100 performs a process of creating bill of materials information (also referred to as "BOM") (S1006). Here, the bill of materials information is information used to prepare components such as the electric wires 501 and connectors 502 required to produce the wire harness 500. Once the manufacturing recipe and bill of materials information have been created, the design support device 100 stores the manufacturing recipe and bill of materials information and also performs a process of outputting them (S1007).

[0202] If it is determined in the determination process of S1004 that the wiring information before and after editing does not match (NO), the design support device 100 performs a process of displaying an error (S1008). The subsequent processes (S1100, S1200) are canceled. The error display is cleared by pressing a reset button (not shown) or by transmitting a predetermined reset signal.

[0203] When the recipe creation process shown in FIG. 27 is completed, the total support system 1 returns to FIG. 10 and performs the process of manufacturing the wire harness (S1100). The manufacturing support device 200 of the total support system 1 performs the following process for manufacturing a wire harness. First, as shown in Fig. 28, the control computer 211 of the manufacturing support device 200 performs a setup process, which is preparation for manufacturing the wire harness 500, based on the distributed output information (S1101).

[0204] When the setup process is completed, the control computer 211 performs a manufacturing process of the wire harness 500 (S1102). In the manufacturing process, the control computer 211 performs a process of displaying drawing information, gauge information, and identifiers corresponding to the manufacturing process of the wire harness 500 on the board display unit 202.

[0205] The tolerance gauge 631 displayed based on the gauge information is displayed at a predetermined position on the board display unit 202 by the control computer 211. Specifically, it is displayed near the positions where the starting point, which is one end of the electric wire 501, and the end point, which is the other end, are located.

[0206] The control computer 211 acquires the identifier information read by the reading unit 231 and stores it in the data server 221 together with information identifying the wire harness 500, the manufacturing date and time, the manufacturing location, etc. Note that examples of the identifier read by the reading unit 231 include an identifier having information identifying the electric wire 501 and the connector 502 attached to the electric wire 501.

[0207] Furthermore, the control computer 211 controls the electric wire cutter 241 and the printer 251 in response to the acquired identifier information, and cuts the desired type of electric wire 501 to the desired length and supplies it. The supplied electric wire 501 is placed on the board display unit 202, and the production of the wire harness 500 proceeds.

[0208] The bill of materials information included in the output information is used to prepare components such as the electric wires 501 and connectors 502 required for producing the wire harness 500. The wiring information for manufacturing has its information arrangement changed to match the processing order during production of the wire harness 500. The wiring information for manufacturing is also called a recipe.

[0209] When the wire harness manufacturing process is completed, the created wire harness 500 is transported to a base where railroad car bodies are manufactured. The information processing terminal 300 of the total support system 1 performs a process to support the wiring of the wire harness 500 (S1200), as shown in FIG.

[0210] In the process of supporting the wiring of the wire harness 500, first, the wiring process information and the wiring route information are delivered from the design support device 100 to the information processing terminal 300 (S1201). The delivered wiring process information and the wiring route information are stored in the terminal storage unit 301.

[0211] The terminal control unit 311 of the information processing terminal 300 performs control to display wiring process information and wiring route information corresponding to the wiring process of the wire harness 500 (S1202). Specifically, the terminal control unit 311 performs control to roughly classify the wiring harness 500 as an assembly sequence STEP, and to display the information on the terminal display unit 321 in accordance with the order of the work.

[0212] The information processing terminal 300 can also display the electronic data of the drawing information included in the output information on the terminal display unit 321. The information processing terminal 300 can be used for on-site wiring work and can also be used to educate wiring workers.

[0213] In the design support device 100, by using the PN list, even if there are multiple formations and therefore multiple pieces of wiring information that differ for each formation, it is possible to easily grasp, for each wire harness, which formation has the old wiring information used in which to compare the new wiring information.

[0214] In the design support device 100, when the original wiring information (and thus the new wiring information) includes changes to the PN list indicating addition or deletion of wire harness units, the PN list is updated according to the changes before comparing with the old wiring information. This allows each wire harness included in the new wiring information to correspond one-to-one with each wire harness shown in the PN list, enabling accurate processing of checking differences.

[0215] The design support device 100 outputs a harness-unit difference confirmation sheet indicating whether or not there is a design change for each wire harness 500, and an electric wire-unit difference confirmation sheet generated for each wire harness 500 and indicating in detail the content of the design change for each electric wire. Therefore, by referring to the harness-unit difference confirmation sheet, it is possible to easily confirm the wire harnesses 500 that have a design change, and by referring to the electric wire-unit difference confirmation sheet generated for the wire harness 500 that has a design change, it is possible to grasp the content of the design change in detail.

