Piping cleaning method

Abstract

To improve the workability of cleaning work when a piping having a plurality of branch pipes branched from one junction pipe is cleaned.SOLUTION: This piping cleaning method generates a first state where for a piping having a plurality of branch pipes branched from one junction pipe, a cleaning member is inserted into one branch pipe from a junction pipe side and all the other branch pipes are sealed by a sealing jig, cleans, by the cleaning member, the branch pipe into which the cleaning member has been inserted, pulls out the cleaning member from the cleaned branch pipe, seals the cleaned branch pipe by a sealing jig different from the sealing jig used to generate the first state, pulls out the sealing jig from one branch pipe sealed in the first state to generate a second state, and inserts and cleans the cleaning member in the branch pipe not sealed by the sealing jig in the state state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a pipe cleaning method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a joint with a cleaning port, which includes a main body pipe portion formed in a tubular shape, with one end and the other end in the axial direction connected to a pipe material that flows the drainage from a plumbing fixture, a cleaning port formed in the main body pipe portion, and the dimension along the axial direction of the main body pipe portion being longer than the dimension in the direction intersecting the axial direction, and a core that fits into the cleaning port to close the cleaning port.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As piping, there is a piping system including one confluence pipe and a plurality of branch pipes branching from this confluence part. When cleaning such piping by inserting a cleaning member such as a cleaning hose from the confluence part side into one of the branch pipes, it is difficult to know into which branch pipe the cleaning member is inserted, and there is room for improvement in the workability of the cleaning operation.

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is to improve the workability of the cleaning operation when cleaning a pipe in which a plurality of branch pipes branch from one confluence pipe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In the pipe cleaning method of the first aspect, for a pipe in which a plurality of branch pipes branch from one confluence pipe, a cleaning member is inserted into one of the branch pipes from the confluence pipe side, and all other branch pipes are blocked by a blocking jig to generate a first state. The branch pipe into which the cleaning member is inserted is cleaned by the cleaning member, the cleaning member is removed from the cleaned branch pipe, the cleaned branch pipe is blocked by a blocking jig different from the blocking jig that generates the first state, the blocking jig is removed from one of the branch pipes blocked in the first state to generate a second state, and the cleaning member is inserted into and cleaned on the branch pipe not blocked by the blocking jig in the second state.

[0007] In this pipe cleaning method, after cleaning the branch pipe into which the cleaning member is inserted in the first state, the cleaning member is removed from the cleaned branch pipe, and this branch pipe is blocked by a blocking jig. And in the second state, the state is such that the blocking jig is removed from one of the branch pipes blocked by the blocking member in the first state. Therefore, in this state, the cleaning member can be inserted into the branch pipe that has not been cleaned without inserting the cleaning member into the branch pipe that has already been cleaned again, so the workability of the cleaning operation is improved.

[0008] This "blocking" includes not only the case where the blocking jig completely blocks the target branch pipe, but also the case where the blocking jig is located inside the branch pipe to such an extent that the cleaning member cannot be inserted and the cross-section of the branch pipe is narrowed.

[0009] In the pipe cleaning method of the second aspect, in the first aspect, as the cleaning member, it includes a cleaning hose that discharges a cleaning liquid.

[0010] By discharging the cleaning liquid from the cleaning hose, the pipe can be cleaned. Since the cleaning hose is not inserted into the cleaned branch pipe again to discharge the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid is not wasted.

[0011] In the pipe cleaning method of the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the merging pipe is provided with a work hole through which the cleaning member and the closing jig can be inserted and removed and which is closed by a lid member, and the method includes inserting the cleaning member and the closing jig into the merging pipe through the work hole.

[0012] By inserting and removing the cleaning member and the closing jig through the work hole of the merging pipe, the cleaning member and the closing jig can be easily moved to the position of the branch pipe. By closing the work hole with an opening / closing lid, it is possible to put the merging pipe in a state where fluid can flow.

[0013] In the pipe cleaning method of the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, as the closing jig, the closing jig having a wire portion that can be bent and deformed and a diameter-expanded portion in which the tip of the wire portion is partially expanded in diameter is used.

