WO2003071560A1

WO2003071560A1 - Electric wire and wire coloring apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2003071560A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/000149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takeshi Kamata; Shigeharu Suzuki; Keigo Sugimura; Kiyoshi Yagi
Original assignee: Yazaki Corporation
Priority date: 2002-02-19
Filing date: 2003-01-10
Publication date: 2003-08-28
Also published as: JPWO2003071560A1; EP1477994A1; CN100354983C; AU2003203153A1; CN1643622A; EP1477994A4; MXPA04008098A; JP4511837B2

Abstract

An electric wire which is easily identified and suppresses a decrease in the quality of a wire harness to be assembled, and a wire coloring apparatus. An electric wire (1) comprises a core (2) and a coated section (3) that coats the core (2). The outer surface (3a) of the coated section (3) has a first identifying section (4) and a mark (5). The first identifying section (4) lies over the whole periphery of the outer surface (3a) of the coated section (3) located at the central section (1a) of the wire (1) in the longitudinal direction. The first identifying section (4) is formed of the outer surface (3a) colored in a first color (G) different from the color (P) of a colorless synthetic resin which constitutes the coated section (3). The mark (5) lies in a colorless region (6) provided at each end (1b) of the wire (1). The colorless region (6) is formed by removing the colorless coated section (3). The mark (5) lies by keeping the colorless region (6) colored partially in a second color (H).

Description

Specification

Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a wire and an electric wire coloring apparatus including a conductive core wire and an insulating covering portion that covers the core wire. Background art

Various electronic devices are mounted on a vehicle as a moving body. For this reason, the automobile and the like are provided with a wire harness in order to transmit power from a power source or the like or a control signal from a computer or the like to the electronic device. The wire harness includes a plurality of electric wires 100 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), a connector attached to an end of the electric wires 100, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electric wire 100 includes a conductive core wire 101 and a covering portion 102 made of an insulating synthetic resin that covers the core wire 101. I have. The electric wire 100 is a so-called covered electric wire. The electric wire 100 is manufactured by extruding and covering an insulating synthetic resin on the outer periphery of the core wire 101. When the above-described extrusion coating is performed, the electric wire 100 is mixed with the above-described synthetic resin and mixed with a desired colorant to be colored in a desired color.

The connector has a conductive terminal fitting and an insulating connector housing.

. The terminal fitting is attached to an end of the electric wire 100 and electrically connected to the core wire 101 of the electric wire 100. The connector housing is formed in a box shape and houses the terminal fitting.

When assembling the wire harness, first, the wire 100 is cut into a predetermined length, and a terminal fitting is attached to an end of the wire 100 or the like. Connect the wires 100 as necessary. Then, insert the terminal fitting into the connector housing. Thus, the above-described wire harness is assembled.

The electric wire 100 of the above-mentioned wire harness has a size of the core wire 101 and a covering portion 100. It is necessary to distinguish the material 2 (change of material depending on the presence or absence of heat resistance) and the purpose of use. The intended use is, for example, a control system such as an airbag, an antilock brake system (ABS) or vehicle speed information, or a system (system) of an automobile in which electric wires 100 such as a power transmission system are used.

The electric wire 100 of the wiring harness is colored in various colors by mixing various coloring agents into the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion 102 in order to identify the purpose of use (system) described above. Markings have been applied. Thus, in the electric wire 100 shown in FIG. 4, the outer surface 102 a of the covering portion 102 is formed in a stripe pattern with two different colors A and B (indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 4). Have been.

In the electric wire 100 shown in FIG. 5, a desired coloring agent is mixed into the synthetic resin constituting the coating portion 102 when the coating is performed by extrusion, and the outer surface 102 a of the coating portion 102 is desired. Color C (shown by oblique lines in Fig. 5). A mark 103 is formed on the outer surface 102a of the covering portion 102 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The mark 103 is formed by coloring a part of the outer surface 102 a of the covering part 102 into a color D, E (shown by oblique parallel lines in FIG. 5) different from the color C, Is formed.

On the other hand, a variety of demands are being given to automobiles by users and the like. For this reason, it is desired that the automobile be equipped with a wider variety of electronic devices. Therefore, for example, about 100 types of electric wires 100 may be used for the wire harness. In this case, wires 100 of various colors are used. Therefore, in the electric wire 100 shown in FIG. 4, a stripe pattern is formed by various combinations of the colors A and B. In addition, in the electric wire 100 shown in FIG. 5, the combination of the color C of the colorant mixed into the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion 102 and the colors D and E of the mark 103 is varied. It responds by doing.

