JP2005195078A - Conduit with protector, and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conduit, in which an intermediate layer to facilitate adhesion between a protector and the conduit can be formed easily and in a short time, and in which the manufacturing line for the conduit with the protector can be automated. <P>SOLUTION: This device comprises a conduit main body 20 comprising an outer spring 11 and a coating layer 12 provided on the outer spring 11, and the protector 15 bonded to part of the outer circumference of the conduit main body 20 by adhesive. The intermediate layer 13 is formed by baking it on the part of the outer circumference of the conduit main body, so that the protector 15 is bonded to the intermediate layer 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a conduit used for a control cable and a method for manufacturing the conduit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a control cable conduit used in a place close to or in contact with a hot object, such as an engine room of an automobile, and a manufacturing method thereof.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-49123 Japanese Utility Model Publication No.58-111426 Japanese Patent No. 3076169 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-11916

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a control cable that is routed at a high temperature, such as in an engine room of an automobile, and at a high density of components is often close to or in contact with a high-temperature object such as an engine or an exhaust pipe. Therefore, the control cable is protected by providing a protective part on the conduit itself or covering the conduit with a cylindrical protector.
As an example in which a protective part is provided on the conduit itself, there is a case where a linear or spiral protrusion is provided on the surface of the conduit to form an irregular cross section as in Patent Document 1, for example.
As an example of covering the protector, the protector is attached to the outer periphery of the conduit and crimped by a clamp member (Patent Document 2); the protector is further formed by extrusion on the outer periphery of the conduit (Patent Document 3, Patent Document) 4); It is known that an adhesive is applied to the outer periphery of a conduit and a protector is attached to the outer periphery.

However, when the protector is inserted into the outer periphery of the conduit and is caulked by the clamp member, it is realized by fixing the protector to the conduit with high rigidity. There is a problem that the fixing strength decreases as the thickness increases.
Moreover, what formed the protector in the outer periphery of the conduit | pipe by extrusion molding must provide a casing cap in the outer periphery of a protector. For this reason, a casing cap having a size larger than that of the existing one has to be used, and there is a problem that the weight thereof increases.

Moreover, the conduit | pipe which fixes a protector to an outer periphery with an adhesive agent has the problem that the adhesiveness between an adhesive agent and the coating layer made from a synthetic resin (for example, polypropylene) is low. Therefore, it is known to provide a primer layer in order to improve the adhesion between the two. As shown in FIG. 3, the manufacturing method includes a partial outer periphery of a conduit body (a protector is formed by an annular outer spring 101 in which a steel wire is spirally wound and a covering layer 102 provided on the outer periphery of the outer spring. Apply primer solution 103 to the site 104). Then, the primer layer 105 is formed on the coating layer 102 by drying for about 20 minutes. The adhesive 108 is applied from above, and the protector 106 is installed. Finally, the conduit 107 is manufactured by applying light pressure and fixing.
However, since the primer solution generally needs to be sufficiently dried, it takes about 5 minutes for the other steps. For this reason, it is difficult to incorporate it into an automatic line by removing it from the production line and manually applying and drying the primer solution in another place. In addition, many processes are required for manufacturing the conduit, which is expensive. Therefore, shortening of the manufacturing time of each one is required.

  The conduit with a protector of the present invention and the method for producing the same are intended to easily and quickly form an intermediate layer that maintains the adhesion between the protector and the conduit. It is intended.

A conduit with a protector according to the present invention (Claim 1) includes a conduit body composed of an outer spring and a coating layer provided on the outer spring, and a protector adhered to a part of the outer periphery of the conduit body with an adhesive. A conduit with a protector, wherein an intermediate layer is formed on a part of the conduit body by thermal transfer, and the protector is bonded onto the intermediate layer. In such a conduit, the intermediate layer is preferably a layer in which a pigment or a dye is hardened with a dressing (claim 2).
The method for manufacturing a conduit with a protector according to the present invention (Claim 3) includes an outer spring, a coating layer provided on the outer spring, and a tube-like adhesive bonded to a part of the coating layer by an adhesive. A flexible conduit manufacturing method comprising a protector and having an intermediate layer between the cover layer and the protector, wherein the cover layer is coated on an outer spring, and then the intermediate layer is formed on the cover layer. Is formed by thermal transfer, and the protector is provided on the intermediate layer.
And in such a manufacturing method, it is preferable to form an intermediate layer by transferring lightly thermocompression-bonded to a coating layer with a foil formed with a layer of pigment or dye solidified on a film surface. 4).

