JP2006119398A - Aerial inspection car - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an aerial inspection car used for efficient check and maintenance of an optical cable, while surely preventing the loss in optical transmission. <P>SOLUTION: In this aerial inspection car has a frame 1 which can run on the wound optical cable line 7, four wheels 3A-3D free to turn and supported at the front and rear of the frame 1 to run on the cable line 7, and a cage hung and supported by the frame 1 and equipped with a boarding section 5 workers, optical cable sensors 13A, 13C are provided in front of the front wheel 3A of the frame 1 to detect the optical cable 11 projecting on the surface of the cable line 7. Further, wheel drives 15A-15D are provided to pull up some of the wheels 3A-3D based on the detected signals and run smoothly over the projecting cable 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a spacecraft used for maintenance and inspection work of a wound optical cable line in which an optical cable is wound around an overhead wire such as an overhead ground wire, an overhead power transmission line, and an overhead distribution line.

  Conventionally, when performing maintenance and inspection work on a wound optical cable line in which an optical cable is wound around an overhead wire such as an overhead ground wire, an overhead power transmission line, and an overhead distribution line, the wound optical cable is connected to the cable line. A hoisting machine comprising a frame that can travel along the track and a plurality of traveling wheels that are rotatably supported by the frame and that can roll on the cable track is mounted along the cable track. This is done by running and moving.

  By the way, when the hoisting machine travels and moves along the wound optical cable line, the hoisting machine gets on the optical cable of the cable line, so that the optical cable is subjected to optical transmission due to stress such as twisting, bending, and compression. There is a problem in that loss occurs and the transmission of information is hindered. For this reason, when performing maintenance and inspection work on a wound optical cable line, optical transmission is usually stopped, but when the amount of optical transmission increases as in recent years, It is becoming difficult to stop optical transmission at every maintenance and inspection work. Further, when the air hoist gets on the optical cable, the optical cable may be broken and transmission may not be possible. In this case, the optical transmission must be stopped for a long time.

  In order to solve such a problem, a plurality of traveling wheels are swingably supported by a frame of a hoist through a swing frame (seesaw frame), and one of the travel wheels is supported on the frame. When contacting the optical cable of the cable line, swing the traveling wheel, retreat above the cable line to get over the optical cable, while supporting the suspension machine with the other traveling wheel There has been proposed an improved spacecraft that reduces the weight of the spacecraft acting locally on the optical cable (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-312415 A

  The above-described improved air hoist has a rocking frame, that is, a traveling wheel that is swung by a reaction force received from the optical cable when the traveling wheel comes into contact with the optical cable of the wound optical cable line, and is located above the cable line. However, there is a considerable frictional resistance between the frame and the swing frame. Then, in order to overcome the frictional resistance of the swing frame and swing it, a reaction force from the optical cable acts on the traveling wheel. In other words, a force (stress) corresponding to the reaction force acts on the optical cable. Therefore, if a hoisting machine is mounted on a wrapping type optical cable line and moved along the cable line, the stress associated with swinging the traveling wheel acts on the optical cable, resulting in an optical transmission loss. There is a problem that it is not possible to prevent the occurrence of the problem reliably. In addition, when performing maintenance and inspection work on the wound optical cable line, it may be necessary to stop the optical transmission.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and when performing maintenance and inspection work on a wound optical cable line, it reliably prevents the occurrence of optical transmission loss of the optical cable and maintains and inspects the cable line without stopping optical transmission. The object is to provide a spacecraft capable of performing work.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is rotatably supported by a frame that can travel along a wound optical cable line and a front and rear part in the cable line direction of the frame. A hoist equipped with a plurality of traveling wheels capable of rolling on the cable track, wound on the front side of the traveling wheels located at least on the front side in the frame traveling direction at the front and rear portions of the frame. An optical cable detection unit for detecting an optical cable protruding from the upper surface of the attached optical cable line is provided, and a traveling signal is retracted upward by a detection signal output from the optical cable detection unit at the front and rear portions of the frame to get over the optical cable. A traveling wheel drive unit is provided for passing through.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the hoist mounted on the wrapping optical cable track is moved along the wrapping optical cable track, the traveling wheel of the hoist is used. Before the optical cable protruding onto the upper surface of the wound optical cable line, this is detected in advance by the optical cable detection unit, and the traveling wheel is moved backward by the traveling wheel drive unit. It is not necessary to reverse the traveling wheel upward by the reaction force and pass over the optical cable. Therefore, when the traveling wheel gets over the optical cable, excessive stress is not applied to the optical cable, and when performing maintenance and inspection work on the wound optical cable line, the optical transmission loss of the optical cable is surely prevented and the optical transmission is prevented. The cable line can be maintained and inspected without stopping.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a hoist according to the present invention. The air hoist according to the present embodiment is rotatably supported by the frame 1 that can travel along the wound optical cable line 7 and the front and rear portions of the frame 1 in the cable line direction, and can roll on the cable line. A plurality of traveling wheels (traveling wheels) 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D and a worker boarding unit 5 that is suspended and supported by the frame 1.

