Attachment for pipe joint and work machine

Abstract

To realize an attachment for pipe joint which can inhibit a holding part for holding a pipe from moving unintentionally in joint work between the pipe and a pipe to be joined (a joined pipe) by a work machine.SOLUTION: An attachment 51 for pipe joint includes: an arm connection part 11 configured to be connected to a tip of an arm part of a work machine; a holding part 12 which holds a pipe W1; an axial moving part 13 which supports the holding part 12 movably in a first axis direction of the pipe W1 relative to the arm connection part 11; a moving mechanism 14 which supplies a driving force for moving the holding part 12 in the first axis direction along the axial moving part 13 to the holding part 12; a restriction part 15 which is provided at the holding part 12 and restricts the holding part 12 from moving in the first axis direction along the axial moving part 13; and a switch mechanism 16 which may switch the restriction part 15 between a restriction state and a release state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment for pipe joining of a working machine and a working machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an attachment for pipe joining that is connected to a working machine and used to join a pipe such as a water pipe to a pipe to be joined is known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an attachment for pipe joining of a working machine, which has an arm connection part connected to an arm of the working machine, a gripping part for gripping a pipe, and an axial movement mechanism for moving the gripping part in the axial direction of the pipe gripped by the gripping part. The axial movement mechanism for moving the gripping part includes a slider, a guide rail, and a hydraulic cylinder connecting the slider and the guide rail. By using this attachment for pipe joining, the working machine moves the pipe aligned with the pipe to be joined in the axial direction of the pipe. As a result, the insertion port of the pipe can be easily inserted into the receiving port of the pipe to be joined.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when the pipe gripped by the working machine is transported, if the pipe moves at an unintended timing, there may be unnecessary operations such as gripping the pipe again. However, in Patent Document 1, the possibility that the pipe moves at an unintended timing when the working machine grips and transports the pipe is not particularly assumed.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to suppress the unintentional movement of a gripping portion that grips a pipe during the joining operation of the pipe and the pipe to be joined by a working machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A pipe joining attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention is a pipe joining attachment for a working machine. The pipe joining attachment includes an arm connection portion connected to the tip of an arm portion of the working machine, a gripping portion that grips a pipe, an axial movement portion that supports the gripping portion so as to be movable in the axial direction of the pipe gripped by the gripping portion with respect to the arm connection portion, a movement mechanism that moves the gripping portion in the axial direction along the axial movement portion, a restricting portion provided on the gripping portion and restricting the gripping portion from moving in the axial direction along the axial movement portion, and a switching mechanism that can switch the restricting portion between a restricting state and a releasing state (first configuration).

[0008] Thereby, since the movement of the gripping portion in one axial direction can be restricted, the unintentional movement of the gripping portion can be suppressed.

[0009] In the first configuration, the movement mechanism moves the gripping portion in the axial direction from a first position along the axial movement portion, and the switching mechanism can switch the restricting portion between the restricting state and the releasing state when the gripping portion is located at the first position (second configuration).

[0010] Thereby, when the gripping portion is located at the first position, the restricting portion can be brought into the restricting state. Thereby, for example, even when the pipe joining attachment is tilted and the gripping portion tends to move along the axial movement portion due to gravity, the restricting state by the restricting portion can be maintained. Further, when it is desired to move the gripping portion in the axial direction, it can be easily moved by releasing the restricting portion.

[0011] In the second configuration, the restricting part has a protruding part that can advance and retreat between a forward position and a backward position. The arm connection part has a contact part that contacts the protruding part that is advancing to the forward position in the restricted state. The switching mechanism switches the restricting part to the restricted state by advancing the protruding part to the forward position where it can contact the contact part, and switches the restricting part to the released state by retracting the protruding part to the backward position where it does not contact the contact part (third configuration).

[0012] Thereby, the relative movement of the gripping part and the arm connection part can be mechanically restricted by the protruding part and the contact part. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize the switching between the restricted state and the released state by the restricting part.

[0013] In the third configuration, the switching mechanism includes a first hydraulic cylinder that switches the protruding part between the forward position and the backward position, the moving mechanism includes a second hydraulic cylinder that can move the gripping part in the axial direction, and the pipe joining attachment is provided with a hydraulic circuit that controls the hydraulic pressure supplied to the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder (fourth configuration).

[0014] In the above configuration, the hydraulic circuit can control the driving of the first hydraulic cylinder that switches the protruding part between the protruding position and the retracted position, and the second hydraulic cylinder that can move the gripping part in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to easily switch the restricting part from the restricted state to the released state.

[0015] In the fourth configuration, the hydraulic circuit supplies hydraulic pressure to the first hydraulic cylinder to switch the protruding part to the forward position when the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the second hydraulic cylinder and the gripping part moves to the first position, and when hydraulic pressure for moving the gripping part from the first position to one side in the axial direction is supplied to the second hydraulic cylinder, supplies hydraulic pressure to the first hydraulic cylinder to switch the protruding part from the forward position to the backward position (fifth configuration).

[0016] According to the above configuration, the protruding portion can be switched between the advancing position and the retracting position by hydraulic pressure according to the moving state of the gripping portion by the second hydraulic cylinder.

