Pipe joining device and pipe joining method

Abstract

To realize a light-weight and compact configuration, in a pipe joining device for joining an insertion port of a pipe to a socket of a pipe to be joined, which is joined to the pipe.SOLUTION: A pipe joining device 1 joins an insertion port W1a of a pipe W1 to a socket W2a of a pipe to be joined W2, which is joined to the pipe W1. The pipe joining device 1 has: a pipe to be joined mounting part 10 that is attached to the socket W2a side of the pipe to be joined W2; pipe gripping parts 31, 32 that grip the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1; and a movable part 36 that moves at least one of the pipe to be joined mounting part 10 and the pipe gripping parts 31, 32 in an axial direction so as to join the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the socket W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 in the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe joining device and a pipe joining method for joining an insertion port of a pipe to a receiving port of a pipe to be joined that is joined to the pipe.

Background Art

[0002] In laying work of ductile cast iron pipes (an example of water pipes) having an insertion port and a receiving port, etc., a pipe joining operation for joining a pipe to a pipe to be joined disposed in a trench in the ground is performed. In this pipe joining operation, an operator first needs to suspend the pipe to be joined to the pipe to be joined into the trench. Thereafter, the operator needs to align the pipe and the pipe to be joined in the trench, insert the insertion port of the pipe into the receiving port of the pipe to be joined, and join the insertion port and the receiving port.

[0003] In such a conventional pipe joining operation, the operator needs to suspend the pipe into the trench while checking the position of the pipe with respect to the pipe to be joined in the trench. Further, the operator needs to manually align the pipe and the pipe to be joined in the trench.

[0004] As described above, in the conventional pipe joining operation, since the work burden on the operator is large and it is necessary to perform the work in a narrow trench, the workability is not very good.

[0005] On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pipe joining attachment for a working machine having a gripping portion for gripping a pipe and a pipe-to-be-joined contact portion that is located in the axial direction of the insertion port of the pipe gripped by the gripping portion and contacts the outer peripheral surface on the receiving port side of the pipe to be joined that is joined to the pipe. By using this pipe joining attachment, the pipe can be gripped and the insertion port of the pipe can be inserted into the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. The pipe joining attachment is attached to the arm of the working machine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-62320 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] By the way, the attachment for pipe joining disclosed in the above Patent Document 1 inserts the insertion port of the pipe into the receiving port of the pipe to be joined while gripping the pipe. Therefore, the attachment for pipe joining has a complicated structure, is large-sized and heavy. Thus, the working machine to which the attachment for pipe joining for gripping the pipe is attached also becomes large-sized. Therefore, there is a possibility that the attachment for pipe joining cannot be used for pipe joining work at a narrow construction site or the like.

[0008] On the other hand, there is a demand for a lightweight and compact pipe joining device that enables joining of pipes without an operator working in a trench and can be used even at a narrow construction site or the like.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to realize a lightweight and compact configuration in a pipe joining device for joining an insertion port of a pipe to a receiving port of a pipe to be joined to the pipe. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] A pipe joining device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a pipe joining device for joining an insertion port of a pipe to a receiving port of a pipe to be joined to the pipe. This pipe joining device includes a pipe-to-be-joined attachment portion attached to the receiving port side of the pipe-to-be-joined, a pipe gripping portion that grips the insertion port side of the pipe, and at least one of the pipe-to-be-joined attachment portion and the pipe gripping portion is moved in the axial direction so as to join the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe-to-be-joined in the axial direction (first configuration).

[0011] In the above configuration, at least one of the joined pipe attachment portion attached to the pipe to be joined and the pipe gripping portion for gripping the pipe moves axially by the moving portion, so that the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the joined pipe are joined axially. Therefore, using the pipe joining device, the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the joined pipe can be easily joined.

[0012] The pipe joining device having the above configuration is not a device attached to the tip of the arm of a working machine as in the prior art, but is a device capable of joining the pipe and the joined pipe while being disposed in a groove. Therefore, when joining the pipe and the joined pipe, it is not necessary to grip the pipe via an attachment by a working machine. Thus, the pipe joining device can be made lightweight and compact.

[0013] Therefore, it is possible to realize a lightweight and compact pipe joining device that can join pipes without the operator working in the groove and can be used even in a narrow construction site or the like.

[0014] In the first configuration, the pipe joining device is connected to the joined pipe attachment portion, and further has a pipe holding portion that holds the insertion port side of the pipe in a state where the axis of the insertion port of the pipe is position-adjusted with respect to the axis of the receiving port of the joined pipe so that the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the joined pipe can be joined. (Second configuration).

[0015] The pipe holding portion that holds the insertion port side of the pipe is connected to the joined pipe attachment portion attached to the receiving port side of the joined pipe. Therefore, the axis of the insertion port of the pipe held by the pipe holding portion can be more reliably and easily position-adjusted with respect to the axis of the receiving port of the joined pipe. Therefore, when joining the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the joined pipe, the operation of aligning the axis of the insertion port of the pipe with the axis of the receiving port of the joined pipe becomes unnecessary. Thereby, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the joined pipe can be performed efficiently.

[0016] In the second configuration, the joined pipe attachment portion has a pair of attachment members that sandwich the joined pipe. The pipe holding portion has a pair of holding members that sandwich the pipe. One of the pair of attachment members is connected to one of the pair of holding members. The other of the pair of attachment members is connected to the other of the pair of holding members. The pair of attachment members and the pair of holding members are configured to be switchable between a closed state in which the joined pipe and the pipe are sandwiched and an open state in which they are separated from the joined pipe and the pipe (third configuration).

[0017] In the above configuration, the pair of attachment members of the joined pipe attachment portion and the pair of holding members of the pipe holding portion are respectively connected. Therefore, by switching the pair of attachment members and the pair of holding members between a closed state in which the joined pipe and the pipe are sandwiched and an open state in which they are separated from the joined pipe and the pipe, the joined pipe attachment portion can be attached to the joined pipe, and the pipe holding portion can be attached to the pipe. As a result, the joined pipe attachment portion can be easily attached to the joined pipe, and the pipe holding portion can be easily attached to the pipe. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the joined pipe can be performed efficiently.

[0018] In the first configuration, the moving portion moves the pipe gripping portion so as to draw it in the axial direction with respect to the joined pipe attachment portion (fourth configuration).

[0019] As a result, the insertion port of the pipe gripped by the pipe gripping portion can be moved to the receiving port of the joined pipe to which the joined pipe attachment portion is attached and joined to the receiving port. Therefore, the insertion port of the pipe can be easily joined to the receiving port of the joined pipe installed in the groove.

[0020] In the fourth configuration, the pipe gripping portion has a thickness equal to or smaller than the protruding height of the insertion port protrusion located at the tip of the insertion port of the pipe, is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface on the insertion port side of the pipe, and engages with the insertion port protrusion (fifth configuration).

[0021] Thus, the insertion port protrusion of the pipe can be axially pushed by the pipe gripping portion, and the insertion port of the pipe can be moved toward the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. Moreover, by making the thickness of the pipe gripping portion equal to or smaller than the protruding height of the insertion port protrusion, it is possible to prevent the pipe gripping portion from interfering with the receiving port of the pipe to be joined when inserting the insertion port of the pipe into the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined can be efficiently performed.

