tube

Abstract

To provide a tube that is easy to handle due to its excellent flexibility and also has excellent kink resistance. [Solution] A tube having a corrugated shape and having convex and concave portions continuously in the longitudinal direction, wherein in a cross section along the longitudinal direction of the tube, the convex portion, the concave portion, and the inclined portion connecting the convex and concave portions are continuous without interruption, and each portion of the convex portion, the concave portion, and the inclined portion has approximately the same wall thickness. A tube in which the wall thickness of each portion is approximately the same in a cross section along the longitudinal direction of the tube, and the wall thickness is in the range of 0.35 to 0.55 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tube used for, for example, a pull-out faucet attached to a washstand, a sink, or the like, and particularly relates to a tube that has a continuous uneven shape in the longitudinal direction and has substantially the same wall thickness at each portion.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a pull-out faucet attached to a cabinet such as a washstand or a sink, a form is known in which a tubular body is connected to a water discharge head, and the tubular body can be pulled out and stored together with the water discharge head. This type of faucet is widely used because the water discharge head and the tubular body can be easily pulled out and stored, and the water discharge head can be gripped to discharge water at any arbitrary position. In some cases, the tubular body is composed of an inner tube and a reinforcing pipe, a metal bellows pipe is used for the reinforcing pipe, and a resin or rubber tube is used for the inner tube. As related technologies, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 2 can be referred to. Since such a bellows pipe has an outer layer made of a glossy metal such as stainless steel, it is characterized by excellent appearance, low friction when pulled out from the base faucet, and high resistance to external damage.

[0003] Further, as technologies that do not use a metal bellows pipe, there are a multi-layered tube laminated and covered with a metal braid, a corrugated tube covered with a resin braid, and the like, and for example, Patent Documents 3 to 4 can be referred to.

[0004] In addition, there are also corrugated tubes that are used for bundling a plurality of electric wires and cables, and improve functions such as impact resistance that mitigates external impact and workability of electric wire routing. A state in which electric wires are bundled with a corrugated tube is referred to as a wire harness, and for example, Patent Documents 5 to 6 can be referred to.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] However, this type of tubing had undesirable problems in terms of cost and flexibility. For example, the metal bellows tubing shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 had high material costs due to the use of a certain amount of metal, and the processing costs of the metal inevitably led to high prices for the final product. Also, the multi-layered tubing shown in Patent Document 3, which is covered with a metal braid, had poor flexibility and there was room for improvement in handling. Furthermore, the corrugated tubing covered with a resin braid shown in Patent Document 4 did not have the best flexibility, and there was some room for improvement in handling. Market needs have always been for low cost, as well as excellent flexibility for easy handling, and also for superior durability. In addition, the corrugated tubing shown in Patent Documents 5 and 6 was not designed with the passage of liquids in mind and is not suitable for water supply applications. Moreover, the uneven wall thickness in each part resulted in poor flexibility.

