Pipe manufacturing equipment for rehabilitation of existing pipes

Abstract

To provide a pipe manufacturing apparatus that allows for easy assembly of the rehabilitated pipe with the unwinding ring, even when the pipe diameter of the rehabilitated pipe differs from the ring diameter of the unwinding ring. [Solution] A pipe-making device 10 for rehabilitating existing pipes is used to manufacture a spiral-shaped rehabilitated pipe 9 that follows the inner circumference of the existing pipe 1 by interlocking the fitting portions 93, 94 of the edges of a long, spirally wound strip member 90 that are one rotation apart. As the pipe is manufactured, the pipe-making device 10 is propelled in the spiral winding direction along the inner circumference of the existing pipe 1. The pipe-making device 10 includes a device frame 11 positioned at the pipe ends 9e, 9ae in front of the extension of the rehabilitated pipe 9 or its unwinding ring 9a, at least one pair of drive rollers 21, 22 provided on the device frame 11, a plurality of pipe end guides 31 to 33 that are slidably engaged with the pipe ends 9e, 9ae, and a brake mechanism 40. A connecting mechanism 50 connects a predetermined pipe end guide 31 to the device frame 11 so that it can be displaced and fixed in the device height direction HD.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe manufacturing device for rehabilitating an existing pipe, for example, an aging sewer pipe, by manufacturing a spiral-shaped rehabilitation pipe on the inner circumference of the existing pipe. In particular, the present invention relates to a self-propelled pipe manufacturing device that is spirally propelled as the pipe is manufactured.

Background Art

[0002] As a pipe manufacturing device for rehabilitating an existing pipe, a self-propelled pipe manufacturing device is known that spirally winds a belt-like member along the inner circumference of the existing pipe and engages the fitting portions of the edges of the belt-like member that are one turn apart from each other in a concave-convex manner to manufacture a rehabilitation pipe and is spirally propelled in the winding direction (see Patent Document 1, etc.). For example, the pipe manufacturing device of Patent Document 1 includes a device frame, at least a pair of drive rollers provided on the device frame, and a plurality of pipe end guides arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (forward and backward propulsion direction) of the device frame. The longitudinal direction of the device frame is directed in the winding direction of the rehabilitation pipe. Each pipe end guide is slidably engaged with the pipe end portion of the rehabilitation pipe in the winding direction.

[0003] The subsequent belt portion of the belt-like member that has not been formed into a pipe and follows the rehabilitation pipe is passed between a pair of drive rollers of the pipe manufacturing device and is sandwiched by these drive rollers. By driving the drive rollers, the subsequent belt portion is obliquely pushed backward from the drive rollers and incorporated into the rehabilitation pipe, and the pipe manufacturing progresses. A propulsion reaction force is generated by the pushing of the subsequent belt portion by the drive rollers and the incorporation into the rehabilitation pipe, and the pipe manufacturing device is spirally propelled. The pipe manufacturing device is guided along the winding direction of the rehabilitation pipe by the pipe end guide. At this time, when a braking mechanism provided on the pipe end guide generates a frictional resistance between the pipe manufacturing device and the pipe end portion of the rehabilitation pipe to apply a brake to the propulsion, the supply amount of the belt-like member by the drive rollers becomes larger than the propulsion amount of the pipe manufacturing device, and the diameter of the rehabilitation pipe is expanded. As a result, the rehabilitation pipe is manufactured so as to adhere to the inner circumferential surface of the existing pipe.

