Soil Sampler

Abstract

To provide a soil sampler having a lock mechanism capable of easily fixing and releasing the position of a rod without needing rotation power within a short time.SOLUTION: This soil sampler comprises a rod 1 and a cylindrical body 2 into which the rod 1 is inserted. The rod 1 is configured to be movable between a first position where the tip 10 of the rod 1 closes the tip 20 of the cylindrical body 2 and a second position where the tip 10 of the rod 1 opens the tip 20 of the cylindrical body 2 and collects soil in the cylindrical body 2. The soil sampler has a lock mechanism 3 for fixing and releasing the rod 1 at the second position. The lock mechanism 3 is configured to fix the rod when the tip 10 of the rod 1 is directed downward and release it when the tip 10 of the rod 1 is directed upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a soil sampler for sampling soil underground. [Background technology]

[0002] The standard penetration test dynamically penetrates a soil sampler to collect soil samples, determining the hardness and compactness of the ground and understanding the soil layer structure. In the standard penetration test, a 63.5 kg hammer is dropped from a height of 760 mm to drive the soil sampler into the ground. The N-value is the number of blows required to drive the soil sampler 300 mm after penetrating it using its own weight or preliminary impacts. The soil collected by the soil sampler is also used for grain size composition analysis and geological composition determination. Furthermore, the N-value of the standard penetration test is incorporated into various reference systems and is treated as essential information for the design and construction of civil engineering and architectural structures.

[0003] As shown in Patent Document 1, the soil sampler 1 includes a rod 2 and a cylinder 3 through which the rod 2 is inserted, and the rod 2 is configured to be movable between a first position where the tip of the rod 2 closes the tip of the cylinder 3 and a second position where the tip of the rod 2 opens the tip of the cylinder 3 (see Patent Document 1 for the symbols). In a standard penetration test, with the tip of the rod 2 closing the tip of the cylinder 3, the soil sampler 1 penetrates into the ground to a depth at which a sample is to be collected. Thereafter, with the tip of the rod 2 opening the tip of the cylinder 3, the soil sampler 1 penetrates into the ground, and soil is collected inside the cylinder 3.

[0004] Incidentally, the soil sampler 1 is provided with a locking mechanism for fixing the rod 2 to the cylindrical body 3 in the second position where the tip of the rod 2 opens the tip of the cylindrical body 3, but in the conventional soil sampler 1, the locking mechanism is composed of a screw part provided on the rod 2 and the cylindrical body 3. Therefore, there is a problem that soil may get caught between the screw parts, the position of the rod 2 cannot be fixed, and the tip of the cylindrical body 3 is closed and soil cannot be collected. In addition, in order to fix the position of the rod 2, it is necessary to rotate the rod 2 with a penetrator, which requires rotational power and increases the test time, resulting in a problem of poor test efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-283426 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a soil sampler equipped with a locking mechanism that can quickly and easily fix and release the position of the rod without requiring rotational power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the soil sampler according to the present invention includes a rod and a cylinder through which the rod is inserted. The rod is configured to be movable between a first position where the tip of the rod closes the tip of the cylinder and a second position where the tip of the rod opens the tip of the cylinder and soil is sampled inside the cylinder. The soil sampler includes a locking mechanism that fixes and releases the rod in the second position. The locking mechanism is configured to fix the rod when the tip of the rod is pointed downward and to release the locking mechanism when the tip of the rod is pointed upward.

[0008] The locking mechanism also includes a groove provided in the rod and a sphere disposed between the rod and the cylinder. It is preferable that the sphere is disposed in the groove to fix the rod and that the sphere is separated from the groove to release the rod.

[0009] Moreover, it is desirable that the locking mechanism has a recess provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, the recess being composed of a first recess located on the tip side of the cylindrical body and a second recess located on the base end side of the cylindrical body, the first recess and the second recess being formed continuously, and the width of the first recess being smaller than the width of the second recess.

[0010] Moreover, it is preferable that the first recess has a first inclined surface inclined toward the tip side of the cylindrical body, and the second recess has a second inclined surface inclined toward the tip side of the cylindrical body.

[0011] Preferably, the rod includes an exhaust mechanism for venting air collected together with the soil to the outside of the cylinder when the rod is placed in the second position and soil is collected inside the cylinder.

[0012] Furthermore, it is desirable that the discharge mechanism comprises a first air hole arranged inside the cylindrical body when the rod is arranged in the second position, a second air hole arranged outside the cylindrical body, and a communicating pipe connecting the first air hole and the second air hole.

