|
(11) | EP 1 236 822 B9 |
| (12) | CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
| Note: Bibliography reflects the latest situation |
|
|
| (54) |
tubes for protecting cables, conduits and the like Schläuche zum Schützen von Kabeln, Leitungen und dergleichen tubes pour la protection de câbles, conduites et similaires |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0001] This invention relates to tubes for protecting cables, conduits and the like, manufactured with a warp knitting machine of, for example, the Raschel type, said tube being applied preferably for the protection of automobile cables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As they are subject to vibrations, automobiles produce noises that are annoying for the occupants of the vehicle. Some of these noises are produced by the cables as they knock against the bodywork of the vehicle due to said vibrations. The vibrations can also lead to wear of the cables and, consequently, of the protecting tube.
[0003] In order to avoid such inconvenience, for some time now protecting tubes have been used which cover the cables of automobiles and absorb the noise.
[0004] These protecting tubes are made up of a braiding of filaments of plastic materials, which have the advantage of being highly elastic and of adapting to different cable diameters. In order to provide the protecting tube with the necessary noise-absorption characteristics, such tubes also include yarns of texturised material.
[0005] Patent ES-A-2.210.854, whose holder is the same as the applicant of this patent, discloses an isolating tube which is made up of different types of yarns, which permits a combination of elasticity and noise-absorption characteristics, together with resistance to abrasion and temperature.
[0006] As a result of increased wiring in automobiles due to the fitting of an ever increasing number of electrical and/or electronic appliances, the applicant has encountered a problem which was not known to date and which is the limited diameter of said protecting tubes.
[0007] The applicant has arrived at the conclusion that if protecting tubes of larger diameter could be manufactured, more cables could be passed through each tube, thus facilitating assembly of the electrical part of the automobile. However, with the present manufacturing machines, the manufacture of protecting tubes of larger diameter is not viable.
[0008] This impossibility is due to the fact that the present machines include a circular head provided with a plurality of needles, see for instance EP-A-0 189 173. This head is surrounded by yarn-guides which feed one yarn to each needle. On the basis of this machine, there is clearly a limitation of space for the number of yarns necessary for manufacturing tubes of large diameter. Furthermore, this machine is specially designed for manufacturing protecting tubes of small diameters, as this was so far considered to be the most suitable solution.
[0009] Warp knitting machines, such as the machines of the Raschel type, have been known for some time, and their field of application in the field of the automobile was suggested by GB-A-2 312 002 for knitting turbo hose. Raschel machines are currently used for manufacturing various types of products, such as underwear or rugs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The tube of the invention manages to resolve the aforesaid disadvantages, while presenting other advantages which will be described below.
[0011] This invention relates to a protecting tube for cables, conduits and the like, said protecting tube comprising at least two different types of yarn, a first yarn with a single filament and a second with multi-filament yarn, and said yarns are weaved with each other by means of tricot, laying in and chain stitches.
[0012] According to a currently preferred embodiment of the protecting tube of the invention, said first single-filament yarn is weaved with the rest of the yarns by means of laying in stitches and the second multi-filament yarn is weaved by means of tricot stitches, while the tube further includes a third yarn which is also of a single filament weaved with chain stitch.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, said first single-filament yarn is made of polyamide and has a diameter between 0.15 and 0.30 millimetres, said second multi-filament yarn is made of texturised polyester with yarn thickness of between 230 Tex and 2000 Tex, and said third single-filament yarn is also made of polyamide and has a diameter of between 0.15 and 0.30 millimetres.
[0015] If so wished, the protecting tube of this invention can be made up of two tubes totally or partially attached to each other, with one of the tubes housed inside the other, or it can include on one of its ends a plurality of tubes attached to said end.
[0016] In order to endow the protecting tube of this invention with suitable characteristics, the tube includes an impregnated resin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] For a better understanding of what has been outlined some drawings are attached which show, schematically and solely by way of non-restrictive example, a practical case of embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] The figures show five structures of the protecting tube of this invention, all of them manufactured with a Raschel-type warp knitting machine. The weaves shown in the figures are the steps carried out until the weave shown in Figure 5, currently considered the most suitable, had been achieved.
[0020] It should be stated that the Raschel-type warp knitting machine is all too well known by any technician in the field, and thus need not be described.
