Pipeline interior inspection device

Abstract

To provide a ship-shaped pipe line inside investigation device capable of effectively investigating an inner surface of a pipe line such as a sewer pipe line.SOLUTION: The in-duct survey apparatus 9 includes a disk-shaped hull 19, a front-side camera 35 provided on the hull 19, a back-side camera 45 provided on the hull 19, a plurality of first tape lights 21 attached to at least an outer circumferential side of the hull 19 over the entire circumference with gaps therebetween, a plurality of second tape lights 23 attached to at least the outer circumferential side of the hull 19 in the respective gaps between the adjacent first tape lights 21, a first switch 93 for turning on and off the first tape lights 21, and a second switch 95 for turning on and off the second tape lights 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe interior inspection device used to inspect the inner surface of a pipe through which water flows, such as a sewer pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] Self-propelled in-pipe investigation devices equipped with cameras, such as those described in Patent Document 1, are often used to investigate the interior surfaces of small-diameter sewer pipes. However, in medium- to large-diameter pipes, the water level is high and the flow speed is fast, making it difficult to simply block the flow of sewage so that a self-propelled in-pipe investigation device can be used. Moreover, even if the flow of sewage is blocked, it can be difficult to use a self-propelled in-pipe investigation device in medium- to large-diameter pipes due to deposits, pipe misalignment, steps, and drop. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3133667 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, when inspecting the inside of medium- to large-diameter pipes, a method is used in which a boat-shaped, non-powered inspection device equipped with a camera is floated downstream in the sewage flow, and the camera takes pictures of the interior surface as it moves. By using this method, it is possible to complete the inspection without stopping the entire length of the inspection section, while the sewage is still flowing.

[0005] However, in medium to large diameter pipes, the distance between the water surface and the inner ceiling surface of the pipe varies, and there is also a risk that the survey equipment will capsize in areas with strong currents.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a boat-type pipeline inspection device that can effectively inspect the inner surface of a pipeline such as a sewer pipeline. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The pipeline investigation device of the present invention for achieving this object is a pipeline investigation device that investigates the inside of a pipeline while riding downstream on the flow of water through the pipeline, and includes a disk-shaped hull (main body), a front-side camera provided on the disk-shaped hull, a back-side camera provided on the disk-shaped hull, a plurality of first tape lights attached around the entire circumference with gaps so as to extend from the front part through the side or lateral part to the back part on the outer periphery of the disk-shaped hull, and a plurality of first tape lights attached around the entire circumference with gaps so as to extend from the front part through the side or lateral part to the back part on the outer periphery of the disk-shaped hull. The device is equipped with a plurality of second tape lights attached to the gaps between adjacent first tape lights and arranged around the entire circumference so as to extend to the gap; a first switch for turning the first tape lights on and off; and a second switch for turning the second tape lights on and off, and is configured to be able to switch between a semi-illuminated state in which only the first tape lights or only the second tape lights are lit, and a fully illuminated state in which both the first tape lights and the second tape lights are lit. The hull and the pipeline interior investigation device are configured to float on water. The front-side camera can be installed at the center of the front side of the disc-shaped hull, and the back-side camera can be installed at the center of the back side of the disc-shaped hull. Disc-shaped hulls include those that are circular or annular (e.g., donut-shaped) in a plan view. Forming the hull into a disc shape prevents the hull from getting caught on the inner surface of the pipeline even if it repeatedly collides or comes into contact with the inner surface of the pipeline.

[0008] A camera is installed on the front side of the hull and a camera is installed on the back side, and for example, a large number of tape lights are attached around the hull's outer periphery, extending from the front side through the side to the back side, so that even if the hull capsizes, it is possible to continue photographing the interior wall surface in the same state as before the capsize. Furthermore, the tape lights can illuminate the entire side of the hull, and the tape lights can be switched between full and half-light, ensuring adequate illumination for camera photography even when the water surface is low above the pipeline wall. The tape lights are, for example, tape-shaped bodies with light-emitting elements or chips attached, such as LED light-emitting elements or chips attached to a tape-shaped base. Alternatively, they are light-emitting tapes.

[0009] On the front side of the disc-shaped hull, for example, a front-side light (front-side auxiliary light) can be removably provided inside the first and second tape lights, and on the back side of the disc-shaped hull, for example, a back-side light (back-side auxiliary light) can be removably provided inside the first and second tape lights. This makes it possible to ensure illumination suitable for camera photography even when the water surface is high above the upper wall of the pipeline.

