Electrical Conductor Identification via Printed Symbol Sequences

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for identifying electrical conductors in domestic or tertiary installations are inadequate, as the limited number of available colors and the tendency of manual markings to disappear complicate installation and maintenance operations.

Innovation Solution

A method of printing consecutive series of identification aid symbols directly on the insulating outer sheath of electrical conductors, allowing for the formation of rings with distinct markings that avoid multiplying product references, and packaging these rings into stacks with predetermined sequences to ensure distinct symbols are distributed across each stack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If manual markings (adhesive tape or marking rings) are positioned around conductors to facilitate identification, then identification capability is improved, but installation complexity and time increase, and markings may disappear during installation or maintenance operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the identification marking function with the conductor itself by printing symbols directly on the insulating outer sheath during the manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate manual marking operations (adhesive tapes or marking rings) and integrates identification capability into the conductor structure, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining durable identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-printing identification symbols on the conductor's insulating sheath during manufacturing, before the conductor is installed. This ensures that identification markings are already in place and cannot be lost during installation or maintenance operations, eliminating the need for subsequent manual marking steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the number of available conductor colors is increased to facilitate identification of different circuits, then identification capability is improved, but product references and inventory complexity multiply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification capabilityVSAvoidproduct references

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from using only color differentiation (one dimension) to incorporating symbolic patterns printed on the insulating sheath (adding another dimension). By printing various symbols (such as alphanumeric codes, geometric patterns, or circuit identifiers) on conductors of the same color, the system achieves enhanced identification capability without needing to multiply conductor color variants or product references.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If manual markings are applied to conductors for identification, then identification capability is improved, but the markings may disappear during installation operations due to intervention of other trade bodies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification capabilityVSAvoidmarking durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-printing identification symbols on the conductor's insulating sheath during manufacturing, before the conductor is installed. This ensures that identification markings are already in place and cannot be lost during installation or maintenance operations, eliminating the need for subsequent manual marking steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the identification marking function with the conductor itself by printing symbols directly on the insulating outer sheath during the manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate manual marking operations (adhesive tapes or marking rings) and integrates identification capability into the conductor structure, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining durable identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3866178A1Assistance with locating electrical conductors

Publication Date: 2021.08.18 NEXANS SA

Figure 1~3(b)
Figure 4
Figure 5(a)~5(b)

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing N coils, each formed by winding a longitudinal portion of length Lcour of the same original electrical conductor comprising an insulating outer sheath (3). The method comprises the steps of: - directly imprinting onto the sheath (3) consecutive series of identification symbols along said original electrical conductor, each series extending over at least one longitudinal portion of length Lcour, and comprising a succession of the same symbol selected from M distinct models (M1, M2, ...M14); - successively forming said coils by winding and cutting, for each coil, the original electrical conductor over a longitudinal portion of length Lcour bearing a series of the same symbol, said same symbol being changed for each series so that each of the M distinct models (M1, M2, ...M14) is found at least once in the N coils formed.