[0014] Since the wire portion can be bent and deformed, it is easy to insert the wire portion deep into the merging pipe according to the shape of the merging pipe. Since a diameter-expanded portion is provided at the tip of the wire portion, the inside of the branch pipe can be surely closed by this diameter-expanded portion.

[0015] In the pipe cleaning method of the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the diameter-expanded portion has a shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases toward the tip side and the rear end side of the wire portion.

[0016] As a result, in the portion where the outer diameter gradually decreases, the snagging of the cleaning member is reduced, and smooth relative movement between the cleaning member and the closing member inside the merging pipe is possible.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] In the technology of the present disclosure, when cleaning a pipe in which a plurality of branch pipes branch from one merging pipe, the workability of the cleaning work can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

Figure 5D

Figure 5E

Figure 5F

Figure 5G

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a piping cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Components denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing mean the same components. However, unless otherwise specified in the specification, each component is not limited to one, and a plurality of them may exist.

[0020] In addition, for the components and reference numerals that overlap in each drawing, the description may be omitted. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and appropriate modifications such as omitting components or replacing them with different components can be made and implemented within the scope of the object of the present invention.

[0021] <Piping structure> FIG. 1 shows an overview of a piping structure 20 having pipes to be cleaned by a pipe cleaning method. The piping structure 20 is a structure of a siphon drainage system that discharges drainage from the plumbing fixture 12 using siphon force. The piping structure 20 is used, for example, in a multi-story condominium 10 formed in multiple layers.

[0022] In the pipe cleaning method of the present embodiment, the inside of the pipe is cleaned using a cleaning hose 60 shown in FIGS. 5B to 5G. A cleaning liquid is discharged from the tip of the cleaning hose 60 at high pressure, and the inside of the pipe can be cleaned with this high-pressure cleaning water. The cleaning hose 60 is an example of a cleaning member.

[0023] The piping structure 20 includes a drainage standpipe 22 that allows drainage to flow downward. A plurality of drainage standpipes 22 are provided at different locations on the plane in the condominium 10. The drainage standpipe 22 is housed in a pipe space (also referred to as a pipe space or the like) partitioned from each dwelling on each floor of the condominium 10 by a wall 28 along the vertical direction (longitudinal direction), and penetrates the slab 14 on each floor of the condominium 10.

[0024] Each dwelling unit of the condominium 10 is provided with a plumbing fixture 12. The plumbing fixture 12 is, for example, a bathroom unit in which a bathtub 12A and a washbasin 12B are integrated. One end of a drainage introduction pipe 24 is connected to the plumbing fixture 12.

[0025] The other end of the drain inlet pipe 24 is connected to the drain chamber 30. Thereby, the drain inlet pipe 24 introduces the drain discharged from the bathtub 12A and the washbasin 12B of the plumbing fixture 12 into the drain chamber 30. Note that the drain inlet pipe 24 is preferably arranged with a gradient such that the drain chamber 30 side is lower.

[0026] The drain chamber 30 is a storage tank for temporarily storing the drain introduced from the plumbing fixture 12 through the drain inlet pipe 24 and discharging it to the drain riser pipe 22. The drain chamber 30 is formed of a resin material such as vinyl chloride, for example. A siphon drain pipe 40 is connected to the downstream side of the drain in the drain chamber 30.

[0027] (Siphon drain pipe) As shown in FIG. 2, the siphon drain pipe 40 includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) horizontal pipes 42 arranged along the slab 14, one horizontal pipe 44, an outflow vertical pipe 46, and a joint member 48.

[0028] The horizontal pipe 42 is an example of a branch pipe in the technology of the present disclosure. The horizontal pipe 42 is a lateral drainage pipe that discharges the drain discharged from the plumbing fixture laterally. The horizontal pipe 42 is formed of a polybutene pipe having a nominal diameter of 25J (inner diameter of about 28 mm), for example. The horizontal pipe 42 is arranged horizontally along the slab 14 without a gradient. Here, the term "without a gradient" does not necessarily mean strictly horizontal, and includes those with some steps or gradients along the slab 14.

