Tube insertion device and tube insertion method

Abstract

This invention provides a highly versatile pipe insertion device that can be used even in work environments where the working space in the radial direction of the pipe is limited. [Solution] The pipe insertion device 100 includes a pipe attachment part 1 attached to the pipe to be joined W2, a pipe attachment part 3 attached to the pipe W1, and a moving mechanism 2 that moves at least one of the pipe attachment part 3 or the pipe attachment part 1 in the axial direction so that the pipe attachment part 3 and the pipe attachment part 1 are closer together. The pipe attachment part 3 has pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 that extend in the axial direction and grip the outer circumferential surface on the insertion opening W1a side of the pipe W1, and the tip portions 31a and 32a located on the insertion opening W1a side of the pipe W1 contact the insertion opening projection W1c of the pipe W1 in the axial direction, and connecting parts 33 and 34 that are supported by the moving body part 21 of the moving mechanism 2 and support the base ends 31b and 32b of the pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 so that the pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 can move in the radial direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Pipe joining devices for joining an insertion port of a pipe to a receiving port of a pipe to be joined to the pipe are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pipe joining attachment for a working machine having a gripping portion for gripping a pipe and a pipe-to-be-joined contact portion that is located in the axial direction of the insertion port of the pipe gripped by the gripping portion and contacts the outer peripheral surface on the receiving port side of the pipe to be joined to the pipe. By using this pipe joining attachment, the pipe can be gripped and the insertion port of the pipe can be inserted into the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. The pipe joining attachment is attached to the arm of the working machine.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an automatic pipe joining device including a frame disposed across an upper portion between a receiving port and an insertion port, and a receiving port clamp and an insertion port clamp for clamping the outer surfaces of the receiving port and the insertion port, respectively. In this automatic joining device, the receiving port clamp is fixed to the frame, and the insertion port clamp is movable in the pipe axis direction along a guide rail by the action of a cylinder. When the insertion port clamp moves along the rail, the insertion port is inserted into the receiving port.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, the pipe joining attachment disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to insert the insertion end of the pipe into the receiving end of the pipe to be joined while gripping the pipe. Therefore, the pipe joining attachment has a complex structure, is large, and is heavy. Consequently, a large piece of machinery is required to use the attachment. Therefore, it may not be possible to use the pipe joining attachment for pipe joining work in narrow construction sites, etc.

[0006] Furthermore, the mounting portion of the automatic joining device disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a clamp structure. With such a clamp structure, it is necessary to secure sufficient working space in the radial direction of the pipe during the mounting work. Therefore, mounting may be difficult in a work environment where the working space in the radial direction of the pipe is narrow.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a highly versatile pipe insertion device that can be used even in work environments where the working space in the radial direction of the pipe is narrow.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to provide a highly versatile pipe insertion device that can be used even in work environments where the working space in the radial direction of the pipe is limited. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A pipe insertion device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a pipe insertion device for inserting the spigot of a pipe having a spigot and a receptacle into the receptacle of a pipe to be joined to the pipe. The pipe insertion device has a pipe to be joined attachment part attached to the pipe to be joined, a pipe attachment part attached to the pipe, and a moving part that moves at least one of the pipe attachment part or the pipe to be joined attachment part in the axial direction so that the pipe attachment part and the pipe to be joined attachment part are brought closer together. The pipe attachment part has a pipe gripping part that extends in the axial direction and grips the outer circumferential surface of the spigot side of the pipe, and whose tip located on the spigot side of the pipe contacts in the axial direction with a spigot projection provided so as to project radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the end of the pipe on the spigot side, and a connecting part supported by the moving part and supporting the base end of the pipe gripping part so as to be movable in the radial direction (first configuration).

[0010] In the pipe insertion device having the above configuration, the base end of the pipe gripping portion is supported by a connecting portion so that the pipe gripping portion can move radially. Therefore, in the pipe insertion device, when the pipe attachment portion is moved from axially outward to axially in relation to the pipe's insertion opening and brought into contact with the pipe's insertion opening projection, the pipe gripping portion moves radially outward relative to the insertion opening projection. Then, after the pipe gripping portion has moved over the insertion opening projection in the axial direction, it moves radially inward, and in that state, the pipe gripping portion can be moved axially toward the insertion opening projection to bring it into contact with the insertion opening projection.

[0011] Therefore, in the pipe insertion device, the pipe gripping portion can be attached to the pipe from the axial direction. Thus, a highly versatile pipe insertion device can be realized that can be used even in work environments where the working space in the radial direction of the pipe is narrow.

[0012] In the first configuration described above, the connecting portion supports the base end of the pipe gripping portion so that the pipe gripping portion can move radially outward and axially toward the pipe attachment portion to be joined (second configuration).

[0013] As a result, when the pipe attachment portion is brought close to the pipe, if the pipe gripping portion of the pipe attachment portion is pressed by the tip of the pipe's insertion end, the pipe gripping portion moves radially outward and toward the pipe attachment portion to be joined. Therefore, the pipe attachment portion can be easily mounted on the outer surface of the insertion end of the pipe so that the pipe gripping portion of the pipe attachment portion grips the insertion end of the pipe.

[0014] In the second configuration described above, the connecting portion supports the base end of the pipe gripping portion so that the pipe gripping portion can move radially inward and axially toward the opposite side from the pipe to be joined attachment portion (third configuration).

[0015] As a result, the pipe gripping portion grips the outer circumferential surface of the pipe on the insertion side, and when the pipe attachment portion moves towards the pipe attachment portion to be joined, with the tip of the pipe gripping portion in axial contact with the insertion projection of the pipe, the tip receives a reaction force from the insertion projection toward the opposite side from the pipe attachment portion to be joined, causing the pipe gripping portion to push the pipe radially inward.

[0016] Therefore, when the pipe attachment portion moves towards the pipe attachment portion to be joined, it is possible to prevent the pipe gripping portion from separating from the outer surface of the pipe.

[0017] In the third configuration described above, either the connecting portion or the base end of the pipe gripping portion has a guide portion that guides the pipe gripping portion to move radially and axially relative to the connecting portion (fourth configuration).

[0018] This allows the pipe gripping portion to be easily moved radially outward and toward the pipe to be joined attachment portion, and also allows the pipe gripping portion to be easily moved radially inward and toward the opposite side from the pipe to be joined attachment portion.