  The wound optical cable line 7 is widely used to transmit information necessary for monitoring and controlling the power system, and before or after the installation of the overhead line 9 such as an overhead ground line, an overhead transmission line, an overhead distribution line, etc. For example, a plurality of optical fibers are spirally wound around the outer periphery of the tension member, and an optical cable 11 having a circular cross section whose outer periphery is covered with a sheath made of a fluororesin is wound in a spiral shape.

  Further, on the front side of the traveling wheels 3A and 3C located on the front side (left side in FIG. 1) of the front and rear portions of the frame 1 in the frame traveling direction (the arrow X direction in FIG. 1), a support bracket 21 (described later) The optical cable detectors 13A and 13C for detecting the optical cable 11 protruding in a spiral shape are provided on the upper surface of the wound optical cable line 7 so as to be close to the traveling wheels 3A and 3C. Further, traveling wheel driving units 15A to 15D are provided at the front and rear portions of the frame 1 to allow the traveling wheels 3A to 3E to retreat upward and pass over the optical cable 11 by a detection signal output from the optical cable detection unit 13, respectively. 21 (described later).

  In some cases, the frame 1 travels in the direction of the arrow Y while maintaining the posture of FIG. 1. In order to cope with this, in the present embodiment, the frame 1 in the frame traveling direction (the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 1). Optical cable detectors 13D and 13B are provided on the front side of the traveling wheels 3D and 3B located on the front side (right side in FIG. 1) to detect the optical cable 11 protruding spirally on the upper surface of the wound optical cable line 7. Yes.

  For the optical cable detection units 13A to 13D, for example, a non-contact photoelectric sensor is used. The photoelectric sensor is composed of a projector and a photoelectric conversion unit. When the light projected from the projector toward the outer surface of the wound optical cable line 7 is reflected by the outer surface of the wound optical cable line 7, the light hits the optical cable 11 protruding from the upper surface of the wound optical cable line 7. When the light is reflected, it is irregularly reflected, so that the amount of light received by the light receiver is smaller than the amount of light received when it is reflected and received by a portion other than the optical cable 11. The presence of the optical cable 11 is detected by converting the change in the amount of received light into a change in the amount of electricity by the photoelectric conversion unit.

  The optical cable detectors 13A to 13D are contact-type microswitches in which the mechanical displacement is converted into an electric signal by an electric signal converter or the switch is switched when the contact is raised against the optical cable. Etc. can be used. Even if a contact type is used, since the force acting on the optical cable 11 is small, no optical transmission loss occurs.

  For example, a fluid pressure cylinder that is operated by air pressure or hydraulic pressure is used as the traveling wheel drive units 15 </ b> A to 15 </ b> D, and the cylinder body 17 is fixed to a support bracket 21 provided on the frame 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the traveling wheels 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D are rotatably supported via a U-shaped frame body 23 whose lower part is opened at the tip of the piston rod 19.

  As for traveling wheel drive parts 15A thru / or 15D, the piston rod 19 is always held in the extension state. When the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15A is retracted by the detection signal from the optical cable detection unit 13A, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15B is held in the extended state, and the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15B. When retracting, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15A is controlled to be held in the extended state.

  Furthermore, the time from driving the traveling wheel drive unit 15A with the detection signal from the optical cable detection unit 13A (retracting the piston rod 19) to driving the traveling wheel drive unit 15B is positioned behind the optical cable 11 and the rear thereof. The distance between the traveling wheels 3B, that is, the difference between the traveling wheels 3A and 3B and the spiral winding pitch of the optical cable 11 is obtained by dividing by the traveling speed of the air hoist (frame 1). Then, the traveling wheel drive unit 15B is driven by the command of a timer (not shown) set at that time (the piston rod 19 is retracted), and the traveling wheel 3B disposed behind the traveling wheel 3A is moved upward. The traveling wheel 3B is controlled so that it does not come into contact with the optical cable 11.

  When the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15C is retracted by the detection signal from the optical cable detection unit 13C, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15D is held in the extended state, and the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15D is retracted. When this is done, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15C is controlled to be held in the extended state.

  Furthermore, the time until the traveling wheel drive unit 15D is driven after the traveling wheel drive unit 15C is driven by the detection signal from the optical cable detection unit 13C (the piston rod 19 is degenerated) is positioned behind the optical cable 11 and the rear thereof. The distance between the traveling wheels 3D, that is, the difference between the distance between the traveling wheels 3C and 3D and the spiral winding pitch of the optical cable 11 is obtained by dividing by the traveling speed of the spacecraft (frame 1). Then, the traveling wheel drive unit 15D is driven by the command of a timer (not shown) set at that time (the piston rod 19 is retracted), and the traveling wheel 3D disposed behind the traveling wheel 3C is retracted upward. The traveling wheel 3D is controlled so as not to contact the optical cable 11 and climb up. The air hoist according to the present embodiment is configured as described above.

