TWI749298B - Flexible hose - Google Patents

Abstract

[Subject] Provide a hose with good garbage handling and excellent flexibility. [Technical content] In a flexible hose having annular or spiral concave portions and convex portions on the outer surface, the inner diameter of the flexible hose is 30 mm or less, and the inner diameter of the flexible hose in the portion of the concave portion , Is smaller than the inner diameter of the flexible hose containing the electric wire or the hard steel wire of the convex part.

Description

Flexible hose

The present invention relates to flexible hoses.

The flexible hose itself is directly used alone or combined into various items for use. As an example of the article in which the flexible hose is incorporated, an electric vacuum cleaner can be exemplified.

An electric vacuum cleaner is generally composed of: (1) a body with an electric blower, dust collecting part, and wheels for movement, and (2) a suction body, and (3) a flexible hose connecting the main body and the suction body Constituted by the hose body. In such a vacuum cleaner in which the main body and the suction body are separated, the structure and material of the flexible hose also become important elements from the viewpoint of the ease of operation and performance improvement of the vacuum cleaner.

Among them, as an example of the ease of use of an electric vacuum cleaner, a hose incorporated into a hose body in order to improve the ease of operation and achieve an important role is known as shown in Patent Document 1. It is known that a part of the outer surface or All are flexible hoses with lubricity. [Literature Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] JP 2013-244323 A

[Problem to be solved by the present invention]

The flexible hose shown in Patent Document 1 has lubricity, so that friction with the ground etc. is reduced, and the ease of use can be improved. One way to improve the ease of use is to have a method to make the flexibility of the flexible hose more favorable. The improved flexibility of the flexible hose makes the followability good, and when the sweeper moves the mouthpiece, and when sweeping in a high place, it is easy to be operated according to the sweeper's intention. As a method of improving the flexibility of the flexible hose, it is effective to reduce the diameter of the flexible hose. However, if the diameter of the flexible hose is reduced, since the inner diameter is also reduced, the garbage is easily hooked and blocked, and the transportability of the garbage may be reduced.

In view of this point, the subject of the present invention is to provide a flexible hose which is excellent in transportability of garbage even if the inner diameter of the flexible hose is reduced. [Means to solve the problem]

The flexible hose of the present invention is as thin as an inner diameter of 30 mm or less, and the inner surface is smooth.

Furthermore, in order to smooth the inner surface, the inner diameter of the annular or spiral recessed portion of the hose is smaller than the inner diameter of the portion provided with the electric wire and the hard steel wire on the inner peripheral surface of the flexible hose. [Effects of the invention]

The present invention provides a flexible hose, an electric vacuum cleaner, etc., which have a hose inner diameter of 30 mm or less and excellent trash transportability.

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Example 1]

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an external view of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 is composed of a vacuum cleaner body 2, an operation tube 4 provided with a hose part 3 and a hand-operated switch SW, etc., an extension tube 5, and a suction mouth body 6.

The cleaner body 2 is provided with an electric blower 2a that generates suction, a dust collecting part 2b that receives dust collected by the suction of the electric blower 2a, and the like. In addition, in this embodiment, although a centrifugal electric vacuum cleaner is taken as an example, it may be applied to a carton type electric vacuum cleaner.

One end of the hose part 3, which is the hose part connection part, is connected to the connection port 2c of the cleaner body 2 so as to communicate with the dust collection part 2b of the cleaner body 2. In addition, the other end of the hose section 3 is connected to one end of the operation tube 4.

The operation tube 4 is provided with an operation lever 4a having a hand-operated switch SW and the like, a power supply terminal to be supplied with power from the cleaner body 2, and the like. In this power supply terminal, an energization terminal provided at one end of the extension pipe 5 is connected.

By operating the hand-operated switch SW of the operating tube 4, the operation and stop of the electric blower 2a and the switching between strong and weak are performed, and the operation and stop of the electric motor provided in the suction port body 6 is made possible.

