JP2018173128A - In-pipe guide apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-pipe guide apparatus that guides an in-pipe operation tool for a camera etc., to a desired position inside a pipe excellently beyond a step formed inside the pipe although employing relative simple constitution which does not have a drive part such as a motor.SOLUTION: A tip guide body 60 comprises, along an outer shape of a substantially elliptic body in a natural state, an elastic deformation material such that when press force is applied in contact with step parts D1, D2 projecting on inner walls of pipes K1, K2 along inner diameters, a region having been applied with the press force elastically deforms inward and then repulses the press force in the form of deforming to restore itself to the outer shape of the substantially elliptic body in the natural state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-tube guide device that guides an in-tube operation jig operated inside a tube to a desired position inside the tube through the tube.

Conventionally, when piping work or maintenance work of a gas pipe that flows through city gas (for example, 13A), a gas bag for closing the gas pipe, a camera for photographing the inside of the gas pipe, an arrangement angle of the pipe, A technique is known in which an in-pipe operation jig such as a gyroscope for measuring the position is sent from a base end side to a desired position inside a gas pipe in a form that is pushed or pulled by a long body. ing.
However, since there is a step portion in the vicinity of the elbow pipe, for example, when the above-mentioned in-pipe operation jig is simply pushed or pulled, the in-pipe operation jig is caught on the above-mentioned step portion. There is.
Therefore, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the above-described in-pipe operation jig is arranged inside a spiral operation jig formed by spirally forming a wire, and the spiral operation jig is rotated along the spiral. However, an invention has been disclosed in which a step inside the gas pipe is overcome by performing a pushing operation or a pulling operation on the gas pipe (see Patent Document 1).

JP2013-134154A

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when guiding the in-pipe operation jig to a desired position inside the gas pipe, the helical operation jig must always be rotated along with the push-in operation and the pull-out operation. There was room for improvement from the viewpoint of operability.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is to provide a stepped portion formed inside a pipe while adopting a relatively simple configuration that does not have a driving unit such as a motor. It is an object to provide an in-pipe guide device that overcomes well and guides an in-pipe operation jig such as a camera to a desired position inside the pipe.

An in-pipe guide device for achieving the above object is as follows.
An in-tube guide device for guiding an in-tube operation jig operated inside the tube to a desired position inside the tube through the inside of the tube.
A distal end guide body having a substantially elliptical outer shape in a natural state at the distal end, and connected to a proximal end side of the distal end guide body along the long axis of the substantially elliptical body, and the tube with respect to the distal end guide body An elongated body that imparts pushing force or tensile force in the tube axis direction,
The tip guide body is substantially elliptical after the portion to which the pressing force is applied is elastically deformed inward when a pressing force is applied by contacting a step protruding in the inner diameter direction on the inner wall of the tube. An elastically deformable material that repels the pressing force in a form that is restored and deformed to the outer shape of the body in its natural state is provided along the outer shape of the substantially ellipsoid in the natural state.

According to the above characteristic configuration, the distal end guide body to which the pushing force or the tensile force is applied in the tube axis direction from the proximal end side to the elongated body is disposed, and the elastically deformable material is disposed along the outer diameter shape of the substantially ellipsoid. As a result, when the pressing force is applied by contacting the step in the inner diameter direction on the inner wall of the tube, the portion to which the pressing force is applied is elastically deformed toward the inside of the approximately ellipsoid, Since the outer shape of the substantially elliptical body is restored and deformed, the tip guide body changes its position or posture due to the repulsive force accompanying the restoring deformation and the pushing force or tensile force of the elongated body, The inside of the pipe can be moved along the pipe axis by overcoming the step.
As a result, an in-pipe guide device that guides the in-pipe operation jig to a desired position inside the pipe by successfully overcoming the step inside the pipe while adopting a relatively simple configuration without a drive unit or the like. Can be realized.
Incidentally, in the in-pipe guide device, for example, the in-pipe operation jig can be guided to a desired position inside the pipe in a state where the in-pipe operation jig is arranged inside the tip guide body.

