Patent Publication Number: US-2019190244-A1

Title: Harness bracket with cable tie retention features

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to harness brackets, and in particular, to harness brackets with cable tie retention features for use with spring clips. 
     Gas turbine engines have electrical harnesses made up of wires covered by an overbraid cover. The electrical harnesses provide electrical signals from an aircraft to the engine electronic control units to the engine control hardware and sensors for engine control and monitoring. Harness brackets are attached to the gas turbine engine to hold the wire harnesses in place on the engine. The wire harnesses can be attached to the harness bracket with spring clips. 
     Spring clips include a base portion that is attached to the harness bracket and two spring arms extending upward from the base portion. A wire harness can be positioned between the spring arms of the spring clip and the spring arms put pressure on the wire harness to hold the wire harness in place. Spring clips come in many sizes to fit different wire harness diameters. Wire harnesses can be quickly inserted into spring clips to hold the wire harnesses in place. However, spring clips are inseparable from the harness bracket and cannot be easily swapped out for a different size. When wire harnesses and spring clips are not sized correctly, many issues can arise. Wire harnesses can slip out of the spring clips and fall out of place on the engine. Further, the wire harnesses can experience chaffing during use when there is a poor fit between the wire harness and the spring clip. 
     U.S. Publication No. 2013/0323473 shows a prior art harness bracket with spring clips for holding wire harnesses. As seen in the prior art, spring clips are mounted in any manner on harness brackets. This includes mounting spring clips on harness brackets so that portions of the harness bracket extend outward from the spring clip in any direction. This prevents a cable tie or other securing mechanism from being wrapped around the spring clips to hold a wire harness in the spring clips. Further, even if the spring clip is mounted on the harness bracket so that a cable tie or other securing mechanism can be wrapped around the spring clip, there is no way to hold the cable tie or other securing mechanism on the spring clip. The cable tie or other securing mechanism can slip off of the spring clip, which also allows the wire harnesses to slip out of the spring clip. 
     SUMMARY 
     A wire harness retention system includes a harness bracket having a cable tie retention feature and a spring clip attached to the harness bracket. A cable tie is wrapped around the spring clip. The cable tie is held in place with the cable tie retention feature on the harness bracket. 
     A wire harness retention system includes a harness bracket with base portion having a first tab and a second tab extending away from a first edge of the base portion and a first groove formed between the first tab and the second tab. A spring clip is attached to the harness bracket. A cable tie wrapped around the spring clip. The cable tie is positioned in the groove of the harness bracket between the first tab and the second tab. 
     A wire harness retention system includes a harness bracket with base portion having a first slot extending through the base portion. A spring clip is attached to the harness bracket. A cable tie is wrapped around the spring clip. The cable tie is positioned in the first slot of the harness bracket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of a wire harness attached to an engine component. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a wire harness retention system. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of the wire harness retention system of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of the wire harness retention system of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a harness bracket with cable tie retention features. 
         FIG. 3B  is a top view of the first embodiment of the harness bracket of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view the first embodiment of the harness bracket with a spring clip and a cable tie. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a harness bracket with cable tie retention features. 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of the second embodiment of the harness bracket of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the harness bracket with a spring clip and a cable tie. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a harness bracket with cable tie retention features. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of the third embodiment of the harness bracket of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the harness bracket with a spring clip and a cable tie. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a harness bracket with cable tie retention features. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top view of the fourth embodiment of the harness bracket of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the harness bracket with a spring clip and a cable tie. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is perspective view of engine component  10 , wire harness  12 , and wire harness retention systems  14 . Wire harness retention systems  14  include harness brackets  16 , spring clips  18 , and cable ties  20 . 
     Engine component  10  can be any component in a gas turbine engine to which wire harness  12  is attached. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , engine component  10  is a bracket, but engine component  10  can be any gas turbine engine component in alternate embodiments. Wire harness retention systems  14  are positioned along engine component  10 . Wire harness retention systems  14  each include harness bracket  16 , spring clips  18 , and cable ties  20 . Harness brackets  16  are positioned along and attached to engine component  10 . One spring clip  18  is attached to each harness bracket  16 . Wire harness  12  is positioned in spring clips  18  to hold wire harness  12  in place on engine component  10 . 
