Cable

Abstract

The invention provides a cable capable of easily identifying electric wires. A cable (1) is provided with an assembly (3) in which a plurality of wires (2) configured so as to be recognizable by the appearance of an insulator (22) are twisted in two or more layers, and a sheath (5) covering the periphery of the assembly (3). A plurality of electric wires (2) constituting an inner layer (3a), which is a layer on the inner side in the radial direction of the cable, and a plurality of electric wires (2) constituting an outer layer (3b), which is a layer on the outer side of the inner layer (3a) in the radial direction of the cable, in the aggregate (3) are configured so that the electric wires (2) can be identified using different identification methods.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in devices such as industrial robots, the number of electric wires used has been increasing in order to cope with the complication of the devices and the high speed of signals. Therefore, in the case of cables used in devices such as industrial robots, there is a tendency for the number of electric wires included in one cable to increase. In a cable containing such a large number of electric wires, in order to smoothly perform the operation of processing the end of the cable, it is desired to be able to easily identify the electric wires included in the cable.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a method of identifying electric wires during the end processing of a cable by using the color (for example, red, white, black, green) of the insulator of the electric wire or dot markings is disclosed.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-49015 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in the case of using the method of Patent Document 1, there are limits to the colors and dot patterns for identification display. Therefore, if the number of electric wires to be identified increases, it may be difficult to identify. As described above, in the case of cables used in devices such as industrial robots, the number of electric wires included in one cable increases. For example, there are cases where a large number of dozens or more electric wires are stranded in multiple layers. Therefore, it is required to be able to easily identify the electric wires even when the number of electric wires is large.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cable that can easily identify electric wires.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and provides a cable including an aggregate and a sheath. The aggregate is formed by stranding a plurality of electric wires that can be identified by the appearance of the insulator in two or more layers, and the sheath covers the periphery of the aggregate. The plurality of electric wires forming the inner layer, which is the layer on the inner side in the radial direction of the cable, and the plurality of electric wires forming the outer layer, which is the layer on the outer side in the radial direction of the cable compared to the inner layer, are configured to be able to identify the electric wires using different identification methods, respectively.

[0012] In addition, the present invention aims to solve the above problems, and provides a cable including an aggregate and a sheath. The aggregate is formed by twisting multiple wires, which can be identified by the appearance of the insulator, into two or more layers, and the sheath covers the periphery of the aggregate. The multiple wires include multiple twisted pairs formed by twisting a pair of insulated wires and multiple insulated wires, and the multiple twisted pairs and the multiple insulated wires are configured to be identifiable by different identification methods respectively.

[0013] Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a cable that can easily identify wires can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 FIG. is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a cable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 FIG. is a diagram for explaining a colored portion.

[0017] Figure 3 FIG. is a diagram showing an example of an identification pattern (dot pattern).

[0018] Figure 4 FIG. is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a cable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Description of Reference Numerals

[0020] 1... Cable, 2... Wire, 22... Insulator, 2a... Inner layer wire, 2b... Outer layer wire, 2c... Signal wire, 23... Insulated wire, 23b... Insulator, 2d... Power supply wire, 24... Insulated wire, 3... Aggregate, 3a... Inner layer, 3b... Outer layer, 4... Pressing and winding tape, 5... Sheath, 6... Spacer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] [Embodiment]

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (Overall Structure of Cable 1)

[0024] Figure 1FIG. 0 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable 1 of the present embodiment. The cable 1 is used, for example, in devices such as industrial robots. The cable 1 can also be routed in a movable part that is subjected to repeated bending, twisting, and other actions. It should be noted that, without limitation, the cable 1 can also be used as a wiring for an automobile that swings repeatedly (for example, a wiring that connects a device provided on the vehicle body to a device provided on the wheel). In addition, the cable 1 can be used, for example, as a wiring for a medical device and a wiring for a part that comes into contact with a person's skin.

[0025] The cable 1 includes an aggregate 3 formed by stranding a plurality of electric wires 2 and a sheath 5 that covers the periphery of the aggregate 3. In the present embodiment, a pressing winding tape 4 is provided around the aggregate 3, and the sheath 5 is provided so as to cover the periphery of the pressing winding tape 4. Although not shown, a shielding layer formed of a braided shield or the like may be provided between the pressing winding tape 4 and the sheath 5.