[0017] The working machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes any one of the first to fifth configurations of the pipe joining attachment, and an arm portion to which the pipe joining attachment is attached at the tip (sixth configuration).

[0018] Thereby, the gripping portion can be easily driven by the working machine. Therefore, using the working machine, the pipe gripped by the gripping portion can be easily joined to the pipe to be joined.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] The pipe joining attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an arm connection portion connected to the tip of the arm portion of the working machine, a gripping portion for gripping a pipe, and the gripping portion with respect to the arm connection portion. An axial movement portion that supports the pipe axially movably, a movement mechanism that moves the gripping portion axially along the axial movement portion, and a regulation portion provided on the gripping portion and restricting the gripping portion from moving axially along the axial movement portion. And a switching mechanism capable of switching the regulating portion between a regulating state and a releasing state.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the movement of the gripping portion can be restricted or the restriction on the movement of the gripping portion can be released as necessary. Therefore, unintended movement of the gripping portion can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same parts will not be repeated. Note that the dimensions of the constituent members in each figure do not faithfully represent the dimensions of the actual constituent members and the dimensional ratios of the respective constituent members.

[0023] In the following description, expressions such as "fixing", "connecting", and "attaching" (hereinafter referred to as fixing, etc.) include not only cases where members are directly fixed, etc., but also cases where they are fixed, etc. via other members. That is, in the following description, the expression of fixing, etc. includes the meanings of direct and indirect fixing, etc. of members to each other.

[0024] [Embodiment 1] (Working machine) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a working machine 1000 having a pipe joining attachment 51 according to Embodiment 1. The working machine 1000 is a machine that performs a joining operation of joining a pipe W1 and a pipe W2 to be joined to the pipe W1. The working machine 1000 can be driven by, for example, hydraulic pressure. Note that the working machine 1000 may be driven by, for example, an electric motor.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the working machine 1000 includes a working machine main body 1001, a boom 1002, an arm 1003, and a pipe joining attachment 51.

[0026] The working machine main body 1001 includes an upper swing body 1011 and a lower traveling body 1012.

[0027] The upper swing body 1011 can swing horizontally about a rotation axis P extending in the vertical direction with respect to the lower traveling body 1012.

[0028] The lower traveling body 1012 has an annular endless track. The lower traveling body 1012 can travel in the front-rear direction.

[0029] The boom 1002 is a beam-like member extending forward from the upper swing body 1011. One end side of the boom 1002 is connected to the upper swing body 1011. The boom 1002 can swing with respect to the working machine main body 1001. Specifically, the boom 1002 can rotate in the vertical direction about the one end side with respect to the upper swing body 1011.

[0030] The arm portion 1003 is a beam-shaped member with one end connected to the other end of the boom portion 1002. The arm portion 1003 is swingable with respect to the boom portion 1002. Specifically, the arm portion 1003 is rotatable in the vertical direction about the one end with respect to the boom portion 1002. An attachment can be connected to the tip of the arm portion 1003. In the present embodiment, a pipe joining attachment 51 is attached to the tip of the arm portion 1003.

[0031] Note that the boom portion 1002 and the arm portion 1003 can each be driven by a hydraulic cylinder (not shown). The boom portion 1002 and the arm portion 1003 may be driven by an electric motor or the like.

[0032] The pipe joining attachment 51 functions as a gripping device capable of holding the pipe W1. The pipe joining attachment 51 may be connected to the tip of the arm portion 1003 via an attachment mounting member. The attachment mounting member is configured to enable easy attachment of the attachment to the tip of the arm portion 1003.

[0033] Since the configurations of the work machine main body portion 1001, the boom portion 1002, and the arm portion 1003 in the work machine 1000 are the same as those of the conventional configurations, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0034] (Pipe joining attachment) FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe joining attachment 51 as viewed from one side in the width direction. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pipe joining attachment 51 as viewed from the other side in the first axis direction (axial direction).

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pipe joining attachment 51 is configured to be able to hold the pipe W1 and to be movable in the first axis direction, which is the direction in which the first axis L of the held pipe W1 extends. The pipe joining attachment 51 includes an arm connection portion 11, a gripping portion 12, an axial movement portion 13, a movement mechanism 14, a regulation portion 15, a switching mechanism 16, and an engagement unit 17.

[0036] In the following description, the pipe W1 and the pipe W2 to be joined are preferably seismic pipes having a seismic joint that can be bent at a predetermined angle. Note that the pipe W1 and the pipe W2 to be joined may be pipes other than seismic pipes.

[0037] The arm connection portion 11 is located at the upper end of the pipe joining attachment 51 and is connected to the tip of the arm portion 1003 of the work machine 1000. The arm connection portion 11 has a connecting portion 111, an upper plate 112, a guide rail 113, and a contact portion 114.

[0038] The connecting portion 111 is connected to the tip of the arm portion 1003 of the work machine 1000. The connecting portion 111 may be connected to the tip of the arm portion 1003 by bolts or pins, or may be connected by fitting with a fitting portion. The connecting portion 111 may be connected to the tip of the arm portion 1003 by any configuration. Further, the connecting portion 111 may have a rotation mechanism that can rotate about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction of the pipe joining attachment 51. By providing such a rotation mechanism in the connecting portion 111, the pipe W1 held by the gripping portion 12 of the pipe joining attachment 51 can be rotated about the rotation axis without moving and turning the work machine 1000.