     Wire harness  12  can vary greatly in size. Positioning wire harness  12  on engine component  10  can be difficult using spring clips  18 . Once spring clips  18  are added to engine component  10 , it is difficult and costly to remove spring clips  18 . If spring clips  18  are not the proper size to fit the diameter of wire harness  12 , wire harness  12  can slip out of spring clips  18 . To prevent wire harness  12  from falling out of spring clips  18  and to prevent wire harness  12  from chafing against spring clips  18  and any engine components adjacent wire harness  12 , cable ties  20  are positioned around spring clips  18 . In alternate embodiments, lacing tape or other ties can be used in place of cable ties  20 . Cable ties  20  hold wire harness  12  in place in spring clips  18  and prevent wire harness  12  from slipping out of spring clips  18 . Harness brackets  16  can include a number of cable tie retention features to hold cable ties  20  in place to prevent cable ties  20  from slipping off of spring clips  18 . 
     In prior art harness brackets and spring clips, a spring clip could be mounted on a harness bracket so that a portion of the harness bracket extended outward from the spring clip in any direction. This would prevent a cable tie from being wrapped around the spring clip to hold a wire harness in the spring clip. Further, even if the spring clip were mounted on the harness bracket so that a cable tie could be wrapped around the spring clip, there would be no way to hold the cable tie on the spring clip. The cable tie could slip off of the spring clip, which would also allow the wire harness to slip out of the spring clip. 
     Wire harness retention systems  14  are advantageous over the prior art. Wire harness retention systems  14  have spring clips  18  that are positioned on harness brackets  16  so that cable tie  20  can be wrapped around spring clips  18  and a portion of harness brackets  16 . This allows cable tie  20  to hold wire harness  12  in spring clip  18 , even if spring clip  18  is not sized to fit the diameter of wire harness  12 . Further, harness bracket  16  includes cable tie retention features that hold cable tie  20  in position on spring clip  18  and a portion of harness bracket  16 . The cable tie retention features will be discussed in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 2A-6C . 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of wire harness retention system  14 .  FIG. 2B  is a top view of wire harness retention system  14 .  FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of wire harness retention system  14 . Wire harness retention system  14  includes harness bracket  16 , spring clip  18 , and cable tie  20 . Harness bracket  16  includes base portion  30 , arm portion  32 , apertures  34 , first tab  36 , second tab  38 , groove  40 , and slot  42 . Spring clip  18  includes base  50 , first arm  52 , second arm  54 , apertures  56 , and fasteners  58 . Cable tie  20  includes tape  60  and head  62 . 
     Wire harness retention system  14  holds a wire harness (not shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C  for clarity) in position on an engine. Wire harness retention system  14  includes harness bracket  16 , spring clip  18 , and cable tie  20 . Wire harness retention system  14  shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C  includes the same components as wire harness retention systems  14  shown in  FIG. 1 , however the shape of harness bracket  16  has changed. Wire harness retention system  14  can include any harness bracket  16 , any spring clip  18 , and any cable tie  20  or other suitable tie. Spring clip  18  is mounted to harness bracket  16 . Cable tie  20  is wrapped around spring clip  18  and a portion of harness bracket  16 . Harness bracket  16  includes cable tie retention features to hold cable tie  20  in place on spring clip  18  and harness bracket  16 . 
     Harness bracket  16  includes base portion  30  and arm portion  32 . Spring clip  18  is attached to base portion  30 . Apertures  34  extend through base portion  30 . Arm portion  32  extends away from base portion  30  and can be attached to an engine to mount harness bracket  16  to an engine. Harness bracket  16  includes cable tie retention features. Cable tie retention features includes first tab  36 , second tab  38 , groove  40 , and slot  42 . 
     First tab  36 , second tab  38 , and groove  40  collectively form a first cable tie retention feature, and slot  42  forms a second cable tie retention feature. First tab  36 , second tab  38 , and groove  40  are used at edges of harness bracket  16 , and slot  42  is used at an internal portion of harness bracket  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , first tab  36 , second tab  38 , and groove  40  are positioned on a first edge of base portion  30  of harness bracket  16 . First tab  36  is a flange that projects outward from the first edge of base portion  30  and is positioned on a first side of base portion  30 . Second tab  38  is a flange that projects outward from the first edge of base portion  30  and is positioned on a second side of base portion  30 . Groove  40  is formed between first tab  36  and second tab  38  on the first edge of base portion  30  of harness bracket  16 . Slot  42  is positioned on an internal portion of base portion  30  of harness bracket  16 . Slot  42  is an opening that extends through base portion  30  on the internal portion of base portion  30 . 
