WO1998014350A1 - Improved method of assembling wire harness and trim panel - Google Patents
Improved method of assembling wire harness and trim panel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998014350A1 WO1998014350A1 PCT/US1997/016396 US9716396W WO9814350A1 WO 1998014350 A1 WO1998014350 A1 WO 1998014350A1 US 9716396 W US9716396 W US 9716396W WO 9814350 A1 WO9814350 A1 WO 9814350A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- trim panel
- wire harness
- strip
- strips
- recited
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
- B60R16/0207—Wire harnesses
- B60R16/0215—Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor
Definitions
- This invention relates to an improvement in securing a wire harness to a vehicle trim panel.
- wire harnesses are utilized to bundle the control wires associated with vehicle systems.
- Wire harnesses are assembled at a wiring jig to route the wires to desired destinations, and to connect the wires to connectors as required.
- wires must go to and from a vehicle control, a power supply, and be connected to several components on the vehicle door. Included in the components typically mounted in a vehicle door are window controls, power door locks, and motor driven mirrors. In addition, electrical connections must be made between the vehicle stereo, and any speakers mounted within the door panel. In sum, there are many wires that must be connected into a wire harness for a vehicle trim panel such as a door panel.
- the method of assembling a wire harness in the past has required an undesirably large number of steps. It is a goal of vehicle manufacturers to reduce the number of separate steps that must be performed to reach a final vehicle assembly. In addition, it is a goal to form as many modular components, from vehicle components as is possible.
- Figure 1 shows a highly schematic and very simplified wire harness jig 20.
- Connectors 22, 24, and 26 are interconnected by wires 28.
- Routing fork 31 guides wires 28 toward the connectors 24 and 26.
- Routing fork 32 guides several of the wires to the connector 24, while fork 34 guides a wire to connector 26.
- a worker individually places wires through the routing forks and to their appropriate destinations.
- the wiring harnesses are then taped to hold desired positions until they can be attached to a trim panel.
- Figure IB shows the second step in the process of attaching the wire harness 36 to the trim panel 38.
- the wire harness and trim panel are typically shipped separately to an assembly line, where they are interconnected.
- the two processes generally occur at separate locations. Extra manufacturing steps are required to separately transport the wire harness to the trim panel location, and then assemble the two. It would be desirable to reduce the number of separate manufacturing steps.
- welding stations are provided on the jig that are operable to actuate and secure holding strips, and thus captured wires, to the trim panel.
- the holding strips are formed of a material which may be actuated to secure the strip to the trim panel.
- the welding stations include ultrasonic members. In other examples the welding station could include vibration or heat applying members. Initially, a strip is placed in the station. After the wire harness is assembled, similar to as shown in Figure 1A, a trim panel is placed over the wire harness jig 20. The welding station is then actuated to secure the strips, and thus the wires, to the trim panel.
- a pneumatic cylinder structure drives actuation members and the welding stations to contact the strip and hold the strip against the trim panel.
- the actuation members are preferably ultrasonic members mentioned above. The actuation members melt the material of the strip to secure the strip to the trim panel.
- the wire harness is assembled on an assembly line, and the wire assembly and routing occurs at a first station.
- the assembled wire harness thenamoves to a second station at which the trim panel is moved over the jig.
- a pneumatic actuation structure drives the actuation members, which are preferably ultrasonic horns, through openings in a strap holding station, to achieve the welding.
- Figure 1A shows a simplified wire harness jig assembly.
- Figure IB shows a subsequent step in the attachment of a wire harness to a trim panel.
- Figure 2 is a schematic view of an inventive trim panel.
- Figure 3 shows an inventive welding station.
- Figure 4 A is a schematic view of the invention applied to securing a wire harness to a trim panel.
- Figure 4B shows a schematic view of an assembly line for the wire harness.
- Figure 4C shows a detail.
- Figure 4D shows a further detail.
- Figure 5 shows an actuation step of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 shows an improved trim panel 40 in which the wire harness is attached directly to the trim panel through a plurality of securement strips 42.
- Securement strips 42 have a holding channel 44 holding the wires 48 on the trim panel 40 at desired orientations.