[0039] The upper plate 112 is a plate-like member connected to the lower portion of the connecting portion 111.

[0040] The pair of guide rails 113 are provided on the lower surface of the upper plate 112. The pair of guide rails 113 support a pair of sliders 312, which will be described later, so as to be movable in the first axis direction. The pair of guide rails 113 are, for example, linear guide rails. The pair of guide rails 113 are arranged side by side in the width direction.

[0041] The contact portion 114 is provided at the other end of the lower surface of the upper plate 112 in the first axial direction. When the regulating portion 15 described later is in a regulated state, the contact portion 114 is located on one side of the regulating portion 15 in the first axial direction. Details of the regulated state by the regulating portion 15 and the contact portion 114 will be described later. The contact portion 114 is located between the pair of guide rails 113 in the width direction.

[0042] The gripping portion 12 is supported by an axial movement portion 13 described later so as to be movable in the first axial direction (one direction). The gripping portion 12 has gripping claws 21 that sandwich and grip both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe W1. The gripping claws 21 are located below the axial movement portion 13. The gripping claws 21 may be configured to be opened and closed by hydraulic pressure. The gripping portion 12 is movable within a range between a first position PS11, which is the position of the other end of the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction in which the gripping portion 12 is movable, and a second position PS12, which is the position of one end of the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction in which the gripping portion 12 is movable. In each figure, for convenience of explanation, the first position PS11 and the second position PS12 are based on the position of one end of the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction. However, any position of the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction may be used as a reference.

[0043] The axial movement portion 13 is connected to the lower portion of the arm connection portion 11. The axial movement portion 13 moves the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction of the pipe W1 gripped by the gripping portion 12. The axial movement portion 13 includes a lower plate 311 and a slider 312.

[0044] The lower plate 311 is located below the upper plate 112 and the guide rails 113. A slider 312 is connected to the upper surface of the lower plate 311. Also, the gripping portion 12 is connected to the lower surface of the lower plate 311.

[0045] The pair of sliders 312 are carriages in a linear guide. The pair of sliders 312 are movable in the first axial direction along the guide rails 113. Note that the axial movement portion 13 may be realized by a mechanism other than the above-described linear guide. The pair of sliders 312 are located on one side and the other side in the width direction.

[0046] The moving mechanism 14 is constituted by, for example, a hydraulic cylinder supplied with hydraulic pressure from the working machine 1000. The moving mechanism 14 is configured to be expandable and contractible in the first axial direction by the expansion and contraction of the rod of the hydraulic cylinder. The moving mechanism 14 moves the gripping portion 12 in one direction of the first axial direction along the axial movement portion 13 by contracting the rod of the hydraulic cylinder in a state where a reaction force from the joined pipe W2 is obtained via the engagement unit 17. The moving mechanism 14 is configured to be able to move the gripping portion 12 from the first position PS11 to the second position PS12 in the first axial direction of the pipe W1 gripped by the gripping portion 12.

[0047] One end portion of the moving mechanism 14 in the first axial direction is connected to the engagement unit 17. Also, the other end portion of the moving mechanism 14 in the first axial direction is connected to one end portion of the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction.

[0048] The restricting portion 15 is provided on the gripping portion 12 and restricts the gripping portion 12 from moving in one direction of the first axial direction along the axial movement portion 13. The restricting portion 15 has, for example, a protruding portion 151 that can move forward and backward in the vertical direction by a switching mechanism 16, and a housing portion 152 that houses the protruding portion 151.

[0049] The protruding portion 151 is movable, for example, to a forward position protruding above the upper surface of the lower plate 311 and a retracted position moving downward with respect to the upper surface of the lower plate 311 and retracting into the housing portion 152. The protruding portion 151 can be constituted by, for example, a pin, a plate, or a claw. The protruding portion 151 is located at a position where it contacts the contact portion 114 in one direction of the first axial direction when the gripping portion 12 is located at the first position PS11 and the protruding portion 151 is located at the forward position PS1. The protruding portion 151 is located on the other side of the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction. The protruding portion 151 is located between a pair of guide rails 113 in the width direction.

[0050] The switching mechanism 16 can switch the restricting portion 15 between a restricting state and a releasing state when the gripping portion 12 is located at the first position PS11. The switching mechanism 16 is located on the other side of the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction.

[0051] The switching operation of the switching mechanism 16 can be performed by a spring mechanism, hydraulic pressure, rotational force by a motor, electromagnetic force, or the like. Specifically, the switching mechanism 16 supports the restricting portion 15 so as to be movable upward and downward. The switching mechanism 16 switches the restricting portion 15 from the released state to the restricted state by raising the restricting portion 15 to the advancing position PS1 where it can contact the contact portion 114. Further, the switching mechanism 16 switches the restricting portion 15 from the restricted state to the released state by lowering the restricting portion 15 from the advancing position PS1 to the retracting position PS2 where it does not contact the contact portion 114.

