Patent Publication Number: US-2022230786-A1

Title: Manufacturing method and manufacturing device for wire harness

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method and a manufacturing device for a wire harness. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A manufacturing process for a wire harness can be largely divided into a circuit formation process and an assembly process, for example. The circuit formation process is a process for forming a circuit by respectively connecting end portions of a plurality of wires of predetermined lengths to predetermined connectors, for example. The assembly process is a process for assembling a wiring body that has been provided with a circuit into a shape that can be mounted in a vehicle or the like. In the assembly process, a plurality of wires are bundled together, branches are formed at the wiring body, and exterior members are attached, for example. 
     Patent Document 1 discloses a technique with which automation of an assembly process within a manufacturing process for a wire harness is achieved. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2018-10796A 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In Patent Document 1, the assembly process is automated using a vertical articulated robot and the like. It is desired that automation of the assembly process is realized with a simpler device. 
     In view of this, an object is to provide a technique with which at least part of a process for assembling a wire harness can be automated with a simple device. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a wire harness by bundling a wiring body for the wire harness, the wiring body being in a state before a branch is formed, the method including: (a) a process of arranging a plurality of terminal portions of the wiring body side by side in a terminal holding jig; (b) a process of transferring, out of the plurality of terminal portions, one terminal portion branching from one branch point, from the terminal holding jig to a terminal holding portion of a length adjusting mechanism; (c) a process of moving the terminal holding portion in a predetermined draw-out direction with a holding portion moving portion of the length adjusting mechanism, and measuring a length from the one terminal portion to a position of the one branch point; and (d) a process of bundling the wires that extend from all the terminal portions branching from the one branch point at the one branch point, in a state in which the processes (b) and (c) have been performed for all the terminal portions branching from the one branch point. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present disclosure, at least part of a process for assembling a wire harness can be automated with a simple device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view showing a wire harness. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a manufacturing device for a wire harness according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a transfer task. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a length measurement task. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a partial bundling task. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a partial bundling task. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a temporary holding task. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a length measurement task. 
         FIG. 9  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a wire collection task. 
         FIG. 10  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a partial bundling task. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing an example of a wire bundling task performed by a control unit. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing an example of bundle processing for branched portions. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Description of Embodiments of Disclosure 
     First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. 
     A method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the present disclosure is as follows. 
     (1) A method for manufacturing a wire harness by bundling a wiring body for the wire harness, the wiring body being in a state before a branch is formed, the method including: (a) a process of arranging a plurality of terminal portions of the wiring body side by side in a terminal holding jig; (b) a process of transferring, out of the plurality of terminal portions, one terminal portion branching from one branch point, from the terminal holding jig to a terminal holding portion of a length adjusting mechanism; (c) a process of moving the terminal holding portion in a predetermined draw-out direction with a holding portion moving portion of the length adjusting mechanism, and measuring a length from the one terminal portion to a position of the one branch point; and (d) a process of bundling the wires that extend from all the terminal portions branching from the one branch point at the one branch point, in a state in which the processes (b) and (c) have been performed for all the terminal portions branching from the one branch point. In this manner, measurement of the length from the terminal portion to the branch point can be automated. In this case, the device used for measuring the length can be a simple device that moves in the draw-out direction. 
     (2) In the process (c), the terminal holding portion may also grip the wires in the terminal portion. In this manner, when the terminal holding portion is moved in the draw-out direction to move the terminal portion, a force which causes the end portions of the wires to come off from the connector is unlikely to act on the end portion of the wires. 
     (3) Further, a manufacturing device for a wire harness according to the present disclosure is a device for manufacturing a wire harness by bundling a wiring body for the wire harness, the wiring body being in a state before a branch is formed, the device including: a length adjusting mechanism that includes a terminal holding portion for holding one terminal portion of the wiring body and a holding portion moving portion that can reciprocate the terminal holding portion in a predetermined draw-out direction, and the length adjusting mechanism is configured to measure a length from a terminal portion to a position of a branch point by moving the terminal holding portion with the holding portion moving portion in the draw-out direction in a state in which the terminal portion is held by the terminal holding portion. In this manner, the length from the terminal portion to the branch point can be measured by the length-adjusting mechanism. The branch point can be easily specified and readily bundled. Since the holding portion moving portion moves the terminal holding portion in a predetermined draw-out direction, the configuration of the length adjusting mechanism can be simple. 
     (4) A configuration is also possible in which a transfer mechanism for removing one of a plurality of terminal portions of the wiring body from a terminal holding jig in which the terminal portions are arranged side by side and transferring that terminal portion to the terminal holding portion is provided. In this manner, the task of transferring the terminal portion from the terminal holding jig to the terminal holding portion can be automated. 
