JP2023101936A - System for manufacturing wire harness, and method of manufacturing wire harness - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness manufacturing system and a wire harness manufacturing method that can appropriately manufacture a wire harness. A wire harness manufacturing system 1 includes a plurality of sub-jigs 10 each capable of wiring a sub-harness SH, a main line wiring area S1 extending along an axial direction D1, and a main line wiring area S1. A plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2 are arranged side by side and each sub-jig 10 can be installed, and each sub-jig installation area S2 is provided in the trunk wiring area S1 and installed in each sub-jig installation area S2. A main jig including a main line support jig 23 capable of supporting the wiring material W routed from the sub-harness SH on the tool 10 to the main line wiring area S1 along the axial direction D1. and a tool 20. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a wire harness manufacturing system and a wire harness manufacturing method.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a wire harness manufacturing apparatus in which a plurality of electric wires are routed along a predetermined wiring route on a wiring board, and a plurality of assembly jigs are attached at predetermined positions on the wiring route. In this wire harness manufacturing apparatus, a replacement jig is formed by fixing a part of an assembly jig in the middle of a wiring route to a detachable plate, the replacement jig is detachably formed on a wiring table, and a part of the wiring route can be changed by exchanging the replacement jig with another replacement jig.

JP-A-8-96632

By the way, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 has room for further improvement in terms of, for example, workability improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a wire harness manufacturing system and a wire harness manufacturing method capable of properly manufacturing a wire harness.

To achieve the above object, a wire harness manufacturing system according to the present invention includes: a plurality of sub jigs each capable of wiring a sub harness; a trunk wiring area extending along an axial direction; a plurality of sub jig installation areas arranged side by side along the trunk wiring area and capable of installing the respective sub jigs; and a main jig including a trunk line support jig capable of supporting the installed wiring member on the trunk line wiring region along the axial direction.

In order to achieve the above object, the wire harness manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a sub-harness wiring step of wiring sub-harnesses to a plurality of sub-jigs, a sub-jig installation step of installing the sub-jigs in the sub-jig installation regions of a main jig including a trunk wiring region extending along an axial direction and a plurality of sub-jig installation regions aligned along the trunk wiring region, and the sub-jig installation steps on the sub-jigs installed in each of the sub-jig installation regions. a trunk wiring step of supporting the wiring material routed from the trunk wiring region to the trunk wiring region along the axial direction as a trunk of a wire harness by a trunk support jig provided in the trunk wiring region.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION The wire harness manufacturing system which concerns on this invention, and a wire harness manufacturing method produce the effect that a wire harness can be manufactured appropriately.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of a wire harness manufacturing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of a sub-jig provided in the wire harness manufacturing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sub jig included in the wire harness manufacturing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of a main jig included in the wire harness manufacturing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a main jig included in the wire harness manufacturing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a connector receiving jig included in the wire harness manufacturing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of a connector receiving jig included in the wire harness manufacturing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a connector receiving jig included in the wire harness manufacturing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a connector receiving jig included in the wire harness manufacturing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a connector receiving jig included in the wire harness manufacturing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flow chart explaining a method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the method of manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view illustrating a sub-harness wiring step in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view illustrating a sub-harness wiring step in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a sub-harness wiring step in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view illustrating a sub-harness wiring step in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a sub-harness wiring step in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the sub-harness produced in the sub-harness wiring step in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the sub-harness produced in the sub-harness wiring step of the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the sub-harness produced in the sub-harness wiring step in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view illustrating a sub-jig installation step and a trunk wiring step in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view illustrating a sub-jig installation process, a trunk wiring process, and a connector connection process in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. 23A and 23B are schematic plan views for explaining a trunk wiring step and a connector connecting step in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view illustrating a step of attaching an exterior material in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment which concerns on this invention is described in detail based on drawing. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, components in the following embodiments include components that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or components that are substantially the same.

[Embodiment]
A wire harness manufacturing system 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a system for manufacturing a wire harness WH. The wire harness WH according to the present embodiment is, for example, a bundle of a plurality of wiring members W used for power supply and signal communication for connection between devices mounted on a vehicle, and a connector or the like to connect the plurality of wiring members W to each device. The wire harness WH of the present embodiment includes a conductive wiring material W, a connector C, and an exterior material T. As shown in FIG. The wiring material W is, for example, an insulated wire in which a core wire in which a plurality of conductive metal wires are bundled is covered with an insulating coating. The wiring material W may be a bundle of a plurality of insulated wires. The connector C is provided at the end of the wiring material W, and is fitted with a connection partner (typically, another connector C) to form an electrical connection portion with the connection partner, thereby electrically connecting the wiring material W and the connection partner. The sheathing material T is a protective member that the wiring material W is inserted into the interior of the sheathing material W, and that is wrapped around the wiring material W to protect the wiring material W that has been laid inside and regulate the wiring route. The exterior material T is, for example, a cylindrical corrugated tube or protector made of an insulating resin material or the like, or a metal pipe or the like made of a conductive metal material or the like. In addition, the wire harness WH may further include various components such as grommets, electric connection boxes, fixtures, connectors, and the like.