[0013] Preferably, the rod includes a rubber ring that closes the second air hole so that air can flow out but not in through the second air hole. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The soil sampler according to the present invention can quickly and easily fix and release the position of the rod when the tip of the rod is in a position where the tip of the cylinder is open, without requiring any rotational power. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the soil sampler with the rod positioned in a first position. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partially sectional side view showing the soil sampler with the rod positioned in a first position. [Figure 2B] A cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2A with the sphere omitted. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the soil sampler with the rod positioned in a second position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional side view illustrating fixing of the lock mechanism. [Diagram 5] A partially cross-sectional side view showing the soil sampler with the rod positioned in a second position and the tips of the rod and cylinder facing upward. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional side view illustrating the release of the lock mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a soil sampler according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the soil sampler comprises a rod 1 and a cylinder 2 through which the rod 1 is inserted. The rod 1 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a tip 10 at its tip side 1a. The tip 10 of the rod 1 is configured in a sharp cone shape so that it can easily enter the ground. The cylinder 2 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a tip 20 at its tip side 2a. The tip 20 of the cylinder 2 is configured to be sharply conical together with the tip 10 of the rod 1.

[0018] The rod 1 has a head portion 11 on its base end side 1b. The head portion 11 is connected to the base end side 1b of the rod 1 by a connecting means such as a male-female screw mechanism. The diameter of the head portion 11 is configured to be larger than the diameter of the rod 1. Therefore, when the position of the tip portion 10 of the rod 1 and the position of the tip portion 20 of the cylindrical body 2 match, the head portion 11 abuts against the base end side 2b of the cylindrical body 2, and the rod 1 is configured to be positioned. The rod 1 also has a locking portion 13 adjacent to the tip portion 10. The outer diameter of the locking portion 13 is configured to be larger than the outer diameter of the tip portion 10 and is configured to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 2. The cylindrical body 2 also has a step portion 21 adjacent to the tip portion 20. Therefore, when the position of the tip portion 10 of the rod 1 and the position of the tip portion 20 of the cylindrical body 2 match, the locking portion 13 is configured to be locked by the step portion 21.

[0019] In addition, a long connecting rod 12 is connected to the head portion 11 on the opposite side to the rod 1. The head portion 11 and the connecting rod 12 are connected by a connecting means such as a male-female screw mechanism. When a standard penetration test or the like is performed, the tip side 1a of the rod 1 and the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2 are directed downward, and the head portion 11 abuts against the base end side 2b of the cylindrical body 2, and the locking portion 13 of the rod 1 is locked to the step portion 21 of the cylindrical body 2, so that the positions of the tip portion 10 of the rod 1 and the tip portion 20 of the cylindrical body 2 are regulated to coincide with each other.

[0020] When the tip 10 of the rod 1 and the tip 20 of the cylinder 2 are aligned, the tip 10 of the rod 1 closes the opening of the tip 20 of the cylinder 2. At this time, the rod 1 is placed in the first position (Fig. 1). Then, the soil sampler is penetrated into the ground to the depth at which soil is to be sampled by striking the hammer of the penetration machine. At that time, the tip 10 of the rod 1 closes the tip 20 of the cylinder 2, so that the soil sampler can be penetrated into the ground without soil entering the inside of the cylinder 2.

[0021] As will be described later, when the soil sampler has penetrated into the ground to a depth at which soil is to be sampled, the tip 10 of the rod 1 is moved to the base end side 2b (upward) of the cylindrical body 2, and the tip 20 of the cylindrical body 2 is opened, and the rod 1 is moved to the second position so that soil can be sampled inside the cylindrical body 2 (Fig. 3). The soil sampler is provided with a locking mechanism 3 that fixes and releases the rod 1 in the second position.

[0022] 1, the locking mechanism 3 includes an annular groove 30 provided on the outer periphery of the rod 1 at the tip end side 1a of the rod 1. The locking mechanism 3 also includes a plurality of spheres 37. The plurality of spheres 37 are disposed inside the base end side 2b of the cylindrical body 2, between the rod 1 and the cylindrical body 2.

[0023] 2A and 2B, the inner diameter of the second support 2 is configured to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the tip portion 10 of the first support 1, and the first support 1 is configured to contact the inner peripheral surface of the second support 2 so that the first support 1 does not swing radially relative to the second support 2. The cylindrical body 2 is provided with a plurality of recesses 32 radially on its inner peripheral surface. The recesses 32 are recessed so as to open toward the center side of the cylindrical body 2. The recesses 32 are configured of a first recess 33 arranged on the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2 and a second recess 34 arranged on the base end side 2b of the cylindrical body 2.