In addition, it is desirable that the wire 100 be thinner in the above-described wiring harness for a car or the like in order to suppress an increase in weight due to mounting of the various electronic devices described above. It is rare. In the wire 100 of the stripe illustrated in FIG. 4 described above, the pattern constituting the stripe becomes narrower as the width becomes thinner, and it becomes difficult to identify the combination of the two colors A and B described above. For this reason, when assembling the wire harness, the possibility of incorrectly arranging the wires 100 increases, and It is conceivable to lower the quality of the harness.

On the other hand, the electric wire 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 is colored in a predetermined color by mixing a coloring agent into the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion 102. Furthermore, marks 103 of colors D and E different from the color C of the synthetic resin are formed at the end. If the electric wire 100 becomes thinner, it may be difficult to distinguish the mark 103 depending on the combination of the color C of the covering portion 102 and the colors D and E of the mark 103. For this reason, when assembling the wire harness, it is conceivable that the possibility of incorrectly arranging the electric wire 100 is increased and the quality of the wire harness is reduced.

In addition, it is desired that the outer surfaces of these electric wires are colored with various combinations of colors so that various electric wires can be easily identified. However, as described above, when a coloring agent is mixed with the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion when the covering portion is extruded and covered, it is necessary to stop the electric wire manufacturing apparatus when changing the color. There was. Or, change the colorant to be mixed without stopping the operation of the wire manufacturing equipment. In this case, an electric wire in which the colorant before and after the change are mixed is manufactured. For this reason, the yield of electric wires was reduced. For this reason, conventional wire manufacturing equipment is not suitable for manufacturing wires of various colors.

On the other hand, in various wire coloring devices that have been proposed in the past, marking is applied to the end of the wire. As described above, with the conventionally proposed wire coloring apparatus, since only the end of the wire is marked, there is a limit to the combination of colors, and the wires of various colors as described above are manufactured. Not enough for.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide an electric wire that can be easily identified and that prevents deterioration of the quality of a wire harness to be assembled. A second object of the present invention is to provide an electric wire coloring apparatus capable of easily obtaining electric wires of various colors on the outer surface. Disclosure of the invention

In order to achieve the first object, an electric wire of the present invention is an electric wire comprising: a conductive core wire; and a covering portion made of a synthetic resin and covering the core wire. The outer surface of the central portion is colored with a first color different from the color of the synthetic resin. A first identification portion formed, and a second identification portion formed by coloring a part of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion with a second color different from the color of the synthetic resin. With this, the first identification portion is formed on the outer surface of the central portion of the covering portion. The first color of the first identification portion is different from the color of the synthetic resin. For this reason, even if the wire becomes thin, the first color of the first identification portion can be easily identified because the first identification portion is formed on the covering portion. Further, the second identification portion is formed at a part of both ends of the covering portion. The second identification part is formed on the outer surface of the covering part. Further, the second color of the second identification portion is different from the color of the synthetic resin. Therefore, the second color of the second identification section can be easily identified.

The term “coloring the outer surface of the covering portion” in this specification means that the outer surface of the covering portion of the electric wire is colored with a coloring material. Colorants are liquid substances in which colorants (industrial organic substances) are dissolved or dispersed in water or other solvents. Organic substances include dyes and pigments (mostly organic substances, synthetic products), 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. 'A colored liquid indicates a substance in which a dye is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, and a paint indicates a substance in which a pigment is dispersed in a dispersion. For this reason, when the outer surface of the coating portion is colored with the coloring liquid, the dye penetrates into the coating portion, and when the outer surface of the coating portion is colored with paint, the pigment adheres to the outer surface without penetrating into the coating portion. That is, coloring the outer surface of the coating portion in the present specification means that at least a part of the outer surface of the coating portion is dyed with a dye, and that at least a part of the outer surface of the coating portion is coated with a pigment. Is shown.

Further, it is desirable that the solvent and the dispersion have an affinity with the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion of the electric wire. In this case, the dye will surely penetrate into the coating, and the pigment will surely adhere to the outer surface of the coating.

Further, between the first identification portion and the second identification portion, a region where the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion is exposed is provided.

As a result, an area is provided between the first identification unit and the second identification unit. I have. For this reason, the first identification unit and the second identification unit can be easily identified.

Furthermore, a plurality of the second identification portions are provided at both ends of the covering portion, respectively, and the second identification portions have different second colors.