[0019] In the fourth configuration, the guide portion is a long hole provided in the connecting portion that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction so as to be located radially outward from the base end portion side to the tip end portion side of the tube gripping portion. The tube gripping portion has an engaging protrusion at the base end portion that is inserted into the long hole so as to be movable along the direction in which the long hole extends (fifth configuration).

[0020] Thereby, when the tube attachment portion is brought closer to the tube and the tube gripping portion of the tube attachment portion is pushed by the tip of the insertion opening of the tube, the tube gripping portion moves radially outward and toward the joined tube attachment portion. When the tube attachment portion moves closer to the joined tube attachment portion with the tube gripping portion gripping the tube, the tip end portion of the tube gripping portion receives a reaction force from the insertion opening protrusion, and a configuration can be realized in which the tube gripping portion presses the tube radially inward.

[0021] In the first configuration, the tube gripping portion has a tapered insertion opening abutting portion at the base end portion that is located radially inward toward the tip end portion (sixth configuration).

[0022] Thereby, when the tube attachment portion is brought closer to the tube and the tube gripping portion of the tube attachment portion is pushed by the tip of the insertion opening of the tube, the tube gripping portion can be easily moved radially outward.

[0023] In any one of the first to sixth configurations, the tube attachment portion has a pressing portion that presses the tube gripping portion radially inward (seventh configuration).

[0024] Thereby, the tube gripping portion can be pressed radially inward by the pressing portion. Therefore, when the tube gripping portion is moved axially from the outside in the axial direction with respect to the insertion opening of the tube, the tube gripping portion can easily move radially inward after getting over the insertion opening protrusion axially.

[0025] In the seventh configuration, the tube gripping portion has a pair of gripping members that grip the outer peripheral surface of the tube on both horizontal sides of the insertion port side of the tube. The connecting portion has a pair of inclined surfaces that are located radially outward with respect to the pair of gripping members and are located radially inward as they go downward. The pressing portion has a pair of load members that are movable on the pair of inclined surfaces. The pair of gripping members are configured to be pressed radially inward by the pair of load members located on the pair of inclined surfaces (eighth configuration).

[0026] As a result, the gripping members are pressed radially inward by the weight of the load members located on the inclined surfaces of the connecting portion, and thus are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port of the tube. Therefore, a configuration can be obtained in which a pair of gripping members that grip the insertion port of the tube from both horizontal sides are pressed radially inward. Therefore, a configuration in which the tube gripping portion grips the tube can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0027] The tube insertion method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a tube insertion method using the tube insertion device of the seventh configuration. This tube insertion method includes a tube gripping step of moving the tube mounting portion in the axial direction from a position axially outward with respect to the insertion port of the tube to a position where the tube gripping portion overlaps the insertion port in the radial direction, and gripping the tube with the tube gripping portion, and a tube insertion step of inserting the insertion port of the tube into the receiving port of the joined tube by moving at least one of the tube mounting portion and the joined tube mounting portion in the axial direction so that the tube mounting portion and the joined tube mounting portion approach each other. The tube gripping step includes a radially outward movement step of moving the tube gripping portion radially outward with respect to the insertion port protrusion by bringing the base end portion of the tube gripping portion into contact with the insertion port protrusion when moving the tube mounting portion toward the tube, and a radially inward movement step of moving the tube gripping portion radially inward by the pressing portion after the tube gripping portion has overcome the insertion port protrusion (first method).

[0028] As described above, the pipe mounting portion of the pipe insertion device can be attached to the pipe from the axial direction. Therefore, a highly versatile pipe insertion method using a pipe insertion device that can be used even in work environments where the radial working space of the pipe is narrow can be provided.

[0029] In the first method described above, the connecting portion has an elongated hole extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction such that it is located radially outward from the base end side of the pipe gripping portion toward the tip end side, and the pipe gripping portion has an engaging projection at its base end that is movably inserted into the elongated hole in the direction in which the elongated hole extends. In the pipe insertion step, the pipe gripping portion, which tends to move radially inward due to the reaction force received by the tip end of the pipe gripping portion from the insertion projection, is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the pipe, and at least one of the pipe mounting portion or the pipe mounting portion to be joined is moved in the axial direction so that the pipe mounting portion and the pipe mounting portion to be joined are brought closer together (second method).

[0030] This makes it possible to keep the pipe gripping portion in close contact with the outer surface of the pipe during the pipe insertion process, in which the insertion end of the pipe is inserted into the receiving end of the pipe to be joined, thereby preventing the pipe gripping portion from separating from the outer surface of the pipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, a pipe insertion device has a pipe gripping portion that is supported by a connecting portion so as to be movable in the radial direction. Therefore, in this pipe insertion device, the pipe gripping portion can be attached to the pipe from the axial direction. Thus, a highly versatile pipe insertion device can be realized that can be used even in work environments where the radial working space for the pipe is narrow. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a tube insertion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a top view showing the schematic configuration of the pipe insertion device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the pipe attachment point viewed from the pipe side in the axial direction. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a top view showing the schematic configuration of the pipe mounting section. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the VV line in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a top view showing the state in which the spigot of a pipe has been inserted into the socket of the pipe to be joined using a pipe insertion device. [Figure 7] Figure 7 illustrates the movement of the pipe gripping part when attaching the pipe fitting part to a pipe. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a method for inserting a tube using a tube insertion device. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a side view showing the pipe attachment part attached to the pipe to be joined. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a side view showing how the pipe is suspended outward in the axial direction of the pipe to be joined. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a side view showing the pipe suspended axially outward from the pipe to be joined. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a top view of Figure 11. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a top view illustrating the movement of the pipe gripping part when attaching the pipe fitting part to a pipe. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a side view showing how the insertion end of the pipe is pulled towards the socket of the pipe to be joined. [Figure 15] Figure 15 illustrates the movement of the pipe gripping part when the spigot of the pipe is pulled towards the socket of the pipe to be joined. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a side view showing the state in which the pipe and the pipe to be joined are connected. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a side view showing the pipe gripping portion removed from the socket of the pipe to be joined. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] The following describes each embodiment with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of those parts will not be repeated. Note that the dimensions of the components in each drawing do not faithfully represent the dimensions of the actual components or the dimensional ratios of each component.