[0007] This invention was made in response to these problems, and its objective is to provide a tube that is easy to handle due to its excellent flexibility and also has excellent kink resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the tube made of this article is corrugated in shape and has convex and concave portions continuously in the longitudinal direction, wherein in a cross section along the longitudinal direction of the tube, the convex portion, the concave portion, and the inclined portion connecting the convex and concave portions are continuous without interruption, and each of the convex portion, the concave portion, and the inclined portion has approximately the same wall thickness. Furthermore, in the cross-section along the length of the tube, the wall thickness of each of the above-mentioned parts is approximately the same, and the wall thickness is within the range of 0.35 to 0.55 mm. Furthermore, in a cross-section along the length of the tube, when the wall thickness of each portion is denoted as t, the outer diameter of the convex portion as convex D, and the outer diameter of the concave portion as concave D, it is conceivable that for t=1, the ratio of convex D=25.3~26.3 and concave D=19.5~20.5. Furthermore, in a cross-section along the length of the tube, if the wall thickness of each portion is t and the distance from the apex of one convex portion to the apex of the adjacent convex portion is p, then the ratio of p to t is 4.4 to 5.4 for t = 1. Furthermore, in a cross-section along the length of the tube, each convex portion has only one vertex, and when the wall thickness of each portion is denoted as t, and the radius R of the vertex is measured, it is conceivable that the ratio of R to t=1 is 1.3 to 1.8. Furthermore, it is possible that the material constituting the above-mentioned tube has a hardness of D40 to D50. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the above-mentioned tube is made of cross-linked polyethylene. Furthermore, a braided tube can be considered in which a braided covering is formed on the outer circumference of the tube, the braided covering covers and conceals the tube, the braided covering is made of monofilament of thermoplastic fibers, and the total outer diameter when the braided covering covers and conceals the tube is 10.0 to 16.0 mm. Furthermore, the above-mentioned tube can be incorporated into a faucet unit installed in a washbasin, bathroom, kitchen, or toilet, and is a shower hose that can be pulled out from a predetermined fixed storage position and then stored away. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the tube has convex and concave portions, and the wall thickness of each portion is approximately the same, resulting in excellent flexibility and ease of handling. It also has a structure that is highly resistant to kinking. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a partially cutaway front view illustrating the present invention. The present invention is continuous from left to right in this figure. The top view, bottom view, and rear view are identical to this figure. [Figure 2] This is a partially cutaway front view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is continuous from left to right in this figure. The top view, bottom view, and rear view are shown identically to this figure. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an apparatus for braided covering according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a reference diagram showing the usage state of the present invention. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 relates to a corrugated tube having a continuous uneven shape in the longitudinal direction and having approximately the same wall thickness in each part.

[0012] First, the configuration of the tube 2 in Embodiment 1 will be described. The tube 2 in Embodiment 1 has a configuration as shown in Figure 1. The tube 2 used in the present invention has a corrugated shape, and in a cross section along the longitudinal direction, the convex portions, the concave portions, and the inclined portions connecting the convex portions and the concave portions are continuous without interruption. It is preferable that each of the convex portions, the concave portions, and the inclined portions has a substantially equal wall thickness. "Substantially equal" is synonymous with allowable tolerance. A dimensional tolerance of ±0.2 mm is permitted for values greater than 1.0 mm, and ±0.1 mm for values of 1.0 mm or less, and performance as designed can be maintained within this allowable tolerance. Since the tube 2 of the present invention has the above structure, it has improved flexibility and good handleability compared to tubes with non-uniform wall thickness. In addition, the substantially equal wall thickness also provides excellent kink resistance. If the wall thickness is not uniform, the possibility of accidental hole formation increases, which causes problems from the viewpoint of durability. Furthermore, non-uniform wall thickness is not preferable because flexibility also decreases and handling becomes difficult.

[0013] Regarding the tube 2, in a cross section along the length direction of the tube 2, it is conceivable that the wall thickness of each portion is substantially equal, and the wall thickness is within the range of 0.35 to 0.55 mm. The fact that the wall thickness of each portion is substantially equal means that the values fall within the allowable tolerance range, as described in the above paragraph. The case where the tube 2 of the present invention has the above structure is particularly preferable because it has flexibility and kink resistance that are optimal for use as a household water supply tube. Specific examples of the household water supply tube include shower hoses, and more specifically, water spray hoses, kitchen shower hoses, and bathroom vanity hoses. A tube with a wall thickness smaller than the above range is not preferable because it cannot withstand the burst pressure during water flow, the tube may rupture, and the kink resistance decreases. When the total outer diameter of the tube is within a predetermined range, a tube with a wall thickness larger than the above range is not preferable because flexibility decreases and handling becomes difficult.

[0014] In tube 2, the wall thickness of tube 2 is t, the outer diameter of the convex portion is convex D, and the outer diameter of the concave portion is concave D in a cross-section along the length of tube 2. In this case, it is conceivable that the ratio of convex D = 25.3 to 26.3 and concave D = 19.5 to 20.5 for t = 1. When tube 2 of the present invention has the above structure, it is particularly preferable because it combines the most appropriate flexibility and kink resistance in a high order, and also has excellent pressure resistance from the inside and outside, as well as water permeability inside the tube. If the difference between the convex and concave portions is smaller than the above range, the shape will be similar to a straight tube that is not corrugated, and the flexibility will decrease. If the difference between the convex and concave portions is larger than the above range, the amount of water that can pass inside the tube will be inferior in the convex portion compared to a tube with the same outer diameter, and the convex portion as seen from inside the tube may cause water to stagnate, which is undesirable. If it is within the above range, the draw-out durability will also be improved. Drawer durability is a characteristic directly proportional to flexibility, mechanical strength, bendability, abrasion resistance, and kink resistance, and as the name suggests, it is the performance that withstands the act of drawing out and storing when used in household water supply tubes, etc. A ratio of t:convex D:concave D within the above range is particularly preferable because it improves drawer durability the most.