[0052] The engaging unit 17 includes a hook that engages with a jig J1 attached to the receiving port W21 of the pipe W2 to be joined. The jig J1 is a tool for assisting the joining operation of joining the pipe W1 and the pipe W2 to be joined. Details of the jig J1 will be described later.

[0053] (Regarding the joining operation) In addition to FIGS. 1 to 3, referring to FIGS. 4 to 8, each step of the joining operation using the pipe joining attachment 51 will be described.

[0054] (Pipe lowering step) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the pipe lowering step in the joining operation of the pipe W1 and the pipe W2 to be joined using the pipe joining attachment 51. As shown in FIG. 4, the moving mechanism 14 is in the contracted state. Further, the gripping portion 12 is located at the first position PS11 which is the other end in the first axial direction. At this time, the restricting portion 15 is in the restricted state. That is, the restricting portion 15 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lower plate 313 (see also FIG. 2). In this way, the restricting portion 15 is located at a position where it contacts the contact portion 114 in the first axial direction.

[0055] The jig J1 is pre - attached to the pipe W2 to be joined. The jig J1 has an annular part J11 and a protrusion part J12. The annular part J11 is annular and surrounds the outer side in the radial direction of the receiving port W21 of the pipe W2 to be joined. The protrusion part J12 is located above the annular part J11. The protrusion part J12 protrudes upward from the outer peripheral surface of the annular part J11. In this embodiment, the receiving port W21 of the pipe W2 to be joined includes not only the open end of the pipe W2 to be joined but also the part of the pipe W2 into which the insertion port W1a of the joining pipe W1 is inserted. Similarly, the insertion port W11 of the joining pipe W1 includes not only the open end of the joining pipe W1 but also the part of the joining pipe W1 that is inserted into the receiving port W21 of the pipe W2 to be joined.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, the pipe W1 is gripped by the gripping part 12 in such a direction that the insertion port W11 of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W21 of the pipe W2 to be joined embedded in the groove face each other. By operating the boom part 1002 and the arm part 1003 of the working machine 1000, the pipe W1 is lowered into the groove as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 4 with respect to the pipe W2 to be joined. In the pipe lowering step, the pipe W1 is lowered by the pipe joining attachment 51 until the first axis L of the pipe W1 aligns with the second axis M of the pipe W2 to be joined.

[0057] (Pipe approaching step) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the pipe approaching step of the joining operation using the pipe joining attachment 51. As indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 5, the boom part 1002 and the arm part 1003 of the working machine 1000 are operated to approach the insertion port W11 of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W21 of the pipe W2 to be joined to a predetermined position in the first axis direction. The predetermined position is, for example, a position where the hook of the engaging unit 17 reaches the protrusion part J12 of the jig J1 by extending the moving mechanism 14.

[0058] (Moving mechanism extension step) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the moving mechanism extension step of the joining operation using the pipe joining attachment 51. With the insertion port W11 of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W21 of the pipe W2 to be joined moved to a predetermined position, the moving mechanism 14 is extended in one direction of the first axis direction as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 6.

[0059] (Moving mechanism contraction process) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the moving mechanism contraction process of the joining operation using the pipe joining attachment 51. By the moving mechanism extension process, the engagement unit 17 gets over the protrusion J12 of the jig J1 and advances in one direction of the first axial direction. The hook of the engagement unit 17 may be configured to be movable upward when getting over the protrusion J12 of the jig J1 and movable downward after getting over the protrusion J12. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, the engagement unit 17 engages with the protrusion J12 of the jig J1. In this state, the switching mechanism 16 switches the restricting portion 15 from the restricted state to the released state by lowering the protruding portion 151 of the restricting portion 15 to the retracted position PS2 where it does not contact the contact portion 114. Further, the moving mechanism 14 contracts in the first axial direction. Since the reaction force is obtained from the pipe W2 to be joined by the protrusion J12, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7, the gripping portion 12 moves in one direction of the first axial direction.

[0060] (Completion state) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the completion state of the joining operation using the pipe joining attachment 51. When the moving mechanism contraction process is completed, as shown in FIG. 8, the gripping portion 12 is moved to the second position PS12 by the moving mechanism 14. Thereby, the insertion of the insertion port W11 of the pipe W1 into the receiving port W21 of the pipe W2 to be joined is completed. Then, after opening the gripping claws 21 of the gripping portion 12 to release the gripping of the pipe W1 and then raising the pipe joining attachment 51, the joining operation is completed.

[0061] As described above, the pipe joining attachment 51 of the working machine 100 includes an arm connection portion 11, a gripping portion 12, an axially moving portion 13, a moving mechanism 14, a restricting portion 15, and a switching mechanism 16.

[0062] The arm connection part 11 is connected to the tip of the arm of the working machine 1000. The gripping part 12 has gripping claws 21 for gripping the pipe W1. The axial movement part 13 supports the gripping part 12 so as to be movable with respect to the arm connection part 11 in one direction in the first axial direction of the pipe W1 gripped by the gripping part 12. The movement mechanism 14 supplies a driving force for moving the gripping part 12 in the first axial direction along the axial movement part 13 to the gripping part 12. The restricting part 15 is provided on the gripping part 12 and restricts the gripping part 12 from moving in the first axial direction along the axial movement part 13. The switching mechanism 16 is configured to be able to switch the restricting part 15 between a restricting state and a releasing state.