Since the conduit with the protector of the present invention (Claim 1) is formed by thermal transfer of the intermediate layer onto the coating layer of the conduit, it is necessary to apply a primer solution or dry it like a conventional intermediate layer. The intermediate layer can be formed in a short time. Moreover, it can be accurately provided at an arbitrary part of the conduit, and the material used for the intermediate layer can be used without waste. Therefore, incorporation into an automatic line is easy, manufacturing efficiency can be increased, and cost reduction can be realized. An existing casing cap can be used. And since an adhesive agent is apply | coated from on the intermediate | middle layer provided in this way, a protector can be fixed without peeling more firmly.
Moreover, when the said intermediate | middle layer contains a pigment or dye, a pigment or dye has high adhesiveness with an adhesive agent, and is preferable (Claim 2).

The method for manufacturing a conduit with a protector according to the present invention (Claim 3) is preferable because the above-described conduit with a protector can be manufactured.
In addition, when the intermediate layer is formed by lightly thermocompression-bonding a foil in which a pigment or dye layer is hardened with a coating material on the film surface, the layer formed on the film surface is firmly attached to the coating layer. The intermediate layer is firmly adhered to the adhesive, and the covering layer of the conduit body and the protector can be firmly adhered to each other. Further, when a pigment or dye having a color different from that of the coating layer is used, when the protector is disposed on the conduit body in which the intermediate layer is formed, the intermediate layer functions as a mark, which is preferable. Moreover, since an intermediate | middle layer can be formed by lightly thermocompression-bonding the film surface to a coating layer, the manufacturing method can be simplified (Claim 4).

  Next, the manufacturing method of this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings. FIG. 1a is a perspective view showing an example of a conduit of a control cable manufactured according to the present invention, FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are explanatory diagrams showing one step of the manufacturing method of the present invention. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the conduit 10 manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention is composed of an outer spring 11 in which a single flat steel wire is spirally wound and an outer periphery thereof formed by extrusion molding. The resin coating layer 12 includes an intermediate layer 13 provided on a part of the outer periphery of the coating layer, an adhesive layer 14 provided on the outer periphery of the intermediate layer 13, and a protector 15 provided on the outer periphery of the adhesive layer 14. A synthetic resin liner 16 is provided on the inner periphery of the outer spring 11.

  The conduit constructed in this way is used as a control cable by inserting an inner cord therein. When used as a control cable, a casing cap 17 is attached to a portion of the conduit that is not provided with the protector 15. The casing cap 17 fixes the end of the control cable to the object to be attached, and is a conventionally known one. The casing cap 17 is fixed to the conduit 10 by fitting into the end of the conduit and further crimping from the outer periphery.

  The outer spring 11 and the coating layer 12 formed on the outer periphery thereof are conventionally known, and are manufactured by a conventionally known method (hereinafter referred to as a conduit body 20). First, the tubular liner 16 is formed by extrusion molding. A rectangular steel wire is wound around the outer periphery of the liner 16 in a spiral manner, whereby the outer spring 11 is formed. Furthermore, the conduit body 20 is manufactured by providing the covering layer over the entire length of the outer spring 11 by extrusion.

  The liner 16 can be optionally provided depending on the type of inner cable or the use of the control cable. By providing the liner, the control cable inner line and conduit are prevented from being deteriorated due to friction, and noise is also prevented. Examples of the liner 16 include polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacetal, polyethylene, polyamide, and thermoplastic resins such as fluororesin.

The conduit body 20 without a liner is provided with a mandrel, and a rectangular steel wire is spirally closely wound around the mandrel, and then the mandrel is pulled out to form the outer spring 11 without a liner. Thereafter, the coating layer 12 is similarly provided.
As the synthetic resin for the coating layer, one having high durability is preferable. This protects the control cable at a site where the protector is not required (relative to the environment). Examples of such materials include polyolefin resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyamide resins, soft polyvinyl chloride resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, and thermoplastic elastomers thereof.
As mentioned above, although the manufacturing method of the conduit | pipe main body 20 was disclosed, this is a conventionally well-known thing, The manufacturing method is not specifically limited.

  A protector is a conventionally well-known thing, and consists of synthetic resins (for example, soft vinyl chloride resin etc.) or rubber | gum (ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, etc.). In the case of a synthetic resin, the manufacturing method is formed by extrusion molding, and in the case of rubber, the raw rubber is formed by passing it through a mold and shaping and vulcanizing. These may be foamed.

