Automatic cable laying device and automatic cable laying or removal method using said device

Abstract

To provide a device capable of automatically grasping and releasing a cable with a plurality of respective hauling machines.SOLUTION: In a laying device of a cable C, a plurality of hauling machines 2 are provided at intervals that grasp and deliver the cable C from both sides by a pair of endless tracks 3 from a certain point to a point of a certain distance. An inlet side sensor 11 and an outlet side sensor 12 are respectively provided before and after each of the hauling machines 2. Presence / absence and a size of the cable C are identified by each sensor. When the cable C is sensed by the inlet side sensor 11, the cable C is grasped by causing the pair of endless tracks 3 to approach to each other while rotating them. When the cable C is not sensed by the outlet side sensor 12, the pair of endless tracks 3 are separated from each other, and the grasp of the cable C is released, and the rotation of the endless tracks 3 is stopped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic cable laying device used for pulling a cable horizontally into a tunnel or for transporting a cable vertically through a shaft, and to an automatic cable laying or removal method using the device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when laying a cable in a tunnel, the cable is unwound from a cable drum on the ground, fed into the tunnel through a vertical shaft in the ground, and transported to a predetermined location within the tunnel where it is laid.

[0003] To transport and lay this cable vertically or horizontally, multiple spaced-apart hauling machines are often used to transport the cable. These hauling machines grip both ends of the cable with a pair of endless tracks and rotate the tracks to feed the cable to one side.

[0004] These cables are laid in tunnels by workers stationed at each hauling machine and other locations, monitoring the cable's slack, tension, and other conditions, and each worker operates the hauling machine. Therefore, a large number of workers are required to lay long-distance spans. However, in light of the recent labor shortage and aging of the workforce, there is a need for a laying method that allows for the work to be done by a small number of workers, and aims to improve the efficiency and safety of the work when laying these long-distance spans.

[0005] One example of a project developed with the aim of improving work efficiency is Patent Document 1, entitled "Method and device for transporting laying objects."

[0006] The method disclosed in Patent Document 1 involves installing a number of hauling machines at intervals within a tunnel, each of which holds and transports the cable from both sides, and installing a number of vertically mounted rollers between each of the hauling machines to support and transport the cable. A main control unit is installed in a designated control area, and sub-control units are installed within the tunnel corresponding to each hauling machine. The main control unit controls the hauling machines via each sub-control unit, and each hauling machine has a base, a pair of endless tracks that are arranged to be freely movable on the base and hold the cable from both sides, and a pair of rollers arranged behind and in front of the endless tracks on the base. Each sub-control unit determines whether each hauling machine is operating normally and transporting the cable based on the rotational state of the pair of rollers and the load factor of each hauling machine.

[0007] In this case, the main control unit located in a predetermined control area controls each hauling machine via a sub-control unit located corresponding to each hauling machine, allowing a single operator to control all of the hauling machines collectively via the main control unit and sub-control unit. This eliminates the need to individually adjust each hauling machine while transporting the material, reducing the number of personnel required to adjust each hauling machine. Furthermore, since there is no need to install electric rollers, there is no need to install and remove them. As a result, the cost of transporting the material can be reduced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6602618 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in the system of Patent Document 1, workers must manually grip cables or other installation materials with each hauling machine, which is a task that does not lead to a reduction in the number of workers. Also, when monitoring the load factor, the load handled by each hauling machine varies due to factors such as curves, making it difficult to synchronize the speeds of each hauling machine.

[0010] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide an apparatus and method that can automatically grip and release cables using multiple hauling machines, and an apparatus and laying or removal method that can automatically transport and lay cables from a certain location over a fairly long distance using control equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The invention of claim 1 is an automatic cable laying device that has a plurality of spaced-apart hauling machines that use a pair of endless tracks to grasp and feed a cable from both sides from a certain point to a point a certain distance away, and is configured such that an entrance sensor and an exit sensor are provided in front of and behind each hauling machine, and the presence or absence of a cable is identified using each sensor, and when a cable is detected by the entrance sensor, the pair of endless tracks are rotated while bringing the pair of endless tracks closer together to grasp the cable, and when a cable is not detected by the exit sensor, the pair of endless tracks are moved away from each other, the grip on the cable is released, and the rotation of the endless tracks is stopped.

