Pipe cleaning device and pipe cleaning method.

Abstract

The first problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a safe and reliable pipe cleaning device that can clean the inside of pipes while preventing the brush from falling off. The second problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a pipe cleaning device that does not require a separate device for generating fine bubbles and can continuously and stably generate fine bubbles even inside pipes. [Solution] A tubular pipe cleaning device connected to a pressure-resistant hose, comprising a nozzle head for spraying cleaning water onto the inner wall of the pipe, brushes projecting radially in the radial direction of the pipe cleaning device, and a fall prevention part for preventing the brushes from falling off, the fall prevention part being a plate-shaped member projecting radially from the pipe cleaning device, and the brushes being connected to the pipe cleaning device via a ring that fits around the outer circumference of the pipe cleaning device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe cleaning device capable of cleaning the inner wall of a pipe and a method for cleaning a pipe using the device.

Background Art

[0002] Hitherto, devices for cleaning the inner wall of pipes such as water supply and drainage pipes have solely attempted cleaning by jetting high-pressure water. However, since the ability to remove adherent substances in pipes is limited by high-pressure water alone, techniques for mechanically removing adherent substances using means such as brushes have been developed.

[0003] For example, a nozzle device for cleaning a vertical drainage pipe (see Patent Document 1), in which a disk-shaped part protruding horizontally together with a nozzle head also rotates, so that the disk-shaped part collides with adherent substances adhering to the inner wall of the drainage pipe like hitting a hammer to mechanically break the adherent substances; a nozzle device that jets high-pressure water, and an arrow-shaped member disposed at the tip of the nozzle device, where the outer diameter of the arrow-shaped member is larger than the outer diameter of the nozzle device (see Patent Document 2); a method for cleaning a drainage pipe using a hose configured such that high-pressure water is discharged against the blades of a waterwheel provided between the tip of the hose and the inner wall of the drainage pipe to rotate the blades of the waterwheel, and a rotating brush connected to the waterwheel drives the bristles to rotate along the inner surface of the pipe wall (see Patent Document 3), etc. are known.

[0004] In recent years, in addition to high-pressure water, pipe cleaning devices using cleaning water containing fine bubbles such as fine bubbles have been developed. For example, a cleaning device that connects a bubble generator to a high-pressure water hose and jets fine bubbles together with high-pressure water from an injection nozzle (see Patent Document 4); a method for cleaning a pipe characterized in that high-pressure water and fine bubbles are jetted from a nozzle provided at the tip of a high-pressure hose, and the fine bubbles expand as they are jetted and function to peel off and remove the adhering dirt (see Patent Document 5); a pipe cleaning device provided with means for generating a cleaning liquid, which comprises a water tank that mixes air drawn in and generated fine air bubbles with raw water to generate a cleaning liquid containing a large amount of fine bubbles (see Patent Document 6), etc. are known. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7449760 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6346978 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-231605 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 7510178 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-110877 [Patent Document 6] Patent No. 5066748 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] When using a brush to remove solid objects from inside a pipe, there is a risk that the brush may detach from the device due to friction between the brush and the inner wall of the pipe. If a brush detaches inside the pipe, it is extremely difficult to recover it, and there are concerns that it may remain inside the pipe as foreign matter and cause blockage.

[0007] Furthermore, there was a request to replace the brush used depending on the diameter of the pipe being cleaned, the type of pipe (e.g., water supply pipe or sewer pipe), or when the brush became worn out. However, there was concern that if the brush was designed to be easily replaceable by the user, the risk of the brush falling off during cleaning would increase even further.

[0008] Incidentally, it is possible to supply cleaning water containing fine bubbles generated by a fine bubble generator to existing pipe cleaning equipment. However, as in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 6, for example, the fine bubble generator must be provided separately from the high-pressure water supply equipment. On the other hand, Patent Document 4 discloses an equipment in which a fine bubble generator is connected in the middle of a high-pressure hose, but the structure for continuously and stably generating fine bubbles in the piping was not clear.

[0009] Furthermore, no prior literature discloses a device that mechanically removes deposits from the inner wall of a pipe using components such as brushes while using cleaning water containing fine bubbles. When removing solid matter mechanically, the amount of solid matter removed is greater than when using cleaning water alone, so it was expected that the intake of air to form fine bubbles would be hindered by the solid matter.