With such a configuration, the wire harness manufacturing system 1 of the present embodiment arranges the sub-harnesses SH in units of branches constituting the wire harness WH on the sub-jig 10, and then fabricates the main line TL by combining a plurality of sub-jigs 10 on the main jig 20. As a result, the wire harness manufacturing system 1 of the present embodiment improves workability in manufacturing the wire harness WH and realizes proper manufacture of the wire harness WH. Hereinafter, after each configuration of the wire harness manufacturing system 1 will be described in detail with reference to each drawing, a method for manufacturing the wire harness WH using the wire harness manufacturing system 1 will be described.

Specifically, the wire harness manufacturing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of sub jigs 10, a main jig 20, and a continuity checker 30, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the plurality of sub-jigs 10 are jigs capable of routing the sub-harnesses SH. The sub-harness SH routed in the sub-jig 10 is a structural module in which the wire harness WH is divided into arbitrary groups such as branch units according to the final form of the wire harness WH manufactured by the wire harness manufacturing system 1. The wire harness manufacturing system 1 of the present embodiment includes a total of seven sub-jigs 10, namely sub-jigs 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, and 10G. Typically, the sub-jig 10A, the sub-jig 10B, the sub-jig 10C, the sub-jig 10D, the sub-jig 10E, the sub-jig 10F, and the sub-jig 10G are appropriately selected to be used or not according to the final form of the wire harness WH manufactured by the wire harness manufacturing system 1. In the following description, the sub-jig 10A, the sub-jig 10B, the sub-jig 10C, the sub-jig 10D, the sub-jig 10E, the sub-jig 10F, and the sub-jig 10G may be simply referred to as the "sub-jig 10" when it is not necessary to distinguish them and explain them in common.

Specifically, the sub-jig 10 includes a sub-jig plate 11 , a sub-harness support jig 12 , a sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 , and a sub-jig connector 14 . The sub-jig plate 11 , sub-harness support jig 12 , sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 , and sub-jig connector 14 are assembled together to form a unit, thereby forming the sub-jig 10 .

The sub-jig plate 11 is a workbench on which the sub-harness SH is placed. The sub-jig plate 11 is formed as a plate material of, for example, wood, resin material, metal material, etc., and the upper surface in the vertical direction constitutes a working surface 11a. The sub-jig plate 11 lays the sub-harness SH on the working surface 11a so as to be routed. The sub-jig plate 11 is formed in a shape and size according to the form of the sub-harness SH to be manufactured, and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape here. The sub-jig plate 11 is typically supported on a wheeled support frame 11b in a positional relationship in which the work surface 11a is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that various works can be easily performed while circulating in the line during the wiring work of the sub-harness SH (see FIG. 12, etc.).

The sub-harness support jig 12 is provided on the sub-jig plate 11 and is a jig capable of supporting the wiring material W of the sub-harness SH wired on the sub-jig plate 11 on the sub-jig plate 11 . The sub-harness support jig 12 is also called a fork, and includes a pedestal 12a mounted on the work surface 11a, a support 12b erected on the pedestal 12a, and a U-shaped support 12c formed at the tip of the support 12b for hooking and supporting the wiring material W. The sub-harness support jig 12 is appropriately arranged on the work surface 11a according to the form of the sub-harness SH to be produced. In other words, the necessary number of sub-harness support jigs 12 are appropriately arranged on the work surface 11a along the wiring positions of the wiring materials W of the sub-harnesses SH to be laid on the work surface 11a. In the manufacturing process of the wire harness WH, the sub-harness support jig 12 supports the portion of the wiring member W installed on the support portion 12c so as to be lifted from the work surface 11a on which the pedestal portion 12a is placed.

The sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 is provided on the sub-jig plate 11, holds the sub-harness connector Csh, and is a jig that can be electrically connected to the sub-harness connector Csh. The sub-harness connector Csh constitutes the above-described connector C in the sub-harness SH, and is provided at the end of the wiring member W of the sub-harness SH that is wired on the sub jig plate 11 . The sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 includes a pedestal portion 13a installed on the work surface 11a, a support 13b erected on the pedestal 13a, and a connector portion 13c provided at the tip of the support 13b to which the sub-harness connector Csh can be fitted (see FIG. 3 in particular). The sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 is appropriately arranged on the work surface 11a according to the form of the sub-harness SH to be produced. In other words, the necessary number of sub-harness connector receiving jigs 13 are arranged on the work surface 11a according to the positions of the sub-harness connectors Csh provided at the ends of the wiring members W of the sub-harness SH to be laid on the work surface 11a. In the manufacturing process of the wire harness WH, the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 supports the sub-harness connector Csh fitted to the connector portion 13c so as to be lifted from the work surface 11a on which the pedestal portion 13a is placed. The sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 of the present embodiment typically has a known terminal guidance LED function and continuity check function. These terminal guidance LED function and continuity check function will be briefly explained with reference to FIGS.

