Wire harness assembly method and wire harness assembly structure

Abstract

To provide a wire harness assembling method and a wire harness assembling structure which can change a specification of wiring, without dismounting the whole of an instrument panel.SOLUTION: An opening part 10 for working through which work for changing a specification of wiring is performed is formed in a panel main body 1 of an instrument panel M in which a main wire harness 20 is installed. In changing the specification of wiring, a cartridge 30 in which an option wire harness 40 for applying specification-change is stored is inserted into the panel main body 1 through the opening part 10 for working from the outside, while being folded back. The cartridge 30 inserted into the panel main body 1 is expanded, and the second wire harness 40 is connected to the main wire harness 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assembling a wire harness in an instrument panel of a vehicle and an assembly structure of the wire harness.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in an instrument panel of a vehicle such as an automobile, electrical components such as meters, combination switches, various switches, sensors, audio devices, car navigation, and air conditioners are installed. Also, inside the instrument panel, an instrument panel wire harness in which a large number of electric wires are taped and bundled is routed to connect these electrical components. The instrument panel wire harness has a plurality of branch wire harnesses in which necessary electric wires are branched from its main line at each branch point, and each electrical component is connected via the branch wire harness.

[0003] This type of instrument panel wire harness has different wirings and routing paths depending on the vehicle grade and variations. If wire harnesses are manufactured individually for each vehicle grade and variation, productivity is poor. Therefore, a main wire harness with a standard basic wiring specification that is not affected by the vehicle grade and variations is prepared, and separately, an optional wire harness for realizing the wiring specifications of the vehicle grade and variations is prepared, and the optional wire harness is also combined with the main wire harness (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, sometimes it becomes necessary to install optional wire harnesses after the instrument panel has been mounted in the vehicle with only the main wire harness installed. Alternatively, it may become necessary to replace an optional wire harness that has already been installed together with the main wire harness with a different optional wire harness.

[0006] Thus, if the wiring specifications of the wire harness routed to the instrument panel need to be changed later, it is practically difficult to perform the change while the instrument panel is still installed in the vehicle. Traditionally, the entire instrument panel had to be removed from the vehicle to perform the change. However, removing the entire instrument panel for this work leads to decreased work efficiency and increased manufacturing costs.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a wire harness routing method and wire harness routing structure that allows for changes to the wiring specifications within the instrument panel without removing the entire instrument panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the wire harness assembly method and wire harness assembly structure according to the present invention are characterized by the following:

[0009] The first wire harness is installed inside the instrument panel, and the instrument panel is assembled into the vehicle. Prepare the second wire harness and place it in the storage case, then fold the storage case. The aforementioned storage case is inserted into the interior of the instrument panel through a work opening formed in the panel body of the instrument panel. The inserted housing case is unfolded from its folded state, and at least a portion of the second wire harness is routed along the first wire harness. A method for assembling a wire harness. , The aforementioned storage case has a case body and a movable part that can be folded in a direction along the case body. When the aforementioned movable part is bent, the storage case becomes folded. The movable parts are provided at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the case body, The movable parts at both ends, which are bent, are extended in the longitudinal direction of the case body to a degree that matches the width of each vehicle, thereby the storage case is in an extended state that matches the width of each vehicle. How to assemble a wire harness.

[0010] The first wire harness is housed in the instrument panel, It comprises a housing case containing a second wire harness, The aforementioned storage case comprises a case body and a movable part that, when folded in a direction along the case body, causes the storage case to change from an unfolded state to a folded state. The panel body of the instrument panel has a work opening formed therein, into which the storage case in its folded state can be inserted. The housing case is installed inside the panel body in an unfolded state, and at least a portion of the second wire harness is routed along the first wire harness. Re, The movable parts are provided at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the case body, The movable parts at both ends, which are bent, are extended in the longitudinal direction of the case body to a degree that matches the width of each vehicle, so that the storage case is in an extended state that matches the width of each vehicle. Wire harness assembly structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the wiring specifications within the instrument panel can be changed without removing the entire instrument panel, thereby suppressing the increase in manufacturing costs caused by a decrease in work efficiency.

[0012] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by referring to the attached drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a front view of an instrument panel showing a state before implementing a method for assembling a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the instrument panel shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of an instrument panel showing a state after implementing a method for assembling a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the instrument panel shown in FIG. 3.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the respective figures.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of an instrument panel showing a state before implementing a method for assembling a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the instrument panel shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of an instrument panel showing a state after implementing a method for assembling a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the instrument panel shown in FIG. 3.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an instrument panel M is disposed in front of the front seat of the vehicle so as to extend in the vehicle width direction (left - right direction). The panel body 1 of the instrument panel M has a front panel portion 1A and an upper panel portion 1B. A display 2 is disposed at the center of the front panel portion 1A, and a meter 3 is disposed in front of the steering wheel 5 of the front panel portion 1A. Although a plurality of electrical components are also disposed, the description thereof is omitted here.

