Cable transport device and cable laying method

Abstract

The present invention provides a cable transport device and cable laying method that enable easy cable laying in cable racks where there are obstacles above or to the side of the cable mounting surface. [Solution] The cable transport device is a cable transport device for laying cables on a cable rack, and comprises a transport roller, a frame that rotatably supports the transport roller, and a support member connected to the frame and erected on the cable rack. When the support member is erected on the cable rack, the roller axis of the transport roller is located below the cable mounting surface of the cable rack, and the transport surface of the transport roller protrudes above the cable mounting surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable conveying device and a cable laying method for extending a cable to a cable rack suspended on a beam or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a method for extending a long cable of a large size such as a power cable or a communication cable, a cable conveying device having a conveying means such as a roller (including a pulley and a caterpillar) is arranged at a predetermined interval in the extending direction, and the cable is drawn out and laid while allowing the cable to crawl on the conveying surface of the roller (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are useful, for example, when extending a cable to a cable rack in which a bracket is attached to a column installed in a tunnel in a T shape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 assumes that after extending the cable using a cable support device having a support metal fitting, the extension roller is removed and the support metal fitting is used as a cable rack, and it cannot be applied when extending a cable to an existing cable rack.

[0005] Furthermore, the construction method disclosed in Patent Document 2 is difficult to apply when laying cables within substation premises or factories. That is, in substation premises and factories, the main focus is on the installation of equipment such as transformers and switches, and cable laying is secondary. Therefore, due to limitations imposed by the arrangement of equipment, the structure of the building, and piping, cable racks are often suspended from the ceiling or beams (steel materials) installed on the ceiling, and cables are laid from there. In this case, as shown in Figure 1, suspension devices 120 are arranged at certain intervals along the laying direction on both sides of the cable rack 100 in the width direction, making it difficult to move the cable C from the side of the cable rack 100 after it has been laid, as described in Patent Document 2.

[0006] Furthermore, the distance from obstacles such as beams 111 and ceilings 112 to the cable rack 100 is set short in order to make effective use of space, making it difficult to install and use relatively large transport devices such as caterpillars or ball rollers on the cable rack 100. If such transport devices are installed on the cable rack 100, the height difference between the cable placement surface of the cable rack 100 and the transport surface of the transport device becomes large, making it easier for the cable C and obstacles located above the cable C to come into close proximity and rub against each other when the cable C is laid. In addition, the cable C will bend up and down when laid, making it difficult to transport smoothly, and there is a risk that the cable C may be damaged by the bending.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a cable transport device and a cable laying method that can easily lay cables in cable racks where there are obstacles above or to the side of the cable mounting surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cable transport device according to the present invention is A cable transport device for laying cables to a cable rack, Conveyor rollers and A frame that rotatably supports the aforementioned transport roller, It comprises a frame connected to the aforementioned frame and an erection member that is erected on the cable rack, When the erection member is erected on the cable rack, the roller shaft of the transport roller is located below the cable mounting surface of the cable rack, and the transport surface of the transport roller protrudes above the cable mounting surface.

[0009] A cable laying method for extending cables to a cable rack using the above-described cable transport device, The mounting member is erected on the cable rack such that the roller shaft of the transport roller is perpendicular to the extension direction of the cable. The erection member and the frame to which the transport roller is attached are connected, The height of the transport roller is adjusted so that the transport surface of the transport roller is above the cable mounting surface of the cable rack. While pulling the cable out from the drum, it is transported along the transport surface of the transport roller in the longitudinal direction. After transporting the cable of a predetermined length, the cable transport device is removed from the cable rack. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, cables can be easily extended to cable racks where there are obstacles above or to the side of the cable mounting surface. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the configuration of cable routing to a cable rack suspended from the ceiling or the like. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a construction method using a cable transport device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figures 3A and 3B are external perspective views showing the overall configuration of the cable transport device. [Figure 4] Figures 4A and 4B are a plan view and a side view showing the cable transport device. [Figure 5] Figures 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of AA in Figure 4A. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams showing an example of an installation mode of the cable conveyance device with respect to the cable rack. [Figure 7] FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing an example of an attachment process of the cable conveyance device with respect to the cable rack.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a construction method using the cable conveyance device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the cable conveyance device 1 is used, for example, when laying the cable C on the cable rack 100 disposed in the upper space within the substation premises. The cable rack 100 is suspended, for example, from the beam 111 or the ceiling 112 by the suspension tools 120 disposed at predetermined intervals along the extension direction on both sides in the width direction of the cable rack 100. The suspension tool 120 includes, for example, a suspension steel material 121 and a suspension wire 122. The beam 111, the ceiling 112, and the suspension tool 120 may become obstacles when extending the cable C.

