Press-type pipe joint installation monitoring system

Abstract

To ensure proper marking, appropriate insertion allowance, and prevention of caulking when the insertion allowance is inappropriate.SOLUTION: In installation where a pipe to be connected is inserted to a socket portion having an annular bulging portion and a sealing member disposed inside the bulging portion, and the pipe to be connected is fixed to the socket portion by performing caulking on both sides of the annular bulging portion and the annular bulging portion, a first mark that indicates a position that is separated from the end face of the pipe to be connected by a predetermined first distance relative to a position of the end face of the socket portion in a state in which the pipe to be connected is inserted to the socket portion with proper insertion allowance is preliminarily applied to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe to be connected, and a first spacing between the end face of the socket portion and the first mark is specified by an image recognition device on the basis of an image captured by an imaging device in a state in which the pipe to be connected is inserted to the socket portion during the installation. When the difference between the first spacing and the first distance is less than a predetermined threshold, caulking is permitted, and when the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold, caulking is not permitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a construction monitoring system for a press type pipe joint. [Background technology]

[0002] In piping systems that circulate fluids inside metal piping, so-called "press-type pipe fittings" are widely used in which a specified amount of the pipe to be connected, that is, the connected pipe, is inserted into a socket formed on one end of the pipes to be connected or on the end of a pipe fitting separate from the pipes, and then a diameter-reducing process (crimping process) is performed to connect the two (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (JP 53-70072 A)).

[0003] Specifically, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 16(a), an O-ring 130 is first placed inside an annular bulge 120 of a socket 110 provided at the end of a pipe fitting or pipe material 100. Next, as illustrated in Fig. 16(b), a connected pipe 200, which is a pipe material to be connected to the pipe fitting or pipe material 100, is inserted to a predetermined depth into the socket 110. Then, the annular bulge 120 is pressed in the centripetal direction (direction toward the pipe axis) by an inner peripheral surface having a circular cross section of a die attached to a tool (not shown), thereby reducing the diameter while maintaining the circular cross section.

[0004] At the same time, the crimping target area 140, which is a part of the socket part 110 located on both sides of the annular bulge 120 in the tube axis direction, is pressed in a centripetal direction by an inner peripheral surface having a substantially hexagonal cross section of a die (not shown) to reduce the diameter to a substantially hexagonal cross section (see the part surrounded by the thick dashed line). As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 16(c), the crimped part 150 is formed, which is a part that has been reduced in diameter to have a substantially hexagonal cross section with two lines in total, one on each side of the annular bulge 120 of the socket part 110 in the tube axis direction (see the hatched part). By performing such crimping, the socket part 110 and the connected pipe 200 are firmly connected and sealed airtight and / or liquidtight.

[0005] However, at the construction site of a piping system, workers must perform many crimping operations in an awkward position in a short time (quickly). Therefore, no matter how careful the workers and supervisors are, there is a problem that defects in the crimped parts (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "crimping defects") occur.

[0006] The causes of crimping defects include the following: Cause 1: The connected pipe is not inserted sufficiently into the socket. Cause 2: Improper crimping.

[0007] In order to avoid cause 1, it is necessary to insert the connected pipe into the socket part with a predetermined insertion length, such as by inserting the connected pipe to the deepest part of the socket part and butting it against the socket part. However, for example, when the worker's visual and / or tactile confirmation is inaccurate or unclear, the connected pipe may be crimped without being inserted sufficiently. In this case, depending on the degree of insufficiency of the insertion length of the connected pipe, there is a risk that the connected pipe may not be present inside one of the two crimped parts formed on both sides of the annular bulge part in the axial direction of the pipe (i.e., the crimped area). In such a state, there is a risk that the deformation of the O-ring disposed inside the annular bulge part located between the two crimped parts may be insufficient, and the seal between the socket part and the connected pipe may be insufficient. In addition, since there is only one crimped part where both the socket part and the connected pipe are reduced in diameter, there is a risk that the connected pipe may come off when the pressure inside the piping increases significantly.

[0008] On the other hand, cause 2 is a defect in the diameter reduction (crimping) of the part (crimping target area) that is to be crimped by the die attached to the tool. Specific examples of such defects include a defect in which the socket part and the connected pipe are both reduced in diameter due to the tool (die) being displaced in the pipe axial direction from the position of the original crimping target area, resulting in only one crimped part, and a defect in which at least one of the two crimped parts does not have the intended shape due to an inappropriate amount (stroke) and / or speed of crimping (crushing). In this case, as with cause 1, there is a risk that the connected pipe will come off if the seal between the socket part and the connected pipe becomes insufficient or if the pressure inside the pipe rises significantly.

[0009] Many countermeasures have been proposed in the technical field for Cause 2. For example, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 4999019) and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent No. 7165279) disclose a technology for recording and monitoring information such as construction history on IC tags attached to joints and piping elements. In addition, Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent No. 6543045) discloses a technology that makes it possible to visually check the quality of construction using a pressure-induced discoloration seal affixed to the outer surface of a pipe material.

[0010] On the other hand, for cause 1, since it is not possible to directly visually check the connected pipe inserted into the socket, only substitute monitoring methods have been proposed. For example, in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 3 and 4, a mark (line mark) indicating the position of the end of the socket part when the connected pipe is inserted into the socket part with the appropriate insertion depth at the piping manufacturing factory (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "proper insertion position") is drawn on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe, and at the construction site, the connected pipe is inserted into the socket part until the end of the socket part matches the mark.

[0011] However, there are individual differences in the attention and accuracy of the work of people (workers), and even if the above-mentioned mark is drawn on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe, there is a risk that, for example, the worker may overlook the mark or the alignment between the end of the socket part and the mark may be inaccurate. In addition, there are cases where the worker marks the raw pipe material at the construction site, not at a piping production factory (not prefabricated piping). In this case, there may be errors in marking, such as the mark being misaligned, unclear, and / or forgetting to mark at all. Furthermore, for such reasons, even if the alignment between the end of the socket part and the mark is not performed correctly, the crimping process can be performed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 53-70072 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4999019 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 7165279 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 6543045 [Patent Document 5] Patent No. 4999019 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] As described above, there is a need in the art for a construction monitoring system for press-type pipe fittings that can ensure proper marking, proper insertion allowance, and denial of approval for crimping if the insertion allowance is inappropriate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] Therefore, after extensive research, the inventors discovered that the above problem can be solved by previously marking the connected pipe with a mark corresponding to the appropriate insertion depth, monitoring the positional relationship between the end face of the socket portion and the mark using image recognition, and only allowing crimping with a crimping tool if the positional relationship is normal.

