Snow melting pipe standpipe cleaning device

Abstract

To provide a cleaning device capable of efficiently cleaning the standpipe part of a snow melting pipe. [Solution] The snow-melting pipe standpipe cleaning device comprises a pipe cleaning hose 1 with a cleaning nozzle 11 attached to the tip that can spray high-pressure water W, and a high-pressure water supply source 5. The pipe cleaning hose 1 has a length of 20 cm to 50 cm and comprises a hose section 12 made of a metal mesh hose that can withstand the high-pressure water W. A high-pressure cleaning gun 4 and a cleaning lance 3 are preferably provided between the high-pressure water supply source 5 and the pipe cleaning hose 1. The cleaning lance 3 connects the high-pressure cleaning gun 4 and the pipe cleaning hose 1 and supplies high-pressure water W to the pipe cleaning hose 1. The cleaning lance 3 is a straight pipe with a length L2 of 50 cm to 100 cm. It is preferable to further provide a scattering prevention body 2 that can be installed on the watering nozzle N into which the pipe cleaning hose 1 is inserted.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a cleaning device for snow melting pipes, and more specifically to a cleaning device for removing limescale (including sand and mud) that has adhered to the inner wall surface of the standpipe section that extends perpendicular to the main snow melting pipe (sprinkler pipe) and the connection between the standpipe and the main pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] (Snow melting pipe) Snow melting pipes are mainly classified into sprinkler and non-sprinkler types. Sprinkler-type snow melting pipe equipment is said to have been invented in 1961, and has long been used to save people in snowy regions from snow damage. Once installed, such long and extensive infrastructure equipment is not something that can be easily repaired or replaced, and in order to continue using it for many years while maintaining high snow melting (sprinkler) efficiency, how it is maintained is extremely important.

[0003] (Cleaning snow melting pipes using conventional technology) This type of sprinkler-type snow melting pipe (hereinafter simply referred to as a "snow melting pipe") consists of a long, horizontal main pipe (sprinkler pipe) beneath the road, and a relatively short standpipe (water outlet) that extends perpendicular to the main pipe and connects the main pipe to the sprinkler nozzles. Because the "main pipe" accounts for a large proportion of the snow melting pipe, many prior art techniques have been proposed for cleaning snow melting pipes, focusing on removing limescale and other buildup that has accumulated on the main pipe (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0004] (Technology disclosed in Patent Document 1) The cleaning method in Patent Document 1 involves softening the solidified dirt and sand inside the snow melting pipe with soapy water, and then spraying high-pressure water to remove the dirt and sand from inside the snow melting pipe.When spraying the high-pressure water into the main pipe or riser pipe, a long pipe cleaning hose (usually about 20 to 30 meters long) that has been available for some time is used.

[0005] (Technology disclosed in Patent Document 2) In addition, Patent Document 2 proposed by the present inventors discloses a method for efficiently washing away limescale and the like by spraying high-pressure water inside the main pipe while towing a pipe cleaning hose using a towing lead. However, this method is no different from Patent Document 1 in that it mainly focuses on cleaning limescale and the like inside the main pipe, and uses a long pipe cleaning hose that has been available for some time.

[0006] (Technology disclosed in Patent Document 3) On the other hand, in Patent Document 3 proposed by the present inventors, the pipe cleaning hose is divided into front and back parts to form the first and second hose sections, and if the section of the main pipe to be cleaned is longer than the total length of the pipe cleaning hose, an extension hose section is connected between the first and second hose sections to extend the total length (reach) of the pipe cleaning hose, thereby reducing the need to change over the pipe cleaning hose and other components and improving construction efficiency.However, this pipe cleaning hose is also intended for cleaning the main pipe, and the length of the first hose section alone is expected to be 10m to 30m, which is no different from Patent Document 1 in that the pipe cleaning hose is long.

