WO2004114330A1

WO2004114330A1 - Method of coloring electric cable and electric cable coloring apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2004114330A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/008758
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takeshi Kamata; Keigo Sugimura; Sei Saito; Kiyoshi Yagi
Original assignee: Yasaki Corporation
Priority date: 2003-06-24
Filing date: 2004-06-22
Publication date: 2004-12-29

Abstract

A method of coloring an electric cable and an electric cable coloring apparatus, in which a jet of colorant droplets can be steadily emitted at a given rate toward the outer surface of electric cable without colorant clogging. Electric cable coloring apparatus (1) emits a jet of liquid colorant droplets at a given rate toward the outer surface of electric cable (3), thereby coloring the electric cable (3). The colorant contains ethylene glycol. The concentration of ethylene glycol in the colorant is in the range of 2 to 25 mass%.

Description

Specification

Electric wire coloring method and electric wire coloring device

Technical field

The present invention relates to an electric wire coloring method and an electric wire coloring apparatus for coloring an electric wire provided with a conductive core wire and an insulating covering portion covering the core wire.

Background art

[0002] Various electronic devices are mounted on an automobile or the like as a moving body. For this reason, the vehicle and the like are wired with a wire harness to transmit power from a power source or the like or control signals from a computer or the like to the electronic device. The wire harness includes a plurality of electric wires and a connector attached to an end of the electric wire.

[0003] The electric wire includes a conductive core wire and a coating made of an insulating synthetic resin that covers the core wire. The electric wire is a so-called covered electric wire. The connector includes a terminal fitting and a connector housing for accommodating the terminal fitting. The terminal fitting is made of a conductive sheet metal or the like, and is attached to an end of the electric wire to be electrically connected to a core wire of the electric wire. The connector housing is made of insulating synthetic resin and is formed in a box shape. In the wiring harness, when the connector housing is connected to the above-mentioned electronic device, etc., each wire is electrically connected to the above-mentioned electronic device via terminal fittings, and transmits desired power and signals to the above-mentioned electronic device. .

[0004] When assembling the wire harness, first, the wire is cut into a predetermined length, and then a covering such as an end portion of the wire is removed (peeled) and a terminal fitting is attached. Connect the wires as necessary. Thereafter, the terminal fitting is inserted into the connector housing. Thus, the above-described wire harness is assembled.

[0005] The electric wire of the above-described wire harness needs to identify the size of the core wire, the material of the covering portion (change of material due to heat resistance, etc.), the purpose of use, and the like. The purpose of use is, for example, a control system such as an airbag, an ABS (Antilock Brake System) and vehicle speed information, and a vehicle system (system) using electric wires such as a power transmission system.

[0006] Therefore, the electric wire used for the wire harness is made of a synthetic resin constituting the above-mentioned covering portion. When extruding around the core wire and coating, a coloring agent of a desired color is mixed into a synthetic resin constituting the coating portion to color the coating portion into a desired color (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). reference). In this case, when changing the color of the outer surface of the electric wire, it is necessary to stop the extrusion coating device that performs the above-described extrusion coating. In this case, it is necessary to stop the extrusion coating device every time the color of the wire is changed, so that the production of the wire, the required time and labor increase, and the production efficiency of the wire tends to decrease.

[0007] Alternatively, the color of the coloring agent mixed into the synthetic resin has been changed while the extrusion coating apparatus is performing the extrusion coating. In this case, immediately after the color of the colorant is changed, the color of the synthetic resin forming the covering portion is a color in which the color of the colorant before the change of the covering portion and the color of the colorant after the change are mixed. . For this reason, the material yield of electric wires tends to decrease.

[0008] In order to prevent the above-described decrease in the productivity of the electric wire and the decrease in the material yield of the electric wire, the applicant of the present invention manufactures, for example, a monochromatic electric wire and, if necessary, prepares the outer surface of the electric wire. Has been proposed to assemble a wire harness by coloring the wire harness into a desired color (see Patent Document 4). Further, when coloring the monochromatic electric wire after production, the applicant of the present invention sprays a liquid coloring material onto the outer surface of the electric wire by a fixed amount at a time, and discharges the droplet of the coloring material onto the electric wire. There has been proposed a wire coloring apparatus for coloring a wire into a desired color by attaching the wire to an outer surface of the wire (see Patent Document 5).

Patent Document 1: JP-A-5-111947

Patent Document 2: JP-A-6-119833

Patent Document 3: JP-A-9-92056

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-256721

Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-233729

Disclosure of the invention

Problems the invention is trying to solve

[0009] The above-described electric wire coloring apparatus that sprays a coloring material toward the outer surface of the electric wire by a fixed amount at a time includes a plurality of colored nozzles that spray the coloring material. The color of the colorant sprayed by the plurality of coloring nozzles is different from each other. The electric wire coloring device appropriately changes the color nozzle that sprays the coloring material, thereby coloring the outer surface of the electric wire to a desired color and simultaneously forming the electric wire. A desired mark is formed (marked) on the outer surface.

[0010] For this reason, depending on the coloring nozzle, the time interval for spraying the coloring material may be long. If the coloring material is not dropped from the coloring nozzle for a long time, it is considered that at least a part of the coloring material is hardened particularly at the tip of the coloring nozzle. When a part of the coloring material cures, the coloring material becomes clogged in the coloring nozzle, and the coloring nozzle sprays the coloring material in a desired direction in a desired direction. 《I think it can be. In other words, the amount of the colorant droplets ejected from the coloring nozzle varies, and the direction of the colorant ejection is shifted.

[0011] In this case, of course, it becomes difficult to color a desired position of the electric wire, and the area (size) of the portion of the electric wire to which the coloring material is attached varies. As described above, it is conceivable that the above-mentioned dye or pigment adheres to the nozzle, making it difficult to surely spray the colorant in a predetermined amount toward a desired position on the outer surface of the electric wire. In the worst case, it is also conceivable that the coloring nozzle is completely clogged and the coloring material cannot be sprayed from the coloring nozzle.