[0010] The first problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a safe and reliable pipe cleaning device that can clean the inside of pipes while preventing the brush from falling off. The second problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a pipe cleaning device that does not require a separate device for generating fine bubbles and can continuously and stably generate fine bubbles even inside pipes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In other words, the present invention relates to a tubular pipe cleaning device connected to a pressure-resistant hose, comprising: a nozzle head for spraying cleaning water onto the inner wall of the pipe; brushes protruding radially in the radial direction of the pipe cleaning device; and a fall prevention part for preventing the brushes from falling off, wherein the fall prevention part is a plate-shaped member protruding radially from the pipe cleaning device, and the brushes are fixed to the outer circumference of the pipe cleaning device via a ring.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion of the anti-detachment portion is greater than the inner diameter of the ring. In another embodiment, the protrusion of the anti-detachment portion is smaller than the protrusion of the brush.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a pipe cleaning device in which the protrusion of the anti-detachment part stabilizes the posture of the pipe cleaning device inside the pipe so that the brush contacts the inner wall of the pipe.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention provides a pipe cleaning device in which the anti-detachment parts are provided in multiple locations on the base side and the tip side of the pipe cleaning device as seen from the brush.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is a pipe cleaning device in which the ring is detachably fixed to the pipe cleaning device. These pipe cleaning devices may have fitting holes on the outer surface of the pipe cleaning device for fixing the ring, and the ring may have projections that fit into the fitting holes, and the ring may be detachably fixed by the projections fitting into the fitting holes.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides a pipe cleaning device comprising: a fine bubble generating unit having an air intake hole, which generates fine bubbles from gas supplied from the air intake hole and water supplied from the pressure-resistant hose; and a blockage prevention unit that prevents the air intake hole from becoming blocked, wherein the cleaning water contains fine bubbles generated by the fine bubble generating unit.

[0017] In one embodiment, the blockage prevention part is a plate-shaped member positioned between the air supply hole and the brush, and protruding radially from the pipe cleaning device. In another embodiment, the blockage prevention part is the fall prevention part positioned on the base side of the pipe cleaning device. In yet another embodiment, the tip of the protrusion of the blockage prevention part extends in the direction of the air supply hole.

[0018] The present invention further provides a method for cleaning pipes using these pipe cleaning devices. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] In the first pipe cleaning device of the present invention, since the brush is fixed not directly to the pipe cleaning device but via a ring, the brush can be replaced according to the pipe to be cleaned, while an operator can operate without worrying about the brush falling off.

[0020] The second pipe cleaning device of the present invention does not require a separate device for generating fine bubbles and can continuously and stably generate fine bubbles even in a narrow pipe. Since the fine bubbles are generated near the injection holes, fewer fine bubbles are lost during the transportation of the cleaning water compared to the case where the fine bubble generating device is installed outside the pipe. When using this pipe cleaning device, both the cleaning water containing fine bubbles and the brush work for removing solids, enabling efficient cleaning.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the pipe cleaning device. [Figure 2] It is a front view showing the configuration of the brush of an embodiment of the pipe cleaning device. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the pipe cleaning device. [Figure 4] It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the blockage prevention part of an embodiment of the pipe cleaning device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, the pipe cleaning device of the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described below.

[0023] The pipe cleaning device of the present invention is a device that is inserted into the pipe to be cleaned and cleans the inner wall of the pipe. Specific examples of the pipe include a water supply pipe or a sewer pipe. The pipe cleaning device of the present invention is particularly suitable for cleaning vertical pipes installed in high-rise buildings. The pipe cleaning device of the present invention can clean the vertical pipe from the high-rise side or from the low-rise side.

[0024] An embodiment of the pipe cleaning device will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the pipe cleaning device 1, in which the left side is the tip side and the right side is the base side. The pipe cleaning device 1 comprises, in order from the tip to the opposite side, i.e., the base side, a nozzle head 11, a tubular member 13, and a fine bubble generating unit 5. The fine bubble generating unit 15 is connected to a pressure-resistant hose 3 via a connection part 21. The nozzle head 11 and the pressure-resistant hose 3 form a single flow path.

[0025] The pipe cleaning device 1 is used in conjunction with the pressure-resistant hose 3. High-pressure water is supplied to the pressure-resistant hose from a high-pressure water supply device (not shown) installed outside the pipe to be cleaned.

[0026] High-pressure water is sent to the fine bubble generation unit 5, where washing water containing fine bubbles is generated. The fine bubble generation unit 5 includes a main flow path (not shown) through which high-pressure water flows, an air intake hole 7 for taking in gas from the external atmosphere, and an air intake passage (not shown) for introducing the gas supplied from the air intake hole 7 into the main flow path.