[0012] In addition, the invention of claim 2 is an automatic cable laying device as described in claim 1, which is provided with sub-controllers that control the rotation drive units of the endless tracks of each hauling machine and the grip drive units that move the pair of endless tracks closer to and away from each other, and a main control unit that operates and controls each of these sub-controllers.

[0013] The invention of claim 3 is an automatic cable laying device as described in claim 1 or 2, in which the entrance sensor and exit sensor consist of a U-shaped frame with an opening at the top, with the cable passing through this frame, one vertical frame being the light transmitting unit and the other vertical frame being the light receiving unit, and the device comprises a measuring unit that measures the amount of light received by the light receiving unit, and the presence and size of the cable are determined by comparing the amount of light transmitted and the amount of light received.

[0014] The invention of claim 4 is a method for laying or removing a cable by arranging a plurality of hauling machines at intervals, each of which grasps the cable from both sides with a pair of endless tracks and sends it out from a certain point to a point a certain distance away, wherein an entrance sensor and an exit sensor are provided in front of and behind each hauling machine, and the presence or absence of a cable is identified using each sensor; when the entrance sensor detects the cable, the pair of endless tracks are rotated while bringing the pair of endless tracks closer to each other to grasp the cable; and when the entrance sensor and the exit sensor no longer detect the cable, the pair of endless tracks are moved away from each other to release the grip on the cable and stop the rotation of the endless tracks, thereby automatically laying or removing a cable.

[0015] In addition, the invention of claim 5 is an automatic cable laying or removal method as described in claim 3, in which a rotation drive unit for the endless tracks of each hauling machine and a gripping drive unit for moving the pair of endless tracks closer to or farther away from each other are provided, and these drive units are controlled by a sub-control unit provided for each hauling machine, and each of these sub-control units is operated and controlled by a main control unit.

[0016] In addition, the invention of claim 6 is an automatic cable laying or removal method as described in claim 3 or 4, in which the entrance sensor and exit sensor consist of a U-shaped frame with an opening at the top, one vertical frame is a light-transmitting unit and the other vertical frame is a light-receiving unit, the cable is passed through the frame, the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit is measured by a measuring unit, and the amount of light transmitted and the amount of light received are compared to determine the presence and size of the cable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the inventions of claims 1 and 4, entrance and exit sensors for detecting the cable are provided in front of and behind each hauling machine, and by detecting the cable with these sensors, the approaching and separating of the pair of endless tracks of each hauling machine and the rotation of each endless track can be automatically controlled.

[0018] Therefore, in the past, workers were stationed next to each hauling machine, and when the tip of the cable approached, the workers would grip the cable with the hauling machine's catenary and rotate it, and when the end of the cable moved away from the hauling machine, the workers would also rotate the pair of catenary and release the grip.However, because these operations can be performed automatically, a large number of workers are no longer required.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the inventions of claims 2 and 5, the operation of the drive unit that rotates the pair of endless tracks of each hauling machine and the gripping drive unit that drives the pair of endless tracks toward and away from each other is controlled by a sub-control unit, and these sub-control units can be operated and controlled by the main control unit, so that one operator can automatically operate multiple hauling machines.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the inventions of claims 3 and 6, the amount of light received when a cable is passed through the entrance sensor and exit sensor installed in front and behind each hauling machine is measured, and the presence and size of the cable are determined based on the change in the amount of light received relative to the amount of light sent out.Therefore, no matter how twisted the cable is, the amount of light received does not change, and the cable can be detected reliably. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an automatic cable laying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in use inside a tunnel. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a hauling machine, an entrance sensor, and an exit sensor of an automatic cable laying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3]1 is a front view of a hauling machine, an entrance sensor, and an exit sensor of an automatic cable laying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the gripping drive unit and the like removed. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation configuration of a pair of endless tracks of a hauling machine of an automatic cable laying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, moving closer to and farther away from each other. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of an entrance-side sensor or an exit-side sensor of an automatic cable laying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a control device of an automatic cable laying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing the operating state of the entrance sensor or exit sensor of the automatic cable laying device of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a diagram showing when a cable is passing, (B) is a diagram showing when a cable is not passing, and (C) is a diagram showing three states when the cable is twisted. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic cable laying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention installed in a vertical shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] (Embodiment Example 1) First Embodiment An automatic cable laying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0023] This automatic cable laying device uses a hauling machine 2 mounted on a transport vehicle V2 installed behind the drum 1 to pay out a cable C wound around the drum 1, and then guides the cable C through a vertical shaft T opened on the ground surface into a tunnel H. Within the tunnel H, the cable C is transported by multiple hauling machines 2 installed at regular intervals along the cable location to be laid, and is laid to a designated location within the tunnel H.