[0017] In this embodiment, as an example, a case in which the wiring specifications of an instrument panel M, which has a main wire harness (first wire harness) 20 that realizes the basic wiring specifications pre-installed, will be described. The upper panel portion 1B of the panel body 1 of the instrument panel M is provided with a work opening 10 for performing wiring specification modification work. The work opening 10 is formed to be long in the vehicle width direction and is covered with a lid (not shown) when not in use.

[0018] On the other hand, an optional wire harness (second wire harness) 40 is provided for modifying the specifications. This optional wire harness 40 is housed in the cartridge 30. At least a portion of the peripheral wall at the end of the cartridge 30 is cut out so that, for example, the connectors attached to each end of the optional wire harness 40 are exposed. Of course, the cutout may be formed at a location other than the end of the cartridge 30. Alternatively, the total length of the cartridge 30 may be made slightly shorter than the total length of the optional wire harness 40 so that the connectors are exposed from the end of the cartridge 30 when the optional wire harness 40 is housed in it.

[0019] Multiple types of optional wire harnesses 40 are available depending on the number of options, and the optional wire harness 40 that can meet the required specifications should be selected and prepared. It is desirable that the length of the cartridge 30 that houses the optional wire harness 40 in the vehicle width direction be standardized even for vehicles of different sizes. This is because standardizing the length of the cartridge 30 allows it to be used for multiple vehicle models.

[0020] The cartridge 30 has a case body 32 and multiple connecting parts 31 that connect the case body 32 to a movable part 33, allowing the cartridge 30 to be easily bent at the necessary points. By bending the movable part 33 at the connecting parts 31, the cartridge 30, which houses the optional wire harness 40, moves from an unfolded state to a folded state. The connecting parts 31 are composed of, for example, a movable mechanism with a pivot axis or a flexible part such as a corrugated tube. Therefore, when standardizing the length of the cartridge 30 for multiple vehicle models, for example, if the length of the case body 32 is set to match the narrowest vehicle model, then for vehicle models wider than that model, the degree of unfolding of the movable part 33 can be varied according to the vehicle width, making it applicable to vehicle models of any width. In this case, the length from end to end of the movable parts 33 connected to both ends of the case body 32 when fully unfolded so that they are in the same straight line as the case body 32 may be set to match the widest vehicle model.

[0021] The optional wire harness 40, for example, has a main section 41 and branch sections 42. The main section 41 of the optional wire harness 40 is housed along the case body section 32 of the cartridge 30, and the branch sections 42 are housed in the movable section 33 of the cartridge 30. The connectors of the optional wire harness 40 are attached to the ends of the branch sections 42. Therefore, when the optional wire harness 40 is housed in the cartridge 30, these connectors are positioned at the tip of the movable section of the cartridge 30.

[0022] When modifying the wiring specifications, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cartridge 30 containing the optional wire harness 40 for modifying the specifications is inserted into the panel body 1 from the outside through the work opening 10 in a folded state. The position in which the cartridge 30 is installed depends on how the main wire harness 20 and the optional wire harness 40 are connected, but if it is installed in the upper part of the case body 32, the movable part 33 of the cartridge 30 will then be unfolded downwards, making it easier to extend the movable part 33 and the optional wire harness 40 housed therein, further improving work efficiency.

[0023] After insertion, the cartridge 30 is unfolded from its folded state. That is, the movable part 33 is extended from its folded state to unfold the cartridge 30 from its folded state. The unfolding operation after insertion is performed from the lower space of the instrument panel M. If a part of the panel body 1 is configured to be detachable, that part may be detached to perform the unfolding operation.

[0024] After the cartridge 30 is deployed, the optional wire harness 40 is routed so as to be in close contact with the main wire harness 20, and the wiring specification is changed by connecting the connector of the optional wire harness 40 to the connector of the main wire harness 20, for example. As a means of routing the optional wire harness 40 in close contact with the main wire harness 20, a means for securing it to the main wire harness may be provided in advance, or a guide or the like may be provided on the vehicle side for setting the optional wire harness 40 in a specified position.

[0025] According to the embodiment described above, a cartridge 30 containing an optional wire harness 40 for modifying the specifications is inserted into the panel body 1 of the instrument panel M through a pre-provided work opening 10 in the panel body 1. Therefore, the wiring specifications inside the instrument panel M can be easily changed in a short time without having to remove the entire instrument panel M, thereby suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs. In addition, since the cartridge 30 is inserted into the panel body 1 in a folded state and then unfolded and connected to the main wire harness 20 after insertion, the work opening 10 can be made smaller.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, since the optional wire harness 40 is provided with a connecting portion 31 for easy bending, the movable portion 33 can be easily folded and unfolded.

[0027] Herein, the features of the wire harness assembly method and wire harness assembly structure according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [5]. [1] Install the first wire harness (20) into the instrument panel (M), and install the instrument panel (M) into the vehicle. Prepare the second wire harness (40) and place it in the storage case (30), then fold the storage case (30), The aforementioned storage case is inserted into the interior of the panel body (1) through the work opening (10) formed in the panel body of the instrument panel (M). The inserted housing case (30) is unfolded from its folded state, and at least a portion of the second wire harness (40) is routed along the first wire harness (20). How to assemble a wire harness.

