JP6632215B2 - Pipe inspection equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe joint inspection device.

  Ductile cast iron pipes (hereinafter referred to as “iron pipes”) are widely used for water supply pipes and sewer pipes, and so-called push-on type pipe joint structures are adopted for these iron pipes. In addition to the push-on type, there is also a pipe joint structure called a mechanical type. The mechanical type joint pushes the seal material between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port into the inner side of the receiving port by the pressing ring arranged outside the receiving end face, and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the inserting port. The structure is such as to secure the surface pressure between the two.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, an insertion hole formed at the end of the other tube is inserted into a reception hole formed at the end of one tube, and the inner peripheral surface of the reception opening and the outer periphery of the insertion hole are inserted. A rubber ring as a seal member is interposed between the surface and the compression ring, and a lock ring provided in the inner peripheral groove portion of the receiving port and a protrusion formed in the insertion port are engaged to be prevented from being removed. Pipe joint structure is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a projection is provided on at least one of the pressing ring and the receiving flange surface, and the pressing material pushing bolt is tightened until the projection comes into contact with the other flange or the pressing ring, whereby the sealing material is formed in the receiving port. There is disclosed a structure which is pushed between the peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion opening, and which can maintain a constant gap between the pressing ring and the receiving flange surface.

  In Patent Document 3, in order to determine whether or not the rubber ring is joined to the pipe in an appropriate posture, the distance from the pipe end of the receiving port to the contact position with the rubber ring is measured using a thin plate gauge. It is disclosed that inspection work such as insertion of a dedicated joining checker from a pipe end of a receiving port to a contact position with a rubber ring is disclosed.

JP 2010-174906 A JP 2010-286110 A JP 2012-123589 A

  As shown in FIG. 12, such a push-on type iron pipe has a socket 2A of one pipe 2 in which an insertion opening of the other pipe 3 is deposited, and a pipe on the reception side near the reception port 2A. 2, a joining device 100 composed of a sling belt or a chain is wound around the tube, and a joining device 101 is similarly wound around the tube 3 on the insertion side in the vicinity of the insertion port. , 103 are attached and joined through a work of winding up by manual operation.

  Then, after the joining operation, it is checked whether or not the rubber ring is properly positioned by operating a mechanical measuring device such as the thin plate gauge or the joining checker described above, and the result is used as part of the construction management information. It was recorded on the completion drawing.

  However, in order to check whether the rubber ring is properly positioned, it is measured at several places along the circumference of the pipe joint, and it is temporarily recorded on a note paper on the spot for later recording on the completed drawing Therefore, there is a problem that the measurement work and the recording work are very complicated. In particular, when measuring a portion opposed to the bottom of the pipe installation groove, it is necessary to bend the body and perform the work, which requires a great deal of labor.

  In addition, in order to ensure the sealability of the mechanical type joint joint, it is necessary to manage the gap between the pressing ring and the receiving flange surface and the tightening torque of the pressing ring pressing bolt over several places in the circumferential direction of the joint. There is. Therefore, as described in Patent Literature 2, it is sufficient to provide a protrusion on at least one of the pressing ring or the receiving flange surface, and to tighten the pressing ring pushing bolt until the protrusion comes into contact with the other flange or the pressing ring. Type joints are also in practical use. With this joint, it is possible to omit the torque control when tightening the push wheel pushing bolt, so that the joint joining operation can be performed efficiently.

  However, even with such mechanical type joints, there remains a need to inspect that the joints have been properly joined, that is, to visually inspect the state of contact between the projection and the other flange or pressing ring. Therefore, there is a problem that the operator is still forced to take a cramped posture for visually inspecting the joint joint near the bottom surface of the pipe installation groove.

  In addition to the above-mentioned iron pipes, various types of pipes are generally arranged in a narrow place such as a pipe space, and various types of pipes need to be inspected along the outer circumference of the pipe to check a construction state, a damage state, and the like. Inspection work on tubes had similar problems.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a tube inspection apparatus that does not require a worker to perform a measurement operation in a cramped posture, and that can obtain a plurality of pieces of information in a single measurement operation. is there.

In order to achieve the above object, a first characteristic configuration of a pipe inspection apparatus according to the present invention is an inspection apparatus for a pipe joint as described in claim 1 of the claims. An inspection unit for inspecting the bonding state of the unit, a communication unit for transmitting at least an inspection result by the inspection unit to the outside, and a coupling unit for coupling the inspection unit and the communication unit , The inspection unit includes a swing mechanism that can swing around a horizontal axis that is in a posture orthogonal to the pipe axis of the pipe joint in plan view, and the inspection unit is connected to the connection unit through the swing mechanism. It is in the attached point.