Thus, a plurality of second identification portions are provided at both ends of the covering portion. For this reason, the types of electric wires to be identified can be increased by a combination of the second colors of the plurality of second identification units and the first colors of the first identification units. In order to achieve the second object, an electric wire coloring apparatus according to the present invention provides an electric wire coloring apparatus, comprising: a conductive core wire; and a coating portion made of a synthetic resin and covering the core wire. In the apparatus for coloring an electric wire to be colored, a first coloring means for coloring an outer surface of a central portion in a longitudinal direction of the covering portion to a first color different from a color of an outer surface of the covering portion; And a second coloring means for coloring a part of both ends in the longitudinal direction to a second color different from the color of the outer surface of the covering portion.

Thereby, the first coloring means colors the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion to the first color. The second coloring means colors a part of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion into a second color. For this reason, the types of electric wires to be identified can be increased by combining the first color and the second color.

Further, the first and second coloring means color the outer surface with first and second colors different from the color of the outer surface of the covering portion. Therefore, the color of the outer surface of the electric wire can be easily changed by changing the first and second colors.

Further, the first coloring means desirably colors the entire periphery of the outer surface of the central portion of the covering portion with the first color. In this case, even if the wire becomes thin, the first color can be easily recognized, and the wire can be easily identified. Further, the electric wires colored by the first and second coloring means are preferably uncolored electric wires. In this case, the first coloring means and the second coloring means can reliably color the electric wire into the first color and the second color. Therefore, it is possible to reliably obtain wires of various colors on the outer surface.

A moving means for moving the electric wire along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire; a measuring means capable of measuring a predetermined position of the electric wire moved by the moving means; a predetermined position of the electric wire measured by the measuring means; And control means for controlling the operation of the first coloring means and the second coloring means based on. Thereby, the outer surface of the electric wire is colored while moving along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire. The control means controls the operations of the first coloring means and the second coloring means based on the predetermined position of the electric wire measured by the measuring means. For this reason, the first coloring means and the second coloring means can color the predetermined position with the first color and the second color. The predetermined (constant) position of the electric wire to be measured by the measuring means may be any position on the electric wire as long as it is a reference position when coloring while moving the electric wire. As the predetermined position of the electric wire, it can be used at the end of the electric wire, the end of the portion colored by the first coloring means in the first color, or the like.

Further, the second coloring means is provided on the downstream side in the moving direction of the electric wire from the first coloring means, and is spaced apart from a portion colored by the first coloring means and the both ends. The area where the synthetic resin is exposed is colored in a second color.

Thereby, the second coloring means colors the position spaced apart from the portion colored by the first coloring means to the second color. In addition, the second coloring means colors the outer surface of the synthetic resin constituting the exposed coating portion into a second color. Therefore, the electric wire has an outer surface of the synthetic resin between the first color and the second color. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating an electric wire according to one embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view of the electric wire according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a perspective view of FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric wire shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a coloring and cutting device for obtaining the electric wire shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main part of the electric wire shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example of a conventional electric wire, (a) is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional electric wire, and (b) is a plan view of the electric wire shown in FIG. 4 (a). FIG. Fig. 5 is an explanatory view showing another example of the conventional electric wire, (a) is a perspective view showing another example of the conventional electric wire, and (b) is a view shown in Fig. 5 (a). FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an electric wire and an electric wire coloring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.

The electric wire 1 constitutes a 'wire harness' that is routed to a vehicle or the like as a moving body. As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the electric wire 1 includes a conductive core wire 2 and an insulating coating portion 3. The core wire 2 is formed by twisting a plurality of strands. The wires constituting the core wire 2 are made of a conductive metal. Further, the core wire 2 may be composed of one strand.

The coating portion 3 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Various colorants are not mixed in the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion 3. For this reason, the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion 3 is non-colored, and the outer surface 3a of the covering portion 3 has the color P of the synthetic resin (shown by a white background in FIG. 1). The outer surface 3 a of the covering portion 3 forms the outer surface of the electric wire 1. The term “non-colored” as used in the present specification refers to a state where various coloring materials are not mixed in the synthetic resin forming the covering portion 3 of the electric wire 1. Non-colored means that the outer surface 3a of the covering portion 3 has the color P of the synthetic resin itself described above.

The covering part 3 covers the core wire 2. On the outer surface 3a of the covering portion 3, a first identification portion 4 as a portion colored by a first coloring unit 12 described later and a mark 5 as a second identification portion are formed. ing. The first identification portion 4 is formed on the outer surface 3 a of the covering portion 3 located at the central portion 1 a in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1. The central part 1a forms the central part in the longitudinal direction of the covering part 3 described in this specification.