Further characteristic configuration of the guide device in the pipe is
The tip guide body includes an axis member that aligns the axis with the long axis of the substantially ellipsoid,
A distal-side hinge member extending along the outer shape of the substantially ellipsoid from the distal-side end portion of the axial member toward the proximal side, and from the proximal-side end portion of the axial member toward the distal side A hinge mechanism comprising a proximal hinge member extending along the outer shape of the substantially ellipsoid, and a hinge shaft pivotably supporting the distal hinge member and the proximal hinge member; It comprises a plurality of elastically deformable materials in the axial direction of the shaft member,
A free end portion of the distal end side hinge member, which is a free end portion, is fitted on the outer diameter portion of the distal end side end portion of the shaft member so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the shaft member. And a base end side free end portion which is a free end portion of the base end side hinge member is provided by being externally fitted to an outer diameter portion of the base end side end portion portion of the shaft member,
When the pressing force is applied to the distal-side hinge member or the proximal-side hinge member, the distal-side free end portion is proximal to the axial center member in the axial direction from the distal side. And after the hinge shaft moves outward in the axial direction of the shaft member and is elastically deformed,
The distal end free end portion slides and moves from the proximal end side to the distal end side in the axial direction with respect to the axial member, and the hinge shaft moves inward in the axial radial direction of the axial member. It is in the point which carries out the said restoration deformation.

According to the above characteristic configuration, by providing a plurality of hinge mechanisms in the axial circumferential direction of the shaft center member, a pressing force is applied by the stepped portion or the like coming into contact with the distal end side hinge member or the proximal end side hinge member. The distal end side free end portion of the distal end side hinge member slides and moves from the distal end side to the proximal end side in the axial direction with respect to the axial center member, and the hinge shaft is outward in the axial radial direction of the axial center member. Therefore, in the elastically deformed state, the vicinity of the hinge shaft presses the inner surface of the tube, and the tip guide body is moved in the tube axis direction of the tube.
Thereafter, the free end portion on the distal end side slides from the proximal end side to the distal end side in the axial direction with respect to the axial center member, and the hinge shaft moves inward in the axial radial direction of the axial center member to be restored and deformed. At this time, the stepping portion can be satisfactorily overcome by the repulsive force accompanying the restoring deformation acting on the stepping portion.

Further characteristic configuration of the guide device in the pipe is
A biasing means for biasing the distal end side free end portion and the proximal end side free end portion in the separation direction in the axial direction is provided inside the distal end guide body.

  According to the above-described characteristic configuration, the tip guide body includes an urging means for urging the distal-side free end portion and the proximal-side free end portion in the separation direction in the axial direction of the shaft center member. In addition to the repulsive force accompanying the elastic deformation of the elastically deformable material, the repulsive force can be applied to the stepped portion or the like by the urging force of the urging means, so that the stepped portion or the like can be overcome even better.

Further characteristic configuration of the guide device in the pipe is
The tip guide body includes a guide body tip portion provided integrally with the tip side free end portion on the tip side,
A point-side space in which the tip-side end portion of the shaft member is movable along the axial direction is formed inside the guide body tip.

As described above, when the in-pipe guide device according to the present invention gets over the stepped portion or the like inside the pipe, the tip side free end part of the tip side hinge member extends along the axial direction of the axis member. Need to slide. According to the above characteristic configuration, since the shaft center member can be retained inside the tip guide body even when the tip end free end portion slides in the axial direction, the tip guide body It is possible to maintain a state in which the outer side is covered with the elastically deformable material even when the tip guide body is elastically deformed.
Thereby, it can prevent that an axial center member engages with the step part etc. of the exterior of a pipe | tube.

Further characteristic configuration of the guide device in the pipe is
The tip guide body includes a guide body tip portion provided integrally with the tip side free end portion on the tip side,
The guide body tip is deformed into a projecting posture in which the shaft member protrudes toward the tip in the state after the elastic deformation and a retracting posture in which the shaft member is retracted in the state after the restoring deformation. The tip opening is formed.

  According to the above-described characteristic configuration, the guide body distal end portion has the distal end opening on the distal end side thereof, so that the projecting posture in which the shaft center member projects toward the distal end side through the distal end opening in the state after the elastic deformation, and after the restoration deformation In this state, the shaft center member can be deformed to a retracted posture in which the shaft member is retracted to the inside through the tip opening. The body can be moved to the vicinity of the tube axis of the tube, and a smoother movement can be realized.

Further characteristic configuration of the guide device in the pipe is
The plurality of hinge mechanisms are arranged at an equal angle in the axial circumferential direction of the shaft member.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, it is possible to satisfactorily get over the step portion that may exist in any part in the axial direction of the tube axis of the tube.

In the in-pipe guide device described so far,
It is preferable that the shaft member and the elongated body are fixed by a wedge in a form in which a distal end portion of the elongated member is fitted in a receiving portion formed on a proximal end side of the shaft member. .

