JP2003168329A - Covered electric wire - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a covered electric wire with high color discrimination capability discriminating color even if an electric wire is thin. <P>SOLUTION: Discriminating marks 4, 5 comprising rectangles having different colors and sizes are intermittently printed over the whole electric wire by a color different from a ground color of a covered part 3 in the axial direction of the covered part 3 of the covered electric wire 1 to form a state enveloped with a color having low chroma, and thereby, the discrimination capability of the electric wire is enhanced. By applying the discrimination marks to the outer circumference of the electric wire at equal intervals, the electric wire is easily discriminated even from any direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a covered electric wire used for a wire harness or the like and having an identification mark for identifying the electric wire size and the electric wire type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Up to now, each insulation-coated electric wire constituting a wire harness has been provided with a mark for identifying an electric wire corresponding to each electric circuit when connecting with an electric component.
As a method of marking, change the color of each wire and use it as a marking. A method in which a marking tube, marking tape, or the like is attached to each electric wire and used as a mark, such as the covered electric wire described in JP-A-7-254313 shown in FIG. A method has been proposed in which a circuit name or a circuit number is directly printed on each electric wire using a marking device in the form of letters or numbers. The type of electric wire and the electric wire size are recognized by such marks.

The above-described wire identification method has the following problems. In the case of changing the color of each electric wire as a mark as shown in, the electric wires having different colors of the covering material must be prepared for each circuit. Therefore, as the number of circuits increases, the types of electric wires also increase, and in the manufacturing line, manufacturing members and
Since the space for keeping the electric wires with different colors of the covering material on standby increases, this contributes to an increase in management costs.

Next, when a marking tube or marking tape or the like is attached to each electric wire as a mark as shown in (1), a member such as the marking tube or tape is required, which leads to an increase in product cost. In addition, although wire harnesses for connecting electric circuits use electric wires of various thicknesses, the electric wires tend to have a smaller diameter for the purpose of weight reduction, and therefore electric wires of less than 0.5 sq are often used. . In this case, although two or three types of colors are used for circuit identification, the visibility is reduced as the diameter is reduced, and the identification is extremely reduced depending on the combination of colors. It is easy to happen.

Further, when the circuit name or the circuit number shown in (3) is printed on each electric wire directly by letters or numbers using a marking device, since the electric wire itself is manufactured at high speed, each electric wire is subject to vibrations such as an electric wire pressing roll. If the print shakes or part of the print comes off the wire, the letters and numbers are printed incompletely, making it unreadable and causing identification errors. The problems described above lead to a reduction in wiring work efficiency and an increase in work cost.

In view of the above, in the wire harness disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-27817, an existing marking device is used, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple marking specification capable of accurately identifying a circuit without increasing the manufacturing cost. Has been proposed. FIG. 1 (a) described in the publication
As shown in FIG. 1, the identification method of the publication is to mark a band 1 having a predetermined width as a unit figure in a direction traversing each electric wire,
"1" is made to correspond to the band 1 as a unit numerical value, and the circuit number is made to correspond to the numerical value calculated by the number of the band 1.

According to this identification method, when a large numerical value is expressed, "5" is associated as a unit numerical value with a band 11 thicker than the thin band 1 indicating "1", and the thick band 11 and the thin band 1 are combined. To show numbers. As a unit figure,
Not only "belt" but also simple "black circle" 2 as shown in Fig. 1 (b), the electric wire sways due to mechanical vibration during printing and the printing shifts, marking individual symbols Even if it is imperfect, unlike the case where the meaning is not understood unless it is printed completely like normal numbers and characters themselves, it is possible to recognize the figure shape and grasp the number. Also,
Since the figure can be marked small, the wire harness corresponding to each circuit can be identified by the number of figures and the arrangement order.

In the present invention, since a simple-shaped figure is marked and each electric wire is identified by the number of the figures, it is necessary to clearly recognize itself like ordinary numbers and letters. Does not have to be done precisely. Further, it is not necessary to use electric wires of different colors for each circuit, and electric wires of a common color can be used for all electric wires.

