Cable Stripping Length Adjustment for Shielded Wire Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable stripping machines require high manual interaction for adjusting stripping lengths, leading to inaccuracies and increased processing time, especially when handling shielded cables in high-voltage applications.

Innovation Solution

A stripping system with a first cutting means and a second cutting means, where the second cutting means is movable relative to the first, allowing for precise and automated adjustment of stripping lengths through a stopping means and rotational movement, enabled by a control unit that can store and recall pre-defined lengths, and optionally utilize a scanner for machine-readable objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual adjustment of stripping length is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to inaccurate adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidstripping length precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated motor-driven system. A motor (24) drives a drive gear (45) that meshes with a length adjustment gear (43) on the stopping means (32), enabling automated, precise positioning of the stopping face (38) relative to the cutting edge (28) without manual intervention, thereby improving stripping length precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit (60) automatically controls the motor (24) to position the stopping means (32) at the correct location based on stored stripping length data. The system serves itself by automatically adjusting the stripping length without requiring manual measurement or adjustment, improving both precision and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual adjustment of stripping length is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to increased processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit (60) stores pre-defined stripping length values in advance. When a cable is to be stripped, the system automatically retrieves the appropriate pre-stored value and positions the stopping means (32) accordingly, eliminating the time-consuming manual measurement and adjustment process, thereby significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The motor-driven automatic positioning system replaces manual adjustment operations, enabling rapid repositioning of the stopping means (32) between different stripping lengths. This automated mechanical system reduces the time required for each stripping operation and allows quick adaptation to different cable types, improving overall productivity.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If automated stripping length adjustment is implemented, then manufacturing precision and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping length precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit (60) serves multiple functions: it stores multiple pre-defined stripping length values, automatically selects the appropriate value based on cable type, controls the motor (24) for positioning, and coordinates the cutting operation. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated control unit, improving precision while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive gear (45) acts as an intermediary between the motor (24) and the length adjustment gear (43) on the stopping means (32). This mechanical intermediary translates motor rotation into precise linear positioning of the stopping face (38), enabling accurate control without requiring a complex direct-drive mechanism, thus improving precision while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If automated stripping length adjustment is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing timeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit (60) stores multiple pre-defined stripping length values in advance. When processing different cable types, the system automatically retrieves the appropriate pre-stored value and positions the stopping means (32) accordingly, eliminating the time-consuming manual measurement and adjustment process. This preliminary preparation of data significantly improves productivity while keeping the hardware addition minimal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit (60) automatically controls the motor (24) to position the stopping means (32) at the correct location based on stored stripping length data. The system serves itself by automatically adjusting the stripping length without requiring manual measurement or adjustment, improving both precision and efficiency while adding only one automated subsystem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4287426A1Stripping system
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP4287426A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4287426A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4287426A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and a stripping system 1 for stripping a shield and/or an insulation of an end of an electric cable 100. The system comprising a first cutting means 16 and a second cutting means 26. The second cutting means 26 being movable relative to the first cutting means 16 and includes a cutting edge 28. Further, the system comprises a stopping means 32, providing a stopping face 38 for the end to be stripped of the electric cable 100. The stopping means 32 being movable relative to the second cutting means 26. Further, the system comprises a stripping length adjustment means. The stripping length adjustment means being adapted to automatically adjust a distance l between the cutting edge 28 of the second cutting means 26 and the stopping face 38 prior to cutting the shield and/or insulation of the electric cable to adjust a pre-defined stripping length by moving the stopping means 32 relative to the second cutting means 26, wherein the first and the second cutting means 16, 26 are configured to cut a shield and/or an insulation of an electric cable circumferentially at a position corresponding to the pre-defined stripping length and to strip the excess shield and/or insulation.