Automatic Strap Binding Tool for Precise Tensioning and Cutting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable tie tools are inaccurate, cumbersome, and wasteful, often requiring pre-dimensioned cable ties that lead to over-tensioning and premature failure of cable bundles, as well as producing sharp burrs and requiring large power sources.
Innovation Solution
An automatic hand-held binding tool with a pistol-shaped housing, a reel magazine for continuous strap, a feeder mechanism, a locking heads magazine, and a cut-off mechanism, driven by a motor and controller system for precise tensioning and cutting, reducing waste and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-dimensioned cable ties are used, then the cable tie length is fixed and easy to handle, but material waste increases and tensioning accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of cable tie length from fixed (pre-dimensioned) to variable (continuous strap fed from reel). The feeder mechanism dispenses exactly the required length based on the bundling task, eliminating waste from excess material while maintaining ease of operation through automated feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static pre-cut cable ties to a dynamic continuous feeding system. The reel magazine and feeder mechanism provide on-demand dispensing of cable strap, allowing the length to be dynamically adjusted to match the actual bundling requirements without manual intervention.
2Ease of manufacture
If pre-dimensioned cable ties are used, then the cable tie length is predetermined, but tensioning accuracy decreases leading to over-tensioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tensioning with an automated motor-driven feeder system. The motor-controlled feeder mechanism precisely dispenses the cable strap to the exact required length, eliminating the inaccuracies of manual operation and preventing over-tensioning while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control where the motor controller monitors and adjusts the feeder mechanism to achieve precise cable strap dispensing. This closed-loop control ensures accurate length delivery and consistent tensioning, improving manufacturing precision while keeping the process simple.
3Device complexity
If manual tensioning operation is used, then the tool is simple and lightweight, but accuracy and reproducibility of desired tension decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tensioning with an automated motor-driven system. The motor provides consistent, repeatable force for tensioning the cable strap, improving accuracy and reproducibility. The overall device structure remains relatively simple through the use of a compact reel magazine and straightforward feeder mechanism.
4Device complexity
If mechanical tensioning and cut-off tools are used, then the tool structure is relatively simple, but cutting accuracy decreases producing sharp burrs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cutting with a motor-driven cut-off mechanism that provides precise, controlled cutting action. This substitution improves cutting accuracy and eliminates sharp burrs while keeping the overall tool mechanism relatively simple through the integration of the cutting function into the existing motor-driven system.
5Power
If large power sources are used, then the tool has sufficient power for operation, but the tool becomes weighty and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a motor that provides sufficient power only for the specific tasks of feeding and cutting the cable strap, rather than oversized power sources. This approach delivers adequate power for the actual operational needs while keeping the tool lightweight and easy to handle.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic tool for distributing, tensioning and severing a binding strap, wherein the includes a pistol-shaped housing, having a barrel portion extending between a distal housing end portion and a proximal housing end portion along a longitudinal axis, and a handle portion extending away from said barrel portion in a direction different to said longitudinal axis; a reel magazine assembly, configured to retainingly receive at least one strap reel and provide for a rotation of the at least one strap reel about a strap reel centre axis, wherein said rotation is directed so as to wind up a strap coiled up onto the at least one strap reel; a feeder mechanism, provided within said barrel portion and configured to receive an end portion of the strap from the at least one strap reel and move the strap in a direction along said longitudinal axis; a locking heads magazine assembly, provided within said barrel portion and configured to store a plurality of locking heads and supply one locking head at the time for use with the strap; a cut-off mechanism, provided within said barrel portion, configured to cut the strap and receive and move said one locking head from said locking heads magazine assembly into a loading position ready for engagement with the strap, and a drive unit, configured to drive said feeder mechanism so as to selectively move the strap towards said distal housing end portion or towards said reel magazine assembly, and actuate said cut-off mechanism at a predetermined condition.