Recovery device for overhead line inspection equipment

Abstract

To provide a recovery device that has a wide connectable range with an overhead wire inspection device, has a connection part which can be positioned while a connected state is checked, and is capable of flexibly dealing with an attitude change of the overhead wire inspection device that is traveling.SOLUTION: A recovery device 1 autonomously travels, on an overhead wire W, toward an overhead wire inspection device 101 on the overhead wire W by means of a wirelessly-controlled traveling body 2, is connected to the overhead wire inspection device 101, and pulls or pushes the overhead wire inspection device 101 to a recovery possible position. A magnet 7 is provided to a frame 5 of the traveling body 2 via a coil spring 6. The magnet is attracted to a magnetism attraction part 103 of the overhead wire inspection device 101. The coil spring 6 is supported, at a base end side, by a spring receiving seat 9 disposed on the frame 5 in a vertically movable manner, and supports the magnet 7 such that the magnet 7 can freely oscillate in all directions. While the relative positions of the magnet 7 and the magnetism attraction part 103 are checked on an image taken by a position checking camera 8, the spring receiving seat 9 is moved with wirelessly operated driving means 10 to adjust the vertical position of the magnet 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recovery device that travels on an overhead line, photographs the overhead line or another line parallel to it, and sends the image data to a remote receiving device.When an overhead line inspection device becomes unable to travel on the overhead line, the device travels on the same overhead line, connects to the overhead line inspection device, and tows or propels it to a tower or the like where an operator is waiting. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, overhead line inspection devices are known that travel on an overhead line, photograph the overhead line or another line parallel to the overhead line, and send the image data to a remote receiving device (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition, when such an overhead line inspection device becomes unable to travel on the overhead line, a recovery device is also known that travels on the same overhead line, connects the overhead line inspection device, and tows or propels it to a steel tower or the like where an operator is waiting (e.g., Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP2017-60286A [Patent Document 2] JP2013-62946A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-125310 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The recovery device described in Patent Document 3 has a mutual chucking mechanism that connects to the overhead line inspection device, but this chucking mechanism has a small range of mutual connection, does not allow for alignment of the connection part, and cannot flexibly respond to changes in posture between the devices. For this reason, when the overhead line inspection device runs over an obstacle such as a damper attached to the overhead line and stops, it is difficult to connect the chucking mechanism. In addition, when the recovery device and the overhead line inspection device are connected to overcome the obstacle, it is not possible to respond to changes in posture between the devices, which may hinder travel or cause the connection part to come off or be damaged due to excessive reaction force. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recovery device for an overhead line inspection device that has a wide range of connectability between the recovery device and the overhead line inspection device, allows alignment of the connection part while checking the connection state as necessary, and can flexibly respond to changes in posture between the recovery device and the overhead line inspection device while traveling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In order to solve the above problems, the recovery device 1 for the overhead line inspection device of the present invention is a recovery device that travels on the overhead line W by a wirelessly controlled traveling body 2 toward an overhead line inspection device 101 that has become unable to travel on the overhead line W, and tows or propels the overhead line inspection device 101 to a position where it can be recovered by connecting it to the overhead line inspection device 101. The recovery device 1 is equipped with a magnet 7 attached to at least one end side in the front-rear direction of the frame 5 of the traveling body 2 via a coil spring 6, and is configured so that the magnet 7 is attracted to a magnetic attraction part 103 provided at one end in the front-rear direction of the overhead line inspection device 101. A position confirmation camera 8 is attached to the frame 5, which photographs the magnet 7 and the magnetic attraction part 103 and wirelessly transmits image data that can confirm the relative positions to a remote receiving device. The coil spring 6 is supported at its base end by a spring seat 9 provided on the frame 6 so as to be movable up and down, extends almost parallel to the overhead line W, and supports the magnet 7 at its tip end so as to be freely swiveled in all directions within a predetermined angle range. The spring seat 9 is provided so that the vertical position of the magnet 7 can be adjusted by a wirelessly operable driving means 10. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the overhead line inspection device and the recovery device are connected by attraction of the magnet 7, and the magnet 7 is supported by the coil spring 6 so as to be able to swing in all directions, so that the range of mutual connection is wide, and the recovery device 1 and the overhead line inspection device 101 can be flexibly accommodated to changes in posture while traveling. By remotely moving the spring seat 9 of the coil spring 6 up and down while checking the image from the position confirmation camera 8, it is possible to adjust the attraction position of the magnet to the overhead line inspection device 101, or to change the relative vertical positions of the recovery device 1 and the overhead line inspection device 101 while traveling, so that no undue stress is applied to the mutual connection portion, and the device can stably overcome obstacles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the recovery device of the present invention and the overhead line inspection device to be recovered in use. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the recovery device and overhead line inspection device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the recovery device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the recovery device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the recovery device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In Fig. 1 and 2, reference numeral 101 denotes an overhead line inspection device that moves autonomously forward and backward along the overhead line W in the extension direction by a traveling body 102, photographs the overhead line W or another parallel line (not shown) with a camera 104, and wirelessly transmits the image data to a remote storage device. One end of the traveling body 102 in the forward and backward direction is provided with a flat magnetic attraction part 103.