     (5) A configuration is also possible in which a tape winding mechanism that can bundle wires that extend from the terminal portion that is moved by the length adjusting mechanism is provided. In this manner, the task for winding tape around the wire can be automated. 
     (6) A configuration is also possible in which a branched line collecting portion configured to collect the wires whose lengths have been adjusted to all the terminal portions that are branched from one branch point is further provided. In this manner, the task for bundling the branch can be automated. 
     (7) A configuration is also possible in which the terminal holding portion includes a chuck for gripping the wires that extend from a connector at the terminal portion. In this manner, when the terminal holding portion is moved by the holding portion moving portion, a force which causes the wires to come off from the connector is unlikely to act. 
     Description of Embodiments of Disclosure 
     A specific example of a manufacturing method and a manufacturing device for a wire harness according to the present disclosure will be illustrated below with reference to the drawing as follows. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but defined by the claims, and intended to include all modifications within the meaning and the scope equivalent thereof. 
     Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a manufacturing method and a manufacturing device for a wire harness according to an embodiment will be illustrated. 
     Wire Harness 
     First, a wire harness to be manufactured will be described.  FIG. 1  is a plan view showing a wire harness  10 . 
     The wire harness  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is formed in a shape in which a plurality of wires  12  are branched at branch points P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 . The plurality of wires  12  keep their branched shape by bundling portions of the plurality of wires  12  that correspond to the branch points P 1 , P 2 , and P 3  with a binding member such as adhesive tape, for example. 
     Connectors  14  are provided at end portions of the plurality of wires  12 . The connectors  14  are formed by, for example, housing the end portions of the wires  12  in cavities (not shown) respectively formed at connector housings. Usually, terminals (not shown) are provided at end portions of the wires  12 . In the connectors  14 , terminals are provided that can be connected to terminals of their counterpart connectors. 
     In the present disclosure, the wire harness  10  in a state before the branched portions are bundled is referred to as a “wiring body  11 ”. The wiring body  11  is in a state after a circuit formation process and before an assembly process. In the wiring body  11 , although the end portions of the plurality of wires  12  are connected to the connectors  14 , the branched portions of the plurality of wires  12  are not yet bundled. The wiring body  11  is subjected to the assembly process, and thereby the wire harness  10  is formed. 
     Further, in the present disclosure, the connectors  14  and portions of the wires  12  extending from the connectors  14  that are near the connectors  14  are referred to as “terminal portions  16 ”. 
     Manufacturing Device for Wire Harness 
     Next, the manufacturing device for a wire harness according to the present embodiment will be described.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a manufacturing device  20  of the wire harness according to the embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as “manufacturing device  20 ”). 
     The manufacturing device  20  is a device for manufacturing a wire harness  10  by bundling a wiring body  11 , which is the wire harness  10  in a state where branches have not yet been formed. The manufacturing device  20  is provided with a terminal holding jig  22 , a length adjusting mechanism  30 , a transfer mechanism  40 , and a tape winding mechanism  50 . The manufacturing device  20  is further provided with a wire collection mechanism  60  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     The terminal holding jig  22  includes a plurality of holding portions  24 . The plurality of holding portions  24  are arranged side by side. The holding portions  24  can hold the respective terminal portions  16 . With this configuration, the plurality of terminal portions  16  are held in the state where they are arranged side by side by the terminal holding jig  22 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the holding portions  24  are configured to hold the wires  12  extending from the connectors  14 . 
     Specifically, the terminal holding jig  22  includes elastic plates  25  and supporting plates  26 . The elastic plates  25  and the supporting plates  26  are elongated in one direction. The elastic plates  25  are made of an elastic material such as rubber. The supporting plates  26  have a higher rigidity than the elastic plates  25 . The supporting plates  26  sandwich to support the elastic plates  25 . A plurality of slits  25   h  are formed in the elastic plates  25 . The slits  25   h  extend from one edge portion to the other edge portion of the elastic plates  25 . The plurality of slits  25   h  are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the elastic plates  25 . A plurality of recesses  26   h  are formed in the supporting plates  26 . The recesses  26   h  reaches from one edge portion to the other edge portion of the supporting plates  26 . The recesses  26   h  are formed at positions corresponding to the slits  25   h . The recesses  26   h  are formed such that regions of the elastic plates  25  where the slits  25   h  are formed are exposed. The terminal portions  16  are held by the holding portions  24  by inserting the wires  12  extending from the connectors  14  into the slits  25   h . In other words, the portions of the terminal holding jig  22  where the slits  25   h  are formed are the holding portions  24 . 