  The inspection unit for inspecting the joint condition of the pipe joint must be placed close to the pipe laid at the bottom of the pipe installation groove. If it is necessary to enter the pipe installation groove and perform the installation work, the work becomes very complicated. In addition, when the communication unit that transmits the inspection result by the inspection unit to the outside is located inside the pipe installation groove, for example, in the case of wireless transmission, there is a possibility that a transmission wave may be blocked at a side wall portion of the pipe installation groove. In that case, a long cable for communication is required. Even in such a case, if the inspection unit and the communication unit are connected by the connection unit, the operator may connect the communication unit to the outside of the pipe installation groove via the connection unit from the outside of the pipe installation groove, that is, from the ground while the communication unit is positioned outside the pipe installation groove. It can be operated to install the inspection unit at a position where the pipe joint can be inspected, so the inspection unit is placed near the pipe joint and inspected, and the inspection result is transmitted to the outside via the communication unit This makes it possible to perform a series of operations extremely efficiently.

  When the operator operates the pipe inspection device from the ground outside the pipe laying groove and needs to position the inspection section at a position where the pipe joint can be properly inspected, the inspection section is connected via the swing mechanism. If connected to the connecting portion, the inspection portion can be easily arranged at an appropriate position without finely adjusting the posture of the connecting portion.

  The second characteristic configuration, as described in the second aspect, in addition to the above-mentioned first characteristic configuration, includes a telescopic mechanism in the connecting portion, and adjusts a separation distance between the inspection unit and the communication unit. It is configured to be possible.

  By expanding and contracting the connecting part by the expansion and contraction mechanism, it is possible to adjust the separation distance between the communication unit mainly located on the ground and the inspection unit mainly located near the bottom of the pipe installation groove, and the depth of the pipe installation groove. Work can be performed appropriately regardless of the situation.

  According to a third aspect, as described in claim 3, in addition to the first or second aspect, a lock mechanism for fixing the swing angle of the inspection unit to the swing mechanism is provided. It is in the point.

  Since the rocking angle of the inspection part is fixed by the lock mechanism, the posture can be maintained after the inspection part is positioned at a position where the pipe joint can be inspected properly, and accurate inspection with a stable posture during the subsequent inspection Information can be obtained.

  The fourth characteristic configuration is, as described in the fourth aspect, in addition to any one of the first to third characteristic configurations described above, between the inspection unit and the coupling unit via a detachment mechanism. The point is that they are detachably connected.

  When a plurality of inspection units are prepared so that inspection can be performed appropriately according to pipe joints with different sizes or different shapes, the inspection unit can be detached from the connection unit via the attachment / detachment mechanism and a new inspection unit can be installed As a result, the connection unit and the communication unit can be shared.

  The fifth characteristic configuration is, as described in claim 5, in addition to the above-mentioned fourth characteristic configuration, the inspection unit and the communication unit are connected by a signal line via a connector provided in the attachment / detachment mechanism. At the point where they are connected.

  In order to transmit the test information obtained by the test unit from the communication unit to the outside, a signal line for transmitting the test information from the test unit to the communication unit is required. By configuring the signal lines for that purpose to be connected by a connector provided in the attachment / detachment mechanism, the connection unit and the communication unit can be shared very easily.

  According to a sixth aspect, as set forth in the sixth aspect, in addition to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the signal line connecting the inspection unit and the communication unit is connected to the signal line. It is in the point where it is decorated.

  If the signal line connecting the inspection unit and the communication unit is provided inside the connection unit, even if it comes into contact with an obstacle or the like at the time of work, the signal line is protected by the connection unit, so there is no possibility that the signal line is broken, Aesthetic appearance is not spoiled.

  The seventh characteristic configuration, as described in claim 7, in addition to any one of the first to sixth characteristic configurations described above, the inspection unit may include a cover body that covers the pipe joint from one direction. And an inspection tool attached inside the cover body.

  Since the inspection tool is protected by the cover body, the inspection tool is not damaged even if it comes into contact with any obstacle during the inspection.

The eighth feature configuration is, as described in claim 8, in addition to any one of the first to seventh feature configurations, a GPS receiver that detects the position of the inspection device in the communication unit is provided. Further provided is, together with the inspection result by the inspection unit, position information obtained in a state where the GPS receiver is disposed directly above the connection unit via the swing mechanism as the position information of the pipe joint to the outside. It is configured to be able to transmit.

  The position information of the pipe joint is obtained from the position information obtained by the GPS receiver, and is transmitted to the outside together with the inspection information by the inspection unit.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pipe inspection apparatus that does not require a worker to perform a measurement operation in a cramped posture, and that can acquire a plurality of pieces of information in a single measurement operation. Became.

