Crimping Tool Guide Groove for Multi-Core Cable Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crimping tools for multi-core cables require manual 180-degree bending of non-crimping cable cores, leading to length differences, damage, and difficult handling, especially at manual workstations.

Innovation Solution

A crimping tool with a guide groove that allows non-crimping cable cores to be bent at 90 degrees, reducing length differences and protecting the cables from damage, while ensuring easy insertion and processing by guiding them in a transverse groove adjacent to the crimping area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If cable cores are bent by 180 degrees to prevent damage during crimping, then protection against damage is improved, but length differences between cable wire ends exceed permissible tolerance range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage to cable coresVSAvoidlength difference between cable wire ends
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove is divided into multiple sections: a first guide groove section with a first bending radius for the initial bend, and a second guide groove section with a second bending radius for the final positioning. This segmented approach allows controlled bending that prevents damage while maintaining length precision within tolerance ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If cable cores are bent by 180 degrees to lie tightly against the cable, then stability of cable position is improved, but cable cores can relax and be damaged during processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable core position stabilityVSAvoidcable core integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove acts as an intermediary structure that provides continuous support to the cable core during the bending and crimping process. The groove geometry ensures the cable core remains positioned without excessive bending, preventing both relaxation and damage while maintaining stability throughout processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If cable cores are bent by 180 degrees, then protection against damage during processing is improved, but insertion and handling through protective housing slots becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage during processingVSAvoidcable insertion and handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove changes the bending parameter from 180 degrees to a more gradual curve with defined bending radii. This parameter change makes the cable core more flexible and easier to insert through protective housing slots while still providing adequate protection during the crimping process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4293840A1Crimping tool
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 MD ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP4293840A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293840A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4293840A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a crimping tool (1) for crimping a contact onto a first conductor (4) of a multi-core cable (2), comprising an anvil (12) and at least one wear part (14) for crimping the contact onto the first conductor (4), wherein the anvil (12) and the at least one wear part (14) form a crimping area (16), a cutter (20) with a conductor receptacle (21) for receiving the multi-core cable (2), a through-opening (22) on the cutter (20) through which the first conductor (4) can be arranged in the crimping area (16), and a guide groove (23) on the cutter (20) for guiding at least one second conductor (6) of the multi-core cable (2), wherein the guide groove (23) extends transversely from the conductor receptacle (21).