[0022] In the first configuration, it further has a lubricant supply portion that supplies lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of a seal member attached to the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined (sixth configuration).

[0023] Before joining the insertion port of the pipe to the receiving port of the pipe to be joined, the lubricant supply portion can supply lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member attached to the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. Therefore, it is not necessary for an operator to enter the groove to apply the lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member. Accordingly, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined can be efficiently performed.

[0024] In the sixth configuration, the lubricant supply portion has a storage portion in which lubricant is stored, and a supply pipe portion that can be inserted into a lubricant supply hole formed in a receiving port cover whose tip covers the opening of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined, and can supply lubricant from the storage portion into the hole (seventh configuration).

[0025] Thereby, the configuration of the lubricant supply portion that supplies lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member attached to the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined can be realized. Moreover, the lubricant can be supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member by using the receiving port cover that covers the opening of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined can be efficiently performed.

[0026] In the seventh configuration, the lubricant supply unit further includes a support member that rotatably supports the supply pipe portion about its base end portion. The supply pipe portion is configured to be removable from the socket of the joined pipe by rotating about the base end portion with the tip end portion inserted into the hole portion of the socket cover (eighth configuration).

[0027] Thereby, the socket cover can be removed from the socket by using the supply pipe portion of the lubricant supply unit that supplies lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member attached to the inner peripheral surface of the socket of the joined pipe. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the socket of the joined pipe can be efficiently performed.

[0028] In the first configuration, it further includes a socket cover removing unit that removes the socket cover that covers the opening of the socket from the socket of the joined pipe (ninth configuration). Thereby, the socket cover that covers the opening of the socket of the joined pipe can be easily removed from the socket.

[0029] A pipe joining method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a pipe joining method for joining an insertion port of a pipe to a socket of a joined pipe to which the pipe is to be joined. This pipe joining method includes a joined pipe attaching step of attaching a joined pipe attaching portion to the socket side of the joined pipe, a pipe gripping step of gripping the insertion port side of the pipe by a pipe gripping portion, and a moving step of moving at least one of the joined pipe attaching portion and the pipe gripping portion in the axial direction so that the insertion port of the pipe and the socket of the joined pipe are joined in the axial direction by a moving portion (first method).

[0030] In the above method, at least one of the joined pipe attaching portion attached to the joined pipe and the pipe gripping portion that grips the pipe is moved in the axial direction by the moving portion, whereby the insertion port of the pipe and the socket of the joined pipe are joined in the axial direction. Therefore, the insertion port of the pipe and the socket of the joined pipe can be easily joined by using a pipe joining device.

[0031] The device capable of implementing the above method is not a device attached to the tip of the arm of a working machine as in the prior art, but a device capable of joining the pipe and the pipe to be joined while being disposed in a groove. Therefore, it is not necessary to grip the pipe by the working machine via an attachment. Thus, a device capable of implementing the above method can be realized with a lightweight and compact configuration.

[0032] Therefore, it is possible to realize a joining method in which an operator can join pipes without working in a groove, by using a lightweight and compact pipe joining device that can also be used at a narrow construction site or the like.

[0033] In the first method, the pipe joining method further includes a pipe holding step in which the pipe holding portion holds the insertion port side of the pipe in a state where the axis of the insertion port of the pipe is position-adjusted with respect to the axis of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. In the moving step, in a state where the insertion port side of the pipe is held in the pipe holding step, at least one of the pipe to be joined attachment portion and the pipe gripping portion is moved in the axial direction by the moving portion (second method).

[0034] Thereby, the insertion port of the pipe can be joined to the receiving port of the pipe to be joined in a state where the axis of the insertion port of the pipe is position-adjusted with respect to the axis of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. Thus, the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined can be easily joined in a state where they are aligned. Thereby, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined can be efficiently performed.

[0035] In the second method, in the pipe holding step, after supporting the pipe by a support base whose height can be adjusted, the height of the support base is lowered to cause the insertion port side of the pipe to be held by the pipe holding portion (third method).

[0036] By lowering the height of the support base that supports the pipe as described above, the insertion port side of the pipe can be easily held by the pipe holding portion. Therefore, the position adjustment between the axis of the insertion port of the pipe and the axis of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined can be performed with a simple configuration.

[0037] In the first method, it further includes a socket cover removing step of removing a cover that covers the opening of the socket of the pipe to be joined (the fourth method). Thereby, the socket cover that covers the opening of the socket of the pipe to be joined can be easily removed from the socket.

[0038] In the fourth method, the pipe joining method further includes a lubricant supply step of inserting the tip of the supply pipe portion into the hole portion for lubricant supply formed in the socket cover before moving at least one of the pipe gripping portion and the pipe to be joined mounting portion in the axial direction, and supplying lubricant from a storage portion storing lubricant through the supply pipe portion to the inner peripheral surface of a seal member attached to the inner peripheral surface of the socket of the pipe to be joined. In the socket cover removing step, the socket cover is removed using the supply pipe portion (the fifth method).

[0039] Thereby, lubricant can be supplied from the supply pipe portion through the hole portion for lubricant supply formed in the socket cover that covers the opening of the socket of the pipe to be joined to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member attached to the inner peripheral surface of the socket of the pipe to be joined. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the socket of the pipe to be joined can be performed efficiently.

[0040] Moreover, the socket cover can be removed from the socket using the supply pipe portion of the lubricant supply portion that supplies lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the socket of the pipe to be joined can be performed efficiently.

[0041] In the first method, the pipe to be joined mounting portion, the pipe gripping portion, and the moving portion are included in one pipe joining device. In the pipe gripping step, the pipe joining device is gripped by a gripping device attached to the tip of the arm portion of the working machine and conveyed to the pipe to be joined, and the pipe to be joined mounting portion is attached to the pipe to be joined (the sixth method).

[0042] Accordingly, the working machine can be used to easily attach the pipe fitting portion to be joined to the pipe to be joined. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined can be performed efficiently.

Effect of the Invention

[0043] The pipe joining device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pipe fitting portion to be joined that is attached to the receiving port side of the pipe to be joined, a pipe gripping portion that grips the insertion port side of the pipe, and at least one of the pipe fitting portion to be joined and the pipe gripping portion is moved in the axial direction so as to join the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined in the axial direction. And a moving part.

[0044] The pipe joining device having the above-described configuration does not require a pipe to be gripped via an attachment by a working machine. Therefore, it is possible to realize a lightweight and compact pipe joining device that can join pipes without the operator working in a trench and can be used even in a narrow construction site or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0045]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0046] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, 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 constituent members.

[0047] In the following description, the axial direction means the direction in which the axis L2 of the pipe W2 to be joined extends. The left - right direction means the horizontal direction and is perpendicular to the axial direction. The horizontal direction includes not only the strict horizontal direction but also the direction intersecting the up - down direction.

[0048] Also, in the following description, expressions such as "fix", "connect", and "attach" (hereinafter, "fixing, etc.") include not only the case where members are directly fixed, etc., but also the case where they are fixed, etc. via other members. That is, in the following description, the expressions of fixing, etc. include the meanings of direct and indirect fixing, etc. of members to each other.

