Adhesive tape application device, line member connection device including adhesive tape application device, adhesive tape application method, and line member connection method including adhesive tape application method

An adhesive tape application device comprising:

• a supply reel which supplies an adhesive tape;
• a cutter which cuts the adhesive tape drawn from the supply reel;
• a first roller via which the adhesive tape drawn from the supply reel is directed to the cutter, the first roller being disposed between the supply reel and the cutter;
• and
• an applicator which applies the adhesive tape cut by the cutter onto an object;
• and
• a second roller between the cutter and the first roller, the second roller directing the adhesive tape,
• wherein in cross section taken along a rotation axis of the first roller, a surface of the first roller which supports the adhesive tape along an entire width of the adhesive tape is shaped to have (i) a straight section parallel to the rotation axis and (ii) a first inclined section inclined relative to the rotation axis,
• the first roller supports the adhesive tape along the entire width of the adhesive tape in the first inclined section,
• tension of the adhesive tape on a supply reel side of the first roller, tension of the adhesive tape of a cutter side of the first roller, and reaction force exerted by the first roller on the adhesive tape are balanced, and
• a surface of the straight section and a surface of the first inclined section are continuous with each other,
• the first inclined section comprises two first inclined sections,
• the two first inclined sections are respectively positioned on opposite sides of the straight section,
• one of the two first inclined sections is curved, and the other of the two first inclined sections is straight,
• a portion of the supply reel which supports the adhesive tape is larger than a portion of the first roller which supports the adhesive tape,
• the other of the two first inclined sections of the first roller is located closer to an end of the supply reel in a width direction than the one of the two first inclined sections of the first roller, and
• a point on the supply reel distant from an inner end wall by half the width of the adhesive tape, a central point of the straight section, and a central point of a surface of the second roller which supports the adhesive tape form one plane which is perpendicular to at least one of the rotation axis of the first roller, a rotation axis of the second roller, or a rotation axis of the supply reel.