＜For hose part 3＞ The hose part 3 is a member made of resin and has flexibility. An approximately cylindrical member with an inner diameter of 30 mm or less (the lower limit of the manufacturing limit is 25 mm or more) and an outer diameter of 39 mm or less. With the combination of soft resin and hard resin, it can achieve the effect of smooth sliding and easy sliding, and the furniture and clothing are not easy to hook. There are 3 types of wires. The diameter of the opening of the connection port 2c of the cleaner body 2 is larger than the outer diameter Y of the hose part. The diameter of the main body side opening V of the hose connection part 20 is substantially the same as the diameter of the opening of the connection port 2c of the cleaner main body 2. The hose part connection part P is provided with the inclination (taper surface) S whose inner diameter increases from the hose part side opening T to the main body side opening. If the suction operation rate of the electric vacuum cleaner with a cable is 300W or more, the difference between the outer diameter Z and the inner diameter A of the hose, that is, the thickness W, is made 0.6mm or more, and the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner can be suppressed. The possible effect of being crushed. For example, if the suction work rate of a rechargeable electric vacuum cleaner is about 100W, even if the thickness W is 0.4mm, it is less likely to be crushed. Regarding the protrusions 8 described later, if the pitch between adjacent protrusions 8 is 8 mm or less, the effect of increasing the strength can be achieved.

Here, conventional hoses with an inner diameter of 36 mm are the mainstream. As in this embodiment, by making the inner diameter 30 mm or less, it becomes a narrow diameter. In addition, the inside of the hose is smoothed so that garbage is slippery.

Since the suction resistance of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is caused by the smallest inner diameter, it is better to reduce the inner diameter of the extension tube 5 and the mouthpiece body 6 to 30 mm or less in conjunction with a hose. In this way, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can also be reduced in weight.

Next, the flexible hose H of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[First Embodiment] In Figure 4, a schematic diagram of the flexible hose H of this embodiment is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible hose H of this embodiment is a tubular synthetic resin hose in which the concave portion 7 and the convex portion 8 are integrally molded. In this flexible hose H, the concave portion 7 and the convex portion 8 are alternately and continuously formed, and can be bent freely. In addition, this flexible hose H is produced by extrusion molding of a predetermined synthetic resin. Furthermore, the concave portion 7 and the convex portion 8 may be made of different materials or synthetic resins of different materials.

Hereinafter, each component is explained.

(Synthetic resin) In this embodiment, the synthetic resin used in the recessed portion 7 may, for example, be olefin resin (polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, etc.), urethane resin, soft vinyl chloride resin, thermoplastic elastomer (olefin thermal Plastic elastomers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, modified styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic urethane-based elastomers (TPU), hydrogen-added styrene butadiene rubber (HSBR), etc.), and mixtures of these Such as soft resin. In addition, as an example of the aforementioned mixture, a copolymer resin composed of a polyethylene resin and an ethylene vinyl acetate resin (EVA resin) can be exemplified.

Among them, a synthetic resin having a Shore hardness (HS hardness) (JIS K 6253) of 50 to 70 degrees after molding is preferable. As a result, the flexibility of the flexible hose H can be appropriately maintained.

In addition, in this embodiment, the synthetic resin used for the recess 7 is not limited to the aforementioned synthetic resin, and any synthetic resin can be used as long as it can be extruded and molded.

In this embodiment, the synthetic resin used when forming the convex portion 8 may, for example, be olefin resin (polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, etc.), urethane resin, soft vinyl chloride resin, thermoplastic elastomer ( Olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, modified styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPU), hydrogen-added styrene butadiene rubber (HSBR), etc.), and Soft resins such as mixtures of these. In addition, as an example of the aforementioned mixture, a copolymer resin composed of a polyethylene resin and an ethylene vinyl acetate resin (EVA resin) can be exemplified.

Among them, the synthetic resin constituting the convex portion 8 in this embodiment is preferably a synthetic resin that can be fused with the synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7. Thereby, it becomes possible to melt|fuse the synthetic resin which comprises the recessed part 7 and the convex part 8, and a manufacturing process can be simplified. A preferable combination of fusible synthetic resins can be, for example, soft vinyl chloride resins.

