PT1775028E - Coloring nozzle - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION " COLORING INJECTOR " [TECHNICAL FIELD]

This invention relates to a coloring injector for use in the staining of, for example, an electrical cable having an electrically conductive central cable and an electrically insulating coating for coating the central cable.

There are several electronic devices mounted on a motor vehicle as a mobile unit. Accordingly, the motor vehicle includes a wiring to transmit power from a power source and control signals from a computer to the electronic devices. The wiring includes a plurality of electrical cables and connectors attached to the ends of the cables. The cable includes an electrically conductive central cable and a coating consisting of insulating synthetic resin coating the central cable. The cable is a so-called coated cable. A connector includes a terminal socket and a connector housing that receives the terminal socket therein. The terminal housing, consisting of an electrically conductive metal sheet or the like, is attached to one end of the cable and electrically connected to the cable's central cable. The 1-connector housing made of electrically insulating synthetic resin is in the form of a housing. When the connector housing is connected to the electronic devices, each cable of the wiring is connected to the corresponding electronic device through the terminal socket, whereby the wiring cables transmit the electrical power and desired signals to the electronic devices.

When the wiring is assembled, the cable is first cut to a specific length and then the end fitting is attached to one end of the cable after stripping the cable near the end. A cable is connected to another cable as required. Subsequently, the terminal insert is inserted into the connector shell, thereby completing the assembly of the wiring. The cable of the wiring should be distinguished in terms of the size of the central cable, the material of the coating (relative to the change in materials depending on the property of heat resistance) and a purpose of use. The purpose of use means, for example, systems in a motor vehicle in which the cables are used, such as an airbag, an anti-lock brake system (ABS), a control signal such as speed data and a transmission system of power. The cable coating used in the wiring was colored to a desired color by mixing a coloring material having the desired color with synthetic resin, which constitutes the coating when the synthetic resin of the coating is applied to the circumference of the central cable by extrusion (e.g., see Patent Documents 1 to 3). In this case, when a color of an outer surface of the cable is changed, it is necessary to stop an operation of an extruder which performs the extrusion coating. That is, whenever the color of the cable is changed, it is necessary to stop an operation of an extruder, increasing the length of time and working hours required for the production of the cable and deteriorating the productivity of the cable.

Alternatively, the staining material to be mixed is replaced when the extrusion apparatus is executing the extrusion coating. In this case, immediately after having changed the color of the staining material, a handle in the color of the synthetic resin whose coloring material, prior to the substitution and a coloring material after the substitution, are mixed, was inevitably fabricated, causing the deterioration in the production of cable material.

In order to prevent deterioration in cable productivity and in the production of cable material, the present inventor has proposed a method in which monochromatic cable is produced, then the outer surface of the cable as an object is colored to a desired color of as required, thereby completing the assembly of a wiring (see Patent Document 4). Alternatively, the present inventor has proposed a cable coloring apparatus whereby, after coloring a monochromatic cable, a specific amount of liquid coloring material is ejected onto the outer surface of the cable as an object so as to deposit the coloration ejected onto the outer surface of the cable thereby coloring the cable with the desired color (see Patent Document 5).

A Japanese Patent Application discloses a method and device for automatically marking an article that is transferred in one direction, the device comprising storage means for storing a coloring pattern of an external surface of the article; detection means for detecting a transfer speed of the article; a plurality of ejection means for ejecting the coloring agents onto the external surface of the article; and control means for causing a plurality of the ejection means to eject the staining agent towards the outer surface of the article in response to the transfer speed of the detected article by the detection means (see Patent Document 6) JP-A, H05-111947 [Patent Document 2] JP-A, H06-119833 [Patent Document 3] JP-A, H09-92056 [Patent Document 4] WO03019580 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent No. 2003-193904

The coloring material ejected onto the outer surface of the cable means a liquid substance in which a coloring material (organic substance for use in the industry) is dissolved and dispersed in water or another solvent. [Patent Document 6] JP 2004 134371 A The organic substance described above is a dye or a pigment (most of which are organic substances and synthetic substances). Sometimes the dye is used as the pigment and the pigment is used as the dye.

Accordingly, in the cable coloring apparatus described in the above application, when the ejections of the coloring nozzles are repeated, the dye or the pigment can be deposited on the coloring injector and an amount of the dye or the pigment 4 deposited on the coloring injector may increase. When the staining material is deposited in the staining injector, the injector may not eject the staining material in a desired direction and may not eject a specific amount of the staining material.

In this case, it is difficult to color a desired position of the cable and the colored areas on the cable vary. Accordingly, it is difficult to eject a specific amount of the coloring material over a desired position of the outer surface of the cable, as object, with the coloring injector into which the coloring material is deposited.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coloring nozzle for ejecting a specific amount of coloring material, reliably, over a desired position of the outer surface of the object.

[DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION]

To achieve the object according to the present invention as claimed in claim 1, there is provided a coloring nozzle for ejecting a specific amount of liquid coloring material onto an external surface of an object and depositing the coloring material ejected onto the outer surface of the article, said coloring injector including: a receiver for receiving the coloring material; a pressurizing unit for pressurizing the staining material in the receiver; 5 is a nozzle element having a more or less cylindrical shape through which the coloring material flows, said injector element communicating with the receiver; a valve mounted to a lower end of the injector element disposed within the receiver and can be coupled and disengaged from the lower end to eject the coloring material through the injector member; an injector cap covering at least one upper end of the injector member and allowing the staining material ejected through the injector member to be deposited on the article; and a cleaning liquid dispensing unit arranged in the injector cover to provide a cleaning liquid, said cleaning liquid being employed to remove the coloring material deposited on the nozzle element, wherein, in a situation wherein the liquid of cleaning agent supplied by the cleaning liquid supply unit to the injector cover is held in the injector cover by its surface tension, the coloring nozzle ejects the coloring material through the nozzle element on the object.

According to the present invention, as claimed in claim 2, there is provided the coloring nozzle, wherein an end wall of the object facing injector cover and an upper end wall of the injector element, both facing the object, are arranged in the same plane.