  It is a feature of the present invention that the intermediate layer 13 is formed on the conduit body 20 by thermal transfer. First, a foil 21 is separately prepared for forming a layer in which a pigment or dye is hardened with a material on the surface of a synthetic resin film. The foil 21 is wound around a predetermined portion of the conduit body so that the surface thereof is in contact with the coating layer 12 (see FIG. 2a). Then, using a half die 22 having an inner diameter that is the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the conduit body, the pigment or dye is pressed for about 2 to 4 seconds at a temperature of 120 to 140 degrees from the back surface (synthetic film side) of the foil 21. Is thermally transferred onto the coating layer (thermocompression bonding) (see FIG. 2b). Next, an adhesive is applied to the outer periphery of the intermediate layer 13 (shaded portion), and the protector 15 is disposed so as to match the intermediate layer 13 (see FIG. 2c). Finally, the protector conduit 10 is manufactured by lightly crimping and fixing the protector. The temperature and time of the thermal transfer described above are not particularly limited, and are performed according to the type of foil used.

  Since this conduit 10 does not require the primer solution to be applied by brush and dried as in the prior art, the intermediate layer can be easily formed in a short time. Moreover, since the primer liquid does not sag, the material used for the intermediate layer can be used efficiently. As a result, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and it can be easily incorporated into an automatic line and is inexpensive.

Examples of the film of the foil 21 used in this manufacturing method include synthetic resin films such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These are only required to have heat resistance with respect to the thermal transfer temperature, and a metal film such as an aluminum film or copper or paper may be used. In particular, use of PP or PET is preferable because peeling from the pigment is easy.
The combination of the pigment and the binder can be arbitrarily determined depending on conditions such as the thermocompression bonding temperature or time in the production process and the degree of adhesion of the pigment and the binder to the coating layer.
The foil 21 used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can be thermally transferred (thermocompression bonded) to the synthetic resin coating layer. In particular, the product name “White Powdered Paper GPP White” of Horikin Foil Powder Co., Ltd., which can be used for marking and in which the intermediate layer and the coating layer are firmly bonded, is preferable. By using this, a white intermediate layer can be clearly formed in the coating layer of the conduit body.

  Moreover, a cyanoacrylate adhesive etc. are mentioned as an adhesive agent used for this manufacturing method. These are preferably easily bonded to the protector 15 and the intermediate layer 13, and can be arbitrarily selected depending on the combination of the protector material and the intermediate layer material. In particular, a method of measuring the protector strength by passing a conduit partially bonded with a protector through a jig having a hole with a conduit diameter and pulling the end of the conduit with a chuck or the like. There is a preferred combination in which the adhesive used for the attachment of the protector dries in about 5 to 15 seconds.

  In the manufacturing method of FIGS. 2a to 2d, a tape-like foil 21 is passed between a pair of left and right half dies 22, 22, and a substantially U shape is formed. 22 are in pressure contact with each other. Therefore, an intermediate layer having a predetermined width can be formed simultaneously on the left and right. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be formed on each side. Further, the foil tape is arranged in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the conduit body. As a result, the moving amount of the tape in one step, that is, the feeding amount can be reduced. However, the tape may flow in the longitudinal direction of the conduit.

FIG. 1a is a perspective view showing an example of a conduit of a control cable manufactured according to the present invention, and FIG. 1b is a sectional view thereof. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are explanatory views showing one process of the manufacturing method of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the conventional conduit | pipe.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Conduit 11 Outer spring 12 Covering layer 13 Intermediate layer 14 Adhesive layer 15 Protector 16 Liner 17 Casing cap 20 Conduit body 21 Foil 100 Conduit body 101 Outer spring 102 Covering layer 103 Brush 104 Region 105 Primer layer 106 Protector 107 Conduit

Claims (4)

A conduit with a protector comprising a conduit body composed of an outer spring and a coating layer provided on the outer spring, and a protector adhered to the outer periphery of a portion of the conduit body with an adhesive,
An intermediate layer is formed by thermal transfer on a part of the outer periphery of the conduit body,
A protectored conduit having the protector bonded thereto. The conduit with a protector according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is a layer in which a pigment or a dye is hardened by a dressing. It consists of an outer spring, a covering layer provided on the outer spring, and a tube-shaped protector that is bonded to a part of the covering layer with an adhesive, and an intermediate layer is provided between the covering layer and the protector. A method of manufacturing a flexible conduit comprising:
After coating the coating layer on the outer spring,
An intermediate layer is formed on the coating layer by thermal transfer,
A method of manufacturing a conduit in which the protector is provided on an intermediate layer. 4. The production method according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate layer is formed by lightly thermocompressing and transferring a foil in which a pigment or dye layer is hardened with a coating material on the film surface.