METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR MANUFACTURING WIRE HARNESS

Abstract

 A wire harness manufacturing equipment comprises a display portion for displaying images, a memory unit that stores image data corresponding to an assembling process of a wire harness, and a control means that controls the display portion so that the images displayed based on the image data stored in the memory unit are changed to follow the progress of the assembling process. The wire harness comprises a plurality of wire harnesses comprising a plurality of electric wires with connectors connected to both ends, and the image data for a step of connecting the connectors step comprises connector images depicting the connectors.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a method and equipment for manufacturing wire harness.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] In general, a wire laying board is used for assembling a wire harness. The wire laying board is formed by sticking a full-size drawing of a wire harness onto an assembly drawing board and a wire laying jig is attached to the wire laying board. On the full-size drawing, operating instructions such as assembly procedure and accessory component attachment instructions are also given. A worker lays an electric wire in accordance with the operating instructions and attaches accessory components to predetermined positions on the laid wire or a bundle of wires, thereby assembling a wire harness.

[0003] In case that the design is changed, however, the full-size drawing needs to be replaced according to the change. Therefore, a drawing board device for assembling wire harness which does not require such work has been proposed (see e.g., JP-A-2000-195352).

[0004] This drawing board device for assembling wire harness is provided with a wire laying board to which various jigs required to assemble a wire harness can be attached, an assembly jig attached to the wire laying board to hold an electric wire to be laid, and a display means for displaying images of wire harness assembling process on the wire laying board so that the images can be seen on the front surface of the wire laying board.

[0005] The images of the wire harness assembling process are switched according to three steps: a wire laying step, an accessory component attaching step and a tape winding step.

SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The conventional drawing board device for assembling wire harness, however, is not configured that the image of the wire harness assembling process is changed to follow the work progress during the wire laying step. Therefore, when handling electric wires having similar lengths, a wrong wire may be laid or a wire may be laid on a wrong position. In addition, since the attachment position of the assembly jig is not included in the image of the assembling process, the assembly jig may be attached to a wrong position. Furthermore, in case that the assembly jig is configured to be attached to the wire laying board by being inserted through a hole formed on the wire laying board, there is a risk of damaging or breaking the wire laying board or the assembly jig and the attachment work is thus not easy. In addition, a wire harness is often formed using various connectors and there is therefore a risk of connecting wrong connectors.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a method and equipment for manufacturing a wire harness which allow erroneous operations including erroneous connection of connectors to be reduced.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention, a method of manufacturing a wire harness comprises displaying images on a display portion based on image data corresponding to an assembling process of a wire harness while changing the images so as to follow the progress of the assembling process,
wherein the wire harness comprises a plurality of wire harnesses comprising a plurality of electric wires with connectors connected to both ends, and the image data for a step of connecting the connectors step comprises connector images depicting the connectors.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the invention, a wire harness manufacturing equipment comprises:

a display portion for displaying images;

a memory unit that stores image data corresponding to an assembling process of a wire harness; and

a control means that controls the display portion so that the images displayed based on the image data stored in the memory unit are changed to follow the progress of the assembling process,

wherein the wire harness comprises a plurality of wire harnesses comprising a plurality of electric wires with connectors connected to both ends, and the image data for a step of connecting the connectors step comprises connector images depicting the connectors.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, a method and equipment for manufacturing a wire harness can be provided which allow erroneous operations including erroneous connection of connectors to be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail in conjunction with appended drawings, wherein:

FIG.1 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an example configuration of a wire harness manufacturing equipment in a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG.2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control system of a management unit;

FIG3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control system of a projector;

FIG.4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a remote controller;

FIG.5A is a front view showing an assembly jig before being attached to a screen;

FIG.5B is a plan view showing the assemble jig;

FIG.5C is a partial cross sectional view showing the assemble jig after being attached to the screen;

FIG.6A is a diagram illustrating an example projection image on the first page;

FIG.6B is a diagram illustrating an example projection image on the second page;

FIG.6C is a diagram illustrating an example projection image on the third page;

FIG6D is a diagram illustrating an example projection image on the fourth page;

FIG.6E is a diagram illustrating an example projection image on the fifth page;

FIG.7A is a plan view showing a main portion of the screen in Modification 1;

FIG.7B is a cross sectional view showing a main portion of the screen in Modification 2;

FIG.8 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an example configuration of a wire harness manufacturing equipment in a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG.9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control system of the management unit in the second embodiment; and

FIG.10 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an example configuration of a wire harness manufacturing equipment in a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Embodiments of the invention will be described below in reference to the drawings. Note that, constituent elements having substantially the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing and the overlapping explanation thereof will be omitted.

