Wire bundle overmold structure
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems, Inc.
InventorsJohn Bruce Horst, Ken Garrigues
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method joins wire assemblies to define a wire harness by providing a mold assembly having a plurality of surface features therein to define an overmold structure. A portion of at least two individual and unconnected wire assemblies is placed into the mold assembly. The mold assembly is closed. During a molding process, uncured material is injected into the mold. The material is permitted to cure to define the overmold structure fixed to and joining the at least two wire assemblies. The portions of the wire assemblies are removed from the mold with the overmold structure thereon to define a wire harness, with opposing ends of the wire assemblies being free from covering by the overmold structure.
Claims17
A method of joining wire assemblies to define a wire harness comprising the steps of:
- providing a mold assembly having a plurality of surface features therein to define an overmold structure,
- placing a portion of at least two individual and unconnected wire assemblies into the mold assembly,
- closing the mold assembly,
- during a molding process, injecting uncured material into the mold,
- permitting the material to cure to define the overmold structure fixed to and joining the at least two wire assemblies, and
- removing the portions of the wire assemblies from the mold with the overmold structure thereon to define a wire harness, with opposing ends of the wire assemblies being free from covering by the overmold structure.
A wire harness comprising:
- at least two individual and unconnected wire assemblies,
- an overmold structure fixed to and joining the at least two wire assemblies, with opposing ends of the wire assemblies being free from covering by the overmold structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.