The first discriminating portion 4 is formed such that the outer surface 3a of the covering portion 3 made of a synthetic resin of the color P (shown by a white background in FIG. 1) extends over the entire periphery of the central portion 1a. It is colored with a first colorant of color G (shown by oblique lines in FIG. 1). The first color G is different from the color P of the synthetic resin. Thus, the first identification portion 4 is formed by coloring the entire outer surface 3 a of the central portion 1 a in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion 3 with the first color G. The mark 5 is formed on the outer surface 3a of the covering portion 3 located at both ends 1b in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1. Both ends lb are the ends in the longitudinal direction of the coating portion 3 described in this specification. No. The mark 5 is formed on the non-colored area 6 as an area located at both ends 1b. The non-colored region 6 is formed by exposing the outer surface 3a of the covering portion 3 made of the synthetic resin of the color P (shown by a white background in FIG. 1) over the entire periphery of the both ends 1b. Have been. For this reason, the uncolored area 6 is not colored with various coloring materials, and the outer surface of the synthetic resin of the color P that forms the covering portion 3 is exposed.

The mark 5 is formed by coloring a part of the uncolored area 6 located at both ends 1 b with a second coloring material of a second color H different from both the color P and the first color G. Have been. That is, the mark 5 is formed by coloring a part of both ends 1b with a second color H different from both the color P and the first color G.

In the illustrated example, the mark 5 has a rectangular planar shape. Also, two (plural) marks 5 are formed at one end lb of the electric wire 1. When a plurality of marks 5 are formed on one end l b, the second colors H of these marks 5 are preferably different from each other. Note that three or more marks 5 may be formed at one end 1b of the electric wire 1. Thus, the mark 5 is formed by coloring a part of both ends 1 b of the covering portion 3 with the second color H. Further, the second color H may be the same as the first color G as long as the second color H is different from the color P of the synthetic resin forming the covering portion 3.

The term “coloring the outer surface 3 a of the covering portion 3” in this specification means that the outer surface 3 a of the covering portion 3 of the electric wire 1 is colored with a coloring material. Coloring materials are liquid substances in which coloring materials (organic organic substances) are dissolved or dispersed in water or other solvents. Organic substances include dyes and pigments (mostly organic substances and synthetic products). Sometimes, dyes are used as pigments and pigments are used as dyes. As a more specific example, the coloring material in the present 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. For this reason, when the outer surface 3a of the coating portion 3 is colored with the coloring liquid, the dye penetrates into the coating portion 3, and when the outer surface 3a of the coating portion 3 is colored with paint, the pigment is in the coating portion 3. Adhere to the outer surface 3a without soaking. That is, to color the outer surface 3a of the sheath 3 in the present specification means that at least a part of the outer surface 3a of the sheath 3 of the electric wire 1 is dyed with a dye. Indicates that a pigment is applied to at least a part of the outer surface 3a of the covering portion 3 of the wire 1.The solvent and the dispersion have an affinity with the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion 3 of the electric wire 1. Things are desirable. In this case, the dye will surely penetrate into the coating 3 of the electric wire 1 and the pigment will surely adhere to the outer surface 3 a of the coating 3 of the electric wire 1.

In the electric wire 1 having the above-described configuration, the mark 5 as the second identification portion is formed in the non-colored region 6 located at both ends 1b. For this reason, on the outer surface 3 a of the covering portion 3, an uncolored region 6 (the outer surface of the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion 3) is provided between the first identification portion 4 and the mark 5. Have been. That is, between the first identification part 4 and the mark 5, the outer surface of the synthetic resin constituting the covering part 3 is exposed.

Further, the electric wire 1 having the above-described configuration has a length L (shown in FIG. 3) of the covering portion 3 along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1, and a length L of the first identifying portion 4 along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1. The length L 2 (shown in FIG. 3) and the length L 1 (shown in FIG. 3) of the uncolored area 6 along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1 are predetermined.

Further, in one uncolored area 6 located on the right side in FIG. 3 (downstream of arrow K described later), the distance L between one mark 5 near the end of the wire 1 and the end of the wire 1 a is predetermined. In both uncolored areas 6, the length Lb of one mark 5 near the end of the wire 1 along the longitudinal direction of the wire 1, the distance Lc between the marks 5, and the other near the center of the wire 1 The length L d along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1 marked 5 is predetermined. In addition, in the other uncolored area 6 located on the left side in FIG. 3 (upstream of arrow K described later), the distance between the first identification unit 4 and the other mark 5 near the center of the electric wire 1 L e is predetermined.