     Of course, the configuration of the holding portions  24  is not limited to that described above. For example, the holding portions may also be configured to hold connector housings. The holding portions may also be formed in a box-like shape that can house the connector housings. 
     The terminal holding jig  22  can be moved by a holding tool moving portion (not shown). The direction in which the terminal holding jig  22  is moved is the direction along which the plurality of terminal portions  16  are arranged. Due to the terminal holding jig  22  being moved with the holding tool moving portion, a predetermined holding portion  24  of the plurality of holding portions  24  can be positioned at a position corresponding to the length adjusting mechanism  30 . 
     Hereinafter, in some cases, the direction in which the wires  12  extending from the connectors  14  are inserted into the slits  25   h  is referred to as “x direction”, the direction in which the terminal holding jig  22  moves is referred to as “y direction”, and the direction orthogonal to the x and y directions is referred to as “z direction”. Here, the z direction is the vertical direction. However, it is also possible that the z direction is the horizontal direction, and the x and y directions are the vertical directions. 
     The length adjusting mechanism  30  is a portion for measuring the length from one terminal portion  16  to a branch point. The length adjusting mechanism  30  includes a terminal holding portion  32  and a holding portion moving portion  34 . Here, the length adjusting mechanism  30  further includes a middle holding portion  36 . 
     The terminal holding portion  32  holds the terminal portions  16 . Here, the terminal holding portion  32  includes a chuck  33 . The chuck  33  holds the wires  12  extending from the connector  14 . The chuck  33  includes a plurality of gripping claws  33   a  and an open/close drive portion  33   b . The plurality of gripping claws  33   a  are configured to hold the wires  12  extending from the connector  14 . The open/close drive portion  33   b  drives the open/close movement of the plurality of gripping claws  33   a . There is no particular limitation to the drive source of the open/close drive portion  33   b , which may be electricity, air pressure, or the like. 
     The terminal holding portion  32  may also include a connector supporting portion (not shown). The connector supporting portion may also be configured to support the connector  14  in a state where the chuck  33  grips the wires  12  extending from the connector  14 . In this manner, a case in which the connector  14  hangs down from the chuck  33  can be suppressed. The connector supporting portion may also be attached to the chuck  33 , for example. 
     Of course, the configuration of the terminal holding portion  32  is not limited to that described above. The terminal holding portion  32  may also be a connector holding portion for holding a connector, for example. 
     The holding portion moving portion  34  reciprocates the terminal holding portion  32  along a predetermined draw-out direction. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the draw-out direction is the z direction. The holding portion moving portion  34  is, for example, an actuator that operates linearly, such as a linear moving cylinder, a ball screw, or a linear actuator. The holding portion moving portion  34  can place the terminal holding portion  32  at any point between a start point and an end point along the draw-out direction. In this manner, the terminal holding portion  32  can be positioned at any point in an operation region of the holding portion moving portion  34 , and the length from the terminal portion  16  to the branch point can be measured. 
     When the terminal holding portion  32  is moved by the holding portion moving portion  34 , the middle holding portion  36  holds a middle portion of the wires  12  with respect to the terminal portion  16 . When the terminal holding portion  32  is moved by the holding portion moving portion  34  in a state where the middle holding portion  36  holds the wires  12 , the middle holding portion  36  holds the wires  12  slidably with respect to the middle holding portion  36 . In this manner, the wires  12  are drawn out from the middle holding portion  36  while being aligned by the middle holding portion  36 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the middle holding portion  36  includes the chuck  37 . The chuck  37  includes a plurality of gripping claws  37   a  and an open/close drive portion  37   b . The plurality of gripping claws  37   a  is configured to grip the wires  12 . The open/close drive portion  37   b  drives the open/close movement of the plurality of gripping claws  37   a . There is no particular limitation to the drive source of the open/close drive portion  37   b , which may be electricity, air pressure, or the like. Because the gripping force of the chuck  37  is weaker than that of the chuck  33 , the wires  12  can slide therebetween. In other words, the chuck  33  can grip the wires  12  with a force that is stronger than that of the chuck  37  such that the wires  12  do not slide therebetween. Of course, the middle holding portion  36  does not need to include the chuck  37 . For example, the middle holding portion  36  may also be formed by providing the elastic plate  25  with the slit  25   h , like the holding portion  24 . 
     The holding portion moving portion  34  can prevent movement of the middle holding portion  36 . That is, the middle holding portion  36  and the holding portion moving portion  34  are provided separately. For this reason, the terminal holding portion  32  approaches/moves away from the middle holding portion  36 . 