[0004] At the start of the rehabilitation work, a winding ring is made by spirally winding a strip-shaped member one to several times to form the starting end of the rehabilitation pipe, and this winding ring is assembled with the pipe-making device. This winding ring is then installed inside the pipe opening of the existing pipe. Typically, the diameter of the winding ring is slightly smaller than the diameter of the existing pipe. Therefore, the winding ring can be easily installed inside the existing pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-101024 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Each part of this type of pipe-making device, including multiple pipe end guides, is positioned to match the target pipe diameter of the rehabilitated pipe. If the rehabilitated pipe is not enlarged during manufacturing and its pipe diameter is the same as the diameter of the unwinding ring, the assembly of the unwinding ring and the pipe-making device is easy. On the other hand, if the pipe diameter of the rehabilitated pipe becomes larger than the diameter of the unwinding ring due to enlargement during manufacturing, the parts of the pipe-making device are positioned to match the larger pipe diameter than the unwinding ring. Therefore, to assemble the unwinding ring and the pipe-making device, it is necessary to partially deform the unwinding ring using a tool such as a C-clamp. This makes the assembly process complicated and difficult. It is also conceivable to manufacture the unwinding ring to have the same diameter as the pipe diameter of the rehabilitated pipe after enlargement, i.e., the diameter of the existing pipe, but this would make it difficult to install the unwinding ring inside the existing pipe. In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a pipe manufacturing apparatus that can easily assemble a rehabilitated pipe with an unwinding ring, even when the pipe diameter of the rehabilitated pipe differs from the ring diameter of the unwinding ring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a pipe-making apparatus for rehabilitating an existing pipe, which manufactures a spiral-shaped rehabilitated pipe that follows the inner circumference of an existing pipe by interlocking the fitting portions of the edges of a long, spirally wound strip member that are offset by one circumference, and which is propelled in the spiral winding direction along the inner circumference of the existing pipe. An apparatus frame positioned at the pipe end of the rehabilitated pipe or its unwinding ring in the pipe axis direction, with its longitudinal direction oriented toward the winding direction, The device frame is provided with at least one pair of drive rollers that grip the trailing strip portion of the unfinished pipe connected to the pipe end of the strip member and push it diagonally toward the pipe end to obtain force for the interlocking and propulsion, A plurality of pipe end guides are provided spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus frame and are slidably engaged with the pipe end and the winding direction, A braking mechanism provided on at least one of the pipe end guides or on the device frame, which generates a braking force against the propulsion through friction with the pipe end, A connecting mechanism connects a predetermined pipe end guide from among the plurality of pipe end guides to the device frame so that it can be displaced and fixed in the device height direction along the radial direction of the pipe end, It is characterized by having the following features.

[0008] According to the pipe-forming apparatus for rehabilitating existing pipes, the position of the predetermined pipe end guide in the height direction of the apparatus relative to the apparatus frame can be variably adjusted according to the diameter difference between the unwinding ring and the rehabilitated pipe that follows it, and further variably adjusted according to the diameter change caused by the expansion and contraction of the rehabilitated pipe during manufacturing. Therefore, even when the diameter of the rehabilitated pipe differs from the ring diameter of the unwinding ring, the assembly work between the unwinding ring and the pipe-forming apparatus for rehabilitating existing pipes can be easily performed. Moreover, the rehabilitated pipe can be easily expanded and contracted during manufacturing. When assembling the unwinding ring and the pipe-making device for rehabilitating the existing pipe at the start of the rehabilitation work, the position of the predetermined pipe end guide in the height direction of the device relative to the device frame should be aligned with the ring diameter of the unwinding ring. This makes the assembly work easier. Preferably, the ring diameter of the unwinding ring is smaller than the inner diameter of the existing pipe. This makes it easy to install the unwinding ring inside the existing pipe. For example, complicated work such as partially deforming the unwinding ring using a tool such as a C-clamp can be omitted. Subsequently, when expanding the diameter of the rehabilitated pipe to attach it to the inner surface of the existing pipe, the connecting mechanism ensures that the predetermined pipe end guide is displaceable relative to the device frame in the device height direction. Then, the brake mechanism applies the brakes, reducing the amount of propulsion of the existing pipe rehabilitation device to less than the amount supplied to the rehabilitated pipe by the drive rollers in the subsequent belt section, thereby expanding the diameter of the rehabilitated pipe. At this time, the predetermined pipe end guide is displaced toward the bottom side in the device height direction relative to the device frame, following the change in curvature of the rehabilitated pipe toward the expansion side. This allows the rehabilitated pipe to be smoothly expanded in diameter. After the rehabilitated pipe has been expanded in diameter to adhere to the existing pipe, preferably, the position of the predetermined pipe end guide relative to the device frame in the height direction is fixed so as not to be displaced by a connecting mechanism. This allows the rehabilitated pipe to be smoothly attached and manufactured.