(A) is a front view of the tube inspection device in a contracted state, (b) is a front view of the tube inspection device in an extended state, and (c) is a side view of the tube inspection device in an extended state. (A), (b) is an explanatory view of an inspection state using a pipe inspection device. (A) is an explanatory view of an inspection state using a pipe inspection device for a pipe joint of a straight pipe, (b) is an explanatory view of a cross section taken along line BB of (a), (c) is an explanatory view of (a). Explanatory drawing of CC section (A) is a main part perspective view of the inspection part and the connection part of the pipe inspection device for a straight pipe viewed from the front side, (b) is a main part perspective view of the same from the back side, and (c) is a pipe for the straight pipe. Explanatory drawing of the connection part of the inspection part and the connection part of the inspection device (A) is a plan view of a communication unit of the pipe inspection device, (b) is a front view of the communication unit, and (c) is a side view of the communication unit. (A) is a perspective view of a main part of the pipe inspection apparatus for a deformed pipe viewed from the front side, and (b) is a perspective view of a main part viewed from the back side thereof. (A) is an explanatory view of an inspection state using a pipe inspection device for a pipe joint of a deformed pipe, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of (a), and (c) is an imaging device as an inspection tool Explanatory drawing of the photographing state of the pipe joint by (A) is explanatory drawing of the inspection state which used the pipe | tube inspection apparatus with respect to the pipe joining part of a deformed pipe, (b) is the top view, (c) is EE sectional drawing of (b). (A) is a cross-sectional view of a seal member used for pipe joining of a straight pipe, (b) is an explanatory view of an appropriate imaging state of a pipe joining portion by an imaging device as an inspection tool, and (c) is an improper imaging condition of the imaging device. Explanatory drawing of a photographed state of a pipe joint, (d) is an explanatory view of an image of a properly joined pipe joint photographed by an imaging device, and (e) is an improperly joint photographed by an imaging device. Illustration of image of pipe joint (A) is an explanatory view of a photographing state of a deformed pipe at a pipe joint by an imaging device as an inspection tool, (b) is an explanatory diagram of an image of a proper pipe joint taken by the imaging device, and (c) is an image Explanatory drawing of an image of an incorrect pipe joint taken by the device (A) is an explanatory view of a label showing pipe information, and (b) and (c) are explanatory views of a joint structure of a pipe joint of a deformed pipe. Illustration of straight pipe joining work

  Hereinafter, a pipe inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to an example in which a pipe joint of a water pipe using an iron pipe is inspected.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in a straight pipe having a so-called push-on type pipe joint structure, an insertion port of the other pipe 3 is deposited in a reception port 2A of one pipe 2, and the reception port is located near the reception port 2A. Around the pipe 2, the joining apparatus 101 composed of a sling belt or a chain is wound around the pipe 3, and the joining apparatus 101 is similarly wound around the pipe 3 on the insertion side near the insertion port. The joining operation of attaching the hoists 102 and 103 and winding them up manually is performed.

  FIG. 9A shows a rubber seal member 4 used for a joint portion of a pipe. The seal member 4 includes a heel portion 4a fitted and fixed in a groove formed on the inner periphery of the receiving port, and a valve pressed between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving side and the outer peripheral surface of the inserting side. The colored marker member 4c is provided on the rising surface of the heel portion 4a facing the pipe end side on the receiving port side.

  FIGS. 9 (b) and 9 (c) show a cross section of a main part of a joint portion between the tubes 2 and 3. The insertion port 3A formed at the end of the other pipe 3 is inserted into the inside of the reception port 2A formed at the end of the one pipe 2, and the inner peripheral surface of the reception port 2A and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port 3A The seal member 4 is interposed so as to be compressed, and the lock ring 5a and the protrusion 3a formed on the insertion opening 3A are engaged to prevent the lock member 5 from being removed. In the figure, reference numeral 5b denotes a lock ring centering member.

  FIG. 9B shows an example in which the seal member 4 is properly mounted. The heel portion 4a is fitted into the seal member housing recess 2B formed in the inner peripheral portion of the receiving port 2A, and is connected to the seal member housing recess 2B. The valve portion 4b is compressed between the sealing member compression convex portion 2C and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 3 on the insertion side.

  FIG. 9C shows an example in which the seal member 4 is improperly mounted, in which the valve portion 4b is retracted by the pipe 3 to the back side, and the heel portion 4a is detached from the seal member accommodating recess 2B. I have. In such an inappropriate joining state, the sealing function is impaired, so that the joining operation needs to be performed again.

  11 (b) and 11 (c) show a pipe joint structure for a deformed pipe. After the insertion opening 3A of the other tube 3 is inserted into the reception opening 2A of one of the tubes 2, the sealing member 4 is inserted into the gap between the insertion opening 3A and the receiving opening 2A by using the pressing wheel 5.

