Patent Publication Number: US-2018040394-A1

Title: Wiring bar support device, wire harness assembly device, and method of manufacturing wire harness

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Application No. 2016-155501, filed on Aug. 8, 2016, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a technology supporting a wiring bar used when manufacturing a wire harness. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2000-195352 discloses a wire harness assembly layout board device that includes a wiring board on which various jigs can be arranged required to assemble a wire harness; a large number of wire harness assembly jigs arranged on the wiring board; and a display displaying, on the wiring board, an image required to assemble the wire harness such that the image is visible from a front surface side of the wiring board. 
     In order to assemble a wire harness using the wire harness assembly layout board device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2000-195352, various end portions of temporary couplings temporarily assembling a plurality of wires, end portions of a plurality of wires, and the like must be sequentially transferred to a large number of wire harness assembly jigs. 
     However, because a large number of wire harness assembly jigs are provided standing upright on the wiring board, when transferring the various end portions of the temporary couplings, the end portions of the wires, and the like to the wire harness assembly jigs in target locations, a middle portion of the wires may get caught on other wire harness assembly jigs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Given this, the present invention inhibits a wire from catching on a wire harness assembly jig when an end portion of a temporary coupling or an end portion of a wire is transferred from a wiring bar to a wire harness assembly jig on a wiring board. 
     In order to resolve the above-noted issue, a wiring bar support device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a wiring bar capable of holding an end portion of a temporary coupling or an end portion of a wire; a bar support supporting the wiring bar; and an interference inhibiting mechanism that includes an interference inhibiting member capable of being drawn outward and of retreating through an area adjacent to the wiring bar, the interference inhibiting member spreading in a planar shape when drawn out. 
     According to another aspect, the interference inhibiting member is a non-light-transmissive member. 
     According to another aspect, the interference inhibiting member is a light-transmissive member. 
     According to another aspect, the interference inhibiting mechanism is configured to include a sheet that can be rolled up as the interference inhibiting member; and a roll-up mechanism allowing the sheet to be rolled up and drawn out. 
     According to another aspect, the roll-up mechanism includes a biaser biasing the sheet in a roll-up direction. 
     A wire harness assembly device according to another aspect includes the wiring bar support device described above, the wiring bar support device further including a catch provided on a drawing-out side end portion of the interference inhibiting member; and a wire harness assembly layout board device. The wire harness assembly layout board device includes a wiring board; a plurality of wire harness assembly jigs provided standing upright on the wiring board; a strike provided standing upright on the wiring board and capable of catching the catch; and a wiring board support supporting the wiring board. 
     According to another aspect, a plurality of the strikes are provided standing upright on the wiring board at different positions in a draw-out direction of the interference inhibiting member. 
     According to another aspect, the wire harness assembly layout board device is capable of displacing along a wire harness assembly line, and the wiring bar support device is configured to receive a force displacing the wire harness assembly layout board device and is capable of displacing together with the wire harness assembly layout board device. 
     A method of manufacturing a wire harness according to another aspect utilizes the wiring bar support device described above and includes: (a) in a state where the interference inhibiting member is drawn out and covers a portion of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs provided standing upright on the wiring board of the wire harness assembly layout board device, transferring the end portion of the temporary coupling or the end portion of the wire held by the wiring bar to a wire harness assembly jig, of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs provided standing upright on the wiring board, that is not covered by the interference inhibiting member; and (b) in a state where the interference inhibiting member is retracted, transferring the end portion of the temporary coupling or the end portion of the wire held by the wiring bar to a wire harness assembly jig, of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs provided standing upright on the wiring board, that was covered by the interference inhibiting member in (a). 
     According to the above aspects, in a state where the wiring bar support device is deployed close to the wire harness assembly layout board device, the interference inhibiting member can be drawn out and can cover a portion of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs provided standing upright on the wiring board of the wire harness assembly layout board device. In this state, the end portion of the temporary coupling or end portion of the wire held by the wiring bar can be transferred to a wire harness assembly jig, of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs provided standing upright on the wiring board, that is not covered by the interference inhibiting member. At this point, the wire is unlikely to be caught on any of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs that are covered by the interference inhibiting member. Therefore, the wire can be inhibited from catching on the wire harness assembly jigs when the end portion of the temporary coupling or the end portion of the wire is transferred from the wiring bar to the wire harness assembly jigs on the wiring board. 
