Stripping Tool Guide Link for Cable Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stripping tools for electrical cables are difficult to use due to unclearly differentiated cutting elements, making it hard for users to select the appropriate cutting element for the cable size, and often require manual counting or complex handling to align and strip the cable effectively.

Innovation Solution

The stripping tool incorporates a guide link with webs to align and orient the cable on the cutting element, featuring a guide link with multiple webs on opposite sides of cutting elements to facilitate tactile and visual recognition, and an ergonomic design with pivotable hollow body partial shells and a locking mechanism for easier handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cutting elements are arranged next to one another on the shell edge to accommodate different cable diameters, then the adaptability of the stripping tool is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot immediately recognize which cutting element is suitable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different cable diametersVSAvoidease of selecting cutting element
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide link is divided into multiple webs that create distinct segments or zones between them. Each zone corresponds to a specific cutting element, visually segmenting the array of cutting elements into manageable groups. This segmentation makes it easier for users to locate and select the appropriate cutting element for their cable diameter without being overwhelmed by the full array.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide link acts as an intermediary element between the user and the cutting elements. The webs of the guide link serve as visual and tactile mediators that guide the user's hand and cable to the correct cutting element position, eliminating the need for users to directly interpret the sizes and positions of multiple cutting elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If cutting elements are arranged directly next to one another without guide structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in aligning and orienting the cable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of structureVSAvoidease of aligning cable
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide link serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides visual guidance through its webs, acts as a tactile reference for hand positioning, guides cable alignment during insertion, and defines the operational zones for different cutting elements. This multi-functionality adds value without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

While the patent does not explicitly mention color, the guide link's webs create visual contrast and differentiation that helps users quickly identify and orient to the correct cutting element zone, similar to how color coding would function. The structural form of the webs provides visual cues that simplify element identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of cutting elements is increased to cover a wider range of cable sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases making selection more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of cable sizesVSAvoiddifficulty of identifying suitable cutting element
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the guide link into multiple webs, the patent creates distinct visual zones that correspond to groups of cutting elements. This segmentation breaks down the large number of cutting elements into manageable sections, making it easier for users to detect and identify the appropriate zone and cutting element for their cable size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide link's webs serve as intermediary reference points that simplify the detection and selection process. Instead of directly comparing cable size against multiple cutting element sizes, users use the webs as intermediate reference markers to quickly locate the correct cutting element, reducing the cognitive and visual effort required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3680999B1Stripping tool
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 KNIPEX WERK C GUSTAV PUTSCH KG
  • EP3680999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680999B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3680999B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a stripping tool (1) for removing an outer sheath (2) and/or a conductor insulation (3) of an electrical single- or multi-core cable (4), wherein the stripping tool (1) has hollow body shells (7, 8) connected to each other by means of a common pivot axis (5, 6), which can be pivoted towards each other to form a hollow body (9) which at least partially receives a cable (4), wherein the hollow body shells (7, 8) have cutting elements (21) arranged side by side on a shell edge (19), on which the hollow body shells (7, 8) can be pivoted towards each other, in the direction of the shell edge (19).In order to make a wire stripping tool easier for a user to handle, it is proposed that a guide track (22) be assigned to the cutting elements (21), which has at least one web (23) formed laterally to a cutting element (21) for aligning a cable (4) on a cutting element (21), wherein in the case of several webs (23) these are formed in the direction of the shell edge (19) on opposite sides of two cutting elements (21), in particular two adjacent cutting elements (21).