Apparatus and Method for Automated Manufacturing of a Cable Harness

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a system and method for the fully automated manufacturing of cable harnesses (wiring harnesses) with customized, branched structures. The invention uses a modular assembly line approach, including multiple stations and robotic manipulators, to cut, prepare, assemble, and arrange individual wires or cables into harnesses. A key innovation is the use of individually controlled rails and transporters that automatically position, distribute, and fix wire ends in a predefined branched structure, significantly reducing manual intervention and allowing rapid production of harnesses tailored to specific configurations.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Automated production of vehicle wiring harnesses tailored to specific car models or customer orders.
• Manufacturing of cable harnesses for industrial machinery installations.
• Production of custom wiring assemblies for consumer electronics or home appliances.
• Rapid assembly of wiring looms in aerospace or rail vehicle manufacturing.
• Customized cable harness creation for robotics or automation systems.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Drastically reduces manual labor and human error in cable harness production.
• Enables high-speed production, supporting quick turnaround for custom orders.
• Supports high variability and flexibility in harness design and configuration without manual retooling.
• Improves consistency, reliability, and quality of produced cable harnesses.
• Automates complex distribution and branching structures that are otherwise labor-intensive.
• Modular and scalable system design allows easy adaptation to different production volumes or product types.
• Enhanced process monitoring and control increases production efficiency and traceability.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The system (2) is used for the automated production of a wiring harness (3), which has a branched structure consisting of a plurality of individual conductor elements (22). To form wiring harnesses (3) with an individual branched structure, the conductor elements (22) are automatically brought into a predefined distribution structure, using a plurality of second rails (50) oriented in parallel with one another and a plurality of second transporters (48) distributed on the second rails (50) to do so. The second transporters (48) are each provided with one wire end of the conductor elements (22). To form the distribution structure, the second rails are then moved in a vertical direction (14) and the second transporters (48) are moved along the second rail (50). In this spread-out structure, further processing steps, such as fixing the conducting elements (22) to each other, are then performed.