[0021] Despite the fact that to manufacture the tubes of this invention it is not essential to modify any aspect of the machine, in order to achieve an optimum product some modifications were made, principal among which were the specific offsetting of the cams, fine set-up of the machine, needles with special travel, special dowel pins according to the material to be used and clothing of the drawing cylinders.
[0022] When the applicant set out to make a protecting tube of larger diameter than those currently known, he came up against the difficulty that the current machines designed for the manufacturing of this type of tubes were not designed to manufacture tubes of such large diameters.
[0023] The need for such larger-diameter tubes is due to discernment of a problem unknown so far, since it was only possible to house a limited number of cables inside the protecting tube. As can be appreciated from the patents existing on this type of tubes applicable to the automobile industry, all the documents seek greater elasticity and noise absorption, without according importance to tube dimensions.
[0025] In this case, the protecting tube comprises some first yarns 1 with a single filament of polyamide with a diameter of 0.25 millimetres, and some second yarns 2 with multi-filament of texturised polyester of 430 Tex.
[0026] The first and second yarns 1, 2 are weaved with each other by means of tricot stitches, these tricot stitches running in the same direction.
[0027] If we compare the tube with this weave (hereinafter called weave 1) with the current tricot-braided tube (for example, that described in patent ES-A-2.120.854) it can be appreciated that the tube of weave 1 is much more closely woven and so completely covers the piece onto which it is fitted. This tube is also more pleasant to the touch, as the stitches are closer together. If we compare the technical characteristics of the tube with weave 1 and those of the current tube, we note that the tube is much thinner and that its abrasion resistance is double that of the current tube, thereby lengthening the life of the piece it covers.
| Diameter (mm) | Width (mm) | Weight (g/m) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Abrasion resistance (cycles) | Abrasion resistance (cycles/mm) | |
| Weave 1 | 10 | 54 | 20.6 | 1.0 | 684,000 | 684,000 |
| Current Product | 10 | 54 | 29.4 | 1.75 | 301,451 | 172,258 |
[0028] One disadvantage found with the tube with weave 1 was that it curled up too easily and was too elastic. The weave shown in Figure 2 (weave 2) was thought of for this reason.
[0029] In this case, the yarns are identical to those of weave 1, and the stitches are also tricot. The only difference consists in the tricot stitches being arranged in opposite directions.
[0030] This resulted in a less closely woven tube, very similar to the current tube. If we compare the characteristics with the current tube, the wall thickness of the tube is found to be very much lower. In terms of abrasion resistance, this is higher in the tube with weave 2 than in the current tube, but lower than in the tube with weave 1.
| Diameter (mm) | Width (mm) | Weight (g/m) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Abrasion resistance (cycles) | Abrasion resistance (cycles/ mm) | |
| Weave 2 | 10 | 53 | 19.5 | 1.0 | 560,000 | 560,000 |
| Current Product | 10 | 54 | 29.4 | 1.75 | 301,451 | 172,258 |
[0031] In an attempt to reduce the curling force, a longer weave was chosen, as can be seen from Figure 3 onwards. In this case, the yarns are identical to those of weaves 1 and 2, and are weaved using tricot stitches, but in this case the stitches of the second multi-ply yarn 2 are made on three needles.
[0032] On the basis of this weave (weave 3) it was found that this tube is harsher to the touch owing to it forming a column-like arrangement. In relation to its characteristics, the wall thickness was found to be slightly greater than that of the current tube, while its abrasion resistance was very much lower than that of weaves 1 and 2 and of the current tube. This lack of abrasion resistance was due to the fabric giving way along the mesh columns where the first yarns 1 were not working.
| Diameter (mm) | Width (mm) | Weight (g/m) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Abrasion resistance (cycles) | Abrasion resistance (cycles/mm) | |
| Weave 3 | 10 | 53 | 30.8 | 1.85 | 14,000 | 7,567 |
| Current Product | 10 | 54 | 29.4 | 1.75 | 301,451 | 172,258 |
[0033] Given that none of these proposals was fully satisfactory, it was felt appropriate to make a radical change. In order to achieve greater stability a weave using tricot and laying in stitches was chosen; more specifically, the tricot stitches were made on the second multi-filament yarns 2, while the laying in stitches were made on three needles and on the first single-filament yarns 1. It should be noted that the characteristics of the yarns were identical to those of weaves 1 to 3.