In addition, among these synthetic resins, it is more preferable to use a synthetic resin having a Shore hardness (HS hardness) (JIS K 6253) of 80 to 100 degrees after the flexible hose H is molded to form the convex portion 8. Thereby, since the contact area of the flexible hose H can be reduced, the slidability of the flexible hose H can be improved.

(Lubricant) As long as the lubricant used in this embodiment can be mixed with the aforementioned synthetic resin, any lubricant can be used. For example, calcium carbonate and silicon can be cited.

In addition, in this embodiment, a lubricant that can be mixed with a synthetic resin constituting the top portion 9 of the convex portion 8 may be, for example, calcium carbonate and silicon.

The synthetic resin, which is the raw material of the concave portion 7 and the convex portion 8, contains a lubricant, so that the lubricant oozes out on the surface of the flexible hose H to be formed. As a result, the slidability of the flexible hose H can be improved. At the same time, by containing a lubricant in the aforementioned synthetic resin, the surface of the formed flexible hose H is thickened and the contact area is reduced. As a result of the reduced contact area, the reduced contact resistance can improve the slidability of the flexible hose H.

In addition, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the top 9 of the convex portion 8 which is likely to come into contact with the floor, wall surface, furniture surface, etc., when the flexible hose H is used, contains a lubricant. Thereby, it becomes possible to efficiently ooze the lubricant at the top 9 and to make the surface of the top 9 thick.

In this embodiment, the hardness of the synthetic resin constituting the top portion 9 of the convex portion 8 is greater than the hardness of the soft synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7, and it is better to arrange the concave portions 7 and the convex portions 8 alternately. This makes it possible to efficiently provide both the flexibility required for the flexible hose H and the slidability required when the flexible hose H is used.

For this example, the synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7 is a soft vinyl chloride resin with a Shore hardness (HS hardness) (JIS K 6253) of 50 to 70 degrees, and the synthetic resin constituting the top 9 of the convex portion 8 is Shore A combination of soft vinyl chloride resins with a hardness (HS hardness) of 80 to 100 degrees.

In particular, in this embodiment, the hardness of the synthetic resin constituting the top portion 9 of the convex portion 8 is greater than the hardness of the synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7, and the synthetic resin constituting the top portion 9 of the convex portion 8 contains a lubricant, It is preferable to arrange the recesses 7 and the protrusions 8 alternately. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily have both the flexibility required for the flexible hose H and the slidability required when the flexible hose H is used. Furthermore, by increasing the hardness of the top part 9 of the convex part 8, the abrasion resistance of the flexible hose H also improves. In addition, by limiting the use locations of these synthetic resins to suppress the use amount, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

In this example, the synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7 is a soft vinyl chloride resin with a Shore hardness (HS hardness) (JIS K 6253) of 50 to 70 degrees, and the synthetic resin constituting the top 9 of the convex portion 8 contains as The combination of calcium carbonate and silicon as a lubricant with the Shore hardness (HS hardness) of 80 to 100 degrees of high sliding polyethylene resin.

This combination can be utilized: the advantages of both flexible and inexpensive soft vinyl chloride resin, and slippery but expensive high-slip polyethylene resin characteristics, can further reduce manufacturing costs.

(Production method) Next, the manufacturing method of the flexible hose H of this embodiment is demonstrated. The flexible hose H can be manufactured by a well-known extrusion molding method, for example, a spiral molding method. That is, a synthetic resin of a predetermined shape, such as a band-shaped body forming the recess 7 of the wall of the hose (tubular body), is extruded from an extruder in a semi-molten state with a cross-sectional shape approximate to a plate shape to form a band shape. body. In addition, a synthetic resin of a predetermined shape, such as a small strip-shaped body forming the convex portion 8 of the outer peripheral surface of the wall of the hose (tubular body), is pressed from an extruder in a semi-molten state with a cross-sectional shape approximate to a plate shape. Out and made into a small ribbon.