The sub-jig connector 14 is provided on the sub-jig plate 11 , is electrically connected to the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 , and constitutes a connector that electrically connects the sub-jig 10 and the continuity checker 30 . The sub-jig connector 14 of the present embodiment typically constitutes an output connector for the conduction check function of the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13, and is also used here as an input connector for the terminal guidance LED function of the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13. The sub-jig connector 14 is provided on the end face of the sub-jig plate 11 and electrically connected to each sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 via a connection electric wire 14a. The connection electric wire 14 a is an electric wire in which an LED power supply electric wire, a light emission signal electric wire, and a continuity check electric wire for the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 are collected. For the sake of simplification, the connection wire 14a is appropriately omitted from FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the main jig 20 is a jig capable of fabricating the trunk line TL of the wire harness WH by combining the sub-harnesses SH on the plurality of sub-jigs 10 with the plurality of sub-jigs 10 placed thereon. The trunk line TL of the wire harness WH produced on the main jig 20 constitutes a wiring material bundle (wire bundle) that bundles the wiring materials W extending from the plurality of sub-harnesses SH. In other words, the plurality of sub-harnesses SH branch off from this trunk line TL.

Specifically, the main jig 20 includes a main jig plate 21 that forms the trunk wiring area S1, a main jig frame 22 that forms a plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2, a trunk support jig 23, a trunk connector receiving jig 24, and a main jig connector 25. The main jig plate 21 , the main jig frame 22 , the trunk support jig 23 , the trunk connector receiving jig 24 , and the main jig connection connector 25 are assembled into a unit to form the main jig 20 .

The main jig plate 21 is a structure that forms a trunk wiring region S1 extending along the axial direction D1. The trunk wiring area S1 is an area in which the wiring material W extending from the sub-harness SH on each sub-jig 10 installed in the plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2 can be routed along the axial direction D1 as the trunk line TL. The axial direction D1 corresponds to the direction in which the trunk line TL of the wire harness WH extends in the trunk wiring region S1. The trunk wiring area S1 is located adjacent to the plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2 in a crossing direction D2 that intersects (perpendicularly) with the axial direction D1.

Like the sub jig plate 11, the main jig plate 21 forming the trunk wiring region S1 is a workbench on which the trunk TL of the wire harness WH is placed. The main jig plate 21 is formed as a plate material of, for example, wood, resin material, metal material, etc., and the upper surface in the vertical direction constitutes a working surface 21a. The main jig plate 21 lays the wiring material W constituting the trunk line TL on the working surface 21a so as to be able to be wired. The work surface 21a of the main jig plate 21 forms a trunk wiring region S1. The main jig plate 21 is formed in a shape and a size corresponding to the form of the trunk line TL of the wire harness WH to be produced, and here, is formed in a plate shape along the axial direction D1.

More specifically, the main jig plate 21 of the present embodiment includes a receiving jig setting area S3 in addition to the trunk wiring area S1. In other words, the work surface 21a of the main jig plate 21 constitutes both the trunk wiring region S1 and the receiving jig installation region S3. As described above, the trunk wiring region S1 is a region in which the trunk TL of the wire harness WH is routed on the working surface 21a of the main jig plate 21, and a region in which the trunk support jig 23 is provided. On the other hand, the receiving jig installation region S3 is a region where the trunk connector Ctl provided at the end of the trunk line TL of the wire harness WH is positioned on the work surface 21a of the main jig plate 21, and is a region where the trunk connector receiving jig 24 is provided. The trunk wiring region S1 is formed as a substantially elongated rectangular region elongated along the axial direction D1 on the work surface 21a. The receiving jig installation area S3 is formed as a substantially rectangular area located on the end side of the trunk wiring area S1 in the axial direction D1 on the work surface 21a. Here, a pair of receiving jig installation regions S3 are provided at both ends in the axial direction D1 across the trunk wiring region S1. In other words, the trunk wiring area S1 is sandwiched between the pair of receiving jig installation areas S3. The main jig plate 21 of the present embodiment has a working surface 21a formed in a substantially H-shape corresponding to the shapes of the trunk wiring region S1 and the pair of receiving jig installation regions S3.

The main jig frame 22 is a structure forming a plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2 arranged side by side along the trunk wiring area S1. Each of the plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2 is an area in which the sub-jig 10 can be installed. A plurality of sub-jig installation regions S2 are provided according to the final form of the wire harness WH manufactured by the wire harness manufacturing system 1 . In the sub-jig installation area S2, the sub-jig 10 with the sub-harness SH wired on the work surface 11a is typically installed, but depending on the final form of the wire harness WH, a blank sub-jig 10 with no sub-harness SH installed may be installed.

The plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2 are positioned side by side along the axial direction D1, and are positioned adjacent to the main wiring area S1 in the crossing direction D2. A plurality of sub-jig installation regions S2 of the present embodiment are arranged side by side along the trunk wiring region S1 on both sides of the trunk wiring region S1 with respect to the cross direction D2. In other words, the sub-jig installation areas S2 of the present embodiment form a group by arranging a plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2 along the axial direction D1. In other words, the trunk wiring area S1 is sandwiched between two sets of sub-jig installation areas S2 and positioned adjacent to each of the sub-jig installation areas S2 in the intersecting direction D2.

The main jig frame 22 forming such a plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2 is a frame on which the plurality of sub-jigs 10 are placed. The main jig frame 22 is made of, for example, wood, resin material, metal material, or the like, and is formed as a substantially rectangular frame body. The main jig frame 22 mounts a plurality of sub jigs 10 on the mounting surface 22a. The main jig frame 22 includes a fixing mechanism and the like for fixing the sub jig 10 mounted on the mounting surface 22a. The mounting surface 22a of the main jig frame 22 forms a plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2.

