JP2016057140A - Tool insertion device and front-end ring thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tool insertion device and a front-end ring of the tool insertion device which allow a tool to be easily inserted even in a state where an inner surface of a pipe is less slippery.SOLUTION: A coil-shaped tool insertion device 1 is configurated by forming a wire 4 into a spiral shape. A front-end ring 7 is formed separately from the tool insertion device 1. Each of the tool insertion device 1 and the front-end ring 7 is formed of a preferable material. The front-end ring 7 is mounted on a front end of the tool insertion device 1. The tool insertion device 1 stores a tool inside, and is inserted in a pipe. The front-end ring 7 prevents the spiral shape of the wire 4 from being lost. The front-end ring 7 leads the tool insertion device 1 along an inner surface of the pipe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a tool insertion tool for inserting a tool such as a pipe inspection camera into a pipe and a front end ring thereof.

  In general, when constructing a camera for inspecting the inside of a pipe, a gyroscope for measuring the arrangement angle and position of the pipe, an ultrasonic probe for measuring the thickness of the pipe, and piping for a gas pipe A tool such as a gas bag for closing a gas pipe has a structure in which linear bodies such as various wires and piano wires for insertion / extraction operations are extended rearward from the tool body. Used by inserting into the pipe from the end opening.

  However, when a tool is inserted through a projection inside the pipe, particularly a step near the elbow pipe, the tool body may be caught by the projection or the step, making it difficult to insert the tool.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 has a coil shape in which the wire 101 is formed in a spiral shape, and the front side portion thereof is a main body housing portion 102, and the extended portion behind the main body housing portion 102 is housed in a linear body. The tool insertion tool which made the part 103 is disclosed (refer FIG. 9).

  The tool insertion tool disclosed in Patent Document 1 accommodates a tool main body in the main body accommodating portion 102, accommodates a linear body in the linear body accommodating portion 103, and pushes in with the linear body accommodating portion 103. The main body housing portion 102 can be inserted into the body. Further, the main body accommodating portion 102 is configured in a spiral shape with a gap in the central axis direction of the wire 101, and when inserted while being bent along the inner surface of the elbow pipe, The main body accommodating portion 102 can be easily bent by absorbing the bending deformation.

JP 2013-134154 A (paragraph numbers 0020, 0022, 0023, 0025 to 0027, FIG. 1)

  However, the tool insertion tool disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured by spirally forming a wire, and when the inner surface of the pipe is difficult to slide, the tip of the wire is rubbed strongly so as to bite into the inner surface of the pipe with a small contact area. Thus, there is a risk of impeding the insertion of the tool insertion tool into the tube. In addition, when the inner surface of the pipe is difficult to slip, if you try to push it while rotating the tool insertion tool around the central axis, the tip of the wire deforms to loosen its spiral shape and spreads in the pipe, There is a risk of making the insertion of the tool insertion tool more difficult.

  An object of this invention is to provide the tool insertion tool and its front end ring which can insert a tool easily, even if it is a state where piping inner surface is hard to slip.

  In order to achieve the above object, a front end ring according to the present invention is provided at the front end of a tool insertion tool for inserting a tool into a tube, and a wire rod is provided so that the tool insertion tool can accommodate the tool inside. The coil is formed in a spiral shape, is formed separately from the tool insertion tool, and has a ring shape that can be attached to the front end of the coil tool insertion tool.

  According to the above configuration, since the front end ring is formed separately from the tool insertion tool, each of the front end ring and the tool insertion tool can be formed of a suitable material. As a result, for example, for the wire constituting the tool insertion tool, the material is selected by paying attention to its strength and elasticity, and the front end ring is deformed with a material having a small friction coefficient with the pipe inner surface or a high rigidity. Difficult materials can be selected.

  In addition, since the front end ring is formed in a ring shape, it does not spread in the radial direction as in the case of a helical wire, and by attaching to the front end of the tool insertion tool, the helical shape of the wire is not loosened. The tool insertion tool can be guided along the inner surface of the pipe, and the insertion property of the tool insertion tool can be improved.