     Spring clip  18  includes base  50 , first arm  52 , and second arm  54 . First arm  52  and second arm  54  extend upward from base  50 . First arm  52  and second arm  54  are spring arms that are curved to fit a wire harness. First arm  52  and second arm  54  each have a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portions of first arm  52  and second arm  54  are positioned adjacent to base  50  of spring clip  18 . The second curved portions of first arm  52  and second arm  54  are positioned away from base  50  of spring clip  18  and are sized to retain the wire harness. Apertures  56  extend through base  50  of spring clip  18 . Fasteners  58  extend through apertures  56  of spring clip  18  and apertures  34  of harness bracket  16  to attach spring clip  18  to harness bracket  16 . 
     Cable tie  20  includes tape  60  and head  62 . Tape  60  of cable tie  20  can be wrapped around spring clip  18  and part of the base portion  30  of harness bracket  16  and can then be inserted into head  62 . Tape  60  can be pulled through head  62  to tighten cable tie  20  to clamp cable tie  20  around spring clip  18 . Tape  60  of cable tie  20  is positioned in groove  40  of harness bracket  16  between first tab  36  and second tab  38 , and tape  60  of cable tie  20  extends through and is positioned in slot  42  of harness bracket  16 . 
     First tab  36  and second tab  38  of harness bracket  16  hold tape  60  of cable tie  20  in position in groove  40  of harness bracket  16 . Groove  40  is sized to fit the width of tape  60  of cable tie  20  in groove  40 . The edges of slot  42  likewise hold tape  60  of cable tie  20  in position in slot  42  of harness bracket  16 . Slot  42  is sized to fit the width of tape  60  of cable tie  20  in slot  42 . Tape  60  of cable tie  20  should be positioned around a center of spring clip  18  to hold spring clip  18  closed. First tab  36  and second tab  38  form groove  40  at a middle of spring clip  18  and slot  42  is positioned in a middle of spring clip  18 . First tab  36 , second tab  38 , groove  40 , and slot  42  hold tape  60  of cable tie  20  in position in the middle of spring clip  18  and prevent cable tie  20  from slipping off of spring clip  18 . 
     Positioning cable tie  20  around spring clip  18  and base portion  30  of harness bracket  16  prevents a wire harness from slipping out of spring clip  18 . Cable tie  20  can be tightened to pull first arm  52  and second arm  54  of spring clip  18  together to tighten them around the wire harness positioned in spring clip  18 . This will prevent the wire harness from slipping out of spring clip  18 . Further, tightening first arm  52  and second arm  54  of spring clip  18  around the wire harness positioned in spring clip  18  will prevent the wire harness from moving in spring clip  18 . This adds rigidity to spring clips  18  and better guides and routes the wire harness across the engine. This will prevent chaffing of the wire harness, as the wire harness will not rub against edges of harness bracket  16 , spring clip  18 , or other components adjacent to the wire harness in the engine. 
     Spring clip  18  is sized to fit the diameter of the wire harness. It is time consuming and costly to remove spring clip  18  from harness bracket  16  to switch the size of spring clip  18  if the diameter of the wire harness changes. Wrapping cable tie  20  around spring clip  18  allows spring clip  18  to retain wire harnesses with a wide range of diameters. Larger spring clips  18  can be positioned on harness brackets  16  to accommodate wire harnesses with both larger and smaller diameters. This creates flexibility in the design and manufacture of the engine, as spring clips  18  do not need to be perfectly sized to the wire harnesses. Further, if the wire harness is changed, spring clip  18  does not have to be changed to accommodate the new wire harness. 
     Further, wrapping cable tie  20  around spring clip  18  and a part of harness bracket  16  allows issues of misfit between spring clips  18  and the wire harness to be dealt with quickly. This is particularly advantageous during the development of engines and the first built of an engine. Further, this is advantageous when new harness brackets  16  are being used. Wrapping cable tie  20  around spring clip  18  and a part of harness bracket  16  allows the engine to continue to be built, or testing to continue to be completed, without having to switch out a harness bracket or a spring clip. 
     Further, wrapping cable tie  20  around spring clip  18  and a part of harness bracket  16  mistake-proofs the fit between spring clip  18  and the wire harness. Cable tie  20  cinches spring clip  18  around the wire harness to ensure a secure fit between spring clip  18  and the wire harness. When cable tie  20  is wrapped around spring clip  18 , a tool can be used to cinch cable tie  20 . The tool can control what tension cable tie  20  should be adjusted too. This allows cable tie  20  to be cinched to the same fit and tension around spring clip  18  and a part of harness bracket  16 , regardless of the diameter of the wire harness that is positioned in spring clip  18 . 