  A T-head bolt 6A and a nut 6B, which are fastening members, are connected to a fastening hole 2E formed in the flange portion 2D on the receiving port 2A side and fastening holes 5A formed at a plurality of circumferential positions of the annular pressing ring 5. Then, the pressing ring 5 is pulled into the flange portion 2D side, and the sealing member 4 is pushed and inserted by the distal end protruding portion 5B of the pressing ring 5.

  A protrusion 5C facing the flange portion 2D is formed in the vicinity of the portion of the pressing wheel 5 where the tightening hole 5A is formed, and the T-head bolt 5 is tightened until the protrusion 5C contacts the end face of the flange portion 2D. The seal member 4 is pushed into the proper position and inserted. Note that, instead of the protrusion 5C formed on the press ring 5, a protrusion that contacts the end surface of the press ring 5 may be formed on the end surface of the flange portion 2D.

  A plurality of tightening holes 5A are provided at equal positions along the circumferential direction of the pressing wheel 5, and a plurality of tightening holes 2E formed at the flange portion 2D are provided at equal positions along the circumferential direction. In order to easily adjust the circumferential position of the press wheel 5, the number of the tightening holes 2E is twice the number of the tightening holes 5A at a half pitch of the tightening holes 5A.

  For example, when two tightening holes 5A formed in the pressing wheel 5 are provided at a central angle of 180 ° pitch, four tightening holes 2E formed in the flange portion 2D are provided at a central angle of 90 ° pitch. In the case where three tightening holes 5A formed at 5 are provided at a central angle of 120 ° pitch, six tightening holes 2E formed at the flange portion 2D are provided at a central angle of 60 ° pitch.

  Tightening the T-head bolt 6A so that all the projections 5C formed in the vicinity of the respective fastening holes 5A abut against the end surface of the flange portion 2D completes the pipe joining operation.

  1 (a), 1 (b) and 1 (c) show a pipe joint inspection apparatus A provided with the above-described pipe joint structure. The inspection apparatus A includes an inspection unit 10 for inspecting a joint state of a pipe joint, a communication unit 50 for transmitting at least an inspection result by the inspection unit 10 to the outside, and a connection unit 30 for connecting the inspection unit 10 and the communication unit 50. And a battery 40.

  The connecting portion 30 is composed of two shafts 31 and 32 having a double structure of a cylindrical inner shaft and an outer shaft. The inspection portion 10 and the communication portion 50 are formed when the inner shaft advances or retracts with respect to the outer shaft. Is configured to be adjustable.

  At the upper end of the pair of outer shafts, there is provided a screw-type fixing portion 35A for permitting the advance or retreat of the inner shaft. By loosening the screws, the advance or retreat of the inner shaft with respect to the outer shaft is allowed, and the screws are tightened. This fixes the inner shaft. The fixed portion and the two inner shafts constitute a telescopic mechanism 35 that adjusts the separation distance between the inspection unit 10 and the communication unit 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 5C and FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the communication unit 50 includes a control unit 56 housed in a housing 55, A transmission / reception antenna 60, a display unit 70, a GPS operation unit 52, and a two-dimensional code reader 54 are provided at the top of the housing 55. The GPS operation section 52 and the two-dimensional code reader 54 are housed in housing sections 51 and 53 attached to the left and right sides of the housing 55, respectively.

  The display unit 70 is a display unit of a liquid crystal touch panel type, and is attached to the housing 51 so as to be swingable around the horizontal axis P2 in order to adjust the angle at which the operator can easily operate according to the posture at that time.

  The antenna 60 and the control unit 56 also function as a GPS receiver, and the position information of the inspection device A is received based on the operation via the GPS operation unit 52, and the position information of the pipe joint is generated from the position information. It is configured to:

  A pipe information label L indicating the type of the pipe and the like is attached to the pipe surface on the receiving side (see FIG. 11A), and the information written on the pipe information label L is transferred to the two-dimensional code reader 54 described above. , The attribute information such as the type of tube is taken into the control unit. In the present embodiment, a QR code (registered trademark), which is two-dimensional code information, is written on the pipe information label L. However, the code information used to indicate the attribute information of the pipe is not limited to the QR code (registered trademark). Absent.

  The left and right storage sections 51 and 53 are formed in a size that can be gripped by the palm, and are configured so that an operator can carry the inspection device A by gripping the outside of the storage sections 51 and 53. That is, the left and right storage sections 51 and 53 function as grip sections for carrying the inspection device A.

  The battery 40 is provided to supply power to the inspection unit 10 and / or the communication unit 50, and is attached to the inspection unit side 10 of the connection unit 30. A heavy battery 40 is required for an operator who adjusts the posture of the pipe inspection apparatus A while gripping the gripping section so that the inspection section 10 is located inside the pipe installation groove and the communication section 50 is located above the inspection section 10. Are arranged on the inspection unit 10 side to lower the center of gravity so that the balance can be easily achieved.