[0026] In the aggregate 3, the plurality of electric wires 2 are stranded in two or more layers. Here, the aggregate 3 is a two-layer structure, but the aggregate 3 can also be a layer structure of three or more layers. Hereinafter, the layer on the inner side in the cable radial direction in the layer constituting the aggregate 3 is referred to as the inner layer 3a, and the layer on the outer side in the cable radial direction than the inner layer 3a is referred to as the outer layer 3b.

[0027] The electric wire 2 is an insulated wire having a conductor 21 and an insulator 22 that covers the periphery of the conductor 21. The conductor 21 is formed by stranding a plurality of metal wire rods made of copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. The surface of the metal wire rod can also be plated with tin, silver, or the like. The insulator 22 is made of polyolefin. Here, the insulator 22 made of PP (polypropylene) is used. The insulator 22 can be colored by adding an appropriate colorant. In the present embodiment, it is shown that all the electric wires 2 constituting the inner layer 3a and the outer layer 3b have the same structure, but without limitation, it may also include electric wires 2 having different outer diameters and conductor cross-sectional areas. In addition, the electric wire 2 can also include a coaxial cable, a multi-core wire in which a plurality of conductors 21 are collectively covered by the insulator 22, a twisted pair in which a pair of insulated wires are stranded, and the like.

[0028] The aggregate 3 has a spacer 6 disposed at the center of the cable. Here, a fibrous spacer 6 is used, but without limitation, the spacer 6 can also be, for example, a linear body, a tube, or the like. The inner layer 3a is formed by helically stranding nine electric wires 2 around the spacer 6. It should be noted that the number of electric wires 2 constituting the inner layer 3a is not limited to the illustrated example. Hereinafter, the electric wire 2 constituting the inner layer 3a is referred to as an inner layer electric wire (first electric wire) 2a.

[0029] The outer layer 3b is formed by spirally twisting 15 electric wires 2 around the inner layer 3a. It should be noted that the number of electric wires 2 forming the outer layer 3b is not limited to the illustrated example. Hereinafter, the electric wire 2 forming the outer layer 3b is referred to as the outer electric wire (second electric wire) 2b. Although not illustrated, a shielding layer, a pressing winding tape, etc. may be provided between the inner layer 3a and the outer layer 3b.

[0030] The pressing winding tape 4 is used to keep the twist of the aggregate 3 from coming undone and is formed of a tape member such as a non-woven fabric tape, a resin tape, a paper tape, etc. The pressing winding tape 4 is formed by winding the tape member in a spiral manner with a part of it overlapping in the width direction around the outer layer 3b.

[0031] The sheath 5 is used to protect the aggregate 3 and is formed of a resin composition mainly composed of, for example, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), silicone rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, etc. In cases where it is used for applications requiring chemical resistance or applications in contact with human skin, a resin composition mainly composed of silicone rubber can be used. The resin composition may contain additives such as a crosslinking agent, a crosslinking catalyst, an anti-aging agent, a plasticizer, a lubricant, a filler, a flame retardant, a stabilizer, a coloring agent, etc. In addition, a coating film for improving the slidability of the surface of the sheath 5 may be provided on the surface of the sheath 5 so as to cover the surface of the sheath 5. Especially when the sheath 5 is formed of a resin composition mainly composed of silicone rubber, a coating film for improving slidability can be provided on its surface. The coating film provided on the surface of the sheath 5 can be, for example, a coating film formed by curing a liquid silicone rubber containing fine particles with an average particle size of 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less through an addition reaction. The fine particles are formed of, for example, silicone rubber, silicone resin, etc. The thickness of the coating film is, for example, 3 μm or more and 100 μm or less. The static friction coefficient of the surface of the coating film is 0.5 or less. In addition, the sheath 5 is preferably separated from the base member due to a minute gap or the like. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the generation of friction between the sheath 5 and the base member due to bending or other actions and the deterioration of the sheath 5. The sheath 5 is formed by extrusion molding so as to cover the periphery of the pressing winding tape 4.