Further characteristic configuration of the guide device in the pipe is
In each of the hinge mechanisms, the distal-end-side hinge member and the proximal-end-side hinge member are provided symmetrically with respect to a plane that is orthogonal to the axis of the shaft center member and passes through the hinge axis,
In each of the hinge mechanisms, the distal-side free end and the proximal-side free end are provided symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft center member and passing through the hinge axis. .

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the hinge mechanism can be provided in a symmetric system with respect to a straight line that is orthogonal to the axis of the axis member and passes through the hinge axis, so that the pushing operation by the pushing force and the drawing operation by the pulling force are performed. In both cases, the rigidity balance can be easily obtained, and the ease of design can be improved.

Further characteristic configuration of the guide device in the pipe is
Each of the hinge mechanisms includes a roller that rotates about the hinge shaft as an axis.
The roller grounding surface is provided to be located on the outer side in the axial radial direction with respect to the distal end side hinge member and the proximal end side hinge member as viewed in the axial direction of the axial center member.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the guide of the in-pipe guide device can be performed more smoothly by rotating the ground contact surface of the roller in contact with the inner surface of the tube.

The perspective view of the guide apparatus in a pipe concerning a 1st embodiment. II-II sectional view in FIG. The figure which shows the movement state in the gas pipe of the in-pipe guide apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the state just before contact | abutting to the step part in the gas pipe of the guide apparatus in a pipe | tube which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the elastic deformation state in the gas pipe of the in-pipe guide apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the decompression | restoration deformation state in the gas pipe of the in-pipe guide apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. A perspective view of a guide device in a pipe concerning a 2nd embodiment. VIII-VIII sectional view in FIG. The figure which shows the movement state in the gas pipe of the in-pipe guide apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the state just before contact | abutting to the step part in the gas pipe of the guide apparatus in a pipe | tube which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the elastic deformation state in the gas pipe of the guide apparatus in a pipe | tube which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the decompression | restoration deformation state in the gas pipe of the guide apparatus in a pipe | tube which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

The in-pipe guide apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention adopts a relatively simple configuration not having a driving unit such as a motor, but successfully overcomes the stepped portion formed inside the pipe, and the like. The in-pipe operation jig is guided to a desired position inside the pipe. In the drawing, an in-pipe operation jig is not shown for the sake of space.
Hereinafter, the guide apparatus 100 in a pipe | tube which concerns on embodiment is demonstrated based on drawing.

[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the first embodiment includes gas pipes K <b> 1 and K <b> 2 (examples of pipes: FIGS. 3 to 6) that flow through city gas (e.g., 13 </ b> A: an example of fluid). When performing piping work and maintenance work as shown in the figure, an in-pipe operation jig such as a camera for photographing the inside of the gas pipes K1, K2 and a gyroscope for measuring the arrangement angle and position of the gas pipes K1, K2 (see figure). The gas pipes K1 and K2 are in desired positions in a form in which a pushing operation or a pulling operation is performed by the flexible long body 10 from the base end side (the lower side of the drawing in FIGS. 3 to 6). To be sent to.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the in-pipe guide device 100 includes a tip guide body 60 having a substantially ellipsoidal outer shape in a natural state at the tip, and a long axis (P1 in FIG. 1) of the substantially ellipsoid. And is connected to a receiving portion 20d (shown in FIGS. 3 to 6) of the guide base end portion 50 on the base end side of the tip guide body 60 and the tube axes of the gas tubes K1 and K2 with respect to the tip guide body 60 (In FIGS. 3 to 6, a direction along P <b> 2 and P <b> 3) and a long body 10 that imparts a pressing force or a tensile force.
The tip guide body 60 applies the pressing force when the pressing force is applied in contact with the first step portion D1 (shown in FIGS. 3 to 6) protruding in the inner diameter direction on the inner walls of the gas pipes K1 and K2. An elastically deformable material that repels the pressing force in a form that restores the outer shape of the substantially ellipsoid in the natural state after the portion that has been elastically deformed inward is provided along the outer shape of the substantially ellipsoid in the natural state .

  In the first embodiment, the tip guide body 60 is created using a 3D printer, and all the members constituting the tip guide body 60 are made of an elastically deformable material. Examples of the elastically deformable material include ABS, polycarbonate, acrylic, and nylon 12, considering the strength and elastic modulus. Nylon 12 can be suitably used.