[0034] The tricot stitches of the well-tensioned second yarns 2 lent stability along the length of the fabric, while the laying in stitches of the first yarns 1 provided stability across the width, and by an interplay of tensions the tube could be provided with a curling point.
[0035] This tube (weave 4) is the most pleasing visually and to the feel. It is also a more closely woven tube than the current one. Comparing the characteristics of the tube of weave 4 with those of the current tube, the thickness of the tube wall is very much lower, and the abrasion resistance is lower, due to the fact that the second multi-ply yarns 2, which are the only ones that form the mesh, broke quickly, leaving those that did not break barely covering the piece to be sheathed.
| Diameter (mm) | Width (mm) | Weight (g/m) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Abrasion resistance (cycles) | Abrasion resistance (cycles/mm) | |
| Weave 4 | 10 | 53 | 19.6 | 0.9 | 70,000 | 77,777 |
| Current Product | 10 | 54 | 29.4 | 1.75 | 301,451 | 172,258 |
[0036] In order to solve the problem of weave 4 it was chosen to place some third single-filament yarns on weave 4. These third yarns 3 were single-filament polyamide yarns with a diameter of 0.25 millimetres. These third yarns 3 were weaved using chain stitch, which lent greater stability and, moreover, protected the second yarns 2.
[0037] The tube with weave 5 is more closely woven than the current tube. Although the tube wall thickness is slightly greater than those of the previous weaves, it remains below that of the current tube. Its abrasion resistance is approximately double that of the current tube.
| Diameter (mm) | Width (mm) | Weight (g/m) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Abrasion resistance (cycles) | Abrasion resistance (cycles/mm) | |
| Weave 5 | 10 | 53 | 24.2 | 1.35 | 750,000 | 555,555 |
| 14 | 75 | 32.8 | ||||
| 20 | 110 | 49.44 | ||||
| 26 | 147 | 67.81 | ||||
| Current Product | 4 | 37 | 19.2 | 96 1.75 |
301,451 | 172.258 |
| 7 | 48 | 20.72 | ||||
| 10 | 54 | 29.4 | ||||
| 14 | 68 | 37 | ||||
| 20 | 110 | 52.92 |
[0039] More specifically, the first yarns 1 are single-filament polyamide yarns with a diameter of 0.20 millimetres; the second yarns 2 are multi-filament texturised polyester yarns of 430 Tex; and the third yarns 3 are single-filament polyester yarns with a diameter of 0.22 millimetres.
[0040] This modification manages to lighten the tube weight by 10%, while also reducing the wall thickness by approximately 0.30 millimetres.
| Diameter (mm) | Width (mm) | Weight (g/m) | Wall Thickness (mm) | |
| Weave 5 Modified | 10 | 53 | 21.8 | 1.0 |
| 14 | 75 | 29.5 | ||
| 20 | 110 | 44.5 | ||
| 26 | 147 | 61.0 |
[0041] It should be stated that all the tubes described above had a finishing treatment applied to them, consisting in impregnation of the multi-filament yarns with a resin, followed by a thermal treatment. This finishing treatment is clearly described in patent ES-A-2 210 854 corresponding to EP-A-0 947 621.
[0042] Moreover, it should also be pointed out that the tube of this invention can be lengthwise open or closed.
[0043] Despite the fact that reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the tube disclosed allow of many variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by others that are technically equivalent, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.
1. Protecting tube for cables, conduits and the like, manufactured with a warp knitting
machine, characterised in that said protecting tube comprises at least two different types of yarn (1, 2), first
yarns (1) with a single filament and second multi-filament yarns, said yarns (1, 2)
being weaved with each other by means of tricot, laying in and chain stitches.
2. Protecting tube as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that said first single-filament yarns (1) are weaved with the rest of the yarns by means
of laying in stitches and the second multi-filament yarns (2) are weaved by means
of tricot stitches, while the tube further includes third yarns (3) which are also
of a single filament weaved with chain stitches.
3. Protecting tube as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the laying in stitches of the first yarns (1) extend over three wales.
4. Protecting tube as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that first single-filament yarn is made of polyamide and has a diameter between 0.15 and
0.30 millimetres.
5. Protecting tube as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that second multi-filament yarns (2) are made of texturised polyester with yarn thickness
of between 230 Tex and 2000 Tex.