[0009] Preferably, the predetermined pipe end guide is a front pipe end guide positioned on the forward side in the longitudinal direction of the device frame. This allows the predetermined pipe end guide to be smoothly displaced in the height direction of the device. Conversely, it is preferable that the pipe end guide in the longitudinal center of the device frame be fixed in the height direction of the device. This allows the feeding position of the subsequent strip by the drive roller to be stabilized when the drive roller is located in the longitudinal center of the device frame, enabling stable pipe manufacturing. Furthermore, it is preferable to fix the position of the pipe end guide on the rear side of the device frame in the longitudinal direction in the device height direction. This allows for stable interlocking of the fitting portion of the trailing belt and the fitting portion of the pipe end on or near the pipe end guide on the rear side of the device.

[0010] Preferably, the connecting mechanism includes a connecting arm extending from the front pipe end guide toward the rear of the propulsion, and the rear end of the connecting arm is rotatably connected to the device frame around an axis along the device width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the device height direction. As a result, the rotation of the connecting arm causes the front pipe end guide to be displaced in the height direction relative to the device frame.

[0011] Preferably, the connecting mechanism includes a rotation-allowing means for allowing or denying the rotation of the connecting arm. By allowing the rotation of the connecting arm using a rotation permission mechanism, the front pipe end guide can be positioned relative to the device frame in the device height direction. When expanding or contracting a rehabilitated pipe, the front pipe end guide can be displaced in the device height direction to follow the change in curvature of the rehabilitated pipe. When the rehabilitated pipe reaches the target pipe diameter, the rotation of the connecting arm can be restricted by the rotation permission mechanism, thereby fixing the position of the front pipe end guide relative to the device frame in the device height direction.

[0012] Preferably, the rotation-allowing means includes an elongated hole formed in one of the device frame and the connecting arm so as to extend in the height direction of the device, and an anti-rotation bolt fixed to the other of the connecting arm and the device frame through the elongated hole. By loosening the locking bolt, the connecting arm can rotate and thus the front pipe end guide can be adjusted in height. The locking bolt is relatively moved in the longitudinal axis direction of the elongated hole within the elongated hole. By setting the length of the elongated hole, the rotatable range of the connecting arm and the variable range of the height of the front pipe end guide can be set. Preferably, the elongated hole is arc-shaped centered on the rotation axis of the connecting arm. By tightening the locking bolt, the connecting arm can be fixed at an arbitrary angle and the front pipe end guide can be fixed at an arbitrary height.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, even when the pipe diameter of the rehabilitated pipe is different from that of the pay-off ring, the assembly work between the pay-off ring and the pipe manufacturing apparatus can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state of rehabilitating an existing pipe using a pipe manufacturing apparatus for rehabilitating an existing pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention in a pipe manufacturing process of the rehabilitated pipe. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pay-off ring assembled with the pipe manufacturing apparatus for rehabilitating an existing pipe. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of a pipe manufacturing apparatus for rehabilitating an existing pipe in a state assembled to the pay-off ring. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4 showing a front pipe end guide (predetermined pipe end guide) and a brake mechanism of the pipe manufacturing apparatus for rehabilitating an existing pipe. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the front pipe end guide and the brake mechanism taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is a front view showing a state in which the front pipe end guide is positioned at the top end in the displaceable range in the apparatus height direction. FIG. 7(b) is a front view showing a state in which the front pipe end guide is positioned at the bottom end in the displaceable range in the apparatus height direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view of the pipe manufacturing apparatus for rehabilitating existing pipes in the pipe manufacturing process.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an existing pipe 1 made of an aging sewer pipe is rehabilitated by lining a rehabilitation pipe 9 on the inner circumference of the existing pipe 1. Examples of the existing pipe include sewer pipes, water supply pipes, agricultural water pipes, hydroelectric penstocks, gas pipes, tunnels, and the like.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rehabilitation pipe 9 is manufactured so as to be attached to the inner circumferential surface of the existing pipe 1. The rehabilitation pipe 9 is a spiral pipe made of a long strip-shaped member 90 (profile) mainly composed of a synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride. As shown in FIG. 5, the strip-shaped member 90 includes a flat strip body 91, a plurality of ribs 92 protruding from the outer peripheral side surface of the strip body 91, and fitting portions 93, 94 having complementary concave-convex cross-sections provided at both edge portions in the strip width direction of the strip body 91. An outer peripheral groove 95 is formed between the rib 92 and the fitting portion 93. A metal reinforcing strip 96 such as steel may be added to the strip-shaped member 90. In the rehabilitation pipe 9, the strip-shaped member 90 is spirally wound, and the adjacent fitting portions 93, 94 that are one turn different from each other are joined by concave-convex fitting.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the spiral-shaped rehabilitated pipe 9 is manufactured by a pipe manufacturing device 10 for rehabilitating existing pipes. The pipe manufacturing device 10 is a self-propelled pipe manufacturing device that propels itself spirally along the inner circumference of the existing pipe 1 while manufacturing the rehabilitated pipe 9. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pipe manufacturing device 10 comprises a device frame 11, a drive unit 20, and three (or more) pipe end guides 31, 32, and 33. The device frame 11, shown by the dashed line in Figure 3, has a length of a fraction to a tens of percent of the circumference of the rehabilitated pipe 9, and is positioned on the inner circumference side of the pipe end 9e at the front of the extension of the rehabilitated pipe 9 (towards the viewer in Figure 2), with its longitudinal direction oriented in the winding direction of the rehabilitated pipe 9. The longitudinal direction LD of the device frame 11 is the forward and backward direction of the propulsion of the pipe manufacturing device 10. As shown in Figure 1, the width direction of the apparatus frame 11 and thus the pipe-making apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as "apparatus width direction WD") is oriented to substantially align with the pipe axis L9 of the rehabilitated pipe 9. More precisely, the apparatus width direction WD is tilted relative to the pipe axis L9 by the helical lead angle of the rehabilitated pipe 9. As shown in Figure 2, the height direction of the apparatus frame 11 and thus the pipe-making apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as "apparatus height direction HD") is oriented toward the pipe diameter direction of the rehabilitated pipe 9 (the radial direction of the pipe end 9e).

