JP2017007520A - In-pipe travel device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-pipe travel device capable of quickly guiding a travel direction to a curve direction of a pipe by changing a roll attitude angle on the spot in the pipe.SOLUTION: An in-pipe travel device 1 comprises four link parts 2 arranged in a zigzag shape and a plurality of moving units provide between the link parts 2 and at opening side end parts. Two moving units 3a, 3b overhanging to one side of a pipe 10 in a radial direction are first omnidirectional moving members 32 that can move actively in an axial direction of the pipe 10 and passively in a circumferential direction. Wheel units 4a, 4b overhanging to the other side of the pipe 10 in the radial direction are roll rotating members that can move actively in the circumferential direction of the pipe 10 and passively in the axial direction of the pipe to change roll attitude angles. A moving member of a moving unit 5 is a second omnidirectional moving member 52 that can move in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the pipe 10. The in-pipe travel device also comprises energizing means for pressing the first omnidirectional moving members 32 against an inner wall surface 11a of the pipe 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-pipe travel device that travels in a pipe.

  In recent years, exceeding the useful life of infrastructure facilities has started to be regarded as a problem, and in particular, aging of piping facilities used for transporting fluids has become serious. In order to prevent leakage accidents, periodic pipe inspections are necessary. However, since humans cannot enter small pipes, it is necessary to dig up buried pipes or to disassemble the pipes themselves. However, these manual operations are time consuming and labor intensive, and are dangerous. Therefore, in recent years, inspection by a pipe inspection robot in which a camera and a wall thickness measurement sensor are mounted on an in-pipe travel apparatus has attracted attention, and various pipe inspection robots have been developed.

  As such a piping inspection robot, for example, many robots using a self-propelled in-pipe traveling apparatus having a high moving speed have been proposed. As a self-propelled in-pipe traveling apparatus, an in-pipe traveling apparatus in which drive modules including a plurality of independent crawler-type traveling bodies are radially attached via a support mechanism in the circumferential direction of the vehicle body has been developed ( For example, see Patent Document 1). In such an in-pipe traveling apparatus, by adjusting the speed of each drive module, it is possible not only to move forward and backward, but also to change the direction vertically and horizontally on the spot. However, in such a pipe traveling device, the diameter always swells radially by a support mechanism using a spring or the like, so that in the branch pipe or the like, a part of the drive module escapes into the vacant space and proceeds. May be hindered. In addition, since a plurality of drive modules must be arranged in a pipe having no space in the radial direction, there is a problem that downsizing is difficult.

  On the other hand, in recent years, downsizing has been realized, and a plurality of wheels, links, and joints are connected in a zigzag shape so as to have a structure suitable for a narrow and narrow space. A connected wheel type pipe inspection robot capable of pressing an inner wall surface has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the device of Patent Document 2, a plurality of drive units, a plurality of connection units that connect the drive units, two drive cables that pass through the drive unit and the connection units, and tension of the control cable are adjusted. And at least one drive unit having a tension adjusting section. The drive unit includes an axle that can be rotated by a motor, and wheels that are mounted on the axle. In the device of Patent Document 2, the driving unit is refracted in a zigzag shape by pulling the two steering cables with the same tension, and the wheel of the driving unit comes into contact with the inner wall of the pipe. In this state, the drive unit goes straight, and the two steering cables are pulled by different tensions, so that the drive unit is bent in a zigzag shape and arranged in a spiral shape, and the wheels of the drive unit are connected to the pipe. The drive unit is configured to advance in a spiral manner in contact with the inner wall.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-072359 JP 2012-076475 A