[0015] In the tube 2, in a cross-section along the length of the tube 2, the wall thickness of the tube 2 is t, and the distance from the apex of one convex portion to the apex of the adjacent convex portion is p. In this case, a ratio of p = 4.4 to 5.4 for t = 1 is considered possible. When the tube 2 of the present invention has the above structure, it is particularly preferable because it provides the best flexibility. The apex of a convex portion refers to the outermost ends in the vertical direction when viewed in cross-section along the length of the tube 2, and the apex of an adjacent convex portion refers to the outermost end that is closest to the tube 2 in the length direction. If the distance from the apex of a convex portion to the apex of the adjacent convex portion is larger than the above range, the shape will resemble a straight tube that is not corrugated, and the flexibility will decrease. If the distance from the apex of a convex portion to the apex of the adjacent convex portion is smaller than the above range, it is undesirable because the convex portion viewed from inside the tube may cause water stagnation.

[0016] In a cross section along the length direction of the tube 2, the tube 2 has only one apex of the convex portion for each convex portion. Regarding the radius R at the apex of the convex portion, when the wall thickness of the tube 2 is defined as t, a ratio of R=1.3 to 1.8 relative to t=1 is conceivable. The value of R can be calculated by drawing a circle that exactly overlaps the outermost end of each apex in the vertical direction in the cross section along the length direction of the tube 2, and determining the radius of that circle. When the radius R at the apex of the convex portion is within the above range, the flexibility, stretchability in the length direction, external pressure resistance, and wear resistance can be appropriately improved, which is preferable. If the radius R at the apex of the convex portion is smaller than the above range, the convex portion becomes sharp, and is liable to chip under an external force, so that the external pressure resistance and wear resistance decrease. Furthermore, if the convex portion is sharp, it may damage the surroundings of the tube, which is not preferable. If the radius R at the apex of the convex portion is larger than the above range, the shape resembles a straight tube that is not corrugated, and the flexibility decreases. In addition, as shapes having two or more apex radii R on each convex portion, corrugated tubes such as those disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-055754 of Patent Document 5 and Japanese Patent No. 7498733 of Patent Document 6 are commercially available. However, with such shapes having two or more apex radii R on each convex portion, adjacent apexes interfere with each other during bending, resulting in reduced flexibility. Furthermore, when each convex portion has two or more apex radii R, a corner may be present in the convex portion as viewed from the inside of the tube, which may cause water flow stagnation at that corner, which is not preferable. Only with the shape having exactly one apex radius R on each convex portion can the tube 2 have excellent flexibility and kink resistance.

[0017] As the tube used in the present invention, one having a durometer hardness (Type D) of D30 or more and D60 or less as measured in accordance with JIS-K6253-2023 is conceivable. Further, the D hardness is more preferably D40 or more and D50 or less, and most preferably D42 to D48. If the D hardness is below the above range, the mechanical strength decreases, and if the D hardness exceeds the above range, the flexibility is lowered and the pliability is deteriorated. Being within the above D hardness range is particularly preferable, since the tube simultaneously achieves the most appropriate mechanical strength, flexibility, and kink resistance at a high level.

[0018] The material used for the tube in this invention preferably has a melt mass flow rate (MFR) in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 g / 10 min, and more preferably 0.7 to 1.3 g / 10 min. If it exceeds this preferred range, the moldability during extrusion molding decreases, and if it falls below this preferred range, the mechanical strength, such as drawing durability, decreases, which is undesirable. A melt mass flow rate (MFR) of 0.7 to 1.3 g / 10 min is most preferred because it provides the best balance of processability and mechanical strength.