According to the present invention, as claimed in claim 1, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the nozzle cover which covers at least the upper end of the nozzle element. Thereafter, the cleaning liquid is maintained in the nozzle cover by its surface tension. Thus, the cleaning liquid is constantly in contact with the upper end of the injector member and the staining material, in particular, about to be deposited at the upper end of the nozzle member, is immediately removed from the upper end wall of the nozzle member. injector element. Incidentally, in this disclosure, the coloring material means a liquid substance in which an organic substance for industrial use is dissolved and dispersed in water or another solvent. The organic substance described above is a dye or a pigment (most of these organic substances and synthetic substances being). Sometimes a dye is used as a pigment and a pigment is used as a dye. In one particular example, the coloring material may be a coloring liquid or a coating material. The coloring liquid is a liquid, wherein a colorant, such as the coloring material, is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent.

When the external surface of the object is colored with a coloring liquid, the dye penetrates inside the object. When the outer surface of the article is colored with a coating material, the pigment is deposited on the outer surface without penetrating the object. In the description, " coloring the outer surface of the object " means dyeing a part of the external surface of the object with a dye or coating a part of the external surface of the object with a pigment.

Preferably, the solvent and the liquid dispersion have an affinity for the synthetic resin which constitutes the object so as to cause the dye to safely penetrate the coating or to allow the pigment to be safely deposited on the outer surface of the object.

In this description, " eject " means that the liquid coloring material in a state of a drop of liquid is vigorously ejected from the coloring injector onto the external surface of the article.

Further, the cleaning liquid in this specification means a liquid, such as a solvent or a liquid dispersion, in which the organic substance for use in the industry constituting the coloring material can be dissolved or dispersed. Preferably, the cleaning liquid is non-volatile, particularly at room temperature.

According to the present invention as claimed in claim 2, since the end wall of the injector cap and the upper end wall of the injector member are disposed in the same plane, the cleaning liquid provided by the liquid supply unit is maintained in the nozzle cover by its surface tension such that a surface of the cleaning liquid, the end wall of the nozzle cover and the upper end wall of the nozzle element are disposed in the nozzle cover. same plane.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for coloring electrical cables, including a coloring nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a staining unit of the apparatus for coloring electrical cables along line II-II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship between coloring injectors of the staining unit shown in Fig. 2 and an electric cable. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the staining injector of the staining unit shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 (a) is a perspective view showing a colored electric cable by the coloring apparatus Fig. 5 (b) is a plan view showing the electric cable shown in Fig. 5 (a). Fig. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state wherein the cleaning liquid is supplied to an injector cap of the staining injector shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the coloring material is ejected through the staining injector shown in Fig. 4. [BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION] An embodiment of a staining injector 31 in accordance with the present invention will be explained hereinafter using Fig. 1 to 7. The coloring injector 31 shown in Fig. 4 constitutes (is mounted) an apparatus for coloring an object, which is an electric cable 1 in this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as " coloring apparatus ") , as a cable processing machine. The coloring apparatus 1 cuts an electrical cable 3 as an object with a predetermined length and marks a mark 6 on an outer surface 3a of the cable 3 as an object. That is, the coloring apparatus 1 paints (marks) the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 as object. The cable 3 as an object constitutes a wiring arranged in a vehicle in the form of a mobile unit. As shown in Fig. 5 (a), the cable 3 includes an electrically conductive central cable 4 and an electrically insulating jacket 5. A plurality of wire elements are grouped to form the central cable 4. Each cable element of the central cable 4 is constituted by an electrically conductive metal. The central cable 4 may be constituted by a single cable element. A coating 5 is comprised of synthetic resin, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The coating 5 coats the central cable 4. The outer surface 3a of the cable 3 therefore means an outer surface of the coating 5. The coating 5 has a monochromatic color P. A desired coloring material may be blended with the synthetic resin of the coating 5 so that the color of the outer surface 3a of the cord 3 is the monochromatic color P or, alternatively, the monochromatic color P can be defined as the color of the synthetic resin itself without adding a coloring material to the synthetic resin of the coating 5. In the latter case, the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 is not colored, i.e. the coating 5 is not colored. The outer surface 3a of the cable 3 may be non-colored or have a monochromatic color, such as white.

On the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, a mark 6 is formed consisting of a plurality of points 7. The point 7 has a color B (indicated with parallel oblique lines in Fig. 5), which is different from the monochromatic color P. Point 7 is round in plan view as shown in Fig. 5. A plurality of points 7 are disposed in the longitudinal direction of cable 3 according to a predetermined pattern. The distance between the centers of the points 7 lying adjacent to one another is predetermined.

A plurality of the cables 3 are bandaged and connectors are coupled to respective ends of the cables 3, thereby constructing a wiring. The connectors are coupled to respective mating connectors of various electronic instruments in a motor vehicle and the like, whereby the wiring cables 3 transmit various signals and electrical power to the electronic instruments.

The cables 3 are distinguishable from each other by changing a color B from each point 7 of the mark 6. In the figure, for example, the color B of all points 7 of the cable 3 is the same, however, the color B may be 7 as necessary. Color B is used to distinguish types of cables 31 on a wiring or systems. That is, the color B is used to distinguish the types of cables 3 in the cabling or the purpose of use.

As shown in Fig. 1, the coloring apparatus 1 includes a frame 10 as a main body of the apparatus, a guide roller 11, a pair of distribution rollers 12, as a conveyor, a straightening unit 13 for straightening the handle, a slack damping unit 14, such as a slack damper, a staining unit 15, a conduit 16, an encoder 17, as a detector, a cutting machine 18, as a processor and a controller 19 as a control machine . The frame 10 is installed on a floor of, for example, a plant. The frame 10 extends horizontally. The guide roller 11 is mounted to rotate at one end of the frame 10. The continuous cable 3 without any marking 6 is wound onto the guide roller 11. The guide roller 11 transfers the cable 3 in sequence to the straightening unit 13, clearance dimming unit 14, staining unit 15, duct 16, encoder 17 and cutting machine 18. The pair of distribution rollers 12 is mounted to the other end of the frame 10. The pair of distribution rollers 12 is rotatably supported by the frame 10 and is disposed vertically. The distribution rollers 12 are rotated with the same number of rotations in a direction opposite each other, for example by a motor (not shown). The pair of distribution rollers 12 captures the cable 3 and pulls the cable 3 from the guide roller 11 in a longitudinal direction of the cable 3.