The electric wires 1 having the above-described configuration are bundled together and a connector or the like is attached to an end or the like to constitute the above-described wire harness. The connectors are connected to connectors of various electronic devices such as automobiles, and the wire harness, that is, the electric wire 1 transmits various signals and electric power to each electronic device. At this time, the first identification unit 4 indicates, for example, the above-described system of an automobile. The mark 5 indicates the position of the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector into which the terminal fitting attached to the end is inserted. The combination of the first color G and the second color H makes the wires 1 distinguishable from each other. The electric wire 1 having the above-described configuration can be obtained by an electric wire coloring / cutting device (hereinafter simply referred to as a colored cutting device) 10 shown in FIG. In this specification, an electric wire before being processed by the coloring and cutting device 10 is denoted by reference numeral 30, and an electric wire after being processed by the coloring and cutting device 10 is denoted by reference numeral 1.

The coloring and cutting device 10 shown in FIG. 2 forms the coloring device for electric wires described in this specification. The coloring and cutting device 10 cuts a very long uncolored electric wire 30 wound around the drum 11 or the like into a desired length based on the length L. Based on the lengths L I and L 2, the outer surface 3 a of the covering portion 3 is colored with a first coloring material to form a first identification portion 4. Based on the distances L a, L c, L e and the lengths L b, L d, a part of the uncolored area 6 is colored with a second coloring material to form a mark 5. Thus, the colored cutting device 10 colors the outer surface 3a of the uncolored electric wire 30 to manufacture the electric wire 1 in which the outer surface 3a of the covering portion 3 is colored. The uncolored electric wire 30 is one in which the entire outer surface 3a of the covering portion 3 is not colored with the coloring material.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coloring and cutting device 10 includes a first coloring unit 12 as a first coloring unit, a second coloring unit 13 as a second coloring unit, and a cutting unit. A unit 14, an encoder 17 as measuring means, a control device 18 as control means, and the like are provided.

The coloring and cutting device 10 runs the uncolored electric wire 30 along the first coloring unit 12, the second coloring unit 13, and the cutting unit 14 along the arrow K in FIG. 2 in this order. (Move) to manufacture the wire 1. The arrow K indicates the moving (running) direction of the electric wires 30 and 1. The coloring and cutting device 10 includes a plurality of drive rollers 15 and a plurality of driven rollers 16 as moving means for moving (moving) the electric wire 30 and the electric wire 1. The driven roller 16 serves as a roller for guiding the moving directions of the electric wires 30 and 1.

The first coloring unit 12 includes an impregnation tank 20, a lifting roller 21, and a squeegee 22. The impregnation tank 20 is formed in a box shape with an open top. The impregnation tank 20 contains the first colorant of the first color G. The electric wire 30 is moved above the impregnation tank 20 by the rollers 15 and 16 described above. The lifting roller 21 is provided movably along the vertical direction. That is, the elevating roller 21 can move up and down freely. is there.

When the elevating roller 21 descends, the electric wire 30 running by the rollers 15 and 16 is attached (penetrated) to the first coloring material in the impregnation tank 20. When the lifting roller 21 ascends, it pulls up the wire 30 running by the rollers 15, 16 from the first coloring material in the impregnation tank 20. In this manner, the electric wire 30 traveling by the rollers 15 and 16 is positioned at the position attached to the first coloring material indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2 and at the position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It can be displaced over the position where it has come out of the coloring material.

The squeegee 22 is disposed downstream of the arrow K in the impregnation tank 20. The squeegee 22 removes an excess of the first coloring material applied to the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 1 from the outer surface 3a. According to the above-described configuration, the first coloring unit 12 is configured to color the outer surface 3a of the central portion 1a in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion 3 with the first color G different from the color P to perform the first identification. Form part 4.

The second colored unit 13 is provided on the downstream side of the arrow K of the first colored unit 12. The second coloring unit 13 is provided with an atomizer (spray) 23. The second coloring units 13 are provided according to the number of the marks 5. In the illustrated example, two marks 5 are formed on one end 1 b (one wire 1 is formed with four marks 5), so four sprayers 23 are provided. . The sprayer 23 sprays the second coloring material of the second color H onto a part of the uncolored area 6 to form the mark 5.