[0024] The first recess 33 and the second recess 34 are formed continuously. The first recess 33 has a first inclined surface 330 inclined toward the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2. The second recess 34 has a second inclined surface 340 inclined toward the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2. The width of the first recess 33 is configured to be smaller than the width of the second recess 34. The width of the second recess 34 is configured to place the sphere 37 in the second recess 34 when the rod 1 is placed in the first position. In this embodiment, the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the rod 1 and the end of the second recess 34 is configured to be approximately the same as the diameter of the sphere 37. The sphere 37 is arranged to be placed in the second recess 34 by abutting against the outer circumferential surface of the rod 1, the inner circumferential surface of the second recess 34, and the second inclined surface 340.

[0025] As described later, the rod 1 is provided with a discharge mechanism 4 that discharges air collected together with the soil to the outside of the cylindrical body 2 when the rod 1 is placed at the second position and soil is collected inside the cylindrical body 2 (FIG. 3). The discharge mechanism 4 is composed of a first air hole 41 that is placed inside the cylindrical body 2 when the rod 1 is placed at the second position, a second air hole 42 that is placed outside the cylindrical body 2, and a communication pipe 43 that communicates the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42. The first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 are placed on the base end side 1b from the locking part 13 of the rod 1. The rod 1 is also provided with a rubber ring 44 that closes the second air hole 42 so that air can flow out from the second air hole 42 but cannot flow in. The rubber ring 44 is made of a flat rubber shape.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, when the soil sampler has penetrated into the ground to the depth at which soil is to be sampled, the tip 10 of the rod 1 is moved to the base end side 2b (upward) of the cylindrical body 2 so that the tip 10 of the rod 1 opens the tip 20 of the cylindrical body 2 and the rod 1 is moved to the second position so that soil is collected inside the cylindrical body 2. The rod 1 is fixed at the second position by the locking mechanism 3, and the soil sampler is penetrated into the ground, so that soil is collected from the tip 20 of the cylindrical body 2 into the interior.

[0027] When air (which may also contain water) enters the inside of the cylindrical body 2 together with soil from the tip 20, the soil is stopped by the locking part 13, but the air (and water) moves to the base end side 1b of the rod 1 through between the locking part 13 and the cylindrical body 2 and passes through the first air hole 41 arranged inside the cylindrical body 2. The second air hole 42 is covered with a rubber ring 44, and the elasticity of the rubber ring 44 allows the air to be discharged from the second air hole 42 arranged outside the cylindrical body 2 through the communication pipe 43, and is configured not to flow in from the second air hole 42. Therefore, since excess air (and water) can be discharged from the cylindrical body 2 and not to flow in, the inside of the cylindrical body 2 can be filled with soil. As a result, a desired amount of soil can be sampled in the cylindrical body 2.

[0028] <Fixing lock mechanism 3> As shown in Fig. 4, the rod 1 has a first tapered portion 301 and a second tapered portion 302 on both sides of the groove portion 30 (the tip end side 1a and the base end side 1b of the rod 1) in parallel to the groove portion 30. The first tapered portion 301 and the second tapered portion 302 are formed so as to incline from the groove portion 30 to the outer circumferential surface of the rod 1. The first tapered portion 301 is provided on the tip end side 1a of the rod 1, and the second tapered portion 302 is provided on the base end side 1b of the rod 1. The first recess 33 is recessed so that the sphere 37 is placed in the first recess 33 when the positions of the groove portion 30 and the first recess 33 are aligned.

[0029] When the soil sampler is penetrated into the ground to a depth where soil is to be sampled, the rod 1 moves upward (the base end side 2b of the cylindrical body 2) and the groove 30 is disposed in the second recess 34. Since the distance between the end of the groove 30 and the end of the second recess 34 is greater than that of the sphere 37, the sphere 37 rolls and moves toward the groove 30 along the second inclined surface 340 due to gravity. After that, when the rod 1 moves downward (the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2) and the groove 30 is disposed in the first recess 33, the sphere 37 rolls and fits into the first recess 33 accordingly, and is sandwiched and locked between the second tapered portion 302 and the first inclined surface 330 (FIG. 4). As a result, the rod 1 cannot move downward (the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2), and the rod 1 can be fixed in the second position. In this way, the rod 1 can be fixed in the second position by the lock mechanism 3 in a short time and easily without requiring any rotational power, simply by moving the rod 1 upward.

