Printing device for electric wires

Abstract

A printing device (10) for electric wires according to the present invention includes an inkjet head (30) that performs printing on an electric wire (5) by discharging ink, a conveyance device (20) that conveys the electric wire (5), and a drying device (40) that is disposed downstream of the conveyance direction of the electric wire (5) from the inkjet head (30) and that blows air toward a printed portion of the electric wire (5).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a printing device for electric wires. BACKGROUND

[0002] The related art prints electric wires. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a manufacturing method of a cable harness including a step of printing, on an electric wire, circuit information indicating a connection object of the electric wire.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-181396 SUMMARY

[0006] (1) PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] The printing of the electric wire described above can be performed using an inkjet head that discharges ink toward an object to be printed. However, it takes time to dry the ink adhering to the electric wire. In addition, if a subsequent process is performed before the ink is dried, a defect such as printing bleeding can easily occur. Therefore, the manufacturing of the electric wire including inkjet printing takes time.

[0008] The present application is made in view of the problem, and has an object to provide a printing device for electric wires that prints an electric wire in an inkjet manner and can dry ink in a short time.

[0009] (2) SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0010] The printing device for electric wires of the present application includes: an inkjet head that prints an electric wire by discharging ink; a conveying device that conveys the electric wire; and a drying device that is disposed further toward a downstream of a conveying direction of the electric wire than the inkjet head, and blows air toward a printed portion of the electric wire.

[0011] According to the printing device for electric wires described above, the air blown toward the printed portion of the electric wire by the drying device can promote the drying of the ink of the portion. Therefore, the ink can be dried in a short time.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, the conveying device conveys the electric wire when the drying device blows air toward the printed portion of the electric wire. The drying device blows air toward an upstream of the conveying direction of the electric wire.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the direction in which the conveying device conveys the electric wire is opposite to the direction in which the air flows. Therefore, the relative speed of the air flow with respect to the electric wire is the sum of the conveying speed of the electric wire and the speed of the air. Thus, the drying of the ink can be further promoted.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, the conveying device conveys the electric wire in the length direction of the electric wire. The drying device is provided with a cylindrical member that is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the conveying path of the electric wire. An internal space through which the electric wire passes is demarcated inside the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member is provided with a supply port that opens to the internal space and supplies compressed air, and an opening portion that communicates the internal space with the outside of the cylindrical member so that the compressed air is discharged from the internal space.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the printed portion of the electric wire is surrounded by the cylindrical member. Therefore, the compressed air supplied into the cylindrical member is less likely to spread to the outside, and the drying efficiency of the ink can be improved. Thus, the ink can be dried in a shorter time.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the above-described embodiment, the conveying device is configured to convey the electric wire when the compressed air is supplied from the supply port, and the opening portion is arranged further upstream in the conveying direction of the electric wire than the supply port.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the direction in which the conveying device conveys the electric wire is opposite to the direction in which the compressed air flows. Therefore, the drying of the ink can be further promoted for the reasons described above.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the above-described embodiment, the opening portion is arranged at the end portion of the cylindrical member on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the electric wire. The conveying device inserts the electric wire into the internal space of the cylindrical member from the opening portion.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the inlet of the electric wire into the cylindrical member and the outlet of the compressed air from the cylindrical member are made common. Therefore, the structure of the cylindrical member can be simplified.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the embodiment in which the cylindrical member is provided, the cylindrical member is provided with an electric wire outlet arranged at the end portion on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the electric wire, through which the electric wire can pass. The opening area of the electric wire outlet is smaller than the opening area of the opening portion.

[0021] According to this embodiment, since the opening area of the electric wire outlet is smaller than the opening area of the opening portion, the compressed air is easily caused to flow toward the opening portion.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the embodiment in which the cylindrical member is provided, the supply port penetrates the cylindrical member in a direction that intersects the length direction of the electric wire.

[0023] According to this aspect, compressed air easily circulates around the electric wire. When compressed air circulates around the electric wire, the ink can be dried regardless of the orientation of the printed portion. Even in a case where the orientation of the printed portion does not conform to the set orientation due to, for example, twisting of the circumference of the electric wire, the ink can be dried.

[0024] According to a preferred one of the above aspects, the supply port is disposed to be offset from the transport path of the electric wire, as viewed in the direction in which the supply port penetrates.