[0018] The apparatus frame 11 and, consequently the pipe-making apparatus 10, do not have an inner circumference restricting body that restricts the entire circumference of the pipe end 9e of the rehabilitated pipe 9 from the inner circumference side. The portion of the pipe end 9e other than the part where the pipe-making apparatus 10 is located is open to the inner circumference side. The pipe-making apparatus 10 is a non-inner circumference restricting type self-propelled pipe-making apparatus.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a drive unit 20 is provided approximately in the center of the longitudinal direction LD of the apparatus frame 11. The drive unit 20 includes two stages (at least one pair) of drive rollers 21 and 22 and a drive motor 23. The pair of drive rollers 21 and 22 are separated and facing each other on the top side (facing inward in the radial direction of the rehabilitated pipe 9, the upper side in Figure 4) and the bottom side (facing outward in the radial direction of the pipe, the lower side in Figure 4) of the apparatus height direction HD. The trailing strip portion 9b of the unworked pipe, which is connected to the pipe end 9e at the extension front of the rehabilitated pipe 9 in the strip-shaped member 90 (towards the front of the paper in Figure 4), is passed between the drive rollers 21 and 22. The trailing strip portion 9b is sandwiched between the drive rollers 21 and 22.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the drive motor 23 rotates the drive roller 22. This causes the trailing strip portion 9b to be pushed diagonally backward from the drive rollers 21 and 22 and incorporated into the rehabilitated pipe 9 by being pushed onto the pipe end portion 9e. This advances the pipe manufacturing process. As shown in Figure 5, more specifically, the fitting portion 94 of the strip-shaped member 90 is interlocked with the fitting portion 93 of the pipe end portion 9e. That is, the fitting portions 93 and 94 of the edges of the spirally wound strip-shaped member 90, which are one turn apart, are interlocked. The pushing of the trailing strip portion 9b by the drive rollers 21 and 22 and the interlocking generate a propulsion reaction force, which propels the pipe manufacturing device 10 along the spiral winding direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, pipe end guides 31, 32, and 33 are provided at the bottom of the apparatus frame 11 in the height direction of the apparatus (the lower side in Figure 4). The pipe end guides 31, 32, and 33 guide the pipe making apparatus 10 along the winding direction of the rehabilitated pipe 9. These pipe end guides 31, 32, and 33 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction LD (forward-backward thrust direction) of the apparatus frame 11. Each pipe end guide 31, 32, and 33 includes a slide engagement portion 34. As shown in Figure 5, the slide engagement portion 34 is fitted into the outer circumference groove 95 of the pipe end 9e from the outer circumference side (the lower side in Figure 5), thereby constraining the pipe end 9e in the radial and axial directions, while also being slidable in the winding direction of the pipe end 9e.