- the strips 42 include melted portions 46 which secure the strips 42 to the trim panel 40. Portions 46 are preferably formed at outer tabs 48 spaced on opposed sides of the channel 44. The strips 42 are secured to the panel 40 and hold the wires 28 at desired locations.
- Figure 3 shows welding station 50 to secure the strips 42 to the panel
- Outer holding surface 52 include holding notches 54.
- An inner surface 56 includes a seat 58 which receives a strip 60 to be secured to the trim panel.
- strip 60 is shown in Figure 3 in its unsecured position, but that strip 60 becomes strip 42 when secured to the trim panel 40.
- Energy deflection structure 61 is formed on the outer portions of the strip 60.
- the strip 60 includes a central portion 62 that will become channel 44. A plurality of wires 28 are shown within portion 62.
- Actuation horns 63 are placed beneath, and on opposed side of, central holding portion 56. As shown, horns 60 are connected by a base portion 65. An electronic control 66 controls actuation horns 63, and in different embodiments, may cause them to apply ultrasonic force, when the strip 60 is being secured to the trim panel.
- a source of pneumatic fluid 68 is shown connected to a cylinder 70 beneath the base 65.
- the fluid system 60 and 70 is shown somewhat schematically. Other means for driving the horns 63 may replace this system.
- the electronics 66 are as known in the art, and a worker of ordinary skill in the art would know how to apply ultrasonic force to the horns 63.
- Figure 4A shows a schematic view of a control 74 for attaching a wire harness to trim panel 40. As shown, a plurality of welding stations 50 are spaced about the trim panel surface 40. As shown in Figure 4B, the wire harness is assembled at station X, and then moves to station Y. As shown in
- the trim panels are mounted in a rotating carrier member 69 that receives a trim panel which is then rotated to move downwardly on top of the jig.
- Positioning structure is preferably included to insure that the trim panel 40 is properly located relative to the several routing forks 50.
- the horns 63 are associated with a cylinder 70 beneath the base of the jig, and beneath the base of a conveyor which brings the jig into the station Y. Now, when it is desired to achieve the welding at the station Y, the horns 63 are driven upwardly.
- the welding stations 50 are preferably associated with routing forks 80 on each side of the welding stations.
- Control 74 actuates the horn to cause the horns 64 to move forwardly, and to then actuate the adhesive on the strip 60 to secure the strip 60 to the trim panel.
- FIG 5 shows the actuation step.
- the horns 63 have been driven forwardly such that their tips 64 contact the strip and have forced outer tabs 48 against the trim panel 40. This squeezes the channel on the wires such that the wires are held securely.
- the portion 61 as shown in Figure 4 has now been melted and formed the melt portions 46 as shown in Figure 2.
- the tips 64 may apply ultrasonic force to melt the plastic.
- the horns may apply heat or vibration.
- the controls and structure for achieving any one of these actuations systems are as known in the art. It is the use of such a system with the inventive application which is the patentable feature of this invention.
- the present invention has simplified the assembly of a wire harness to a trim panel. Once the wire harness is assembled in a jig such as shown in
- the trim panel is then placed over the assembly.
- the welding stations 50 are then actuated to secure the strips 42 to the trim panel 40.
- the intermediate step of transporting the wire harness to the trim panel assembler, and then securing the two is eliminated. Less assembly time is required, and fewer components need be stored.
- the strips 42 are preferably formed to be compatible with the material of the trim panel 40. If the trim panel 40 is formed of a material then the strip 42 is preferably formed of the same material. The energy deflection portion ensures an evenly melted strip.
