WO2017110607A1 - Connector bar and method for manufacturing wire harness - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a feature with which it is possible to facilitate the collective adjustment of distances from a branching position (binding position) to a plurality of connectors. The present invention is a connector bar provided with a support part formed to an elongated shape, and a holding part supported by the support part. The holding part is formed so as to enable attachment of a plurality of connectors. The holding part is supported by the support part in a mode in which the holding part can rotate, relative to the support part, in a plane including the direction of extension of the support part, or in a mode in which the state of the holding part can be changed to a state in which the holding part can rotate, relative to the support part, in a plane including the direction of extension of the support part.

Description

Manufacturing method of connector bar and wire harness

This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wire harness mounted on a vehicle or the like.

Patent Document 1 arranges a plurality of electric wires along a side surface of a cylindrical wiring board in a state corresponding to a wiring path in a vehicle and binds them while branching into a form corresponding to the wiring path. Discloses a method of manufacturing a wire harness.

Patent Document 2 discloses a method of shaping a wire harness without placing it on a drawing board by using a harness shaping device that routes a plurality of electric wires along a plurality of vertical rails.

JP 2009-238699 A JP 2008-192456 A

However, when wiring an electric wire along the side surface of a cylindrical wiring board like patent document 1, it was difficult to collectively adjust the distance from a branch position (position to bind) to a plurality of connectors. .

Further, in the harness shaping device described in Patent Document 2, when adjusting the distance from the branch position (position for binding) to the plurality of connectors at once, the position of the vertical rail has only to be adjusted. For this reason, when the shape of the wire harness becomes complicated, there is a possibility that the portion where the connectors are densely packed or the portion located at the end of the shaping device cannot be handled.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of easily adjusting the distances from a branch position (position for binding) to a plurality of connectors at once.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a connector bar according to a first aspect is an aspect that is rotatable in a plane that includes an elongated support portion and an extending direction of the support portion with respect to the support portion. Or a holding portion that is supported by the support portion in a manner that can be changed to a rotatable state, and that can be attached with a plurality of connectors.

The connector bar which concerns on a 2nd aspect is a connector bar which concerns on a 1st aspect, Comprising: The said holding part is shorter than the said support part, and it is located in a line along the extension direction of the said support part. A plurality of divided holding portions provided are included.

The connector bar which concerns on a 3rd aspect is a connector bar which concerns on a 2nd aspect, Comprising: The said division | segmentation holding | maintenance part unites directly with the said division | segmentation holding | maintenance part, or indirectly with an interposition member in between. In addition, it is provided so as to be able to release the union, and is provided so as to be rotatable in the combined state.

The connector bar which concerns on a 4th aspect is a connector bar which concerns on the 2nd or 3rd aspect, Comprising: The said division | segmentation holding | maintenance part is the said support part in the aspect movable along the extension direction of the said support part. It is supported.

A connector bar according to a fifth aspect is the connector bar according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the support portion is formed in a bowl shape and is supported with a mounting recess. The holding unit is placed in the mounting recess of the support main body, and is changed to a rotatable state by moving out of the mounting recess with respect to the support main body. .

The connector bar which concerns on a 6th aspect is a connector bar which concerns on a 5th aspect, Comprising: On the bottom face of the said holding part, the insertion part of the jig | tool for rotation which rotates the said holding part with respect to the said support part A hole for insertion is formed, and the insertion of the holding portion placed in the mounting recess from the outside of the support main body portion is inserted into the bottom portion of the support main body portion. A passage groove through which the insertion portion can pass and which can expose the insertion hole to the outside is formed so that the insertion hole can be inserted into the insertion hole.

A connector bar according to a seventh aspect is the connector bar according to the sixth aspect, wherein a plurality of the insertion holes are formed in the holding portion, and the rotation jig has two insertion holes. The two insertion parts to be inserted into the holes are included.

The connector bar which concerns on an 8th aspect is a connector bar which concerns on a 7th aspect, Comprising: The said holding part is shorter than the said support part, and it is arranged in multiple numbers along the extension direction of the said support part And at least one set of the insertion holes of the adjacent holding portions is set to be equal to the interval between the two insertion portions.

The manufacturing method of the wire harness which concerns on a 9th aspect is a manufacturing method of the wire harness which binds the wiring body in which the some connector was connected via the some electric wire, and manufactures a wire harness, Comprising: (a) Electric wire Arranging the connectors to which the groups are connected in one row along one parallel direction in such a manner that the wire group extending from the connector extends in a direction crossing the parallel direction; and (b) arranging in one row. A step of rotating the plurality of connectors in a plane including the parallel direction; and (c) one electric wire group extending so as to hang down from the plurality of connectors in a state rotated in the plane. Bundling at a bundling position.

The method for manufacturing a wire harness according to a tenth aspect is the method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the ninth aspect, wherein the plurality of connectors are attached to a holding part, and the step (b) is performed on the holding part. A step of rotating the holding portion by the rotation jig in a state where the insertion portion connected to the rotation driving portion of the rotation jig is inserted into the insertion hole formed.

According to the first to eighth aspects, the holding portion can rotate with respect to the support portion. Accordingly, the plurality of connectors attached to the holding portion can be rotated with respect to the support portion, and it is easy to collectively adjust the distance from the branch position (bundling position) to the plurality of connectors. be able to.

Particularly, according to the second aspect, it is possible to rotate only the divided holding portion to which the connector to be rotated is attached among the holding portions.

Particularly, according to the third aspect, a desired number of connectors can be rotated in a lump by combining a plurality of division holding portions of one size. Moreover, since the part to rotate can be made into the length according to the number of connectors, it can suppress that a rotation radius becomes large, and it becomes difficult to interfere with another member even if it enlarges the amount of rotations.

Particularly, according to the fourth aspect, the divided holding portion can be positioned at a desired position with respect to the support portion.

Particularly, according to the fifth aspect, the state is changed to a rotatable state by moving the holding portion placed in the placement recess to the outside of the placement recess. For this reason, it is possible to adjust the distance from the branch position (bundling position) to the connector with a simple structure.

Particularly, according to the sixth aspect, the holding part can be rotated by the rotation jig by inserting the rotation jig into the insertion hole. This also makes it easy to automate the operation of rotating the holding unit.

In particular, according to the seventh aspect, since the two insertion portions of the rotation jig are inserted into the two insertion holes and the holding portion is rotated, the rotation of the rotation jig can be suppressed. it can.

Particularly, according to the eighth aspect, the rotation aspect changes depending on the number of rotating holding parts and the shape of the connector attached to the rotating holding part. Even in this case, as the insertion holes into which the two insertion portions are inserted, one rotation center can be selected from the adjacent holding portions, so that a rotation center more suitable for the rotation mode can be selected.

According to the ninth or tenth aspect, a step of rotating a plurality of connectors arranged in a row in a plane including a parallel direction, and extending so as to hang from the plurality of connectors rotated in the plane. A step of bundling each electric wire group at one bundling position. Thereby, it is possible to easily adjust the distances from the branch position (position to be bundled) to the plurality of connectors collectively.

In particular, according to the tenth aspect, the step of rotating the holding portion with the rotation jig in a state where the insertion portion connected to the rotation driving portion of the rotation jig is inserted into the insertion hole formed in the holding portion. Therefore, the rotation operation of the connector can be automated.