[0063] By setting the restricting part 15 to the restricting state, it is possible to restrict the gripping part 12 from moving in one axial direction, so that it is possible to suppress the unintentional movement of the gripping part 12.

[0064] For example, when the working machine 1000 transports the pipe W1, by switching the restricting part 15 to the restricting state, it is possible to suppress the unintentional movement of the gripping part 12.

[0065] Also, for example, when moving the gripping part 12 in one direction in the first axial direction to join the pipe W1 and the pipe to be joined W2, it is possible to switch to the releasing state in which the restriction of movement by the restricting part 15 is released. By setting the restricting part 15 to the releasing state, the movement mechanism 14 can move the gripping part 12 in one direction in the first axial direction.

[0066] According to the above configuration, it is possible to restrict the movement of the gripping part 12 or release the restriction of the movement of the gripping part 12 as needed. Therefore, in the operation of joining a pipe and a pipe to be joined using the working machine, unintentional movement of the gripping part 12 can be suppressed, and the pipe W1 and the pipe to be joined W2 can be efficiently joined.

[0067] Further, in the above-described configuration, the moving mechanism 14 supplies a driving force to the gripping portion 12 to move it from the first position PS11 at the other end in the first axial direction to the second position PS12 at one end in the first axial direction along the axial movement portion 13. Further, when the gripping portion 12 is located at the first position PS11, the switching mechanism 16 can switch the restricting portion 15 between the restricted state and the released state.

[0068] Thereby, when the gripping portion 12 is located at the first position PS11, the restricting portion 15 can be brought into the restricted state. Thus, for example, even when the pipe joining attachment 51 is tilted and the gripping portion 12 tends to move along the axial movement portion 13 due to gravity, the restricted state by the restricting portion 15 can be maintained. Further, when it is desired to move the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction, it can be easily moved by releasing the restricting portion 15.

[0069] Also, in the joining operation of joining the pipe W1 gripped by the gripping portion 12 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to the pipe W2 to be joined, by releasing the restricted state at the predetermined position, the gripping portion 12 becomes movable. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the gripping portion 12 can be moved from the first position PS11 to the second position PS12 along the axial movement portion 13 to proceed with the joining operation. Thus, the efficiency of the joining operation can be improved.

[0070] Further, in the above-described configuration, the switching mechanism 16 switches the restricting portion 15 to the restricted state by advancing the protruding portion 151 to the advancing position PS1 where it can contact the contact portion 114. Also, the switching mechanism 16 switches the restricting portion 15 to the released state by retracting the protruding portion 151 to the retracting position PS2 where it does not contact the contact portion 114.

[0071] Thereby, the relative movement between the gripping portion 12 and the arm connection portion 11 can be mechanically restricted by the protruding portion 151 and the contact portion 114. Thus, it is possible to easily realize the switching between the restricted state and the released state by the restricting portion 15.

[0072] In addition, for the working machine 1000 with the above-described attachment 51 for pipe joining attached to the arm portion 1003, the gripping portion 12 can be easily driven. Therefore, using the working machine 1000, the pipe W1 gripped by the gripping portion 12 can be easily joined to the pipe W2 to be joined.

[0073] [Embodiment 2] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hydraulic circuit included in the attachment 52 for pipe joining according to Embodiment 2. The attachment 52 for pipe joining according to Embodiment 2 differs from the attachment 51 for pipe joining according to Embodiment 1 in that the switching mechanism 16 and the moving mechanism 14 are interlocked by hydraulic pressure. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in Embodiment 1, and the description thereof is omitted, and only the differences from Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0074] The attachment 52 for pipe joining includes an arm connection portion 11, a gripping portion 12, an axially moving portion 13, a moving mechanism 14, a restricting portion 15, a switching mechanism 16, and an engaging unit 17.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 9, the switching mechanism 16 includes a first hydraulic cylinder 161 that switches the protruding portion 151 between a forward position PS1 and a retracted position PS2. The first hydraulic cylinder 161 is a retractable single-acting cylinder. The first hydraulic cylinder 161 has a port 161A for supplying or discharging hydraulic pressure. The rod of the first hydraulic cylinder 161 supports the lower portion of the protruding portion 151. In a state where hydraulic pressure is discharged from the cylinder of the first hydraulic cylinder 161, the rod extends by the reaction force of the spring in the cylinder of the first hydraulic cylinder 161. Thereby, the switching mechanism 16 positions the protruding portion 151 at the forward position PS1. Further, when hydraulic pressure is supplied into the cylinder of the first hydraulic cylinder 161, the spring is compressed. As a result, the rod is drawn into the cylinder, and the switching mechanism 16 positions the protruding portion 151 at the retracted position PS2.

[0076] The moving mechanism 14 includes a second hydraulic cylinder 141 that can move the gripping portion 12 in one direction of the first axial direction. The second hydraulic cylinder 141 is a double-acting cylinder. The head located on the other side in the first axial direction of the second hydraulic cylinder 141 is connected to the gripping portion 12. The rod located on one side in the first axial direction of the second hydraulic cylinder 141 is connected to the engagement unit 17. The second hydraulic cylinder 141 has a head-side port 141A and a rod-side port 141B as ports for supplying or discharging hydraulic pressure.