With the above-described configuration, the second coloring unit 13 forms a part of the uncolored area 6 that is spaced from the first identification unit 4 and that has the synthetic resin exposed at both ends 1 b in the second color H. Color. Thus, the second coloring unit 13 colors at least a part of both ends 1b in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion 3 with the second color H different from the color P.

The cutting unit 14 is provided on the downstream side of the arrow K of the second coloring unit 13. The cutting unit 14 includes a pair of cutting blades 24. These cutting blades 24 position the electric wires 1, 30 running by the rollers 15, 16, etc., between each other. The cutting blades 24 move toward and away from (contact with) each other. The cutting blades 24 approach each other, cut the electric wire 30 with the electric wire 30 interposed therebetween, Obtain the wire 1 described above.

The encoder 17 has a rotor 25. The rotor 25 is rotatable around the axis. The outer peripheral surface of the rotor 25 is in contact with the sheath 3 covering the core wire 2. The rotor 25 rotates when the core wire 2, that is, the electric wire 30 travels (moves) along the arrow K. That is, the rotor 25 rotates around the axis along with the movement (movement) of the core wire 2, that is, the electric wire 30 along the arrow K. Of course, the traveling (moving) distance of the core wire 2, that is, the electric wire 30 along the arrow K is proportional to the rotation speed of the rotor 25.

The encoder 17 is connected to the control arm 18. The encoder 17 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 18 when the rotor 25 rotates by a predetermined angle. That is, the encoder 17 outputs information corresponding to the traveling (moving) distance of the core wire 2, that is, the electric wire 30 along the arrow K, to the control device 18. As described above, the encoder 17 measures information according to the moving distance of the electric wire 30 and outputs information on an arbitrary position of the electric wire 30 to the control device 18.

Thus, the encoder 17 measures a predetermined position of the electric wire 30 moved by the rollers 15, 1.6. In addition, the encoder 17 determines whether the electric wire 30 to be measured

The (constant) position may be any position on the electric wire 30 as long as it is a reference position for coloring while moving the electric wire 30. As the predetermined (constant) position of the electric wire 30, the end of the electric wire 30 and the portion colored with the first color G by the first coloring unit 12

(The first identification unit 4).

The control device 18 is a computer including a known RAM, ROM, CPU, and the like, and controls the entire coloring and cutting device 10. An input device 19 is connected to the control device 18. The controller 18 stores the lengths L, L1, L2, Lb,! ^ <1 and the distances 1 ^ &, Lc, Le described above.

The control device 18 includes an instruction input from the input device 19 or a program stored in the ROM or the like, and the lengths L, L1, L2, L, Ld and the distances La, Lc, Le described above. Based on information from the encoder 17, the lifting roller 21 of the first coloring unit 12 is moved up and down, the sprayer 23 of the second coloring unit 13 is operated, and the cutting blade 24 of the cutting unit 14 is moved toward and away from each other. Let it. In this way, the control device 18 determines, based on the predetermined position of the electric wire 30 measured by the encoder 17, The operation of the first coloring unit 12 and the second coloring unit 13 is controlled.

The input device 19 is used for performing various operations of the coloring and cutting device 10. As the input device 19, for example, well-known keyboards, various switches, and various information input devices such as various recording medium driving devices such as a CD-ROM driving device can be used.

The coloring and cutting apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration measures the movement amount of the electric wire 30 moved by the rollers 15 and 16 with the encoder 17. Then, the coloring and cutting device 10 is configured to perform the following processing based on the information measured by the encoder 17 and the lengths L, L1, L2, Lb, and Ld and the distances La, Lc, and Le described above. The lifting roller 21 of the first coloring unit 12 is moved up and down, the sprayer 23 of the second coloring unit 13 is operated, and the cutting blade 24 of the cutting unit 14 is moved toward and away from each other. Then, the coloring and cutting device 10 processes the uncolored electric wire 30 wound on the drum 11 into the electric wire 1 shown in FIG. According to the present embodiment, the first color G of the first identification section 4 is different from the color P of the synthetic resin forming the covering section 3. For this reason, even if the wire 1 becomes thin, the first color G of the first identification portion 4 is formed because the first identification portion 4 is formed over the entire circumference of the central portion 1 a of the covering portion 3. Can be easily identified.

In addition, marks 5 as second identification portions are formed on a part of both ends 1 b of the covering portion 3. The color of the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion 3 is P. Therefore, the mark 5 is formed in the non-colored area 6 of the color P (the outer surface 3 a of the covering portion 3). Furthermore, the second color H of the mark 5 is different from both the synthetic resin color P and the first color G. Therefore, the mark 5 can be easily identified. An uncolored area 6 is provided between the first identification section 4 and the mark 5. Therefore, the first identification unit 4 and the mark 5 can be easily identified.

