Wire Harness Routing Verification Using QR Code Collation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In train vehicles, the large number of electric wires requires efficient routing, but human errors can occur due to misalignment of wire routing with the displayed paths, necessitating a more secure routing method.

Innovation Solution

A wire harness routing supporting device and method using a work terminal with a displaying control section to show preset wire routing paths, identification marks with QR codes, and a code reader to collate and verify the correct routing of wires, with a warning system for mismatches, enhancing operation efficiency and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wire routing is performed manually without verification, then operation speed is maintained, but human errors occur causing misalignment with displayed paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting accuracyVSAvoidverification system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by capturing images of routing marks during wire installation, comparing them with pre-stored reference images, and providing real-time verification results. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures routing accuracy by alerting operators when deviations occur, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple operation and ensuring reliable routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of routing marks through image capture and stores reference images for comparison. By using optical copies rather than physical measurements or manual verification, the system achieves high reliability in routing verification without significantly increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If verification of each wire routing is performed, then routing accuracy is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting verification accuracyVSAvoidtotal routing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The verification process operates continuously during wire routing operations rather than as separate batch verification steps. The image capture and comparison functions run in real-time as workers install wires, maintaining continuous verification without interrupting the workflow, thus preventing time loss while ensuring accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-verification by automatically capturing images, comparing them with reference data, and generating verification results without requiring additional manual inspection steps. This automated self-service approach eliminates the need for separate verification operations that would consume additional time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual wire routing is performed without real-time verification, then operation simplicity is maintained, but errors go undetected until completion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting operation simplicityVSAvoidrouting error detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Real-time feedback is provided through immediate image comparison and verification result display, allowing operators to detect routing errors during the installation process rather than after completion. This maintains operational simplicity while preventing information loss about routing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual visual inspection and physical measurement methods with automated optical recognition and image processing. This substitution maintains ease of operation by eliminating complex manual verification procedures while significantly improving error detection capability through automated computer vision technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3708434B1Wire harness routing supporting device and wire harness routing supporting method
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 PROTERIAL LTD
  • EP3708434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3708434B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3708434B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wire harness routing supporting device configured to route a wire harness with a plurality of electric wires therein. The device is composed of identification marks fitted to one-ends of the electric wires, respectively, to identify the electric wires, a displaying control section configured to in turn display respective routing paths of the electric wires on a display device in accordance with a preset routing order of the electric wires, while displaying, on the display device, codes corresponding to the respective identification marks of the electric wires, respectively, to be routed, and a routing collating means configured to collate information in the respective identification marks having been read in by a reading-in means configured to read in the respective identification marks and the respective codes of the electric wires to be routed and information in the respective codes having been read in by the reading-in means.