Pipe inspection equipment

Abstract

To easily repair and replace an imaging device of an in-tube inspection device in short time.SOLUTION: An in-tube inspection device includes a shaft 11, an imaging device 10 connected to the shaft 11, and an attaching / detaching member 20 for connecting the shaft 11 and the imaging device 10. The attaching / detaching member 20 includes a shaft connection ring 23 having an upper end 23f facing a lower end 11f of the shaft 11, an attaching / detaching ring 24 having a screw processing part 24a screwed with a screw processing part 11a of the shaft 11 and a step part 24c facing a step part 23c of the shaft connection ring 23, an imaging device fixing ring 27 having a screw processing part 27a which is connected to an upper end 12 of the imaging device 10 by a bolt 26 and is screwed with a screw processing part 23a of the shaft connection ring 23, a first cutoff member 22 provided between the lower end 11f of the shaft 11 and the upper end 23f of the shaft connection ring 23, and a second cutoff member 25 provided between an inner surface 23g of the shaft connection ring 23 and an outer surface 27g of the imaging device fixing ring 27.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-pipe inspection device for inspecting the inside of pipes such as waterworks pipes. [Background technology]

[0002] In various types of piping, such as water supply systems, checking the condition inside the pipes after installation is important from the perspective of facility maintenance. Methods for checking the condition inside the pipe include, for example, taking a sample of the pipe to check its condition, or draining the water from the pipe and then entering the pipe directly or using a camera to check the condition inside the pipe. However, it is often difficult to take a sample of the pipe or to shut off the water supply for an inspection. For this reason, a common method is to use an in-pipe inspection device equipped with a camera or the like while water is still flowing through the pipe.

[0003] Branch pipes that branch off from the main pipe to be inspected are often used as insertion points for internal pipe inspection devices. An example of such a branch pipe is a branch pipe installed in the middle of a water pipe to install a fire hydrant. For example, the internal pipe inspection device described in Patent Document 1 has an imaging device (camera) for acquiring images attached to the tip of the shaft. An operating shaft is inserted through the opening of the branch pipe, and an image of the inside of the pipe is acquired while illuminating the inside of the main pipe with the light provided by the imaging device, thereby carrying out an inspection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-22134 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional in-pipe inspection devices are inserted into waterworks pipes, which are subject to high water pressure, and therefore, from the perspective of watertightness, the shaft and imaging device are seamlessly integrated. However, there are cases where the tip of the imaging device comes into contact with the bottom of the pipe when the device is inserted into the pipe, or where parts of the device are damaged during handling, such as transport. Because the shaft and imaging device cannot be easily disassembled by the user, if the imaging device is damaged, it is necessary to repair or replace not only the damaged imaging device but also the entire in-pipe inspection device, including the shaft. Therefore, repairing and replacing the entire device requires time and effort, and there is room for improvement.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to make it possible to easily repair or replace an imaging device of an inside-pipe inspection device in a short time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, this invention adopts an internal pipe inspection device comprising a shaft, an imaging device connected to the shaft, and a detachable member connecting the shaft and the imaging device, wherein the detachable member comprises a shaft connecting ring having an upper end opposite the lower end of the shaft, a detachable ring having a threaded portion that screws into the threaded portion of the shaft and a step portion that faces the step portion of the shaft connecting ring, an imaging device fixing ring connected to the upper end of the imaging device with a bolt and having a threaded portion that screws into the threaded portion of the shaft connecting ring, a first water-stopping member provided between the lower end of the shaft and the upper end of the shaft connecting ring, and a second water-stopping member provided between the inner surface of the shaft connecting ring and the outer surface of the imaging device fixing ring.

[0008] Here, a configuration can be adopted in which a third waterproofing member is provided between the upper end of the imaging device and the lower end of the imaging device fixing ring.

[0009] As a component unit of a detachable member used in an internal pipe inspection device consisting of each of these aspects, a component unit of the detachable member can be adopted in which an upper lid is connected in place of the shaft, the upper lid has a lower end opposite the upper end of the shaft connecting ring and a threaded portion that screws into the threaded portion of the detachable ring, the first water-stopping member is interposed between the lower end of the upper lid and the upper end of the shaft connecting ring, a lower lid is connected in place of the imaging device, the lower lid is connected to the lower end of the imaging device fixing ring with the bolt, and the third water-stopping member is interposed between the upper end of the lower lid and the lower end of the imaging device fixing ring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention makes it possible to easily repair or replace the imaging device of an inside-pipe inspection device in a short time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a component unit of a detachable member used in the pipe interior inspection device of the embodiment; [Figure 3] Perspective view of Figure 2 [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the internal pipe inspection device in use DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an in-pipe inspection device 30, and Figs. 2 and 3 show component units of detachable members used in the in-pipe inspection device 30. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the in-pipe inspection device 30 inserted into a branch pipe 2 that branches upward from a main pipe 1, which is a water pipe, and inspecting the inside of the main pipe 1.