     The transfer mechanism  40  removes one of the terminal portions  16  from the terminal holding jig  22  and transfers that terminal portion  16  to the terminal holding portion  32 . Here, the transfer mechanism  40  is provided such that the terminal holding portion  32  can directly hold the terminal portion  16  held by the terminal holding jig  22 . Specifically, when the aforementioned holding portion moving portion  34  is considered as a first holding portion moving portion  34 , the first holding portion moving portion  34  is used as the transfer mechanism  40 . Further, the transfer mechanism  40  is provided with a second holding portion moving portion  42  separately from the first holding portion moving portion  34 . 
     The first holding portion moving portion  34  is configured to move the terminal holding portion  32  to a position facing one of the holding portions  24  of the terminal holding jig  22 . The second holding portion moving portion  42  moves the terminal holding portion  32  in the direction that intersects a direction in which the first holding portion moving portion  34  moves. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the second holding portion moving portion  42  moves the terminal holding portion  32  in the x direction. The second holding portion moving portion  42  can be moved by the first holding portion moving portion  34  along with the terminal holding portion  32 . 
     The first holding portion moving portion  34  moves the second holding portion moving portion  42  and the terminal holding portion  32  to a position facing one of the holding portions  24  of the terminal holding jig  22 . In this state, the second holding portion moving portion  42  moves the terminal holding portion  32  to approach a location at which the terminal holding portion  32  can directly hold the terminal portion  16  held by that holding portion  24 . Then, the terminal holding portion  32  directly holds the terminal portion  16  held by that holding portion  24 . In this state, the second holding portion moving portion  42  moves the terminal holding portion  32  away from the terminal holding jig  22 . In this manner, the terminal portion  16  has been transferred from the terminal holding jig  22  to the terminal holding portion  32 . 
     Note that the transfer mechanism  40  need not necessarily be provided such that the terminal holding portion  32  can directly hold the terminal portion  16  held by the terminal holding jig  22 . The transfer mechanism  40  may also be provided such that, for example, a mechanism separate from the terminal holding portion  32  removes the terminal portion  16  from the terminal holding jig  22  and conveys the terminal portion  16  to the terminal holding portion  32 . In this case, the transfer mechanism  40  may also include a transferred terminal holding portion that is provided separately from the terminal holding portion  32  and a transfer holding portion moving portion for moving the transferred terminal holding portion. The transferred terminal holding portion may be, for example, a chuck or the like. The transfer holding portion moving portion reciprocates the transferred terminal holding portion between a position corresponding to the terminal holding jig  22  and a position corresponding to the terminal holding portion  32 . 
     The tape winding mechanism  50  is configured to bundle the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16  that is moved by the length adjusting mechanism  30 . There is no particular limitation to the tape winding mechanism  50 , as long as it can bundle the wires  12 . Here, the tape winding mechanism  50  can approach and bundle the wires  12  from a state where it is located on the side of the wires  12 . Also, the tape winding mechanism  50  can retract to the side of the wires  12  after bundling the wires  12 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the tape winding mechanism  50  includes a rotating body  52 , a base  54 , and a base moving portion  56 . 
     The rotating body  52  is formed in a shape in which a round plate is provided with a recessed groove  52   h . The recessed groove  52   h  is formed such that a portion along the circumferential direction of the round plate is recessed toward the center thereof. The wires  12  are inserted from an opening of the recessed groove  52   h  toward the bottom thereof. The wires  12  are located on the bottom side of the recessed groove  52   h  and are thereby located in the center of the rotating body  52 . In a state where the wires  12  to which one end portion of adhesive tape is attached are located in the center of the rotating body  52 , rotation of the rotating body  52  winds the other end portion of the adhesive tape around the wires  12 . 
     The base  54  rotatably supports the rotating body  52 . The base  54  includes a base plate  55  and a plurality of gears (not shown), for example. A recessed groove  55   h  that corresponds to the recessed groove  52   h  of the rotating body  52  is formed in the base plate  55 . The plurality of gears are provided at intervals therebetween along the circumferential direction of the rotating body  52 . The plurality of gears are rotatably supported by the base plate  55 . Due to the plurality of gears engaging with the gears formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body  52 , the rotating body  52  is rotatably supported by the base  54 . The gears are rotated by a driving unit (not shown). In this manner, the rotating body  52  rotates. 
     The base moving portion  56  moves the base  54  along a predetermined base movement direction. The base movement direction is a direction intersecting (here, orthogonal to) the above draw-out direction. In this manner, the rotating body  52  can approach the wires  12  from the side of the wires  12 , and retract to the side of the wires  12  after bundling the wires  12 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the direction in which the base  54  moves is the x direction, but this direction may also be the y direction. 