The tip guide body 60 includes a shaft center member 20 that aligns the shaft center with a long axis (P1 in FIG. 1) of a substantially ellipsoid.
Further, the distal end guide body 60 includes a distal end side hinge member 31 extending along a substantially elliptical shape from the distal end side end portion 20 a of the axial center member 20 toward the proximal end side, and a proximal end of the axial center member 20. A proximal-side hinge member 32 extending along a substantially ellipsoidal outer shape from the side end portion 20b toward the distal end side, and the distal-end hinge member 31 and the proximal-end hinge member 32 are pivotably supported. The hinge mechanism 30 including the hinge shaft 33 is made of an elastically deformable material, and a plurality of hinge mechanisms 30 are provided in the axial circumferential direction of the shaft center member 20. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, there are eight hinge mechanisms 30 at an equal angle in the axial circumferential direction of the shaft center member 20 (α in FIG. 2: 45 ° in the first embodiment). Is provided.

  The distal end free end 31a, which is the free end of the distal end hinge member 31, is placed on the outer diameter portion of the distal end portion 20a of the axial member 20 in the axial direction of the axial member 20 (in FIG. The base end side free end portion 32a which is the free end portion of the base end side hinge member 32 is provided outside the base end side end portion 20b of the shaft member 20. It is provided with a diameter part fitted outside. That is, the distal end side free end portion 31 a is slidable in the axial direction of the axial center member 20 along the outer diameter portion of the axial center member 20, and the proximal end free end portion 32 a is It is externally fitted and fixed to the outer diameter part.

  Further, the distal end guide body 60 includes a guide body distal end portion 40 provided integrally with the distal end side free end portion 31a of the distal end side hinge member 31 on the distal end side. A distal end side space 41 is formed in which the distal end side end portion 20a of the core member 20 is movable along the axial direction inside. When the description is added, the shaft center member 20 has a distal end side large diameter portion 20c having a larger diameter than a portion where the distal end side free end portion 31a is fitted on the distal end side of the distal end side end portion 20a and slides. The distal end large diameter portion 20c is fitted into the distal end space 41, and the distal end large diameter portion 20c is not detached from the distal end space 41.

  In the distal end guide body 60 according to the first embodiment, in each of the hinge mechanisms 30, the distal end side hinge member 31 and the proximal end side hinge member 32 are orthogonal to the axis of the shaft center member 20 and are hinged. Provided symmetrically with respect to a plane S (shown in FIG. 1) passing through the shaft 33, and in each of the hinge mechanisms 30, the distal end side free end portion 31 a of the distal end side hinge member 31 and the proximal end side of the proximal end side hinge member 32. The free end portion 32 a is provided symmetrically with respect to a plane S (shown in FIG. 1) that is orthogonal to the axis of the shaft member 20 and passes through the hinge shaft 33. By adopting this configuration, the tip guide body 60 may be applied with a pressing force from the first step portion D1 (shown in FIGS. 3 to 6) at the elbow portion during the pushing operation to the gas pipes K1 and K2. Even when a pressing force is applied from the second step portion D2 (illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6) at the elbow portion during the pulling operation from the gas pipes K1 and K2, elastic deformation and plastic deformation are performed in a well-balanced manner. It becomes.

  Further, in particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the hinge mechanisms 30 includes a pair of rollers 35 a and 35 b that rotate about the hinge shaft 33 as an axis, and a hinge portion (the distal end side hinge member 31 and the proximal end side). The hinge member 32 is provided in a state of sandwiching a part pivotally supported by the hinge shaft 33), and the grounding surfaces of the rollers 35a and 35b are viewed in the axial direction of the axial member 20 (for example, a cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 2). ) And is located outside the distal end side hinge member 31 and the proximal end side hinge member 32 in the axial radial direction. Thereby, the front-end | tip guide body 60 can pass the inside of the gas pipes K1 and K2 more smoothly.