[0030] <Releasing lock mechanism 3> As shown in FIG. 5, after the soil is sampled, the soil sampler is moved to the ground and the connecting rod 12 connected to the head part 11 is removed. Then, the soil sampled inside the cylindrical body 2 is taken out. After that, the soil sampler is inverted and placed so that the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2 faces upward from the bottom. As shown in FIG. 6, the sphere 37 is placed between the groove part 30 of the rod 1 and the first recess 33 (FIG. 6A), and then the rod 1 is moved downward (or the cylindrical body 2 is moved upward) to place the groove part 30 of the rod 1 in the second recess 34 (FIG. 6B). At this time, the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the groove part 30 and the end of the second recess 34 is larger than the outer diameter of the sphere 37, and the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the rod 1 and the end of the second recess 34 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the sphere 37, so that the sphere 37 rolls down into the second recess 34 by gravity and can move laterally to the end side of the second recess 34. As a result, the rod 1 can move to the tip side 2a (upward) of the cylindrical body 2, and the rod 1 can be moved to the first position (FIG. 6C). In this way, by simply placing the soil sampler so that the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2 faces upward and moving the rod 1 downward a predetermined distance (or moving the cylindrical body 2 upward a predetermined distance), the locking mechanism 3 can be released quickly and easily, and the rod 1 can be moved to the first position.

[0031] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the following modifications are possible. The cylindrical body 2 is constructed so that it can be separated in the axial direction, and by separating it, the collected soil can be easily removed. In the above embodiment, a plurality of spheres 37 are provided so that the position of the rod 1 can be stably fixed. However, a single sphere 37 may be used. In the above embodiment, the multiple recesses 32 are provided radially and configured to stably fix the position of the rod 1, but they may be annular recesses provided in the entire circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 2. A multiple number of spheres 37 may be disposed in the recesses 32 provided in the entire circumferential direction. In the above embodiment, the groove 30 is annular and provided in the circumferential direction of the rod 1 . However, recessed grooves 30 may be provided at positions corresponding to the recesses 32 . In the above embodiment, a rubber ring 44 is provided to block the second air hole 42 and is configured to function as a check valve with a simple structure, but check valves of various structures may be provided in each second air hole 42.

[0032] The effects of the present invention will now be described.

[0033] The soil sampler according to the present invention comprises a rod 1 and a cylindrical body 2 slidably inserted into the rod 1. The rod 1 is configured to be movable between a first position where the tip 10 of the rod 1 closes the tip 20 of the cylindrical body 2 and a second position where the tip 10 of the rod 1 opens the tip 20 of the cylindrical body 2 to sample soil inside the cylindrical body 2. The soil sampler also comprises a locking mechanism 3 that fixes and releases the rod 1 in the second position. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 3 is configured to fix the rod 1 when the tip 10 of the rod 1 is pointed downward and to release it when the tip 10 of the rod 1 is pointed upward.

[0034] The locking mechanism 3 allows the rod 1 to be easily and quickly fixed in the second position without the need for rotational power, simply by pointing the tip 10 of the rod 1 downward and moving the rod 1 to the second position, thereby shortening the time required for the standard penetration test, and since no complicated operations are required, the test efficiency is improved and even an inexperienced operator can easily and reliably fix the position of the rod 1.

[0035] Moreover, the locking mechanism 3 desirably includes a groove portion 30 provided in the rod 1, and a sphere 37 disposed between the rod 1 and the cylindrical body 2. The sphere 37 is disposed in the groove portion 30 to fix the rod 1, and is configured so that the sphere 37 moves away from the groove portion 30 to release the rod 1.

[0036] The position of the rod 1 can be fixed by rolling the sphere 37 into the groove 30, and the position of the rod 1 can be released by rolling the sphere 37 away from the groove 30, so that no complicated structure is required, production efficiency and cost efficiency are excellent, and maintenance work can be easily performed even if soil, water, etc. get in.

[0037] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 3 has a recess 32 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 2, and the recess 32 is composed of a first recess 33 arranged on the tip end 2a side of the cylindrical body 2 and a second recess 34 arranged on the base end 2b side of the cylindrical body 2, and it is desirable that the first recess 33 and the second recess 34 are formed continuously and the width of the first recess 33 is smaller than the width of the second recess 34.

[0038] By configuring the recess 32 formed by the first recess 33 and the second recess 34 which are different in width and are continuous with each other, and by arranging the sphere 37 in the recess 32, the position of the rod 1 can be fixed and released simply by manipulating the position of the groove portion 30 of the rod 1 relative to the first recess 33 and the second recess 34 and the up-down direction of the rod 1 and the cylindrical body 2. Therefore, even an inexperienced operator can easily and reliably fix and release the position of the rod 1. In this way, since the recess 32 formed by the first recess 33 and the second recess 34 which are different in width and are continuous with each other is configured, the configuration of the locking mechanism 3 is not complicated, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and even if soil or water gets in, it can be easily removed.