[0034] In the following description, the axial direction means the direction in which the axis L2 of the pipe W2 to be joined extends. The left-right direction means the horizontal direction that is also perpendicular to the axial direction. The horizontal direction includes not only the strictly horizontal direction but also the direction that intersects with the vertical direction. The radial direction means the direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0035] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the expressions "fix," "connect," and "attach" (hereinafter referred to as "fixing, etc.") include not only cases where components are directly fixed to each other, but also cases where they are fixed to each other via other components. In other words, in the following explanation, the expressions "fixing, etc." include both direct and indirect fixing of components to each other.

[0036] (Tube insertion device) Figure 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the pipe insertion device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the pipe insertion device 100.

[0037] The pipe insertion device 100 is a device for inserting the insertion port W1a of pipe W1 into the receiving port W2a of pipe to be joined W2. The pipe insertion device 100 is used in a groove where pipe W1 and pipe to be joined W2 are laid. The pipe insertion device 100 is installed in the groove, for example, by a work machine. The pipe insertion device 100 is sized to be installed in the groove.

[0038] Pipe W1 and pipe W2 are, for example, water pipes. Pipe W1 and pipe W2 may be other types of pipes, such as sewer pipes, agricultural water pipes, or gas pipes. Pipe W1 and pipe W2 may be ductile cast iron pipes, other metal pipes, or resin pipes.

[0039] The pipe insertion device 100 grips the insertion end W1a of the pipe W1 and moves it toward the receiving end W2a of the pipe to be joined, thereby inserting the insertion end W1a into the receiving end W2a. Specifically, the pipe insertion device 100 has a pipe to be joined attachment part 1, a moving mechanism 2, and a pipe attachment part 3.

[0040] (Part for connecting to the pipe) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pipe attachment part 1 is attached to the receiving end W2a side of the pipe W2 to be joined. More specifically, the pipe attachment part 1 is attached to the receiving end W2a side of the straight pipe section W2b of the pipe W2 to be joined. As a result, when the insertion end W1a of pipe W1 is pulled towards the receiving end W2a of pipe W2 by the moving mechanism 2, as will be described later, the pipe attachment part 1 comes into contact with the receiving end W2a of pipe W2, and the reaction force generated when pulling is received by the receiving end W2a of pipe W2.

[0041] The pipe attachment section 1 supports the movable support section 25 of the movable mechanism 2, which will be described later. Furthermore, a drive unit (not shown) that drives the movable main body 21 of the movable mechanism 2 is located on the pipe attachment section 1. The drive unit may be located anywhere on the pipe insertion device 100, as long as it can provide driving force to the movable main body 21.

[0042] Figure 3 is a view of the pipe attachment part 1 as seen axially from the pipe W1 side. The pipe attachment part 1 is configured to be attachable to the pipe W2 by a mechanical structure without using a power source such as a motor or cylinder. As shown in Figure 3, the pipe attachment part 1 has a pair of pipe gripping parts 11 and 12, a support part 13, an operating part 15, and a link mechanism 16.

[0043] The pair of pipe gripping parts 11 and 12 have a semicircular shape that, when viewed in the axial direction, follows the outer circumferential surface of the straight pipe portion W2b of the pipe W2 to be joined. The base ends of the pair of pipe gripping parts 11 and 12 are rotatably connected to the support part 13 so as to switch between an open state, away from the pipe W2, and a closed state, gripping the pipe W2. The operating part 15 switches the pair of pipe gripping parts 11 and 12 between the closed and open states by moving vertically relative to the support part 13. The link mechanism 16 connects the pair of pipe gripping parts 11 and 12 to the operating part 15 so as the operating part 15 moves vertically relative to the support part 13, the pair of pipe gripping parts 11 and 12 rotate relative to the support part 13.

[0044] More specifically, the operating unit 15 moves downward so as to approach the support unit 13, thereby closing the pair of pipe gripping units 11 and 12 via the link mechanism 16. The operating unit 15 moves upward so as to move away from the support unit 13, thereby opening the pair of pipe gripping units 11 and 12 via the link mechanism 16.

[0045] In the pipe attachment section 1 having the above configuration, for example, by a work machine gripping the operating section 15 and suspending the pipe attachment section 1, the operating section 15 can be moved upward relative to the support section 13. That is, by the work machine suspending the pipe attachment section 1, the pair of pipe gripping sections 11 and 12 can be opened. On the other hand, when the pipe attachment section 1 is not suspended, the operating section 15 moves downward due to its own weight. That is, the operating section 15 moves closer to the support section 13. Therefore, for example, by releasing the grip of the operating section 15 by the work machine, the pair of pipe gripping sections 11 and 12 can be closed.

[0046] Therefore, for example, the work machine can grip the operating part 15, position the support part 13 above the receiving opening W2a of the pipe to be joined W2, and then the work machine can release its grip on the operating part 15 to attach the pipe to be joined attachment part 1 to the pipe to be joined W2.

[0047] (Moving mechanism) The moving mechanism 2 moves at least one of the pipe attachment portion 3, which is attached to the pipe W1, or the pipe attachment portion 1, which is attached to the pipe to be joined, in the axial direction so that the two pipe attachment portions are closer together. The moving mechanism 2 corresponds to the moving portion of the present invention.

[0048] In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 2 moves the pipe mounting portion 3 in the axial direction. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the moving mechanism 2 includes a moving main body portion 21, a pair of moving connecting portions 23 and 24, a moving support portion 25, and a drive portion (not shown).

[0049] The movable main body 21 extends axially toward the pipe W1 from the movable support portion 25, which is supported by the pipe attachment portion 1. The tip of the movable main body 21 is supported by the movable support portion 25 so as to be movable axially relative to the pipe attachment portion 1. Therefore, the tip of the movable main body 21 moves in a direction away from the pipe attachment portion 1 and in a direction toward the pipe attachment portion 1.

[0050] The movable body 21 is composed of, for example, a hydraulic cylinder that extends and retracts in the axial direction. The movable body 21 may also be configured to move in the axial direction via a rack and pinion (not shown). In the following description, even if only the tip side of the movable body 21 is configured to move relative to the pipe attachment part 1, it may be said that the movable body 21 moves relative to the pipe attachment part 1.

[0051] The mobile body 21 moves in the axial direction by the driving force applied to a drive unit (not shown).