[0015] Specifically, the construction monitoring system for press-type pipe fittings according to the present invention (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "system of the present invention") is a construction monitoring system for press-type pipe fittings in which a connected pipe is inserted into a socket portion having an annular bulge and a sealing member arranged inside the annular bulge, and the crimping target area and the annular bulge, which are part of the socket portion located on both sides of the annular bulge in the pipe axial direction, are crimped using a die mounted on a crimping tool, thereby fixing the connected pipe to the socket portion.

[0016] In the system of the present invention, a first mark is provided in advance on the outer surface of the connected pipe, which is a mark indicating a first position, which is a position that is a predetermined first distance away from the end face of the connected pipe from the appropriate end face position, which is the position of the end face of the socket portion in the axial direction of the connected pipe in a first state in which the connected pipe is inserted into the socket portion with the appropriate insertion depth.

[0017] Furthermore, the system of the present invention is configured to, in a second state in which the connected pipe is inserted into the socket portion during installation, identify a first distance, which is the distance between the end face of the socket portion and the first mark in the axial direction of the connected pipe, using an image recognition device based on an image of the end face of the socket portion and the first mark captured by an imaging device.

[0018] In addition, the system of the present invention is configured to enable crimping processing using a crimping tool when a first difference, which is the difference between the first interval and the first distance, is determined to be less than a predetermined first threshold value, and to not enable crimping processing using a crimping tool when the first difference is determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold value. Effect of the Invention

[0019] As described above, in the system of the present invention, a mark (first mark) corresponding to the appropriate insertion amount is provided in advance on the connected pipe, and the positional relationship between the end face of the socket part and the mark is monitored by an image recognition device, and crimping with a crimping tool can be performed only when the positional relationship is normal. In other words, according to the system of the present invention, by performing appropriate marking in advance, it is possible to provide a construction monitoring system for press-type pipe joints that can accurately and reliably determine whether the insertion amount is appropriate or not, and ensure control that does not allow crimping to be performed if the insertion amount is inappropriate. This makes it possible to reliably avoid crimping being inappropriate (cause 2) due to insufficient insertion amount (insertion amount) of the connected pipe into the socket part (cause 1).

[0020] Other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention which are given with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a connected pipe is inserted with an appropriate insertion allowance into a socket portion constituting a construction monitoring system (first system) for a press-type pipe joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention, resulting in a first state. [Diagram 2] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second state in which a connected pipe is inserted into a socket portion with an appropriate insertion allowance, and the result of crimping in the second state. FIG. [Diagram 3] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second state in which a connected pipe is inserted into a socket portion with an improper insertion depth, and the result of crimping in such a second state. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a first system. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of each process executed by the first system in installing a press-type pipe joint that fixes a connected pipe to a socket portion. [Figure 6]10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a technique for pre-applying a first mark to the outer circumferential surface of a connected pipe. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case in which, even though a first mark is provided at a position shifted from the original first position, a connected pipe is inserted into a socket portion with an improper insertion depth in a second state, so that the shift of the first mark from the first position is offset by the improper insertion depth, and the first distance is determined to be normal.

[0022] [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a connected pipe used in a construction monitoring system (second system) for a press-type pipe joint according to a second embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a socket portion with an appropriate insertion depth to reach a first state. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining that whether or not appropriate crimping is performed depends on whether or not the positions of the first mark and the second mark are appropriate and whether or not the insertion depth of the connected pipe into the socket portion is appropriate. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of each process executed by the second system in the construction of a press-type pipe joint that fixes a connected pipe to a socket portion. [Figure 11] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for previously applying a first mark and a second mark to the outer circumferential surface of a connected pipe. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first state in which a connected pipe used in a construction monitoring system (third system) for a press-type pipe joint according to a third embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a socket portion with an appropriate insertion depth. [Figure 13] 1A to 1C are schematic diagrams illustrating variations in the arrangement of an image recognition device. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a construction monitoring system (fourth system) for a press type pipe joint according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the occurrence of defective installation due to incorrect setting of a crimping tool; [Figure 16]1A to 1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a procedure for connecting pipe materials using a press-type pipe joint. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a construction monitoring system for a press type pipe joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "first system") will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] <composition> The first system is a construction monitoring system for press-type pipe fittings, in which a connected pipe is inserted into a socket portion having an annular bulge and a sealing member arranged inside the annular bulge, and the annular bulge and a crimping target area, which are part of the socket portion located on both sides of the annular bulge in the pipe axial direction, are crimped using a die mounted on a crimping tool, thereby fixing the connected pipe to the socket portion.

[0025] As described above with reference to Fig. 16, the socket portion 110 is a portion formed at one end of the pipe fitting 100, which is one of the pipe materials to be connected or a pipe material separate from the pipe materials, and includes an annular bulge 120 and a sealing member 130 disposed inside the annular bulge 120. Then, the connected pipe 200, which is the pipe material to be connected, is inserted into the socket portion 110, and the crimping target area 140 and the annular bulge 120, which are parts of the socket portion located on both sides of the annular bulge 120 in the pipe axial direction, are crimped using a die mounted on a crimping tool (not shown). As a result, the connected pipe 200 is fixed to the socket portion 110 in an airtight and / or liquidtight manner.

[0026] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a connectable pipe 200 used in a first system is inserted into a socket portion 110 with a proper insertion length to reach a first state, (a) illustrating the state before insertion, and (b) illustrating the state after insertion (i.e., the first state). In the first system, as illustrated in Fig. 1, a first mark M1 (see the straight line drawn by a thick solid line) is provided in advance on the outer circumferential surface of the connectable pipe 200, which is a mark indicating a first position P1 that is a position away from the end face 201 of the connectable pipe 200 by a first distance D1 that is a predetermined distance from a proper end face position P0 (see the straight line drawn by a dashed line), which is the position of the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 in the tube axial direction of the connectable pipe 200 in the first state.

[0027] Furthermore, the specific size of the first distance D1, which is the distance between the appropriate end face position P0 and the first position P1 in the axial direction of the connected pipe 200 in the first state, is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to determine the relationship in size between the distance (the first distance described later) between the end face of the socket portion 110 and the first mark M1 during installation, which is identified by an image recognition device as described later, and the second distance D1.

[0028] 1, a dashed line indicates the proper end face position P0, which is the position of the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 in the axial direction of the connectable pipe 200 in the first state. However, this line is drawn solely for the purpose of indicating the proper end face position P0, and such a mark is not an essential component of the first system.