  However, when changing the advancing direction so as to match the bending direction of the curved pipe or the branch pipe, it is necessary to rotate the roll around the axial direction of the pipe. However, since roll rotation can only be performed, it is necessary to change the traveling direction by repeatedly moving in the front-rear direction, and there is a problem that it takes time to adjust the traveling direction to the bending direction of the pipe.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and is capable of quickly adjusting the traveling direction to the bending direction of the pipe by changing the roll posture angle on the spot in the pipe. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the in-pipe travel device according to the present invention is arranged in a zigzag shape while being bent with respect to the axial direction of the pipe, and rotates around the axial direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the pipe. At least four link portions provided so as to be movable, and provided at the end portions on the open side of the link portions located between the link portions and both front and rear end sides in the axial direction of the pipe, and in the axial direction of the pipe An in-pipe travel apparatus including a plurality of moving units having a moving member movable on an inner wall surface of the pipe, wherein at least two of the moving units provided to project to one side in a radial direction of the pipe The moving member of the unit can be actively moved on the inner wall surface in the axial direction of the pipe by the first driving means, and can be passively moved on the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction of the pipe. A first omnidirectional moving member, and the moving member of at least one of the moving units of the moving unit that projects from the other radial side of the pipe is configured to change the roll attitude angle. A roll rotating member capable of actively moving on the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction and passively moving on the inner wall surface in the axial direction of the pipe, and having the first omnidirectional moving member. The moving member of the moving unit other than the moving unit having the moving unit and the roll rotating member can move on the inner wall surface in the axial direction of the pipe, and the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction of the pipe. The second omnidirectional moving member is movable upward, and is provided with urging means for pressing the first omnidirectional moving member against the inner wall surface of the pipe.

  Further, in the in-pipe travel device according to the present invention, the moving unit provided at each of the open end portions of the link portion located on both front and rear end sides in the axial direction of the pipe is on the other side in the radial direction of the pipe. Each of the moving units is provided with an overhang, and one or both of the moving members of the respective moving units are the roll rotating members.

  In the in-pipe traveling device according to the present invention, the roll rotating member is a pair of hemispherical wheels, and can be actively rotated around the axial direction of the link portion by the second driving means. And it can be passively rotated around an axial direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the link portion.

  In the in-pipe travel device according to the present invention, the first omnidirectional moving member and the second omnidirectional moving member are omni wheels.

  According to the in-pipe travel device of the present invention, the roll attitude angle is adjusted on the spot by actively moving the roll rotating member on the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction of the pipe by the second driving means in the pipe. Since it can be changed, the traveling direction can be quickly adjusted to the bending direction of the pipe. At this time, the other first omnidirectional moving member and the second omnidirectional moving member can passively move on the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction of the pipe, so that the circumferential direction of the pipe of the roll rotating member It can move following the active movement to. As a result, the in-pipe traveling apparatus according to the present invention can efficiently travel even on a curved pipe or a branch pipe. Therefore, if an inspection means such as a camera or a wall thickness measurement sensor is installed, the inspection time can be reduced. Shortening can be achieved.

  Further, according to the in-pipe travel device according to the present invention, the second driving means actively moves the roll rotation member in the circumferential direction of the pipe, and the biasing means keeps the roll rotation angle constant while the roll rotation angle is kept constant. 1. In a state where the omnidirectional moving member is pressed against the inner wall surface of the pipe, the first omnidirectional moving member is actively moved in the axial direction of the pipe by the first driving means, so that the conventional spiral motion is also required. Can be done accordingly.

  In addition, according to the in-pipe travel device according to the present invention, the moving units provided at the open ends of the link portions located on the front and rear ends in the axial direction of the pipe are moved in the first omnidirectional direction in the radial direction of the pipe. Since each of the moving members of each moving unit is a member for rotating the roll, the roll posture angle can be more stably increased. Can be changed.

  Further, according to the in-pipe traveling device according to the present invention, the roll rotating member is a pair of hemispherical wheels, so that the radius of the wheel can be increased with respect to the traveling direction, The obstacle running ability with respect to the traveling direction can be improved.

  Further, according to the in-pipe travel device according to the present invention, since the first omnidirectional moving member and the second omnidirectional moving member are omni wheels, the roll driving member is activated in the circumferential direction of the pipe by the second driving means. Therefore, the roll rotation angle can be changed more efficiently by stably following the roll rotation member.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the in-pipe travel apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows an example of the in-pipe travel apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example of the in-pipe traveling apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic front view which shows an example of the in-pipe traveling apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. It is a partial expanded sectional view of FIG. It is a schematic side view which shows an example of the state at the time of performing the spiral motion of the in-pipe traveling apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example of the state at the time of performing the spiral motion of the in-pipe traveling apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic plan view which shows an example of the state at the time of the pipe running apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention drive | works a curved pipe, (a) has shown before roll rotation, (b) is after roll rotation. Show.

