JP2009210085A - Hose - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hose whose damage can visually be recognized surely. <P>SOLUTION: A brake hose 10 has an identification filling layer 20c formed inside a hose body made of rubber. The identification filling layer 20c is formed of a filler. The filler is sealed in a microcapsule, which is embedded at the predetermined depth from the outer surface of the brake hose 10. A coloring agent or a fluorescent one, which can be recognized against the outer surface of the brake hose 10, is sealed into the microcapsule. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hose composed of a plurality of layers, and more particularly to a hose capable of visually confirming damage to the hose.

  Conventionally, the technique of patent document 1 is known as this kind of hose. The hose includes a rubber sleeve body made of a laminate having an inner rubber layer, a reinforcing layer and an outer rubber layer, and the inner rubber layer is made of three kinds of rubbers having different colors at both ends of the rubber sleeve The laminated body which becomes. When the outer layer of the inner rubber layer is damaged, the color of the inner rubber layer is exposed so that the outer layer can be visually confirmed.

  However, the conventional hose has a problem that it is difficult to expose inner layers having different colors unless the outer layer is significantly damaged, and the visibility is not good.

JP 2002-22068 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a hose capable of reliably observing damage based on solving the above-described problems of the conventional technology.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
Application Example 1 is a hose in which a filler is embedded in a rubber hose that forms a flow path.
The filler is embedded at a predetermined depth from the outer surface of the hose body, and a colorant or a fluorescent agent that can be identified with respect to the hose body is sealed in a microcapsule.

  In the hose described in Application Example 1, when the outer surface of the rubber body is damaged by contact with other members or the like, and the damage of the hose body reaches the filler, the microcapsules constituting the filler are broken. Thereby, since a coloring agent or a fluorescent agent oozes out to the outer surface of a hose body, damage to a hose can be visually recognized. Therefore, wear and damage of the hose can be detected at an early stage, and measures such as replacement of the hose can be taken immediately.

  In the hose body of the application example 2, the passage is formed by laminating a plurality of rubber layers, the first layer forming the outer surface of the hose body, and the first layer disposed on the passage side with respect to the first layer. Two fillers, and the filler is arranged in an identification filler layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer. According to this structure, the identification filling layer which has a filler can be arrange | positioned reliably in the predetermined depth of a hose body.

  The hose body of Application Example 3 is configured to include a reinforcing layer that is arranged on the side of the passage with respect to the second layer and braided or wound a reinforcing yarn. As a hose provided with a reinforcing layer, it can be applied to a brake hose, a radiator hose, and the like. Here, the brake hose is required to have pressure resistance and durability, but before the damage reaches the reinforcing layer, the filler leaks out from the identification filling layer. Can be taken.

  The identification filling layer of Application Example 4 has a configuration in which a plurality of identification filling layers are formed in the hose body so as to have different depths from the outer surface of the hose body. According to this configuration, the degree of damage to the hose can be visually recognized according to the type of the colorant, depending on the depth of damage until reaching each identification filling layer.

(1) Schematic structure of brake hose 10 FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a hose according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a half sectional view of the hose. The hose is adapted to the brake hose 10 of the automobile. 1 and 2, a brake hose 10 is used to connect a master cylinder used for a hydraulic brake of an automobile (not shown) and a tire-side hydraulic device, and is laminated in five layers. Thus, it is configured to withstand the brake fluid pressure. That is, the brake hose 10 includes an inner tube rubber layer 12 that forms a flow path 11, a lower thread layer 14 (reinforcing layer), an intermediate rubber layer 16, an upper thread layer 18 (reinforcing layer), and an outer rubber layer 20. And. The brake hose 10 has a base 22 fastened to the end thereof by caulking.

(2) Configuration of each layer of the brake hose 10 The brake hose 10 is made of a material for each layer in order to obtain characteristics such as pressure resistance, durability, expansion resistance, and water permeability that can withstand brake fluid pressure up to 50 MPa. In addition, it has a structure in which the thickness and the like are determined, and the damage can be visually recognized when damaged by an external force.