[0010] By connecting the floating body to the disk-shaped hull via a string-like body (string, rope, cable, wire, etc.), it becomes easy to recover the hull or the pipeline investigation device downstream. Multiple floating bodies can be connected, and the floating bodies can be configured so that gaps are formed between each floating body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The pipeline interior inspection device of the present invention is suitable for inspecting the interior conditions of medium to large diameter pipelines. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a method of using the inside-pipe inspection device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of a pipe line inspection device as seen from the front side. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of a pipe line inspection device as seen from the rear side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hull of the pipeline investigation device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hull of the pipeline investigation device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the pipe line inspection device with the front cover removed and the first and second LED tape lights omitted. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one side of the pipe line inspection device, and only the first and second LED tape lights on both sides are shown, with the others omitted from the illustration. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the other side of the pipeline inspection device with the front and back covers removed, and only the first and second LED tape lights on both sides are shown, with the others omitted from the illustration. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are wiring diagrams for a first LED light strip and a second LED light strip, respectively. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the configuration of the battery box. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram in which the configuration of the battery box is changed. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the case where a light on the front side and a light on the back side are attached. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the case where a floating body is connected to a pipe line inspection device to inspect the inside of a sewer pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] First, a method of using the pipe line inspection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, a pipe investigation device 9, to which a lifeline 7 is connected, is floated in the sewer 1 by turning on a tape light 11 from a manhole 5 on the upstream side of a sewer pipe 3 through which sewage 1 flows. The lifeline 7 is let out and operated to control the speed, etc., and the pipe investigation device 9 is carried downstream along with the flow of the sewage 1. As the pipe investigation device 9 moves downstream with the flow of the sewage 1, it photographs the inner wall surface 13 of the sewer pipe 3 with, for example, a camera 15 on the surface side. When the pipe investigation device 9 reaches a manhole 17 on the downstream side, the pipe investigation device 9 is retrieved and the tape light 11 is turned off. The lifeline 7 is then detached and the pipe investigation device 9 is pulled up to the ground. The lifeline 7 detached from the pipe investigation device 9 is reeled in on the upstream side and retrieved.

[0016] By examining the photographic records taken by the pipe interior inspection device 9 recovered downstream, the deterioration state of the inner surface of the sewer pipe 3 can be confirmed.

[0017] In addition, if it is expected that it will be difficult to retrieve the lifeline 7, for example, because there are many places where the lifeline 7 may get caught in the sewer pipe 3, the pipe investigation device 9 may be dropped into the sewer 1 without connecting the lifeline 7.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the pipe line inspection device 9 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] The pipeline inspection device 9 includes a disk-shaped (more specifically, doughnut-shaped) hull 19, 24 first LED tape lights (strip lights) 21 attached at equal or nearly equal intervals around the periphery of the hull 19, 24 second LED tape lights (strip lights) 23 attached at equal or nearly equal intervals around the periphery of the hull 19, a removable aluminum front cover 25 covering the center of the front side of the hull 19, and a removable aluminum rear cover 27 covering the center of the rear side of the hull 19. The first LED tape lights 21 and the second LED tape lights 23 (strip lights 11) are alternately arranged around the periphery of the hull 19 at equal or nearly equal intervals, for example, and each extends from the front side of the hull 19 along the side to the rear side, each length being, for example, 30 cm. Note that wiring for the first LED tape lights 21 and the second LED tape lights 23 is omitted. The first LED tape light 21 and the second LED tape light 23 are configured so that the lighting state does not change even if the inside-pipe inspection device 9 is overturned, for example.

[0020] The front cover 25 has a front camera window 29 in the center, and light switch windows 31, 31 on both sides of the front camera window 29, with mounting screw holes 33, 33 provided corresponding to the light switch windows 31, 31. A photographing unit 37 of a front camera 35 (front camera 15) attached to the hull 19 protrudes from the front camera window 29. The photographing unit 37 takes still images or videos.