  A swing mechanism 20 is provided above the inspection unit 10, and the inspection unit 10 is configured to be able to swing around the horizontal axis P <b> 1 with respect to the shafts 31 and 32, which are the connection units 30.

  It is necessary for the operator to operate the pipe inspection apparatus A from the ground outside the pipe installation groove to position the inspection unit 10 at a position where the pipe joint can be properly inspected. In such a case, if the inspection unit 10 is connected to the connection unit 30 via the swing mechanism 20, the inspection unit 10 is easily arranged at an appropriate position without finely adjusting the posture of the connection unit 30. Will be able to do it. Further, when the pipe joint is inclined in the depth direction of the pipe installation groove, the inspection unit 10 performs the inspection while inclining, but even in such a case, by having the swing mechanism 20, Since the GPS receiving device can be arranged directly above the connection unit 30, it is possible to obtain correct position information of the connection unit.

  Further, a lock mechanism for fixing the swing angle of the inspection unit 10 is incorporated in the swing mechanism 20. Since the rocking angle of the inspection unit 10 with respect to the shafts 31 and 32 is fixed by the lock mechanism, the posture can be maintained after the inspection unit 10 is positioned at a position where the pipe joint can be properly inspected, and the subsequent inspection can be performed. Sometimes, accurate inspection information can be obtained in a stable posture.

  As the lock mechanism, a ratchet mechanism that allows rotation in one direction around the horizontal axis P1 at a predetermined angle pitch and prevents rotation in the opposite direction is preferably used. It is configured such that when it is rotated by a maximum angle in one direction, the locked state by the ratchet mechanism is released. By pressing the inspection unit 10 against the pipe joint, the inspection unit 10 swings with respect to the shafts 31 and 32, and the posture is maintained.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b), 3 (a), 3 (b), 3 (c) and 4 (a), 4 (b), the inspection unit 10 is laid in the pipe laying groove D. A metal cover body 11 that covers the pipe joint in close proximity to the joined part of the pipe from above, which is one direction of the pipe surface, and inspection tools 12 and 13 attached inside the cover body 11. .

  By attaching the inspection tools 12 and 13 inside the cover body 11, dirt and the like of the pipe installation groove D can be prevented from adhering to the inspection tools 12 and 13, and the inspection can be appropriately performed. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, it is preferable that the cover body 11 covers the entire pipe joint, but is not limited thereto, and the cover body 11 covers a part of the pipe joint. It may be. Further, the cover body 11 is not limited to metal, and may be made of resin.

  Further, since the inspection tools 12 and 13 are attached to the cover body 11, an additional member for installing the inspection tools 12 and 13 is not required, and the members can be simplified.

  The cover body 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having one top surface and four side surfaces and an open bottom, and a pair of side surfaces opposing in the axial direction of the tube have arches serving as contact portions with the tube. Concave portions 11A and 11B are formed.

  The inspection unit 10 is positioned with respect to the pipe joint by bringing the cover body 11 close to the pipe joint from the bottom opening and bringing the recesses 12A and 12B into contact with the pipe. In the pipe joint of the push-on type pipe joint structure, since the pipe diameter of the pipe on the inlet side becomes larger than the pipe diameter of the pipe on the inlet side at the pipe joint, the concave portion 11A is formed on the surface of the pipe on the inlet side. The width of each of the concave portions 11A and 11B and the curvature of the top curved portion are adjusted so that the concave portion 11B abuts and the other concave portion 11B appropriately abuts on the tube surface on the receiving side (FIGS. 4A and 4B). )reference).

  The inspection tool 12 attached to the inside of the cover body 11 is positioned so that the cover body 11 can be inspected by bringing the cover body 11 close to the pipe joint and bringing the tops of the recesses 11A and 11B into contact with the pipe surface. Inspects the pipe joint.

  It is preferable that the concave portions 11A and 11B serving as contact portions are formed in an arc shape along the pipe surface, so that the center of the cylindrical tube and the center of the concave portion are easily aligned, but the shape of the concave portion is preferably an arc shape. It is not necessarily required to be formed, but it is sufficient if at least the concave portion is such that the relative positional relationship between the cover body 11 and the pipe joint is maintained constant. For example, it may be a triangular concave portion that contacts the tube surface at at least two points, or a polygonal concave portion that contacts the tube surface at two or more points.

  Since the cover body 11 is positioned so that the concave portions 11A and 11B are along the pipe surface, by determining the relative position of the inspection tool with respect to the concave portions 11A and 11B, the inspection unit 10 and the pipe joint are always in contact. The pipe joint can be inspected with the relative positional relationship determined. If the cover body 11 is positioned along the pipe surface, the contact part may be formed of a member different from the cover body 11 without providing the contact part on the cover body 11.