     The tape winding mechanism  50  is located between the start point and the end point of the movement of the terminal holding portion  32  along the draw-out direction, and does not move in the draw-out direction. In other words, the base moving portion  56  does not move the base  54  in the z direction. The base moving portion  56  is, for example, an actuator that operates linearly, such as a linear moving cylinder, a ball screw, or a linear actuator. Here, since the terminal holding portion  32  moves in the draw-out direction, any portion of the wires  12  extending out from the terminal portion  16  can be bundled by the tape winding mechanism  50 . Due to the terminal holding portion  32  moving in the draw-out direction through the holding portion moving portion  34 , a portion of the wires  12  that needs to be bundled is arranged in front of the tape winding mechanism  50 . 
     A wire collection mechanism  60  collects the wires  12  whose length have been adjusted at all the terminals  16  that are branched from one branch point. When length adjustment is finished on one terminal portion  16  that is branched from one branch point, in order to perform length adjustment of the next terminal portion  16 , the terminal portion  16  on which the length adjustment has been finished is transferred from the length adjusting mechanism  30  to a temporary holding portion  62  (see  FIG. 7 ). When length adjustment has been finished for all the terminal portions  16  branched from the one branch point, the wire collection mechanism  60  collects the wires  12  that were subjected to length adjustment at all the terminal portions  16  branched from the one branch point. In this manner, the task of bundling the branches can be automated. 
     The operation of the units in the manufacturing device  20  is controlled by the control unit  70 . The control unit  70  controls the operation of the manufacturing device  20  based on task programs stored in advance. At this time, the control unit  70  controls the transfer mechanism  40  to perform a task of transferring the terminal portion  16  held by the terminal holding jig  22  to the terminal holding portion  32 . The control unit  70  controls the length adjusting mechanism  30  to measure the length from the terminal portion  16  to the branch point. Here, the distance from the terminal portion  16  to the branch point is stored in the control unit  70  in advance. The control unit  70  controls the holding portion moving portion  34  to move the terminal holding portion  32  that holds the terminal portion  16  by a predetermined distance stored in advance. The control unit  70  controls the tape winding mechanism  50  to bundle the branch point. 
     The control unit  70  is formed by a computer formed by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an external storage device, and the like that are connected to each other via a bus line. The ROM stores basic programs and the like, and the RAM is provided as a working region used when the CPU performs processing according to a predetermined procedure. The external storage device is formed by a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory, a hard disk device, or the like. An OS (operation system), task instruction data, a processing program, and the like are stored in the external storage device. The task instruction data includes information such as which terminal portion  16  to move and by what distance, what kind of processing to perform on which terminal portion  16 , and which terminal portion  16  to process first. The processing program includes a program for operating the holding portion moving portion  34 , a program for operating the transfer mechanism  40 , a program for operating the tape winding mechanism  50 , a program for operating the wire collection mechanism  60 , and the like. Due to the CPU serving as a main control unit performing computation processing according to a procedure described in the processing program, the operation of the manufacturing device  20  is controlled. A control signal is given from the control unit  70  to the manufacturing device  20 , and the operation of the manufacturing device  20  is controlled, for example. 
     Manufacturing Method for a Wire Harness 
     Next, a method for manufacturing a wire harness according to the embodiment will be described.  FIG. 3  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a transfer task.  FIG. 4  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a length measurement task.  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  are illustrative diagrams showing an example of a partial bundling task.  FIG. 7  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a temporary holding task.  FIG. 8  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a length measurement task.  FIG. 9  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a wire collection task. And  FIG. 10  is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a partial bundling task. 
     The manufacturing method for a wire harness is a method for manufacturing a wire harness  10  by bundling the wiring body  11 , which is the wire harness  10  in the state before any branches are formed. Here, a method for manufacturing a wire harness  10  using the above manufacturing device  20  will be described as an example. Hereinafter, a description will be given using an example in which the wiring body  11  is bundled at a branch point P 1 . 
     First, the plurality of terminal portions  16  of the wiring body  11  are prepared and arranged side by side in the terminal holding jig  22  (process (a)). The terminal holding jig  22  that holds the plurality of terminal portions  16  in a state in which they are arranged side by side is located at a predetermined position with respect to the manufacturing device  20 .  FIG. 2  shows an example of the state when the process (a) is finished. 