[0077] The pipe joining attachment 52 has a hydraulic circuit 18. The hydraulic circuit 18 is a circuit for controlling hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic circuit 18 is connected to the hydraulic pump 1201 of the work machine 1000. Details of the hydraulic circuit 18 will be described below.

[0078] (Details of the hydraulic circuit) As shown in FIG. 9, the hydraulic circuit 18 is composed of a solenoid valve 181, a splitter 182, a first hydraulic cylinder 161, a double pilot check valve 183, throttle valves 184A and 184B, and the second hydraulic cylinder 141.

[0079] The solenoid valve 181 is a 4-port 3-position direction control valve. The P port of the solenoid valve 181 is connected to the hydraulic pump 1201 of the work machine 1000. Also, the T port of the solenoid valve 181 is connected to the oil tank 1202. The solenoid valve 181 switches the oil path by solenoids located on the left and right sides respectively. By turning on the solenoid on the left side, the oil path switches to the position on the left side. By turning on the solenoid on the right side, the oil path switches to the position on the right side. Springs are provided on both sides of the solenoid valve 181. Thus, the solenoid valve 181 is configured to return to the neutral position when the solenoids on both sides are turned off.

[0080] When the oil passage is switched to the right side of the solenoid valve 181, the A port and the P port are connected, and the B port and the T port are connected. Also, when the oil passage is switched to the left side of the solenoid valve 181, the A port and the T port are connected, and the B port and the P port are connected.

[0081] In the neutral position of the solenoid valve 181, the A port, the B port, and the T port are connected. That is, the spool type of the solenoid valve 181 is the ABT connection type. In this way, by making the solenoid valve 181 of the ABT connection type, the back pressure can be discharged from the rod side port 141B of the second hydraulic cylinder 141. The A port of the solenoid valve 181 is connected to one check valve 183A of the double pilot check valve 183. The B port of the solenoid valve 181 is connected to the other check valve 183B of the double pilot check valve 183 via the splitter 182.

[0082] The splitter 182 branches the hydraulic supply passage between the B port of the solenoid valve 181 and the check valve 183B. The branched passage branched by the splitter 182 is connected to the port 161A of the first hydraulic cylinder 161.

[0083] One check valve 183A of the double pilot check valve 183 is connected to the head side port 141A of the second hydraulic cylinder 141 via the throttle valve 184A.

[0084] The other check valve 183B of the double pilot check valve 183 is connected to the rod side port 141B of the second hydraulic cylinder 141 via the throttle valve 184A.

[0085] By performing hydraulic control by the double pilot check valve 183, the position of the second hydraulic cylinder 141 can be held.

[0086] In the hydraulic circuit 18, hydraulic control by meter-out is performed by the throttle valves 184A and 184B.

[0087] (Hydraulic control) In addition to FIG. 9, referring again to FIGS. 6 to 8, the hydraulic control of the hydraulic circuit 18 will be described.

[0088] (Cylinder extension process) As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when extending the moving mechanism 14, the position of the solenoid valve 181 is switched to the right side to supply hydraulic pressure to the head side port 141A of the second hydraulic cylinder 141 and discharge the hydraulic pressure from the rod side port 141B of the second hydraulic cylinder 141. Thereby, the second hydraulic cylinder 141 of the moving mechanism 14 extends in one direction of the first axial direction. At this time, the hydraulic pressure is also discharged from the port 161A of the first hydraulic cylinder 161. For this reason, the switching mechanism 16 positions the protruding portion 151 at the advancing position PS1 by the spring of the first hydraulic cylinder 161. The gripping portion 12 is positioned at the first position PS11 within the movable range.

[0089] (Cylinder contraction process) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when contracting the moving mechanism 14, the position of the solenoid valve 181 is switched to the left side to supply hydraulic pressure to the rod side port 141B of the second hydraulic cylinder 141 and discharge the hydraulic pressure from the head side port 141A of the second hydraulic cylinder 141. At this time, the hydraulic pressure is also supplied to the port 161A of the first hydraulic cylinder 161. The switching mechanism 16 positions the protruding portion 151 at the retracting position PS2. Thereby, the regulating portion 15 is switched to the released state, and the second hydraulic cylinder 141 of the moving mechanism 14 contracts in the first axial direction. For this reason, by receiving the reaction force from the pipe W1 to be joined in the engaging unit 17, the gripping portion 12 moves from the first position PS11 to the second position PS12. 。

[0090] In the above configuration, the hydraulic circuit 18 can control the driving of the first hydraulic cylinder 161 that switches the protruding portion 151 between the advancing position PS1 and the retracting position PS2, and the second hydraulic cylinder 141 that can move the gripping portion 12 in the first axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to easily switch the restricting portion 15 from the restricted state to the released state. Furthermore, immediately after switching the restricting portion 15 from the restricted state to the released state, the gripping portion 12 located at the first position PS11 can be moved in one direction of the first axial direction. Thus, the joining operation of the pipe W1 and the pipe W2 to be joined can be made more efficient.