It is a flow work figure of the manufacturing method of the wire harness concerning an embodiment. It is the figure which expanded one example of the wire harness manufactured by the manufacturing method of the wire harness which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the connector bar which concerns on embodiment, and a wire harness assembly apparatus provided with the same. It is a partial expansion perspective view of the connector bar concerning an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining a mode that a holding part unites. It is a partial expanded bottom view of the connector bar concerning an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining a mode that a holding | maintenance part is rotated. It is explanatory drawing explaining a mode that a holding | maintenance part is rotated. It is explanatory drawing explaining a mode that a holding | maintenance part is rotated. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the electric wire was inserted in the connector set to the connector bar. It is explanatory drawing which shows the electric wire group processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a primary branch forms in an electric wire. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a primary branch forms in an electric wire. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the primary branch was formed in the electric wire. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the branch was formed in the electric wire. It is a top view which shows the modification of a holding | maintenance part. It is a top view which shows the connector bar containing the holding | maintenance part which concerns on a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the holding | maintenance part which concerns on a modification rotates. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the modification of a connector bar.

{Embodiment}
Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the connector bar and wire harness which concern on embodiment is demonstrated. Here, first, the overall flow of the method of manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Drawing 1 is a flow work figure of the manufacturing method of the wire harness concerning an embodiment.

In the method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the embodiment, first, a plurality of connectors 14 and a connector bar 30 are prepared. The connector bar 30 is formed to be able to support a plurality of connectors 14. Then, the connector 14 is set on the connector bar 30.

Next, move to the wire insertion process. In the wire insertion step, the wire 12 is inserted into the connector 14 set on the connector bar 30. In the electric wire insertion process, the electric wire 12 is inserted into the connector 14 by an automatic electric wire insertion machine or an operator's hand. Here, the connector bar 30 on which the connector 14 is set is attached to the wire harness assembling apparatus 20 (see FIG. 3).

Next, move to the wire group processing step. In the wire group processing step, the wire harness 10 is formed by branching the wire 12 extending from the connector 14 while the connector 14 is set on the connector bar 30. Specifically, at the time when the electric wire 12 is inserted into the connector 14, each electric wire 12 extends apart. The operation | work which maintains the several electric wire 12 extended separately in the form along the laying path | route in a vehicle is performed. In FIG. 1, the electric wires 12 passing through the same path are drawn with a single line. For this reason, in FIG. 1, the electric wire 12 drawn with one line may actually be a bundle of a plurality of electric wires 12. The same applies to each of FIGS. 2 and 10 to 15.

Here, the wire harness 10 manufactured by the method of manufacturing a wire harness according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram in which an example of the wire harness 10 manufactured by the method of manufacturing a wire harness according to the embodiment is developed on a plane.

The wire harness 10 to be processed has a configuration in which a plurality of electric wires 12 are bundled while being branched. At each branch destination of the wire harness 10, the electric wire 12 is inserted and connected to the connector 14. In a state where the wire harness 10 is incorporated in the vehicle, each connector 14 is connected to various electrical components mounted on the vehicle. Thereby, the wire harness 10 plays the role which electrically connects the various electrical components mounted in the vehicle. The electric wires 12 included in the wire harness 10 are bundled while being branched in a form corresponding to a laying route in the vehicle.

The electric wire 12 includes a core wire that is a wire material mainly composed of a metal such as copper or aluminum, and an insulating coating that covers the periphery of the core wire. The insulating coating is, for example, a synthetic resin member mainly composed of polyethylene, vinyl chloride, polyamide-based nylon, or the like.

As described above, the connector 14 is connected to the end of the electric wire 12. For example, the electric wire 12 is connected to the connector 14 via a terminal connected to the end thereof by crimping or welding. The terminal is a metal member whose main component is a metal such as copper or tin.

The housing 141 of the connector 14 is integrally molded with an insulating resin material such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or ABS resin. In the housing 141 of the connector 14, a plurality of cavities 142 are formed on the main surface to which the electric wires 12 are connected (see FIG. 5).

The cavity 142 has an opening structure that accommodates an end (for example, a terminal) of the electric wire 12. The cavity 142 has a certain depth, for example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the housing 141, and the electric wire 12 accommodated in the cavity 142 is positioned at a predetermined depth position in the cavity 142. It is held in the state. The number of the cavities 142 is desirably provided in correspondence with the number of the electric wires 12, but is not particularly limited to such a number. In the present embodiment, the four cavities 142 are provided vertically and horizontally, but a plurality of cavities 142 may be provided. Further, the depth and width of each cavity 142 need not be the same, and cavities 142 having different depths and widths may be included.

The connector 14 in a state where the electric wire 12 is held in the cavity 142 is connected to the mating connector from a surface opposite to the main surface, for example.

Here, it demonstrates as what manufactures the wire harness 10 which branches as an example shown by FIG. Of course, you may manufacture the wire harness which has a branch form other than this. In the wire harness 10, two branch lines 132 extend from one end of the main line 131, two branch lines 132 extend from the other end of the main line 131, and two from the middle part of the main line 131. The branch line portion 132 extends. Of these, three branch lines 132 extend from the end of one branch line 132 extending from the middle portion of the trunk 131. At this time, the connector 14 is connected to the end of each branch line portion 132. Hereinafter, the connectors 14 will be referred to as connectors 14a to 14h, respectively, when distinction is necessary.

Here, the branch portion may be called a primary branch and a secondary branch in order from the side closer to the connector 14. That is, the primary branch is a branch formed by gathering portions of the electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14 where no branch is formed on the connector 14 side. The secondary branch is a branch formed between portions where the primary branch is formed and a portion where the branch is not formed on the primary branch side.

Specifically, in the wire harness 10 shown in FIG. 2, a portion (branch position P <b> 1) where the branch line portion 132 connecting from the main line portion 131 to the connectors 14 a and 14 b branches, and a branch connecting from the main line portion 131 to the connectors 14 c and 14 d. A part where the line part 132 branches (branch position P2) and a part where the branch line part 132 connected to the connectors 14e, 14f, 14g branches from the branch line part 132 (branch position P3) are primary branch parts. Further, in the wire harness 10 shown in FIG. 2, the branch line portion 132 branching from the trunk line portion 131 to the connector 14h (branch position P4) and the branch line portion 132 from the trunk line portion 131 to the branch position P3 branch off. The portion (branch position P5) is a secondary branch portion.

Depending on the wire harness 10, only the primary branch may be provided. In addition, a branch after the tertiary may be provided.

<Wire harness assembly device>
Next, the connector bar 30 and the wire harness assembling apparatus 20 to which the connector bar 30 is attached will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the connector bar and the wire harness assembling apparatus including the connector bar according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the connector bar according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the holding portions are united. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged bottom view of the connector bar according to the embodiment. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams for explaining a state in which the holding unit is rotated. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the holding unit is rotated.

Here, the wire harness assembling apparatus 20 includes a frame 21 and a connector bar 30.

The frame 21 includes a frame main body portion 22 and a bar mounting portion 23. The frame 21 is provided so as to support the connector bar 30.