And the extruded band-shaped body and the small band-shaped body are wound around a well-known forming shaft to form a tube (tubular body) wall. That is, the side edge portions adjacent to each other are overlapped with each other in the wound state, and the strip-shaped body to which the small strip-shaped body is attached is wound on a concentric shaft or spirally wound. Further, the overlapped parts are fused or integrated by an adhesive material (preferably a thermoplastic adhesive material). Finally, by cooling the hose (tubular body), the cross-sectional shape of the band-shaped body is fixed and the side edges of the band-shaped body are adhered to form a hose (tubular body) wall with continuous concave and convex portions. The hose is manufactured in an indefinite length.

By spirally winding synthetic resin, the manufacturing speed (productivity) can be increased, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Therefore, the synthetic resin is preferably wound in a spiral shape. In addition, the width of the band-shaped body, the width of the small band-shaped body, and the number of the small band-shaped bodies attached to the band-shaped body can be appropriately selected. Furthermore, one or both of the resin material such as a part of the aforementioned small band-shaped body, that is, approximately the center portion in the width direction, or the like may be changed.

When the inner peripheral surface of the flexible hose H of this embodiment is provided with the electric wire 17 and the hard steel wire 18, etc., the electric wire 17 and the hard steel wire 18 are wound around a well-known forming shaft and kept at a predetermined interval. Moreover, it is preferable to arrange the convex part 8 on the electric wire 17 and the hard steel wire 18 etc., and it is preferable to wind a synthetic resin on the said well-known shaping|molding shaft, and to form the wall of a hose (tubular body). In addition, it is preferable that the synthetic resin is spirally wound around the aforementioned well-known molding shaft. At this time, the adhesive may be applied to the upper surface of the electric wire 17 etc. and adhered to the aforementioned synthetic resin.

As a result, the inner peripheral surface of the flexible hose H can be smoothed. In addition, the arrangement of the convex portion 8, the electric wire 17, the hard steel wire 18, etc., can be flexibly adjusted.

In addition, regarding the manufacturing method of the flexible hose H (a hose having recesses and protrusions, or a bellows hose) of this embodiment, a method of spirally winding a band-shaped synthetic resin member is exemplified However, in addition to this method, for hoses without recesses and protrusions, it is also possible to form ring-shaped or spiral-shaped recesses and protrusions in the hose afterwards by pressing the die.

(structure) Furthermore, the structure of the flexible hose H of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 3A as an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion of the flexible hose H surrounded by a one-point lock line in FIG. 2. In addition, in Fig. 4, (a) a side view and (b) a cross-sectional view of the flexible hose H of the present embodiment are shown. Fig. 5 shows (a) a side view and (b) a cross-sectional view of a modification of the flexible hose H of this embodiment.

It is manufactured by the aforementioned manufacturing method using the aforementioned synthetic resin. The flexible hose H of this embodiment is as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, and is made of a synthetic resin having a predetermined shape such as a strip body. The recessed portion 7 and the convex portion 8 formed by molding a predetermined shape of synthetic resin such as a small strip of synthetic resin of a predetermined shape attached to this band-like body or the like.

The convex portion 8 is preferably composed of a synthetic resin containing a lubricant. As a result, the slidability of the flexible hose H can be improved. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3A, the top 9 of the convex portion 8 is preferably a synthetic resin containing a lubricant. Here, the top 9 of the convex portion 8 refers to the range of 20 to 80% of the maximum width of the convex portion 8 centered on the outermost diameter portion of the flexible hose H in this embodiment, for example. As a result, the amount of synthetic resin containing a lubricant can be reduced, and the slidability of the flexible hose H can be improved.

The arrangement of the convex portion 8 may be a spiral shape as shown in Fig. 4, or a ring shape substantially concentric with the central axis (not shown) of the flexible hose H as shown in Fig. 5.