The distribution rollers 12 function as a pulling machine 12 to pull the cable 3 in the longitudinal direction of the cable 3. Thus the distribution rollers 12 transfer the cable 3 in the longitudinal direction of the cable 3 to move the cable relative to a nozzle 31 coloring unit 15, described later, of the coloring unit 15 in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the cable 3 is transferred along an arrow K in Fig. 1, from the guide roller 11 to the distribution rollers 12. The arrow K indicates a direction of transfer of the cable 3. The straightening unit 13 is mounted on the side of the distribution rollers 12 with respect to the guide roll 11, between the distribution rollers 12 and the guide roll 11. That is, the righting unit 13 is disposed downstream of the guide roller 11 and upstream of the distribution rollers 12, in the cable transfer direction K 3. The straightening unit 13 includes a plate-shaped unit body 20, a plurality of first rollers 21 and a plurality of second rollers 22. The unit body 20 is attached to the frame 10.

The first and second rollers 21, 22 are rotatably supported by the unit body 20, respectively. A plurality of second rollers 22 is arranged horizontally (in the transfer direction K), under the cable 3. A plurality of second rollers 22 is arranged horizontally (in the transfer direction K), under the cable 3. As shown in Fig. 1 , the first and second rollers 21, 22 are staggered. The straightening unit 13 places the cable 3, which is being transferred by the distribution rollers 12, from the guide roller 11 between the first and second rollers 21, 22. Then the straightening unit 13 straightens the cable 3. In addition, the straightening unit 13 generates friction in the cable 3, placing the cable 3 between the first and second rollers 21, 22. That is, the straightening unit 13 confers to the cable 3 a first activation force H1 in an opposite direction to the tensile force applied by the distribution rollers 12 to the cable 3 (transfer direction K). The first activating force H1 is smaller than the tensile force applied by the distribution rollers 12 to the cable 3. Accordingly, the straightening unit 13 applies a tension to the cable 3 in the longitudinal direction of the cable 3. The cushioning unit 14 clearance is mounted on the side of the distribution rollers 12 relative to the straightening unit 13, between the straightening unit 13 and the distribution rollers 12. As shown in FIG. That is, the clearance damping unit 14 is disposed downstream of the straightening unit 13 and upstream of the distribution rollers 12 in the cable transfer direction K. The clearance damping unit 14 is disposed between the straightening unit 13 and the coloring injector 31, described below, of the staining unit 15.

As shown in Fig. 1, the gap damping unit 14 includes a pair of guide rollers 24, a pair of support structures 23 for supporting the pair of guide rollers 24, a movable roller 26, a support frame 25 for supporting the movable roller 26 and a pneumatic cylinder 27, as the activating member. The support structures 23 are fixed in the structure 10. The support structures 23 are disposed vertically above the structure 10. There is a space between the pair of support structures 23 in the transfer direction K of the cable 3.

The support structures 23 support, in order to rotate, the pair of guide rollers 24. The guide rollers 24 are placed under the cable 3 and guide the cable 3 so that the cable 3 does not deviate from the transfer direction K by the contact of outer peripheral walls of the guide rollers 24 with the cable 3. Thus the rollers 24 guide the cable 3 in the transfer direction K. The support structure 25 for the movable roller 26 is fixed in the structure 10. The support structure 25 is disposed vertically upwardly relative to the structure 10. The support structure 25 for the movable roller 26 is disposed in the middle of the pair of structures 23 for the guide rollers 24. The movable roller 26 is rotatably supported by the support structure 25 for the movable roller 26 and so as to be able to move in a vertical direction along the support structure 25. The movable roller 26 is arranged on the cable 3. The movable roller 26 is supported so as to be able to move in the vertical direction, ie, supported in such a way that it can move in a direction orthogonal to the direction of transfer of the cable 3. In addition, the roller 26 is disposed in the middle of the pair of guide rollers 24. The pneumatic cylinder 27 includes a cylindrical body 28 and an extensible rod 29, extendable from the cylindrical body 28. The cylindrical body 28 is attached to the support structure 25 for the movable roller 26 and arranged over the cable 3. The extendable rod 29 is expandable downwardly from the cylindrical body 28. As shown in FIG. That is, the expandable rod 29 is expandable from the cylindrical body 28 towards the cable 3. The movable roller 26 is coupled to the extensible rod 29. By providing a compressed gas to an interior of the cylindrical body 28, the pneumatic cylinder 27 activates the extensible rod 29, i.e., the movable roller 26 with a second activation force H2 (shown in Fig. 1) down in an orthogonal direction to the transfer direction K. Accordingly, the pneumatic cylinder 27 activates the movable roller 26 with the second activating force H2 towards the cable 3. The second activating force H2 is smaller than the first activating force H1.

When the distribution rollers 12 temporarily stop transferring the cable 3 to cut the cable 3 by a pair of subsequently described cutting blades 48, 49 of the cutting machine 18 which approach one another, the cable 3 still is transferred along the arrow K by an inertial force, whereby the cable 3 has a gap between the pair of guide rollers 24. At this time, since the pneumatic cylinder 27 is activating the movable roller 26 with the second activation force H2 in the gap damping unit 14 having the above-described constitution, the extendable rod 29 of the pneumatic cylinder 27 extends to move the roll 26 for example to a position shown by a dashed line in Figure 1. Thereafter, the slack damping unit 14 activates the rope 3 loosened between the pair of guide rollers 24, as described above, in the orthogonal direction to the transfer direction K and dampens the gap to keep the cable 3 under tension. The staining unit 15 is mounted on the side of the distribution rollers 12 relative to the gap dimming unit 14 and mounted between the gap dimming unit 14 and the pair of distribution rollers 12. That is, the staining unit 15 is disposed downstream of the clearance dampening unit 14 and upstream of the distribution rollers 12 in the transfer direction K of the cable 3. Accordingly, the staining unit 15, i.e. the injector 31, described below, is disposed between the pair of dispensing rollers 12 and the straightening unit 13.