  The inner tube rubber layer 12 is made of EPDM mainly for obtaining brake fluid resistance. The inner tube rubber layer 12 has an inner diameter of 3.0 to 3.4 mm and a thickness of 0.5 to 1.0 mm. The lower yarn layer 14 is formed by combining two or three PET fiber yarns and braiding them on the inner tube rubber layer 12 with 20 or 24 shots. The intermediate rubber layer 16 is a layer for preventing the lower thread layer 14 and the upper thread layer 18 from shifting, and is formed by winding a sheet material made of a rubber material around the lower thread layer 14. The rubber material of the sheet material is EPDM which is the same material as the inner tube rubber layer 12. The wall thickness of the intermediate rubber layer 16 is 0.1 to 0.3 mm. The upper yarn layer 18 is formed by combining two or three PVA fiber yarns and braiding them on the intermediate rubber layer 16 with 20 or 24 strokes. The upper yarn 19 is formed by bundling 200 to 400 filament yarns (single yarn bundles) and braiding them under the conditions of 2 or 3 combined yarns or 20 and 24 strokes.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outer rubber layer 20 of FIG. The outer rubber layer 20 is mainly formed of EPDM, a blend material of EPDM and CR, etc. in order to obtain ozone resistance, and the first layer 20a and the second layer 20b laminated on the upper thread layer 18. And an identification filling layer 20c having a filling material interposed between the first layer 20a and the second layer 20b and formed of microcapsules. The outer rubber layer 20 has a thickness of 0.8 to 1.5 mm, of which the first layer 20a is 0.4 to 0.7 mm and the second layer 20b is 0.4 to 0.8 mm. A microcapsule is obtained by encapsulating a filler in a micro container formed of a resin having a size (diameter) in a range of several μm to several hundred μm. The filler is a colorant or a fluorescent agent that can be identified with respect to the first layer 20a. Here, when the second layer 20b is formed of black EPDM, it is preferable to use a color such as red that is easily visible as the colorant.

(3) Manufacturing method of brake hose 10 Next, the manufacturing method of the brake hose 10 is demonstrated. The brake hose 10 can be manufactured by a known method, that is, by performing a rubber extrusion process, a fiber yarn braiding process, a spray coating process, and a vulcanization process.

(3) -1 Hose manufacturing apparatus 30
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for explaining the hose manufacturing apparatus 30. In FIG. 4, the hose manufacturing apparatus 30 includes a first extrusion device 31, a first braiding device 32, an intermediate sheet forming device 34, a second braiding device 35, and a skin forming mechanism 36. The first extrusion device 31 is a device that extrudes a rubber material to form the inner tube extrudate 12A (inner tube rubber layer 12). The first knitting device 32 includes a bobbin carrier attached to the drum 32a, and forms the lower yarn layer 14 by braiding the lower yarn 15 from the bobbin carrier onto the inner tube extrudate 12A. . The intermediate sheet forming device 34 is a device that feeds a sheet material 16 </ b> A for forming the intermediate rubber layer 16 from the roller onto the lower yarn layer 14 braided by the first braiding device 32. The second knitting device 35 has substantially the same configuration as that of the first knitting device 32, and includes a bobbin carrier mounted on the drum 35a, and on the intermediate rubber layer 16 while feeding the upper thread 19 from the bobbin carrier. This is an apparatus for forming the upper thread layer 18 by braiding. The outer skin forming mechanism 36 is an apparatus for forming the outer rubber layer 20, and includes a first layer extrusion device 37 for forming the first layer 20a, an intermediate layer forming device 38 for forming the identification filling layer 20c, and a second layer 20b. And a second layer extrusion apparatus for forming The intermediate layer forming apparatus 38 is a mechanism for applying liquid rubber containing microcapsules. Here, as the liquid rubber, for example, EPDM is diluted with a solvent and is ready for spray coating. By using such a liquid rubber, the adhesion between the first layer 20a and the second layer 20b can be improved.

(3) -2 Manufacturing Process of Brake Hose 10 Next, a series of manufacturing processes of the brake hose 10 by the hose manufacturing apparatus 30 will be described. First, the inner tube extruded body 12 </ b> A is formed by extruding a rubber material by the first extrusion device 31. At this time, a mandrel (not shown) is inserted into the inner tube extrudate 12A. Subsequently, the lower thread layer 14 is formed by feeding the lower thread 15 from the bobbin while the drum 32a of the first braiding device 32 is rotated onto the extruded inner pipe extruded body 12A and braiding it on the inner pipe extruded body 12A. Form. In this case, for example, to braid the lower thread layer 14 with 20 strokes, the lower thread 15 is fed out from a total of 20 bobbins rotating in the opposite direction. Next, the intermediate rubber layer 16 is formed on the lower thread layer 14 by supplying the sheet material 16 </ b> A from the intermediate sheet forming device 34. Further, while rotating the drum 35 a of the second braiding device 35 on the intermediate rubber layer 16, the upper thread 19 is fed out from the bobbin and the upper thread layer 18 is braided on the intermediate rubber layer 16. Subsequently, the first layer 20 a is formed on the upper thread layer 18 by extruding a rubber material from the first layer extrusion device 37 of the outer skin forming mechanism 36. Subsequently, the identification filling layer 20c is formed on the first layer 20a by spraying a filler from the intermediate layer forming device 38. Further, the second layer 20b is formed by extruding the rubber material from the second layer extrusion device 39 on the identification filling layer 20c.

