JP3786846B2 - Equipment for manufacturing tubular molded bodies - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus of tubular shaped body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to reduce the weight of a vehicle, an automobile fuel tube is made of a tube body made of a thermoplastic resin such as nylon and a rubber protector sheathed on the tube body. And since this fuel tube is arrange | positioned in a narrow engine room, it is shape | molded by the predetermined bending shape.
[0003]
In such a bending of the fuel tube, most commonly, a straight tubular fuel tube is held in a furnace set at a predetermined temperature to plasticize the resin, and then the fuel tube is taken out from the furnace and molded. This is done by fitting into a mold.
[0004]
Japanese Patent No. 2627653 discloses that a straight tubular hose (tube) main body part in which a tubular rubber protector is externally mounted on a thermoplastic resin hose (tube) part having caps attached to both ends is bent to a predetermined shape. The electric resistance heating element layer is interposed between the hose (tube) portion and the protector, and the electric resistance heating element layer is energized through a base to raise the temperature. ) Portion is plasticized, and then air is blown into the hose (tube) portion to cool and solidify. According to such a configuration, the straight tubular hose (tube) main body portion is plastically deformed. Sometimes, the resin hose (tube) part is directly heated, and the amount of heat consumed to raise the temperature of the protector is small, so the resin hose (tube) part is plasticized. Be short time it takes to, addition, since the time required for cooling is shortened, thereby improving the productivity of the protector with bending hose (tube), the contents of the have been described.
[0005]
In JP-A-6-190913, a predetermined portion to be bent of a straight tubular resin tube is partially heated by partial heating means such as ultrasonic vibration, high-frequency induction, high-frequency dielectric, and infrared, and heated. A method of manufacturing a bent resin tube is disclosed in which a required bending shape is imparted to the resin tube by bending the portion partially with a partial bending mold, and according to such a configuration, the shape is entirely formed. There is no need for a large die to be constrained, and it is not necessary to heat the entire resin tube, eliminating the need for a large heating oven, which was necessary in the past. In addition to greatly shortening the time, the production efficiency can be increased, and the resin tube is partially heated or Since partial bending is performed while heating, it is not necessary to preheat the resin tube prior to bending, and the partial bending shape is the same even if the bending shape of the entire resin tube is different. Since the same partial machining die can be used for the object, the bending die can be used for general purposes, and further, the bending work is performed partially. It describes that it is easy to mechanize and automate.
[0006]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-205327 discloses a method of heating at least a part of a hose (tube) and forming it into a predetermined shape such as a bellows, and includes a heating element that generates heat by high-frequency heat treatment. Is used to heat the hose (tube) by subjecting the heating element of the hose (tube) to high-frequency heat treatment to generate heat, and according to such a configuration, the high-frequency heat treatment is disclosed. Describes that the heat treatment of the hose (tube) main body is favorably performed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, after holding the tube in the furnace and plasticizing it, the method of taking the tube out of the furnace and fitting it in the mold is used for heating the tube out of the energy consumed to raise the temperature of the furnace. The energy ratio is as low as about 20% and the energy loss is large. Further, it takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to raise the hot stove to a predetermined temperature, and 15 to 30 minutes to heat the tube.
[0008]
In the method described in Japanese Patent No. 2627653, it is necessary to provide an electrical resistance heating element layer on the tube, which complicates the configuration of the tube and makes the tube expensive.
[0009]
In the methods described in JP-A-6-190913 and JP-A-7-205327, the resin tube is directly heated. For example, when the tube is heated by high-frequency dielectric, the high-frequency energy consumed Among them, the proportion of energy used for heating the tube is at most about 80 to 90%.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the object of the present invention is that it is not necessary to add a special component to the conventional tube, the molding time is short, and the consumption is further reduced. and to provide a manufacturing apparatus of tubular shaped member 90 to 100% of the energy available for heating the tube.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention
A tube-shaped molded body manufacturing apparatus in which a tube comprising a thermoplastic resin tube body and a conductive rubber protector covering the tube body is partially molded into a predetermined shape,
A tube fixing means for fixing the tube;
A pair of electrodes disposed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tube fixed by the tube fixing means, each detachably formed on the protector of the tube;
A power source for applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes;
When a predetermined voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes by the power source, the protector portion sandwiched between the pair of electrodes is energized to raise the temperature of the protector portion, so that the tube body portion corresponding to the protector portion is plasticized. A tube main body forming means for forming the plasticized tube main body portion into a predetermined shape when
Tube moving means for feeding and moving the tube in its longitudinal direction in a state where the tube is fixed by the tube fixing means;
It is provided with.
