Wire Harness Assembly System

• US 20160126687A1
• Filed: 10/15/2015
• Published: 05/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Rouleau, Rodney G., Nebes, Janina B., Kossak, Robert W.
• Granted Patent: US 10,256,011 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0215 Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/02 Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation with snap-action F16B21/06; studs or coupling pins with resilient protrusions F16B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 13/01209 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 13/01227 using a layout board
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/20 for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/32 using mounting clamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/06 Wiring by machine

Abstract

A wire harness assembly system is disclosed. The wire harness assembly system includes a grid tile designed to receive repositionable accessories to route wires along the grid tile. The grid tile includes a plurality of keyed holes extending from the top of the grid tile, through the grid tile, to the bottom of the grid tile. The grid tile also includes a locking surface on the bottom of the grid tile. The locking surface complements the plurality of keyed holes to receive the repositionable accessory and to maintain the repositionable accessory in a locked position.

Claims

1. A wire harness assembly system comprising:

at least one grid tile for receiving at least one repositionable accessory to route wires, wherein the at least one grid tile having a top, a bottom, and sides;

wherein the at least one grid tile having a plurality of keyed holes, the plurality of keyed holes extending from the top, through the at least one grid tile, to the bottom of the grid tile for receiving the at least one repositionable accessory to route wires along the at least one grid tile; and

wherein the at least one grid tile having a locking surface on the bottom of the at least one grid tile, wherein the locking surface complementing the plurality of keyed holes for maintaining the at least one repositionable accessory in a locked position.

2. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, wherein the keyed holes having a center circular portion and two side rectangular portions extending from the center circular portion.

3. The wire harness assembly system of claim 2, wherein the locking surface having a plurality of ramps and a plurality of grooves.

4. The wire harness assembly system of claim 3, wherein each groove is V-shaped formed by adjacent ramps.

5. The wire harness assembly system of claim 3, wherein the grooves are offset 90 degrees from the side rectangular portions of the keyed holes.

6. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of legs extend from the bottom of the at least one grid tile for supporting the at least one grid tile on a surface.

7. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, wherein the sides having interlocking features for joining adjacent grid tiles.

8. The wire harness assembly system of claim 7, wherein the interlocking features include tongues and grooves that interlock to form an array of grid tiles.

9. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, wherein the at least one grid tile having holes for receiving fasteners to secure the at least one grid tile to a surface.

10. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, further comprising a sheet positioned over the top of the at least one grid tile for illustrating a desired wire harness assembly layout.

11. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of grid tiles and at least one grid tile connector engaging adjacent grid tiles for ensuring accurate alignment of the wire harness assembly system.

12. The wire harness assembly system of claim 11, wherein the at least one grid tile connector joins multiple grid tiles without being attached to a surface.

13. The wire harness assembly system of claim 11, wherein the at least one grid tile connector engages the bottom of the adjacent grid tiles.

14. The wire harness assembly system of claim 11, wherein the at least one grid tile connector comprising a bottom with reinforcing ribs.

15. The wire harness assembly system of claim 11, wherein the at least one grid tile connector comprising holes for receiving fasteners to secure the grid tiles to the at least one grid tile connector.

16. The wire harness assembly system of claim 11, wherein the at least one grid tile connector comprising locating wells for holding legs extending from the grid tiles.

17. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mount installed in the at least one grid tile for receiving the at least one repositionable accessory to route wires, wherein the locking mount having a keyed lower portion for mating engagement with the keyed holes and locking surface of the at least one grid tile, whereby the installed locking mount is rotated to a locked position.

18. The wire harness assembly system of claim 17, wherein the keyed lower portion of the locking mount having a shaft that includes side projections with an angled top portion;

wherein the keyed holes in the grid tile having a center circular portion and two side rectangular portions; and

wherein the locking mount is installed in one of the plurality of keyed holes with the shaft of the locking mount positioned in the center circular portion of the keyed hole and the side projections of the locking mount positioned in the two side rectangular portions of the keyed hole.

19. The wire harness assembly of claim 18, wherein the locking surface having a plurality of ramps and a plurality of grooves;

wherein the side projections and angled top portion of the locking mount slide over one of the plurality of ramps and into one of the plurality of grooves in the locking surface to secure the locking mount to the grid tile.