Patent Publication Number: US-2019176721-A1

Title: Vehicle wire harness with visual indicator for ease of assembly

Description:
The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure relates to vehicles and more particularly to wire harnesses of vehicles. 
     A vehicle may include an engine that combusts air/fuel mixture to generate drive torque. An engine control module (ECM) controls the engine. The vehicle may also include one or more electric motors. An electric motor can act as either a generator or as a motor at a given time. When acting as a generator, an electric motor converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy may be, for example, used to charge a battery via a power control device (PCD). 
     The vehicle includes one or more wire harnesses. Wire harnesses can also be referred to as wiring harnesses. A wire harness includes a plurality of individual wires. Each wire includes at least one electrical conductor and at least one electrical insulator (e.g., surrounding an electrical conductor). As an example, wires of a wire harness connect components of the engine (e.g., actuators and sensors) to the ECM. Other wires of the wire harness or wires of another wire harness connect the electric motor and other associated components (e.g., actuators and sensors) to the PCD. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a feature, a wire harness of a vehicle includes a trunk including a plurality of wires that are bundled together. A first branch branches from the trunk at a location and includes a first subset of the plurality of wires. A first electrical connector that is electrically connected to the wires of the first subset of the plurality of wires, respectively. A second branch branches from the trunk at the location and includes a second subset of the plurality of wires. The wires of the second subset of the plurality of wires are different than the wires of the first subset of the plurality of wires. A second electrical connector is electrically connected to the wires of the second subset of the plurality of wires, respectively. A third branch branches from the trunk at the location and includes a third subset of the plurality of wires. The wires of the third subset of the plurality of wires are different than the wires of the first subset of the plurality of wires, and the wires of the second subset of the plurality of wires. A third electrical connector is electrically connected to the wires of the third subset of the plurality of wires, respectively. A visual indicator is located directly on a predetermined one of the first, second, and third branches. 
     In further features: the first branch has a first length; the second branch has a second length that is greater than the first length; the third branch has a third length that is greater than the second length; and the visual indicator is located directly on the second branch. 
     In further features: a first difference between the first length and the second length is less than a predetermined length; and a second difference between the second length and the third length is less than the predetermined length. 
     In further features: one of the plurality of wires includes an electrical insulator that is the same color as electrical insulators of all of the other ones of the plurality of wires; a first difference between a first length of the first branch and a second length of the second branch is less than a predetermined length; a second difference between the second length of the second branch and a third length of the third branch is less than the predetermined length; and the first electrical connector is the same color as the second and third electrical connectors. 
     In further features, the visual indicator includes one of the first, second, and third electrical connectors connected to the predetermined one of the first, second, and third branches being a different color than the other ones of the first, second, and third electrical connectors. 
     In further features, the visual indicator includes one of the first, second, and third subsets of the plurality of wires being a different color than the other ones of the first, second, and third subsets of the plurality of wires. 
     In further features, the visual indicator is a label that is directly on the predetermined one of the first, second, and third branches. 
     In further features, the label is printed directly on the predetermined one of the first, second, and third branches. 
     In further features, the label is affixed directly to the predetermined one of the first, second, and third branches. 
     In further features, the label includes a part number of the wire harness. 
     In further features, the label includes a unique identifier of the wire harness. 
     In further features, the label includes a visual indicator of which one of a plurality of mating connectors that is to be mated with the one of the first, second, and third electrical connectors that is connected to the predetermined one the first, second, and third branches. 
     In further features, the label includes a visual indicator of whether the first, second, and third branches should be installed more toward one of: a front of the vehicle; and a rear of the vehicle. 
     In further features, the label includes a visual indicator of whether the first, second, and third branches should be installed more toward one of: a left side of the vehicle; and a right side of the vehicle. 
     In further features, the label includes a visual indicator of whether the first, second, and third branches should be installed more toward one of: a top of the vehicle; and a bottom of the vehicle. 
     In further features, the label: is affixed directly to the predetermined one of the first, second, and third branches; includes a part number of the wire harness; includes a unique identifier of the wire harness; includes a first visual indicator of which one of a plurality of mating connectors that is to be mated with the one of the first, second, and third electrical connectors that is connected to the predetermined one the first, second, and third branches; includes a second visual indicator of whether the first, second, and third branches should be installed more toward one of: a front of the vehicle; and a rear of the vehicle; includes a third visual indicator of whether the first, second, and third branches should be installed more toward one of: a left side of the vehicle; and a right side of the vehicle; and includes a fourth visual indicator of whether the first, second, and third branches should be installed more toward one of: a top of the vehicle; and a bottom of the vehicle. 