[0009]

However, in the case of a thin electric wire of less than 0.5 sq, if the marking is of a single color, it is difficult to visually recognize and it is difficult to identify. Further, in order to identify the electric wire by the number of markings on the figure, it is necessary to specify the initial display position and the shape of the mark such as the location of the marking near the connector which is the connecting portion. Also, if the wire part of the wire harness is long or has a complicated shape due to branching, etc., the wire was twisted or broken in the middle even if the middle part in the length direction of the wire was marked, and that part was in the middle of marking. In that case, it is difficult to identify the electric wire. Therefore, the visibility of the information of each electric wire may be impaired.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a covered electric wire which can be easily identified even if the electric wire is thin and which improves the workability of assembling and wiring the electric wire.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a covered electric wire which constitutes a wire harness for connecting an electric circuit, in which electric wire identification information can be identified, and the electric wire identification information is provided in an axial direction of the covered electric wire. The present invention is characterized in that a plurality of color identification marks having different colors from the ground color along the line are arranged intermittently with a constant display interval from the electric wire terminal as a starting point.

In this covered electric wire, the identification mark can be emphasized by using an electric wire ground color such as colorless or white with high lightness and low saturation, gray or the like. In addition, by always disposing the ground color of the electric wire between the identification marks, the identification marks are surrounded by a low-saturated color, and the identification marks themselves are conspicuous and the identification is improved. Further, the color combination of the identification marks is selected so that the colors are conspicuous to each other, and, for example, the colors having a complementary color relationship are selected to further improve the discrimination. In addition, by making the identification mark display intervals constant and arranging them intermittently, the identification mark display position intervals are unified, and as a result, the wire size and wire type can be visually recognized from any position on the wire. It is not necessary to align the starting points of.

The invention according to claim 2 is the covered electric wire according to claim 1, wherein the identification mark comprises a plurality of types of rectangles having different sizes, and the combination of the shapes of the identification marks and the arrangement order thereof are used. The feature is that the wire type can be identified.

In this covered electric wire, by changing the size of the identification mark, either one or all of the identification marks can be made conspicuous, so that the identification property is improved.
Also, by making the identification mark rectangular, it is possible to prepare the figure only by changing the length of the mark in the axial direction and the circumferential direction, and it is easy to identify, so it is not necessary to align the direction of the mark like letters and symbols. Can also identify the electric wire and can be automatically identified by the machine.

A third aspect of the present invention is the covered electric wire according to the first or second aspect, wherein a plurality of the identification marks are provided on the outer circumference of the electric wire at equidistant positions.

In this covered electric wire, the electric wires can be easily identified from any direction by providing the identification marks on the outer circumference of the electric wire at positions at equal intervals.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a covered electric wire 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The covered electric wire 1 includes a conductor 2 and an insulating covering portion 3 that covers the conductor 2. As the color of the outer peripheral surface of the covering portion 3, colorless or white or gray with high lightness and low saturation is used. The identification mark 4 and the identification mark 5 are printed on the entire electric wire along the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the covering portion 3. The identification marks 4 and 5 are rectangular in shape, have a color different from the ground color of the covering portion 3, and have mutually different colors and axial lengths. As the combination of the identification marks 4 and 5 colors, black and yellow, or two colors having complementary colors, for example, blue and yellow-red, red and blue-green, yellow and blue-purple, and the like, are selected so as to make each other prominent. Axial length L1 of the identification marks 4 and 5,
Regarding L3, L3 is set to a length twice or more than L1. The length L2 between the identification mark 4 and the identification mark 5 is from 1/2 of the length L1 of the identification mark 4 to the length L1.

With such a structure, the identification marks 4 and 5 are surrounded by a low-saturation color, and the identification mark itself is conspicuous and easy to identify. Further, since the axial length L3 of the identification mark 5 is longer than the axial length L1 of the identification mark 4, the identification mark 5 can be seen more conspicuously and can be an electric wire having high identification. Therefore, it is sufficient that the identification mark has at least two colors, and information can be added to the electric wire with a small number of colors without preparing a large number of colors as in the conventional case. Also, by making the identification mark rectangular, it is possible to prepare the figure only by changing the length of the mark in the axial direction and the circumferential direction, and it is easy to identify, so it is not necessary to align the direction of the mark like letters and symbols. It is possible to identify the electric wire, and it is possible to automatically discriminate by the machine, and the workability can be improved.

Further, the identification mark is intermittently applied to the entire electric wire.
Furthermore, the wires can be easily identified from any direction by applying the wires at equal intervals on the outer circumference of the wire. Further, by not unifying the first display position of the identification mark with the subsequent display position interval, the wire identification information can be visually recognized and used from any position of the wire. Further, since it is not necessary to align the starting points of the electric wires, it is possible to expect an effect of reducing the work.