Therefore, both the first identification portion 4 and the mark 5 can be easily identified, and the wires 1 can be easily identified. Therefore, by assembling the wire harness using the electric wire 1 described in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to prevent the wiring of the electric wire 1 from being erroneously routed, and to prevent the quality of the wire harness from being deteriorated.

A plurality of marks 5 are provided on both ends 1 b of the covering portion 3. For this reason, the types of the electric wires 1 to be identified can be increased by combining the second color H of the plurality of marks 5 and the first color G of the first identification unit 4. Therefore, a greater variety It can respond to various electronic devices.

In the embodiment described above, the uncolored electric wire 30 is colored by the first colored unit 12 and the second colored unit 13. For this reason, the first color G and the second color H can be changed more easily than when various colorants are mixed into the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion 3 when the covering portion 3 is formed. Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly obtain the electric wires 1 having various colors on the outer surface 3a.

The first coloring unit 12 colors the central portion 1 a of the covering portion 3 in the longitudinal direction to the first color G. The second coloring unit 13 colors a part of both ends 1 b in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion 3 into a second color H. Therefore, by combining the first color G and the second color H, the types of the electric wires 1 to be identified can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the electric wire 1 whose outer surface 3a has various colors.

In addition, the first and second colored units 12, '13 are used to form the outer surface 3 a into first and second colors G, H different from the color of the outer surface 3 a of the covering portion 3. To color. Therefore, by changing the first and second colors G and H, it is possible to easily obtain the electric wire 1 whose outer surface 3a has various colors.

While moving along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 30, the outer surface of the electric wire 30 is colored. Based on a predetermined (constant) position of the electric wire 30 measured by the encoder 17, the control device 18 controls the operation of the first coloring unit 12 and the second coloring unit 13. For this reason, the first colored unit 12 and the second colored unit 13 can be colored with the first color G and the second color H at predetermined positions. Therefore, it is possible to reliably obtain the electric wire 1 whose outer surface 3a is colored in a desired color.

The second coloring unit 13 colors a position spaced from the portion colored by the first coloring unit 12 into the second color H. Further, the second coloring unit 13 colors a part of the exposed uncolored area 6 to a second color. For this reason, the electric wire 1 has a synthetic resin surface between the first color G and the second color H. Therefore, the first color G and the second color H can be easily distinguished. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably obtain the electric wire 1 whose outer surface 3a that can be easily identified has various colors.

In the above-described embodiment, the encoder 17 is used to measure the predetermined positions of the electric wires 1 and 30. However, in the present invention, an imaging device such as a CCD camera is used. Of course, a step and an identification means for identifying an arbitrary position of the electric wires 1 and 30 from the image obtained by the imaging means may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electric wire 1 constituting the wire harness arranged in the vehicle is described. However, it goes without saying that the electric wire 1 of the present invention may be used not only for automobiles but also for various electronic devices such as portable computers and various electric machines.

In the above-described embodiment, the outer surface of the uncolored electric wire 30 is colored with the first color G and the second color H. However, according to the present invention, the above-described electric wire 1 is not limited to the non-colored one, and various kinds of coloring agents are mixed into the synthetic resin that is extruded and coated on the outer periphery of the core wire, and the covering portion is formed from the electric wire having a predetermined color. It may be manufactured. In this case, the color of the colored outer surface of the electric wire and both the first color G and the second color H described above are different from each other. In this case, infrequently used or stocked wires used for specific purposes can be reused. Therefore, resource saving can be achieved.

Further, in the present invention, as a means for coloring the outer surface 3a of the uncolored covering portion 3 to form the first identification portion 4 and the mark 5 as the second identification portion, immersion, water mist, spraying Various means such as printing, printing, and transferring may be used. Further, as the coloring liquid and the paint, various paints such as acrylic paints, inks (dyes and pigments), and UV inks may be used.

In the embodiment described above, the first identification portion 4 is formed by coloring the entire periphery of the outer surface 3a of the central portion 1a in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion 3 with the first color G. However, in the present invention, a part of the outer surface 3a of the central portion 1a in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion 3 is colored with the first color G, and the first identification portion 4 is colored with the first color G. P may be used to form a stripe pattern or a spiral pattern. Industrial 'possibility'

As described above, in the first aspect of the present invention, the first identification portion is formed on the outer surface of the central portion of the covering portion. The first color of the first identification portion is different from the color of the synthetic resin. For this reason, even if the wire becomes thin, the first identification part is formed in the center of the sheath. Therefore, the first color of the first identification section can be easily identified.