Next, changes over time when the in-pipe guide device 100 moves in the gas pipes K1, K2 and the elbow pipe E connecting the two will be described with reference to FIGS. Incidentally, in FIGS. 3 to 6, it is assumed that the gas pipe K1 is on the proximal end side and the gas pipe K2 is on the distal end side.
When the in-pipe guide device 100 applies a pushing force to the tip guide body 60 via the elongated body 10 in a state where the tip guide body 60 is positioned inside the gas pipe K1, as shown in FIG. After the tip guide body 60 moves inside the gas pipe K1 in a state where the axis of the shaft center member 20 of the guide body 60 is substantially along the pipe axis P2 of the gas pipe K2, the tip guide is introduced into the elbow pipe E. The body 60 enters, and as shown in FIG. 4, the distal-end side hinge member 31 of the distal-end guide body 60 comes into contact with the first step portion D1.
Further, when a pressing force is applied to the distal end guide body 60 by the elongated body 10, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressing force is applied to the distal end side hinge member 31 (indicated by the arrow Y1 in FIG. 5). ) And the distal end free end portion 31a of the distal end side hinge member 31 slides from the distal end side to the proximal end side (indicated by the arrow Y3 in FIG. 5) in the axial direction with respect to the axial center member 20. In addition to moving, the hinge shaft 33 moves outward (in the direction of the arrow Y2 in FIG. 5) in the axial direction of the shaft member 20 and elastically deforms. Due to the elastic deformation, the distal end guide body 60 moves from the vicinity of the inner peripheral wall of the gas pipe K2 toward the pipe axis P3 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the ground contact surfaces of the rollers 35a and 35b are in contact with the inner peripheral walls of the gas pipes K1 and K2, the tip guide body 60 slides well against the inner wall surfaces of the gas pipes K1 and K2. Move.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the distal end free end portion 31 a of the distal end side hinge member 31 moves from the proximal end side to the distal end side in the axial direction with respect to the axial center member 20 (the distal end side of the arrow Y <b> 4 in FIG. 6). As the hinge shaft 33 moves inward in the axial diameter direction of the axial member 20 (in the distal end side of the arrow Y5 in FIG. 6) and is restored and deformed, the distal end side hinge member 31 performs the first movement. The portion that has been in contact with the stepped portion D1 repels the first stepped portion D1, and the tip guide body 60 gets over the first stepped portion D1.

[Second Embodiment]
The in-pipe guide device 100 according to the second embodiment basically functions in the same manner as the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the first embodiment, but the configuration is partially different.
Therefore, hereinafter, different configurations will be mainly described, and the same configurations may be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

In the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the second embodiment, the distal end side guide portion 40 on the distal end side of the distal end guide body 60 is slidably fitted on the distal end side end portion 20a of the shaft center member 20. The proximal end side guide portion 50 on the proximal end side of the distal end guide body 60 has a proximal end side opening 43 in which the proximal end side end portion 20b of the shaft member 20 is fitted and fixed. Is provided.
Furthermore, the axial center member 20 has a distal end side end portion 20a having a larger diameter portion at the distal end than the distal end side end portion 20a and expanding from the distal end side toward the proximal end side. A base-side truncated cone shape having a diameter larger than the base-side end part 20b at the base end of the base-side end part 20b and having a diameter increasing from the base side toward the tip side A portion 20e is provided.
The distal end guide body 60 has the above-described distal-end-side truncated cone-shaped portion 20c positioned outside the distal-end side of the distal end portion 40 of the guide body in a natural state where no elastic force is applied from the outside, and the aforementioned proximal-end-side truncated cone. The shape part 20e is located outside the proximal end side of the guide body proximal end 50.
With this configuration, the guide body distal end portion 40 has a protruding posture (posture shown in FIG. 11) that projects the distal truncated cone-shaped portion 20 c of the shaft center member 20 toward the distal end side in a state after elastic deformation of the distal guide body 60. The posture of the shaft guide member 60 is deformed in a retracted posture (posture shown in FIG. 12) in which the distal-end-side truncated cone-shaped portion 20c of the shaft center member 20 is retracted to the proximal end side after the distal guide body 60 is restored and deformed.

With this configuration, when the distal end guide body 60 passes through the elbow pipe E, the distal-end-side truncated cone-shaped portion 20c of the axial center member 20 protrudes toward the distal end side, and comes into contact with the inner wall of the elbow pipe E. An external force is applied to change the posture of the guide body 60 from the posture along the tube axis P2 of the gas pipe K1 on the proximal end side to the posture along the tube axis P3 of the gas tube K2 on the distal end side.
In the present specification, the retracted posture of the tip-side truncated cone-shaped portion 20c means a posture in which the tip-side truncated cone-shaped portion 20c is positioned in contact with the tip outer side of the tip guide body 60. Shall.
Furthermore, since the axial member 20 according to the second embodiment has a hollow cylindrical shape and is provided with an opening 20f on the distal end side, an in-tube operation jig is accommodated inside the axial member 20, When the in-tube operation jig is a gas bag, an operation such as closing the gas pipes K1, K2 is performed in such a manner that the in-tube operation jig is sent out from the opening 20f to the inside of the gas pipes K1, K2. Is possible.

