Support Core Securing Mechanism for Cold Shrink Tubing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support cores used in cold shrinkable materials face issues with inadvertent ejection due to compressional forces and excessive friction, making it difficult to securely hold and remove them from devices.
Innovation Solution
A support core design featuring a tube body with a low friction film and a fixing device, such as adhesive tape, that is anchored to the back end region, allowing for secure positioning and easy removal by cutting or breaking the fixing device to slide the film towards the front end, facilitating the ejection of the tube body from the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support core is used to hold an elastic end in an expanded state, then the device can be properly installed and positioned, but the support core may be inadvertently ejected due to compressional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-securing the film to the tube body at the back end region using a fixing device (adhesive tape or welding) before the support core is installed in the device. This preliminary securing prevents the film from sliding toward the front end under compressional forces during installation and operation, thereby preventing inadvertent ejection of the support core
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the fixing device to counteract the compressional forces that would otherwise cause the film to slide and the support core to be ejected. The fixing device creates a preliminary opposing force that balances the compressional forces during the installation and operation phases
2Reliability
If the film is secured to prevent sliding, then the support core remains stable, but excessive friction makes removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the fixing device removable or breakable. The adhesive tape can be detached, or the welded connection can be broken, allowing the film to slide freely toward the front end during removal. This dynamic change from a fixed to a releaseable connection enables easy removal while maintaining stable positioning during installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by allowing the fixing device to be discarded (detached or broken) after it has served its purpose of securing the support core during installation. Once the support core is properly installed, the fixing device is removed or broken, enabling the film to slide and the support core to be easily extracted for recovery or replacement
3Reliability
If a fixing device is used to secure the film, then inadvertent ejection is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using adhesive tape with controlled adhesive properties or welding parameters that create a secure but removable connection. The adhesive strength or weld strength is optimized to prevent ejection during installation while allowing easy detachment or breaking during removal, thus preventing ejection without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies cheap short-living objects by using a simple, inexpensive fixing device such as adhesive tape or a basic welded connection that serves its purpose temporarily during installation and then is discarded. This simple fixing device prevents ejection without adding complex permanent structures to the support core system
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
The solution effectively prevents unintentional ejection and enables easy removal of the support core by decoupling the fixing device, ensuring secure installation and removal without causing the core to be ejected prematurely.
Implementation Method 1
a film disposed over at least a portion of the outer surface of the tube body, the film configured to slide over the at least a portion of the outer surface of the tube body
Implementation Method 2
the tape comprises an adhesive tape adhered to a top surface of the film and the inner surface of the tube body
Data Source
AI summary
A support core includes a tube body for holding a device in an expanded state, a low-friction film disposed over an outer surface of the tube body, and a fixing device for holding the film in place, the fixing device comprising a loop of tape wrapped longitudinally over the film and through the tube body, or a tab on the film that is affixed to the tube body. To remove the tube body, the tape and/or film are cut so that the film can slide towards the front end of the tube body, and the tube body is then pulled out of the device.