  Hereinafter, an in-pipe traveling apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The in-pipe travel device 1 is equipped with, for example, a camera for checking the inside of the pipe 10, a wall thickness measurement sensor, and the like, and can be used for running in the pipe 10. As shown in FIG. 4, four link portions 2 are arranged in a zigzag shape in a state of being bent with respect to the axial direction of the pipe 10 and are provided so as to be rotatable around an axial direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipe 10. 2a to 2d), the moving unit 3a provided between the link parts 2a and 2b, the moving unit 3b provided between the link parts 2c and 2d, the moving unit 5 provided between the link parts 2b and 2d, and the axial direction of the pipe 10 The moving units 4a and 4b are provided at the open end portions of the link portions 2a and 2d located on both front and rear ends. The in-pipe travel device 1 is not limited to the above-described application, and can be used for other work performed while traveling in the pipe 10. 1, 3, and 4, the piping 10 is omitted.

  The four link portions 2a to 2d are each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. These four link portions 2a to 2d are arranged in a zigzag shape, and the angle formed by the axial direction of each link portion 2 (2a to 2d) adjacent in the front-rear direction and each link portion 2 (2a to 2d). ) Are formed substantially the same. In addition, the angle | corner which the axial direction of each adjacent link part 2 (2a-2d) makes, and the dimension of each link part 2 (2a-2d) depend on the diameter etc. of the piping 10 which the in-pipe travel apparatus 1 travels. These are set as appropriate and are not particularly limited. Further, the angles formed in the axial direction of the adjacent link portions 2 (2a to 2d) and the dimensions of the link portions 2 (2a to 2d) do not necessarily have to be substantially the same, and are configured to be different. May be.

  The link portion 2a is located at the forefront in the traveling direction of the in-pipe traveling device 1, and moves to the front end, which is the end portion on the open side, via a roll rotation shaft 6 positioned on the axial direction of the link portion 2a. A unit 4a is provided, and a first connection portion 7 formed in a substantially U-shape is provided at the rear end. The link part 2b is located behind the link part 2a, and each of the front end and the rear end is formed to have a width that fits in the groove of the first connection part 7 formed in a substantially U-shape. A second connecting portion 8 is provided. The link portion 2c is located behind the link portion 2b, and a first connection portion 7 formed in a substantially U-shape is provided at the front end, and a first connection portion is provided at the rear end. The 2nd connection part 8 formed in the width | variety accommodated in the groove | channel of 7 is provided. The link portion 2d is located behind the link portion 2c and is located at the rearmost position in the traveling direction of the in-pipe traveling device 1, and a first connection portion 7 formed in a substantially U-shape is provided at the front end. In addition, a moving unit 4b is provided at the rear end, which is an end portion on the open side, via a roll rotation shaft 6 on the axial direction of the link portion 2d.

  The first connecting portion 7 provided at the rear end of the link portion 2a and the second connecting portion 8 provided at the front end of the link portion 2b are not shown around the axle 31 of the moving unit 3a orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipe 10, respectively. It is connected via a bearing or the like so as to be rotatable. Further, the second connecting portion 8 provided at the rear end of the link portion 2b and the first connecting portion 7 provided at the front end of the link portion 2b are not around the axle 51 of the moving unit 5 orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipe 10, respectively. It is connected so as to be rotatable through a bearing or the like shown in the figure. Further, the second connecting portion 8 provided at the rear end of the link portion 2c and the first connecting portion 7 provided at the front end of the link portion 2d are not around the axle 31 of the moving unit 3b orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipe 10, respectively. It is connected so as to be rotatable through a bearing or the like shown in the figure. As a result, in the in-pipe travel device 1, the link portions 2 a to 2 d rotate according to the diameter of the pipe 10 and are inserted into the pipe 10.

  The moving unit 3a and the moving unit 3b are provided between the link portions 2a and 2b and between the link portions 2c and 2d, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the moving units 4a and 4b and the moving unit 5 are respectively It is provided so as to project to one side (the mountain side in FIG. 2) in the radial direction of the pipe 10 on the opposite side. The moving unit 3a and the moving unit 3b are respectively fixed to the axle 31 orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipe 10 and the omni wheel (first shaft) that rolls on the inner wall surface 11a of the pipe 10 in the axial direction of the pipe 10. Omnidirectional moving member) 32.