6. Protecting tube as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that said third single-filament yarns (3) are also made of polyamide and have a diameter
of between 0.15 and 0.30 millimetres.
7. Protecting tube as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it is made up of two tubes totally or partially attached to each other, with one
of the tubes housed inside the other.
8. Protecting tube as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it includes on one of its ends a plurality of tubes attached to said end.
9. Protecting tube as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it includes an impregnated resin.
1. Schutzschlauch für Kabel, Leitungen und dergleichen, welche mit einer Kettenwirkmaschine
hergestellt sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schutzschlauch mindestens zwei unterschiedliche Arten von Garn (1, 2) mit ersten
Garnen (1) mit einem einzelnen Faden und zweiten Mehrfadengarnen aufweist, wobei die
Garne (1, 2) miteinander mittels Trikot-, Futter- und Kettenmaschen verwoben sind.
2. Schutzschlauch nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ersten Einzelfadengarne (1) mit dem Rest der Garne mittels Futtermaschen verwoben
sind, und die zweiten Mehrfadengarne (2) mittels Trikotmaschen verwoben sind, wobei
der Schlauch weiterhin dritte Garne (3) aufweist, die auch aus einem einzelnen Faden
bestehen, der mit Kettenmaschen verwoben ist.
3. Schutzschlauch nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Futtermaschen der ersten Garne (1) sich über drei Rippen bzw. Maschenstäbchen
erstrecken.
4. Schutzschlauch nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste Einzelfadengarn aus Polyamid hergestellt ist und einen Durchmesser zwischen
0,15 und 0,30 Millimetern aufweist.
5. Schutzschlauch nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zweiten Mehrfadengarne (2) aus strukturiertem Polyester mit einer Garndicke zwischen
230 Tex und 2000 Tex hergestellt sind.
6. Schutzschlauch nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die dritten Einzelfadengarne (3) auch aus Polyamid hergestellt sind und einen Durchmesser
zwischen 0,15 und 0,30 Millimetern aufweisen.
7. Schutzschlauch nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass dieser aus zwei Schläuchen zusammengesetzt ist, die vollständig oder teilweise aneinander
befestigt sind, wobei einer der Schläuche innerhalb des anderen eingebracht ist.
8. Schutzschlauch nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er an einem seiner Enden eine Vielzahl von Schläuchen aufweist, die an diesem Ende
befestigt sind.
9. Schutzschlauch nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er ein imprägniertes Harz aufweist.
1. Tube de protection pour câbles, conduits et analogues, fabriqué avec une machine à
tricoter en chaîne caractérisé en ce que ledit tube de protection comprend au moins deux types différents de fils (1, 2),
des premiers fils (1) étant avec un seul filament et des deuxièmes fils multifilamentaires,
lesdits fils (1, 2) étant tissés l'un avec l'autre au moyen de mailles chaîne, de
mailles cueillies et de mailles chaînette.
2. Tube de protection selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits premiers fils monofilamentaires (1) sont tissés avec le reste des fils au
moyen de mailles cueillies et les deuxièmes fils multifilamentaires (2) sont tissés
au moyen de mailles chaîne, tandis que le tube comprend en outre des troisièmes fils
(3) qui sont également conçus d'un seul filament tissé avec des mailles chaînette.
3. Tube de protection selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les mailles cueillies des premiers fils (1) s'étendent sur trois colonnes de mailles.
4. Tube de protection selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le premier fil monofilamentaire est fabriqué en polyamide et a un diamètre compris
entre 0,15 et 0,30 millimètres.
5. Tube de protection selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les deuxièmes fils multifilamentaires (2) sont fabriqués en polyester texturé avec
une épaisseur de fil comprise entre 230 tex et 2000 Tex.
6. Tube de protection selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdits troisièmes fils monofilamentaires (3) sont également fabriqués en polyamide
et ont un diamètre compris entre 0,15 et 0,30 millimètres.
7. Tube de protection selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il est formé de deux tubes totalement ou partiellement fixés l'un sur l'autre, un
des tubes étant logé dans l'autre.
8. Tube de protection selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend, sur une de ses extrémités, une pluralité de tubes fixés à ladite extrémité.
9. Tube de protection selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une résine imprégnée.