[0022] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, for example, the pipe end guide 31 on the forward side of the device frame 11 in the longitudinal direction (forward-backward direction of propulsion) (hereinafter referred to as the "front pipe end guide 31") includes a guide frame 35 and a guide block 36. The guide frame 35 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame that is open on both sides in the device height direction HD (direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 6). As shown in Figure 5, a guide block 36 with an L-shaped cross-section is housed within the guide frame 35. The guide block 36 is supported by the guide frame 35 via a brake shaft 41, which will be described later, so as to be rotatable around an axis along the device width direction WD. A slide engagement portion 34 is integrally provided at the bottom of the guide block 36.

[0023] A braking mechanism 40 is provided on at least one of the pipe end guides 31, 32, and 33, or on the device frame 11. The braking mechanism 40 generates a braking force against propulsion through friction with the pipe end 9e.

[0024] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, for example, a brake mechanism 40 is incorporated into the front pipe end guide 31. The brake mechanism 40 includes a brake shaft 41 and a brake shoe 42. The brake shaft 41 penetrates the guide frame 35 and guide block 36 in the device width direction WD and is rotatably supported by the guide frame 35. An operating lever 43 is detachably attached to the outer end of the extended front side (lower side in Figure 6) of the brake shaft 41. The brake shaft 41 constitutes the rotation axis (axis of rotation) of the guide block 36 and, consequently, the slide engagement portion 34.

[0025] A brake shoe 42 is integrally provided on the portion of the brake shaft 41 that passes through the guide frame 35. The brake shoe 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axis oriented in the device width direction WD, and is eccentric with respect to the brake shaft 41. The brake shoe 42 faces the slide engagement portion 34 with the pipe end 9e in between.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the outer surface of the brake shoe 42 is either close to, spaced apart from, or in contact with, the inner surface of the pipe end 9e. When the pipe-making device 10 is propelled while the brake shoe 42 is in contact with the pipe end 9e, sliding friction resistance is generated between the brake shoe 42 and the pipe end 9e, and a braking force is generated against the propulsion of the pipe-making device 10. Furthermore, the pressing force of the brake shoe 42 against the pipe end 9e, and thus the braking force, is adjusted according to the rotation angle of the brake shaft 41. This allows the propulsion amount of the pipe-making device 10 to be increased or decreased, enabling the rehabilitated pipe 9 to be expanded or contracted during pipe-making. When the braking force is increased, the amount of the trailing belt portion 9b supplied by the drive rollers 21 and 22 becomes greater than the propulsion amount of the pipe-making device 10, and the rehabilitated pipe 9 is expanded in diameter. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, the rehabilitated pipe 9 is manufactured so that it adheres to the inner surface of the existing pipe 1.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, in the pipe-making apparatus 10, a connecting mechanism 50 is provided between a predetermined pipe end guide among the multiple pipe end guides 31, 32, and 33 and the apparatus frame 11. Preferably, the predetermined pipe end guide is the front pipe end guide 31. As shown in Figure 7, the connecting mechanism 50 connects the front pipe end guide 31 (the predetermined pipe end guide) to the apparatus frame 11 so that it can be displaced and fixed in the apparatus height direction HD. Therefore, the front pipe end guide 31 is displaceable in the apparatus height direction HD relative to the apparatus frame 11. On the other hand, the central pipe end guide 32, which is located in the center of the longitudinal direction LD of the apparatus frame 11, and the rear pipe end guide 33, which is located on the rear side of the propulsion, are preferably fixed in position in the apparatus height direction HD.