First embodiment

[0013] FIG.1 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an example configuration of a wire harness manufacturing equipment in the first embodiment of the invention.

General configuration

[0014] A wire harness manufacturing equipment 1 is provided with a screen 2, a housing 3 supporting the screen 2, a mirror 4 arranged inside the housing 3, a projector 5 also arranged inside the housing 3 to project a projection image on a back surface 2b of the screen 2 via the mirror 4, a management unit 6 controlling the assembling of wire harness, and a remote controller 7 for remotely operating the projector 5.

[0015] The screen 2 and a projecting means 50 (described later) of the projector 5 here are an example of a display portion. Meanwhile, "wire harness" is an assembly having plural bundled electric wires and connectors or terminals provided at both ends of each electric wire for connection to a printed wiring board or a device. "Wire harness assembling process" consists of, e.g., an assembly jig attaching step, a harness laying step including steps of laying electric wires and a step of attaching connectors to both ends of electric wires, and a step of bundling the laid wires. However, the process is not limited thereto. Then, "wire harness assembly" is a device assembled through the wire harness assembling process.

[0016] The screen 2 can be formed of, e.g., a transparent plate such as an acrylic board or glass plate. A front surface 2a of the screen 2 is a smooth surface to allow, e.g., an assembly jig 10 to adhere thereto using negative pressure, while the back surface 2b is a light-scattering surface to allows, e.g., a projected image to be seen on the front surface 2a. The screen 2 is not specifically limited as long as it is a rear projection screen. For example, a transparent plate with a light-scattering sheet attached to a back surface thereof may be used.

[0017] The projector 5 receives projection image data from a communication unit 64 of the management unit 6, stores the projection image data in a memory 58, and starts, forwards, reverses or ends projection of images based on a start signal, a page forward signal, a page reverse signal and an end signal, etc., from the remote controller 7.

[0018] The management unit 6 is realized by, e.g., a personal computer (PC). The detailed configuration of the management unit 6 will be described later.

[0019] The remote controller 7 has a function of transmitting a control signal to control the projector 5, a barcode reading function, a function of determining matching of two read barcodes and a function of displaying the determination result. The detailed configuration of the remote controller 7 will be described later.

Configuration of the management unit

[0020] FIG.2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control system of the management unit 6. The management unit 6 is provided with a control unit 60 constituted by using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc., to control each unit of the wire harness manufacturing equipment 1, a memory unit 61 for storing various information, an input unit 62 realized by a computer keyboard or a computer mouse, etc., a display unit 63 realized by a liquid-crystal display, etc., and the communication unit 64 communicating with external devices such as the projector 5 and the remote controller 7.

[0021] The memory unit 61 is constructed by using ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) or a hard disc, etc., and stores a program 610 for CPU, a projection image data 611 and a control data 612, etc.

[0022] The CPU of the control unit 60 operates according to the program 610 and controls each unit of the management unit 6 as well as the entire wire harness manufacturing equipment 1.

[0023] The projection image data 611 is composed of plural pages which correspond to wire harness assembly IDs (identification information) used for identifying wire harness assemblies and also correspond to the assembling process as well as to the detailed working steps of the assembling process. The projection image data 611 also includes a jig image indicating a position of the assembly jig 10 which is capable of adhering to the front surface 2a of the screen 2 by using negative pressure. Also, the projection image data 611 is pre-adjusted so that a wire harness displayed on the screen 2 is displayed in a full size at the same magnification within a square or rectangle without distortion. The projection image data 611 includes, e.g., image information for displaying step names and contents in images and text information for displaying work details of the step in letters.

[0024] For example, worker IDs (identification information) for identifying workers, wire harness assembly IDs, start date and time of work (e.g., date and time at which a start signal is sent from the remote controller 7), end date and time of the work (e.g., date and time at which an end signal is sent from the remote controller 7) and a result of determination on a barcode of a connector, etc., are associated with each other in the control data 612 which is stored as history information in the memory unit 61.