More specifically, the main jig 20 of the present embodiment has sub-jig installation areas S2A, sub-jig installation areas S2B, sub-jig installation areas S2C, sub-jig installation areas S2D, sub-jig installation areas S2E, sub-jig installation areas S2F, and sub-jig installation areas S corresponding to the plurality of sub-jigs 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, and 10G as the plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2. It is configured including a total of seven 2G. Here, the sub-jig installation area S2A, the sub-jig installation area S2B, and the sub-jig installation area S2C are arranged side by side along the axial direction D1 on one side of the trunk wiring area S1 with respect to the cross direction D2, and the sub-jig installation area S2D, the sub-jig installation area S2E, the sub-jig installation area S2F, and the sub-jig installation area S2G are arranged along the axial direction D1 on the other side of the trunk wiring area S1 with respect to the cross direction D2. located in Each of the sub-jig installation regions S2A, S2B, S2C, S2D, S2E, S2F, and S2G is formed in a shape corresponding to the corresponding sub-jigs 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, and 10G, here, in a substantially rectangular shape. In the following description, when the sub-jig installation area S2A, the sub-jig installation area S2B, the sub-jig installation area S2C, the sub-jig installation area S2D, the sub-jig installation area S2E, the sub-jig installation area S2F, and the sub-jig installation area S2G need not be particularly distinguished and explained, they may simply be referred to as the "sub-jig installation area S2", and the explanation will be common.

Like the sub jig plate 11, the main jig plate 21 and the main jig frame 22 described above are supported on a wheeled support frame (not shown) in a positional relationship in which the work surface 21a and the mounting surface 22a are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that various operations can be easily performed while circulating in the line during the wiring work of the trunk line TL.

The trunk line support jig 23 is provided in the trunk line wiring area S1 of the main jig plate 21, and is a jig capable of supporting the wiring material W routed from the sub-harness SH on each sub-jig 10 installed in each sub-jig installation area S2 to the trunk line wiring area S1 along the axial direction D1 on the trunk line wiring area S1. Like the sub-harness support jig 12, the trunk line support jig 23 is also called a fork, and includes a pedestal portion 23a mounted on the work surface 21a constituting the trunk line wiring area S1, a support 23b erected on the pedestal portion 23a, and a support portion 23c formed in a U shape at the tip of the support 23b for hooking and supporting the wiring material W (see FIG. 5 in particular). The trunk line support jig 23 is appropriately arranged on the work surface 21a forming the trunk line wiring region S1 according to the form of the trunk line TL to be manufactured. In other words, a necessary number of trunk line support jigs 23 are appropriately arranged on the work surface 21a along the wiring positions of the wiring materials W of the trunk lines TL to be laid on the work surface 21a constituting the trunk line wiring region S1. Here, a total of five main line support jigs 23 are arranged side by side at intervals along the axial direction D1. In the manufacturing process of the wire harness WH, the trunk wire support jig 23 supports the portion of the wiring material W installed on the support portion 23c by floating it from the work surface 21a (the work surface 21a constituting the trunk wire wiring region S1) on which the pedestal portion 23a is placed.

The trunk connector receiving jig 24 is provided in the receiving jig setting area S3 of the main jig plate 21, and is a jig that holds the trunk connector Ctl and can be electrically connected to the trunk connector Ctl. The trunk line connector Ctl constitutes the connector C described above in the trunk line TL, and is provided at the end of the wiring material W that is routed from the sub-harness SH on each sub-jig 10 installed in the sub-jig installation area S2 to the trunk line wiring area S1. Like the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13, the main line connector receiving jig 24 includes a pedestal portion 24a installed on the work surface 21a constituting the receiving jig setting area S3, a support 24b erected on the pedestal 24a, and a connector portion 24c provided at the tip of the support 24b to which the main connector Ctl can be fitted (see FIG. 5 in particular). The main line connector receiving jig 24 is appropriately arranged on the work surface 21a constituting the receiving jig installation area S3 according to the form of the main line TL to be manufactured. In other words, the necessary number of trunk connector receiving jigs 24 are appropriately arranged on the work surface 21a in accordance with the position of the trunk connector Ctl provided at the end of the wiring member W of the trunk line TL routed on the work surface 21a constituting the receiving jig setting area S3. In the manufacturing process of the wire harness WH, the trunk connector receiving jig 24 supports the trunk connector Ctl fitted to the connector portion 24c so as to be lifted from the work surface 21a on which the pedestal portion 24a is placed (the work surface 21a constituting the receiving jig installation region S3). Note that the trunk connector receiving jig 24 of the present embodiment also typically has a known terminal guidance LED function and continuity check function, similarly to the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 .

The main jig connector 25 is provided on the main jig plate 21 and electrically connected to the trunk connector receiving jig 24 to constitute a connector that electrically connects the main jig 20 and the continuity checker 30 . The main jig connection connector 25 of the present embodiment typically constitutes an output connector for the conduction check function of the trunk connector receiving jig 24, and is also used here as an input connector for the terminal guidance LED function of the trunk connector receiving jig 24. The main jig connector 25 is provided on the end surface of the main jig plate 21 and electrically connected to each trunk connector receiving jig 24 via a connection electric wire 25a. The connection electric wire 25 a is an electric wire in which an LED power supply electric wire, a light emitting signal electric wire, and a continuity check electric wire for the main connector receiving jig 24 are collected. It should be noted that the connection wire 25a is appropriately omitted from the figures other than FIGS. 4 and 5 for the sake of simplification.