     In further features, a vehicle includes: a battery; a plurality of switching devices that are electrically connected to the battery; an electric heater; a battery charger configured to charge the battery; and a compressor including an electric motor; where the wire harness is connected: to the plurality of switching devices at a first end of the wire harness; to the electric heater via the first electrical connector; to the battery charger via the second electrical connector; and to the compressor via the third electrical connector. 
     In a feature, a wire harness of a vehicle includes a trunk including a plurality of wires that are bundled together. A first branch branches from the trunk at a location and includes a first subset of the plurality of wires. A first electrical connector is electrically connected to the wires of the first subset of the plurality of wires, respectively. A second branch branches from the trunk at the location and includes a second subset of the plurality of wires. The wires of the second subset of the plurality of wires are different than the wires of the first subset of the plurality of wires. A second electrical connector is electrically connected to the wires of the second subset of the plurality of wires, respectively. A third branch branches from the trunk at the location and includes a third subset of the plurality of wires. The wires of the third subset of the plurality of wires are different than the wires of the first subset of the plurality of wires, and the wires of the second subset of the plurality of wires. A third electrical connector is electrically connected to the wires of the third subset of the plurality of wires, respectively. A label is affixed directly to a predetermined one of the first, second, and third branches and not on the trunk. The label includes: a part number of the wire harness; a unique identifier of the wire harness; a first visual indicator of which one of a plurality of mating connectors that is to be mated with the one of the first, second, and third electrical connectors that is connected to the predetermined one the first, second, and third branches; a second visual indicator of whether the first, second, and third branches should be installed more toward: a front of the vehicle; or a rear of the vehicle; a third visual indicator of whether the first, second, and third branches should be installed more toward: a left side of the vehicle; or a right side of the vehicle; a fourth visual indicator of whether the first, second, and third branches should be installed more toward: a top of the vehicle; or a bottom of the vehicle. One of the plurality of wires includes an electrical insulator that is the same color as electrical insulators of all of the other ones of the plurality of wires, a first difference between a first length of the first branch and a second length of the second branch is less than a predetermined length, a second difference between the second length of the second branch and a third length of the third branch is less than the predetermined length, and the first electrical connector is the same color as the second and third electrical connectors. 
     In further features, a vehicle includes a battery; a plurality of switching devices that are electrically connected to the battery; an electric heater; a battery charger configured to charge the battery; and a compressor including an electric motor. The wire harness is connected: to the plurality of switching devices at a first end of the wire harness; to the electric heater via the first electrical connector; to the battery charger via the second electrical connector; and to the compressor via the third electrical connector. 
     In a feature, a wire harness of a vehicle includes a trunk including a plurality of wires that are bundled together. A first branch branches from the trunk at a location and includes a first subset of the plurality of wires. A first electrical connector is electrically connected to the wires of the first subset of the plurality of wires, respectively. A second branch branches from the trunk at the location and includes a second subset of the plurality of wires. The wires of the second subset of the plurality of wires are different than the wires of the first subset of the plurality of wires. A second electrical connector is electrically connected to the wires of the second subset of the plurality of wires, respectively. A visual indicator is located directly on a predetermined one of the first and second branches. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims and the drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an example vehicle system; 
         FIG. 2  is an example view of a vehicle including an example of a wire harness connected to various vehicle components; 
         FIG. 3  is an example view of a wire harness; and 
         FIG. 4  is an example view of a visual indicator. 
     
    
    
     In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify similar and/or identical elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A wire harness of a vehicle includes a first end including a first one or more connectors, a second end including a second one or more connectors, and a plurality of wires. The first one or more connectors connect to a first one or more components. The second one or more connectors connect to a second one or more components. The wires are connected between the first one or more connectors and the second one or more connectors. 
     Each of the wires includes an electrical conductor and an electrical insulator. The electrical insulator of a wire electrically isolates the electrical conductor of the wire. Each end of each wire is connected to one connector or to a specific point (e.g., pin) of one connector. 
     Between the first and second ends, all of the plurality of wires are bundled together (e.g., via wire wrap or wire loom), forming a trunk of the wire harness. Primary branches of one or more wires branch away from the trunk at one or more locations. Secondary branches of one or more wires branch away from primary branches at one or more locations. Tertiary branches of one or more wires branch away from secondary branches at one or more locations, and etc. 