  Moreover, you may make it form the helical groove which latches the helical wire which comprises a tool insertion tool in an outer peripheral surface. According to this configuration, the spiral groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the front end ring. Therefore, while rotating the front end ring, the helical wire is inserted into the spiral groove to be locked, and the front end of the tool insertion tool is thus locked. A front end ring can be attached. In this case, since the front end ring is located so as to protrude inside the tool inserter, attaching the tool to the front end ring can provide a gap between the inner surface of the tool inserter and the outer surface of the tool, and the tool can be used as a tool. It is possible to prevent the bending of the insertion tool from being hindered.

  Moreover, you may make it form the internal thread which can attach a tool to an internal peripheral surface. According to this configuration, since the internal thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front end ring, the tool can be attached to the front end ring using the internal thread. In this case, since the tool is attached to the innermost part of the front end ring, a gap can be provided between the inner surface of the tool insertion tool attached with the front end ring and the outer surface of the tool, and the tool can bend the tool insertion tool. Inhibition can be prevented.

  Further, a step in the circumferential direction may be formed on the front end surface. According to this configuration, when the front end surface of the front end ring is caught by a protrusion in the tube, the stepped portion can be engaged with the hooked protrusion or the like by rotating the tool insertion tool around the central axis. By further rotating the tool insertion tool in this meshing state, the front end ring can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the central axis, the front end surface can be removed, and the front end ring can get over the protrusions and the like. .

  Here, the step in the circumferential direction means that the step portion is set so as to intersect the circumferential direction of the front end ring, and the step portion is not limited to a step parallel to the radial direction of the front end ring. It is a concept including what inclines with respect to radial direction.

  Moreover, this invention provides the tool insertion tool for inserting the tool which has a tool main body and the linear body extended back from this tool main body in a pipe | tube. Specifically, the wire rod is formed into a coil shape formed in a spiral shape, and the main body housing portion for housing the tool main body is configured by setting the winding diameter of the spiral wire rod to a large diameter. In the extended portion extending backward, the winding diameter of the spiral wire is set to a small diameter to constitute a linear body accommodating portion that accommodates the linear body, and the front end ring is attached to the front end of the main body accommodating portion. Installing.

  According to the above configuration, the tool insertion tool is coiled, and the winding diameters of the front side portion and the rear extension portion are set to different diameters to form the main body accommodation portion and the linear body accommodation portion. The tool to be inserted can be housed inside the tool inserter for protection. This tool insertion tool can move the tool main body accommodated in the main body accommodating portion inside the pipe by pushing and pulling the linear body accommodating portion from the outside of the end opening of the pipe. Therefore, the tool can be inserted by bending it along a curved shape such as an elbow tube. And since a front end ring is mounted | worn with the front end of a main body accommodating part, there can exist the same effect as the effect by employ | adopting the structure of said front end ring.

  The present invention also provides a method for inserting a tool into a tube using the tool insertion tool described above. Specifically, the tool is accommodated in the tool insertion tool, and the tool is inserted into the tube together with the tool insertion tool while rotating the tool insertion tool around the central axis.

  According to this structure, the same effect as the effect by employ | adopting the structure of said front end ring and tool insertion tool can be acquired. Further, when there is a protrusion in the tube, the wire material constituting the main body accommodating portion can get over the protrusion in the tube by the principle of screw by rotating the coil-shaped tool insertion tool around the central axis. Moreover, since the coil-shaped main body accommodating portion meshes with the protrusion in the tube to obtain a propulsive force based on the principle of the screw, even when the elbow tube is passed by bending the main body accommodating portion, the tool can be inserted. Can be made easier.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the front end ring is attached to the front end of the tool insertion tool, the coil-shaped tool insertion tool can be inserted into the tube without loosening the spiral shape of the wire. Moreover, the wire constituting the tool insertion tool can be selected by focusing on the friction coefficient and rigidity with the inner surface of the pipe for the front end ring while focusing on the strength and elasticity. Even when the tool is difficult to slip, the tool insertion tool can be inserted more easily.

