Suction support extension rod

Abstract

To provide an extension rod having high stability with a simple structure.SOLUTION: An adsorption support extension rod 1 includes: an extension rod 10 capable of extending a plurality of rods 12; a base 30 supporting the extension rod 10; an extension mechanism 40 that causes the extension rod 10 to extend; and an adsorber 20 fixed to the plurality of rods 12 of the extension rod 10. The extension mechanism 40 causes the extension rod 10 to extend sequentially from the base 30 side, and causes the adsorber 20 of the extended rod 12 to adsorb to a wall surface 100 sequentially.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction support extension rod, and particularly to a suction support extension rod having excellent stability in high-altitude work.

Background Art

[0002] In order to perform high-altitude work, a device that extends a folded rod or extends a rod by a telescopic mechanism is used. However, in order to stabilize the extended rod, measures such as adding weight to the base part or providing widened legs to the base part are taken to prevent the base part from tipping over.

[0003] In order to make the device simpler, it has been proposed to provide a suction cup on the extended rod and adsorb it to a wall (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, at the tip of a telescopic arm part (5), there is an inspection mechanism (10) and an arm imitation mechanism (7) composed of a suction cup (19), wheels (20), etc. During inspection, the suction cup (19) is adsorbed and fixed to a bridge girder (41) to stabilize the arm part (5). Note that the suction cup (19) may be electromagnetic.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, only the suction cup of the arm imitation mechanism fixes the arm part and the inspection mechanism to the inspection object, and a large adsorption force is required for the suction cup. Also, in the case of an electromagnetic type, the inspection object is limited to a magnetic body such as a bridge girder.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an extension rod with a simple structure and high stability.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the adsorption support extension rod 1 according to the first aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 for example, includes an extension rod 10 capable of extending a plurality of rods 12, a base 30 supporting the extension rod 10, an extension mechanism 40 for extending the extension rod 10, and an adsorber 20 fixed to the plurality of rods 12 of the extension rod 10. The extension mechanism 40 sequentially extends the extension rod 10 from the base 30 side, and sequentially adsorbs the adsorbers 20 of the extended rods 12 to the wall surface 100.

[0008] With such a configuration, since the extension rod extends sequentially from the base side and the extended rods are sequentially adsorbed to the wall surface by the adsorbers, an extension rod with a simple structure and high stability can be provided.

[0009] The adsorption support extension rod according to the second aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 for example, the extension rod is a telescopic rod 10 capable of extending a plurality of rods 12 by a telescopic mechanism, and the extension mechanism is an internal pressure mechanism 40 that expands by internal pressure to extend the telescopic rod. It is provided with a wire 50 connected to the tip rod 12-1 of the telescopic rod 10 to generate tension in the direction of the base 30. While the wire 50 controls the extension of the tip rod 12-1, the internal pressure mechanism 40 sequentially extends the telescopic rod 10 from the base 30 side. With such a configuration, the telescopic rod is extended by the internal pressure mechanism while the extension of the tip rod is controlled by the wire, so that it extends sequentially from the base side.

[0010] The adsorption support extension rod according to the third aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 for example, includes a plurality of wires 50-1, 50-2, and the inclination of the telescopic rod 10 can be adjusted. With such a configuration, the inclination of the telescopic rod can be easily adjusted.

[0011] The adsorption support extension rod according to the fourth aspect of the present invention further includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a compressed air mechanism 22 that sends compressed air to the adsorber 20, a switching valve 28, and an ejector 26. In the adsorber 20 of the rod 12 that moves as the extension rod 10 extends, compressed air is exhausted from the adsorber 20, and in the adsorber 20 of the already extended rod 12, it is exhausted from the ejector 26 and adsorbed to the wall surface. With this configuration, with a simple structure, compressed air is exhausted from the adsorber of the moving rod so as to be separated from the wall surface and not interfere with the movement of the rod, and the adsorber of the already extended rod can adsorb to the wall surface.

