Cold Shrink Tube Support Core With Varying Bond Strength

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing removable support core assemblies for cold shrink tubing require high force for removal and can result in rough edges or collapse due to inconsistent bond strengths, making the process difficult and uncontrollable.

Innovation Solution

The support core is designed with varying bond strengths along its edges, featuring sections with low and high bond strength, allowing for predictable and controlled removal by alternating between easy and hard-to-separate sections, and optionally using perforations to ensure smooth edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the bond strength between ribbon edges is increased to prevent core collapse, then the hoop strength is improved, but the removal force required increases and the edges become rough

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehoop strengthVSAvoidremoval ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating zones of varying bond strength along the ribbon edges. Some sections have strong bonds (providing high hoop strength to prevent collapse), while other sections have weak bonds (allowing easy removal). This spatial variation in bond quality resolves the contradiction between needing strong overall structure and easy disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the bond strength is uniform along the ribbon edges, then the structural integrity is consistent, but the removal process requires repetitive high force and creates rough edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidedge smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by creating non-uniform bond strength distribution along the ribbon edges. Strong bond zones maintain structural integrity and prevent core collapse, while weak bond zones allow clean separation with minimal force, producing smooth edges without requiring repetitive high-force operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If strong adhesive bonding is used to join ribbon edges, then the hoop strength increases, but the removal process becomes difficult and requires breaking strong joints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehoop strengthVSAvoidremoval process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by creating localized variations in adhesive bonding strength. Certain sections have strong adhesive bonds that provide necessary hoop strength, while other sections have weak bonds that allow easy removal. This eliminates the need for complex repetitive breaking processes while maintaining structural integrity where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2795754B1Support core for cold shrink tube
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP2795754B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2795754B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2795754B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Provided is an article comprising a helically wound ribbon forming a tubular support core, the ribbon having first and second edges wherein adjacent first and second edges comprise one or more bonds along the length of the tubular support core; wherein the strength of the one or more bonds varies along the length of the tubular support core.