JP2002296645A - Camera housing and in-piping shifter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera housing and an in-piping shifter capable of shifting and fixing a device while controlling a camera eye with better visibility at the center of piping to monitor through the entire piping. SOLUTION: A camera housing 80 equipped with a shading plate 83 between a camera 23 and a light source 87 is installed in a standfast section 21. Moderately expand an expanding section 71 of the standfast section 21 to align the eye position of the camera 23 with the center of a trunk pipe 61, and then shift an in-piping shifter 1 to be fixed on the trunk pipe 61 while monitoring over the entire trunk pipe 61.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera housing and a moving device in a pipe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, contamination of foreign matters in pipes and attachment of dirt during normal use lowers the efficiency of gas and liquid supply in the pipes, and thus hinders safety during supply. . In order to prevent this, inspection and cleaning of the inside of the piping is indispensable.

[0003] When a device for inspecting and cleaning the inside of a pipe is fixed in the pipe, a fixing jig equipped with an illuminated camera is used, the inside of the pipe is illuminated by a light source, and the position is confirmed by a camera to determine a fixing position. I do. There are two types of illuminated cameras: (1) the camera housing and the illumination are separate, and (2) the illumination is embedded in the camera housing and integrated.

As shown in FIG. 8, (3) there is a camera housing 201 in which a camera 203 and a light source 205 are installed. The halogen lamp has a drawback that it generates high heat and cannot be brought close to the camera, and has a drawback that the color of the subject takes on an orange color. Therefore, a white LED illumination with low heat generation and close to natural light is used as the light source 205.

[0005]

However, (1)
Since the illuminated camera described above is large, it cannot be inserted into a pipe. The illuminated camera of (2) lacks luminous intensity. (3) improves the disadvantages of (1) and (2), but has a problem that the illumination light from the light source 205 is reflected by the transparent plate 207 and is reflected on the camera 203.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to adjust the viewpoint of a camera having good visibility to the center of a pipe and to move the apparatus while monitoring the entire pipe. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera housing and an in-pipe moving device that can be fixed.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera housing for use in a pipe moving apparatus for moving in a pipe, wherein the camera housing is provided in front of the camera. A transparent plate, a light source provided around the camera, and a light shielding plate provided between the camera and the light source.

In the first aspect, the light shielding plate provided around the camera prevents the illumination from the light source from being reflected on the camera, thereby improving the visibility of the camera.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-pipe moving device for moving in a pipe, wherein the in-pipe moving device includes a camera housing having a light shielding plate provided between a camera and a light source. An in-pipe moving device comprising the device.

In the second invention, when a camera housing having a light-shielding plate provided between a camera and a light source is built in a piping device such as a fixing jig or an inspection unit, a camera having good visibility can be used for piping. It can be moved and fixed while checking the position of the moving device. In addition, by expanding the expansion section of the in-pipe device, the viewpoint of the camera can be adjusted to the center of the pipe.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an in-pipe moving device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in-pipe moving device 1 includes a master device 3 and a slave device 5 that can be stored in the master device 3.

The master unit 3 includes a first pipe unit 11 and a position fixing unit 1.
3, 21, the position adjustment unit 15, the slave unit pushing unit 17, the slave unit storage unit 19, the camera 23, and the like.

Position fixing portions 13 and 21 are provided at at least two places of a front part and a rear part of the base unit 3. Position fixing part 2
Although the details of the configuration 1 will be described later, it has a function of fixing the position of the base unit 3 using a rubber-like structure.

The position adjusting section 15 adjusts the position of the slave unit storing section 19 by rotating the slave unit storing section 19 and the slave unit pushing section 17 around the pipe in the axial direction. The slave unit pushing unit 17 pushes the second tube part 31 of the slave unit 5 to push the slave unit 5 toward the branch pipe 63.

Note that the main unit 3 is provided with a main
During the movement of the trunk pipe 61, the slave unit 5 is moved while being stored. The camera 23 captures an image of the inside of the main pipe 61.

The slave unit 5 includes a second tube portion 31, an inspection unit 35, a rotating unit 33 having a suction port, and the like, and can be housed in the slave unit storage unit 19 of the master unit 3. On the outer periphery of the second pipe portion 31, a groove or the like used by the slave unit pushing section 17 to push the slave unit 5 may be provided. The inspection unit 35 has a CCD camera or the like, and sends out a captured image to the outside via a cable in the second tube unit 31.