[0028] As shown in Figures 6 and 7(a), the connecting mechanism 50 includes a connecting arm 51, a rotating shaft member 52, and a rotation-allowing means 53. The connecting arm 51 is integrated with the frame plate 35a on the extended forward side (lower side in Figure 6) of the guide frame 35 of the front pipe end guide 31. The connecting arm 51 extends from the frame plate 35a and thus the front pipe end guide 31 toward the rear (right side in Figure 6). The rear end of the connecting arm 51 (right end in Figure 6) is rotatably connected to the front frame plate 12 at the bottom of the device frame 11 via the rotating shaft member 52. As shown in Figure 6, the frame plates 12 form a pair so as to sandwich the connecting arm 51. The rotation axis of the connecting arm 51, which consists of the rotating shaft member 52, is directed toward the device width direction WD.

[0029] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rotation of the connecting arm 51 is permitted or denied by a rotation permission means 53. The rotation permission means 53 includes an elongated hole 54 formed in each frame plate 12 of the device frame 11 and an anti-rotation bolt 55. The elongated hole 54 is positioned on the forward side (left side in Figure 7(a)) of the rotating shaft member 52 in the frame plate 12 and extends in the device height direction HD. As shown in Figure 7(a), the elongated hole 54 is strictly an arc shape centered on the axis of the rotating shaft member 52. The connecting arm 51 has a bolt insertion hole 56, which is a circular hole, formed so as to overlap with the elongated hole 54. As shown in Figure 6, the anti-rotation bolt 55 is passed through the elongated hole 54 and the bolt insertion hole 56 with its axis facing the device width direction WD, penetrating the frame plate 12 and the connecting arm 51, and is secured by a nut 57. The anti-rotation bolt 55 is displaceable along the elongated hole 54 relative to the device frame 11 and is fixed in position relative to the connecting arm 51.

[0030] Furthermore, the elongated hole 54 may be formed in the connecting arm 51, and the anti-rotation bolt 55 may be displaceable relative to the connecting arm 51 and fixed in position relative to the device frame 11.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7, when the anti-rotation bolt 55 is loosened, rotational displacement of the connecting arm 51 is permitted. At this time, the connecting arm 51 can swivel and rotate in the device height direction HD between the top end angle (Figure 7(a)) and the bottom end angle (Figure 7(b)) around the rotation axis member 52. As shown in Figure 7(a), at the top end angle, the anti-rotation bolt 55 abuts against the top end 54a of the elongated hole 54. As shown in Figure 7(b), at the bottom end angle, the anti-rotation bolt 55 abuts against the bottom end 54b of the elongated hole 54. The swivel rotation of the connecting arm 51 causes the front pipe end guide 31 to be displaced up and down in the device height direction HD relative to the device frame 11. As a result, the rotation axis 41 (axis of rotation) of the slide engagement part 34 is rotated and displaced so as to move up and down relative to the device frame 11 around the rotation axis member 52 (axis of revolution).

