Cable Shield Trimming via Tearing Through Drilled Plates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The current process of trimming exposed shielding in shielded cables is manual and labor-intensive, leading to inefficiencies and risks of damaging the cable.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automated or fully automated system that uses a pair of metal plates with drilled holes to tear the shield strands circumferentially, eliminating the need for blades and reducing manual labor, with a cable gripper and shield gripper mechanism to ensure consistent trimming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual bunching and trimming of shield strands is performed, then the shield can be trimmed, but the process is slow and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical bunching and trimming process with an automated mechanical system. A pair of plates with precisely positioned holes are used to automatically bunch the shield strands and tear them cleanly without manual intervention, significantly increasing productivity and reducing cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield strands automatically bunch themselves between the plates when the plates are pressed together, and the tearing action occurs automatically when the cable is pulled through the holes. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual bunching and trimming operations.
2Reliability
If manual bunching of shield is performed, then trimming can be done, but it risks nicking or damaging the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful cutting action from the process by eliminating blades entirely. Instead of cutting the shield strands, the process uses a tearing mechanism where the strands are pulled through holes in the plates, which cleanly separates them without nicking or damaging the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of manual handling into a benefit by using the pulling action itself to achieve clean separation. The tension applied when pulling the cable through the plates creates a controlled tearing action that is actually more protective of the cable than manual cutting methods.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated shield trimming is implemented, then consistent quality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the trimming function into two simple components: plates with holes for bunching and a pulling mechanism for tearing. This segmentation achieves consistent quality through precise hole positioning while keeping each individual component simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The plates serve multiple functions: they guide the cable, bunch the shield strands, and provide the tearing edge. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A shield trim is performed by tearing bunched shield strands circumferentially along a circular edge. The apparatus includes a pair of aligned metal plates that have been drilled through multiple times such that holes of varying diameters pass through both plates. A cable gripper on the entry side of the device clamps the cable in place. A shield gripper on the rear side of the device closes over the exposed shielding of the cable, and the two plates are pushed together. The shield gripper travels with the rear plate, pushing the shield over the wires and causing the shield to bunch between the two plates. With the two plates pushed together, both grippers open and the cable is pulled free from the device. This pull forces a stress concentration which tears the shield strands across the sharp edge of the hole, producing a uniformly trimmed shield.