FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
10 (See section 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
“A System for Determining Details of a Physical Parameter in Wire
Harnesses.”
APPLICANT(s):
Name Nationality Address
AGAIN DIGITECH PVT.
LTD.
Indian
Company
FT-G 202, Sudarshan Appt.,
Karve Nagar, Pune - 411052,
Maharashtra, India
2. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
PROVISIONAL
The following specification describes the
invention.
COMPLETE
The following specification
particularly describes the invention and
the manner in which it is to be
performed
2
Field 5 of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to wire harnesses. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a system for determining details of a
physical parameter in wire harnesses.
10
Background of the invention:
[0002] Wire harness(es) are typically used to provide electrical
connectivity or any such connectivity and transmit signals (control signals)
15 between functional units of devices in an aircraft, a spacecraft, a vehicle, a boat,
etc. Further, the wire harness is used in wide applications such as electronic
devices, home appliances, home automation systems, automobiles, construction
machinery and the like. Typically, a wire harness includes one or more wire
segments and two or more connector ends. Generally, two or more connector
20 ends connect one or more wire segments.
[0003] Due to wide area of application for wire harnesses, it is
essential to measure the quality of the wire harness to determine usability of a
particular wire harness for a specific application. The quality of a wire harness is
25 measured through one or more physical parameters of the wire segments within
the wire harness such as length, diameter, air gap etc. Hence to determine the
quality or efficiency of wire harness, there is a need to measure physical
parameters of wire segments accommodated within a wire harness.
30 [0004] The presently used methods for determining the physical
parameters of wire harnesses include manual inspection methods with the help of
gauges, photographic analysis, waveform measurements etc. The patent document
US9250283B2 discloses a system and method for automated testing of an electric
cable harness which includes time domain reflectometer technology to determine
35 the output electrical parameters based on the analysis of reflected waveforms.
3
5
[0005] However, the present systems for measuring the physical
parameters of wire harnesses need frequent measurement cycles for each wire
harness i.e. there is a need to perform testing on each wire harness to determine
individual quality. Hence, the quality checking process becomes time consuming.
10 Also, the present inspection methods only focus on measurement of electrical
parameters to determine quality of the wire harness without establishing
correlation with the physical parameters i.e. the physical parameters such as
length, diameter, air gap etc. cannot be predicted based on the electrical
parameters. Also, the present systems and methods involve destructive testing i.e.
15 there is need to distort the wire harness to measure the quality.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a system for determining
details of a physical parameters in wire harnesses, which overcomes the problems
of the prior art.
20
Objects of the invention
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a system
for determining details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses.
25
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
system for determining details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses, which
eliminates need of multiple measurement cycles to reduce the time for quality
check.
30
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
system for determining details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses, wherein
the system eliminates the cost required for arranging the setup for manual
physical testing of the wire harness.
4
5
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
system for determining details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses, wherein
the system is easy to operate.
10 [0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
system for determining details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses,
eliminating the need for destructive testing of the wire harness.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
15 system for determining details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses, wherein
the system is simple in construction and cost-effective.
Summary of the invention
20 [0013] The present system relates to a system for determining the
details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses. The system may include an
electrical parameter supply unit adapted to supply one or more electrical
parameters therefrom to a first wire segment of a first wire harness and a second
wire segment of a second wire harness when the first wire segment and the
25 second wire segment connected thereto and the electrical parameter supply unit
operated accordingly. The second wire harness can be substantially identical to
the first wire harness. The first wire segment can have a first connector end and a
second connector end joined together by the first wire segment. The second wire
segment can have a third connector end and a fourth connector end joined
30 together by the second wire segment.
[0014] Further, the system may include a measuring unit with a
first and second measuring pin. In a first measurement cycle, the first measuring
pin can be adapted to have a first physical contact with the first wire segment at a
35 first position. The first position can be a position between the first connector end
5
and the second connector end. The second measuring pin can 5 be adapted to have a
second physical contact with the first wire segment at a second position. The
second position may be another position between the first connector end and the
second connector end. The first and second positions can have a predefined first
distance therebetween.
10
[0015] When a first predefined quantity of electrical parameter is
supplied to the first wire segment, the measuring unit can measure the quantity of
electrical parameter between the first and second positions. Subsequently in a
second measurement cycle, the first measuring pin can be adapted to have a third
15 physical contact with the second wire segment at a third position. The third
position can be a position between the third connector end and the fourth
connector end. Further, the second measuring pin can be adapted to have a fourth
physical contact with the second wire segment at a fourth position.
20 [0016] The fourth position can be another position between the
third connector end and the fourth connector end. The third and fourth positions
can have a predefined second distance therebetween. The magnitude of the
predefined first distance and the predefined second distance can be the same.
When a second predefined quantity of electrical parameter is supplied to the
25 second wire segment, the measuring unit can measure the quantity of electrical
parameters between the third and fourth positions. The quantity of the first
predefined quantity of electrical parameters and the second predefined quantity of
electrical parameters can be the same.
30 [0017] Further, a workstation can be connected to the measuring
unit. The measuring unit can send information about measured electrical
parameters of the first measurement cycle and the second measurement cycle to
the workstation. The details of a first physical parameter in the first wire segment
is (are) prestored in the workstation and the measured electrical parameter in the
35 first measurement cycle is a standard quantity of electrical parameter.
6
5
[0018] The workstation can be adapted to compare the received
measured electrical parameters of the first measurement cycle and the second
measurement cycle to determine the details of a second physical parameter of the
second wire segment. Further, a display unit can be connected to the workstation.
10 The display unit can be adapted to display the determined details of the second
physical parameter in the second wire segment.
[0019] Further, the present invention also provides a method for
determining the details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses. The method
15 comprises steps of supplying one or more electrical parameters to the first wire
segment of the first wire harness and the second wire segment of the second wire
harness by an electric parameter supply unit by connecting the first wire segment
and the second wire segment thereto and operating the electrical parameter supply
unit accordingly, wherein the second wire harness is substantially identical to the
20 first wire harness,
[0020] Further, making the first physical contact between the first
measuring pin of the measuring unit and the first position, making the second
physical contact between the second measuring pin of the measuring unit and the
25 second position, measuring the quantity of electrical parameters between the first
position and the second position by the measuring unit upon supplying the first
predefined quantity of electrical parameters to the first wire segment, making the
third physical contact between the first measuring pin and the third position over
the second wire segment, making the fourth physical contact between the second
30 measuring pin and the fourth position over the second wire segment.
[0021] Further, measuring the quantity of electrical parameters
between the third position and the fourth position by the measuring unit upon
supplying the second predefined quantity of electrical parameters to the second
35 wire segment, sending information about measured electrical parameters of the
7
first wire segment and the second wire segment to the 5 workstation connected to
the measuring unit.
[0022] Further, comparing the received information about
measured electrical parameters of the first wire segment and the second wire
10 segment by the workstation, comparing the received information about measured
electrical parameters of the first wire segment and the second wire segment and
determining the details of the second physical parameter in the second wire
segment by the workstation and displaying the determined details of the second
physical parameter in the second wire segment by a display unit connected to the
15 workstation.
[0023] Further, the present invention also discloses an embodiment
of a system for determining the details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses.
The system may include an electrical parameter supply unit adapted to supply one
20 or more electrical parameters therefrom to a first wire segment of a first wire
harness and a second wire segment of a second wire harness when the first wire
segment and the second wire segment connected thereto and the electrical
parameter supply unit operated accordingly. The second wire harness can be
substantially identical to the first wire harness. The first wire segment can have a
25 first connector end and a second connector end joined together by the first wire
segment. The second wire segment can have a third connector end and a fourth
connector end joined together by the second wire segment.