[0029] 1, the first mark M1 is provided as a circular solid line extending around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200, but the configuration of the first mark M1 (e.g., shape and / or size, etc.) is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to indicate the above-mentioned first position P1. For example, the first mark M1 may be a dashed or dotted line, etc., instead of a circular solid line extending around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200, or may be a line segment having a predetermined length that does not extend around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface. Furthermore, the first mark M1 may have a polygonal shape, such as a triangle or a rectangle, and one side of the polygonal shape may be configured to indicate the above-mentioned first position P1.

[0030] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating a second state in which the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with a proper insertion length. Therefore, the first interval G1, which is the interval between the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 in the tube axis direction of the connected pipe 200 and the first mark M1, is normal. In this specification, "the first interval G1 is normal" refers to a state in which the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with a proper insertion length, and thus the connected pipe 200 can be connected to the socket portion 110 by performing crimping without the occurrence of the crimping failure described above. Typically, "the first interval G1 is normal" refers to a state in which the first difference ΔS1, which is the difference between the first interval G1 and the first distance D1, is less than a predetermined first threshold value Th1, that is, the first interval G1 and the first distance D1 are substantially equal.

[0031] Next, parts of the socket part 110 located on both sides of the annular bulge part 120 in the tube axis direction (the crimping target area 140 described above with reference to FIG. 16) are pressed in a centripetal direction by an inner peripheral surface having a substantially hexagonal cross section of a die (not shown) to reduce the diameter to a substantially hexagonal cross section. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, a crimped part 150 is formed, which is a part that has been reduced in diameter to have a substantially hexagonal cross section with two lines in total, one on each side of the annular bulge part 120 of the socket part 110 in the tube axis direction (see the hatched part). In the second state illustrated in FIG. 2A, the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket part 110 with a proper insertion allowance as described above, so that the connected pipe 200 is present inside both of the two crimped parts 150. As a result, the socket part 110 and the connected pipe 200 are firmly connected and sealed airtight and / or liquidtight.

[0032] On the other hand, (a) of FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second state in which the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with an improper insertion length. Therefore, the first interval G1, which is the interval between the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 and the first mark M1 in the tube axis direction of the connected pipe 200, is not normal. In this specification, "the first interval G1 is not normal" refers to a state in which the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with an improper insertion length, and it is difficult or impossible to avoid the occurrence of the above-mentioned crimping defect when the connected pipe 200 is connected to the socket portion 110 by crimping. Typically, "the first interval G1 is not normal" refers to a state in which the first difference ΔS1, which is the difference between the first interval G1 and the first distance D1, is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value Th1, that is, the first interval G1 and the first distance D1 are not substantially equal to each other.

[0033] Next, parts of the socket portion 110 located on both sides of the annular bulge 120 in the tube axis direction (the crimp target area 140 described above with reference to FIG. 16) are pressed in a centripetal direction by an inner peripheral surface of a die (not shown) having a substantially hexagonal cross section, thereby reducing the diameter to a substantially hexagonal cross section. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, a crimped portion 150 is formed, which is a portion that has been reduced in diameter to have a substantially hexagonal cross section with two lines in total, one on each side of the annular bulge 120 of the socket portion 110 in the tube axis direction (see the hatched portion). However, in the second state illustrated in FIG. 3A, the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with an inappropriate insertion allowance as described above, so that the connected pipe 200 does not exist inside one of the two crimped portions 150. As a result, the above-mentioned crimping failure may occur, and the connection strength and / or degree of sealing between the socket portion 110 and the connected pipe 200 may become insufficient.

[0034] As described above, the connection strength and / or sealing degree between the socket portion 110 and the connected pipe 200 depends largely on whether the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with a proper insertion depth, i.e., whether the first gap G1 is normal. However, as described above, there are individual differences in the attention and accuracy of the work of humans (workers), and even if the first mark M1 is drawn on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200 as described above, there is a risk that, for example, the worker may overlook the first mark M1 or the alignment between the end surface 111 of the socket portion 110 and the first mark M1 may be inaccurate. In addition, there are cases where the worker applies (marks) the first mark M1 to the raw pipe material at the construction site, rather than at a piping production factory (not prefabricated piping). In this case, for example, errors in marking, such as misalignment, unclearness, and / or forgetting to mark the first mark M1, may occur. Furthermore, for this reason, even if the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 and the first mark M1 are not correctly aligned, the crimping process can be performed.

[0035] Therefore, the first system is configured to identify a first distance, which is the distance between the end face of the socket portion and the first mark in the axial direction of the connected pipe, using an image recognition device based on an image of the end face of the socket portion and the first mark captured by an imaging device in a second state in which the connected pipe is inserted into the socket portion during installation.

[0036] As described above, the first system is configured to use an image recognition device to identify the first interval G1, which is the interval between the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 and the first mark M1 in the tube axis direction of the connected tube 200. The image recognition device identifies the first interval G1 based on an image of the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 and the first mark M1 captured by an imaging device such as a CCD camera. Details of the configuration and processing for identifying the first interval G1 by the image recognition device, such as the configuration of the image recognition device and the algorithm by which the image recognition device identifies the first interval G1, are general techniques well known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0037] Furthermore, the first system is configured to enable crimping processing using a crimping tool when a first difference, which is the difference between the first interval and the first distance, is determined to be less than a predetermined first threshold, and to not enable crimping processing using a crimping tool when the first difference is determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the first system. The first system illustrated in Fig. 4 includes an image recognition device 10, a crimping tool 20, and an interface 30 for transmitting switching control of whether crimping by the image recognition device 10 can be performed or not to the crimping tool 20. The image recognition device 10 includes a CCD camera as an imaging device 11 for acquiring image data of the first mark M1 previously applied to the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200 and the end surface 111 of the socket part 110 during construction, a microcomputer as a control part 12 for controlling various processes performed by the image recognition device 10, and a battery as a power source 13 for operating the image recognition device 10. The crimping tool 20 includes a battery as a power source 21 for operating the crimping tool 20.