In the above coated electric wire, it is not necessary to prepare a large number of different colors for identification as the number of circuits is increased, so that it is not necessary to increase the number of members corresponding to each color in the manufacturing line. Even if the electric wire is long or has a complicated shape due to branching or the like, since the identification mark is given to the entire electric wire, the visibility of the information of each electric wire is not deteriorated. Further, due to the high distinguishability of the present invention, even when the wire diameter is small, it is possible to easily identify the wire diameter.
It can prevent erroneous recognition, erroneous mounting and erroneous assembly. as a result,
Work efficiency is improved and work cost is reduced.

The distance L0 from the wire terminal 6 to the identification mark 4 to be applied first is preferably a position not hidden by the connection with the terminal, and may be formed from the terminal when not connected with the terminal.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 2 shows a covered electric wire 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The covered electric wire 11 includes a conductor 12 and an insulating covering portion 13 that covers the conductor 12. As the color of the outer peripheral surface of the covering portion 13, as in the first embodiment, colorless or white or gray with high brightness and low saturation is used. The identification mark 14 and the identification mark 15 are printed along the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the covering portion 13. The identification marks 14 and 15 have a rectangular shape as in the first embodiment, have a color different from the ground color of the covering portion 13, and
The colors and the axial and circumferential lengths are different from each other. The shape of the identification marks 14 and 15 is set to have axial lengths L1 and L3 similar to those in the first embodiment, and circumferential lengths L4 and L5.
Is set so that L4 is longer than L5.
As for the combination of the colors of the identification marks 14 and 15, as in the first embodiment, the colors that highlight each other are selected. As described above, the identification marks 14 and 15 are set such that the combination of colors and the shape of the identification marks are different not only in the axial length but also in the circumferential length.
Both the 4 and 15 marks stand out.

With the above-described structure, the identification marks 14 and 15 themselves stand out, so that they can be easily identified. Further, not only in the axial direction but also in the outer peripheral direction, the lengths are different from each other, so that more information can be added to the identification mark. Therefore, the distinguishability of the electric wire is further improved, and even if the wire diameter is small, the electric wire can be easily distinguished.

[0025]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, in this covered electric wire, the identification mark is distinguished by using the electric wire ground color which is colorless or which has high brightness and low saturation such as gray. Has the effect of Further, by always disposing the ground color of the electric wire between the identification marks, the identification mark is surrounded by a color having low saturation, the saturation of the identification mark is increased, and the identification property is further improved. Furthermore, by selecting colors that make the color combinations of the identification marks stand out from each other, for example, by selecting colors that are in a complementary color relationship, the distinctiveness is further improved. Also, the identification marks are arranged intermittently with a constant display interval, so that the display positions of the identification marks are unified,
As a result, the wire size and wire type can be visually recognized regardless of the position of the wire, and the starting points of the wires need not be aligned.

As described above, a lot of information can be given to the electric wire without preparing many colors and marks as in the conventional case. In addition, since the electric wire has a high discriminating property, even if the wire diameter is small, the electric wire can be easily discriminated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition, erroneous mounting and erroneous assembly during wiring work. As a result, work efficiency is improved, which leads to a reduction in work cost. Therefore, even if the electric wire is thin, it can be easily identified, and it is possible to provide a covered electric wire that improves workability in assembling and wiring the electric wire.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by changing the size of the identification mark, either one or all of the identification marks can be made conspicuous, so that the identification property is improved. In addition, by making the identification mark rectangular, the shape can be distinguished only by changing the length of the mark in the axial direction and the circumferential direction, and it is possible to identify the mark without aligning the direction like letters and symbols. It is also possible, and automatic discrimination by machine is possible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in this covered electric wire, the electric wires can be easily identified from any direction by providing the identification marks on the outer circumference of the electric wire at positions at equal intervals.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a conventional view.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11, 21 coated electric wire 12, 22, 32 conductor 13, 23, 33 Insulator ground color (cover) 14, 24 Identification mark a 15, 25 Identification mark b 16, 26 Wire end L1 identification mark a-axis dimension L2 identification mark separation dimension L3 identification mark b-axis dimension L4 Identification mark a Circumferential dimension L5 Identification mark b Circumferential dimension 24 stripes

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a covered electric wire constituting a wire harness for connecting an electric circuit, electric wire identification information can be identified, and an identification mark of a plurality of colors different from the ground color and the color along the axial direction of the covered electric wire is used as a starting point of the electric wire terminal. A covered electric wire having a constant display interval and being arranged intermittently. 2. The covered electric wire according to claim 1, wherein the identification mark is composed of a plurality of types of rectangles having different sizes,
A covered electric wire, wherein the electric wire type is identified by a combination of the identification marks and an arrangement order thereof. 3. The covered electric wire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the identification marks are provided on the outer circumference of the electric wire at positions at equal intervals.