JP2891279B2 - Pipe joining equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pipe joining apparatus particularly suitable for joining pipes laid in a cut groove to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 13 shows an example of a conventional apparatus for automatically and automatically joining pipes in a cut groove. In this pipe joining apparatus 71, pipes 72 and 73 to be joined are provided.
A frame 74 arranged along the pipe axis direction of
A pair of clamping devices 75 and 76 for clamping 73 respectively are provided. One clamp device 75 is fixed to the frame 74, and the other clamp device 76 is configured to be able to approach and separate from the one clamp device 75 along the tube axis direction. One end of the frame 74 and the other clamping device
A cylinder device 77 for moving the clamp device 76 is provided between the cylinder device 77.

In such a configuration, when joining a new pipe 73 to the existing pipe 72 in the cut groove 78 shown in FIG. 14, the pipe joining device 71 is suspended from the ground surface into the cut groove 78 and The clamping device 75,76 allows the receiving port 79 of one tube 72 and the other tube
Each of the 73 insertion openings 80 is clamped. Then, by operating the cylinder device 77 to bring the other clamp device 76 closer to the one clamp device 75, the insertion port 80 is connected to the receiving port 79.
The pipe 73 is joined to the pipe 72.

[0004] As shown in FIG.
At the time of joining with the pipe 73, a sealing material 81 is housed in a predetermined position inside the receiving port 79 in advance.
After joining the pipes, the socket
A seal material 81 seals the space between the inner peripheral surface of 79 and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion opening 80. However, at the time of joining the pipes, as shown in FIG. 16, the sealing material 81 may be shifted to the inner side of the receiving port 79 due to frictional force, causing leakage of the fluid in the pipe.

Conventionally, as a countermeasure, after the pipes are joined, the clamping devices 75 and 76 are released, and the pipe joining device 71 is lifted to the ground surface and removed from the cut groove 78. Thereafter, the worker descends into the cut groove 78, and inserts a thin gauge 82 into the gap between the receiving port 79 and the insertion port 80 at the opening end of the receiving port 79 as shown in FIG. It was inspected for the correct position.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional type, after removing the pipe joining device 71, the position of the sealing material 81 is inspected manually by an operator, so that the pipe 72,
There has been a problem that the time required for joining the seal 73 and inspecting the position of the sealing material 81 becomes long.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe joining apparatus which can reduce the time required for joining a pipe and inspecting the position of a sealing material.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a pipe joining apparatus according to the present invention uses an insertion opening formed at one end of a pipe and a receiving opening formed at an end of the other pipe. In a joining device that is inserted inside, and a seal material is attached between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port to join these pipes to each other,
A frame in the direction of the tube axis is provided, an arm that can be extended and retracted along the tube axis is provided on the frame, a first clamp device that clamps a body of one tube is provided on the frame, and the other tube is provided on the arm. A second clamping device for clamping the body portion of the above, and a support portion for the inspection device which is movable in the tube axis direction and in the vertical direction, the support portion having an end surface detecting means for detecting an end surface of the socket, and a socket. And a seal member position inspection device provided with a gauge inserted from the gap between the receiving port and the insertion port at the opening end of the seal member until it hits the seal material.

[0009]

According to the above arrangement, one of the tubes is clamped by the first clamp device, the arm is extended, the other tube is clamped by the second clamp device, and then the arm is shortened. Thereby, the insertion opening of one tube is inserted into the receiving opening of the other tube, and these tubes are joined to each other. After pipe joining, the inspection device support is moved in the pipe axis direction, the end face detecting means detects the end face of the receptacle, and the inspection device support is lowered based on the detected position of the end face. As a result, the sealing material position inspection device descends and is positioned at a predetermined position facing the end face of the receptacle. Thereafter, the gauge is inserted from the gap between the receiving port and the insertion port until the gauge hits the sealing material, and the position of the sealing material is inspected.

As described above, since the position inspection of the sealing material can be continuously performed after the pipe joining without removing the pipe joining device, the time required for the joining of the pipe and the position inspection of the sealing material can be performed. Can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes one of the tubes, and an insertion port 2 is formed at the other end of the one tube 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes the other pipe, and the other pipe 3 is already provided in the cut groove 4. A receiving port 5 is formed at an end of the other tube 3, and an annular sealing material 6 is accommodated in a predetermined position inside the receiving port 5 in advance. 8 is the insertion hole 2
Is inserted into the receiving port 5 to join one tube 1 to the other tube 3.