     According to another of the above-described aspects, in a state where a portion of the wire harness assembly jigs is covered by the non-light-transmissive interference inhibiting member, the end portion of the temporary coupling or end portion of the wire held by the wiring bar can be transferred to a wire harness assembly jig, of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs provided standing upright on the wiring board, that is not covered by the interference inhibiting member. At this point, a worker cannot see the wire harness assembly jigs not subject to transfer, and therefore the worker can readily transfer the end portion of the temporary coupling or the end portion of the wire to the wire harness assembly jigs that are subject to transfer. 
     According to another aspect described above, the wire harness assembly jigs covered by the interference inhibiting member can be viewed through the interference inhibiting member. Therefore, any defects or the like in the wire harness assembly jigs can be identified. 
     According to another aspect described above, in a state where the sheet is rolled up, a configuration of the device can be made more compact. 
     According to another aspect described above, the sheet can be biased in the roll-up direction, and therefore when the drawing-out side end portion of the sheet is fixated, a drawn-out portion can be maintained in a drawn-out state. 
     According to another aspect described above, when the interference inhibiting member is drawn out and the catch on the drawing-out side end portion thereof is caught on the strike on the wiring board, a portion of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs provided standing upright on the wiring board can be readily covered by the interference inhibiting member. 
     According to another aspect described above, when different strikes are provided to catch the catch, a draw-out amount of the interference inhibiting member can be readily adjusted. 
     According to another aspect described above, the wiring bar support device can be displaced together with the wire harness assembly layout board device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic front view of a wiring bar support device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front view of the wiring bar support device in a state where a sheet is drawn out; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of the wiring bar support device; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of the wiring bar support device in the state where the sheet is drawn out; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic front view of a wire harness assembly device in the state where the sheet is drawn out; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of the wire harness assembly device in the state where the sheet is drawn out; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic front view of the wire harness assembly device in a state where the sheet is stored; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic side view of the wire harness assembly device in the state where the sheet is stored; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic side view of a wire harness assembly device according to a first modification; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic front view of a wire harness assembly device according to a second modification; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic plan view of a wire harness assembly device according to a third modification; and 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic front view of the wire harness assembly device according to the third modification. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice. 
     Hereafter, a wiring bar support device, wire harness assembly device, and method of manufacturing a wire harness are described according to an embodiment. 
     Wiring Bar Support Device 
     First, a wiring bar support device is described. A wiring bar support device  20  according to the present embodiment is a member which, when assembling a wire harness on a wire harness assembly layout board (described below), supports a temporary coupling (also referred to as a sub-assembly), a wire with terminal, or similar components configuring the wire harness.  FIGS. 1 and 2  are schematic front views of the wiring bar support device  20 , while  FIGS. 3 and 4  are schematic side views of the wiring bar support device  20 .  FIGS. 1 and 3  illustrate a state in which a sheet  37  (interference inhibiting device) is stored, while  FIGS. 2 and 4  illustrate a state where the sheet  37  is drawn out. 
     The wiring bar support device  20  includes a wiring bar  22 , a bar support  30 , and an interference inhibiting mechanism  36 . 
     The wiring bar  22  is configured to be capable of holding an end portion of a temporary coupling or an end portion of a wire. More specifically, the wiring bar  22  is formed in a long shape. A plurality of slits  24  are provided to the wiring bar  22  in an extension direction of the wiring bar  22 . For example, a configuration is possible in which a U-shaped depression  22   g  is formed in a side portion of the wiring bar  22 , an elastic member  23  such as a rubber plate is held in the depression  22   g , and the slit  24  is then formed in the elastic member  23 , the slit  24  oriented toward a bottom of the depression  22   g . In such a case, the elastic member  23  can be elastically deformed so as to open the slit  24  and the end portion of the temporary coupling or the end portion of the wire can be detachably held in the slit  24  by an elastic restoration force of the elastic member  23 . 