The frame main body 22 is formed so as to be able to support the bar mounting portion 23. More specifically, the frame main body 22 includes a pair of first rod-shaped portions 221, a second rod-shaped portion 222 that couples the pair of first rod-shaped portions 221, and one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pair of first rod-shaped portions 221. And a third rod-like portion 223 provided respectively. The 1st rod-shaped part 221 is provided so that it may extend along a perpendicular direction. The 2nd rod-shaped part 222 has connected the part near one edge part side among the longitudinal direction intermediate parts of a pair of 1st rod-shaped part 221. As shown in FIG. Further, the second rod-shaped portion 222 extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first rod-shaped portion 221. The third rod-shaped portion 223 extends on both sides from the front end of one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first rod-shaped portion 221, and extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first rod-shaped portion 221 and the longitudinal direction of the second rod-shaped portion 222. It is provided as follows. A pair of casters 224 is provided on the lower surface of the third rod-like portion 223. Thereby, the wire harness assembly apparatus 20 is movable.

In the following, for the sake of convenience, the direction in which the second rod-shaped portion 222 extends in FIG. 3 is referred to as the x-axis direction, the direction in which the third rod-shaped portion 223 extends is referred to as the y-axis direction, and the direction in which the first rod-shaped portion 221 extends is referred to as the z-axis direction. There is. In this case, here, the z-axis direction is a direction along the vertical direction, and the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction are directions along the horizontal direction.

The bar attachment portion 23 is attached to the frame main body portion 22 and is formed so as to support the connector bar 30. More specifically, the bar attachment portion 23 includes a connecting portion 231 and a first rail portion 232.

The connecting portion 231 is formed in a short rod shape, and is connected to the other end portion side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of first rod-like portions 221. At this time, the connecting portion 231 is connected so as to protrude from the first rod-shaped portion 221 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first rod-shaped portion 221 (here, the y-axis direction).

The first rail portion 232 is connected to the tip side of the pair of connecting portions 231. Here, an intermediate portion of the first rail is attached to the connecting portion 231.

<Connector bar>
The connector bar 30 is attached to the bar attachment portion 23. Here, the connector bar 30 includes a support portion 40 and a holding portion 50. Further, here, the connector bar 30 includes a second rail portion 32.

The second rail portion 32 is formed in a rod shape and is attached to the pair of first rail portions 232, respectively. Here, the second rail portion 32 extends in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first rail portion 232 and the direction connecting the pair of first rail portions 232 (the y-axis direction in FIG. 3). A side surface on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the portion 32 is attached to the first rail portion 232. The second rail portion 32 is provided such that the position of the second rail portion 32 can be changed along the longitudinal direction of the first rail portion 232 with respect to the first rail portion 232. Here, the second rail portion 32 is provided to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the first rail portion 232 with respect to the first rail portion 232. The configuration in which the second rail portion 32 is slidable with respect to the first rail portion 232 will be described in detail later together with the configuration in which each other sliding member is slidable.

The support portion 40 is formed in a long shape, and both end portions thereof are respectively attached to the pair of second rail portions 32 so as to be interposed between the pair of second rail portions 32. The support part 40 extends along the x-axis direction. The support part 40 is provided so that a position can be changed along the longitudinal direction of the second rail part 32 with respect to the second rail part 32. Here, the support portion 40 is provided to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the second rail portion 32 with respect to the second rail portion 32.

Here, the configuration for enabling sliding between the members will be described. As a configuration for enabling sliding between the members, for example, a groove is formed in one member of a pair of relatively sliding members, and the other member fits into the groove and the groove. It is possible to slide along. At this time, the other member may be directly attached and slid with respect to the one member, or may be attached and slid through another member. As another member, a slider member which can be attached to the other member and can be fitted in the groove and slide along the groove is conceivable. Here, description will be made assuming that each member is slidable by forming the groove.

That is, as a configuration for enabling the second rail portion 32 to slide with respect to the first rail portion 232, the first rail portion 232 is formed in a rod shape having a rectangular cross section and has a longitudinal direction on one side surface ( In the example shown in FIG. 3, a groove 232a is formed along the z-axis direction). Here, a groove 232a is formed on the side surface (side surface facing the x-axis direction) of the first rail portion 232 where the pair of first rail portions 232 face each other. And a part of 2nd rail part 32 fits into the said groove | channel 232a, and slides along the said groove | channel 232a.

Similarly, as a configuration for enabling the support portion 40 to slide with respect to the second rail portion 32, the second rail portion 32 is formed in a bar shape having a rectangular cross section and is formed longitudinally on one side surface (see FIG. A groove 32a is formed along the y-axis direction in the example shown in FIG. Here, the groove | channel 32a is formed in the side surface (side surface which faces an x-axis direction) where a pair of 2nd rail part 32 mutually opposes among the side surfaces of the 2nd rail part 32. As shown in FIG. And a part of support part 40 fits into the said groove | channel 32a, and slides along the said groove | channel 32a.

It is preferable that the members sliding with each other can be fixed at an arbitrary position or a predetermined position along the sliding track. For example, a bolt and a nut can be adopted as the configuration for allowing the members sliding relative to each other to be fixed at an arbitrary position or a predetermined position along the sliding track. That is, when a pair of relatively sliding members reach a position where they want to be fixed, the bolts and nuts are tightened and fixed. In addition, when it is desired to relatively slide the pair of members, the bolts and the nuts can be loosened to be slid. In this case, for example, if the width of the bolt hole is provided in a long shape along the groove in the same manner as the groove, the members sliding with each other can be fixed at an arbitrary position. Further, for example, if the bolt holes are provided so as to be scattered along the grooves, the members sliding with each other can be fixed at a predetermined position.

However, the configuration for allowing the members sliding relative to each other to be fixed at an arbitrary position or a predetermined position along the sliding track is not limited to the bolt and the nut. For example, a configuration in which one of a pair of relatively sliding members is provided with an operating portion and a protrusion that retracts in conjunction with the operating portion is conceivable. That is, when it is desired to slide the pair of members relative to each other, it is possible to slide by operating the operation portion and retracting the protrusion. When the pair of relatively sliding members reaches a position to be fixed, the operation portion is released and the protrusion is protruded to be fixed.

A plurality of connector bars 30 are provided along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (in the example shown in FIG. 3, the z-axis direction). Here, three connector bars 30 are attached to the bar attaching portion 23. The three connector bars 30 protrude on the same side with respect to the bar mounting portion 23, that is, the second rail portion 32 is on the same side with respect to the first rail portion 232 (in the example shown in FIG. 3, the y-axis direction It is attached so that it protrudes to the negative side), but this is not essential. Even if some of the three connector bars 30 are attached to the bar attachment portion 23 so as to protrude on the opposite side to the other connector bars 30 (the positive side and the negative side in the y-axis direction in FIG. 3). Good.

It should be noted that the number of connector bars 30 is preferably changeable. Here, the connector bar 30 is detachably attached to the bar attaching portion 23. More specifically, the second rail portion 32 is detachably provided to the first rail portion 232. Thereby, the number of the connector bars 30 can be appropriately set according to the shape of the wire harness 10 to be manufactured.

The support unit 40 is provided so as to be able to support the plurality of division holding units 51 in a first direction (here, the x-axis direction) orthogonal to the vertical direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3, five divided holding portions 51 are supported by one support portion 40. Here, the support part 40 is provided so that the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 can be supported directly in the aspect in which the electric wire 12 extended from the connector 14 hold | maintained at the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 hangs down. Moreover, the support part 40 supports the some division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 so that the movement along the extension direction of the support part 40 is possible.