The continuity checker 30 is electrically connected to the sub-jig connector 14 and the main-jig connector 25 as shown in FIG. The continuity checker 30 includes, for example, a power supply for supplying power to each part, a computer capable of executing various processes, a display device for displaying various information, and the like. The continuity checker 30 of the present embodiment is also used as a device that executes various processes related to the terminal guidance LED function in addition to various processes related to the continuity check function of the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 and trunk connector receiving jig 24 . The continuity checker 30 can be electrically connected to each sub jig connector 14 and the main jig connector 25 via a connection wire 30a. The connection electric wire 30a is an electric wire in which the LED power supply electric wire, the light emission signal electric wire, and the continuity check electric wire for the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 and the trunk connector receiving jig 24 are collected. The connection wire 30a has, for example, a connector that can be fitted with each of the sub-jig connectors 14 and the main jig connection connector 25 at the terminal, and is connected to each of the sub-jig connectors 14 and the main jig connection connector 25 via the connectors.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, the outline of the terminal guidance LED function and continuity check function of the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 and trunk connector receiving jig 24 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the terminal guiding LED function is a function of guiding the insertion destination of the terminal Wa provided at the end of the wiring material W by lighting one of a plurality of cavities Ca of the sub-harness connector Csh and the trunk connector Ctl fitted to the connector portions 13c and 24c with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element (indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 7). The sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 and the main line connector receiving jig 24 incorporate a plurality of LED elements for lighting the respective cavities Ca of the sub-harness connector Csh and the main line connector Ctl when the sub-harness connector Csh and the main line connector Ctl are fitted to the connector portions 13c and 24c. Then, the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 and the main line connector receiving jig 24 sequentially switch the insertion destination of the terminal Wa provided at the end of the wiring material W and guide it by sequentially lighting up the respective cavities Ca by sequentially lighting the LED elements according to the light emission signal from the continuity checker 30. The sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 and the main line connector receiving jig 24 can clearly indicate in which cavity Ca the terminal Wa provided at the end of the wiring material W should be inserted by the terminal guidance LED function, so that it is possible to improve the workability of the work of inserting the terminal into the sub-harness connector Csh and the main line connector Ctl.

On the other hand, the continuity check function is a function for checking the continuity performance of the terminals Wa inserted into the cavities Ca of the sub-harness connector Csh and the trunk connector Ctl, as shown in FIG. The sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 and the main line connector receiving jig 24 incorporate detection conductors 14b and 25b that are in contact with and conduct with the terminals Wa held by the sub-harness connector Csh and the main line connector Ctl when the sub-harness connector Csh and the main line connector Ctl are fitted to the connector portions 13c and 24c. The detection conductors 14b, 25b are electrically connected to terminals of the connection wires 14a, 25a. The continuity checker 30 determines the continuity performance of the terminal Wa through the detection conductors 14b and 25b in a state where the connection wire 30a is connected to the sub-jig connector 14 and the main-jig connector 25, and determines whether the terminal Wa is inserted to an appropriate position with respect to the sub-harness connector Csh and the trunk connector Ctl to ensure the required appropriate continuity performance. The sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 and the main line connector receiving jig 24 can properly manage the conduction performance of the sub-harness connector Csh and the main line connector Ctl provided at the end of the wiring material W by this conduction check function, and can ensure the required performance. Note that FIG. 10 shows an example of a state in which the sub-harness connector Csh is held by the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 having the continuity check function in the sub-jig 10 .

Next, a method for manufacturing the wire harness WH (wire harness manufacturing method) according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 24. FIG. In the following explanation, while explaining based on the flowchart of FIG. 11, other drawings will be referred to as appropriate. The method of manufacturing the wire harness WH described below may be performed manually by an operator using various devices, equipment, jigs, etc., or may be partially performed automatically by various devices.

The manufacturing method of the wire harness WH of the present embodiment includes a sub-harness wiring process (step ST1), a sub-jig installation process (step ST2), a trunk wiring process (step ST3), a connector connection process (step ST4), an exterior material attachment process (step ST6), and a continuity check process (step ST7). The sub-harness wiring step (step ST1) is a step of wiring the sub-harness SH to the sub jig 10. FIG. The sub jig installation step (step ST2) is a step of installing the sub jig 10 in the sub jig installation region S2 of the main jig 20. FIG. The trunk wiring step (step ST3) is a step of wiring the wiring members W constituting the trunk TL in the trunk wiring region S1 of the main jig 20 . The connector connecting step (step ST4) is a step of connecting the connector C (trunk connector Ctl) of the sub-harness SH. The exterior material attaching step (step ST6) is a process of attaching the exterior material T to the wire harness WH. The continuity check step (step ST7) is a step of conducting a continuity check by the continuity checker 30. FIG. Here, the method for manufacturing the wire harness WH will be described assuming that it is manually performed by a worker.

Specifically, first, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15, the worker wires the sub-harness SH to each of the plurality of sub-jigs 10 as a sub-harness wiring step (step ST1). In this embodiment, the worker can wire the sub-harness SH on the working surface 11a of the sub-jig plate 11 with the auxiliary jig 40 attached to the sub-jig plate 11 of the sub-jig 10, for example.