Further, in the distal end guide body 60 according to the second embodiment, the distal end side hinge member 31 is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft 31 c in each of the hinge mechanisms 30, and the guide body distal end portion 40. And it is rotatably connected to the distal end side free end portion 31a. Similarly, the base end side hinge member 32 is pivotally connected to the guide body base end portion 50 and the base end side free end portion 32a in a form that is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft 32c.
Further, in the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the second embodiment, in each of the hinge mechanisms 30, the distal end free end 31 a of the distal end side hinge member 31 and the proximal end free end of the proximal end side hinge member 32. The portion 32 a is provided asymmetrically with respect to a plane S (shown in FIG. 7) that is orthogonal to the axis of the shaft member 20 and passes through the hinge shaft 33. If a description is added, in the said 2nd Embodiment, the front end side free end part 31a is extended and provided from the front end side in the axial center direction of the axial center member 20 to the base end side exceeding the center. In addition, the base end side free end portion 32 a is provided by being fitted and fixed to the base end side of the shaft center member 20 in the axial direction.

Further, in the distal end guide body 60, a coil spring 70 (biasing means) for urging the distal end side free end portion 31a and the proximal end side free end portion 32a in the separation direction in the axial direction of the axial center member 20 is provided. Example).
In the second embodiment, the coil spring 70 is disposed at the outer diameter portion of the shaft member 20 in a state in which the shaft center thereof is substantially coincident with the shaft center of the shaft member 20, and one end of the coil spring 70 is guided at the tip. While being in contact with the guide body distal end portion 40 of the body 60, the other end is provided in contact with the guide body proximal end portion 50 of the distal end guide body 60.

Next, changes over time when the in-pipe guide device 100 moves through the gas pipes K1, K2 and the elbow pipe E connecting the two will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, it is assumed that the gas pipe K1 is the base end side and the gas pipe K2 is the front end side.
When the in-pipe guide device 100 applies a pushing force to the tip guide body 60 through the elongated body 10 in a state where the tip guide body 60 is positioned inside the gas pipe K1, as shown in FIG. After the tip guide body 60 moves inside the gas pipe K1 in a state where the axis of the shaft center member 20 of the guide body 60 is substantially along the pipe axis P2 of the gas pipe K2, the tip guide is introduced into the elbow pipe E. The body 60 enters, and as shown in FIG. 10, the distal end side hinge member 31 of the distal end guide body 60 comes into contact with the first step portion D1.
Further, when a pressing force (force on the arrow Y1 side in FIG. 11) is applied to the distal end guide body 60 by the elongated body 10, as shown in FIG. Thus, the distal end free end portion 31a of the distal end side hinge member 31 slides from the distal end side to the proximal end side (indicated by the arrow Y3 in FIG. 11) in the axial direction with respect to the axial center member 20. In addition to moving and moving, the hinge shaft 33 moves outward (in the direction indicated by the arrow Y2 in FIG. 11) in the axial direction of the shaft member 20, and is elastically deformed. Due to the elastic deformation, the distal end guide body 60 moves from the vicinity of the inner peripheral wall of the gas pipe K2 toward the pipe axis P3 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the ground contact surfaces of the rollers 35a and 35b are in contact with the inner walls of the gas pipes K1 and K2, the tip guide body 60 slides well against the inner peripheral walls of the gas pipes K1 and K2. Moving. At the time of the elastic deformation, the tip-side truncated cone-shaped portion 20c of the shaft member 20 has a protruding posture, so that the tip-side truncated cone-shaped portion 20c presses the inner wall surface of the gas pipes K1, K2, etc. The tip guide body 60 can be satisfactorily separated from the first step portion D1.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, the distal end free end portion 31 a of the distal end side hinge member 31 is axially oriented with respect to the axial center member 20 from the proximal end side to the distal end side (the distal end side of the arrow Y <b> 4 in FIG. 12). As the hinge shaft 33 is moved inward in the axial direction of the axial center member 20 (in the distal end side of the arrow Y5 in FIG. 12) and restored and deformed, the first hinge member 31 performs the first sliding operation. The portion that has been in contact with the stepped portion D1 repels the first stepped portion D1, and the tip guide body 60 gets over the first stepped portion D1. In particular, in the second embodiment, since the urging force by the coil spring 70 is applied to the repulsive force, the tip guide body 60 is further provided by applying a repulsive force to the first step portion D1. It becomes easy to get over the first step portion D1.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the said 1st Embodiment, the hinge mechanism 30 showed the example of a structure provided with eight at equal angles in the axial direction of the axial center member 20. FIG.
However, the hinge mechanisms 30 may be provided at angular intervals that can achieve the object of the present application, even if they are not provided at equal angles in the axial circumferential direction of the shaft center member 20.
In this sense, the number of hinge mechanisms 30 is not limited to eight.

