Capacitive Cable Stripping Tool for Contact Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable processing devices face limitations in mobility, particularly with rotating parts, due to fixed cabling, which increases production and maintenance costs and can lead to measurement errors and cable damage.

Innovation Solution

A device with a movable tool connected to a coupling capacitor, eliminating the need for cables by using a movable first electrode body relative to a stationary second electrode body, allowing for rotatable and linear movement while maintaining contact detection with the cable conductor through capacitance changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed measurement cable is used to connect the stripping knife to the measuring device, then contact detection is enabled, but mobility of the tool is restricted and cable damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact detection reliabilityVSAvoidtool mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with a capacitive coupling system. The measurement cable is eliminated and replaced by an electrode that forms a capacitor with the conductive stripping knife. This allows electrical connection through electromagnetic field coupling rather than physical cable attachment, enabling full tool mobility while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary capacitive coupling system between the stripping knife and measuring device. Instead of direct cable connection, the system uses an electrode and capacitor arrangement that mediates the electrical connection through electromagnetic coupling, allowing the tool to move freely while maintaining reliable contact detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If measurement cables are frequently connected and disconnected for servicing, then tool maintenance is enabled, but time expenditure increases and measurement errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool maintainabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical plug-and-cable connection system with a capacitive coupling system where the electrode forms a capacitor with the conductive stripping knife. This eliminates the need to physically connect and disconnect measurement cables during maintenance, allowing the tool to be serviced quickly without risking measurement cable damage or connection errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If high-quality screened measurement cables and plug connectors are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but production costs and assembly effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact detection accuracyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive screened measurement cables and precision plug connectors with a simple capacitive coupling system using conductive electrodes. The measurement capability is maintained through electromagnetic field coupling, eliminating the need for costly cable assemblies while preserving measurement accuracy for contact detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses simple, inexpensive conductive electrodes instead of expensive screened cables and connectors. The capacitive coupling system achieves the same measurement function using basic conductive materials, significantly reducing component costs and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The solution enhances mobility, reduces production and maintenance costs, and minimizes measurement interference, enabling precise detection of cable conductor contact without the need for complex cabling, thus improving the overall efficiency and accuracy of cable processing.

Implementation Method 1

through the two electrode bodies, which are separated from one another by an air gap or an insulation material, a coupling capacitor is formed by way of which the metal tool is or can be coupled to the measuring device, to an alternating voltage source or to an electrical potential

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

contacting of the electrical conductor by the tool is detectable... for measuring changes in the capacitance of the tool which arise if the tool comes into contact with the electrical conductor of the cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance change detection: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10551337B2Device for processing cables

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 KOMAX HOLDING

AI summary

A device for processing—particularly stripping insulation, cutting, contacting, fitting-out, connecting, measuring or checking—a cable that has at least one insulated electrical conductor includes a metal tool movable relative to the cable and a measuring device by which contact with the electrical conductor by the tool is detectable. The tool is connected with a first electrode body movable relative to a second electrode body so that through the two electrode bodies, which bodies are separated from one another by an air gap or an insulating material, a coupling capacitor is formed, by which the metal tool is or can be coupled to the measuring device, to an alternating voltage source or to an electrical potential.