Wire Stripping Notch Cutter Positioning via Contact Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for forming notches in coated electric wires, particularly thick wires and those wound around bobbins, face accuracy issues due to accumulated tolerances and potential deformation or misalignment, leading to inconsistent notch depths and insufficient stripping.

Innovation Solution

A device with cutting mechanisms and a rotation mechanism that includes notch forming parts around the electric wire axis, a contact detecting section to adjust the cutter blade position based on current flow, and a power supply connecting part to ensure precise notch formation, allowing for accurate notch depth creation even in deformed or misaligned wires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electric wire axis is used as a reference for movement of the V-shaped cutter blades to determine target positions, then the device can process various coated electric wires, but the accumulated tolerance from core radius and coating material thickness results in low accuracy for movement of the cutter blades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to process various coated electric wiresVSAvoidaccuracy for movement of the cutter blades

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical reference system (electric wire axis) with an optical measurement system (laser displacement sensor) to detect the outer circumferential surface position. This substitution eliminates accumulated mechanical tolerances by directly measuring the actual surface position, achieving high precision notch formation while maintaining versatility for different wire types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the laser displacement sensor continuously detects the position of the outer circumferential surface, and this detection information is fed back to adjust the cutter blade position in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures accurate notch depth regardless of variations in core radius or coating thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If the V-shaped cutter blades are rotated around the electric wire axis to form the notch, then the notch can be formed in the coated electric wire, but the deformation and misalignment cause varying notch depth in different regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotch formation capabilityVSAvoidnotch depth consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical rotation method with an optical detection and controlled linear movement system. The laser displacement sensor detects the actual outer surface position, and the cutter blade moves linearly along the wire length based on this detection, eliminating the variability introduced by mechanical rotation around a potentially misaligned axis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection of the outer circumferential surface position using the laser displacement sensor before the cutter blade engages. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-calculate the correct cutter blade trajectory and depth, compensating for any wire deformation or misalignment before the actual notch formation occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 improves the accuracy of notch formation in thick electric wires and those wound around bobbins by precisely adjusting the cutter blade position, reducing the impact of tolerances and deformation, resulting in consistent notch depths and effective stripping.

Implementation Method 1

a contact detecting section configured to detect a contact between the outermost conductor and the notch forming cutter blade based on a current through an electric circuit including the power supply connecting part, the outermost conductor and the notch forming cutter blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250015571A1Device and method for forming a notch for stripping

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

Each of cutting mechanisms of a device for forming a notch for stripping includes: an electrically conductive notch forming cutter blade; a contact detecting section configured to detect a contact between an outermost conductor of a coated electric wire and the notch forming cutter blade based on a current through an electric circuit including a power supply connecting part, the outermost conductor and the notch forming cutter blade; and a notch forming movement mechanism configured to move the notch forming cutter blade in an intersection direction intersecting an outer circumferential surface, wherein upon detecting the contact by the contact detecting section during movement of the notch forming cutter blade, the notch forming movement mechanism is configured to adjust a position of the notch forming cutter blade in the intersection direction and position the notch forming cutter blade to a position corresponding to a specified notch depth for forming notches therein.