[0019] The material of tube 2 used in the present invention is thought to be composed of a polyolefin resin. Specifically, examples include homopolymers of α-olefins having 2 or more carbon atoms, such as ethylene, propylene, butene-1, hexene-1, 3-methylbutene-1, 4-methylpentene-1, heptene-1, octene-1, decene-1, and dodecene-1; random or block polymers of two or more of these monomers; polymers mainly composed of α-olefins having 2 or more carbon atoms, with other monomers in random, block, or graft configurations; or mixtures or crosslinked products thereof. Among these, a crosslinked mixture of polyethylene and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer is preferred because the flexibility and durability of tube 2 can be easily controlled. As for polyethylene, for example, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, etc., can be appropriately selected considering flexibility, etc. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain desired properties by adding other compounding materials to tube 2. For example, durability may be further improved by appropriately adding antioxidants, etc.

[0020] In this invention, crosslinking may be considered to improve the durability and heat resistance of tube 2. Crosslinking improves the durability and heat resistance of the polyolefin resin as described above. Non-crosslinked polyolefin resins have a relatively low heat resistance temperature. When tube 2 is used for hot water supply, the temperature of the hot water transported inside tube 2 may reach about 90°C, so it is necessary to improve durability at high temperatures by crosslinking. Examples of crosslinking methods include electron beam crosslinking, silane crosslinking, and peroxide crosslinking, but in this invention, electron beam crosslinking is preferred among these. This is because, unlike peroxide crosslinking and silane crosslinking, it does not require the addition of other materials such as crosslinking agents, resulting in fewer components leaching into the fluid and allowing for a high degree of freedom in material selection. For these reasons, in this invention, it is preferable to crosslink tube 2 by electron beam crosslinking. Considering each performance and cost, overall, it is preferable that tube 2 be crosslinked polyethylene.

[0021] (Embodiment 2) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 2 relates to a corrugated tube having a continuous uneven shape in the longitudinal direction and having approximately the same wall thickness in each part, wherein the corrugated tube is covered with a braided coating.

[0022] First, let's explain the configuration of the braided tube 1 in Embodiment 2. The braided tube 1 in Embodiment 2 has the configuration shown in Figure 2.

[0023] The braided tube 1 may be equipped with a braided covering 3 to prevent wear due to pulling out and storing, i.e., to improve durability. The configuration of the braided tube 1 other than the braided covering 3 is the same as in Embodiment 1. The braided covering 3 covers the outer circumference of the tube 2. The braided covering 3 is made up of braided strands 4, and fiber yarn is used for the braided strands 4. Examples of fiber yarns include inorganic fibers such as glass fibers, alumina fibers, silica fibers, alumina-silica fibers, and carbon fibers, as well as organic fibers such as polyester fibers, all-aromatic polyester fibers, aromatic polyamide fibers, polyphenylene sulfide fibers, fluororesin fibers, and nylon fibers. It may also be monofilament or multifilament. Among these, monofilament polyester fibers, which combine cost and durability, are particularly preferred. Furthermore, these fibers may be appropriately selected considering the usage conditions, and of course, they may be braided individually or multiple types may be used in combination.

[0024] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the fiber is not limited to a perfect circle; it can also be elliptical or rectangular. In addition, the fiber may be coated, such as a gel-like coating to fill the gaps between the braided strands 4, or a coating to increase surface energy to improve slipperiness and water repellency. The fiber may also be kneaded with additives to improve slipperiness, such as silicone-based, fluorine-based, or fatty acid ester-based additives.

[0025] In Embodiment 2, the braided tube 1 is equipped with a braided covering 3, and the braided covering 3 covers the tube 2. This flattens the uneven structure on the outer circumference of the tube 2, suppressing snagging during handling and improving the durability of the tube. Furthermore, the braided covering 3 improves the burst pressure of the tube 2 when water flows through it, which is preferable. When the braided covering 3 covers the tube 2, its total outer diameter is thought to be 10.0 to 16.0 mm. Having the total outer diameter within this range is particularly preferable because it allows the tubing of conventional metal bellows tubes used in households to be replaced with the braided tube 1 of Embodiment 2.