[0025] According to this aspect, by offsetting the supply port from the transport path of the electric wire, it is possible to prevent compressed air supplied from the supply port from directly contacting the printed portion. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality caused by directly spraying compressed air on the ink that has not dried.

[0026] (III) Advantages

[0027] According to the print device for electric wire of the present application, it is possible to dry the ink discharged to the electric wire in a short time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a print device for electric wire according to one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an electric wire after printing.

[0030] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the conduit, viewed from the side.

[0031] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conduit through the gas supply port.

[0032] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the conduit, viewed from the side, schematically showing the flow of compressed air.

[0033] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the conduit, viewed from the rear, schematically showing the flow of compressed air.

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the structure of a print device for electric wire according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] (Structure of print device)

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a print device for electric wire 10 (hereinafter referred to as print device 10) according to one embodiment of the present application. In the following description, the print device 10 will be described with reference to the directions shown in the drawing. Figure 1The left side, right side, upper side, lower side, paper face near side, and paper face inner side of the printed wire 5 are set as the front side, rear side, upper side, lower side, left side, and right side of the printing device 10, respectively. The marks F, Rr, U, D, L, and R in the drawing indicate the front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right of the printing device 10, respectively. However, each direction in the following description is a direction prescribed for convenience of explanation, and does not limit the present application in any way.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1 , the printing device 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a conveying device 20 that conveys the electric wire 5, an inkjet head 30 that prints the electric wire 5, a drying device 40 that dries the ink adhering to the electric wire 5, and a control device 70. In the front of the printing device 10, a jig 90 that grips the printed electric wire 5, and a not-shown cutting device of the electric wire 5 are provided.

[0038] The conveying device 20 is configured to convey the electric wire 5 in the length direction of the electric wire 5. In the present embodiment, the front is the downstream in the conveying direction of the electric wire 5. The rear is the upstream in the conveying direction of the electric wire 5. However, the conveying direction of the electric wire 5 is not limited to the front-rear direction. Also, the upstream and downstream in the conveying direction of the electric wire 5 are also simply referred to as the upstream and downstream hereinafter. As shown in Figure 1 , the conveying device 20 is provided with a pair of conveying rollers 21, and a conveying motor 22 that rotates one of the conveying rollers 21. The pair of conveying rollers 21 oppose each other. The electric wire 5 is sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers 21. In this state, one of the conveying rollers 21 rotates, thereby conveying the electric wire 5 in the length direction.

[0039] The inkjet head 30 is provided downstream of the conveying device 20. The conveying device 20 conveys the electric wire 5 before printing to the inkjet head 30. The inkjet head 30 is configured to print the electric wire 5 by discharging ink. Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the printed electric wire 5. As shown in Figure 2 , the inkjet head 30 forms a print 7 on the outermost sheath 6 of the electric wire 5 using the discharged ink. The sheath 6 is an insulating sheath that covers the core wire of the electric wire 5, and is composed of resin, for example. The print 7 is formed by, for example, characters, marks, figures, and the like that show information such as the gauge, use, orientation, model number, and the like of the electric wire 5. However, the image printed on the electric wire 5 is not limited to the above. The color of the print 7 is also not particularly limited. The color that constitutes the print 7 can also be a plurality of colors.

[0040] The inkjet head 30 has a plurality of nozzles 31 that discharge ink toward the lower side. The plurality of nozzles 31 are provided on the lower surface of the inkjet head 30. The plurality of nozzles 31 are located above the conveyance path Rl in which the electric wire 5 is conveyed by the conveyance device 20. Here, the ink discharged from the nozzles 31 of the inkjet head 30 is solvent ink in which a dye or a pigment is dissolved in a solvent. The solvent ink is solidified by evaporation of the solvent. The ink discharged from the inkjet head 30 is not particularly limited as long as it is ink that is solidified by evaporation of the solvent. The ink can be, for example, water-based ink in which the solvent is water. The ink can be naturally dried because the solvent evaporates naturally. However, the ink naturally dries over a certain period of time.