The width of the convex portion 8 and the interval between the convex portions 8 can be appropriately selected in accordance with the flexibility, strength, and the number of wires to be contained in the flexible hose H necessary for the production of the flexible hose H. The angle of the central axis of the flexible hose H of the convex portion 8 can also be appropriately selected according to the required flexibility and strength. Furthermore, the number of convex portions 8 per unit length of the flexible hose H can also be appropriately selected in accordance with the molding speed of the flexible hose H and the number of electric wires contained therein.

Furthermore, in the inner peripheral surface of the flexible hose H, there are hard steel wires 18, electric wires 17 coated with a coating material 19, copper twisted wires, or linear hard synthetic resins 1 More than one strip may be used, and the position is preferably on the inner peripheral surface side of the spiral convex portion 8 as shown in FIG. 2. Wrap the electric wires 17 and the like on the inner peripheral surface side of the convex portion 8, and by making the inner diameter B of the flexible hose of the concave portion 7 larger than the inner diameter A of the flexible hose of the electric wire 17 When it is short, the inner peripheral surface of the flexible hose H can be smoothed. As a result, for example, when the flexible hose H is used for the suction hose of an electric vacuum cleaner, the suction resistance becomes small, and when the flexible hose H is used for the suction hose of a vacuum cleaner, the suction resistance and water absorption resistance become small. As shown in FIG. 3A, the inner peripheral surface of the convex portion 8 encapsulating the electric wire 17 is formed along the electric wire 17 with a groove having a depth that reaches the electric wire 17 and a width smaller than the diameter of the electric wire 17. Moreover, if the inner diameter B of the recess 7 in Fig. 3B is longer than the inner diameter A of the electric wire 17, the electric wire 17 protrudes toward the inside of the hose, so elongated garbage such as toothpicks may be caught. In this way, the flexible hose H contributes to the improvement of the performance of the article using it.

By providing the hard steel wire 18 etc. on the inner peripheral surface of the flexible hose H, it becomes difficult for the flexible hose H to be crushed. Instead of the hard steel wire 18, other steel hard metal wires such as a stainless steel wire may be used. In addition, copper plating or bronze plating may be applied to the surface of the hard steel wire 18. As a result, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the conduction performance of the hard steel wire 18, and welding of terminals and the like becomes easy.

In addition, instead of the hard steel wire 18, an electric wire 17 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 1, since the flexible hose H provided with the electric wire 17 is used for the hose body 3 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the flexible hose H becomes difficult to crush. At the same time, it becomes possible to form a control circuit and a drive circuit between the electric vacuum cleaner main body 2 and the operating tube 4. Thereby, the control of the power supply operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, etc. can be performed by the switch provided with the operation tube 4 at the user's hand.

The number of wires 17 is, for example, only the control circuit In the case of 2 lines of 5V and ground, if there are both control circuits and drive circuits, it is a total of 3 or 4 lines of 100V to 240V, 1 or 2 lines of 5V and ground. Furthermore, other driving circuits can be added to make a total of 4 to 6, but it is not limited to these numbers. In addition, the electric wire 17 is not limited to these voltages, and electric wires that can withstand the necessary voltage and current can be suitably used.

(Effect)

An example of the use of the effect of the flexible hose H of this embodiment can be shown. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 equipped with the flexible hose H of this embodiment in FIG. 1 is installed in FIG. The hose body 3 of the flexible hose H. Moreover, the schematic diagram of the use state of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 using the flexible hose H of this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7-11. In addition, the entire electric vacuum cleaner 1 refers to Fig. 1.

The flexible hose H of this embodiment is a suction hose which can be used in the electric vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the flexible hose H can be used to suck the hose in the main part of the hose body 3 provided with the operation tube 4 at one end and the connection part 20 at the other end. The connection portion 20 and the operation tube 4 may be provided with connection terminals connected to the electric wires 17 constituting the control circuit and the drive circuit. In addition, the operation tube 4 is connected to the mouthpiece body 6 or the extension tube 5. The connection part 20 is connected to the electric vacuum cleaner main body 2.

