Cable Tape Wrapping Unit With Moving Rollers for Fast Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable wrapping devices for adhesive tape are cumbersome, require excessive space, have long processing cycles, and are complex, making them inefficient for automated cable assembly.

Innovation Solution

A compact device with a base, clamping and separating unit, winding unit, and displacement mechanism, utilizing linear actuators and rotating elements to rapidly wrap cables with adhesive tape, eliminating the need for additional components and allowing synchronized movement with cable assembly lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If traditional wrapping devices are used, then cables can be wrapped with adhesive tape, but the devices require excessive space and have high complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components: a base unit, a winding unit with rollers, and a displacement device. Each component performs a specific function and can be independently optimized, reducing overall complexity while maintaining compact footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The winding unit serves multiple functions: it holds the adhesive tape roll, dispenses the tape, wraps it around the cable, and can be rapidly repositioned. The displacement device enables the same unit to perform both winding and repositioning operations, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms.

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

2Productivity

If traditional wrapping devices are used, then cables can be wrapped with adhesive tape, but the processing cycle time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing cycle timeVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive tape is pre-loaded onto the rollers of the winding unit before the wrapping operation begins. The displacement device pre-positions the winding unit near the cable, so that when wrapping is initiated, no time is lost during the actual operation for loading or positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The linear actuator enables continuous, rapid movement of the winding unit between positions without interruption. The adhesive tape flows continuously from the roll through the wrapping process, eliminating pauses or discrete steps that would extend cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If the winding unit is stationary, then the structure is simple, but additional movement of cables or cable harnesses to the winding unit is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidmovement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the cable to the stationary winding unit, the invention inverts the approach by making the winding unit mobile and moving it to the cable. This is achieved through the displacement device with linear actuator, which rapidly positions the winding unit at the required location along the cable assembly line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4632770A1Apparatus and method for wrapping conduits
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 MD ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP4632770A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4632770A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4632770A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (1) for wrapping cables (2) with an adhesive tape (4), comprising a base (13) which has at least one storage device (14) for the adhesive tape (4) and a clamping and separating unit (16), a winding unit (20), wherein the winding unit (20) is arranged on the base (13) via a displacement device (12) and can be displaced at least between a first and a second position (P1, P2), and at least a first and a second roller (25, 26) which are fastened to the winding unit (20) for temporarily receiving an adhesive tape section in the winding unit (20), wherein the first and second rollers (25, 26) receive the adhesive tape section from the clamping and separating unit (16) in the first position (P1) and release it onto the cables (2) in the second position (P2). The invention further relates to a method for wrapping cables (2) with an adhesive tape (4).