[0029] The "upstream" ends of each of the two horizontal pipes 42 are connected to the drain chamber 30. On the other hand, the "downstream" ends of each of the horizontal pipes 42 are connected to one horizontal pipe 44 via a joint member 48. The horizontal pipe 44 is an example of a confluence pipe in the technology of the present disclosure. The horizontal pipe 44 is a lateral drainage pipe that discharges the drain introduced from the horizontal pipe 42 laterally. Note that the horizontal pipe 44 and the joint member 48 may be integrally formed. The downstream side of the horizontal pipe 44 penetrates the wall 28 of the condominium 10.

[0030] A horizontal pipe 44 is connected to the outflow vertical pipe 46 shown in FIG. 1. The outflow vertical pipe 46 is a vertical pipe that generates a siphon force in the horizontal pipe 42. The outflow vertical pipe 46 connected to the horizontal pipe 44 is arranged in the vertical direction (the vertical direction) along the drain riser 22. The outflow vertical pipe 46 reaches the confluence joint 26. The confluence joint 26 is a joint member that joins the drainage from the outflow vertical pipe 46 to the drain riser 22.

[0031] The horizontal pipe 44 and the outflow vertical pipe 46 are an example of a confluence pipe in the disclosed technology. The horizontal pipe 44 and the outflow vertical pipe 46 are configured as a continuous single path without merging with other drain pipes on the way up to the confluence joint 26. The horizontal pipe 44 and the outflow vertical pipe 46 guide the drainage to the drain riser 22. Although the connection part between the horizontal pipe 44 and the outflow vertical pipe 46 is shown as a continuous vent pipe, a joint member such as an elbow may be arranged in this vent pipe part. When arranging a joint member, an inspection port or the like can be provided in the joint member as appropriate.

[0032] A vent pipe 50 is further connected to the drainage chamber 30. The vent pipe 50 penetrates the wall 28 and reaches the confluence joint 26.

[0033] (Arrangement of the siphon drain pipe) As shown in FIG. 3, the two horizontal pipes 42 are arranged side by side in parallel in the horizontal direction. The two horizontal pipes 42 are arranged such that the center line passing through the center in the arrangement direction is on the extension line of the center line CL of the drain inlet pipe 24. Further, the center line of the horizontal pipe 44 is also arranged on the extension line of the center line CL of the drain inlet pipe 24. Note that the two horizontal pipes 42 do not necessarily have to be arranged side by side in parallel depending on the situation of the place where they are laid.

[0034] The total cross-sectional area of the two horizontal pipes 42 is less than the cross-sectional area of the drainage inlet pipe 24. Further, the cross-sectional area of the horizontal pipe 44 is less than the total cross-sectional area of the two horizontal pipes 42. The drainage is set to flow in full flow in the horizontal pipe 44 and the horizontal pipes 42, and a siphon force acting in the downstream direction of the drainage acts on the drainage in the horizontal pipe 44 and the horizontal pipes 42 due to the energy of the siphon head.

[0035] Note that if a siphon effect can be obtained, the total cross-sectional area of the two horizontal pipes 42 may be equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the drainage inlet pipe 24. Similarly, if a siphon effect can be obtained, the cross-sectional area of the horizontal pipe 44 may be equal to or greater than the total cross-sectional area of the two horizontal pipes 42. When the cross-sectional area changes depending on the location along the axial direction, the cross-sectional area referred to here means the average cross-sectional area.

[0036] Also, the length of the horizontal pipe 44 is set to be 1 / 3 or less of the length of the horizontal pipe 42. Here, the length of the horizontal pipe 44 is the length from the position where the drainage introduced from the two horizontal pipes 42 merges inside the joint member 48 to the position of the central axis of the outflow vertical pipe 46 in a plan view of the horizontal pipe 44.

[0037] The length of the horizontal pipe 42 is the length from the position where the drainage introduced from the two horizontal pipes 42 merges inside the joint member 48 to the drainage chamber 30 in a plan view of the horizontal pipe 42.