     The cable tie retention features, including first tab  36 , second tab  38 , groove  40 , and slot  42 , prevent cable tie  20  from slipping off of spring clip  18 .  FIGS. 3A-6C  show different embodiments of a harness bracket with cable tie retention features. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  show harness bracket  116 . Harness bracket  116  is a first embodiment of a harness bracket having a tab/groove cable tie retention feature and a slot cable tie retention feature.  FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of harness bracket  116 .  FIG. 3B  is a top view of harness bracket  116 .  FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of harness bracket  116  with spring clip  118  and cable tie  120 .  FIGS. 3A-3B  shows harness bracket  116  and  FIG. 3C  shows wire harness retention system  114 , including harness bracket  116 , spring clip  118  and cable tie  120 . Harness bracket  116  includes base portion  130 , arm portion  132 , apertures  134 , first tab  136 , second tab  138 , groove  140 , and slot  142 . Spring clip  118  includes base  150 , first arm  152 , second arm  154 , apertures  156 , and fasteners  158 . Cable tie  120  includes tape  160  and head  162 .  FIG. 3B  shows tab length T 1  and base length B 1 . 
     Wire harness retention system  114  includes harness bracket  116 , spring clip  118 , and cable tie  120 . Harness bracket  116  includes base portion  130  and arm portion  132  that extends away from base portion  130 . Apertures  134  are positioned on base portion  130  of harness bracket  116 . Harness bracket  116  includes cable tie retention features, including first tab  136 , second tab  138 , groove  140 , and slot  142 . 
     First tab  136  and second tab  138  form groove  140  that is positioned on a first edge of base portion  130  of harness bracket  116 . First tab  136  is a flange that projects outward from base portion  130  and is positioned on a first side of base portion  130 . Second tab  138  is a flange that project outward from base portion  130  and is positioned on a second side of base portion  130 . Groove  140  is formed between first tab  132  and second tab  138  on the first edge of base portion  140  of harness bracket  116 . Slot  142  is positioned on an internal portion of base portion  130 . Slot  142  is an opening that extends through base portion  130  on the internal portion of base portion  130 . 
     First tab  136  and second tab  138  have a tab length T 1 . Tab length T 1  is the length that first tab  136  and second tab  138  extend outwards from base portion  130  of harness bracket  116 . Base portion  130  has a base length B 1 . Base length B 1  is the length of base portion  130  from groove  140  to slot  142 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , spring clip  118  is positioned on and attached to harness bracket  116 . Spring clip  118  includes base  150  that is positioned on and attached to base portion  130  of harness bracket  118 . Spring clip  118  further includes first arm  152  and second arm  154  extending upwards from base  150  of spring clip  118 . Spring clip  118  further includes apertures  156  that extend through base  150  of spring clip  118 . Fasteners  158  extend through apertures  156  of spring clip  118  and apertures  134  of harness bracket  116  to attach spring clip  118  to harness bracket  116 . Cable tie  120  is wrapped around spring clip  118 . Cable tie  120  includes tape  160  and head  162 . Tape  160  is positioned in groove  140  and extends through and is positioned in slot  142 . First tab  136 , second tab  138 , groove  140 , and slot  142  hold tape  160  of cable tie  120  in position on spring clip  118 . 
     Tab length T 1  of first tab  136  and second tab  138 , and base length B 1  of harness bracket  116  are sized depending on the size of spring clip  118 . Tab length T 1  is sized depending on the curvature of first arm  152  of spring clip  118 . First arm  152  of spring clip  118  has a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portion of first arm  152  has an innermost point and an outermost point on its curvature. Tab length T 1  is sized to be larger than the distance between the innermost point and the outermost point of the first curved portion of first arm  152 . When cable tie  120  is positioned on spring clip  118 , it will come into contact with the outermost point of the first curved portion of first arm  152  of spring clip  118 . Tab length T 1  is sized so that first tab  136  and second tab  138  extend past the outermost point of the first curved portion of first arm  152 . This allows first tab  136  and second tab  138  to prevent cable tie  120  from slipping off of spring clip  118 . 
     Base length B 1  is sized depending on the length of base  150  of spring clip  118 . Base length B 1  is sized to be the same as or slightly smaller than the length of base  150  of spring clip  118 . This allows spring clip  118  to be positioned on base portion  130  of harness bracket  116  so that first arm  152  and second arm  154  start to curve upwards away from base  150  of spring clip  118  at the edge of groove  140  and the edge of slot  142 . When cable tie  120  is wrapped around spring clip  118  and a portion of base portion  130  of harness bracket  116 , it will wrap around the smooth curved portions of spring clip  118 . This prevents chaffing to cable tie  120  when cable tie  120  is positioned on spring clip  118  and a portion of base portion  130  of harness bracket  116 . 