Further, the second identification section is formed at a part of both ends of the covering section. The second identification part is formed on the outer surface of the covering part. Further, the second color of the second identification portion is different from the color of the synthetic resin. For this reason, the second color of the second identification unit can be easily identified. Therefore, identification of both the first identification unit and the second identification unit is easy, and identification of electric wires is easy. Therefore, by assembling the wire harness using the electric wire described in the present claim, it is possible to prevent the wiring from being erroneously routed and prevent the quality of the wire harness from being deteriorated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an area is provided between the first identification unit and the second identification unit. For this reason, the first identification unit and the second identification unit can be more easily identified.

Therefore, it becomes easier to identify the wires. Therefore, by assembling the wire harness using the electric wire described in the present claim, it is possible to more reliably prevent the wiring from being erroneously routed, and to more reliably prevent the quality of the wire harness from deteriorating.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of second identification portions are provided at both ends of the covering portion. Therefore, the types of electric wires to be identified can be further increased by a combination of the second colors of the plurality of second identification units and the first colors of the first identification units. Therefore, it can be applied to a wider variety of electronic devices. In the present invention according to claim 4, the first coloring means colors the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion into the first color. The second coloring means colors a part of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion into a second color. For this reason, the types of electric wires to be identified can be increased by combining the first color and the second color. Therefore, electric wires of various colors can be obtained. Further, at the time of extrusion coating, the electric wire can be obtained by coloring the outer surface of the colored electric wire mixed with a coloring agent into a first color and a second color. For this reason, infrequently used or in-stock wires used for specific applications can be reused. Therefore, resource saving can be achieved.

Further, the first and second coloring means may be different from the first and second coloring means in color different from the color of the outer surface of the covering portion. The outer surface is colored to the color described above. Therefore, the color of the electric wire can be easily changed by changing the first and second colors. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain electric wires of various colors on the outer surface.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the outer surface of the electric wire is colored while being moved along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire. The control means controls the operations of the first coloring means and the second coloring means based on the predetermined position of the electric wire measured by the measuring means. For this reason, the first coloring means and the second coloring means can be colored in the first color and the second color at predetermined positions. Therefore, it is possible to reliably obtain an electric wire colored in a desired color. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second coloring means, a position spaced from a portion colored by the first coloring means is colored in a second color. Further, the second coloring means colors the outer surface of the synthetic resin constituting the exposed coating portion to a second color. For this reason, the electric wire has an outer surface of the synthetic resin between the first color and the second color. For this reason, the first color and the second color can be easily distinguished. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably obtain wires of various colors whose outer surfaces can be easily identified.

Claims

' The scope of the claims

1. An electric wire comprising: a conductive core wire; and a sheath made of a synthetic resin and covering the core wire.

A first identification portion formed by coloring an outer surface of a central portion in a longitudinal direction of the covering portion with a first color different from the color of the synthetic resin,

A second identification portion formed by coloring a part of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion with a second color different from the color of the synthetic resin;

An electric wire comprising:

2. A region in which the outer surface of the synthetic resin constituting the covering portion is exposed is provided between the first identification portion and the second identification portion.

3. A plurality of the second identification portions are provided at both ends of the covering portion, respectively, and the second identification portions have different second colors from each other. Item 2. An electric wire according to item 2.

4. An electric wire coloring apparatus for coloring an outer surface of the covering portion of the electric wire, wherein the covering portion is made of a synthetic resin and covers the core wire.

First coloring means for coloring the outer surface of a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion with a first color different from the color of the outer surface of the covering portion,

A second coloring means for coloring a part of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion in a second color different from the color of the outer surface of the covering portion, characterized by comprising:

5. Moving means for moving the wire along the length of the wire;

Measuring means capable of measuring a predetermined position of the electric wire moved by the moving means; and operation of the first coloring means and the second coloring means based on the predetermined position of the electric wire measured by the measuring means. 5. The apparatus for coloring an electric wire according to claim 4, further comprising: control means for controlling the electric wire.

6. The second coloring means is provided on the downstream side in the moving direction of the electric wire from the first coloring means, and is spaced apart from a portion colored by the first coloring means and the both ends. Coloring the area of the part where the synthetic resin is exposed to the second color. The electric wire coloring apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that: