JPH11148579A - Flexible hole - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible hose which has an excellent shape-holding property, sufficient softness and flexibleness, and good anti-abrasiveness, which is made of a resin material of non-PVC series not containing chlorine, and does not generate toxic gas pollution due to combustion. SOLUTION: A flexible hose is structured so that a resin-covered steel wire 3 is adhered to a pipe wall 5 by means of fusion attachment or using non- chlorine series adhesives, wherein the steel wire 3 is formed by covering a hard steel wire 1 with a non-chlorine series thermoplastic synthetic resin while the pipe wall 5 is composed of a main part 5a consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin or a resin material chiefly containing such copolymer resin and a wire-form part 5b consisting of polyethylene resin or a resin material chiefly containing such polyethylene resin arranged on the peripheral lines of the steel wire 3. One alternative arrangement includes a pipe wall 5 which is composed of a main part 5a consisting of polyolefin series thermoplastic elastomer or a resin material chiefly containing such elastomer resin and a wire-form part 5b consisting of polyolefin series resin or a resin material chiefly containing such polyolefin resin arranged on the peripheral lines of the steel wire 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a flexible hose made of synthetic resin. In particular, it relates to a flexible hose suitable for use as a vacuum cleaner hose (cleaner hose).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With regard to a conventional flexible hose of this type, for example, a cleaner hose, a hard steel wire is coated with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, and a stranded copper wire is stranded by a PVC resin. The insulated coated wire is aligned and spirally wound at a predetermined interval, and a belt material made of PVC resin is spirally wound on the outer peripheral surface of the wire. Was fused or bonded to form a tube wall, and the tube wall and the coated steel wire and the coated electric wire were also fused or bonded to each other. As described above, in the conventional cleaner hose using the reinforcing wire, the covering resin of the covered wire, the covering resin of the covered electric wire, and the resin material forming the pipe wall are all formed of PVC resin. Was common.

[0003]

However, in the case of hoses using such a PVC resin, dioxins and the like harmful to the human body are generated by incinerating them as garbage in the disposal after disposal. Is a well-known social problem. In addition, when the resin material is PVC, the specific gravity is large, and the combined use of hard steel wire for shape preservation of the hose and copper wire for energization makes the weight of the whole hose large, There was a problem that fatigue was large and the cost was not optimal.

Accordingly, the present applicant has previously developed and applied for a PVC-free hose having a structure as shown in FIG. This hose has a structure that also uses a hard steel wire as a conducting wire to keep the shape of the tube, and eliminates the use of copper wire exclusively for energization, and as a resin material that forms the tube wall,
Chlorine-free ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (E
VA) is formed of a non-PVC resin material having a main material of VA. (See Japanese Patent Application No. 9-39971)

[0005] However, the hose manufactured based on the invention of the prior application has excellent shape retention of the hose, a light weight of the whole hose, and easy handling as compared with the conventional PVC resin hose. It has been confirmed that it has the advantage of minimizing the feeling of fatigue over long periods of use, but if it is assumed that the tube wall has sufficient flexibility and flexibility in use, It was confirmed that the abrasion resistance was remarkably inferior, and particularly the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing wire was severely worn, and it was difficult to obtain a product suitable for long-term use. Therefore, as a means of increasing the abrasion resistance, the thickness of the tube wall was increased to a certain value, or a hose was manufactured using a material having high hardness, and the test was repeated. The flexibility and flexibility were greatly impaired, and when the wall thickness of the tube was changed, the weight of the entire hose felt extremely heavy, and it was confirmed that the hose was unsuitable for long-term use.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve such a problem and completely eliminate the use of a PVC resin material as described above, use a non-PVC resin material, and use dioxin even when incinerated. Although it is a hose that does not generate harmful gas such as the above-mentioned prior art hose, it is excellent in shape retention of the hose, the weight of the whole hose is light, easy to handle and long time An object of the present invention is to provide a hose which has an advantage that a feeling of fatigue can be minimized in use and has abrasion resistance at the same time.