  When performing maintenance and inspection work of the wound optical cable line 7 using the hoisting machine of this embodiment, the hoisting machine is mounted on the wound optical cable line 7, and this is, for example, the direction of the arrow X in FIG. Move to travel. When the traveling wheel 3A on the front side of the hoisting machine approaches the optical cable 11 projecting spirally on the upper surface of the wound optical cable line 7, this is detected by the optical cable detecting unit 13A of the hoisting machine, With the detection signal output from the detection unit 13A, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15A is retracted, the traveling wheel 3A is retracted upward, and the optical cable 11 is passed over. Thereafter, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15 </ b> A is extended to advance the traveling wheel 3 </ b> A downward, and is supported again by the wound optical cable line 7.

  Next, when the suspension vehicle further travels and the traveling wheel 3B arranged behind the traveling wheel 3A approaches the optical cable 11, the optical cable detection unit 13A detects the optical cable 11 and then travels backward to the optical cable 11. A preset timer is activated during the time required for the wheel 3B to approach, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15B is retracted, and the traveling wheel 3A is retracted upward to pass over the optical cable 11. Thereafter, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15B is extended to advance the traveling wheel 3B downward and supported again by the wound optical cable line 7.

  Further, when the hoisting machine travels and the running wheel 3C of the hoisting machine approaches the optical cable 11 protruding in a spiral shape on the upper surface of the wound optical cable line 7, this is detected as the optical cable detecting unit 13C of the hoisting machine. In response to the detection signal output from the detection unit 13C, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15C is retracted and the traveling wheel 3C is retracted upward to pass over the optical cable 11. Thereafter, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15 </ b> C is extended so that the traveling wheel 3 </ b> A is moved downward and supported by the wound optical cable line 7 again.

  Next, when the air hoist further travels and the traveling wheel 3D approaches the optical cable 11, the time required for the rear traveling wheel 3D to approach the optical cable 11 after the optical cable 11 is detected by the optical cable detection unit 13C. The timer set in advance is operated to retract the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15D, and retract the traveling wheel 3D upward to pass over the optical cable 11. Thereafter, the piston rod 19 of the traveling wheel drive unit 15 </ b> D is extended to advance the traveling wheel 3 </ b> D downward and supported again by the wound optical cable line 7. Thereafter, as the air hoist moves and moves in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 1, the same operation is repeated to perform necessary maintenance and inspection work for the wound optical cable line 7.

  In addition, although the advance / retreat operation | movement of traveling wheel 3B, 3D was performed with the detection signal output from optical cable detection part 13A, 13C, a special optical cable detection part is provided in the front side of traveling wheel 3B, 3D, and it outputs from these. The detection signal may be used. Further, the number of traveling wheels supported on the front and rear portions of the frame 1 may be three or more. Furthermore, the traveling wheel drive units 15A to 15D may use drive means such as screw drive means or electromagnetic magnets instead of the fluid pressure cylinder.

  As shown in the above embodiment, when the hoisting machine of the present invention travels and moves along the wrapping type optical cable line 7, the hoisting machine mounted on the wrapping type optical cable line 7 Before the traveling wheels 3A to 3D ride on the optical cable 11 protruding from the upper surface of the wound optical cable line 7, this is detected in advance by the optical cable detectors 13A and 13C located at least on the front side in the frame traveling direction. The traveling wheels 3A to 3D are moved upward by the wheel drive units 15A to 15D, and the traveling wheels 3A to 3D are moved backward by the reaction force from the optical cable 11 so as to pass over the optical cable 11. You don't have to do anything. Therefore, when the traveling wheels 3A to 3D get over the optical cable 11, an excessive stress is not applied to the optical cable 11, and the optical transmission loss of the optical cable 11 is surely generated when the winding type optical cable line 7 is maintained and inspected. Thus, maintenance and inspection of the wound optical cable line 7 can be performed without stopping optical transmission.

It is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a hoist according to the present invention. 2 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which a traveling wheel is rotatably supported by a piston rod of a traveling wheel drive unit in the air hoist of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Frame 3A-3D Traveling wheel 5 Worker boarding part 7 Winding type optical cable track 9 Overhead wire 11 Optical cable 13A-13D Optical cable detection part 15A-15D Traveling wheel drive part 17 Cylinder main body 19 Piston rod 21 Support bracket 23 Frame

Claims (1)

  Suspension equipped with a frame that can travel along a wound optical cable line, and a plurality of traveling wheels that are rotatably supported on the front and rear portions of the frame in the cable line direction and can roll on the cable line. In the machine, on the front side of the traveling wheel located at least on the front side in the frame traveling direction in the front and rear parts of the frame, an optical cable detection unit that detects an optical cable protruding from the upper surface of the wound optical cable line is provided, A suspension vehicle characterized in that a traveling wheel drive unit is provided at the front and rear portions of the frame to allow the traveling wheel to retreat upward and pass over the optical cable by a detection signal output from the optical cable detection unit.

Images