  Subsequently, a vulcanization step is performed. As conditions of a vulcanization process, it sets at 120-170 ° C for 15-60 minutes. The upper thread layer 18 and the lower thread layer 14 are bonded to the inner tube rubber layer 12, the intermediate rubber layer 16, and the outer rubber layer 20 by heating in the vulcanization process. Thereby, the brake hose 10 is formed integrally.

(4) Action and Effect of Brake Hose 10 (4) -1 As shown in FIG. 5, the first layer 20a of the outer rubber layer 20 of the brake hose 10 is damaged due to contact with other members. Reaches the identification filling layer 20c, the microcapsules constituting the identification filling layer 20c are broken, and the colorant or the fluorescent agent oozes out to the outer surface of the hose body to become the colored portion 20d. Since the colored portion 20d is different from the color of the first layer 20a, damage to the brake hose 10 can be visually recognized. As a result, the wear and damage of the brake hose 10 can be found at an early stage where only the first layer 20a does not reach the upper thread layer 18, and measures such as replacement of the brake hose 10 can be taken immediately.

(4) -2 Since the identification filling layer 20c is disposed between the first layer 20a and the second layer 20b, it can be reliably disposed at the same depth as the thickness of the second layer 20b.

(4) -3 The brake hose 10 is provided with the lower thread layer 14 and the upper thread layer 18 in order to satisfy the pressure resistance and durability requirements. Has a great impact on sex. However, in this embodiment, since the filler leaks from the identification filling layer 20c before the upper thread layer 18 is damaged, it is possible to appropriately take measures such as replacement before the damage is serious.

(5) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(5) -1 FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the outer rubber layer 20-B of a brake hose 10B according to another embodiment. This embodiment is characterized by a configuration in which a plurality of identification filling layers are provided. That is, the outer rubber layer 20-B is formed on the upper thread layer 18-B. The outer rubber layer 20-B includes a plurality of second layers 20b1-B, 20b2-B and identification filling layers 20c1-B, 20c2-B between the first layer 20a-B and the upper thread layer 18-B. I have. Each identification filling layer 20c1-B, 20c2-B contains a different colorant. According to this embodiment, since different colors can be visually recognized depending on the depth of damage until reaching the respective identification filling layers 20c1-B and 20c2-B, the degree of damage to the hose can be known.
(5) -2 In the above embodiment, the identification filling layer 20c is formed by mixing the microcapsules with the liquid and spray-coating. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any means that can be formed on the first layer. For example, a technique of applying by immersing in a liquid mixed with a filler, or a technique of mixing microcapsules with an unvulcanized rubber material and forming it by extrusion molding may be employed.

It is the perspective view which fractured | ruptured partially the hose concerning one Example of this invention. It is a half sectional view of a hose. It is sectional drawing to which the vicinity of the outer skin rubber layer of FIG. 2 was expanded. It is explanatory drawing explaining a hose manufacturing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action of a brake hose. It is sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of the outer skin rubber layer of the hose concerning another Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Brake hose 11 ... Channel 12 ... Inner tube rubber layer 12A ... Inner tube extrudate 14 ... Lower thread layer 15 ... Lower thread 16 ... Intermediate rubber layer 16A ... Sheet material 18 ... Upper thread layer 19 ... Upper thread 20 ... Outer skin Rubber layer 20a ... 1st layer 20b ... 2nd layer 20c ... Identification filling layer 22 ... Base 30 ... Hose manufacturing device 31 ... 1st extrusion device 32 ... 1st braiding device 32a ... Drum 34 ... Intermediate sheet forming device 35 ... 1st 2 Braiding device 35a ... Drum 36 ... Skin forming mechanism 37 ... First layer extrusion device 38 ... Intermediate layer forming device 39 ... Second layer extrusion device

Claims (4)

In a hose in which a filler is embedded in a rubber hose that forms a flow path,
The hose characterized in that the filler is embedded at a predetermined depth from the outer surface of the hose body, and a colorant or a fluorescent agent that can be identified with respect to the hose body is sealed in a microcapsule. The hose according to claim 1,
The hose body is formed by laminating a plurality of rubber layers in the passage, and includes a first layer that forms an outer surface of the hose body, and a second layer that is disposed on the passage side with respect to the first layer. With
The hose is disposed in an identification filling layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer. The hose according to claim 1 or 2,
The hose body is provided with a reinforcing layer which is arranged on the passage side with respect to the second layer and braided or wound a reinforcing yarn. The hose according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A plurality of the identification filling layers are formed in the hose body so as to have different depths from the outer surface of the hose body.

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