[0052] The pair of movable connecting parts 23 and 24 extend from the tip of the movable main body 21 in the left-right and downward directions. Viewed in the axial direction, the tips of the pair of movable connecting parts 23 and 24 are located on the left and right sides, respectively, with respect to the pipe W2 to be joined. The tips of the pair of movable connecting parts 23 and 24 are connected to the pair of connecting parts 33 and 34 of the pipe mounting part 3, respectively.

[0053] (Pipe attachment section) The pipe mounting section 3 is attached to the spigot W1a side of the pipe W1. Figure 4 is a top view showing the schematic configuration of the pipe mounting section 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a top view showing the state in which the spigot W1a of the pipe W1 is inserted into the receiving end W2a of the pipe to be joined by the pipe insertion device 100. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the pipe gripping sections 31 and 32 when attaching the pipe mounting section 3 to the pipe W1. In each figure, the direction of movement of the members is indicated by white arrows, and the direction in which force is generated is indicated by solid arrows.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the pipe attachment portion 3 has a pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32, a pair of connecting portions 33, 34, and a pair of pressing portions 35, 36.

[0055] The pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 extend in the axial direction. The pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 grip the insertion end W1a of the pipe W1 from both the left and right sides. The pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 grip the outer circumferential surface of the pipe W1, and their tip portions 31a and 32a are configured to contact the insertion projection W1c in the axial direction. The insertion projection W1c is a portion located at the end of the pipe W1 on the insertion end W1a side, where the outer circumferential surface protrudes radially outward.

[0056] The pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 have their base ends 31b and 32b connected to a pair of connecting portions 33 and 34 so as to be radially movable. In the following description of each component of the pipe mounting portion 3, the tip ends 31a and 32a of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 will be referred to as the tip side, and the base ends 31b and 32b of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 will be referred to as the base end side.

[0057] The distance between the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 in the left-right direction is, when viewed from above, equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion port W1a side of pipe W1 when they are moved most radially inward, and equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the insertion port projection W1c side of pipe W1 when they are moved most radially outward. The pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 are pressed radially inward by the pressing portions 35 and 36, respectively.

[0058] Each of the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 has a plate-shaped gripping member 311 and 321, a gripping support part 312 and 322, and an insertion opening contact part 312a and 322a, respectively.

[0059] As shown in Figure 5, the pair of gripping members 311 and 321 have an arc shape that follows the outer circumferential surface of the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 when viewed in the axial direction. As shown in Figure 4, the thickness of the pair of gripping members 311 and 321 is equal to or less than the radial projection height of the insertion port projection W1c. This prevents the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 from interfering with the receiving port W2a when inserting the insertion port W1a into the receiving port W2a of the pipe to be joined while the insertion port W1a of the pipe W1 is being gripped by the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, a sealing member S is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the receiving end W2a of the pipe to be joined, for sealing the outer circumferential surface of the insertion end W1a of the pipe W1 and the inner circumferential surface of the receiving end W2a of the pipe to be joined. Therefore, when inserting the insertion end W1a of the pipe W1 into the receiving end W2a of the pipe to be joined, the outer surfaces of the pair of gripping members 311 and 321 come into contact with the sealing member S.

[0061] In this embodiment, since the pair of gripping members 311 and 321 have the thickness described above, when inserting the insertion opening W1a into the receiving opening W2a of the pipe to be joined, the surface pressure between the pair of gripping members 311 and 321 and the sealing member S is suppressed. Therefore, the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1 can be easily inserted into the receiving opening W2a of the pipe to be joined W2.

[0062] As shown in Figure 4, the pair of gripping support portions 312 and 322 extend radially outward from the base ends of the pair of gripping members 311 and 321. The pair of gripping support portions 312 and 322 are each radially movably connected to the pair of connecting portions 33 and 34.

[0063] As shown in Figure 4, when viewed in the vertical direction, the connection portion between the base end and the radially inward side of the pair of gripping support portions 312 and 322 is tapered. This tapered portion constitutes the pair of insertion port contact portions 312a and 322a. In this specification, the term "tapered" is used to include not only linear tapers where the shape gradually narrows at a constant rate, but also curved tapers. In this embodiment, the pair of insertion port contact portions 312a and 322a are arc-shaped when viewed in the vertical direction. However, the pair of insertion port contact portions may be linear when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0064] As will be described in detail later, the pair of socket contact portions 312a and 322a come into contact with the socket projection W1c of the pipe W1 when the pipe mounting portion 3 is attached to the pipe W1. As shown in Figure 7, the pair of socket contact portions 312a and 322a move radially outward while moving axially due to the contact with the socket projection W1c. Therefore, because the base ends 31b and 32b of the pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 have tapered socket contact portions 312a and 322a, the pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 can be moved radially outward smoothly.

[0065] As described above, the pair of connecting parts 33 and 34 are connected to the movable main body 21 of the moving mechanism 2. The pair of connecting parts 33 and 34 also support the base ends 31b and 32b of the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 so that they can move in the radial direction of the pipe W1. Details of the connection structure between the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 and the pair of connecting parts 33 and 34 will be described later.

[0066] The pair of pressing parts 35 and 36 press the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 radially inward. Therefore, the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 are closest to each other when no other members are positioned between them. That is, when the pipe W1 is positioned between them, the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 push the pipe W1 radially inward. As a result, the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 can grip the pipe W1.

[0067] The pair of pressing portions 35 and 36 can be configured in any way as long as they press the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 radially inward. For example, the pressing portions may be made of elastic members such as springs.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the pair of pressing portions 35, 36 have a pair of load members 35a, 36a. The pair of connecting portions 33, 34 have portions located radially outward relative to the pair of gripping members 311, 321, and these portions have a pair of inclined surfaces 332, 342 that are located radially inward as they extend downward.

[0069] The pair of load members 35a and 36a are movable along the pair of inclined surfaces 332 and 342. That is, the pair of load members 35a and 36a move downward and radially inward along the pair of inclined surfaces 332 and 342 due to their own weight. As a result, the pair of gripping members 311 and 321 are pressed radially inward.

[0070] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pipe mounting section 3 having the above configuration is attached to the pipe W1 by the tip of the movable body section 21 moving toward the pipe W1 from a position axially relative to the pipe W1. In other words, the pipe mounting section 3 is attached to the pipe W1 by moving toward the pipe W1 from a position axially outward relative to the pipe W1. Note that axially outward means a direction along the axis of a member extending in the axial direction, with one end or the other end of the member as the reference point, and extending further outward from that end or the other end.