[0024] Further, the system may include a first measuring unit with
30 a first and second measuring pin. The first measuring pin may be adapted to have
a first physical contact with the first wire segment at a first position. The first
position can be a position between the first connector end and the second
connector end. The second measuring pin can be adapted to have a second
physical contact with the first wire segment at a second position. The second
35 position can be another position between the first connector end and the second
8
connector end. The first and second positions can have a predefined 5 first distance
therebetween. When a first predefined quantity of electrical parameters is
supplied to the first wire harness, the first measuring unit can measure the
quantity of electrical parameters between the first and second positions.
10 [0025] Further, the system may include a second measuring unit
having a third measuring pin and a fourth measuring pin. The third measuring pin
can be adapted to have a third physical contact with the second wire segment at a
third position. The third position can be a position between the third connector
end and the fourth connector end. The fourth measuring pin can be adapted to
15 have a fourth physical contact with the second wire segment at a fourth position.
The fourth position can be another position between the third connector end and
the fourth connector end. The third and fourth positions can have a predefined
second distance therebetween. The magnitude of the predefined first distance and
the predefined second distance can be the same.
20
[0026] When a second predefined quantity of electrical parameters
is supplied to the second wire segment, the second measuring unit can measure
the quantity of electrical parameters between the third and fourth positions. The
quantity of the first predefined quantity of electrical parameters and the second
25 predefined quantity of electrical parameters can be the same. A workstation can
be connected to the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit. The first
and second measuring units can send information about the electrical parameters
of the first wire segment and the second wire segment respectively to the
workstation. The details of a first physical parameter in the first wire harness are
30 prestored in the workstation. The measured electrical parameter of the first wire
segment is a standard quantity of electrical parameter.
[0027] The workstation can be adapted to compare the received
measured electrical parameters of the first wire segment and the second wire
35 segment to determine the details of a second physical parameter in the second
9
wire segment. Further, a display unit can be connected 5 to the workstation. The
display unit can be adapted to display the determined detail of the second physical
parameter in the second wire segment.
[0028] Further, the present invention also provides an embodiment
10 of a method for determining the details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses.
The method comprises steps of supplying one or more electrical parameters to the
first wire segment of the first wire harness and the second wire segment of the
second wire harness by the electrical parameter supply unit when the first wire
harness and the second wire harness connected thereto and the electrical
15 parameter supply unit operated accordingly,
[0029] Further, making the first physical contact between the first
measuring pin of the first measuring unit and the first position over the first wire
segment, making the second physical contact between the second measuring pin
20 of the first measuring unit and the second position over the first wire segment,
measuring the quantity of electrical parameters between the first position and the
second position by the first measuring unit upon supplying the first predefined
quantity of electrical parameters to the first wire harness by the electrical
parameter supply unit, making the third physical contact between the third
25 measuring pin of the second measuring unit and the third position over the second
wire segment.
[0030] Further, making the fourth physical contact between the
fourth measuring pin of the second measuring unit and the fourth position over
30 the second wire segment, measuring the quantity of electrical parameters between
the third position and the fourth position by the second measuring unit upon
supplying a second predefined quantity of electrical parameters to the second wire
segment by the electric parameter supply unit, sending information about
measured electrical parameters of the first wire segment and the second wire
35 segment to a workstation by the first measuring unit and the second measuring
10
unit respectively, comparing the received measured electrical 5 parameters of the
first wire segment and the second wire segment to determine the details of a
second physical parameter in the second wire segment and displaying the
determined details of the second physical parameter a display unit connected to
the workstation.
10
Brief description of drawings:
[0031] The advantages and features of the present invention will
be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and
15 claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like
elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
[0032] Figure 1a shows a schematic diagram of a first wire
segment in a first wire harness in accordance with the present invention;
20
[0033] Figure 1b shows a schematic diagram of a second wire
segment in a second wire harness in accordance with the present invention;
[0034] Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an
25 embodiment of a system for determining the details of a physical parameter in the
first wire segment in accordance with the present invention;
[0035] Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of an
embodiment of a system for determining the details of a physical parameter in the
30 second wire segment in accordance with the present invention;
[0036] Figure 4 shows a flow chart of a method for determining
the details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses in accordance with the
present invention;
35
11
[0037] Figure 5 shows a schematic 5 block diagram of an
embodiment of a system for determining the details of a physical parameter in
wire harnesses in accordance with the present invention; and
[0038] Figure 6 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method
10 for determining the details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses in
accordance with the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention
15 [0039] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features,
will now be described in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing,"
and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in
meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these
words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to
20 be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0040] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not
denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one
element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a
25 limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the
referenced items.
[0041] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the
invention, which may be embodied in various forms.
30
[0042] The present invention relates to a system for determining
the details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses. The system interprets the
details physical parameters of a wire harness based on the measurement of
electrical parameters of the respective wire harness. The system reduces the time
12
to test each wire harness to determine the physical parameter. 5 The system
eliminates the need to perform destructive testing of the wire harnesses to
determine physical parameters, thereby resulting in cost reduction. Also, the
system involves a reduction in setup cost due to compact size and simple
construction.
10
[0043] Referring to figure 2, a system (100a) for determining the
details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses is illustrated in accordance with
the present invention. The system (100a) includes an electrical parameter supply
unit (10), a first wire segment (20c) of a first wire harness (20), a second wire
15 segment (30c) of a second wire harness (30), a measuring unit (40), a workstation
(210) and a display unit (13). In the preferred embodiment, the first wire harness
(20) is substantially identical to the second wire harness (30). i.e. one of the
physical parameters among the length, diameter and air gap is (are) unequal and
other physical parameters are identical in both the first wire harness (20) and
20 second wire harness (30).
[0044] The first wire segment (20c) has a first connector end (21)
and a second connector end (22) joined together by the first wire segment (20c).
Further, the second wire segment (30c) has a third connector end (31) and a
25 fourth connector end (32) joined together by the second wire segment (30c). The
first connector end (21), the second connector end (22), the third connector end
(31) and the fourth connector end (32) are hollow metallic ends having metal
wires fixed therein to establish a connection with an external connector housing.
30 [0045] The electrical parameter supply unit (10) is adapted to
supply one or more electrical parameters therefrom to the first wire segment (20c)
and the second wire segment (30c) connected thereto when the electrical
parameter supply unit (10) is operated accordingly. In the preferred embodiment,
the electrical parameter supply unit (10) is a voltage source or a current source or
35 a frequency supply unit. The electric parameter supply unit (10) has an interface
13
for controlling the operation of the electric parameter 5 supply unit (10). The
interface for controlling the operation of the electric parameter supply unit (10) is
a manually operated or electronically operated control module.
[0046] In the preferred embodiment, the electrical parameters
10 supplied to the first wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c) are
voltage or current or frequency. The measurement operation of the physical
parameters of the wire segments is performed in two measuring cycle, a first
measurement cycle (220) as shown in figure 2 and a second measurement cycle
(230) as shown in figure 3. The second measurement cycle (230) is performed
15 after the first measurement cycle (220).
[0047] The measuring unit (40) has a first measuring pin (40a) and
a second measuring pin (40b). In the preferred embodiment, the measuring unit
(40) is a voltmeter or an ammeter or an LCR meter or a multimeter or an
20 oscilloscope. A distance (40f) between the first measuring pin (40a) and the
second measuring pin (40b) is adjustable. During the first measurement cycle
(220), the first measuring pin (40) is adapted to have a first physical contact (140)
with the first wire segment (20c) at a first position (50), as shown in figure 2.
