Flat Cable Insulating Layer Vinyl Chloride Resin Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flat cables face a trade-off between reducing thickness for space-saving and maintaining wear resistance and low temperature resistance, as thinner insulating layers with vinyl chloride-based resins often compromise on these properties.

Innovation Solution

A vinyl chloride-based resin composition with polyvinyl chloride, plasticizer, stabilizer, filler, and processing aid is used, with specific ranges for brittle temperature, hardness, and heating deformation, to create a thinner insulating layer that balances wear resistance and low temperature resistance, while maintaining flexibility and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the thickness of the insulating layer is decreased to achieve space-saving, then the thickness is reduced, but wear resistance of the insulating layer deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness of insulating layerVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the vinyl chloride-based resin, specifically controlling the average degree of polymerization (700-3000), plasticizer content (35-55 parts by mass per 100 parts base resin), and processing aid content (0.1-10 parts by mass per 100 parts base resin). These parameter changes enable the insulating layer to achieve both thinness (0.1-0.2 mm) and sufficient wear resistance through optimized material properties rather than increased thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite resin system by combining vinyl chloride-based resin with specific proportions of plasticizers and processing aids. This composite material approach allows the insulating layer to achieve multiple properties simultaneously: flexibility from plasticizer, processability from processing aid, and balanced wear resistance with low temperature resistance in a thin configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the content of plasticizer is decreased to harden the insulating layer, then wear resistance is enhanced, but low temperature resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidlow temperature resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the plasticizer content to a specific range (35-55 parts by mass per 100 parts base resin) rather than using extreme values. This parameter optimization achieves a balance where the insulating layer maintains sufficient hardness and wear resistance while preserving flexibility and low temperature resistance, avoiding the trade-off present in conventional approaches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the concept of local quality by creating different functional zones within the insulating layer through controlled composition. The vinyl chloride-based resin provides the base structure for wear resistance, while the plasticizer distributes locally to maintain flexibility and low temperature performance, achieving both properties in different aspects of the same material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Length of stationary object

If the thickness of the insulating layer is decreased for space-saving, then space is saved, but low temperature resistance may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness of insulating layerVSAvoidlow temperature resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the vinyl chloride-based resin, particularly the average degree of polymerization (700-3000) and additive contents, to achieve a thin insulating layer (0.1-0.2 mm) that maintains adequate low temperature resistance through optimized molecular structure and composition rather than relying on thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves a thinner insulating layer with enhanced wear resistance and low temperature resistance, meeting the requirements for space-saving and durability in vehicle wiring while preventing degradation in performance.

Implementation Method 1

polyvinyl chloride with an average degree of polymerization measured by JIS K6720 of from 700 to 3000 as a base resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization:

Implementation Method 2

a plasticizer, wherein the content of the plasticizer is from 35 parts by mass to 55 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the base resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasticization:

Implementation Method 3

a stabilizer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStabilization:

Implementation Method 4

a processing aid, wherein the content of the processing aid is from 0.1 parts by mass to 10 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the base resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProcessing assistance:

Data Source

PatentEP2728587B1Flat cable
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP2728587B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)

AI summary

The invention is provided to a flat cable having a thinner insulating covering while keeping sufficient wear resistance and low temperature resistance. The invention provides a flat cable, which includes at least two conductors disposed apart from each other and in parallel to each other, and an insulating covering disposed over a periphery of the at least two conductors, and formed of vinyl chloride-based resin composition having a brittle temperature of from -40 Celsius degrees to -25 Celsius degrees, an hardness D of from 35 to 55, and heating deformation of 10% or below.