[0038] As also shown in FIG. 5A, the joint member 48 includes a branch connection portion 54 to which two horizontal pipes 42 are respectively connected, and a confluence connection portion 52 to which one horizontal pipe 44 is connected. In the present embodiment, the joint member 48 includes two branch connection portions 54 and one confluence connection portion 52 in a plan view. In the illustrated example, the angle formed by the two branch connection portions 54 is less than 180 degrees, and the joint member 48 is substantially in a "Y" shape. However, for example, the joint member 48 may have a structure in which the angle formed by the two branch connection portions 54 is 180 degrees or a structure in which the angle is more than 180 degrees. The two branch connection portions 54 may not only have a structure that is symmetric with respect to the center line of the confluence connection portion 52, but may also be asymmetric. For example, one of the two branch connection portions 54 may be formed in a straight line with the confluence connection portion 52, and the other branch connection portion 54 may branch off from this straight line portion.

[0039] Also in the joint member 48, the branch connection portion 54 is an example of a branch pipe, and the confluence connection portion 52 forms an example of a confluence pipe. That is, a plurality (two in the present embodiment) of branch connection portions 54 (branch pipes) branch off from one confluence connection portion 52 (confluence pipe) and form a part of the piping.

[0040] A work hole 56 is formed in the horizontal pipe 44. The work hole 56 is formed by opening the pipe wall of the horizontal pipe 44 with a predetermined width and length. The work hole 56 has a predetermined opening cross section so that one cleaning hose and one closing jig 62, or two closing jigs 62 can be inserted and removed simultaneously. The work hole 56 is normally closed by a lid member 58. When cleaning the pipe, the lid member 58 is removed and the work hole 56 is opened.

[0041] The work hole 56 is arranged in the pipe space partitioned by the wall 28. That is, it is possible to perform cleaning work from the work hole 56 without entering each living room of the condominium 10.

[0042] (Structure of the closing jig) FIG. 4 shows a closing jig 62 used in the pipe cleaning method of the present embodiment. The closing jig 62 has a wire portion 64 and a diameter-expanded portion 66.

[0043] The wire part 64 is a long member that can be inserted into the horizontal pipe 44 and can be bent and deformed. The cross-sectional shape of the wire part 64 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof is, for example, circular, but may be polygonal. The outer diameter D1 of the wire part 64 is set to an upper limit value such that the cleaning hose 60 can be inserted into the horizontal pipe 44 even when the wire part 64 is present inside the horizontal pipe 44 as described later.

[0044] The enlarged diameter part 66 is fixed to the tip of the wire part 64 by a fixture 68 such as a bolt. The enlarged diameter part 66 has an ellipsoidal shape of revolution with the longitudinal direction of the wire part 64 as the major axis (length L1) and the direction orthogonal thereto as the minor axis (width W1). This width W1 is the outer diameter of the enlarged diameter part 66 and is longer than the outer diameter D1 of the wire part 64. That is, the closing jig 62 has a structure in which the enlarged diameter part 66 is partially enlarged in diameter compared to the wire part 64.

[0045] A flat cylindrical crimping ring 70 continuous from the enlarged diameter part 66 is formed on the front side of the enlarged diameter part 66. By crimping the crimping ring 70 to the wire part 64, displacement of the enlarged diameter part 66 with respect to the wire part 64 is suppressed.

[0046] A lower limit value is set for the width W1 of the enlarged diameter part 66 such that the cleaning hose 60 cannot be inserted into the gap between the branch connection part 54 and the enlarged diameter part 66 when the enlarged diameter part 66 is present in the branch connection part 54.

[0047] The enlarged diameter part 66 has a front end side reduced diameter surface 66F whose diameter gradually decreases toward the front end side and a rear end side reduced diameter surface 66R whose diameter gradually decreases toward the rear end side. In particular, since the enlarged diameter part 66 has the ellipsoidal shape of revolution as described above, the front end side reduced diameter surface 66F and the rear end side reduced diameter surface 66R have a smoothly curved surface shape.

[0048] The diameter-expanded portion 66 may be soft like a brush-shaped or sponge-shaped member, but in this embodiment, it has a predetermined hardness so as not to be inadvertently deformed even when pressed by the cleaning hose 60. For example, such hardness can be ensured by forming the diameter-expanded portion 66 with metal, resin having rigidity, or the like.