[0009] When the overhead line inspection device 101 becomes unable to move on the overhead line W, the recovery device 1 moves on the overhead line W using a radio-controlled running vehicle 2 toward it, connects the overhead line inspection device 101, and tows or propels the overhead line inspection device 101 to a location where it can be recovered, such as a steel tower where an operator is waiting.

[0010] The recovery device 1 runs on the overhead wire W with accessory devices 4 such as a drive motor, battery, and transmitting / receiving devices suspended via a suspending support 3 below a running body 2 mounted on the overhead wire W.

[0011] The traveling body 2 is provided with a magnet 7 attached via a coil spring 6 to one end side in the front-rear direction of the frame 5. In the following, the traveling body 2 will be described assuming that the side to which the magnet 7 is attached is the front. The magnet 7 is configured to be attracted to the magnetic attraction portion 103 of the overhead line inspection device 101 to connect the recovery device 1 and the overhead line inspection device 101.

[0012] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, a position confirmation camera 8 is attached to the frame 5, which photographs the magnet 7 and the magnetically attracted portion 103 and wirelessly transmits image data that enables confirmation of their relative positions to a remote receiving device.

[0013] The coil spring 6 is supported at its base end by a spring support seat 9 that is vertically movable on the frame 5, extends approximately parallel to the overhead wire W, and supports the magnet 7 at its tip end so that it can swivel in all directions within a specified angular range.

[0014] Spring receiving seat 9 is supported by guide member 24 provided on frame 5 so as to be movable up and down, and is provided so that the vertical position of magnet 7 can be adjusted by wirelessly operable driving means 10. Coil spring 6 is elastically held by tension spring 11 stretched diagonally between its tip and the upper part of frame 5 (the upper part of guide member 24 fixed to frame 5) to compensate for deflection due to the weight of magnet 7 and maintain a parallel state with the overhead wire.

[0015] The driving means 10 includes a feed screw nut mechanism 12 provided on the frame 5, and a motor 13 for driving the mechanism. The motor 13 is wirelessly operated from a remote location while viewing the image from the position confirmation camera 8.

[0016] The traveling body 2 travels by rolling a crawler 16, which is wound around pulleys 14, 15 provided at the front and rear of the frame 5, on an overhead wire W. The drive pulley 15 is connected to a battery-powered motor 17 (FIG. 5) suspended below the traveling body 2 via a transmission mechanism 18, and is driven by wireless operation.

[0017] As shown in Figure 5, the crawler 16 has a number of lugs 19 with V-shaped recesses, and these recesses accommodate the overhead wire W and obstacles such as the sleeve S attached to it and the gripping portion of the damper D, allowing the crawler 16 to roll over the overhead wire W.

[0018] At the rear of the running body 2, a derailment prevention roller 21 is provided, which is journaled at the tip of a bracket 20 extending rearward. The bracket 20 is pivotally attached at its base end to the frame 5 of the running body 2 and is freely raised and lowered. The bracket 20 lowers when the running body 2 is running, allowing the derailment prevention roller 21 to roll on the overhead wire W, but when the running body 2 is not running, the bracket 20 is held in an upright position by a roller catch 22. The bracket 20 positions the derailment prevention roller 21 at a position a predetermined distance rearward from the crawler 16. The derailment prevention roller 21 has a roughly V-shaped annular recess 21a that receives the overhead wire W and obstacles attached thereto, such as a sleeve S and a damper D.

[0019] When the derailment prevention roller 21 hits an obstacle such as a sleeve S or a damper D, it moves up and down to smoothly accept it and pass through. When traveling, the derailment prevention roller 21 rolls while fitting into the overhead wire W at a position away from the crawler 16, thereby correcting the posture of the device when the crawler 16 passes over an obstacle and preventing derailment. When the crawler 16 passes over an obstacle, the derailment prevention roller 21 is always in a position away from the obstacle.

[0020] The operation of recovering an overhead wire inspection device 101 that has become unable to run on an overhead wire W using the recovery device 1 will be described.

[0021] The recovery device 1 is attached to the overhead line W from the tower on the side of the magnetic attraction part 103 of the overhead line inspection device 101 on the overhead line W, with the magnet 7 facing the overhead line inspection device 101. The recovery device 1 is self-propelled by wireless control and brought close to the overhead line inspection device 101. The distance to the overhead line inspection device 101 can be confirmed by an image from the position confirmation camera 8.

[0022] When the recovery device 1 approaches the overhead line inspection device 101 to a predetermined position, the relative positions of the magnet 7 and the magnetic attraction part 103 are confirmed using images from the position confirmation camera 8, and the spring seat 9 is moved up and down wirelessly to place the magnet 7 in an optimal position on the magnetic attraction part 103. In this state, the recovery device 1 is brought even closer to the overhead line inspection device 101, and the magnet 7 is attracted to the magnetic attraction part 103, connecting the two devices 1, 101.