[0027] The main channel has a structure that generates a spiral swirling flow of high-pressure water and gas within the main channel. Inside the fine bubble generation unit 5, the high-pressure water and gas are mixed by the swirling flow, generating washing water containing fine bubbles.

[0028] Fine bubbles primarily refer to microbubbles with a particle size of 100 μm or less. Bubbles with a particle size of 1 μm or less are also called ultrafine bubbles, and bubbles with a particle size of 1 to 100 μm are also called microbubbles. Fine bubbles contained in cleaning water readily adsorb to oil and other deposits, so cleaning with cleaning water containing fine bubbles can improve the efficiency of removing these deposits.

[0029] The fine bubble generation unit 5 generates cleaning water containing fine bubbles by mixing the gas taken in from the air intake hole 7 with high-pressure water. On the other hand, there is a risk that solid matter removed from the inner wall of the pipe by the spraying of the cleaning water (described later) and the action of the brush 13 may clog the air intake hole 7. Therefore, the pipe cleaning device 1 is equipped with a clog prevention unit 9 near the air intake hole 7 and on the side of the brush 13 and nozzle head 11 (i.e., the tip side of the pipe cleaning device 1) to prevent the air intake hole 7 from being clogged.

[0030] The blockage prevention portion 9 is a plate-shaped member that protrudes radially from the tubular member 19, and in this embodiment, it is a disc-shaped member. The blockage prevention portion 9 protrudes between the brush 13 and the air supply hole 7. Therefore, solid matter mechanically scraped off by the brush 13 does not reach the air supply hole 7, and the air supply hole 7 is prevented from being blocked.

[0031] The protrusion of the blockage prevention part 9 is smaller than the protrusion of the brush 13. Not only does the blockage prevention part 9 not obstruct the entry of the pipe cleaning device 1 into the pipe, but the protrusion of the blockage prevention part 9 also plays a role in stabilizing the position of the pipe cleaning device 1 inside the pipe so that the brush 13 is always in contact with the inner wall of the pipe.

[0032] The pipe cleaning device 1 has a tubular member 19 equipped with a water passage for passing cleaning water through it. A nozzle head 11 is provided at the tip of the tubular member 19. High-pressure water supplied from the pressure-resistant hose 3 becomes cleaning water containing fine bubbles in the fine bubble generation unit 5, and is sprayed through the water passage inside the tubular member 19 and via the nozzle head 11 onto the inner wall of the pipe to be cleaned.

[0033] The nozzle head 11 is equipped with any number of injection holes 23, and in this embodiment, the nozzle head 11 has eight injection holes (four of which are not shown) arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The nozzle head 11 is rotatably connected to the axis of the tubular member 19 and sprays cleaning water onto the inner wall of the pipe. The nozzle head 11 rotates around its axis due to the reaction force when water is sprayed.

[0034] The brush 13 is a disc-shaped brush that protrudes radially from the outer circumferential wall of the tubular member 19. Multiple brushes 13 may be provided at appropriate intervals. The illustrated pipe cleaning device 1 includes four disc-shaped brushes 13. The brushes 13 mechanically peel off and remove deposits from the inner wall of the pipe to be cleaned. On the other hand, in order to prevent damage to the inner wall surface of the pipe, it is preferable to use a brush made of resin, specifically a synthetic resin such as nylon containing silicon dioxide.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a front view of the brush 13. The brush 13 is detachably fixed to the outer circumferential wall of the tubular member 19 via a ring 25. In one embodiment, the ring 25 has a plurality of projections 27 that protrude inward from the ring 25, and the tubular member 19 has fitting holes having openings corresponding to the shapes of the projections 27. The projections 27 fit into the fitting holes, thereby being fixed by snap-fit ​​to a specific position on the outer circumference of the tubular member 19.

[0036] Refer to Figure 1 again. The pipe cleaning device 1 is equipped with a tip-side plate-shaped member 15 and a base-side plate-shaped member 17 that project radially in the radial direction from the outer circumferential wall of the tubular member 19 on the tip side and base side when viewed from the fixed position of the brush 13. The tip-side plate-shaped member 15 and the base-side plate-shaped member 17 are disc-shaped members that have a projection larger than the inner circumference of the ring 25.

[0037] Since the brush 13 is in constant contact with the inner wall of the pipe during pipe cleaning, there is a risk that it may detach from the tubular member 19 due to the strong friction generated by the contact. However, since the protrusions of the anti-detachment parts 15 and 17 are larger than the inner circumference of the ring 25, even if the projection 27 of the brush 13 comes out of the fitting hole, the brush 13 will be locked to the anti-detachment parts 15 and 17 via the ring 25, so there is no risk of the brush 13 being lost.