Here, the auxiliary jig 40 is a pole-shaped jig that temporarily holds the trunk line connector Ctl that constitutes the trunk line TL in the sub-harness SH, and includes an auxiliary jig plate 41 and an auxiliary connector receiving jig 42 . The auxiliary jig plate 41 is a workbench on which the trunk line connector Ctl that constitutes the trunk line TL in the sub-harness SH is temporarily placed. Like the sub-jig plate 11, the auxiliary jig plate 41 is made of, for example, wood, resin, metal, or the like as a plate material, and the upper surface in the vertical direction constitutes a working surface 41a. Here, the auxiliary jig plate 41 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape along one side of the sub jig plate 11 . The auxiliary connector receiving jig 42 is provided on the auxiliary jig plate 41 and is a jig capable of holding the trunk line connector Ctl that constitutes the trunk line TL in the sub-harness SH. The auxiliary connector receiving jig 42 has substantially the same configuration as the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 and the like, but may not have functions such as a terminal guidance LED function and continuity check function. A plurality of auxiliary connector receiving jigs 42 are arranged side by side on the working surface 41a according to the form of the sub-harness SH. In the manufacturing process of the wire harness WH, the auxiliary connector receiving jig 42 supports the main line connector Ctl, which constitutes the main line TL of the sub-harness SH, floating from the work surface 41a.

In the sub-harness wiring step (step ST1), the worker wires the sub-harnesses SH in each sub-jig 10 while supporting the sub-harness supporting jigs 12 on the sub-jig plate 11 according to the form of the sub-harnesses SH to be produced. Further, the worker holds the sub-harness connector Csh provided at the end of the wiring material W of the sub-harness SH in the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13, and holds the main line connector Ctl constituting the main line TL in the sub-harness SH in the auxiliary connector receiving jig 42. At this time, if the sub-jig 10 is connected to an external device such as the continuity checker 30 through the sub-jig connector 14, the worker can use the terminal guidance LED function of the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 or the like to insert the terminal Wa provided at the end of the wiring material W into the connector C on the sub-jig 10, while wiring the sub-harness SH on the work surface 11a. Alternatively, the worker can use an automatic machine that automatically cuts, peels, crimps, twists, and inserts the terminals Wa into the connector C to wire the sub-harness SH on the work surface 11a of the sub-jig plate 11 after cutting the wiring material W and inserting the terminal Wa into the connector C. In this sub-harness wiring step (step ST1), as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the worker can attach the exterior material T to the wiring material W of each sub-harness SH at a stage before constructing the wire harness WH.

16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 show, as an example, the sub-harnesses SH produced on the sub-jigs 10A, 10C, 10D, and 10F in the sub-harness installation step (step ST1).

Next, as a sub-jig installation step, the worker installs the sub-jigs 10 in the sub-jig installation regions S2 of the main jig 20, as shown in FIG. 21 (step ST2). At this time, the worker removes the trunk connector Ctl held by the auxiliary connector receiving jig 42 from the auxiliary connector receiving jig 42, moves the sub-jig 10 to the sub-jig installation area S2, and installs it. Here, the worker installs the sub-jigs 10 in the sub-jig installation area S2 while sequentially repeating the sub-jig installation process (step ST2), the trunk wiring process (step ST3), and the connector connection process (step ST4). FIG. 21 shows, as an example, the state after the sub-jig 10A is installed in the sub-jig installation area S2A in this sub-jig installation process (step ST2).

Next, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the worker, as a trunk wiring step, supports the wiring material W routed from the sub-harness SH on each sub-jig 10 installed in each sub-jig installation region S2 to the trunk wiring region S1, as the trunk TL of the wire harness WH, on the trunk wiring region S1 along the axial direction D1 by the trunk support jig 23 (step ST3). At this time, the worker holds a part of the main line connector Ctl that constitutes the main line TL in each sub-harness SH (the main line connector Ctl that is positioned at the end of the main line TL and is connected to the other wire harness WH) in the main line connector receiving jig 24 on the receiving jig setting area S3. As an example, FIG. 22 shows a state after the sub-jig 10A is installed in the sub-jig installation area S2A and the sub-jig 10D is installed in the sub-jig installation area S2D in the sub-jig installation process (step ST2).

Next, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, in the connector connecting step, the worker connects a part of the trunk connectors Ctl (the trunk connectors Ctl located in the middle of the trunk TL and connected to other sub-harnesses SH) to each other (step ST4). FIG. 23 shows, as an example, a state after all the sub-jigs 10 including the blank sub-jigs 10B, 10E, and 10G are installed in the sub-jig installation area S2 and the trunk connectors Ctl of the sub-harnesses SH are connected to each other in the sub-jig installation process (step ST2), trunk wiring process (step ST3), and connector connection process (step ST4).

Next, the worker determines whether installation of all the sub-harnesses SH constituting the wire harness WH is completed (step ST5). If the worker determines that the installation of all the sub-harnesses SH has not been completed (step ST5: No), the worker returns to step ST2 and repeats the subsequent steps.

When the worker determines that the installation of all the sub-harnesses SH is completed (step ST5: Yes), as an exterior material installation process, as shown in FIG.