[0007]

Means taken to achieve the object will be described with reference to the partial reference numerals used in the drawings showing the embodiments. The first structure of the flexible hose according to the present invention will be described. Is formed by spirally winding a resin-coated steel wire 3 ... at a predetermined interval and a thin resin strip on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and fusing between the superposed surfaces. Or a flexible hose having a tube wall 5 formed by bonding, wherein the resin-coated steel wire 3 and the tube wall 5 are bonded by fusion or non-chlorine-based adhesive 6, The resin-coated steel wire 3 is a wire obtained by coating the hard steel wire 1 with a chlorine-free thermoplastic synthetic resin material, and the tube wall 5 is made of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA) or the same as the main material. And a main part 5a made of a resin material to be formed on the outer peripheral line of the coated steel wire 3. Formed by a linear portion 5b made of a resin material that mainly including polyethylene resin or the resin, these both parts 5a, 5b are those where the structure are fused integrally.

The second configuration is such that a resin-coated steel wire 3 spirally wound at a predetermined interval and a thin resin strip material wound spirally on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A flexible hose having a tube wall 5 formed by fusing or bonding between the superposed surfaces thereof.
And the tube wall 5 are fused or bonded through a non-chlorine adhesive 6, and the resin-coated steel wire 3 is a wire obtained by coating the hard steel wire 1 with a non-chlorine thermoplastic synthetic resin material. Pipe wall 5
But polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPO)
Or a main part 5a made of a resin material mainly composed of the same resin
And a linear portion 5b made of a polyolefin-based resin (PE-based, PP-based) or a resin material mainly composed of the resin disposed on the outer peripheral line of the coated steel wire 3, and these two portions 5a are formed. , 5b are integrated by fusion.

Further, the third construction is such that a resin-coated steel wire 3 spirally wound at a predetermined interval and a thin resin strip material wound spirally on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A flexible hose having a tube wall 5 formed by fusing or bonding between the superposed surfaces thereof.
And the tube wall 5 are fused or bonded through a non-chlorine adhesive 6, and the resin-coated steel wire 3 is a wire obtained by coating the hard steel wire 1 with a non-chlorine thermoplastic synthetic resin material. Pipe wall 5
Is a main part 5a made of a resin material mainly composed of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer or the same resin, and a polyolefin-based resin (PE-based, PP-based) or the same resin arranged and formed on the outer circumference of the coated steel wire 3. And a linear portion 5b made of a resin material whose main material is
This is a configuration in which a and 5b are integrated by fusion.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention has such a configuration.
, Four energizing circuits are formed by two wirings, one energizing circuit is formed by two wirings, and one energizing circuit and a ground wire are formed by three wirings. And, in some cases, as an upright cleaner hose, a hose having only one coated steel wire for maintaining shape retention. Further, the hard steel wire 1 to be used may be an unprocessed wire itself, but the use of a copper-plated wire not only improves the current-carrying performance but also improves the other performance. There is an advantage that soldering connection to an electric wire or a current-carrying connector can be easily performed.

The tube wall 5 is composed of a main portion 5 of the tube wall 5.
a and the linear body 4b forming the linear portion 5b may be formed by one type of band material 4 extruded from one resin extrusion die. The belt 4a for forming the main body 5a and the linear body 4b for forming the linear part 5b can also be formed by two types of belts individually extruded from a plurality of resin extrusion dies.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 are views showing a flexible hose according to a main embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external view in which a part of a hose H is cut away, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a cross-sectional shape of a wall, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view for explaining a manufacturing means.

In the hose H shown in the embodiment, a hard steel wire 1 is made of a non-chlorine thermoplastic synthetic resin material 2, specifically, LLDP.
Four coated steel wires 3 insulated with E resin material ...
Are wired at predetermined intervals. As the hard steel wire (piano wire) 1 referred to here, another high-hardness metal wire such as a stainless steel wire may be used. Also,
The hard steel wire of this embodiment has a surface plated with copper.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the hose H shown in this embodiment has four resin-coated steel wires 3a, 3a.
b, 3c, and 3d are set as a set S to keep a constant interval w, and the interval between the previously wound coated steel wire 3d and the subsequently wound coated steel wire 3a is also kept spiral while maintaining the constant interval w. Is wound continuously.