25 [0048] The first position (50) is a position between the first
connector end (21) and the second connector end (22) as shown in figure 2. The
first position (50) is over a metal surface (51) of the first wire segment (20c).
Further, the second measuring pin (40b) is adapted to have a second physical
contact (150) with the first wire segment (20c) at a second position (60), as shown
30 in figure 2. The second position (60) is a position between the first connector end
(21) and the second connector end (22) as shown in figure 2. The second position
(60) is over a metal surface (52) of the first wire segment (20c). There is a
predefined first distance (80) between the first position (50) and the second
position (60).
35
14
[0049] During the operation of the first measurement 5 cycle (220),
the electric power supply unit (10) supplies a first predefined quantity of
electrical parameter to the first wire segment (20c). In the preferred embodiment,
the first predefined quantity of electrical parameter supplied to the first wire
segment (20c) is an electromotive force or an electric current or a frequency or a
10 combination of any of these.
[0050] The measuring unit (40) measures the quantity of electrical
parameters between the first position (50) and the second position (60). The
electric parameter measured between the first position (50) and the second
15 position (60) is a potential difference or an electric current or a resistance or an
inductance or an impendence.
[0051] Further, the operation of the second measurement cycle
(230) occurs subsequent to the first measurement cycle (220). The second
20 measurement cycle (230) is shown in figure 3. The first measuring pin (40a) of
the measuring unit (40) is adapted to have a third physical contact (160) with the
second wire segment (30c) at a third position (70).
[0052] The third position (70) is a position between the third
25 connector end (31) and the fourth connector end (32) as shown in figure 3. The
third position (70) is over a metal surface (53) of the second wire segment (30c)
as shown in figure 3.
[0053] Further, the second measuring pin (40b) is adapted to have
30 a fourth physical contact (170) with the second wire segment (30c) at a fourth
position (180). The fourth position (180) is a position between the third connector
end (31) and the fourth connector end (32) as shown in figure 3. The fourth
position (180) is over a metal surface (52) of the second wire segment (30). The
third position (70) and the fourth position (180) has a predefined second distance
15
(90) therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, the magnitude 5 of the predefined
first distance (90) and the predefined second distance (90) is the same.
[0054] Further, the electric parameter supply unit (10) supplies a
second predefined quantity of electrical parameter to the second wire segment
10 (30c). The second predefined quantity of electrical parameter supplied to the
second wire segment (30c) is a voltage or an electric current or a frequency or any
combination of these. The measuring unit (40) measures the quantity of electrical
parameters between the third position (70) and the fourth position (180). In the
preferred embodiment, the quantity of the first predefined quantity of electrical
15 parameters supplied to the first wire segment (20c) and the second predefined
quantity of electrical parameters supplied to the second wire segment (30c) is the
same.
[0055] Further, the workstation (210) receives the measured
20 electrical parameters of the first measurement cycle (220) and the second
measurement cycle (230). In the preferred embodiment, the details of a first
physical parameter in the first wire segment (20c) are prestored in the workstation
(210) and the measured electrical parameter in the first measurement cycle (220)
is a standard quantity of electrical parameter. The prestored details of the first
25 physical parameter are measured by standard measuring methods such as a
manual or a photographic inspection. The details of the first physical parameter of
the first wire segment (20a) are the quantitative and qualitative parameters of the
first wire segment (20a). The quantitative parameters of the first wire segment
(20a) are magnitudes of diameter (25), length (26), volume of air gap within the
30 first wire segment (20a) as shown in figure 1a and the qualitative parameters of
the first wire segment (20a) are the percentage efficiency of the first wire segment
(20a), indication regarding whether the first wire segment (20c) is defective or
acceptable etc.
16
[0056] The workstation (210) includes a 5 processing unit (11) and a
memory unit (12) for storing the measured electrical parameters received from the
first measurement cycle (220) and the second measurement cycle (230). In the
preferred embodiment, the workstation (210) has a user interface such as
keyboard or mouse or buttons to control the operation of the system (100a) such
10 as switching the system (100a) between ON-OFF, calibration, switching the unit
of measurement (i.e. ampere, microampere, volt, millivolt) etc.
[0057] The processing unit (11) is a microcontroller or a
microprocessor or a controller or a processor or a logic controller, and the
15 memory unit (12) is a cloud server or a hard drive or an IOT device. In the
preferred embodiment, the workstation (210) is connected to an authentication
system (not shown in the figure). The authentication system is a biometric system
such as a fingerprint sensor or a face recognition system, or a password-protected
system. The authentication system is adapted to provide access of the system
20 (100) to an authenticated user only when the authentication system is operated
accordingly.
[0058] The workstation (210) is adapted to compare the received
measured electrical parameters of the first measurement cycle (220) and the
25 second measurement cycle (230) to determine the details of a second physical
parameter of the second wire segment (30c). In the preferred embodiment, the
details of the second physical parameter of the second wire segment (30c) are the
quantitative and qualitative parameters of the second wire segment (30a). The
quantitative parameters of the second wire segment (30c) are magnitudes of
30 length (29), diameter (28), volume of air gap within strands of the first wire
segment (20c), no. of wire strands combined together etc. as shown in figure 1b
and the qualitative parameters of the second wire segment (30c) are the
percentage efficiency of the second wire segment (30c), indication regarding
whether the second wire segment (30c) is defective or acceptable etc.
35
17
[0059] The workstation (210) performs 5 comparison between the
physical parameter of the first wire segment (20c) with the electrical parameters
of the first wire segment (20c) that are measured by the measuring unit (40). The
prestored details of the first physical parameter of the first wire segment (20c) are
determined by standard measuring methods such as manual or photographic
10 inspection and manually stored in the workstation (210) as a reference value.
[0060] For example – Let us take the magnitude of diameter (25)
of the first wire segment (20c) be 2 mm be the first physical parameter of the first
segment (20c). The magnitude of the diameter (25) is measured by any standard
15 measuring method. The measuring unit (40) measures the voltage drop across the
first segment (20c) as 5V. Hence, the workstation (210) stores the value of 2 mm
diameter (25) for 5V voltage drop across the first segment (20c).
[0061] The details of comparison of the first measurement cycle
20 (220) and the second measurement cycle (230) are updated in the cloud memory
of the memory unit (12) in real-time. The real-time measurement of the electrical
parameters means the actual time or instantaneous measurement when the system
(100a) is operating.
25 [0062] Further, a display unit (13) is connected to the workstation
(210). In the preferred embodiment, the display unit (13) is a screen or a monitor.
The display unit (13) is adapted to display the details of the second physical
parameter of the second wire segment (30c) of the second wire harness (30). The
details of the second physical parameter of the second wire segment (30c) is
30 displayed as a numerical value of the diameter (28) or length (26) etc. or a
percentage value of the efficiency of the second wire segment (30c) with respect
to the first wire segment (20c).
[0063] For example, let the first wire harness (20) and second wire
35 harness (30) supplied with a current of 5 microamperes by the electrical
18
parameter supply unit (10). In the first cycle of the measurement 5 (220), the first
measuring pin (40a) of the measuring unit (40) is made in contact with the first
position (50) over the first wire segment (20c) and the second measuring pin
(40b) is made in contact with the second position (60) on the first wire segment
(20c) with distance of 2 cm therebetween. The measuring unit (40) measures the
10 potential difference across the first position (50) and the second position (60) as
5V. The value measured by the measuring unit (40) is sent to the workstation
(210) and stored in the memory unit (12).