[0041] The drying device 40 is disposed further downstream in the conveyance direction of the electric wire 5 than the inkjet head 30. The conveyance device 20 conveys the electric wire 5 after printing by the inkjet head 30 from the lower side of the inkjet head 30 to the drying device 40. The drying device 40 is a device that dries the ink on the electric wire 5 by blowing air to the printed portion of the electric wire 5. However, the drying device 40 can blow a gas other than air to the printed portion of the electric wire 5. The drying device 40 solidifies the ink in a short time by rapidly evaporating the solvent of the ink. As shown in Figure 1

[0042] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the duct 50 as viewed from the side. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of IV-IV of Figure 3 Figure 4 indicates a longitudinal cross section of the duct 50 cut by a plane extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the duct 50 has the insertion hole 51 that forms the internal space S1, a gas supply port 52 that is open to the internal space S1, and a joint seat surface 53 for a gas joint 61 (see Figure 1 ) that connects the gas supply port 52. The gas supply port 52 is a hole that supplies compressed air generated by an external gas compressor 80 (see Figure 1 ).

[0043] The insertion hole 51 penetrates the duct 50 in the front-rear direction. As Figure 3 ​​As shown, the insertion hole 51 includes: a large-diameter portion 51a, a small-diameter portion 51b, a tapered portion 51c, an inlet opening 51d, and a wire outlet 51e. The large-diameter portion 51a forms the upstream side portion of the insertion hole 51. Figure 4 As shown, the large-diameter portion 51a has a cylindrical shape. (As indicated...) Figure 3 The configuration shown is such that the diameter of the large-diameter portion 51a is larger than the diameter of the wire 5 (referring to the transport path R1 of the wire 5). Here, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 51a is 1.5 times larger than the diameter of the wire 5. When the wire 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 51, a cylindrical gap is formed between the inner wall of the large-diameter portion 51a and the wire 5.

[0044] The inlet opening 51d is provided to communicate with the outside of the conduit 50 through the internal space S1. Here, the inlet opening 51d is located at the upstream end of the conduit 50. The inlet opening 51d is the upstream end of the large-diameter portion 51a. The delivery device 20 inserts the wire 5 into the internal space S1 of the conduit 50 through the inlet opening 51d. The inlet opening 51d also serves as an exhaust port for compressed air supplied from the gas supply port 52 to exit from the internal space S1, as will be described in detail later.

[0045] The small-diameter portion 51b forms the downstream side portion of the insertion hole 51. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the small-diameter portion 51b also has a cylindrical shape. Viewed from the front-to-back direction, the small-diameter portion 51b and the large-diameter portion 51a form concentric circles. The diameter of the small-diameter portion 51b is smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter portion 51a, and approximately the same as the diameter of the wire 5. The diameter of the small-diameter portion 51b is slightly larger than the diameter of the wire 5, allowing the wire 5 to pass through. A tapered portion 51c is formed between the large-diameter portion 51a and the small-diameter portion 51b. The tapered portion 51c has a conical shape whose diameter decreases as it moves downstream in the conveying direction of the wire 5.

[0046] The wire outlet 51e is located at the downstream end of the conduit 50. The wire outlet 51e is the outlet for the wire 5 and is configured to allow the wire 5 to pass through. Here, the wire outlet 51e is located at the downstream end of the small-diameter portion 51b. The opening area of ​​the wire outlet 51e is configured to be smaller than the opening area of ​​the inlet opening portion 51d.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the gas supply port 52 opens on the side of the conduit 50. Figure 4As shown, the gas supply port 52 penetrates the duct 50 in a direction intersecting the length direction of the electric wire 5 (here, the front-rear direction). Here, the gas supply port 52 penetrates the duct 50 obliquely in the left-right direction in a manner orthogonal to the transport direction of the electric wire 5, that is, the front-rear direction, and reaches the inner wall of the large-diameter portion 51a. Due to such a configuration of the gas supply port 52, the inlet opening portion 51d is located further upstream in the transport direction of the electric wire 5 than the gas supply port 52. In addition, due to such a configuration of the gas supply port 52, the electric wire outlet 51e is located further downstream in the transport direction of the electric wire 5 than the gas supply port 52.

[0048] A screw thread 52a is formed in the inner wall of the gas supply port 52. The gas joint 61 has a screw thread portion that engages with the screw thread 52a and is connectable to the gas supply port 52. Around the outer side end portion (the end portion exposed to the outer surface of the duct 50) of the gas supply port 52, a joint seat surface 53 is formed in a manner orthogonal to the axis Ax1 of the gas supply port 52.