[0049] As will be described later, the diameter-expanded portion 66 is a portion that closes the branch connection portion 54 of the joint member 48. The wire portion 64 is provided with a mark or scale (not shown) at a predetermined position so that, for example, it can be seen that the diameter-expanded portion 66 is inserted up to the position of the branch connection portion 54.

[0050] <Pipe cleaning method> Next, the pipe cleaning method of this embodiment will be described.

[0051] Hereinafter, regarding the two branch connection portions 54, the branch connection portion 54R on the right side and the branch connection portion 54L on the left side in FIGS. 5A to 5G will be distinguished. However, this distinction is for convenience of explanation, and the relationship between the two branch connection portions 54 is relative.

[0052] When cleaning the pipe, as shown in FIG. 5B, the operator removes the lid member 58 and opens the work hole 56. The operator inserts the closing jig 62A into the inside of the horizontal pipe 44 from the work hole 56. The closing jig 62 is distinguished as the closing jig 62A to distinguish it from the closing jig 62 used in a later stage, and the closing jig 62 inserted in a later stage (see FIG. 5E) is the closing jig 62B.

[0053] The operator further moves the closing jig 62A upstream in the horizontal pipe 44. Then, the diameter-expanded portion 66 closes one of the two branch connection portions 54 of the joint member 48. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the diameter-expanded portion 66 of the closing jig 62A closes the right branch connection portion 54R.

[0054] Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the operator inserts the cleaning hose 60 into the horizontal pipe 44 through the working hole 56 and moves it upstream. Here, since one branch connection portion 54R is blocked by the blocking jig 62A, the cleaning hose 60 will be inserted into the other branch connection portion 54L that is not blocked by the blocking jig 62A.

[0055] In this way, in the pipe cleaning method of this embodiment, the cleaning hose 60 is inserted into one branch connection portion 54L from the horizontal pipe 44 side, that is, from the confluence connection portion 52 side, and a state (first state) is generated in which the other branch connection portion 54R is blocked by the blocking jig 62.

[0056] In this first state, the operator cleans the inside of the branch connection portion 54L and, if necessary, the horizontal pipe 42 on the upstream side further, for example, by discharging the cleaning liquid from the tip of the cleaning hose 60.

[0057] Then, as shown in FIG. 5D, the operator moves the cleaning hose 60 downstream and pulls out the cleaning hose 60 from the branch connection portion 54L and the horizontal pipe 44.

[0058] Next, as shown in FIG. 5E, the operator inserts the blocking jig 62B into the confluence connection portion 52 through the working hole 56. Since the branch connection portion 54R is blocked by the blocking jig 62A, when the blocking jig 62B is moved upstream, the enlarged diameter portion 66 of the blocking jig 62B does not enter the branch connection portion 54R but enters the branch connection portion 54L.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5F, the operator pulls the blocking jig 62A with the enlarged diameter portion 66 entering the branch connection portion 54R downstream and removes the enlarged diameter portion 66 from the branch connection portion 54R. Further, a state (second state) in which the blocking jig 62A is removed from the horizontal pipe 44 is generated.

[0060] In this second state, the operator inserts the cleaning hose 60 through the working hole 56 into the interior of the horizontal pipe 44 and moves it upstream. Here, since the branch connection part 54L is blocked by the expanded diameter part 66 of the blocking jig 62B, the cleaning hose 60 is not inserted into the branch connection part 54L. That is, a state is realized in which the cleaning hose 60 is not inserted into the already cleaned branch connection part 54L. Therefore, when the operator moves the cleaning hose 60 upstream, the cleaning hose 60 is inserted into the uncleaned branch connection part 54R.

[0061] Then, the operator cleans the branch connection part 54R and, if necessary, further the interior of the horizontal pipe 42 on the upstream side, for example, by discharging a cleaning liquid from the tip of the cleaning hose 60.

[0062] After that, the cleaning hose 60 and the blocking jig 62B are pulled out from the horizontal pipe 44, and further the working hole 56 is closed with the lid member 58, thus ending the cleaning operation of the pipe.

