WO2012169650A1

WO2012169650A1 - Electric wire marking apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2012169650A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/065053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moriatsu Taniguchi; Toshio Inada; Keigo Sugimura; Syota SATO
Original assignee: Yazaki Corporation
Priority date: 2011-06-06
Filing date: 2012-06-06
Publication date: 2012-12-13
Also published as: EP2718942A1; MX2013014334A; JP5706761B2; JP2012252943A; CN103597552A

Abstract

The marking apparatus performs marking on a covering portion of an electric wire 100 and is provided with an ink tank 10 storing dye ink, a felt portion 20 guiding the dye ink inside the ink tank 10, and a plurality of stamp portions 30 holding the dye ink supplied from the ink tank 10 through the felt portion 20 and interposing and stamping a covering portion of the electric wire 100. The stamp portions 30 are configured by porous material. Further, the dye ink has a viscosity of from 1.0 mPa.s to 10000 mPa.s.

Description

DESCRIPTION

ELECTRIC WIRE MARKING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electric wire marking apparatus and method.

Background Art

In the related art, in order to identify the purpose of use or the like of electric wires, there is known an electric wire marking apparatus performing marking on a covering portion of an electric wire. As such an electric wire marking apparatus, an apparatus which sprays dye ink onto the electric wire from a plurality of color nozzles arranged facing the electric wire to be sent out has been proposed (for example, refer to PTL 1). Further, proposals have also been made with regard to apparatuses performing marking by spraying dye ink onto electric wires from a single color nozzle (for example, refer to PTL 2 and PTL 3).

Citation List

Patent Literature

[PTL 1] JP-A-2008-93617

[PTL 2] JP-A-6-190341

[PTL 3] WO 2004/015721 Summary of Invention Technical Problem

However, in the marking apparatus disclosed in PTL 1 , there is a possibility in that a plurality of color nozzles are necessary and the apparatus is increased in size. Thus, the use of the marking apparatuses and methods disclosed in PTL 2 and PTL 3 may be considered; however, even with these marking methods, the loss of ink which is not sprayed onto the electric wires becomes great. Furthermore, the design shape of the marks in the covering portion is different in the circumferential direction of the electric wire and the identifying property thereof is deteriorated. In addition, control of the coating amount of the dye ink becomes difficult and, in cases where a large amount of dye ink is coated, the drying property thereof is deteriorated.

The present invention has been created for the purpose of solving such problems of the related art and the object of the invention is thus to provide an electric wire marking apparatus and method capable of suppressing an increase in the size of the apparatus, suppressing deterioration of the ink loss and identification property, and suppressing worsening of the drying property. Solution to Problem

The electric wire marking apparatus for the present invention is an electric wire marking apparatus performing marking on the covering portions of electric wires and is provided with an ink tank storing dye ink, and a plurality of porous materials holding the dye ink supplied from the ink tank and interposing and stamping the covering portions of the electric wires. The dye ink has a viscosity of from 1.0 mPa-s to 10000 mPa-s.

According to the electric wire marking apparatus, since the covering portion of the electric wire is interposed and stamped by the porous material holding the supplied dye ink, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of color nozzles and it is possible to suppress the increase in the size of the apparatus. Further, by using the porous material, the dye ink is used according to the degree of pressing against the electric wire covering portion, whereby it is possible to suppress ink loss and also to suppress the worsening of the drying property by not coating a large amount of dye ink. In addition, since the type is one of interposing and stamping, marking is performed from both sides of the covering portion of the electric wire, whereby, in comparison with a case where marking is performed from one side of the covering portion with a single color nozzle, the design shape does not easily change and it is possible to suppress deterioration of the identification property.

Accordingly, as well as suppressing the increase in apparatus size, deterioration of the ink loss and identification property is suppressed, and it is possible to suppress worsening of the drying property.

Further, in the electric wire marking apparatus, it is preferable that the dye ink be an alcohol based dye ink, the viscosity be from 2.0 mPa-s to 5.0 mPa-s, the dye be from 1% by mass to 10% by mass and the solid content be from 10% by mass to 20% by mass. According to the electric wire marking apparatus, in addition, since the dye ink is an alcohol based dye ink, generally, it is possible to use ink for stationery. Further, since the viscosity is from 2.0 mPa-s to 5.0 mPa-s, the dye is from 1 % by mass to 10% by mass and the solid content is from 10% by mass to 20% by mass, it is possible to obtain a favorable identification property after coating.

Further, in the electric wire marking apparatus, it is preferable that the plurality of porous materials have an alcohol resistant property.