[0026] The braided covering 3 covers the tube 2 with a shielding rate of a predetermined level or higher, which prevents fluid from entering between the tube 2 and the braided covering 3, thus preventing mold growth and unintended fluid communication. For example, in a faucet with a pipe incorporated into it as shown in Figure 4, a user may pull out the pipe and rinse the outer circumference with water. In such cases, water can travel along the outer circumference of the pipe, and if the pipe has a multi-layered structure where water can enter between layers, water can travel through the interlayers, potentially causing water leakage to areas such as under the sink 30. Conventionally, measures to address this problem included providing a water tray under the sink or equipping the faucet with a water stopper to prevent leakage under the sink 30. In the present invention, by covering the tube 2 with a shielding rate (the percentage of the surface of the braided covering 3 covered by the braided covering 3) of 90-97%, fluid entry between the tube 2 and the braided covering 3 can be suppressed, preventing water leakage under the sink 30, which is preferable. A higher shielding ratio prevents fluid intrusion, but a higher shielding ratio reduces flexibility. The range in which water intrusion is prevented while maintaining a high degree of flexibility of the braided tube 1 is a shielding ratio of 90-97%, and it is preferable to cover the braid within this range.

[0027] As described above, the preferred structure in the present invention is one in which the fluid-conducting tube 2 has a highly flexible corrugated shape, and furthermore, when it is equipped with a monofilament braided covering 3 on its outer circumference, it can be a structure that combines various durabilitys. Furthermore, since the tube 2 and braided covering 3 are not made of metal, it is relatively low cost. As shown in Figure 4, when the present invention is used as a shower hose incorporated into a faucet unit installed in a washbasin, bathroom, kitchen, toilet, etc., which is pulled out from a predetermined fixed storage position and then stored after being pulled out, it can meet various market demands.

[0028] As another possible structure, a watertight layer 5 may be provided between the tube 2 and the braided covering 3. The material of the watertight layer 5 may be resin, rubber, elastomer, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, etc., and it may be a single-layer structure, a multi-layer structure, or a multi-layer structure made of different materials. For example, a watertight layer 5 can be made in which the layer in contact with the tube 2 is a nonwoven fabric layer and the layer in contact with the braided covering 3 is an elastomer layer. By making the layer in contact with the tube 2 a layer of material with low fluidity, it will not get caught in the uneven structure of the tube 2, and the flexibility of the tube 2 can be maintained. Alternatively, by making the layer in contact with the braided covering 3 a layer of material with high fluidity, it will interlock with the uneven structure resulting from the intersection of the braided strands 4 of the braided covering 3, increasing watertightness and preventing water leakage into the sink area 27, etc., which is preferable. The watertightness of the braided tube 1 described here means that when a dry braided tube 1 is submerged in water or water is poured over it, water does not enter the inside of the braided covering 3. Increasing the watertightness of the braided tube 1 is particularly desirable because it also suppresses the growth of mold inside the braided covering 3. The watertight layer 5 may be wrapped using a diagonal horizontal winding method, or it may be wrapped by wrapping a long tape-like piece with a width the same as the outer circumference of the tube 2 around it.

[0029] Furthermore, the braided covering 3 of the present invention may also be metallic in color. Methods for achieving a metallic color include applying various metallic color paints to the surface of the braided covering 3, or incorporating various metal or metal oxide fine particles into the materials constituting the braided covering 3. These fine particles only need to have a metal or metal oxide surface. For example, they may be metal-based filler fine particles such as aluminum fine particles, aluminum oxide fine particles, titanium oxide-coated aluminum oxide fine particles, silver fine particles, stainless steel fine particles, zinc oxide fine particles, or zirconium oxide fine particles, or they may be filler fine particles in which the surface of non-metallic fine particles such as resin, ceramic powder, or biotite (mica) is coated with a metal such as titanium oxide. These may be used individually or in combination. In particular, to more closely approximate the appearance of a metal wire, it is preferable to use aluminum, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, or titanium oxide-coated aluminum oxide. Furthermore, by mixing powdered pearl in addition to the metal or metal oxide fine particles, the iridescent coloration of the pearl can further enhance the metallic appearance.

[0030] Furthermore, since the braided covering 3 is used in an environment where it is constantly exposed to water, it is preferable to use materials with excellent corrosion resistance. In addition, it is also possible to coat the outer periphery of the braided covering 3 with a transparent resin.