[0032] (Method of identifying the electric wire 2)

[0033] In the cable 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of inner-layer electric wires 2a constituting the inner layer 3a and the plurality of outer-layer electric wires 2b constituting the outer layer 3b are configured such that different identification methods can be used to identify the electric wires 2 respectively. By making the identification methods of the inner layer 3a and the outer layer 3b different, compared with the case where the same identification method is set for all layers, it is possible to easily identify the inner-layer electric wires 2a and the outer-layer electric wires 2b from a large number of electric wires 2 of dozens or more (for example, 20 or more). In addition, when using a device such as an industrial robot to identify a large number of electric wires 2, the device can also easily identify the inner-layer electric wires 2a and the outer-layer electric wires 2b. It should be noted that the identification of the electric wires 2 here means that an operator or a device distinguishes the electric wires 2 one by one to determine the connection destination to a connector or the like (that is, what kind of electric wire 2 it is). In addition, the identification method, in other words, the identification method, refers to the specific method of identifying the electric wires 2.

[0034] It should be noted that in the case where the aggregate 3 has a layer structure of three or more layers, for example, the identification method can be different for each layer, or three or more identification methods can be used. However, if the number of identification methods increases, there may be confusion during identification, so it is not preferable to excessively increase the number of identification methods. For example, in the case of identifying about 60 or more and about 100 electric wires 2, it is possible to easily identify them with two identification methods. That is, in the cable 1, it is possible to identify a large number of electric wires 2 stranded in two or more layers while suppressing the number of types of identification methods to a small number. It should be noted that as the identification method, there can be mentioned identification based on the color of the insulator 22, identification based on a dot pattern or other identification patterns obtained by printing dot marks on the outer surface of the electric wire 2 according to a specified rule, identification based on the color of the identification pattern, and the like. It should be noted that the identification pattern here is a pattern added by printing or the like in such a way that identification marks formed of a specific shape and structure are arranged along the length direction of the electric wire 2 according to a specified rule. The identification mark is not limited to a dot mark, and can also be a graphic such as a character, a polygon, a line such as a slant line, a symbol or a mark such as an arrow, a barcode, or the like. However, in the case of being applied to an electric wire 2 having a very small outer diameter, it can be said that it is preferable to use a simple and easily visually recognizable dot mark by an operator.

[0035] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the multiple inner wires 2a constituting the inner layer 3a are configured such that the wires 2 can be identified by the different colors of the insulators 22, and the multiple outer wires 2b constituting the outer layer 3b are configured such that an identification pattern is printed on their outer surfaces along the cable length direction, and the wires 2 can be identified by this identification pattern. Generally, there are not so many color variations of the insulator 22. In addition, if the number of color variations of the insulator 22 is increased, it will also lead to an increase in material costs and manufacturing costs. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the inner layer 3a where the number of wires 2 is small, identification based on the color of the insulator 22 is used. Moreover, in the outer layer 3b where the number of wires 2 is large, it can be said that it is preferable to use identification based on the following identification pattern, which can identify a large number of wires 2 only by increasing the printed identification pattern.

[0036] As described above, there are not so many color variations of the insulator 22. Therefore, in the case where the aggregate 3 has a layer structure of three or more layers, it is preferable to use only the innermost layer in the radial direction of the cable as the inner layer 3a and treat all other layers as the outer layer 3b. That is, in the case where the aggregate 3 has a layer structure of three or more layers, it is preferable to use only the innermost layer in the radial direction of the cable for identification based on the color of the insulator 22, and use identification based on the identification pattern in other layers. Thereby, it is possible to identify a large number of wires 2 stranded in three or more layers while suppressing the number of types of identification methods.