Configuration of the projector

[0025] FIG.3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control system of the projector 5. The projector 5 is provided with the projecting means 50 for projecting a projection image, a control unit 57 constituted by using a CPU, etc., to control each unit of the projector 5, and the memory 58 for storing the projection image data 611 transmitted from the management unit 6.

[0026] The projecting means 50 is provided with three LED light sources 51 respectively emitting red light, green light and blue light, three crystal liquid panels 52 of R, G and B respectively producing red image light, green image light and blue image light upon receiving the red, green and blue light emitted from the LED light sources 51, a light source driver 53 for driving the LED light sources 51, a liquid crystal panel driver 54 for driving the crystal liquid panels 52, a synthesis optical system 55 for synthesizing the red, green and blue image light produced by the three crystal liquid panels 52, and a projector lens 56 for projecting the projection image synthesized by the synthesis optical system 55 on the screen 2 via the mirror 4.

[0027] The control unit 57 of the projector 5, once received projection image data transmitted from the management unit 6, stores the projection image data in the memory 58. The control unit 57 also retrieves the projection image data of the first page from the memory 58 based on a start signal transmitted from the remote controller 7 and then controls so that a projection image based on the projection image data is projected on the screen 2. Also, based on a page forward signal or a page reverse signal from the remote controller 7, the control unit 57 controls so that a projection image based on the projection image data of the corresponding page is projected on the screen 2.

Configuration of the remote controller

[0028] FIG.4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the remote controller 7. The remote controller 7 is provided with a control unit 70 constituted by using a CPU, etc., to control each unit of the remote controller 7, various buttons such as a start button 71a generating a start signal to instruct start of projection, a forward button 71b generating a page forward signal to instruct page forward, a reverse button 71c generating a page reverse signal to instruct page reverse and an end button 71d generating an end signal to instruct end of projection, a numeric keypad 72, a reading unit 73 optically reading a barcode, a determination unit 74 for determining whether or not a barcode attached to the connector matches the barcode displayed on the projection image, a determination result display unit 75 for displaying the determination result from the determination unit 74, and a communication unit 76 controlled by the control unit 70 to send the determination result to the management unit 6.

[0029] The determination result display unit 75 may be configured such that a correct answer sound (e.g., ding-dong) indicating the code match is produced when the two barcodes match, and a buzzer-like sound indicating the code mismatch is produced when the two barcodes do not match. Alternatively, the determination result display unit 75 may be configured such that, e.g., a green lamp is lit when the two barcodes match and, e.g., a red lamp is lit when the two barcodes do not match. Furthermore, the determination result may be indicated by both the sound and color.

Configuration of the assembly jig

[0030] FICS.5A to 5C show the assembly jig 10, wherein FIG.5A is a front view before being attached to the screen 2, FIG.5B is a plan view of FIG.5A and FIG.5C is a partial cross sectional view after being attached to the screen 2.

[0031] The assembly jig 10 is provided with a dome-shaped main body 11, a suction disc 12 arranged on the inner side of the main body 11, a lever 13, a slide shaft 15 rotatably supporting the lever 13 about a support shaft 14, and a seat 16 provided at a tip of the slide shaft 15 to fix the slide shaft 15 to the suction disc 12.

[0032] The main body 11 has an opening 11a in the center to allow the slide shaft 15 to penetrate and slide in a vertical direction.

[0033] The lever 13 is provided with a pair of support pieces 130 for supporting an electric wire or a wire harness, and a fulcrum portion 131 connected to the pair of support pieces 130 so as to be a rotation center of the lever 13. A cam surface 131a is formed on the fulcrum portion 131. The cam surface 131a is not in contact with the upper surface of the main body 11 in the state shown in FIG.5A, and comes into contact with the upper surface of the main body 11 when rotating the lever 13 as shown in FIG.5C, and the slide shaft 15 is thereby pulled upward. When the slide shaft 15 is pulled up, the center portion of the suction disc 12 is lifted up, a space on the inner side of the suction disc 12 increases and pressure therein becomes negative, and the assembly jig 10 thereby adheres to the front surface 2a of the screen 2.

[0034] The main body 11, the lever 13, the support shaft 14, the slide shaft 15 and the seat 16 are formed of, e.g., a resin or a metal. The suction disc 12 is formed of, e.g., an elastic member such as rubber.