More specifically, the support part 40 includes a support body part 42. The support main body portion 42 is formed in a bowl shape in which side wall portions 44 are erected on both ends of the bottom portion 43. As a result, a space surrounded by the bottom 43 and the pair of side walls 44 forms a mounting recess 45. The mounting recess 45 forms a groove shape in the support portion 40 along the longitudinal direction of the support portion 40 (in the example shown in FIG. 3, the x-axis direction). Here, the mounting recess 45 is formed on the side surface of the support portion 40 that faces upward in the vertical direction. And the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 is settled in the said mounting recessed part 45, and moves along the said mounting recessed part 45. FIG.

The holding part 50 is formed so that a plurality of connectors 14 can be attached. Moreover, the holding | maintenance part 50 is supported by the support part 40 in the aspect changeable to the state which can be rotated in the plane containing the extension direction of the support part 40 with respect to the support part 40. As shown in FIG. Here, the holding | maintenance part 50 contains the some division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 which can attach a connector. The division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 is supported by the support part 40 in the aspect which can move along the extension direction of the support part 40. As shown in FIG.

More specifically, here, the division holding portion 51 is formed in a shorter shape than the support portion 40 and is placed inside the placement recess 45. For this reason, the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 is movable along the mounting recessed part 45. FIG. At this time, here, the divided holding portion 51 is changed to a rotatable state by moving out of the mounting recess 45 with respect to the support main body portion 42.

As a configuration in which the connector 14 is attached to the divided holding portion 51, for example, it is conceivable that an accommodation recess for receiving the connector 14 is formed in the divided holding portion 51, and the connector 14 is directly attached to the divided holding portion 51. In addition, for example, it is conceivable that the connector 14 is indirectly attached to the divided holding portion 51 by attaching a connector holding jig that accommodates the connector 14 to the divided holding portion 51. In this embodiment, it is assumed that one connector 14 is attached to one division holding portion 51, but this is not essential. A plurality of connectors 14 may be attached to one divided holding portion 51. Alternatively, one connector 14 may be supported by a plurality of divided holding portions 51.

Further, here, the five divided holding portions 51 are supported by one support portion 40 so as to be arranged in a plurality along the extending direction of the support portion 40. The division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 is provided so that the division | segmentation holding | maintenance parts 51 can be united | combined and united | released directly. And the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 is rotatably provided in the united state.

Here, the division holding part 51 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. And the magnet 54 is attached to the both ends along the extension direction of the support part 40 in the state in which the split holding part 51 was supported by the support part 40 among the split holding parts 51. The magnet 54a at one end of the split holding portion 51 and the magnet 54b at the other end are attached to the split holding portion 51 with their different polarities facing outward. Thereby, when the adjacent division holding parts 51 on the support part 40 contact each other, the magnet 54a at one end of the one division holding part 51 and the magnet 54b at the other end of the other division holding part 51 attract each other. As a result, the adjacent divided holding portions 51 can be combined. Then, the two divided holding parts 51 are released from the combined state by separating the two divided holding parts 51 in the combined state with a force larger than the force with which the magnets 54a and 54b attract each other.

<Operation related to rotation of holding portion relative to supporting portion>
Next, an operation of rotating the holding unit 50 with respect to the support unit 40 will be described. In order to rotate the holding unit 50 with respect to the support unit 40, a rotation jig 70 is used here. As shown in FIG. 7, the rotation jig 70 is configured such that an insertion portion 76 is provided at the tip of a shaft 74 extending from a motor 72 as a rotation drive portion. Here, two insertion portions 76 are provided so as to branch from the tip of the shaft 74. The interval between the two insertion portions 76 is set to be equal to or less than the width dimension of a passage groove 46 described later. In order to rotate the holding unit 50 using the rotation jig 70, the holding unit 50 and the support unit 40 have the following configurations.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, an insertion hole 52 into which the insertion portion 76 of the rotation jig 70 can be inserted is formed on the bottom surface of the division holding portion 51. In addition, an insertion portion 76 for inserting the insertion portion 76 into the insertion hole 52 of the split holding portion 51 supported by the support portion 40 from the outside of the support portion 40 is formed in the bottom portion 43 of the support main body portion 42. A passage groove 46 is formed as an insertion passage.

Here, a plurality of insertion holes 52 are formed. Here, four insertion holes 52 are formed in one division holding portion 51. The four insertion holes 52 are provided so as to be aligned along the extending direction (x-axis direction) of the support portion 40 in a state where the divided holding portion 51 is accommodated in the mounting recess 45. Of the four insertion holes 52, two insertion holes 52 a are formed at the center of the divided holding portion 51. The interval between the two insertion holes 52 a is set to be the same as the interval between the two insertion portions 76. Therefore, the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51 can be rotated by inserting the two insertion parts 76 in the said two insertion holes 52a. Of the four insertion holes 52, two insertion holes 52 b and 52 c are respectively formed at both ends of the divided holding part 51. The two insertion holes 52 b and 52 c are formed with an interval that is half of the interval between the two insertion portions 76 from the edge of the split holding portion 51. Therefore, by inserting the two insertion portions 76 into the insertion hole 52b of one division holding portion 51 and the insertion hole 52c of the division holding portion 51 adjacent thereto, the adjacent division holding portion 51 is changed to the It can be rotated around the contacting part.

The passage groove 46 is formed in the bottom 43 of the support main body 42. The passage groove 46 is formed so that the insertion portion 76 can pass therethrough and the insertion hole 52 can be exposed to the outside. Thereby, the insertion part 76 can be inserted from the outside of the support main body part 42 into the insertion hole 52 of the split holding part 51 placed in the placement recess 45.

In order to rotate the holding unit 50 with respect to the support unit 40 using the rotation jig 70, the following is performed.

That is, first, the holding unit 50 including the divided holding unit 51 to be rotated is positioned at a position slightly away from the holding unit 50 group that is not rotated. Then, two insertion holes 52 are selected from among the plurality of insertion holes 52 provided in the holding unit 50 to be rotated. Then, the insertion portion 76 is inserted into the two insertion holes 52 while passing through the passage groove 46. Here, the two insertion holes 52 serve as the center of rotation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, with the insertion portion 76 being inserted into the two insertion holes 52, a force is applied in the insertion direction as it is and the holding jig 70 is to be rotated by the rotation jig 70. The part 50 is lifted with respect to the support part 40. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding unit 50 is lifted until the holding unit 50 comes out of the mounting recess 45.

Then, the motor 72 is driven in a state where the holding unit 50 is out of the mounting recess 45, and the holding unit 50 is rotated as shown in FIG. Note that a stepping motor may be adopted as the motor 72. In this case, the rotation amount of the holding unit 50 can be controlled by supplying pulse power to the stepping motor.

<Manufacturing method>
Next, a method for manufacturing the wire harness 10 using the wire harness assembling apparatus 20 will be described.

<Mounting operation>
First, the wire harness assembly apparatus 20 to which the connector bar 30 is attached is prepared. In addition, the plurality of connectors 14 are set on the connector bar 30 according to the shape of the wire harness 10 to be manufactured.