This electric vacuum cleaner 1 is provided with the flexible hose H of the present embodiment that improves the sliding properties and reduces the resistance caused by contact and friction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, even if the furniture or the surroundings of the pole P are cleaned by the electric vacuum cleaner 1 (refer to Figure 1, the same applies below), the hose body 3 (refer to Figure 1, the same below) is brought into contact with these In the case of this, the slidability of the flexible hose H can also make the contact resistance less than before. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be operated lightly.

At the same time, as shown in FIG. 4, when the convex portion 8 of the flexible hose H is formed in a spiral shape, as shown in FIG.

In addition, as shown in Figure 8, when the suction port formed by a plurality of bent portions and pipe bodies and the connection portion facing in substantially the same direction can be connected to the suction port body 30 to the tip of the operating pipe 4 to clean the ceiling of the furniture, the hose Even if the flexible hose H of the body 3 is in contact with the corner C2 of the top plate, the slidability of the flexible hose H can reduce the contact resistance of the flexible hose H. Therefore, the mouthpiece 30 and the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be operated lightly.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, when the mouthpiece body 31 having the brush B rotating along the rotation axis is connected to the tip of the operating tube 4 to clean the desk, etc., the flexible hose of the hose body 3 Even if H is in contact with the corner C3 of the top plate, the slidability of the flexible hose H can reduce the contact resistance of the flexible hose H. Therefore, the mouthpiece 31 and the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be operated lightly.

Similarly, as shown in Figure 10, when the suction port body 32 is connected to the tip of the operating tube 4 to clean the table top plate, etc., the flexibility of the hose body 3 is soft. Even if the tube H is in contact with the corner C3 of the top plate, the slidability of the flexible hose H can reduce the contact resistance of the flexible hose H. Therefore, the mouthpiece body 32 and the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be operated lightly.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 11, when sweeping the four corners of the room, the floor or the boundary line between the carpet F and the furniture, etc., the hose body 3 is crawling on the floor and the carpet. The hose body 3 of such an electric vacuum cleaner 1 is in contact with the floor, carpet F, wall surface, etc., and the contact area of the flexible hose H can also be smaller than that of the conventional hose, and the slidability is improved. Therefore, the force necessary for the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 including the mouthpiece connected to the hose body 3 can be reduced, and the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be light and comfortable.

In addition, the flexible hose H of this embodiment is not limited to use as the hose body 3 of an electric vacuum cleaner, and can be used for: drainage hoses for washing machines, hoses for dispersing water in gardens, etc., nozzles for various containers , Those who need flexibility in piping and pipe bending parts. Furthermore, the flexible hose H of this embodiment has a concentric double, triple, etc. overlapping structure, and it may be used for those requiring flexibility.

[Second embodiment] The flexible hose H of the second embodiment changes the type of synthetic resin used in the flexible hose H of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the explanation will focus on this point.

In addition, for the same elements as those of the aforementioned first embodiment, the same symbols are assigned to omit the repeated description.

(Synthetic resin) In this embodiment, the synthetic resin used in the recess 7 may, for example, be olefin resin (polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, etc.), urethane resin, soft vinyl chloride resin, thermoplastic elastomer (olefin thermal Plastic elastomers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, modified styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPU), hydrogen-added styrene butadiene rubber (HSBR), etc.), and mixtures of these Such as soft resin. In addition, as an example of the aforementioned mixture, a copolymer resin composed of a polyethylene resin and an ethylene vinyl acetate resin (EVA resin) can be exemplified.

Among these, when the flexible hose H is made of a single type of synthetic resin, the synthetic resin used in the recess 7 is preferably a synthetic resin with a small coefficient of friction (JIS K 7125) after molding. For example, a synthetic resin having a friction coefficient μ of μ=0.3 to 0.1 is preferable. As a result, the slidability of the flexible hose H can be improved.

In addition, in this embodiment, the synthetic resin used for the recess 7 is not limited to the aforementioned synthetic resin, and any synthetic resin can be used as long as it can be extruded and molded.