[0012] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for coloring an electric wire that can surely spray a fixed amount at a time without clogging the coloring material toward the outer surface of the electric wire. .

Means for solving the problem

[0013] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the method for coloring an electric wire according to the present invention according to claim 1, comprising: spraying a predetermined amount of a liquid coloring material toward an outer surface of the electric wire; In a method of coloring an electric wire in which a droplet of the coloring material is attached to an outer surface of the electric wire to color the electric wire, the coloring material contains ethylene glycol, and ethylene glycol in the coloring material is used. It is characterized in that the concentration is 2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less.

[0014] The electric wire coloring apparatus according to the present invention according to claim 2, wherein the liquid coloring material is sprayed at a constant rate toward the outer surface of the electric wire, and the droplets of the coloring material are discharged onto the outer surface of the electric wire. In a wire coloring apparatus for coloring the wire by attaching the wire to the wire, the coloring material contains ethylene glycol, and the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 2% by mass or more. It is characterized by being at most 25% by mass.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the colorant contains ethylene glycol. For this reason, the coloring material is hardly cured. Further, since the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 2% by mass or more, it is possible to prevent the coloring material from being cured without spraying the coloring material for a long time. Since the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 25% by mass or less, it is possible to spray the coloring material in a predetermined amount without increasing the viscosity of the coloring material.

[0016] In this specification, the coloring material is a liquid material in which a coloring material (an industrial organic material) is dissolved and dispersed in water or another solvent. Organic materials include dyes and pigments (mostly organic and synthetic), and sometimes dyes are used as pigments and pigments are used as dyes. As a more specific example, the coloring material in this specification indicates both a coloring liquid and a paint. The term “colored liquid” refers to a substance in which a dye is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, and the term “paint” refers to a substance in which a pigment is dispersed in a dispersion. Therefore, when the outer surface of the coated portion is colored with the coloring liquid, the dye penetrates into the coated portion, and when the outer surface of the coated portion is colored with the paint, the pigment adheres to the outer surface without penetrating into the coated portion. That is, coloring the outer surface of the electric wire in this specification means that a part of the outer surface of the electric wire is dyed with a dye and that a part of the outer surface of the electric wire is coated with a pigment.

[0017] It is desirable that the solvent and the dispersion have an affinity for the synthetic resin constituting the coating portion. In this case, the dye will surely penetrate into the coating, and the pigment will surely adhere to the outer surface of the coating.

[0018] Further, the droplet ejection described in this specification means that a liquid colorant is urged and ejected toward the outer surface of an electric wire from a coloring nozzle in a droplet state, that is, a droplet state. Shows

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the coloring material contains ethylene glycol. For this reason, the coloring material is hardened. Further, since the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 2% by mass or more, it is possible to prevent the coloring material from being cured without spraying the coloring material for a long time. Since the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 25% by mass or less, the coloring material is supplied in a fixed amount without increasing the viscosity of the coloring material too much. The ability to drip S can.

The invention's effect

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, it is possible to spray the colorant by a fixed amount without curing. Further, since the coloring material can be prevented from being hardened, it is of course possible to prevent the cured coloring material from affecting the direction in which the coloring material is sprayed. Therefore, the coloring material can be surely sprayed in a predetermined amount toward the desired position on the outer surface of the electric wire, and the desired position on the outer surface of the electric wire can be colored as desired, and the colored portion can be formed into a desired area. (Size) can be maintained.

[0021] According to the present invention described in claim 2, the coloring material can be sprayed by a fixed amount at a time without being cured. Further, since the coloring material can be prevented from being cured, it is of course possible to prevent the cured coloring material from affecting the direction in which the coloring material is sprayed. Therefore, the coloring material can be surely sprayed in a predetermined amount toward the desired position on the outer surface of the electric wire. (Size).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a device for coloring an electric wire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a coloring unit of the wire coloring device along the line II-II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between each coloring nozzle of the coloring unit shown in FIG. 2 and an electric wire.

4 is a sectional view showing a first nozzle member, a second nozzle member, and the like of each colored nozzle of the colored unit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 (a) is a perspective view of an electric wire colored by the electric wire coloring apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 (b) is a plan view of the electric wire shown in FIG. 5 (a).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a coloring material is sprayed from the coloring nozzle shown in FIG. 4.

[7] When the coloring material is spouted from the coloring nozzle shown in FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the pressure and velocity of the relationship between the position and the colorant of the coloring nozzle, _(a) represents, coloring FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing each position of a nose, and FIG. 4B is a view showing a relationship between each position of a coloring nozzle and a pressure of a coloring material. It is an explanatory view, and (C) is an explanatory view showing a relationship between each position of the coloring nozzle and the speed of the coloring material.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the concentration of ethylene glycol in a coloring material used in the coloring apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the time from when the spraying is stopped until when the coloring nozzle is clogged.

9 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material used in the coloring apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the amount of droplets of the coloring material sprayed.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0023] 1 Wire coloring device

3a outer surface

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an electric wire coloring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, simply referred to as a coloring apparatus) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. The coloring device 1 is a device that cuts the electric wire 3 into a predetermined length and forms a mark 6 on a part of the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3. That is, the coloring device 1 colors or marks the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3.

[0025] The electric wires 3 constitute a wire harness that is routed to a vehicle or the like as a moving body. As shown in FIG. 5A, the electric wire 3 includes a conductive core wire 4 and an insulating coating portion 5. The core wire 4 is formed by twisting a plurality of strands. The wires constituting the core wire 4 are made of a conductive metal. Further, the core wire 4 may be composed of one strand. The covering portion 5 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The covering part 5 covers the core wire 4. Therefore, the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 forms the outer surface of the covering portion 5.