[0012] In the adsorption support extension rod according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the adsorber 70 is adsorbed to the wall surface by a hot melt adhesive 72, and includes a temperature control device 74 that controls the temperature of the hot melt adhesive 72. With this configuration, by adsorbing to the wall surface, heating the hot melt adhesive to a high temperature when removing it, and keeping the hot melt adhesive at a low temperature when moving and in the adsorbed state, a simple structure can be achieved, and the adsorber does not interfere with the movement of the rod and can be an adsorption support extension rod that can adsorb to the wall surface.

[0013] In the adsorption support extension rod according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the adsorber 20 can be inclined with respect to the rod 12. With this configuration, the adsorber can easily adsorb to an inclined wall surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the adsorption support extension rod of the present invention, it includes an extension rod capable of extending a plurality of rods, a base that supports the extension rod, an extension mechanism that extends the extension rod, and adsorbers fixed to the plurality of rods of the extension rod. The extension mechanism sequentially extends the extension rod from the base side, and sequentially adsorbs the adsorbers of the extended rods to the wall surface. Therefore, a simple structure can provide a highly stable extension rod.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding devices are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the adsorption support extension rod according to the present invention will be described.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an adsorption telescopic rod 1 using a telescopic rod 10 as the extension rod, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a front view. The adsorption telescopic rod 1 is used, for example, for high-place inspections in nuclear power plants. It is also used for high-place work in other buildings, bridges, etc., and the application is not limited. In FIG. 1, the adsorption telescopic rod 1 is used along the wall surface 100.

[0018] The telescopic rod 10 has a plurality of rods 12 that can be extended by a telescopic function. That is, the plurality of rods 12 are nested, and the thickest rod 12 is supported by the base 30. The rod 12 has an outer stopper 14 on the outer side of the base 30 side and an inner stopper 16 on the inner side of the tip side. When the rod 12 extends, the outer stopper 14 of the rod 12 abuts against the inner stopper 16 of the rod 12 closer to the base 30 (which had the rod 12 inserted inside it) with respect to the rod 12, and the extended position of the rod 12 is determined.

[0019] The telescopic rod 10 is extended and contracted by an extension mechanism 40. For example, if the telescopic rod 10 is configured to be airtight between the plurality of nested rods 12, the extension mechanism 40 may be a mechanism that increases the internal pressure within the telescopic rod 10. The airtightness here does not necessarily have to be airtight in a strict sense, as long as the rod 12 can be extended by the internal pressure. Alternatively, an expansion body (not shown) that expands by internal pressure may be provided within the telescopic rod 10, and the internal pressure of the expansion body may be increased. The extension mechanism 40 is not limited to these internal pressure mechanisms, and may be an electromagnetic mechanism, and the extension mechanism 40 is not particularly limited.

[0020] The suction device 20 is fixed to a plurality of rods 12. Note that the suction device 20 does not necessarily have to be fixed to all of the rods 12 of the telescopic rod 10. For example, it may be fixed to every other rod 12. In the telescopic rod 10, two arms 18 are fixed to all of the rods 12, and the suction device 20 is fixed to the tip of the arm 18. That is, two suction devices 20 are provided for one rod 12. By doing so, as shown in Fig. 1(b), the suction devices 20 adsorb to the wall on both the left and right sides toward the wall surface 100 of the extended telescopic rod 10, so the stability is increased. However, the number of suction devices 20 fixed to the rod 12 may be one, or may be three or more. A support 21 may be provided between the arm 18 and the suction device 20. If the support 21 can be tilted, it is preferable because the suction device 20 can adsorb even if the wall surface 100 is locally tilted with respect to the telescopic rod 10. The mechanism for making the support 21 tiltable may be a known one such as a universal joint. Furthermore, if the support 21 is configured to be slightly extendable and contractible, the suction device 20 is likely to move away from the wall surface 100.

[0021] Here, with reference to Fig. 2, the suction device 20 will be described. The suction device 20 is basically a suction cup. However, a suction cup that adsorbs to a mirror surface by elasticity such as rubber has its adsorbing force weakened by irregularities on the wall surface 100 or the like, and also requires a large force to stop and remove the adsorption, so it is not suitable for use in the adsorption telescopic rod 1. Therefore, the adsorption and removal of the suction device 20 are performed using compressed air from an air source 22 as a compressed air mechanism, and air is ejected so as to lift a certain distance from the wall surface 100 when the rod 12 moves.