     Properly installing the individual branches of a wire harness of a vehicle to the proper components during vehicle assembly is challenging. A wire harness installer has only a short period to install all of the individual branches to the proper components. A wire harness having multiple branches and connectors that are similar or identical in appearance (e.g., coloring, shape, length, etc.) may make wire harness installation even more challenging. 
     If the wire harness installer improperly connects one or more of the individual branches, the wire harness installer can either completely re-install the wire harness or identify the one or more improper connections and re-connect the wire harness properly. Re-installation or re-connection, however, slows the vehicle assembly process. Slowing of the vehicle assembly process may increase assembly costs of a vehicle manufacturer and decrease throughput. 
     According to the present disclosure, a visible indicator (e.g., a label) is included on one predetermined branch of a set of branches of a wire harness to help guide a wire harness installer to properly install the wire harness without re-installation or re-connection. For example, the visible indicator may be included on one predetermined branch of a set of branches having similar lengths, the same coloring, and the same type of connector that are to be connected to a group of components. The one predetermined branch may be, for example, for connection to one component of the group of components that is in a middle location relative to the other components of the group of components. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a functional block diagram of an example vehicle system is presented. While a vehicle system for a hybrid vehicle is shown and will be described, the present disclosure is also applicable to non-hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and other types of vehicles. Also, while the example of a wire harness of a vehicle is provided, the present application is also applicable to wire harnesses of other devices. 
     An engine  102  combusts an air/fuel mixture to generate drive torque. An engine control module (ECM)  106  controls the engine  102 . For example, the ECM  106  may control actuation of engine actuators, such as a throttle valve, one or more spark plugs, one or more fuel injectors, valve actuators, camshaft phasers, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, one or more boost devices, and other suitable engine actuators. 
     The engine  102  may output torque to a transmission  110 . A transmission control module (TCM)  114  controls operation of the transmission  110 . For example, the TCM  114  may control gear selection within the transmission  110  and one or more torque transfer devices (e.g., a torque converter, one or more clutches, etc.). 
     The vehicle system may include one or more electric motors. For example, an electric motor  118  may be implemented within the transmission  110  as shown in the example of  FIG. 1 . An electric motor can act as either a generator or as a motor at a given time. When acting as a generator, an electric motor converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy can be, for example, used to charge a battery  126  via a power control device (PCD)  130 . When acting as a motor, an electric motor generates torque that may be used, for example, to supplement or replace torque output by the engine  102 . While the example of one electric motor is provided, the vehicle may include zero or more than one electric motor. 
     A power inverter control module (PIM)  134  may control the electric motor  118  and the PCD  130 . The PCD  130  applies (e.g., direct current) power from the battery  126  to the (e.g., alternating current) electric motor  118  based on signals from the PIM  134 , and the PCD  130  provides power output by the electric motor  118 , for example, to the battery  126 . The PIM  134  may be referred to as a power inverter module in various implementations. 
     A steering control module  140  controls steering/turning of wheels of the vehicle, for example, based on driver turning of a steering wheel within the vehicle and/or steering commands from one or more vehicle control modules. A steering wheel angle sensor monitors rotational position of the steering wheel and generates a steering wheel angle (SWA)  142  based on the position of the steering wheel. As an example, the steering control module  140  may control vehicle steering via an EPS motor  144  based on the SWA  142 . However, the vehicle may include another type of steering system. 
     An electronic brake control module (EBCM)  150  may selectively control mechanical brakes  154  of the vehicle. Modules of the vehicle may share parameters via a network  162 , such as a controller area network (CAN). In vehicles, a CAN may also be referred to as a car area network. The network  162  may include one or more data buses. Various parameters may be made available by a given control module to other control modules via the network  162 . 
     The driver inputs may include, for example, an accelerator pedal position (APP)  166  which may be provided to the ECM  106 . A brake pedal position (BPP)  170  may be provided to the EBCM  150 . A position  174  of a park, reverse, neutral, drive, low (PRNDL) or another suitable range selector may be provided to the TCM  114 . An ignition state  178  may be provided to a body control module (BCM)  180 . For example, the ignition state  178  may be input by a driver via an ignition key, button, or switch. At a given time, the ignition state  178  may be one of off, accessory, run, and crank. 