[0064] Subsequently, in the second measurement cycle (230), the
15 measuring unit (40) measures the potential difference between the third position
(70) and the fourth position (180) of the second wire segment (30c) and send the
measured value to the workstation (210). The measured value of the potential
difference between the third position (70) and the fourth position (180) is
measured as 3.5V. Here, the first wire segment (20c) is the standard wire
20 segment. The workstation (210) compares the value 3.5 V with the voltage value
5V measured for the first segment (20c) and calculates the value of the second
physical parameter, for example, diameter of the second wire segment (30c) to be
1.4 mm and displays the calculated results on the display unit (13).
25 [0065] The display unit (13) also displays the efficiency of the
second wire segment (30c) with respect to the first wire segment (20c) in terms of
percentage i.e. (1.4/2) *100 = 70%. The value 70% is displayed on the display
unit (13). Further, based on the value of the second physical parameter of the
second wire segment (30c), a signal indicating whether the second wire segment
30 (30c) is defective or acceptable is also displayed on the display unit (13). The
signal may include an “ERROR” message on displayed on the display unit (13) or
a light indicator which shows light of red colour in case of defective second wire
segment (30c).
19
[0066] Referring now to the figure 5 4, a method (200a) for
determining the details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses in accordance
with the present invention is illustrated. For the sake of brevity, the method
(200a) is described in conjunction with the system (100a).
10 [0067] The method (200a) starts at step 210.
[0068] At step 211, the electric parameter supply unit (10) supplies
one or more electrical parameters to the first wire segment (20c) of the first wire
harness (20) and the second wire segment (30c) of the second wire harness (30)
15 by connecting the first wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c)
thereto and operating the electrical parameter supply unit (10) accordingly. The
second wire harness (30) is substantially identical to the first wire harness (20).
The first wire segment (20c) has a first connector end (21) and a second
connector end (22) joined together by the first wire segment (20c) and the second
20 wire segment (30c) has a third connector end (31) and a fourth connector end (32)
joined together by the second wire segment (20c).
[0069] At step 212, the first physical contact (140) is made
between the first measuring pin (40a) of the measuring unit (40) and the first
25 position (50). The first position (50) is a position between the first connector end
(21) and the second connector end (22).
[0070] At step 213, the second physical contact (150) is made
between the second measuring pin (40b) and the second position (60). The
30 quantity of electrical parameters between the first position (50) and the second
position (60). The second position (60) is another position between the first
connector end (21) and the second connector end (22). There is a predefined
distance (80) between the first position (50) and the second position (60).
20
[0071] At step 214, the quantity of electrical 5 parameters between
the first position (50) and the second position (60) is measured by the measuring
unit (40) upon supplying a first predefined quantity of electrical parameters to the
first wire segment (20c).
10 [0072] At step 215, the third physical contact (160) is made
between the first measuring pin (40a) and the third position (70). The third
position (70) is a position between the third connector end (31) and the fourth
connector end (32).
15 [0073] At step 216, the fourth physical contact (170) is made
between the second measuring pin (40b) and the fourth position (180). The fourth
position (180) is a position between the third connector end (31) and the fourth
connector end (32). There is the predefined second distance (90) between the
third position (70) and the fourth position (180). The magnitude of the predefined
20 first distance (80) and the predefined second distance (90) is same.
[0074] At step 217, the measuring unit (40) measures the quantity
of electrical parameters between the third position (70) and the fourth position
(180) upon supplying a second predefined quantity of electrical parameters to the
25 second wire segment (30c). The quantity of the first predefined quantity of
electrical parameters supplied to the first wire segment (20c) and the second
predefined quantity of electrical parameters supplied to the second wire segment
(30c) is the same.
30 [0075] At step 218, the measuring unit (40) sends the information
about measured electrical parameters of the first wire segment (20c) and the
second wire segment (30c) to a workstation (210) connected to the measuring unit
(40). The details of the first physical parameter in the first wire segment (20c) is
prestored in the workstation (210) and the measured electrical parameter for the
35 first wire segment (20c) is a standard quantity of electrical parameter.
21
5
[0076] At step 219, the workstation (210) compares the received
information about measured electrical parameters of the first wire segment (20c)
and the second wire segment (30c) and the details of the second physical
parameter in the second wire segment (30c), wherein the first physical parameter
10 and the second physical parameter are same parameters.
[0077] At step 221, the display unit (13) connected to the
workstation (210) displays the determined details of the second physical
parameter of the second wire segment (30c).
15
[0078] The method (200a) ends at step 222.
[0079] In another embodiment, the system (100b) includes two
separate measuring units. The system (100b) is less time consuming as compared
20 to the system (100a), because the system (100a) measures the physical parameters
of the second wire segment (30c) in two separate measuring cycles, whereas the
system (100b) measures the physical parameters in only one cycle of
measurement.
25 [0080] Referring to figure 5, a system (100b) for determining the
details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses in accordance with the present
invention is illustrated. The system (100b) includes an electrical parameter supply
unit (10), a first wire segment (20c) of a first wire harness (20), a second wire
segment (30c) of a second wire harness (30), a first measuring unit (40ab), a
30 second measuring unit (40be), a workstation (210) and a display unit (13). In the
preferred embodiment, the first wire harness (20) is substantially identical to the
second wire harness (30) i.e diameter, length, no. of wires with equal diameter are
identical in both the first wire harness (20) and second wire harness (30).
22
[0081] The first wire segment (20c) has 5 a first connector end (21)
and a second connector end (22) the first wire segment (20c) as shown in figure 5.
Also, the second wire segment (30c) has a third connector end (31) and a fourth
connector end (32) joined together by the second wire segment (20c). The first
connector end (21) and the second connector end (31) are hollow metallic ends
10 having metal wires fixed therein to establish connection with an external
connector housing.
[0082] The electrical parameter supply unit (10) is adapted to
supply one or more electrical parameters therefrom to the first wire segment (20c)
15 and the second wire segment (30c) connected thereto when the electrical
parameter supply unit (10) is operated accordingly. In the preferred embodiment,
the electrical parameter supply unit (10) is a voltage source or a current source or
a frequency supply unit. The electric parameter supply unit (10) has an interface
for controlling the operation of the electric parameter supply unit (10). The
20 interface for controlling the operation of the electric parameter supply unit (10) is
a manually operated control module. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical
parameters supplied to the first wire segment (20c) and the second wire harness
(30c) are voltage or current or frequency.
25 [0083] The first measuring unit (40ab) has a first measuring pin
(40ac) and a second measuring pin (40bc). In the preferred embodiment, the first
measuring unit (40ab) is a voltmeter or an ammeter or an LCR meter or a
multimeter or an oscilloscope. A distance (40g) between the first measuring pin
(40ac) and the second measuring pin (40bc) is adjustable.
30
[0084] The first measuring pin (40ac) is adapted to have a first
physical contact (140) with the first wire segment (20c) at a first position (50) as
shown in figure 5. The first position (50) is over a metal surface (51) of the first
wire segment (20c). The first position (50) is a position between the first
35 connector end (21) and the second connector end (22) as shown in figure 5.
23
5
[0085] Further, the second measuring pin (40bc) is adapted to have
a second physical contact (150) with the first wire segment (20c) at a second
position (60) as shown in figure 5. The second position (60) is a position between
the first connector end (21) and the second connector end (22). The second
10 position (60) is over a metal surface (52) of the first wire segment (20c). The first
position (50) and the second position (60) have a predefined first distance (80)
therebetween.