[0049] (Pipe joining device) FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a pipe joining device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the schematic configuration of the pipe joining device 1. FIG. 3 is a view of the pipe joining device 1 seen axially from the side of the pipe W2 to be joined. FIG. 4 is a view of the pipe holding portion 20 of the pipe joining device 1 seen axially from the side of the pipe W1.

[0050] The pipe joining device 1 is a device for inserting and joining the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 into the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. The pipe joining device 1 is used in a groove in which the pipe W1 and the pipe W2 to be joined are laid. The pipe joining device 1 is installed in the groove, for example, by a working machine. The pipe joining device 1 has a size that can be installed in the groove.

[0051] The pipe W1 and the pipe W2 to be joined are, for example, water pipes. The pipe W1 and the pipe W2 to be joined may be pipes other than water pipes, such as sewer pipes, agricultural water pipes, and gas pipes. The pipe W1 and the pipe W2 to be joined may be ductile cast iron pipes, other metal pipes, or resin pipes.

[0052] The pipe joining device 1 inserts the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 into the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 while the axis L1 of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is adjusted in position with respect to the axis L2 of the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the pipe joining device 1 includes a pipe to be joined attachment portion 10, a pipe holding portion 20, a pipe moving mechanism 30, and a lubricant supply portion 40.

[0053] The pipe to be joined attachment portion 10 is attached to the side of the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2. Specifically, the pipe to be joined attachment portion 10 is attached to the side of the receiving port W2a in the straight pipe portion W2b of the pipe to be joined W2. Thereby, when the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is drawn closer to the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 by the moving portion 36 as will be described later, the pipe to be joined attachment portion 10 contacts the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2, and the reaction force generated during the drawing can be received by the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the pipe to be joined attachment portion 10 includes a pair of attachment members 11, 12 and an attachment member driving portion 13. The pair of attachment members 11, 12 are attached to the straight pipe portion W2b of the pipe to be joined W2 by sandwiching the straight pipe portion W2b. The pair of attachment members 11, 12 include pipe attachment portions 11a, 12a and driving force input portions 11b, 12b.

[0055] The pipe attachment portions 11a, 12a have a semi-circular shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion W2b of the pipe to be joined W2 when viewed in the axial direction. The pipe attachment portions 11a, 12a are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion W2b of the pipe to be joined W2. The driving force input portions 11b, 12b are connected to the pipe attachment portions 11a, 12a so that the pipe attachment portions 11a, 12a can be switched between a closed state in which the straight pipe portion W2b of the pipe to be joined W2 is sandwiched and an open state in which they are separated from the straight pipe portion W2b of the pipe to be joined W2 by the driving force input from the attachment member driving portion 13. In the present embodiment, the driving force input portions 11b, 12b are connected to the upper ends of the pipe attachment portions 11a, 12a. The pair of attachment members 11, 12 are rotatably connected at the connection portions between the pipe attachment portions 11a, 12a and the driving force input portions 11b, 12b, for example, by a rotating shaft, about an axis extending in the axial direction.

[0056] The mounting member driving unit 13 is provided between the driving force input units 11b and 12b so as to be able to transmit a driving force to the driving force input units 11b and 12b. The mounting member driving unit 13 applies a driving force to the driving force input units 11b and 12b to switch the pipe mounting parts 11a and 12a between the open state and the closed state. In the present embodiment, the mounting member driving unit 13 switches the pipe mounting parts 11a and 12a between the open state and the closed state by expanding and contracting to change the distance between the driving force input units 11b and 12b. The mounting member driving unit 13 is, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

[0057] With the above configuration, the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 can be switched between a closed state in which the pipe mounting parts 11a and 12a sandwich the straight pipe part W2b of the pipe to be joined W2 by the driving force generated by the mounting member driving unit 13 and an open state in which the pipe mounting parts 11a and 12a are separated from the straight pipe part W2b of the pipe to be joined W2. In a state where the pipe to be joined mounting part 10 is attached to the straight pipe part W2b of the pipe to be joined W2, the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 sandwich the straight pipe part W2b.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pipe holding unit 20 holds the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1. Specifically, the pipe holding unit 20 holds the insertion port W1a side of the straight pipe part W1b of the pipe W1.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the pipe holding unit 20 has a pair of holding members 21 and 22. The pair of holding members 21 and 22 hold the straight pipe part W1b by sandwiching the straight pipe part W1b of the pipe W1. The pair of holding members 21 and 22 have pipe contact parts 21a and 22a and guide parts 21b and 22b.

[0060] The pipe contact parts 21a and 22a have an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe part W1b of the pipe W1 when viewed in the axial direction. The pipe contact parts 21a and 22a hold the straight pipe part W1b by contacting the straight pipe part W1b of the pipe W1.

[0061] The guide portions 21b and 22b are connected to the upper ends of the pipe contact portions 21a and 22a. The guide portions 21b and 22b are formed such that the distance between them increases from the lower end to the upper end when viewed in the axial direction. Thereby, the straight pipe portion W1b of the pipe W1 inserted between the guide portions 21b and 22b can be smoothly guided between the pipe contact portions 21a and 22a.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pipe-to-be-joined mounting portion 10 and the pipe holding portion 20 are axially connected. Specifically, one of the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 in the pipe-to-be-joined mounting portion 10 is axially connected to one of the pair of holding members 21 and 22 in the pipe holding portion 20 via the connecting portion 15. The other mounting member 12 of the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 is axially connected to the other holding member 22 of the pair of holding members 21 and 22 via the connecting portion 16. Thereby, if the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 are in the open state, the pair of holding members 21 and 22 are also in the open state, and if the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 are in the closed state, the pair of holding members 21 and 22 are also in the closed state.

[0063] Thereby, without separately controlling the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 in the pipe-to-be-joined mounting portion 10 and the pair of holding members 21 and 22 in the pipe holding portion 20, by switching the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 to the open state or the closed state, the pair of holding members 21 and 22 can be switched between the closed state in which the pipe-to-be-joined W2 and the pipe W1 are sandwiched and the open state in which they are separated from the pipe-to-be-joined W2 and the pipe W1. Therefore, the pipe joining device 1 can easily hold the pipe-to-be-joined W2 and the pipe W1.

[0064] Moreover, by axially connecting the joined pipe attachment portion 10 and the pipe holding portion 20 as described above, the axis L1 of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 held by the pipe holding portion 20 can be positionally adjusted with respect to the axis L2 of the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 to which the joined pipe attachment portion 10 is attached. In the present embodiment, the positions of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 are adjusted so that the axis L1 of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 coincides with the axis L2 of the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2.

[0065] Therefore, in the pipe joining device 1 of the present embodiment, the operation of positionally adjusting the axis of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 with respect to the axis of the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 is unnecessary. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 can be efficiently performed.

[0066] Note that the connecting portions 15 and 16 have a length that axially connects the pipe holding portion 20 to the joined pipe attachment portion 10 at a predetermined interval. The predetermined interval is a distance that allows the pipe joining device 1 of the present embodiment to perform an operation of inserting and joining the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 into the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2.

[0067] The pipe moving mechanism 30 grips the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 and moves it toward the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2, thereby inserting the insertion port W1a into the receiving port W2a. The pipe moving mechanism 30 includes a pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 and a moving portion 36.