Side view of tool insert The perspective view seen from the level difference side of the front end ring concerning the present invention Perspective view seen from the opposite side to the step of the front ring Longitudinal section of the front end ring Cross section of the main part of the tool insertion tool with the tool attached Perspective view of piping to insert tool insertion tool Vertical section of piping with tool insert Horizontal section of piping with tool insert Figure showing a conventional tool insertion tool

  Hereinafter, the form for implementing the tool insertion tool and its front end ring concerning the present invention is explained using a drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tool insertion tool 1 includes a tool body 2a and a linear body 2b extending rearward from the tool body 2a. And is inserted into a pipe 3 such as a gas pipe, and a wire 4 having a flat cross section, such as a spring steel wire, is formed in a spiral shape, and the surface thereof is lubricated and plated if necessary. Coiled shape is applied.

  The tool insertion tool 1 includes a main body housing portion 5 that houses a tool body by setting a winding diameter of the spiral wire 4 to a large diameter at a front end portion, and extends rearward from the main body housing portion 5. In the extended portion, the winding diameter of the spiral wire rod 4 is set to a small diameter so that a linear body accommodating portion 6 for accommodating the linear body is configured, and a front end ring 7 is attached to the front end of the main body accommodating portion 5. The

  The main body accommodating portion 5 has a coil shape in which the front side portion 8 is formed in a spiral shape with a gap (P) between the wire 3 in the central axis direction, and the rear side portion 9 has a gap in the central axis direction. Instead, the coil is formed in a spiral shape. In addition, the gap (P) of the wire 4 in the front side portion 8 of the main body housing portion 5 can be appropriately set according to the bending performance required for the main body housing portion 5.

  The linear body accommodating portion 6 has a smaller diameter than the main body accommodating portion 5 and is formed in a coil shape in which the wire 4 is spirally formed in the central axis direction without a gap, and is continuously rearward from the main body accommodating portion 5 via the tapered portion 10. Is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the front end ring 7 has substantially the same outer diameter as the main body housing portion 5 of the tool insertion tool 1, and is thicker in the radial direction than the wire 4 constituting the tool insertion tool 1, for example. The ring is made of resin and is formed separately from the tool insertion tool 1.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the front end ring 7, a spiral groove 11 that is spirally continuous from the vicinity of the front end to the rear end is formed. The spiral groove 11 is set to a groove width, a groove depth, and a spiral pitch into which the spiral wire 4 is fitted, and the tip of the wire 4 is fitted into and locked in the spiral groove 11, thereby A front end ring 7 is attached to the front end.

  A female thread 12 for screwing the front end portion of the tool main body 2 a is formed on the rear portion of the inner peripheral surface of the front end ring 7, and the tool main body 2 a is placed inside the main body housing portion 5 via the front end ring 7. It is designed to be attached.

  By setting the thickness in the radial direction of the front end ring 7 to be thicker than that of the wire 4, the tool insertion tool 1 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the front end ring 7, and the tool body 2 a is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the front end ring 7, A gap 13 is provided between the inner surface of the main body housing 5 and the outer surface of the tool main body 2a. The gap 13 is set to a size capable of preventing contact with the inner tool body 2a when the main body accommodating portion 5 is curved by appropriately setting the radial thickness of the front end ring 7. It prevents that the curvature of the main body accommodating part 5 is inhibited by 2a.

  The front end surface of the front end ring 7 has a diameter formed on the entire circumference along a spiral extending the groove center of the spiral groove 11, with a start point and an end point, for example, at a center angle of about 90 ° from the tip of the spiral groove 11. The surface is parallel to the direction, and a step 14 in the circumferential direction is formed between the start point and the end point. The size of the step 14 is set to be approximately equal to the sum of the groove width and the groove interval of the spiral groove 11, and this step portion is formed in parallel with the radial direction of the front end ring 7.

  The length (L0) of the main body housing portion 5 is set to be longer than the length in the central axis direction of the bending portion 15 of the pipe 3 into which the tool insertion tool 1 is inserted, and is ½ the length (L0 / 2) on the front side thereof. ) Is the front portion 8, and the rear half length (L0 / 2) is the rear portion 9.