     The bar support  30  is configured to be capable of supporting the wiring bar  22 . More specifically, the bar support  30  includes a support frame  32 , which is an assembly of rod-like members made of metal or resin. 
     An upper front frame  32   a  and an upper back frame  32   b  are provided to a top side of the support frame  32 , and the wiring bar  22  is supported on the upper front frame  32   a  in the extension direction of the upper front frame  32   a . The wiring bar  22  is preferably supported on the support frame  32  so as to be detachable. For example, a support  33  is provided at both end portions of the upper front frame  32   a , and depressions into which both end portions of the wiring bar  22  can be arranged are formed on the support  33  (see  FIG. 1 ). Then, by fitting the two end portions of the wiring bar  22  into the depressions of the support  33 , the wiring bar  22  is detachably supported on the support frame  32 . The wiring bar  22  may also be fixated to the support frame  32  by magnetism, screwing, or the like. Using the support frame  32 , the wiring bar  22  is supported at a height appropriate to unloading work performed by a worker. 
     An upper middle frame  32   c  is provided to the top side of the support frame  32  and between the upper front frame  32   a  and the upper back frame  32   b . A gap is formed between the upper back frame  32   b  and the upper middle frame  32   c  through which the sheet  37  can pass and through which a rod  37 R attached to a leading edge portion of the sheet  37  cannot pass (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     In addition, the bar support  30  includes a caster  34  displacing the wiring bar support device  20 . 
     The interference inhibiting mechanism  36  includes the sheet  37  as the interference inhibiting device, and a roll-up mechanism  38 . In this example, two interference inhibiting mechanisms  36  are provided to the bar support  30  in a width direction thereof. However, a single interference inhibiting mechanism  36 , or three or more, may be provided instead. 
     The sheet  37  is configured by a cloth or resin sheet, for example, is capable of being drawn out and retracted, and is configured to be capable of spreading in a planar shape in a drawn-out state. The rod  37 R is affixed to the leading edge portion of the sheet  37 . 
     The roll-up mechanism  38  includes a rolling core  38   a  and a biaser  38   b , and is configured to allow the sheet  37  to be rolled up and drawn out. The rolling core  38   a  has a tubular shape, is coupled to a base end portion of the sheet  37 , and is configured to be capable of rolling up the sheet  37 . A first end of the biaser  38   b  is coupled to the rolling core  38   a  while being prevented to relatively rotate, and a second end of the biaser  38   b  is configured by a coil spring or the like coupled to a portion of the roll-up mechanism  38  that is incapable of rotation (a portion fixated to the frame  32 ) or the like. In addition, when the sheet  37  is drawn out from a state where the rolling core  38   a  has rolled up the sheet  37 , the biaser  38   b  is twisted and a biasing force rolling up the sheet  37  is generated. Accordingly, the biaser  38   b  biases the sheet  37  in a roll-up direction. 
     The roll-up mechanism  38  is supported at a middle position in a height direction of the support frame  32 , in a posture that is horizontal with respect to the biaser  38   b . When drawn out from the roll-up mechanism  38 , the sheet  37  can be drawn out to an exterior and can retract through an area adjacent to the wiring bar  22 . In this example, the sheet  37  can be drawn upward through a space between the upper back frame  32   b  and the upper middle frame  32   c , and can be unfurled into a planar shape in the drawn-out state. In addition, when the sheet  37  is rolled up by the roll-up mechanism  38  and the rod  37 R reaches a position abutting the upper back frame  32   b  and the upper middle frame  32   c , any further roll-up of the sheet  37  is inhibited. 
     In addition to the sheet  37 , which is pliable enough to be rolled up, a sheet-like member folded in a bellows shape, a plate-like member which is displaced by sliding so as to be drawn out and retracted while maintaining a flat surface, and the like can be used as the interference inhibiting device. 
