Patent ID: 7529638
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: B60R,G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of calculating a twist angle in a wire-like structure in which a twist angle of a sub wire bundle and/or a clamp is calculated with using a computer, the twist angle being produced when the wire-like structure is deformed from a predetermined reference shape to a deformed shape that is different from the reference shape, the wire-like structure including a main wire bundle, the sub wire bundle that branches off from the main wire bundle, and/or the clamp that is attached to the main wire bundle, the method comprising: a deformed shape model producing step of producing a deformed shape model in which the main wire bundle of the wire-like structure is expressed as a coupled member of a plurality of beam elements so as to correspond to the deformed shape, and a clamp axis corresponding to a rotation axis of the clamp and/or a virtual clamp axis corresponding to a branching direction of the sub wire bundle is added to each of a clamp attachment node and/or sub wire bundle branch node of the main wire bundle; a reference shape model producing step of producing a reference shape model in which the main wire bundle of the wire-like structure is expressed as a coupled member of a plurality of beam elements so as to correspond to the reference shape, and a predetermined reference axis is added to a clamp attachment node and/or sub wire bundle branch node of the main wire bundle; a superimposition calculating step of, with using a finite element method, calculating a shape obtained by deforming the reference shape model and superimposing the deformed reference shape model on the deformed shape model, while referring shape and material properties of the wire-like structure; a twist angle calculating step of, after the superimposition calculating step, calculating an angle formed by the reference axis, and the clamp axis and/or the virtual clamp axis, as the twist angle; and a twist angle outputting step of outputting the twist angle for use in making wire harnesses.