     The vehicle may include one or more additional control modules that are not shown, such as a chassis control module, a battery pack control module, etc. The vehicle may omit one or more of the control modules shown and discussed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an example view of a vehicle  200  including an example wire harness  214  connected to various vehicle components is presented. In various implementations, the wire harness  214  may be part (e.g., branches) of a larger wire harness. 
     The wire harness  214  transmits signals and electrical power between vehicle components. For example, a battery charger  202 , an electric (e.g., resistive) heater  206 , and a compressor  210  (e.g., an air conditioning compressor) may be connected to switching devices (e.g., relays)  218  using the wire harness  214 . The switching devices  218  may be implemented with the battery  126 , such as within a battery housing. While the wire harness  214  will be discussed in conjunction with the examples of the battery charger  202 , the electric heater  206 , and the compressor  210 , the present application is also applicable to wire harnesses connected between other components of vehicles. 
     The switching devices  218  connect and disconnect the battery  126  to and from the battery charger  202 , the electric heater  206 , and the compressor  210 . For example, a first one of the switching devices  218  may connect and disconnect the battery  126  to and from the battery charger  202 , a second one of the switching devices  218  may connect and disconnect the battery  126  to and from the electric heater  206 , and a third one of the switching devices  218  may connect and disconnect the battery  126  to and from the compressor  210 . In various implementations, the battery charger  202 , the electric heater  206 , and the compressor  210  may operate at voltages between 100 and 400 Volts. 
     Connectors for connecting to the battery charger  202 , the electric heater  206 , and the compressor  210  may be located in close proximity to one another. An example is as discussed further below. As an example, a second connector that is connected to the electric heater  206  may be located between first and third connectors for connecting to the battery charger  202  and the compressor  210 , respectively. 
     The battery charger  202  may charge the battery  126  via wires of the wire harness  214 . The battery charger  202  may charge the battery  126  via power received from a utility (e.g., by a cord connected between the vehicle and a wall outlet of a building). In various implementations, the battery charger  202  may be a component of the PIM  134 , and the switching devices  218  may be components of the power control device  130 . 
     The electric heater  206  is configured to heat for a passenger cabin of the vehicle  200  when power is applied to the electric heater  206 . The electric heater  206  may also configured to heat the battery  126  when power is applied to the electric heater  206 . The compressor  210  compresses refrigerant for cooling of the passenger cabin when power is applied to the compressor  210 . The compressor  210  may also compress refrigerant for cooling of the battery  126  when power is applied to the compressor  210 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an example view of the wire harness  214  is presented. The wire harness  214  includes a trunk  302 , a first end  306 , and a second end  322 . The trunk  302  includes a plurality of wires bundled together, such as via wire wrap or wire loom. In example of  FIG. 3 , at the first end  306 , the plurality of wires branch into a first branch  310 - 1 , a second branch  310 - 2 , and a third branch  310 - 3 . 
     The first branch  310 - 1  includes a subset of the plurality of wires, the second branch  310 - 2  includes a subset of the plurality of wires, and the third branch  310 - 3  includes a subset of the plurality of wires. While the example of the trunk  302  branching into three branches at the first end  306  is provided, the trunk  302  may branch into more than three branches at the first end  306 . Also, one or more branches may further branch into two or more sub-branches, and so on. The present application is applicable to wire harnesses including flexible branches, wire harnesses including rigid branches, and wire harnesses including a combination of rigid and flexible branches. 
     The first branch  310 - 1 , the second branch  310 - 2 , and the third branch  310 - 3  may collectively be referred to as vehicle component branches  310 . A connector is attached to the wires of each of the vehicle component branches  310 . For example, a first connector  318 - 1  is connected to the first branch  310 - 1 , a second connector  318 - 2  is connected to the second branch  310 - 2 , and a third connector  318 - 3  is connected to the third branch  310 - 3 . The first connector  318 - 1 , the second connector  318 - 2 , and the third connector  318 - 3  may collectively be referred to as vehicle component connectors  318 . The first connector  318 - 1  may be configured to connect to a first connector that is electrically connected to the battery charger  202 , the second connector  318 - 2  may be configured to connect to a second connector that is electrically connected to the electric heater  206 , and the third connector  318 - 3  may be configured to connect to a third connector that is electrically connected to the compressor  210 . 