     A catch  39  is provided to a leading edge portion of the sheet  37  in a draw-out direction. In this example, the catch  39  is configured such that two ends of a rod-like member bent in a half-circle shape are fixated to a middle portion of the rod  37 R in the extension direction. A rod-like member provided projecting from a wiring board  42  (described below) can be inserted through the catch  39  and be caught. Accordingly, a state in which the sheet  37  is drawn out can be maintained. The catch  39  may be any configuration capable of catching on a rod-like portion, projecting portion, or the like. Additional examples may include a hook-shaped portion, a pliant string-like member provided in an annular shape, or the like. A configuration is also possible in which the drawn-out state of the sheet  37  is maintained by a clip pinching the leading edge of the sheet  37 , as is a configuration in which the drawn-out state of the sheet  37  is maintained using the magnetism of a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or the like. 
     Wire Harness Assembly Device and Method of Manufacturing Wire Harness 
     A wire harness assembly device and a method of manufacturing a wire harness using the wire harness assembly device are now described. 
     First, the wire harness assembly device is described.  FIG. 5  is a schematic front view illustrating a wire harness assembly device  60 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic side view illustrating the wire harness assembly device  60 . The wire harness assembly device  60  includes the wiring bar support device  20  and a wire harness assembly layout board device  40 . The wiring bar support device  20  is as described above. 
     The wire harness assembly layout board device  40  includes the wiring board  42 , a wire harness assembly jig  44 , and a layout board support  50 . 
     The wiring board  42  is formed in a plate shape. A route or the like of a wire harness WH to be assembled is preferably indicated on the wiring board  42 . 
     The wire harness assembly jig  44  supports a portion of the wire harness WH to be assembled, and is configured to be capable of holding a temporary coupling WHa or wire W (wire with terminal) configuring the wire harness WH during manufacture of the wire harness WH. In a representative configuration of the wire harness assembly jig  44 , a U-shaped portion  44   a  is formed on a top portion of a rod-like portion, the temporary coupling WHa or wire W is arranged within the U-shaped portion  44   a , and the temporary coupling WHa or wire W is supported at a fixed position on the wiring board  42 . The wire harness assembly jig  44  may also have a configuration in which an even greater number of additional rod-like members are provided standing upright, or the like. Moreover, the temporary coupling WHa is configured by a plurality of wires constituting a portion of those configuring the wire harness WH. The temporary coupling WHa is achieved, in one arrangement, by connecting at least one end portion of the plurality of wires to a connector. A plurality of such temporary couplings WHa and wires W are arranged on the wire harness assembly layout board device  40  and end portions of the wires are connected to the connectors, thereby being assembled in one arrangement of the wire harness WH. 
     A strike  46  is provided standing upright on the wiring board  42 . The strike  46  is configured to be capable of catching the catch  39 . In this example, the strike  46  is configured so as to provide a spherical portion  46   b  on a forefront end of a rod-like portion  46   a  which stands upright on the wiring board  42 . Then, in a state where the catch  39  passes within the strike  46 , the spherical portion  46   b  retains the catch  39 . In addition, the strike may also be configured by a simple rod shape, a hook shape, or the like. Alternatively, the wire harness assembly jig may be used as the strike. 
     The layout board support  50  is configured to be capable of supporting the wiring board  42 . More specifically, the layout board support  50  includes a support frame  52 , which is an assembly of rod-like members made of metal or resin. 
     The wiring board  42  is supported on a top portion of the support frame  52 . In this example, the support frame  52  supports the wiring board  42  in an oblique posture where the wire harness assembly jig  44  is oriented obliquely upward. A position of a lower edge of the wiring board  42  is preferably a position substantially the same as that of the wiring bar  22 , which is supported by the wiring bar support device  20 . 
     The wiring bar support device  20  is arranged forward of the wire harness assembly layout board device  40  and in a posture where the wiring bar  22  lies along and forward of the lower edge of the wiring board  42 . In such an arrangement, the wire harness assembly device  60  is used during a task of transferring the temporary coupling WHa or the wire W supported on the wiring bar  22  to the wiring board  42 . 
     An example of a task of assembling the wire harness WH using the wire harness assembly device  60  is now described. 