[0068] The pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 sandwich and grip the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1. The pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 are attached to the tip portions of a pair of axially moving portions 37 and 38 in the moving portion 36 to be described later via connecting portions 33 and 34, and are configured to be engageable with an insertion port protrusion W1c located at the axial tip of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1. The pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 are arc-shaped plate members that follow the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 when viewed in the axial direction. The pair of plate-shaped pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 are attached so as to extend from the tip portions of the pair of axially moving portions 37 and 38 toward the base end side.

[0069] The thickness of the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 is equal to or smaller than the radial protrusion height of the insertion port protrusion W1c. Thus, as will be described later, when the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 is inserted into the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2 while the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1 is gripped by the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32, it is possible to prevent the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 from interfering with the receiving port W2a.

[0070] The connection portions 33 and 34 rotatably connect the tips of the pair of axially moving portions 37 and 38 and the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 about an axis extending in the vertical direction. That is, the connection portions 33 and 34 are rotatably connected to the tips of the pair of axially moving portions 37 and 38 about the axis. Further, the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 are connected to the connection portions 33 and 34. The lateral interval of the connection portions 33 and 34 is equal to the outer diameter of the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1 in a parallel state in a top view, and is smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1 in a state where the connection portions 33 and 34 rotate about the axis with respect to the tips of the pair of axially moving portions 37 and 38. The pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 are elastically supported by an elastic member (not shown) with respect to the connection portions 33 and 34 or the pair of axially moving portions 37 and 38 so as to be displaced in a direction approaching each other.

[0071] Therefore, when the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1 is inserted between the connection portions 33 and 34, the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1 contacts the connection portions 33 and 34. Thereby, the connection portions 33 and 34 and the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 rotate about the axis, and the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 are moved toward the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1 (see the solid arrows in FIG. 13). Moreover, at this time, the elastic member biases the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 toward the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1. Thereby, the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 are in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1.

[0072] Note that the pair of tube gripping portions 31 and 32 may be configured to generate an elastic restoring force toward the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the moving part 36 moves a pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 that grip the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 in the axial direction toward the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. Specifically, the moving part 36 has a pair of axially moving parts 37 and 38 and a movement support part 39.

[0074] The pair of axially moving parts 37 and 38 are each configured such that the tip end is axially movable with respect to the movement support part 39. The pair of axially moving parts 37 and 38 may be, for example, hydraulic cylinders that expand and contract in the axial direction, or may be a mechanism that is axially movable like a rack and pinion. The proximal ends of the pair of axially moving parts 37 and 38 are supported by the movement support part 39.

[0075] The movement support part 39 is connected to the pipe W2 to be joined attachment part 10. The movement support part 39 may be connected, for example, to a rotating shaft that rotatably connects a pair of attachment members 11 and 12 in the pipe W2 to be joined attachment part 10, or may be connected to the attachment member drive part 13.

[0076] Note that the moving part 36 may have a position detection sensor (not shown) in order to control the movement amounts of the pair of axially moving parts 37 and 38. The position detection sensor may be provided on at least one of the pair of axially moving parts 37 and 38 so as to be able to detect a state in which the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is inserted to a predetermined position with respect to the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined.

[0077] The lubricant supply part 40 supplies lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of a rubber seal S (sealing member, see FIG. 5) that is installed on the inner surface of the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined before the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is inserted into the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. The rubber seal S is a rubber member that seals between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. Note that as long as it is possible to seal between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined, the sealing member may be made of a material other than rubber.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the lubricant supply unit 40 supplies lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S. The lubricant supply unit 40 supplies lubricant to the lubricant supply port Va provided in the receiving port cover V that covers the opening of the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined, and supplies the lubricant onto the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S through the lubricant supply path Vb formed in the receiving port cover V.

[0079] The receiving port cover V can be attached to the receiving port W2a so as to cover the opening of the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. The receiving port cover V prevents dust and the like from entering the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. The receiving port cover V has a receiving port cover body V1 disposed on the end surface of the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined and a receiving port cover insertion portion V2 inserted into the receiving port W2a.

[0080] The receiving port cover body V1 has a tapered portion V1a on the outer peripheral portion. This can prevent dust from accumulating on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving port cover V. The receiving port cover insertion portion V2 has at least one lubricant supply path Vb inside. The lubricant supply path Vb opens to the outer peripheral surface of the receiving port cover insertion portion V2. The receiving port cover body V1 has a lubricant supply port Va (a hole portion for lubricant supply) that leads to the lubricant supply path Vb of the receiving port cover insertion portion V2. The tip of the supply pipe portion 42 of the lubricant supply unit 40 described later can be inserted into the lubricant supply port Va. The lubricant supply port Va has a size that allows the tip of the supply pipe portion 42 of the lubricant supply unit 40 to be fitted. Thus, as will be described later, the receiving port cover V can be recovered from the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined using the supply pipe portion 42 of the lubricant supply unit 40.

[0081] The lubricant supply unit 40 has a storage portion 41, a supply pipe portion 42, and a support member 43. The storage portion 41 stores lubricant. The storage portion 41 supplies lubricant to the supply pipe portion 42. The supply pipe portion 42 supplies the lubricant in the storage portion 41 to the lubricant supply port Va and the lubricant supply path Vb of the receiving port cover V in a state where it is inserted into the lubricant supply port Va of the receiving port cover V.

[0082] The supply pipe portion 42 is rotatably supported by the support member 43. Thus, after the pipe joint device 1's pipe-to-be-joined mounting portion 10 is attached to the pipe-to-be-joined W2, by rotating the supply pipe portion 42 with respect to the support member 43, the tip of the supply pipe portion 42 can be inserted into the lubricant supply port Va of the socket cover V that covers the opening of the socket W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2. Moreover, with the tip of the supply pipe portion 42 fitted into the lubricant supply port Va of the socket cover V, by rotating the supply pipe portion 42 with respect to the support member 43, the socket cover V can be removed from the opening of the socket W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2. Therefore, the lubricant supply portion 40 also functions as a socket cover removal portion that removes the socket cover V from the opening of the socket W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2.

[0083] Note that annular lubricant seals Sa and Sb are respectively arranged between the socket cover insertion portion V2 of the socket cover V and the opening end of the socket W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2, and between the tip of the rubber seal S and the socket cover insertion portion V2 of the socket cover V. By these lubricant seals Sa and Sb, the gap between the socket cover V and the rubber seal S can be sealed in the axial direction.

[0084] The pipe joint device 1 according to the present embodiment joins the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 to the socket W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2 that is joined to the pipe W1. This pipe joint device 1 includes a pipe-to-be-joined mounting portion 10 attached to the socket W2a side of the pipe-to-be-joined W2, pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 that grip the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1, and a moving portion 36 that moves at least one of the pipe-to-be-joined mounting portion 10 and the pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 in the axial direction so as to join the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the socket W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2 in the axial direction.

[0085] In the above configuration, at least one of the pipe-to-be-joined mounting portion 10 attached to the pipe-to-be-joined W2 and the pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 that grip the pipe W1 moves in the axial direction by the moving portion 36, so that the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the socket W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2 are joined in the axial direction. Therefore, using the pipe joint device 1, the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the socket W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2 can be easily joined.