In attaching the connector bar 30 to the frame 21 and holding the connector 14 on the connector bar 30, the connector bar 30 in which the connector 14 is set in advance may be set in the frame 21, or the connector bar 30 set in the frame 21. The connector 14 may be set in

Here, for example, the arrangement of the connectors 14 is set as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the connectors 14a, 14b, 14e, 14f, and 14g are supported by the uppermost connector bar 30. The connectors 14c and 14h are supported by the middle connector bar 30. The connector 14d is supported by the lowermost connector bar 30. At this time, the connectors 14 connected to the same branch position are arranged at close positions.

However, the arrangement of the connectors 14 is not limited to the above. The arrangement of the connectors 14 in the wire harness assembling apparatus 20 may be set as appropriate. For example, three connectors 14 connected to one primary branch may be distributed and arranged in different connector bars 30. Moreover, you may match | combine with a different arrangement | sequence at the time of electric wire insertion and the time of branch formation.

However, at the time of branch formation, it is preferable that a plurality of connectors 14 connected to one primary branch be set in an arrangement close to the relative positional relationship when the vehicle is mounted. Thereby, it is not necessary to correct the relative positional relationship of the plurality of connectors 14 connected to the one primary branch after the branch formation. As a result, when the manufactured wire harness 10 is assembled to a vehicle, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of torsion or the like of the electric wire 12 that occurs when the relative positional relationship of the plurality of connectors 14 connected to one primary branch is corrected. . In this case, when inserting the electric wires 12, for example, the arrangement of the connectors 14 may be set to an arrangement in which the electric wires 12 are not easily entangled, and the arrangement of the connectors 14 may be changed to the above arrangement after the electric wires 12 are inserted.

<Wire insertion operation>
Next, the electric wire insertion operation regarding this embodiment is demonstrated.

Specifically, in a state where the connector bar 30 on which the connector 14 is set is set in the wire harness assembling apparatus 20, the electric wires 12 are sequentially inserted into the connector 14 set on the connector bar 30.

The insertion of the electric wire 12 into the connector 14 may be performed as follows by an automatic electric wire insertion device, for example. That is, the wire holding bar for holding the electric wires 12 is set on the connector bar 30 with respect to the connector bar 30 on the side where the opening of the cavity 142 of the connector 14 faces (in the example shown in FIG. Set to the negative side). Here, the wire holding bar is a member that can hold the ends of the plurality of wires 12 in a row. And the edge part of the electric wire 12 hold | maintained at the electric wire holding bar by the electric wire automatic insertion apparatus is inserted in the connector 14 hold | maintained at the connector bar 30 one by one. As an electric wire automatic insertion device, an end portion of the electric wire 12 can be clamped and released, an end holding portion of the electric wire, a moving mechanism for moving the end portion of the electric wire, a holding mechanism of the end portion of the electric wire, and a movement of the moving mechanism. It is conceivable to include a control unit for controlling.

At this time, a plurality of connectors 14 set in the connector bar 30 may be gathered in each connector bar 30. Thereby, the movement distance of the electric wire 12 becomes short at the time of electric wire insertion, and shortening of the working time concerning electric wire insertion can be aimed at. Moreover, it is good to change the state of the connector 14 to the state which cannot move with respect to the connector bar 30 during electric wire insertion. Thereby, the connector 14 becomes unable to move during the electric wire insertion work, and insertion errors and the like can be suppressed.

However, it is not essential to insert the wire 12 into the connector 14 by the automatic wire insertion device. The electric wire 12 may be inserted into the connector 14 attached to the wire harness assembling apparatus 20 by an operator's manual work.

When a predetermined electric wire 12 is inserted into the connector 14 attached to the wire harness assembling apparatus 20, a wiring body in which a plurality of connectors 14 are connected via the plurality of electric wires 12 is formed as shown in FIG. . At this time, each electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14 hangs down. If the predetermined | prescribed electric wire 12 is inserted in the connector 14 attached to the wire harness assembly apparatus 20, it will move to an electric wire group processing process.

<Wire group processing process>
Hereinafter, as an example of the electric wire group processing step, a branch forming operation of the electric wire group 12 by the electric wire group processing apparatus 80 will be described. Here, the wire harness assembling apparatus 20 in which the electric wire has been inserted is sent to the electric wire group processing apparatus 80. Then, the electric wire group processing apparatus 80 forms a branch in the electric wire 12 that hangs down from the connector 14.

Here, the wire group processing apparatus 80 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an electric wire group processing apparatus 80 according to the embodiment.

The wire group processing apparatus 80 includes a processing robot 84, a processing control unit 82, and an image acquisition system 90.

The processing robot 84 is a general industrial robot, and a general vertical articulated robot is illustrated in FIG. The machining robot 84 includes a robot arm 86 and a machining operation unit 88 provided at the tip of the robot arm 86. The robot arm 86 has a structure in which a plurality of arm portions are connected to be rotatable around an axis via a joint mechanism, and a processing work portion 88 is provided at a tip portion thereof. The processing robot 84 moves the processing work unit 88 to an arbitrary position of the wire harness assembly apparatus 20 installed with respect to the wire group processing apparatus 80 by operating the robot arm 86 in an arbitrary posture. it can.

The processing work part 88 is a part that performs processing including branch formation for the electric wire 12. Here, as branch formation, a process of consolidating predetermined positions in the extending direction of the electric wires 12 at a certain position (bundling intermediate positions in the extending direction of the plurality of electric wires 12) and a state in which the electric wires 12 are aggregated are maintained. Processing is performed. Here, as a process for maintaining the state in which the electric wires 12 are gathered, a description will be given assuming that a process of binding a plurality of electric wires 12 (for example, winding an adhesive tape) is performed.

In order to perform the former processing, a known robot hand that can grasp and move the electric wire 12 to a certain position or grasp the plural electric wires 12 to be gathered together is used as the processing operation unit 88. Can do. In order to perform the latter processing, a well-known automatic tape winding machine can be used as the processing working unit 88.

Also, it is conceivable that the processing work part 88 performs work related to the rotation of the holding part 50. In this case, it is conceivable that the rotating jig 70 is attached to the working portion 88.

In order to perform a plurality of types of processing operations, a plurality of processing robots 84 may be provided, or a plurality of processing operation units 88 may be attached to the distal end portion of the robot arm 86 so as to be relatively movable. .

The processing robot 84 may be a rectangular coordinate robot or the like in addition to the vertical articulated robot. Moreover, a process work part is suitably changed according to the operation | work performed with respect to the electric wire 12 group.

The machining control unit 82 is configured by a general computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input circuit unit, and the like. The ROM is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the like such as a flash memory, and based on the image data acquired by the image acquisition system 90, the position and orientation of the processing target area, the processing target (wire 12 group), and the like. The program for describing the procedure for determining the processing, the processing procedure for the electric wire 12 group, the processing content, and the like are stored. Then, a process of giving various instructions to the processing robot 84 to perform various processing on the group of electric wires 12 based on the image data acquired by the image acquisition system 90 by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM. Execute.

The image acquisition system 90 is a system for acquiring image data for recognizing the group of electric wires 12 constituting the wire harness 10. For example, a two-dimensional vision system 92 as a first vision system and a second vision And a three-dimensional vision system 96 as a system.

The 2D vision system 92 is configured to be able to acquire first image data for recognizing the group of electric wires 12 constituting the wire harness 10 in the first imaging range.