[0032] When the anti-rotation bolt 55 is tightened, the rotational displacement of the connecting arm 51 is restricted. Therefore, the swivel angle of the connecting arm 51 is fixed, and the position of the front pipe end guide 31 in the device height direction HD relative to the device frame 11 is fixed. As a result, the rotation axis 41 of the slide engagement part 34 is fixed in position relative to the device frame 11.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, at the start of rehabilitation work, a winding ring 9a is created by winding the strip-shaped member 90 spirally one to several times and interlocking the fitting portions 93 and 94 that are one turn apart. The winding ring 9a constitutes the starting end of the rehabilitation pipe 9. The ring diameter of the winding ring 9a is made slightly smaller (for example, several tens of mm, preferably about 50 mm) than the diameter of the existing pipe 1 and, consequently, the diameter of the rehabilitation pipe 9 when it is attached to the existing pipe 1.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the unwinding ring 9a and the pipe-making device 10 are assembled. Specifically, the pipe end guides 31, 32, and 33 are slidably engaged with the pipe end 9ae on the extended forward side (the side closer to the viewer in Figure 4), and the subsequent strip portion 9b connected to the pipe end 9ae is passed between the drive rollers 21 and 22.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, during assembly, the pivot angle of the connecting arm 51 is adjusted so that the position of the front pipe end guide 31 in the device height direction HD relative to the device frame 11 corresponds to the ring diameter or curvature of the unwinding ring 9a, and the anti-rotation bolt 55 is tightened. Specifically, the front pipe end guide 31 is positioned towards the top end of the device height direction HD (Figure 7(a)). Preferably, the three (or more) pipe end guides 31-33, including the front pipe end guide 31, are positioned on a helical trajectory with the same curvature as the pipe end 9ae of the unwinding ring 9a. This allows the unwinding ring 9a to be easily assembled with the pipe making device 19. It is not necessary to deform a part of the unwinding ring 9a using a tool such as a C-clamp to engage the unwinding ring 9a with the pipe end guides 31-33. Alternatively, by loosening the anti-rotation bolt 55 during assembly, the position of the front pipe end guide 31 in the device height direction HD may be displaced in accordance with the unwinding ring 9a.

[0036] The unwinding ring 9a, to which the pipe-making device 10 is assembled, is installed inside the starting side pipe opening 1d (Figure 1) of the existing pipe 1. Since the unwinding ring 9a has a smaller diameter than the existing pipe 1, it can be easily installed inside the existing pipe 1.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the pipe-making device 10 is then driven to manufacture the rehabilitated pipe 9 following the unwinding ring 9a. The trailing strip portion 9b of the strip member 90 is sequentially unwound from the drum 6 on the ground, passed through the manhole 4, and through the inside of the rehabilitated pipe 9 including the unwinding ring 9a, and supplied to the pipe-making device 10 at the pipe end 9e.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8, preferably, the brake mechanism 40 is used to apply the brakes. This makes the amount of material pushed by the pipe-making device 10 smaller than the amount supplied by the trailing belt section 9b, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, allowing the rehabilitated pipe 9 to be expanded in diameter and attached to the inner circumference of the existing pipe 1.

[0039] When expanding the diameter of the rehabilitation pipe, the anti-rotation bolt 55 is loosened to allow the connecting arm 51 to swivel. This causes the position of the front pipe end guide 31 in the device height direction HD relative to the device frame 11 to be displaced in accordance with the change in curvature of the rehabilitation pipe 9 during expansion. Specifically, as the diameter of the rehabilitation pipe 9 expands, the front pipe end guide 31 is displaced towards the bottom side (downward in Figure 8) of the device height direction HD. This allows the rehabilitation pipe 9 to be expanded smoothly.

[0040] After the rehabilitated pipe 9 has expanded in diameter to adhere to the existing pipe 1, the anti-rotation bolt 55 is preferably tightened to fix the position of the front pipe end guide 31 in the device height direction HD. This allows the rehabilitated pipe 1 to be smoothly attached and manufactured.

[0041] In this way, the pipe-making apparatus 10 allows the position of the front pipe end guide 31 in the height direction of the apparatus relative to the apparatus frame 11 to be variably adjusted according to the diameter difference between the unwinding ring 9a and the rehabilitated pipe 9 that follows it, and furthermore, it can be variably adjusted according to the diameter change caused by the expansion and contraction of the rehabilitated pipe 9 during pipe-making. Therefore, even when the pipe-making diameter of the rehabilitated pipe 9 differs from the ring diameter of the unwinding ring 9a, the assembly work between the unwinding ring 9a and the pipe-making apparatus 10 can be easily performed. Moreover, the rehabilitated pipe 9 can be easily expanded and contracted during pipe-making.

[0042] On the other hand, by fixing the central pipe end guide 32 in position relative to the device frame 11, the feeding position of the subsequent belt section 9b by the drive rollers 21 and 22 can be stabilized, enabling stable pipe manufacturing of the rehabilitated pipe 9.