[0026] The covering portion 5 is, for example, a single color P such as white. In addition, a desired coloring agent is mixed into the synthetic resin forming the covering portion 5 so that the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 can be changed to a single color P without mixing a coloring agent into the synthetic resin forming the covering portion 5. The single color P may be used as the color of the synthetic resin itself. In the case where the single color P is the color of the synthetic resin itself without mixing a coloring agent into the synthetic resin constituting the coating portion 5, the coating portion 5, ie, the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, is said to be uncolored. As described above, the term “uncolored” means that the outer surface of the electric wire 3 is not mixed with the colorant in the synthetic resin forming the covering portion 5. 3a indicates that it is the color of the synthetic resin itself.

[0027] On the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, a mark 6 having a plurality of points 7 is formed. Point 7 is color B (shown in shaded parallel lines in Figure 5). Color B is different from single color P. The planar shape of the point 7 is a round shape as shown in FIG. A plurality of points 7 are provided, and are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 3 according to a predetermined pattern. In the illustrated example, points 7 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 3. Further, the distance between the centers of the points 7 adjacent to each other is predetermined.

[0028] A plurality of the wires 3 having the above-described configuration are bundled and a connector or the like is attached to an end or the like to configure the above-described wire harness. The connector is connected to a connector of various electronic devices such as automobiles, and the wire harness, that is, the electric wire 3 transmits various signals and electric power to each electronic device.

[0029] Further, by changing the color B of each point 7 of the mark 6 to various colors, the electric wires 3 can be distinguished from each other. In the illustrated example, the color B of all points 7 is the same. The color B of each point 7 may be different by changing the color B for each point 7 as necessary. The color B at each point 7 of the mark 6 is used to identify the wire type and the system of the wire 3 of the wire harness. That is, the color B of each point 7 of the mark 6 is used to identify the wire type and the purpose of use of each wire 3 of the wire harness.

As shown in FIG. 1, the coloring device 1 includes a frame 10 as a device main body, a guide roll 11, a delivery roll 12 as a moving unit, a straightening unit 13 as a wire straightening unit, and a slack absorbing unit. It comprises a slack absorbing unit 14, a coloring unit 15, a duct 16, an encoder 17 as a measuring means, a cutting mechanism 18 as a processing means, and a control device 19 as a control means.

[0031] The frame 10 is installed on a floor such as a factory. The frame 10 extends horizontally. The guide roll 11 is rotatably attached to one end of the frame 10. The guide roll 11 winds the wire 3 which is long and has no mark 6 formed thereon. The guide roll 11 sends out the electric wire 3 to the straightening unit 13, the slack absorbing unit 14, the coloring unit 15, the duct 16, the encoder 17, and the cutting mechanism 18 in this order.

[0032] A pair of sending-out lonerets 12 are provided at the other end of the frame 10. These pairs The protruding lonerets 12 are rotatably supported by the frame 10 and are arranged in the vertical direction. The delivery rolls 12 are rotated at the same rotational speed in opposite directions by a motor (not shown) or the like. The pair of delivery rolls 12 sandwich the electric wire 3 between each other, and pull the electric wire 3 from the guide roll 11 along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 3 of the bracket.

[0033] The delivery roller 12 serves as a pulling means for pulling and moving the electric wire 3 along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 3. In this manner, the delivery Lohren 12 moves the electric wire 3 along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 3 so that the colored nozzle 31 of the coloring unit 15 and the electric wire 3 can be relatively moved along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 3. Move. For this reason, the electric wire 3 moves along the arrow K in FIG. Arrow K points in the direction of travel of wire 3.

[0034] The correction unit 13 is provided on the side of the delivery roll 12 of the guide roll 11, and is provided between the guide roll 11 and the delivery roll 12. That is, the straightening unit 13 is provided downstream of the guide roll 11 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3, and is provided upstream of the delivery roll 12 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3. The correction 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 fixed to the frame 10.

The first and second rollers 21 and 22 are each rotatably supported by the unit body 20. The plurality of first rollers 21 are arranged in a horizontal direction (the above-described movement direction K), and are arranged above the electric wire 3. The plurality of second rollers 22 are arranged in a horizontal direction (the above-described movement direction K), and are arranged below the electric wire 3. The first roller 21 and the second roller 22 are arranged in a staggered manner as shown in FIG.

The straightening unit 13 sandwiches the electric wire 3 fed from the guide roll 11 by the feed roll 12 between the first roller 21 and the second roller 22. Then, the correction unit 13 straightens the electric wire 3. The correction unit 13 applies a frictional force to the electric wire 3 by being sandwiched between the first roller 21 and the second roller 22. That is, the straightening unit 13 applies the first biasing force HI to the electric wire 3 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the delivery roll 12 pulls the electric wire 3 (the moving direction K described above). The first biasing force HI is less than the force of the feed roll 12 pulling the electric wire 3. For this reason, the straightening unit 13 applies tension along the longitudinal direction to the electric wire 3. The slack absorbing unit 14 is provided on the delivery roll 12 side of the straightening unit 13, and is provided between the straightening unit 13 and the delivery roll 12. That is, the slack absorbing unit 14 is provided downstream of the straightening unit 13 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3, and is provided upstream of the delivery roll 12 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3. The slack absorbing unit 14 is provided between the correcting unit 13 and a coloring nozzle 31 described later of the coloring unit 15.

As shown in FIG. 1, the slack absorbing unit 14 includes a pair of guide roller support frames 23, a pair of guide rollers 24, a movable roller support frame 25, a movable roller 26, and urging means. The air cylinder 27 is provided. The guide roller support frame 23 is fixed to the frame 10. The guide roller support frame 23 stands upright from the frame 10. The pair of guide roller support frames 23 are arranged at intervals along the moving direction K of the electric wire 3.