Next, the worker connects the connection electric wire 30a connected to the conductive checker 30 to each sub -jig connection connector 14 and the main jig connection connector 25, as shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. Conduct checks for the sub -harness connector CSH and the main connector CTL held in 4 (Step ST7), and the manufacturing method of this wire harness WH is terminated. After that, the worker performs, for example, an appearance inspection of the manufactured wire harness WH, etc., and then packs and ships the wire harness WH.

In the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the method for manufacturing the wire harness WH described above, after wiring the sub-harnesses SH to the plurality of sub-jigs 10 in the sub-harness wiring process (step ST1), the sub-jigs SH are installed in the respective sub-jig installation areas S2 of the main jig 20 in the sub-jig installation process (step ST2). Thereafter, in the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the wire harness WH manufacturing method, in the trunk wiring step (step ST3), the wiring material W extending from the sub-harness SH on each sub-jig 10 installed in each sub-jig installation region S2 can be routed in the trunk wiring region S1 of the main jig 20, supported by the trunk support jig 23, and bundled as the trunk TL of the wire harness WH. As a result, the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the wire harness WH manufacturing method can efficiently manufacture the wire harness WH by, for example, manufacturing the sub-harness SH on the sub-jig 10 and pre-attaching the exterior material T, etc., and then combining the sub-harnesses SH on the plurality of sub-jigs 10 on the main jig 20 to form the main line TL.

As described above, the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the method for manufacturing the wire harness WH can realize the efficiency of the manufacturing work process and the improvement of workability, thereby properly manufacturing the wire harness WH.

Here, in the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the method for manufacturing the wire harness WH described above, a plurality of sub-jig installation regions S2 are arranged side by side along the trunk wiring region S1 on both sides of the trunk wiring region S1 with respect to the cross direction D2 that intersects with the axial direction D1. Thus, the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the method for manufacturing the wire harness WH can appropriately manufacture the wire harness WH in which the sub-harnesses SH are arranged so as to be branched on both sides of the trunk line TL routed in the trunk wiring region S1.

Further, in the wiring harness manufacturing system 1 and the wiring harness WH manufacturing method described above, in the sub jig 10, the wiring material W of the sub harness SH can be supported on the sub jig plate 11 by the sub harness support jig 12, and the sub harness connector Csh can be held by the sub harness connector receiving jig 13. In addition, the wiring harness manufacturing system 1 and the wiring harness WH manufacturing method can support the wiring material W constituting the trunk line TL on the trunk wiring area S1 by the trunk line supporting jig 23 and hold the trunk connector Ctl by the trunk connector receiving jig 24 in a state where the sub jigs 10 are installed in the plurality of sub jig installation areas S2 in the main jig 20. In this state, the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the wire harness WH manufacturing method can collectively check the continuity of the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13, the sub-harness connector Csh held by the trunk connector receiving jig 24, and the trunk connector Ctl by the continuity checker 30 electrically connected to the sub-jig connection connector 14 of the sub-jig 10 and the main jig connection connector 25 of the main jig 20. As a result, the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the method for manufacturing the wire harness WH can efficiently manufacture the wire harness WH ensuring proper conduction performance.

Here, in the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the wire harness WH manufacturing method described above, the main jig plate 21 is configured to include the receiving jig installation region S3 as well as the trunk wiring region S1, and the trunk connector receiving jig 24 is provided in the receiving jig installation region S3. As a result, the wire harness manufacturing system 1 and the method for manufacturing the wire harness WH can manufacture the wire harness WH by properly routing the trunk line TL including the trunk connector Ctl held by the trunk connector receiving jig 24 on the main jig plate 21. As a result, the wire harness WH can be properly manufactured as described above.

Note that the wire harness manufacturing system and the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

In the above description, it is assumed that a plurality of sub-jig installation regions S2 are arranged along the trunk wiring region S1 on both sides of the trunk wiring region S1 with respect to the crossing direction D2, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of the sub-jig installation regions S2 may be arranged side by side along the trunk wiring region S1 at least on one side of the trunk wiring region S1 with respect to the crossing direction D2, and may not be provided on the other side of the trunk wiring region S1.

In the above description, the sub-jig 10 includes the sub-jig plate 11, the sub-harness support jig 12, the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13, and the sub-jig connector 14. However, the sub-jig 10 is not limited to this. For example, the sub-jig 10 may be composed of the sub-jig plate 11 and may be configured without the sub-harness support jig 12 , the sub-harness connector receiving jig 13 , and the sub-jig connector 14 .

In the above description, the main jig 20 includes the main jig plate 21 forming the trunk wiring area S1, the main jig frame 22 forming the plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2, the trunk support jig 23, the trunk connector receiving jig 24, and the main jig connector 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The main jig 20 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it includes the trunk wiring area S<b>1 , a plurality of sub-jig installation areas S<b>2 , and the trunk line support jig 23 . For example, the main jig 20 may not include the main jig frame 22, and the plurality of sub-jig installation areas S2 may be configured by the main jig plate 21 as in the main wiring area S1. Further, the main jig plate 21 has been described as including the receiving jig installation region S3 in addition to the trunk wiring region S1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured without the receiving jig installation region S3.

Moreover, although the wiring harness manufacturing system 1 has been described as including the continuity checker 30 , the configuration is not limited to this, and the configuration without the continuity checker 30 may be employed. In this case, the sub jig 10 and the main jig 20 may not have the sub jig connection connector 14 and the main jig connection connector 25, respectively, and the sub harness connector receiving jig 13 and the trunk connector receiving jig 24 may not have the terminal guidance LED function and the continuity check function.