(2) In the first embodiment, as a roller, a pair of rollers 35a and 35b is used as a hinge part (a part pivotally supported by the hinge shaft 33 by the distal end side hinge member 31 and the proximal end side hinge member 32). A configuration example provided in a sandwiched state is shown.
However, a configuration including a single roller at each hinge portion of the hinge mechanism 30 may be employed.

(3) Although the illustration of the connection between the shaft member 20 and the elongated body 10 is omitted, the distal end portion 10a of the elongated member is inserted into the receiving portion 20d formed on the proximal end side of the shaft member 20 In this state, it is possible to suitably employ a structure that is fixed by a wedge.

(4) In the first embodiment, when the pushing force is applied to the distal end guide body 60 by the elongated body 10, the pushing force is applied from the first step portion D <b> 1 to the distal end side hinge member 31. When applied, as shown in FIG. 5, the distal end free end portion 31 a of the distal end side hinge member 31 is axially directed from the distal end side to the proximal end side (indicated by the arrow Y <b> 3 in FIG. 5). An example is shown in which the hinge shaft 33 moves to the outside (indicated by the arrow Y2 in FIG. 5) and elastically deforms while sliding and moving to the arrow side).
However, even when a tensile force is applied to the distal end guide body 60 by the elongated body 10 and a pressing force is applied from the second step portion D2 to the proximal end side hinge member 32, As in the case described above, the distal end free end portion 31a of the distal end side hinge member 31 slides and moves from the distal end side to the proximal end side in the axial direction with respect to the axial center member 20, and the hinge shaft 33 is axially centered. The member 20 is elastically deformed by moving outward in the axial direction of the member 20.

(5) The configuration related to the guide body distal end portion 40 of the distal end guide body 60 and the configuration related to the shaft center member 20 in the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the first embodiment are adopted in the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the second embodiment. It doesn't matter.
That is, in the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the second embodiment, a configuration in which the shaft center member 20 does not protrude from the guide body distal end portion 40 of the distal end guide body 60 may be adopted.
Further, the configuration related to the guide body distal end portion 40 of the distal end guide body 60 and the configuration related to the shaft center member 20 in the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the second embodiment are adopted in the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the first embodiment. It doesn't matter.
That is, in the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the second embodiment, a configuration in which the shaft center member 20 can protrude from the guide body distal end portion 40 of the distal end guide body 60 may be adopted.

(6) In the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the first embodiment, in each of the hinge mechanisms 30, the distal end side hinge member 31 and the proximal end side hinge member 32 are orthogonal to the axis of the shaft center member 20 and are hinged. Provided asymmetrically with respect to the plane S (shown in FIG. 1) passing through the shaft 33, and in each of the hinge mechanisms 30, the distal end side free end portion 31 a of the distal end side hinge member 31 and the proximal end side of the proximal end side hinge member 32. A configuration may be adopted in which the free end portion 32a is provided asymmetrically with respect to a plane S (shown in FIG. 1) that is orthogonal to the axis of the shaft center member 20 and passes through the hinge shaft 33.
In the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the second embodiment, each of the hinge mechanisms 30 includes a distal end free end portion 31a of the distal end side hinge member 31 and a proximal end free end portion 32a of the proximal end side hinge member 32. May be provided symmetrically with respect to a plane S (shown in FIG. 1) that is orthogonal to the axis of the shaft member 20 and that passes through the hinge shaft 33.

(7) In the in-pipe guide device 100 according to the first embodiment, the distal end guide body 60 includes a distal end side free end portion 31a and a proximal end side free end portion 32a in the axial direction of the axial center member 20. A configuration including a coil spring 70 (an example of an urging unit) that urges the spring in the separation direction may be employed.

(8) In the above-described embodiment, only one tip guide body 60 is provided. However, a plurality of tip guide bodies 60 may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the elongated body 10.

  The configuration disclosed in the above embodiment (including another embodiment, the same shall apply hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configuration disclosed in the other embodiment, as long as no contradiction occurs. The embodiment disclosed in this specification is an exemplification, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiment can be appropriately modified without departing from the object of the present invention.

  The in-pipe guide apparatus of the present invention adopts a relatively simple configuration that does not have a drive unit such as a motor, but also successfully overcomes the stepped portion formed inside the pipe, so that an in-pipe operation jig for a camera or the like Can be effectively used as an in-pipe guide device for guiding the pipe to a desired position inside the pipe.

