Multifilament Cable Alignment With Variable Loop Radius

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to align multi-core cables effectively, particularly in situations where the orientation of conductors after insertion into assembly machines does not correspond to the desired alignment, often requiring complex rotations that can damage the cable due to high torque and bending stresses.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that involve fixing both ends of a multi-stranded cable in separate fixing devices, increasing the distance between the ends to enlarge the loop radius, and rotating the ends simultaneously to achieve a specified orientation, reducing torsional stress and enabling easier alignment without damaging the cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cable ends are clamped close together for machining, then the system length is reduced and cycle time is saved, but the cable forms a tight loop with small bend radius requiring high torque for rotation which may cause mechanical damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle timeVSAvoidmechanical damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the distance between fixing devices based on the cable's stiffness and loop radius. For stiff cables, the devices are positioned farther apart to create a larger loop radius, reducing bending stress and torque requirements during rotation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining short cycle times and preventing mechanical damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the geometric parameter of the loop radius by adjusting the distance between fixing devices. By increasing the loop radius for stiff cables, the required torque for rotation is reduced, preventing mechanical damage while still maintaining efficient processing through optimized positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of stationary object

If the cable forms a tight loop with small bend radius, then the system length is reduced, but the torque required to rotate the cable increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem lengthVSAvoidtorque
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the loop radius by modifying the distance between fixing devices based on cable properties. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain short overall length while creating sufficient loop radius to reduce rotation torque when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the loop radius parameter by adjusting fixing device positions. For cables requiring lower torque, the radius is increased by spacing devices farther apart, directly addressing the torque reduction need while managing system length through optimized positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cable has high stiffness, then the cable maintains its shape better, but the impact of bend radius on section modulus increases, requiring higher torque for rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidtorque
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system compensates for high cable stiffness by changing the loop radius parameter. By increasing the radius through greater spacing between fixing devices, the section modulus impact is reduced, lowering the torque required for rotation while the cable's inherent shape stability is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4333222B1Method and device for aligning a multifilament thread-shaped material
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 MD ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP4333222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4333222B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4333222B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for aligning a multi-stranded, thread-like material (1), comprising the following steps: fixing a first end (11) with a first fixing device (21) and fixing a second end (12) with a second fixing device (22), aligning the first and second fixing devices (21, 22) so that the thread-like material (1) forms a loop (14) between the first and the second end (11, 12), wherein the loop (14) has a first radius (R1), performing a relative movement of the first and/or second fixing device (21, 22) so that the first radius (R1) is increased to a second radius (R2), and rotating the first end (11) by means of the first fixing device (21) and/or the second end (12) by means of the second fixing device (22) so that the strands of the thread-like material (1) are given a specific orientation.The invention further relates to a device for carrying out a method for aligning a multi-stranded thread-like material (1).