[0022] That is, a branch portion 24 is provided in the air flow path between the air source 22 and the adsorber 20. An ejector 26 is installed in one of the branched flow paths, and a throttle valve 27 is installed in the other flow path. The switching valve 28 connects either of the two air flow paths to the adsorber 20. When compressed air is passed through the ejector 26 side, a negative pressure is generated when passing through the ejector 26, and by transmitting the negative pressure to the adsorber 20 via the switching valve 28, the adsorber 20 sucks air and adsorbs to the wall surface 100. On the other hand, when compressed air is passed through the throttle valve 27 side, it is decompressed by the throttle valve 27 and sent to the adsorber 20 via the switching valve 28, and the adsorber 20 ejects air. Therefore, even when the adsorber 20 is adsorbed to the wall surface 100, by ejecting air, it floats up from the wall surface 100 at a certain distance like a hovercraft (registered trademark). Since the compressed air from the air source 22 is set to high pressure so as to generate a negative pressure with the ejector 26, it is decompressed using the throttle valve 27 and sent to the adsorber 20, but depending on the configuration and application, the throttle valve 27 may not be necessary. Furthermore, in order to eject an air flow from the adsorber 20, the adsorber 20 tries to float up from the wall surface 100 at a certain distance. That is, if the adsorber 20 is close to the wall surface 100, it tries to move away from the wall by the ejected air flow, but when it moves away from the wall surface 100, the ejected air flow weakens, and the force to move away from the wall surface 100 also weakens. In this way, since it floats up from the wall surface 100 at a certain distance, when the adsorber 20 is moved together with the rod 12, it is possible to prevent the adsorber 20 from rubbing against the wall surface and hindering the movement, and also to prevent damage to the adsorber 20 or the wall surface 100. Note that just by switching the switching valve 28, the air flow path passing through the ejector 26 from the branch portion 24 remains always open, so a shut-off valve 25 is provided between the branch portion 24 and the ejector 26. Alternatively, the branch portion 24 may be used as a switching valve. Such an air flow path is provided for all the adsorbers 20, or for each adsorber 20 fixed to the same rod 12. Note that one air source 22 is sufficient to send compressed air to all the adsorbers 20.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 1, a wire 50 is connected to the rod 12-1 at the tip of the telescopic rod 10, and tension is applied in the direction of the base 30. Preferably, two wires 50 are provided on the left and right toward the wall surface 100. By providing two wires 50-1 and 50-2 on the left and right, the inclination of the telescopic rod 10 can be adjusted by controlling the length of the wires. Note that the number of wires 50 is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. By applying tension to the rod 12-1 at the tip with three or more wires 50 in three or more directions, the three-dimensional posture of the telescopic rod 10 can be controlled. The wire 50 is wound around a reel 52 on the base 30 to adjust the tension and control the extension of the telescopic rod 10.

[0024] The base 30 is a table on which the telescopic rod 10, the reel 52, the extension mechanism 40, etc. are placed, and is not particularly limited. The reel 52, the extension mechanism 40, etc. may be installed at a location different from the base 30. Further, the base 30 may have wheels 32 and be movable, or may be fixed to the floor and moved, for example, by being placed on a cart.

[0025] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 as well, the extension of the suction telescopic rod 1 will be described. FIGS. 4 and 5 are a side view and a front view showing the state of extending the suction telescopic rod 1, and (a) to (d) show the states before extension, when one rod 12 is extended, when two rods 12 are extended, and when all three rods 12 are extended, respectively. Here, the number of rods 12 is set to four, but the number of rods 12 is arbitrary. Also, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rods on the tip side are designated as 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, and 12-4.