10: Elongate body 10a: distal end portion 20: shaft center member 20a: distal end side end portion 20b: proximal end portion 20c: distal end large diameter portion, distal truncated cone portion 20d: receiving portion 20e: Base end side truncated cone part 30: Hinge mechanism 31: Tip side hinge member 31a: Tip side free end part 32: Base end side hinge member 32a: Base end side free end part 33: Hinge shafts 35a, 35b: Roller 40: Guide body tip 41: Tip side space 42: Tip opening 60: Tip guide 70: Coil spring 100: In-pipe guide device D1: First step portion D2: Second step portion E: Elbow tube K1: Gas tube K2: Gas tube P2, P3: tube axis S: plane

Claims (9)

An in-pipe guide device for guiding an in-pipe operation jig operated inside the pipe to a desired position inside the pipe through the pipe,
A distal end guide body having a substantially elliptical outer shape in a natural state at the distal end, and connected to a proximal end side of the distal end guide body along the long axis of the substantially elliptical body, and the tube with respect to the distal end guide body An elongated body that imparts pushing force or tensile force in the tube axis direction,
The tip guide body is substantially elliptical after the portion to which the pressing force is applied is elastically deformed inward when a pressing force is applied by contacting a step protruding in the inner diameter direction on the inner wall of the tube. An in-pipe guide device provided with an elastically deformable material repelling the pressing force in a form that is restored and deformed to the outer shape of the body in a natural state along the outer shape of the substantially ellipsoid in the natural state. The tip guide body includes an axis member that aligns the axis with the long axis of the substantially ellipsoid,
A distal-side hinge member extending along the outer shape of the substantially ellipsoid from the distal-side end portion of the axial member toward the proximal side, and from the proximal-side end portion of the axial member toward the distal side A hinge mechanism comprising a proximal hinge member extending along the outer shape of the substantially ellipsoid, and a hinge shaft pivotably supporting the distal hinge member and the proximal hinge member; It comprises a plurality of elastically deformable materials in the axial direction of the shaft member,
A free end portion of the distal end side hinge member, which is a free end portion, is fitted on the outer diameter portion of the distal end side end portion of the shaft member so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the shaft member. And a base end side free end portion which is a free end portion of the base end side hinge member is provided by being externally fitted to an outer diameter portion of the base end side end portion portion of the shaft member,
When the pressing force is applied to the distal-side hinge member or the proximal-side hinge member, the distal-side free end portion is proximal to the axial center member in the axial direction from the distal side. And after the hinge shaft moves outward in the axial direction of the shaft member and is elastically deformed,
The distal end free end portion slides and moves from the proximal end side to the distal end side in the axial direction with respect to the axial member, and the hinge shaft moves inward in the axial radial direction of the axial member. The in-pipe guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restoring deformation is performed.   The in-pipe guide according to claim 2, further comprising an urging means for urging the distal end side free end portion and the proximal end side free end portion in the separation direction in the axial direction. apparatus. The tip guide body includes a guide body tip portion provided integrally with the tip side free end portion on the tip side,
The distal end side space in which the distal end side end portion of the shaft member is movable along the axial direction is formed inside the guide body distal end portion. In-pipe guide device. The tip guide body includes a guide body tip portion provided integrally with the tip side free end portion on the tip side,
The guide body tip is deformed into a projecting posture in which the shaft member protrudes toward the tip in the state after the elastic deformation and a retracting posture in which the shaft member is retracted in the state after the restoring deformation. The in-pipe guide device according to claim 2, wherein a tip opening to be formed is formed.   The in-pipe guide device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the plurality of hinge mechanisms are arranged at an equal angle in a circumferential direction of the shaft member.   The shaft member and the elongated body are fixed by a wedge in a form in which a distal end portion of the elongated member is fitted into a receiving portion formed on a proximal end side of the shaft member. The in-pipe guide apparatus as described in any one of -6. In each of the hinge mechanisms, the distal-end-side hinge member and the proximal-end-side hinge member are provided symmetrically with respect to a plane that is orthogonal to the axis of the shaft center member and passes through the hinge axis,
3. In each of the hinge mechanisms, the distal end side free end portion and the proximal end side free end portion are provided symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft center member and passing through the hinge axis. The in-pipe guide apparatus as described in any one of -7. Each of the hinge mechanisms includes a roller that rotates about the hinge shaft as an axis.
The grounding surface of the roller is provided on the outer side in the axial radial direction with respect to the distal end side hinge member and the proximal end side hinge member as viewed in the axial direction of the axial center member. The guide apparatus in any one of Claims.

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