[0039] The interface 30 includes a relay for switching between connection and disconnection of a power supply path from the power source 21 to the crimping tool 20 based on a signal received from the control unit 12 included in the image recognition device 10. However, a specific method of control for switching between executable and inexecutable states of crimping by the image recognition device 10 is not limited to the above. For example, instead of via a relay as described above, a direct power supply path from the image recognition device 10 (the power source 13 included in the image recognition device 10) to the crimping tool 20 may be switched between connection and disconnection. The crimping tool 20 may also include the interface 30. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the image recognition device 10, the crimping tool 20, and the interface 30 are each represented by a separate block. However, each of these components does not necessarily need to be configured as a separate unit, and some or all of these components may be integrated into one unit.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of each process executed by the first system in the installation of a press-type pipe fitting that fixes a connected pipe to a socket portion. Below, the installation monitoring routine of a press-type pipe fitting executed by the first system will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. In the following description, the reference symbols shown in Figs. 1 to 3 referred to in the previous description will also be used, so please refer to Figs. 1 to 3 as well as necessary.

[0041] As described above, in the installation monitoring routine for press-type pipe fittings executed by the first system, in step S01, a mark (first mark M1) indicating a position (first position P1) that is a predetermined distance (first distance D1) away from the end face 201 of the connected pipe 200 in the axial direction of the connected pipe 200 relative to the position (proper end face position P0) of the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 in the state (first state) in which the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with the proper insertion depth is pre-applied to the outer surface of the connected pipe 200.

[0042] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for pre-applying a first mark M1 to the outer circumferential surface of a connected pipe 200. In the example shown in Fig. 6, a jig 40 is used that is configured so that a marker 41 (e.g., a drawing pen, etc.) comes into contact with a position (first position P1) on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200 where the first mark M1 should be applied by inserting the connected pipe 200 all the way in (see the black arrow in Fig. 6(a)) and butting it against the pipe. By revolving the jig 40 around the connected pipe 200 while maintaining the state in which the marker 41 is in contact with the connected pipe 200 in this way (see the gray arrow in Fig. 6(b)), the first mark M1 can be reliably and accurately applied to a predetermined position (first position P1) on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200. However, the method for pre-applying the first mark M1 to the outer peripheral surface of the connected pipe 200 is not limited to the above, and the first mark M1 may be applied by any method as long as it is possible to reliably and accurately apply the first mark M1 to a predetermined position (first position P1) on the outer peripheral surface of the connected pipe 200.

[0043] Next, in step S02, a first distance D1, which is the distance in the axial direction of the connected pipe 200 between the first position P1, where the first mark is applied, and the correct end face position P0, is recorded (registered) in a data storage device provided in the image recognition device 10 (e.g., a memory provided in a microcomputer constituting the control unit 12).

[0044] Next, when the connected pipe 200 is fixed to the socket portion 110 (during installation), step S03 is executed, and it is determined by the image recognition device 10 whether or not the first interval G1 has been identified based on the image of the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 and the first mark M1 obtained from the imaging device 11 (see the arrow S1 drawn by the thick dashed line in Figure 4).

[0045] When the first interval G1 is identified by the image recognition device 10 (step S03: Yes), in the next step S04, it is determined whether or not the first interval G1 is normal. In the example shown in Fig. 5, it is determined whether or not the first difference ΔS1, which is the difference between the first interval G1 and the first distance D1, is less than a predetermined first threshold value Th1.

[0046] If the first difference ΔS1 is less than the first threshold value Th1 (step S04: Yes), in the next step S11, it is possible to execute the crimping process by the crimping tool 20. Specifically, based on a signal transmitted from the control unit 12 included in the image recognition device 10 to the interface 30 (see the arrow S2 drawn by a thick dashed line in FIG. 4), a power supply path from the power source 21 to the crimping tool 20 is connected by a relay included in the interface 30, and power is supplied to the crimping tool 20 (see the arrow S3 drawn by a thick dashed line in FIG. 4).

[0047] On the other hand, if the first interval G1 is not identified by the image recognition device 10 (step S03: No) or if the first difference ΔS1 is not less than the first threshold value Th1 (step S04: No), in the next step S12, it is determined that it is not possible to perform the crimping process by the crimping tool 20. Specifically, based on a signal transmitted from the control unit 12 included in the image recognition device 10 to the interface 30 (see the arrow S2 drawn by a thick dashed line in FIG. 4), the power supply path from the power source 21 to the crimping tool 20 is cut off by a relay included in the interface 30, and power is not supplied to the crimping tool 20.

[0048] <effect> As described above, in the first system, a first mark corresponding to the appropriate insertion amount is provided in advance on the connected pipe, and the positional relationship between the end face of the socket portion and the first mark is monitored by an image recognition device, and crimping by a crimping tool can be performed only when the positional relationship is normal. In other words, according to the first system, by performing appropriate marking in advance, it is possible to provide a construction monitoring system for press-type pipe joints that can accurately and reliably determine whether the insertion amount is appropriate or not, and ensure control that does not allow crimping to be performed if the insertion amount is inappropriate. This makes it possible to reliably avoid crimping being inappropriate (cause 2) due to insufficient insertion amount (insertion amount) of the connected pipe into the socket portion (cause 1).

[0049] Second Embodiment A construction monitoring system for a press type pipe joint according to a second embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "second system") will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0050] As described above, according to the first system, by performing appropriate marking in advance, it is possible to accurately and reliably determine whether the insertion amount is appropriate, and to ensure control that does not allow the execution of crimping if the insertion amount is inappropriate. However, for example, there are cases where the first mark is given at a position shifted from the original first position due to an error in marking, or where a connected pipe with the first mark M1 given at an inappropriate position corresponding to a connection with a socket part having different specifications is misused. Even in such a case, if the connected pipe is inserted into the socket part with the appropriate insertion amount during construction (i.e., the second state), it is determined that the first interval identified by the image recognition device is not normal, and crimping by the crimping tool cannot be executed.

[0051] However, even if the first mark is provided at a position shifted from the original first position as described above, if the connected pipe is inserted into the socket portion with an improper insertion depth during installation (second state), the shift of the first mark from the first position may be offset by the improper insertion depth, and the first spacing may be determined to be normal.

[0052] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the above-mentioned case. In the example shown in Fig. 7(a), the first mark M1 is provided at a position P1' that is shifted from the original first position P1 on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200. However, as a result of the connected pipe 200 being inserted into the socket portion 110 with an improper insertion amount during construction (second state), the shift of the first mark M1 from the original first position P1 is offset by the improper insertion amount. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the first interval G1 coincides with the predetermined first distance D1 (G1 = D1).

[0053] In the above case, in the first system, the first interval G1 identified by the image recognition device is determined to be normal, and therefore, even if the insertion allowance during construction is inappropriate, it is possible to perform crimping using a crimping tool (not shown). Even if crimping is performed in this state, as shown in Fig. 7(b), since the connected pipe 200 does not exist inside one of the two crimped portions 150, there is a risk that the connection strength and / or sealing degree between the socket portion 110 and the connected pipe 200 will be insufficient.