That is, the two-dimensional vision system 92 includes a two-dimensional camera 94. The two-dimensional camera 94 is supported by a camera support member or the like, for example, at a position away from the connector 14 such as the frame 21 of the wire harness assembling apparatus 20, and the wire 12 group is disposed in the wire harness assembling apparatus 20. All regions that are expected to be imaged are arranged as a first imaging range so that imaging is possible. The first image data obtained by the two-dimensional vision system 92 is given to the processing control unit 82.

The three-dimensional vision system 96 is configured to be able to acquire the second image data in a second imaging range that is an area that overlaps the first imaging range and is smaller than the first imaging range for the group of electric wires 12 that constitute the wire harness 10. ing.

Here, the three-dimensional vision system 96 includes a stereo camera 98 including a plurality of cameras and a three-dimensional image processing unit 99. The imaging range by the stereo camera 98 is smaller than the first imaging range. In addition, the stereo camera 98 is attached to the tip of the robot arm 86 of the processing robot 84 so as not to interfere with the processing work unit 88. For this reason, the stereo camera 98 can image the group of electric wires 12 in the second imaging range that is an area overlapping the first imaging range and smaller than the first imaging range.

The stereo camera 98 images the second imaging range from different directions, and outputs the image data obtained thereby to the three-dimensional image processing unit 99. The three-dimensional image processing unit 99 is configured by a general computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input circuit unit, and the like. The ROM is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the like such as a flash memory, and based on a plurality of image data obtained by imaging the second imaging range from different directions, the three-dimensional data of the group of wires 12 to be processed. A program describing a procedure for generating (point cloud data) as second image data is stored. Then, the second image data obtained by the three-dimensional image processing unit 99 is output to the processing control unit 82. As processing for generating three-dimensional data based on the image of the stereo camera 98, various known processing for generating three-dimensional point cloud data based on the principle of triangulation based on a plurality of image data from different positions is adopted. be able to.

Hereinafter, an example of branch formation of the wire group 12 by the wire group processing apparatus 80 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15 in addition to FIG. 11. 12 and 13 are explanatory views showing a state in which a primary branch is formed in the electric wire 12. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a primary branch is formed in the electric wire 12. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a branch is formed in the electric wire 12.

First, in the initial state, as shown in FIG. 10, the connector 14 connected to the end of the group of wires 12 is supported by the connector bar 30 attached to the wire harness assembling apparatus 20. The electric wires 12 between the connectors 14 are in a state of hanging in a U shape.

At this time, each connector 14 is located at a position corresponding to the shape of the wire harness 10 to be manufactured by moving the divided holding portion 51 with respect to the support portion 40 after the electric wire is inserted. Thereby, it will be in the state wired according to the shape of the wire harness 10 which the electric wire 12 wants to manufacture.

Here, as the first processing for the group of electric wires 12, the electric wires 12 extending from the connectors 14 e, 14 f, 14 g are located at a certain distance from the connectors 14 e, 14 f, 14 g (corresponding to the branch position P 3). Suppose that the operation of forming a branch is defined by (position). The connectors 14e, 14f, and 14g are arranged along the parallel direction (x-axis direction).

At this time, a portion surrounded by a rectangular phantom line (two-dot chain line) shown in FIG. 11 is a portion to be a branching position of the electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14. Here, for example, it is assumed that a branch is formed with reference to the electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14f. However, here, as shown in FIG. 11, since the portion from the connector 14g to the position to be branched out of the electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14g is short, the electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14f is used as a reference. When forming a branch in the connector 14f, it is difficult to gather at the branch position of the connector 14f before the rotation. Therefore, here, even when the holding portion 50 is rotated and a branch is formed with reference to the electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14f, the portion to be the branch position of the electric wire 12 extending from the other connector 14 is determined. They can be assembled at the branch position of the connector 14f.

More specifically, in a state where the three divided holding portions 51 are combined to form the holding portion 50, the two insertion portions 76 are inserted into the two insertion holes 52a of the middle divided holding portion 51, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the holding part 50 is lifted. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the holding portion 50 is rotated with respect to the support portion 40 so that the connector 14 g is directed in the negative direction along the y axis. As a result, when the electric wire 12 extends obliquely with respect to the connector 14 and a branch is formed with reference to the electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14f, the reference branch position is on the connector 14g side. Moving. For this reason, when the branch is formed with reference to the electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14f, the distance from the connector 14g to the reference branch position should be shortened to be the branch position of the electric wire 12 extending from the connector 14g. The portions can be assembled at the branch position of the connector 14f.

In addition, when inserting the rotation jig 70 into the divided holding portion 51, from the side opposite to the side where the electric wire 12 hangs with respect to the divided holding portion 51 (in this embodiment, the positive side in the y-axis direction). Insert it. Thereby, it is suppressed that a robot arm etc. interfere with the electric wire 12. FIG.

In order to form a branch in the electric wire 12, it is preferable that the electric wire 12 is in a state of being stretched to some extent. At this time, the number of points on the space where the branch formation positions of the electric wires 12 can be gathered in a state where the electric wires 12 extending from the plurality of connectors 14 are stretched is limited to some extent. This point is determined by the relative positions of the plurality of connectors 14 and the like. At this time, in the wire harness assembling apparatus 20, this point is not always in a position where it is easy to perform the branch formation work. The rotation operation of the holding unit 50 according to the present embodiment can be regarded as having an action of shifting a point suitable for the branch formation to a position where the branch formation work is easily performed in the wire harness assembly apparatus 20.

After the holding unit 50 is rotated, in that state, the process shifts to a branch forming operation by the processing operation unit 82. In order to form a branch by the working part 82, the following is performed. That is, the first image data of the first imaging range including the group of electric wires 12 is obtained by the two-dimensional vision system 92. Here, it demonstrates as what image | photographs 1st image data from a horizontal direction side. The obtained first image data includes a group of electric wires 12 extending from the connector 14 to the vertical plane as a starting position. At this time, since each connector 14e, 14f, 14g is supported by the wire harness assembling apparatus 20, it can be handled as a known position.

In this case, the first image data is subjected to image processing such as edge extraction processing to recognize the electric wires 12, and the electric wires 12 extending from the connectors 14e, 14f, and 14g are included within the predetermined dimension. In addition, the second imaging range may be determined. Thereby, the processing target area (second imaging range) can be determined within the first imaging range.

Thereafter, the stereo camera 98 is moved by the robot arm 86 of the processing robot 84, and the stereo camera 98 is disposed at a position where the second imaging range can be imaged. Then, the second image data in the second imaging range is acquired by the three-dimensional vision system 96 including the stereo camera 98.

Then, based on the second image data, the path of each electric wire 12 is traced based on the position of the connector 14e (14f, 14g), which is a known position, and is separated from the connector 14e (14f, 14g) by the predetermined dimension. Identify the location. Each position is a place to be bundled as a branch point. Since the second image data is three-dimensional data, the position of the electric wire 12 can be specified including the position of the electric wire 12 in the y-axis direction. Then, an instruction is given to the processing robot 84 so that the positions of the electric wires 12 are gathered in one place. In this case, you may make it gather the said each position of each electric wire 12 in one place with a separate robot hand. Alternatively, a plurality of electric wires 12 may be gathered at one place by a single robot hand. Even in the latter case, the support positions of the connectors 14e (14f, 14g) are adjusted so that the positions of the electric wires 12 are located at one place, and the electric wires 12 are connected to the connectors 14e (14f, 14g). By gathering together while pulling, the positions of the electric wires 12 can be gathered in one place.