As shown in Fig. 2, the staining unit 15 includes a unit body 30 and a plurality of staining nozzles 31. The unit body 30 supports a plurality of the coloring injectors 31. The coloring injector 31 having the above-described constitution ejects a specific amount of liquid coloring material from the source 32 of coloring material towards the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. The coloring injector 31 allows the drop or drops of liquid ejected are deposited on the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 to color (or mark) at least a portion of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. A detailed constitution of this coloring nozzle 31 will be explained later.

When the coloring injectors 31 are coupled to the unit body 30, the coloring injectors 31 are disposed in the transfer direction K of the cable 3. As shown in Fig. 1, five coloring nozzles 31 of the unit body 30 are arranged in the direction K of cable transfer 3.

As shown in Fig. 3, each staining injector 31 is secured by the unit body 30 in a situation where the uppermost part 3b of the cable 3 lies on an extension of an axis R (shown with a dashed line with long and short dashes alternating in Fig. 3) of first injector elements 37 described later. Each coloring nozzle 31 ejects the coloring material along the axis R. That is, each coloring nozzle 173 ejects a specific amount of the coloring material onto the uppermost part 3b of the cable 3.

In the staining unit 15, after application of a tension to a coil 40 of the optional staining injector 31 according to the signal of the control device 19, a valve 44 described later separates from the lower end 37a of the first injector element 37 . Thereafter, the staining unit 15 ejects a specific amount of staining material into the flow passage 39 of the desired staining nozzle 31 toward the outer surface 3a of the handle 3.

In this description, the coloring material whose consistency is equal to or less than 10 millipascal second (mPa * s) is used. The coloring material means a liquid substance in which a coloring material (organic substance for use in the industry) is dissolved and dispersed in water or another solvent. The organic substance described above is a dye or a pigment (most of these organic substances and synthetic substances being). Sometimes a dye is used as a pigment and a pigment is used as a dye. In a more specific example, the coloring material is a coloring liquid or coating material. The coloring liquid is a liquid, in which a colorant is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent. The coating material is a material, in which a pigment is dispersed in a dispersion of liquid. When the coloring liquid is deposited on the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, the dye penetrates the coating 5. When the coating material is deposited on the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, the pigment is deposited on the outer surface 3a without penetrating in the coating 5. Or 18, the coloring unit 15 dyes a part of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 with a colorant or covers a part of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 with a pigment. That is, " coloring the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 " means dyeing a portion of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 with a dye or coating a portion of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 with a pigment.

Preferably, the solvent and liquid dispersion has an affinity for the synthetic resin constituting the coating 5, so as to safely penetrate the dye into the coating 5 or to allow the pigment to be deposited, on the external surface 3a. &Quot; ejection " described above means that the liquid coloring material in a state of a drop of liquid is vigorously ejected from the coloring nozzle 31 on the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. The duct 16 is mounted on the side of the distribution rollers 12 with respect to the unit 15 between the coloring unit 15 and the distribution rollers 12. That is, the conduit 16 is disposed downstream of the staining unit 15 and upstream of the distribution rollers 12 in the transfer direction K of the cable 3. The conduit 16 is cylindrical in shape and the cable 3 is passed through the conduit 16. A suction element not shown, such as a vacuum pump, is connected to the conduit 16. The suction element draws a gas into the conduit 16 to prevent the solvent or the dispersion of liquid from the coloring material from filling the exterior of the apparatus 1 coloring. The encoder 17 is disposed downstream of the distribution rollers 12 in the transfer direction K of the cable 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the encoder 17 includes a pair of rotors 47. The rotors 47 are supported, in order to rotate, around rotor axes 47. Circumferential outer surfaces of the rotors 47 are in contact with the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, which is secured between the pair of distribution rollers 12. When the central wire 4, namely the cable 3, is routed along the arrow K, the rotors 47 are rotated. The length transferred from the cable 3 along the arrow K is proportional to the number of rotations of the rotors 47. The encoder 17 is connected to the controller 19. When the rotors 47 rotate defining a specific angle, the encoder 17 outputs a pulse signal to the controller 19. That is, the encoder 17 measures data corresponding to the length transferred from the cable 3 along the arrow K and outputs the data to the controller 19.

Thus, the encoder 17 measures data corresponding to the length transferred from the cable 3 and outputs the data corresponding to the length transferred to the controller 19. Typically, the encoder 17 outputs the pulse signal corresponding to the length transferred from the cable 3 with the aid of the friction between the cable 3 and the rotor 47. However, when the transferred length of the cable 3 does not coincide with the number of the pulse due to a condition of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, the speed data of the cable movement 3 can be obtained from another form for return information or execution of a comparison operation. The cutting machine 18 is disposed downstream of the pair of rotors 20, 47 of the encoder 17 in the cable transfer direction K. The cutting machine 18 includes the pair of cutting blades 48, 49. The pair of cutter blades 48, 49 is disposed in a vertical direction. The two cutting blades 48, 49 are joined and separated from each other, at the same time, vertically. As they approach one another, the two cutting blades 48, 49 fasten and cut the cable 3 transferred by the distribution rollers 12 between the cutting blades 48, 49. Thereafter, the two cutting blades 48, 49 separate from one another and move away from the cable 3. The controller 19 is a computer including a well-known ROM, a ROM, a CPU and the like. The controller 19 is connected to the distribution rollers 12, encoder 17, cutting machine 18, staining injectors 31 and the like. By controlling them, the controller 19 controls the coloring apparatus 1 as a whole. The controller 19 stores a predetermined pattern of the mark 6. When specific impulse signals, i.e. data corresponding to the length transferred from the cable 3, are introduced into the encoder 17, the controller 19 applies voltage to the coil 40 of a coloring nozzle 31 predetermined for a predetermined time interval to cause the coloring nozzle 31 to eject a specific amount of the coloring material into the cable 3. According to the predetermined stored pattern of the mark 6, the controller 19 shortens the ejection intervals when the transfer speed of the cable 3 increases and extends the intervals when the transfer speed of the cable 3 decreases. Thus, the controller 19 paints the cable 3 according to the predetermined stored pattern. According to the length transferred from the cable 3 detected by the encoder 17, the controller 19 causes the coloring injector 31 to eject a specific amount of the coloring material.