[0021] The rear cover 27 has a rear camera window 39 formed in the center, and light windows 41, 41 on both sides of the rear camera window 39, with mounting screw holes 43, 43 provided corresponding to the light windows 41, 41. A photographing unit 47 of a rear camera 45 attached to the hull 19 protrudes from the rear camera window 39. Four legs 49 protrude from the rear cover 27, allowing the pipe interior inspection device 9 to be placed on it without damaging the rear camera 45.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the hull 19 of the pipe line inspection device 9 has a central storage hole 51 and is integrally provided with a component mounting plate 53 that is hung within the storage hole 51. The hull 19 is configured as a disk (specifically, a doughnut) with the same shape on both the front and back sides. The hull 19 is made of a lightweight material, in this case, foamed resin, so that the pipe line inspection device 9 floats in the sewage 1, and the surface of the foamed resin is coated with a reinforced paint. The lifeline 7 is connected, for example, by tying it to a ring-shaped portion 55 of the hull 19. The first LED tape light 21 and the second LED tape light 23 extend from the center of the width of the ring-shaped portion 55 on both the front and back sides, at the center in the width direction, approximately the center in the width direction, slightly closer to the storage hole 51 than the center in the width direction, or to the middle in the width direction.

[0023] A front-side camera 35 having an imaging unit 37 is attached via a front-side camera pedestal 57 to the front side of the longitudinal center of the component mounting plate 53, and a back-side camera 45 having an imaging unit 47 is attached via a back-side camera pedestal 59 to the back side of the longitudinal center of the component mounting plate 53. The front-side camera pedestal 57 and the back-side camera pedestal 59 are arranged to sandwich the component mounting plate 53 from the front and back sides, and are fixed to the component mounting plate 53 by screwing a total of eight pedestal screws 63 from the front-side camera pedestal 57 and the back-side camera pedestal 59 through through holes (not shown) into four pedestal high nuts 61 arranged between them. The pedestal screws 63 are screwed into each pedestal high nut 61 through the through holes of the front-side camera pedestal 57 and the back-side camera pedestal 59, for example, up to the middle in the longitudinal direction. The front-side camera 35 and the back-side camera 45 have the same configuration and are equipped with a power supply, a switch, and a recording memory (not shown). The photographing unit 37 and the photographing unit 47 have a wide range of photographing, for example, a 360-degree range of photographing. For example, they are configured so that the photographing state does not change even if the pipe line inspection device 9 is overturned. The recording memory records images along with, for example, the elapsed time of photographing or the distance traveled during photographing. During inspection, the front-side camera 35 can be switched on and left in a photographing state, but both the front-side camera 35 and the back-side camera 45 can also be switched on and left in a photographing state. Alternatively, in principle, the front-side camera 35 and the back-side camera 45 are both switched on and left in a photographing state when the inspection is carried out. The front-side camera 35 and the back-side camera 45 are removably attached to the front-side camera pedestal 57 and the back-side camera pedestal 59, respectively.

[0024] A first battery box 65 is attached to each end of the length of the front surface of the component mounting plate 53. Each first battery box 65 accommodates, for example, four AA batteries, and the pair of first battery boxes 65 applies, for example, 12 volts to each of the first LED light strips 21. A second battery box 67 is attached to each end of the length of the back surface of the component mounting plate 53. Each second battery box 67 accommodates, for example, four AA batteries, and the pair of second battery boxes 67 applies, for example, 12 volts to each of the second LED light strips 23. Each first battery box 65 is sandwiched between a pair of aluminum first fixing plates 71 on the front and back surfaces via rubber packings 69, and is attached to the front surface of the component mounting plate 53 by fixing the first fixing plates 71 to, for example, the component mounting plate 53. Each second battery box 67 is sandwiched between a pair of aluminum second fixing plates 75 on the front and back sides via rubber packings 73, and is attached to the back side of the component mounting plate 53 by fixing the second fixing plates 75 to the component mounting plate 53, for example. Note that a first battery can be used instead of the first battery box 65, and a second battery can be used instead of the second battery box 67.

