Foldable Blade Cable Striping Tool With Fixed Cutting Edge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable stripping tools pose a risk of user injury during radial cuts and lack ergonomic design and ease of production.

Innovation Solution

A foldable cable stripping tool with a concave notch for receiving the conductor, a knife holder with a biasing mechanism, and a locking system that includes a clip and socket assembly for secure knife positioning, allowing for safe and efficient circumferential cutting with an ergonomic design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a foldable blade is used to cut the insulating sheath, then the tool can perform both tangential and radial cuts, but the user risks being cut during the radial cut

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoiduser injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting function is extracted from the foldable blade and transferred to a fixed cutting edge integrated into the body. The blade is retained only for its locking and positioning functions, while the actual cutting is performed by the stationary cutting edge that guides the conductor through a safe cutting path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A cutting guide structure acts as an intermediary between the user and the cutting operation. This guide structure channels the conductor through a predetermined safe path, ensuring that the cutting action occurs in a controlled manner that prevents user injury while maintaining cutting effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If a foldable blade is used for stripping, then the tool can be compact when closed, but the blade must be manually opened and positioned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool compactnessVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tool structure is designed so that the conductor itself serves to activate the cutting mechanism. When the conductor is inserted and pulled through the tool, it automatically engages with the cutting edge and triggers the cutting action, eliminating the need for manual blade opening or positioning by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed cutting edge is used instead of a foldable blade, then user safety is improved, but the tool loses the ability to perform radial cuts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser safetyVSAvoidcutting operation types
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed cutting edge is designed with a geometry that enables it to perform multiple cutting operations. The cutting edge can execute both tangential cuts (parallel to the conductor axis) and radial cuts (perpendicular to the conductor axis) by varying the insertion angle and cutting path, thereby providing universal cutting capability while maintaining user safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2675026B1Electrician's tool having a foldable blade for stripping an electrical conductor
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 STANLEY WORKS (EUROPE) GMBH
  • EP2675026B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2675026B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2675026B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5c

AI summary

The tool comprises an elongated body (2) which extends along a longitudinal axis X-X; at least one retractable cutting blade (40), pivotally articulated to the body (2), the blade (40) being movable between a rest position in which it is closed, retracted inside the body (2), and a working position in which it is open, completely extended from the body (2). A channel (150) which is transverse in relation to the axis X-X is intended to receive an electrical conductor, the cutting edge (152) of the blade (40) interfering in the profile of the channel (150) in order to strip the conductor when the blade (40) is in a virtually closed position. Application in an electrician's knife.