[0012]
When the tube body forming means is a bending means for bending the tube body, the tube fixing means is configured to fix the tube so that it can be rotated around the tube axis. May be. According to this configuration, after the tube body is bent by the tube body bending means, the tube is fed by the tube feed moving means and rotated by a predetermined amount around the tube axis, and further, the tube is bent by the tube body bending means. Since the main body can be bent, a tubular molded body that is continuously bent three-dimensionally can be formed.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is not necessary to add special components to the conventional tube, the molding time is short, and 90-100% of the consumed energy is used for heating the tube. Available to: In addition, even after the energization of the protector portion is stopped, the tube main body portion is plasticized by the heat retaining effect, and the moldable state can be maintained for a relatively long time. Furthermore, less energy is wasted and energy saving can be achieved.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It will be described in detail with reference to implementation embodiments in the drawings.
[0015]
(Embodiment 1)
<Straight tubular material tube>
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a straight pipe material tube 10 used in the manufacture of the fuel tube of a motor vehicle according to implementation embodiments 1.
[0016]
The material tube 10 includes a resin tube main body 11 and a protector 12 that covers the tube main body 11.
[0017]
The tube main body 11 has a configuration in which four layers of thermoplastic resin are integrally laminated in a concentric manner, and the first layer 11a, which is the innermost layer of the tube, is a conductive fluororesin, and the second layer 11b is non-conductive. The third layer 11c is made of a resin adhesive and the fourth layer 11d is made of nylon resin. The first to third layers 11a to 11c are relatively thin, whereas the fourth layer 11d is thick. Here, the first layer 11a having conductivity fulfills a function of energizing and releasing static electricity generated by friction with fuel such as gasoline that circulates inside the tube 10. The third layer 11c functions to bond and integrate the second layer 11b and the fourth layer 11d, which are different resin materials.
[0018]
The protector 12 is formed of a conductive rubber composition in which an ethylene / propylene / diene terpolymer (hereinafter referred to as “EPDM”) is mixed with a filler containing carbon black, which is a conductive powder. The protector 12 serves to protect the tube body 11 of the fuel tube disposed in the engine room or the like so that the tube body 11 is not damaged by an external factor.
[0019]
<Fuel tube manufacturing equipment>
A manufacturing apparatus 20 for manufacturing a fuel tube using the material tube 10 will be described.
[0020]
2 (a) shows a structure of a manufacturing apparatus 20 of a motor vehicle fuel tube according to implementation embodiments 1.
[0021]
In the fuel tube manufacturing apparatus 20, a tube fixing portion (tube fixing means) 21 for fixing the material tube 10 is configured to fit and fix one end of the tube 10. The tube fixing portion 21 is provided with a first motor 22 for rotating the fixed tube 10 around the tube axis and a blower portion 23 for sending cooling air into the tube 10.
[0022]
The tube fixing portion 21 is attached to a lead screw 24 provided so as to extend in parallel with the fixed tube 10 via a fixing portion nut 25, and the lead screw 24 is attached to one end of the lead screw 24 with a screw shaft. A second motor 26 is provided for rotating around the center. The rotation of the lead screw 24 enables the fixing portion nut 25 to move along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw 24. That is, the tube fixing portion 21 and the tube 10 fixed thereto can move in the same direction. This constitutes the tube moving means.
[0023]
A cylindrical bending die 27 is provided on the extension line in the extending direction of the lead screw 24 so that the die axis is substantially perpendicular to the lead screw 24 axis. The bending die 27 is rotated around the die axis. A third motor 28 is provided for this purpose. This bending die 27 constitutes a tube body bending means.
[0024]
A first electrode 29 is provided on the outer surface of the bending die 27. As shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode 29 has a pair of sandwiching pieces 29 a and 29 b that sandwich the tube 10. The sandwiching pieces 29 a and 29 b are electrically controlled and fixed to the tube fixing portion 21. The tube 10 that extends is detachably clamped and fixed. Further, a second electrode 30 having the same structure as that of the first electrode 29 is attached to the lead screw 24 via an electrode nut 31 between the first electrode 29 and the tube fixing portion 21. Accordingly, the second electrode 30 is configured to move along the direction in which the lead screw 24 extends together with the tube fixing portion 21 and the tube 10.
[0025]
The first and second electrodes 29 and 30 are each connected to a power source 32, and a voltage of 4000 to 5000 V is applied between the electrodes by the power source 32.
[0026]
Between the 1st and 2nd electrodes 29 and 30, the non-contact-type temperature sensor apparatus 34 for measuring the temperature of the tube 10 surface pinched | interposed between both electrodes is provided.