Thereafter, the assembled state of the electric wires 12 extending from the position where the electric wires 12 are assembled is maintained. Here, as described above, the electric wires 12 are bound to maintain the assembled state. That is, since the position where the electric wires 12 are gathered at one place is a known position moved by the robot hand, the portion extending from the position to the connectors 14e, 14f, 14g and the lower portion thereof are extended. Bind the protruding part at the binding position. As described above, the bundling operation can be performed by an automatic tape winding machine attached to the robot arm 86.

When performing this bundling operation, the position of the electric wires 12 and the like are different from those obtained when the entire image is captured. Therefore, the second image data is acquired again through the three-dimensional vision system 96, and the processing position is determined by the second image data. Etc. are preferably specified again.

Subsequently, in the same manner as described above, branch formation is performed for the plurality of electric wires 12 extending from the remaining connectors 14. That is, branch formation at a predetermined position (a position corresponding to the branch position P1) is performed on the plurality of electric wires 12 extending from the connectors 14a and 14b. Further, branch formation is performed at a predetermined position (a position corresponding to the branch position P2) with respect to the plurality of electric wires 12 extending from the connectors 14c and 14d. At this time, if the previously processed connector 14 interferes with the branching operation, the connector 14 may be moved along the extending direction of the connector bar 30.

After all primary branches are formed, secondary branches (branches at branch positions P4 and P5) are subsequently formed. Also in this case, first, the first image data is acquired through the two-dimensional vision system 92, image processing such as edge extraction processing is performed on the first image data to recognize the electric wire 12, and the next processing content (branch position) Depending on which part of the electric wire 12 between P1, P2 and P3 is to be bound, etc.) from the part of the electric wire 12 extending from any of the branch positions P1, P2 and P3 and the connector 14c. A 2nd imaging range is determined so that the part which exists in a fixed dimension among the electric wires 12 extended may be included.

Thereafter, the stereo camera 98 is moved by the robot arm 86 of the processing robot 84, and the stereo camera 98 is disposed at a position where the second imaging range can be imaged. Then, the second image data in the second imaging range is acquired by the three-dimensional vision system 96 including the stereo camera 98.

Based on the second image data, the connector 14h and the already formed branch positions P1, P2, and P3 (the branch positions P1, P2, and P3 themselves are known positions, or the second image data are viewed from a plurality of directions. The path of each electric wire 12 is traced with reference to the position where the electric wires 12 are gathered, and any one of the positions separated from the connector 14c by a certain distance and the already formed branch positions P1, P2, P3. Identify a position that is a certain distance away in the direction. Each position is a place to be bundled in the trunk part 131. Then, an instruction is given so that the portion of the electric wire 12 at that position is gathered at one place by the processing robot 84. Thereafter, the electric wires 12 are bound at the peripheral portion of the position where the electric wires 12 are bundled.

When the plurality of electric wires 12 are bundled between the branch positions P1, P2, and P3, as shown in FIG. 15, the plurality of electric wires 12 are bundled while being branched at the plurality of branch positions P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5. The wire harness 10 can be manufactured.

In addition, as needed, exterior parts such as a clamp part for fixing the wire harness 10 to the vehicle, a protector for protecting the wire harness 10, and a corrugated tube with respect to the wire harness 10 by the processing robot 84 or manual work. Parts may be attached.

According to the manufacturing method of the connector bar 30 and the wire harness 10 configured as described above, the holding portion 50 can rotate with respect to the support portion 40. Thereby, it becomes possible to rotate the some connector 14 attached to the holding | maintenance part 50 with respect to the support part 40, and to adjust the distance from a branch position (position to bind) to the some connector 14 collectively. Can be made easier.

Further, it becomes possible to rotate only the divided holding portion 51 to which the connector 14 to be rotated is attached among the plurality of divided holding portions 51. In addition, since the rotation radius can be reduced, it is difficult to interfere with other members even if the rotation amount is increased.

In addition, since the division holding unit 51 can be merged and released, it is possible to rotate a desired number of connectors 14 at once by combining a plurality of division holding units 51 of one size. Moreover, since the part to be rotated can be made into the length according to the number of the connectors 14, it can suppress that a rotation radius becomes large, and it becomes difficult to interfere with another member, even if the amount of rotations is enlarged. .

Further, since the divided holding unit 51 is movable with respect to the support unit 40, the divided holding unit 51 can be positioned at a desired position with respect to the support unit 40.

Further, the state is changed to a rotatable state by moving the divided holding portion 51 placed in the placement recess 45 to the outside of the placement recess 45. For this reason, the distance from the branch position (bundling position) to the connector 14 can be collectively adjusted with a simple structure.

Further, the division holding part 51 can be rotated by the rotation jig 70 by inserting the rotation jig 70 into the insertion hole 52. As a result, it is easy to automate the operation of rotating the divided holding unit 51. In particular, the step of rotating the split holding part 51 by the rotation jig 70 in a state where the insertion part 76 connected to the motor 72 of the rotation jig 70 is inserted into the insertion hole 52 formed in the split holding part 51. Therefore, the rotation work of the connector 14 can be automated.

Further, since the two insertion portions 76 of the rotation jig 70 are inserted into the two insertion holes 52 to rotate the divided holding portion 51, it is possible to prevent the rotation jig 70 from spinning around. .

Further, the rotation mode changes depending on the number of rotating divided holding portions 51 and the shape of the connector 14 attached to the rotating divided holding portion 51. Even in this case, as the insertion holes 52 into which the two insertion portions 76 are inserted, one can be selected from the adjacent divided holding portions 51, so that a rotation center more suitable for the rotation mode can be selected. .

{Modification of connector bar}
Next, a modified example of the connector bar 30 will be described. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a holding unit 50A according to a modification. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a connector bar 30A including a holding portion 50A according to a modification. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the holding unit 50A according to the modification rotates.

The connector bar 30A according to the modification is rotatable in a state in which the rotating holding unit 50A (divided holding unit 51A) is in contact with the non-rotating holding unit 50A (divided holding unit 51A) located adjacent thereto. It is different from the connector bar 30 according to the embodiment.

More specifically, both end faces of the divided holding portion 51A facing the adjacent divided holding portion 51A in a state of being supported by the support portion 40 are curved convex surfaces 56 with the central portion protruding outward. For this reason, even if the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51A group to rotate is the state which contacted the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51A group which does not rotate located next to it, it can be rotated.

In this case, when the divided holding portions 51A are combined and rotated, as shown in FIG. 16, it may be provided so as to be able to be indirectly combined and released by interposing the interposition member 60 therebetween.

More specifically, both end surfaces of the interposed member 60 are curved concave surfaces 62 corresponding to the curved convex surfaces 56 of the divided holding portion 51A. At this time, the curved concave surface 62 of the interposition member 60 is provided with a pair of fitting projections 63 and a magnet 64 provided between the pair of fitting projections 63. A pair of fitting recesses 57 into which the pair of fitting protrusions 63 are fitted are provided on the curved convex surface 56 of the split holding portion 51 </ b> A, and a magnet 54 </ b> A is provided between the pair of fitting recesses 57. The magnet 64 of the interposition member 60 and the magnet 54A of the divided holding portion 51A have different polarities facing the outer surface side. Then, the fitting projection 63 fits into the fitting recess 57 and the magnet 64 and the magnet 54 </ b> A attract each other, so that the divided holding portion 51 </ b> A is united with the interposition member 60. And the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51A will be in the state united | combined via the interposition member 60 because the division | segmentation holding | maintenance part 51A unites with both sides with respect to the interposition member 60, respectively. Further, by removing the fitting convex portion 63 from the fitting concave portion 57 and separating the magnet 64 and the magnet 54A, the combined holding portion 51A and the interposition member 60 are released. As a result, the coalescence of the split holding parts 51A is also released.