[0071] Thus, the pipe mounting section 3 can be attached to the pipe W1 by moving it axially from a position axially outward relative to the pipe W1. Therefore, a pipe insertion device 100 can be realized that can be used even in work environments where the radial working space of the pipe W1 is narrow.

[0072] With the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 attached to the pipe W1, the tip of the movable main body 21 moves toward the pipe to be joined W2, so that the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1 is inserted into the receiving opening W2a of the pipe to be joined W2. This joins the pipe W1 and the pipe to be joined W2.

[0073] (Connection structure between the gripping part and the connecting part) Next, with reference to Figures 4 to 7, the connection structure between the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 and the pair of connecting parts 33 and 34 will be described in detail.

[0074] As described above, in the pipe insertion device 100, the connecting portion 33 supports the base end portion 31b of the pipe gripping portion 31 so that the pipe gripping portion 31 can move radially. More specifically, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 33 supports the base end portion 31b of the pipe gripping portion 31 so that the pipe gripping portion 31 moves radially outward and toward the tip, and the pipe gripping portion 31 moves radially inward and toward the base end.

[0075] Furthermore, the connecting portion 34 supports the base end portion 32b of the pipe gripping portion 32 so that the pipe gripping portion 32 can move radially. Specifically, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 34 supports the base end portion 32b of the pipe gripping portion 32 so that the pipe gripping portion 32 moves radially outward and toward the tip, and the pipe gripping portion 32 moves radially inward and toward the base end.

[0076] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 33 is provided with an elongated hole 331 that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, so as it moves radially outward from the base end towards the tip end. The connecting portion 34 is provided with an elongated hole 341 that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, so as it moves radially outward from the base end towards the tip end.

[0077] The pipe gripping portion 31 has an engaging projection 313 at its base end 31b that is movably inserted into the elongated hole 331 along the direction in which the elongated hole 331 extends. The pipe gripping portion 32 has an engaging projection 323 at its base end 32b that is movably inserted into the elongated hole 341 along the direction in which the elongated hole 341 extends.

[0078] Therefore, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 can move radially and axially relative to the pair of connecting portions 33 and 34, respectively. The elongated holes 331 and 341 guide the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 to move radially and axially relative to the pair of connecting portions 33 and 34, respectively. The elongated holes 331 and 341 correspond to the guide portions of the present invention.

[0079] With this configuration, as shown in Figure 7, when the pipe attachment portion 3 is brought closer to the pipe W1 from the axial outward direction, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 of the pipe attachment portion 3 are pushed by the tip of the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1, resulting in a configuration in which they move radially outward and toward the pipe attachment portion 1 to be joined.

[0080] Therefore, the pipe mounting portion 3 can be easily attached to the outer surface of the insertion port W1a side of the pipe mounting portion 3 so that the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 of the pipe mounting portion 3 grip the end of the pipe W1 on the insertion port W1a side.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, when the pipe attachment part 3 moves towards the pipe attachment part 1 while the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 grip the outer circumferential surface of the pipe W1 on the insertion end W1a side, and the tips 31a and 32a of the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 are in axial contact with the insertion end projection W1c of the pipe W1, the tips 31a and 32a receive a reaction force from the insertion end projection W1c, resulting in a configuration in which the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 push the pipe W1 radially inward.

[0082] Therefore, when the pipe attachment portion 3 moves towards the pipe attachment portion 1 to be joined, it is possible to prevent the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 from separating from the outer surface of the pipe W1.

[0083] Furthermore, the pair of connecting portions 33 and 34 have guide portions that guide the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 to move radially and axially relative to the pair of connecting portions 33 and 34. The guide portions are elongated holes 331 and 341 that extend in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, so that they are located radially outward from the base end to the tip end.

[0084] This allows the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 to be easily moved radially outward and toward the pipe attachment portion 1, and also allows the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 to be easily moved radially inward and toward the opposite side from the pipe attachment portion 1.

[0085] In other words, when the pipe attachment portion 3 is brought axially closer to the pipe W1, if the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 of the pipe attachment portion 3 are pushed by the tip of the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 move radially outward and toward the pipe attachment portion 1 to be joined. With the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 gripping the pipe W1, when the pipe attachment portion 3 is brought closer to the pipe attachment portion 1 to be joined, the tips 31a and 32a of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 receive a reaction force from the insertion opening projection W1c, thereby realizing a configuration in which the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 push the pipe W1 radially inward.

[0086] Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, when the pipe attachment portion 3 is moved axially from the axially outward direction relative to the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1 and brought into contact with the insertion opening projection W1c of the pipe W1, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 move radially outward relative to the insertion opening projection W1c. Then, as shown in Figure 4, after the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 have moved radially inward after crossing over the insertion opening projection W1c in the axial direction, the tip portions 31a and 32a of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 can be brought into contact with the insertion opening projection W1c by moving the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 axially toward the insertion opening projection W1c.

[0087] Therefore, in the pipe insertion device 100, a pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 can be attached to the pipe W1 from the axial direction. Thus, a highly versatile pipe insertion device 100 can be realized that can be used even in work environments where the radial working space of the pipe W1 is narrow.

[0088] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, when the pipe attachment part 3 moves toward the pipe attachment part 1 while the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 grip the outer circumferential surface of the pipe W1 on the insertion end W1a side, and the tips 31a and 32a of the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 are in axial contact with the insertion end projection W1c of the pipe W1, the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 receive a reaction force directed from the insertion end projection W1c toward the base end. As a result, the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 attempt to move radially inward, pushing the pipe W1 radially inward. Therefore, when the pipe attachment part 3 moves toward the pipe attachment part 1, the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 are prevented from separating from the outer circumferential surface of the pipe W1.

[0089] As described above, the pipe insertion device 100 according to this embodiment is a pipe insertion device 100 that inserts the insertion port W1a of a pipe W1 having an insertion port W1a and a receiving port W2a into the receiving port W2a of a pipe to be joined to pipe W1. The pipe insertion device 100 has a pipe to be joined attachment part 1 attached to the pipe to be joined W2, a pipe attachment part 3 attached to pipe W1, and a moving mechanism 2 that moves at least one of the pipe attachment part 3 or the pipe to be joined attachment part 1 in the axial direction so that the pipe attachment part 3 and the pipe to be joined attachment part 1 come closer together. The pipe attachment portion 3 has a pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 that extend in the axial direction and grip the outer circumferential surface of the pipe W1 on the insertion port W1a side, and whose tip portions 31a and 32a located on the insertion port W1a side of the pipe W1 contact in the axial direction with an insertion port projection W1c provided on the outer circumferential surface of the end of the pipe W1 on the insertion port W1a side so as to project radially outward; and a pair of connecting portions 33 and 34 that are supported by the moving mechanism 2 and support the base ends 31b and 32b of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 so that the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 can move radially.