According to the electric wire marking apparatus, since the porous materials have an alcohol resistant property, in a case where a general alcohol based dye ink is used, it is possible to suppress a situation where the porous material becomes hard and changes and the durability thereof deteriorates.

Further, it is preferable that the electric wire marking apparatus be provided with a control unit for moving the plurality of porous materials respectively to the electric wire side so as to perform marking, and a housing which stores the plurality of porous materials and exposes portions of the plurality of porous materials respectively. In a standby state in which marking is not performed on the electric wires, the control unit preferably makes one of the exposed portions of the plurality of porous materials respectively contact another of the exposed portions of the porous materials. According to the electric wire marking apparatus, in the standby state in which marking is not performed on the electric wire, since the exposed portions of the plurality of porous materials respectively contact exposed portions of other porous materials, it is possible to suppress the porous materials from being exposed to the atmosphere in the standby state and drying.

Further, the electric wire marking method is an electric wire marking method performing marking on the covering portion of electric wires and including interposing and stamping the covering portions of the electric wires using a plurality of porous materials holding the dye ink supplied from the ink tank with a viscosity of from 1.0 mPa-s to 10000 mPa-s.

According to the electric wire marking method, since the covering portions of the electric wires are interposed and stamped using porous materials holding the supplied dye ink, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of color nozzles and it is possible to suppress the increase in the size of the apparatus. Further, by using the porous material, the dye ink is used according to the degree of pressing against the electric wire covering portion, whereby it is possible to suppress ink loss and also to suppress the worsening of the drying property by not coating a large amount of dye ink. In addition, since the type is one of interposing and stamping, marking is performed from both sides of the covering portion of the electric wire, whereby, in comparison with a case where marking is performed from one side of the covering portion with a single color nozzle, the design shape does not easily change and it is possible to suppress deterioration of the identification property. Accordingly, as well as suppressing the increase in apparatus size, deterioration of the ink loss and identification property is suppressed, and it is possible to suppress worsening of the drying property.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric wire marking apparatus and method capable of suppressing an increase in the size of the apparatus, suppressing deterioration of the ink loss and identification property, and suppressing worsening of the drying property.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configurational diagram showing an electric wire marking apparatus relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged diagram showing the stamp portion shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an operation diagram showing the electric wire marking method and showing the state of the apparatus during marking.

Fig. 4 is an operation diagram showing the electric wire marking method and showing the state of the apparatus in the standby state.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the electric wire marked by the electric wire marking apparatus relating to the present embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

Below, description will be given of preferred embodiments of the present invention based on the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic configurational diagram showing an electric wire marking apparatus relating to an embodiment of the present invention.

The marking apparatus for the electric wire 100 shown in Fig. 1 performs marking for electric wire identification on the covering portion of the electric wire 100 and is configured by an ink tank 10 storing the dye ink, a felt portion 20 guiding the dye ink inside the ink tank 10, two stamp portions 30, and a housing 40. The marking apparatus has a function of receiving a command from a control unit (the control unit which is not shown) and moving the stamp portions 30 in a direction so as to approach each other and a direction so as to separate from each other.

The ink tank 10 stores the dye ink in the interior thereof, has a funnel shape, and has a lid member 11 provided at the large diameter opening portion 10a side of the funnel. Further, the ink tank 10 is connected to a felt portion 20 at the small diameter opening portion 10b side. The dye ink inside the ink tank 10 permeates from the small diameter opening portion 10b side to the felt portion 20. When the amount of dye ink 0 of the interior becomes small, it is possible to detach the lid member 11 from the ink tank 10 to add dye ink. Further, the ink tank 10 may use a cartridge system or the like without being limited to the adding system. Moreover, the ink tank 10 may take a different form without being limited to the form shown in Fig. 1 or the like.

