Handheld Cable Crimping Tool With Inline Stripping and Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crimp tools for cables are complex and limited in functionality, making them difficult to handle and unsuitable for field processing, particularly in stripping and crimping cable ends, due to elaborate mechanics and the need for similar movement sequences between abrasion and crimping devices.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional hand tool with a cable transport device, cutting device, crimping device, and printing device arranged in a single axis, featuring a friction wheel drive, double-function knife blades, and piezo-driven press elements, along with sensors and a camera for documentation and parameter reading, allowing for easy handling and efficient crimping of contact sleeves on cable ends.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a structurally combined stripping device and crimping device are used to provide compact dimensions, then the hand tool achieves compact size, but the movement sequences become considerably complex and the tool is limited to specific functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehand tool sizeVSAvoidmovement sequences complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool head is divided into separate functional modules (cutting/stripping device, crimping device, printing device) arranged sequentially along the cable feedthrough direction. Each module operates independently with its own drive mechanism, eliminating the need for complex coordinated movement sequences while maintaining compact overall dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting and stripping device uses a single knife blade that performs both cutting and stripping functions through different positioning, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If similar motion sequences are required for stripping and crimping devices, then structural combination is possible, but the tool becomes difficult to handle and limited in functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality rangeVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Each device (cutting/stripping, crimping, printing) is equipped with its own independent drive mechanism, allowing dynamic and independent operation of each function. This enables flexible handling and operation without requiring coordinated motion sequences, improving ease of use while expanding functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices are arranged in sequence along the cable feedthrough direction, then multifunctionality is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultifunctional propertiesVSAvoidmechanics complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional devices (cutting, stripping, crimping, printing) are merged into a single integrated tool head that processes the cable in one continuous operation. The sequential arrangement along the cable feedthrough direction allows compact integration without requiring complex mechanical linkages between functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 tool simplifies the crimping process, enabling easy handling and efficient crimping of contact sleeves on cable ends, with features like automatic length measurement and documentation of crimping parameters, making it suitable for field processing and improving the usability of crimping operations.

Implementation Method 1

The friction wheel drive is designed to transport the cable and in particular the cable end to be cut, stripped, crimped with the contact sleeve and printed in the direction R and in the opposite direction to the direction R

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4260414B1Multifunctional hand-held tool
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 HARTING ELECTRIC STIFTUNG & CO KG
  • EP4260414B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4260414B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4260414B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The invention relates to a crimping tool (1) for crimping a contact sleeve (5) onto an electrical conductor (40) of a cable (4). The crimping tool (1) has at least a cable transport device (20), a cutting and stripping device (21), a crimping device (22) and a printing device (23), which are disposed one following the other in this order in a direction (R) on a cable feed-through (100) of the crimping tool (1) with an axis (A1). The crimping tool (1) is designed such that a cable end of the cable (4), which cable end is inserted via a cable inlet opening (101) of the cable feed-through (100), is fed by the cable transport device (20) in the direction (R) to the cutting and stripping device (21), to the crimping device (22) and to the printing device (23) and subsequently is led out of the crimping tool (1) via a cable outlet opening (102) of the cable feed-through (100), which cable outlet opening is opposite the cable inlet opening (101).