     First, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the wiring bar  22  holding at least one of the temporary coupling WHa and the wire W is readied at the wiring board  42 , and is placed on the wiring bar support device  20  for support. In a state where the wiring bar  22  is deployed forward of the lower edge of the wiring board  42 , the rod  37 R is pulled, the sheet  37  is drawn out so as to cover a region from below the wiring board  42  to a midway portion above the wiring board  42 , and the catch  39  is engaged with the strike  46 . This creates a state where a portion of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs  44  provided standing upright on the wiring board  42 , and in particular a portion of the wire harness assembly jigs  44  on a lower side of the wiring board  42 , is covered by the sheet  37 . In this example, the wire harness assembly jigs  44  in a middle portion on the lower side of the wiring board  42  are covered by the sheet  37  and, accordingly, the wire harness assembly jigs  44  are exposed on two sides and above the sheet  37 . A middle portion of the sheet  37  is in a suspended state, such that the middle portion of the sheet  37  hangs over the wire harness assembly jigs  44  located between the lower edge of the wiring board  42  and the strike  46 . In this state, a worker P separates the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W, which is held by the wiring bar  22 , from the wiring bar  22  and, passing above the sheet  37 , transfers the end portion to a wire harness assembly jig  44  not covered by the sheet  37  (step (a)). In this example, the wire harness assembly jigs  44  are exposed above and to both sides of the sheet  37 , and the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W is held by these. When the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W is displaced toward and held by the wire harness assembly jigs  44 , the wire W which is continuous with the end portion is pulled. At this point, the portion of the wire harness assembly jigs  44  located in the middle portion or the like on the lower side of the wiring board  42  is covered by the sheet  37 . Therefore, the wire W is unlikely to be caught on these wire harness assembly jigs  44 . 
     After the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W has been transferred to the wire harness assembly jig  44  not covered by the sheet  37 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the catch  39  is separated from the strike  46  and the sheet  37  is rolled up by the biasing force of the roll-up mechanism  38 . This creates a state where the sheet  37  retreats from the wiring board  42 , and a state where all of the wire harness assembly jigs  44  on the wiring board  42  are exposed. In this state, the remaining end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or end portion of the wire W held by the wiring bar  22  is transferred to a wire harness assembly jig  44  provided standing upright on the wiring board  42  and that was covered by the sheet  37  in step (a) above (step (b)). At this point, the wire harness assembly jigs  44  to which the end portion is transferred are deployed comparatively near the wiring bar  22 , and therefore when the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W are transferred to these, the wire W is unlikely to catch on the other wire harness assembly jigs  44 . 
     After this, the temporary coupling WHa or the wire W wired on the wiring board  42  is bundled, or a component such as a corrugated tube or a vehicle fixation clamp member is mounted thereto, if necessary, to produce the wire harness WH. 
     According to the wiring bar support device  20 , the wire harness assembly device  60 , and the method of manufacturing the wire harness WH configured in this way, in a state where the wiring bar support device  20  is deployed close to the wire harness assembly layout board device  40 , the sheet  37  can be drawn out and can cover a portion of the plurality of wire harness assembly jigs  44  provided standing upright on the wiring board  42 . In this state, the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W held by the wiring bar  22  can be transferred to the wire harness assembly jigs  44  not covered by the sheet  37  while being inhibited from catching on the wire harness assembly jigs  44  covered by the sheet  37 . Also, when the sheet  37  is rolled up, the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W can be transferred from the wiring bar  22  to the wire harness assembly jigs  44  which are comparatively nearby, and therefore the wire W is unlikely to catch on the other wire harness assembly jigs  44  at this point, either. Therefore, the wire W can be inhibited from catching on the wire harness assembly jigs  44  when the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W is transferred from the wiring bar  22  to the wire harness assembly jigs  44  on the wiring board  42 . Also, because the wire W is unlikely to be caught on the wire harness assembly jigs  44 , damage to the wire W can also be inhibited. 
     In addition, the present embodiment is configured to cover the wire harness assembly jigs  44  with the sheet  37 . Therefore, in a retracted state, the sheet  37  can be rolled up for storage and the configuration of the device can be made more compact. Also, when the sheet  37  is drawn out and the leading edge portion is supported, this can create a state where the middle portion of the sheet  37  is taut, and therefore a configuration supporting the sheet  37  in the drawn-out state can also be simplified. 