[0054] <composition> Therefore, the second system is the first system described above, and in addition to the first mark, a second mark is pre-applied on the outer surface of the connected pipe, which is a mark indicating a second position, which is a position that is a second distance, which is a predetermined distance in the axial direction of the connected pipe, away from the end face of the connected pipe than the first mark.

[0055] 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the connectable pipe 200 used in the second system is inserted into the socket portion 110 with a proper insertion depth to reach the first state, (a) illustrating the state before insertion, and (b) illustrating the state after insertion (i.e., the first state). In the second system, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in addition to the above-mentioned first mark M1, a second mark M2 is provided in advance on the outer circumferential surface of the connectable pipe 200 as a mark indicating a second position P2, which is a position away from the end face 201 of the connectable pipe 200 by a second distance D2, which is a predetermined distance, from the first mark M1 in the tube axial direction of the connectable pipe 200.

[0056] Furthermore, the specific size of the second distance D2, which is the distance between the first position P1 and the second position P2 in the pipe axial direction of the connected pipe 200, is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to determine the relationship in size between the distance (the second distance described later) between the first mark M1 and the second mark M2 during installation identified by the image recognition device and the second distance D2.

[0057] 8, as in Fig. 1 referred to in the description of the first system above, a dashed line is drawn indicating the proper end face position P0, which is the position of the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 in the axial direction of the connectable pipe 200 in the first state. However, this line is drawn solely for the purpose of indicating the proper end face position P0, and such a mark is not an essential component of the second system either.

[0058] Similarly to the second mark M1, the second mark M2 is also given as a circular solid line extending around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200, but the configuration of the second mark M2 (e.g., shape and / or size, etc.) is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to indicate the above-mentioned second position P2. For example, the second mark M2 may be a dashed or dotted line, etc., instead of a circular solid line extending around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200, or may be a line segment having a predetermined length that does not extend around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface. Furthermore, the second mark M2 may have a polygonal shape, such as a triangle or a rectangle, and one side of the polygonal shape may be configured to indicate the above-mentioned second position P2.

[0059] Furthermore, in the second state, the second system is configured to identify, in addition to the first interval, a second interval, which is the interval between the first mark and the second mark in the tube axis direction of the connected tube, based on images of the first mark and the second mark captured by the imaging device, using an image recognition device.

[0060] In addition, the second system is configured to enable crimping processing using a crimping tool when it is determined that the first difference is less than the first threshold and the second difference, which is the difference between the second interval and the second distance, is less than a predetermined second threshold, and to not enable crimping processing using a crimping tool when it is determined that the first difference is equal to or greater than the first threshold or when it is determined that the second difference is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

[0061] 9(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating a state after crimping when the connected pipe 200, to which the first mark M1 and the second mark M2 are properly provided as illustrated in FIG. 8, is inserted into the socket portion 110 with a proper insertion allowance during construction. As illustrated, the first distance G1, which is the distance between the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 in the axial direction of the connected pipe 200 and the first mark M1, is normal (G1=D1). Next, parts of the socket portion 110 (the crimping target areas 140 described above with reference to FIG. 16) located on both sides of the annular bulge portion 120 in the axial direction are pressed in a centripetal direction by an inner peripheral surface of a die (not shown) having a substantially hexagonal cross section, thereby reducing the diameter to a substantially hexagonal cross section. As a result, as shown in the figure, crimped portions 150 are formed, which are portions whose diameter is reduced to have a substantially hexagonal cross section with two lines in total, one on each side in the tube axial direction of the annular bulge portion 120 of the socket portion 110 (see the hatched portion). In the second state illustrated in (a) of Fig. 9, the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with an appropriate insertion allowance as described above, so that the connected pipe 200a is present inside both of the two crimped portions 150. As a result, the socket portion 110 and the connected pipe 200 are firmly connected and sealed airtight and / or liquidtight.

[0062] 9(b) is a schematic diagram illustrating a state after crimping when the connected pipe 200, to which the first mark M1 and the second mark M2 are properly provided as described above, is inserted into the socket portion 110 with an improper insertion depth. As shown in the figure, the first distance G1, which is the distance between the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 in the tube axis direction of the connected pipe 200 and the first mark M1, is not normal (G1≠D1). Next, parts of the socket portion 110 (the crimping target areas 140 described above with reference to FIG. 16) located on both sides of the annular bulge portion 120 in the tube axis direction are pressed in a centripetal direction by an inner peripheral surface of a die (not shown) having a substantially hexagonal cross section, to reduce the diameter to a substantially hexagonal cross section. As a result, as shown in the figure, the crimped portion 150 is formed, which is a portion that has a reduced diameter so as to have a cross section of a substantially hexagon, with one line on each side of the annular bulge portion 120 of the socket portion 110 in the tube axis direction, for a total of two lines (see the hatched portion). However, in the second state illustrated in (b) of FIG. 9, the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with an inappropriate insertion allowance as described above, so that the connected pipe 200 is not present inside one of the two crimped portions 150. As a result, there is a risk that the crimping failure described above will occur, and the connection strength and / or sealing degree between the socket portion 110 and the connected pipe 200 will be insufficient. Therefore, in such a case, the second system also does not allow crimping processing to be performed using a crimping tool, as in the first system described above.

[0063] 9(c) is a schematic diagram illustrating a state after crimping when a connected pipe 200, which has a first mark M1 and a second mark M2 provided at an improper position corresponding to a connection with a socket part having different specifications, is inserted into a socket part 110 with an improper insertion amount. In the example shown in FIG. 9(c), the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket part 110 with an improper insertion amount, and the deviation of the first mark M1 from the original first position P1 is offset by the improper insertion amount. As a result, as shown in the figure, the first interval G1 is equal to the predetermined first distance D1 (G1=D1). However, in this state, even if parts of the socket portion 110 located on both sides of the annular bulge portion 120 in the pipe axial direction (the crimping target areas 140 described above with reference to FIG. 16) are pressed in a centripetal direction by an inner peripheral surface having a substantially hexagonal cross section of a die (not shown) to reduce the diameter to a substantially hexagonal cross section, as shown in the figure, the connected pipe 200 does not exist inside one of the two crimped portions 150. As a result, the crimping failure described above may occur, and the connection strength and / or sealing degree between the socket portion 110 and the connected pipe 200 may become insufficient.