[0039] The pair of guide rollers 24 are rotatably supported by the guide roller support frame 23. The guide roller 24 is arranged below the electric wire 3, and guides the electric wire 3 so that the electric wire 3 does not fall off from the moving direction K by contacting the outer peripheral surface with the electric wire 3. For this reason, the guide roller 24 guides the moving direction K of the electric wire 3.

The moving roller support frame 25 is fixed to the frame 10. The moving roller support frame 25 stands upward from the frame 10. The moving roller support frame 25 is provided between the pair of guide roller support frames 23.

The moving roller 26 is rotatably supported by the moving roller support frame 25 and is movably supported in the vertical direction. The moving roller 26 is disposed above the electric wire 3. The movable roller 26 is movably supported in the vertical direction, and is movably supported in a direction orthogonal (intersecting) to the moving direction K of the electric wire 3. The moving roller 26 is provided at the center between the guide rollers 24.

[0042] The air cylinder 27 includes a cylinder body 28 and a telescopic rod 29 capable of expanding and contracting the cylinder body 28. The cylinder body 28 is fixed to the moving roller support frame 25 and is disposed above the electric wire 3. The telescopic rod 29 extends downward from the cylinder body 28. That is, the telescopic rod 29 extends from the cylinder body 28 in a direction approaching the electric wire 3. The movable roller 26 is attached to the telescopic rod 29. When the pressurized gas is supplied into the cylinder main body 28, the air cylinder 27 causes the telescopic rod 29, that is, the moving roller 26 to be orthogonal to the moving direction K by the second urging force H2 (shown in FIG. 1). Bias downward along the direction of intersection. Therefore, the air cylinder 27 urges the moving roller 26 in the direction approaching the electric wire 3 with the second urging force H2. The second bias H2 is weaker than the first bias HI.

[0044] When a pair of cutting blades 48, 49 described later of the cutting mechanism 18 approach each other to cut the electric wire 3, and when the electric wire 3 stops, when the electric wire 3 advances along arrow K due to inertia. Then, the wire 3 is loosened between the pair of guide rollers 24. At this time, since the air cylinder 27 urges the moving roller 26 with the second urging force H2, the slack absorbing unit 14 having the above-described configuration extends the telescopic rod 29 force S of the air cylinder 27 to extend the moving roller. 26 is displaced, for example, to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Then, the slack absorbing unit 14 urges the slack electric wire 3 between the guide rollers 24 in the direction orthogonal (intersecting) to the moving direction K to absorb the slack and stretch the electric wire 3. To keep.

[0045] The coloring unit 15 is provided on the delivery roll 12 side of the slack absorbing unit 14, and is provided between the slack absorbing unit 14 and the delivery roll 12. That is, the coloring unit 15 is provided downstream of the slack absorbing unit 14 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3 and provided upstream of the delivery port 12 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3. Therefore, the coloring unit 15, that is, a coloring nozzle 31 described later, is disposed between the delivery roll 12 and the correction unit 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coloring unit 15 includes a unit main body 30, a plurality of coloring nozzles 31, and a plurality of coloring material supply sources 32 (only one is shown in the figure, and the others are omitted. ), And a pressurized gas supply source 33. The unit body 30 is fixed to the frame 10. The unit main body 30 supports a plurality of colored chips 31.

The coloring nozzle 31 having the above-described configuration sprays a predetermined amount of the liquid coloring material from the coloring material supply source 32 described later toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3. The coloring nozzle 31 attaches the droplets of the coloring material to the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 to color (mark) at least a part of the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 4, the colored knurling nozzle 31 includes a cylindrical knurling nozzle body 34 and a nozzle body 34. An insert member 35 housed therein, an inflow pipe (not shown), a first nozzle member 37 as a first nozzle portion, a valve mechanism 38, and a second nozzle member 50 as a second nozzle member. And a connection pipe 51.

[0049] The insert member 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has a flow path 39 through which the coloring material passes. The flow channel 39 is filled with a coloring material supplied from the coloring material supply source 32 or the like. The insert member 35 forms a storage portion for containing the liquid coloring material described in this specification. The inflow pipe communicates with the flow path 39 and guides the coloring material from the coloring material supply source 32 into the flow path 39.

[0050] The first nozzle member 37 is formed in a cylindrical shape and communicates with the inside of the flow channel 39, and guides the coloring material in the flow channel 39 to the outside of the coloring nozzle 31. The inner diameter D of the first nozzle member 37 is smaller than the inner diameter of the nozzle body 34, that is, the outer diameter of the flow path 39. The first knurling member 37 is arranged coaxially with the nozzle body 34. The first nozzle member 37 is made of stainless steel.

[0051] The valve mechanism 38 includes a coil (not shown), a valve body 41, and a coil spring 42. The coil is provided outside the flow path 39 and is supported in the insert member 35. The coil is applied externally. The valve main body 41 includes a conductive main body 43 and a valve body 44. The main body 43 integrally includes a cylindrical column portion 45 and a disk portion 46 connected to one end of the column portion 45.

[0052] The main body 43 has a flow path 39 in which the disk portion 46 faces the base end 37a of the first nozzle member 37 and the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 45 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle body 34. It is housed inside. Further, the main body 43, that is, the valve main body 41, is provided movably along the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 45, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the nose cover main body 34.

[0053] The valve body 44 is attached to the disk portion 46 of the main body 43. That is, the valve body 44 is housed in the insert member 35. The valve body 44 is opposed to the base end 37a of the first nozzle member 37. The valve body 44 comes into contact with and separates from the base end portion 37a of the first knurling member 37. Note that contact and separation refer to approaching and moving away.

When the valve body 44 comes into contact with the base end portion 37a of the first nozzle member 37, the space between the valve body 44 and the base end portion 37a is kept water-tight, and the coloring material in the flow path 39 is removed by the first nozzle member 37. To prevent intrusion. Also, when the valve element 44 moves away from the base end 37a of the first nozzle member 37, the first nozzle The coloring material is allowed to be sprayed through the material 37 and the second nozzle member 50 toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3.