It should be noted that all of the magnets 54A of the divided holding portions 51A may have the same pole facing outward so that the divided holding portions 51A that are in contact with each other without interposing the intervening member 60 do not merge.

{Another variation of connector bar}
In the embodiment, the holding unit 50 has been described as being supported in a state in which the state can be changed to a state in which the holding unit 50 can rotate within a plane including the extending direction of the support unit 40 with respect to the support unit 40. Not required. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, it is conceivable that the holding portion is supported in a manner that allows the holding portion to rotate within a plane including the extending direction of the support portion with respect to the support portion. FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of the connector bar 30.

More specifically, in the connector bar 30B according to the modified example, a rod-like protrusion 58 is provided on the bottom surface of the holding part 50B, and a hole part 48 is formed in the support part 40B. And the protrusion 58 fits into the hole 48, so that the holding part 50B is rotatably supported by the support part 40B. At this time, the hole 48 is formed in a square shape (here, hexagonal shape), and the cross section of the protrusion 58 is formed in a square shape (here, hexagonal shape) with rounded corners, so that the support portion 40B is supported. The rotation free state of the holding unit 50B is restricted. At this time, if the rotation jig 70 is provided so as to be connectable to the protrusion 58 in a state where the protrusion 58 is fitted in the hole 48, the holding portion 50B can be rotated using the rotation jig 70. it can.

Note that, for example, the following configuration is conceivable to enable the holding unit to move relative to the support unit while the holding unit is rotatably supported by the support unit. That is, a groove is formed in the support portion along the longitudinal direction similar to the support portion 40 according to the embodiment. A slide member that slides along the groove is attached to the groove. The slide member is formed with a hole 48 into which the protrusion 58 of the holding portion is fitted, and the protrusion 58 is fitted into the hole 48 so that the holding portion is rotatably supported by the support portion via the slide member. Is done.

{Other variations}
In the embodiment or the above-described modification, the magnet 54 (64) or the fitting convex portion 63 and the fitting concave portion 57 are used as a configuration that enables the holding portion to be merged and released, but this is indispensable. Absent. For example, it is conceivable that adjacent holding portions are combined via a tape coated with an adhesive whose adhesive strength changes depending on temperature. That is, the tape is positioned on the contact surface in a state where adjacent holding portions are in contact with each other. The pressure-sensitive adhesive whose adhesive strength changes depending on the temperature may be a type in which the adhesive strength decreases as the temperature increases, or a type in which the adhesive strength increases as the temperature increases. In the former case, it is conceivable that heat is applied to the holding unit adjacent to the holding unit group to be rotated to release the combination of the holding unit and the holding unit group to be rotated. In the latter case, it is conceivable that heat is applied between the holding portions in the holding portion group to be rotated, and the holding portions are combined to form the holding portion group. Note that the adhesive strength may be increased or decreased by cooling instead of heating.

Further, it is also conceivable that the holding part is supported so as not to move with respect to the support part as in the connector bar 30B according to the modified example. In this case, it is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which the connector 14 is movable with respect to the holding portion. For example, a groove is formed on the upper surface of the holding portion, and the connector 14 or a part of the connector holding jig is slidably fitted in the groove so that the connector 14 can slide relative to the holding portion. It is also conceivable that the connector is movable along the extending direction.

In addition, each structure demonstrated in the said embodiment and each modification can be suitably combined unless it mutually contradicts.

Although the present invention has been described in detail as described above, the above description is illustrative in all aspects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations that are not illustrated can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wire harness 12 Electric wire 14 Connector 20 Wire harness assembly apparatus 21 Frame 30 Connector bar 40 Support part 42 Support main-body part 45 Mounting recessed part 46 Passing groove 50 Holding part 51 Divided holding part 52 Insertion hole 70 Rotating jig 72 Motor 74 Shaft 76 Insertion section 80 Wire group processing device 84 Processing robot 90 Image acquisition system

Claims (10)

A support portion formed in an elongated shape;
A plurality of connectors can be attached while being supported by the support portion in a manner that can be rotated within a plane including the extending direction of the support portion with respect to the support portion, or a state that can be changed to a rotatable state. A holding part formed on
Comprising a connector bar. The connector bar according to claim 1,
The said holding | maintenance part is a connector bar formed in shorter shape than the said support part, and including the some division | segmentation holding | maintenance part provided so that it might rank along with the extension direction of the said support part. The connector bar according to claim 2,
The split holding part is provided so as to be able to be combined and released from the split holding part directly or indirectly with an intervening member interposed therebetween, and is provided so as to be rotatable in the combined state. bar. The connector bar according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The said division | segmentation holding | maintenance part is a connector bar currently supported by the said support part in the aspect which can move along the extension direction of the said support part. The connector bar according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The support part includes a support body part in which a mounting recess is formed by being formed in a bowl shape,
The said holding | maintenance part is mounted in the said mounting recessed part of the said support main-body part, and is a connector bar by which a state change is carried out by moving outside a mounting recessed part with respect to the said support main-body part. The connector bar according to claim 5,
On the bottom surface of the holding part, an insertion hole is formed into which an insertion part of a rotation jig for rotating the holding part relative to the support part can be inserted,
At the bottom of the support main body, the insertion portion is inserted so that the insertion portion can be inserted from the outside of the support main body into the insertion hole of the holding portion placed in the mounting recess. A connector bar in which an insertion portion is allowed to pass and a passage groove capable of exposing the insertion hole to the outside is formed. The connector bar according to claim 6,
The holding portion is formed with a plurality of insertion holes,
The said rotation jig | tool is a connector bar containing the two said insertion parts inserted in the two said insertion holes. The connector bar according to claim 7,
The holding portion is formed in a shorter shape than the support portion, and is provided so as to be arranged in a plurality along the extending direction of the support portion,
A connector bar, wherein at least one set of the insertion holes of the holding portions adjacent to each other is set to be equal to the interval between the two insertion portions. A wire harness manufacturing method for manufacturing a wire harness by binding a wiring body in which a plurality of connectors are connected via a plurality of electric wires,
(A) arranging the connectors to which the wire groups are connected in one row along one parallel direction so that the wire groups extending from the connector in a direction intersecting the parallel direction are suspended;
(B) rotating the plurality of connectors arranged in one row within a plane including the parallel direction;
(C) binding each electric wire group extending so as to hang from the plurality of connectors in a state of being rotated in the plane at one binding position;
A method for manufacturing a wire harness. It is a manufacturing method of the wire harness according to claim 9,
A plurality of the connectors are attached to the holding portion;
In the step (b), the holding portion is rotated by the rotation jig in a state where the insertion portion connected to the rotation driving portion of the rotation jig is inserted into the insertion hole formed in the holding portion. The manufacturing method of a wire harness including a process.

Images