     Cable tie retention features, including first tab  136 , second tab  138 , groove  140 , and slot  142 , hold a wire harness in spring clip  118  and prevent chaffing to the wire harness. First tab  136  and second tab  138  hold tape  160  of cable tie  120  in position in groove  140 . The edges of slot  142  hold tape  160  of cable tie  120  is position in slot  142 . Cable tie  120  cinches spring clip  118  around the wire harness to ensure a tight fit between spring clip  118  and the wire harness. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  show harness bracket  216 . Harness bracket  216  is a second embodiment of a harness bracket having two tab/groove cable tie retention features.  FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of harness bracket  216 .  FIG. 4B  is a top view of harness bracket  216 .  FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of harness bracket  216  with spring clip  218  and cable tie  220 .  FIGS. 4A-4B  shows harness bracket  216  and  FIG. 4C  shows wire harness retention system  214 , including harness bracket  216 , spring clip  218  and cable tie  220 . Harness bracket  216  includes base portion  230 , arm portion  232 , apertures  234 , first tab  236 , second tab  238 , groove  240 , third tab  242 , fourth tab  244 , and groove  246 . Spring clip  218  includes base  250 , first arm  252 , second arm  254 , apertures  256 , and fasteners  258 . Cable tie  220  includes tape  260  and head  262 .  FIG. 4B  shows tab length T 2  and base length B 2 . 
     Wire harness retention system  214  includes harness bracket  216 , spring clip  218 , and cable tie  220 . Harness bracket  216  includes base portion  230  and arm portion  232  that extend away from base portion  230 . Apertures  234  are positioned on base portion  230  of harness bracket  216 . Harness bracket  216  includes cable tie retention features, including first tab  236 , second tab  238 , groove  240 , third tab  242 , fourth tab  244 , and groove  246 . 
     First tab  236  and second tab  238  form groove  240  that is positioned on a first edge of base portion  230  of harness bracket  216 . First tab  236  is a flange that projects outward from base portion  230  and is positioned on a first end of base portion  230 . Second tab  238  is a flange that projects outward from base portion  230  and is positioned on a second end of base portion  230 . Groove  240  is formed between first tab  232  and second tab  238  on the first edge of base portion  230  of harness bracket  216 . Third tab  242  and fourth tab  244  form groove  246  that is positioned on a second edge of base portion  230  of harness bracket  216 . Third tab  242  is a flange that projects outward from base portion  230  and is positioned on the first end of base portion  230 . Fourth tab  244  is a flange that projects outward from base portion  230  and is positioned on the second end of base portion  230 . Groove  246  is formed between third tab  242  and fourth tab  244  on the second edge of base portion  230  of harness bracket  216 . 
     First tab  236 , second tab  238 , third tab  242 , and fourth tab  244  have a tab length T 2 . Tab length T 2  is the length that first tab  236  second tab  238 , third tab  242 , and fourth tab  244  extend outwards from base portion  230  of harness bracket  216 . Base portion  230  has a base length B 2 . Base length B 2  is the length of base portion  230  from groove  240  to groove  246 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4C , spring clip  218  is positioned on and attached to harness bracket  216 . Spring clip  218  includes base  250  that is positioned on and attached to base portion  230  of harness bracket  218 . Spring clip  218  further includes first arm  252  and second arm  254  extending upwards from base  250  of spring clip  218 . Spring clip  218  further includes apertures  256  that extend through base  250  of spring clip  218 . Fasteners  258  extend through apertures  256  of spring clip  218  and apertures  234  of harness bracket  216  to attach spring clip  218  to harness bracket  216 . Cable tie  220  is wrapped around spring clip  218 . Cable tie  220  includes tape  260  and head  262 . Tape  260  is positioned in groove  240  and extends through and is positioned in slot  242 . First tab  236 , second tab  238 , groove  240 , third tab  242 , fourth tab  244 , and groove  246  hold tape  260  of cable tie  220  in position on spring clip  218 . 