[0049] As shown, the gas supply port 52 (here, the flow path inside the gas joint 61, and indicated by the reference numeral 52b, also refer to FIG. 6) is disposed to be offset from the transport path R1 of the electric wire 5, as viewed from the penetration direction of the gas supply port 52. Figure 3 Figure 4 The axis Ax1 of the gas supply port 52 is offset from the axis Ax2 of the insertion hole 51 (also the center line of the transport path R1 of the electric wire 5) in a manner not intersecting.

[0050] The gas supply portion 60 controls the compressed air supplied to the gas supply port 52. The compressed air is generated by an external gas compressor 80. However, the printing device 10 can also be provided with a device that generates compressed air like the gas compressor. As shown, the gas supply portion 60 is provided with: the gas joint 61, a gas flow path 62, an on-off valve 63, a pressure reducing valve 64, a flow rate adjusting valve 65, and a heater 66. Figure 1

[0051] The gas joint 61 engages with the screw thread 52a of the gas supply port 52. The gas joint 61 abuts against the joint seat surface 53. The gas flow path 62 connects the gas compressor 80 and the gas joint 61. Here, the gas flow path 62 is a tube having flexibility. One end of the gas flow path 62 is connected to the gas joint 61, and the other end is connected to the gas compressor 80.

[0052] ​​The open / close valve 63, the pressure reducing valve 64, and the flow rate adjusting valve 65 are provided to the gas flow path 62. The open / close valve 63 closes or opens the gas flow path 62. The open / close valve 63 is, for example, a solenoid valve. The open / close valve 63 is connected to the control device 70 and controlled by the control device 70. In accordance with the control of the control device 70, the open / close valve 63 opens or closes the gas flow path 62, thereby supplying compressed air to the drying device 40 or stopping the supply. The pressure reducing valve 64 reduces the pressure of the compressed air generated by the gas compressor 80 to a pressure suitable for use in the drying device 40. The flow rate adjusting valve 65 adjusts the flow rate of the compressed air to a flow rate suitable for use in the drying device 40.

[0053] The heater 66 heats the compressed air in the gas flow path 62. Here, the heater 66 is a band-shaped heater wound around the gas flow path 62. The heater 66 heats the compressed air in the gas flow path 62 by heating the gas flow path 62. The air having a temperature higher than the normal temperature (the air temperature around the drying device 40) can be blown to the electric wire 5 in the drying device 40 by the heating of the heater 66. The temperature of the heater 66 can be controlled by the control device 70. Alternatively, the control device 70 can control only the operation and stop of the heater 66, and the temperature of the heater 66 can be controlled by the heater 66.

[0054] The structure of the gas supply portion 60 described above is a preferred example and is not limited thereto. The gas flow path 62 is not limited to a tube and can be, for example, a pipe having no flexibility. The open / close valve 63 is not limited to a solenoid valve and can be, for example, a valve driven by a motor. The heater 66 is not limited to a sheet-shaped heater that can be wound and can be, for example, a hot air generator that heats the passing air. The heater 66 can heat the duct 50. The drying device 40 can not have the heater 66. The drying device 40 can not have the open / close valve 63, the pressure reducing valve 64, or the flow rate adjusting valve 65.

[0055] The control device 70 is connected to the conveyance device 20, the inkjet head 30, and the drying device 40 and controls the operation thereof. The structure of the control device 70 is not particularly limited. The control device 70 can have, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a ROM in which a program to be executed by the CPU and the like are stored, a RAM, and the like. The processing portion of the control device 70 can be constituted by software or by hardware. In addition, each processing portion can be a processor or a circuit. The control device 70 can be, for example, a programmable controller, a computer, or the like. The control device 70 can be a dedicated computer for the printing device 10 or a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. The control device 70 can be a computer on the cloud.

[0056] (Printing process)

[0057] The following describes an example of a printing process using the printing apparatus 10 to print on the electric wire 5. However, the printing process described below is merely one example, and the printing process on the electric wire 5 is not limited to the following. According to the preferred example of the printing process on the electric wire 5, in the initial step, the electric wire 5 is conveyed by the conveying device 20 toward the lower side of the inkjet head 30. The inkjet head 30 is driven as the electric wire 5 passes below, and prints the prescribed print 7 on the sheath 6 of the conveyed electric wire 5. At this time, the ink of the print 7 has not yet dried, and is in a state where it will smudge or be erased if it comes into contact with another object, for example.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the gas supply portion 60 starts to supply compressed air to the duct 50 at the same time or substantially the same time as the electric wire 5 starts to be conveyed. However, the timing at which the compressed air is started to be supplied to the duct 50 is not particularly limited.