[0063] As can be understood from the above description, in the pipe cleaning method of this embodiment, among the two branch connection parts 54 of the joint member 48, a state is realized in which the cleaning hose 60 is inserted into one branch connection part 54 and the expanded diameter part 66 of the blocking jig 62 is inserted into the other branch connection part 54. Then, the branch connection part 54 that has been cleaned using the cleaning hose 60 is blocked with a blocking jig 62 different from the blocking jig 62 that blocked the other branch connection part 54, and a state is generated in which the uncleaned branch connection part 54 is not blocked by the blocking jig 62. Thereby, when the branch connection part 54 is cleaned by the cleaning hose 60 for the second time, the cleaning hose 60 is surely inserted into the uncleaned branch connection part 54.

[0064] On the other hand, for example, in a pipe cleaning method that does not use the blocking jig 62, since neither of the two branch connection parts 54 of the joint member 48 is blocked, it is difficult to determine into which branch connection part 54 the cleaning hose 60 is inserted. Therefore, when the cleaning hose 60 that has been used to clean one of the branch connection parts 54 is temporarily removed and then the cleaning hose 60 is inserted again from the work hole 56 and moved upstream, the cleaning hose 60 may be inserted into the already cleaned branch connection part 54.

[0065] On the other hand, in the pipe cleaning method of the present embodiment, when an operator of the cleaning operation sequentially cleans the two branch connection parts 54 with the cleaning hose 60, the cleaning hose 60 will not be inserted again into the branch connection part 54 where the cleaning has been completed, and the workability is improved. For example, even in a situation where the branch connection part 54 of the joint member 48 cannot be seen from the work hole 56, the insertion destinations of the cleaning hose 60 into the two branch connection parts 54 can be allocated, and the cleaning can be performed in order with the cleaning hose 60.

[0066] Moreover, when cleaning the pipe, there is no need to use special equipment or the like, and a general-purpose cleaning hose can be used. There is also no need for the operator to have special skills.

[0067] In the above embodiment, when generating the first state, an example is given in which the blocking jig 62 is first inserted into one of the branch connection parts 54 and then the cleaning hose 60 is inserted into the other branch connection part 54. Conversely, the first state may be generated by first inserting the cleaning hose 60 into one of the branch connection parts 54 and then inserting the cleaning hose 60 into the other branch connection part 54. Also, the first state may be generated by simultaneously inserting the blocking jig 62 into one of the branch connection parts 54 and inserting the cleaning hose 60 into the other branch connection part 54.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the cleaning hose 60 is cited as an example of the cleaning member. Since the cleaning hose 60 discharges the cleaning liquid, the inside of the pipe can be effectively cleaned with this cleaning liquid. Also, since the cleaning hose 60 is not inserted into the already cleaned branch connection part 54 to discharge the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid is not wasted.

[0069] The cleaning member is not limited to the cleaning hose 60. For example, a scraping member (sometimes referred to as a cleaning torar) that scrapes deposits adhering to the inner surface of the pipe may also be included in the cleaning member of the disclosed technology. Incidentally, it is also possible to use this cleaning torar as a closing jig. In this case, it is not necessary to use a dedicated member or the like as the closing jig either.

[0070] In the above embodiment, since the cleaning hose 60 and the closing member are inserted into and removed from the horizontal pipe 44 through the work hole 56 provided in the horizontal pipe 44 (an example of a confluence pipe), the insertion and removal of the cleaning hose 60 and the closing jig 62 and the movement inside the horizontal pipe 44 are easy. By closing the work hole 56 with the lid member 58, leakage of fluid from the horizontal pipe 44 is prevented, and it becomes possible to flow fluid such as drainage through the horizontal pipe 44.

[0071] The position of the work hole 56 is not limited to the horizontal pipe 44. For example, it may be the outflow vertical pipe 46. When the work hole 56 is provided in the horizontal pipe 44, the cleaning hose 60 and the closing jig 62 can be inserted to the position of the branch connection portion 54 without substantially bending inside the horizontal pipe 44, and the workability is improved.