[0026] As shown in (a), the adsorption telescopic rod 1 moves near the wall surface 100 with the telescopic rod 10 in a contracted state. First, starting from the initial state of (a), the telescopic rod 10 begins to extend by the extension mechanism 40. For example, it may be achieved by gradually increasing the internal pressure. At this time, in the adsorber 20 of the rod 12-4 fixed to the base 30, compressed air is passed to the ejector 26 side so that the adsorber 20 adsorbs to the wall surface 100, and in other adsorbers 20, air is ejected from the adsorber 20 to separate from the wall. In the telescopic rod 10, as the internal pressure increases, all of the rods 12-1, 2, and 3 tend to extend, but since a tension is applied to the tip rod 12-1 by the wire 50, the extension of the telescopic rod 10 is suppressed. Here, the rods on the base 30 side are nested with the outer ones, and the force pushing up the rod 12 on the base 30 side becomes stronger. Therefore, first, the rod 12-3 extends. It extends until the outer stopper 14 of the rod 12-3 hits the inner stopper 16 of the rod 12-4. At that time, a tension is applied to the tip rod 12-1 by the wire 50 to prevent sudden extension, and it is advisable to temporarily stop the extension when the rod 12-3 has extended. Then, as shown in (b), when the rod 12-3 has extended, in the adsorber 20 fixed to the rod 12-3, compressed air is passed to the ejector 26 side to adsorb the adsorber 20 to the wall surface 100.

[0027] Next, as shown in (c), the rod 12-2 is extended in the same manner, and then as shown in (d), the rod 12-1 is extended in the same manner, and the extension of the telescopic rod 10 is completed. By extending the telescopic rod 10 in this way, each time the rod 12 is extended, it is fixed to the wall surface 100 by the adsorber 20, so the telescopic rod 10 is stabilized even during extension. And when the extension is completed, since it is fixed to the wall surface 100 by a plurality of adsorbers 20, high-altitude work can be done stably. Also, when extending, the inclination of the telescopic rod 10 can be adjusted by the two wires 50-1 and 50-2.

[0028] When the telescopic rod 10 is to be retracted, air is ejected from the suction device 20 of the rod 12-1, and it is pulled by the wires 50-1 and 50-2 to accommodate the tip rod 12-1 into the rod 12-2. Subsequently, air is ejected from the suction device 20 of the rod 12-2, and it is pulled by the wires 50-1 and 50-2 to accommodate the rod 12-2 into the rod 12-3. Next, in the same manner, the rod 12-3 is accommodated into the rod 12-4, so that it can be sequentially retracted from the tip side while remaining in a stable state.

[0029] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the adsorption support extension rod 2 using the folding rod 60 will be described. The adsorption support extension rod 2 is different from the adsorption telescopic rod 1 in that the folding rod 60 is used as the extension rod. FIG. 5 is a side view and a front view showing the state of extending the folding rod 60, and (a) to (e) respectively show the states before extension, when the base-side rod 62-4 is extended from the base 30, when the two rods 62-4 and 62-3 are extended, when the three rods 62-4, 62-3, and 62-2 are extended, and when the four rods 62-4, 62-3, 62-2, and 62-1 are extended.

[0030] As shown in (a), in the folding rod 60, each rod 62 is in a folded state, that is, the rod 62 is in a horizontal state, and it is moved to the working place of the adsorption support extension rod 2 by the base 30. By an extension mechanism (not shown), as shown in (b), the rod 62-4 is extended from the base 30. That is, it is raised from the horizontal. The rods 62-3, 62-2, and 62-1 also rise together with the rod 62-4. When the rod 62-4 is extended, the suction device 20 of the rod 62-4 is adsorbed to the wall. Next, as shown in (c), the rod 62-3 is extended, and the suction device 20 of the rod 62-3 is adsorbed to the wall. Next, as shown in (d), the rod 62-2 is extended, and the suction device 20 of the rod 62-2 is adsorbed to the wall. Next, as shown in (e), the rod 62-1 is extended, and the suction device 20 of the rod 62-1 is adsorbed to the wall.

[0031] Thus, even when the folding rod 60 is used as the extension rod, by sequentially extending the rods 62 from the base side and causing the suction device 20 to adsorb, the folding rod 60 can be stably extended, and stability can also be achieved when the extension is completed and high-altitude work is performed.