The felt portion 20 supplies dye ink from the ink tank 10 to the stamp portions 30. The felt portion 20 may be provided with capillary spacing and, for example, a resin processed body of a fiber bundle, a heat seal processed body of a fiber bundle, a felt processed body, a felt needle punch processing body, porous material of porous polyfoam of a synthetic resin or the like, or an extrusion molded body of synthetic resin having an ink guide channel in the axis direction or the like may be exemplified. As the material, an acrylic fiber, or a synthetic fiber resin of a polyester fiber or the like may be used. Further, the felt portion 20 may be provided with an outer skin made from a synthetic resin film or the like at the circumference surface thereof. The stamp portions 30 are configured by porous material and, for example, one in which acrylic fiber, polyester fiber, nylon (registered trademark) fiber, or vinylon fiber is set as the raw material and the raw material is hardened with resin or sintered may be used. The stamp portions 30 are connected to the opposite side of the connection of the ink tank 10 in the felt portion 20 and hold dye ink supplied through the felt portion 20 from the ink tank 10. Further, the stamp portions 30 are arranged so as to interpose the electric wire 100 from above and below and may be driven by the control unit to move to the covering portion side of the electric wire 100. Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged diagram showing the stamp portion 30 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the stamp portions 30 are configured such that the tips are exposed to the outside from an opening 41 formed in the housing 40 and the exposed portions are configured so as to contact the covering portion of the electric wire 00 and cause dye ink to adhere thereto. Further, in Fig. 2, only one stamp portion 30 is shown; however, the same applies to the other stamp portion 30. In other words, the two stamp portions 30 are respectively stored in the housing 40 and configured such that one part of each is exposed. Further, the housing 40 includes a guide portion 42. The guide portion 42 is a projection protruding from the vicinity of the opening 41 of the housing 40 to the arrangement side of the electric wire 100. The guide portion 42 controls the pressing amount on the electric wire 100 so as to be 1.0 mm or less. In other words, when marking is performed on the covering portion of the electric wire 100, a moderate stamp is realized without more than 1 mm of porous material being pressed against the covering portion.

An outline of the marking method of the electric wire 100 will be given below. Fig. 3 is an operation diagram showing the marking method of the electric wire 100 and showing the state of the apparatus during marking. When marking is performed on the covering portion of the electric wire 100, two stamp portions 30 are moved in a direction so as to approach each other according to a command from the control unit. In this manner, the stamp portions 30 contact the electric wire 100 (refer to Fig. 3). Then, marking is performed. Thereafter, the two stamp portions 30 are moved in a direction so as to separate from each other according to a command from the control unit (refer to Fig. 1). In this manner, the stamp portions 30 are distanced from the electric wire 100. In this manner, since the covering portion of the electric wire 100 is interposed and stamped, there is no need to provide a plurality of color nozzles and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the apparatus. Further, as a result of using porous material for the stamp portions 30, the dye ink is used in accordance with the part pressed against the covering portion of the electric wire 100, whereby it is possible to suppress ink loss, and the dye ink is not coated in a large amount, whereby it is also possible to suppress the worsening of the drying property. In addition, since the type is one of interposing and stamping, marking is performed from both sides of the covering portion of the electric wire 100, whereby the design shape does not easily change and it is possible to suppress deterioration of the identification property in comparison with a case where marking is performed from one side of the covering portion with one color nozzle.

Further, the following describes the stamp portions 30 in the present embodiment while in a standby state where marking is not performed on the covering portion of the electric wire 100. Fig. 4 is an operation diagram showing the marking method of the electric wire 100 and showing the state of the apparatus in the standby state. As shown in Fig. 4, when the two stamp portions 30 enter the standby state, they are moved in a direction so as to approach each other according to a command from the control unit. At this time, the stamp portions 30 are moved toward each other to a greater extent than at the time of performing marking on the covering portion of the electric wire 100 and contact each other. As a result, the respective stamp portions 30 are shaped such that the exposed portion of one stamp portion 30 contacts the exposed portion of the other and the entire circumference thereof is substantially covered by the housing 40. Thus, in the present embodiment, the drying of the dye ink is prevented.

Further, the dye ink in the present embodiment has a viscosity of from 1.0 mPa-s to 10000 mPa-s. This is because, if the viscosity is less than 1.0 mPa-s, since the fluidity of the liquid is increased and the surface tension is deteriorated, it is not possible to retain the dye ink inside the porous material and ink leakage may occur. Further, another reason is that, if the viscosity is more than 10000 mPa-s, the permeation into the porous material becomes extremely slow and it is no longer possible to supply the dye ink using the capillary force of the porous material.

In particular, the dye ink is an alcohol based dye ink. As a result, it is possible to apply a general ink for stationery. Further, in this case, the porous material configuring the stamp portions 30 is preferably a material having an alcohol resistant property. This is because it is possible to suppress a situation where the porous material becomes hard and changes shape and the durability deteriorates when a general alcohol based dye ink is used. Further, it is preferable that the dye have a viscosity of from 2.0 mPa-s to 5.0 mPa-s. This is because, when the viscosity is from 2.0 mPa-s to 5.0 mPa-s, an appropriate coating film is formed after coating and it is possible to obtain a favorable identification property and drying property. Further, in the dye ink, the dye is preferably from 1% by mass to 10% by mass. This is because, when the dye is from 1% by mass to 10% by mass, it is possible to obtain a favorable identification property without cases where the color becomes too thick or too thin or the like after coating. Further, the dye ink preferably has a solid content of from 10% by mass to 20% by mass. This is because, when the solid content is less than 10% by mass, the film thickness after coating becomes thin and the hue of the color becomes thin. Further, another reason is that, when the solid content exceeds 20% by mass, the film thickness after coating becomes thick and the hue becomes thick, whereby it is no longer possible to obtain a favorable identification property.