[0059] When the discharge of the ink to the electric wire 5 ends, the electric wire 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the duct 50 by the conveying device 20. The conveying device 20 inserts the electric wire 5 into the duct 50 from the inlet opening 51d. The conveying device 20 continues to convey the electric wire 5 in this state. As a result, the leading end portion of the electric wire 5 is inserted into the small-diameter portion 51b of the insertion hole 51. The electric wire 5 is not necessarily linear, and can be slightly bent or curved, but such an electric wire 5 is also guided into the small-diameter portion 51b by the tapered portion 51c. The electric wire 5 can also be twisted in the circumferential direction, and in this case, the print 7 can also not face upward.

[0060] After that, the leading end portion of the electric wire 5 is moved out of the electric wire outlet 51e to the outside of the duct 50. The portion of the electric wire 5 that is moved out of the duct 50 passes inside the jaws of the clamp 90. At this time, the ink of the print 7 is dried and the ink solidifies, so even if the print 7 comes into contact with the clamp 90, it will not smudge or be erased. When the electric wire 5 is further inserted by the clamp 90 to a prescribed length into a cutting device (not shown) provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction, the conveying of the electric wire 5 is stopped. The electric wire 5 is held by the clamp 90 at this position, and is cut to a prescribed length by the cutting device. After that, in a state where the electric wire 5 has been inserted into the duct 50, the printing of the print 7, the drying, and the cutting of the electric wire 5 are repeated as described above.

[0061] The following describes the internal state of the duct 50 into which the electric wire 5 is inserted. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the duct 50 as viewed from the side, and schematically shows the flow of compressed air. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the duct 50 as viewed from the rear, and schematically shows the flow of compressed air. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The arrow W in Figure 6As shown, the compressed air flowing from the gas supply port 52 into the internal space S1 of the conduit 50, viewed from the front-to-back direction, flows in a manner that swirls around the delivery path R1 of the wire 5. In this embodiment, the gas supply port 52 (here, the actual gas supply port 52b) is configured such that its extension along the Ax1 direction does not intersect the delivery path R1 of the wire 5. Therefore, the compressed air flowing from the gas supply port 52 into the internal space S1 easily flows in a manner that swirls around the delivery path R1 of the wire 5. Furthermore, the compressed air flowing from the gas supply port 52 into the internal space S1 is not directly sprayed onto the wire 5, especially the printed characters 7.

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, after the wire 5 is inserted into the small-diameter portion 51b of the insertion hole 51, the wire outlet 51e is essentially blocked by the wire 5. Therefore, the flow of compressed air W from the outlet of the conduit 50 is essentially confined to the inlet opening 51d. Consequently, the compressed air flows upstream in the direction of wire 5's transport. Figure 5 As shown, compressed air flows upstream of the wire 5 while spiraling around it. The opening area of ​​the inlet opening 51d is at least larger than the opening area of ​​the wire outlet 51e, and therefore larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the wire 5. Therefore, the inlet opening 51d is not blocked by the wire 5. This allows for the generation of a flow W of compressed air upstream of the wire 5 in the conveying direction.

[0063] Regarding the flow W of compressed air that spirals around the wire 5 and flows upstream in the transport direction of the wire 5, this flow W facilitates the drying of the ink on the printed characters 7. First, the conduit 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape to surround the transport path R1 of the wire 5, thereby preventing the compressed air supplied to the conduit 50 from easily diffusing to the surroundings. Therefore, for example, compared to blowing compressed air into the printed characters 7 in free space, the ink can be dried in a shorter time. In addition, the amount of compressed air used can also be saved. Furthermore, since the conduit 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the compressed air supplied from the gas supply port 52 forms a vortex in the internal space S1 of the conduit 50. Thus, even if the orientation of the printed characters 7 does not conform to the set orientation due to, for example, the circumferential twisting of the wire 5, the vortex of compressed air can still be blown into the printed characters 7. According to the drying apparatus 40 of this embodiment, the ink on the printed characters 7 can be dried even if the orientation of the printed characters 7 does not conform to the set orientation (in other words, regardless of the orientation of the printed characters 7).