     In example of  FIG. 3 , at the second end  322 , the trunk  302  branches into a fourth branch  326 - 1  and a fifth branch  326 - 2 . The fourth branch  326 - 1  includes a subset of the plurality of wires and the fifth branch  326 - 2  includes a subset of the plurality of wires. While the example of the trunk  302  branching into two branches at the second end  322  is provided, one or more connectors may be connected to the plurality of wires at the second end  322 , or the trunk  302  may branch into more than two branches at the second end  322 . Also, one or more branches may further branch into two or more sub-branches, and etc. In various implementations, the trunk  302  may be part of a larger trunk of wires. 
     The fourth branch  326 - 1  and the fifth branch  326 - 2  are collectively referred to as switching device branches  326 . A connector is attached to the wires of each of the switching device branches  326 . For example, a fourth connector  330 - 1  is connected to the fourth branch  326 - 1 , and a fifth connector  330 - 2  is connected to the fifth branch  326 - 2 . The fourth connector  330 - 1  and the fifth connector  330 - 2  may collectively be referred to as switching device connectors  330 . The fourth connector  330 - 1  may be configured to connect to a first connector that is electrically connected to a first one or more of the switching devices  218 , and the fifth connector  330 - 2  may be configured to connect to a second one or more of the switching devices  218 . 
     The trunk  302  is the main portion of the wire harness  214  where the plurality of wires are bundled together, for example, via wire wrap or wire loom. The bundling of the wires may, for example, secure the plurality of wires for vibration, abrasion, moisture, and/or one or more other reasons. As discussed above, each wire of the plurality of wires may include an electrical insulator to electrically insulate its electrical conductor from other electrical conductors. The vehicle component connectors  318  and the switching device connectors  330  may be either male type connectors, female type connectors, or a mixture of male type and female type connectors. 
     A wire harness installer has only a short period to install all of the individual branches to the proper components. A wire harness having multiple branches and connectors that are similar or identical in appearance (e.g., coloring, shape, length, etc.) may make wire harness installation even more challenging. 
     If the wire harness installer improperly connects one or more of the individual branches, the wire harness installer can either completely re-install the wire harness or identify the one or more improper connections and re-connect the wire harness properly. Re-installation or re-connection, however, slows the vehicle assembly process. Slowing of the vehicle assembly process may increase assembly costs of a vehicle manufacturer and decrease throughput. 
     For example, if the vehicle component branches  310  have wires of the same color (e.g., only one color), similar lengths (e.g., within a predetermined length of each other), and have the same type of connector attached, the wire harness installer may accidentally confuse one of the vehicle component branches  310  with another one of the vehicle component branches. An example predetermined length may be, for example, ¼″, ½″, ¾″, or another length where an accuracy of visual differentiation based on length is less than a predetermined accuracy. This may cause the wire harness installer to improperly connect the vehicle component connectors  318  with improper ones of the connectors that are connected to the battery charger  202 , the electric heater  206 , and the compressor  210 , respectively. 
     Including a visual indicator on one predetermined branch of a group of two or more branches that appear similar to each other (e.g., have wires of the same color, similar lengths (e.g., within a predetermined length of each other), and have similar connectors) may help the wire harness installer during the installation process of the wire harness. The one predetermined branch may be, for example, the one of the branches of the group of three or more branches that is to be connected to a connector that is physically located in a middle location of a group of three or more connectors. In groups of three or more branches and connectors having an even number of branches (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.), the middle may be the left middle or the right middle one of the branches. While the example of the middle is provided, the visual indicator may be provided on another predetermined branch of a group of three or more branches that appear similar to each other. 
     For example, in the example of  FIG. 3 , the visual indicator may be a label  314  affixed on the one predetermined branch of the vehicle component branches  310 . The second branch  310 - 2  is the one predetermined branch in the example of  FIG. 3 . By the label  314  being present on the second branch  310 - 2 , the wire harness installer may be able to determine connector to connect to the second connector  318 - 2  of the second branch  310 - 2 . The wire harness installer may be able to visually differentiate between the first branch  310 - 1  and the third branch  310 - 3 . For example, the first branch  310 - 1  may be shorter in length than the third branch  310 - 3 . Although the label  314  is shown and discussed to denote the second branch  310 - 2 , the label  314  may be used to denote the first branch  310 - 1 , the third branch  310 - 3 , or any other branches. 