[0013] As shown in Figure 4, the branch pipe 2 through which the internal pipe inspection device 30 passes includes a branch pipe 2a molded integrally with the main pipe 1, and a fire hydrant 2b connected to the branch pipe 2a. The fire hydrant 2b is equipped with a valve 3 for controlling the flow of water to the outside. When performing an internal pipe inspection, this valve 3 is opened and the internal pipe inspection device 30 is inserted into the main pipe 1. A watertight member (not shown) is provided in the gap between the upper side of the internal pipe inspection device 30 and the inner surface of the branch pipe 2 to appropriately prevent water leakage.

[0014] The inside-pipe inspection device 30 includes a shaft 11, an imaging device 10 connected to the shaft 11, and a detachable member 20 connecting the shaft 11 and the imaging device 10.

[0015] The shaft 11 is cylindrical and has a threaded portion 11a slightly above the lower end 11f of the shaft 11 (hereinafter referred to as the shaft lower end 11f). In this embodiment, the threaded portion 11a is configured with a male screw. The shaft 11 is preferably made of a steel pipe so that it can withstand the water pressure inside the main pipe 1 and the branch pipe 2 and the torsional force that occurs when the imaging device 10 is rotated around the axis of the shaft 11. However, other materials such as fiber-reinforced resin can also be used as long as they can withstand this water pressure and torsional force. When the shaft 11 is rotated around its axis, the imaging device 10 attached to the lower part of the shaft 11 also rotates around the axis, allowing smooth observation of the entire area around this axis.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 10 comprises a camera 15 capable of photographing the interior of the main pipe 1, and a pair of lights 14, 16 mounted above and below the camera 15, attached to a frame 13. The camera 15 is mounted so as to face in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 11. The camera 15 may be, for example, a compact camera equipped with a CMOS image sensor, or may incorporate another type of compact camera using an element such as a CCD image sensor. Power is supplied to the imaging device 10 and image signals are transmitted via a cable (not shown) that is passed through the shaft 11. Reference numeral 17 in FIG. 1 denotes a terminal 17 for connecting to the cable. A connector on the cable side is connected to this terminal 17.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , the detachable member 20 is mainly composed of a shaft connecting ring 23, a detachable ring 24, and an imaging device fixing ring 27. All of these are made of annular members with a circular cross section. The detachable member 20 also has a plurality of bolts 26 that connect the imaging device fixing ring 27 and the imaging device 10. The detachable member 20 also has a first water-stopping member 22 provided between the shaft 11 and the shaft connecting ring 23, a second water-stopping member 25 provided between the shaft connecting ring 23 and the imaging device fixing ring 27, and a third water-stopping member 28 provided between the imaging device 10 and the imaging device fixing ring 27. While the third water-stopping member 28 is optional, it is desirable to provide the third water-stopping member 28 to further improve water-stopping properties.

[0018] 2 and 3 show the detachable member 20 in a state before it is used to connect the shaft 11 and the imaging device 10. Before use, the detachable member 20 has the upper lid 21 connected in place of the shaft 11 and the lower lid 29 connected in place of the imaging device 10, and is protected from the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior. The detachable member 20 before use shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is referred to as the component unit of the detachable member 20. When using the component unit of the detachable member 20, the upper lid 21 is removed and the shaft 11 is connected to the removed part, and the lower lid 29 is removed and the imaging device 10 is connected to the removed part.

[0019] The shaft connecting ring 23 is an annular member having an upper end 23f facing the shaft lower end 11f. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shaft connecting ring 23 includes an insertion cylindrical portion 23d that protrudes downward and a flange-shaped outer surface convex portion 23b that protrudes radially outward at the upper end of the insertion cylindrical portion 23d. A threaded portion 23a is formed on the inner surface of the insertion cylindrical portion 23d. In this embodiment, the threaded portion 23a is configured as a female screw.

