Movable Wire Support for Uniform Twisting of Long Electric Wires

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Solution Overview

Problem

Long electric wires tend to sag when held by clamps, leading to centrifugal forces that cause variations in twisting pitch during wire twisting, and strong tension to reduce sag can damage the wires, while support members below the wires hinder collection of twisted wires.

Innovation Solution

An electric wire twisting device with a support member that moves to support the wires between clamps to reduce sag and tension, then retracts to allow easy collection of twisted wires, featuring adjustable clamps and rotatable support members to minimize lateral shake and optimize wire alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If electric wires are stretched strongly by clamps to suppress sag, then sag degree is reduced, but tension on electric wires increases causing damage and increased untwisted portion length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesag degreeVSAvoidwire integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support member as an intermediary element positioned below the electric wires to provide upward support force. This mediator reduces the sag degree without requiring the clamps to apply excessive tension, thereby preventing wire damage while achieving the desired shape control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is designed to be movable between a support position (where it contacts and supports the wires) and a retracted position (where it does not interfere with wire collection). This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt its behavior: providing support during twisting to reduce sag, and retracting afterward to enable easy wire collection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If a support member is placed below electric wires to reduce sag, then sag degree is reduced, but collection of twisted electric wires is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesag degreeVSAvoidwire collection
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is designed to be movable between a support position (where it contacts and supports the wires) and a retracted position (where it does not interfere with wire collection). This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt its behavior: providing support during twisting to reduce sag, and retracting afterward to enable easy wire collection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support member operates in periodic cycles: extending to the support position during the twisting operation to reduce sag, then retracting to the retracted position after twisting is complete to allow wire collection. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by applying the support function only when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of manufacture

If electric wires are held by clamps for twisting, then twisting operation is enabled, but centrifugal force causes shaking and variations in twisting pitch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetwisting operationVSAvoidtwisting pitch uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support member acts as an intermediary that provides upward support force to counteract the downward centrifugal force generated during rotation. This additional support stabilizes the wires, reducing shaking and ensuring uniform twisting pitch while maintaining the ability to perform the twisting operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables suitable twisting of long electric wires with reduced tension and damage, allowing for efficient collection of twisted wires without interference from support members.

Implementation Method 1

Long electric wires have a larger self-weight. Long electric wires tend to sag downward while being held by clamps.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

it is conceivable to pull electric wires more strongly than conventional devices by the clamps so as to suppress sag of the electric wires

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 3

when the clamps rotate for twisting, a centrifugal force tends to occur in the sagging portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3780020B1Electric wire twisting device and method for producing twisted electric wire
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 SHINMAYWA INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3780020B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3780020B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3780020B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Objects of the present application are to suitably twist relatively long electric wires without stretching the electric wires strongly and to enable dropping and collection of a twisted electric wire. An electric wire twisting device 1 includes: a first clamp 11 configured to hold one ends of a first electric wire 51 and a second electric wire 52; a second clamp 12 configured to hold the other ends of the first electric wire 51 and the second electric wire 52; a motor 13 configured to rotate the first clamp 11 about a rotation center line CL; and an electric wire support member 31 movable between an electric wire support position between the first clamp 11 and the second clamp 12 and below the rotation center line CL and a retracted position deviated from below the rotation center line CL and configured to support the first electric wire 51 and the second electric wire 52 while the electric wire support member 31 is at the electric wire support position.