     The label  314  may include a medium affixed using an adhesive, or the label  314  may be directly printed onto the one predetermined branch. The label  314  may be printed directly onto the one predetermined branch, for example, via ink, heat, laser, etc. The medium may include, for example, paper, plastic, film, cloth, or metal. The size of the label  314  may be, for example, 1.5 inches in length and 1.5 inches in width or have other suitable dimensions. The label  314  may include information or may simply be colored, such as a predetermined color. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the one predetermined branch may be longer than the other branches of the group of branches to serve as the visual indicator. In the example of  FIG. 3 , the third branch  310 - 3  may be lengthened by a predetermined amount such that the third branch  310 - 3  is visually distinguishable from the other branches. While the example of increasing the length of a branch is discussed, shortening of the one predetermined branch may alternatively be used as the visual indicator. 
     Additionally or alternatively, a different color of connector may be attached to the one predetermined branch to serve as the visual indicator. For example, in  FIG. 3 , the connector attached to the second branch  310 - 2  may be a first color (e.g., green) and the connectors attached to the first and third branches  310 - 1  and  310 - 3  may be one or more other colors that is/are different than the first color (e.g., white). The connector to which the connector of the second branch  310 - 2  is to be connected may also be the first color. The connector to which the connector of the first branch  310 - 1  is to be connected may be the same color as the connector of the first branch  310 - 1 . The connector to which the connector of the third branch  310 - 3  is to be connected may be the same color as the connector of the third branch  310 - 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a view of an example implementation of the label  314  is presented. The label  314  may have a part number 402 of the wire harness  214 . The part number 402 may include alphanumeric characters. The part number 402 may be printed in black ink and may start with the acronym P/N. 
     The label  314  may have one or more visual indicators to aid the wire harness installer during the installation of the wire harness  214 . For example, the label  314  may include such as an optically recognizable identifier  406 , a first vehicle orientation indicator  410 , a second vehicle orientation indicator  414 , a third vehicle orientation indicator  418 , and a mating connection indicator  422 . The optically recognizable identifier  406  may be, for example, a one-dimensional barcode (e.g., string of one or more letters, numbers, characters, and/or symbols, a stock keeping unit (SKU), universal product code (UPC), etc.), a two-dimensional barcode (e.g., data matrix, a quick response (QR) code, etc.), a three-dimensional barcode, or another suitable type of identifier that is optically recognizable. The optically recognizable identifier  406  corresponds to a unique identifier (e.g., serial number) of the wire harness  214 . 
     The wire harness installer or a handheld electronic device (e.g., including a scanner) may determine a vehicle identifier (ID) associated with a vehicle to be assembled, for example, by scanning an optically recognizable identifier located on the vehicle. For example, the vehicle ID may include a vehicle identification number (VIN) or another suitable ID of the vehicle. The wire harness installer may also identify (e.g., scan) the optically recognizable identifier  406  with the handheld electronic device. The handheld electronic device may transmit the vehicle ID and the optically recognizable identifier  406  to a computer. The computer may store the vehicle ID and the optically recognizable identifier  406  together in memory so that the vehicle manufacture may later identify which wire harness was installed in the vehicle. In various implementations, the computer or the handheld electronic device may be programed to display information on how to properly orientate the wire harness  214  in the vehicle. 
     The first vehicle orientation indicator  410  serves as a visual indicator (e.g., to the wire harness installer) of whether the one end of the wire harness having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator should be positioned more forward or rearward than the other end of the wire harness not having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator. For example, the first vehicle orientation indicator  410  in  FIG. 4  includes an arrow pointing toward the front (or forward direction) of the vehicle. Using the example of the wire harness  214  of  FIG. 3 , the first vehicle orientation indicator  410  may serve as a visual indicator that the first end  306  (having the one predetermined branch with the visual indicator) of the wire harness  214  is to be connected more toward the front of the vehicle than the second end  322  of the wire harness  214  (not having the one predetermined branch with the visual indicator). Although the first vehicle orientation indicator  410  is shown and discussed as forward facing, the first vehicle orientation indicator  410  may indicate backward/reverse in implementations where the one end of the wire harness having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator should be positioned more rearward than the other end of the wire harness not having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator. 
     The second vehicle orientation indicator  414  serves as a visual indicator (e.g., to the wire harness installer) of whether the one end of the wire harness having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator should be positioned more leftward or rightward than the other end of the wire harness not having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator. For example, the second vehicle orientation indicator  414  in  FIG. 4  includes an arrow pointing toward the left side of the vehicle. Using the example of the wire harness  214  of  FIG. 3 , the second vehicle orientation indicator  414  may serve as a visual indicator that the first end  306  (having the one predetermined branch with the visual indicator) of the wire harness  214  is to be connected more toward the left side of the vehicle than the second end  322  of the wire harness  214  (not having the one predetermined branch with the visual indicator). Although the second vehicle orientation indicator  414  is shown and discussed as leftward facing, the second vehicle orientation indicator  414  may indicate rightward in implementations where the one end of the wire harness having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator should be positioned more toward the right of the vehicle than the other end of the wire harness not having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator. 