[0020] The lower surface of the outer surface convex portion 23b forms a downward step portion 23c between the insertion tube portion 23d and the outer surface convex portion 23b. The upper ends (upper surfaces) of the insertion tube portion 23d and the outer surface convex portion 23b form a continuous flat surface. This flat upper end 23f is hereinafter referred to as the shaft connecting ring upper end 23f. An annular recessed groove 23h is formed in the shaft connecting ring upper end 23f, and the first water-stopping member 22 is accommodated in the recessed groove 23h. In this embodiment, a rubber O-ring (hereinafter referred to as the first O-ring 22) is used as the first water-stopping member 22. Furthermore, a cylindrical shaft connecting ring inner surface 23g is provided in a portion of the inner surface of the insertion tube portion 23d above the threaded portion 23a.

[0021] The detachable ring 24 is an annular member having a threaded portion 24a that screws onto the threaded portion 11a of the shaft 11 and a step portion 24c that faces the step portion 23c of the shaft connecting ring 23. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the detachable ring 24 includes an upper cylindrical portion 24b that protrudes upward and a lower cylindrical portion 24e that protrudes downward. The threaded portion 24a is formed on the inner surface of the upper cylindrical portion 24b. In this embodiment, the threaded portion 24a is configured as a female thread. The boundary between the upper cylindrical portion 24b and the lower cylindrical portion 24e is an upward step portion 24c. The lower cylindrical portion 24e also has an inner surface protrusion 24d that is recessed in the radially inward direction for the purpose of attaching a jig used to fasten the detachable ring 24. The inner surface protrusion 24d is configured to abut against the outer surface of the shaft connecting ring 23. A plurality of inner surface protrusions 24d are provided along the circumferential direction (four locations in the embodiment, spaced equally apart). The inner surface convex portion 24d forms a step portion 24c.

[0022] The upper lid 21, which is removed during use, is a circular member having a threaded portion 21a with the same thread shape as the threaded portion 11a of the shaft 11. In this embodiment, the threaded portion 21 is configured as a male screw. The upper lid 21 has a disk-shaped closing portion 21b, an annular reinforcing rib 21c that rises upward along the outer edge of the closing portion 21b, and a flange portion 21e that protrudes outwardly around the entire circumference outside the reinforcing rib 21c. The upper lid 21 also has an insertion tube portion 21d that protrudes downward from the outer edge of the closing portion 21b. The threaded portion 21a is formed on the outer surface of the insertion tube portion 21d. The lower end 21f of the insertion tube portion 21d (hereinafter referred to as the upper lid lower end 21f) is an annular flat surface.

[0023] The imaging device fixing ring 27 is connected to the upper end 12 of the imaging device 10 with a bolt 26, and is an annular member having a lower end 27h (hereinafter referred to as the imaging device fixing ring lower end 27h) that faces the upper end 12 of the imaging device 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the imaging device fixing ring 27 has a base 27b located below, and an insertion tubular portion 27c that protrudes upward from the base 27b. The outer edge of the base 27b forms a flange that protrudes radially outward, and a plurality of bolt holes 27f are formed in this flange portion along the circumferential direction. The bolt holes 27f have a narrow hole portion through which the shank of the bolt 26 is inserted, and a countersunk portion for accommodating the head of the bolt 26.

[0024] The imaging device fixing ring 27 has a threaded portion 27a that screws into the threaded portion 23a of the shaft connecting ring 23. The threaded portion 27a is formed on the outer surface of the insertion cylindrical portion 27c. In this embodiment, the threaded portion 27a is configured as a male screw. The upper surface of the base 27b forms an upward step between the insertion cylindrical portion 27c and the insertion cylindrical portion 27c, and this step faces the lower end of the shaft connecting ring 23 (although it does not necessarily have to be in contact with it). In addition, the imaging device fixing ring lower end 27h is a flat surface, and the upper end 12 of the imaging device 10 facing thereto is also a flat surface.

[0025] Furthermore, a cylindrical outer surface 27g (hereinafter referred to as the imaging device fixing ring outer surface 27g) is provided on the outer surface of the insertion tube portion 27c of the imaging device fixing ring 27 above the threaded portion 27a. The imaging device fixing ring outer surface 27g faces the shaft connecting ring inner surface 23g over its entire circumference. An annular recessed groove 27e is formed in the imaging device fixing ring outer surface 27g, and a second water blocking member 25 is accommodated in the recessed groove 27e. In this embodiment, a rubber O-ring (hereinafter referred to as the second O-ring 25) is used as the second water blocking member 25.