[0064] Therefore, as described above, the second system is configured to specify both the first interval G1 and the second interval G2 by the image recognition device in the second state, and to enable the crimping process by the crimping tool only when it is determined that both the first interval G1 and the second interval G2 are normal. In this specification, "both the first interval G1 and the second interval G2 are normal" refers to a state in which the above-mentioned first difference ΔS1 is less than the first threshold value Th1 and the second difference ΔS2, which is the difference between the second interval G2 and the second distance D2, is less than a predetermined second threshold value Th2, that is, a state in which the first interval G1 and the first distance D1 are substantially equal and the second interval G2 and the second distance D2 are substantially equal. In the example shown in (c) of FIG. 9, the first mark M1 and the second mark M2 are provided at an inappropriate position, and the second interval G2 is not normal (G2≠D2). In the second system, even in such a case, the crimping process by the crimping tool is not enabled.

[0065] Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of each process executed by the second system in the installation of a press type pipe fitting that fixes a connected pipe to a socket portion. Hereinafter, the installation monitoring routine for a press type pipe fitting executed by the second system will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.

[0066] The flowchart illustrated in Fig. 10 is similar to the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 5 referred to in the description of the first system, except for the following four differences 1 to 4. Therefore, the following description will mainly focus on these differences.

[0067] Difference 1: In step S01, not only the first mark M1 but also the second mark M2 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200 in advance. Difference 2: In step S02, not only the first distance D1 but also the second distance D2 is recorded in a data recording device included in the image recognition device 10. Difference 3: In step S03, it is determined whether or not not only the first interval G1 but also the second interval G2 have been identified by the image recognition device 10. Difference 4: After step S04, in which it is determined whether the first difference ΔS1, which is the difference between the first interval G1 and the first distance D1, is less than a predetermined first threshold value Th1, step S05 is added, in which it is determined whether the second difference ΔS2, which is the difference between the second interval G2 and the second distance D2, is less than a predetermined second threshold value Th2.

[0068] As described above, in step S01, not only the first mark M1 but also the second mark M2 are provided in advance on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for providing the first mark M1 and the second mark in advance on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200. Fig. 11 has the same configuration as the jig 40 illustrated in Fig. 6, except that the jig 40 is configured so that the connected pipe 200 is inserted all the way in (see the black arrow in Fig. 11(a)) and butted against the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200, where the marker 41 should contact the position on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200 where the first mark M1 should be provided, and where the marker 42 should contact the position on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe 200 where the second mark M2 should be provided. However, the method for pre-applying the first mark M1 and the second mark M2 to the outer peripheral surface of the connected pipe 200 is not limited to the above, and the first mark M1 and the second mark M2 may be applied by any method as long as it is possible to reliably and accurately apply the first mark M1 and the second mark M2 to predetermined positions (first position P1 and second position P2) on the outer peripheral surface of the connected pipe 200.

[0069] Steps S02 and S03 executed after step S01 are as described above as difference 2 and difference 3, respectively.

[0070] In step S03, which is executed when fixing the connected pipe 200 to the socket portion 110 (during installation), the image recognition device 10 determines whether or not a first distance G1 has been determined based on an image of the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 and the first mark M1 obtained from the imaging device 11, and whether or not a second distance G2 has been determined based on images of the first mark M1 and the second mark M2 obtained from the imaging device 11.

[0071] When both the first interval G1 and the second interval G2 are identified by the image recognition device 10 (step S03: Yes), in the next step S04, it is determined whether or not the first interval G1 is normal. In the example shown in Fig. 10, similarly to the example shown in Fig. 5, it is determined whether or not the first difference ΔS1, which is the difference between the first interval G1 and the first distance D1, is less than a predetermined first threshold value Th1.

[0072] If the first difference ΔS1 is less than the first threshold value Th1 (step S04: Yes), then in the next step S05, it is determined whether or not the second interval G2 is normal, as described above as difference 4. In the example shown in Fig. 10, it is determined whether or not the second difference ΔS2, which is the difference between the second interval G2 and the second distance D2, is less than a predetermined second threshold value Th2.

[0073] If the second difference ΔS2 is less than the second threshold value Th2 (step S05: Yes), in the next step S11, the crimping process using the crimping tool can be performed. That is, in the second system, the crimping process using the crimping tool can be performed only when not only the first gap G1 but also the second gap is normal (for example, see FIG. 9(a)).

[0074] On the other hand, if both the first interval G1 and the second interval G2 are not identified by the image recognition device 10 (step S03: No), or if the first difference ΔS1 is not less than the first threshold value Th1 (step S04: No) (for example, see (b) of Figure 9), or if the second difference ΔS2 is not less than the second threshold value Th2 (step S05: No) (for example, see (c) of Figure 9), then in the next step S12, it is deemed impossible to perform crimping processing using a crimping tool.

[0075] In the flowchart shown in Fig. 10, after determining whether the first interval G1 is normal in step S04, it is determined whether the second interval G2 is normal in step S05. However, the execution order of steps S04 and S05 does not necessarily have to be that shown in Fig. 10, and for example, step S04 may be executed after step S05. Other steps may also be executed in an order different from that described above, so long as it does not significantly impede the effects to be achieved by the present invention.

[0076] <effect> As described above, in the second system, in addition to the first mark, which is a mark corresponding to the proper insertion amount, the second mark, which is a mark indicating a position farther from the end face of the connected pipe than the first mark, is provided in advance on the outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe, and the positional relationship between the end face of the socket part and the first mark and the positional relationship between the first mark and the second mark are monitored by an image recognition device, and crimping with a crimping tool can be performed only when both positional relationships are normal. In other words, according to the second system, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the insertion amount of the connected pipe into the socket part is inappropriate as described above, but the marking is provided in an inappropriate position, leading to a misjudgment that the insertion amount is appropriate, resulting in inappropriate crimping.

[0077] Third Embodiment Hereinafter, a construction monitoring system for a press type pipe joint according to a third embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "third system") will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0078] As described above, in the construction monitoring system for press-type pipe joints according to the present invention (the system of the present invention) including the first and second systems, crimping with a crimping tool can be performed only when the first distance, which is the distance between the end face of the socket portion in the axial direction of the connected pipe and the first mark, is normal (for example, when the first distance and the first distance are substantially equal). Therefore, the system of the present invention can reliably avoid improper crimping due to an improper insertion depth of the connected pipe into the socket portion.