Assembling method

[0035] Next, an example of the method of assembling the wire harness assembly will be described in reference to FIGS.6A to 6E. FIGS.6A to 6E are diagrams illustrating example projection images as viewed from the front side of the screen 2. The wire laying step consisting of three wire harness laying steps will be described below.

[0036] A supervisor operates the input unit 62 of the management unit 6 to input wire harness identification information. The control unit 60 retrieves, from the memory unit 61, projection image data corresponding to the wire harness identification information input to the input unit 62 and then sends the retrieved data to the projector 5.

[0037] The control unit 57 of the projector 5 stores the projection image data transmitted from the management unit 6 in the memory 58. A worker operates the numeric keypad 72 of the remote controller 7 to input the worker ID. Then, the worker operates the start button 71a of the remote controller 7 to instruct start of projection. The control unit 70 of the remote controller 7 sends the worker ID to the management unit 6 as well as the start signal to the projector 5. The control unit 60 of the management unit 6 controls so that the worker ID sent from the remote controller 7 is stored as the control data 612 in the memory unit 61. The control unit 57 of the projector 5 starts projection based on the start signal from the remote controller 7. That is, the control unit 57 retrieves the projection image data of the first page from the memory 58 and controls the projecting means 50 so that the projection image based on the projection image data of the first page is projected on the screen 2.

(1) Assembly jig attaching step

[0038] FIG.6A is a diagram illustrating an example projection image on the first page which shows the "assembly jig attaching" step. A projection image 20 in FIG.6A shows a step name 20a which is the "assembly jig attaching step", jig images 21 each depicting the assembly jig 10 to indicate the position for attaching the assembly jig 10, and wire guiding lines 22 indicating the positions for laying electric wires. At this time, the jig images 21 may be highlighted.

[0039] The worker checks that the step name 20a on the projection image 20 is the "assembly jig attaching step". The worker then attaches the assembly jigs 10 to positions which are indicated by the jig images 21 projected on the screen 2. Once the assembly jigs 10 are attached, the worker operates the forward button 71b of the remote controller 7. The control unit 70 of the remote controller 7 then sends a page forward signal to the projector 5 based on the operation performed on the forward button 71b.

(2) Step of laying harness II

[0040] The control unit 57 of the projector 5 retrieves the projection image data of the second page from the memory 58 based on the page forward signal from the remote controller 7 and controls the projecting means 50 so that a projection image based on the projection image data of the second page is projected on the screen 2.

[0041] FIG6B is a diagram illustrating a projection image on the second page which shows the "harness II laying" step. The projection image 20 in FIG.6B shows the step name 20a which now is the "harness II laying step", the jig images 21 and the wire guiding lines 22 in the same manner as in FIG.6A, and also shows a wire image 23a and connector images 24a and 24b including model numbers and barcodes (not shown). On this projection image, the wire image 23a and the connector images 24a and 24b may be highlighted. In the projection image of this wire laying step, the specification 9 (type, color and length, etc.) of electric wire is also displayed (the same applied to the wire laying steps described below).

[0042] The worker checks that the step name 20a on the projection image 20 is the "wire harness II laying step". The worker then selects an electric wire of a similar color to and of substantially the same length as the wire image 23a and places the selected electric wire on the wire image 23a which passes between the pairs of support pieces 130 of the assembly jigs 10.

[0043] Next, connectors corresponding to the connector images 24a and 24b are connected to both ends of the electric wire. At this time, the worker connects the connectors after making sure that the connector numbers attached to the connectors are respectively the same as the connector numbers shown in the connector images 24a and 24b. In detail, the reading unit 73 of the remote controller 7 reads the barcodes written together with the connector numbers on the connectors as well as those in the connector images 24a and 24b. The determination unit 74 determines whether or not the barcodes match, and the determination result display unit 75 displays the determination result to let the worker know. In the meantime, the control unit 70 of the remote controller 7 sends the determination result to the management unit 6 via the communication unit 76. The control unit 60 of the management unit 6 receives the determination result via the communication unit 64 and stores the determination result, together with the step name, as history information in the control data 612. Reading of barcode, displaying of determination result and storing of history information are performed in the same manner in the following harness laying steps.

[0044] The harness II laying step is completed as described above. Once the harness II laying step is completed, the worker operates the forward button 71b of the remote controller 7. The control unit 70 of the remote controller 7 sends a page forward signal to the projector 5 based on the operation performed on the forward button 71b.