[0216] The wire-by-wire difference confirmation sheet lists the old wiring information and new wiring information of each wire 501 belonging to the wire harness 500 of interest side by side, and furthermore, the wire-by-wire difference confirmation sheet highlights items whose content has been changed, added wires, and deleted wires, making it easy to understand the content of the design change.

[0217] In other words, according to the design support device 100, the information necessary for redesigning the wire harness 500 can be obtained efficiently, making it possible to easily respond to design changes in the wire harness 500 and reducing the time required for the response.

[0218] The technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the object to which the wire harness 500 is wired may be the body of an automobile, the body of an aircraft, the body of a ship, or the like, and is not limited to a railway vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0219] 100...design support device (design change confirmation device), 101...wiring information section, 103...PN information section, 105...difference information section, 107...harness unit definition section, S117...update process, S126...second acquisition process, S127...first acquisition process, S128...comparison process, S129...determination process, S130...output process, S132...reflection process.

Claims

1. 1. A design change confirmation method executed by a design change confirmation device used to confirm changes in wiring information that is information about a plurality of electric wires to be wired in a train, the wiring information being information about the plurality of electric wires to be wired in the train, in designing a wire harness made up of the plurality of electric wires, the changes being changed in accordance with the train formation, a first acquisition step of acquiring the wiring information applied to the latest formation as new wiring information; a second acquisition step of identifying a final changed formation, which is the formation in which a design change was last made, on a wire harness basis, using history information in which the presence or absence of a design change on a wire harness basis is recorded for each formation, and acquiring the wiring information used in designing the wire harness of the identified final changed formation as old wiring information; a comparison step of comparing the new wiring information with the old wiring information for each electric wire; a determination step of determining whether or not there is a design change for each of the wire harnesses according to the comparison result of the comparison step; an output step of outputting the comparison result in the comparison step and the determination result in the determination step; A design change confirmation method comprising:

2. 2. The design change confirmation method according to claim 1, a reflecting step of reflecting, in the history information, whether or not there is a design change in the latest train set, in accordance with a determination result of the determining step; How to check for design changes.

3. 3. The design change confirmation method according to claim 2, If the new wiring information acquired in the first acquisition step includes a change in the history information indicating addition or deletion of the wire harness unit, the method further includes an update step of updating the history information in accordance with the change, before the comparison step. How to check for design changes.

4. 4. The design change confirmation method according to claim 1, further comprising: In the output step, a wire-by-wire difference confirmation sheet is outputted, which shows a comparison between the new wiring information and the old wiring information for each wire, and change information whose content differs between the new wiring information and the old wiring information is highlighted and outputted on the wire-by-wire difference confirmation sheet. How to check for design changes.

5. 5. The design change confirmation method according to claim 4, In the output step, information on the electric wires newly added in the new wiring information is highlighted as additional information on the electric wire unit difference confirmation sheet and output. How to check for design changes.

6. 5. The design change confirmation method according to claim 4, In the output step, information on the electric wires deleted in the new wiring information is output and displayed in an emphasized manner as deleted information on the electric wire unit difference confirmation sheet. How to check for design changes.

7. A program for confirming changes to wiring information that is information about a plurality of electric wires to be laid in a train, in designing a wire harness made up of the plurality of electric wires, the changes being made to the wiring information depending on the train formation, the program comprising: On the computer, a first acquisition step of acquiring the wiring information applied to the latest formation as new wiring information; a second acquisition step of identifying a final changed formation, which is the formation in which a design change was last made, on a wire harness basis, using history information in which the presence or absence of a design change on a wire harness basis is recorded for each formation, and acquiring the wiring information used in designing the wire harness of the identified final changed formation as old wiring information; a comparison step of comparing the new wiring information with the old wiring information for each electric wire; a determination step of determining whether or not there is a design change for each of the wire harnesses according to the comparison result of the comparison step; an output step of outputting the comparison result in the comparison step and the determination result in the determination step; A program that executes the following.

8. 1. A design change confirmation device for confirming changes to wiring information that is information about electric wires to be laid in a train, in a design of a wire harness using the wiring information, the changes being made in the wiring information depending on the train formation, comprising: a first acquisition unit that acquires the wiring information applied to the latest formation as new wiring information; a storage unit for each train formation in which the wiring information used in designing the wire harness for the train formation is stored in association with the train formation; a second acquisition unit that uses history information in which the presence or absence of a design change in the wire harness unit is recorded for each of the train sets to identify a final changed train set, which is the train set in which a design change was last made in the wire harness unit, and acquires, as old wiring information, the wiring information used in designing the wire harness in the final changed train set from the train set-specific storage unit; a comparison unit that compares the new wiring information with the old wiring information for each electric wire; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is a design change for each wire harness according to a comparison result by the comparison unit; an output unit that outputs the comparison result of the comparison unit and the determination result of the determination unit; A design change confirmation device comprising:

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