The structure of the pipe joining device 8 will be described below. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the pipe joining device 8 has a frame 9 along the pipe axis direction, and a lifting point elevating and lowering portion for connecting a hanging wire rope 10 is provided on both ends of the frame 9. Each of the devices 11 is provided. These hanging point lifting devices 11 are connected to a wire rope with respect to the frame 9.
It is configured by an extendable cylinder device or the like so that ten connection points, that is, hanging points can be moved up and down. Reference numeral 12 denotes a hook, which is hung from a unic vehicle (not shown) so that the frame 9 can be suspended via the wire rope 10.

On the lower surface of both ends of the frame 9, a first clamping device 14 for clamping the body of one tube 1 is provided.
Are provided as a pair. At the other end of the frame 9, a slide-type arm 15 is provided that can be extended and contracted along the tube axis. Between the frame 9 and the arm 15, a cylinder device 16 for extending and contracting the arm 15 is provided. A second clamping device 17 for clamping the trunk of the other tube 3 is provided on the lower surface of the distal end of the arm 15.

The arm 15 has an inspection device support portion located between the first clamp device 14 and the second clamp device 17.
18 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inspection device support portion 18 is supported and guided by a pair of rails 19 laid on the arm 15 and is movable in the tube axis direction.
And a vertical rod 21 provided on the moving plate 20 and movable vertically. A rack 22 is formed on one side surface of the vertical rod 21, and a pinion 23 is formed on the rack 22.
Are engaged. The pinion 23 is attached to a drive shaft of a motor 24 provided on the moving plate 20. Also,
The moving plate 20 includes a cylinder device 25 provided on the arm 15.
Move by.

At the lower end of the vertical rod 21, a seal material position inspection device 28 is provided. The moving plate 20 and the vertical rod
The seal material position inspection device 28 moves in the tube axis direction and in the vertical direction by moving the seal member 21 and the seal member position inspection device 21. Also,
The moving plate 20 is provided with an end face detection sensor 29 (such as an optical sensor) for detecting the end face of the receiving port 5 of the other tube 3.

Next, the configuration of the seal material position inspection device 28 will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the sealing material position inspection device 28 includes a fixing member 32 that is detachably mounted from above on the outer periphery of the insertion port 2 of the joint portion in the joined state.
A moving member 33 attached to the joint portion from above with the fixed member 32 and disposed around the insertion opening 2; a gauge 34 attached to the moving member 33; It is composed of the fixing member 32 and a gauge protection member 35 mounted integrally from above.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9, the fixing member 32 connects a C-shaped split fixing arm 37 and an upper end of the fixing arm 37 via a pin. And a fixing bracket 39.
Thereby, both fixing arms 37 can be opened and closed on the lower side, and the fixing member 32 is connected to the insertion port 2 of one tube 1 as shown in FIG.
Can be mounted from above. In addition, both fixing arms 37
Is suspended from the lower end of the vertical rod 21 via a suspending tool 40.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
Are arranged at positions spaced from the fixing member 32 in the tube axis direction. That is, the moving member 33 is composed of a C-shaped split moving arm 41 and a moving bracket 43 that connects the upper ends of the moving arms 41 via the pins. Thereby, both lower arms of the moving arms 41 can be opened and closed. The moving member 33 can reciprocate in the tube axis direction and can approach and separate from the receiving port 5 freely. That is, the moving member 33 is connected to the fixed member 32 via a pair of first operating shafts 44 each having a distal end attached to the moving bracket 43 and capable of reciprocating in the tube axis direction. This first operating shaft 44
Is a pipe member, which is moved by a motor 45 attached to the fixing bracket 39.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gauge 34 is made of a thin plate, and a plurality of the gauges 34 are provided at a distance in the circumferential direction of the moving member 33. These gauges 34 are formed so as to be inserted into the gap between the receiving port 5 and the insertion port 2 at the opening end of the receiving port 5 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the base end of the gauge 34 is attached to a moving block 46 provided on the moving arm 41. These moving blocks 46 are movable along a guide bar 48 provided in the frame body 47 in the tube axis direction. A spring 49 is externally fitted to the guide bar 48 and disposed between the moving arm 41 and the moving block 46. When the spring 49 pushes the moving block 46, the gauge 34 is pushed out toward the receptacle 5 side. Have been.