  The length (L1) of the linear body housing part 6 is set to be sufficiently longer than the length (L0) of the main body housing part 5 so that the main body housing part 5 can be inserted from the opening of the pipe 3 to the back. The length (L2) of the tapered portion 10 is set to a length sufficient to smoothly transmit force from the small-diameter linear body housing portion 6 to the large-diameter main body housing portion 5.

  Next, a tool insertion method for inserting the tool 2 into the pipe 3 shown in FIG. 6 using the tool insertion tool 1 will be described.

  First, the tool body 2a is housed in the body housing portion 5 of the tool insertion tool 1, the wire body 2b is housed in the linear body housing portion 6, and the tool body 2a is screwed onto the female screw 12 of the front end ring 7. At the same time, the tool main body 2 a is attached to the inside of the main body housing portion 5 via the front end ring 7 by locking the front end portion of the wire 4 in the spiral groove 11.

  The main body accommodating portion 5 of the tool insertion tool 1 is inserted into the pipe 3 shown in FIG. 6 from the upper end opening thereof, and is pushed in by holding the rear end portion of the linear body accommodating portion 6. The front end is inserted into the first elbow pipe 16.

  By further pressing the tool insertion tool 1, the front portion 8 of the main body housing portion 5 is inserted while being curved along the inner surface of the first elbow pipe 16. At that time, since the wire 4 of the front portion 8 is formed in a spiral shape with a gap (P) in the central axis direction, the gap (P) can absorb bending deformation, and the front end ring 7 Therefore, the tool main body 2a does not hinder the bending of the main body accommodating portion 5.

  At this time, since the front end ring 7 made of synthetic resin or the like is not in contact with the inner surface of the first elbow pipe 16 but the front end of the wire rod 4, even if the inner surface of the first elbow pipe 16 is difficult to slip, The frictional resistance can be reduced while receiving a strong reaction force that bends the portion 8.

  When the front part 8 is inserted into the first elbow pipe 16, the tool insertion tool 1 is pushed in while rotating around the central axis, and the coiled front part 8 is engaged with the step 17 on the start end side of the first elbow pipe 16. Thus, a propulsive force can be obtained by the principle of screws, and the front side portion 8 can be easily inserted into the first elbow pipe 16 while being bent.

  In this case, the front end of the front side portion 8 is rubbed in the circumferential direction, but since the front end ring 7 is attached to the front end of the front side portion 8, even if the inner surface of the first elbow pipe 16 is difficult to slip, It is possible to prevent the tip of the spiral wire 4 from being caught by the inner surface of the first elbow pipe 16 and spreading. In addition, since the wire 4 has a flat cross section, it is easy to mesh with the step 17, and the meshing is unlikely to occur as in the case where the wire 4 is set to have a circular cross section.

  By further pushing the front portion 8 into the first elbow pipe 16, the front end ring 7 attached to the front end of the front portion 8 is caught by the step 18 on the terminal end side of the first elbow pipe 16 (see FIG. 7). In this state, the tool insertion tool 1 is pushed in while rotating around the central axis, whereby the step 14 of the front end ring 7 meshes with the step 18 of the pipe 3 and the front end of the front portion 8 moves in a direction perpendicular to the central axis. Then, the front portion 8 rides on the step 18 and passes smoothly.

  After the front end of the front side portion 8 of the main body housing part 5 passes through the first elbow pipe 16 and the rear end of the front side part 8 enters the first elbow pipe 16, the rear side part 9 continues to the first side 8 after the front side part 8. 1 Enter the elbow pipe 16. The rear portion 9 enters the first elbow pipe 16 and then passes through the first elbow pipe 16 while being curved following the front portion 8.

  When the tool insertion tool 1 is further pushed in, the main body housing portion 5 passes through the second elbow pipe 19 in the same manner as the first elbow pipe 16. At that time, by rotating the tool insertion tool 1 around the central axis, the tool insertion tool 1 is engaged with the step 20 on the start end side of the second elbow pipe 19 to obtain propulsive force, and the step 21 on the end side of the second elbow pipe 19 is set. Pass smoothly (see FIG. 8).