[0079] During construction, the end face of the socket part and the first mark can be photographed by the imaging device provided in the image recognition device, and can also be visually checked by the worker. However, it is difficult or impossible for the worker to visually determine whether the first interval is normal (for example, whether the first interval and the first distance are substantially equal). However, if the first mark is provided at a proper end face position, which is the position of the end face of the socket part in the axial direction of the connected pipe in the first state, in addition to the identification by the image recognition device based on the image photographed by the imaging device, it becomes possible to determine whether the first interval is normal based on whether the end face of the socket part and the first mark overlap during construction, also by visual inspection by the worker.

[0080] <composition> Therefore, the third system is the above-mentioned first system or second system, which is a construction monitoring system for a press type pipe joint, in which the first distance is zero.

[0081] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first state in which a connected pipe used in the third system is inserted into a socket portion with an appropriate insertion depth, where (a) shows a case in which only the first mark is provided on the connected pipe, and (b) shows a case in which both the first mark and the second mark are provided on the connected pipe.

[0082] In either case, a first distance D1 between a proper end face position P0, which is the position of the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 in the axial direction of the connected pipe 200 in a first state in which the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket portion 110 with the proper insertion depth, and a first position P1, which is the position at which the first mark M1 is provided, is zero. That is, the first mark M1 is provided at the proper end face position P0, which is the position of the end face 111 of the socket portion 110 in the axial direction of the connected pipe 200 in the first state.

[0083] 12(a), in addition to the identification by the image recognition device based on an image captured by an imaging device included in the image recognition device (not shown), the worker can also visually determine whether the first interval G1 is normal based on whether the end face 111 of the socket part 110 and the first mark M1 overlap during construction. Also, in the case of FIG. 12(b), in addition to the above, the image recognition device can determine whether the marking itself is appropriate, as in the above-mentioned second system.

[0084] As described above, in the third system, whether the first interval G1 is normal or not can be determined based on whether the end surface 111 of the socket part 110 and the first mark M1 overlap during construction. However, for example, if the first mark M1 is too thin or if the first mark M1 is hidden inside the socket part 110 when the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket part 110 with a proper insertion length, the first mark M1 cannot be recognized when photographed by the imaging device provided in the image recognition device and visually checked by the worker. Therefore, in the third system, it is necessary to configure the first mark M1 so that it protrudes from the end surface 111 of the socket part 110 when the connected pipe 200 is inserted into the socket part 110 with a proper insertion length, so that it can be photographed by the imaging device and visually checked by the worker. A specific example of such a configuration of the first mark M1 can be, for example, a linear mark having a moderately wide width.

[0085] <effect> As described above, in the third system, the first distance, which is the distance between the proper end face position and the first position where the first mark is given, is zero. That is, the first mark is given to the proper end face position, which is the position of the end face of the socket part in the axial direction of the connected pipe in the first state. Therefore, in addition to the identification by the image recognition device based on the image taken by the imaging device provided in the image recognition device, the worker can also visually determine whether the first interval is normal based on whether the end face of the socket part and the first mark overlap during construction. As a result, it is possible to more accurately and reliably determine whether the insertion amount is proper, and more reliably guarantee the control of not allowing the execution of the crimping process when the insertion amount is improper. That is, according to the third system, it is possible to more reliably avoid the crimping process being improper because the marking is given to an improper position even though the insertion amount of the connected pipe into the socket part is inappropriate as described above.

[0086] Furthermore, if a worker visually confirms that the end face of the socket portion and the first mark do not overlap during construction, the worker can determine that the insertion amount should be corrected or that the connected pipe should be replaced with another connected pipe (with appropriate markings) without the need for identification using an image recognition device. Therefore, the work efficiency of connecting pipes using a press-type pipe fitting that fixes the connected pipe to the socket portion can be improved.

[0087] Fourth Embodiment A construction monitoring system for a press type pipe joint according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "fourth system") will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0088] As described above, the construction monitoring systems for press-type pipe fittings of the present invention, including the first system, second system and third system (the present invention systems), are configured to identify a first distance, which is the distance between the end face of the socket portion and the first mark in the axial direction of the connected pipe, by an image recognition device based on an image of the end face of the socket portion and the first mark captured by an imaging device.

[0089] As described above, each of the components of the system of the present invention does not necessarily have to be configured as a separate unit, and some or all of these components may be integrated into one unit. Therefore, for example, an imaging device that captures an image of the end face of the socket part and the first mark or an image of the end face of the socket part and the first mark and the second mark, or an image recognition device including the imaging device, may be disposed as a separate unit at a location separate from the crimping tool. Alternatively, the imaging device or the image recognition device may be mounted on the crimping tool as an integral unit.

[0090] When the image recognition device is disposed as a separate unit in a location separate from the crimping tool, it is necessary to dispose the image capturing device so that the end face of the socket part and the first mark, etc., to be imaged are not in the blind spot of the worker and / or other members present around the processing location, as exemplified in (a) of Fig. 13. It is also necessary to provide a path (e.g., a wired or wireless communication means, etc.) for transmitting a signal or the like that controls whether or not crimping by the crimping tool can be performed based on the result of the determination by the image recognition device as to whether or not the first interval is normal, from the image recognition device to the crimping tool. Furthermore, it is necessary to change the location of the image recognition device, etc., as the processing location moves.

[0091] On the other hand, when the image recognition device is mounted on the crimping tool as an integrated unit, as shown in Fig. 13(b), there is no need to worry about the image capture target being in a blind spot, to prepare a separate path for transmitting control signals, or to change the placement of the image capture device when the construction site moves. Therefore, it is possible to improve the work efficiency of connecting pipes using press-type pipe fittings that fix the connected pipe to the socket part.

[0092] <composition> Therefore, the fourth system is the above-mentioned first, second or third system, which is a construction monitoring system for press type pipe joints, in which the image recognition device is mounted on the crimping tool.

[0093] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the fourth system. (a) and (b) of FIG. 14 are the same except that the observation angles are different. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the image recognition device 10, the power supply 21 of the crimping tool, and the interface 30, which were depicted as separate blocks in FIG. 4 referred to in the description of the first system, are all mounted on the crimping tool 20. Therefore, compared with the case where the image recognition device is disposed as a separate unit at a location separate from the crimping tool, the work efficiency of pipe connection using a press-type pipe joint that fixes a connected pipe to a socket part can be improved. In addition, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet may be attached to the crimping tool 20 to perform the above-mentioned functions of image recognition, judgment of whether or not crimping by the crimping tool 20 is possible, and power supply control to the crimping tool 20.

