SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECONFIGURING A HARNESS BOARD

• US 20080264513A1
• Filed: 04/28/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Lin, Xiao
• Granted Patent: US 8,225,498 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 140/92.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 13/01227 using a layout board
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/532 Conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53209 Terminal or connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53213 Assembled to wire-type conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53217 Means to simultaneously assemble multiple, independent conductors to terminal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53243 Multiple, independent conductors

Abstract

A reconfigurable harness board system and method is provided for assembling a wire harness for an electrical panel and comprises a plurality of sub-harness modules. Each module defines a template for a wire harness for a select electrical component for the electrical panel. Select ones of the sub-harness modules are mounted to a frame in a select orientation corresponding to layout of electrical components for the electrical panel to create a harness board for assembling a wire harness for the electrical panel.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable harness board system for assembling a wire harness for an electrical panel comprising:

a plurality of sub-harness modules, each module defining a template for a wire harness for a select electrical component for the electrical panel;

a frame; and

means for mounting select ones of the sub-harness modules to the frame in a select orientation corresponding to layout of electrical components for the electrical panel to create a harness board for assembling a wire harness for the electrical panel.

2. The reconfigurable harness board system of claim 1 wherein each sub-harness module includes a sub-harness index identifying the select electrical component and a select position on the harness board.

4. The reconfigurable harness board system of claim 1 wherein the frame comprise a DIN rail.

5. The reconfigurable harness board system of claim 1 wherein the electrical panel comprises a motor control center and the select ones of the sub-harness modules comprise a pilot light sub-harness module and a terminal block sub-harness module.

6. The reconfigurable harness board system of claim 1 wherein each sub-harness module comprises a planar substrate having a plurality of posts and wire path lines on the substrate identifying wire length and routing relative to the posts.

3. The reconfigurable harness board system of claim 3 wherein the system defines a plurality of distinct harness boards according to selection and location of the select ones of the sub-harness modules for each distinct harness board and each distinct harness board includes a harness index identifying the harness board size and the sub-harness indices for the select ones of the sub-harness modules.

7. A method for reconfiguring a harness board used for assembling a wire harness for an electrical panel comprising:

providing a plurality of sub-harness modules, each module defining a template for a wire harness for a select electrical component for the electrical panel;

providing a frame;

selecting from the plurality of sub-harness modules according to layout of electrical components for the electrical panel; and

mounting the selected sub-harness modules to the frame in a select orientation corresponding to layout of electrical components for the electrical panel to create a harness board for assembling a wire harness for the electrical panel.

8. The method for reconfiguring a harness board of claim 7 wherein each sub-harness module includes a sub-harness index identifying the select electrical component and a select position on the harness board.

9. The method for reconfiguring a harness board of claim 8 further comprising defining a plurality of distinct harness boards according to selection and location of the select ones of the sub-harness modules for each distinct harness board and each distinct harness board includes a harness index identifying the harness board size and the sub-harness indices for the select ones of the sub-harness modules.

10. The method for reconfiguring a harness board of claim 7 wherein the frame comprise a DIN rail.

11. The method for reconfiguring a harness board of claim 7 wherein the electrical panel comprises a motor control center and the select ones of the sub-harness modules comprise a pilot light sub-harness module and a terminal block sub-harness module.

12. The method for reconfiguring a harness board of claim 7 wherein each sub-harness module comprises a planar substrate having a plurality of posts and wire path lines on the substrate identifying wire length and routing relative to the posts.

13. The method for reconfiguring a harness board of claim 12 wherein the wire path lines on each sub-harness module are selected according to the location of the sub-harness module in the harness board.