[0032] In addition, in FIG. 5, one suction device 20 is shown as being fixed to each rod 62. However, two or more suction devices 20 may be fixed, and not all of the rods 62 need to have a suction device fixed thereto. The number of rods 62 is not limited to four.

[0033] Referring also to FIG. 3, an adsorber 70 will be described that adsorbs using a flat plate 71 coated with a hot melt adhesive 72, such as that sold as a hot bond, which is separate from the adsorber 20, and includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the hot melt adhesive 72. The hot melt adhesive 72 may be any material that has fluidity when heated and hardens when the temperature drops. When the hot melt adhesive 72 hardens to sufficient strength at room temperature, the low temperature may be room temperature, and the temperature control device 74 may be a heating device. That is, the temperature control device 74 may include a heater 76, a power source 77, and a switch 78. Further, a thermostat (not shown) for maintaining a constant high temperature may be provided. The entire temperature control device 74 may be incorporated, or as shown in FIG. 3, the power source 77 and the switch 78 may be installed externally. In such an adsorber 70, when adsorbing to the wall surface and when removing, the hot melt adhesive 72 may be heated to a high temperature to increase fluidity, and when the rods 12, 62 are being moved and when in the adsorbed state, the hot melt adhesive 72 may be cooled to a low temperature. With such a simple structure, the adsorber does not interfere with the movement of the rods 12, 62 and can serve as the adsorbing support extension rods 1, 2 that can adsorb to the wall surface 100.

[0034] Although the telescopic rod 10 and the folding rod 60 have been described as examples of the extension rod, other known extendable rods may be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0035] 1 Suction Telescopic Rod (Suction Support Extension Rod) 2 Suction Support Extension Rod 10 Telescopic Rod (Extension Rod) 12 (12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4) Rod 14 Outer Stopper 16 Inner Stopper 20 Suction Device 21 Support Tool 22 Air Source (Compressed Air Mechanism) 24 Branch Section 25 Shutoff Valve 26 Ejector 27 Throttle Valve 28 Changeover Valve 30 Base 32 Wheels 40 Extension Mechanism 50 (50-1, 50-2) Wire 52 Reel 60 Folding Rod (Extension Rod) 62 (62-1, 62-2, 62-3, 62-4) Rod 70 Suction Device 71 Flat Plate 72 Hot Melt Adhesive 74 Temperature Control Device 76 Heater 77 Power Supply 78 Switch 100 Wall Surface

Claims

1. An extendable rod having a plurality of rods that can be extended, an extendable rod; A base for supporting the extendable rod; An extension mechanism for extending the extendable rod; And a suction device fixed to a plurality of rods of the extendable rod; The extension mechanism sequentially extends the extendable rod from the base side, and sequentially adsorbs the suction devices of the extended rods to the wall surface; The extendable rod is a telescopic rod capable of extending a plurality of rods by a telescopic mechanism; The extension mechanism is an internal pressure mechanism that expands by internal pressure to extend the telescopic rod; At least two wires are provided that are connected to the base and generate tension in the base direction from the tip rod of the extendable rod via a reel provided on the base; The wire controls the extension of the tip rod while the internal pressure mechanism sequentially extends the telescopic rod from the base side; An adsorption support extendable rod for high-altitude work.

2. Comprising a plurality of the wires; The inclination of the telescopic rod is adjustable; The adsorption support extendable rod for high-altitude work according to claim 1.

3. Further comprising a compressed air mechanism, a switching valve, and an ejector for sending compressed air to the suction device; In the suction device of the rod that is moving as the extendable rod extends, the compressed air is exhausted from the suction device, and in the suction device of the rod that has already extended, the air is exhausted from the ejector and adsorbed to the wall surface; The adsorption support extendable rod for high-altitude work according to any one of claims 1 or 2.

4. The suction device adsorbs to the wall surface with a hot melt adhesive; A temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the hot melt adhesive is provided; The adsorption support extendable rod for high-altitude work according to any one of claims 1 or 2.

5. The suction device is tiltable with respect to the rod; The adsorption support extendable rod for high-altitude work according to claim 3 or 4.

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