[0086] The pipe joining device 1 having the above configuration is not a device that is attached to the tip of the arm of a working machine as in the prior art, but is a device that can join the pipe W1 and the pipe to be joined W2 while being disposed in a groove. Therefore, when joining the pipe W1 and the pipe to be joined W2, it is not necessary to grip the pipe W1 via an attachment by a working machine. Thus, the pipe joining device 1 can be made lightweight and compact in configuration.

[0087] Therefore, it is possible to realize a lightweight and compact pipe joining device 1 that enables pipes to be joined without an operator working in a groove and can be used even at a narrow construction site or the like.

[0088] Further, in the present embodiment, the pipe joining device 1 is connected to the pipe-to-be-joined attachment portion 10, and the axis of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is adjusted with respect to the axis of the receiving port W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2 so that the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2 can be joined. The pipe joining device 1 further includes a pipe holding portion 20 that holds the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 in a state where the position is adjusted.

[0089] The pipe holding portion 20 that holds the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 is connected to the pipe-to-be-joined attachment portion 10 that is attached to the receiving port W2a side of the pipe-to-be-joined W2. Therefore, the axis of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 held by the pipe holding portion 20 can be more reliably and easily adjusted with respect to the axis of the receiving port W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2. Therefore, when joining the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2, the operation of aligning the axis of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 with the axis of the receiving port W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2 becomes unnecessary. Thereby, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the pipe-to-be-joined W2 can be efficiently performed.

[0090] In addition, in the present embodiment, the joined pipe attachment portion 10 has a pair of attachment members 11 and 12 that sandwich the joined pipe W2. The pipe holding portion 20 has a pair of holding members 21 and 22 that sandwich the pipe W1. One of the pair of attachment members 11 and 12 is connected to one of the pair of holding members 21 and 22. The other of the pair of attachment members 11 and 12 is connected to the other of the pair of holding members 21 and 22. The pair of attachment members 11 and 12 and the pair of holding members 21 and 22 are configured to be switchable between a closed state in which the joined pipe W2 and the pipe W1 are sandwiched and an open state in which they are separated from the joined pipe W2 and the pipe W1.

[0091] In the above configuration, the pair of attachment members 11 and 12 of the joined pipe attachment portion 10 and the pair of holding members 21 and 22 of the pipe holding portion 20 are respectively connected. Therefore, by switching the pair of attachment members 11 and 12 and the pair of holding members 21 and 22 between a closed state in which the joined pipe W2 and the pipe W1 are sandwiched and an open state in which they are separated from the joined pipe W2 and the pipe W1, the joined pipe attachment portion 10 can be attached to the joined pipe W2, and the pipe holding portion 20 can be attached to the pipe W1. As a result, the joined pipe attachment portion 10 can be easily attached to the joined pipe W2, and the pipe holding portion 20 can be easily attached to the pipe W1. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 can be efficiently performed.

[0092] Further, in the present embodiment, the moving portion 36 moves the pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 so as to draw them closer to the joined pipe attachment portion 10 in the axial direction. Thereby, the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 gripped by the pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 can be moved to the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 to which the joined pipe attachment portion 10 is attached and joined to the receiving port W2a. Therefore, the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 can be easily joined to the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 installed in the groove.

[0093] In addition, in the present embodiment, the tube gripping portions 31 and 32 have a thickness equal to or smaller than the protruding height of the insertion port protrusion W1c located at the tip of the insertion port of the tube W1, are in close contact with the outer peripheral surface on the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1, and engage with the insertion port protrusion W1c.

[0094] Thereby, the insertion port protrusion W1c of the tube W1 can be axially pushed by the tube gripping portions 31 and 32, and the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 can be moved toward the receiving port W2a of the tube W2 to be joined. Moreover, by making the thickness of the tube gripping portions 31 and 32 equal to or smaller than the protruding height of the insertion port protrusion W1c, when inserting the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 into the receiving port W2a of the tube W2 to be joined, it is possible to prevent the tube gripping portions 31 and 32 from interfering with the receiving port W2a of the tube W2 to be joined. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 and the receiving port W2a of the tube W2 to be joined can be efficiently performed.

[0095] In addition, in the present embodiment, the tube joining device 1 further has a lubricant supply portion 40 that supplies a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of a rubber seal S attached to the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port W2a of the tube W2 to be joined. Before joining the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 to the receiving port W2a of the tube W2 to be joined, the lubricant supply portion 40 can supply a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S attached to the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port W2a of the tube W2 to be joined. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to enter the groove in order to apply the lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S. Accordingly, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 and the receiving port W2a of the tube W2 to be joined can be efficiently performed.

[0096] In addition, in the present embodiment, the lubricant supply portion 40 includes a storage portion 41 in which the lubricant is stored, and a supply pipe portion 42 that can be inserted into a lubricant supply port Va for lubricant supply formed in a receiving port cover V whose tip covers the opening of the receiving port W2a of the tube W2 to be joined, and can supply the lubricant from the storage portion 41 into the lubricant supply port Va.

[0097] This makes it possible to realize the configuration of the lubricant supply unit 40 that supplies lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S attached to the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2. Moreover, the lubricant can be supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S by using the receiving port cover V that covers the opening of the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 can be performed efficiently.

[0098] (Pipe joining method) Next, a pipe joining method for joining the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 using the pipe joining device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the pipe joining method using the pipe joining device 1. FIGS. 7 to 17 are diagrams schematically explaining the pipe joining method using the pipe joining device 1.

[0099] Specifically, Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 when the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 in the joined pipe mounting portion are in the open state. Fig. 8 is a view showing a state in which the pipe joining device 1 is gripped by a gripping device X attached to the tip of the arm portion Ma of the work machine M and conveyed to the joined pipe W2 in the groove. Fig. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the joined pipe mounting portion 10 of the pipe joining device 1 is attached to the joined pipe W2. Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 when the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 in the joined pipe mounting portion 10 are closed by the mounting member driving portion 13. Fig. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the pipe W1 is supported and aligned at a predetermined height by a plurality of support bases T with respect to the pipe holding portion 20 of the pipe joining device 1. Fig. 12 is a side view showing a state in which the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is held by the pipe holding portion 20. Fig. 13 is a top view showing a state in which the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 grip the outer peripheral surface on the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1. Fig. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the receiving port W2a showing a state in which lubricant is supplied from the storage portion 41 to the lubricant supply port Va of the receiving port cover V through the supply pipe portion 42. Fig. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the receiving port W2a showing a state in which the receiving port cover V is removed from the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 by the supply pipe portion 42. Fig. 16 is a top view showing a state in which the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is drawn toward the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 through the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 by the movement of the axially moving portions 37 and 38. Fig. 17 is a side view showing a state in which the pipe joining device 1 is lifted by a work machine or the like and separated from the pipe W1 and the joined pipe W2.

[0100] In step S1 of the flowchart shown in Fig. 6, the joined pipe mounting portion 10 of the pipe joining device 1 is attached to the joined pipe W2.

[0101] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 of the pipe joint portion 10 in the pipe joining device 1 are in an open state. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the pipe joining device 1 is carried into the groove for laying the pipe W1 by the working machine M. A gripping device X is attached to the tip of the arm portion Ma of the working machine M. The pipe joining device 1 is gripped by the gripping device X attached to the tip of the arm portion Ma of the working machine M and carried into the groove. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the pipe joining device 1 is arranged with respect to the pipe to be joined W2 such that the pipe joint portion 10 is positioned on the receiving port W2a side of the straight pipe portion W2b of the pipe to be joined W2.