[0086] During the operation of the system (100b), the electric
15 power supply unit (10) supplies a first predefined quantity of electrical parameter
to the first wire segment (20c). In the preferred embodiment, the first predefined
quantity of electrical parameter supplied to the first wire segment (20c) is an
electromotive force or an electric current or a frequency or a combination of any
of these.
20
[0087] The first measuring unit (40ab) measures the quantity of
electrical parameters between the first position (50) and the second position (60).
The electric parameter measured between the first position (50) and the second
position (60) is a potential difference or an electric current or a resistance or an
25 inductance or an impendence.
[0088] Further, the second measuring unit (40be) has a third
measuring pin (40ae) and a fourth measuring pin (40bh). The third measuring pin
(40ae) of the second measuring unit (40be) is adapted to have a third physical
30 contact (160) with the second wire segment (30c) at a third position (70). A
distance (40h) between the third measuring pin (40ae) and the fourth measuring
pin (40bh) is adjustable. The third position (70) is a position between the third
connector end (31) and the fourth connector end (32) as shown in figure 5. The
third position (70) is over a metal surface (53) on the second wire segment (30c).
35
24
[0089] Further, the fourth measuring pin 5 (40bh) is adapted to have
a fourth physical contact (170) with the second wire segment (30c) at a fourth
position (180). The fourth position (180) is a position between the third connector
end (31) and the fourth connector end (32). The fourth position (180) is over a
metal surface (54) of the second wire segment (30). There is a predefined second
10 distance (90) between the third position (70) and the fourth position (180). The
magnitude of the predefined first distance (80) and the predefined second distance
(90) is same.
[0090] Further, the electric parameter supply unit (10) supplies a
15 second predefined quantity of electrical parameter to the second wire segment
(30c). The second predefined quantity of electrical parameter supplied to the
second wire segment (30c) is a voltage or an electric current or a frequency or any
combination of these.
20 [0091] The second measuring unit (40be) measures the quantity of
electrical parameters between the third position (70) and the fourth position (180).
In the preferred embodiment, the quantity of the first predefined quantity of
electrical parameters supplied to the first wire segment (20c) and the second
predefined quantity of electrical parameters supplied to the second wire segment
25 (30c) is the same.
[0092] Further, the workstation (210) is connected to the first
measuring unit (40ab) and the second measuring unit (40be). The workstation
(210) receives the measured electrical parameters of the first wire segment (20c)
30 and the second wire segment (30c). In the preferred embodiment, the workstation
(210) has a user interface such as keyboard or mouse or buttons to control the
operation of the system (100b) such as switching the system (100b) between ONOFF,
calibration, switching the unit of measurement (i.e. ampere, microampere,
volt, millivolt) etc. In the preferred embodiment, the details of a first physical
35 parameter in the first wire segment (20c) is prestored in the workstation (210) and
25
the measured electrical parameter for the first wire segment 5 (20c) is a standard
quantity of electrical parameter.
[0093] The details of the first physical parameter of the first wire
segment (20c) are the quantitative and qualitative parameters of the first wire
10 segment (20c) as shown in figure 1a. The quantitative parameters of the first wire
segment (20c) are diameter (25), length (26) etc. as shown in figure 1a and the
qualitative parameters of the first wire segment (20c) are the percentage
efficiency of the first wire segment (20c), indication regarding whether the first
wire segment (20c) is defective or acceptable etc.
15
[0094] Further, in the system (100b), the workstation (210)
includes a processing unit (11) and a memory unit (12) for storing the measured
electrical parameters received from the first wire segment (20c) and the second
wire segment (30c). The processing unit (11) is a microcontroller or a
20 microprocessor or a controller or a processor or a logic controller and the memory
unit (12) is a cloud server or a hard drive or an IOT device.
[0095] In the preferred embodiment, the workstation (210) is
connected to an authentication system (not shown in figure). The authentication
25 system is a biometric system such as a fingerprint sensor or a face recognition
system, or a password-protected system. The authentication system is adapted to
provide access of the system (100) to an authenticated user only when the
authentication system is operated accordingly.
30 [0096] The workstation (210) is adapted to compare the received
measured electrical parameters of the first wire segment (20c) and the second
wire segment (30c) to determine the details of a second physical parameter of the
second wire segment (30c). In the preferred embodiment, the details of the second
physical parameter of the second wire segment (30c) are the quantitative and
35 qualitative parameters of the second wire segment (30c) as shown in figure 1b.
26
The quantitative parameters of the second wire segment (5 30c) are diameter (28),
length (29) etc. as shown in figure 1b and the qualitative parameters of the second
wire segment (30c) are the percentage efficiency of the second wire segment
(30c), indication regarding whether the second wire segment (30c) is defective or
acceptable etc.
10
[0097] The workstation (210) performs comparison between the
physical parameter of the second wire segment (30c) with the electrical
parameters of the first wire segment (20c) that are measured by the measuring
unit (40). The prestored details of the first physical parameter of the first wire
15 segment (20c) are determined by standard measuring methods such as manual or
photographic inspection and manually stored in the workstation (210) as a
reference value.
20 [0098] For example – Let us take the magnitude of diameter (25)
of the first wire segment (20c) be 3 mm be the first physical parameter of the first
segment (20c). The magnitude of the diameter (25) is measured by any standard
measuring method. The measuring unit (40) measures the voltage drop across the
first segment (20c) as 10V. Hence, the workstation (210) stores the value of 3 mm
25 diameter (25) for 10V voltage drop across the first segment (20c).
[0099] The details of comparison of the first wire segment (20c)
and the second wire segment (30c) are updated in the cloud memory of the
memory unit (12) in real-time. The real-time measurement of the electrical
30 parameters means the actual time or instantaneous measurement when the system
(100b) is operating.
[00100] Further, a display unit (13) is connected to the workstation
(210). In the preferred embodiment, the display unit (13) is a screen or a monitor.
27
The display unit (13) is adapted to display the details 5 of the second physical
parameter of the second wire segment (30c).
[00101] For example, let the first wire harness (20) and second wire
harness (30) supplied with a current of 10 microamperes by the electrical
10 parameter supply unit (10). The first measuring pin (40ac) of the first measuring
unit (40ab) is made in contact with the first position (50) over the first wire
segment (20c) and the second measuring pin (40bc) of the first measuring unit
(40ac) is made in contact with the second position (60) at distance (80) of 5 mm
from the first position (50).
15
[00102] The first measuring unit (40ab) measures the potential
difference across the first position (50) and the second position (60) as 10V. The
value measured by the first measuring unit (40ab) is sent to the workstation (210)
and stored in the memory unit (12). Further, the third measuring pin (40ae) of the
20 second measuring unit (40be) is made in contact with the third position (70) of
the second wire segment (30c) and the fourth measuring pin (40bh) is made in
contact with the fourth position (180) of the second wire segment (30c) with the
distance of 5 mm from the third position (70).
25 [00103] The first measuring unit (40ab) measures the potential
difference between the first position (50) and the second position (60) of the first
wire segment (20c) and the second measuring unit (40be) measures the potential
difference between the third position (70) and the second fourth position (180) of
the second wire segment (30c). The first measuring unit (40ab) and the second
30 measuring unit (40be) send the measured value of potential difference across the
first wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c) respectively to the
workstation (210). The measured value of the potential difference between the
third position (70) and the fourth position (180) is measured as 6V. Here, the first
wire segment (20c) is the standard wire segment.
35
28
[00104] The workstation (210) compares 5 the value 6V with the
voltage value 10V measured for the first wire segment (20c) and calculates the
value of the second physical parameter i.e. diameter (28) of the second wire
segment (30c) to be 1.8 mm and displays the calculated value on the display unit
(13). The display unit (13) displays the efficiency of the second wire segment
10 (30c) with respect to the first wire segment (20c) in terms of percentage i.e.