Next, description will be given regarding the number of times of use. In the present embodiment, since the porous material is one having an alcohol resistant property (for example, PE), the material is excellent with regard to the number of times used to perform marking on the covering portion.

For example, when vinyl chloride was used as the porous material (pore size 70 μηη, pore ratio 75%), the stamp portions 30 became hard and changed shape after approximately 300000 times of marking. In contrast, when PE was used as the porous material (pore size 10 μητι, pore ratio 64%), even after approximately 600000 times of marking, the stamp portions 30 did not become hard or change shape so as to be particularly noticeable. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the electric wire 100 marked by the marking apparatus for the electric wire 100 relating to the present embodiment. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to mark a color pattern enabling understanding of the circuit information (in other words, the electric wire classification) on the covering portion of the electric wire 100. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, by placing dots 101 on terminal portions and placing dots 02 on intermediate portions between terminals, it is possible to assign circuit information to the electric wire 100. Further, although not shown in Fig. 5, it is possible to mark letters, to mark symbols, or suchlike. Further, it is also possible to mark different dots.

In this manner, according to the marking apparatus for the electric wire 100 and method relating to the present embodiment, since the covering portion of the electric wire 100 is interposed and stamped using a porous material holding supplied dye ink, there is no need to provide a plurality of color nozzles and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the apparatus. Further, by using the porous material, the dye ink is used in accordance with the part pressed against the covering portion of the electric wire 100, whereby it is possible to suppress ink loss, and the dye ink is not coated in a large amount, whereby it is also possible to suppress the worsening of the drying property. In addition, since the method is one of interposing and stamping, marking is performed from both sides of the covering portion of the electric wire 100, whereby the design shape does not easily change and it is possible to suppress deterioration of the identification property in comparison with a case where marking is performed from one side of the covering portion with one color nozzle. Accordingly, along with suppressing an increase in the size of the apparatus, deterioration of the ink loss and the identification property is suppressed and it is possible to suppress worsening of the drying property.

Further, since the dye ink is an alcohol based dye ink, generally, it is possible to apply ink for stationery. Further, since the viscosity is from 2.0 mPa-s to 5.0 mPa-s, the dye is from 1% by mass to 10% by mass and the solid content is from 10% by mass to 20% by mass, it is possible to obtain a favorable identification property after coating.

Further, since the porous material has an alcohol resistant property, it is possible to suppress a situation where the porous material becomes hard and changes shape and the durability deteriorates when a general alcohol based dye ink is used.

Further, in the standby state where marking is not performed on the electric wire, since the respective exposed portions of the plurality of porous materials are made to contact other exposed portions of the porous materials, it is possible to suppress the porous material from being exposed to the atmosphere and drying in the standby state.

Above, description has been given of the present invention based on embodiments; however, the present invention is not limited to the above- described embodiments and may be modified within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-126278 filed on June 6, 2011 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Industrial Applicability

Reference Sign List

1 MARKING APPARATUS

10 TANK

20 FELT PORTION

30 STAMP PORTION

40 HOUSING

41 OPENING

42 GUIDE PORTION

100 ELECTRIC WIRE

101 , 102 DOTS

Claims

1. An electric wire marking apparatus which performs marking on a covering portion of an electric wire, comprising:

an ink tank storing a dye ink; and

a plurality of porous materials holding the dye ink supplied from the ink tank and interposing and stamping the covering portion of the electric wire, wherein the dye ink has a viscosity of from 1.0 mPa-s to 0000 mPa-s.

2. The electric wire marking apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the dye ink is an alcohol based dye ink, which has a viscosity from 2.0 mPa-s to 5.0 mPa s, a dye from 1 % by mass to 10% by mass and a solid content from 10% by mass to 20% by mass.

3. The electric wire marking apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the plurality of porous materials have an alcohol resistant property.

4. The electric wire marking apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a control unit moving the plurality of porous materials respectively to an electric wire side so as to perform marking, and

a housing which stores the plurality of porous materials and exposes portions of the plurality of porous materials respectively,

wherein, in a standby state in which marking is not performed on the electric wire, the control unit makes one of the exposed portions of the plurality of porous materials respectively contact another of the exposed portions of the porous materials.

5. An electric wire marking method performing marking on a covering portion of an electric wire, comprising:

interposing and stamping the covering portion of the electric wire using a plurality of porous materials holding dye ink supplied from an ink tank with a viscosity of from 1.0 mPa-s to 10000 mPa-s.