The frame 47 is provided with a moving block detection sensor 50 (proximity switch, etc.). As shown in FIG. 11, the sensor 50 includes a seal member 6 having a tip of a gauge 34 inserted into a gap between the receiving port 5 and the insertion port 2 and having a normal position.
When the moving member 33 approaches the end face of the socket 5 and the spring 49 is compressed by the moving block 46, the moving block 46 can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
A gauge protection member 35 that covers the outside of each gauge 34 is disposed at a position away from the fixing member 32 in the tube axis direction. That is, the gauge protection member 35 includes a C-shaped split protection arm 51 and these protection arms 51.
Protective bracket 53 that connects the upper ends of 51 via pins
And is formed from Thereby, both protection arms 51
Can be opened and closed on the lower side. This gauge protection member 35
It is reciprocally movable in the tube axis direction and is freely contactable with and separated from the end face of the receiving port 5. That is, the gauge protection member 35 has a distal end attached to the protective bracket 53 and a proximal end inserted into the first operating shaft 44 via a pair of second operating shafts 54 which can reciprocate in the tube axis direction. And is connected to the moving member 33. The spring 56 is externally fitted on the second operating shaft 54.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, a plurality of rod-like guide members 55 which can reciprocate in the tube axis direction are inserted through the fixing arm 37 at a distance in the circumferential direction. The distal end of the guide member 55 penetrates through the moving arm 41 and is attached to the protection arm 51. Thereby, the moving member
33 and the gauge protection member 35 are each guided by a guide member 55 and are movable in the tube axis direction.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 5, when joining one new pipe 1 to the other pipe 3 already laid in the cut groove 4, the first pipe 1
One of the pipes 1 is clamped using the clamp device 14, and the pipe joining device 8 in this state is hung down into the cutout groove 4 together with the one of the pipes 1 via a hook 12 and a wire rope 10 by a UNIC wheel or the like.

When one of the tubes 1 reaches the groove bottom or its vicinity, the hanging point lifting device 11 is operated to raise and lower the hanging point of the wire rope 10 to hold the frame 9 in the horizontal direction. Thereby, one tube 1 is centered in the horizontal direction.

Next, the cylinder device 16 is operated to move the arm.
15 is extended, and the second clamp device 17 is positioned closer to the tube body than the receiving port 5 of the other tube 3. After the other tube 3 is clamped by the second clamp device 17, the cylinder device 16
Is operated to shorten the arm 15. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (1), one of the tubes 1 clamped by the first clamp device 14 moves together with the suspended tube joining device 8 so as to approach the other tube 3, and the opening 2 of the one tube 1 is inserted.
Is inserted into the receiving port 5 of the other tube 3 by a predetermined length. Thereby, one tube 1 is joined to the other tube 3. At this time, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 5 and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port 2 is sealed by the sealing material 6.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the movable plate 20 is reciprocated in the pipe axis direction by operating the cylinder device 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the end face detection sensor 29 detects the end face of the socket 5 of the other pipe 3, the moving plate 20 stops based on the detected position of the end face of the socket 5, and The motor 24 is driven to move the vertical rod 21 down by the pinion 23 and the rack 22. As a result, the sealing material position inspection device 28 descends as shown in FIG. 8 and the fixing arms 37 open downward as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. Protection arm 51 and guide member
It opens downward in conjunction with both fixing arms 37 via 55.
Then, when the lower end of the fixing bracket 39 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion slot 2, as shown by the solid line in FIG.
Is closed, and the two moving arms 41 and the two protecting arms 51 are similarly connected via the guide member 55 to the two fixing arms 37.
Closes in conjunction with. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the sealing material position inspection device 28 is positioned at a predetermined position facing the end face of the receiving port 5 of the other pipe 3, and the insertion port 2 of one pipe 1 is inserted.
It is hung on the side and attached.