[0102] Note that the working machine M can perform various construction works and operations by replacing the attachment connected to the tip of the arm portion Ma. In the present embodiment, the working machine M is, for example, a mini backhoe which is a construction machine for excavation. Note that the working machine M may be a construction machine other than a mini backhoe, such as a truck crane.

[0103] Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 in the pipe joint portion 10 are closed by the mounting member driving portion 13. In the present embodiment, when the mounting member driving portion 13 extends, the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 are driven so that the pipe mounting portions 11a and 12a of the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 contact the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion W2b of the pipe to be joined W2. Thereby, the pipe joint portion 10 can be attached to the receiving port W2a side of the pipe to be joined W2.

[0104] At this time, since the pair of holding members 21 and 22 in the pipe holding portion 20 of the pipe joining device 1 are connected to the pair of mounting members 11 and 12 via the connecting portions 15 and 16, the pair of holding members 21 and 22 are also in a closed state, similar to the pair of mounting members 11 and 12.

[0105] Next, in step S2 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the pipe W1 is positioned with respect to the pipe holding portion 20 of the pipe joining device 1 while being held at a predetermined height by the support base T.

[0106] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, with the joined pipe attachment portion 10 attached to the receiving port W2a side of the joined pipe W2, the pipe W1 held at a predetermined height by a plurality of support bases T is positioned with respect to the pipe holding portion 20 of the pipe joining device 1. Note that the plurality of support bases T support the pipe W1 at a plurality of positions in the axial direction. The support base T is configured to be able to change the support height. The support base T is constituted by, for example, a bag body that can change the support height according to the amount of fluid put inside.

[0107] Next, in step S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the pipe W1 is held by the pipe holding portion 20 of the pipe joining device 1.

[0108] Specifically, the height of the support base T is gradually lowered, and the pipe W1 is brought into contact with the guide portions 21b, 22b of the pair of holding members 21, 22 in the pipe holding portion 20 of the pipe joining device 1. Thereby, the pipe W1 can be aligned in the left - right direction with respect to the pipe holding portion 20. As shown in FIG. 12, the pipe W1 aligned by the guide portions 21b, 22b comes into contact with and is held by the pipe contact portions 21a, 22a of the pipe holding portion 20. Thereby, the axis L1 of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is position - adjusted with respect to the axis L2 of the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2.

[0109] Next, in step S4 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 is gripped by a pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32.

[0110] Specifically, as described above, when the pipe W1 is brought into contact with the pipe contact portions 21a, 22a of the pipe holding portion 20, as shown in FIG. 13, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32 rotate about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction at the connection portions 33, 34 and come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1. Thereby, the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 is gripped by the pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32. Note that the pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32 are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 by a spring member (not shown).

[0111] Next, in step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, a lubricant is supplied onto the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S through the lubricant supply port Va and the lubricant supply passage Vb of the receiving port cover V by the lubricant supply unit 40.

[0112] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the supply pipe portion 42 of the lubricant supply unit 40 is rotated about the support member 43 (solid arrow in FIG. 14), and the tip of the supply pipe portion 42 is inserted into the lubricant supply port Va of the receiving port cover V. Then, a lubricant is supplied from the storage portion 41 to the lubricant supply port Va through the supply pipe portion 42 (hollow arrow in FIG. 14). Thereby, the lubricant can be supplied onto the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S through the lubricant supply passage Vb. The lubricant supplied from the lubricant supply passage Vb spreads on the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S and covers the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S.

[0113] Note that the lubricant seals Sa and Sb prevent the lubricant supplied through the lubricant supply passage Vb from overflowing from the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S.

[0114] Next, in step S6 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the receiving port cover V is removed from the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 by the supply pipe portion 42 of the lubricant supply unit 40.

[0115] Specifically, after the supply of the lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S described above, as shown in FIG. 15, the supply pipe portion 42 is rotated about the support member 43, so that the receiving port cover V fitted at the tip of the supply pipe portion 42 is removed from the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2. Thereby, the receiving port cover V covering the opening of the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 can be removed by the supply pipe portion 42 of the lubricant supply unit 40.

[0116] Next, in step S7 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 are axially moved by the moving portion 36, so that the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is brought close to and inserted into the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2.

[0117] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, a pair of axial movement parts 37, 38 in the moving part 36 are moved in the axial direction. At this time, the tips of a pair of tube gripping parts 31, 32 connected to the ends of the pair of axial movement parts 37, 38 come into contact with the insertion port protrusion W1c of the insertion port W1a of the tube W1. Therefore, due to the axial movement of the above-described axial movement parts 37, 38, the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 is drawn toward the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2 via the pair of tube gripping parts 31, 32. The pair of tube gripping parts 31, 32 are inserted into the receiving port W2a together with the insertion port W1a when the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 is inserted into the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2. Note that the axial movement parts 37, 38 may be provided with a detection part (not shown) for detecting that the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 has been inserted to a predetermined position within the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2. Thereby, the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 can be surely inserted to the predetermined position of the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2.

[0118] Finally, in step S8 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the pair of attachment members 11, 12 in the tube-to-be-joined attachment part 10 and the pair of tube contact parts 21a, 22a in the tube holding part 20 are opened, and the tube joining device 1 is removed from the tube to be joined W2.

[0119] Specifically, after inserting the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 into the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2, by opening the pair of attachment members 11, 12 of the tube-to-be-joined attachment part 10, the pair of tube contact parts 21a, 22a of the tube holding part 20 are also opened. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 17, the tube joining device 1 is lifted by a working machine or the like and separated from the joined tube W1 and the tube to be joined W2. At this time, the receiving port cover V removed by the supply pipe part 42 of the lubricant supply part 40 is also recovered together with the tube joining device 1.

[0120] Thereafter, the flow shown in FIG. 6 is ended (END).

[0121] Here, step S1 corresponds to the step of attaching the pipe to be joined, step S3 corresponds to the pipe holding step, step S4 corresponds to the pipe gripping step, step S5 corresponds to the lubricant supply step, step S6 corresponds to the step of removing the socket cover, and step S7 corresponds to the moving step.

[0122] In the present embodiment, the lubricant supply unit 40 further includes a support member 43 that rotatably supports the supply pipe portion 42 about its base end portion. The supply pipe portion 42 is configured to be able to remove the socket cover V from the socket W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined by rotating about the base end portion with the tip portion inserted into the lubricant supply port Va of the socket cover V.

[0123] Thereby, the socket cover V can be removed from the socket W2a by using the supply pipe portion 42 of the lubricant supply unit 40 that supplies lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S attached to the inner peripheral surface of the socket W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the socket W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined can be performed efficiently.

[0124] Further, in the present embodiment, the pipe joining device 1 has a supply pipe portion 42 that functions as a socket cover removing portion for removing the socket cover V that covers the opening of the socket W2a from the socket W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. Thereby, the socket cover V that covers the opening of the socket W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined can be easily removed from the socket W2a.