[0007] (Challenges for Standpipe Cleaning) As such, the prior art is primarily intended for cleaning long main pipes, and long pipe cleaning hoses are used to suit this purpose, but the inventors have never seen one specifically designed for cleaning standpipes. Furthermore, when using a conventional pipe cleaning hose to clean a standpipe, the following problems arise:

[0008] (Problem 1 of the conventional technology: Burden on workers) First, the first problem is that conventional pipe cleaning hoses are long, measuring several tens of meters. Therefore, when cleaning a standpipe only a few tens of centimeters long, only the tip of the pipe cleaning hose is actually necessary; the majority of the remaining hose is unnecessary, which actually has a negative impact on transportation and work efficiency. For example, conventional pipe cleaning hoses are flexible (lacking adequate rigidity) due to their long length, making it difficult to maintain a straight posture. Therefore, inserting the tip of the pipe cleaning hose into the standpipe inlet (the sprinkler nozzle hole) is difficult because it is difficult to focus the target, and workers must bend their knees and lower their waists to work near each standpipe. This action is not only laborious but also puts strain on the worker's knees and other parts of the body, making it undesirable.

[0009] (Problem 2 of the prior art: Decreased cleaning effect) Furthermore, with conventional pipe cleaning hoses, the remaining part of the hose, which is not essential for standpipe cleaning, loses pressure and heat from the high-pressure water (preferably warm high-pressure water) over its length, which ultimately results in a significant drop in the pressure and temperature of the high-pressure water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle, which in turn may result in a decrease in cleaning effectiveness and work efficiency.

[0010] (Problem 3 of the conventional technology: Backflow water (scale) scattering) In addition, because the standpipe is extremely short, when the tip of the pipe cleaning hose with the cleaning nozzle attached is moved up and down inside the standpipe, the high-pressure water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle flows back, causing the backflow water mixed with limescale to splash in all directions from the standpipe inlet (the sprinkler nozzle hole), creating a mess. Also, even if you visually check the backflow water being splashed, it is difficult to determine the cleaning status inside the standpipe (the degree of limescale removal), and it is also a problem that workers have difficulty deciding whether to stop spraying high-pressure water into the standpipe during cleaning or to continue. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-320129 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6751961 [Patent Document 3] Registered Utility Model No. 3241799 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a cleaning device that can efficiently clean the standpipe portion of a snow melting pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] After extensive research, the inventors came up with the idea of ​​a special pipe cleaning hose and splash prevention device for standpipes, with a hose length corresponding to the length of a normally installed standpipe, and discovered that these structures could successfully solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0014] That is, the present invention has, for example, the following configurations and features. (Aspect 1) A pipe cleaning hose with a cleaning nozzle attached to the tip that can spray high-pressure water, a high-pressure water supply source capable of supplying the high-pressure water to the pipe cleaning hose; Equipped with The pipe cleaning hose has a length of 20 cm to 50 cm and includes a hose portion made of a metal mesh hose that can withstand the high-pressure water. A snow melting pipe standpipe cleaning device characterized by the above. (Aspect 2) The cleaning nozzle is formed with a plurality of reverse injection holes, The reverse injection holes are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with the central axis of the cleaning nozzle as a base point, The direction of the reverse injection hole is obliquely rearward with respect to the central axis of the cleaning nozzle. 2. The snow-melting pipe standpipe cleaning device according to claim 1, (Aspect 3) a high-pressure cleaning gun and a cleaning lance are provided between the high-pressure water supply source and the pipe cleaning hose; The cleaning lance connects the high-pressure cleaning gun and the pipe cleaning hose to supply the high-pressure water to the pipe cleaning hose, The cleaning lance is a straight pipe having a length of 50 cm to 100 cm. 3. The snow-melting pipe standpipe cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2. (Aspect 4) The pipe cleaning hose further includes a splash prevention body that can be installed on the sprinkler nozzle into which the pipe cleaning hose is inserted. The scattering prevention body is a container having an upper opening and a bottom opening, The pipe cleaning hose and the cleaning lance can be inserted into the upper opening and the bottom opening. The upper opening has an opening area smaller than that of the bottom opening, and has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the pipe cleaning hose and the outer diameter of the cleaning lance, The water that flows back from the watering nozzle is temporarily contained in the splash prevention body and then flows out from the bottom opening. 4. The snow-melting pipe standpipe cleaning device according to claim 3, (Aspect 5) The shatterproof body is formed of a transparent or translucent material. 5. The snow-melting pipe standpipe cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein: [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] (Effect of pipe cleaning hose 1) With the snow melting pipe standpipe cleaning device of this invention, a dedicated standpipe cleaning hose that matches the standpipe length can be used to clean the standpipe section, rather than the long conventional pipe cleaning hose used for main pipe cleaning. The metal mesh hose portion of the pipe cleaning hose maintains a moderate rigidity and maintains a straight, extended position. This allows workers to easily insert the tip of the pipe cleaning hose into the standpipe inlet (nozzle hole of the sprinkler nozzle). Furthermore, the pipe cleaning hose of this invention is more compact and lightweight than conventional pipe cleaning hoses, improving work efficiency through portability and reducing the burden on workers.