  The omni wheel 32 has wheel bodies 33 fixed to both end sides of an axle 31, respectively. Each wheel body 33 includes a plurality of unillustrated shafts arranged in a tangential direction on the outer periphery at predetermined angular intervals in the outer periphery direction. A substantially barrel-shaped roller 34 that is provided and whose outer periphery is coated with rubber or the like is attached to each of the shafts. The shaft to which the roller 34 is attached is provided so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction of the axle 31. Further, each wheel body 33 is fixed to the axle 31 so as to face each other while being shifted by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction, and is configured to rotate integrally with the rotation of the axle 31. Thereby, the omni wheel 32 not only rotates the wheel main body 33 in the axial direction of the pipe 10 but also moves in the circumferential direction by the roller 34 passively rotating in the circumferential direction of the pipe 10. Is possible.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a motor (first motor) that generates a driving force for actively rotating the omni wheel 32 of the moving unit 3 b in the axial direction of the pipe 10 is provided inside the link portion 2 b. Drive means) 12 is incorporated. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotating shaft 13 of the motor 12 is connected to a bevel gear mechanism 16 that transmits a driving force from the motor 12. The bevel gear mechanism 16 is fixed to the rotary shaft 13, and is configured such that a bevel gear that rotates as the rotary shaft 13 rotates and a bevel gear fixed to an axle 31 that is orthogonal to the rotary shaft 13 are engaged with each other. Yes. Accordingly, when the rotating shaft 13 is rotated by the driving force of the motor 12, the driving force is transmitted to the axle 31 via the bevel gear mechanism 16, and the axle 31 is rotated. Thereby, the omni wheel 32 fixed to the axle 31 can actively rotate in the axial direction of the pipe 10. Here, only the case where the omni wheel 32 of the moving unit 3b is actively rotated in the axial direction of the pipe 10 by the motor 12 built in the link portion 2b has been described. Similarly to the link 2b, a motor 12 for generating a driving force for actively rotating the omni wheel 32 of the moving unit 3a in the axial direction of the pipe 10 is incorporated, and the omni of the moving unit 3a is based on the same principle. The wheel 32 can also actively rotate in the axial direction of the pipe 10. As described above, the in-pipe traveling apparatus 1 has driving means such as the independent motors 12 at the front and rear, thereby allowing the outputs to interfere with each other to obtain higher propulsive force. Moreover, in a curved pipe, a T-shaped pipe, or the like, the front part pulls the rear part, and the rear part pushes out the front part, so that the inside of these pipes can be stably moved. The motor 12 is configured to be controlled by a control signal sent from a controller provided outside via a cable (not shown). By controlling the driving direction of the motor 12, the rotation direction of the omni wheel 32 is controlled. Can be switched. The control signal sent from the controller to the motor 12 may be configured to be sent wirelessly.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the in-pipe travel device 1 is inserted into the pipe 10, the moving units 3 a and 3 b have a rotational direction indicated by an arrow B indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2. Coil springs (biasing means) 9 for pressing the respective omni wheels 32 of the moving units 3a and 3b against the inner wall surface 11a on one side of the pipe 10 by urging each link portion 2 are provided. . Although not shown in detail, the coil spring 9 has one end attached to the first connecting portion 7 and the other end attached to the second connecting portion 8. As a result, when the in-pipe travel device 1 is inserted into the pipe 10, the omni wheels 32 of the moving units 3 a and 3 b are pressed against the inner wall surface 11 a by the coil spring 9. In this state, each omni wheel 32 rolls on the inner wall surface 11a by actively rotating each omni wheel 32 in the axial direction of the pipe 10 by the driving force of the motor 12, and the in-pipe travel device. 1 can travel in the pipe 10. The urging means for pressing the respective omni wheels 32 of the moving units 3a and 3b against the inner wall surface 11a on one side of the pipe 10 is not limited to the coil spring 9, but each link portion 2 is connected to the link 2 shown in FIG. Any force can be used as long as it can generate an urging force for urging in the rotation direction of the arrow B indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  The moving unit 5 is provided between the link portions 2b and 2c, and as shown in FIG. 2, the other side in the radial direction of the pipe 10 opposite to the moving units 3a and 3b (the valley in FIG. 2). Side). The moving unit 5 is configured in the same shape as the moving units 3 a and 3 b, and is fixed to the axle 51 orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipe 10 and the inner wall surface 11 b of the pipe 10 in the axial direction of the pipe 10. And an omni wheel (second omnidirectional moving member) 52 that rolls upward.