[0014] The cable rack 100 is, for example, a ladder-type rack having a main girder 101 and a sub-girder 102. The main girder 101 is a long member and is also called a main rail. Two main girders 101 are arranged side by side in the width direction. The extending direction (longitudinal direction) of the main girder 101 is the extension direction of the cable C. The sub-girder 102 is a member installed on the two main girders 101 and is also called a cross member. The sub-girders 102 are arranged at predetermined intervals over the entire length of the main girder 101. The upper surface 102a (see FIG. 5A) of the sub-girder 102 when the cable rack 100 is installed substantially horizontally is the cable placement surface, and the extended cable C is placed thereon. Hereinafter, the upper surface 102a of the sub-girder 102 is referred to as the "cable placement surface 102a".

[0015] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are external perspective views showing the overall configuration of the cable conveying device 1. In FIG. 3B, the erection member 30 and the connecting portion 40 are shown omitted. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are respectively a plan view seen from above in the +Z-axis direction of the cable conveying device 1 and a side view seen from the side in the +Y-axis direction.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3A and the like, in the embodiment, an orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is used for explanation. The same orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is also shown in the figures described later. When the extension of the cable C is performed using the cable conveying device 1, the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, and the X-axis direction is the front-rear direction (the extension direction of the cable C). Further, the Y-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the cable C and is the roller axis direction of the conveying roller 10.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3A and the like, the cable conveying device 1 includes a conveying roller 10, a frame 20, an erection member 30, a connecting portion 40, and the like. The connecting portion 40 includes, for example, a bolt 41, a nut 42, a biasing member 43, and a pressing plate 44.

[0018] The conveying roller 10 is a conveying member that assists in the drawing operation of the cable C. The conveying roller 10 is composed of, for example, a rubber roller having a surface layer 12 made of an elastic resin such as rubber formed on the peripheral surface of a core metal 11. The conveying roller 10 is rotatably attached to the frame 20.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the roller shaft 13 of the conveying roller 10 is fixed to the bearing 22a of the frame 20, and the roller body (core metal 11) is configured to rotate with respect to the roller shaft 13.

[0020] While pulling out the cable C from a drum (not shown) by a hauling machine or the like, the cable C is made to crawl on the conveying surface 10a (see FIG. 5A) of the conveying roller 10, whereby the cable C can be conveyed in the longitudinal direction and extended. The hauling machine is a device used for laying cables and is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-94131.

[0021] The transport roller 10 is preferably a drive roller (motor roller) that rotates using the power of a motor (not shown). By configuring the transport roller 10 as a drive roller, the cable C can be laid efficiently. The transport roller 10 may also be a driven roller (free roller) that rotates due to the frictional force when transporting the cable C. When laying the cable C, for example, cable transport devices 1 equipped with drive rollers and cable transport devices 1 equipped with driven rollers are installed alternately in the longitudinal direction of the cable rack 100.

[0022] The frame 20 is formed from, for example, general structural rolled steel (SS400). The frame 20 may be a single component formed integrally by sheet metal processing, or it may be a component formed by welding together unit components formed by sheet metal processing. The configuration of the frame 20 shown in this embodiment is just one example, and the details of the components can be appropriately modified in design as long as the individual functions are not impaired.

[0023] The frame 20 has a bottom frame 21 and side frames 22. The transport rollers 10 are positioned in the space enclosed by the bottom frame 21 and the side frames 22.

[0024] The bottom frame 21 has a rectangular shape that extends in the direction of the roller axis (Y axis) of the conveyor roller 10 when viewed from above (Z axis + side). The bottom frame 21 has through holes 21a through which bolts 41 are inserted in the portions enclosed by the side frames 22 at both ends in the direction of the roller axis. In addition, the edges along the long side of the bottom frame 21 are bent downward (Z axis - side), and the cross-section is formed in a U shape when viewed from the direction of the roller axis.

[0025] Each side frame 22 is formed in a U-shape in cross-section when viewed from above (Z-axis direction + side). The side frames 22 are erected at both ends along the short side of the bottom frame 21 such that the open end of the U-shape faces outward in the motor axis direction (Y-axis direction). Bearings 22a that support the roller shafts 13 of the conveyor rollers 10 are formed on the side frames 22.