[0016] (Effect of pipe cleaning hose 2) In addition, because the pipe cleaning hose of this invention is much shorter than conventional pipe cleaning hoses, the pressure and heat of the high-pressure water (preferably warm water) passing through the pipe cleaning hose is hardly lost, and high-pressure water can be sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the limescale. This is expected to further improve cleaning effectiveness and work efficiency.

[0017] (Effect of a cleaning nozzle with suitable reverse injection holes) Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the cleaning nozzle of this invention, multiple reverse injection holes are arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential axis, so that high-pressure water is sprayed radially from the central axis. Furthermore, because the reverse injection holes face backward, when the cleaning nozzle is inserted into the standpipe, the high-pressure water flows back out of the system (to the working space at the standpipe inlet) while removing the scale inside the standpipe. Furthermore, when the cleaning nozzle is inserted into the main pipe below the standpipe, the high-pressure water sprayed from the reverse injection holes hits and removes the scale that has built up at the connection between the standpipe and the main pipe (scale that is difficult to remove with conventional pipe cleaning hoses).

[0018] (Effects of high-pressure cleaning guns and cleaning lances) In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a snow melting pipe standpipe cleaning device is provided with a high-pressure cleaning gun and a cleaning lance of an appropriate length connected between the high-pressure water supply source and the pipe cleaning hose, so that the worker can perform the cleaning work without bending his knees and lowering his waist for each standpipe, further improving work efficiency and reducing the burden on the worker.

[0019] (Effect of anti-scattering body) In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a splash prevention body is attached, through which the pipe cleaning hose and cleaning lance can be inserted, so that the backflow water mixed with limescale sprayed from the standpipe inlet is temporarily blocked by the inner wall of the splash prevention body and allowed to fall and flow to the ground through the bottom opening. This makes it possible to limit the outflow of dirty limescale to a certain extent. Furthermore, by using a transparent or translucent material for the splash prevention body, workers can at any time check the presence or absence of dirt (limescale) in the backflow water temporarily contained within the splash prevention body, making it easy to understand the cleaning status and when cleaning is complete. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a snow melting pipe standpipe cleaning device of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a view of the pipe cleaning hose of the present invention from the side and one end (front). [Figure 3] This is a photograph showing the pipe cleaning hose of the present invention being inserted into a watering nozzle. [Figure 4] Photographs showing the working scene using the cleaning device of the present invention and the use of a splash prevention device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The technical contents of the novel snow melting pipe standpipe cleaning device of the present invention will be described below based on the following specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments in any way. [Example]

[0022] (Snow melting pipe standpipe cleaning device of this invention) 1 shows an outline of a snow-melting pipe cleaning device (hereinafter simply referred to as "cleaning device") according to the present invention (embodiment). The cleaning device shown in the figure comprises a pipe cleaning hose 1, a splash prevention body 2, a cleaning lance 3, a high-pressure cleaning gun 4, and a high-pressure water supply source 5. Details of each of the components 1 to 5 will be described later.

