Heating Wheel Shielding Foil Removal Without Cable Layer Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing shielding foil from shielded electrical cables, such as mechanical cutting and laser cutting, are risky, costly, and inefficient for industrial production.

Innovation Solution

A device and method using a heating wheel with a circumferential bearing rim that rolls on the shielding foil, applying heat and pressure to separate the foil without cutting, ensuring the cable's lower layers are not damaged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mechanical cutting is used to remove shielding foil, then the removal process is simple and fast, but it risks damaging the lower layers of the electrical cable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding foil removal speedVSAvoidcable layer integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cutting system with a thermal separation system. A heating element is introduced to heat the shielding foil to its melting or softening temperature, causing it to separate from the underlying layers through thermal action rather than mechanical force. This substitution eliminates the risk of mechanical damage to lower cable layers while maintaining efficient removal capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the shielding foil by controlling temperature parameters. By heating the foil to specific temperature ranges, the material transitions from a solid state to a softened or melted state, enabling separation without mechanical cutting. This parameter change allows the removal process to proceed without applying mechanical stress that could damage underlying cable structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If laser cutting is used to remove shielding foil, then the precision and control are improved, but the cost increases and the process becomes slower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation contour precisionVSAvoidshielding foil removal speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a conventional heating element instead of expensive laser equipment. The heating element can be a simple resistive heater or heating wire that is cost-effective and does not require the sophisticated optical systems, mirrors, and control mechanisms of laser cutting equipment. This approach significantly reduces equipment cost while achieving adequate separation precision through controlled thermal action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the laser optical system with a thermal conduction system. Instead of using high-energy laser beams that require precise positioning and complex control systems, the invention uses direct thermal contact or proximity heating that is inherently more forgiving and easier to control. This substitution improves productivity by eliminating the slow, precision-critical laser scanning process in favor of faster thermal diffusion.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional heating methods are used to remove shielding foil, then the cost is reduced, but the operational reliability and flexibility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice costVSAvoidshielding foil removal safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies heating locally and selectively to the shielding foil rather than heating the entire cable assembly. The heating element is positioned to contact or approach only the shielding foil layer, concentrating thermal energy where needed. This localized heating approach prevents overheating of underlying cable layers while ensuring reliable separation of the shielding foil, thereby improving operational safety and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control elements to the heating system, such as adjustable heating power, controllable heating duration, and potentially movable heating elements. These dynamic features allow the system to adapt to different cable types, shielding foil thicknesses, and separation requirements, thereby improving flexibility and reliability while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of simple control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 method provides a fast, cost-effective, and flexible solution suitable for industrial use, ensuring the integrity of the cable's lower layers while allowing for efficient removal of the shielding foil.

Implementation Method 1

a heating wheel with a circumferential bearing rim for bearing on the shielding foil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The mechanical action of the wheel, acting by rolling on the surface of the shielding foil, coupled with a supply of heat, enables separation without cutting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4611193A1Device and method for removing shielding foil from an electrical cable
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP4611193A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4611193A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4611193A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Device and method for removing a section of shielding foil from a shielded electrical cable, comprising : - a heating wheel (10) with a circumferential bearing rim for bearing on the shielding foil (5); - a pressure support (15) adapted to bring the circumferential bearing rim (23) of the heating wheel (10) into contact with the shielding foil (5) on a stripped portion (7) of the shielded electrical cable (1); - a rotating element adapted to rotate the heating wheel (10) on a separation contour (8) of the shielding foil (5).