  The omni wheel 52 is the same as the omni wheel 32, and a wheel main body 53 is fixed to each end of the axle 51, and each wheel main body 53 is arranged in the tangential direction of the outer periphery (not shown). A plurality of shafts are provided at predetermined angular intervals in the outer peripheral direction, and substantially barrel-shaped rollers 54 whose outer periphery is coated with rubber or the like are respectively attached to the shafts. Further, the respective wheel main bodies 53 are fixed to the axle 51 so as to face each other while being shifted by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction, and are configured to rotate integrally with the rotation of the axle 51. Thereby, not only the wheel main body 33 rotates in the axial direction of the pipe 10 but also the roller 54 rotates in the circumferential direction by passively rotating the roller 54 on the inner wall surface 11b of the pipe 10 in the circumferential direction. Can also be moved. The omni wheel 52 here is different from the omni wheel 32 in that it does not actively rotate in the axial direction of the pipe 10 by the driving force from the driving means such as a motor, but is passive in the axial direction of the pipe 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the omni wheel 52 is also actively rotated in the axial direction of the pipe 10 by the driving force from the driving means such as a motor, like the omni wheel 32. You may comprise. Further, the moving members provided in the moving units 3a, 3b and the moving unit 5 are not limited to omnidirectional moving wheels such as omni wheels, but can move in the axial direction of the pipe 10, and in the moving direction. As long as it can move in the direction perpendicular to the pipe (circumferential direction of the pipe), for example, sufficient friction can be obtained in the traveling direction (high grip force), A plurality of materials having the property of being slippery may be combined in different directions, and each may be moved in accordance with the trajectory of the leg during walking to have the same function.

  The moving units 4a and 4b are respectively provided at the front end, which is the open end of the link portion 2a, and the rear end, which is the open end of the link portion 2d, via the roll rotation shaft 6, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, it is provided so as to project to the other side (the valley side in FIG. 2) in the radial direction of the pipe 10 opposite to the moving units 3a and 3b. The moving units 4a and 4b are respectively for an axle 41 orthogonal to the axial direction of the link portions 2a and 2d, and for roll rotation supported on both ends of the axle 41 so as to be passively rotatable in the axial direction of the pipe 10, respectively. And a pair of hemispherical wheels 42 that are members.

  As shown in FIG. 5, inside the link portion 2d, a pair of hemispherical wheels 42 of the moving unit 4b are active around the axial direction of the link portion 4b in order to change the roll posture angle of the in-pipe traveling device 1. A motor (second driving means) 14 that generates a driving force for rotating the roll is incorporated. A roll rotation shaft 6 is mounted on the rotation shaft 15 of the motor 14, and the roll rotation shaft 6 is also configured to rotate around the axial direction of the link portion 4 b as the rotation shaft 15 rotates. Further, the axle 41 of the moving unit 4b is attached so as to penetrate the roll rotating shaft 6 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, when the rotating shaft 15 is rotated by the driving force of the motor 14, the roll rotating shaft 6 is rotated together with the rotating shaft 15. As a result, in the in-pipe travel device 1, the axle 41 rotates together with the roll rotation shaft 6, and the pair of hemispherical wheels 42 provided on both ends of the axle 41 are actively rolled around the axial direction of the link portion 4b. By rotating, the inner wall surface 11 can be actively moved in the circumferential direction of the pipe 10. Here, only the case where the pair of hemispherical wheels 42 of the moving unit 4b are actively rotated around the axial direction of the link portion 2b by the motor 14 built in the link portion 2d will be described. However, the motor 14 is built in the link portion 2a as well as the link portion 2d, and the pair of hemispherical wheels 42 of the moving unit 4a are actively moved around the axial direction of the link portion 2a by the same principle. The roll can be rotated. Similarly to the motor, the motor 14 can be controlled by a control signal sent from an external controller via a cable (not shown) or wirelessly.

  Hereinafter, an example of the traveling operation of the in-pipe traveling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the in-pipe travel device 1, when traveling straight in the pipe 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the pair of hemispherical wheels 42 of the movement units 4a and 4b are not inclined and the movement units 3a and 3b In a state where each omni wheel 32 is pressed against one inner wall surface 11 a, the omni wheel 32 of each of the moving units 3 a and 3 b is actively rotated in the axial direction of the pipe 10 by the driving force of the motor 12. Thereby, each omni wheel 32 rolls on the inner wall surface 11 a, and the pair of hemispherical wheels 42 of the moving units 4 a and 4 b and the omni wheel 52 of the moving unit 5 are connected to the pipe 10 in the axial direction of the pipe 10. By passively rolling on the inner wall surface 11b, the pipe 10 can travel straight.