Further, the sub-jig connector 14 may not be provided in all of the plurality of sub-jigs 10, for example, it may be provided in any one of the plurality of sub-jigs 10 and not provided in the other sub-jigs 10. In this case, the sub jig 10 not provided with the sub jig connection connector 14 may be electrically connected to the sub jig 10 provided with the sub jig connection connector 14 via a relay connector or the like, and may be electrically connected to the continuity checker 30 via the relay connector and the sub jig connection connector 14.

In the above description, the sub-jig installation step (step ST2), trunk wiring step (step ST3), and connector connection step (step ST4) are described as sequentially repeated until installation of all the sub-harnesses SH constituting the wire harness WH is completed, but the present invention is not limited to this. Each step of the sub-jig installation step (step ST2), the trunk wiring step (step ST3), and the connector connection step (step ST4) may be collectively performed for all the sub-harnesses SH constituting the wire harness WH. That is, the trunk wiring step (step ST3) may be performed after the sub-jig installation step (step ST2) is performed for all the sub-jigs 10. FIG. Similarly, the connector connection step (step ST4) may be performed after the trunk wiring step (step ST3) is performed on the wiring materials W extending from the sub-harnesses SH on all the sub-jigs 10. FIG.

In the above description, the exterior material mounting process (step ST6) and continuity check process (step ST7) are collectively performed after the installation of all the sub-harnesses SH constituting the wire harness WH is completed. Further, the exterior material attachment process (step ST6) and the continuity check process (step ST7) may be performed simultaneously, or the continuity check process (step ST7) may be performed before the exterior material attachment process (step ST6).

In the method for manufacturing the wire harness WH described above, the order of steps may be changed as appropriate within a possible range.

The wire harness manufacturing system and the wire harness manufacturing method according to the present embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments and modifications described above.

1 Wire Harness Manufacturing System 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G Sub Jig 11 Sub Jig Plate 12 Sub Harness Support Jig 13 Sub Harness Connector Receiving Jig 14 Sub Jig Connector 20 Main Jig 21 Main Jig Board 22 Main Jig Frame 23 Main Line Support Jig 24 Main Line Connector Receiving Jig 25 Main Jig Connector 30 Continuity Checker 40 Auxiliary Jig 4 1 Auxiliary jig plate 42 Auxiliary connector receiving jig C Connector Ca Cavity Csh Sub-harness connector Ctl Trunk line connector D1 Axial direction D2 Intersecting direction S1 Trunk line wiring area S2, S2A, S2B, S2C, S2D, S2E, S2F, S2G Sub-jig installation area S3 Jig installation area SH Sub-harness T Exterior material TL Trunk line W Wiring material Wa Terminal WH Wire harness

Claims (5)

a plurality of sub-jigs each capable of routing a sub-harness;
a trunk wiring area extending along the axial direction; a plurality of sub-jig installation areas positioned side by side along the trunk wiring area and each capable of installing the sub-jigs; a jig;
Wire harness manufacturing system. A plurality of the sub-jig installation regions are arranged side by side along the trunk wiring region on both sides of the trunk wiring region in a direction intersecting the axial direction.
The wire harness manufacturing system according to claim 1. The sub-jigs include a sub-jig plate on which the sub-harness is placed, a sub-harness support jig provided on the sub-jig plate and capable of supporting, on the sub-jig plate, a wiring member of the sub-harness wired on the sub-jig plate, a sub-harness connector receiving jig provided on the sub-jig plate and provided on an end of the wiring member of the sub-harness wired on the sub-jig plate and capable of being electrically connected to the sub-harness connector, and the sub-jig. including a sub-jig connector provided on the tool plate and electrically connected to the sub-harness connector receiving jig;
The main jig includes a main jig plate forming the trunk wiring area, a main jig frame forming the plurality of sub-jig installation areas, the trunk support jig provided on the main jig plate, a trunk connector receiving jig provided on the main jig plate and capable of holding a trunk connector provided at an end of a wiring material routed from the sub-harness to the trunk wiring area and electrically connectable to the trunk connector, and provided on the main jig plate, and the trunk. including a main jig connector electrically connected to the wire connector receiving jig;
Furthermore, a continuity checker that is electrically connected to the sub-jig connector and the main-jig connector and is held by the sub-harness connector receiving jig and the main connector held by the main connector receiving jig is provided.
The wire harness manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2. The main jig plate includes a receiving jig installation region located on the end side of the trunk wiring region in the axial direction and in which the trunk connector receiving jig is provided,
The wire harness manufacturing system according to claim 3. A sub-harness wiring step of wiring sub-harnesses to a plurality of sub-jigs, respectively;
a sub-jig installation step of installing the sub-jig in each of the sub-jig installation areas of a main jig including a main wiring area extending along the axial direction and a plurality of sub-jig installation areas positioned side by side along the main wiring area;
a trunk wiring step of supporting, as a trunk line of a wire harness, a wiring member routed from the sub-harness on each of the sub-jigs installed in each of the sub-jig installation areas to the trunk wiring area on the trunk wiring area along the axial direction by a trunk support jig provided in the trunk wiring area;
Wire harness manufacturing method.

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