     Also, the present embodiment is configured to be capable of drawing the sheet  37  out from and rolling the sheet  37  up on the roll-up mechanism  38 , and of exerting a bias in the roll-up direction with the biaser  38   b . Therefore, the sheet  37  can be readily rolled up and stored. In addition, the drawn-out portion can maintain the drawn-out state, and therefore the sheet  37  is readily unfurled into a taut state. 
     Also, the catch  39  is provided to the leading edge portion of the sheet  37  in the draw-out direction, and therefore when the catch  39  is caught on the strike  46 , the sheet  37  can be readily held in the drawn-out state with a simple configuration. Moreover, when the strike  46  is configured to be capable of advancing and retreating, or of falling back and rising, from the wiring board  42 , the strike  46  is unlikely to become a hindrance during other tasks. 
     In the present embodiment, a single strike  46  is provided for each sheet  37 . However, as in a wire harness assembly layout board device  140  according to a first modification and shown in  FIG. 9 , a plurality of strikes  46  may also be provided standing upright at different positions on the wiring board  42  in the draw-out direction of the sheet  37  (different positions in a vertical direction). 
     Accordingly, states can be created in which the sheet  37  is drawn out over the wiring board  42  by different draw-out amounts. Accordingly, when the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W is being transferred to the wire harness assembly jigs  44  located further away from the wiring bar  22 , for example, the sheet  37  can be pulled to an upper position. Therefore, a state can be created in which an even greater number of wire harness assembly jigs  44  are covered, and the wire W can be more reliably inhibited from catching. Also, when the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W is being transferred to the wire harness assembly jigs  44  located a moderate distance from the wiring bar  22 , the sheet  37  can be pulled to a lower position. A state can be created in which those wire harness assembly jigs  44  are covered, and the wire W can be more reliably inhibited from catching. Also, when the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W is being transferred to the wire harness assembly jigs  44  close to the wiring bar  22 , the sheet  37  can be placed in a stored state, and the transfer work can be performed as described above. 
     The strike  46  may of course also be provided to a greater number of locations (three or more) in the draw-out direction of the sheet  37 . 
     Also, when a non-light-transmissive member is used as the sheet  37 , for example, the wire harness assembly jigs  44  not subject to transfer can be hidden in step (a) above. At this point, the worker P cannot see the wire harness assembly jigs  44  not subject to transfer, and therefore the worker P can readily transfer the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa and the end portion of the wire W to a somewhat narrowed number of wire harness assembly jigs  44  that are subject to transfer. 
     Also, as shown in a second modification shown in  FIG. 10 , a light-transmissive member may also be used as a sheet  137 , which corresponds to the sheet  37 . By doing so, the wire harness assembly jigs  44  covered by the sheet  137  can be viewed through the sheet  137 . Accordingly, any defects or the like in the wire harness assembly jigs  44  can be identified. For example, a mark  137 M indicating a correct design position of the wire harness assembly jigs  44  may be applied to the sheet  137 . By doing so, in a state where the wiring board  42  is partially or entirely covered by the sheet  137 , the position of the mark  137 M and the positions of the wire harness assembly jigs  44  observed through the sheet  137  can be compared, enabling confirmation of whether the wire harness assembly jigs  44  are in the correct positions with no offset. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a wire harness assembly device  360  according to a third modification, in which the wiring bar support device  20  is applied to a wire harness assembly layout board device  340  which is cyclically rotated. 
     In the wire harness assembly device  360 , a pair of rotating bodies  362  (pulleys, gears) are provided with a space therebetween. At least one of the pair of rotating bodies  362  is rotationally driven by a rotation driver  364  such as a motor. An annular belt  366  (or annular chain) is wrapped around the pair of rotating bodies  362 , and the annular belt  366  is driven by the rotation driver  364  to cyclically rotate along a track-shaped path. 