In this embodiment, the synthetic resin used when forming the convex portion 8 may, for example, be olefin resin (polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, etc.), urethane resin, soft vinyl chloride resin, thermoplastic elastomer ( Olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, modified styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPU), hydrogen-added styrene butadiene rubber (HSBR), etc.), and Soft resins such as mixtures of these. In addition, as an example of the aforementioned mixture, a copolymer resin composed of a polyethylene resin and an ethylene vinyl acetate resin (EVA resin) can be exemplified.

Among these, the synthetic resin constituting the convex portion 8 is preferably a synthetic resin that can be fused with the synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7. Thereby, it becomes possible to melt|fuse the synthetic resin which comprises the recessed part 7 and the convex part 8, and a manufacturing process can be simplified. A preferable combination of synthetic resins can be, for example, soft vinyl chloride resins.

In addition, the friction coefficient of the synthetic resin used to compose the convex portion 8 may be approximately the same as the friction coefficient of the synthetic resin composing the concave portion 7, but is different from the friction coefficient of the synthetic resin composing the concave portion 7. It is also preferable that the friction coefficient of is smaller than the molded surface of the synthetic resin constituting the recess 7 (the surface is thicker). As a result, the flexibility of the flexible hose H can be maintained, and the slidability of the flexible hose H can be further improved by using a suitable synthetic resin.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the surface of the top portion 9 of the convex portion 8 after being formed is thicker and better than other surface portions. Thereby, the flexibility and slidability of the flexible hose H can be maintained, and the use range of the synthetic resin whose surface is thickened can be limited. By reducing the use amount of this synthetic resin, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In this embodiment, the top portion 9 of the convex portion 8 in this embodiment, for example, refers to a range of 20 to 80% of the maximum width of the convex portion 8 centered on the outermost portion of the flexible hose H .

Examples of more preferable combinations of synthetic resins of the synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7 and the synthetic resin constituting the top portion 9 of the convex portion 8 include the following combinations.

For example, the synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7 is a soft vinyl chloride resin having a Shore hardness (HS hardness) (JIS K 6253) of 50 to 70 degrees, and the synthetic resin constituting the top 9 of the convex portion 8 has a Shore hardness (HS hardness). Hardness) is a combination of soft vinyl chloride resins of 80 to 100 degrees. The friction coefficient in this case is, for example, the friction coefficient μ of the concave portion 7 is μ=0.9 to 0.4, and the friction coefficient μ of the top portion 9 of the convex portion 8 is μ=0.3 to 0.1.

In this embodiment, the soft synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7 and the convex portion 8 are composed of the soft synthetic resin and the convex portion 8, even if either or both of the materials are the same, the concave portion 7 and the convex portion 8 are alternately arranged , It can have the flexibility required in the flexible hose H. However, if the concave portion 7 is made of soft synthetic resin, and the surface of the convex portion 8 is made of thick synthetic resin, it is preferable to arrange the concave portion 7 and the convex portion 8 alternately. As a result, it is possible to provide both the flexibility required for the flexible hose H and the slidability required when the flexible hose H is used.

In particular, the concave portion 7 is made of a soft synthetic resin, and the top 9 of the convex portion 8 is made of a material different from the concave portion 7 and formed with a thick synthetic resin on the surface. The concave portion 7 and the convex portion 8 are alternately formed. The configuration is better. This makes it possible to appropriately and easily have both the flexibility required for the flexible hose H and the slidability required when the flexible hose H is used.

For this example, the synthetic resin constituting the concave portion 7 is a soft vinyl chloride resin with a Shore hardness (HS hardness) (JIS K 6253) of 50 to 70 degrees, and the synthetic resin constituting the top 9 of the convex portion 8 is Shore A combination of high-slip polyethylene resins with a hardness (HS hardness) of 80 to 100 degrees. The friction coefficient in this case is, for example, the friction coefficient μ of the concave portion 7 is μ=0.9 to 0.4, and the friction coefficient μ of the convex portion 8 is μ=0.3 to 0.1.

