Sheet Member Folding Mechanism for Wire Harness Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheathing member mounting methods are inefficient, requiring large-scale production equipment and labor-intensive manual operations, with issues of incorrect adhesive placement and equipment complexity, particularly due to the need for thermal welding machines and manual sheet winding.
Innovation Solution
A sheathing member mounting apparatus with a support mechanism, folding mechanism, and electric wire holding mechanism that allows for efficient folding and bonding of sheet members around electric wire portions without the need for separate thermal welding machines, using a folding mechanism with hinge and slide components to prevent incorrect bonding and reduce labor, while also incorporating a heating mechanism for hot-melt bonding and a twisting mechanism to manage multiple wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal welding machine is used for each sheathing member mounting position, then the sheathing member can be welded and mounted reliably, but the production equipment becomes large-scale and the labor of mounting work becomes huge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal welding machine with the sheet member support mechanism into an integrated mounting apparatus. The support mechanism includes a support table and positioning members that hold the sheet member, while the thermal welding machine is positioned to weld the sheet member to the wire harness at the same location. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting equipment and reduces the overall production equipment scale while maintaining reliable welding and mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting the sheet member, positioning the wire harness, and executing thermal welding. The support mechanism can accommodate different sheet member positions and the thermal welding machine can weld at multiple positions along the wire harness. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated equipment at each mounting position, thereby reducing overall equipment complexity and labor requirements.
2Device complexity
If sheets are wound and bonded one by one by manual operation, then the apparatus structure remains simple, but the workability of mounting the sheathing member cannot be enhanced and sheets may adhere to wrong parts wasting material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sheet member support mechanism that pre-positions and holds the sheet member in the correct location before the welding process. The support table and positioning members ensure the sheet member is properly aligned and prevented from adhering to wrong parts. This preliminary positioning action enables more efficient mounting operations while maintaining a relatively simple apparatus structure, as the positioning is built into the support mechanism rather than requiring complex external positioning systems.
3Productivity
If the sheet member is folded without proper support, then the mounting process becomes faster, but the bonding layer may adhere to wrong positions reducing mounting precision
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism includes localized support features such as positioning members and restricted support areas that provide support only where needed. The support table has specific regions that support the sheet member during folding while leaving other regions unsupported to allow proper bonding. This localized support ensures the bonding layer adheres only to the correct positions on the wire harness, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling faster mounting processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enables efficient and reliable mounting of sheathing members to wire harnesses, improving production efficiency by simplifying the process, reducing equipment size and complexity, and enhancing adhesive strength while preventing wire damage.
Implementation Method 1
a heating mechanism that heats the sheet member S
Implementation Method 2
a folding mechanism 5 that folds in two the sheet member S
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~4
Figure 5~6A
AI summary
A sheathing member mounting apparatus (1) is provided with a support mechanism (2) that supports a sheet member (S) from the side of a protective layer (S2), electric wire holding mechanisms (3, 4) that hold an electric wire portion (W1) in a state of being disposed along a bonding layer (S1) of the sheet member (S), and a folding mechanism (5) that folds the sheet member (S) in two. A second region (R2) supported by a second support portion (22) is pivoted toward a first support portion (21), whereby the electric wire portion (W1) of a wire harness (W) is sandwiched in the folded sheet member (S) to be covered.