  If a non-slip portion with respect to the pipe surface is provided at a contact portion of the recesses 11A and 11B with the pipe surface, slippage when the pipe surface and the cover body 11 come into contact with each other is avoided. , 13 during the inspection operation, so that the inspection can be performed in a stable state. A rubber member or the like can be used as a material constituting the non-slip portion, and it is preferable to dispose the rubber member on the entire area of the recesses 11A and 11B or at least on the contact portion with the pipe.

  The inspection tool 12 is fixed to the inner wall side of the cover body 11 and includes three imaging devices oriented in the direction along the pipe axis of the pipe joint. The three imaging devices 12 are evenly arranged at a central angle of about 120 ° so as to photograph the periphery of the tube joint from the tube on the insertion side to the tube on the reception side (FIG. 3A, (See (b) and (c)).

  With the imaging device 12 for photographing the periphery of the pipe joint from the insertion side of the other pipe toward the reception side of one pipe, the state of the seal member interposed between the reception port and the insertion port is displayed as an image. The acquired and obtained image information makes it possible to determine the quality of the bonding state.

  FIGS. 9D and 9E show images captured by three imaging devices. Each imaging device 12 photographs an area of about 1/3 of the tube end in a front view, and synthesizes the images to obtain an image of substantially the entire circumference of the tube end. It is more preferable that the angle of view is set so that the adjacent photographing ranges partially overlap, because the entire area can be reliably evaluated.

  FIG. 9D shows a state in which the seal member 4 is properly mounted, and the heel portion 4a is uniformly photographed on the inner periphery of the receptacle 2A. FIG. 9E shows a state in which the seal member 4 is improperly mounted, and an image corresponding to the marker member 4c as well as the heel portion 4a appears on the inner periphery of the receptacle 2A.

  Since the marker member 4c is formed of a coloring member different from the color of the sealing member 4, if a pixel region indicating the coloring member is recognized in the image captured by the imaging device 12, it is determined that the bonding state is inappropriate. it can.

  Further, the cover body 11 is made of a light-shielding member, and three light sources that irradiate illumination light in the direction of the field of view of the imaging device 12 are provided inside the cover body 11. Accurate inspection information can be obtained in a stable environment in which stray light from the outside, which is harmful at the time of imaging by the imaging device 12, is shielded by the cover body 11, and the tube joint is appropriately illuminated by each light source. In addition, since the imaging device 12 and the like are protected by the cover body 11, the risk of failure due to an electrical short circuit even in rainy weather is reduced.

  Note that the number of the imaging devices 12 is not limited to three, and may be three or more. A moving mechanism that moves one imaging device along the outer circumference of the tube to perform imaging. It may be provided.

  The inspection tools 12 and 13 do not need to be imaging devices, and may be configured by a single or a plurality of sensors oriented in a direction along the tube axis. For example, an optical sensor that emits inspection light to the pipe joint and detects reflected light from the pipe joint may be used. For example, when the marker sensor 4c is formed of a light reflecting member and the reflected light from the marker member 4c is detected by an optical sensor using a sealing member 4 formed of a non-reflective member other than the marker member 4c, a bonding failure occurs. May be determined.

  Image information, which is inspection information obtained by the inspection tool 12 described above, is transmitted to the control unit 56 provided in the communication unit 50, and displayed on the display unit 70 as a photographic image. An operator who visually checks the photographic image displayed on the display unit 70 can check whether or not the pipe joint has been properly joined without any abnormality.

  If there is an abnormality in the pipe joint, the joining operation is performed again. If there is no abnormality, the pipe joint generated from the position information received by the GPS receiver according to the operation of the transmission button displayed on the display unit 70. The position information of the part, the attribute information such as the type of the tube read by the two-dimensional code reader 54, and the image information of the joint taken by the inspection tool 12 are wirelessly transmitted to an external data management server.

  Since the size of the cover body 11 and the sizes of the recesses 11A and 11B shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B correspond to the diameters of the pipes to be inspected, if the pipe diameters are significantly different, the pipe diameters are matched. It is necessary to replace the inspection unit 10 with the cover 11 having the size.

  Further, it is necessary to replace the inspection unit 10 corresponding to the deformed pipe as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). In addition, the inspection part 10 corresponding to the deformed pipe is configured so that the shape of the pair of recesses 11A and 11B is equal. However, the shape of the concave portion does not necessarily have to be the same depending on the combination of the pipes to be joined, and may be an appropriate shape.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, the pipe inspection device A is detachably connected between the inspection unit 10 and the connection unit 30 via an attachment / detachment mechanism. When a plurality of inspection units 10 are prepared so that inspection can be appropriately performed according to pipe joints having different sizes or different shapes, the inspection unit 10 is detached from the connecting unit 30 via the attachment / detachment mechanism, and a new inspection is performed. The connection unit 30 and the communication unit 50 can be shared by mounting the unit 10.