These four coated steel wires 3a, 3b, 3c,
3d and a thin, flat, long synthetic resin strip 4 having a width of at least four widths at a fixed interval w formed by the previously wound adjacent coated steel wire 3d (in FIG. (Although it is shown as being shaped into a corrugated uneven shape that matches the unevenness of
It is formed of a mixed resin material obtained by mixing a soft polyethylene resin such as LLDPE in a range of 0 to 40% by weight with a vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA) as a main material,
A strip 4a constituting a main part 5a of the tube wall 5, and a linear body formed of a flexible polyethylene resin material and constituting a linear part 5b located on the outer peripheral line of the coated steel wire 3 of the tube wall 5. 4b, and the strip 4 in which both parts 4a and 4b are fused and integrated is extruded from a resin extrusion die of a synthetic resin extruder (not shown) arranged on the side of the strip 4.

As the soft polyethylene resin to be mixed with the EVA resin, a low density polyethylene resin (LDPE) or another soft resin having good compatibility with the EVA resin can be used instead of the LLDPE. The flexible polyethylene resin material constituting the linear portion 5b of the tube wall 5 specifically includes medium density polyethylene resin (MDPE) in addition to the above-mentioned LLDPE and LDPE.
Also, high-density polyethylene resin (HDPE) can be used, and these resins can be used alone or mixed with EVA resin in order to improve the heat fusion property with the resin constituting the main part 5a of the tube wall. Used.

As shown by arrows a and b, the resin strip 4 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the four coated steel wires 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d with one side edge portion of one coated steel wire. 3 is wound in a spiral shape while being superposed on each other, and the superposed surfaces are fused together to form a series of spiral tube walls 5. At this time, the tube wall forming strip 4 and the four coated steel wires 3
The coating resin 2 of a, 3b, 3c, and 3d is also fused. At this time, if necessary, use a non-chlorine adhesive, specifically, EV
An adhesive (not shown here) such as hot melt of resin A is applied to the coating resin 2 and adhered.

In order to use the hose H thus formed as a cleaner hose, first, it is cut into a required length suitable for the cleaner hose, and separately formed at both ends as shown in FIG. Attach the connecting cylinders 6 and 7 respectively, and simultaneously connect the respective connectors 6a and 7a.
Are connected to each other by soldering two sets of copper-plated hard steel wires 1 consisting of two coated steel wires 3 and 3, and having two pairs of electric circuits between these connectors 6a and 7a. I do.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaner hose having the connecting cylinders 6 and 7 connected at both ends is connected by inserting the connecting cylinder 7 at one end into the suction cylinder E of the vacuum cleaner main body C as shown in FIG. Then, the connection cylinder 6 at the other end is inserted into the intake cylinder D at the upper end of the operation cylinder P and connected. In this manner, an air suction path, an electric circuit for ON / OFF operation of the cleaner main body C, and an intake nozzle head N at the tip of the operation cylinder P are provided between the cleaner main body C and the operation cylinder P. An electric circuit for ON / OFF operation of the small motor is formed, and these operations can be performed by the hand switch S for use.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a hose H according to a second embodiment.
The hose H of this embodiment shows an embodiment of a hose using only two resin-coated steel wires 3 described in the above embodiment. As in the case of the above-described embodiment, the coated steel wire 3 here is a set of two coated steel wires 3a and 3b obtained by applying a resin coating 2 to a hard steel wire 1 whose surface is plated with copper. , And the space between the previously wound coated steel wire 3b and the subsequently wound coated steel wire 3a is also continuously spirally wound while maintaining a constant interval w.

A thin, flat, long synthetic resin strip having a width of at least two widths at a fixed interval w formed by the two coated steel wires 3a, 3b and the adjacent wound coated steel wire 3b previously wound. A band 4a, which is a material and forms a main portion 5a of the tube wall 5, is formed by extruding a polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) from a resin extrusion die of a synthetic resin extruder (not shown) arranged on a side thereof. 2 to form a linear portion 5b disposed on the outer peripheral line of the coated steel wire 3 of the pipe wall 5.
The linear bodies 4b, 4b are formed by extruding a soft polyolefin-based resin material from a resin extrusion die of another synthetic resin extruder (not shown) similarly arranged on the side.