[0064] In the present embodiment, the gas supply port 52 penetrates the duct 50 in a direction intersecting the length direction of the electric wire 5. Thereby, the compressed air is made to swirl more easily around the electric wire 5. Also, in the present embodiment, the gas supply port 52 (here, the substantial gas supply port 52b) is provided so as to be offset from the transport path Rl of the electric wire 5, as viewed in the penetration direction of the gas supply port 52. Thereby, the swirling of the compressed air around the electric wire 5 is also promoted. In addition, the compressed air flowing in from the gas supply port 52 can be prevented from directly contacting the print 7. If the compressed air is directly injected to the ink agent of the print 7 that has not yet dried, it is possible to cause the ink agent to scatter or move, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the print 7. According to the drying device 40 of the present embodiment, the possibility of such a problem occurring can be reduced.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the flow W of the compressed air within the duct 50 is toward the upstream side in the transport direction, which is the direction opposite to the direction in which the electric wire 5 is transported by the transport device 20. In a state in which the compressed air is supplied from the gas supply port 52 into the internal space S l, the transport device 20 transports the electric wire 5 toward the downstream side. Therefore, the relative speed of the flow W of the compressed air with respect to the electric wire 5 is the speed obtained by adding the transport speed of the electric wire 5 and the speed of the compressed air. As a result, the relative speed of the flow W of the compressed air with respect to the electric wire 5 is fast, and the drying of the ink agent of the print 7 can be further promoted. This flow of the compressed air is generated by providing the inlet opening portion 5 Id closer to the upstream side in the transport direction of the electric wire 5 than the gas supply port 52. Also, in the present embodiment, the inlet opening portion 5 Id is provided at the end portion of the upstream side of the duct 50, and functions as both the inlet of the electric wire 5 into the duct 50 and the outlet of the compressed air from the duct 50. Thereby, the structure of the duct 50 is simplified.

[0066] Also, in the present embodiment, the opening area of the electric wire outlet 5 le is smaller than the opening area of the inlet opening portion 5 Id. Thereby, the compressed air within the duct 50 is made to easily flow toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the electric wire 5. In the present embodiment, the opening area of the electric wire outlet 5 le is substantially the same size as the cross-sectional area of the electric wire 5, and therefore the electric wire outlet 5 le is substantially closed by the electric wire 5 when the electric wire 5 passes through the electric wire outlet 5 le. Thereby, the compressed air within the duct 50 flows toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the electric wire 5.

[0067] The present inventors have confirmed through simulation that the compressed air flows in a manner in which it swirls around the electric wire 5 while moving toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the electric wire 5 (as shown in FIG. 6) when the compressed air is supplied from the gas supply port 52 into the internal space S l. Figure 5 and Figure 6That way, the ink of the print 7 dries in a short time compared to natural drying. The temperature of the compressed air contributes to the shortening of the drying time of the print 7, but the air flowing in the gas flow path 62 is difficult to maintain the temperature, and thus the compressed air can also be unheated. According to the test by the present inventors, even if the temperature of the compressed air is room temperature, the ink of the print 7 can be dried in a short time. However, for example, the temperature of the air supplied to the gas supply port 52 can be stably maintained by a hot air generator or the like.

[0068] (Other Embodiments)

[0069] The above describes a preferred embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is only an example, and various other embodiments are also possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the compressed air is blown to the ink of the print 7 while moving the electric wire 5, but the electric wire can be stopped and the compressed air can be blown to the ink of the print 7. In the above-described embodiment, the inlet opening portion 51d from which the compressed air is discharged is opened toward the upstream of the transport direction of the electric wire 5, but can be opened toward the downstream of the transport direction of the electric wire or another direction. The opening portion from which the compressed air is discharged can also be an inlet opening portion into which the electric wire is inserted.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the conduit 50 has the electric wire outlet 51e, but can also not have the electric wire outlet 51e. In this case, the electric wire can be returned to the upstream side of the transport direction after the ink is dried. The transport direction of the electric wire is not limited to the length direction of the electric wire. The electric wire can also be moved in parallel or rotated in a direction intersecting the length direction, for example.