[0094] <effect> As described above, in the fourth system, the image recognition device is mounted on the crimping tool. Therefore, unlike when the image recognition device is placed as a separate unit in a location separate from the crimping tool, there is no need to change the location of the image capture device or other devices when the work location moves, or there is no need to prepare a separate path for transmitting control signals or other signals, and as a result, the work efficiency of connecting pipes using press-type pipe fittings that fix the connected pipe to the socket part can be improved.

[0095] For the purpose of explaining the present invention, several embodiments having specific configurations have been described above, sometimes with reference to the attached drawings. However, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these exemplary embodiments, and it goes without saying that appropriate modifications can be made within the scope of the claims and the matters described in the specification.

[0096] For example, in crimping to which the construction monitoring system for press-type pipe joints according to the present invention (the present invention system) is applied, as shown in Fig. 15(a), a connected pipe 200 is inserted into a socket portion having an annular bulge 120 and a sealing member 130 disposed inside the annular bulge 120, and crimping is performed on the annular bulge 120 and a crimp target area 140, which is a part of the socket portion located on both sides of the annular bulge 120 in the pipe axial direction, using a die mounted on a crimping tool (not shown). However, in reality, the crimping tool may be set in an incorrect position due to an operator's mistake, and crimping may be performed in an inappropriate position that does not include the annular bulge 120, as the crimp target area 140, resulting in poor construction, as shown in Fig. 15(b) and (c).

[0097] As described above, the system of the present invention includes an image recognition device equipped with an imaging device as a component. Therefore, if the system of the present invention is configured so that, for example, an image of the state illustrated in FIG. 15(a) is judged to be the proper state before crimping, and an image of the state illustrated in FIG. 15(b) and (c) is judged to be the improper state before crimping, it is possible to reduce construction defects caused by incorrect setting of the crimping tool as described above.

[0098] Also, the system of the present invention may be configured so that a marking jig such as the jig 40 described with reference to Figs. 6 and 11 emits a signal indicating whether marking is good or bad, and the signal is also used to determine whether the crimping process is possible using a crimping tool. Furthermore, the system of the present invention may be configured so that a jig for checking the outer diameter of the annular bulge and / or the crimped part after crimping (for example, a crimping diameter checking gauge, etc.) emits a signal corresponding to the quality of the outer diameter of the crimped part, and the system of the present invention judges whether the crimping process is good or bad together with various information acquired by the system of the present invention. In addition, as described in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent No. 7165279), various information such as identification information (for example, ID number, etc.) of each piping element and / or the installation location of the piping system composed of the piping elements may be acquired by the system of the present invention using image recognition and / or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system, etc.

[0099] Furthermore, as in the invention described in Patent Document 5 (JP Patent No. 4999019), for example, a control unit provided in the image processing device constituting the system of the present invention can be configured to detect a signal corresponding to the load of the crimping tool (for example, current, voltage, reaction force, stroke, etc.) during crimping and judge whether the work is good or bad based on the signal. In this case, in addition to judging whether the insertion depth of the connected pipe into the socket part is proper or not, it is also possible to judge whether the crimping is proper or not and take action based on the judgment results.

[0100] In addition, the data on the construction history obtained as described above may be stored in a data storage device (for example, a memory and / or an IC tag (RFID) provided in a microcomputer constituting the control unit) provided in the system of the present invention, or a wired or wireless communication means may be provided in the system of the present invention to transmit the data in real time or in batches to the outside (for example, an RFID attached to another computer and / or the piping system). Furthermore, a robot performing crimping processing may be linked to the system of the present invention, or the system of the present invention may be built into such a robot. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10. Image recognition device 11...Imaging device 12...Control section 13...Power supply (for image recognition devices) 20…Crimping tool 21...(crimping tool) power supply 30…Interface 100...Pipe fittings or pipe materials 110…Socket part 120...Annular bulge 130...Sealing member (O-ring) 140…Crimping area 150…Crimped part 200…Connected pipe

Claims

1. 1. A construction monitoring system for a press-type pipe joint, comprising: a socket portion having an annular bulge and a sealing member disposed inside the annular bulge; and a crimping target area, which is a part of the socket portion located on both sides of the annular bulge in a pipe axial direction, and the annular bulge, the crimping target area being a part of the socket portion, the crimping target area being a part of the socket portion, the crimping target area being a part of the socket portion, the crimping target area being a part of the socket portion, the crimping target area being a part of the socket portion, a first mark is provided in advance on an outer circumferential surface of the connected pipe, the first mark being a mark indicating a first position which is a position a predetermined first distance away from the end face of the connected pipe from a proper end face position which is the position of the end face of the socket portion in the axial direction of the connected pipe in a first state in which the connected pipe is inserted into the socket portion with a proper insertion depth; In a second state in which the connected pipe is inserted into the socket portion during installation, a first interval between the end face of the socket portion and the first mark in the pipe axis direction of the connected pipe is identified by an image recognition device based on an image of the end face of the socket portion and the first mark captured by an imaging device; When a first difference, which is a difference between the first interval and the first distance, is determined to be less than a predetermined first threshold value, the crimping process using the crimping tool is permitted to be executed, and when the first difference is determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the crimping process using the crimping tool is not permitted to be executed. It was configured as follows: Construction monitoring system for press type pipe joints.

2. 2. The installation monitoring system for a press type pipe joint according to claim 1, In addition to the first mark, a second mark is provided in advance on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting pipe as a mark indicating a second position, which is a position a second distance away from the end face of the connecting pipe in the axial direction of the connecting pipe from the first mark, which is a predetermined distance; In the second state, in addition to the first interval, a second interval, which is an interval between the first mark and the second mark in the tube axis direction of the connected tube, is identified by an image recognition device based on images of the first mark and the second mark captured by the imaging device, when it is determined that the first difference is less than the first threshold value and that a second difference, which is the difference between the second interval and the second distance, is less than a predetermined second threshold value, it is possible to execute the crimping process using the crimping tool, and when it is determined that the first difference is equal to or greater than the first threshold value or when it is determined that the second difference is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it is not possible to execute the crimping process using the crimping tool. It was configured as follows: Construction monitoring system for press type pipe joints.

3. 3. A construction monitoring system for a press-type pipe joint according to claim 1 or 2, the first distance is zero; Construction monitoring system for press type pipe joints.

4. 3. A construction monitoring system for a press-type pipe joint according to claim 1 or 2, The imaging device and the image recognition device are mounted on the crimping tool. Construction monitoring system for press type pipe joints.

5. 4. The installation monitoring system for a press type pipe joint according to claim 3, The image recognition device is mounted on the crimping tool. Construction monitoring system for press type pipe joints.

Images