[0091] Also, in the above configuration, when the gripping portion 12 moves to the first position PS11 by supplying hydraulic pressure to the second hydraulic cylinder 141, the hydraulic circuit 18 supplies hydraulic pressure to the first hydraulic cylinder 161 to switch the protruding portion 151 to the advancing position PS1. Further, when hydraulic pressure for moving the gripping portion 12 from the first position PS11 in one direction of the first axial direction is supplied to the second hydraulic cylinder 141, the hydraulic circuit 18 supplies hydraulic pressure to the first hydraulic cylinder 161 to switch the protruding portion 151 from the advancing position PS1 to the retracting position PS2.

[0092] Thereby, the protruding portion 151 can be switched between the advancing position PS1 and the retracting position PS2 by hydraulic pressure according to the moving state of the gripping portion 12 by the second hydraulic cylinder 141.

[0093] [Embodiment 3] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a part of the pipe joining attachment 53 according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which the other side in the first axial direction of the pipe joining attachment 53 is tilted downward. FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the inclined portion 1511 of the protruding portion 151 is in contact with the inclined portion 1141 of the contact portion 114. The pipe joining attachment 53 according to Embodiment 3 is different from the pipe joining attachment 52 according to Embodiment 2 in that the protruding portion 151 has the inclined portion 1511. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as in Embodiment 2, and the description thereof is omitted, and only the portions different from Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0094] The attachment 53 for pipe connection includes an arm connection part 11, a gripping part 12, an axially moving part 13, a moving mechanism 14, a restricting part 15, a switching mechanism 16, and an engaging unit 17.

[0095] The protruding part 151 of the restricting part 15 has an inclined part 1511. The inclined part 1511 is inclined so as to be positioned lower as it goes from one side to the other side in the first axial direction. Further, the contact part 114 of the arm connection part 11 has an inclined part 1141. The inclined part 1141 is inclined so as to be positioned lower as it goes from one side to the other side in the first axial direction.

[0096] The operation and effect of the above configuration are as follows. In the completed state shown in FIG. 8, when the solenoid valve 181 of the hydraulic circuit 18 is returned to the neutral position, the hydraulic pressure is discharged from the rod side port 141B of the second hydraulic cylinder 141 and the port 161A of the first hydraulic cylinder 161. As a result, in the first hydraulic cylinder 161, the rod is extended by the reaction force of the spring in the cylinder. For this reason, the switching mechanism 16 positions the protruding part 151 at the advancing position PS1. As shown in FIG. 11, when the other side in the first axial direction of the attachment 53 for pipe connection is tilted downward, the gripping part 12 moves along the axially moving part 13 to the other side in the first axial direction by gravity. That is, the gripping part 12 moves from the second position PS12 toward the first position PS11.

[0097] When the protruding part 151 moves to the position of the contact part 114 as the gripping part 12 moves, as shown in FIG. 12, the inclined part 1511 of the protruding part 151 comes into contact with the inclined part 1141 of the contact part 114. As a result, a force is generated to push down the inclined part 1511 of the protruding part 151 downward. For this reason, the spring of the first hydraulic cylinder 161 that supports the protruding part 151 is pushed down, so that the restricting part 15 switches from the restricting state to the released state. The gripping part 12 further moves to the other side in the first axial direction.

[0098] When the holding part 12 moves to the second position PS12, the protruding part 151 is located on the other side of the contact part 114 in the first axial direction. As a result, the spring of the first hydraulic cylinder 161 extends, and the protruding part 151 returns to the advancing position PS1 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0099] [Other Embodiments] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is possible to appropriately modify and implement the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist thereof.

[0100] In each of the above embodiments, the pipe joining attachments 51, 52, 53 are attached to the work machine 1000. However, the pipe joining attachment may be attached to a machine other than the work machine.

[0101] In each of the above embodiments, the pipe W1 has an insertion port W11, and the pipe to be joined W2 has a receiving port W21. However, the pipe may have a receiving port, and the pipe to be joined may have an insertion port.

[0102] In each of the above embodiments, the arm connection part 11 has the guide rail 113, and the axial movement part 13 has the slider 312. However, the arm connection part may have a slider, and the axial movement part may have a guide rail.

[0103] In each of the above embodiments, the contact part 114 is provided at the other end of the lower surface of the upper plate 112 in the first axial direction. However, the contact part may be provided at one end of the lower surface of the upper plate in the first axial direction. Also, depending on the position of the contact part, the protruding part of the restricting part may also be located on one side in the first axial direction in the holding part. Also, the contact part and the protruding part may not be located between the pair of guide rails in the width direction. The contact part and the protruding part may be located at one end or the other end of the lower plate in the width direction.

[0104] In each of the above embodiments, the restricting portion 15 has a protruding portion 151 such as a pin. Also, in the restricted state, the protruding portion 151 contacts the contact portion 114 of the arm connection portion 11, thereby restricting the movement of the gripping portion 12 in one direction of the first axial direction. However, the restricting portion may be constituted by a ball plunger. Further, the arm connection portion may have a recess such as a groove or a hole for receiving the ball or the pin at the tip of the ball plunger. Also, the restricting portion may restrict not only the movement of the gripping portion in one direction of the first axial direction but also the movement of the gripping portion in the other direction of the first axial direction. That is, at the first position PS11, the contact portion may also be located in the other direction of the first axial direction with respect to the restricting portion.