     Tab length T 2  of first tab  236 , second tab  238 , third tab  242 , and fourth tab  244  and base length B 2  of harness bracket  216  are sized depending on the size of spring clip  218 . Tab length T 2  is sized depending on the curvature of first arm  252  and second arm  254  of spring clip  218 . First arm  252  and second arm  254  of spring clip  218  each have a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portion of first arm  252  and second arm  254  has an innermost point and an outermost point on its curvature. Tab length T 2  is sized to be larger than the distance between the innermost point and the outermost point of the first curved portion of first arm  252  and second arm  254 . When cable tie  220  is positioned on spring clip  218 , it will come into contact with the outermost point of the first curved portion of first arm  252  and second arm  254  of spring clip  218 . Tab length T 2  is sized so that first tab  236 , second tab  238 , third tab  242 , and fourth tab  244  extend past the outermost point of the first curved portion of first arm  252  and second arm  254 . This allows first tab  236 , second tab  238 , third tab  242 , and fourth tab  244  to prevent cable tie  220  from slipping off spring clip  218 . 
     Base length B 2  is sized depending on the length of base  250  of spring clip  218 . Base length B 2  is sized to be the same as or slightly smaller than the length of base  250  of spring clip  218 . This allows spring clip  218  to be positioned on base portion  230  of harness bracket  216  so that first arm  252  and second arm  254  start to curve upwards away from base  250  of spring clip  218  at the edge of groove  240  and the edge of groove  246 . When cable tie  220  is wrapped around spring clip  218  and a portion of base portion  230  of harness bracket  216 , it will wrap around the smooth curved portions of spring clip  218 . This prevents chaffing to cable tie  220  when cable tie  220  is positioned on spring clip  218  and a portion of base portion  230  of harness bracket  216 . 
     Cable tie retention features, including first tab  236 , second tab  238 , groove  240 , third tab  242 , fourth tab  244 , and groove  246 , hold a wire harness in spring clip  218  and prevent chaffing to the wire harness. First tab  236  and second tab  238  hold tape  260  of cable tie  220  in position in groove  240 . Third tab  242  and fourth tab  244  hold tape  260  of cable tie  220  in position in groove  246 . Cable tie  220  cinches spring clip  218  around the wire harness to ensure a tight fit between spring clip  218  and the wire harness. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  show harness bracket  316 . Harness bracket  316  is a third embodiment of a harness bracket having two slot cable tie retention features.  FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of harness bracket  316 .  FIG. 5B  is a top view of harness bracket  316 .  FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of harness bracket  316  with spring clip  318  and cable tie  320 .  FIGS. 5A-5B  shows harness bracket  316  and  FIG. 5C  shows wire harness retention system  314 , including harness bracket  316 , spring clip  318  and cable tie  320 . Harness bracket  316  includes base portion  330 , arm portion  332 , apertures  334 , slot  336 , and slot  338 . Spring clip  318  includes base  350 , first arm  352 , second arm  354 , apertures  356 , and fasteners  358 . Cable tie  320  includes tape  360  and head  362 .  FIG. 5B  shows base length B 3 . 
     Wire harness retention system  314  includes harness bracket  316 , spring clip  318 , and cable tie  320 . Harness bracket  316  includes base portion  330  and arm portion  332  that extends away from base portion  330 . Apertures  334  are positioned on base portion  330  of harness bracket  316 . Harness bracket  316  includes cable tie retention features, including slot  336  and slot  338 . 
     Slot  336  is positioned on a first side of base portion  330 . Slot  336  is an opening that extends through base portion  330  on the first side of base portion  330 . Slot  338  is positioned on a second side of base portion  330 . Slot  338  is an opening that extends through base portion  330  on the second side of base portion  330 . Base portion  330  has a base length B 3 . Base length B 3  is the length of base portion  330  from slot  336  to slot  338 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5C , spring clip  318  is positioned on and attached to harness bracket  316 . Spring clip  318  includes base  350  that is positioned on and attached to base portion  330  of harness bracket  318 . Spring clip  318  further includes first arm  352  and second arm  354  extending upwards from base  350  of spring clip  318 . Spring clip  318  further includes apertures  356  that extend through base  350  of spring clip  318 . Fasteners  358  extend through apertures  356  of spring clip  318  and apertures  334  of harness bracket  316  to attach spring clip  318  to harness bracket  316 . Cable tie  320  is wrapped around spring clip  318 . Cable tie  320  includes tape  360  and head  362 . Tape  360  extends through and is positioned in slot  336  and extends through and is positioned in slot  338 . Slot  336  and slot  338  hold tape  360  of cable tie  320  in position on spring clip  318 . 