(1.8/3) * 100 = 60%. Further, based on the value of the second physical parameter
of the second wire segment (30c), a signal indicating whether the second wire
segment (30c) is defective or acceptable is also displayed on the display unit (13).
The signal may include an “ERROR” message on displayed on the display unit
15 (13) or a light indicator which shows light of red colour in case of defective
second wire segment (30c).
[00105] Referring now to figure 6, a method (200b) for determining
the details of a physical parameter in wire harnesses in accordance with the
20 present invention is illustrated. For the sake of brevity, the method (200b) is
described in conjunction with the system (100b).
[00106] The method (200b) starts at step 310.
25 [00107] At step 311, the electrical parameter supply unit (10)
supplies one or more electrical parameters to the first wire segment (20c) of a first
wire harness (20) and to the second wire segment (30c) of the second wire
harness (30) when the first wire harness (20) and the second wire harness (20)
connected thereto and the electrical parameter supply unit (10) operated
30 accordingly. The second wire harness (30) is substantially identical to the first
wire harness (20). the first wire harness (20) has a first connector end (21) and a
second connector end (22) joined together by the first wire segment (20c) and the
second wire harness (30) has a third connector end (31) and a fourth connector
end (32) joined together by the second wire segment (20c).
35
29
[00108] At step 312, the first physical 5 contact (140) is made
between the first measuring pin (40ac) of the first measuring unit (40ab) and the
first position (50). The first position (50) is a position between the first connector
end (21) and the second connector end (22).
10 [00109] At step 313, the second physical contact (150) is made
between the second measuring pin (40bc) of the first measuring unit (40ab) and
the second position (60). The second position (60) is another position between the
first connector end (21) and the second connector end (22). There is a predefined
first distance (80) between the first position (50) and the second position (60).
15
[00110] At step 314, the first measuring unit (40ab) measures the
quantity of electrical parameters between the first position (50) and the second
position (60) upon supplying the first predefined quantity of electrical parameters
to the first wire harness (20) by the electrical parameter supply unit (10).
20
[00111] At step 315, the third physical contact (160) is made
between the third measuring pin (40ae) of the second measuring unit (40be) and
the third position (70) over the second wire segment (30c). The third position (70)
is a position between the third connector end (31) and the fourth connector end
25 (32).
[00112] At step 316, the fourth physical contact (170) is made
between the fourth measuring pin (40bh) of the second measuring unit (40be) and
the fourth position (180) over the second wire segment (30c). The fourth position
30 (180) is a position between the third connector end (31) and the fourth connector
end (32). There is a predefined second distance (90) between the third position
(70) and the fourth position (180). The magnitude of the predefined first distance
(80) and the predefined second distance (90) is same.
30
[00113] At step 317, the second measuring unit 5 (40be) measures the
quantity of electrical parameters between the third position (70) and the fourth
position (180) upon supplying the second predefined quantity of electrical
parameters to the second wire segment (30c) by the electric parameter supply unit
(10). The quantity of the first predefined quantity of electrical parameters
10 supplied to the first wire segment (20c) and the second predefined quantity of
electrical parameters supplied to the second wire segment (30c) is the same.
[00114] At step 318, the first measuring unit (40ab) and the second
measuring unit (40be) send information about measured electrical parameters of
15 the first wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c) respectively to a
workstation (210). The details of a first physical parameter in the first wire
segment (20c) is prestored in the workstation (210) and the measured electrical
parameter of the first wire segment (20c) is a standard quantity of electrical
parameter.
20
[00115] At step 319, the workstation compares the received
measured electrical parameters of the first wire segment (20c) and the second
wire segment (30c) to determine the details of a second physical parameter in the
second wire segment (30c).
25
[00116] At step 320, the display unit (13) the determined details of
the second physical parameter in the second wire segment (30c).
[00117] The method (200b) ends at step 321.
30
[00118] Similarly, as per the requirement of a user (testing
operator), the efficient first wire segments can be defined, and another wire
segments can be compared and comparison details are displayed by the system
(100a or 100b). The user can measure the efficiency of multiple wire harness
35 against a standard wire harness. Here, the user can be a quality assurance
31
engineer, a lab operator, or a research professional responsible 5 for testing the wire
harness activities.
[00119] Thus, the present invention provides a system (100a and
100b) has advantage providing which determines the details of a physical
10 parameter in wire harnesses by measuring the electrical parameters across the
wire segments and provides a reliable and efficient alternative to the wire harness
selection as compared to manual physical inspection methods. The system (100a
and 100b) also allows the efficiency measurement of multiple wire harnesses on a
single setup, reducing the operating time during quality check. Also, the system
15 (100a and 100b) requires a simple and cost-effective measurement setup to
inspect multiple wire harnesses at a time without affecting the accuracy of
measurement. The system (100) also avoids the need of destructive testing
methods such as cutting the wire segment, performing tension test on the wire
segment until failure etc., thereby reduces the wastage of material of the wire
20 harnesses.
[00120] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description.
They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the
25 precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and
described in order to explain the principles of the present invention best and its
practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the
present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are
30 suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission
and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or
render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or
implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the
present invention.
35
32
5 We Claim:
1. A system (100a) for determining the details of a physical parameter in wire
harnesses, the system (100a) includes an electrical parameter supply unit (10)
adapted to supply one or more electrical parameters therefrom to a first wire
segment (20c) of a first wire harness (20) and to a second wire segment (30c) of a
10 second wire harness (30) when the first wire segment (20c) and the second wire
segment (30c) connected thereto and the electrical parameter supply unit (10)
operated accordingly, the second wire harness (30) is substantially identical to the
first wire harness (20), the first wire segment (20c) has a first connector end (21)
and a second connector end (22) joined by the first wire segment (20c) and the
15 second wire segment (30c) has a third connector end (31) and a fourth connector
end (32) joined by the second wire segment (30c), characterized in that the
system (100a) comprises:
a measuring unit (40) having a first measuring pin (40a) and a second
measuring pin (40b), wherein in a first measurement cycle (220), the first
20 measuring pin (40a) is adapted to have a first physical contact (140) with the first
wire segment (20c) at a first position (50);
the second measuring pin (40b) is adapted to have a second physical
contact (150) at a second position (60), the first position (50) is a position
between the first connector end (21) and the second connector end (22) and the
25 second position (60) is another position between the first connector end (21) and
the second connector end (22) with a predefined first distance (80) therebetween,
wherein upon supplying a first predefined quantity of electrical parameter to the
first wire segment (20c), the measuring unit (40) measures the quantity of
electrical parameter between the first position (50) and the second position (60);
30 wherein subsequently in a second measurement cycle (230), the first
measuring pin (40a) is adapted to have a third physical contact (160) with the
second wire segment (30c) at a third position (70) and the second measuring pin
(40b) is adapted to have a fourth physical contact (170) with the second wire
segment (30c) at a fourth position (180), the third position (70) is a position
33
between the third connector end (31) and the fourth 5 connector end (32) and the
fourth position (180) is a position between the third connector end (31) and the
fourth connector end (32) with a predefined second distance (90) therebetween,
wherein the magnitude of the predefined first distance (80) and the predefined
second distance (90) is same;
10 wherein upon supplying a second predefined quantity of electrical
parameter to the second wire segment (30c), the measuring unit (40) measures the
quantity of electrical parameters between the third position (70) and the fourth
position (180), the quantity of the first predefined quantity of electrical
parameters and the second predefined quantity of electrical parameters is same;
15 a workstation (210) connected to the measuring unit (40), the
measuring unit (40) sends information about measured electrical parameters to
the workstation (210);
wherein the details of a first physical parameter in the first wire
segment (20c) are prestored in the workstation (210) and the measured electrical
20 parameter in the first measurement cycle (220) is a standard quantity of electrical
parameter;
wherein the workstation (210) is adapted to compare the received
measured electrical parameters of the first measurement cycle (220) and the
second measurement cycle (230) to determine the details of a second physical
25 parameter of the second wire segment (30c), wherein the first physical parameter
and the second physical parameter are same parameters; and
a display unit (13) connected to the workstation (210), the display unit
(13) is adapted to display the determined details of the second physical parameter
in the second wire segment (30c).