In addition, when controller 19 determines that cable 3 has traveled a predetermined length based on the data of encoder 17, controller 19 stops distribution rollers 12 and brings the two cutting blades 48, 49 apart from one another and cuts cable 3 .

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the coloring nozzle 31 includes an injector unit 52 and a liquid delivery unit 53. As shown in Fig. 4, the injector unit 52 includes a cylindrical (tubular) injector body 34, an insertion member 35 received by the injector body 34, an intake tube 36, an injector member 54, a mechanism 38 and an injector cap 55. The insertion member 35 has a cylindrical (tubular) shape. The flow passage 39, through which the staining material passes, is formed in the insertion member 35. The flow passage 39 is filled with the coloring material supplied from sources 32 of coloring material described below. The insertion member 35 is a receiver for receiving the liquid staining material described in this disclosure. The injector member 54 includes the first injector member 37, a second injector member 50, and a connecting tube 51. The first nozzle member 37 has a cylindrical shape and communicates with the flow passage 39. The first injector member 37 conducts the staining material in the flow passage 39 to an exterior of the staining nozzle 31. An inner diameter of the first injector member 37 is smaller than an inner diameter of the injector body 34, i.e., an outer diameter of the flow passage 39. The first injector member 37 is coaxial with the injector body 34. The first nozzle member 37 is made of stainless steel. The second nozzle member 50 has an approximately cylindrical shape. The second injector element 50 is made of polyether ether ketone (hereinafter " PEEK). An outside diameter of the second injector member 50 is equal to that of the first injector member 37. Thus, the staining material passes through the interior of the injector member 54, which communicates with the insertion member 35.

Further, an inside diameter of the second injector member 50 is smaller than that of the first injector member 37. The second injector member 50 is coaxial and communicates with the first injector member 37. The second injector member 50 is closer to the cable 3 than the first nozzle element 37. There is a watertight seal between the first injector element 37 and the second injector 50. The coloring material flows through the first injector element 37 and the second injector element 50 in the longitudinal direction of the first injector element 37 indicated by a arrow Q. Arrow Q shows the direction of flow of the coloring material.

Accordingly, an end wall 50a of the second injector member 50, next to the first injector member 37, protrudes toward an interior of the first injector member 37, from the inner wall of the first injector member 37. The end wall 50a is flat and orthogonal to the arrow Q. The end wall 50a is a portion of a step and is formed between the first injector member 37 and the second nozzle 50. The connecting tube 51 is cylindrical in shape and is composed of synthetic resin. An inner diameter of the connecting tube 51 is substantially equal to that of the first injector member 37 and the second injector 50. The connecting tube 51 is equipped with the two outer walls of the first injector member 37 and the second injector 50 and first injector member 37 to the second nozzle 50. Furthermore, the connecting tube 51 allows the second injector member 50 to separate from the first injector member 37. The valve mechanism 38 includes the coil 40, the valve body 41 and the coil spring 42. The bobbin 40 is formed outside the flow passage 39 and is incorporated in the insertion member 35. An electric current is applied to the coil 40 from the outside. The valve body 41 includes an electrically conductive body 43 and a valve 44. The conductive body 43 integrally includes a cylinder 45 and a disk 46 continuing to one end of the cylinder 45. The disk 46 of the driver body 43 is facing the end 37a of the first nozzle member 37. The lead body 43 is received in the flow passage 39 in a state where the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 45 is parallel to that of the nozzle body 34. The driver body 43, i.e. the valve body 41 is formed to move in the longitudinal direction 24 of the cylinder 45, i.e. the longitudinal direction of the injector body 34. The valve 44 is coupled to the disc 46 of the driver body 43. That is, the valve 44 is received in the insertion member 35. The valve member 44 faces the lower end 37a of the first injector member 37. Since the valve 44 is coupled to the disc 46 of the driver body 43, the valve 44 may be coupled or disengaged from the lower end 37a of the first injector member 37. The lower end 37a of the first injector member 37 is a lower end portion positioned in the insert member 35 as a receiver of the injector member 54.

When the valve 44 is coupled to the lower end 37a of the first injector member 37, the staining material in the flow passage 39 is prevented from entering the nozzle member 37, i.e., the seal is maintained sealed between the valve 44 and the lower end 37a. When the valve member 44 separates from the lower end 37a of the first injector member 37, the staining material can flow through the injector member 37 and the second injector member 50 so as to be ejected toward the surface 3a external cable 3a.

Thus valve member 44 is coupled or disengaged from the lower end 37a between the opening position shown as a dashed line in Fig. 4 and the closure position shown as a solid line in Fig. 4. In the open position, the valve 44 is separated from the lower end 37a so that the coloring material can flow through the injector member 37 and the second injector member 50 so as to be ejected toward the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. In the closed position, the valve 44 is coupled to the lower end 37a so that the coloring material can not flow through the injector member 37 to be ejected toward the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. Thus, the valve 44 is coupled and disengaged from the lower end 37a to control ejection of the coloring material from the injector member 54. The coil spring 42 activates the disk 46 in a direction which allows the valve 44 to be coupled to the lower end 37a of the first injector member 37. The nozzle cover 55 includes a cover body 56, the outside diameter of which is constant in an axial direction thereof and a stepped internal diameter, a nozzle attachment member 57 and an inlet tube 58 for a cleaning liquid. The cover body 56 is coupled to the unit body 30. The cover body 56 receives the injector unit 52. In the injector unit 52, the injector body 34 of the injector unit 52 is mounted on a step 59. In addition, the intake tube 36 of the injector unit 52 is positioned upwardly and the members 37, 50 are positioned downwardly.