As described above, the valve body 44 comes into contact with and separates from the base end 37a over the open position and the closed position indicated by the solid line in FIG. In the open position, the valve element 44 causes the coloring material to be sprayed toward the electric wire 3 through the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member 50 away from the base end portion 37a. In the closed position, the valve element 44 comes into contact with the base end 37a and applies the coloring material to the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member.

Restricts spraying through wire 50 toward wire 3.

The coil spring 42 urges the disc portion 46 in a direction in which the valve body 44 approaches the base end portion 37a of the first nose piece member 37.

[0057] The second nozzle member 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second nozzle member 50 is provided with a polyetheretherketone (hereinafter referred to as PEEK). The outer diameter of the second nozzle member 50 is equal to the outer diameter of the first nozzle member 37.

Further, the inner diameter d of the second nozzle member 50 is smaller than the inner diameter D of the first nozzle member 37, as shown in FIG. The second knurling member 50 is arranged coaxially with the first knurling member 37 and is connected to the first knurling member 37.

[0059] The second nozzle member 50 is arranged closer to the electric wire 3 than the first nozzle member 37 is. The space between the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member 50 is watertight. The colorant flows inside the second nozzle member 50 and the first nozzle member 37 along the arrow Q along the longitudinal direction of the first nozzle member 37. Arrow Q indicates the direction in which the colorant flows.

[0060] For this reason, the end face 50a of the second nozzle member 50 near the first nozzle member 37 protrudes from the inner surface of the first nozzle member 37 toward the inside of the first nozzle member 37. . The end face 50a is formed flat along a direction orthogonal (intersecting) to the arrow Q. The end face 50a forms the step described in the present specification, and is formed between the first nose piece member 37 and the second nose piece member 50.

[0061] The connection pipe 51 is made of a fluororesin and formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the connection pipe 51 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first knurled member 37 and the second knurled member 50. The connection pipe 51 is fitted on the outside of both the first knurling member 37 and the second knurling member 50, and connects the first knurling member 37 and the second knurling member 50. . Also, connection pipe 51 Then, the second nozzle member 50 is detachably attached to the first nozzle member 37.

[0062] The coloring nozzle 31 having the above-described configuration guides the coloring material from the coloring material supply source 32 into the flow channel 39 through the inflow pipe. Then, in a state in which the coloring material is not applied to the coil, the urging force of the coil spring 42 causes the valve body 44 to come into contact with the base end portion 37a of the first knurling member 37, and the coloring material is positioned in the flow path 39. I have.

[0063] When the colored knob 31 is applied to the coil, the valve body 44 attached to the disc portion 46 moves against the urging force of the coil spring 42 so that the base end of the first pin member 37 is formed. Away from 37a, the coloring material in the flow path 39 is passed through the inside of the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member 50 along the arrow Q. Then, the coloring nozzle 31 sprays the coloring material from the second nozzle member 50. Further, the coin is added for a predetermined period of time based on a command from the control device 19. For this reason, the coloring nozzle 31 sprays the coloring material toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 by a fixed amount at a time.

[0064] Further, when attached to the unit main body 30, a plurality of colored knurls 31 are arranged along the moving direction K of the electric wire 3 and are arranged along the circumferential direction around the electric wire 3. . In the illustrated example, the unit main body 30 has five coloring nozzles 31 arranged in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3. The unit main body 30 has three colored knurls 31 arranged in the circumferential direction around the electric wire 3.

[0065] Further, as shown in Fig. 3, each of the colored knurls 31 is provided at the uppermost portion 3b of the electric wire 3 on an extension of an axis R (shown by a dashed line in Fig. 3) of a first nozzle member 37 described later. Is supported by the unit main body 30 in a state where is positioned. In addition, the coloring nozzle 31 sprays a coloring material along the axis R. For this reason, the coloring nozzle 31 sprays a predetermined amount of the coloring material toward the uppermost portion 3 b of the electric wire 3. Further, the coloring nozzle 31 having the above-described configuration forms a coloring unit.

The coloring material supply source 32 stores the coloring material and supplies the coloring material into the inflow pipe of the coloring nozzle 31. One coloring material supply source 32 corresponds to one coloring nozzle 31. The color B of the coloring material supplied from the coloring material supply source 32 to the coloring nozzle 31 may be different from each other or may be the same as each other.

[0067] The pressurized gas supply source 33 supplies the pressurized gas into the colorant supply source 32. The pressurized gas supply source 33 supplies the pressurized gas into the colorant supply source 32 to When the valve body 44 of the nozzle 31 moves away from the base end 37a of the first nozzle member 37, the coloring material in the flow path 39 is quickly sprayed from the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member 50. To

In the coloring unit 15 having the above-described configuration, the valve element 44 is applied to the coil of an arbitrary coloring nozzle 31 based on a command from the control device 19 so that the valve body 44 is moved from the base end 37 a of the first nozzle member 37. Leave. Then, the coloring unit 15 sprays a predetermined amount of the coloring material in the flow path 39 of the arbitrary colored nozzle 31 toward the electric wire 3.

[0069] In the present specification, a coloring material having a viscosity of about lOmPa's (millipascal second) is used. The above-mentioned coloring material is a liquid material in which a coloring material (industrial organic substance) is dissolved and dispersed in water or another solvent, and contains ethylene glycol (Ethylene glycol).

[0070] Organic substances include dyes and pigments (mostly organic substances, synthetic products), and sometimes the dye is used as a pigment and the pigment is used as a dye. As a more specific example, the coloring material is the above-mentioned coloring liquid or paint containing ethylene glycol.