- the strip could be a polyproplyene, or of A.B.S. plastic. Again, it is the material of the trim panel which will dictate the selection of the material for the strip.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP10516571A JP2001502268A (en) | 1996-09-30 | 1997-09-16 | Improved method for assembling wiring harnesses and trim panels |
EP97942501A EP0929417A1 (en) | 1996-09-30 | 1997-09-16 | Improved method of assembling wire harness and trim panel |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/724,733 US5798012A (en) | 1996-09-30 | 1996-09-30 | Method of assembling wire harness and trim panel |
US08/724,733 | 1996-09-30 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1998014350A1 true WO1998014350A1 (en) | 1998-04-09 |
Family
ID=24911685
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1997/016396 WO1998014350A1 (en) | 1996-09-30 | 1997-09-16 | Improved method of assembling wire harness and trim panel |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US5798012A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0929417A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001502268A (en) |
AR (1) | AR009529A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998014350A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3292288B2 (en) * | 1996-12-27 | 2002-06-17 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Resin molding and wiring method of electric wire |
JPH11205970A (en) * | 1998-01-06 | 1999-07-30 | Yazaki Corp | Wiring layout and wiring method |
JP2001239900A (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2001-09-04 | Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd | Wire harness installation structure between car body and movable body |
US6640434B1 (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2003-11-04 | Lear Corporation | Method of forming an electrical circuit on a substrate |
US20050000632A1 (en) * | 2003-05-23 | 2005-01-06 | Tesa Ag | Method of bonding flat ribbon cables adhesively to substrates such as the interior decorative components of a passenger car, especially roof lining, door side part and boot lid |
FR2905038B1 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2015-03-20 | Airbus France | ATTACHMENT SYSTEM FOR CABLES AND CARRIER FOR CABLES IN PARTICULAR FOR AERONAUTICAL CONSTRUCTION. |
WO2012108037A1 (en) * | 2011-02-10 | 2012-08-16 | Necディスプレイソリューションズ株式会社 | Display device |
US10050422B2 (en) | 2014-10-15 | 2018-08-14 | Lear Corporation | Wiring carrier |
JP6490624B2 (en) * | 2016-06-29 | 2019-03-27 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Wire harness |
JP6729519B2 (en) * | 2017-05-10 | 2020-07-22 | 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 | Wiring module, composite wiring module and fixing target member with wiring module |
JP2019089398A (en) * | 2017-11-13 | 2019-06-13 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Electric wire arrangement structure and vehicle circuit body |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2569146A1 (en) * | 1984-08-20 | 1986-02-21 | Yazaki Corp | STRUCTURE FOR MOUNTING AN ELECTRIC WIRE BEAM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR |
DE3530413A1 (en) * | 1985-08-26 | 1987-02-26 | Lisa Draexlmaier Fa | Kit part for laying electrical leads in motor vehicles |
EP0235924A1 (en) * | 1986-02-07 | 1987-09-09 | Yazaki Corporation | Molded wire harness |
DE3740593A1 (en) * | 1986-08-14 | 1989-06-08 | Yazaki Corp | WIRING HARNESS FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE |
JPH03165476A (en) * | 1989-11-24 | 1991-07-17 | Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The | Assembling device for wire harness |
DE4311188A1 (en) * | 1993-04-06 | 1994-10-13 | Uwe Engberts | Method for manufacturing a cable harness (cable loom) which has a welding node, and an automatic cable fabrication machine |
US5467520A (en) * | 1992-12-21 | 1995-11-21 | Chrysler Corporation | Apparatus for automatically feeding and assembling wires into a trough of a panel |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4360400A (en) * | 1981-07-06 | 1982-11-23 | Amp Incorporated | Apparatus for binding conductors in a harness |
US4761871A (en) * | 1986-11-21 | 1988-08-09 | Phillips Petroleum Company | Method of joining two thermoplastic articles |
US4874908A (en) * | 1987-07-08 | 1989-10-17 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Wiring harness |
US4853075A (en) * | 1987-11-05 | 1989-08-01 | Chrysler Motors Corporation | Apparatus for automated assembly of a harness retainer stud |
US4971647A (en) * | 1987-11-05 | 1990-11-20 | Chrysler Corporation | Method of automated assembly of a harness retainer stud |
US5211784A (en) * | 1991-03-25 | 1993-05-18 | Specialty Tapes Division Of Rsw Inc. | Method of securing electronic/electrical cables |