[0037] (Identification of the wires 2 in the inner layer 3a)

[0038] In the present embodiment, the multiple inner wires 2a constituting the inner layer 3a are configured such that their insulators 22 are respectively different colors. As the colors of the insulators 22 constituting the inner wires 2a, for example, achromatic colors such as black, gray, and white, and chromatic colors such as brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple can be used. Thereby, the inner wires 2a can be identified by the colors of the insulators 22. It should be noted that the insulators 22 of the inner wires 2a can also be colored with two or more colors. For example, as Figure 2 shown, linear coloring portions 22a along the length direction of the inner wires 2a can be provided, and the inner wires 2a can also be identified by the combination of the base color of the insulator 22 and the color of the coloring portion 22a. As a method for forming the coloring portion 22a, for example, a linear pressing method can be used, that is, by continuously pressing a resin of a color different from the base color of the insulator 22 during extrusion molding to form a coloring portion 22a along the length direction of the wire 2.

[0039] In the illustrated example, the ratio of the length of the colored portion 22a (the length of the colored portion 22a in the outer peripheral surface, or the total length when there are two or more colored portions 22a) to the entire circumference (the length of the entire outer peripheral surface) of the wire 2 when viewed in cross-section is set to be 30% or more and 40% or less. This is because if the length of the colored portion 22a becomes larger relative to the entire circumference of the wire 2, it becomes difficult to distinguish between the color of the colored portion 22a and the color of the insulator 22. It should be noted that the insulator 22 is made of polyolefin (PP) and is formed by tube extrusion. In Figure 2 the example of Figure 2 , two colored portions 22a are formed, but it is not limited thereto, and the colored portion 22a may also be one.

[0040] (Identification of the wire 2 in the outer layer 3b)

[0041] In the outer layer 3b, identification based on an identification pattern is performed. In the present embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, as the identification pattern, by arranging dot marks formed of quadrilaterals (for example, dot marks formed of quadrilaterals arranged continuously at regular intervals) along the cable length direction on the outer peripheral surfaces of the outer layer wires 2b according to a predetermined rule, an additional dot pattern is printed or the like to perform identification of the outer layer wires 2b.

[0042] The identification of the outer layer wires 2b in the outer layer 3b can use not only the identification pattern (dot pattern), but also a combination of the color of the insulator 22 and the color of the identification pattern (dot pattern). That is, the plurality of outer layer wires 2b constituting the outer layer 3b may also be configured to be able to identify the outer layer wires 2b by a combination of an additional identification pattern printed on their outer surfaces, the color of the insulator 22, and the color of the identification pattern. Thereby, more outer layer wires 2b can be easily identified. It should be noted that it is preferable to determine the combination of the color of the insulator 22 and the identification pattern constituting the outer layer wire 2b in a manner that is easy to visually recognize the identification pattern (dot pattern). Therefore, at least the color of the insulator 22 and the color of the identification pattern constituting the outer layer wire 2b need to be different. The color of the identification pattern can be set to black or red, which are easy to visually recognize, and black is preferred. In addition, as the color of the insulator 22, for example, colors such as white, yellow, orange, and gray, which are easy to visually recognize the identification pattern, can be selected, and black is preferably not used.

[0043] (Functions and effects of the embodiment)

[0044] As described above, in the cable 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of wires 2 (inner layer wires 2a) constituting the inner layer 3a of the aggregate 3 and the plurality of wires 2 (outer layer wires 2b) constituting the outer layer 3b are configured to be able to identify the wire 2 using different identification methods respectively. Thereby, even if the number of wires 2 included in the cable 1 is large, the wire 2 can be easily identified.

[0045] In particular, if the outer diameter of the electric wire 2 is a small diameter of 2.0 mm or less, it becomes more difficult to identify the electric wire 2. However, by using the color of the insulator 22 to identify the inner electric wire 2a and using the identification pattern to identify the outer electric wire 2b, the electric wire 2 can be easily identified. By making it easy to identify the electric wire 2, the operation during the end processing of connecting the cable 1 to a connector or the like can be easily performed, and the workability of the end processing can be improved. Moreover, by making it easy to identify each electric wire 2, the manufacture of the cable 1 also becomes easy.

[0046] (Other embodiments)

[0047] Figure 4 FIG. is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a cable 1a showing another embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 4 shown, in the cable 1a, the electric wires 2 constituting the aggregate 3 include a plurality of signal wires 2c formed of twisted pairs formed by twisting a pair of insulated electric wires 23 and a plurality of power supply wires 2d formed of insulated electric wires.