[0071] The coloring liquid indicates a substance in which a dye is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, and the coating material indicates a substance in which a pigment is dispersed in a dispersion. For this reason, when the coloring liquid adheres to the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, the dye penetrates into the coating portion 5, and when the paint adheres to the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, the pigment does not permeate into the coating portion 5 without penetrating. Glue to surface 3a. That is, the coloring unit 15 dyes a part of the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 with a dye or paints the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 with a pigment. For this reason, coloring the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 means that a part of the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 is dyed (dyed) and that a part of the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 is painted with a pigment. Are shown.

Further, it is desirable that the solvent and the dispersion have an affinity for the synthetic resin constituting the coating portion 5. In this case, the dye will surely penetrate into the coating portion 5, and the pigment will surely adhere to the outer surface 3a.

Further, ethylene glycol prevents the above-mentioned solvent and dispersion liquid from evaporating, thereby preventing the dye or pigment from hardening. That is, ethylene glycol prevents the colorant from hardening.

[0074] Further, the above-described droplet ejection means that the liquid colorant is ejected from the coloring nozzle 31 by being urged toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 in a droplet state, that is, a droplet state. ing. [0075] The concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material accommodated in the coloring material supply source 32, that is, sprayed from the coloring nozzle 31 toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 by a constant amount is 2 mass%. It is not less than cents (also called weight percent) and not more than 25 mass percent. The concentration of ethylene glycol is a value obtained by dividing the mass (weight) of ethylene glycol in the coloring material by the mass of the entire coloring material. That is, the concentration of ethylene glycol is a value obtained by dividing the mass of ethylene glycol in the coloring material by the sum of the mass of the solvent or dispersion, the mass of the dye or pigment, and the mass of ethylene glycol in the coloring material. It is.

The duct 16 is provided on the delivery roll 12 side of the coloring unit 15, and is provided between the coloring unit 15 and the delivery roll 12. That is, the duct 16 is provided downstream of the coloring unit 15 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3, and is provided upstream of the delivery roll 12 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3. The duct 16 is formed in a tubular shape, and passes the electric wire 3 inside. A suction means (not shown) such as a vacuum pump is connected to the duct 16. The suction means sucks the gas in the outside 16 to prevent the solvent and the dispersion in the coloring material from filling the outside of the coloring apparatus 1.

[0077] The encoder 17 is provided downstream of the feed roll 12 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3. The encoder 17 includes a pair of rotors 47, as shown in FIG. The rotor 47 is supported rotatably around the axis. The outer peripheral surface of the rotor 47 is in contact with the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 sandwiched between the pair of delivery ports 12. The rotor 47 rotates when the core wire 4, that is, the electric wire 3 travels (moves) along the arrow K. That is, the rotor 47 rotates around the axis along with the movement (movement) of the core wire 4, that is, the electric wire 3 along the arrow K. Of course, the traveling (moving) amount of the core wire 4, that is, the electric wire 3 along the arrow is proportional to the rotation speed of the rotor 47.

[0078] The encoder 17 is connected to the control device 19. The encoder 17 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 19 when the rotor 47 rotates by a predetermined angle. That is, the encoder 17 outputs information corresponding to the moving amount of the electric wire 3 along the arrow K to the control device 19. Thus, the encoder 17 measures information according to the movement amount of the electric wire 3 and outputs information corresponding to the movement amount of the electric wire 3 to the control device 19. Normally, the encoder 17 outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the electric wire 3 due to friction between the electric wire 3 and the rotor 47. However, the amount of movement and the number of pulses do not always match depending on the state of the outer surface 3a of the wire 3. In such a case, the speed information may be obtained at another place, the information may be fed back, and the comparison operation may be performed.

The cutting mechanism 18 is arranged downstream of the pair of rotors 47 of the encoder 17 in the moving direction K of the electric wire 3. The cutting mechanism 18 includes a pair of cutting blades 48, 49. The pair of cutting blades 48, 49 are arranged along the vertical direction. The pair of cutting blades 48, 49 move toward and away from each other along the vertical direction. When the pair of cutting blades 48 and 49 approach each other, the pair of cutting blades 48 and 49 sandwich the electric wire 3 fed by the pair of feed rolls 12 therebetween to cut the electric wire 3. When the pair of cutting blades 48 and 49 are separated from each other, they are, of course, separated from the electric wire 3.

The control device 19 is a computer including a known RAM, ROM, CPU and the like. The control device 19 is connected to the delivery roller 12, the encoder 17, the cutting mechanism 18, the coloring nozzle 31, and the like, and controls the operation of the coloring device 1 as a whole by controlling these operations.

The control device 19 stores the pattern of the mark 6 in advance. When a predetermined pulse-like signal, that is, information corresponding to the amount of movement of the electric wire 3 is input from the encoder 17, the control device 19 applies the signal to a predetermined coil of the coloring nozzle 31 for a predetermined time, and A certain amount of the colorant is sprayed onto the wire 3 in a fixed amount. The control device 19 shortens the time interval at which the coloring material is sprayed from the coloring nozzle 31 when the moving speed of the electric wire 3 increases, and decreases the coloring nozzle when the moving speed of the electric wire 3 decreases. Increase the time interval for spraying the colorant from 31. Thus, the control device 19 colors the electric wire 3 according to the pattern stored in advance. The control device 19 causes the coloring nozzle 31 to spray a predetermined amount of the coloring material on the coloring nozzle 31 based on the movement amount of the electric wire 3 measured by the encoder 17.

When the control device 19 determines from the information from the encoder 17 that the electric wire 3 has moved by a predetermined amount, the control device 19 stops the delivery roll 12 and then brings the pair of cutting blades 48 and 49 closer to each other to disconnect the electric wire 3. Disconnect.