In the cover body 56, a seal 60 is mounted between the step 59 and the injector body 34 of the injector unit 52 to keep them watertight. A space 61 is formed between the cover body 56 and the nozzle elements 37, 51, i.e. the nozzle element 54. The space 61 is opened from below. Accordingly, the nozzle cover 55 allows the staining material to be ejected through the nozzle member 54 to be deposited on the cable 3. 26

An end wall 56a of the cover body 56 and an upper end wall 50b of the second nozzle member 50 both facing the cable 3 are disposed in the same plane. The end wall 56a of the cover body 56 facing the cable 3 is an upper end wall of the nozzle cover 55 facing the cable 3. The upper end wall 50b of the second nozzle element 50 is an upper wall of the element 54 facing the cable 3.

In addition, an upper end portion 37b of the first injector member 37 proximate the cable 3 is an upper end portion of the injector member 54. Accordingly, the nozzle cap 55 covers at least the upper end portion 37b of the cap 37 as the upper end portion of the injector member 54.

As shown in Fig. 2, the nozzle attachment member 57 is mounted to the cap body 56 and secures the injector unit 52 to the cap body 56. The nozzle attachment member 57 maintains the cap body 56 and injector unit 52 coaxially. The inlet tube 58 for the coloring liquid communicates with the space 61 formed between the injector member 54 and the cover body 56 and guides the coloring liquid into the space 61 from a cleaning liquid source 62 described posteriorly.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the liquid supply unit 53 includes a plurality of staining material sources 32, the cleaning liquid source 62 as a staining liquid delivery member and the pressurized gas source 33 as a pressurizing element. Each staining material source 32 is a receiver for receiving the staining material and supplying the staining material to the inlet tube 36 of the staining injector 31. Each fountain 32 of staining material corresponds to each staining nozzle 31. The B colors of the staining material supplied to the staining injector 31 may be different or equal between the staining material sources 32. The cleaning liquid source 62 is a receiver for receiving the cleaning liquid and supplying the cleaning liquid to the inlet tube 58. The cleaning liquid source 62 may be mounted correspondingly to each coloring nozzle 31 or, exclusively, to all the coloring nozzles 31. The cleaning liquid means a liquid substance, such as a solvent or a dispersion liquid, wherein an organic substance for use in the industry constituting the coloring material can be dissolved or dispersed. Preferably, the cleaning liquid is non-volatile at ambient temperature. The pressurized gas source 33 provides pressurized gas to each source 32 of staining material and the cleaning liquid source 62. Accordingly, the pressurized gas source 33 pressurizes the staining material received in the staining material sources 32 and the insertion elements 35 of the staining injectors 31 and the cleaning liquid received in the cleaning liquid source 62 and in the spaces 61 of the nozzles 31.

As the pressurized gas source 33 pressurizes the staining material received at the staining material sources 32 and the insertion elements 35 of the staining injectors 31, when the valve 44 separates from the lower end 37a of the first injector member 37 in one of the staining injectors 31 the staining material received in the flow passage 39 is quickly ejected through the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle 50.

A valve 63 is mounted between the cleaning liquid source 62 and the inlet tube 58 of the nozzle cover 55 of each coloring nozzle 31. When the valve 63 is opened, the cleaning liquid is supplied by the cleaning liquid source 62 to the space 61. When the valve 63 is closed, the cleaning liquid is no longer supplied to the space 61 from the cleaning liquid source 62 . The staining injector 31 having the above-described constitution directs the staining material from the staining material source 32 into the flow passage 39 through the inlet tube 36. Then, with the activation force of the coil spring 42 and without applying tension to the coil 40, the valve 44 is coupled to the lower end 37a of the first injector member 37 and the staining material is received in the flow passage 39.

Further, for example, prior to coloring the cable 3, the coloring injector 31 opens the valve 63 and supplies the cleaning liquid received at the cleaning liquid source 62 to the space 61. The cleaning liquid supplied to the space 61 does not fall , from the lower part of the cover body 56 due, for example, to the surface tension of the cleaning liquid, and the space between the nozzle element 54 and the cover body 56 is gradually filled with the cleaning liquid. As shown in Fig. 6, after the space 61 is filled with the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid exits the cover body 56 through a lower aperture formed in the lower portion of the cover body 56.

Thereafter, the cleaning liquid dissolves or disperses the deposited and solidified staining material on the nozzle member 54, particularly an upper end wall 50b and a surface of the upper end portion 37b and removes the staining material from the end wall 50b and the surface of the upper end portion 37b. To this end, the cleaning liquid is a stripping liquid to remove staining material deposited on the injector member 54 of the injector member 54. Thus, the injector element 54 is cleaned.

When the cleaning of the injector member 54 is completed, the valve 63 is closed. Accordingly, the delivery of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid source 62 into the space 61 is interrupted. Thereafter, the cleaning liquid supplied to the interior of the nozzle cover 55 by the cleaning liquid source 62 is maintained in the space 61 between the nozzle cover 55 and the nozzle element 54 by the surface tension of the cleaning liquid and there is no longer leaks of the injector cap. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 7, a wiper surface T (interface) T in the space 61, i.e., the interior of the nozzle cover 55 and the end wall 56a and the upper end wall 50b are disposed in same plane.

Then, in the coloring nozzle 31, when the electric current is applied to the coil 40, the valve 44 coupled to the disc 30 46 separates from the lower end 37a of the first nozzle element 37, against the activation force of the spring 42 of coil. Thereafter, the staining material stored in the flow passage 39 flows through the interior of the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member 50 along the arrow Q. Then, the staining injector 31 ejects the stock material coloring of the second nozzle 50. The electric current is applied to the coil 40 for a predetermined time according to a command of the controller 19. Therefore, while the cleaning liquid supplied to the nozzle cover 55 from the cleaning liquid source 62 is maintained within the nozzle cover 55 by the surface tension, a specific amount of the coloring material is ejected via the nozzle member 54 onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3.