  When traveling in the pipe 10 in a spiral shape, the in-pipe traveling apparatus 1 uses a pair of hemispherical wheels 42 of the moving unit 4a as a driving force of the motor 14 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example. Thus, the rolls are actively rotated around the axial direction of the link portion 4a to be inclined, and the omni wheels 32 of the moving units 3a and 3b are piped by the driving force of the motor 12 while maintaining the roll rotation angle constant. Actively rotate in 10 axial directions. Thereby, the conventional spiral motion can also be performed as needed.

  Further, in the in-pipe traveling apparatus 1, for example, when traveling on the curved pipe 10a as shown in FIG. 9, it is necessary to match the bending direction of the in-pipe traveling apparatus 1 with the bending direction of the curved pipe 10a. In this case, from the state shown in FIG. 9A, the pair of hemispherical wheels 42 of the moving units 4a and 4b are actively moved around the axial direction of the link portions 4a and 4b by the driving force of the motor 14. By rotating the roll, the roll posture angle of the in-pipe travel apparatus 1 is changed on the spot, and the bending direction (traveling direction) of the in-pipe travel apparatus 1 is matched with the bending direction of the curved pipe 10a as shown in FIG. Like that. Then, in the state shown in FIG. 9B, the in-pipe traveling apparatus 1 is activated by actively rotating the omni wheels 32 of the moving units 3 a and 3 b in the axial direction of the pipe 10 by the driving force of the motor 12. The vehicle can travel in the curved pipe 10a.

  In the in-pipe traveling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a pair of wheels 42 that can be roll-rotated at the front end that is the open end of the link portion 2a and the rear end that is the open end of the link portion 2d. Although the example which provided the moving units 4a and 4b which have this is shown, you may make it comprise only one of them so that roll rotation is possible. Further, the moving member 52 of the moving unit 5 may be configured to be capable of actively rotating the roll. Moreover, although the example which has arrange | positioned the four link parts 2 (2a-2d) in the zigzag shape is shown in the in-pipe traveling apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment, it is not limited to this, The link part 2 Four or more may be provided in a zigzag shape.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the idea of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 In-pipe traveling apparatus 2 Link part 3 Moving unit 32 Omni wheel (1st omnidirectional moving member)
4 moving unit 42 hemispherical wheel 5 moving unit 52 omni wheel (second omnidirectional moving member)
9 Coil spring (biasing means)
10 piping 11 inner wall surface 12 motor (first driving means)
14 Motor (second drive means)

Claims (4)

At least four link portions arranged in a zigzag shape in a state of being bent with respect to the axial direction of the pipe, and provided so as to be rotatable around an axial direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the pipe;
A moving member provided between the link portions and at the open side end portions of the link portions positioned on both front and rear end sides in the axial direction of the pipe, and movable on the inner wall surface of the pipe in the axial direction of the pipe. An in-pipe travel apparatus comprising a plurality of moving units,
The moving members of at least two of the moving units that are provided to project to one side in the radial direction of the pipe are actively moved on the inner wall surface in the axial direction of the pipe by the first driving means. And a first omnidirectional moving member capable of passively moving on the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction of the pipe,
The moving member of at least one moving unit of the moving units provided to project to the other side in the radial direction of the pipe is active on the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction of the pipe in order to change a roll posture angle. A roll rotating member that is movable in a movable manner and passively movable on the inner wall surface in the axial direction of the pipe,
The moving unit of the moving unit other than the moving unit having the first omnidirectional moving member and the moving unit having the roll rotating member is movable on the inner wall surface in the axial direction of the pipe, and A second omnidirectional moving member capable of moving on the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction of the pipe;
An in-pipe travel apparatus comprising urging means for pressing the first omnidirectional moving member against the inner wall surface of the pipe.   The moving units provided respectively at the open ends of the link portions located on the front and rear end sides in the axial direction of the pipe are respectively provided so as to project to the other side in the radial direction of the pipe. The in-pipe traveling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the moving members of the moving unit are the roll rotating members.   The roll rotating member is a pair of hemispherical wheels, and can be actively rotated around the axial direction of the link portion by the second driving means, and with respect to the axial direction of the link portion. The in-pipe traveling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the in-pipe traveling apparatus is capable of passively rotating around axial directions orthogonal to each other.   The in-pipe travel device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first omnidirectional moving member and the second omnidirectional moving member are omni wheels.

Images