Simultaneous Dual Cable Insulation Stripping Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for stripping cable ends surrounded by insulating material are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly when dealing with multiple parallel cables, as they require separate processing steps for stripping and crimping, leading to increased operational time and alignment challenges.

Innovation Solution

A device with a cutting mechanism featuring two knives with opposing cutting edges, arranged in a plane, allows for simultaneous stripping of two cable ends by moving the knives in opposite directions, ensuring the insulation material is cut without significantly altering the cable ends' position, facilitating subsequent crimping without realignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate processing steps are used for stripping and crimping cable ends, then each step can be performed with dedicated tools, but the overall processing time increases and alignment challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping speedVSAvoidoperational time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cable stripping operations into a single integrated device that can simultaneously strip two cable ends. The device features two knives with opposing cutting edges that move in opposite directions to strip insulation from two cables at the same time, eliminating the need for separate stripping operations and reducing total processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting device is segmented into two independent knives, each with its own cutting edge, that can operate independently yet simultaneously. This segmentation allows the device to process two cable ends in parallel while maintaining the capability to handle each cable individually, thus improving productivity without compromising precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple cable ends are stripped simultaneously, then processing efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping speedVSAvoidcutting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two knives are arranged with opposing cutting edges that move in opposite directions, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetric design allows each knife to be optimized for its specific cutting direction while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The opposing motion paths of the two knives enable simultaneous stripping of two cable ends without requiring complex coordination mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If the cutting edges move significantly during stripping, then complete insulation removal is achieved, but the cable ends require realignment for subsequent crimping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping completenessVSAvoidalignment requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the cable ends through a stationary cutting mechanism, the patent inverts the approach by moving the cutting edges towards each other while the cable ends remain relatively stationary. The two knives move in opposite directions along the cable length, with their cutting edges meeting at a predetermined position. This inversion allows complete insulation removal while minimizing cable end displacement, eliminating the need for realignment before crimping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2871737B1Insulation stripping device and method
Publication Date: 2018.01.17 KOMAX SLE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2871737B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2871737B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2871737B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

A device for simultaneously stripping at least two cable ends surrounded by insulation material includes a cutting device having first and second cutters that are movable relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable ends. The cutting edges of the first and second cutters are disposed substantially in the same plane and are movable towards each other such that the cutting edges simultaneously cut into the insulation material of the at least two cable ends. In addition, the cutting device and the cable ends are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the cable ends to simultaneously pull-off the cut insulation material from the at least two cable ends and thereby strip the at least two cable ends.