[0023] (High pressure water supply source) 1, the high-pressure water supply source 5 is provided with a water tank 51 capable of temporarily storing water on-site, a compressor 52 connected to the water tank 51 to receive water (not shown) and compress the water (to make it high-pressure water W), a hot water unit 53 connected to the compressor 52 to heat the high-pressure water W and adjust it to hot water within a desired temperature range (60°C to 100°C), and a power generation unit 54 to supply electricity to the compressor 52 and the hot water unit 53. The hot water unit 53 supplies high-pressure water W (hot water) to the pipe cleaning hose 1 via a connection hose 55.

[0024] (Configuration of the pipe cleaning hose of this invention) Unlike conventional pipe cleaning hoses designed to clean the sprinkler pipe P2 (main pipe) of a snow melting pipe, the pipe cleaning hose 1 of this invention is designed specifically for cleaning standpipes. Figure 2 shows the pipe cleaning hose 1 viewed from the side and from one end (front). A cleaning nozzle 11 capable of spraying high-pressure water W is attached to the tip of this pipe cleaning hose 1. The high-pressure water W is supplied to the pipe cleaning hose 1 from a high-pressure water supply source 5 via a connecting hose 55, a high-pressure cleaning gun 4, and a cleaning lance 3.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the pipe cleaning hose 1 has a length L1 of 20 cm to 50 cm. Compared to conventional pipe cleaning hoses for cleaning sprinkler pipes, which are usually 20 m to 30 m long, you can see that this length is about one-tenth shorter. The pipe cleaning hose 1 is also provided with a hose section 12 made of a metal mesh hose that can withstand high-pressure water W.

[0026] In this way, the pipe cleaning hose 1 is a short body that matches the length of the standpipe, and because its hose portion 12 is made of a metal mesh hose, it has moderate rigidity and maintains a straight, extended position. This allows workers to easily insert the tip of the pipe cleaning hose 1 into the standpipe inlet (nozzle hole H of the watering nozzle N). Furthermore, the pipe cleaning hose 1 of this device is more compact and lightweight than conventional pipe cleaning hoses, improving work efficiency such as portability and reducing the burden on workers.

[0027] Furthermore, because the pipe cleaning hose 1 of this invention is significantly shorter than conventional pipe cleaning hoses, the pressure and heat of the high-pressure water W (preferably warm water) passing through the pipe cleaning hose 1 is hardly lost, and the high-pressure water W can be sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 11 toward the limescale S. This is expected to further improve the cleaning effect and work efficiency.

[0028] (Washing nozzle) The cleaning nozzle 11 is formed with injection holes 13 and reverse injection holes 14 (see FIG. 2). The injection holes 13 extend along the central axis O of the cleaning nozzle 11 and inject high-pressure water W forward. On the other hand, the reverse injection holes 14 inject high-pressure water W obliquely backward. A plurality of reverse injection holes 14 are provided, and each is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with the central axis O of the cleaning nozzle 11 as the base point.

[0029] The lower right of Fig. 2 shows an example of a configuration in which three reverse jet holes 14 are arranged at 120° intervals around the central axis O. Here, it is preferable that the direction of the reverse jet holes 14 is diagonally rearward with respect to the central axis O of the cleaning nozzle 11 (see the dashed dotted line and angle θ in the upper drawing of Fig. 2). As a result, the high-pressure water W is sprayed radially and diagonally rearward from the central axis O. Because the reverse jet holes 14 are facing rearward, when the cleaning nozzle 11 is inserted into the standpipe P1, the high-pressure water W flows back outside the system (to the working space above the watering nozzle N) while removing scale S1 inside the standpipe P1.