US5535511A (en) | 1994-11-16 | 1996-07-16 | United Technologies Automotive, Inc. | Method of assembling a wire harness |
US5929382A (en) * | 1997-09-19 | 1999-07-27 | Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc. | Wire harness assembly |
-
1996
- 1996-09-30 US US08/724,733 patent/US5798012A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-09-04 AR ARP970104034A patent/AR009529A1/en unknown
- 1997-09-16 WO PCT/US1997/016396 patent/WO1998014350A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-09-16 JP JP10516571A patent/JP2001502268A/en active Pending
- 1997-09-16 EP EP97942501A patent/EP0929417A1/en not_active Ceased
-
1998
- 1998-05-20 US US09/081,802 patent/US6180886B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2569146A1 (en) * | 1984-08-20 | 1986-02-21 | Yazaki Corp | STRUCTURE FOR MOUNTING AN ELECTRIC WIRE BEAM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR |
DE3530413A1 (en) * | 1985-08-26 | 1987-02-26 | Lisa Draexlmaier Fa | Kit part for laying electrical leads in motor vehicles |
EP0235924A1 (en) * | 1986-02-07 | 1987-09-09 | Yazaki Corporation | Molded wire harness |
DE3740593A1 (en) * | 1986-08-14 | 1989-06-08 | Yazaki Corp | WIRING HARNESS FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE |
JPH03165476A (en) * | 1989-11-24 | 1991-07-17 | Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The | Assembling device for wire harness |
US5467520A (en) * | 1992-12-21 | 1995-11-21 | Chrysler Corporation | Apparatus for automatically feeding and assembling wires into a trough of a panel |
DE4311188A1 (en) * | 1993-04-06 | 1994-10-13 | Uwe Engberts | Method for manufacturing a cable harness (cable loom) which has a welding node, and an automatic cable fabrication machine |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 15, no. 405 (E - 1122) 16 October 1991 (1991-10-16) * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6180886B1 (en) | 2001-01-30 |
EP0929417A1 (en) | 1999-07-21 |
JP2001502268A (en) | 2001-02-20 |
US5798012A (en) | 1998-08-25 |
AR009529A1 (en) | 2000-04-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5798012A (en) | Method of assembling wire harness and trim panel | |
EP0912371B1 (en) | Wire harness assembly on trim panel | |
EP0235924B1 (en) | Molded wire harness | |
US4750265A (en) | Method for installing a wire harness | |
US11670434B2 (en) | Wiring harness assembly having multiple separated conductors embedded within a substrate | |
JP6842448B2 (en) | How to fix the wire harness | |
WO1999021736A1 (en) | Wire holding clip for trim panel | |
KR100328788B1 (en) | Process for manufacturing a prefabricated vehicle door module | |
JP2946914B2 (en) | Assembly module for electrical component and method of forming the same | |
US6865795B2 (en) | Method of installing a vehicle roof assembly | |
US6783624B2 (en) | Modular headliner assembly and method of making same | |
EP0855768B1 (en) | Manufacture of wire harness for automobile use | |
EP0912372B1 (en) | Wire harness assembly on trim panel | |
JPH10285755A (en) | Wiring harness attachment structure | |
JPH0583829A (en) | Manufacture of cable sheath which is sealed and connected into wall-shaped part | |
JP2006290191A (en) | Back door module for vehicle | |
JP2007510580A (en) | How to fix the ribbon cable system | |
EP3815985A1 (en) | Vehicle electrical interconnection system | |
JPH09117034A (en) | Branch sheet for wire bundle and bundling method at branch part | |
EP0932234A1 (en) | Device for fixing a conduit to a supporting part | |
JP3121752B2 (en) | Manufacturing method of interior harness integrated wire harness | |
JPH0917239A (en) | Flat harness and vehicular interior trim member with the flat harness mounted | |
JP2001130349A (en) | Assembly structure for ceiling in automobile, unit member used for it, frame member used for assembly structure and its assembling method | |
JP2000264249A (en) | Wire harness termination fixing structure | |
JP2001136630A (en) | Method for fixing wire harness to vehicle |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): BR CA JP KR MX |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE |
|
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: JP Ref document number: 1998 516571 Kind code of ref document: A Format of ref document f/p: F |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 1997942501 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 1997942501 Country of ref document: EP |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: CA |
|
WWR | Wipo information: refused in national office |
Ref document number: 1997942501 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWW | Wipo information: withdrawn in national office |
Ref document number: 1997942501 Country of ref document: EP |