The rotating part 33 having the suction port is provided with a branch pipe 6.
Jet water or the like is jetted into the inside 3 to wash the branch pipe 63. Further, the rotating part 33 having the suction port is provided with a branch pipe 63.
The liquid after cleaning inside is sucked and discharged to the outside through the second pipe portion 31.

A monitor 51 and a vacuum car 5 are provided outside.
3. A control device 55, a power supply 57, a pump 59, a fixing release device 101, an air pump 102, and the like are installed. Monitor 5
1 displays images from the camera 23 of the parent device 3 and the inspection unit 35 of the child device 5. The pump 59 discharges a liquid for cleaning the branch pipe 63 from the rotating part 33 having the suction port, and the liquid after the cleaning is sucked by the vacuum car 53.

The control unit 55 controls each unit of the master unit 3 and the slave unit 5. The power supply 57 supplies power to each unit of the master unit 3 and the slave unit 5. The fixing and releasing device 101 has a function of controlling the flow of air from the air pump 102 to fix and release the position fixing portions 13 and 21.

FIG. 2 shows the position fixing part 2 fixed to the main pipe 61.
1 shows a sectional view. The position fixing part 21 is composed of an expanding part 71, a cylindrical part 75, a camera housing 80 and the like. A camera housing 80 is incorporated in a hollow inside the cylindrical portion 75 made of a rope or the like. The periphery of the cylindrical portion 75 is doubly covered with a material such as rubber to form a cylindrical expanding portion 71. The inflatable portion 71 may include a projection 73 for increasing a fixing force for fixing to the main pipe 61.

The camera housing 80 includes a waterproof cover 8
1, light shielding plate 83, camera 23, light source 87, transparent plate 85
a, 85b and the like. The waterproof cover 81 has a cylindrical shape, and a transparent plate 85a is joined to the front surface. The waterproof cover 81 and the transparent plate 85a are, for example, transparent acrylic.

The camera 23 and the light source 87 are installed inside the waterproof cover 81. The light source 87 is, for example, an LED illumination. A cylindrical light shielding plate 8 is provided between the camera 23 and the light source 87.
The transparent plate 85 b is joined to the light shielding plate 83 in front of the camera 23. For the light shielding plate 83, for example, black acrylic is used.

The light beam emitted from the light source 87 is blocked by the light shielding plate 83 either directly toward the camera 23 or reflected inside the transparent plate 85a toward the camera 23.
The light emitted from the light source 87 passes through the transparent plate 85a and illuminates the subject. The image is captured by the camera 23 and confirmed on the monitor 51 via the cable 79. Light source 87
Is directed to the subject, so that the contrast between the front of the camera 23 and the subject portion is conspicuous, which has the effect of clearly displaying an image.

The expansion section 71 of the position fixing section 21 expands with air sent from the air hose 77. Position fixing part 2
When 1 moves inside the main pipe 61, the expansion section 71 is appropriately expanded and the viewpoint of the camera 23 is adjusted to the center of the pipe to monitor the inside of the main pipe 61. When fixing the position fixing portion 21 inside the main pipe 61, the expansion section 71 is expanded until the projection 73 comes into contact with the main pipe 61.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the second pipe portion 31 of the slave unit 5. The second pipe part 31 is a hose-shaped pipe,
A cable 95 and an FRP rod 93 for providing rigidity for pushing the slave unit 5 are provided inside. 2nd pipe part 31
Is a hose for supplying water from the pump 59 to the rotary unit 33 having the suction port, and the washed liquid is supplied by the external vacuum car 53 to the rotary unit 33 having the suction port.
Is sucked through the inside of the second pipe portion 31. The cable 95 is a plurality of signal lines for transmitting and receiving a signal for controlling each unit of the slave unit 5, an inspection signal from the inspection unit 35, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the first tube portion 11 of the master unit 3. As shown in FIG. The first pipe section 11 includes a cable 79, an air hose 77 for supplying air to the position fixing sections 13 and 21,
And an FRP rod 97 for providing rigidity for pushing the master unit 3. The cable 79 is a plurality of signal lines for transmitting and receiving signals for controlling each unit of the master unit 3 and inspection signals from the camera 23 and the like.

Next, the branch pipe 63 is moved by using the in-pipe moving device 1.
The procedure for inspecting and cleaning the will be described with reference to FIG.
The main pipe 65 is connected to the main pipe 61, and a plurality of branch pipes 63 are branched from the main pipe 61.