Specific examples of the TPO referred to herein include ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPM), ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer (EPDM), ultra-low density polyethylene and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer. Ethylene-based elastomers can be used, and a compatible polyolefin-based resin can be appropriately mixed with these elastomers for use in improving processability. Further, specific examples of the soft polyolefin-based resin material constituting the linear portion 5b of the tube wall include propylene copolymer resin (PP), MDPE, ultra-low density polyethylene, LDPE resin, and the like. A homopolymer (PP) of a polypropylene resin may be used. These resins may be used alone or the main part 5 of the pipe wall may be used.
In order to improve the heat-sealing property with the elastomer material constituting a, a polyolefin-based resin compatible with these may be used.

The resin strip 4 thus extruded and formed.
a and the linear body 4b are sequentially spirally wound in the order of arrows a to c. That is, first, the resin strip 4a is sequentially spirally wound on the outer peripheral surfaces of the two coated steel wires 3a and 3b while the side edges thereof are superposed on the one coated steel wire 3, and the The surfaces are fused together to form a series of tube wall main portions 5a, and a non-chlorine-based adhesive, such as hot melt of EVA resin, is applied to the coating resin 2 of the coating steel wire 3. The coating is applied so that the strip 4a and the coating resin 2 of the two coated steel wires 3a and 3b are also adhered.

At the same time, the two linear members 4a forming the linear portions 5b on the portion of the tube wall main portion 5a formed by the band members 4a on the outer peripheral line of the coated steel wire 3 are formed.
b and 4b are spirally wound at the same pitch as the coated steel wires 3 and 3 and fused to the tube wall main portion 5a.

In order to use the hose thus formed as a cleaner hose, the hose may be used as described in the first embodiment.

The material forming the main portion 5a of the tube wall 5 may be the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin shown in the first embodiment or the polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer shown in the second embodiment. In place of such a resin material, a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer or a mixed resin material obtained by mixing an appropriate amount of another resin with this elastomer as a main material can be used.

The styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer referred to herein includes, specifically, styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer (SEBS), and styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer. Materials such as coalesced coal (SIS), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene copolymer (SEPS), and styrene-ethylene-propylene copolymer (SEP) can be used.

In the hose shown in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the thickness of the tube wall main portion 5a is made as thin as possible, and In this embodiment, the linear portions 5b are stacked. On the other hand, in the hose shown in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the wall thickness of the tube wall main portion 5a is set to a normal thickness, and only the portion located on the outer peripheral line of the coated steel wire 3 is formed. Is partially thinned, and a linear portion 5b is laminated on the thinned portion to form a tube wall 5
Are formed to have a substantially uniform thickness. In addition, since these examples are shown about the typical form, the intermediate form of both and the outer peripheral line of the coated steel wire 3 may be made into a thicker form, or the thickness of the main part 5a and the linear form may be changed. What is necessary is just to implement by making appropriate modifications such as changing the thickness ratio of the portion 5b.

Although the embodiments which are considered to be representative of the present invention have been described above, the present invention has the above-mentioned constitutional requirements, achieves the above-mentioned objects of the present invention, and is appropriately modified within a range having the following effects. And can be used other than the cleaner hose.

[0029]

As is clear from the above description, the flexible hose according to the present invention comprises a coating resin for coating a hard steel wire, a resin material for forming a tube wall, and an adhesive used as necessary. Each uses a non-chlorine-based specific resin material that does not generate toxic gases such as dioxin to the human body during combustion, so it is a flexible material that does not generate pollution after disposal. There is an advantage that a flexible hose can be obtained.