     The task of causing the holding portions  24  of the terminal holding jig  22  to hold the terminal portions  16  and arranging the plurality of terminal portions  16  side by side may be performed manually or automatically. There is no particular limitation to the position at which the task of holding the terminal portions  16  with the holding portions  24  of the terminal holding jig  22  is performed. The plurality of terminal portions  16  may also be held by the terminal holding jig  22  in a state where the terminal holding jig  22  is located at a predetermined position with respect to the manufacturing device  20 , for example. Alternatively, the plurality of terminal portions  16  may also be held by the terminal holding jig  22  in a state where the terminal holding jig  22  is located at another task station, that is, where the terminal holding jig  22  is located at a location spaced apart from a predetermined location with respect to the manufacturing device  20 , for example. In this case, the terminal holding jig  22  may be moved to the predetermined position with respect to the manufacturing device  20  manually or automatically. 
     Next, one of the plurality of terminal portions  16  that branches from one branch point P 1  is transferred from the terminal holding jig  22  to the terminal holding portion  32  (process (b)). Here, first, the transfer mechanism  40  transfers a terminal portion  16   a , out of the terminal portion  16   a  and the terminal portion  16   b  that branch from the one branch point P 1 , from the terminal holding jig  22  to the terminal holding portion  32 . Specifically, the control unit  70  operates the holding tool moving portion to move the terminal holding jig  22  such that the terminal portion  16   a  is located at a predetermined position for performing transfer in a state where the terminal holding jig  22  is located at a predetermined position with respect to the manufacturing device  20 . In this state, the control unit  70  operates the transfer mechanism  40  to move the terminal holding portion  32  to approach the terminal holding jig  22  such that the terminal holding portion  32  is located at a position at which the terminal holding portion  32  can hold the terminal position  16   a . The control unit  70  operates the terminal holding portion  32  to hold the terminal portion  16   a  in a state where the terminal holding portion  32  is located at a position at which the terminal holding portion  32  can hold the terminal portion  16 . The control unit  70  operates the transfer mechanism  40  to move the terminal holding portion  32  away from the terminal holding jig  22  such that the terminal holding portion  32  is located at an initial position for length measurement in the state where the terminal holding portion  32  holds the terminal portion  16   a . Accordingly, the terminal portion  16   a  has been removed from the terminal holding jig  22  and transferred to the terminal holding portion  32 .  FIG. 3  shows an example of the state where the process (b) is finished. 
     Note that, when the terminal holding portion  32  is located at the initial position for length measurement, the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16   a  are held by the middle holding portion  36 . Specifically, when the terminal holding portion  32  moves toward the initial position for length measurement, the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16   a  are drawn out to a position at which the wires  12  can be held by the middle holding portion. In this state, the control unit  70  drives the chuck  37 , and the chuck  37  holds the wires  12 . 
     Next, the control unit  70  moves the terminal holding portion  32  in a predetermined draw-out direction using the holding portion moving portion  34  and measures the length from the one terminal portion  16  to the one branch point P 1  (process (c)). Here, in the state in which the terminal holding portion  32  is located at the initial position for length measurement, the control unit  70  operates the holding portion moving portion  34  to move the terminal holding portion  32  in a predetermined draw-out direction. At this time, the control unit  70  obtains the distance by which the terminal holding portion  32  that holds the terminal portion  16   a  is moved, by referring to the task instruction data.  FIG. 4  shows an example of the state where the process (c) is finished. 
     Here, when measuring the length of the terminal portion  16   a , the wires  12  of the terminal portion  16   a  are bundled. Specifically, in the state after length measurement shown in  FIG. 4  is performed, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the control unit  70  operates the base moving portion  56  and moves the rotating body  52  towards the wires  12 . Then, in the state where the wires  12  are accommodated in the recessed groove  52   h , the control unit  70  drives the rotating body  52  to rotate and bundle the wires  12 . After bundling of the wires  12  is finished, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the control unit  70  operates the base moving portion  56  and retracts the rotating body  52  from the wires  12 . A partially bundled portion Ta is formed in the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16   a.    
     Also, here, after measuring the length of the terminal portion  16   a , as shown in  FIG. 7 , this terminal portion  16   a  is temporarily held at a location at which this terminal portion  16   a  does not interfere with the length measurement of the next terminal portion  16 . A portion on the terminal portion  16  side with respect to the middle holding portion  36  is bent and held by the temporary holding portion  62 . 
     When length measurement of the terminal portion  16   a  is finished, the process (b) and process (c) are also performed for the terminal portion  16   b , and thereby length measurement of the terminal portion  16   b  is performed. Specifically, the control unit  70  operates the holding tool moving potion to move the holding portion  24  that holds the terminal portion  16   b  to a predetermined position for transfer. In this state, the control unit  70  operates the transfer mechanism  40  to transfer the terminal portion  16   b  from the terminal holding jig  22  to the terminal holding portion  32 . Then, the control unit  70  operates the holding portion moving portion  34  and moves the terminal holding portion  32  in the draw-out direction. At this time, the control unit  70  obtains the distance by which the terminal portion  16   b  is moved, by referring to the task instruction data. In this manner, with respect to the terminal  16   b  as well, the length between the terminal portion  16   b  to the branch point P 1  is measured.  FIG. 8  shows the state where the length measurement on the terminal portion  16   b  is finished. Note that in the example shown in  FIG. 8 , the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16   b  are also bundled just like the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16   a . Since the operation for bundling the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16   b  performed by the tape winding mechanism  50  is similar to the operation for bundling the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16   a  performed by the tape winding mechanism  50 , the details thereof will not be described. A partially bundled portion Tb is formed on the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16   b.    