[0031] In embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, tube 2 is single-layered, but tube 2 may be single-layered or multi-layered. For example, the inner layer of tube 2 may be constructed with an emphasis on chlorine resistance and heat resistance, while the outer layer of tube 2 may be constructed with an emphasis on durability, flexibility, and pliability. Other possibilities include making the outermost layer fused. Furthermore, it may be a multi-layered structure of three or more layers, and the thickness of each layer can be freely designed as appropriate.

[0032] In Embodiments 1 and 2, the tube 2 can be obtained by forming a straight tube shape using a known molding method such as extrusion molding, and then performing a vacuum drawing process to form an uneven shape. In Embodiment 2, after corrugating the tube 2, it is crosslinked by irradiation with an electron beam, and the tube 2 is continuously supplied to the braiding machine 30 shown in Figure 3. Four strands of polyester fiber yarn with a diameter of 0.25 mm are then arranged together as braiding strands 4 and braided in a total of 48 strands to form a braided covering 3. Through this braiding process, a braided tube 1 can be obtained.

[0033] Using the above manufacturing method, in embodiments 1 and 2, a tube 2 can be produced in which the outer diameter of the convex portion is 11.6 mm, the outer diameter of the concave portion is 9.0 mm, and the inner diameter of the concave portion is 8.1 mm. In the cross-section of tube 2 along the length direction produced by the above manufacturing method, the wall thickness is 0.45 mm, and the wall thickness is approximately the same at all points. The vertices of adjacent convex portions are continuous at intervals of 2.2 mm from the vertex of one convex portion, and the radius of the vertex of the convex portion is 0.7 mm. The hardness is D45. The MFR of the material is 0.7 to 1.3 g / 10 min. In embodiment 2, the total outer diameter when the braided covering completely covers the tube is 12.9 mm. The produced tube 2 and braided tube 1 have tolerances, with a dimensional tolerance of ±0.2 mm for values ​​greater than 1.0 mm and ±0.1 mm for values ​​less than or equal to 1.0 mm. Within these tolerances, the performance as designed can be maintained. Even if the wall thickness of tube 2 is approximately the same, this tolerance is referenced, and ±0.2 mm is considered approximately equivalent for values ​​greater than 1.0 mm, and ±0.1 mm for values ​​of 1.0 mm or less.

[0034] Numerical measurements of tube 2 and braided tube 1 are performed using dial gauges and pin gauges. The outer diameter of the convex portion and the total outer diameter are measured using a dial gauge, and the inner diameter of the concave portion is measured using a pin gauge. The outer diameter of the concave portion is calculated from other measured values. The wall thickness of tube 2, the distance from the apex of one convex portion to the apex of an adjacent convex portion, and the radius (R) of the convex portion apex are measured using known tools such as measuring microscopes and image dimension measuring instruments.

[0035] Furthermore, in order to evaluate the characteristics of tube 2 according to this embodiment 1 and the tube in a comparative configuration, evaluation tests were conducted on bending reaction force (flexibility) and kink distance (flexibility) as shown below.

[0036] [Table 1]

[0037] Bending reaction force (flexibility) A sample approximately 200 mm in length was taken, bent in the height direction so that the straight distance between the ends was 150 mm, and fixed in place on the testing machine. The testing machine was then moved at a speed of 100 mm / min so that the straight distance between the ends was 100 mm, and the bending reaction force was measured.

[0038] Kink distance (flexibility) A sample approximately 200 mm in length was taken and fixed in the testing machine, bent in the height direction so that the straight distance between the ends was 150 mm. The testing machine was then moved at a speed of 100 mm / min so that the straight distance between the ends was 50 mm. Subsequently, the testing machine was moved in a direction that further compressed the sample, and the distance between the samples when they kink was measured.

[0039] [Table 2]

[0040] As shown in Table 2, the tube 2 according to Embodiment 1 is designed outside the scope of the present invention, exhibiting a smaller bending reaction force and a smaller kink distance than the tube of the comparative form, which is manufactured under conditions of a large wall thickness tolerance. Therefore, the tube 2 of the present invention has superior overall flexibility and is easy to handle. In addition, its kink resistance is purely improved. Furthermore, the tube of the comparative form has a large wall thickness tolerance and a large maximum wall thickness. Such a tube of the comparative form is heavy and increases costs.