When forming the mark 6 on the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 with the coloring device 1 having the above-described configuration, that is, when coloring the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, first, the guide roll 11 is attached to the frame 10. The pair of cutting blades 48 and 49 are separated from each other, and the electric wire 3 wound on the guide roll 11 is sequentially passed through the straightening unit 13, the slack absorbing unit 14, the coloring unit 15, and the duct 16, and the pair of sending-outs is performed. And sandwiched between rolls 12. Then, a coloring nozzle 31 is attached to a predetermined portion of the unit main body 30 of the coloring unit 15, and a coloring material supply source 32 is connected to each coloring nozzle 31. Further, the pressurized gas supply source 33 is connected to the coloring material supply source 32, and the gas in the outside 16 is sucked by suction means.

Then, the delivery roll 12 is rotationally driven to pull the electric wire 3 from the guide roll 11 and move the electric wire 3 along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 3, and the first urging force HI is applied to the electric wire 3 by the correction unit 13. The electric wire 3 is stretched by applying a frictional force of Then, the moving roller 26, that is, the electric wire 3 is urged by the air cylinder 27 with the second urging force H2.

[0085] When a pulse signal in a predetermined order is input from the encoder 17 to the control device 19, the control device 19 applies the signal to the coil of the predetermined colored noise 31 at predetermined intervals for a predetermined time. Then, the coloring nozzle 31 sprays the coloring material by a fixed amount toward the outer surface 3 a of the electric wire 3.

[0086] Then, the above-mentioned solvent or dispersion evaporates from the coloring material attached to the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, and dyes the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 with a dye or paints the outer surface 3a with a pigment. Colorant Attached to Outer Surface 3a of Electric Wire 3 Evaporated solvent or dispersion is sucked from duct 16 by a suction means. Thus, the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 1 is colored.

When it is determined from the information from the encoder 17 and the like that the control device 19 has sent out the electric wire 3 having a predetermined length, the control device 19 stops the sending roll 12. Then, in particular, the electric wire 3 is loosened between the pair of guide rollers 24 of the slack absorbing unit 14, and the moving roller 26 urged by the second urging force H2 is displaced to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. I do. Then, the telescopic rod 29 of the air cylinder 27 of the slack absorbing unit 14 is extended. Then, the slack absorbing unit 14 absorbs the slack of the electric wire 3.

[0088] Then, the pair of cutting blades 48, 49 approach each other, and cut the electric wire 3 between the cutting blades 48, 49. Thus, the electric wire 3 in which the mark 6 is formed on the outer surface 3a shown in FIG. 5 and the like is obtained.

Further, when a predetermined amount of the liquid coloring material is sprayed from the above-described colored nozzle 31 toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, the first nozzle member 37 and the first nozzle member 37 are moved along the arrow Q along the axis R. A part of the coloring material flowing in the second nozzle member 50 collides with the end face 50a of the second nozzle member 50. Then, a part of the coloring material that has collided with the end face 50a generates a vortex indicated by an arrow S in FIG. 6 and stirs the coloring material. Then, the concentration of the coloring material in the second sloping member 50 is kept uniform.

Further, when the liquid colorant is sprayed from the colored nozzle 31 at a constant rate toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, the colorant enters the first nozzle member 37 from the flow path 39. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the pressure of the coloring material increases. Then, the pressure of the coloring material is substantially constant in the first knurling member 37. When a part of the coloring material collides with the end face 50a, the pressure of the coloring material rapidly increases. Then, when the droplets are sprayed from the second knurling member 50 toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, the pressure of the coloring material rapidly decreases.

[0091] When a predetermined amount of the liquid coloring material is sprayed from the coloring nozzle 31 toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 at a time, as shown in FIG. When the coloring material enters the nozzle member 37, the flow velocity of the coloring material decreases. Then, the flow rate (speed) of the coloring material is substantially constant in the first nozzle member 37 and gradually decreases toward the second nozzle member 50.

[0092] When a part of the coloring material collides with the end face 50a, the flow velocity (speed) of the coloring material rapidly increases. Then, when droplets are sprayed from the second nozzle member 50 toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, the speed of the coloring material is kept high. As described above, when the coloring material enters the second nozzle member 50, the pressure and the flow velocity (speed) of the coloring material rapidly increase or increase. Then, a liquid coloring material having a high pressure and a high flow velocity is sprayed toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3.

[0093] According to the present embodiment, the coloring material contains ethylene glycol. For this reason, the coloring material is hardly cured. Further, since the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 2% by mass or more, it is possible to prevent the coloring material from hardening without spraying the coloring material for a long time. Since the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 25% by mass or less, the coloring material can be sprayed in a predetermined amount without increasing the viscosity of the coloring material too much.

[0094] Further, since the coloring material can be prevented from being cured, it is of course possible to prevent the cured coloring material from affecting the direction in which the coloring material is sprayed. Therefore, the coloring material can be surely sprayed in a predetermined amount toward the desired position on the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3. In addition, a desired position on the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 can be colored as desired, and the colored portion (the above-described point 7) can be maintained in a desired area (size).

[0095] Further, the coloring material collides with the end face 50a of the second knurling member 50 and is stirred. Further, since the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member 50 are coaxially arranged and the end face 50a is perpendicular to (crosses) the arrow Q, the colorant is more reliably stirred. Therefore, the concentration of the dye or pigment in the coloring material is kept uniform. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the coloring material having an extremely high concentration from adhering to the coloring nozzle 50.

When the coloring material enters the second nozzle member 50 from the inside of the first nozzle member 37, the coloring material is rapidly pressurized. For this reason, the coloring material that is sprayed toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 by the force of the second nozzle member 50 is vigorously ejected toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the coloring material from adhering to the second nozzle member 50.

As described above, since the coloring material can be prevented from adhering to the second knurling member 50, the coloring material is surely dropped from the second knurling member 50 toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 by a fixed amount. Can shoot. In addition, since the colorant can be prevented from adhering to the second nozzle member 50, the colorant force adhering to the second nozzle member 50, etc., of course, has an effect on the direction in which the sprayed colorant is sprayed. Giving can be prevented. Therefore, the coloring material can be surely sprayed in a predetermined amount toward the desired position on the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, and the desired position of the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 can be colored in a desired manner. The area (size) described above (point 7 described above) can be maintained in a desired area (size).