     Base length B 3  of harness bracket  316  is sized depending on the size of spring clip  318 . Base length B 3  is sized depending on the length of base  350  of spring clip  318 . Base length B 3  is sized to be the same as or slightly smaller than the length of base  350  of spring clip  318 . This allows spring clip  318  to be positioned on base portion  330  of harness bracket  316  so that first arm  352  and second arm  354  start to curve upwards away from base  350  of spring clip  318  at the edge of slot  336  and the edge of slot  338 . When cable tie  320  is wrapped around spring clip  318  and a portion of base portion  330  of harness bracket  316 , it will wrap around the smooth curved portions of spring clip  318 . This prevents chaffing to cable tie  320  when cable tie  320  is positioned on spring clip  318  and a portion of base portion  330  of harness bracket  316 . 
     Cable tie retention features, including slot  336  and slot  338 , hold a wire harness in spring clip  318  and prevent chaffing to the wire harness. The edges of slot  336  hold tape  360  of cable tie  320  in position in slot  336 . The edges of slot  338  hold tape  360  of cable tie  320  is position in slot  338 . Cable tie  320  cinches spring clip  318  around the wire harness to ensure a tight fit between spring clip  318  and the wire harness. 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  show harness bracket  416 . Harness bracket  416  is a fourth embodiment of a harness bracket having two tab/groove cable tie retention features and a slot cable tie retention feature. Harness bracket  416  has two spring clips  418 A and  418 B positioned on it.  FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of harness bracket  416 .  FIG. 6B  is a top view of harness bracket  416 .  FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of harness bracket  416  with two spring clips  418 A and  418 B and two cable ties  420 A and  420 B.  FIGS. 6A-6B  shows harness bracket  416  and  FIG. 6C  shows wire harness retention system  414 , including harness bracket  416 , spring clips  418 A and  418 B, and cable ties  420 A and  420 B. Harness bracket  416  includes base portion  430 , arm portion  432 , apertures  434 , first tab  436 , second tab  438 , groove  440 , third tab  442 , fourth tab  444 , groove  446 , and slot  448 . Spring clip  418 A includes base  450 A, first arm  452 A, second arm  454 A, apertures  456 A, and fasteners  458 A. Spring clip  418 B includes base  450 B, first arm  452 B, second arm  454 B, apertures  456 B, and fasteners  458 B. Cable tie  420 A includes tape  460 A and head  462 A. Cable tie  420 B includes tape  460 B and head  462 B.  FIG. 6B  shows tab length T 4  and base length B 4 . 
     Wire harness retention system  414  includes harness bracket  416 , spring clips  418 A and  418 B, and cable ties  420 A and  420 B. Harness bracket  416  includes base portion  430  and arm portion  432  that extends away from base portion  430 . Apertures  434  are positioned on base portion  430  of harness bracket  416 . Harness bracket  416  includes cable tie retention features, including first tab  436 , second tab  438 , groove  440 , third tab  442 , fourth tab  444 , groove  446 , and slot  448 . 
     First tab  436  and second tab  438  form groove  440  that is positioned on a first edge of base portion  430  of harness bracket  416 . First tab  436  is a flange that projects outward from base portion  430  and is positioned on a first end of base portion  430 . Second tab  438  is a flange that projects outward from base portion  430  and is positioned on a second end of base portion  430 . Groove  440  is formed between first tab  432  and second tab  438  on the first edge of base portion  430  of harness bracket  416 . Third tab  442  and fourth tab  444  form groove  446  that is positioned on a second edge of base portion  430  of harness bracket  416 . Third tab  442  is a flange that projects outward from base portion  430  and is positioned on a first end of base portion  430 . Fourth tab  444  is a flange that projects outward from base portion  430  and is positioned on a second end of base portion  430 . Groove  446  is formed between third tab  442  and fourth tab  444  on the second edge of base portion  430  of harness bracket  416 . Slot  448  is positioned on an internal portion of base portion  430 . Slot  448  is an opening that extends through base portion  430  on the internal portion of base portion  430 . 