[0090] In the pipe insertion device 100 having the above configuration, the base ends 31b and 32b of the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 are supported by a pair of connecting parts 33 and 34 so that the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 can move radially. Therefore, in the pipe insertion device 100, when the pipe attachment part 3 is moved axially from axially outward to axially inward relative to the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1 and made contact with the insertion opening projection W1c of the pipe W1, the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 move radially outward relative to the insertion opening projection W1c. Then, after the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 have crossed over the insertion opening projection W1c in the axial direction, they move radially inward, and in that state, by moving the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 axially toward the insertion opening projection W1c, the tip portions 31a and 32a of the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 can be made to contact the insertion opening projection W1c.

[0091] Therefore, in the pipe insertion device 100, a pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 can be attached to the pipe W1 from the axial direction. Thus, a highly versatile pipe insertion device 100 can be realized that can be used even in work environments where the radial working space of the pipe W1 is narrow.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pipe attachment portion 3 has a pair of pressing portions 35 and 36 that press the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 radially inward. This allows the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 to be pressed radially inward by the pair of pressing portions 35 and 36. Therefore, when the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 are moved from the axially outward direction to the axial direction relative to the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 can be easily moved radially inward after overcoming the insertion opening projection W1c.

[0093] In this embodiment, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32 each have a pair of gripping members 311, 321 that grip the outer circumferential surface of the pipe W1 on the insertion end W1a side from both sides in the horizontal direction. The pair of connecting portions 33, 34 each have a pair of inclined surfaces 332, 342 that are located radially outward from the pair of gripping members 311, 321, and radially inward as they extend downward. The pair of pressing portions 35, 36 each have a pair of load members 35a, 36a that are movable on the pair of inclined surfaces 332, 342. The pair of gripping members 311, 321 are configured to be pressed radially inward by the pair of load members 35a, 36a located on the pair of inclined surfaces 332, 342.

[0094] As a result, the pair of gripping members 311 and 321 are pressed radially inward by the weight of the pair of load members 35a and 36a located on the pair of inclined surfaces 332 and 342 of the pair of connecting parts 33 and 34, and are pressed against the outer surface of the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1. Thus, a configuration can be obtained in which the pair of gripping members 311 and 321 that grip the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1 from both sides in the horizontal direction are pressed radially inward. Thus, a configuration in which the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 grip the pipe W1 can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0095] (Method of tube insertion) Next, a pipe insertion method will be described in which the insertion port W1a of pipe W1 is inserted into the receiving port W2a of pipe W2 to be joined, using the pipe insertion device 100 having the above-described configuration. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the pipe insertion method using the pipe insertion device 100. Figures 9 to 17 are schematic diagrams illustrating the pipe insertion method using the pipe insertion device 100.

[0096] For details, Figure 9 is a side view showing the pipe attachment part 1 attached to the pipe to be attached W2. Figure 10 is a side view showing the pipe W1 being suspended outward in the axial direction of the pipe to be attached W2. Figure 11 is a side view showing the pipe W1 being suspended outward in the axial direction of the pipe to be attached W2. Figure 12 is a top view of Figure 11. Figure 13 is a top view illustrating the movement of the pipe gripping part 31 when attaching the pipe attachment part 3 to the pipe W1. Figure 14 is a side view showing the insertion end W1a of the pipe W1 being pulled towards the receiving end W2a of the pipe to be attached W2. Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the pipe gripping part 31 when pulling the insertion end W1a of the pipe W1 towards the receiving end W2a of the pipe to be attached W2. Figure 16 is a side view showing the state in which the pipe W1 and the pipe to be attached W2 are joined together. Figure 17 is a side view showing the pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 removed from the receiving opening W2a of the pipe to be joined W2. Note that in Figures 9 to 17, the illustration of components of the pipe insertion device 100 that are not necessary for the explanation has been omitted.

[0097] In step S1 of the flowchart shown in Figure 8, the pipe insertion device 100's pipe attachment part 1 is attached to the receiving end W2a of the pipe W2. Specifically, the pipe W2 is gripped by a pair of pipe gripping parts 11 and 12. Figure 9 shows the state in which the pipe attachment part 1 is attached to the pipe W2.

[0098] In this state, the tip of the movable body 21 of the movable mechanism 2 is located axially outward from the pipe W2 to be joined. However, the movable body 21 may be moved toward the pipe W2 to be joined, and for example, the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 may be housed in the receiving opening W2a of the pipe W2. In this case, in step S2 described later, the pipe W1 can be lowered to a position closer to the pipe W2 to be joined.

[0099] Next, in step S2 of the flowchart shown in Figure 8, pipe W1 is suspended axially outward from the socket W2a of the pipe to be joined, as shown in Figure 10. Figures 11 and 12 show the state in which pipe W1 is suspended axially outward from the pipe to be joined W2.

[0100] Next, in step S3 of the flowchart shown in Figure 8, the pipe mounting part 3 is moved toward the pipe W1 and attached to the pipe W1.

[0101] Specifically, the pipe attachment portion 3 is moved axially from a position axially outward with respect to the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1 to a position where the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 overlap radially with respect to the insertion opening W1a. Figure 13 shows the movement of the pipe gripping portion 31 when the pipe attachment portion 3 is attached to the pipe W1. Note that the movement of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 of the pipe attachment portion 3 at this time is symmetrical, the movement of the pair of connecting portions 33 and 34 is symmetrical, and the movement of the pair of pressing portions 35 and 36 is symmetrical. Therefore, Figure 13 only shows the movement of the pipe gripping portion 31, the connecting portion 33, and the pressing portion 35.

[0102] As described above, the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 are supported by a pair of connecting parts 33 and 34 so as to be movable in the radial direction. The pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 are also pressed radially inward by a pair of pressing parts 35 and 36. Furthermore, the distance between the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 in the left-right direction, when viewed from above and in their most radially inward position, is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion opening W1a side of the pipe W1.