[0026] A ring-shaped recessed groove 27d is formed in the imaging device fixing ring lower end 27h, and the recessed groove 27d accommodates a third water blocking member 28. In this embodiment, a rubber O-ring (hereinafter referred to as the third O-ring 28) is used as the third water blocking member 28.

[0027] The lower lid 29, which is removed when in use, is a circular member provided with a female screw hole 29a having the same thread shape as the female screw hole 12a formed in the upper end 12 of the imaging device 10. An upper end 29h of the lower lid 29 (hereinafter referred to as the lower lid upper end 29h) is a circular flat surface. The upper end 29h of the lower cover faces the lower end 27h of the imaging device fixing ring.

[0028] As described above, the component unit of the detachable member 20 before use has the upper lid 21 connected in place of the shaft 11 of the pipe inspection device 30, the upper lid 21 having the upper lid lower end 21f facing the shaft connecting ring upper end 23f and the threaded portion 21a that screws into the threaded portion 24a of the detachable ring 24, and the first O-ring 22 interposed between the upper lid lower end 21f and the shaft connecting ring upper end 23f. Also, the lower lid 29 is connected in place of the imaging device 10, and the lower lid 29 is connected to the imaging device fixing ring lower end 27h with the bolt 26, and the third O-ring 28 is interposed between the lower lid upper end 29h and the imaging device fixing ring lower end 27h. Because the detachable member 20 is provided as a product in this component unit state, it can be used appropriately for replacement work, repair work, etc. of the imaging device 10, etc.

[0029] Before use, when the detachable member 20 is in a component unit state, the flat surface of the upper cover lower end 21f faces the flat surface of the shaft connecting ring upper end 23f, and when in use, the flat surface of the shaft lower end 11f faces the flat surface of the shaft connecting ring upper end 23f. The first O-ring 22 is interposed between these opposing surfaces, so that the device can exhibit a predetermined waterproofing function both before use and in use.

[0030] Furthermore, in both the state of the component unit of the detachable member 20 before use and the state of use, the imaging device fixing ring outer surface 27g, which is a cylindrical surface, and the shaft connecting ring inner surface 23g, which is also a cylindrical surface, face each other over the entire circumference. Since the second O-ring 25 is interposed between these facing surfaces, a predetermined watertight function can be exhibited both before use and in use.

[0031] Furthermore, before use, when the detachable member 20 is in a component unit state, the flat upper end 29h of the lower lid faces the flat lower end 27h of the imaging device fixing ring, and in use, the flat upper end 12 of the imaging device 10 faces the flat lower end 27h of the imaging device fixing ring. The third O-ring 28 is interposed between these opposing surfaces, so that a predetermined waterproofing function can be achieved both before use and in use.

[0032] Furthermore, the opposing surfaces of the components sandwiching the first O-ring 22, the second O-ring 25, and the third O-ring 28 are, from top to bottom, a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 11, a cylindrical surface around the axis of the shaft 11, and a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 11, so that the surfaces are not continuous in the same direction, and therefore a higher level of water-stopping functionality can be expected.

[0033] The detachable ring 24 has a threaded portion 24a on its upper inner surface, which serves as a screw fastening portion for the shaft 11 (or the upper lid 21), and a step 24c is formed below the threaded portion 24a, facing the step 23c of the shaft connecting ring 23. Therefore, when the threaded portion 24a of the detachable ring 24 is tightened onto the threaded portion 11a of the shaft 11 (or the threaded portion 21a of the upper lid 21), the shaft lower end 11f (or the upper lid lower end 21f) and the shaft connecting ring upper end 23f are crimped together, pushing down the shaft connecting ring 23. When the detachable ring 24 is further tightened, the shaft connecting ring 23 and the detachable ring 24 are crimped together at the step 23c and the step 24c, and are fixed to each other. Because the first O-ring 22 is installed at this crimped location, the first O-ring 22 is compressed by tightening the threaded portion 24a.

[0034] Furthermore, the second O-ring 25 is compressed by fastening the threaded portion 27a of the imaging device fixing ring 27 to the threaded portion 23a of the shaft connecting ring 23. Moreover, the third O-ring 28 is compressed by fastening the imaging device fixing ring 27 and the imaging device 10 (or the lower lid 29) with the bolt 26.