[0039] Furthermore, it is desirable that the first recess 33 has a first inclined surface 330 inclined toward the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2, and the second recess 34 has a second inclined surface 340 inclined toward the tip side 2a of the cylindrical body 2.

[0040] The first and second inclined surfaces 330, 340 make it easier for the sphere 37 to roll between the first recess 33 and the second recess 34, so that even an inexperienced user can reliably secure and release the rod 1 when using the locking mechanism 3 to secure and release the rod 1.

[0041] Preferably, the rod 1 is provided with a discharge mechanism 4 for venting air collected together with the soil to the outside of the cylindrical body 2 when the rod 1 is placed in the second position and soil is collected inside the cylindrical body 2 .

[0042] Since air (and water, etc.) exists in the ground in addition to soil, when the soil sampler is inserted into the ground to sample the soil, air may enter the interior of the cylindrical body 2 along with the soil. Even if a large amount of air enters the interior of the cylindrical body 2, the exhaust mechanism 4 can vent the air collected together with the soil to the outside of the cylindrical body 2, so that the amount of soil required for sampling can be reliably collected.

[0043] Furthermore, it is desirable that the discharge mechanism 4 comprises a first air hole 41 arranged inside the cylindrical body 2 when the rod 1 is positioned at the second position, a second air hole 42 arranged outside the cylindrical body 2, and a communicating pipe 43 connecting the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42.

[0044] When the rod 1 is positioned in the second position, soil, etc. can be collected inside the cylindrical body 2, and air can be exhausted to the outside of the cylindrical body 2 by the exhaust mechanism 4. However, in order to simplify the configuration of the exhaust mechanism 4 and reduce its manufacturing costs, it is desirable for it to be composed of a first air hole 41, a second air hole 42, and a communicating hole 43.

[0045] Preferably, the rod 1 is provided with a rubber ring 44 that closes the second air hole 42 so that air can flow out of the second air hole 42 but cannot flow in.

[0046] By discharging air to the outside of the cylindrical body 2 through the second air hole 42, a desired amount of soil can be sampled inside the cylindrical body 2, but if air enters through the second air hole 42, the desired amount of soil cannot be sampled. For this reason, it is desirable to provide a check valve that allows air to flow out but not in through the second air hole 42. In particular, by attaching a rubber ring 44 to close the second air hole 42, it can function as this check valve, and it has a simple structure and can be easily attached. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 Rod 10 Tip of the rod 2 cylinders 20 Tip of the cylinder 3 Locking mechanism 30 Groove 32 Recess 33 First recess 34 Second recess 37 Sphere 4 Ejection mechanism 41 First air vent 42 Second air hole 43 Communication pipe 44 Rubber Ring

Claims

1. A rod and a cylindrical body through which the rod is inserted, The soil sampler is configured so that the rod can be moved between a first position where the tip of the rod closes the tip of the cylinder and a second position where the tip of the rod opens the tip of the cylinder to sample soil inside the cylinder, the soil sampler includes a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the rod in the second position; The locking mechanism includes: A groove portion provided in the rod; A sphere disposed between the rod and the cylinder; A recess is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, the sphere is configured to be placed in the groove to secure the rod and the sphere is configured to be removed from the groove to release the rod; The rod is configured to be fixed when the tip of the rod is directed downward and to be released when the tip of the rod is directed upward, The recess includes a first recess disposed on a tip end side of the cylindrical body and a second recess disposed on a base end side of the cylindrical body, The first recess and the second recess are formed continuously, The width of the first recess is smaller than the width of the second recess, The first recess has a first inclined surface inclined toward a tip side of the cylindrical body, A soil sampler, wherein the second recess has a second inclined surface that slopes toward the tip side of the cylindrical body.

2. 2. The soil sampler of claim 1, wherein the rod is provided with an exhaust mechanism that exhausts air collected along with the soil to the outside of the cylinder when the rod is positioned at the second position and collects the soil inside the cylinder.

3. The soil sampler of claim 2, wherein the discharge mechanism comprises a first air hole arranged inside the cylinder when the rod is arranged in the second position, a second air hole arranged outside the cylinder, and a connecting pipe connecting the first air hole and the second air hole.

4. 4. The soil sampler of claim 3, wherein the rod includes a rubber ring that blocks the second air hole so that the air can flow out but not in through the second air hole.

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