[0026] The erection member 30 is a member that is erected on the cable rack 100. The erection member 30 is positioned above the side frame 22 (Z-axis direction + side) at both ends in the motor axis direction of the cable transport device 1. The erection member 30 is a sheet metal member having a rectangular shape when viewed from above in plan view. The length of the erection member 30 is set according to the spacing between the subgirders 102 of the cable rack 100. The erection member 30 is connected to the frame 20 by a connecting part 40.

[0027] The erection member 30 has a flat main body 33 and hooks 31 and 32 that can be hooked onto the subgirders 102 of the cable rack 100. A through hole (not shown) through which a bolt 41 can be inserted is provided approximately in the center of the longitudinal direction of the main body 33. The hooks 31 and 32 are provided at both ends of the main body 33 so as to hang downward (towards the Z-axis direction), in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the main body 33. When the transport roller 10 rotates to transport the cable C, a force in the extension direction acts on the transport roller 10 due to friction with the cable C, but the hooks 31 and 32 are locked onto the subgirders 102, preventing the cable transport device 1 from moving in the extension direction and falling. Hereinafter, one hook 31 will be referred to as the "first hook 31" and the other hook 32 as the "second hook 32".

[0028] The first hook portion 31 and the second hook portion 32 are engageable with each other. In this embodiment, the first hook portion 31 has a protruding shape that extends in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction side). The second hook portion 32 has a groove portion 32a that is recessed in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction side). When two cable transport devices 1 are installed side by side along the extension direction of the cable C, the first hook portion 31 of one cable transport device 1 and the second hook portion 32 of the other cable transport device 1 engage to sandwich one sub-girder 102 (see Figures 5A and 5B).

[0029] By making the first hook portion 31 and the second hook portion 32 able to engage with each other, the two cable transport devices 1 can be installed side by side along the extension direction of the cable C without interfering with each other. Furthermore, by connecting the two cable transport devices 1, the posture of the cable transport devices 1 is stabilized, allowing the cable C to be transported smoothly.

[0030] The hooks 31 and 32 are examples of how the erection member 30 can be fixed to the cable rack 100. The erection member 30 may also be fixed to the cable rack 100 by structures other than the hooks provided on the erection member 30, or by fixing members separate from the erection member 30.

[0031] The connecting section 40 connects the frame 20 and the erection member 30. The connecting section 40 functions as a height adjustment section that can adjust the position of the conveying surface 10a of the conveying roller 10 (see Figures 5A and 5B) in the height direction (Z-axis direction). In this embodiment, two sets of connecting sections 40 are arranged on each side in the roller axis direction (Y-axis direction).

[0032] The bolt 41 is inserted from above (Z-axis direction + side) through the through hole (not shown) in the erection member 30 and the through hole 21a in the frame 20. The frame 20 and the erection member 30 are connected by screwing a nut onto the bolt 41 from below via the biasing member 43 and the retaining plate 44. The biasing member 43 is, for example, a compression coil spring.

[0033] Figures 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of AA in Figure 4A. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, in this embodiment, when the cable transport device 1 is installed on the cable rack 100, the erection member 30 and the frame 20 (upper surface of the side frame 22) are spaced apart in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). By adjusting the amount of tightening of the nuts 42 on the bolts 41, the height position of the frame 20, that is, the height position of the transport surface 10a of the transport roller 10 supported by the frame 20, can be adjusted.

[0034] Figures 6A and 6B show examples of how the cable transport device 1 is installed on the cable rack 100. Figure 6A is a plan view seen from above (Z-axis direction + side). Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in Figure 6A.

[0035] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the cable transport device 1 is positioned in the space formed between the subgirders 102 of the cable rack 100. The mounting interval of the cable transport device 1 is appropriately selected depending on the type of cable C. Alternatively, the cable transport device 1 may be applied only to areas with obstacles such as beams 111, and conventional cable transport devices such as caterpillars may be used in combination with the cable transport device 1 of this embodiment in areas without obstacles.

[0036] Alternatively, multiple cable transport devices 1 may be arranged side by side along the extension direction of the cable C. In this case, the cable transport devices 1A and 1B are arranged so that the first hook portion 31A of one cable transport device 1A and the second hook portion 32B of the other cable transport device 1B engage with each other, sandwiching one sub-girder 102.