[0041] The tube 2 obtained in this way has a water outlet head 21 attached to one end, as shown in Figure 4, and the other end is connected to the main valve 25 via a connecting pipe 23, so that it can be used as a shower hose for a pull-out faucet. The area below the dashed line in Figure 4 is the area under the sink 27, such as a washbasin or kitchen sink.

[0042] Furthermore, conventional pull-out shower hoses sometimes come with a stopper that restricts extension, as shown in Figure 4, part number 29. This stopper limits extension when storing the shower hose and, by being heavy, facilitates smooth storage of the shower hose. However, if it is made of metal, it has been a constraint on cost reduction. Although stoppers can also be made of resin, a certain amount of weight is required, so cost is unavoidable. By replacing this stopper structure with a structure that biases the shower hose under the sink downwards using elastic force, it is possible to achieve a smooth retraction effect at a low cost without using expensive metal materials. [Industrial applicability]

[0043] As detailed above, the tube 2 according to the present invention is highly flexible and easy to handle. Furthermore, it has good kink resistance. In addition, the braided tube 1 in Embodiment 2 has a braided covering, resulting in less snagging, a structure that is resistant to damage, and excellent pull-out durability. Furthermore, since the tube and braided covering are not made of metal, it is relatively inexpensive. By using the present invention, it is possible to obtain tubes and braided tubes that can be used in pull-out faucets attached to washbasins, sinks, etc. Such tubes can be used in applications other than the pull-out faucets described above, and are suitable for applications where a handheld water outlet head is attached and a long tube is attached. Moreover, they can be used not only in washbasins and sinks, but also for hot water supply in bathrooms, bathtubs, water tanks, washing areas, etc. Furthermore, they can be applied not only to hot water supply and water transport but also to vent pipes and suction pipes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Braided tube 2 tubes 3. Braided covering 4 Braided wire 5. Watertight layer 21 Water outlet head 23 connecting pipes 25 faucets 27 Under the sink 29 Stopper 30. Braiding machine 31 Cable supply drum 32. Collection device 33 Winding device 40 Wall thickness (t) 41 Outer diameter of the protruding portion (protrusion D) 42 Outer diameter of the recessed portion (recess D) 43. From the vertex of one convex portion to the vertex (p) of the adjacent convex portion. 44. R(R) of the vertex of the convex portion 45 Total outer diameter

Claims

1. A tube having a corrugated shape, with convex and concave portions continuously in the longitudinal direction, In a cross-section along the longitudinal direction of the tube, the convex portion, the concave portion, and the inclined portion connecting the convex portion and the concave portion are continuous without interruption. A tube characterized in that the convex portion, the concave portion, and the inclined portion each have substantially the same wall thickness.

2. In a cross-section along the length of the tube, The tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall thickness of each of the above-mentioned parts is substantially the same, and the wall thickness is within the range of 0.35 to 0.55 mm.

3. In a cross-section along the length of the tube, When the thickness of each of the above parts is t, the outer diameter of the convex part is convex D, and the outer diameter of the concave part is concave D, For t = 1, The ratio of convex D = 25.3 to 26.3 is The tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of concave D = 19.5 to 20.

5.

4. In a cross-section along the length of the tube, When the thickness of each of the above parts is t, and the distance from the vertex of one convex part to the vertex of the adjacent convex part is p, For t = 1, The tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of p = 4.4 to 5.

4.

5. In a cross-section along the length of the tube, Each of the above-mentioned protruding parts has only one vertex. Let t be the thickness of each of the above parts, and when the R of the vertex is measured, For t = 1, The tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of R is 1.3 to 1.

8.

6. The tube according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the material constituting the above tube has a hardness of D40 to D50.

7. The tube according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tube is made of cross-linked polyethylene.

8. In the tube according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a braided covering is formed on the outer circumference of the tube, and the braided covering covers and conceals the tube. The above braided covering consists of monofilaments of thermoplastic fibers. A braided tube characterized in that the total outer diameter when the braided covering completely encloses the tube is 10.0 to 16.0 mm.

9. In the tube according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the tube is incorporated into a faucet unit installed in a washbasin or bathroom, kitchen, or toilet. A shower hose characterized by being able to be pulled out from a predetermined fixed storage position and then stored after being pulled out.

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