     Next, in the state where processes (b) and (c) have been performed on all the terminal portions  16   a  and  16   b  branched from the one branch point P 1 , the plurality of wires  12  extending from all the terminal portions  16   a  and  16   b  branched from this branch point P 1  are bundled at the branch point P 1  (process (d)). Here, first, the control unit  70  operates the wire collection mechanism  60  and collects the wires  12  extending from the terminal portions  16   a  and  16   b  such that the wires  12  can be bundled. For example, the wire collection mechanism  60  collects portions (here, bundled portions) of the terminal portions  16   a  and  16   b  that correspond to the branch point P 1 , or regions near the portions, to a position that corresponds to the tape winding mechanism  50 . Next, the control unit  70  operates the tape winding mechanism  50  and bundles the wires  12  extending from the terminal portions  16   a  and  16   b  into one bunch. Since the operation for bundling the wires  12  extending from the terminal portions  16   a  and  16   b  performed by the tape winding mechanism  50  is similar to the operation for bundling the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16   a  performed by the tape winding mechanism  50 , the details thereof will not be described. A branch bundled portion T is formed on the wires  12  extending from the terminal portions  16   a  and  16   b.    
     In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , the branch bundled portion T is provided at a position that corresponds to the partially bundled portions Ta and Tb. Of course, the branch bundled portion T may also be provided at a location spaced apart from the partially bundled portions Ta and Tb in the longitudinal direction of the wires  12 . 
     As described above, the branch point P 1  has been bundled and the branch has been formed. Due to the branch formation task being performed on the other branch points P 2  and P 3  as well, the branched shape is formed at the wiring body  11 , and thus the wire harness  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is formed. Note that, similar to the branch point P 1 , the branch formation task may also be performed on the other branch points P 2  and P 3  by the above manufacturing method and manufacturing device  20 . The branch formation task may also be performed on the branch points P 2  and P 3  by a method other than the above manufacturing method and manufacturing device  20 . 
     Example of Overall Task Processing 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing an example of bundle processing for the wires  12  performed by the control unit  70 .  FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing an example of bundle processing for the branch points. It is assumed that, when performing bundle processing for the wires  12 , as described above, the order for processing the branch points P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 , and the order for processing the terminal portions  16  of the branch points P 1 , P 2 , and P 3  are specified. Also, it is assumed that the above process (a) has been finished. 
     First, in step S 1 , m=1 is set (initial setting). 
     Next, in step S 2 , the mth processing for forming the branch point is performed. 
     Specifically, first, in step S 21 , n=1 is set (initial setting). 
     Next, in step S 22 , the transfer task is performed. The control unit  70  gives an instruction to the manufacturing device  20  to transfer the nth terminal portion  16  at the mth branch point from the terminal holding jig  22  to the terminal holding portion  32 . The transfer task of the terminal portion  16  is performed according to the above process (b). 
     In the next step S 23 , the length measurement task is performed. The control unit  70  gives an instruction to the manufacturing device  20  to measure the length of the nth terminal portion  16  at the mth branch point. The length measurement task of the terminal portion  16  is performed according to the above process (c). 
     In the next step S 24 , the control unit  70  determines whether n=N (total number of the terminal portions  16 ). If n=N is not satisfied, the length measurement task for all the terminal portions  16  at the mth branch point has not been finished, and thus, in step S 25 , n is incremented by 1 and the processing returns to step S 22 . If n=N is satisfied, the length measurement task of all the terminal portions  16  at the mth branch point has been finished, and thus the processing advances to step S 26 . 
     In step S 26 , the mth branch point is bundled. The task of bundling the branch point is performed according to the above process (d). By finishing step S 26 , step S 2  regarding the formation processing of the mth branch point is finished. 
     In the next step S 3 , the control unit  70  determines whether m=M (total number of the branch point). If m=M is not satisfied, the formation task for all the branch points has not been finished, in step S 4 , m is incremented by 1, and therefore the processing returns to step S 2 . If m=M is satisfied, the formation task for all the branch points has ended, and therefore the processing ends. 