[0027]
In the fuel tube manufacturing apparatus 20 having the above configuration, the tube 10 is fixed by the tube fixing portion 21 and the tube 10 is sandwiched and fixed by the first and second electrodes 29 and 30, and then the first and second electrodes are supplied by the power source 32. A predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes 29 and 30 to energize the protector portion 12p of the tube 10 sandwiched between both electrodes, and the protector portion 12p is heated so that the tube main body portion 11p corresponding to the protector portion 12p is formed. The lead screw 24 is rotated in the direction in which the tube 10 is fed by the second motor 26 with the first and second electrodes 29, 30 sandwiching and fixing the tube 10, and the bending die 27 is replaced by the third motor 28. By rotating the bending die 27 in the direction in which the tube 10 is pulled, the two electrodes are sandwiched as shown in FIG. Tube body portion 11p is of bent molded along the outer circumferential surface of the die 27 to bend the tube 10 and plasticized.
[0028]
In the fuel tube manufacturing apparatus 20 described above, the tube 10 fixed by the tube fixing portion 21 is configured to be able to be fed and moved in the longitudinal direction thereof. Can be performed continuously.
[0029]
In addition, since the first and second electrodes 29 and 30 are configured to bend and form the tube 10 in a state where the tube 10 is sandwiched and fixed and a voltage is applied to both electrodes, the first and second electrodes The tube main body portion 11p can be molded in a state where the protector portion 12p of the tube 10 sandwiched between 29 and 30 is heated, and particularly when the tube main body 11 is formed of a resin having a high cooling rate. The property can be improved.
[0030]
Further, since the tube fixing portion 21 is configured so as to be able to rotate around the tube axis of the tube 10, after bending the tube 10 with the bending die 27, the lead screw 24 is rotated. The tube 10 is fed and rotated by a predetermined amount around the tube axis, and the tube 10 can be bent and formed in the same manner, so that a fuel tube bent three-dimensionally can be formed continuously. .
[0031]
<Fuel tube manufacturing method>
A method for manufacturing the fuel tube according to implementation embodiments 1 using the above material tube 10 and the fuel tube manufacturing apparatus 20.
[0032]
-Material tube fixing process-
One end of the material tube 10 is fixed to the tube fixing portion 21 so as to be substantially parallel to the direction in which the lead screw 24 extends.
[0033]
-Electrode mounting process-
The tube 10 fixed to the tube fixing part 21 is further clamped and fixed by the first and second electrodes 29 and 30. At this time, the first and second electrodes 29 and 30 are attached from above the protector 12 of the tube 10 with the bent portion of the tube 10 interposed therebetween.
[0034]
-Voltage application process-
A voltage of 4000 to 5000 V is applied between the first and second electrodes 29 and 30 by the power source 32. At this time, current flows through the conductive protector portion 12p sandwiched between both electrodes, and the protector portion 12p is heated by the electrical resistance of the protector portion 12p. Further, as the temperature of the protector portion 12p rises, the tube main body portion 11p corresponding to the temperature rises and plasticizes.
[0035]
-Bending process-
When the surface temperature of the tube 10 measured by the non-contact temperature sensor device 34 becomes a predetermined temperature and the tube main body portion 11p is plasticized, the first and second electrodes 29 and 30 are attached to the tube 10 and both electrodes With the voltage applied between them, the second motor 26 is driven to rotate the lead screw 24 in the direction in which the tube 10 is fed, and the third motor 28 is driven in the direction in which the tube 10 is pulled. The bending die 27 is rotated, and the tube 10 is bent along the outer peripheral surface of the bending die 27 as shown in FIG.
[0036]
-Cooling process-
Cooling air is sent into the tube 10 from the air blowing part 23 provided in the tube fixing part 21, and the bent part is cooled and solidified.
[0037]
-Moving feed process-
The clamping and fixing of the first and second electrodes 29 and 30 to the tube 10 is released, and the third motor 28 is driven and rotated in the direction opposite to the previous time to return the bending die 27 to the original position. Return to the original position. Then, the second motor 26 is driven and the lead screw 24 is rotated to feed and move the tube 10 so that the next bent portion is positioned between the first and second electrodes 29 and 30. The first motor 22 is driven to rotate the tube 10 so that the bent inner side of the next bent molded portion is positioned on the bending die 27 side.
[0038]
After that, the tube-shaped bent molded body 10 is finally formed by repeating the above-described electrode mounting step and subsequent steps a predetermined number of times, and the connectors 41 and 42 and the dust seal caps 43 and 44 are attached to both ends thereof. Thus, for example, a fuel tube 40 as shown in FIG. 4 is manufactured.