[0023] After coupling, depending on the situation, the overhead line inspection device 101 is moved to the tower where an operator is waiting by either towing it to the rear left or pushing it to the front right using the recovery device 1.

[0024] For example, when the overhead line inspection device 101 overcomes an obstacle during towing, the magnet 7 moves up, down, left and right due to the elastic flexure of the coil spring 6, and can respond to the up, down, left and right behavior of the overhead line inspection device 101. In addition, at that time, since the recovery device 1 and the overhead line inspection device 101 are in a connected state, there is a possibility that the recovery device 1 will suppress the movement of the overhead line inspection device 101 trying to lift the front to overcome the obstacle. In this case, the magnet 7 can be moved upward by remote control to lift the front of the overhead line inspection device 101, allowing the device to pass the obstacle smoothly. It is expected that a snow-resistant ring (not shown) that may be attached to the overhead line W may come off the overhead line W while the device is running, but this is received by the fall prevention net 23 and will not fall. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1 Recovery device 2. Running body 3 hanging branch 4. Accessories 5 Frames 6 Coil spring 7. Magnets 8. Location Camera 9 Spring seat 10 Driving Means 11 Tension spring 12 Lead screw nut mechanism 13 Motor 14 Pulley 15 Pulley 16 Crawler 17 Motor 18 Transmission Mechanism 19 Rug 20 Bracket 21 Anti-fall roller 21a Annular recess 22 Roller Catch 23 Fall prevention net 24 Guide member 101 Overhead line inspection device 102 Vehicle 103 Magnetic attraction part 104 Camera D Damper S Sleeve W overhead line

Claims

1. A recovery device that, when an overhead line inspection device that travels autonomously back and forth on an overhead line in the extension direction, photographs the overhead line or another overhead line parallel thereto, and transmits the image data wirelessly to a remote storage device, travels autonomously on the overhead line by a wirelessly controlled traveling body toward the overhead line inspection device and moves the overhead line inspection device to a position where it can be recovered, when the overhead line inspection device becomes unable to travel autonomously on the overhead line, A magnet is attached to at least one end side of the frame of the traveling body in the front-rear direction via a coil spring and is arranged to be attracted to a magnetic attraction portion provided at least one end of the overhead line inspection device in the front-rear direction; a position confirmation camera attached to the frame for photographing the magnet and the magnetically attracted portion and wirelessly transmitting image data enabling confirmation of their relative positions to a remote receiving device; The coil spring is supported at its base end by a spring seat that is provided on the frame so as to be movable up and down, extends substantially parallel to the overhead line, and supports the magnet at its tip end so as to be swingable in all directions within a predetermined angular range; A recovery device for an overhead line inspection device, characterized in that the spring support seat is arranged so that the vertical position of the magnet can be adjusted by a wirelessly operated driving means.

2. The spring seat is supported by a guide member provided on the frame so as to be movable up and down. The recovery device for an overhead line inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the driving means comprises a feed screw nut mechanism provided on the frame and a wirelessly operable drive motor provided on the frame so as to operate the feed screw nut mechanism.

3. A recovery device for an overhead line inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the coil spring is elastically held so as to maintain a parallel state to the overhead line by a tension spring whose one end is engaged with the tip of the coil spring, extends diagonally upward, and whose other end is engaged with the frame.

4. A recovery device that, when an overhead line inspection device that travels autonomously back and forth on an overhead line in the extension direction, photographs the overhead line or another line parallel thereto, and wirelessly transmits image data to a remote storage device, becomes unable to travel autonomously on the overhead line, travels autonomously on the overhead line forward toward the overhead line inspection device using a wirelessly controlled traveling body, attracts the overhead line inspection device using a magnetic attraction means supported by the traveling body, and moves it to a position where it can be recovered, The traveling body comprises a frame having a front end surface, a rear end surface, and left and right side surfaces perpendicular to the front and rear end surfaces, a wirelessly controlled crawler supported by the frame, having a recess capable of receiving the overhead wire and an upper portion of an obstruction member fixed thereto, and movable back and forth on the overhead wire, and a derailment prevention roller pivotally supported on the tip of a bracket pivotally attached to the rear end side of the frame and extending rearward, and rolling on the overhead wire, The magnetic attraction means includes a magnet that is attached to the front end surface of the frame via a coil spring so as to be freely adjusted in vertical position and is attached to a magnetic attraction portion provided at least at one end in the front-rear direction of the overhead line inspection device, and a position confirmation camera that is attached to the frame and captures an image of the magnet and the magnetic attraction portion to wirelessly transmit image data that can confirm their relative positions to a remote receiving device; The coil spring is supported at its base end by a spring seat that is provided on the frame so as to be movable up and down, extends substantially parallel to the overhead line, and supports the magnet at its tip end so as to be swingable in all directions within a predetermined angular range; A recovery device for an overhead line inspection device, characterized in that the spring support seat is arranged so that the vertical position of the magnet can be adjusted by a wirelessly operated driving means.

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