[0030] When a cleaning nozzle 11 having such a configuration is inserted into the main pipe P2 below the vertical pipe P1, the high-pressure water W sprayed from the injection hole 13 removes the scale S2 at the bottom of the main pipe P2, and the high-pressure water W sprayed from the reverse injection hole 14 hits the scale S3 (scale that is difficult to remove with conventional pipe cleaning hoses) that has stuck to the connection between the vertical pipe P1 and the main pipe P2 and can remove it.

[0031] (Cleaning lance) The cleaning lance 3 connects the high-pressure cleaning gun 4 and the pipe cleaning hose 1 to supply high-pressure water W to the pipe cleaning hose 1. The cleaning lance 3 is preferably a straight pipe having a length L2 of 50 cm to 100 cm. This allows the worker to clean the standpipe P1 using the pipe cleaning hose 1 while standing and operating the high-pressure cleaning gun 4. In other words, because the cleaning lance 3 and high-pressure cleaning gun 4, which have an appropriate length L2, are connected between the high-pressure water supply source 5 and the pipe cleaning hose 1, the worker can perform cleaning work on each standpipe P1 without having to bend his knees and lower his waist, further improving work efficiency and reducing the burden on the worker.

[0032] (Scatter prevention body) In addition, the cleaning device of the present invention is preferably further provided with a splash prevention body 2 that can be installed on the sprinkler nozzle N into which the pipe cleaning hose 1 is inserted, as shown in Figure 1. Here, the splash prevention body 2 is a container provided with an upper opening 21 and a bottom opening 22. For example, if a 2-liter PET bottle (empty bottle) is used, the splash prevention body 2 can be easily produced on-site by using the beverage extraction port of the bottle as the upper opening 21 and cutting the bottom horizontally to form the bottom opening 22.

[0033] The pipe cleaning hose 1 and cleaning lance 3 can be inserted through the upper opening 21 and the bottom opening 22. The upper opening 21 preferably has a narrower opening area than the bottom opening 22 and an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the pipe cleaning hose 1 and the outer diameter of the cleaning lance 3. In other words, the upper opening 21 preferably has an inner diameter (opening) slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipe cleaning hose 1 and the cleaning lance 3. The above-mentioned 2-liter PET bottle or funnel (not shown) may also be used as the splash prevention body 2 configured as above. The high-pressure water (splash water) that flows back from the watering nozzle N during high-pressure water cleaning is temporarily contained within the splash prevention body 2 (inner wall 23) and then falls and flows out to the ground from the bottom opening 22. This makes it possible to limit the outflow of dirty limescale S and the like within a certain range.

[0034] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the anti-scattering body 2 is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material (see Fig. 3(b) and Fig. 4). By using a transparent or semi-transparent material for the anti-scattering body 2, the worker can check the degree of dirt (scale S) in the water flow as it is being discharged at any time, and can easily grasp the cleaning status and when the cleaning will end.

[0035] (Cleaning work using the device of this invention) First, the worker removes the water flow control valve V from the water spray nozzle N installed at the top of the standpipe P1 to expose the nozzle hole H connected to the standpipe P1 (see Figure 3(a)). The worker inserts the pipe cleaning hose 1, tip first, into this nozzle hole H and pulls the trigger 41 of the high-pressure cleaning gun 4 to spray high-pressure water W from the cleaning nozzle 11 toward the standpipe P1 and the adjacent main pipe P2. During high-pressure water cleaning, the worker rotates the pipe cleaning hose 1 circumferentially by approximately ±60° and moves it up and down to clean the inner wall of the standpipe P1 and its surrounding area (see Figure 1). The high-pressure water W sprayed from the spray hole 13 travels straight forward, making it suitable for removing scale S2 on the bottom wall of the main pipe P2. Meanwhile, the high-pressure water W sprayed from the reverse spray hole 14 is suitable for removing scale S1 adhering to the inner wall of the standpipe P1 and scale S3 adhering to the upper wall of the main pipe P2 (where it connects to the standpipe P1).