[0038] Since the pipe cleaning device 1 is used to clean vertical and / or horizontal pipes, depending on how it is used, the brush 13 may fall either towards the tip or the base. To ensure that the brush 13 is secured regardless of which side it falls to, the pipe cleaning device 1 is provided with one anti-detachment part 15, 17 on the tip and base sides, respectively, when viewed from the fixing position of the brush 13.

[0039] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the base-side anti-detachment portion 17 is a plate-shaped member that serves as an anti-blockage portion 9 to prevent the blockage of the air supply hole 7 of the fine bubble generation portion 5. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the base-side anti-detachment portion 17 is a plate-shaped member separate from the anti-blockage portion 9 that prevents the blockage of the air supply hole 7. A schematic diagram of the pipe cleaning device 101 of this embodiment is shown in Figure 3. The anti-blockage portion 9, as well as the protrusions of the tip-side and base-side anti-detachment portions 15 and 17, all serve to stabilize the position of the pipe cleaning device 101 inside the pipe so that the brush 13 contacts the inner wall of the pipe.

[0040] Referring to Figure 4, the blockage prevention section 9 in another embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of this embodiment, and structures such as the rectifier plate necessary for fine bubble generation have been omitted. The tip of the protrusion of the blockage prevention section 9, which is provided on the tip side when viewed from the air intake hole 7, has an extension section 29 that extends toward the air intake hole 7 side, i.e., from the protrusion toward the base. Since the extension section 29 covers the area above the air intake hole 7, blockage of the air intake hole 7 can be prevented even more efficiently.

[0041] In another embodiment, the plate-shaped members of the blockage prevention section 9 and the tip and base end detachment prevention sections 15 and 17 of the pipe cleaning device 1,101 are disc-shaped members equipped with a clamp structure and are fixed to the outer circumference of the tubular member 19 by the clamp.

[0042] In another embodiment, when the nozzle head 11 sprays cleaning water against the inner wall of the pipe, it sprays the cleaning water slightly to the rear, that is, so that the cleaning water hits not only the inner wall of the pipe but also the brush 13. This allows for cleaning of the inner wall of the pipe while also cleaning any solid matter adhering to the brush 13. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1. Pipe cleaning device 3. Pressure-resistant hose 5. Fine bubble generation section 7 Air intake holes 9 Blockage prevention part 11 Nozzle heads 13 brushes 15. Anti-detachment part at the tip. 17. Anti-detachment part on the base side 19 Tubular member 21 Connection part 23 Injection hole 25 rings 27 Protrusion 29 Extension 101 Pipe cleaning device

Claims

1. A tubular pipe cleaning device connected to a pressure-resistant hose, A nozzle head that sprays cleaning water onto the inner wall of the pipe, The pipe cleaning device has brushes that protrude radially in the radial direction, It comprises a part that prevents the brush from falling off, The aforementioned fall prevention part is a plate-shaped member that protrudes radially from the pipe cleaning device. The brush is fixed to the outer circumference of the pipe cleaning device via a ring. Pipe cleaning device.

2. The protrusion of the anti-detachment part is larger than the inner diameter of the ring. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 1.

3. The protrusion of the anti-detachment part is smaller than the protrusion of the brush. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 2.

4. The protrusion of the anti-detachment part stabilizes the position of the pipe cleaning device inside the pipe so that the brush contacts the inner wall of the pipe. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 3.

5. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of the aforementioned fall prevention parts are provided on the base side and the tip side of the pipe cleaning device as seen from the brush.

6. The arrangement cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the ring is detachably fixed to the arrangement cleaning device.

7. The outer surface of the aforementioned washing device is provided with a fitting hole for fixing the ring, The ring has a projection that fits into the fitting hole, The ring is detachably fixed by fitting the projection into the fitting hole. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 6.

8. A fine bubble generating unit equipped with an air intake port, which generates fine bubbles from the gas supplied from the air intake port and the water supplied from the pressure-resistant hose, The system further comprises a blockage prevention unit for preventing the blockage of the aforementioned air intake hole, The washing water contains fine bubbles generated in the fine bubble generation unit. A pipe cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The blockage prevention part is a plate-shaped member positioned between the air supply hole and the brush, and protruding radially from the pipe cleaning device. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 8.

10. The aforementioned blockage prevention part is the detachment prevention part located on the base side of the pipe cleaning device. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 9.

11. The tip of the protrusion of the blockage prevention part extends in the direction of the air supply hole. The pipe cleaning device according to claim 9.

12. A method for cleaning pipes using the pipe cleaning device described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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