     The wire harness assembly layout board device  340  is configured to include a caster  53  on a bottom side of the layout board support  50  of the wire harness assembly layout board device  340 . A plurality of wire harness assembly layout board devices  340  are deployed on an exterior side of the annular belt  366  oriented such that the wiring board  42  faces outward, and a back surface portion of each of the wire harness assembly layout board devices  340  is coupled at intervals to the annular belt  366  via a coupling member  350 . In addition, in association with the cyclical rotation of the annular belt  366 , the plurality of wire harness assembly layout board devices  340  are driven to displace along a track-shaped wire harness assembly line L on the exterior side of the annular belt  366 . The worker P performs the work of sequentially assembling the wire harnesses WH on each wire harness assembly layout board device  340  that is conveyed to a position on the exterior side of a displacement route of the wire harness assembly layout board devices  340 . 
     The wiring bar support device  20  is provided at a midway point on the displacement route of the wire harness assembly layout board devices  340 . The wiring bar support device  20  is configured to receive a force displacing the wire harness assembly layout board devices  340  and to be capable of displacing together with the wire harness assembly layout board devices  340 . 
     In this example, a pair of rails  320  are provided along a midway point on a first straightaway-like displacement route of the wire harness assembly layout board devices  340 . The wiring bar support device  20  is configured to be capable of displacement on an interior side of the pair of rails  320  and along an extension direction of the pair of rails  320 . Moreover, the pair of rails  320  are provided to a portion running from a first end to a middle portion of the first straightaway-like displacement route. A detector  322  such as an optical sensor is provided to a portion on a terminal end side of the pair of rails  320 , and the detector  322  is configured to be capable of detecting the wiring bar support device  20  when the wiring bar support device  20  reaches the terminal end of the pair of rails  320 . In addition, the detector  322  is connected to a display  324  such as a lamp or liquid crystal display device, and when the wiring bar support device  20  is detected by the detector  322 , this is displayed on the display  324 . 
     A pushing portion  352  is provided to a portion closer to one side of the layout board support  50  of the wire harness assembly layout board device  340 . The pushing portion  352  is provided to a forward side of the layout board support  50  so as to be capable of standing upright and falling back. In an upright state, the pushing portion  352  projects forward of the layout board support  50 . In this projecting state, the pushing portion  352  is configured to be capable of making contact with one side portion of the wiring bar support device  20 , which displaces inside the pair of rails  320 . Also, when the pushing portion  352  is in a fall-back state, the pushing portion  352  releases the contact with the wiring bar support device  20 . The pushing portion may also be provided so as to be capable of projecting and retracting. 
     In addition, when the wire harness assembly layout board device  340  is driven by the rotation driver  364  and reaches a starting end side of the first straightaway route, the pushing portion  352 , which is in the upright state, pushes and displaces the wiring bar support device  20  positioned at the starting end side of the pair of rails  320 . The wiring bar support device  20  is pushed by the displacement of the wire harness assembly layout board device  340  and displaces together with the wire harness assembly layout board device  340 . At this point, while adjusting the draw-out amount of the sheet  37 , the worker P displaces together with the wire harness assembly layout board device  340  and the wiring bar support device  20 , and begins transferring the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa or the end portion of the wire W supported on the wiring bar  22  to the wire harness assembly jigs  44  on the wiring board  42 . When the transfer work ends, the pushing portion  352  is placed in the fall-back posture. Accordingly, the wiring bar support device  20  stops at that position and the wire harness assembly layout board device  340  continues displacing toward a subsequent downstream step. When exchange work is delayed and the wiring bar support device  20  reaches the terminal end of the pair of rails  320 , this is displayed on the display  324 . In such a case, another worker may assist, the device may be stopped, or the like. 
     When the exchange work ends, the worker P returns the wiring bar support device  20  to the starting end along the pair of rails  320 , loads a new wiring bar  22  on which the temporary coupling WHa or wire W is arranged and, as described above, exchanges the end portion of the temporary coupling WHa and the end portion of the wire W onto the next wire harness assembly layout board device  340 . 
     Accordingly, the displacing wire harness assembly layout board devices  340  can make use of the wiring bar support device  20  even in a work step of manufacturing a wire harness with an assembly line system, for example. 
     Modifications 
     The configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate so long as they do not contradict each other. 
     In the above, the present invention is described in detail. However, the above description is, in all aspects, for exemplary purposes and the present invention is not limited by the description. Numerous modifications not given as examples are understood to be conceivable without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular structures, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 
     The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments, and various variations and modifications may be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.