  An attachment / detachment mechanism is constituted by the support shaft 21 provided at the upper part of the swing mechanism 20 and the cylindrical member 33 connecting the shafts 31 and 32. A female thread formed on the upper inside of the tubular member 33 and a male thread formed on the upper outside of the shafts 31 and 32 are screwed together and formed on the lower end of the tubular member 33 and the support shaft 21. The support shaft 21 and the shafts 31 and 32 are connected by the engagement of the engagement protrusions, and the shafts 31 and 32 are detached from the support shaft 21 by eliminating the screwed state.

  Further, a signal line S for connecting the inspection unit 10 and the communication unit 50 and a power supply line from the battery are mounted on the shafts 31 and 32 as the connection unit 30 so that signals can be mutually transmitted and received. At both ends of the support shaft 21 and the shafts 31 and 32, a connector CN for connecting the signal line S and the power supply line is provided, and when the shafts 31 and 32 are detached from the support shaft 21 by the above-mentioned attaching / detaching mechanism, the connectors CN are connected. Is configured to come off.

  When the signal line S connecting the inspection unit 10 and the communication unit is provided in the connection unit 30, the signal line S is protected by the connection unit 30 even if the signal line S comes into contact with an obstacle or the like during work. There is no danger of breaking, and the appearance is not impaired.

  FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show a deformed pipe bent and arranged in the pipe laying groove D in plan view. The joint structure of the deformed pipe is the same as that described with reference to FIGS.

  The inspection unit 10 is approached from above toward the pipe joining from above, and the inspection unit 13 is fixed to the inner wall of the cover body 11 in a state where the contact part formed on the cover body 11 is in contact with the pipe surface. Are configured to be inspectable. A plurality of the inspection tools 13 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the pipe joint so as to direct the pipe joint from the top of the cover body 11 on a plane intersecting the pipe axis. As described above, the inspection tool 13 is configured by an imaging device.

  FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show an example of inspecting a pipe joint such that one deformed pipe stands up from the pipe laying groove D. The joint structure of the deformed pipe is the same as that described with reference to FIGS.

  Even with such a pipe joint, the joint state of the pipe joint in an appropriate posture is maintained by swinging the inspection unit 10 via the swing mechanism 20 while maintaining the shafts 31 and 32 in a substantially vertical posture. Can be inspected.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, the imaging device 13 captures an image showing a contact state between the protrusion 5C provided on the pressing wheel 5 and the flange 2D on the receiving side. The imaging device 13 is arranged so that the contact state is inspected at least within a range of 180 ° along the circumferential direction from the outside of the pipe surface of the pipe joint. A projection 5C (a projection is formed at a hatched portion provided on the periphery of the press ring 5 shown in FIG. 10A) which is present in a half of the outer periphery of the pipe joint, that is, in a range of 180 ° around the pipe axis. ) And the flange 2D determine whether or not the joint of the pipe joint is proper.

  In FIG. 10B, two projections 5C existing in a range of 180 ° around the pipe axis (in two hatched parts near the tightening hole 5A of the pressing wheel 5 shown in FIG. 10A). Only the projection is formed.) And the contact state between the flange portion 2D and the pipe joint portion is determined to be appropriate.

  In FIG. 10 (c), two projections 5C existing in a range of 180 ° around the pipe axis (similarly, a hatched portion 2 near the tightening hole 5A of the pressing ring 5 shown in FIG. 10 (a)). One of the contact states between the flange portion 2D and the flange portion 2D is good, but the other is not in contact, so it is determined that the joint state of the pipe joint portion is inappropriate. .

  In FIG. 10D, three projections 5C existing in a range of 180 ° around the pipe axis (two hatched portions near the fastening hole 5A of the pressing wheel 5 shown in FIG. Formed between the pair of fastening holes 5A and at two hatched portions on the outer peripheral side of the press wheel 5, and the inspection tool 13 allows three protrusions 5C to be confirmed.) And the flange portion 2D. It is determined that the contact state is good and that the joint state of the pipe joint is proper. Inspection of the contact state is sufficient if it is possible to confirm that at least two places are in the contact state, but it is desirable to be able to confirm the contact state at three or more places depending on the size of the projection.

  The image information, which is the inspection information obtained by the inspection tool 13 described above, is transmitted to the control unit 56 provided in the communication unit 50 and displayed on the display unit 70 as a photographic image. An operator who visually checks the photographic image displayed on the display unit 70 can check whether or not the pipe joint has been properly joined without any abnormality.

  If there is an abnormality in the pipe joint, the joining operation is performed again. If there is no abnormality, the pipe joint generated from the position information received by the GPS receiver according to the operation of the transmission button displayed on the display unit 70. The position information of the part, the attribute information such as the type of the tube read by the two-dimensional code reader 54, and the image information of the joint taken by the inspection tool 13 are wirelessly transmitted to an external data management server.