[0125] Further, in the present embodiment, in the pipe joining method of joining the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 to the socket W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined to the pipe W1, a step of attaching the pipe to be joined attachment portion 10 to the socket W2a side of the pipe W2 to be joined, a pipe gripping step of gripping the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 by the pipe gripping portions 31, 32, and a moving step of moving at least one of the pipe to be joined attachment portion 10 and the pipe gripping portions 31, 32 in the axial direction so that the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the socket W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined are joined in the axial direction.

[0126] In the above method, at least one of the joined pipe attachment portion 10 attached to the joined pipe W2 and the pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 that grip the pipe W1 is axially moved by the moving portion 36, so that the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 are joined axially. Therefore, using the pipe joining device 1, the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 can be easily joined.

[0127] The device capable of realizing the above method is not a device attached to the tip of the arm portion of a working machine as in the prior art, but a device capable of joining the pipe W1 and the joined pipe W2 while being arranged in a groove. Therefore, when joining the pipe W1 and the joined pipe W2, it is not necessary to grip the pipe W1 through an attachment by a working machine. Thus, a device capable of realizing the above method can be realized with a lightweight and compact configuration.

[0128] Therefore, it is possible to realize a joining method in which an operator can join pipes without working in a groove, using the lightweight and compact pipe joining device 1 that can also be used at a narrow construction site or the like.

[0129] Further, in the present embodiment, the pipe joining method further includes a pipe holding step in which the pipe holding portion 20 holds the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 in a state where the axis L1 of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is position-adjusted with respect to the axis L2 of the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2. In the moving step, with the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 held in the pipe holding step, at least one of the joined pipe attachment portion 10 and the pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 is moved in the axial direction by the moving portion 36.

[0130] Thereby, with the axis L1 of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 position-adjusted with respect to the axis L2 of the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2, the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 can be joined to the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2. Therefore, the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 can be easily joined in a state where they are aligned. Thereby, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the joined pipe W2 can be efficiently performed.

[0131] In the tube holding step, after supporting the tube W1 by a support base T whose height can be adjusted, the height of the support base T is lowered, so that the insertion port W1a side of the tube W1 is held by the tube holding portion 20.

[0132] By lowering the height of the support base T that supports the tube W1 as described above, the tube holding portion 20 can easily hold the insertion port W1a side of the tube W. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the positional adjustment between the axis L of the insertion port W1a of the tube W and the axis L2 of the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2 can be performed.

[0133] Further, in the present embodiment, the tube joining method further includes a receiving port cover removing step of removing a cover that covers the opening of the receiving port of the tube to be joined. Thereby, the receiving port cover V that covers the opening of the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2 can be easily removed from the receiving port W2a.

[0134] Further, in the present embodiment, in the tube joining method, before moving at least one of the tube gripping portions 31 and 32 and the tube to be joined mounting portion 10 in the axial direction in the moving step, the tip of the supply pipe portion 42 is inserted into the lubricant supply port Va formed in the receiving port cover V, and from the storage portion 41 that stores the lubricant, through the supply pipe portion 42, the lubricant is supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S attached to the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2. In the receiving port cover removing step, the receiving port cover V is removed using the supply pipe portion 42.

[0135] Thereby, through the lubricant supply port Va formed in the receiving port cover V that covers the opening of the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2, from the supply pipe portion 42, the lubricant can be supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S attached to the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the tube W1 and the receiving port W2a of the tube to be joined W2 can be performed efficiently.

[0136] Moreover, the receiving port cover V can be removed from the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 by using the supply pipe portion 42 of the lubricant supply portion 40 that supplies lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 can be performed efficiently.

[0137] Also, in the present embodiment, the pipe to be joined attachment portion 10, the pipe gripping portions 31, 32, and the moving portion 36 are included in one pipe joining device 1. In the pipe gripping step, the pipe joining device 1 is gripped by the gripping device X attached to the tip of the arm portion Ma of the working machine M and conveyed to the pipe to be joined W2, and the pipe to be joined attachment portion 10 is attached to the pipe to be joined W2.

[0138] Thereby, the pipe to be joined attachment portion 10 can be easily attached to the pipe to be joined W2 by using the working machine M. Therefore, the joining operation between the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 can be performed efficiently.

[0139] (Other Embodiments) The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the above-described embodiments can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

[0140] In the above embodiment, the attachment member drive portion 13 is, for example, a hydraulic cylinder. However, the attachment member drive portion may be a stretchable actuator such as a piezoelectric element. The attachment member drive portion may have any configuration as long as it can generate a driving force capable of switching the pipe attachment portion between an open state and a closed state.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the attachment member driving unit 13 opens or closes the pair of attachment members 11 and 12. As a result, the pair of holding members 21 and 22 in the pipe holding unit 20 connected to the pair of attachment members 11 and 12 also assume an open state or a closed state. However, the pair of attachment members may be opened or closed by driving the pair of holding members to an open state or a closed state by a driving unit.

[0142] In the above embodiment, the pair of attachment members 11 and 12 in the joined pipe attachment portion 10 and the pair of holding members 21 and 22 in the pipe holding portion 20 are connected by the connecting portions 15 and 16. However, the pair of attachment members and the pair of holding members do not necessarily have to be connected. In this case, driving units may be provided for the pair of attachment members and the pair of holding members, respectively.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the pipe moving mechanism 30 has a pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32. However, the pipe moving mechanism may have one or three or more pipe gripping portions.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 are arc-shaped plate members. However, the pair of pipe gripping portions may have any configuration as long as they are configured to grip the pipe so as to be movable in the axial direction.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the pair of holding members 21 and 22 in the pipe holding unit 20 have pipe contact portions 21a and 22a and guide portions 21b and 22b. However, the holding members do not necessarily have to have guide portions.

[0146] In the above embodiment, the pipe joining device 1 joins the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 and the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2 so that the axis L1 of the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 coincides with the axis L2 of the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined W2. However, the pipe joining device may join the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined so that the axis of the insertion port of the pipe intersects the axis of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. That is, the pipe joining device may join the pipe and the pipe to be joined in a bent state.

[0147] In the above-described embodiment, the pipe moving mechanism 30 moves the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 to the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. However, the pipe moving mechanism may move the receiving port of the pipe to be joined with respect to the insertion port of the pipe. That is, the moving part of the pipe moving mechanism may move so as to draw the pipe-to-be-joined attachment part toward a pair of gripping parts that grip the insertion port side of the pipe. The pipe moving mechanism only needs to be configured such that at least one of the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined is movable.

[0148] In the above-described embodiment, the pipe joining device 1 has the pipe holding part 20 that holds the pipe W1. However, the pipe joining device may not have a pipe holding part. In this case, the pipe joining device may adjust the position of the axis of the insertion port of the pipe with respect to the axis of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined by a pipe gripping part or the like.

[0149] In the above-described embodiment, the pipe joining device 1 has the lubricant supply part 40. However, the pipe joining device may not have a lubricant supply device.

[0150] In the above-described embodiment, the lubricant supply part 40 has the supply pipe part 42 whose tip is inserted into the lubricant supply port Va of the receiving port cover V. However, the lubricant supply part may supply the lubricant onto the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal disposed on the inner surface of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined by a configuration other than the supply pipe.

[0151] In the above-described embodiment, the supply pipe part 42 of the lubricant supply part 40 removes the receiving port cover V from the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. However, the supply pipe part may not have the function of removing the receiving port cover. The pipe joining device may separately have a receiving port cover removing part for removing the receiving port cover.