     Note that “all the branch points” mentioned here means all the branch points of the wire harness  10  at which the branch formation task using the above manufacturing method and the manufacturing device  20  is performed, and is not limited to all the branch points P 1 , P 2 , and P 3  of the wire harness  10 . In other words, the branch formation task using the above manufacturing method and the manufacturing device  20  need not necessarily be performed on all the branch points P 1 , P 2 , and P 3  of the wire harness  10 , and the branch formation task using the above manufacturing method and the manufacturing device  20  may also be performed on only a subset of the branch points. 
     Effects, Etc. 
     According to the manufacturing method and manufacturing device  20  for a wire harness configured as above, the length from the terminal portion  16  to the branch point is measured by the length adjusting mechanism  30 . In this manner, measurement of the length from the terminal portions  16  to the location of the branch point can be automated. Also, the branch points can be easily specified and bundled. Since the holding portion moving portion  34  moves the terminal holding portion  32  in a predetermined draw-out direction, the configuration of the length adjusting mechanism  30  can be simple. Also, with respect to the terminal portion  16  whose length was measured by the length adjusting mechanism  30 , the need for conventional wiring task performed on the assembly board is eliminated. 
     Further, provision of the transfer mechanism  40  makes it possible to automate the task of transferring the terminal portions  16  from the terminal holding jig  22  to the terminal holding portion  32 . Further, provision of the tape winding mechanism  50  makes it possible to automate the task of winding a tape around the wires  12 . 
     Since the terminal holding portion  32  includes the chuck  33  for gripping the wires  12  extending from the connector  14  in the terminal portion  16 , when the terminal holding portion  32  is moved by the holding portion moving portion  34 , a force which causes the end portions of the wires  12  to come off from the connector  14  is not likely to act. 
     Variations 
     In the embodiment, out of the above processes (a) to (d), the processes other than the process (c), namely, the process (a), process (b), and process (d) are also described as being automated, but this is not necessarily required. All or part of the above process (a), process (b), and process (d) may also be performed manually instead of being automated. In this case, the corresponding mechanism in the manufacturing device  20  may also be omitted. If the process (b) is manually performed, for example, the transfer mechanism  40  may be omitted from the manufacturing device  20 . Also, if the process (d) is manually performed, for example, the tape winding mechanism  50  may be omitted from the manufacturing device  20 . 
     Although the embodiment described that, in the process (c), the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16  are partially bundled at the time of length measurement, this is not necessarily required. If the wires  12  whose length has been measured are temporarily held such that the bundled point thereof can be bundled, for example, the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16  need not necessarily be partially bundled at the time of length measurement. 
     In addition, in the process (c), when the terminal portion  16  is being moved in order to be subjected to length measurement, the tape winding mechanism  50  may also bundle the wires  12  extending from this terminal portion  16 . In this case, in the partially bundled portion, an adhesive tape is spirally wound around the wires  12  extending from the terminal portion  16 . Also, in the process (c), when the terminal portion  16  is being moved in order to be subjected to length measurement, or after movement of the terminal portion  16  is finished and before the terminal portion is removed from the terminal holding portion  32 , another component such as a tube or a clamp that forms the wire harness  10  may also be attached. The task of attaching the component may be performed manually or automatically. If the task of attaching the component is automated, the manufacturing device  20  may also be further provided with a component attaching mechanism for attaching a component such as the tube or the clamp. 
     Note that, the configurations described in the above embodiment and variations may be combined with each other as appropriate as long as no contradictions arise. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  Wire harness 
           11  Wiring body 
           12  Wire 
           14  Connector 
           16 ,  16   a ,  16   b  Terminal portion 
           20  Manufacturing device for wire harness 
           22  Terminal holding jig 
           24  Holding portion 
           25  Elastic plate 
           25   h  Slit 
           26  Supporting plate 
           26   h  Recessed groove 
           30  Length adjusting mechanism 
           32  Terminal holding portion 
           33  Chuck 
           33   a  Gripping claw 
           33   b  Open/close drive portion 
           34  Holding portion moving portion (first holding portion moving portion) 
           36  Middle holding portion 
           37  Chuck 
           37   a  Gripping claw 
           37   b  Open/close drive portion 
           40  Transfer mechanism 
           42  Second holding portion moving portion 
           50  Tape winding mechanism 
           52  Rotating body 
           52   h  Recessed groove 
           54  Base 
           55  Base plate 
           55   h  Recessed groove 
           56  Base moving portion 
           60  Wire collection mechanism 
           62  Temporary holding portion 
           70  Control unit 
         P 1 , P 2 , P 3  Branch point 
         Ta, Tb Partially bundled portion 
         T Branch bundling portion