[0103] Therefore, as shown in the top diagram of Figure 13, when the pipe mounting portion 3 is moved toward the pipe W1, the insertion port contact portions 312a and 322a of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 come into contact with the insertion port projection W1c of the pipe W1. Thus, as shown in the middle diagram of Figure 13, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 move radially outward.

[0104] Furthermore, by moving the pipe mounting portion 3 axially until the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 overlap radially with respect to the insertion opening W1a, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 overcome the insertion opening projection W1c, as shown in the bottom diagram of Figure 13. Then, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32, which are pressed radially inward by the pair of pressing portions 35 and 36, move radially inward and come into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe W1 on the insertion opening W1a side. As a result, the pipe mounting portion 3 is attached to the pipe W1.

[0105] Next, in step S4 of the flowchart shown in Figure 8, the pipe attachment part 3 is moved toward the pipe to be joined W2, as shown in Figure 14. Figure 15 shows the movement of the pipe gripping part 31 when the pipe attachment part 3 is moved toward the pipe to be joined W2. Note that in Figure 15, as in Figure 13, only the pipe gripping part 31, the connecting part 33, and the pressing part 35 are shown.

[0106] As the pipe attachment portion 3 is moved toward the pipe to be joined W2, the tips 31a and 32a of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 receive a reaction force from the insertion projection W1c, as shown in Figure 15. That is, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 are pushed in the direction opposite to the direction of movement. As a result, the engaging projections 313 and 323 of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 attempt to move radially inward within the elongated holes 331 and 341. Consequently, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 push radially inward against the outer surface of the pipe W1. As a result, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 come into close contact with the outer surface of the pipe W1.

[0107] Furthermore, by moving the pipe attachment portion 3 toward the pipe to be joined W2, the insertion port W1a of pipe W1 is inserted into the receiving port W2a of pipe to be joined W2, as shown in Figure 16. This joins pipe W1 and pipe to be joined W2.

[0108] Next, in step S5 of the flowchart shown in Figure 8, the pipe attachment part 3 is moved away from the insertion protrusion W1c of the pipe W1, and the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 are removed from the receiving opening W2a. Figure 17 shows the state after the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 have been removed from the receiving opening W2a.

[0109] Next, in step S6 of the flowchart shown in Figure 8, the pipe attachment part 1 is removed from the pipe W2, and the pipe insertion device 100 is separated from the pipe W1 and the pipe W2.

[0110] After that, the flow shown in Figure 8 is terminated (END).

[0111] Here, step S3 corresponds to the pipe gripping process, and step S4 corresponds to the pipe insertion process. Also, in step S3, when the pipe attachment part 3 is moved toward the pipe W1, the insertion port contact parts 312a and 322a of the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 come into contact with the insertion port projection W1c of the pipe W1, and the process in which the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 move radially outward corresponds to the radial outward movement process. In step S3, after the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 have overcome the insertion port projection W1c, the process in which they move radially inward by the pair of pressing parts 35 and 36 corresponds to the radial inward movement process.

[0112] As described above, the pipe insertion method according to this embodiment is a pipe insertion method using a pipe insertion device 100. The pipe insertion method includes a pipe gripping step of moving the pipe mounting portion 3 axially from a position axially outward with respect to the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1 to a position where the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 overlap radially with respect to the insertion opening W1a, and gripping the pipe W1 with the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32, and a pipe insertion step of moving the pipe mounting portion 3 axially so that the pipe mounting portion 3 and the pipe mounting portion 1 to be joined are brought closer together, thereby inserting the insertion opening W1a of the pipe W1 into the receiving opening W2a of the pipe to be joined W2. The pipe gripping step includes a radial outward movement step in which, when moving the pipe attachment portion 3 toward the pipe W1, the base ends 31b, 32b of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32 are brought into contact with the insertion port projection W1c, thereby moving the pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32 radially outward relative to the insertion port projection W1c, and a radial inward movement step in which, after the pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32 have overcome the insertion port projection W1c, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32 are moved radially inward by the pair of pressing portions 35, 36.

[0113] By the method described above, the pipe mounting portion 3 of the pipe insertion device 100 can be attached to the pipe W1 from the axially outward direction. Therefore, a highly versatile pipe insertion method using the pipe insertion device 100 can be provided, which can be used even in work environments where the radial working space of the pipe W1 is narrow.

[0114] Furthermore, in the pipe insertion process, the pipe attachment portion 3 is moved axially so that the pipe attachment portion 3 and the pipe attachment portion 1 to be joined are brought closer together, while the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32, which tend to move radially inward due to the reaction force received by the tip portions 31a and 32a of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 from the insertion port projection W1c, are in close contact with the outer surface of the pipe W1.

[0115] This makes it possible to prevent the pair of pipe gripping parts 31 and 32 from separating from the outer surface of pipe W1 by keeping them in close contact with the outer surface of pipe W1 during the pipe insertion process in which the insertion end W1a of pipe W1 is inserted into the receiving end W2a of pipe W2.

[0116] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is possible to carry out the invention by appropriately modifying the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0117] In the above embodiment, the pipe attachment portion 3 has a pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32. However, the pipe attachment portion may have three or more pipe gripping portions, or it may have one pipe gripping portion configured to grip a pipe.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the pipe mounting portion 3 has a pair of connecting portions 33 and 34. However, the pipe mounting portion may have three or more connecting portions, or it may have one connecting portion configured to allow the pipe gripping portion to move radially.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the pipe mounting portion 3 has a pair of pressing portions 35, 36. However, the pipe mounting portion does not have to have pressing portions. The pipe mounting portion may have one or three or more pressing portions.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the guide portion is an elongated hole 331, 341 provided in a pair of connecting portions 33, 34, respectively, which extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction so that it is located radially outward from the base end 31b, 32b side toward the tip end 31a, 32a side of the pair of pipe gripping portions 31, 32. However, the guide portion may also be an elongated hole provided in each of the pair of pipe gripping portions, which extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction so that it is located radially inward from the base end side toward the tip end side. In this case, each of the pair of connecting portions may have an engaging projection that is movably inserted into the elongated hole.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the guide portion is an elongated hole 331, 341 provided in a pair of connecting portions 33, 34, respectively, that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction. However, the guide portion may also be a groove provided in a pair of connections that extends in the inclined direction.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the pair of pipe gripping portions 31 and 32 have tapered insertion contact portions 312a and 322a at their base ends 31b and 32b, which are located radially inward towards the tip ends 31a and 32a. However, the pair of pipe gripping portions do not necessarily have tapered insertion contact portions.