[0024] Each of these hauling machines 2 has a pair of endless tracks 3, 3 arranged at a distance from each other in parallel in the cable laying direction, and each endless track 3 rotates by receiving rotation from a separately provided rotation motor 24 (see Figure 6).

[0025] At the same time, the pair of endless tracks 3, 3 are adapted to move toward or away from each other, and the endless tracks 3 are slidably mounted parallel to each other on a support frame 4, which is mounted on a base 5. A protruding piece 3a protruding from the bottom of each endless track 3 is screwed onto a threaded shaft 6 that is supported horizontally within the support frame 4. The left and right threads of the threaded shaft 6 are oriented in opposite directions at the center, and the two protruding pieces 3a are screwed onto the opposite threaded shaft 6 at different points.

[0026] One end of the threaded shaft 6 protrudes from one side of the support frame 4 and is connected to a gripping drive unit 8 consisting of a motor via a transmission 7 provided on the base 5. Therefore, when the gripping drive unit 8 is rotated, the threaded shaft 6 rotates, and the pair of endless tracks 3, 3 move along the threaded shaft 6, moving closer to or farther away from each other. The pair of caterpillars 3, 3 come close to each other to grip the cable C, and the cable C is fed out by the rotation of each caterpillar 3.

[0027] In addition, guide rollers 9, 9 are provided in front and behind the pair of catenary tracks 3, 3 of each hauling machine 2, and the cable being transported rests on these guide rollers 9, 9 and is gripped by the catenary tracks 3, 3 from both sides.

[0028] Furthermore, in front of and behind these guide rollers 9, 9, and at a distance from each guide roller 9, an entrance side sensor 11 and an exit side sensor 12 are respectively provided at the tips of arms 10 that protrude from both sides of the support frame 4 of each hauling machine 2. These entrance side sensors 11 and exit side sensors 12 have the same structure, consisting of a U-shaped frame 13 with an opening at the top, and of the left and right vertical frames 13a, 13b, one vertical frame 13a acts as a light transmitting unit that emits light, and the other vertical frame 13b acts as a light receiving unit, and has the function of measuring the amount of light received by the light receiving unit and measuring changes in the amount of light received and transmitted.

[0029] 6, a sub-control unit 14 is provided for each hauling machine 2 installed in the tunnel 1, and each sub-control unit 14 is connected to a main control unit 15. The main control unit 15 is installed in a space near the vertical shaft T of the tunnel 1, and the space also contains a power supply unit 17, an operation unit 18 connected to the main control unit 15 and equipped with operation elements such as switches and buttons, and a display unit 19 connected to the main control unit 15 and equipped with a display screen.

[0030] The main control unit 15 and the sub-control units 14 are electrically connected by a power supply cable 20 and a control cable 21 .

[0031] The main control unit 15 controls the operation (rotation), stopping, speed adjustment, emergency stopping, etc. of each hauling machine 2 through each sub-control unit 14. In the case of an emergency stop, each hauling machine 2 can be stopped in a shorter time than a normal stop.

[0032] Each hauling machine 2 can be controlled individually or collectively. For this reason, the operation unit 18 is provided with an operation switch and a stop switch for operating (rotating) or stopping all of the hauling machines 2, an operation (rotation) / stop selection switch for selecting whether to operate (rotate) or stop each hauling machine, and an individual / collectively switch for selecting whether to control each hauling machine 2 individually or collectively.

[0033] When the operator presses the individual / group switch to select individual control, turning on the operation switch will operate the hauling machine whose operation (rotation) / stop selection switch is turned on, and turning on the stop switch will stop the hauling machine 2 whose operation (rotation) / stop selection switch is turned on.

[0034] Furthermore, if the operator selects collective control by pressing the individual / collective switch, when the operation (rotation) / stop switches of all hauling machines 2 are on, turning on the operation switch will operate (rotate) all of the hauling machines 2, and turning on the stop switch will stop all of the hauling machines 2. However, when any of the operation (rotation) / stop selection switches of the hauling machines 2 are off, turning on the operation switch will not operate (rotate) all of the hauling machines 2.