     First tab  436 , second tab  438 , third tab  442 , and fourth tab  444  have a tab length T 4 . Tab length T 4  is the length that first tab  436 , second tab  438 , third tab  442 , and fourth tab  444  extend outwards from base portion  430  of harness bracket  416 . Base portion  430  has a base length B 4 . Base length B 4  is the length of base portion  430  from groove  440  to slot  448  and from groove  446  to slot  448 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6C , spring clips  418 A and  418 B are positioned on and attached to harness bracket  416 . Spring clip  418 A includes base  450 A that is positioned on and attached to a first side of base portion  430  of harness bracket  418 . Spring clip  418 A further includes first arm  452 A and second arm  454 A extending upwards from base  450 A of spring clip  418 A. Spring clip  418 A further includes apertures  456 A that extend through base  450 A of spring clip  418 A. Fasteners  458 A extend through apertures  456 A of spring clip  418 A and apertures  434  of harness bracket  416  to attach spring clip  418  to harness bracket  416 . Spring clip  418 B includes base  450 B that is positioned on and attached to a second side of base portion  430  of harness bracket  418 . Spring clip  418 B further includes first arm  452 B and second arm  454 B extending upwards from base  450 B of spring clip  418 B. Spring clip  418 B further includes apertures  456 B that extend through base  450 B of spring clip  418 B. Fasteners  458 B extend through apertures  456 B of spring clip  418 B and apertures  434  of harness bracket  416  to attach spring clip  418 B to harness bracket  416 . Cable tie  420 A is wrapped around spring clip  418 A. Cable tie  420 A includes tape  460 A and head  462 A. Tape  460 A is positioned in groove  440  and extends through and is positioned in slot  448 . First tab  436 , second tab  438 , groove  440 , and slot  448  hold tape  460 A of cable tie  420 A in position on spring clip  418 A. Cable tie  420 B is wrapped around spring clip  418 B. Cable tie  420 B includes tape  460 B and head  462 B. Tape  460 B is positioned in groove  446  and extends through and is positioned in slot  448 . First tab  4442 , second tab  444 , groove  446 , and slot  448  hold tape  460 B of cable tie  420 B in position on spring clip  418 B. 
     Tab length T 4  of first tab  436 , second tab  438 , third tab  442 , and fourth tab  444 , and base length B 4  of harness bracket  416  are sized depending on the size of spring clips  418 A and  418 B. Tab length T 4  is sized depending on the curvature of first arms  452 A and  452 B of spring clips  418 A and  418 B. First arms  452 A and  452 B of spring clip  418 A and  418 B have a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portion of first arms  452 A and  452 B have an innermost point and an outermost point on their curvature. Tab length T 4  is sized to be larger than the distance between the innermost point and the outermost point of the first curved portion of first arms  452 A and  452 B. When cable ties  420 A and  420 B are positioned on spring clips  418 A and  418 B, they will come into contact with the outermost point of the first curved portion of first arms  452 A and  452 B of spring clips  418 A and  418 B. Tab length T 4  is sized so that first tab  436 , second tab  438 , third tab  442 , and fourth tab  444  extend past the outermost point of the first curved portion of first arms  452 A and  454 B. This allows first tab  436 , second tab  438 , third tab  442 , and fourth tab  444  to prevent cable ties  420 A and  420 B from slipping of spring clips  418 A and  418 B. 
     Base length B 4  is sized depending on the length of bases  450 A and  450 B of spring clips  418 A and  418 B. Base length B 4  is sized to be the same as or slightly smaller than the length of bases  450 A and  450 B of spring clips  418 A and  418 B. This allows spring clips  418 A and  418 B to be positioned on base portion  430  of harness bracket  416  so that first arms  452 A and  454 B and second arms  454 A and  454 B start to curve upwards away from bases  450 A and  450 B of spring clips  418 A and  418 B at the edge of groove  440 , the edge of groove  446 , and the edge of slot  448 . When cable ties  420 A and  420 B are wrapped around spring clips  418 A and  418 B and a portion of base portion  430  of harness bracket  416 , they will wrap around the smooth curved portions of spring clips  418 A and  418 B. This prevents chaffing to cable ties  420 A and  420 B when cable ties  420 A and  420 B are positioned on spring clips  418 A and  418 B and a portion of base portion  430  of harness bracket  416 , wrapping cable ties  420 A and  420 B around smooth curved portions of spring clips  418 A and  418 B instead of abrupt edges of harness bracket  430 . 
     Cable tie retention features, including first tab  436 , second tab  438 , groove  440 , third tab  442 , fourth tab  444 , groove  446 , and slot  448 , hold a wire harness in spring clips  418 A and  418 B and prevent chafing to the wire harness. First tab  436  and second tab  438  hold tape  460  of cable tie  420  in position in groove  440 . Third tab  4442  and fourth tab  444  hold tape  460  of cable tie  420  in position in groove  446 . The edges of slot  448  hold tape  460  of cable tie  420  is position in slot  448 . Cable tie  420  cinches spring clip  418  around the wire harness to ensure a tight fit between spring clip  418  and the wire harness. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.