[0123] In the above embodiment, the moving mechanism 2 moves the pipe attachment portion 3 in the axial direction. That is, the moving mechanism 2 moves the pipe attachment portion 3 so as to pull it closer to the pipe attachment portion 1 to be joined. However, the moving mechanism may also move the pipe attachment portion to be joined in the axial direction. That is, the moving mechanism may move the pipe attachment portion to be joined so as to pull it closer to the pipe attachment portion.

[0124] The configuration of the pipe attachment portion 1 in the above embodiment is an example. The pipe attachment portion may have any configuration as long as it can receive the reaction force generated when the insertion end of the pipe is pulled towards the receiving end of the pipe by the moving mechanism.

[0125] The configuration of the moving mechanism 2 in the above embodiment is an example. The moving mechanism may have any configuration as long as it supports the connecting portion and can move at least one of the pipe mounting portion or the pipe mounting portion in the axial direction so that the pipe mounting portion and the pipe mounting portion to be joined move closer together. [Industrial applicability]

[0126] The present invention can be used in a pipe insertion device for inserting the insertion end of a pipe into the receiving end of a pipe to be joined to the pipe. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0127] 1. Mounting section for the pipe to be joined 2. Moving mechanism (moving part) 3. Pipe mounting section 11, 12 Tube gripping part to be joined 13 Support part 15 Control section 16 Link mechanism 21 Mobile main unit 23, 24 Movable connecting part 25 Moving support part 31, 32 Tube grip part 31a, 32a tip 31b, 32b proximal end 33, 34 Connection part 35, 36 Pressing part 35a, 36a Load members 100 Tube Insertion Device 311, 321 Gripping members 312, 322 Gripping support part 312a, 322a Insertion port contact part 313, 323 Engagement protrusion 331, 341 Long hole (guide part) 332, 342 Slope W1 tube W1a socket W1c Socket protrusion W2 Joined pipe W2a socket W2b straight pipe section S sealing member L1, L2 axis

Claims

1. A pipe insertion device for inserting the spigot of a pipe having a spout and a receptacle into the receptacle of a pipe to be joined to the pipe, A pipe attachment portion to be attached to the pipe to be joined, A pipe attachment portion to be attached to the aforementioned pipe, A moving part that moves at least one of the pipe mounting part or the pipe mounting part to be joined in the axial direction so that the pipe mounting part and the pipe mounting part to be joined are brought closer together, It has, The aforementioned pipe mounting portion is A pipe gripping portion extends axially and grips the outer circumferential surface of the pipe on the insertion side, and the tip located on the insertion side of the pipe contacts in the axial direction with an insertion projection provided on the outer circumferential surface of the end of the pipe on the insertion side so as to project radially outward, A connecting portion is supported by the movable portion and supports the base end of the pipe gripping portion so that the pipe gripping portion can move radially, Having, Tube insertion device.

2. In the pipe insertion device according to claim 1, The connecting portion supports the base end of the pipe gripping portion so that the pipe gripping portion can move radially outward and axially toward the pipe attachment portion to be joined. Tube insertion device.

3. In the pipe insertion device according to claim 2, The connecting portion supports the base end of the pipe gripping portion so that the pipe gripping portion can move radially inward and axially toward the opposite side from the pipe attachment portion to be joined. Tube insertion device.

4. In the pipe insertion device according to claim 3, Either the connecting portion or the base end of the pipe gripping portion has a guide portion that guides the pipe gripping portion to move radially and axially relative to the connecting portion. Tube insertion device.

5. In the pipe insertion device according to claim 4, The guide portion is an elongated hole provided in the connecting portion that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, such that it is located radially outward from the base end side of the pipe gripping portion toward the tip end side. The pipe gripping portion has an engaging projection at its base end that is movably inserted into the elongated hole in the direction in which the elongated hole extends. Tube insertion device.

6. In the pipe insertion device according to claim 1, The pipe gripping portion has a tapered insertion contact portion at its base end that is located radially inward as it approaches the tip. Tube insertion device.

7. In a tube insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The pipe attachment portion has a pressing portion that presses the pipe gripping portion radially inward. Tube insertion device.

8. In the pipe insertion device according to claim 7, The pipe gripping portion has a pair of gripping members that grip the outer circumferential surface of the pipe on the insertion side from both sides in the horizontal direction. The connecting portion has a pair of inclined surfaces that are positioned radially outward with respect to the pair of gripping members, and that are positioned radially inward as they extend downward. The pressing portion has a pair of load members that can move on the pair of inclined surfaces, The pair of gripping members are configured to be pressed radially inward by the pair of load members located on the pair of inclined surfaces. Tube insertion device.

9. A method for inserting a tube using the tube insertion device described in claim 7, A pipe gripping step is to move the pipe mounting portion axially from a position axially outward with respect to the insertion opening of the pipe to a position where the pipe gripping portion overlaps radially with respect to the insertion opening, thereby gripping the pipe with the pipe gripping portion. A pipe insertion step involves moving at least one of the pipe mounting portion or the pipe mounting portion in the axial direction so that the pipe mounting portion and the pipe to be joined are brought closer together, thereby inserting the insertion end of the pipe into the receiving end of the pipe to be joined. It has, The aforementioned pipe gripping step is, When moving the pipe mounting portion toward the pipe, the base end of the pipe gripping portion is brought into contact with the insertion protrusion, thereby moving the pipe gripping portion radially outward relative to the insertion protrusion; After the pipe gripping portion overcomes the insertion protrusion, the pressing portion moves the pipe gripping portion radially inward in a radial inward movement step, including, Method of tube insertion.

10. In the pipe insertion method according to claim 9, The connecting portion has an elongated hole that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, such that it is located radially outward from the base end side of the pipe gripping portion toward the tip end side. The pipe gripping portion has an engaging projection at its base end that is movably inserted into the elongated hole in the direction in which the elongated hole extends, In the pipe insertion step, the pipe gripping portion, which is about to move radially inward due to the reaction force received by the tip of the pipe gripping portion from the insertion protrusion, is moved axially so that the pipe mounting portion and the pipe mounting portion to be joined are brought closer together, while keeping the pipe gripping portion in close contact with the outer surface of the pipe. Method of tube insertion.

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