[0072] The closing jig 62 in the above embodiment has a wire portion 64 and a diameter-expanded portion 66. Since the wire member is bendable, it is easy to insert the wire portion 64 to the back in accordance with the shape of the horizontal pipe 44.

[0073] A diameter-expanded portion 66 is provided at the tip of the wire portion 64. The lower limit value of the width W1 of the diameter-expanded portion 66 is set so that the cleaning hose 60 cannot be inserted into the gap between the branch connection portion 54 and the diameter-expanded portion 66 in a state where the diameter-expanded portion 66 exists in the branch connection portion 54. Thereby, it is possible to surely realize a state where the cleaning hose 60 is not inserted into the branch connection portion 54 where the diameter-expanded portion 66 exists.

[0074] The diameter-expanding portion 66 has a tip-side diameter-reducing surface 66F whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tip side, and a rear-end-side diameter-reducing surface 66R whose diameter gradually decreases toward the rear end side. The diameter-expanding portion 66 has an ellipsoidal shape of revolution, and the tip-side diameter-reducing surface 66F and the rear-end-side diameter-reducing surface 66R have a smoothly curved surface shape. Thereby, for example, when the blocking jig 62 moves inside the horizontal pipe 44 in a state where the cleaning hose 60 is present in the horizontal pipe 44, the catching of the blocking jig 62 on the cleaning hose 60 is suppressed, and the cleaning hose 60 and the blocking jig 62 can be relatively moved smoothly.

[0075] In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the joint member 48 includes one confluence connection portion 52 and two branch connection portions 54, that is, an example in which two branch pipes branch off from one confluence pipe. However, the number of confluence pipes may be three or more. When the number of confluence pipes is three or more, a state (first state) is generated in which a cleaning member is inserted into one confluence pipe and blocking jigs are inserted into all the other branch pipes, and the confluence pipe is cleaned by the cleaning member. Then, the cleaning member is removed from the branch pipe where the cleaning has been completed, and this branch pipe is blocked by a blocking jig. Further, the blocking jig is removed from one of the plurality of branch pipes blocked by the blocking jig in the first state, and a cleaning jig is inserted into this branch pipe for cleaning. Thereafter, these operations may be repeated.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0076] 20 Pipe structure, 28 Wall, 42 Horizontal pipe (an example of a branch pipe), 44 Horizontal pipe (an example of a confluence pipe), 46 Outflow vertical pipe (an example of a confluence pipe), 48 Joint member, 52 Confluence connection portion (an example of a confluence pipe), 54 Branch connection portion (an example of a branch pipe), 56 Working hole, 58 Cover member, 60 Cleaning hose, 62 Blocking jig, 64 Wire portion, 66 Diameter-expanding portion, 66F Tip-side diameter-reducing surface, 66R Rear-end-side diameter-reducing surface

Claims

1. For a pipe in which a plurality of branch pipes branch off from a single confluence pipe, a first state is generated in which a cleaning member is inserted into one of the branch pipes from the confluence pipe side and all other branch pipes are blocked by blocking jigs. Clean the branch pipe into which the cleaning member is inserted with the cleaning member. Remove the cleaning member from the cleaned branch pipe. Block the cleaned branch pipe with a blocking jig different from the blocking jig that generated the first state. Remove the blocking jig from one of the branch pipes blocked in the first state to generate a second state. Insert and clean the cleaning member into the branch pipe not blocked by the blocking jig in the second state. Pipe cleaning method.

2. The pipe cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member includes a cleaning hose that discharges a cleaning liquid.

3. The confluence pipe is provided with a working hole into which the cleaning member and the blocking jig can be inserted and removed and which is blocked by a lid member. The pipe cleaning method according to claim 1, including inserting the cleaning member and the blocking jig into the confluence pipe from the working hole.

4. The pipe cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein the blocking jig used is a blocking jig having a wire portion that can be bent and deformed and a diameter-expanded portion in which the tip of the wire portion is partially expanded in diameter.

5. The pipe cleaning method according to claim 4, wherein the diameter-expanded portion has a shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases toward the tip side and the rear end side of the wire portion.

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