  Here, the length (L0) of the main body accommodating portion 5 is set to be longer than the length in the central axis direction from the first elbow pipe 16 to the second elbow pipe 19 which is the curved portion of the pipe 3, and the front portion 8 The linear body accommodating portion 6 does not enter the first elbow pipe 16 until the front end of the first elbow pipe passes through the second elbow pipe 19. Thereby, the linear body accommodating portion 6 is prevented from being displaced to the outside of the curved shape of the first elbow pipe 16 and the pushing force is deviated from the central axis of the main body accommodating portion 5.

  In this way, the tool 2 is inserted into the pipe 3 together with the tool insertion tool 1 while being protected inside the tool insertion tool 1. The inside of the pipe 3 can be observed by, for example, an inspection camera as the tool 2 inserted into the pipe, and the inside of the pipe 3 can be easily inspected.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A change can be suitably added within the scope of the present invention. For example, the spiral wire 4 constituting the main body accommodating portion 5 can appropriately set the interval between the portions adjacent to each other in the central axis direction, and a gap is formed between the wires 3 over the entire length of the main body accommodating portion 5. It is not necessary to provide a gap between the wires 3 over the entire length of the main body housing portion 5, and the gap is gradually narrowed from the front end to the rear end of the main body housing portion 5. Also good.

  Further, the tool 2 is not limited to an inspection camera for inspecting the inside of the pipe 3, for example, a gyroscope for measuring the arrangement angle or position of the pipe 3, or an ultra-thickness for measuring the wall thickness of the pipe 3. Various sensors such as an acoustic probe and a gas bag for closing the gas pipe when performing piping work of the gas pipe may be used.

  Further, the front end ring 7 may be ring-shaped attached to the front end portion of the tool insertion tool 1, and the circumferential step 14 is not necessarily formed on the front end surface thereof. Further, the front end ring 7 may be attached to the tool insertion tool 1 by means different from the spiral groove 11, or may be attached to the tool body 2 a by means different from the female screw 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tool insertion tool 2 Tool 2a Tool main body 2b Linear body 3 Piping 4 Wire material 5 Main body accommodating part 6 Linear body accommodating part 7 Front end ring 8 Front side part 9 Rear side part 10 Taper part 11 Spiral groove 12 Female screw 13 Gap 14 Step 15 Curved portion 16 First elbow tube 17, 18 Step 19 Second elbow tube 20, 21 Step P Clearance L0 Length of main body housing portion L1 Length of linear body housing portion L2 Length of taper portion

Claims (6)

  A front end ring provided at a front end of a tool insertion tool for inserting a tool into a tube, wherein the tool insertion tool has a coil shape in which a wire is formed in a spiral shape so as to accommodate the tool inside, A front end ring which is formed separately from a tool insertion tool and is formed in a ring shape which can be attached to the front end of a coiled tool insertion tool.   The front end ring according to claim 1, wherein a spiral groove that locks the spiral wire constituting the tool insertion tool is formed on an outer peripheral surface.   The front end ring according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a female thread to which the tool can be attached is formed on an inner peripheral surface.   The front end ring according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a step in the circumferential direction is formed on the front end surface. A tool insertion tool for inserting a tool having a tool body and a linear body extending rearward from the tool body into a pipe,
The coil is formed by forming a wire rod in a spiral shape, and a main body housing portion for housing the tool body is configured with the winding diameter of the spiral wire rod being set to a large diameter. A linear body accommodating portion configured to accommodate the linear body by setting the winding diameter of the spiral wire rod to a small diameter in the extending portion that is extended to,
A tool insertion tool, wherein the front end ring according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is attached to a front end of the main body accommodating portion.   A method for inserting the tool into a tube using the tool insertion tool according to claim 5, wherein the tool insertion tool is housed in the tool insertion tool, and the tool insertion tool is rotated around a central axis. And a tool insertion method characterized by inserting the tool into the tube.

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