[0048] The insulated electric wires 23 constituting the signal wires 2c each have a conductor 23a and an insulator 23b covering the periphery of the conductor 23a. In addition, the insulated electric wires 24 constituting the power supply wires 2d each have a conductor 24a and an insulator 24b covering the periphery of the conductor 24a. The conductors 23a and 24a are formed of stranded conductors formed by stranding metal wire rods made of copper or a copper alloy. It is also possible to apply plating such as tin or silver to the surface of the metal wire rod. The insulator 23b of the insulated electric wire 23 constituting the signal wire 2c (twisted pair) is made of fluororesin, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), nylon, or the like. Here, fluororesin is used as the insulator 23b. The insulator 24b of the insulated electric wire 24 constituting the power supply wire 2d is made of polyolefin (here, PP).

[0049] In the cable 1a, eight signal wires 2c are stranded around a spacer 6 formed of a resin-made linear body having a circular cross section to form an inner layer 3a. And a tape member 7 such as a resin tape is wound around the inner layer 3a in a spiral shape (in a manner where a part in the width direction overlaps), and a shielding layer 8 formed of a braided shield or the like is provided around it. Moreover, three signal wires 2c and twelve power supply wires 2d are stranded around the shielding layer 8 to form an outer layer 3b. A pressing winding tape 4 and a sheath 5 are sequentially provided around the outer layer 3b.

[0050] It should be noted that the signal wires 2c arranged in the inner layer 3a are signal wires that transmit high-speed signals and are greatly affected by noise, and the signal wires 2c arranged in the outer layer 3b are signal wires that transmit low-speed signals with little influence of noise such as control signals. By arranging a part of the signal wires 2c in the outer layer 3b, it helps to reduce the diameter of the cable 1a.

[0051] In the present embodiment, a plurality of signal lines 2c and a plurality of power supply lines 2d are configured to be identifiable using different identification methods respectively. More specifically, the plurality of signal lines 2c are configured such that the combinations of the colors of the insulators 23b of a pair of insulated wires 23 forming a twisted pair are different respectively, and are configured to be identifiable by the combinations of the colors of the insulators 23b of the pair of insulated wires 23. Moreover, the plurality of power supply lines 2d can be identified by identification patterns. That is, the plurality of power supply lines 2d are attached with identification patterns or the like by printing along the cable length direction on their outer surfaces, and are configured to be identifiable by the identification patterns. It should be noted that, as the colors of the insulators 23b of the pair of insulated wires 23, for example, achromatic colors such as black, gray, and white, and chromatic colors such as brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple can be used. In addition, as the color of the insulator 24b of the insulated wire 24, for example, colors such as white, yellow, orange, and gray that are easy to visually recognize the identification pattern can be selected, and preferably not black. In addition, the color of the identification pattern attached to the insulator 24b can be set to black or red that is easy to visually recognize, and preferably black. The color of the insulator 24b forming the insulated wire 24 and the color of the identification pattern can be different.

[0052] In this way, when a part of the signal lines 2c is arranged in the outer layer 3b, the identification methods of the signal lines 2c and the power supply lines 2d can be made different. Thereby, the signal lines 2c and the power supply lines 2d can be easily identified from a large number of wires 2 stranded in two or more layers. In particular, when the signal lines 2c are formed of twisted pairs, more signal lines 2c can be identified by being able to be identified by the combinations of the colors of the insulators 23b of a pair of insulated wires 23.

[0053] (Summary of the embodiment)

[0054] Next, the technical idea grasped from the above-described embodiment is described by referring to the reference numerals in the embodiment. However, the reference numerals and the like in the following description do not limit the constituent elements in the claims to the components specifically shown in the embodiment.

[0055] [1] A cable (1) includes an aggregate (3) and a sheath (5). The aggregate (3) is formed by stranding a plurality of wires (2) that are configured to be identifiable by the appearance of the insulators (22) in two or more layers. The sheath (5) covers the periphery of the aggregate (3). The plurality of wires (2) forming the inner layer (3a) which is the layer on the inner side in the cable radial direction in the aggregate (3) and the plurality of wires (2) forming the outer layer (3b) which is the layer on the outer side of the inner layer (3a) in the cable radial direction are configured to be able to identify the wires (2) using different identification methods respectively.