[0037] Figures 7A to 7C show an example of the installation process of the cable transport device 1 to the cable rack 100.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7A, the two support members 30 are positioned to bridge two adjacent subgirders 102 of the cable rack 100. The two support members 30 are positioned appropriately spaced apart so as to be located above the side frame 22 (on the Z-axis + side). Bolts 41 are inserted through the support members 30.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7B, a bolt 41 is inserted through a through hole 21a in the frame 20 to which the transport roller 10 is attached. As shown in Figure 7C, a nut 42 is screwed onto the bolt 41 via a biasing member 43 and a retaining plate 44. The cable transport device 1 is held suspended from the cable rack 100. The roller shaft 13 of the transport roller 10 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable rack 100, i.e., the extension direction of the cable C.

[0040] Subsequently, the height of the transport roller 10 is adjusted so that the transport surface 10a of the transport roller 10 is above (towards the positive Z-axis) the cable mounting surface 102a of the cable rack 100 (see Figures 5A and 5B).

[0041] In this way, the cable transport device 1 is installed on the cable rack 100. When laying a cable C, the cable C is pulled out from a drum (not shown) by a hauling machine or the like, and the cable C is laid along the transport surface 10a of the transport roller 10 and transported in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 2). Since the transport surface 10a of the transport roller 10 protrudes above the cable mounting surface 102a of the cable rack 100, the cable rack 100 (sub-girder 102) and the cable C do not rub against each other during transport, and damage to the cable C due to rubbing can be suppressed.

[0042] After transporting a predetermined length of cable C, the cable transport device 1 is removed from the cable rack 100. The transport rollers 10 and frame 20 are removed by pulling them downward (towards the Z-axis direction) by releasing the bolts 41 and nuts 42. The erection member 30 is removed by lifting it upward together with the bolts 41. The cable transport device 1 can be easily removed without interfering with the laid cable C and the cable rack 100.

[0043] As described above, the cable transport device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with the following features individually or in appropriate combinations.

[0044] In other words, the cable transport device 1 is a cable transport device for laying a cable C to a cable rack 100, and comprises a transport roller 10, a frame 20 that rotatably supports the transport roller 10, and a support member 30 that is connected to the frame 20 and erected on the cable rack 100. When the support member 30 is erected on the cable rack 100, the roller shaft 13 of the transport roller 10 is located below the cable mounting surface 102a of the cable rack 100, and the transport surface 10a of the transport roller 10 protrudes above the cable mounting surface 102a.

[0045] Furthermore, the cable laying method according to the embodiment is a cable laying method for laying a cable C to a cable rack 100 using a cable transport device 1, wherein a support member 30 is erected on the cable rack 100 so that the roller shaft 13 of the transport roller 10 is perpendicular to the direction of cable C laying (see Figure 7A), the support member 30 is connected to the frame 20 to which the transport roller 10 is attached (see Figures 7B and 7C), the height position of the transport roller 10 is adjusted so that the transport surface 10a of the transport roller 10 is above the cable mounting surface 102a of the cable rack 100, the cable C is pulled out from the drum and transported longitudinally along the transport surface 10a of the transport roller 10, and after transporting a predetermined length of cable C, the cable transport device 1 is removed from the cable rack 100.

[0046] According to the cable transport device 1 and the cable laying method using the cable transport device 1, the cable transport device 1 can be installed suspended from the cable rack 100. Therefore, cables C can be easily laid on cable racks 100 that have obstacles above or to the side of the cable mounting surface 102a. In addition, since the transport surface 10a of the transport roller 10 protrudes above the cable mounting surface 102a, damage to the cables C due to friction with the cable rack 100 can be suppressed.

[0047] The cable transport device 1 is equipped with a height adjustment unit that allows adjustment of the height position of the transport surface 10a. This allows for appropriate adjustment of the amount of protrusion of the transport surface 10a relative to the cable mounting surface 102a, depending on the type and weight of the cable C, the method of cable laying, etc.

[0048] Specifically, the cable transport device 1 includes a connecting section 40 that connects the frame 20 and the erection member 30. The connecting section 40 functions as a height adjustment section, allowing the height position of the frame 20 to be adjusted. This allows the amount of protrusion of the transport surface 10a relative to the cable mounting surface 102a to be appropriately adjusted using the connecting section 40.

[0049] In the cable transport device 1, the connecting portion 40 has a bolt 41 that is positioned to penetrate the erection member 30 and the frame 20, and a nut 42 that is screwed onto the bolt 41. By adjusting the amount the nut 42 is tightened on the bolt 41, the height position of the frame 20 is adjusted. This makes it easy to adjust the amount the transport surface 10a protrudes relative to the cable mounting surface 102a.

