Stranded Wire Joint Testing by Pulling the Contact Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for testing cohesive joint connections between stranded conductors and contact parts, particularly ultrasonic welded or resistance brazed connections, are non-destructive and unreliable, especially when the contact part's sheet metal thickness is small and its width is similar to the welding node, leading to deformation and high scatter in test results.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where the welding node of the stranded conductor is fixed using a clamping device, and the contact part is detached from the conductor using a testing device, allowing for a defined load case and assessment of the joint connection's quality through the maximum breaking force or moment, without deforming the contact part.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the contact part is clamped and pulled using conventional linear pulling devices, then the joint can be tested for strength, but the contact part deforms excessively and test results show high variance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint strengthVSAvoidtest result precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of clamping the contact part and pulling the stranded conductor as in conventional methods, the invention inverts the approach by clamping the stranded conductor and pulling the contact part. This reversal prevents deformation of the contact part while maintaining the ability to test joint strength, thereby reducing test result variance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from linear pulling to rotational pulling, changing the dimension of the testing action. The contact part is pulled in a rotational manner around the stranded conductor, which avoids the deformation issues associated with linear pulling while still effectively testing the joint connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the contact part is clamped for testing, then the joint can be tested, but firm clamping is not possible when sheet thickness is small and width is similar to weld node width

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping feasibilityVSAvoidtest reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention swaps which component is clamped and which is pulled. Instead of attempting to clamp the difficult-to-grasp contact part, the stranded conductor is clamped and the contact part is pulled. This inversion makes the clamping operation feasible while maintaining test reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a holding device as an intermediary that grasps the contact part during the pulling operation. This mediator enables firm engagement with the contact part without requiring direct clamping, thus making the test reliable even when the contact part dimensions make conventional clamping difficult.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If maximum breaking force is applied to separate contact part and stranded conductor, then joint quality can be assessed, but additional scatter is introduced due to bending of stranded wire

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint quality assessment accuracyVSAvoidtest result consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting which component is clamped and which is pulled, the invention eliminates the bending of the stranded wire that occurs in conventional methods. The stranded conductor remains stationary and clamped, while the contact part is pulled, thereby removing the source of additional scatter and improving test result consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3924714B1Method and system for testing the joining connection between a stranded wire and a contact part
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 LISA DRAXLMAIER GMBH
  • EP3924714B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3924714B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for testing a material join (10) between a stranded conductor (12) and a contact part (14), comprising the steps of: fixing a weld node (20), having a plurality of materially interconnected individual strands, of the stranded conductor (12) by way of a fixing device (24); destroying the join (10) by removing the contact part (14) from the stranded conductor (12) by way of a testing device (28) engaging at least indirectly on the contact part (14). The invention furthermore relates to a system (22) for testing a material join (10) between a stranded conductor (12) and a contact part (14).