(3) Step of laying harness II

[0045] The control unit 57 of the projector 5 retrieves the projection image data of the third page from the memory 58 based on the page forward signal from the remote controller 7 and controls the projecting means 50 so that a projection image based on the projection image data of the third page is projected on the screen 2.

[0046] FIG.6C is a diagram illustrating a projection image on the third page which shows the "harness II laying" step. The projection image 20 in FIG.6C shows the step name 20a which is the "harness II laying step", the jig images 21 and the wire guiding lines 22 in the same manner as in FIG.6A, and also shows wire images 23b and 23c and connector images 24c, 24d and 24e including model numbers and barcodes (not shown), and further shows a tape image 25 depicting a tape. On this projection image, the wire image 23b, 23c, the connector images 24c to 24d and the tape image 25 may be highlighted, or only the tape image 25 may be highlighted. Note that, the image of the harness II is not displayed.

[0047] The worker checks that the step name 20a on the projection image 20 is the "harness II laying step". The worker then selects two electric wires of similar colors to and of substantially the same lengths as the two wire images 23b and 23c and places the two selected electric wires on the wire images 23b and 23c which pass between the pair of support pieces 130 of the assembly jig 10.

[0048] Next, connectors corresponding to the connector images 24c, 24d and 24e are connected to both ends of the two electric wires. At this time, the worker connects the connectors after making sure that the connector numbers attached to the connectors are respectively the same as the connector numbers shown in the connector images 24c, 24d and 24e. Next, the tape is wound at plural positions on which the tape image 25 is displayed, thereby bundling the electric wires. The tape winding process may be carried out in a later process, e.g., in a wire bundling step.

[0049] The harness II laying step is completed as described above. Once the harness II laying step is completed, the worker operates the forward button 71b of the remote controller 7. The control unit 70 of the remote controller 7 sends a page forward signal to the projector 5 based on the operation performed on the forward button 71b.

(4) Step of laying harness III

[0050] The control unit 57 of the projector 5 retrieves the projection image data of the fourth page from the memory 58 based on the page forward signal from the remote controller 7 and controls the projecting means 50 so that a projection image based on the projection image data of the fourth page is projected on the screen 2.

[0051] FIG6D is a diagram illustrating a projection image on the fourth page which shows the "harness III laying" step. The projection image 20 in FIG.6C shows the step name 20a which is the "harness III laying step", the jig images 21 and the wire guiding lines 22 in the same manner as in FIG.6A, and also shows a wire image 23d and connector images 24f and 24g including model numbers and barcodes (not shown). On this projection image, the wire image 23d and the connector images 24f and 24g may be highlighted. Note that, the images of the harnesses 1 and 2 are not displayed.

[0052] According to the "harness III laying step" as the step name 20a on the projection image 20, the worker selects an electric wire of a similar color to and of substantially the same length as the wire image 23d and places the selected electric wire on the wire image 23d which passes between the pairs of support pieces 130 of the assembly jigs 10.

[0053] Next, connectors corresponding to the connector images 24f and 24g are connected to both ends of the electric wire. At this time, the worker connects the connectors after making sure that the connector numbers attached to the connectors are respectively the same as the connector numbers shown in the connector images 24f and 24g.

[0054] The harness III laying step is completed as described above. Once the harness III laying step is completed, the worker operates the forward button 71b of the remote controller 7. The control unit 70 of the remote controller 7 sends a page forward signal to the projector 5 based on the operation performed on the forward button 71b.

(5) Step of bundling electric wires

[0055] The control unit 57 of the projector 5 retrieves the projection image data of the fifth page from the memory 58 based on the page forward signal from the remote controller 7 and controls the projecting means 50 so that a projection image based on the projection image data of the fifth page is projected on the screen 2.

[0056] FIG.6E is a diagram illustrating a projection image on the fifth page which shows the "wire bundling" step. The projection image 20 in FIG.6E shows the step name 20a which is the "wire bundling step" and the jig images 21 in the same manner as in FIG.6A, and also shows all the wire images 23a to 23d of the harnesses 1 to 3 and the connector images 24a to 24g, and further shows a tube image 26 depicting a slit tube. On this projection image, the tube image 26 may be highlighted so as to stand out.