[0043] Furthermore, by fixing the position of the rear pipe end guide 33 relative to the device frame 11, the interlocking of the fitting portions 93 and 94 on or near the rear pipe end guide 33 can be stably performed, thereby enabling the stable manufacture of the rehabilitated pipe 9.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit. For example, the connecting mechanism may be a sliding mechanism that connects a predetermined pipe end guide 31 to the device frame 11 so that it can slide in the device height direction HD. The predetermined pipe end guides that can be displaced in the height direction HD of the device are not limited to the front pipe end guide 31, but may also be pipe end guides 32, 33 located in the center of the longitudinal direction LD of the device frame or on the rear side of the propulsion. The braking mechanism 40 may be provided on each pipe end guide 31, 32, 33, or on only some of the pipe end guides. The braking mechanism 40 may also be provided on the device frame 11, away from the pipe end guides 31, 32, 33. [Industrial applicability]

[0045] This invention can be applied, for example, to rehabilitation techniques for existing pipes such as aging sewer pipes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1 Existing pipe 9 Rehabilitation pipe 9a Winding ring 9ae Tube end 9e Tube end 90 Strip-shaped member 91 Band body 93,94 Fitting part 10. Pipe manufacturing device for rehabilitation of existing pipes 11. Device frame 20 Drive Unit 21,22 Drive rollers 31 Front pipe end guide (pipe end guide, designated pipe end guide) 32. Central pipe end guide (pipe end guide) 33. Rear end guide (end guide) 34 Slide engagement part 40 Brake mechanism 41 Brake shaft 42 Brake shoes 50 Connection mechanism 51 Connecting Arm 52 Rotating shaft member 53 Rotation permission / denial means 54 long hole 55 Anti-rotation bolt 56 Bolt insertion holes 57 Nut L9 tube shaft LD (Long side) WD device width direction HD device height direction

Claims

1. A pipe-making apparatus for rehabilitating existing pipes, which manufactures a spiral-shaped rehabilitated pipe that follows the inner circumference of an existing pipe by interlocking the interlocking portions of the edges of a long, spirally wound strip member that are one full turn apart, and which is propelled in the spiral winding direction along the inner circumference of the existing pipe, An apparatus frame positioned at the pipe end of the rehabilitated pipe or its unwinding ring in the pipe axis direction, with its longitudinal direction oriented toward the winding direction, The device frame is provided with at least one pair of drive rollers that grip the trailing strip portion of the unfinished pipe connected to the pipe end of the strip member and push it diagonally toward the pipe end to obtain force for the interlocking and propulsion, A plurality of pipe end guides are provided spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus frame and are slidably engaged with the pipe end and the winding direction, A braking mechanism provided on at least one of the pipe end guides or on the device frame, which generates a braking force against the propulsion through friction with the pipe end, A connecting mechanism connects a predetermined pipe end guide from among the plurality of pipe end guides to the device frame so that it can be displaced and fixed in the device height direction along the radial direction of the pipe end, A pipe manufacturing device for rehabilitating existing pipes, characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The pipe manufacturing apparatus for rehabilitating existing pipes according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pipe end guide is a front pipe end guide positioned on the longitudinal forward side of the apparatus frame.

3. The connecting mechanism includes a connecting arm extending from the front pipe end guide toward the rear of the propulsion, The pipe manufacturing apparatus for rehabilitating existing pipes according to claim 2, wherein the rear end of the connecting arm is rotatably connected to the apparatus frame about an axis along the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the apparatus which is perpendicular to the height direction of the apparatus.

4. The pipe manufacturing apparatus for rehabilitating existing pipes according to claim 3, wherein the connecting mechanism includes a rotation-allowing means for allowing or denying the rotation of the connecting arm.

5. The pipe manufacturing apparatus for rehabilitating existing pipes according to claim 4, wherein the rotation-allowing means includes an elongated hole formed in one of the apparatus frame and the connecting arm so as to extend in the height direction of the apparatus, and a rotation-preventing bolt fixed in position to the other of the connecting arm and the apparatus frame through the elongated hole.

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