[0025] Two front cover-side high nuts 77 are arranged between the front cover 25 and both longitudinal sides of each front-side first fixing plate 71, and two first battery box high nuts 79 are arranged between each pair of first fixing plates 71. Two back cover-side high nuts 81 are arranged between the rear cover 27 and both longitudinal sides of each back-side second fixing plate 75, and two second battery box high nuts 83 are arranged between each pair of second fixing plates 75. Two connecting high nuts 85 are arranged between the rear cover 27 and both longitudinal sides of each back-side first fixing plate 71 and both longitudinal sides of each front-side second fixing plate 75. Then, a stud bolt (headless bolt, not shown) passing through a through hole (not shown) in the first fixing plate 71 on the front side connects and fixes the front cover side high nut 77 and the first battery box high nut 79, sandwiching the first fixing plate 71 on the front side; a stud bolt (not shown) passing through a through hole (not shown) in the first fixing plate 71 on the back side connects and fixes the first battery box high nut 79 and the connecting high nut 85, sandwiching the first fixing plate 71 on the back side; a stud bolt (not shown) passing through a through hole (not shown) in the second fixing plate 75 on the front side connects and fixes the connecting high nut 85 and the second battery box high nut 83, sandwiching the second fixing plate 75 on the front side; and a stud bolt (not shown) passing through a through hole (not shown) in the second fixing plate 75 on the back side connects and fixes the second battery box high nut 83 and the back cover side high nut 81, sandwiching the second fixing plate 75 on the back side. Then, surface bolts 87 (four in total) are screwed into the surface cover side high nuts 77 from through holes 86 (see Figure 10a) formed in the surface cover 25, and back bolts 91 (four in total) are screwed into the back cover side high nuts 81 via leg high nuts 89 from through holes 88 (see Figure 10b) formed in the back cover 27 to form the inside of the pipeline investigation device 9. The first battery box 65 and the second battery box 67 are clamped by compressing the rubber gaskets 69, 73 between a pair of first fixing plates 71 and a pair of second fixing plates 75.

[0026] The leg height nuts 89 and the rear bolts 91 of the rear cover 27 constitute the legs 49 .

[0027] Waterproof switches or toggle switches 93, 95 are provided at both ends of the front-side camera base 57, and as shown in FIG. 9a, the first LED light strip 21 can be turned on and off by operating one of the switches or toggle switches 93 (first switch, here a switch for applying 12 volts), and as shown in FIG. 9b, the second LED light strip 23 can be turned on and off by operating the other switch or toggle switch 95 (second switch, here a switch for applying 12 volts). The toggle switches 93, 95 can be operated, for example, by inserting a finger into the light switch window 31 of the front cover 25. The first battery boxes 65 are connected in series when the toggle switch 93 is turned on, and a voltage of, for example, 6 volts + 6 volts = 12 volts is applied to each of the first LED light strips 21 connected in parallel to the pair of first battery boxes 65. The second battery boxes 67 are connected in series when the toggle switch 95 is turned ON, and a voltage of, for example, 6 volts + 6 volts = 12 volts is applied to each of the second LED strip lights 23 connected in parallel to the pair of second battery boxes 67.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 10 , a separate first battery box 65 can be additionally fixed on the front and back sides between the first fixing plate 71 on the front side and the front cover 25 via, for example, thick rubber packings 69, 69, and this separate first battery box 65 can accommodate, for example, four AA batteries, so that the two pairs of first battery boxes 65 can apply a voltage of, for example, 12 volts to each of the first LED strip lights 21. Furthermore, a separate second battery box 67 can be additionally fixed on the front and back sides between the second fixing plate 75 on the back side and the back cover 27 via, for example, thick rubber packings 73, 73, and this separate second battery box 67 can accommodate, for example, four AA batteries, so that the two pairs of second battery boxes 67 can apply a voltage of, for example, 12 volts to each of the second LED strip lights 23. 11a, the first LED light strip 21 can be turned on and off by operating one switch or toggle switch 93 (first switch, here a switch for applying 12 volts), and as shown in Fig. 11b, the second LED light strip 23 can be turned on and off by operating the other switch or toggle switch 95 (second switch, here a switch for applying 12 volts). The pair of first battery boxes 65, 65 on one side connected in parallel and the pair of first battery boxes 65, 65 on the other side connected in parallel are connected in series by turning on the toggle switch 93, and a voltage of, for example, 6 volts + 6 volts = 12 volts is applied to each of the first LED light strip 21 connected in parallel to the pair of first battery boxes 65, 65 on one side and the pair of first battery boxes 65, 65 on the other side. The pair of second battery boxes 67, 67 on one side connected in parallel and the pair of second battery boxes 67, 67 on the other side connected in parallel are connected in series when the toggle switch 95 is turned ON, and a voltage of, for example, 6 volts + 6 volts = 12 volts is applied to each of the second LED strip lights 23 connected in parallel to the pair of second battery boxes 67, 67 on one side and the pair of second battery boxes 67, 67 on the other side.

