Direct Coil Winding Around Components With Thin-Wire Breakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in manufacturing helical antennas for transponders is the fragility of the thin wires used, which are prone to breakage during winding, leading to frequent machine stoppages and reduced productivity.

Innovation Solution

A method and machine are developed to manufacture coils around components at high speed while maintaining high quality and minimizing wire breakage, by gently treating the wire and dedicating a significant portion of the cycle time to the winding process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high operating speed is used in wire winding, then productivity is improved, but wire breakage risk increases due to excessive traction on thin wires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating speedVSAvoidwire breakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by implementing a tension control system that anticipates and compensates for traction forces before wire breakage occurs. The system monitors wire tension in real-time and adjusts winding parameters proactively to maintain tension within safe limits, preventing breakage rather than reacting after it occurs. This allows high-speed operation while maintaining wire integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting winding parameters such as winding speed, acceleration rates, and tension thresholds based on real-time wire condition monitoring. The system modifies these parameters adaptively to match the mechanical limits of the thin wire, enabling high productivity while preventing excessive traction that would cause breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If expert operator intervention is implemented for wire breakage restoration, then wire continuity is restored, but machine stoppage time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire continuityVSAvoidmachine stoppage time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by providing an automated wire breakage detection and restoration system that operates without expert operator intervention. The system automatically detects wire breaks through tension monitoring and triggers restoration mechanisms such as wire feeders or splicing devices, maintaining continuous operation. This eliminates the need for manual intervention while preserving wire continuity, thereby maximizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual wire restoration with an automated electromechanical system. Sensors, controllers, and automated wire feeding mechanisms substitute for expert operator actions, enabling continuous operation without human intervention. This substitution dramatically reduces stoppage time while maintaining wire continuity through automated detection and restoration processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If thin wire with diameter of 50-200 μm is used for helical antenna, then transponder performance is improved, but mechanical resistance decreases making the wire extremely fragile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransponder communication performanceVSAvoidmechanical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing wire diameter within the 50-200 μm range based on specific application requirements, balancing electrical performance with mechanical strength. The system also changes operational parameters such as winding tension, speed, and environmental conditions to accommodate the use of thin, fragile wires while maintaining both transponder performance and wire integrity during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing protective measures before wire breakage occurs, such as using wire with controlled tensile strength, implementing tension monitoring systems, and designing winding paths that minimize stress concentration. These preventive measures allow the use of thin wires for optimal transponder performance while compensating for their low mechanical resistance through engineered protection during the winding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4174886B1Method and machine to manufacture a coil around a component of an article
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 GD SPA
  • EP4174886B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4174886B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4174886B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method and machine (18) to manufacture a coil (9-14) around a component (102) of an article (100). A main conveyor (19) moves, along a working path (PI), a carriage (20) provided with a seat (22, 23, 24) designed to house the component (102); the component (102) is arranged in the seat (22, 23, 24) of the carriage (20) in an input station (S1) arranged along the working path (PI); and in a winding station (S3, S6, S9, S12, S15, S18) arranged along the working path (PI), a wire (15) having a diameter less than 500 µm is directly wound around the component (102) to obtain a number of turns less than 50 making up the coil (9-14). A work cycle lasts from an initial instant, in which the carriage (20) carrying the component (102) devoid of the coil (9-14) reaches the winding station (S3, S6, S9, S12, S15, S18), to a final instant, in which the carriage (20) carrying the component (102) provided with the coil (9-14) leaves the winding station (S3, S6, S9, S12, S15, S18). A winding amount of time during which the wire (15) is directly wound around the component (102) ranges from 50% to 70% of a total time duration of the work cycle.