[0035] The screw fastening portions described in the above embodiment, i.e., the screw fastening portion between screw portion 24a and screw portion 11a (or screw portion 21a) and the screw fastening portion between screw portion 23a and screw portion 27a, may have the female threads and male threads that screw together (screw together) in reverse. Furthermore, the first to third water-stopping members 22, 25, 28 are not limited to the first to third O-rings 22, 25, 28 shown in the above embodiment, and may be other types of water-stopping members that have a water-stopping function.

[0036] According to this invention, even if only the imaging device 10 or only the shaft 11 is damaged, only the damaged portion can be easily repaired or replaced in a short time. Furthermore, by using the detachable member 20, even if the imaging device 10 and the shaft 11 are separated and handled as parts, they can be assembled while maintaining watertightness between them, improving convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 main 2 branch pipes 2a Branch pipe 2b Fire hydrant 3 Valves 10. Imaging device 11 Shaft 11a Threaded section 11f bottom end (bottom end of shaft) 12 Top of the imaging device 13 frames 14,16 Lighting 15 Camera 17 Connection terminal 20 Detachable member 21 Upper lid 21a Threaded section 21b Occlusion 21c Reinforcement rib 21d Insertion tube 21e Flange 21f Lower end (lower end of upper lid) 22 First water-stopping member (first O-ring) 23 Shaft connecting ring 23a Threaded section 23b Outer convex part 23c Stepped section 23d Insertion tube 23f upper end (shaft connection ring upper end) 23g Inner surface (inner surface of shaft connecting ring) 23h concave groove 24 Detachable ring 24a Threaded section 24b Upper cylinder part 24c Stepped section 24d inner convex part 24e Lower tube 25 Second water-stopping member (second O-ring) 26 volts 27 Imaging device fixing ring 27a Threaded section 27b base 27c Insertion tube 27d groove 27e groove 27f bolt hole 27g Outer surface (outer surface of imaging device fixing ring) 27h Bottom end (bottom end of imaging device fixing ring) 28 Third water-stopping member (third O-ring) 29 Lower lid 29a female screw hole 29h Upper edge (upper edge of lower lid) 30 Pipe inspection equipment

Claims

1. A shaft (11), an imaging device (10) connected to the shaft (11), powered via a cable passing through the shaft (11), and transmitting an image signal; a detachable member (20) that connects the shaft (11) and the imaging device (10); The detachable member (20) is a shaft connecting ring (23) having an upper end (23f) opposite to a lower end (11f) of the shaft (11); a detachable ring (24) having a threaded portion (24a) that screws onto the threaded portion (11a) of the shaft (11) and a step portion (24c) that faces the step portion (23c) of the shaft connecting ring (23); an imaging device fixing ring (27) connected to the upper end (12) of the imaging device (10) with a bolt (26) and having a threaded portion (27a) that screws into the threaded portion (23a) of the shaft connecting ring (23); a first water-stopping member (22) provided between the lower end (11f) of the shaft (11) and the upper end (23f) of the shaft connecting ring (23); a second water-stopping member (25) provided between an inner surface (23g) of the shaft connecting ring (23) and an outer surface (27g) of the imaging device fixing ring (27); An internal pipe inspection device equipped with the device.

2. a third water-stopping member (28) provided between an upper end (12) of the imaging device (10) and a lower end (27h) of the imaging device fixing ring (27); 2. The pipe interior inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the first water-stopping member (22), the second water-stopping member (25), and the third water-stopping member (28) are made up of O-rings.

3. A component unit of the detachable member (20) used in the pipe interior inspection device according to claim 2, An upper lid (21) is connected in place of the shaft (11), and the upper lid (21) has a lower end (21f) facing the upper end (23f) of the shaft connecting ring (23) and a threaded portion (21a) that screws into the threaded portion (24a) of the detachable ring (24), and the first water-stopping member (22) is interposed between the lower end (21f) of the upper lid (21) and the upper end (23f) of the shaft connecting ring (23), A component unit of the detachable member (20) in which a lower lid (29) is connected in place of the imaging device (10), the lower lid (29) is connected to the lower end (27h) of the imaging device fixing ring (27) with the bolt (26), and the third water-stopping member (28) is interposed between the upper end (29h) of the lower lid (29) and the lower end (27h) of the imaging device fixing ring (27).

Images