  In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the contact state between the protrusion 5C provided on the pressing wheel 5 and the receiving flange portion 2D is confirmed. However, a protrusion is formed on the receiving flange portion 2D, and the protrusion is formed. A configuration may be adopted in which the opposing surface of the pressing wheel 5 comes into contact with the pressing wheel 5. In any case, the imaging device 13 confirms the contact state of the projection with an image.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the pair of imaging devices 13 is disposed diagonally upward and downward from the tube axis is described. However, the number and arrangement of the imaging devices 13 are not limited to such an example. For example, the imaging device 13 is provided at each of three locations immediately above and below the pipe joint, so that the contact state between the protrusion 5C at a plurality of locations and the flange 2D on the receiving side can be photographed from around the pipe joint. You may comprise.

  In addition, the inspection tool 13 is not limited to an imaging device that captures the contact state between the projection 5C and the flange 2D on the receiving side, but may employ any sensor capable of detecting the contact state.

Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3B illustrates an example in which the imaging devices 12 and 13 having different viewing directions are provided inside the cover body 11, but only the imaging device 12 that is directed in a direction along the tube axis is provided. Is also good.

  Further, it may be configured such that it is confirmed whether or not the pipe joints are joined linearly without being inclined by the imaging device 13 that directs the outer surface of the pipe. For example, a white line is painted on an intersection line between an imaginary plane perpendicular to the tube axis on the insertion side and the outer peripheral surface on the insertion side, and whether or not the pipe end on the reception side and the white line are in a parallel posture. May be confirmed by an image. If they are parallel, it can be determined that the pipe joints are joined linearly without inclination. Further, it is possible to determine whether or not the degree of inclination of the pipe joint is within an allowable range by obtaining the inclination angles of the two on the image. Further, by transmitting such information to the outside from the communication unit 50, more detailed management becomes possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, when moving or transporting the pipe inspection device A, it is necessary to grasp and lift the left and right storage units 51 and 53. You may comprise so that it can run. For example, the swing shaft of the swing unit 20 may be extended so that wheels are mounted on the swing shaft.

  In addition, a level is provided for detecting whether or not the swing axis of the swing unit 20 is in the horizontal posture, and the imaging devices 12 and 13 are provided when the swing axis is detected to be in the horizontal posture by the level. May be provided, and a protection mechanism for prohibiting the imaging operation by the imaging devices 12 and 13 when the swing axis is in the inclined posture is provided.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the pipe joint structure, a push-on type and a mechanical type joint using a press ring have been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a flange joint in which flanges are joined to each other. And so on.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given using the configuration having only the inspection function of the pipe joint as the pipe inspection apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is an inspection apparatus having the fitting function of the pipe joint. Is also good.

  The tube inspection device described above is only one specific example of the present invention, and the description does not limit the scope of the present invention. The specific shape, size, material, and the like of each part of the tube inspection device are described in the present invention. The design can be changed as appropriate within a range in which the function and effect of (1) is exhibited.

2, 3: pipe 10: inspection unit 11: cover bodies 11A, 11B: recesses 12, 13: inspection tool (imaging device)
20: swinging part 30: connecting part 40: battery 50: communication part A: pipe inspection device

Claims (8)

An inspection device for a pipe joint,
An inspection unit for inspecting a joint state of the pipe joint,
A communication unit for transmitting at least an inspection result by the inspection unit to the outside,
A connection unit that connects the inspection unit and the communication unit,
Is configured to include a,
The inspection unit includes a swing mechanism that can swing around a horizontal axis that is in a posture orthogonal to the pipe axis of the pipe joint in plan view, and the inspection unit is connected to the connection unit through the swing mechanism. Inspection device for pipe joints attached to   The inspection apparatus for a pipe joint according to claim 1, further comprising: a telescopic mechanism provided in the connection part, wherein a separation distance between the inspection part and the communication part is adjustable.   The inspection apparatus for a pipe joint according to claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism that fixes a swing angle of the inspection unit to the swing mechanism.   The inspection apparatus for a pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inspection unit and the connection unit are detachably connected via an attachment / detachment mechanism.   The pipe joint inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inspection section and the communication section are connected by a signal line via a connector provided in the attachment / detachment mechanism.   The inspection apparatus for a pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a signal line connecting the inspection unit and the communication unit is provided inside the connection unit.   The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the inspection unit includes a cover body that covers the pipe joint from one direction and an inspection tool attached inside the cover body. Inspection equipment. A state in which the communication unit is further provided with a GPS receiver for detecting a position of the inspection device, and the GPS reception device is arranged directly above the connection unit via the swing mechanism together with an inspection result by the inspection unit; The pipe joint inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the position information obtained in (1) is configured to be transmitted to the outside as position information of the pipe joint.