First, guides 67-4, 67-
3, 67-2 and 67-1 are sequentially inserted. The in-pipe moving device 1 is inserted into the main pipe 61 from the main pipe 65 along the guides 67-4 to 67-1. At this point, the child device 5 is stored in the child device storage part 19 of the parent device 3.

The operator displays the image of the camera 23 on the monitor 51.
The parent machine 3 is moved while confirming the above. During the movement, the expansion section 71 of the position fixing section 21 is expanded appropriately. If the expanding portion 71 is contracted during the movement, the viewpoint of the camera 23 is changed to the main trunk 61.
The viewpoint of the camera 23 can be adjusted to the center of the trunk pipe 61 by expanding the expansion section 71.

While the entire inside of the trunk pipe 61 is evenly monitored by the camera 23 of the position fixing unit 21, the in-pipe moving device 1 is moved, and when the master unit 3 is moved to an appropriate position, the position fixing unit 1 is moved.
3 is expanded, and the position fixing portion 13 is temporarily fixed to the main pipe 61.

Next, the position adjusting section 15 is
9. The pushing unit 17 of the slave unit is rotated around the axial direction of the main pipe 61 so that the opening of the storage unit 19 is aligned with the direction of the branch tube 63. Then, the position fixing part 13 is contracted so that the parent machine 3 can be moved again.

The operator moves the slave 5 accurately to the position of the branch pipe 63 while monitoring the image of the camera in the slave storage 19 with the monitor 51. Then, the position fixing portion 13 is expanded again, and the position fixing portion 13 is fixed to the main pipe 61. Again, fine adjustment is performed by the position adjustment unit 15, and then the expansion unit 71 of the position fixing unit 21 is expanded to fix the position fixing unit 21 to the main pipe 61. That is, the position of the master unit 3 is fixed by the position fixing units 13 and 21.

In the slave unit 5, the slave unit pushing part 17 is provided with the second pipe part 3.
By extruding the outer periphery of 1, it is extruded into the inside of the branch pipe 63. The second pipe 31 is pushed out by the rigidity generated by the FRP rod 93 and the second pipe 31 shown in FIG.

A rotary unit 33 having a suction port of the slave unit 5;
The inspection unit 35 moves inside the branch pipe 63 to perform inspection and cleaning. The rotating section 33 having the suction port is supplied with water from an external pump 59 via the second pipe section 31 to clean the inside. The washed liquid is sucked from the rotating part 33 having the suction port using an external vacuum car 53 and discharged through the second pipe part 31.

After the cleaning, the position fixing portions 13 and 21 are contracted and released, and the in-pipe moving device 1 is pulled back. During these operations, when the position fixing portions 13 and 21 are fixed and released, air is moved between the air pump 102 and the air pump 102 via the air hose 77. At this time, the fixing / release of the position fixing units 13 and 21 is controlled using the fixing / releasing device 101.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
Since the light shielding plate 83 of the camera housing 80 prevents the illumination from the light source 87 from being reflected on the camera 23, the camera 23
Visibility is improved.

Further, the expansion portion 71 of the position fixing portion 21 is
The in-pipe moving device 1 can be moved while the camera 23 monitors the entire pipe by expanding the pipe so that the camera 23 can be easily moved and the viewpoint of the camera 23 can be adjusted to the center of the pipe. Also, when fixing the in-pipe moving device 1, the pipe state can be confirmed, and the position fixing portion 21 can be fixed smoothly and reliably.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, a camera housing 141 shown in FIG. 5 is used instead of the camera housing 80 of the first embodiment. The camera housing 141 includes a waterproof cover 143, a light shielding plate 150, a camera 147, and a light source 14.
9, a transparent plate 145a, 145b, etc., which are waterproof cover 81 of camera housing 80, light shielding plate 83, camera 23, light source 87, transparent plates 85a, 85, respectively.
b.

In the camera housing 141, the camera 14
7 and the transparent plate 1 in front of the light source 149.
45a is formed so as to be continuously curved. Light source 14
The light beam emitted from 9 is shielded by the light-shielding plate 150 and transmitted through the transparent plate 145a to illuminate the subject, so that the contrast between the subject in front of the camera 147 and the subject is noticeable, and the image is clearly displayed. Also, the camera housing 141
Can be made smaller than the camera housing 80.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, a camera housing 151 shown in FIG. 6 is used instead of the camera housing 80 of the first embodiment. The camera housing 151 includes a waterproof cover 153, a light shielding plate 160, a camera 157, and a light source 15.
9, a transparent plate 155a, 155b, etc., which are waterproof cover 81 of camera housing 80, light shielding plate 83, camera 23, light source 87, transparent plates 85a, 85, respectively.
b.