[0057] The worker checks that the step name 20a on the projection image 20 is the "wire bundling step" and bundles the electric wires using the slit tube at the position on which the tube image 26 is projected.

[0058] The wire harness assembly is completed through the steps described above. Once the wire harness assembly is completed, the worker operates the end button 71d. The remote controller 7 sends an end signal to the projector 5 based on the operation performed on the end button 71d.

[0059] Based on the end signal from the remote controller 7, the control unit 57 of the projector 5 deletes the projection image data stored in the memory 58.

Functions and effects of the first embodiment

[0060] The following functions and effects are obtained in the first embodiment.

(a) Since the image of the wire harness assembling process is changed to follow the work progress in the wire laying step, it is less likely to pick up a wrong electric wire or to lay a wire on a wrong position.

(b) Since the position for attaching the assembly jig and the connector images are displayed on the projection image, the assembly jig is less likely to be attached to a wrong position and wrong connectors are less likely to be connected.

(c) Since the assembly jig is attached to the screen by suction, there is less risk of damaging the screen or breaking the assembly jig. Thus, attachment process is easy.

(d) Therefore, it is possible to reduce erroneous operations such as erroneous connection of connectors or erroneous attachment of the assembly jig which supports the electric wires or wire harness.

(e) The screen 2 is to project an image. Thus, a relatively strong screen can be used as the screen 2.

[0061] Next, modifications of the first embodiment will be described.

Modification 1

[0062] Although the assembly jig adhered to the surface of the screen by negative pressure has been described in the first embodiment, a screen magnetically attracting the assembly jig to the surface thereof by a magnetic force may be used.

[0063] FIG.7A is a plan view showing a main portion of the screen in Modification 1. The screen 2 with magnetic attraction properties may be a screen having metal wires 2c arranged in a lattice pattern, as shown in FIG.7A. In this case, the assembly jig to be used may be provided with, e.g., a permanent magnet provided rotatably and a knob for rotating the permanent magnet to turn on or off the magnetic force. To adhere the assembly jig to the front surface 2a of the screen 2, the knob is rotated to turn on the magnetic force. To remove the assembly jig from the screen 2, the knob is rotated to turn off the magnetic force. Alternatively, an electromagnet may be used instead of the permanent magnet. Modification 1 may be applied to other embodiments.

Modification 2

[0064] FIG.7B is a cross sectional view showing a main portion of the screen in Modification 2. The screen 2 in which a transparent sheet 2d containing magnetic powder 2c is formed on the front surface 2a as shown in FIG.7B may be used. In this case, the assembly jig to be used is the same as that in Modification 1. Modification 2 may be applied to other embodiments.

Modification 3

[0065] Although the projection image data is prepared for each assembling process in the first embodiment, the projection image data 611 may be configured such that different objects (including text) are projected for every assembling process. Alternatively, the image may be changed every page when displaying the steps in the general category and every object when displaying the steps in a subcategory. Modification 3 may be applied to other embodiments.

Modification 4

[0066] Although the projection image is changed based on the page forward signal from the remote controller 7 in the first embodiment, the projector 5 may be controlled so that the projection image to be displayed is changed at predetermined time intervals. Modification 4 may be applied to other embodiments.

Second embodiment

[0067] FIG.8 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an example configuration of a wire harness manufacturing equipment in the second embodiment. While the screen 2 and the projector 5 are used as the display portion in the first embodiment, a touch panel display 12 is used in the second embodiment. The remaining configuration of the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.

[0068] The wire harness manufacturing equipment 1 in the second embodiment is provided with the touch panel display 12, the housing 3 supporting the touch panel display 12, the management unit 6 controlling the touch panel display 12, and the remote controller 7 connected to the management unit 6. The touch panel display 12 is an example of the display portion or the display-and-input portion.

[0069] The touch panel display 12 is configured to display an image and to allow image edit information, etc., to be input. In other words, the touch panel display 12 is configured so that information can be input by a hand, finger or pen, etc., through a touch panel arranged on the front surface of the display which displays images. In addition, the assembly jig 10 can be attached to a front surface 12a of the touch panel display 12 in the same manner as the first embodiment. A transparent plate may be additionally arranged on the front surface 12a of the touch panel display 12 so that the assembly jig 10 can be attached to the transparent plate. In this configuration, it is possible to attach the assembly jig 10 even when strength of the surface of the touch panel display 12 is low.