30
2. A system (100b) for determining the details of a physical parameter in wire
harnesses, the system (100b) includes an electrical parameter supply unit (10)
adapted to supply one or more electrical parameters therefrom to a first wire
segment (20c) of a first wire harness (20) and to a second wire segment (30c) of a
35 second wire harness (30) when the first wire segment (20c) and the second wire
34
segment (30c) connected thereto and the electrical parameter 5 supply unit (10)
operated accordingly, the second wire harness (30) is substantially identical to the
first wire harness (20), the first wire harness (20) has a first connector end (21)
and a second connector end (22) joined together by the first wire segment (20c)
and the second wire segment (30c) has a third connector end (31) and a fourth
10 connector end (32) joined together by the second wire segment (20c),
characterized in that the system (100a) comprises:
a first measuring unit (40ab) having a first measuring pin (40ac) and a
second measuring pin (40bc), the first measuring pin (40ac) is adapted to have a
first physical contact (140) with the first wire segment (20c) at a first position
15 (50);
the second measuring pin (40bc) is adapted to have a second physical
contact (150) with the first wire segment (20c) at a second position (60), the first
position (50) is a position between the first connector end (21) and the second
connector end (22) and the second position (60) is another position between the
20 first connector end (21) and the second connector end (22) with a predefined first
distance (80) therebetween, wherein upon supplying a first predefined quantity of
electrical parameters to the first wire harness (20), the first measuring unit (40ab)
measures the quantity of electrical parameters between the first position (50) and
the second position (60);
25 a second measuring unit (40be) having a third measuring pin (40ae)
and a fourth measuring pin (40bh), the third measuring pin (40ae) is adapted to
have a third physical contact (160) with the second wire segment (30c) at a third
position (70);
the fourth measuring pin (40bh) is adapted to have a fourth physical
30 contact (170) with the second wire segment (30c) at a fourth position (180), the
third position (70) is a position between the third connector end (31) and the
fourth connector end (32) and the fourth position (180) is another position
between the third connector end (31) and the fourth connector end (32) with a
predefined second distance (90) therebetween, wherein the magnitude of the
35 predefined first distance (80) and the predefined second distance (90) is same;
35
wherein upon supplying a second predefined 5 quantity of electrical
parameters to the second wire segment (30c), the second measuring unit (40be)
measures the quantity of electrical parameters between the third position (70) and
the fourth position (180), the quantity of the first predefined quantity of electrical
parameters and the second predefined quantity of electrical parameters is same;
10 a workstation (210) connected to the first measuring unit (40ab) and
the second measuring unit (40be), the first measuring unit (40ab) and the second
measuring unit (40be) send information about measured electrical parameters of
the first wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c) to the workstation
(210),
15 wherein the details of a first physical parameter in the first wire
harness is prestored in the workstation (210) and the measured electrical
parameter of the first wire segment (20c) is a standard quantity of electrical
parameter,
wherein the workstation (210) is adapted to compare the received
20 measured electrical parameters of the first wire segment (20c) and the second
wire segment (30c) to determine the details of a second physical parameter in the
second wire segment (30c), wherein the first physical parameter and the second
physical parameter are same parameters; and
a display unit (13) connected to the workstation (210), the display unit
25 is adapted to display the determined detail of the second physical parameter.
3. A method (200a) for determining the details of a physical parameter in wire
harnesses, the method (200a) includes steps of supplying one or more electrical
parameters to a first wire segment (20c) of a first wire harness (20) and to a
30 second wire segment (30c) of a second wire harness (30) by an electric parameter
supply unit (10) by connecting the first wire segment (20c) and the second wire
segment (30c) thereto and operating the electrical parameter supply unit (10)
accordingly, wherein the second wire harness (30) is substantially identical to the
first wire harness (20), the first wire harness (20) has a first connector end (21)
35 and a second connector end (22) joined by the first wire segment (20c) and the
36
second wire harness (30) has a third connector end 5 (31) and a fourth connector
end (32) joined by the second wire segment (30c), characterized in that the
method (200a) comprises step(s) of:
making a first physical contact (140) between a first measuring pin
(40a) of a measuring unit (40) and a first position (50);
10 making a second physical contact (150) between a second measuring
pin (40b) of the measuring unit (40) and a second position (60), the first position
(50) is a position between the first connector end (21) and the second connector
end (22) and the second position (60) is another position between the first
connector end (21) and the second connector end (22) with a predefined first
15 distance (80) therebetween;
measuring the quantity of electrical parameters between the first
position (50) and the second position (60) by the measuring unit (40) upon
supplying a first predefined quantity of electrical parameters to the first wire
segment (20c);
20 making a third physical contact (160) between the first measuring pin
(40a) and a third position (70);
making a fourth physical contact (170) between the second
measuring pin (40b) and a fourth position (180), the third position (70) is a
position between the third connector end (31) and the fourth connector end (32)
25 and the fourth position (180) is a position between the third connector end (31)
and the fourth connector end (32) with a predefined second distance (90)
therebetween, wherein the magnitude of the predefined first distance (80) and the
predefined second distance (90) is same;
measuring the quantity of electrical parameters between the third
30 position (70) and the fourth position (180) by the measuring unit (40) upon
supplying a second predefined quantity of electrical parameters to the second wire
segment (30c), wherein the quantity of the first predefined quantity of electrical
parameters and the second predefined quantity of electrical parameters is same;
sending information about measured electrical parameters of the first
35 wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c) to a workstation (210)
37
connected to the measuring unit (40), wherein the details 5 of a first physical
parameter in the first wire segment (20c) is prestored in the workstation (210) and
the measured electrical parameter for the first wire segment (20c) is a standard
quantity of electrical parameter;
comparing the received information about measured electrical
10 parameters of the first wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c) by
the workstation (210) and determining the details of a second physical parameter
in the second wire segment (30c), wherein the first physical parameter and the
second physical parameter are same parameters; and
displaying the determined details of the second physical parameter by
15 a display unit (13) connected to the workstation (210).