[0071] The structure of the tubular member exemplified by the conduit 50 is not particularly limited. The tubular member can be provided as long as it surrounds the periphery of the transport path of the electric wire and has a gas supply port that supplies compressed air and an opening portion from which the compressed air is discharged, and is not limited to the above. For example, the gas supply port can be provided substantially in parallel with the transport path of the electric wire. In addition, the tubular member can be tubular only when the ink of the print is dried, and can be another shape in cases other than when the ink is dried. For example, the tubular member can be configured to have a movable portion and a variable shape.

[0072] Also, the electric wire printing device can not have a tubular member such as the conduit 50. Figure 7 is a schematic view of the structure of an electric wire printing device 10 of another embodiment. In the description of the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for components having the same function as the above-described embodiments. As shown in the drawing, the electric wire printing device 10 of this embodiment has a structure in which the electric wire 5 is moved while the ink of the print 7 is dried. Figure 7As shown, the wire printing apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes: an inkjet head 30 for printing on wires 5 by discharging ink, a conveying device 20 for conveying at least the wires 5 printed by the inkjet head 30, and a drying device 40 without a cylindrical component. Similar to the initial embodiment, the drying device 40 is located downstream of the inkjet head 30 in the conveying direction of the wires 5. The drying device 40 of this embodiment includes a gas nozzle 41 for blowing air onto the printed portion of the wires 5. The gas nozzle 41 is connected to an external gas compressor 80 via a gas flow path 62. An on / off valve 63, a pressure reducing valve 64, a flow regulating valve 65, and a heater 66 are provided on the gas flow path 62. In this embodiment, air is directly blown from the gas nozzle 41 onto the printed characters 7 on the wires 5.

[0073] like Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the drying device 40 is configured to blow air upstream in the transport direction of the wire 5. The transport device 20 is configured similarly to the initial embodiment to transport the wire 5 when the drying device 40 blows air onto the printed portion of the wire 5. This increases the relative speed between the airflow W and the wire 5. However, the drying device 40 may not be configured to blow air upstream in the transport direction of the wire 5. For example, the drying device 40 may be configured to blow air in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the wire 5. Furthermore, in this specification, "blowing air in a direction" includes various cases, such as generating airflow in a predetermined direction using a flow path structure as in the initial embodiment.

[0074] according to Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment also allows the ink on the printed characters 7 to dry in a shorter time than natural drying. The number of gas nozzles 41 is not particularly limited and can be multiple. The air blown onto the printed characters 7 on the wire 5 does not necessarily have to be compressed air generated by a gas compressor or the like. The drying device 40 may also include, for example, a blower fan that blows air onto the printed characters 7 on the wire 5.

[0075] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments are not limited to the present invention.

[0076] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0077] 5-Wire; 7-Printing; 10-Printing device for wire; 20-Conveying device; 30-Inkjet head; 40-Drying device; 50-Conduit (cylindrical component); 51-Insertion hole; 51d-Inlet opening (opening); 51e-Wire outlet; 52-Gas supply port (supply port).

Claims

1. A printing apparatus for electric wire, comprising: an inkjet head that prints an electric wire by discharging ink; a conveying device that conveys the electric wire in a length direction; and a drying device that is disposed further downstream in a conveying direction of the electric wire than the inkjet head, has a cylindrical member that defines an internal space through which the electric wire passes, and blows compressed air toward a printed portion of the electric wire, wherein the cylindrical member has: a supply port that penetrates toward the internal space in a manner that intersects the length direction of the electric wire, is disposed so as to be offset from a conveying path of the electric wire as viewed in a penetration direction, and supplies the compressed air; an opening portion that is disposed at an upstream end of the conveying direction of the electric wire of the cylindrical member, communicates the internal space with an outside of the cylindrical member, and discharges the compressed air from the internal space; and an electric wire outlet that is disposed at a downstream end of the conveying direction of the electric wire of the cylindrical member, has a smaller opening area than the opening portion, and allows the electric wire to pass, and wherein the conveying device inserts the electric wire from the opening portion into the internal space of the cylindrical member.

2. The printing apparatus for electric wire according to claim 1, wherein the conveying device conveys the electric wire when the drying device blows air toward the printed portion of the electric wire. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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