[0035] Furthermore, each sub-controller 14 is connected to a motor driver 22 for operating (rotating) the hauling machine 2, and a monitoring camera 23 for monitoring. Images of the inside of the tunnel 1 taken by the monitoring camera 23 are sent to the operation unit 18 via the control cable 21 and displayed on the display unit 19. Furthermore, each motor driver 22 is connected to a rotation motor 24 of each hauling machine 2.

[0036] In the above-described cable moving and transporting device, when the cable C is laid to a predetermined location in the tunnel H, the worker either holds the leading rope L, one end of which is connected to the tip of the cable C, by hand and moves in accordance with the movement of the cable C, or the other end of the leading rope L is wound around a winch (not shown) installed at the tip of the laying location in the tunnel H to guide the cable C, thereby guiding the tip of the cable C.

[0037] Then, when the entrance sensor 11 of the first hauling machine 2 closest to the vertical shaft T detects the tip of the cable C, the sub-control unit 14 corresponding to that hauling machine 2 reacts, causing the motor drive unit 22 and the rotation motor 24 to rotate, and each of the endless tracks 3 to rotate.

[0038] When the entrance-side sensor 11 detects the cable C and the exit-side sensor 12 also detects the cable C, the sub-controller 14 is activated to drive the gripping drive unit 8, causing the pair of caterpillars 3, 3 to approach each other and grip the cable C, while each caterpillar 3 feeds out the cable C. In this way, the other hauling machines 2 in the tunnel H also grip and transport the cable C in sequence.

[0039] Furthermore, when the exit side sensor 12 of each hauling machine 2 detects the cable C, and the end of the cable C passes the entrance side sensor 11 of that hauling machine 2 and the cable C is no longer detected, the sub-control unit 14 operates to drive the gripping drive unit 8, causing the pair of endless tracks 3, 3 to move away from each other and release the grip on the cable C.

[0040] Next, when the end of cable C passes through the exit side sensor 12 and cable C is no longer detected, the sub-control unit 14 corresponding to the hauling machine 2 reacts, causing the motor drive unit 22 to stop rotating the operating motor 24, and the rotation of each endless track 3 stops.

[0041] When such an entrance-side sensor 11 or exit-side sensor 12 detects cable C, as shown in Figure 7(A), part of the light emitted from one vertical frame 13a is blocked by cable C and does not reach the other vertical frame 13b, so the amount of light received is smaller than the amount of light transmitted. On the other hand, when cable C is not present in these sensors, the amount of light received is the same as the amount of light transmitted, and as shown in Figure 7(B), in the case of a leading rope L, its cross section is clearly smaller than that of cable C, so the change in the amount of light received is smaller than the amount of light transmitted, and cable C is not detected.

[0042] In this way, the presence or absence and size of cable C is determined and the pair of catenary tracks 3, 3 of each hauling machine are moved toward or away from each other. Also, if cable C is a triplex cable, no matter how the three wires are twisted, the amount of light received remains almost the same in all cases (three cases are shown at once in the figure) as shown in Figure 7(c), and cable C can be detected.

[0043] In this way, the cable C is automatically gripped and transported by multiple hauling machines 2 installed at regular intervals, and the cable C is laid to a predetermined location. During this process, the speed synchronization of each hauling machine 2 is managed by the main control unit 15 using the rotation speed and voltage of the endless tracks 3, and the status of the cable C is monitored by the main control unit 15 and display unit 18 using the monitoring camera 23 installed in the tunnel H, and the operation of each hauling machine 2 is controlled. In addition, direct rollers 25 are installed as appropriate between adjacent hauling machines 2 to support the cable C and assist in smooth transportation.

[0044] The above-ground hauling machine 2 does not have an entrance sensor 11 or an exit sensor 12, and an operator is required to grip and release the cable C and to rotate and stop it.

[0045] (Embodiment Example 2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, when the length of the shaft T is long, multiple hauling machines 2 are arranged along the shaft T. As shown in Figure 8, temporary scaffolding 26 is set up inside the shaft T, and multiple hauling machine mounting racks 27 are arranged vertically at intervals on one side of the temporary scaffolding 26. A hauling machine 2 is fixed vertically in each of these hauling machine mounting racks 27.