[0098] While relatively moving the electric wire 3 and the coloring nozzle 31 along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 3, the coloring nozzle 31 sprays the colorant toward the electric wire 3 by a fixed amount at a time. In this way, the electric wire 3 is colored during the relative movement between the electric wire 3 and the colored lipstick 31. For this reason, since it is not necessary to stop the electric wire 3 in order to color the electric wire 3, the working efficiency is not reduced. In addition, since a predetermined amount of the coloring material is sprayed toward the electric wire 3 during the relative movement between the electric wire 3 and the colored knurling 31, any position of the electric wire 3 can be colored. Can color.

[0099] The encoder 17 measures the amount of movement of the electric wire 3, and the control device 19 controls the colored nozzle 31 according to the amount of movement of the electric wire 3. Therefore, when the moving speed of the electric wire 3 increases, the coloring material is sprayed. If the moving speed of the electric wire 3 is reduced, the interval at which the colorant is sprayed can be increased. Thus, even if the moving speed of the electric wire 3 changes, the interval between the coloring materials attached to the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 can be kept constant.

[0100] Therefore, even if the moving speed of the electric wire 3 changes, the coloring material can be attached to the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 according to a predetermined pattern. That is, even if the moving speed of the electric wire 3 changes, the electric wire 3 can be colored according to a predetermined pattern.

[0101] Next, the inventors of the present invention determined that a certain amount of each of a plurality of coloring materials having different concentrations of ethylene glycol was directed toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 from the coloring nozzle 31 of the coloring device 1 described above. I dripped. The time from when the spraying was stopped to when the colored nosores 31 and especially the nozzle members 37 and 50 became clogged, and the amount of one droplet (one drop) of the coloring material when continuously sprayed were measured. The results are shown in FIGS.

[0102] Fig. 8 shows the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material and the coloring nozzle after dropping was stopped.

The relation between 31 and the time until the nozzle members 37 and 50 are clogged is shown. FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material and the amount of one droplet (one droplet) of the coloring material when continuously sprayed. In FIG. 9, the amount of one droplet (one drop) of the coloring material sprayed by the coloring nozzle 31 was controlled to be 20 ml for all the coloring materials.

[0103] According to Fig. 8, it is shown that up to a concentration of 2% by weight of ethylene glycol, as the concentration of ethylene glycol becomes higher, the time until the colored nosore 31 rapidly becomes clogged becomes longer. Let's do it. It was also found that when the concentration of ethylene glycol was less than 2% by mass, the coloring material in the nozzle members 37, 50 of the coloring nozzle 31 was clogged within 8.3 hours. This is considered to be because if the concentration of ethylene glycol is less than 2% by mass, the ethylene glycol in the coloring material can hardly hinder the evaporation of the above-mentioned solvent or dispersion.

[0104] Further, it was found that as the concentration of ethylene glycol gradually increased from 2% by mass, the time until the coloring nozzle 31 clogged gradually became longer.

[0105] According to FIG. 9, when the concentration of ethylene glycol is less than 2% by mass, the colored

It became clear that the amount of the colorant droplets sprayed by 31 exceeded 22 ml. When the concentration of ethylene glycol is 2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, It became clear that the amount of the colorant droplets sprayed from the coloring nozzle 31 was 22 ml or less and 18 ml or more.

[0106] As described above, when the concentration of ethylene glycol is 2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, the amount of the coloring material droplets ejected by the coloring nozzle 31 is ± 20 ml (ie, the target value). %. That is, when the concentration of ethylene glycol was 2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, it became clear that the amount of the colorant droplets sprayed by the colored nozzle 31 could be maintained at a predetermined value.

[0107] Further, it was found that when the concentration of ethylene glycol exceeds 25% by mass, the amount of the colorant droplets sprayed by the colored nozzle 31 drops below 18ml. This is considered to be because when the concentration of ethylene glycol exceeds 25% by mass, the viscosity of the coloring material becomes too high and the coloring material itself does not easily pass through the nozzle members 37 and 50 due to the viscosity of the coloring material itself. .

[0108] As described above, according to Figs. 8 and 9, when the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, the coloring material is cured and the coloring nozzle 31 It became clear that the clogging could be prevented. In other words, it was clarified that by setting the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material to 2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, the coloring material can be surely sprayed in a desired direction. Therefore, it was clarified that the coloring material can be reliably sprayed in a predetermined amount toward the desired position on the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3, and that the desired position on the outer surface of the electric wire can be colored.

[0109] Further, by setting the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material to be 2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, the value of the amount of the coloring material droplet is set to, for example, plus minus 10. / o, and it is clear that the colorant can be surely sprayed in a fixed amount. Therefore, it became clear that the colored area (the point 7 described above) on the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3 can be maintained at a desired area (size).

In the above-described embodiment, the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member 50 are separate from each other. However, in the present invention, the first nozzle member 37 and the second nozzle member 50 may be integrated.

[0111] Further, in the present invention, as a coloring liquid and a paint, an acrylic paint, an ink (a dye System), uv ink and the like.

Note that the above-described embodiment merely shows a typical mode of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A method for coloring an electric wire, in which a predetermined amount of a liquid coloring material is sprayed toward an outer surface of the electric wire in a predetermined amount, and a droplet of the coloring material is attached to the outer surface of the electric wire to color the electric wire. The coloring material contains ethylene glycol,

A method for coloring an electric wire, wherein the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less.

[2] In a wire coloring apparatus for coloring a wire by spraying a predetermined amount of a liquid coloring material toward an outer surface of the wire and attaching a droplet of the coloring material to the outer surface of the wire, The coloring material contains ethylene glycol,

An electric wire coloring apparatus, wherein the concentration of ethylene glycol in the coloring material is 2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less.