When the coloring apparatus 1 having the above-described constitution forms the mark 6 on the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, that is, it paints the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, first the guide roller 11 is mounted on the frame 10. After the cutter blades 48, 49 are separated from one another, the cable 3 which has passed through the guide roller 11 is caused to pass, in sequence, by the straightening unit 13, the gap dimming unit 14, the staining unit 15 and conduit 16 and is secured by the pair of dispensing rollers 12. Thereafter, each staining injector 31 is coupled to a predetermined position of the corresponding body unit 30 of the staining unit 15 and attached to the corresponding staining material source 32 and the cleaning liquid source 62. Thereafter, the source 33 of pressurized gas is connected to the sources 32 of coloring material and the source 62 of cleaning liquid. Thereafter, the suction element draws the gas into the conduit 16. 31

Thereafter, by rotating the distribution rollers 12, the cable 3 is withdrawn from the guide roller 11 and transferred in the longitudinal direction of the cable 3. Simultaneously, the straightening unit 13 generates friction due to the first activation force H1 to hold the cable 3 in tension. Thereafter, the pneumatic cylinder 27 activates the movable roller 26, i.e. the cable 3 with the second activation force H2. Then, as described above, the staining material is supplied to the flow passage 39 of the staining injector 31 from the staining material sources 32 and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the space 61 by the cleaning liquid source 62.

Then, when pulse signals in a specific pattern are input from the encoder 17 to the controller 19, the controller 19 applies the current for a specific time, at a specific interval, to the coil 40 of the predetermined dye nozzle 31. Accordingly, the coloring injector 31 ejects a specific amount of the coloring material onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3.

Thereafter, the solvent or the dispersion of liquid is evaporated from the coloring material deposited on the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, whereby the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 is dyed with the dye or coated with the pigment. The suction element draws the solvent or dispersion of evaporated liquid from the staining material deposited on the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 through the conduit 16. Thus, the third surface of the cable 3 is colored.

When determining that a particular length of cable 3 has been distributed according to the data, for example, of the encoder 17, the controller 19 stops the operation of the distribution rollers 12. Thereafter, the cable 3 is provided with a gap, particularly between the pair of guide rollers 24 of the slack damping unit 14 and the movable roller 26, activated with the second activation force H2, is transferred to the position shown as a the dashed line in Fig. 1. Thereafter, the extendable rod 29 of the pneumatic cylinder 27 of the clearance damping unit 14 extends. Thus, the clearance damping unit 14 cushions the clearance of the cable 3.

Thereafter, the two cutting blades 48, 49 approach each other and cut the cable 3. Thus, the cable 3 having a mark 6 is obtained on the outer surface 3a, as shown in Fig.

When a specific amount of the liquid coloring material is ejected through the coloring nozzle 31 onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, the coloring material which flows through the first nozzle element 37 and the second nozzle element 50 along the axis R and arrow Q partially collides with the end wall 50a of the second nozzle 50. Thereafter, a portion of the staining material colliding with the end wall 50a generates a swirl, shown as an arrow S in Fig. stir the coloring material. Accordingly, a concentration of the staining material remains uniform throughout the interior of the second nozzle 50.

In the case where a specific amount of the liquid coloring material is ejected through the coloring nozzle 31 onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, when the coloring material penetrates the first nozzle element 37 through the flow passage 39, it increases a pressure of the coloring material. Then, the pressure of the staining material is substantially constant in the first nozzle element 37. When the staining material partially collides with the end wall 50a, the pressure of the staining material increases dramatically. After the coloring material is ejected through the second injector member 50 to the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, the pressure of the coloring material decreases dramatically.

In the case where a specific amount of the liquid coloring material is ejected through the coloring nozzle 31 onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, when the coloring material penetrates the first nozzle element 37 through the flow passage 39, the flow rate of the coloring material decreases. Thereafter, the flow rate of the staining material is substantially constant in the first injector member 37 and gradually decreases towards the second nozzle 50.

When the staining material partially collides with the end wall 50a, the flow rate of the staining material increases dramatically. Thereafter, as the staining material is ejected through the second nozzle member 50 onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3, the flow rate of the staining material is maintained high. Thus, when the staining material penetrates the second nozzle 50, the pressure and the flow rate of the staining material increases dramatically. Thereafter, the high pressure and fast liquid coloring material is ejected onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3.

According to this embodiment, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the nozzle cover 55 covering at least the upper end portion 37b of the injector member 54. In addition, the cleaning liquid is maintained in the nozzle cover 55 by its surface tension. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid is constantly in contact with the upper end portion 37b of the injector member 54. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid rapidly removes the coloring material about to be deposited on the second nozzle 50, particularly on the upper end portion 37b, of the surface of the nozzle element 54. Accordingly, the staining material is prevented from being deposited and solidified on the nozzle member 54 when the cable 3 is painted.

Since the staining material is prevented from being deposited and solidified in the injector member 54, a specific amount of the staining material is reliably ejected through the injector member 54 onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. In addition , since the staining material is prevented from being deposited on the injector element 54, the staining material deposited on the injector member 54 is prevented from affecting an ejection direction of the ejected staining material. Therefore, a specific amount of the coloring material is allowed to be reliably ejected over a desired position of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. Accordingly, the desired position (point 7) of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 is colored with a desired color in a specific (size) area (o).

Since the end wall 56a of the injector cap 55 and the upper end wall 50b of the injector member 54 are disposed in the same plane, the cleaning liquid is maintained in the injector cap 55 by its surface tension 35, that its surface, the end wall 56a of the injector cap 55 and the upper end wall 50b of the injector member 54 are disposed in the same plane. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid is prevented from interfering with the staining material ejected through the injector member 54 and affecting the ejection direction of the ejected staining material. Therefore, a specific amount of the coloring material is more reliably ejected onto the desired position of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 and the colored position (point 7) is maintained in a desired color area (o) ( o) of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. The coloring material collides with the end wall 50a of the second injector element 50 and is agitated. Since the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member 50 are coaxially disposed and the end wall 50a is perpendicular to the arrow Q, the staining material is agitated even more reliably. Accordingly, the concentration of the dye or pigment in the staining material remains uniform. Thus, an extremely concentrated coloring material is prevented from being deposited on the nozzle element 54 of the coloring injector 31.