4. A method (200b) for determining the details of a physical parameter in wire
harnesses, the method (200b) includes steps of supplying one or more electrical
parameters to a first wire segment (20c) of a first wire harness (20) and to a
20 second wire segment (30c) of a second wire harness (30) by an electrical
parameter supply unit (10) when the first wire harness (20) and the second wire
harness (20) connected thereto and the electrical parameter supply unit (10)
operated accordingly, wherein the second wire harness (30) is substantially
identical to the first wire harness (20), the first wire harness (20) has a first
25 connector end (21) and a second connector end (22) joined together by the first
wire segment (20c) and the second wire harness (30) has a third connector end
(31) and a fourth connector end (32) joined together by the second wire segment
(20c), characterized in that the method (200b) comprises:
making a first physical contact (140) between a first measuring pin
30 (40ac) of a first measuring unit (40ab) and a first position (50);
making a second physical contact (150) between a second measuring
pin (40bc) of the first measuring unit (40ab) and a second position (60), the first
position (50) is a position between the first connector end (21) and the second
connector end (22) and the second position (60) is another position between the
38
first connector end (21) and the second connector end (22) with 5 a predefined first
distance (80) therebetween;
measuring the quantity of electrical parameters between the first
position (50) and the second position (60) by the first measuring unit (40ab) upon
supplying a first predefined quantity of electrical parameters to the first wire
10 segment (20c) by the electrical parameter supply unit (10);
making a third physical contact (160) between a third measuring pin
(40ae) of the second measuring unit (40be) and a third position (70) over the
second wire segment (30c),
making a fourth physical contact (170) between a fourth measuring
15 pin (40bh) of the second measuring unit (40be) and a fourth position (180) over
the second wire segment (30c), the third position (70) is a position between the
third connector end (31) and the fourth connector end (32) and the fourth position
(180) is another position between the third connector end (31) and the fourth
connector end (32) with a predefined second distance (90) therebetween, wherein
20 the magnitude of the predefined first distance (80) and the predefined second
distance (90) is same;
measuring the quantity of electrical parameters between the third
position (70) and the fourth position (180) by the second measuring unit (40be)
upon supplying a second predefined quantity of electrical parameters to the
25 second wire segment (30c) by the electric parameter supply unit (10), wherein the
quantity of the first predefined quantity of electrical parameters and the second
predefined quantity of electrical parameters is same,
sending information about measured electrical parameters of the first
wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c) to a workstation (210) by
30 the first measuring unit (40ab) and the second measuring unit (40be) respectively,
wherein the details of a first physical parameter in the first wire segment (20c) is
prestored in the workstation (210) and the measured electrical parameter of the
first wire segment (20c) is a standard quantity of electrical parameter,
comparing the received measured electrical parameters of the first
35 wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c) to determine the details of
39
a second physical parameter in the second wire segment 5 (30c) by the workstation
(210), wherein the first physical parameter and the second physical parameter are
same parameters; and
displaying the determined details of the second physical parameter in
the second wire segment (30c) by a display unit (13) connected to the workstation
10 (210).
5. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the details of the first physical
parameter in the first wire segment (20c) are quantitative parameters and
qualitative parameters of the first wire segment (20c), the quantitative parameters
15 are geometrical parameters of the first wire segment (20c) such as length (26) and
diameter (25) and the qualitative parameter of the first wire segment (20c) is the
efficiency of the first wire segment (20c); the details of the second physical
parameter in the second wire segment (30c) are quantitative parameters and
qualitative parameters of the second wire segment (30c), the quantitative
20 parameters of the second wire segment (30c) are geometrical parameters such as
length (29) and diameter (28) and the qualitative parameter of the second wire
segment (30c) is the efficiency of the second wire segment (30c).
6. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, the details of the first physical
25 parameter of the first wire segment (20c) are quantitative parameters and
qualitative parameters of the first wire segment (20c), the quantitative parameters
of the first wire segment (20) are geometrical parameters such as length (26) and
diameter (25) and the qualitative parameter of the first wire segment (20) is the
efficiency of the first wire segment (20); the details of the second physical
30 parameter of the second wire segment (30c) are quantitative parameters and
qualitative parameters of the second wire segment (30c), the quantitative
parameters of the first wire segment (20) are geometrical parameters such as
length (29) and diameter (28) and the qualitative parameter of the second wire
segment (30c) is the efficiency of the second wire segment (30c).
35
40
5
7. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prestored details of the first
physical parameter of the first wire segment (20c) in the workstation (210) is
determined by standard measuring methods such as a manual or a photographic
inspection.
10
8. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the prestored details of the first
physical parameter of the first wire segment (20c) in the workstation (210) is
determined by standard measuring methods such as a manual or a photographic
inspection.
15
9. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, the electrical parameter supply unit (10)
is a voltage source or a current source or a frequency supply unit.
10. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, the electrical parameter supply unit (10)
20 is a voltage source or a current source or a frequency supply unit.
11. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, the measuring unit (40) is a voltmeter or
an ammeter or an LCR meter or a multimeter or an oscilloscope.
25
12. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, the first measuring unit (40ab) is a
voltmeter or an ammeter or an LCR meter or a multimeter or an oscilloscope and
the second measuring unit (40be) is a voltmeter or an ammeter or an LCR meter
or a multimeter or an oscilloscope.
30
13. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first predefined quantity of
electric parameter supplied to the first wire segment (20c) and the second
predefined quantity of electric parameter supplied to the second wire segment
(30c) is an electromotive force or a frequency or an electric current or a
35 combination of these.
41
5
14. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first predefined quantity
of electric parameter supplied to the first wire segment (20c) and the second
predefined quantity of electric parameter supplied to the second wire segment
(30c) is an electromotive force or a frequency or an electric current or
10 combination of these.
15. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, the electrical parameters measured
between the first position (50) and the second position (60) is a potential
difference or an electric current or a resistance or an inductance or an
15 impendence and the electrical parameters measured between the third position
(70) and the fourth position (180) is a potential difference or an electric current
or a resistance or an inductance or an impendence.
16. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, the electrical parameters measured
20 between the first position (50) and the second position (60) is a potential
difference or an electric current or a resistance or an inductance or an
impendence and the electrical parameters measured between the third position
(70) and the fourth position (180) is a potential difference or an electric current
or a resistance or an inductance or an impendence.
25
17. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance (40f) between the
first measuring pin (40a) and the second measuring pin (40b) of the measuring
unit (40) is adjustable.
30 18. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a distance (40g) between the
first measuring pin (40ac) and the second measuring pin (40bc) of the first
measuring unit (40ab) and a distance (40h) between the third measuring pin
(40ae) and the fourth measuring pin (40bh) of the second measuring unit (40be)
is adjustable.
42
5
19. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the workstation (210)
includes a processing unit (11) and a memory unit (12) for storing the measured
electrical parameters received from the first measurement cycle (220) and the
second measurement cycle (230).
10
20. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the workstation (210)
includes a processing unit (11) and a memory unit (12) for storing the measured
electrical parameters received from the first wire segment (20c) and the second
wire segment (30c).
15
21. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the processing unit (11) is a
microcontroller or microprocessor or controller or processor or logic controller
and the memory unit (12) is a cloud server or a hard drive or an IOT device.
20 22. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the processing unit (11) is a
microcontroller or microprocessor or controller or processor or logic controller
and the memory unit (12) is a cloud server or a hard drive or an IOT device.
23. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric parameter supply
25 unit (10) has an interface for controlling the operation of the electric parameter
supply unit (10).
24. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the electric parameter supply
unit (10) has an interface for controlling the operation of the electric parameter
30 supply unit (10).
25. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the workstation (210) is
connected to an authentication system, the authentication system is adapted to
provide access of the system (100a) to an authenticated user only when the
35 authentication system is operated accordingly.
43
5
26. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the workstation (210) is
connected to an authentication system, the authentication system is adapted to
provide access of the system (100b) to an authenticated user only when the
authentication system is operated accordingly.
10
27. The system (100a) as claimed in claim 21, the details of comparison of the first
measurement cycle (220) and the second measurement cycle (230) are updated
in the cloud server of the memory unit (12) in real-time.
15 28. The system (100b) as claimed in claim 22, the details of comparison of the first
wire segment (20c) and the second wire segment (30c) are updated in the cloud
server of the memory unit (12) on real-time.