[0028] According to the configuration described in [1] above, a storage case (30) containing a second wire harness (40) for making specification changes can be inserted into the panel body (1) of the instrument panel (M) through a pre-provided work opening (10) in the panel body (1). Therefore, the wiring specifications inside the instrument panel (M) can be easily changed in a short time without having to remove the entire instrument panel (M), and the increase in manufacturing costs due to decreased work efficiency can be suppressed. In addition, the storage case (30) containing the second wire harness (40) can be inserted into the panel body (1) in a folded state, and after insertion, the storage case (30) is unfolded and the second wire harness (40) is connected to the first wire harness (20), so the work opening (10) can be made smaller.

[0029] [2] The storage case (30) has a case body (32) and a movable part (33) that can be folded in a direction along the case body (32), The movable part (33) is bent, causing the storage case (30) to be folded. The method for assembling the wire harness described in [1] above.

[0030] According to the configuration described in [2] above, the storage case (30) is provided with a connecting part (31) for easy folding, so that it can be easily folded and unfolded.

[0031] [3] The first wire harness (20) is housed in the instrument panel (M), The system comprises a housing case (30) containing a second wire harness (40), The storage case (30) has a case body (32) and a movable part (33) that, when folded in a direction along the case body (32), causes the storage case (30) to change from an unfolded state to a folded state. The panel body (1) of the instrument panel (M) has a work opening formed therein that allows the storage case (30) in a folded state to be inserted inside. The housing case is installed inside the panel body in an unfolded state, and at least a portion of the second wire harness is routed along the first wire harness. Wire harness assembly structure.

[0032] According to the configuration described in [3] above, a housing case (30) containing a second wire harness (40) for making specification changes can be inserted into the panel body (1) of the instrument panel (M) through a pre-provided work opening (10) in the panel body (1). Therefore, the wiring specifications inside the instrument panel (M) can be easily changed in a short time without having to remove the entire instrument panel (M), thereby suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs. In addition, the housing case (30) containing the second wire harness (40) can be inserted into the panel body (1) in a folded state, and after insertion, the housing case (30) is unfolded and the second wire harness (40) is connected to the first wire harness (20), so the work opening (10) can be made smaller.

[0033] [4] The storage case (30) has a connecting part (31) that rotatably connects the movable part (33) to the case body (32), The assembly structure of the wire harness described in [3] above.

[0034] According to the configuration described in [4] above, the storage case (30) is provided with a connecting part (31) for easy folding, so that it can be easily folded and unfolded.

[0035] [5] The work opening is formed in the upper panel of the panel body, The assembly structure of the wire harness described in [3] above.

[0036] According to the configuration described in [5] above, the storage case (30) can be inserted into the instrument panel (M) from the top side. For example, if the storage case (30) is installed in the upper part of the panel body (1), the movable part (33) of the storage case (30) will then be extended downwards. This makes it easier to extend the movable part (33) and the second wire harness (40) housed therein, further improving work efficiency.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc., as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can achieve the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] M Instrument Panel 1 Panel body 10 Working openings 20 Main wire harness (first wire harness) 30 cartridges (storage case) 31 Connection part 32 Case body 33 Moving parts 40 Optional wire harness (second wire harness) 41 Main part 42 Branch line section

Claims

1. The first wire harness is installed inside the instrument panel, and the instrument panel is assembled into the vehicle. Prepare the second wire harness and place it in the storage case, then fold the storage case. The aforementioned storage case is inserted into the interior of the instrument panel through a work opening formed in the panel body of the instrument panel. A method for assembling a wire harness, comprising unfolding the inserted housing case from a folded state and routing at least a portion of the second wire harness along the first wire harness, The aforementioned storage case has a case body and a movable part that can be folded in a direction along the case body. When the aforementioned movable part is bent, the storage case becomes folded. The movable parts are provided at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the case body, The movable parts at both ends, which are bent, are extended in the longitudinal direction of the case body to a degree that matches the width of each vehicle, thereby the storage case is in an extended state that matches the width of each vehicle. How to assemble a wire harness.

2. The first wire harness is housed in the instrument panel, It comprises a housing case containing a second wire harness, The aforementioned storage case comprises a case body and a movable part that, when folded in a direction along the case body, causes the storage case to change from an unfolded state to a folded state. The panel body of the instrument panel has a work opening formed therein, into which the storage case in its folded state can be inserted. The aforementioned housing case is installed inside the panel body in an unfolded state, and at least a portion of the second wire harness is routed along the first wire harness. The movable parts are provided at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the case body, The movable parts at both ends, which are bent, are extended in the longitudinal direction of the case body to a degree that matches the width of each vehicle, so that the storage case is in an extended state that matches the width of each vehicle. Wire harness assembly structure.

3. The aforementioned storage case has a connecting portion that rotatably connects the movable portion to the case body. The wire harness assembly structure according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned work opening is formed in the upper panel of the panel body. The wire harness assembly structure according to claim 2.

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