[0039]
According to the fuel tube manufacturing method described above, the protector 12 is usually composed of conductive rubber mixed with carbon black, so there is no need to add a special component to the conventional tube, and the protector Since the temperature of the protector portion 12p and the tube main body portion 11p is increased in a short time by energizing the portion 12p, the molding time may be short, and furthermore, the tube 10 is directly heated by energizing the protector portion 12p. 90-100% of the consumed energy can be used for heating the tube 10.
[0040]
Further, although the tube main body portion 11p is not directly heated, since the heat retaining effect can be obtained by heating through the protector portion 12p, the tube main body portion 11p can be obtained even after the energization of the protector portion 12p is stopped. Is plasticized and can be molded for a relatively long time.
[0041]
Furthermore, since only the part to be molded is heated, wasted energy is reduced, and energy saving can be achieved.
[0042]
(Embodiment 2)
Figure 5 illustrates a method of manufacturing a motor vehicle fuel tube according to implementation embodiments 2. The material tube 10 used is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0043]
In this method, first and second electrodes 51 and 52 are attached to both ends of the tube 10 so as to be in contact with the first layer of the innermost layer of the tube, and a high voltage is applied between both electrodes by a power source 53 to By energizing one layer and raising the temperature of the first layer, the tube body 11 is plasticized, and the plasticized tube body 11 is bent.
[0044]
The first and second electrodes 51 and 52 are respectively provided with cylindrical tube insertion protrusions 51 a and 52 a protruding from disk-shaped electrode bodies, and the tube insertion protrusions 51 a and 52 a are inserted into the holes of the tube 10. In contact with the first layer. Further, a temperature sensor 54 is provided on the top surface of the tube insertion projection 52a of the second electrode 52 so that the temperature rise state inside the tube 10 can be detected.
[0045]
According to the above method, since the innermost tube layer is the thermoplastic resin tube 10 formed in the conductive layer in order to energize the static electricity generated by the friction with the fluid circulating in the interior, the conventional tube is specially made. There is no need to add any additional components, and the tube 10 is heated in a short time by energizing the first layer, so that the molding time is short and the tube 10 is directly heated. 90-100% of the consumed energy can be used for heating the tube 10.
[0046]
(Other embodiments)
In the first embodiment, the temperature of the tube 10 is partially raised. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and electrodes may be provided at both ends of the tube to raise the temperature of the entire tube. .
[0047]
In the first and second embodiments, the tube 10 is bent. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. After the tube body is plasticized, it is set in a mold and air is introduced into the tube. Blow molding may be used.
[0048]
In the first embodiment, in order to prevent the tube section of the molded portion from being flattened and crushed when the tube 10 is bent, a spring or the like is inserted into the bent portion of the tube before molding. You may make it take out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a cross-sectional view of a material tube according to Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 2 (a) is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a fuel tube manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 2 (b) is an explanatory view of bending forming of the tube by the fuel tube manufacturing apparatus.
3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a first electrode according to Embodiment 1. FIG.
4 is a perspective view of a fuel tube according to Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a fuel tube manufacturing method according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Material tube 11 Tube main body 11a-d 1st-4th layer 11p Tube main body part 12 Protector 12p Protector part 20 Fuel tube manufacturing apparatus 21 Tube fixing part 21
22 First motor 23 Blower 24 Lead screw 24
25 Nuts for fixing part 25
26 Second motor 26
27 Bending Dies 27
28 Third motor 28
29, 51 1st electrode 29a, 29b Holding piece 30 2nd electrode 31 Nut 31 for electrodes
32, 53 Power supply 34 Non-contact type temperature sensor device 40 Fuel tube 41, 42 Connectors 43, 44 Dust seal caps 51a, 51b Tube insertion protrusion 54 Temperature sensor

Claims (2)

A tube-shaped molded body manufacturing apparatus in which a tube comprising a thermoplastic resin tube body and a conductive rubber protector covering the tube body is partially molded into a predetermined shape,
A tube fixing means for fixing the tube;
A pair of electrodes disposed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tube fixed by the tube fixing means, each detachably formed on the protector of the tube;
A power source for applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes;
When a predetermined voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes by the power source, the protector portion sandwiched between the pair of electrodes is energized to raise the temperature of the protector portion, so that the tube body portion corresponding to the protector portion is plasticized. A tube main body forming means for forming the plasticized tube main body portion into a predetermined shape when
Tube moving means for feeding and moving the tube in its longitudinal direction in a state where the tube is fixed by the tube fixing means;
An apparatus for producing a tube-shaped formed body . In claim 1,
The tube main body forming means is a tube main body bending forming means,
The said tube fixing | fixed part is comprised so that a tube may be fixed centering on a tube axis | shaft, The manufacturing apparatus of the tube-shaped molded object characterized by the above-mentioned .

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