[0056] [2] The cable (1) according to [1], wherein the multiple wires (2) constituting the inner layer (3a) are configured such that the wires (2) can be identified by the difference in the color of the insulator (22), and the multiple wires (2) constituting the outer layer (3b) are configured such that an identification pattern is printed on their outer surfaces along the length direction of the cable, and the wires (2) can be identified by this identification pattern.

[0057] [3] The cable (1) according to [2], wherein the multiple wires (2) constituting the outer layer (3b) are configured such that the wires (2) can be identified by a combination of the identification pattern printed on their outer surfaces, the color of the insulator (22), and the color of the identification pattern.

[0058] [4] A cable (1a) includes an aggregate (3) and a sheath (5). The aggregate (3) is formed by twisting two or more layers of multiple wires (2) that can be identified by the appearance of the insulator (22). The sheath (5) covers the periphery of the aggregate (3). The multiple wires (2) include multiple twisted pairs (signal wires 2c) formed by twisting a pair of insulated wires (23) and multiple insulated wires (power supply wires 2d). The multiple twisted pairs (signal wires 2c) and the multiple insulated wires (power supply wires 2d) are configured such that they can be identified using different identification methods respectively.

[0059] [5] The cable (1a) according to [4], wherein the multiple twisted pairs (signal wires 2c) are configured such that they can be identified by the combination of the colors of the insulators (23b) of the pair of insulated wires (23), and the multiple insulated wires (power supply wires 2d) are configured such that an identification pattern is added to their outer surfaces along the length direction of the cable, and they can be identified by this identification pattern.

[0060] [6] The cable (1) according to [2] or [5], wherein the identification pattern is a dot mark.

[0061] [7] A cable (1a) includes an aggregate (3) formed by twisting multiple twisted pairs and multiple insulated wires, and a sheath (5) covering the periphery of the aggregate (3). The twisted pairs and the insulated wires are configured such that they can be identified using different identification methods respectively.

[0062] (Supplementary Note)

[0063] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the embodiments described above do not limit the invention related to the claims. In addition, it should be noted that all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the means necessary for solving the problems of the invention. In addition, the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from its gist.

Claims

1. A cable, comprising: An aggregate formed by stranding a plurality of electric wires, which can be identified by the appearance of the insulator, into two or more layers, and A sheath covering the periphery of the aggregate; Among the plurality of electric wires in the aggregate, the plurality of electric wires in the inner layer, which is the layer on the inner side in the radial direction of the cable, and the plurality of electric wires in the outer layer, which is the layer on the outer side in the radial direction of the cable compared to the inner layer, are configured such that the electric wires can be identified by different identification methods respectively.

2. The cable according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of electric wires forming the inner layer are configured such that the electric wires can be identified by the difference in the color of their insulators, and the plurality of electric wires forming the outer layer are configured such that an identification pattern is printed on their outer surfaces along the cable length direction, and the electric wires can be identified by this identification pattern.

3. The cable according to claim 2, wherein, The plurality of electric wires forming the outer layer are configured such that the electric wires can be identified by the combination of the identification pattern printed on their outer surfaces, the color of the insulator, and the color of the identification pattern.

4. A cable, comprising: An aggregate formed by stranding a plurality of electric wires, which can be identified by the appearance of the insulator, into two or more layers, and A sheath covering the periphery of the aggregate; The plurality of electric wires include a plurality of twisted pairs formed by twisting a pair of insulated electric wires and a plurality of insulated electric wires, and the plurality of twisted pairs and the plurality of insulated electric wires are configured such that they can be identified by different identification methods respectively.

5. The cable according to claim 4, wherein, The plurality of twisted pairs are configured such that they can be identified by the combination of the colors of the insulators of the pair of insulated electric wires, and the plurality of insulated electric wires are configured such that an identification pattern is attached to their outer surfaces along the cable length direction, and they can be identified by this identification pattern.

6. The cable according to claim 2 or 5, wherein, The identification pattern is a dot mark.

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