Conductive Particle Cable Transverse Conductivity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical cables with multiple conductors face reduced conductivity due to surface reactions and oxidation layers forming between conductors, which impede transverse conductivity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating electrically conductive particles between the conductors, which are pressed into the conductor surfaces during winding, creating a mechanical and electrical connection that bypasses oxidation layers and enhances transverse conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conductors are wound around each other in a cable, then the cable structure is formed and conductors are held in position, but oxidation layers form on the conductor surfaces which reduce transverse electrical conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransverse electrical conductivityVSAvoidoxidation layer formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Electrically conductive particles are introduced as intermediary elements between the conductors. These particles serve as a conductive pathway that bridges the oxidation layers on conductor surfaces, allowing electrical current to flow through the particles rather than being blocked by the insulating oxidation layers. The particles are pressed into the conductor surfaces during winding, creating mechanical and electrical connections that bypass the harmful oxidation barriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If electrically conductive particles are arranged between conductors, then transverse electrical conductivity is improved, but the complexity of the cable structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransverse electrical conductivityVSAvoidcable structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive particles are integrated into the cable structure during the winding process itself, merging the particle application step with the conductor winding operation. The particles are fed onto the conductors and pressed into place by the winding action, combining multiple functions (particle placement, mechanical connection, and electrical pathway creation) into a single manufacturing process step, thereby reducing overall structural and process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conductive particles are pressed into conductor surfaces during winding, then mechanical and electrical connection is achieved, but the winding process requires precise control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidwinding process control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The winding process itself generates the necessary pressing force to embed the conductive particles into the conductor surfaces. As the conductors are wound around each other, the natural tension and compression forces during winding automatically press the particles into place, creating mechanical and electrical connections without requiring separate pressing equipment or additional process controls. The winding operation serves its primary function while simultaneously achieving particle embedding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 significantly improves transverse electrical conductivity by embedding conductive particles between the conductors, ensuring a stable and efficient connection that is not compromised by subsequent oxidation, while allowing for seamless winding and crimping processes.

Implementation Method 1

During the winding operation of the conductors, a transverse force is thereby applied to the particles, which are located between the conductors. The particles are thereby pressed into the surface of the conductors.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

owing to the particles, an electrically conductive transverse connection is produced between the conductors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2954536B1Cable having conductors with electrically conductive particles
Publication Date: 2016.11.23 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP2954536B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The present invention comprises a cable (1) having at least two electrical conductors (3, 4) which are directly in abutment with each other, wherein the two conductors are surrounded by an electrically insulating cable sheath (2), characterised in that there are provided between the conductors electrically conductive particles (5) which produce an electrically conductive connection between the conductors.