The flexible hose according to the present invention has a specific gravity of 1.2 to 1.3, whereas a specific gravity of the EVA resin is 1 to 1.3, in comparison with the conventional resin having a specific gravity of 1.2 to 1.3. The specific gravity of the TPO resin is about 0.9, and the specific gravity of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer resin is about 0.9. If the volume is the same, PV
Compared to C resin hose, the weight of the pipe wall is 17
It is possible to reduce the weight by about 30%, and there is an advantage that the fatigue of using the hose alone can be reduced. Nevertheless, it has become possible to obtain a hose which also has wear resistance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a tube wall portion.

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating manufacturing means.

FIG. 4 is a partially interrupted front view of a cleaner hose.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a use state of the cleaner.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway front view showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a tube wall portion in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing means of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway front view illustrating a prior art hose.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hard steel wire 2 Coating resin 3 Coating steel wire 4 Tube wall forming resin strip 4a Strip 4b Linear body 5 Tube wall 5a Main part of tube wall 5b Linear portion of tube wall 6 Adhesive

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI F16L 11/11 F16L 11/11 (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Masui 1-2-1, Sakaemachi, Takatsuki-shi, Osaka Higashi Taku Kogyo Co., Ltd. Inside

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A resin-coated steel wire (3) spirally wound at a predetermined interval, and a thin resin strip on an outer peripheral surface thereof are spirally wound, and the polymerization is performed. A flexible hose having a tube wall (5) formed by fusing or bonding between surfaces, wherein the resin-coated steel wire (3) and the tube wall (5) are fused or non-chlorinated. Adhered via a system adhesive (6), the resin-coated steel wire (3) is a wire rod obtained by coating a hard steel wire (1) with a chlorine-free thermoplastic synthetic resin material, and the tube wall (5) Is a main part (5a) made of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin or a resin material having the same resin as a main material, and a polyethylene resin or the same resin arranged and formed on the outer circumference of the coated steel wire (3). A flexible hose formed by a linear portion (5b) made of a resin material as a main material, and these two portions (5a) and (5b) are fused and integrated. 2. A resin-coated steel wire (3) spirally wound at a predetermined interval, and a thin resin strip on an outer peripheral surface thereof are spirally wound, and the polymerization is performed. A flexible hose having a tube wall (5) formed by fusing or bonding between surfaces, wherein the resin-coated steel wire (3) and the tube wall (5) are fused or non-chlorinated. Adhered via a system adhesive (6), the resin-coated steel wire (3) is a wire rod obtained by coating a hard steel wire (1) with a chlorine-free thermoplastic synthetic resin material, and the tube wall (5) However, a main part (5a) made of a resin material having a polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer or the same resin as a main material, and the coated steel wire
A linear portion (5b) made of a polyolefin-based resin or a resin material having the same resin as a main material, which is disposed and formed on the outer peripheral line of (3).
And a flexible hose in which these portions (5a) and (5b) are fused and integrated. 3. A resin-coated steel wire (3) spirally wound at a predetermined interval and a thin resin strip on the outer peripheral surface thereof are spirally wound, and the polymerization is performed. A flexible hose having a tube wall (5) formed by fusing or bonding between surfaces, wherein the resin-coated steel wire (3) and the tube wall (5) are fused or non-chlorinated. Adhered via a system adhesive (6), the resin-coated steel wire (3) is a wire rod obtained by coating a hard steel wire (1) with a chlorine-free thermoplastic synthetic resin material, and the tube wall (5) However, a main part (5a) made of a resin material having a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer or the same resin as a main material, and a polyolefin-based resin or the same resin as a main material arranged and formed on an outer peripheral line of the coated steel wire (3). A flexible hose formed by a linear portion (5b) made of a resin material as described above, and these two portions (5a) and (5b) are fused and integrated. 4. The flexible hose according to claim 1, wherein the hard steel wire (1) has a surface plated with copper. 5. The flexible hose according to claim 1, wherein the hose is a hose used for a vacuum cleaner. 6. A flexible hose according to claim 1, wherein said tube wall is formed by a resin strip extruded from one resin extrusion die. 7. A wire forming a main body (5a) and a wire forming a linear portion (5b), wherein the pipe wall (5) is individually extruded from a plurality of resin extrusion dies. The flexible hose according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible hose is formed by the shape body (4b).