[0036] During high-pressure water cleaning, the worker can stand and hold the splash prevention body 2 between his or her legs, and move the pipe cleaning hose 1 up and down or rotate it within the splash prevention body 2 (see Figure 4(a)). The backflow water mixed with scale S that returns from the standpipe P1 is temporarily contained within the splash prevention body 2, and then drops from the bottom opening 22 and flows out onto the ground in the work area.

[0037] Figure 4(b) shows three photographs (in chronological order) of the scatter prevention body 2 during cleaning work. As shown in the photographs from the right to the left, it can be seen that the splash water mixed with scale S gradually rises into the scatter prevention body 2 and then flows out from the bottom opening 22. [Industrial Applicability]

[0038] As explained above, the cleaning device of this invention can efficiently clean the standpipe portion of snow melting pipes. The pipe cleaning hose used in this invention is more compact and lightweight than conventional pipe cleaning hoses, improving work efficiency such as portability and reducing the burden on workers. Furthermore, because this pipe cleaning hose is significantly shorter than conventional pipe cleaning hoses, high-pressure water (preferably warm water) passing through the pipe cleaning hose can be sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the limescale without losing much of its pressure or heat. This is expected to further improve cleaning effectiveness and work efficiency.

[0039] As such, the snow melting pipe standpipe cleaning device of the present invention has extremely high industrial applicability and utility value. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Pipe cleaning hose 2 Shatter prevention body 3 Cleaning Lance 4. High-pressure cleaning gun 5. High-pressure water supply source 11 Cleaning nozzle 12 Hose section 13 Injection hole 14 Reverse injection hole 21 Upper opening of scattering prevention body 22 Bottom opening of scattering prevention body 23 Inner wall of scattering prevention body 41 High-pressure washer gun trigger 51 Water Tank 52 Compressor 53 Hot water unit 54 Power Generation Unit 55 Connecting hose L1, L2: Length of pipe cleaning hose, length of cleaning lance N,H Watering nozzle, nozzle hole O Central axis of the pipe cleaning hose (cleaning nozzle) P1, P2 standpipe, main pipe S,S1,S2,S3 limescale V Water flow control valve for sprinkler nozzle W High-pressure water θ angle (angle of reverse injection hole)

Claims

1. A pipe cleaning hose with a cleaning nozzle attached to the tip that can spray high-pressure water, a high-pressure water supply source capable of supplying the high-pressure water to the pipe cleaning hose; Equipped with The pipe cleaning hose has a length of 20 cm to 50 cm and includes a hose portion made of a metal mesh hose that can withstand the high-pressure water. A snow melting pipe standpipe cleaning device characterized by the above.

2. The cleaning nozzle is formed with a plurality of reverse injection holes, The reverse injection holes are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with the central axis of the cleaning nozzle as a base point, The direction of the reverse injection hole is obliquely rearward with respect to the central axis of the cleaning nozzle.

2. The snow-melting pipe standpipe cleaning device according to claim 1.

3. a high-pressure cleaning gun and a cleaning lance are provided between the high-pressure water supply source and the pipe cleaning hose; The cleaning lance connects the high-pressure cleaning gun and the pipe cleaning hose to supply the high-pressure water to the pipe cleaning hose, The cleaning lance is a straight pipe having a length of 50 cm to 100 cm.

3. The snow-melting pipe standpipe cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The pipe cleaning hose further includes a splash prevention body that can be installed on the sprinkler nozzle into which the pipe cleaning hose is inserted. The scattering prevention body is a container having an upper opening and a bottom opening, The pipe cleaning hose and the cleaning lance can be inserted into the upper opening and the bottom opening, The upper opening has an opening area smaller than that of the bottom opening, and has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the pipe cleaning hose and the outer diameter of the cleaning lance, The water that flows back from the watering nozzle is temporarily contained in the splash prevention body and then flows out from the bottom opening.

4. The snow-melting pipe standpipe cleaning device according to claim 3.

5. The shatterproof body is formed of a transparent or translucent material.

5. The snow-melting pipe standpipe cleaning device according to claim 4.

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