[0070] The remote controller 7 is the same as that in the first embodiment. Alternatively, the functions of the start button 71a, the forward button 71b, the reverse button 71c, the end button 71d and the numeric keypad 72 may be performed on the image displayed on the touch panel display 12. In this case, it is possible to downsize the remote controller 7 by omitting the start button 71a, the forward button 71b, the reverse button 71c, the end button 71d and the numeric keypad 72.

[0071] FIG.9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control system of the management unit 6 in the second embodiment. The management unit 6 is provided with the control unit 60, the memory unit 61, the input unit 62, the display unit 63 and the communication unit 64 in the same manner as the first embodiment. The touch panel display 12 is connected to the communication unit 64.

[0072] The memory unit 61 is constructed by using ROM, RAM or a hard disc, etc., and stores the program 610 for CPU, an image data 611a constructed in the same manner as the projection image data 611, and the control data 612, etc.

[0073] The CPU of the control unit 60 operates as an editing means according to the program 610. Based on edit information input through the touch panel display 12, the editing means edits the image data stored in the memory unit 61.

Functions and effects of the second embodiment

[0074] In the second embodiment, the functions and effects (a) to (d) described above are obtained in the same manner as the first embodiment and also it is possible to edit the image data. In addition, the display portion can be smaller than that in the first embodiment.

[0075] Alternatively, provisional drawing data corresponding to the assembling process may be used instead of the image data corresponding the assembling process in the second embodiment. When the worker inputs provisional drawing edit information by a touch pen or electronic pen, etc., while placing a wire harness along the image displayed on the touch panel display 12, the editing means of the management unit 6 edits the provisional drawing data stored in the memory unit based on the input edit information. The "provisional drawing data" here includes drawing information indicating the position for laying a wire harness and text information for instructing the harness assembling work.

Third embodiment

[0076] FIG.10 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an example configuration of a wire harness manufacturing equipment in the third embodiment. While one touch panel display 12 and one remote controller 7 are connected to one management unit 6 in the second embodiment, plural touch panel displays 12 and plural remote controllers 7 are connected to one management unit 6 directly or via a network such as internet in the third embodiment.

[0077] The following functions and effects are obtained in the third embodiment.

(a) The same or different wire harness assemblies can be simultaneously manufactured by plural workers.

(b) Since start and end time of each worker for each step is managed by the management unit 6, it is possible to find which line is behind the schedule. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of personnel at the line which is behind, thereby overcoming the delay.

[0078] Alternatively, the plural touch panel displays 12 may be arranged side by side so that the images for one wire harness assembly are separately displayed on the plural touch panel displays 12. In this case, it is preferable that there be no gap between the touch panel displays 12.

Other modifications

[0079] The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described above, and the various kinds of embodiments can be implemented without departing from the gist of the invention. Although the harness II laying step, the harness II laying step and the harness III laying step are sequentially shown by the respective images in each embodiment, the images of all harnesses may be displayed such that only the image of the currently processed harness is highlighted so as to stand out and display brightness of the others is dimmed.

[0080] In addition, some of the constituent elements of the embodiments of the invention may be omitted without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the image may be switched by the management unit 6 without using the remote controller 7. In addition, the projection image in the first embodiment may be directly projected on the screen without via the mirror.

[0081] In addition, various additions, omissions, changes and substitutions, etc., can be made to the assembling process of the embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0082] The invention is applicable to railway wire harnesses, vehicle wire harnesses, medical wire harnesses and device wire harnesses, etc.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a wire harness, comprising displaying images on a display portion based on image data corresponding to an assembling process of a wire harness while changing the images so as to follow the progress of the assembling process,
wherein the wire harness comprises a plurality of wire harnesses comprising a plurality of electric wires with connectors connected to both ends, and the image data for a step of connecting the connectors step comprises connector images depicting the connectors.

2. A wire harness manufacturing equipment, comprising:

a display portion for displaying images;

a memory unit that stores image data corresponding to an assembling process of a wire harness; and

a control means that controls the display portion so that the images displayed based on the image data stored in the memory unit are changed to follow the progress of the assembling process,

wherein the wire harness comprises a plurality of wire harnesses comprising a plurality of electric wires with connectors connected to both ends, and the image data for a step of connecting the connectors step comprises connector images depicting the connectors.

Drawing