[0105] In Embodiment 2, the hydraulic circuit 18 controls the hydraulic pressures of the first hydraulic cylinder 161 and the second hydraulic cylinder 141. However, the hydraulic circuit may control the hydraulic pressure of another hydraulic cylinder. For example, the hydraulic circuit may supply the hydraulic pressure for driving the gripping claws of the gripping portion to the gripping portion. Also, the hydraulic circuit may supply the hydraulic pressure to rotate the pipe joint attachment in the horizontal direction with respect to the connecting portion.

[0106] In Embodiment 2, the hydraulic circuit 18 is constituted by the solenoid valve 181, the splitter 182, the first hydraulic cylinder 161, the double pilot check valve 183, the throttle valves 184A and 184B, and the second hydraulic cylinder 141. However, the configuration of the hydraulic circuit is not limited to these.

[0107] In Embodiment 2, the solenoid valve 181 is of the ABT connection type in the neutral position. However, other connection forms may be adopted for the solenoid valve. For example, the solenoid valve may be an all-port block in the neutral position. Also, other connection methods may be adopted at the left and right positions of the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve may have two ports or three ports instead of four ports, or may have five or more ports. The solenoid valve may be of two positions instead of three positions.

[0108] In Embodiment 2, the branch passage branched by the splitter 182 is connected to the port 161A of the first hydraulic cylinder 161. However, the first hydraulic cylinder may be supplied with hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic circuit different from the hydraulic circuit that supplies hydraulic pressure to the second hydraulic cylinder.

[0109] In Embodiment 2, the first hydraulic cylinder 161 is a retractable single-acting cylinder. However, the first hydraulic cylinder may be a double-acting cylinder. Further, the first hydraulic cylinder may be a push-type single-acting cylinder.

[0110] In Embodiment 2, the second hydraulic cylinder 141 is a double-acting cylinder. However, the second hydraulic cylinder may be a single-acting cylinder.

Industrial Applicability

[0111] The present invention can be used for a pipe joining attachment of a working machine and a working machine.

Explanation of Signs

[0112] 11 Arm connection part 113 Guide rail 114 Contact part 12 Gripping part 13 Axial movement part 14 Movement mechanism 141 Second hydraulic cylinder 15 Regulation part 151 Protrusion 16 Switching mechanism 161 First hydraulic cylinder 18 Hydraulic circuit 21 Gripping claw 51, 52, 53 Pipe joining attachment 1000 Working machine 1003 Arm part L, M Axis PS1 Forward position PS2 Retracted position PS11 First position PS12 Second position W1 pipe W11 insertion port W2 pipe to be joined W21 receiving port

Claims

1. An attachment for pipe joining of a working machine, comprising: an arm connection part connected to the tip of the arm part of the working machine; a gripping part for gripping a pipe; an axial movement part for supporting the gripping part so as to be movable in the axial direction of the pipe gripped by the gripping part with respect to the arm connection part; a movement mechanism for moving the gripping part in the axial direction along the axial movement part; a restricting part provided on the gripping part and restricting the gripping part from moving in the axial direction along the axial movement part; a switching mechanism capable of switching the restricting part between a restricting state and a releasing state; and having an attachment for pipe joining.

2. In the attachment for pipe joining according to Claim 1, the movement mechanism moves the gripping part in the axial direction from a first position along the axial movement part, and when the gripping part is located at the first position, the switching mechanism can switch the restricting part between the restricting state and the releasing state. An attachment for pipe joining.

3. In the attachment for pipe joining according to Claim 2, the restricting part has a protruding part that can advance and retreat between a forward position and a retracted position, the arm connection part has a contact part that contacts the protruding part advancing to the forward position in the restricting state, and the switching mechanism switches the restricting part to the restricting state by advancing the protruding part to the forward position where it can contact the contact part, and switches the restricting part to the releasing state by retracting the protruding part to a retracted position where it does not contact the contact part. An attachment for pipe joining.

4. In the attachment for pipe joining according to Claim 3, the switching mechanism includes a first hydraulic cylinder for switching the protruding part between the forward position and the retracted position, the movement mechanism includes a second hydraulic cylinder for moving the gripping part in the axial direction, and the attachment for pipe joining is provided with a hydraulic circuit for controlling the hydraulic pressure supplied to the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder.

5. In the attachment for pipe joining according to Claim 4, the hydraulic circuit supplies hydraulic pressure to the first hydraulic cylinder to switch the protruding part to the forward position when the gripping part moves to the first position by supplying hydraulic pressure to the second hydraulic cylinder. A pipe joining attachment that supplies hydraulic pressure to the first hydraulic cylinder to switch the protruding portion from the advancing position to the retracting position when hydraulic pressure for moving the gripping portion in one direction of the axial direction from the first position is supplied to the second hydraulic cylinder.

6. The pipe joining attachment according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, an arm portion having the pipe joining attachment attached to its tip, having, a working machine.

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