After mounting, the motor 45 is operated to drive the first operating shaft.
By sending 44 to the receiving port 5 side, the moving member 33 moves to the receiving port 5 side and the gauge protection member 35 is pushed to the receiving port 5 side via the spring 56 as shown by the solid line in FIG. It contacts the end face of the socket 5. Thereafter, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 10, the moving member 33 is guided by the guide member 55 and further approaches the receiving port 5 against the urging force of the spring 56.

As a result, the tip of the gauge 34 is inserted into the gap between the receiving port 5 and the insertion port 2. When the sealing material 6 is present at an appropriate position as shown in FIG. The tip of the gauge 34 hits the sealing material 6 immediately. Therefore, the gauge 34 and the moving block 46 cannot move forward any further, and the spring 49 is compressed and deformed based on the further movement of the moving member 33. Then, as shown in the figure, the moving block 46 is detected by the sensor 50, and as a result, it is detected that the sealing material 6 exists at an appropriate position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is located at an abnormal position shifted to the back side of the receiving port 5, the tip of the gauge 34 enters the back side of the receiving port 5, and the detection of the moving block 46 by the sensor 50 is not performed.
The abnormality is detected.

As described above, after the pipes 1 and 3 are joined, the position inspection of the sealing material 6 can be automatically carried out continuously without removing the pipe joining device 8, so that the pipes 1, 3 It is possible to shorten the time required for bonding of the two and the position inspection of the sealing material 6 as compared with the related art.

After the position inspection of the sealing material 6 is completed, the motor 45
Is operated in the reverse direction to send out the first operating shaft 44 to the opposite side to the receiving port 5, so that the moving member 33 moves to the fixed member 32 side and the gauge protecting member 35 is connected to the receiving port as shown in FIG. 5 and moves toward the fixed member 32 side.

Then, by driving the motor 24 to raise the vertical rod 21, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. The protection arm 51 and the fixing arm 37 are interlocked with each other via the guide member 55 and open downward, and as shown in FIG. 1, the sealing material position inspection device 28 is removed from the insertion port 2 of one pipe 1. Is lifted upward. Thereafter, the clamp state of the first clamp device 14 and the second clamp device 17 is released, respectively, and the pipe joining device 8 is carried out of the cut groove 4 to complete the operation.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, the pipe joining device for joining one pipe and the other pipe to each other is provided with the seal material position inspection device. The inspection of the position of the sealing material can be performed subsequently without removing the sealing material. Therefore, the time required for joining the pipes and inspecting the position of the sealing material can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a pipe joining apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seal material position inspection device provided in the pipe joining device.

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrows AA in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrows BB in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a joining procedure of pipes.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the movement of a support unit for an inspection device provided in the pipe joining device.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the movement of the support unit for the inspection device provided in the pipe joining device.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the movement of the support unit for the inspection device provided in the pipe joining device.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the sealing material position inspection device mounted on a pipe.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the operation of the seal material position inspection device.

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of a gauge unit for detecting a sealing material present at an appropriate position.

FIG. 12 is a detailed view of a gauge unit that detects a seal material present at an abnormal position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conventional pipe joining device.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining a method for joining pipes using a conventional pipe joining apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a joint portion of pipes when a sealing material is present at an appropriate position in a conventional example.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a joint portion of pipes when a sealing material is present at an abnormal position in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 One pipe 2 Insertion opening 3 The other pipe 5 Reception port 6 Sealing material 8 Pipe joining device 9 Frame 14 First clamp device 15 Arm 17 Second clamp device 18 Inspection device support 28 Seal material position inspection device 29 End face detection Sensor (edge detection means) 34 gauge

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An insertion opening formed at an end of one pipe is inserted into a reception opening formed at an end of the other pipe, and a seal is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the receiving opening and an outer peripheral surface of the insertion opening. In a joining apparatus for attaching these materials and joining these pipes to each other, a frame in the pipe axis direction is provided, and an arm that can be extended and contracted along the pipe axis is provided on the frame, and the body of one pipe is clamped to the frame. A second clamping device for clamping the body of the other tube, and a support portion for an inspection device movable in the tube axis direction and in the vertical direction are provided on the arm.
An end surface detecting means for detecting an end surface of the receptacle,
A pipe joining device, comprising: a seal material position inspection device provided with a gauge inserted from a gap between the receptacle at the opening end of the receptacle and the insertion port until the seal material is hit.