[0050] In the cable transport device 1, the cable rack 100 has two main girders 101 that are spaced apart in the width direction and arranged parallel to each other, and a plurality of sub-girders 102 that are erected on the two main girders 101. The erection members 30 are arranged on both sides in the direction of the roller axis of the transport roller 10 and can be erected on adjacent sub-girders 102. This allows the cable transport device 1 to be easily attached to and detached from the cable rack 100.

[0051] In the cable transport device 1, the erection member 30 has hook portions 31 and 32 at one end and the other end in the extending direction, which are bent in a direction intersecting the extending direction and hooked onto the sub-girder 102. Even if a force in the extending direction is applied to the transport roller 10 due to friction with the cable C, the hook portions 31 and 32 are locked onto the sub-girder 102, preventing the cable transport device 1 from moving in the extending direction and falling, thereby improving safety.

[0052] Furthermore, in the cable transport device 1, the hook portions 31 and 32 are mutually engageable. This allows two cable transport devices 1 to be installed side by side along the extension direction of the cable C without interfering with each other. In addition, the connection of the two cable transport devices 1 stabilizes the posture of the cable transport devices 1, allowing the cable C to be transported smoothly.

[0053] In the cable transport device 1, the transport roller 10 is a drive roller. This allows the cable C to be transported efficiently.

[0054] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified without departing from its spirit.

[0055] For example, the erection member 30 of the cable transport device 1 may be erected on the main girder 101 of the cable rack 100 in place of or together with the sub-girders 102. Furthermore, the cable transport device 1 can be applied not only to ladder-type cable racks 100, but also to cable racks that have space to install the cable transport device 1 when extending cables C.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, the positional relationship between the conveying surface 10a of the conveying roller 10 and the cable mounting surface 102a is not limited to control by the connecting portion 40, but may be controlled, for example, by the depth of the notch forming the bearing 22a of the frame 20. Alternatively, the frame 20 may be provided with multiple bearings 22a at different height positions in multiple stages. In this case, when the frame 20 and the erection member 30 are connected, the frame 20 and the erection member 30 may come into contact due to the biasing force of the biasing member 43. Alternatively, for example, the biasing member 43 may be omitted, and the frame 20 may be fixed to the erection member 30.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bolts 41 are inserted through through holes in the frame 20 and the erection member 30, but instead of through holes, through grooves may be provided in the frame 20 and the erection member 30 so that the bolts 41 can be attached from the side.

[0058] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1. Cable transport device 10 Conveyor rollers 20 frames 30 Erection Members 40. Connecting section (height adjustment section) 100 Cable Rack 101 Parent digit 102 sub-digits C Cable

Claims

1. A cable transport device for laying cables to a cable rack, Conveyor rollers and A frame that rotatably supports the aforementioned transport roller, It comprises a frame connected to the aforementioned frame and an erection member that is erected on the cable rack, When the erection member is erected on the cable rack, the roller shaft of the transport roller is located below the cable mounting surface of the cable rack, and the transport surface of the transport roller protrudes above the cable mounting surface. Cable transport device.

2. The transport surface is equipped with a height adjustment unit that allows adjustment of its position in the height direction. The cable transport device according to claim 1.

3. It includes a connecting part that connects the frame and the erection member, The connecting portion functions as the height adjustment portion, and the position of the frame in the height direction can be adjusted. The cable transport device according to claim 2.

4. The connecting portion includes a bolt positioned to penetrate the erection member and the frame, and a nut that is screwed onto the bolt. The height position of the frame is adjusted by adjusting the amount the nut is tightened on the bolt. The cable transport device according to claim 3.

5. The cable rack comprises two main girders spaced apart and arranged parallel to each other in the width direction, and a plurality of sub-girders erected on the two main girders. The erection members are arranged on both sides in the axial direction of the transport roller and can be erected on adjacent subgirders. The cable transport device according to claim 1.

6. The erection member has hook portions at one end and the other end in the extending direction, which are bent in a direction intersecting the extending direction and are used to hook onto the subgirders. The cable transport device according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned hook portions are interlockable with each other. The cable transport device according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned transport roller is a drive roller. The cable transport device according to claim 1.

9. A cable laying method for extending a cable to a cable rack using the cable transport device described in claim 1, The mounting member is erected on the cable rack such that the roller shaft of the transport roller is perpendicular to the extension direction of the cable. The erection member and the frame to which the transport roller is attached are connected, The height of the transport roller is adjusted so that the transport surface of the transport roller is above the cable mounting surface of the cable rack. While pulling the cable out from the drum, it is transported along the transport surface of the transport roller in the longitudinal direction. After transporting the cable of a predetermined length, the cable transport device is removed from the cable rack. Cable laying methods.

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