[0029] Next, a case where auxiliary lights are attached inside the first LED tape light 21 and the second LED tape light 23 on the front and back sides of the pipe interior inspection device 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] To attach an auxiliary light (a surface-side light) to the front side, for example, remove the front cover 25 and place the auxiliary light 97 in the light switch window 31 of the front cover 25 from the back side ( FIG. 12 a). The auxiliary light 97 can be a light mounted on a mounting base 99 equipped with a lighting unit 101 and a power switch (not shown). Mounting screws 105 are threaded through mounting screw holes 33 of the front cover 25 into screw holes 103 in the mounting base 99. The edge of the mounting base 99 abuts the back edge of the light switch window light 31, and the lighting unit 101 faces or protrudes from the light switch window 31. The front cover 25 is then attached to the hull 19. The size of the auxiliary light 97 is determined so that it does not interfere with the operation of the toggle switches 93 and 95. To attach an auxiliary light (rear-side light) to the back side, for example, remove the back cover 27 and place the auxiliary light 107 in the light window 41 of the back cover 27 from the front side (FIG. 12b). The auxiliary light 107 can be a light source 113 and a power switch (not shown) attached to a mounting base 109. Screws 117 are threaded through mounting screw holes 43 of the back cover 27 into screw holes 115 in the mounting base 109. The edge of the mounting base 109 abuts the front edge of the light window 41, and the lighting unit 113 faces the light window 41 or protrudes from the light window 41. The back cover 27 is then attached to the hull 19. When using auxiliary lights during an investigation, for example, both the auxiliary light 97 and the auxiliary light 107 are turned on. The auxiliary light 97 and the auxiliary light 107 can be configured to have the same configuration, so that the lighting state does not change even if the pipe inspection device 9 capsizes.

[0031] Another method of using the inside-pipe inspection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] As shown in Figure 13, a rope 119 for connecting a floating body is connected to the pipe interior investigation device 9, and a barrel-shaped or rugby ball-shaped floating body 121 is attached to the tip of this rope 119 and floated in the sewage 1. By letting out and operating the lifeline 7, the speed and the like can be controlled and the pipe interior investigation device 9 is floated downstream along with the flow of the sewage 1. The rope 119 is connected, for example, by tying it to the loop portion 55 of the hull 19. Each of the floating bodies 121 has a through hole 123 through which the rope 119 passes, and the floating body 121 is attached to the rope 119 by passing the rope 119 through this through hole 123 and tying stopper knots 125 on both sides. The floating body 121 is configured to be able to move slightly between the stopper knots 125. When the inside-pipe investigation device 9 reaches the downstream manhole 17, the hooking device 127 is hooked between the floating bodies 121 (for example, the part of the rope 119 between the floating bodies 121) to retrieve the inside-pipe investigation device 9. The hooking device 127 is hooked between the floating bodies 121, for example, and the inside-pipe investigation device 9 can be pulled up from the sewer 1. Other usage methods are the same as those shown in Figure 1. The rope 119 is connected so that the floating body 121 flows ahead of the ship 19 or the inside-pipe investigation device 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1 sewage 3 Sewer pipe 9 Pipeline inspection equipment 19 Hull 21 The first LED strip light 23 Second LED Strip Light 35 Front camera 45 Rear camera 93, 95 Toggle switches

Claims

1. A pipeline investigation device that investigates the inside of a pipeline while riding the flow of water and moving downstream, A disc-shaped hull and A camera on the surface of this disc-shaped hull, a rear camera provided on the disc-shaped hull; a plurality of first tape lights attached around the entire circumference of the disk-shaped hull at least on the outer periphery thereof, with gaps provided so as to extend from the front surface through the side surface to the back surface; a plurality of second tape lights attached to the gaps between adjacent first tape lights and provided around the entire circumference of the disc-shaped hull, extending from the front surface through the side surface to the back surface; a first switch for turning on and off the first light strip; a second switch for turning on and off the second tape light; A pipeline inspection device characterized in that it is configured to be able to switch between a semi-illuminated state in which only the first tape light or only the second tape light is lit, and a fully lit state in which both the first tape light and the second tape light are lit.

2. a light on the surface side of the disc-shaped hull, the light being detachably provided inside the first tape light and the second tape light; 2. The pipeline inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a light is removably provided on the back side of the disc-shaped hull, inside the first tape light and the second tape light.

3. 3. The pipeline inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a floating body is connected to the disk-shaped hull via a string-like body.

4. 4. The pipeline inspection device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the floating bodies are connected together, and gaps are formed between the floating bodies.

Images