[0046] An entrance sensor 11 and an exit sensor 12 are provided above and below each of the hauling machines 2. Furthermore, a tubular cable guide 28 into which the cable C to be laid is inserted is provided on one side of the temporary scaffolding 26 between these hauling machine mounting racks 27. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0047] Then, the cable C inserted from the ground into the top cable guide 28 is grasped and transported by each hauling machine 2, hangs down inside the vertical shaft T, and is sent to the tunnel H.

[0048] In the second embodiment, temporary scaffolding 26 is set up inside the shaft T, but depending on the situation, multiple hauling machine mounting racks 27 may be installed directly on the inner wall of the shaft T at intervals, and the hauling machine 2 may be attached to each of these hauling machine mounting racks 27. Furthermore, while the second embodiment shows an example of a shaft T, it is not limited to this and can also be applied to laying main cables in high-rise buildings.

[0049] Furthermore, while the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2 have been described with regard to the laying of cables, the automatic cable laying device of the present invention can also be used to remove cables laid in tunnels, etc. by automatically releasing the grip of the cable C by the pair of endless tracks 3 of each hauling machine 2, thereby removing the cable C. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] C Cable H Tunnel T Vertical shaft R Lead rope V1 transport vehicle V2 transport vehicle 1 Drum 2 Hauling machine 3 Track 3a Projecting piece 4 Support frame 5 Base 6 threaded shaft 7 gearbox 8 Grip drive unit 9 Guide roller 10 Arm 11 Inlet side sensor 12 Exit sensor 13 Frame 13a Vertical frame 13b Vertical frame 14 Sub-control section 15 Main control section 17 Power supply 18 Control unit 19 Display unit 20 Power supply cable 21 control cable 22 motor drive unit 23 Surveillance camera 24 Rotation motor 25 Direct placement roller 26 Temporary scaffolding 27 Hauling machine mounting rack 28 Guide pipe

Claims

1. A cable transport device in which a plurality of hauling machines are provided at intervals, each hauling machine gripping the cable from both sides with a pair of endless tracks and feeding it out from a certain point to a point that is a certain distance away. An automatic cable transport device characterized by the configuration in which an entrance sensor and an exit sensor are provided in front of and behind each hauling machine, and the presence or absence of a cable is identified using each sensor; when a cable is detected by the entrance sensor, the pair of endless tracks are rotated while bringing the pair of endless tracks closer together to grasp the cable; and when a cable is not detected by the exit sensor, the pair of endless tracks are moved away from each other, the grip on the cable is released, and the rotation of the endless tracks is stopped.

2. 2. The automatic cable transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-controller for controlling the rotation drive unit of the endless track of each hauling machine and the grip drive unit for moving the pair of endless tracks closer to and away from each other, and a main control unit for operating and controlling each of these sub-controllers.

3. 3. The automatic cable feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the entrance sensor and the exit sensor are each made up of a U-shaped frame with an opening at the top, with the cable passing through the frame, one vertical frame being a light transmitting unit, the other vertical frame being a light receiving unit, and a measuring unit that measures the amount of light received by the light receiving unit, and the presence or absence of a cable is determined by comparing the amount of light transmitted with the amount of light received.

4. A method of transporting a cable by arranging a plurality of hauling machines at intervals, each hauling machine gripping the cable from both sides with a pair of endless tracks and sending it out from a certain point to a point a certain distance away. An automatic cable transport method comprising providing an entrance sensor and an exit sensor at the front and rear of each hauling machine, each of which identifies the presence or absence of a cable, and when the entrance sensor detects the presence of a cable, rotating the pair of endless tracks to bring the pair of endless tracks closer to each other and grasp the cable, and when the entrance sensor and exit sensor no longer detect the cable, moving the pair of endless tracks away from each other to release the grip on the cable and stopping the rotation of the endless tracks.

5. 5. The automatic cable transport method according to claim 4, characterized in that each hauling machine is provided with a rotation drive unit for the endless track and a grip drive unit for moving the pair of endless tracks closer to and away from each other, these drive units are controlled by a sub-control unit provided for each hauling machine, and each of these sub-control units is operated and controlled by the main control unit.

6. 6. The automatic cable feeding method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the entrance-side sensor and the exit-side sensor are comprised of U-shaped frames with an opening at the top, one vertical frame being a light-transmitting unit and the other vertical frame being a light-receiving unit, the cable is passed through the frames, the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit is measured by a measuring unit, and the presence or absence of the cable is determined by comparing the amount of light transmitted with the amount of light received.

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