This combination can be utilized: both the flexibility and low cost characteristic of soft vinyl chloride resin, and the sliding but high price characteristic of high-slip polyethylene resin, and can further reduce the manufacturing cost. .

In addition, if the synthetic resin used to constitute the convex portion 8 of the present embodiment is a synthetic resin that can be extruded, it is not limited to the aforementioned synthetic resin, and any one can be used.

The flexible hose H of this embodiment can reduce frictional resistance and improve slidability. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, when the flexible hose H of this embodiment is used in the hose body 3 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the effect of easy operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can be obtained. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the hose body 3 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 constituted by the flexible hose H of the present embodiment is even in contact with the floor, the carpet F, the corner C1 of the pillar P, and the wall surface. In the case of contact, the force necessary for the operation of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 including the mouthpiece connected to the hose body 3 can also be reduced, and the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is easy to operate.

1‧‧‧Electric vacuum cleaner 2‧‧‧Vacuum cleaner body 2a‧‧‧Electric blower 2b‧‧‧Dust collection part 3‧‧‧Hose 4‧‧‧Operation tube 4a‧‧‧Operating lever 6‧‧‧Suction body 7‧‧‧Concave 8‧‧‧Protrusion 9‧‧‧Top 17‧‧‧Wire 18‧‧‧Hard Steel Wire 19‧‧‧Coat 20‧‧‧Connecting part 30‧‧‧Suction body 31‧‧‧Suction body 32‧‧‧Suction body H‧‧‧Flexible hose P‧‧‧Column C1‧‧‧Corner C2‧‧‧Corner C3‧‧‧Corner

[Figure 1] A perspective view showing the overall appearance of the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention. [Figure 2] A schematic view of the flexible hose of the present invention. [Figure 3A] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the flexible hose of the present invention (Part 1). [Figure 3B] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the flexible hose of the present invention (Part 2). [Figure 4] (a) side view and (b) cross-sectional view of the flexible hose of the present invention. [Figure 5] (a) side view and (b) cross-sectional view of a modified example of the flexible hose of the present invention. [Figure 6] A side view of the hose body of the electric vacuum cleaner using the flexible hose of the present invention. [Figure 7] A schematic view of the state of use of the electric vacuum cleaner using the flexible hose of the present invention (Part 1). [Figure 8] A schematic view (Part 2) of the use state of the electric vacuum cleaner using the flexible hose of the present invention. [Figure 9] A schematic view (part 3) of the use state of the electric vacuum cleaner using the flexible hose of the present invention. [Figure 10] A schematic view (part 4) of the use state of the electric vacuum cleaner using the flexible hose of the present invention. [Figure 11] A schematic view of the use state of the electric vacuum cleaner using the flexible hose of the present invention (Part 5).

7‧‧‧Concave

8‧‧‧Protrusion

9‧‧‧Top

17‧‧‧Wire

18‧‧‧Hard Steel Wire

19‧‧‧Coat

Claims (3)

A flexible hose characterized by having spiral concave and convex portions on the outer surface, the inner diameter (B) of the flexible hose is 30mm or less, and the convex portion of the flexible hose The inner circumferential surface of the electric wire is covered with a wire, and the inner circumferential surface of the convex portion that contains the electric wire is formed along the electric wire with a groove having a depth that reaches the corresponding electric wire and a width smaller than the diameter of the corresponding electric wire. The diameter (A) is larger than the inner diameter (B) of the flexible hose, and the difference between the outer diameter (Z) and the inner diameter (B) of the concave portion of the flexible hose is the thickness , Is 0.6mm or more, and the convex part contains a lubricant on the top part of the convex part, so that the surface of the top part becomes thicker than the other surfaces. As for the flexible hose of the first item of the patent application, the hardness of the synthetic resin constituting the top portion is greater than the hardness of the synthetic resin constituting the concave portion, and the concave portions and the convex portions are alternately arranged. An electric vacuum cleaner equipped with a flexible hose as in item 1 or 2 of the scope of patent application, and the inner diameter of the extension tube and the suction body is 30mm or less.

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