[0152] In the above embodiment, with the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 gripping the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1, the lubricant supply part 40 supplies lubricant onto the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal S in the receiving port W2a of the pipe W2 to be joined. However, the timing at which the lubricant supply part supplies lubricant onto the inner peripheral surface of the rubber seal in the receiving port of the pipe to be joined may be any timing as long as it is before joining the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined.

[0153] In the above embodiment, either the timing at which the pipe holding part 20 holds the pipe W1 or the timing at which the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 grip the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 may be earlier, or they may be the same timing.

[0154] In the above embodiment, before the pipe W is held by the pipe holding part 20, the pipe W is supported by a plurality of support bases T. However, the pipe may be positioned with respect to the pipe holding part by another device, or may be positioned with respect to the pipe holding part while being suspended by a working machine.

[0155] In the above embodiment, the pipe joining device 1 is carried into the groove for laying the pipe W1 by the working machine M and attached to the pipe W2 to be joined. However, the pipe joining device may be carried into the groove in a state of being attached to the insertion port of the pipe, or may be attached to the receiving port of the pipe to be joined and the insertion port of the pipe respectively. In this case, the pipe joining device attached to the insertion port of the pipe may be carried into the groove in a state of being attached to the insertion port of the pipe.

Industrial Applicability

[0156] The present invention can be used for a pipe joining device for joining the insertion port of a pipe to the receiving port of a pipe to be joined to the pipe.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0157] 1 Pipe joining device 10 Pipe to be joined attachment part 11, 12 Attachment members 11a, 12a Pipe attachment parts 11b and 12b driving force input parts 13 mounting member driving part 15 and 16 connecting parts 20 pipe holding part 21 and 22 holding members 21a and 22a pipe contact parts 21b and 22b guide parts 30 pipe moving mechanism 31 and 32 pipe gripping parts 33 and 34 connecting parts 36 moving part 37 and 38 axial moving parts 39 moving support part 40 lubricant supply part 41 storage part 42 supply pipe part 43 support member W1 pipe W1a insertion port W1b straight pipe part W1c insertion port protrusion W2 pipe to be joined W2a receiving port W2b straight pipe part V receiving port cover Va lubricant supply port Vb lubricant supply path V1 receiving port cover body V1a tapered part V2 receiving port cover insertion part S rubber seal (sealing member) Sa and Sb lubricant seals M working machine Ma arm part X gripping device T support stand L1 and L2 axes

Claims

1. A pipe joining device for joining the insertion port of a pipe having an insertion port and a receiving port to the receiving port of a pipe to be joined that is joined to the pipe, comprising: A pipe-to-be-joined attachment part attached to the receiving port side of the pipe to be joined; A pipe gripping part that grips the insertion port side of the pipe; A moving part that moves at least one of the pipe-to-be-joined attachment part and the pipe gripping part in the axial direction so as to axially join the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined; Having Pipe joining device.

2. In the pipe joining device according to Claim 1, Further comprising a pipe holding part that is connected to the pipe-to-be-joined attachment part and holds the insertion port side of the pipe in a state where the axis of the insertion port of the pipe is position-adjusted with respect to the axis of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined so that the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined can be joined; Pipe joining device.

3. In the pipe joining device according to Claim 2, The pipe-to-be-joined attachment part has a pair of attachment members that sandwich the pipe to be joined; The pipe holding part has a pair of holding members that sandwich the pipe; One of the pair of attachment members is connected to one of the pair of holding members; The other of the pair of attachment members is connected to the other of the pair of holding members; The pair of attachment members and the pair of holding members are configured to be switchable between a closed state in which the pipe to be joined and the pipe are sandwiched and an open state in which they are separated from the pipe to be joined and the pipe; Pipe joining device.

4. In the pipe joining device according to Claim 1, The moving part moves the pipe gripping part so as to pull it in the axial direction with respect to the pipe-to-be-joined attachment part; Pipe joining device.

5. In the pipe joining device according to Claim 4, The pipe gripping part Has a thickness equal to or smaller than the protruding height of the insertion port protrusion located at the tip of the insertion port of the pipe, adheres to the outer peripheral surface on the insertion port side of the pipe, and engages with the insertion port protrusion; Pipe joining device.

6. In the pipe joining device according to Claim 1, Further comprising a lubricant supply part that supplies a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of a seal member attached to the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined; Pipe joining device.

7. In the pipe joining device according to Claim 6, The lubricant supply part A storage part in which the lubricant is stored; A supply pipe part that can be inserted into a hole formed in a receiving port cover whose tip covers the opening of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined and can supply the lubricant from the storage part into the hole; Having Pipe joining device.

8. In the pipe joining device according to claim 7, the lubricant supply section further has a support member that rotatably supports the supply pipe section about its base end portion, the supply pipe section is configured to be able to remove the receiving port cover from the receiving port of the pipe to be joined by rotating about the base end portion with the tip end portion inserted into the hole portion of the receiving port cover, pipe joining device.

9. In the pipe joining device according to claim 1, further having a receiving port cover removal section for removing a receiving port cover that covers the opening of the receiving port from the receiving port of the pipe to be joined, pipe joining device.

10. A pipe joining method for joining an insertion port of a pipe to a receiving port of a pipe to be joined to the pipe, a step of attaching a pipe to be joined attachment section to the receiving port side of the pipe to be joined, a pipe gripping step of gripping the insertion port side of the pipe by a pipe gripping section, a moving step of moving at least one of the pipe to be joined attachment section and the pipe gripping section in the axial direction by a moving section so that the insertion port of the pipe and the receiving port of the pipe to be joined are joined in the axial direction, having, pipe joining method.

11. In the pipe joining method according to claim 10, further having a pipe holding step of holding the insertion port side of the pipe in a state where the axis of the insertion port of the pipe is position - adjusted with respect to the axis of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined by a pipe holding section, in the moving step, with the insertion port side of the pipe held in the pipe holding step, moving at least one of the pipe to be joined attachment section and the pipe gripping section in the axial direction by the moving section, pipe joining method.

12. In the pipe joining method according to claim 11, in the pipe holding step, after supporting the pipe by a support base whose height can be adjusted, lowering the height of the support base to hold the insertion port side of the pipe by the pipe holding section, pipe joining method.

13. In the pipe joining method according to claim 10, further having a receiving port cover removal step of removing a receiving port cover that covers the opening of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined, pipe joining method.

14. In the pipe joining method according to claim 13, Before moving at least one of the pipe gripping part and the pipe fitting part to be joined in the axial direction in the moving step, insert the tip of the supply pipe part into the hole for lubricant supply formed in the socket cover, and from the storage part storing the lubricant, through the supply pipe part, further have a lubricant supply step of supplying lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member attached to the inner peripheral surface of the socket of the pipe to be joined, In the socket cover removing step, remove the socket cover using the supply pipe part. Pipe joining method.

15. In the pipe joining method according to claim 10, The pipe fitting part to be joined, the pipe gripping part, and the moving part are included in one pipe joining device, In the pipe gripping step, while gripping the pipe joining device by a gripping device attached to the tip of the arm part of the working machine, convey it to the pipe to be joined, and attach the pipe fitting part to be joined to the pipe to be joined. Pipe joining method.

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