When the staining material penetrates into the second injector member 50 of the first injector member 37, the staining material is drastically pressurized. Accordingly, the staining material is vigorously ejected through the second nozzle member 50 onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. Consequently, the staining material is prevented from being deposited in the second nozzle 50.

Since the staining material is prevented from being deposited in the second nozzle 50, a specific amount of the staining material is reliably ejected through the second nozzle member 50 onto the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. In addition, given that the staining material is prevented from being deposited in the second nozzle 50, the staining material deposited on the second nozzle member 50 is prevented from affecting an ejection direction of the ejected staining material. Accordingly, a specific amount of the coloring material is reliably ejected onto the desired position of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3. Accordingly, the desired position of the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 is colored to the desired color and maintained in a desired area (size).

While the cable 3 is being advanced in the longitudinal direction of the cable 3 relative to the coloring nozzle 31, the coloring nozzle 31 ejects a specific amount of the coloring material onto the cable 3. Thus the coloring nozzle 31 paints the cable 3 , when the cable is advanced relative to the coloring nozzle 31. Consequently, the cable 3 does not need to stop to be colored so that its working capacity is not reduced. In addition, when the cable 3 is advanced relative to the coloring nozzle 31, the coloring nozzle 31 ejects a specific amount of the coloring material towards the cable 3. Consequently, optional positions of the cable 3 The encoder 17 measures data corresponding to the transferred length of the cable 3 and the controller 19 controls the coloring nozzle 31 according to the length of the cable 3 transferred. Accordingly, the controller 19 shortens an ejection time slot 37 of the material coloration from the coloring injector 31 when the transfer speed of the cable 3 increases as the controller 15 extends an ejection time interval of the coloring material from the coloring nozzle 31 when the transfer speed of the cable 3 decreases. Thus, if the transfer speed of the cable 3 changes, the controller 19 can maintain the dots of the coloring materials deposited on the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 at specific intervals.

Thus, if the transfer speed of the cable 3 changes, the controller 19 may deposit the coloring materials on the outer surface 3a of the cable 3 according to a predetermined pattern. That is, even though the transfer speed of the cable 3 changes, the controller 19 may color the cable 3 according to a predetermined pattern.

In the embodiment described above, the first injector member 37 and the second injector member 50 are separated from each other, however, according to the present invention, the first injector member 37 and the second injector member 50 may integrated into one another.

In the present invention, various materials, such as acrylic coating material, ink (dye or pigment) and UV ink, may be used as the coloring liquid or coating material.

In the embodiment described above, electric cable 3 is described as constituting a wiring arranged in a vehicle. However, cable 3 is not only applied to a vehicle but also applied to various electronic devices, such as a computer, or to various electric machines.

In the embodiment described above, the coloring nozzle 31 paints the outer surface 3a of the cord 3, however, the coloring nozzle 31 may color various other objects.

The aforementioned preferred embodiments are described to aid in understanding the present invention and those skilled in the art can vary them without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY]

As described above according to the present invention as claimed in claim 1, since the upper end wall of the injector element is constantly in contact with the cleaning liquid, the coloring material about to be deposited, particularly on the end of the injector member is immediately removed from the upper end wall of the injector member. Accordingly, the staining material is prevented from being deposited and solidifying in the injector element during a staining process.

Since the staining material is prevented from solidifying as described above, a specific amount of the staining material can be reliably ejected onto the outer surface of the article. Moreover, since the staining material is prevented from being deposited on the injector member, the staining material deposited on the injector member 39 is prevented from affecting an ejection direction of the ejected staining material. Accordingly, a specific amount of the coloring material is allowed to be reliably ejected over a desired position of the outer surface of the article. Accordingly, the desired position of the outer surface of the object is colored to a desired color in a specific (size) area (o).

According to the present invention, as claimed in claim 2, the cleaning liquid is maintained in the nozzle cover in such a way that its surface, the end wall of the nozzle cover and the upper end wall of the nozzle element become arranged in the same plane. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid is prevented from interfering with the staining material ejected through the nozzle member and affecting the ejection direction of the ejected staining material. Accordingly, a specific amount of the coloring material is more reliably ejected onto the desired position of the outer surface of the object and the ejected coloring material is maintained in a desired color area (size) (o) of the outer surface of the object. object.

Lisbon, February 8, 2011 40

Claims (6)

Coloring injector (31) for ejecting a specific amount of liquid coloring material onto an external surface (3a) of an object (3) and depositing the ejected coloring material onto the external surface (3a) of the object ), said coloring nozzle (31) comprising: a receiver (32) for receiving the coloring material; a pressurizing unit (33) for pressurizing the staining material in the receiver (32); a nozzle element (54) of more or less cylindrical shape through which the coloring material flows, said injector member (54) communicating with the receiver (32); characterized in that it further comprises a valve (44) mounted at a lower end (37a) of the injector member (54) disposed within the receiver (32) and can be coupled to and disengaged from the lower end (37a) to eject the coloring material through the injector element (54); an injector cap (55) covering at least one upper end (37b) of the injector member (54) and allowing the staining material 1 ejected through the injector member (54) to be deposited on the object (3); and a cleaning liquid delivery unit (62) disposed in the nozzle cover (55) to provide a cleaning liquid, said cleaning liquid being employed to remove the staining material deposited on the nozzle member (54) in that in a situation where the cleaning liquid supplied by the cleaning liquid supply unit (62) to the nozzle cover (55) is held in the nozzle cover (55) by its surface tension, the coloring nozzle (31) ejects the coloring material through the injector member (54) onto the object (3). A color injector (31) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an end wall (56a) of the injector cap (55) and an upper end wall (50b) of the injector element (54) both facing for the object (3), are arranged in the same plane. Lisbon, February 8, 2011 2 1/7 18 32 33 62 F I G. 1 53 32 2/7 15 Source of rr material: 1 coloration i 52 Source of cleaning liquid - 62 33 z ~ zz ~ z Pressurized gas source 3233 62 53 3/7 4/7 31 F I G. 4 F I G. 5 A 4 F I G. 5 B 6/7 F I G. 6 15 7/7 F I G. 7