In the camera housing 151, the camera 15
7 is set at a position recessed from the transparent plate 155a in front of the light source 159.
5b is hardly damaged, and the image of the subject does not deteriorate. The light emitted from the light source 159 is blocked by the light shielding plate 160.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, a camera housing 161 shown in FIG. 7 is installed inside the position fixing part 21 instead of the camera housing 80 of the first embodiment. The camera housing 161 is provided with the waterproof cover 8 of the camera housing 80.
1, light shielding plate 83, camera 23, light source 87, transparent plate 85
a, 85b, respectively, a waterproof cover 163, a light shielding plate 170, a camera 167, a light source 169, and a transparent plate 165.
a and 165b, and a turning drive mechanism 171 is further added.

The turning drive mechanism 171 is installed behind the camera 167. In addition to the light blocking plate 170 blocking light from the light source 169, the turning drive mechanism 171 controls the camera 167.
Is rotated, it is possible to monitor the entire periphery of the camera housing 161.

In the second to fourth embodiments as well, the cameras 147 and 157 are expanded by expanding the expansion portion 71 of the position fixing portion 21 to an appropriate size during movement, as in the first embodiment. , 167 adjusted to the center of the pipe,
The in-pipe moving device 1 can be moved and fixed while monitoring the entire pipe.

In any of the embodiments, the shape of the camera housing is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be an egg shape or the like. The camera housing can be incorporated not only in the position fixing unit 21 but also in the position fixing unit 13 and the inspection unit 35 of the slave unit 5. Further, the camera housing may be installed on the side such as a position fixing portion to monitor the side.

[0046]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a camera housing and a pipe capable of moving and fixing the apparatus while adjusting the viewpoint of the camera having good visibility to the center of the pipe and monitoring the entire pipe. An internal moving device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a moving device 1 in a pipe;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the position fixing portion 21 fixed to the main pipe 61.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a second pipe portion 31 of the slave unit 5.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first pipe section 11 of the master unit 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the camera housing 141.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the camera housing 151.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the camera housing 161.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional camera housing 201.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... In-pipe moving device 13 ... Position fixing part 21 ... Position fixing part 23 ... Camera 61 ... Trunk pipe 71 ... Inflatable part 75 ... Cylindrical parts 80, 141, 151, 161 Camera housing 81, 143, 153, 163 ... Waterproof cover 83, 150, 160, 170 ... Light shield plate 85a, 85b, 145a, 145b, 155a, 15
5b, 165a, 165b... Transparent plate 87, 149, 159, 169... Light source 101... Fixed release device 171...

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Ishiyama 1-5-20 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koichiro Tsugane 1-5-20 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Eiji Kondo 2-4, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Toshiba Keihin Works Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Okada 2-4-4 Suehirocho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Keihin Works, Toshiba Corporation (72) Inventor Masaaki Hirayama 1-1-1, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2H101 CC01 CC22 CC81

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A camera housing used in an in-pipe moving device that moves in a pipe, comprising: a camera; a transparent plate provided in front of the camera; a light source provided around the camera; And a light-shielding plate provided between the light source. 2. The camera housing according to claim 1, wherein the camera is located forward of the light source. 3. The camera housing according to claim 1, wherein the transparent plate located in front of the camera is located forward of the transparent plate located in front of the light source. 4. The camera housing according to claim 1, wherein the transparent plate is curved. 5. The camera housing according to claim 1, wherein the transparent plate located in front of the camera is behind the transparent plate located in front of the light source. 6. The camera housing according to claim 1, further comprising a turning drive mechanism for the camera. 7. An in-pipe moving device for moving in a pipe, wherein the in-pipe moving device includes an in-pipe device having a built-in camera housing provided with a light shielding plate between a camera and a light source. Characteristic moving device in piping. 8. A pipe fixing device comprising: a tubular portion; a camera housing provided in the tubular portion; and an inflating portion provided around the tubular portion. The intra-pipe moving device according to claim 7, which is a mechanism. 9. The in-pipe moving device according to claim 8, wherein the expansion section is made of a cylindrical rubber, and expands when air is injected.