Cable Shield Straightening Device for Braided Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for processing electrical cables, particularly braided cable shields, struggle with efficiently straightening or unbraiding them for assembly, leading to uneven resting on support sleeves and inadequate connector connections, which affects mechanical and electrical stability.

Innovation Solution

A device with drivable brushes distributed along the cable's circumference, fixed by a clamping device, brushes the braided cable shield to align strands linearly, and a pliers-like tool radially expands the shield for easier sleeve insertion, ensuring even processing without manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual brushing method is used to straighten braided cable shield, then strands can be aligned, but automation is lost and processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrand alignment qualityVSAvoidprocessing automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical brushing with an automated mechanical brushing system. A rotating brush with bristles automatically contacts and straightens the braided cable shield strands as the cable moves through the processing device, eliminating manual operation while maintaining effective strand alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing device performs self-service automation where the rotating brush automatically straightens the braided shield without requiring manual intervention. The system feeds itself through continuous cable movement and automatic brush rotation, achieving both quality strand alignment and processing automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If braided cable shield is processed without unraveling, then processing speed increases, but connector connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidconnector connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by straightening and aligning the braided cable shield strands before the connector assembly process. The rotating brush pre-processes the shield to create uniform strand alignment, ensuring that subsequent connector installation achieves reliable mechanical and electrical connections without requiring post-processing adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If radial expansion of braided shield is applied, then sleeve insertion becomes easier, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesieve insertion easeVSAvoidprocessing device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the radial expansion function into the existing rotating brush mechanism. The same brush that straightens the strands also provides radial expansion through its rotational contact and applied pressure, eliminating the need for separate expansion devices and reducing overall system complexity while improving sleeve insertion ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method reliably unbraids and processes braided cable shields, improving mechanical and electrical properties of connectors, enhancing holding force, vibration resistance, and conductivity, while enabling fully automated processing.

Implementation Method 1

several drivable brushes which are distributed along the circumference of the cable fixed by the clamping device and are designed to brush a cable shielding braid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a pliers-like tool radially expands the shield for easier sleeve insertion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3804048B1Device and method for processing an end of an electrical cable
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 METZNER MASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP3804048B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3804048B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3804048B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for processing an end (2) of an electrical cable, comprising a clamping device (3) for fixing the cable. Provision is made for three brushes (7) or more brushes (7) to be arranged distributed along the circumference of the cable fixed by the clamping device (3) and to be designed to brush a braided cable shield (8) exposed at least in the region of the end (2) of the cable that is to be processed straight in the direction of the end (2) of the cable that is to be processed, wherein the clamping device (3) is designed to fix the cable in a manner secured against rotation during brushing.