     The third vehicle orientation indicator  418  serves as a visual indicator (e.g., to the wire harness installer) of whether the one end of the wire harness having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator should be positioned more upward or downward than the other end of the wire harness not having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator. For example, the third vehicle orientation indicator  418  in  FIG. 4  includes an arrow pointing toward the bottom of the vehicle. Using the example of the wire harness  214  of  FIG. 3 , the third vehicle orientation indicator  418  may serve as a visual indicator that the first end  306  (having the one predetermined branch with the visual indicator) of the wire harness  214  is to be connected more toward the bottom of the vehicle than the second end  322  of the wire harness  214  (not having the one predetermined branch with the visual indicator). Although the third vehicle orientation  418  indicator is discussed as more downward facing, the third vehicle orientation  418  indicator may indicate upward in implementations where the one end of the wire harness having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator should be positioned more toward the top of the vehicle than the other end of the wire harness not having the predetermined one of the branches with the visual indicator. 
     The mating connection indicator  422  serves as a visual indicator (e.g., to the wire harness installer) of how to connect the connectors of the group of branches (the predetermined one branch having the visual indicator) to the respective connectors that are connected to vehicle components. Specifically, the mating connection indicator  422  indicates which one of the connectors the predetermined one branch having the visual indicator should be connected to. For example, the mating connection indicator  422  in  FIG. 4  includes an arrow pointing toward the middle connector of a group of three connectors of the vehicle. Using the example of the wire harness  214  of  FIG. 3  having the label  314  on the second branch  310 - 2 , the mating connection indicator  422  may serve as a visual indicator that the connector of the second branch  310 - 2  should be connected to the middle connector of the group of three connectors of the vehicle. 
     The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the present disclosure. Further, although each of the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and/or combined with features of any of the other embodiments, even if that combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more embodiments with one another remain within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including “connected,” “engaged,” “coupled,” “adjacent,” “next to,” “on top of,” “above,” “below,” and “disposed.” Unless explicitly described as being “direct,” when a relationship between first and second elements is described in the above disclosure, that relationship can be a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements, but can also be an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.” 
     In the figures, the direction of an arrow, as indicated by the arrowhead, generally demonstrates the flow of information (such as data or instructions) that is of interest to the illustration. For example, when element A and element B exchange a variety of information but information transmitted from element A to element B is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may point from element A to element B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no other information is transmitted from element B to element A. Further, for information sent from element A to element B, element B may send requests for, or receipt acknowledgements of, the information to element A. 
     In this application, including the definitions below, the term “module” or the term “controller” may be replaced with the term “circuit.” The term “module” may refer to, be part of, or include: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; a memory circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor circuit; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system-on-chip. 
     The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing. In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud) module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client module. 
     The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. The term shared processor circuit encompasses a single processor circuit that executes some or all code from multiple modules. The term group processor circuit encompasses a processor circuit that, in combination with additional processor circuits, executes some or all code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor circuits encompass multiple processor circuits on discrete dies, multiple processor circuits on a single die, multiple cores of a single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor circuit, or a combination of the above. The term shared memory circuit encompasses a single memory circuit that stores some or all code from multiple modules. The term group memory circuit encompasses a memory circuit that, in combination with additional memories, stores some or all code from one or more modules. 
     The term memory circuit is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium may therefore be considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium are nonvolatile memory circuits (such as a flash memory circuit, an erasable programmable read-only memory circuit, or a mask read-only memory circuit), volatile memory circuits (such as a static random access memory circuit or a dynamic random access memory circuit), magnetic storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc). 
     The apparatuses and methods described in this application may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications, which can be translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer. 
     The computer programs include processor-executable instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc. 
     The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language), XML (extensible markup language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using syntax from languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java®, Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, Javascript®, HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5th revision), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash®, Visual Basic®, Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK, and Python®. 
     None of the elements recited in the claims are intended to be a means-plus-function element within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless an element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for,” or in the case of a method claim using the phrases “operation for” or “step for.”