Method and apparatus for manufacturing electrical harnesses

1. Apparatus for manufacturing a harness of electrically conductive wire segments including a connector, the apparatus comprising:

a harness support being elongate along a longitudinal axis and including a longitudinal slideway;

a connector support fitted with members for fastening the connector to the connector support;

a tool for reversing a direction that the wire segments extend;

means for fastening the connector support to a first longitudinal end of the harness support; and

means for fastening the reversing tool to a second longitudinal end of the harness support.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a graduated rule secured to the harness support and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an abutment serving as a reference for measuring a length of branches of the harness.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the abutment is retractable.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a tool for holding wire segments in a direction that extends transversely or obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the harness support.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the holding tool comprises elastically-deformable blades arranged to clamp onto ones of the wire segments that are to be held in waiting.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a gutter extending along a longitudinal edge of the harness support and arranged to receive portions of wire segments extending beyond the harness support.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the connector support and the reversing tool comprises a guide member and a locking member designed to engage with the slideway.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the harness support includes at least two longitudinal slideways, and wherein a length of the harness support is greater than or equal to five times its width.

10. A method of manufacturing an electrical harness including a connector using the apparatus according to claim 1 , said method comprising:

inserting the wire segments of the harness into the connector;

engaging the connector in the connector support;

fastening the connector support to the first longitudinal end of the harness support; and

fastening the reversing tool to the second longitudinal end of the harness support.

11. Apparatus for manufacturing a harness of electrically conductive wire segments including a connector, the apparatus comprising:

a harness support that is elongate along a longitudinal axis and including a longitudinal slideway;

a connector support fitted with members for fastening the connector to the connector support;

a harness twisting tool; and

a twisting tool support slidably mounted on the harness support via the slideway of the harness support.